Return to PFLAG-Talk Home Page Return to the PFLAG-Talk Library
With love,
Laura Siegel
laursiegel@aol.com
In the name of a God that is love,
They hate.
In the name of a God that is love,
They discriminate.
In the name of a God that is love,
They exclude us from their spiritual
worship.
In the name of a God that is love,
They suddenly expel us from loving
family relationships.
In the name of a God that is love,
They insist our commitments mean
nothing.
In the name of a God that is love,
They prevent us from legally marrying.
In the name of a God that is love,
They deny the multitude of gifts of
creativity we have freely given the
world in so many areas.
In the name of a God that is love,
They attempt to legislate discrimination against us.
In the name of a God that is love,
They reject us in every way while many
of us experience depression and
substance abuse.
In the name of a God that is love,
They steal our children and say we are
unfit parents.
In the name of a God that is love,
They decide we are unfit to defend our
country, and even after we have
proven them wrong they expel us
with our medals and decorations.
In the name of a God that is love,
They do not appraise us individually
but condemn us all.
In the name of a God that is love,
They laugh as the suicide rate among
our youth soars.
In the name of a God that is love,
They keep us from reaching out to our
youth to protect them.
In the name of a God that is love,
They attack us physically - wounding
maiming and killing us.
In the name of a God that is love,
They lose all sense of compassion and
love and turn into vicious beasts.
In the name of a God that is love,
They judge, "It's God's punishment," as
the horror of AIDS devastates us.
In the name of a God that is love,
They say, "Let AIDS kill all the faggots."
And I become introspective,
And I think on these things,
And I wonder - WHERE IS THE LOVE?
Richard Klee Smith
"I am random college student A. I just got home and decided to for some reason to surf the web. Without knowing why, I searched God. I came across a poem, written by a gay man. I am a strong Catholic, and go to school in a heavily populated Christian Reformed area. I have always been fasinated by how Christians treat homosexuals with such disregard of God's will. I know MANY people that would disagree with what is written. I myself am not gay, nor even ever had any gay friends, but I believe that the treatment that is thrown upon homosexuals is horrible, ESPECIALLY that by Christians. I would like to commend Richard on a beautiful piece of poetry, one that speaks the truth. Hopefully, I can do what I can in the name of a God that is love. "
"I hope that people one day will respect everyone regardless of race, creed, colour, religion or sexual orientation. If people are having a debate in school, they can contact me for ideas. Thank you. Carly (cool_carly@yahoo.com)
"PS That poem is and probably always be the most powerful piece of writing I will ever read. Thank you for sharing it with the world."
June 1999 - From Judy G. "I have always believed..."
Perhaps because I grew up in a very diversified environment, I was never outraged or fearful of the gay community. I was taught that God loved all of us. I was also taught that God knew what we would and would not be, before we knew.
I don't know for sure what makes a person gay or straight, but I am convinced that no matter the sexual orientation of a person, it is how it was supposed to be. God wouldn't have it any other way. He took great pride in creating all of us. I know that no matter what we are, God loves us and so, we should love one another, no matter what the sexual orientation.
I feel wonderful belonging to a church that feels the same way. When all the nonsense came out involving Jerry Falwell's statement about Tinky Winky being gay, our pastor had many of the the little things on the pulpit the very next Sunday, and he tore Jerry's beliefs to shreds. I was so proud of him. When will people learn to accept each other for who they are and what they contribute to the world.
My best friend is gay. He is kind and considerate and loving. When my son was going through his several brain surgeries, he was always there, helping us to cope. When I was exhausted by endless days of work and then went on to the hospital to spend the nights not sleeping, he was the only person who said, "take a break, go home, sleep, I will be here". Not even my family did that. And never once was I fearful that he would have a negative influence on my son. He showed my son what true love, respect and caring is.
Well here I am, a 46 years old single mom with a heterosexual son, a gay best friend and a future step son who just told us he is gay. Well actually he told me months ago, he just got around to telling his parents. I'm so glad he did. They needed to understand his fears and concerns.
I worry for them, I hope they can accept who they are, who their children are and that society will accept it as well. It is hard for his parents to come to grips with the fears they have for their gay child because of society, hell I am afraid for him too. But one thing I do know is that "In the name of a God that is love" all I can do is love them and try to reach everyone I come in contact with that message "in the name of a God that is love".
Created February 6, 1999
Revised June 26, 1999