So many just can't seem to understand that we are not "being" gay; we "are" gay. At 6' 2" I am above average height. I am not "being" tall; I "am" tall. I did not choose to be tall. It's part of who I am. The problem is they cannot separate being gay from actually having sex. Having sex is a choice but why is my sex life anyone else's business? Knowing that I am gay, every time you look at me all you can think of is two men having sex, then perhaps YOU are the pervert.
Thanks, Stephen! What a story of anti-support from the people who were supposed to be there to support you. Such a confusing time for you and you showed how strong you are. Love your comments on how being gay has nothing to do with how you were abused. I was sexually abused by a man and I'm heterosexual. Congratulations for discovering yourself through all this turmoil!
I am so glad you said that being sexually abused does not have anything to do with being gay. I for one can say Ive been sexually abused by both genders as a child and I grew up in the closet as a gay man and still have issues expressing myself although it get easier and I don't care what anyone says from the church or anywhere else as I had to survive and struggle with this my whole life. I am here for a reason even after two attempts to end it all. Its people like you that validate my worth in this world. Thank you.
I’m so sorry for your experience. This is another classic example of how survivors are more isolated by the lack of education and compassion of the people who surround them. Shame on the people who shame victims.
Stephen, you are one incredibly brave and insightful young man! As a counselor, two things I need to say. First, your maturity is impressive and your understanding is spot on. Second, any minister who pretends to follow Jesus and gives you that sort of treatment is either ignorant or in opposition to the real love of Jesus. No way should he ever even imply that he is a Christian. Kudos to you, my brother..............Ray
I've had people and family try to force me after hours and hours of conversation to "admit" I was sexually abused. I wasn't. They think it would explain my homosexuality. It's tragic that they'd rather believe I've been molested because it would comport with their world view.
Thank you for sharing your story. Thank you for showing courage and being truthful. Thank you for providing an example of strength and honesty and self acceptance and maturity. It is so important to see these things, to know that we can be strong and proud and hopeful and alive despite circumstances that are challenging or cause us suffering.
You're brave. After years of being abused I finally had the courage to speak up and to go the police after finding out there were more victims of my monster. Every day it's a struggle. The laws here in Colombia seem to protect my abuser more than the victims, he is a famous guy and he is not even in jail. He had the nerves to make a RUclips video trashing me for his millions of fans to watch. I'm scared to go out of the house alone and I'm seeing a Therapist. I haven't been able to be in a relationship, I feel not good enough and that no one will love me. I feel bad for all the children that have to go thru this hell.
Steeven, those of us who are survivors of abuse- it is not our fault. it was NOT your fault. I hope you are able to make progress in your therapy because you are a human being, worthy of respect and love. Don't let the perpetrator make you miserable. Just sharing your experience with all of us is powerful, and i hope you are doing much better now. Keep on learning to love yourself and others. Each of us can do this. ❤🩹💓❤💕
Stephen Land: Thank you for sharing your story. I too can relate to both the sexual abuse and that I was born gay. I want to just say that while I was raised on the East Coast, raised in and still attend the Episcopal church. However, I think that what SO many people who sadly believe this is a choice for me, fail to realize a few important facts. After college graduation, I moved from suburban Philly, 30 minutes south to Wilmington, DE. Until 2010, as a guy who was renting apartments, I actually in fact lived in a state with a Constitution that did NOT ban housing discrimination based on sexual orientation- and this was in fact codified into the state Constitution. Although very rarely if ever used by a landlord against a tenant, nonetheless, the scary fact was that just a person SAYING to a landlord "I'm gay" could allow the landlord to legally serve eviction papers with less than a month notice! My response to any ppl who ever posed a question such as when did I decide I was gay, or why would ppl chose that "lifestyle", got this reply from me: (again for reference this was mostly occurring pre 2010: "for me to hear this, as a law abiding, tax paying citizen, who contributes to society in the same manner as you do, what makes you ask me this question? usually a blank stare follows, and I then follow that up with "what makes you think one day anyone would wake up and spontaneously make a decision to "be gay", when in fact it meant being treated as a second class citizen?" Whenever I get the "why are you asking for special treatment" (in regards to legalizing homosexuality, gay civil unions, marriage, etc), I always reply that they are not special treatments anymore than when women 100 years ago were asking men to give them the equal right to vote. they weren't asking for anything "special" in demanding the vote. finally, if all else fails, ask them when they decided or knew that they were straight. Just IMHO.
I’m just now starting this journey of going through my own experiences that were, are, a living hell. It’s why I’m watching these videos, looking for answers. Guidance.
I'm Preston. I'm so glad you made it clear that being sexually abused or harassed cannot make you gay. Up until I was 14 years old, I was a closeted gay. I was sexually harassed at my old residential. But being sexually harassed or abused doesn't turn us gay. We were born this way.
Touching! Thank you for sharing this. My parents also thought my being gay was a choice, and a choice I was making to hurt them. They went to their graves believing that. And for that I have always been sad. I hope your parents learn the truth of how damaging their beliefs have been.
I can't say I know how you feel, however I can tell you that you aren't alone. As a kid I was abused as well, and I'm bi in a same sex relationship. My family knows about me being bi, eventhough they think it's homosexual, but they do not know about me being abused, and they aren't going to anytime soon. You are not alone, there are others.
I don't know how people can just leave their kids alone with one adult and no one to watch what they do, it's not like people these days have never heard of child molesters.
It’s like saying sexual abuse makes you straight. Plenty of straight people were sexually abused too, but why doesn’t anyone ask whether they wouldn’t have been straight if they didn’t get raped.
I watched your video. I was raised the same way as you were, in church. I was molested by a younger cousin who had moved nextdoor from the city. I was about 10 year's old. I thought that's what made me attracted to the same sex. Turns out the cousin got married and has two daughters. I felt as though my life was robbed from me because I always wanted a family. I have had a disappointing life.
I am glad you had the strength to record this video. I am a 57 y/o Australian in Queensland. I was sexually abused by my eldest sister's first husband when I was 12 years old. It only happened the once, but he and my sister were my guardians while my Parents were interstate for 8 months. I told NOONE for 5 years - then I told my Mum. She spoke with my sister who said, "I wish I had known, I would have gotten a better divorce settlement." (no lie) Over the next 20 years I tried three times to get my sister to help me bring her ex-husband before the police. Each time Jan said, "David, I am not going to help you. I have my own issues." Well, she is now in her 70's, and when she meets Mum in Heaven, I wonder if she will be able to look her in the eye. You said that kids who are sexually abused don't necessarily become homosexual. Before this happened I used to draw naked ladies... but not since then. Big hairy truck drivers now.
