An Open Letter to Ted Wilson, President, General Conference of SDA 

It is not the SDA that condemns LGBTQ+. It is the Word of God that condemns it. Your problem is not with the SDA Church, but with the Word of God.

Dear friend, please put thought into why God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah

LGBTQIA+ is not just a self-identification of that person my brother, it is a lifestyle contrary to the word of God.

Christians are supposed to identify as dead to self and alive in Christ. We are not supposed to walk according to the lusts of the flesh but according to the leading of God's spirit. We cannot serve two masters.

I am writing this to you, Floyd, because I sense that there is some sense of sincerity. I hope and pray that the Lord may work on your heart and those that will read it. Yes, Floyd, you are completely right. This is a thing not of doing, as with adulterers, thieves, liars, etc, but of being. These people fall into sin, into doing, but fight to get back up. No such person who lives in sin will be allowed in heaven. Sinners were kicked out of heaven and out of Eden because of the breaking of God's law. LGBTIQIA+ has to do with the fact that the image of God has been almost completely effaced from the person. God created man and woman and made them in His likeness, and thus for man to be attracted to the woman and vice-versa. LGBTIQIA+ have become someone who they were not created to be. For this to be changed shows a problem which is the most degrading of the human being. The whole heart and mind, the whole human being, is now corrupted. Now they do not only fall into sin, but now they become sin in all they are. They live it, think it, love it, etc. We identify with sin itself. I fell into adultery and started to have inclinations towards going deeper into homosexuality. The thought of it shook me and I for years cried unto God to save me from mine own self! I would have rather died than continue to live like that, and did come to have thoughts of suicide. But God in His mercy delivered me from sin through Christ alone. "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked" (Jeremiah 17:9). This heart of ours, the subconcious, will degrade the conscious/mind also if we will follow it. We are told through all mediums to "Follow your heart." Following it will result in becoming "deceitful above all things and desperately wicked". If people fall into sin and turn back to the Lord is one things, but to identify with sin is completely something else. God created man and woman and married them. But today the one whom God made as a woman rejects that and wants to identify as a man. Thus they completely reject God and His plan for them. But it gets worse. People started to identify themselves as animals and all kinds of things. Because of rejecting God people are becoming "deceitful above all things and desperately wicked". God is the One who lets people fall into this state so that they may realize what will happen if a person rejects God. If someone who is in this case realizes their state and comes to God as they are wanting to be saved, God's grace is big enough to save them. The problem is not if we are so degraded and corrupted, but if we recognize our degradation and appeal to God alone to save us. Falling into sin will exclude us from heaven. Identifying with sin will also exclude us from heaven, but also closes the door even more to acceting God's salvation through Jesus Christ. We will not be judged because of our sin, for we were all born in sin. But we will be condemned and judged if we reject God's salvation through Jesus Christ who alone can bring us to identify with our heavenly Father and reflect God once again. For this reason we need what Jesus said, "let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me" Luke 9:23. We need to be born again! We need a new heart and spirit/mind which is void of deception and wickedness. God alone can change us and He will if we plead with Him and appeal to Christ alone to save us. Are you willing to recognize your state and come to Jesus Christ alone to save you that the old things may pass away and that He make you completely new in His likeness?

Proverbs 12:15 [15]The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

Jeremiah 17:9 [9]The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

Praying for you. 🙏 I can see the message from Pr. Ted Wilson touched your heart and you are confused. You are probably looking for answers about yourself. Keep looking for the truth. Truth is not a concept neither a ideology. Truth can not be founded in our feelings. Jeremiah 17:9-10 If I think ( or feels) that the dogs tail is a leg, how many legs does the dog has? 5? NO. The dog still have 4 legs. The chemical, Biological and anatomical composition of the legs are different from the tail. What I think or feels can not changes the reality. The key is accepted that we are creatures and we are not the Creator. We should not tell the creator: ok I know better then you. You make me as a man but I think or I feel like a woman. Rebelion is the name for this. Keep looking for the truth and you will find not your feelings, not an ideology but a Person, the only person that can set you free, Jesus Christ. He said: I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6. You will be in my prayers 🙏

