An LGBT hero just for me

I was randomly browsing the Internet the other day and stumbled across some posts about a Christian singer who had come out as gay in 2008. Now, there are a few such persons in existence, but this one was significant to me because I used to listen to his songs a lot as a young person. In fact, I even won a competition doing a mime to one of his most popular songs called "Thank you". The singer's name is Ray Boltz.

Ray has just recently come out with a new album called TRUE with a collection of songs that speak to his journey and to the journeys of so many others in the queer community. I have to admit, I cried as I listened to several of them.

For example, there's a song called "Following her dreams" which is about how lesbians don't have an agenda - they just want to have a family and a life and find happiness just like everyone else. I related to that because I know I'm going to be criticized by Christians in my past for supposedly 'choosing' to be gay. But for me, coming to this realization about myself has suddenly re-opened doors to dreams I had long since put to rest. I, like many other young women my age, would love to find a special someone and create a home together with them, but given the way none of the guys I was around ever inspired me to pursue such a relationship, I had started to assume it wasn't for me. Now I have hope again and am excited about the possibilities in my future. I'm not evil...I'm just following my dreams.

There are additional songs that really speak to issues I'm grappling with right now. There's a song called "I chose" about how people don't choose to be gay. There's a song called "God knows I tried" about how hard he worked to be what the Christian world implied he should be.

There are also songs about who Jesus would love and about not dictating to people who they can marry among several others. I recommend checking out the album and this brave man's story.

I also thinks its amazing and a testimony to true love that his wife stood by him. They got a divorce but stayed friends.

The final song I'll comment on is one called "I will choose to love" which is how he chooses to love, to care, to hope, to respect, etc. even though others don't respond to him that way. My goal is to be just as gracious.