Lesbian-Turned-Christian: It Could Have Been Me in That Gay Nightclub 17 Years Ago
My heart aches for those who were brutally murdered and injured by the recent terrorist attack at the gay bar in Orlando. Some days it seems that hatred has the upper hand. In the midst of this darkness, however, we can burn bright with the love of Jesus.
Sadly, some will say that if you don’t support the gay community then you must hate them. Nothing could be further from the truth. Those of us who are no longer in that lifestyle are also broken and hurting for the gay community. We mourn with the families that have lost a love one, and we mourn over those who are no longer with us. The world needs the love and peace that only Jesus can give.
As a ministry that helps people who desire to walk away from the homosexual lifestyle, we stand in solidarity with the LGBT community. I, too, visited gay clubs and partied at places where I felt welcomed and celebrated when I was in that lifestyle. That could have been me 17 years ago.
This is no time for politics or to promote selfish agendas. It’s time for us to come together and make a stand against terrorism. These terrorist organizations are ruthlessly targeting and killing Christians and those who are a part of the LGBT community. We cannot remain silent anymore. We will not be terrified and we will fight back. We need to be a voice for the 49 who lost their lives. We need to speak for those who can no longer express their own cries of emptiness and pain.
A few years ago, Pastor Sammy Rodriquez told me, “Help build a fire wall of love, truth and respect between the Hispanic community, gay community and the Christian.” That is our goal.
We can agree to disagree on many things, but on this we must be in unity. The media will attempt to paint us as a hateful people, but by our actions we must prove them wrong.
As a person who lived the homosexual life, I am sending my heartfelt condolence to the families who have lost their loved ones as well as to the homosexual community for being targeted in such a despicable way. We are praying for you. We love you and will do what we can to assist in any way possible. {eoa}
Janet Boynes is the founder of Janet Boynes Ministries, a nondenominational outreach that ministers to individuals questioning their sexuality and those who wish to leave homosexuality. As the author of Called Out, Boynes chronicles her story of living as a lesbian for 14 years until God called her out of that lifestyle. Read more of her story here.
