Thank you for your thoughtful comment and support of this website. We have all sinned in this area. The great thing about being a Christian is that it is never too late to change and make the decision to take action in the right direction. Reaching out to LGBT people that you know one at a time is a wonderful way to start. Support is so vital.
I bid you peace,
Andriy

Laura,
Thank you for your comment. Perhaps my words were too harsh, and I do know that there are situations were it is dangerous to come out – but too many times, I have taken the easier path and just kept silent for the sake of expediency or simplicity. I would advise you to pick and choose your battles. I often thought that when St. Paul said “fight the good fight” he also meant – choose the right battle to war against.
I bid you strength and peace.
Andriy

Convicting words. I have not yet been open with my family (both at home at at church) about my support of my LGBT brothers and sisters…and every day it gets harder and harder to stay silent. I don’t know what to do.

When I read that quote “How shall Integrity face Oppression?….” my first thought was of Christ at His Passion… He was insulted, spat upon, mocked, struck, called a criminal and died a criminal’s death, even though He is the only blameless one. I try to think of this whenever I feel insulted about my sexuality.

I am trying to work up the courage to go to Liturgy tomorrow for the first time since Easter. I was considering going to another church in the area where the priest does not know about my sexuality and just staying quiet, until I read this… You are right that by our silence we contribute to oppression… God forgive me for my weakness.

I spoke to a Ukrainian friend today (who identifies as Russian – she is 40 years old and raised in the Soviet Union) about the recent events in Russia, and she doesn’t think it is really a big deal… She said that they simply do not ‘promote’ homosexuality because then more and more people will choose to be gay. She is a very close friend and I had to fight tears and temper to have this conversation with her. She doesn’t have an issue with homosexual relationships and warmly regards me as Orthodox but still has some serious misconceptions…

Thank you Vladimir for your kind words.