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Be an Example of Justice, Week Two
Despite celebrating marriage equality in 2015, being LGBTQ in the US has not become any easier—especially as a youth. On a daily basis youth struggle to understand their sexuality, their gender and their identity. As any lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer person can tell you, being different is not easy. Not being straight is scary whether at school, at home, or with friends. The pressure to fit in is very intense and some are bullied, others are punished, some “pray the gay away.”
These circumstances push young LGBTQ minds to believe that being straight is “normal” and anything else is “wrong.” They try to change or hide their identity. For those that are open with their identity might still face bullying and pressure. The sad reality is that this mentality that being straight is normal and being gay is abnormal is harmful. Youth are mentally and physically abused—some to the point of wanting to hurt themselves.
For youth that are questioning their identity and struggling with pressure from society, they can turn to the Trevor Project. The organization was founded to help save the lives of LGBTQ youth when they face the horrors of not fitting in. Their hotline is always live and they have text capabilities. When our youth are struggling, they need to know they are not alone and that there is still a future for them no matter their sexual or gender identity.
Heavenly Lord God,
We pray for our youth. Being young is not easy, let alone being an LGBTQ youth. They need our prayers and our love. They need allies and support. They need to know that being straight is not the only option. We are all children of God, created in God’s beautiful image. Our daily prayer is to be reminded of the beauty in each of us, no matter if we are straight, gay, bisexual, lesbian, transgender, queer, or asexual. We pray that this harsh world may begin to grow from the seeds of love we have planted, so that all our children may also know the love and joy of friendships, relationships and family. We ask all this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Hebrews 13:1-2
Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.
(Read the weekly scripture each day. Find a phrase or word that speaks to you. Share your reflections with others over dinner, social media, and in prayer. Share the scripture with a child you know in the car, through a text, or in a children's Bible.)
Resources and Links
LGBTQ Hotline: 1-866-488-7386, http://www.thetrevorproject.org/
Alliance Q: http://disciplesallianceq.org/
Families and Children: http://www.docfamiliesandchildren.org/sexuality
Joe Heidenescher, Disciples Summer Peace Intern in 2017
*The view represented in these devotions come from a variety of diverse perspectives. We do not seek to agree but seek to welcome all to the conversation and the table.
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