Coming Out with the Girlfriend

My girlfriend came to visit me at college this week, which was a huge blessing given that she lives thousands of miles away and across the US-Canadian border.

We spent the week drinking coffee, visiting friends, and kissing in the corners of my dorm room.

Thursday, her last day here, was National Coming Out Day.

To celebrate, and because it suddenly felt right, I came out of the closet to my school, and we made our relationship public on Facebook.

Then we volunteered at our school’s Coming Out Day fair, wearing matching t-shirts and hanging up rainbow flags.

I said goodbye to her this morning.  The cab that drove her away tore out a piece of my heart.

But I feel calmer, more centered, and closer to her than I was several weeks ago.  The moment when I held her smooth hand in my own and brought it to my lips, I knew I was in love.  I plan to marry her.

Before

I feel sick.

I don’t want to eat.  I don’t need to eat.  I’m focused and vivacious and overwhelmed and worried.

I felt this way for most of last week, and the sensation was new to me.  After I stuffed myself full of cookies and sandwiches every night for the first month of college, my appetite suddenly cut off.  Thinking about food made my stomach clench.  Usually I drink coffee constantly, but I could only drink water.

I panicked.  ”Maybe the flu vaccine made me sick!  Maybe something bit me while I was in the woods!  Maybe I accidentally ate a parasite!”

It never occurred to me that my body was releasing dopamine, norepinephrine and phenylethylamine in massive quantities.  Why?  Because of a single text I’d received.

“Want to get coffee tonight?” -I

Last week, this girl I had a massive crush on thought was okay texted me for the first time in a month, asking to chill.  I didn’t link my sudden appetite loss with my excitement over hanging out with her.  I thought I was just getting the flu.  Now that this sensation is back, I’m not sure what to do with it or where to go.  I don’t even know how I feel anymore.

Maybe I should eat.

What I Want for My Life (I Think)

1. I want to put God first.

2. I want to write.

3. I want to study all different religions and philosophies, from obscure branches of Christianity (Mormonism, the Church of Christ) to entirely different faiths (Orthodox, Conservative and Reform Judaism, Islam).

4. I want to prioritize my beautiful girlfriend and live with her in holy matrimony if that is what God intends.

comingoutjournal:

Lesbian Couple Gets Engaged After Afghanistan Homecoming

Breakdown of the engagement from Reddit:

Me: “I’m shaking, and you’re shaking!” Her: “I know!” -couple spins, hugs, kisses…I can literally feel her heartbeat…- Me: “It is so good to see you, to touch you!” Her: “So, I have a question for you..” Me: “Of course babe, wha-…” Her: drops to one knee “Will you marry me?” Me: “YES!”

Click here to read more on this heartwarming story.

[Pictures courtesy of Natasha Martin]

Too. Cute!

(via wholeheartedlyinvested)

Source: The Huffington Post

Book Release: LGBTQ Fiction - Seek

Today is my girlfriend’s birthday!  She is the most beautiful woman in the world.  But that is irrelevant.

As part of her present (a small part; the rest is in the mail), I’m dedicating my next book to her.  It will be available soon through Amazon Kindle.  And all of the profits will go to a charity of her choice.

         

Title: Seek*
Genre: YA/Romance/LGBTQ/Religious Fiction
Length: 11,000 words

Bozer, South Carolina, is a hard place to be gay.

It’s a hard place to look gay, sound gay, or even think remotely gay thoughts—such as, “Does my sweater match my boxers today?”

Five high school girls know the struggle firsthand. Kassandra, lesbian and heir to the holy throne of Southern Baptist preachers, faces God’s condemnation—what the hell? On the other hand, Jess, the most intelligent girl in her grade, can’t figure out her own place on the spectrum.

Roman just wants to play music, eat latke and find the elusive half to her tortured soul. Two girls want to be that half: evangelical Allison and timid Penny, who would rather have Roman than breathe.

Does God hate gay people? They’re not sure. (According to Kassandra, the answer is yes.) But nothing—not bruised hearts or scratched egos, not broken families or wilted wishes—will stop these girls from searching for love.

*Title subject to change.  Temporary cover image.

God Loves You

thechristiannerd:

God loves you.

You’re homosexual? That’s fine. God looks at you and says, “My love is enough for you.”

You sleep around a lot with others? That’s fine. God looks at you and says, “I can give you the things you desire.”

You’re lost? That’s fine. God says, “I’m right here. Follow my voice. I’m…

First Corinthians Chicken (Gay and Chick Fil A)

Yesterday, the entire world had nothing better to do than split in half over Chick-Fil-A.  My ex-boyfriend and his family hurried to the restaurant to show their support for breaded chicken, traditional family values and inequality.  His anti-gay sentiment is a major reason he is my ex.  Did I mention he still wants to date me?  Awkward.  

On the other hand, extreme liberals spewed hate across the battle lines, calling the other side “bigots” and “homophobes.”

I wasn’t sure where to stand.  Three months ago, I would have sided with the conservatives in support of Chick-Fil-A.  Three months ago, I knew that I was gay but hadn’t studied the Bible enough to know whether it was a sin.  I assumed it was a sin because people told me so.  After studying what the Bible really says about homosexuality, I now think differently.  

Similarly, in the 1960s when my parents were growing up, people thought segregation was okay because that’s what they’d been taught.  They had to learn the truth for themselves.

However, most of my friends and acquaintances don’t know that I’m gay.  I plan to come out—and have daydreamed many spectacular ways to do so!—but coming out over Facebook in the midst of a chicken fight was not ideal.

Of all people, Pastor Perry Noble of South Carolina wrote a pretty fair article about the homosexuality debate: http://www.perrynoble.com/2012/08/01/ben-jerrys-chic-fil-a-political-correctness/  

He makes a good point: Even if you consider homosexuality a sin, have you looked at the sin in your own life?  Have you gotten rid of all your lust, greed, gluttony and lying?  I haven’t.  I will never be a perfect person.  That’s where Jesus comes in.

Because whether you’re pro-gay or anti-gay, whether you think Chick-Fil-A is from satan or a gift from the Almighty God, it all goes back to Jesus.  And Jesus said it best:

“Love the Lord your God with all of your heart and with all of your soul and with all of your mind….  Love your neighbor as yourself.”  Matthew 22:37,39b.

Let’s focus on that. 

"Can I Come to Your Church? I'm Gay."

betweenperspectives:

Definitely loved reading this article by Todd Morrison, especially the section titled “We love the sinner, but hate the sin.” Seriously believe this statement is another cliche phrase that is thrown into the Christian “church dictionary”. Mainly because people don’t want to oppose God, but also their Christian peers, when talking about other peoples’ life choices. Most certainly a good read if you haven’t check it out already!

-R