Damage.

Many gay men have been damaged by the Church.

2000 years of condemnation by Christians has seen many gay men fear their own sexuality or reject the Church altogether.

And since the AIDS crisis of the 1980s this has only become worse.

Many have rejected the concept of God in favor of an existentialist perspective.

"Better no God at all than a God who is like that."

And many are very negative about Christianity and the Church.

They react to the persecution and hate that radiates from many Christian Churches.

Few are aware that there are Christian Churches who affirm gay sexuality.

The Uniting Church in Australia is one such Church.

As is the Episcopalian Church in the United States.

But theirs is a quiet voice compared to the naysayers in the Fundamentalist Churches.

These affirming Churches must be more vocal in their defense of gay people and people of transgender.

So that young people hear a Christian voice that affirms the Love of God for His gay sons and daughters.

A voice that challenges the hate and condemnation of the ignorant.

A voice that reflects the reality of the Love of God.

Photo Credit: christianaction.org