Thank you for showing courage and being truthful. Thank you for providing an example of strength and honesty and self acceptance and maturity. It is so important to see these things, to know that we can be strong and proud and hopeful and alive despite circumstances that are challenging or cause us suffering. i;m also gay and endured childhood sexual molestations and two rapes as a young man-date rapes -myself back in the 70's and early 80's. it took me 30 years to be able to talk about it to anyone., except for few relatives and friends.
i can't speak to Stephen's experience, but from my experiences growing up i came to the conclusion that the many advances made to me from men was due to them sensing, consciously or not, that i was gay. Or at least, i was clearly not an aggressive, hyper-masculine kid, and therefore a safer target.
This makes me angry. If any person is willing to give serious thought to whether being gay is a choice, they would quickly realize that ALL of the evidence is to the contrary. The fact that someone's PARENTS aren't willing to do that makes me crazy. They choose to bring a life into this incredibly difficult world, and then they turn their back on their child. Any why? Because people wrote a book thousands of years ago, with terrible stories and inhumane actions. The lack of bravery and character of parents like that makes me sick. To love is wise and to hate is foolish (paraphrasing Sir Bertrand Russell).
My advice is to reject overt and covert disapproval of your sexuality from any and all sources. Passive aggressive disapproval cuts the deepest especially when it comes from family. Demand better of yourself and for yourself. Respect begins with respecting yourself.
Ya know...the title of this really hit hard. I got molested by 2 female family members, one on semi regular occasion(seperate from each other) from age 5 to around 8 or 9. It still confuses me to this day because of certain aspects of it such as one being 2 years older, and the other one being at least 5 years older than me. It's even scarier because I remember being okay with it as a child...but I can't consent because I'm a child? I feel terrible about it whenever I think about it because I feel so guilty and gross. I'm pretty sure I'm bisexual. I'm 99% sure...but it's scary because of those past experiences. It's hard for me to accept even the possibility of me being bi because in my mind even though I know it's not my fault I feel... kind of like that would mean that I liked what they did? Nobody knows about the incidents except my boyfriend. I never told my parents. I'm now 21. Due to growing up in a religious household I won't discuss it with family. I'm also not going to ever tell my parents what happened because the risks FAR out weigh the benefits. It's just hard ya know? Being bound by something that happened when you were a kid.
the whole blaming the victim thing is wide spread, not just in church, though it was spread by the church, i have been dealing with that my entire life, from the city i grew up in alone, from my family treating me like dirt, to the school district, sabotaging my schooling, to the police department trying to nail me for anything, to the state itself, and this isnt a southern state, its Wisconsin, to being told that if i didnt like it why dont i just leave, i haven't and i wont give up,
Thankyou for sharing. I spent years being sexually abused by my mother, and I've always struggled with wondering if my history of abuse in any way influenced my sexuality. It's something I'm still dealing with, but more and more I'm coming to accept that I am who I am regardless of what happened to me.
+Nat Mickan Acceptance! Ah, yes, one of the essential keys to happiness! I was physically and emotionally abused by my mother. I have a personality disorder as a result. There is not one damn thing I can do to change it. Accepting that has made my life much easier.
john allen, I hope that what you meant to say is "I am sorry that this happened to you. I thank you for sharing your truth as it is something I never considered a mother would do to her child." john allen please tell me this is what you were thinking.
Your church pastor was “cherry picking” bible verses when he said, “gays are an abomination.” The verse he is referring to is found in Leviticus 20:13, "If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them." The problem for those supporting the anti-gay verse is that NO ONE follows most verses in Leviticus. People are not being put to death for cursing their mother and father in verse 9, nor for adultery in verse 10. They are not performing animal sacrifices per chapters 1-9, nor are they breaking dishes when someone has a venereal disease per chapter 15. When we read the new testament gospels we find that those who upheld Mosaic law were the ones out to harm and kill the one called Jesus. Jesus didn't follow all the Mosaic laws, he healed on the sabbath, his disciples weren’t fasting and he didn’t follow Leviticus 20:10 where those caught in adultery are to be killed. He instead said to the scribes and Pharisees, “He who is without sin, let him throw the first stone.” Jesus introduced new teachings to replace the old. John 13:34 states, “A new commandment I give you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” Jesus was inclusive, tolerant and accepting of people’s differences and status in life. He spoke with the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well when Jews were not supposed to socially interact. He ate with tax collectors and sinners. He healed the insane and the Roman centurion’s servant. People should realize that breaking dishes for venereal disease, opposing LGBTQ+ lifestyles and animal/human sacrifice to appease God should be categorized as primitive, outdated beliefs. Some so-called religious people claim those who are LGBTQ are going to hell. I have been to hundreds of seances with two of the finest mediums in the US. The spirit guide, Evening Star, talked about heaven and hell. She said they were different for different people. She cited the example of listening to rock n roll music. Some people would feel like they are in heaven while others would think they are in hell. “In my Father’s house are many mansions.” speaks of the variety and diversity in the Spirit World. Please consider the following words from Rod McKuen, (not an exact quote, but close). "It does not matter who you love or how you love, but that you love. The good in man is God made manifest and loving is the contribution to that good and to that only God. For in the end the act of loving anyone is the act of loving God.”
Nobody needs anyone's approval to be gay - if your family do not respect or even love you then you have to accept the fact that your life is better without them.
Good story. People forget the abusers don't make their victims gay. The abusers target these kids because they know or sense that they may be gay...and therefore, they rationalize that "they may like it".
