The beauty of our nation is that we are allowed to seek out that which pleases us as individuals. We have a right to practice that faith with which we feel the most comfortable, or become a member of any political organization that best suits our individual value system. Our nation’s history is filled with stories of such freedoms, which practically define us as Americans. Yet, while we seek happiness and satisfaction as we choose, society still pressures us to follow a so called “norm.” This is true even in the GLBTQ community itself. It is almost expected that as GLBTQ we not follow traditional religious practice, but rather be either spiritual, agnostic or even atheist. And politically, we dare not be members of the Republican Party.

Some weeks ago, speaking of the religious right, I wrote, “These blind followers of a sect of disturbed and twisted ancient stories somehow continue to usurp our rights to be equal and free.” Some took issue with that statement, and while I stand behind what I write, I must clarify: My intent was not to attack Christians in general, since some of my dearest friends are followers of Christ, but rather to attack those who use religion and Christian faith to attack the GLBT community and our rights as Americans. It is the fundamentalists who “hide behind their disturbed (and let’s be honest, there are some very disturbing stories in the Bible) and twisted ancient stories to restrict the rights of others, such as marriage. Most Christians, true followers of Christ’s teachings, are pleasant, tolerant, good people who understand that you can still be a Christian in today’s world, and not necessarily apply what was written 2,000 years ago to today’s society. Just look at the Metropolitan Community Church, and all the good it does while still functioning as a Christian organization using the Bible as the core of its beliefs. It is not the only such church; many other churches also reach out to the community in hopes of helping to better society at large.

Faith is an incredible emotion, something that comes to us naturally, without much thought. We try to search it out, or ignore it, but then events occur in our lives that inspire us to become believers in something esoteric. For Christians, the belief in Christ as Lord and Savior is just that. Whether you believe or not, it is not for anyone to criticize those in our community who do. I ask those who are quick to judge, have you ever read the readings of Christ – the portions of the Bible in which Christ supposedly speaks? What is believed he said is worth reading!

We tend to make blanket statements about Christians and Republicans alike, without stopping and thinking that not all members of either group have hate in their faith and politics. The GLBTQ community, like any other, is sometimes quick to judge individuals based on their values, instead of their actions. The one thing I’ve learned is that there are people out there who just are not going to like you, regardless of whatever it may be you do or believe in. We cannot expect less in the GLBTQ community, but we can at least try and understand each other before judging people – whatever their stance is. We don’t want to be judged for who we sleep with, so why do we judge people based on their values and upbringing? To many, values are like sexuality; they are part of your individual make up as a person.