"longing and desire for the same gender, " aren't those "actions" ? 🤔🤔 We were all born with a sinful nature ( messed up wiring), the Creator, wants to rewire us correctly...When it is said, no person within themselves can change their wiring, that is absolutely correct, because of a fact, only Jesus, the Creator (Original Electrical engineer) has the power to change our messed up nature ( wiring ), if you believe and so desired to be rewired....Renewing of the mind... Romans 12:1-3

I don't care what people "feel" if it's against Bible truth

Deuteronomy 12:8 [8]Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes. Deuteronomy 13:18 [18]When thou shalt hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep all his commandments which I command thee this day, to do that which is right in the eyes of the LORD thy God.

What about Sodom and Gomorrah?

Leviticus 18:22 You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination. ESV Man with man is sin. Woman with woman is sin. Full stop

True. Ted Wilson should have phrased it more properly. However, according the fact remains: Homosexuality is a Sin. 🤷🏻‍♂️ I think the way forward is for the LGBTQ community to start their own religion.

We live in a world of sin of course. But when you say people are born with intention of liking the same sex. That can also be said with people who born with the intention to steal even though they might like it and later on they found out its wrong but still keep on doing it. People who stealing can definitely stop those bad habits, same with people who like people of the same sex, its all in the mind and the mind can achieve what it conceives. 💯

Anyone can identify as anything they want. So if I identify as a thief whether I commit the act or not. Did man create themselves so they can identify who they are, to accept this is to deny that God created them ae male or female. We can try to justify these things as much as we want that does not make them correct. God is even more outraged at the atrocities we claiming He would embraced them

Ezekiel 20:38 “And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me:

Hi Floyd, pray on it and the holy spirit will redeem you of your sinful desires as a man. It’s quite powerful once you truly repent in your heart knowing this is not what God wants. Don’t go based off emotions, but instead let the Holy Spirit guide you. As the book of Jeremiah states, “You will seek me when you search for me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13❤

Pr Ted never contradicted anybody, but you are.

The doctorine you're talking about is the Bible, my friend. You believe it or you don't. anyone that comes along and chooses to change that book in any way has chosen to rise above God himself and take his place

The SDA policy is to accept all people with different backgrounds and believes into church. But it is not to follow the peoples ideal. The church is meant to stick with what the Bible says not what people's agender or their own ideals or beliefs. Of course gay and lesbian are things that have been existed for a very long time even in bible days, but were does it meantion that God or jesus supports those ideals in the Bible. Jesus loves everyone but he does not follow LBTQ and all these self identification. You definitely getting the whole idea wrong. You are the misleading people wrongly

Maybe heaven will have harmony because there will be NO marriage and we will be like ANGELS.....NO GENDER!!!!

I FLOYD PLEASE READ ROMANS 1 ;FROM VERSE 18 TO THE END IT IS IMMORAL GOD CREATED A MAN AND A WOMAN BUT SATAN WANTS YOU , JESUS CAME FOR ALL HUMANITY. A SINCERE REPENT AND GOD WILL PARDON YOU WE ALL SINS BUT WHEN YOU MEET JESUS ALL YOUR LIFE IS NEW, NO MORE HOMOSEXUALITY, NO MORE KILLER ETC ETC GOD BLESS YOU FLOYD , SINCERELY 😊❤🧡💛💚💙🙏🙏

I am so happy I found this community! This message was well said!❤️

Don't allow your sexual desires to rule you! We all have strong desires ...I know I do...but I must follow God's word ..I just must! God/Jesus /Holy Spirit ...I must follow their ways and not my ways!!

Is it right to follow the Bible or your feelings?

One more thing we are in the last days. And the false teacher's and pastors are stepping up their game to convince that the word of God is false and the sin is good. There is a passage that says whats right will become wrong and whats wrong will become right. We are there in full force and the train is at full speed and has no brakes. Satan is the tempter, twister of words, gets in your brain and tells you somethinf and then its your choice to act on it.all actions freewill are your choice. God gives you freewill. GOD BLESS YOU!