I'm sorry to be blunt 😔I went through the same thing obviously not a pastor in a church with I don't think they're quite exist here in the UK in the same way I thinkI told my adoptive grandmother that my uncle was doing things that I didn't like she basically called me a bloody little liar and because I was adopted I was I was a bastard and they didn't want to adopt the feeling was mutual when I was 19 I walked out and I've never been back since they had money could not care less I found some very good friends 💙😊 within the gay community been sexually abused as not make you gay but effective me very deeply and I found it impossible to have a long-term relationship with anyone now at nearly 60 I have given up also not well now wheelchair user very socially alone unless you are going through counselling I'm more than happy with being on my own completely apart from a carer who I see everyday very brave video but to be blunt again I wouldn't bother with them
Yes they are 2 separate and dichotimous issues … The amount of self Hatred the douche who groomed you to be his toy is almost unfathomable. However Stephen u appear to have bounced back form all of this. Cudos to u mon Freire.. Would like to meet u at some point and talk if that s amenable to you.. All love to u Stephen.. Ciao,, Jeff
the contradiction here is.. he's saying a lot of times people "connect" being sexually abused with being gay, or the reason you are gay. well HE created that connection, viewpoint or reinforced it for his family by sending a video saying he was abused and is gay. so.. there's that. if you are gonna toss those together people kinda get the impression they are "connected"
Awesome story, yes i agree that sexual abuse is not who we are but it is part of us. sexual abuse or any type of abuse is not about the abuse but the power and control. Sexual abuse does NOT make somone gay. there are many straight men out there that have been sexually abused by other males and are straight. thanks for sharing your story.
I don’t understand the need to reconcile religion with anything. Religions are consistently wrong about literally everything to do with the natural world, so why try and make your obviously factually wrong religion fit with your sexuality? Why can people just drop the religion?
D Mc - That is not true in all religions. Buddhism is about the soul it has no sex (male or female), the body it attaches to determine sex. Your Karma links you to the type of body you have. The teaching is about the mind and body, and how the mind behaves. Body and mind are two separate things that relate and depend on each other closely. A person's action creates reaction and that in turn creates action. The chain of action and reaction of karmas goes on and on until one of the chain decides to stop the doing (action and reaction). That is when you can reach Nirvana (a state of eternal bliss). The teaching is about the path to happiness. Nothing is said about Heterosexuality, Bisexuality or Homosexuality so long as you live a good life then you can find happiness from within. Only one of the precepts mentions that one must not get involved with someone else's husband or wife. That I think is a good request because if you do, imagine the trouble it will bring you, no happiness for sure.
D Mc - Yes I did. Can you quote anything that mentions or implies the denial in Buddhism. Accepting is the path to understanding, not denial. In Buddhist teaching, Body form is transient, it is the soul that they are teaching about. The soul is neither male or female until it attaches to a body form. There is no God in Buddhism, only the teacher. It is a philosophical path to peace which is the foundation of happiness. I hope you learn ; meditation. I hope you practise : Four principles of virtuous existence 1. loving-kindness; friendliness; goodwill 2. compassion 3. sympathetic joy; altruistic joy 4. equanimity; neutrality I hope you understand : The Four Noble Truths 1. suffering 2. the cause of suffering 3. the cessation of suffering 4. the path leading to the cessation of suffering Watch you mind is the basic teaching of Buddhism.
None of that proves anything. You are making the claim. The fact is, Buddhism can be as authoritarian as any other religion and some of the beliefs are downright ugly. The whole idea that deformities and disease are caused by evil you did in a previous life is pretty destructive.
A piece from a new book titled: Saved by the Light of the Buddha Within. Written by a gay author. THROUGHOUT the 1970s and 80s, I was led to believe that, in order to practice Nichiren’s Buddhism correctly and to receive benefits, one needs to attend meetings and belong to an organisation. I’ve since discovered through experience that this isn’t the complete truth - anyone, regardless of whether they’re a ‘member’ of a group or not, can benefit from their own personal and individual practice. That’s because Myoho-Renge-Kyo represents the identity of what some scientists are now referring to as the unified field of consciousnesses. In other words, it’s the essence of all existence and non-existence - the ultimate creative force behind planets, stars, nebulae, people, animals, trees, fish, birds, and all phenomena, manifest or latent. All matter and intelligence are simply waves or ripples manifesting to and from this core source. Consciousness (enlightenment) is itself the actual creator of everything that exists now, ever existed in the past, or will exist in the future - right down to the minutest particles of dust - each being an individual ripple or wave. The big difference between chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo and most other conventional prayers is that instead of depending on a ‘middleman’ to connect us to our state of inner enlightenment, we’re able to do it ourselves. That’s because chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo allows us to tap directly into our enlightened state by way of this self-produced sound vibration. ‘Who or What Is God?’ If we compare the concept of God being a separate entity that is forever watching down on us, to the teachings of Nichiren, it makes more sense to me that the true omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence of what most people perceive to be God, is the fantastic state of enlightenment that exists within each of us. Some say that God is an entity that’s beyond physical matter - I think that the vast amount of information continuously being conveyed via electromagnetic waves in today’s world gives us proof of how an invisible state of God could indeed exist. For example, it’s now widely known that specific data relayed by way of electromagnetic waves has the potential to help bring about extraordinary and powerful effects - including an instant global awareness of something or a mass emotional reaction. It’s also common knowledge that these invisible waves can easily be used to detonate a bomb or to enable NASA to control the movements of a robot as far away as the Moon or Mars - none of which is possible without a receiver to decode the information that’s being transmitted. Without the receiver, the data would remain impotent. In a very similar way, we need to have our own ‘receiver’ switched on so that we can activate a clear and precise understanding of our own life, all other life and what everything else in existence is. Chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo each day helps us to achieve this because it allows us to reach into the core of our enlightenment and keep it switched on. That’s because Myoho-Renge-Kyo represents the identity of what scientists now refer to as the unified field of consciousnesses. To break it down - Myoho represents the Law of manifestation and latency (Nature) and consists of two alternating states. For example, the state of Myo is where everything in life that’s not obvious to us exists - including our stored memories when we’re not thinking about them - our hidden potential and inner emotions whenever they’re dormant - our desires, our fears, our wisdom, happiness, karma - and more importantly, our enlightenment. The other state, ho, is where everything in Life exists whenever it becomes evident to us, such as when a thought pops up from within our memory - whenever we experience or express our emotions - or whenever a good or bad cause manifests as an effect from our karma. When anything becomes apparent, it merely means that it’s come out of the state of Myo (dormancy/latency) and into a state of ho (manifestation). It’s the difference between consciousness and unconsciousness, being awake or asleep, or knowing and not knowing. The second law - Renge - Ren meaning cause and ge meaning effect, governs and controls the functions of Myoho - these two laws of Myoho and Renge, not