Luke 9:18-22

          Who do you say you are?

          18 Now it happened that as he was praying alone the disciples were with him; and he asked them, "Who do the people say that I am?" 19 And they answered, "John the Baptist; but others say, Eli'jah; and others, that one of the old prophets has risen." 20 And he said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" And Peter answered, "The Christ of God." 21 But he charged and commanded them to tell this to no one, 22 saying, "The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third  day be raised."

          One thing I have discovered from coming out only a few short years ago is the variety within the LGBTQ community, even more than what those letters stand for. What sex is, what relationships are, what defines us as individuals is as broad as the mind can conjure up. That is really a blessing if you think about it. Since we are on the fringe of society and are seen as rule breakers from the get go, we are free to be who we want to be.

          And so, from this reading today, I would ask you who do they say you are? Regardless of who the they is, there's an opinion. It appears that no matter what the subject, politics to sex, a large number of people would prefer if everyone were in neat little boxes. And if you don't fit neatly in a box, they'll be happy to put you in one.

            I have to say with the strongest of terms and the strongest of emotions, DO NOT let anyone pigeonhole you. When you figure out who you are, and by all means give yourself all the time you need to figure that out, then you tell them who you are.

          The conservative right, the flaming ignorant rightists feel no compunction to tell the world what they think you are. They seem to think that they even know what you do. If these God fearing good christian folk can't come up with facts, the commandment of "though shall not bear false witness" does not stand in their way, they make up 'facts' to condemn and degrade who you are.

         The God of love, the Creator, our savior Jesus Christ loves you with reckless abandon knows who you are and welcomes you with loving arms. There are some real Christians out there who will also love you and accept you, seek them out in person and in community (churches)  Do not let everyone who says "I am a God fear'n Christian" fool you.  The people of the Westboro Baptist Church are a fine example of why God cries. These people are blasphemers of highest order. If anyone goes to hell, surely they will be there.

         Accept who you are. Love who you are. And I am sure God would like to hear from you. God loves you most of all.