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My Believe Out Loud Piece: A Confession Of A Bisexual Granted Straight Privilege

On Apr 16, 2014 ⋅ 3 comments

Holy Week offers itself to us as a time for prayerful reflection and examination of our actions, but also as a chance to engage in the Christian tradition of confession. Over the course of this past year, I have become especially aware of the straight privilege I am granted through my marriage to a man—even though I am bisexual.

I recently felt called to share my confession of this privilege in a post that can be found on Believe Out Loud’s blog. Below is an except from the piece:

I cannot love God with my whole heart when I am keeping a central aspect of my self—my soul and body—hidden from both myself and from others. This is what made coming out as bisexual so energizing: my heart became way more harmonious than it had been before.

Forgiveness is not the end. I will continue to watch for God’s direction to guide me. I encourage you to continue reading this post and perhaps offer your own reflection. What is on your mind this Holy Week?

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3 Responses
  • Donna on April 16, 2014

    Hi Janet,

    A Blessed Holy Week to you & your family.

    Your statement that “I cannot love God with my whole heart when I am keeping a central aspect of my self—my soul and body—hidden from both myself and from others.” resonates profoundly with me, and I’m sure every GLBT person out there. I’ve always felt that not being out was a form of deception, even though coming out to others sometimes meant painful consequences. I am thankful that I never knew the consequences beforehand and thankful for the experiences, good and bad.

    It takes, I think, someone who very much wants to be in tune with God to lift up to Him that which is a barrier between them and God, to say, “God I have this ______ in my heart, and I need your help with it.” Or conversely, admitting to God that such an obstacle exists when He convicts you about it. Both of these represent the “melt me, mold me” part of the hymn “Sweet Holy Spirit.” Serious Christians do this kind of work. The resulting peace is indescribable.

    Blessings,

    Donna

  • Janet Edwards on April 19, 2014

    Dear Donna,

    Thanks for this affirmation and reminder of the work of faith. And your your prayer for Holy Week. It has, indeed, been blessed.

    Peace, Janet

  • Walter Derricotte on July 2, 2014

    It was great catching up with you for lunch. I’m looking forward to following you blog.

    Peace

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