only function together simultaneously but also underlie all spiritual and physical existence. The final and third part of the tri-combination - Kyo, is the Law which allows Myoho to integrate with Renge - or vice verse. It’s the great, invisible thread of energy that fuses and connects all Life and matter - as well as the past, present and future. It’s also sometimes termed the Universal Law of Communication - perhaps it could even be compared with the string theory that many scientists now suspect exists. Just as the cells in our body, our thoughts, feelings and everything else is continually fluctuating within us - all that exists in the world around us and beyond is also in a constant state of flux - constantly controlled by these three fundamental laws. In fact, more things are going back and forth between the two states of Myo and ho in a single moment of time than it would ever be possible to calculate or describe. And it doesn’t matter how big or small, famous or trivial anything or anyone may appear to be, everything that’s ever existed in the past, exists now or will exist in the future, exists only because of the workings of the Laws ‘Myoho-Renge-Kyo’ - the basis of the four fundamental forces, and if they didn’t function, neither we nor anything else could go on existing. That’s because all forms of existence, including the seasons, day, night, birth, death and so on, are moving forward in an ongoing flow of continuation - rhythmically reverting back and forth between the two fundamental states of Myo and ho in absolute accordance with Renge - and by way of Kyo. Even stars are dying and being reborn under the workings of what the combination ‘Myoho-Renge-Kyo’ represents. Nam, or Namu - which mean the same thing, are vibrational passwords or keys that allow us to reach deep into our life and fuse with or become one with ‘Myoho-Renge-Kyo’. On a more personal level, nothing ever happens by chance or coincidence, it’s the causes that we’ve made in our past, or are presently making, that determine how these laws function uniquely in each of our lives - as well as the environment from moment to moment. By facing east, in harmony with the direction that the Earth is spinning, and chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo for a minimum of, let’s say, ten minutes daily to start with, any of us can experience actual proof of its positive effects in our lives - even if it only makes us feel good on the inside, there will be a definite positive effect. That’s because we’re able to pierce through the thickest layers of our karma and activate our inherent Buddha Nature (our enlightened state). By so doing, we’re then able to bring forth the wisdom and good fortune that we need to challenge, overcome and change our adverse circumstances - turn them into positive ones - or manifest and gain even greater fulfilment in our daily lives from our accumulated good karma. This also allows us to bring forth the wisdom that can free us from the ignorance and stupidity that’s preventing us from accepting and being proud of the person that we indeed are - regardless of our race, colour, gender or sexuality. We’re also able to see and understand our circumstances and the environment far more clearly, as well as attract and connect with any needed external beneficial forces and situations. As I’ve already mentioned, everything is subject to the law of Cause and Effect - the ‘actual-proof-strength’ resulting from chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo always depends on our determination, sincerity and dedication. For example, the levels of difference could be compared to between making a sound on a piano, creating a melody, or producing a great song, and so on. Something else that’s very important to always to respect and acknowledge is that the Law (or if you prefer God) is in everyone and everything. NB: There are frightening and disturbing sounds, and there are tranquil and relaxing sounds. It’s the emotional result from any noise or sound that can trigger off a mood or even instantly change one. When chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo each day, we are producing a sound vibration that’s the password to our true inner-self - this soon becomes apparent when you start reassessing your views on various things - such as your fears and desires etc. The best way to get the desired result when chanting is not to view things in a conventional way - rather than reaching out to an external source, we need to reach into our own lives and bring our needs and desires to fruition from within - including the good fortune and strength to achieve any help that we may need. Chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo also reaches out externally and draws us towards, or draws towards us, what we need to make us happy from our environment. For example, it helps us to be in the right place at the right time - to make better choices and decisions and so forth. We need to think of it as a seed within us that we’re watering and bringing sunshine to for it to grow, blossom and bring forth fruit or flowers. It’s also important to understand that everything we need in life - including the answer to every question and the potential to achieve every dream - already exists within us.
Jesus never said anything negative about gays. Levidicus says about the rapture, two people in a field, two women in the house, two men in one bed ! One taken the other left. Also so many restrictions like rotation of crops, wearing cloths of mixed weave! Oh Sh... I’m dead.
Does it matter to you at all what God says about the unrepentant gay lifestyle? It doesn't matter what other people say. HE is the one who calls the unrepentant gay lifestyle (not same sex attraction) an abomination and that you wont inherit the kingdom of God. Nobody should hate gay people or harass them. You may think your problem is just with homophobes, but your problem might really be with God.
"Nobody should hate gay people or harass them." Religious intolerance and deep lack of understanding of this issue is EXACTLY why there is hatred and harassment and, yes, physical and psychological harm done to gay people. Does your bible not also say "judge not, that you be not judged"? Why don't you think more on that and stop cherry picking verses out of your scripture that support your own prejudices (I won't even get into the fact that there are very few references to this topic in the bible and there is lots of scholarly disagreement as to the proper interpretation of even those few. Also, there are a lot of little laws and rules in scripture that neither you nor anyone else pays any attention to anymore). Who are you to think you know what "HE" wants or thinks about anything much less gay people? I think you might ALSO have a problem with "God" (and "he" with your attitude!)
So many just can't seem to understand that we are not "being" gay; we "are" gay. At 6' 2" I am above average height. I am not "being" tall; I "am" tall. I did not choose to be tall. It's part of who I am. The problem is they cannot separate being gay from actually having sex. Having sex is a choice but why is my sex life anyone else's business? Knowing that I am gay, every time you look at me all you can think of is two men having sex, then perhaps YOU are the pervert.
love this comment 😍😜😁
For been a homophobe they sure are very intrested in what goes on in a gays bedrooms,HMmm,I wonder why!!
And then again I think all homophobic people are laden homosexuals(in the closet)
Yours is such a clever comment! Bravo! It is both funny and true! 😂 👍
I know right! Get out of my bedroom!
He is stronger than me. When people don't except me I drop them. At first, it makes you feel lonely until you find unconditional love.
He’s very dignified and gracious, considering everything. I’m happy for him that he was able to retain some wholeness and perspective. A quiet hero.
Thanks, Stephen! What a story of anti-support from the people who were supposed to be there to support you. Such a confusing time for you and you showed how strong you are. Love your comments on how being gay has nothing to do with how you were abused. I was sexually abused by a man and I'm heterosexual. Congratulations for discovering yourself through all this turmoil!
I am so glad you said that being sexually abused does not have anything to do with being gay. I for one can say Ive been sexually abused by both genders as a child and I grew up in the closet as a gay man and still have issues expressing myself although it get easier and I don't care what anyone says from the church or anywhere else as I had to survive and struggle with this my whole life. I am here for a reason even after two attempts to end it all. Its people like you that validate my worth in this world. Thank you.
