Reason #6: It's an Act of Solidarity
Coming out of the Theological Closet is a powerful act that shows LGBTQ people that you mean what you say.
This is reason six of ten in my efforts to convince silently affirming pastors, leaders, and influences to come out of the theological closet and be clear in their inclusive theology.
Reason # 6 - It’s an Act of Solidarity
This won’t be true for every pastor/leader reading this, but it might be for most.
It’s possible that you (like me) check off quite a few boxes of “Things That Make Navigating Society Slightly Easier For Me.”
Male? ✅
White? ✅
Educated? ✅
Heterosexual? ✅
Middle-ish class? ✅
Try not to get distracted by thinking I’m taking us down some identity politics, #woke, rabbit hole. Stay with me.
All I’m saying is, for the most part (for the big chunk of folks in the middle of the bell curve), and on average…
women tend to have more stories than men when it comes to feeling discriminated against
non-white people tend to have more stores than white people when it comes to feeling discriminated against
people who are under educated, and/or lower income, tend to have a harder time gaining social capital and getting access to the best jobs
gay people tend to have more stories than straight people as it relates to feeling unsafe, unseen, and unable to be their full selves
Even if you don’t check all those boxes above, please try and imagine what it’s like for those who check even fewer than you do. That’s it, that’s all I’m asking. Just try and imagine the typical experience of moving through our world if you are a woman, or a person who isn’t white, or is gay, or is poor, or uneducated.
One of the most meaningful side effects of going through what I went through (ie, getting fired over my affirming theological position) was that it gave me a glimpse into what it probably feels like for LGBTQ people to be rejected by their church and their family. I acknowledge it’s not the same exact thing, nor does it rise to the same level of intensity, but it’s also not nothing.
And that experience has provided me a depth of empathy and compassion that I’m not sure I could’ve ascertained otherwise. As my friend Stan Mitchell says,
“As an ally of the LGBTQ people, if you’re not getting hit by some of the stones thrown their way then you’re not standing close enough.”
I realize that you’ve yet to embark on (and enjoy!) the experience of being an LGBTQ Ally, but there will come a day when you are one and I’m willing to bet you’ll want to perform that duty well.
One of the most frequently asked questions I get is something to the effect of, “How do I be a better ally?”
A big part of that answer revolves around how trustworthy you seem to be to LGBTQ people. And trustworthiness leads to feeling safe. When queer people know that you risked something (your reputation, your position, etc) because you stood up for something you believed in, you stood up for them, it communicates that you’re not just talk.
You mean what you say, you say what you believe, and your beliefs inform your actions.
You know that old adage (pulled from the Genesis 32 story of Jacob wrestling with God) about, “Never trust a leader without a limp?”
I think a similar principle applies here.
Why go public with your affirming beliefs?
Because it gives you the opportunity to experience solidarity with a group of marginalized people.
[Not to be rude, but if I need to explain to you why that is a good thing to experience and embody, especially as a follower of Jesus (and especially, especially as a leader!), then I think we have some other issues that need addressing.]
What do you think?
Does this reason have merit? Do you agree with it? Why/why not?
What would you add to this?
Feel free to share publicly (via comments) or privately (via sending me a message).
Help Spread the Word
If you’re like me, and you believe more people need to come out of the theological closet and be clear and public in their affirmation of LGBTQ people, then help spread the word by sharing this article either directly by emailing your people, and/or posting on social media about it.
Let’s get this in front of the eyes that need to see it!
Good point! I love hearing what you have to say!