JR&#039;s bulletin message regarding LGBTQ+ youth

June 15, 2024

by JR, Director of LGBTQ+ Ministry

Dear Parishioners and Visitors,

Our LGBTQ+ youth are so vulnerable; in my ministry I see what toxic effects organized religion and "religious" people can have on them, especially when there is awful rhetoric referring to them or judgment. The highest rates of suicide are in this population because young LGBTQ+ people are made to feel bad because of who they are. They tell me that they hear from clergy—yes, Catholic clergy! - that they need to change for God to love them. Some, right here in our own town. This drives them to thoughts of suicide.

I came across a powerful poem written by a pastor that has very deep theology. I ask you to read it, think about it and then pray about it.

Taken in context, the poem does not indicate that nothing at all needs to be healed in us or in the young man. It does loudly and poignantly speak to the fact that being gay is not something that requires healing. The young man does not need to feel he needs to be healed of who he is.

During Pride Month maybe we can be more sensitive in our words, our opinions, and our judgements. Maybe we can be more vocal when others are using demeaning, degrading, toxic language in reference to or toward our LGBTQ+ siblings - or judging them in the name of being "good Catholics" or "good Christians."

JR

Jesus at the Gay Bar - by Jay Hulme He’s here in the midst of it – right at the centre of the dance floor, robes hitched up to His knees to make it easy to spin. At some point in the evening a boy will touch the hem of His robe and beg to be healed, beg to be anything other than this; and He will reach His arms out, sweat-damped, and weary from dance. He’ll cup the boy’s face in His hand and say, my beautiful child there is nothing in this heart of yours that ever needs to be healed.