CNN Feature on Homosexuality

Yet another piece about homosexuality is up on CNN.com this morning, this one covering the issue of whether it is a choice or not. Citing the study I posted about yesterday, for the first time a majority of Americans believe it is NOT a choice, it is something people are born with.

For the Rev. Mel White, the founder and president of faith-based gay rights group Soulforce, the poll results were a "tremendous relief."

"The poll is such good news," White said Thursday. "Over half of America thinks we don't have to be healed from a sickness; suddenly we are OK as we are."

The change in thinking among Americans can be attributed to more and more people getting to know gays and lesbians as they come out, White said.

"Once they know us, they will support us," he said, adding that the idea extended to faith-based organizations that currently oppose gay rights, White said.

"Until the church changes, this debate will go on and on and on," he said. "Once the church changes, it'll be over."

Of course, not everyone is happy, particularly the folks at Focus on the (Straight) Family:

This "shows that our reach is not as great as the mainstream media and entertainment industry," said Peter Sprigg, vice president for policy for the Family Research Council.

"People are believing what they are hearing, and it's not the truth," he said, adding that it was disappointing Americans had succumbed to what he called a "myth" that gays and lesbians cannot change. They can change, but it is difficult, he said.

Melissa Fryrear, director of gender issues for Focus on the Family, said she found the results unfortunate -- not only because they run counter to the beliefs of her group but to her personal experience as well.

"I know that homosexuality can be overcome because that's the story of my life," she said. Fryrear said she lived as a lesbian for nearly a decade before becoming a Christian and later "overcoming" her homosexuality through a long process of change and self-examination.

"I'm changed. I'm a heterosexual woman now. I'm not sexually attracted to women. I am romantically and sexually attracted to men."

I believe that since God can heal cancer from our bodies, he is capable of changing someone's sexual orientation, but my studies tell me that there is an enormously greater chance that Ms. Fryrear either was never actually a lesbian or else she is in deep, deep, denial. Regardless, I hope that she and those who would agree with her either accept the fact that they weren't truly homosexual in the first place, or understand that God did not make us to deny a big part of the essence of who we are.

After five years of trying to date girls and to conform and conceal his sexuality, 18-year-old Steven Field told his friends and family that he was gay.

"I wasn't being honest to myself," Field, now 25, said of his closeted high school years in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois.

Being gay was natural for him, Field, who lives in Washington, said in a Thursday phone interview. "I didn't choose to be gay anymore than straight people choose to be straight."

"I think it's important for everyone to be true to themselves," he said. "This is who I am and I'm proud of it."

Amen! God not only wants us to love Him, he wants us to be able to accept and love ourselves.