If a man who identifies as a homosexual never has sex with another man, why identify as a homosexual? If a man identifies as a homosexual and has sex with another man, but comes to the saving grace of believing in Jesus, and stops having same sex tendencies completely, why would he still want to identify as a homosexual? The same can be said of the lesbian, the bisexual, the transgender, the queer, etc and they come to the saving grace of Jesus and stop having inappropriate sex with persons of the same sex completely, why would they still want to identify as lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, etc?

Mr. Floyd, if you we are to live by our feelings; we are at a loss. Just because you are a pastor, Jeremiah 17:9 does not exempt you from this reality either and that's why parents must teach their children to make good choices from which the absolute most important one is acknowledging JC as their only Savior. But the Bible does mention JC preaching inclusivity, otherwise He would have had to accept idolaters, patricides, adulterers, liars just as they are because they feel they can't control themselves!

These people are so confused they believe other people have to accept their lifestyle,I hope when the thief want to be accepted,these people should form they own group where they are comfortable and remember if you are seeking salvation ,You don’t gain it because you are a SDA member, you gain it by repeating and departing from old lifestyle,when you are in Christ you becomes a new person the old man is put away.

You are so mis leading homosexual is not in the bible / the word- same as the Trinity/ but they is biblical support for it / all through the bible) just read Leviticus - 18 / the principal is there

This self-identifying oneself as the gender God has not assigned to that person is sinful. It is perverted and wrong. God’s grace is sufficient to give victory over any and every sin. People need to accept themselves as God has created them to be, not believing they sre somehow different on the inside than on the outside, due to pressures and perverted messages coming from an exceedingly sick society. Do what is right because it is right, and leave the consequences with God.

Please brothers and sister do not make the "plus plus problems" :) There in the Bible no one verse tell that GOD allow the same gender relationship Please brothers and sisters Shalom... GOD Bless You

Keeping praying that the devil would not have his way with you i sincerly mean that

Repent and be converted

Did God tell you He does not condemn these. Have you spoken to everyone who claims to be any of your alphabet group around the world?

This letter should be seen by many people! Not only Ted Wilson but lots of people who agree with his statements

What a gracious and educated response. Thank you, Mr. Poenitz.

Thank you. This is gracious, real, and vulnerable.

You have looked funny before the world when your words try to supprt lgbt.Stop that brother.

The SDA leadership needs to retrain their pastors. A reformation is required in homiletics/preaching. Stop the critical member bashing: Tithe robbing accusations, sabbath slacking rants, lukewarm love-lacking Laodicean losers identifying. "The greatest help that can be given our people is to teach them to work for God, and to depend on Him, not on the ministers. Let them learn to work as Christ worked. 7T 19"....“The ministers must be converted before they can strengthen their brethren. They should not preach themselves, but Christ and His righteousness. A reformation is needed among the people, but it should first begin its purifying work with the ministers.” 1 T 469.."It has often been presented to me that there should be less sermonizing by ministers, acting merely as local pastors of churches, and that greater personal efforts should be put forth. Our people should not be made to think that they need to listen to a sermon every Sabbath. Many who listen frequently to sermons, even though the truth be presented in clear lines, learn but little. Often it would be more profitable if the Sabbath meetings were of the nature of a Bible-class study." 21 LtMs Lt 192

Nah you leading people astray

You are so ignorane to these realices bro

SMH 🤦🏾‍♂️

This is excellent. God bless you

I still feel appalled at what the tweet said. Dismissing the queer/trans community is one thing but to use the whole acronym and not even try to educate himself on what the letters stood for just felt like ignorance. Also the idea of condemning adultery, fornication, and asexuality (which primarily includes people who don't want sex) in one swoop feels terribly ironic to me.

We are NOT to live by our feelings but by every word that proceeds our of the mouth of God.

