By Avery Arden and Ainsley Herrick
You have heard it said the Bible is clear, but I say to you the Living Word continues to speak in new ways.
You have heard it said that who you are is sinful and unnatural, but I say to you God created you in Their image and you are perfect the way you are.
You have heard it said you must reject part of who you are in order to be welcomed into the kin-dom, but I say to you God rejoices when you live as your authentically queer self, for it was who you were created to be.
You have heard it said “God doesn’t make mistakes”, but I say to you that you are not a mistake.
You have heard it said pride is a sin, but I say to you that asserting dignity and your place in the Body of Christ is holy work.
You have heard it said “do not conform to the world”, but I say to you that you follow my footsteps in resisting the status quo.
You have heard it said that this is just your cross to bear, but I say to you that I would never lay the burden of self-loathing on your shoulders.
You have heard it said “love the sinner, hate the sin” but I say to you love your neighbor as yourself, for God never commanded you to hate.
You have heard it said that you are leading people astray, but I say to you teaching people to love is never the wrong path.
Blessed are you when you face rejection for you shall find a new family that welcomes you as you are.
Blessed are you who can’t step inside a church because of the trauma you endured, for God shall meet you where you are.
Blessed are you when you struggle to love yourself, for you teach others the path to self love.
Blessed are you when you defy human-made binaries, for God created this world to be more than black and white.
Blessed are you when you resist the status quo, for you open the world’s eyes to the diversity of God’s image.
Blessed are you who come out, for the world will be transformed by your courage and voice.
Blessed are you who remain in the closet, for God sees who you truly are.
Blessed are you who fight for justice and equality, for “no one is free until we are all free.” (MLK Jr)