I’m so sorry for your experience. This is another classic example of how survivors are more isolated by the lack of education and compassion of the people who surround them. Shame on the people who shame victims.
The minister and the pastor belong in jail. Imagine blaming the victim for the child abuse.
Stephen, you are one incredibly brave and insightful young man! As a counselor, two things I need to say. First, your maturity is impressive and your understanding is spot on. Second, any minister who pretends to follow Jesus and gives you that sort of treatment is either ignorant or in opposition to the real love of Jesus. No way should he ever even imply that he is a Christian. Kudos to you, my brother..............Ray
What an amazingly brave video. Thank you for your honesty and bravery.
gosh He's handsome!
great video as always, this channel really changes things for a lotta people! Respect!
I've had people and family try to force me after hours and hours of conversation to "admit" I was sexually abused. I wasn't. They think it would explain my homosexuality. It's tragic that they'd rather believe I've been molested because it would comport with their world view.
I was sexually abused as a kid My self, ny grandmother was super religios and i am gay , so he is not alone
Thank you for sharing your story. Thank you for showing courage and being truthful. Thank you for providing an example of strength and honesty and self acceptance and maturity. It is so important to see these things, to know that we can be strong and proud and hopeful and alive despite circumstances that are challenging or cause us suffering.
My parents thought that I was sexually abused when I told them I was gay. I wasn't. They didn't believe me.
What an amazing guy. He speaks so well. He is strong and clear about who he is. I admire him so much
You're brave. After years of being abused I finally had the courage to speak up and to go the police after finding out there were more victims of my monster. Every day it's a struggle. The laws here in Colombia seem to protect my abuser more than the victims, he is a famous guy and he is not even in jail. He had the nerves to make a RUclips video trashing me for his millions of fans to watch. I'm scared to go out of the house alone and I'm seeing a Therapist. I haven't been able to be in a relationship, I feel not good enough and that no one will love me. I feel bad for all the children that have to go thru this hell.
Steeven, those of us who are survivors of abuse- it is not our fault. it was NOT your fault. I hope you are able to make progress in your therapy because you are a human being, worthy of respect and love. Don't let the perpetrator make you miserable. Just sharing your experience with all of us is powerful, and i hope you are doing much better now. Keep on learning to love yourself and others. Each of us can do this. ❤🩹💓❤💕
Thank you! You are beautiful!
Stephen Land: Thank you for sharing your story. I too can relate to both the sexual abuse and that I was born gay. I want to just say that while I was raised on the East Coast, raised in and still attend the Episcopal church. However, I think that what SO many people who sadly believe this is a choice for me, fail to realize a few important facts. After college graduation, I moved from suburban Philly, 30 minutes south to Wilmington, DE. Until 2010, as a guy who was renting apartments, I actually in fact lived in a state with a Constitution that did NOT ban housing discrimination based on sexual orientation- and this was in fact codified into the state Constitution. Although very rarely if ever used by a landlord against a tenant, nonetheless, the scary fact was that just a person SAYING to a landlord "I'm gay" could allow the landlord to legally serve eviction papers with less than a month notice! My response to any ppl who ever posed a question such as when did I decide I was gay, or why would ppl chose that "lifestyle", got this reply from me: (again for reference this was mostly occurring pre 2010: "for me to hear this, as a law abiding, tax paying citizen, who contributes to society in the same manner as you do, what makes you ask me this question? usually a blank stare follows, and I then follow that up with "what makes you think one day anyone would wake up and spontaneously make a decision to "be gay", when in fact it meant being treated as a second class citizen?" Whenever I get the "why are you asking for special treatment" (in regards to legalizing homosexuality, gay civil unions, marriage, etc), I always reply that they are not special treatments anymore than when women 100 years ago were asking men to give them the equal right to vote. they weren't asking for anything "special" in demanding the vote. finally, if all else fails, ask them when they decided or knew that they were straight. Just IMHO.
You have been through so much. What a good man you are. I wish you a happy life full of care and love x
I’m just now starting this journey of going through my own experiences that were, are, a living hell. It’s why I’m watching these videos, looking for answers. Guidance.
I'm Preston. I'm so glad you made it clear that being sexually abused or harassed cannot make you gay. Up until I was 14 years old, I was a closeted gay. I was sexually harassed at my old residential. But being sexually harassed or abused doesn't turn us gay. We were born this way.
It’s usually a trusted person by the family. How else do they get the child alone?
Touching! Thank you for sharing this. My parents also thought my being gay was a choice, and a choice I was making to hurt them. They went to their graves believing that. And for that I have always been sad. I hope your parents learn the truth of how damaging their beliefs have been.
I can't say I know how you feel, however I can tell you that you aren't alone. As a kid I was abused as well, and I'm bi in a same sex relationship. My family knows about me being bi, eventhough they think it's homosexual, but they do not know about me being abused, and they aren't going to anytime soon. You are not alone, there are others.
What a fantastic brave guy to do what he did . I hope he enjoys the rest of his life and finds happiness ❤️❤️❤️🫶🫶
I commend you for sharing your story!!! 💜
I don't know how people can just leave their kids alone with one adult and no one to watch what they do, it's not like people these days have never heard of child molesters.
It’s like saying sexual abuse makes you straight. Plenty of straight people were sexually abused too, but why doesn’t anyone ask whether they wouldn’t have been straight if they didn’t get raped.
I watched your video. I was raised the same way as you were, in church. I was molested by a younger cousin who had moved nextdoor from the city. I was about 10 year's old. I thought that's what made me attracted to the same sex. Turns out the cousin got married and has two daughters. I felt as though my life was robbed from me because I always wanted a family. I have had a disappointing life.
What a beautiful soul. :-)
You’re amazing 🥲 thank you for sharing
I don't think you need their negativity around you
I am glad you had the strength to record this video. I am a 57 y/o Australian in Queensland. I was sexually abused by my eldest sister's first husband when I was 12 years old. It only happened the once, but he and my sister were my guardians while my Parents were interstate for 8 months. I told NOONE for 5 years - then I told my Mum. She spoke with my sister who said, "I wish I had known, I would have gotten a better divorce settlement." (no lie) Over the next 20 years I tried three times to get my sister to help me bring her ex-husband before the police. Each time Jan said, "David, I am not going to help you. I have my own issues."
Well, she is now in her 70's, and when she meets Mum in Heaven, I wonder if she will be able to look her in the eye.