We do not need understand the evil actions, we just need to know what is right and pray for those who fall into the devil’s actions.

You will say anything to support your gayness. That's what this is all about. The word of God is the word of God. You either believe it, or you don't. Simple as that...

You are right that having the inclination to people of the same sex does not change even after conversion, but the mistake is that we think that it is appropriate to PRACTICE that lifestyle. I have friends who love Jesus but still struggle with these temptations, but they are humble enough to recognize that God does not approve the practice of that. They submit their feelings to Jesus, and Jesus starts restoring their identity as sons and daughters of God. It is as simple as that.

1:31-1:42 is absolute rubbish. Self-identification is an action. The word identify (from which we have identification, identifying, and such phrases as "identify as", and "self-dentification") is a verb. What is a verb? A child can tell you that a verb is an action word, or in its simplest reduction, a doing word. This is the problem with LGBTQ+ (and whomever else supports that system) - there is the blatant refusal of the truth, of facts, of simple laws of reality, and then forcing that on the rest of the world.

Genesis 1:27 we read, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. Identifying yourself opposite of God's original creation is directly going against God's plan. All types of lifestyle that contradict God's original plan is sin and need to be repented of. Praise God for Pr Ted Wilson's courage to call sins by its name. He did it out of love for others.

Praise God for Pastors like President Ted Wilson for speaking biblical truth despite political "correctness" of our age. Just because we're born into a world of sin doesn't justify our sin. We all have our weaknesses, and through God we can overcome sin.

Sir, you're talking nonsense. Homosexuality is wrong. We have a messed up nature and we have pulls, inclination and propensity toward certain sins. If they are not practiced, entertained in the mind as a value, he/she cannot be identified as gays because they reject the very thought so that their emotions are not corrupted and thus lead them to do the action. James 4:17 and James 1:13-15. And 1Corinthians 6:9-11.

Nine minutes, and you didn't quote on scripture.

What is wrong with Ted Wilson Tweet? He has responsibility to OBEY GOD rather than a set of people who are trying change God's words for their FEELINGS and CONFUSIONS of who they are STOP IT!!

You sir, are the one misleading and misquoting the Bible. The perverted desires of the flesh are not what we identify as unless you are willing to ignore God's moral and natural law and live by the flesh and not the Spirit.

Ted Wilson is right what is wrong with our chruches, allowing this.

I disagree with you. God has delivered me from the sin of homosexuality. God sees all sin equally. Sin is an abomination to God. He did not make us this way, homosexuality, gender identity, murder, lying, fornication, are all the results of a fallen world and fallen nature. Yet, God loves the sinner and asks us to come as we are, but that doesn’t mean He loves or accepts the sin nor does He allow us to remain in sin and affirm us in sin. Rather, He wants to wash us and make us clean, He wants sanctify us, He wants to restore us. He wants pull us out of darkness and into His marvelous light. As I have surrendered to His will, Lord God Jehovah has, through the power of His Holy Spirit, delivered me and changed my desires. I always felt depressed, rejected and confused as to why God would make me that way and how could this God who made me like this tell me I could never enter into His kingdom (1 Corinthians 6:9-10) until I came to understand that my propensity to sin was not a result of how God made me, but rather the result of me having a fallen nature and living in a fallen world. 1 Corinthians 6:11 which says, “And such WERE some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God,” gave me hope. The hope of God’s transformative power! Hallelujah! Glory to the Most High God who is able to wash us and make us whole again! He gave me hope that I wasn’t alone, that others struggle with similar sins, but that the power of the gospel is God’s ability alone to be able to be transform me into a new creature. And He has. May all glory and honor be forever His, in Jesus’ name! 🙌🏼🙏🏼

Dejen de comer tanta carne o cada vez los instintos seran peor y que Dios nos ayude a mantenernos firme ante roda la tormenta qu3 se avecina.

Ali and supporter of gay community? OMG is that a thing in SDA church now?

It’s not a race period

If unity could be secured only by the compromise of truth and righteousness, then let there be difference, and even war.

