One of the people God brought in
our path is definitely a person of peace (Luke 10:5-6), as she invited
me to be her co-chair at HRC (Human Rights Campaign). When I attended my first
meeting, I was blown away at the manner that the twenty or so people worked
together. The main leader told me that HRC is actually the biggest
lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender organization in the city of San Diego and that
this gathering consisted of somewhat prominent leaders within their San Diego
branch. As I sat at the table I was not only struck by the diversity of the
group, but also at the unity that they showed in supporting one another.
In attendance
were people from different areas of the Community (the general term the LGBT
use for themselves). There were diverse gendered people, varied ethnicities,
individuals representing different socio-economic backgrounds, and also a wide
range of age groups. And despite the diversity, it was a commonality that they
shared which brought them into deep unity in mission and purpose. One co-chair
would share what they were doing and share needs they had, while many others
would fill the needed positions without even seeming like they were put out by
the request. They actually signed up with enthusiasm. I reflected at that point
that the one unifying factor was their desire for the rights of their people,
which caused them to work in deep unity even more so than what I have experienced
in the Church. In one sense it was beautiful, but in another it was frightening.
The beauty was their corporate unity. The aspect that brought fear in me was
the level of deception that I knew lurked in their desires to bring full
equality for the LGBT people. Their mission is summed as this, “HRC envisions a world
where lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are embraced as full
members of society at home, at work and in every community.” So where do I fit
in in all this?
All I know is God brought me to a place to seek and save the
lost. While doing that, a person who has been open and has been attending our
events has welcomed me in and now I am a co-chair this year for the
faith-outreach portion of their organization. Is it controversial? Yes, a bit.
Yet, I believe God is opening up forums for discussion and also to meet with
LGBT leaders in the Community. In fact, my first night at their meeting I was
able to ask a married lesbian woman about her spiritual background. She stated
she went to a Catholic church as a child, but found they didn’t have anything
for her there. To my surprise she shared that she would be taking her daughter,
as she grew older, to different religious gatherings so that she could choose
which, if any, she would want to be a part of. This was my first spiritual
conversation through HRC and they know I am a Christian desiring to be a
Pastor. This experience caused me to feel on a small scale like a mini Paul on
the verge of meetings at the Areopagus (see Acts 17), hopefully prepared and
emboldened to share Jesus, so that they may turn to Him and find true freedom.
While
they are united in their odd fit into the LGBT community and seeking LGBT
rights (gay marriage, for example), I am even more inspired by what God has
done through the Son and the people He has formed through His precious blood
and the depth of unity God has for His people. I want to out community the LGBT
community, but I tell you, it won’t be easy. Even more, I want to reach them
with the Gospel.
