Gay German Baptist Family Reunion
Donation protected
In 2016, I left the rural Pennsylvania German Baptist community I grew up in. I had come out as gay the previous summer, and while my family did their best to love me, it was clear there was no affirmative support for that side of me. I hit the road to seek my fortune, find myself, and give my family a break from the tension of having a son who was dang near headed full speed for hell. (If any of them read this, which is unlikely since their religion doesn't allow internet use, I'm sorry for saying "dang").
Fast forward to today, I'm living comfortably in Pasadena making parade floats for a living and considering going for an art degree. But I haven't left my past life behind. In July, my sisters Jaima and Lisabeth, and our friend Kari, all 100% German Baptists for life, are coming to visit me. This will be the first time anyone I grew up with has made this effort. I love my sisters dearly, Jaima was the first family member I came out to and she gave me the courage to come out to everyone. They have shown me great love in spite of their struggle to understand why I am living as an out gay Christian in California.
This trip is a huge gesture. These women live in a patriarchal agrarian society where higher education is not an option and travel is usually reserved for church meetings in other districts. Jaima teaches at a small German Baptist private school, and Lisabeth cleans houses and works part time at a butcher shop. They are both single, and paying their own way through life. Now, they're leaving their comfort zone far behind and it's costing them more than I would ever ask. It makes me feel like they want to be a part of my life, no matter how wild and heretical it may seem to them.
I'm so excited to spend time with them in LA! Worlds will collide. I've taken off work to be their guide, even though money is tight. I hope to make a few journal comics about this, some of which you can already read on my Instagram (@gaygermanbaptist) if you're curious about German Baptist culture clashing with gay culture.
I want to show them that they are important to me, and that the world outside their small bubble is not the cold and inhospitable jungle of corruption they've been taught. I want to raise enough money to cover the cost of a hotel for them, near my home in Pasadena. They are putting on brave face, but I suspect they were blindsided by the price of lodging.
I've never done a fundraiser before so I don't know what to expect, but thank you for reading this! God bless
--Jerron
Fast forward to today, I'm living comfortably in Pasadena making parade floats for a living and considering going for an art degree. But I haven't left my past life behind. In July, my sisters Jaima and Lisabeth, and our friend Kari, all 100% German Baptists for life, are coming to visit me. This will be the first time anyone I grew up with has made this effort. I love my sisters dearly, Jaima was the first family member I came out to and she gave me the courage to come out to everyone. They have shown me great love in spite of their struggle to understand why I am living as an out gay Christian in California.
This trip is a huge gesture. These women live in a patriarchal agrarian society where higher education is not an option and travel is usually reserved for church meetings in other districts. Jaima teaches at a small German Baptist private school, and Lisabeth cleans houses and works part time at a butcher shop. They are both single, and paying their own way through life. Now, they're leaving their comfort zone far behind and it's costing them more than I would ever ask. It makes me feel like they want to be a part of my life, no matter how wild and heretical it may seem to them.
I'm so excited to spend time with them in LA! Worlds will collide. I've taken off work to be their guide, even though money is tight. I hope to make a few journal comics about this, some of which you can already read on my Instagram (@gaygermanbaptist) if you're curious about German Baptist culture clashing with gay culture.
I want to show them that they are important to me, and that the world outside their small bubble is not the cold and inhospitable jungle of corruption they've been taught. I want to raise enough money to cover the cost of a hotel for them, near my home in Pasadena. They are putting on brave face, but I suspect they were blindsided by the price of lodging.
I've never done a fundraiser before so I don't know what to expect, but thank you for reading this! God bless
--Jerron
Organizer
Jerron Hess
Organizer
Pasadena, CA