Hes saying what God says to tell you. Whats that problem then? The problem is you di t want to listen and obey to Jesus. Thats it bro we aint stupid but you are definitely blinded

Hello I watch most of this video and you are saying adultery and fornication are actions. The bible does say if you look upon in lust you have committed adultry.you don't have to committ the action to have sinned. The reason Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed was due the same sex sinning and they also wanted the 2 angels to come out so that they could know them. The angels there were there to get out of the city that were believers in God and there were only 4 people. Do you think satan can get in the mind or dreams of a little child and influence the thoughts and guide a person to the same sex interests throughout their life.and this makes it look like you have been this way since a child and this is you without any of Satan's influence. Satan knows the word of God better than any man and knows how to twist and pervert and us humans are just Satan's play things. Satan hates the humans and wants to take as many people to burn with him at judgement. please repent and God to help you overcome satan it can be done with much faith. GOD BLESS YOU!

My dear brother we all are born with a propensities to certain sins. Please stop putting your self in a grouping that God never ordained for you. If you truly accept Christ as your Lord and Saviour he would give us all victory over our thoughts, words and deeds. We have to be intentional and push towards the mark of the high calling. 2 Cor. 10 v 4- 6 says ( For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against yhe knowlegde of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. Ask yourself what would Jesus do? Would he call himself gay or a child of God that needs a transformed heart. Focus on Christ. I think this is what pastor is saying and I agree with him 100%.

You are correct...he should have said homosexuals, fornicators and those who commit adultry. Homosexuality is most certainly condemned, just like murder or idolatry, lying.... You cannot go off your feelings. You have to follow His laws or will will not be saved. Your feelings do not matter. God's law is God's law. I pray all of us can Repent, turn from our sin, follow Christ with all our hearts...taking up our cross (by laying down our desires for God's desires), help us to find the narrow way, to walk a painful walk on earth that we may come into Your Kingdom, because we know the lawless will not enter, may we hate our own lives enough to reject them in favor of a Holy God, let us love You God more than any other. Give us Your nature as we seek Your face, humbling ourselves, acknowledging our sin and clinging to the blood of the lamb, for there is no other way Most Holy God. Amen.

I would not even give you a platform. Sin is sin, even if it's formulated in your mind. Did you read the story about what took place in Sodom? Go back and read it prayerfully. Keep preaching, Pastor Ted Wilson. You're doing great work.

Animals will go against nature, but human being being formed in Gods image having mind to chose between evil & good should know better. God created Adam & Eve. Not Adam & Steve. Bible does preach against lgbtq sins but God still love Them as human being. If they change their live styles & turn away from their sins & ask forgiveness, God will save them. It's the bible that preach against lgbtq & pastor Ted Nelson relay tne message to lgbtq.

Brother you are using SDA denomination in a different light. May God enlighten you to take heed of God's will out of your advocacy as a human being. There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it is destruction. You will lead many people astray by leading this advocacy without asking Gods will and taking heed of the Holy Scripture. 🙏🙏

Bigotry and prejudice has blinded Adventists together with christian community, just by reading these comments i can see nobody is even hearing what this gentleman is saying, shameful.

Some people are born with an inclination for violence but their love for christ who is first in their lives superceded the urge to live out violent fantasy. Put Christ first and you will not affirm things that are plainly written as an abomination as your nature. You deceive yourself, put God first and let him do a good work in you. Ted Wilson simply delivered the message but it is the law of God. May God bless you and may your heart put christ first because even if you were straight your sexuality shouldn't be first in your life

he has no interest in conversing..he stays away from reality

When you was a child you knew nothing big grown man need to reconsider your thoughts. And prime example wise don’t come with age but by what you do and seek to be wise as you age

Oh! You are confused brother. You can make others confused by your letter. Watch out that you might lead people astray with it.

