14.

At the gay marriage demonstration last Saturday we were addressed by a 14 year old schoolgirl who had come out to her peers.

She spoke sadly of the way that the word gay was used by the students at her school.
She said it meant lame.
"That's so gay."

She also spoke of being called a faggot and the homophobia of her generation.
She said that many young people at her school were locked in the closet out of fear.

During her speech the crowd was very quiet and you could sense the shock and sympathy.

When I got home I felt frustration at not being able to reach these young people.
How could I help from so far away?

So I decided to write a message here for them to read:

You must never think of yourself as lame or sick.

It may seem incredible at the moment but everyone else is wrong and we are right about the naturalness and goodness of our homosexuality.
It took me 30 years to realize this.
But it is absolutely true.

When you are attacked or abused by others it is best to think of them as driven by fear.
Homophobia means fear of homosexuals.
If you can think of them as ignorant and fearful it may help you to maintain your own self-image as a loving and worthwhile individual.

It is also important that you know that there are older people who love and support you.
It is so easy to feel alone.
There is a whole community of gay people who have worked through these issues and emerged better, stronger people for it.

My prayer is that you will do the same.

And when you see Christians on the television telling you that you are condemned by God don't believe them.

There are plenty of progressive Christians who support and affirm gay people.

God loves you.
He accepts you as you are.
You are welcome at His table.
You will enter into Heaven when you die.
And you will partake of Eternal Life.

You have nothing to fear from God.
Cry out to Him.
And He will hear.

Don't let fear win.

You are beautiful, unique people.
Each and every one of you.

Know that you are loved.