Responding to Hate with Love

2023 Update: He came back to campus on Thursday, May 18th to spread his hateful message. Please consider responding to his hate by donating to Dignity Twin Cities. They are a small Christian community that provides a spiritual base for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Catholics, their families and friends.

2020: This week a man was distributing fliers to students and faculty at my university calling for my dismissal because I am a lesbian. He included a photo of my wife and my kids as evidence of my "lesbian way of life." While this is not the first time I have had to deal with hateful and offensive attacks against me for being a queer Catholic biblical scholar, this is the first time that pictures of my family were used.

As awful and disgusting as this is, I am fine. My family is fine. We are loved and supported by friends and family. At work, I feel the support from my chair and colleagues in the Theology department. I am receiving emails and calls from students, faculty members, and administrators at my university condemning his actions and offering support. This has brought me much comfort.

His actions are an important reminder, however, that there are many queer kids, teens, and adults who face this hate and discrimination on a daily basis. This is a good time to rally support for a non-profit organization that is on the front lines of confronting this religiously-motivated hatred. Please consider donating to Dignity Twin Cities. They are a small Christian community that provides a spiritual base for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Catholics, their families and friends.

Breaking News ran the story in 2020. Click here.