You said that kids who are sexually abused don't necessarily become homosexual. Before this happened I used to draw naked ladies... but not since then. Big hairy truck drivers now.
Thank you for showing courage and being truthful. Thank you for providing an example of strength and honesty and self acceptance and maturity. It is so important to see these things, to know that we can be strong and proud and hopeful and alive despite circumstances that are challenging or cause us suffering. i;m also gay and endured childhood sexual molestations and two rapes as a young man-date rapes -myself back in the 70's and early 80's. it took me 30 years to be able to talk about it to anyone., except for few relatives and friends.
"Something We Go Through" No. It destroys core parts of your being.
Beautifully brave. Thank you.
Beautiful strong man x
Thank you for this. I LOVED what you said at the end. =)
So sorry for the pain you experienced. One of many reasons I don't do religion.
i can't speak to Stephen's experience, but from my experiences growing up i came to the conclusion that the many advances made to me from men was due to them sensing, consciously or not, that i was gay. Or at least, i was clearly not an aggressive, hyper-masculine kid, and therefore a safer target.
What a wonderful human being.that makes me proud of who I am too.
I have a lot of admiration for you and how you overcame.
My mom thinks that I'm only transgender because I was raped. She is so wrong and it makes me cry because she doesn't believe me
This makes me angry. If any person is willing to give serious thought to whether being gay is a choice, they would quickly realize that ALL of the evidence is to the contrary. The fact that someone's PARENTS aren't willing to do that makes me crazy. They choose to bring a life into this incredibly difficult world, and then they turn their back on their child. Any why? Because people wrote a book thousands of years ago, with terrible stories and inhumane actions. The lack of bravery and character of parents like that makes me sick. To love is wise and to hate is foolish (paraphrasing Sir Bertrand Russell).
My advice is to reject overt and covert disapproval of your sexuality from any and all sources. Passive aggressive disapproval cuts the deepest especially when it comes from family. Demand better of yourself and for yourself. Respect begins with respecting yourself.
Stephen, .... my big big thanks to you for sharing your story.
Ya know...the title of this really hit hard. I got molested by 2 female family members, one on semi regular occasion(seperate from each other) from age 5 to around 8 or 9. It still confuses me to this day because of certain aspects of it such as one being 2 years older, and the other one being at least 5 years older than me. It's even scarier because I remember being okay with it as a child...but I can't consent because I'm a child? I feel terrible about it whenever I think about it because I feel so guilty and gross.
I'm pretty sure I'm bisexual. I'm 99% sure...but it's scary because of those past experiences. It's hard for me to accept even the possibility of me being bi because in my mind even though I know it's not my fault I feel... kind of like that would mean that I liked what they did? Nobody knows about the incidents except my boyfriend. I never told my parents. I'm now 21. Due to growing up in a religious household I won't discuss it with family. I'm also not going to ever tell my parents what happened because the risks FAR out weigh the benefits. It's just hard ya know? Being bound by something that happened when you were a kid.
the whole blaming the victim thing is wide spread, not just in church, though it was spread by the church, i have been dealing with that my entire life, from the city i grew up in alone, from my family treating me like dirt, to the school district, sabotaging my schooling, to the police department trying to nail me for anything, to the state itself, and this isnt a southern state, its Wisconsin, to being told that if i didnt like it why dont i just leave, i haven't and i wont give up,
TY for sharing; this helps me mentally process many years ago.
Thankyou for sharing. I spent years being sexually abused by my mother, and I've always struggled with wondering if my history of abuse in any way influenced my sexuality. It's something I'm still dealing with, but more and more I'm coming to accept that I am who I am regardless of what happened to me.
+Nat Mickan Acceptance! Ah, yes, one of the essential keys to happiness! I was physically and emotionally abused by my mother. I have a personality disorder as a result. There is not one damn thing I can do to change it. Accepting that has made my life much easier.
Nat Mickan / your mother I have never heard of that being done before by a mother to a son
john allen, I hope that what you meant to say is "I am sorry that this happened to you. I thank you for sharing your truth as it is something I never considered a mother would do to her child."
john allen please tell me this is what you were thinking.
no i mint what i said, it's good that you feel the way that you do.
So sorry that happened to him...but am glad he overcame that adversity
Hugs hugs hugs.
So brave & so clever to have figured all his stuff out xxx
What a cool guy you are wish you all the best
Awful ...I can relate to being abused...you are never sure about your feelings
Your church pastor was “cherry picking” bible verses when he said, “gays are an abomination.” The verse he is referring to is found in Leviticus 20:13, "If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them."
The problem for those supporting the anti-gay verse is that NO ONE follows most verses in Leviticus. People are not being put to death for cursing their mother and father in verse 9, nor for adultery in verse 10. They are not performing animal sacrifices per chapters 1-9, nor are they breaking dishes when someone has a venereal disease per chapter 15.
When we read the new testament gospels we find that those who upheld Mosaic law were the ones out to harm and kill the one called Jesus. Jesus didn't follow all the Mosaic laws, he healed on the sabbath, his disciples weren’t fasting and he didn’t follow Leviticus 20:10 where those caught in adultery are to be killed. He instead said to the scribes and Pharisees, “He who is without sin, let him throw the first stone.” Jesus introduced new teachings to replace the old. John 13:34 states, “A new commandment I give you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”
Jesus was inclusive, tolerant and accepting of people’s differences and status in life. He spoke with the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well when Jews were not supposed to socially interact. He ate with tax collectors and sinners. He healed the insane and the Roman centurion’s servant.
People should realize that breaking dishes for venereal disease, opposing LGBTQ+ lifestyles and animal/human sacrifice to appease God should be categorized as primitive, outdated beliefs.
Some so-called religious people claim those who are LGBTQ are going to hell. I have been to hundreds of seances with two of the finest mediums in the US. The spirit guide, Evening Star, talked about heaven and hell. She said they were different for different people. She cited the example of listening to rock n roll music. Some people would feel like they are in heaven while others would think they are in hell. “In my Father’s house are many mansions.” speaks of the variety and diversity in the Spirit World.
Please consider the following words from Rod McKuen, (not an exact quote, but close).
"It does not matter who you love or how you love, but that you love. The good in man is God made manifest and loving is the contribution to that good and to that only God. For in the end the act of loving anyone is the act of loving God.”
Nobody needs anyone's approval to be gay - if your family do not respect or even love you then you have to accept the fact that your life is better without them.
You are Very Brave, Angel Blessing's.............
