Bishop Christopher Senyonjo and I at the November 2014 Reformation Project Conference in DC.

My story begins like most Christians who were raised in the faith; Church on Sundays, Pioneer Kids on wednesdays and only one interpretation of homosexuality in relation to the Bible. Around the age of ten Canada was making some big political and federal strides with marriage equality and anxiety overwhelmed my heart. My mother and I were reading the "Left Behind" series ( for those of you who are not familiar, it discusses the rapture) and my concern was not for the theives or murderers , mine was for LGBT people. I remember asking my mom how people knew they were gay and wanted to be tested to I could gaurentee my Salvation. My mother one of the most open-minded and logical thinkers talked me through this but I didn't feel satisfied, especially when in conversation with my very HOMOPHOBIC father. His attitudes eventually lead me to stop going to church. He did not think it was ok to be a "buffet believer" (those who simply pick and choose aspects of the Bible to follow and not others). So I left the Church and my Christian identity. It's not a surprise however that roughly three years later my father came out.... as a woman. Yup, you got it,  my ultra conservative Christian father was in fact a woman, who wudda thunk! This discovery was both shocking and yet not so shocking to those who belive in the motto "Thou doth protest too much". I couldn't really enjoy the "I told ya so" moment, because She was about to embark on the hardest journey of her life and our family would undergo some of the darkest seasons ever. 

My mother and sisters and I were all encourgaing and accepting and played a huge role in her transitioning. This included but was not limited to going shopping for more feminine attire, hormone injections, application of numbing cream for electrolisis treatments ect. NOTE: It's hard enough for teenagers to go in public with their parents, but my sisters were champions who praised on my dad in public as she tried on skirts and dresses for the first time in front of several disapproving onlookers. Despite the encouragement from our immediate family, my dad was rejected by many family friends all in the name of Jesus. My father held onto her faith, but the cruel treatment she endured hardened the hearts of those who knew this was not a choice, a lifestyle or as some proposed "a mid-life crisis", this was who God made her to be. Amanda (my dad) never did pass as her true gender and suffered the consequences of living a life that challenged heteronormative values and dress. In addition to her Gender Dysphoria diagnosis she would also battle depression, OCD, bi-polar disorder and narcassistic personality disorder. The following years were a living hell.....

I attended Wilfrid Laurier University in 2009 and did my undergrad in Sociology with a minor in Psychology. While at university I immersed myself in the queer community and felt a sense of safety and home that the Church no longer provided. I found myself going to drag shows weekly and prided myself on my ability to rhinestone costumes for preforming friends. My years at Laurier were crucial in the process of becoming the radical Jesus-loving feminist I am today. I cherish those years I spent in gay bars and coffee shops. It opened my mind but more importantly my heart. My two closest friends I met at Laurier were both Christian and also affirming which lead me to attend Church again for the first time in several years. I was trying to negotiate my faith and my academic position but failed to create a response other than, I know I believe in equality and I know I believe in Jesus.... sue me. *** Do not use this argument, it has many loop holes and flaws to it, and allows no room for dialogue. Really it ends there ! 

Simultaneously however an old family friend Betsy, the wife of a Pastor had her own epiphany in regards to LGBT treatment and inclusion, or should I say , lack there of, of her own. She began posting passionately on Facebook about Biblical teachings and misinterpretations of the Bible. I spent a lot of time on her Facebook the following year. Betsy didn't have a change of heart, her heart was always gold, she had a change of interpretation. A new framework, new language, new knowledge, and she was preaching from the rooftops. I continued to "follow" Betsy while I pursued my Masters in Women and Gender studies at the University College of Dublin in Ireland and exchanged thoughts a few times. She really challenged me to engage with the Christian community which I was largely unwilling to do. 

On January 11th 2014 Amanda took her life, and I would fly home three days later for her funeral. I was relieved to know she was no longer suffering yet burdened by anxiety and overwhelmed by the helplessness she must have felt before stepping off the ladder that evening. My mom initially wanted a private funeral , but much to our surprise many people asked that they be included. My mom selflessly agreed and a beautiful service was held for Amanda , formerly known as Gordon once Karly and I were both home. Betsy prepared the most beautiful service ever despite the challenging circumstances we were gathering under. Her grace that day surmounted above all the pain and akwardness, because let me tell you..... a suicide funeral is tough, but explaining to people who attended my parents wedding 28 years prior who were unaware of Gord's sex change was well.... AKWARD. Yet through it all, we were blessed with love around us.  Betsy's daughter Ket along with my God brother Zach closed the service with an acoustic version of Rod Stewarts' Rhythm of my Heart.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t__F3v3lOSg

After completing my masters (Glory be to God and all those who supported me during this period of time)   I returned to Canada. Betsy had just finished a course under the supervision of Mathew Vines ( Arguably one of today's most influencial Christian gay-rights activists) and invited me to attend his conference that Novemeber in Washington DC. Here is a link to the conference, I think it speaks for itself. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHTdL8Sc8iU&feature=share&fb_ref=share

With a renewed sense of energy I applied for the following Leadership Cohort and alongside 35 stellar people was chosen to engage in a 12-week rigorous course to train us on Biblical theology , both affirming and non-affirming. This brings me to where I am now ! As part of this training we will attend another conference in DC this coming April. The class of 35 have been asked to raise collectively 40,000 US $ . I set my personal goal at 2000$ and am confident I can crush this with YOUR help. If you or anyone you know could benefit from the work The Reformation Project is doing please consider supporting us in this way. If you made reading this far into my post I thank-you for your time and consideration and sincerly trust that you understand how much this organization means to me. If you have any hesistations/ concerns about the legitimacy of the org feel free to check out their website ! http://www.reformationproject.org/

If anyone would like some reading material, references to Biblical academia and so fourth, or would like to discuss homosexuality in relation to the Bible I would be happy to meet with you in person or chat on Facebook! Any conversation is good conversation. 

Thank-you so much for taking the time to read my story :)