As it turns out, it is now cheaper for me to fly into Dallas, Texas and get a rental car for several days than it is to fly directly into Tulsa, Oklahoma to visit my daughters.
A former student of mine contacted me 3 months ago and is in the process of coming out. Living in Dallas, he invited me to crash at his house so I could get up early and make the drive to Tulsa. We planned an evening of gay bar hopping, checking out the local scene and introducing him to members of the Dallas gay community.
When we left his parking lot to head to our first stop it was still light outside. We noticed on the side of the road three ladies trying desperately to change a flat tire. I could tell the car was jacked-up precariously and assistance was needed. I made a u-turn, pulled up behind, and got out of the car.
With a look of relief the ladies beckoned us over, praising God we stopped to help. Within ten minutes I had the car re-jacked, the old tire off and the new one in place. I'm sure I looked like some sort of deranged clothing ad, in my pearl buttoned plaid shirt and designer jeans but sufficiently covered in grease and grime including a slight smudge on my face. Calvin Klein eat your heart out...
Anyway, as I put away the tools one of the ladies beckoned us over, praising Jesus and wanting to pray a blessing over us. She did, and when she was finished and I was driving away her and her friends held hands in prayer thanking God for sending my friend and I to their aid.
My former student (always the philosopher) beat me to the thought: would those ladies still be as welcoming and gracious if they knew it was two gay men who came to their rescue?
I would like to think so, but I am far too familiar with southern evangelical culture to know what most churches say and believe about homosexuals, and I do wonder how the interaction would have been different if my friend and I said "Oh, we don't mind helping! The gay bars dont' really get hopping until 10, anyway!"
In hindsight, I regret not bringing it up in conversation somehow. I think if there we more situations in which gay men and women were interacting, helping, sharing, and laughing with the very people that speak against us we could provide real opportunities for a better understanding.
And not just from the gay perspective. Many gay people I meet are apathetic and sometimes hostile towards Christianity. As a gay Christian, I catch a lot of flack in various conversations. However, just as it is crucial the evangelical community understands not all gays are having sex in the streets and trying to convert children, the gay community needs to know the Christian community does a lot of good in the world and has some wonderful, loving representatives.
American society has an opportunity to flourish if members of the church/gay divide can remember basic humanity, help each other in need, and not let differences be the guiding force of interactions. Until that time, I'll continue to find those opportunites to live our my faith practically, help others, and hopefully be a good example for gays and God alike.
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