Very cool. Continued success for Stephen.. Merry Christmas Weekend to you..
Very well said, good luck in life.
I just can't understand why you would want to have anything at all to do with your family.
Courageous way to come out!! Dang!!
A brave man.
Amazing courage !! My sibling was molested by an uncle and like you is gay !!!!
This pisses me off.
Good story. People forget the abusers don't make their victims gay. The abusers target these kids because they know or sense that they may be gay...and therefore, they rationalize that "they may like it".
I'm sorry to be blunt 😔I went through the same thing obviously not a pastor in a church with I don't think they're quite exist here in the UK in the same way I thinkI told my adoptive grandmother that my uncle was doing things that I didn't like she basically called me a bloody little liar and because I was adopted I was I was a bastard and they didn't want to adopt the feeling was mutual when I was 19 I walked out and I've never been back since they had money could not care less I found some very good friends 💙😊 within the gay community been sexually abused as not make you gay but effective me very deeply and I found it impossible to have a long-term relationship with anyone now at nearly 60 I have given up also not well now wheelchair user very socially alone unless you are going through counselling I'm more than happy with being on my own completely apart from a carer who I see everyday very brave video but to be blunt again I wouldn't bother with them
You are a stunning man.
Brave man!!
Yes they are 2 separate and dichotimous issues … The amount of self Hatred the douche who groomed you to be his toy is almost unfathomable. However
Stephen u appear to have bounced back form all of this. Cudos to u mon Freire.. Would like to meet u at some point and talk if that s amenable to you.. All love to u
Stephen.. Ciao,, Jeff
the contradiction here is.. he's saying a lot of times people "connect" being sexually abused with being gay, or the reason you are gay. well HE created that connection, viewpoint or reinforced it for his family by sending a video saying he was abused and is gay. so.. there's that. if you are gonna toss those together people kinda get the impression they are "connected"
Gotta love all those sanctimonious Christians.
Excellent
Awesome story, yes i agree that sexual abuse is not who we are but it is part of us. sexual abuse or any type of abuse is not about the abuse but the power and control. Sexual abuse does NOT make somone gay. there are many straight men out there that have been sexually abused by other males and are straight. thanks for sharing your story.
I don’t understand the need to reconcile religion with anything.
Religions are consistently wrong about literally everything to do with the natural world, so why try and make your obviously factually wrong religion fit with your sexuality?
Why can people just drop the religion?
I think this is far more common than anyone believes. It's not just the Catholic Church, and I think the level of denial is in all religions.
D Mc - That is not true in all religions.
Buddhism is about the soul it has no sex (male or female), the body it attaches to determine sex.
Your Karma links you to the type of body you have.
The teaching is about the mind and body, and how the mind behaves.
Body and mind are two separate things that relate and depend on each other closely.
A person's action creates reaction and that in turn creates action.
The chain of action and reaction of karmas goes on and on until one of the chain decides to stop the doing (action and reaction). That is when you can reach Nirvana (a state of eternal bliss).
The teaching is about the path to happiness. Nothing is said about Heterosexuality, Bisexuality or Homosexuality so long as you live a good life then you can find happiness from within.
Only one of the precepts mentions that one must not get involved with someone else's husband or wife. That I think is a good request because if you do, imagine the trouble it will bring you, no happiness for sure.
Did you think that any of that proved there is not denial in Buddhism?
D Mc - Yes I did.
Can you quote anything that mentions or implies the denial in Buddhism.
Accepting is the path to understanding, not denial.
In Buddhist teaching, Body form is transient, it is the soul that they are teaching about.
The soul is neither male or female until it attaches to a body form.
There is no God in Buddhism, only the teacher.
It is a philosophical path to peace which is the foundation of happiness.
I hope you learn ; meditation.
I hope you practise : Four principles of virtuous existence
1. loving-kindness; friendliness; goodwill
2. compassion
3. sympathetic joy; altruistic joy
4. equanimity; neutrality
I hope you understand : The Four Noble Truths
1. suffering
2. the cause of suffering
3. the cessation of suffering
4. the path leading to the cessation of suffering
Watch you mind is the basic teaching of Buddhism.
None of that proves anything. You are making the claim. The fact is, Buddhism can be as authoritarian as any other religion and some of the beliefs are downright ugly. The whole idea that deformities and disease are caused by evil you did in a previous life is pretty destructive.
A piece from a new book titled: Saved by the Light of the Buddha Within. Written by a gay author.
THROUGHOUT the 1970s and 80s, I was led to believe that, in order to practice Nichiren’s Buddhism correctly and to receive benefits, one needs to attend meetings and belong to an organisation. I’ve since discovered through experience that this isn’t the complete truth - anyone, regardless of whether they’re a ‘member’ of a group or not, can benefit from their own personal and individual practice. That’s because Myoho-Renge-Kyo represents the identity of what some scientists are now referring to as the unified field of consciousnesses. In other words, it’s the essence of all existence and non-existence - the ultimate creative force behind planets, stars, nebulae, people, animals, trees, fish, birds, and all phenomena, manifest or latent. All matter and intelligence are simply waves or ripples manifesting to and from this core source. Consciousness (enlightenment) is itself the actual creator of everything that exists now, ever existed in the past, or will exist in the future - right down to the minutest particles of dust - each being an individual ripple or wave. The big difference between chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo and most other conventional prayers is that instead of depending on a ‘middleman’ to connect us to our state of inner enlightenment, we’re able to do it ourselves. That’s because chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo allows us to tap directly into our enlightened state by way of this self-produced sound vibration.
‘Who or What Is God?’ If we compare the concept of God being a separate entity that is forever watching down on us, to the teachings of Nichiren, it makes more sense to me that the true omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence of what most people perceive to be God, is the fantastic state of enlightenment that exists within each of us. Some say that God is an entity that’s beyond physical matter - I think that the vast amount of information continuously being conveyed via electromagnetic waves in today’s world gives us proof of how an invisible state of God could indeed exist. For example, it’s now widely known that specific data relayed by way of electromagnetic waves has the potential to help bring about extraordinary and powerful effects - including an instant global awareness of something or a mass emotional reaction. It’s also common knowledge that these invisible waves can easily be used to detonate a bomb or to enable NASA to control the movements of a robot as far away as the Moon or Mars - none of which is possible without a receiver to decode the information that’s being transmitted. Without the receiver, the data would remain impotent. In a very similar way, we need to have our own ‘receiver’ switched on so that we can activate a clear and precise understanding of our own life, all other life and what everything else in existence is. Chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo each day helps us to achieve this because it allows us to reach into the core of our enlightenment and keep it switched on. That’s because Myoho-Renge-Kyo represents the identity of what scientists now refer to as the unified field of consciousnesses.