Simple biblical formular = Man + woman = family end of the story bro. Your feelings will destroy you

Its a sexual preference and God's condemns it. An 8 years old comes out guy only when being different got damaged by someone else telling him that means being gay

'It is that something they feel" l qoat ...The moment we start using our feelings we will be getting it wrong . Feelings satisfy Lust of flesh...

You still have to be celibate unless married and marriage is defined as a union between a man and a woman. I’m truly trying to understand this issue.

How many more letters are they going to add before they are finished? They seem to add one every month. God help you all.

Pues esta buena esta novedad pero sabes algo mejor disfruta esa vida que ll3vas y aslo bien porque al final te vas a perder y no tuerza las escrituras amigo porque no hay vuelta de oja y estanos peor que en sodoma.👎

Christ said Come as you are not stay as you are. Why is he trying to affirm sins

You were born GAY? So God lie in the Bible? NO!!!

There is no gay,queer, Adventist

Trying to confuse words in deception

This is so sickened 😢

Satan is bold

Gen 1:27

Greetings of peace, I testify that on 21 December 2006, through Deut 4:1-516 and John 14:6-7, God revealed truth to me, which is the picture or statue woul liken the image of Jesus is idol. Because of God's will, I testified since January 2007 (Isaiah 44:8-9). Give Ear Unto Me O My Nation Isaiah 51:4 Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people. 51:5 My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust. Psalm 85:8 I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly. Acts 17:29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. Psalm 81:13 Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways! 81:14 I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries. *Word is quoted from the King James Version. I respectfully use name YHWH for LORD* facebook.com/notes/massie-lily/1good-news-devils-deception-revealed-the-truth-that-make-you-free-1-john-38/486224614836002/

Wow! Wow! Wow! What else can I say. We need to pray more. Jesus said if you so much as think of someone in your mind with lust then you are sinning (my own words) Matt 5:28 sooooo 🤷‍♀️

BUT YOU ARE NO THE PRESIDENT OF THE OROGINAL SDA I UNDERSTAND.

thissssssssssssss

That's the reason God came to give us a better nature

peace

Provide a thus saith the Lord to support this sinful behavior, God is love, KJV 1 John 4:8-9 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. There is power in the Blood of Jesus to turn many from the sin of lgbtq+,: KJV 1 John 5:2-6 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? 6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth., God is not a liar He is faithful to transform us unto Holiness, it is written: KJV Matthew 5:48 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect., God does not delight in the death of sinners: KJV Ezekiel 33:11 11 Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?, repent brothers and sisters , soon the Door of grace will close: KJV Revelation 2:16-17 16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it., God bless you all

Very accurate.

Yes, the whole intersex thing is very interesting, as the Talmud talks about 6 different genders, including different types of intersex people, which I thought was very interesting when I first heard about that, as we share some similar beliefs to Jews. And being asexual is literally the opposite of fornication... I don't think people realize what they're saying with messages like that. As for Coming Out Ministries, I've had some good conversations with a few guys involved with it when they came to my high school, but the reason they were brought in was because there were a few kids in my class that came out, and certain people didn't like that. We need a balance, and for so many teens and young adults, they hear those stories and think that you have to go away and then come back to God to have some kind of story or change, or else you don't have a connection or testimony to share. It's nice to find people who say that yes, we all have differences, but everyone should be respected, and to me, that's what the Gospel is. Jesus was there for the outcasts to share God's love with them, but who is taking that place now? Who is being there to show God's love to those who feel left out or alone in their different forms of attraction or gender presentation? Before finding this group on a local site talking about religion and queerness, the only SDA I knew of who was out and proud to be part of the LGBTQ+ community, was Utica from RuPaul's Drag Race S13, but it still seems taboo to talk about.

I hope Ted Wilson knows there are people on the other end of his hate. There are real lives here, and we’re hurting.

You read his little diatribe, and he sounds like a Mormon leader, speaking of "heavenly plan for human sexuality." Bravo, Floyd. I like it all, especially at the end: "Our community would like to have you speak WITH us, not TO us."

This is so well said. I pray that people can accept to learn something about LGBTIQ+ before they say something ignorant in this day and era