To break it down - Myoho represents the Law of manifestation and latency (Nature) and consists of two alternating states. For example, the state of Myo is where everything in life that’s not obvious to us exists - including our stored memories when we’re not thinking about them - our hidden potential and inner emotions whenever they’re dormant - our desires, our fears, our wisdom, happiness, karma - and more importantly, our enlightenment. The other state, ho, is where everything in Life exists whenever it becomes evident to us, such as when a thought pops up from within our memory - whenever we experience or express our emotions - or whenever a good or bad cause manifests as an effect from our karma. When anything becomes apparent, it merely means that it’s come out of the state of Myo (dormancy/latency) and into a state of ho (manifestation). It’s the difference between consciousness and unconsciousness, being awake or asleep, or knowing and not knowing.
The second law - Renge - Ren meaning cause and ge meaning effect, governs and controls the functions of Myoho - these two laws of Myoho and Renge, not only function together simultaneously but also underlie all spiritual and physical existence.
The final and third part of the tri-combination - Kyo, is the Law which allows Myoho to integrate with Renge - or vice verse. It’s the great, invisible thread of energy that fuses and connects all Life and matter - as well as the past, present and future. It’s also sometimes termed the Universal Law of Communication - perhaps it could even be compared with the string theory that many scientists now suspect exists.
Just as the cells in our body, our thoughts, feelings and everything else is continually fluctuating within us - all that exists in the world around us and beyond is also in a constant state of flux - constantly controlled by these three fundamental laws. In fact, more things are going back and forth between the two states of Myo and ho in a single moment of time than it would ever be possible to calculate or describe. And it doesn’t matter how big or small, famous or trivial anything or anyone may appear to be, everything that’s ever existed in the past, exists now or will exist in the future, exists only because of the workings of the Laws ‘Myoho-Renge-Kyo’ - the basis of the four fundamental forces, and if they didn’t function, neither we nor anything else could go on existing. That’s because all forms of existence, including the seasons, day, night, birth, death and so on, are moving forward in an ongoing flow of continuation - rhythmically reverting back and forth between the two fundamental states of Myo and ho in absolute accordance with Renge - and by way of Kyo. Even stars are dying and being reborn under the workings of what the combination ‘Myoho-Renge-Kyo’ represents.
Nam, or Namu - which mean the same thing, are vibrational passwords or keys that allow us to reach deep into our life and fuse with or become one with ‘Myoho-Renge-Kyo’. On a more personal level, nothing ever happens by chance or coincidence, it’s the causes that we’ve made in our past, or are presently making, that determine how these laws function uniquely in each of our lives - as well as the environment from moment to moment. By facing east, in harmony with the direction that the Earth is spinning, and chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo for a minimum of, let’s say, ten minutes daily to start with, any of us can experience actual proof of its positive effects in our lives - even if it only makes us feel good on the inside, there will be a definite positive effect. That’s because we’re able to pierce through the thickest layers of our karma and activate our inherent Buddha Nature (our enlightened state). By so doing, we’re then able to bring forth the wisdom and good fortune that we need to challenge, overcome and change our adverse circumstances - turn them into positive ones - or manifest and gain even greater fulfilment in our daily lives from our accumulated good karma. This also allows us to bring forth the wisdom that can free us from the ignorance and stupidity that’s preventing us from accepting and being proud of the person that we indeed are - regardless of our race, colour, gender or sexuality. We’re also able to see and understand our circumstances and the environment far more clearly, as well as attract and connect with any needed external beneficial forces and situations. As I’ve already mentioned, everything is subject to the law of Cause and Effect - the ‘actual-proof-strength’ resulting from chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo always depends on our determination, sincerity and dedication. For example, the levels of difference could be compared to between making a sound on a piano, creating a melody, or producing a great song, and so on. Something else that’s very important to always to respect and acknowledge is that the Law (or if you prefer God) is in everyone and everything.
NB: There are frightening and disturbing sounds, and there are tranquil and relaxing sounds. It’s the emotional result from any noise or sound that can trigger off a mood or even instantly change one. When chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo each day, we are producing a sound vibration that’s the password to our true inner-self - this soon becomes apparent when you start reassessing your views on various things - such as your fears and desires etc. The best way to get the desired result when chanting is not to view things in a conventional way - rather than reaching out to an external source, we need to reach into our own lives and bring our needs and desires to fruition from within - including the good fortune and strength to achieve any help that we may need.
Chanting Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo also reaches out externally and draws us towards, or draws towards us, what we need to make us happy from our environment. For example, it helps us to be in the right place at the right time - to make better choices and decisions and so forth. We need to think of it as a seed within us that we’re watering and bringing sunshine to for it to grow, blossom and bring forth fruit or flowers. It’s also important to understand that everything we need in life - including the answer to every question and the potential to achieve every dream - already exists within us.
Kool eye-brows.
Jesus never said anything negative about gays. Levidicus says about the rapture, two people in a field, two women in the house, two men in one bed ! One taken the other left. Also so many restrictions like rotation of crops, wearing cloths of mixed weave! Oh Sh... I’m dead.
and eating shellfish....
Oh, so hot!
Why not accept that being molested was a part of his sexual identity?
Does it matter to you at all what God says about the unrepentant gay lifestyle? It doesn't matter what other people say. HE is the one who calls the unrepentant gay lifestyle (not same sex attraction) an abomination and that you wont inherit the kingdom of God. Nobody should hate gay people or harass them. You may think your problem is just with homophobes, but your problem might really be with God.
"Nobody should hate gay people or harass them." Religious intolerance and deep lack of understanding of this issue is EXACTLY why there is hatred and harassment and, yes, physical and psychological harm done to gay people. Does your bible not also say "judge not, that you be not judged"? Why don't you think more on that and stop cherry picking verses out of your scripture that support your own prejudices (I won't even get into the fact that there are very few references to this topic in the bible and there is lots of scholarly disagreement as to the proper interpretation of even those few. Also, there are a lot of little laws and rules in scripture that neither you nor anyone else pays any attention to anymore). Who are you to think you know what "HE" wants or thinks about anything much less gay people? I think you might ALSO have a problem with "God" (and "he" with your attitude!)