I STAND FIRM ON MY FAITH AND THE WORD OF GOD
Freedom of faith, belief, convictions and religion is under attack. I know because I have become one of the targets of that attack here in San Diego County for comments I made referencing my biblical view of transgender people at a meeting of the Leon L. Williams San Diego County Human Relations Commission on which I serve.
It is one thing to have discourse, disruption and disagreement at public and government meetings such as the county Human Rela- tions Commission, but it is a different case when someone disrupts a place of worship.
On Sunday, April 24, at The Church of Yeshua Ha Mashiach (which is Hebrew for Jesus the Messiah), a transgender woman approached and asked if she could come to the service. She introduced herself by name and pronouns. During our service, I have all visitors stand to introduce themselves, and she was one of the first to do so that morning. She stated that she was there because the remarks I made offended her friend, and that she wanted to see what type of man that I was because in her view I was “a demon.”
There were other disturbing comments she made until my wife approached her and told her the service could not be disrupted. That’s when the visitor left.
It wasn’t the first time I felt under attack.
On Monday, March 28, Aeiramique Glass Blake, a government and community relations adviser who has been helping us all learn and navigate through this conflict, held a forum called “A Courageous Conversation” for faith and LGBTQ leaders and representatives from different organizations including the National Center for Transgender Equality.
Ms. Glass Blake said the Human Relations Commission was created to address conflicts as they arise in an equitable and thoughtful manner countywide and that conflict, when nurtured properly, produces growth. She said, “If the commission couldn’t get this right, how should we expect the rest of the county to address these same conflicts that arise in our cities, schools and communities?” I agree.
Even with Ms. Glass Blake setting the tone, the forum was disrupted. Although I and other faith leaders and LGBTQ leaders were willing to come together to listen and learn, it was clear to me that some people had an agenda with no desire to hear me out or heal.
Then last month, county supervisors voted to approve bylaws changes for the Human Relations Commission to give commissioners the power to silence, censor and even remove a fellow commissioner. It was made very clear the new bylaws were not retroactive, but the CEO of The San Diego LGBT Community Center, a fellow commissioner, is still pushing for my removal. I would hope we can get to work on a way forward — training, education and dialogue — but it seems some people have no desire to move forward, grow and heal.
There seems to be a political agenda to push people out and not give them the full truth.
It is unfortunate that this situation is causing division within the Christian, Black, Muslim and other religious communities. Some have told me they feel bullied.
To know you can be silenced and kicked off of boards and commissions for referencing, quoting and repeating the Bible or the Quran and its scriptures, or that people can be silenced for expressing their truth or beliefs, is a clear attack.
I stand firm on my faith and the word of God.
I worked 32 years in nine different prisons, and, while I was working in the prisons, I was acknowledged for protecting people who are part of the LGBTQ community.
I may not believe the same as they do and I may not agree with certain issues and matters such as conflicts around bathrooms and sports, but I do believe no one should be discriminated against, harmed or mistreated under any circumstance.
The day in November that I quoted and referenced the Bible, after I voted in abstention twice, I was probed and asked about my vote. I started off making it clear I love everyone before I answered the question.
I now understand what the word “abomination” means to some in the LGBTQ community. Context is everything. Sometimes we are using the same words, but they hold different meanings to different people, groups and communities in different religions.
Diversity, equity and inclusion is about pulling people in and not pushing people out. Pushing someone out is a lot easier than pulling someone up. It’s time we do the heavy lifting and have the uncomfortable, necessary conversations that are long overdue, not so we can always agree but so we can agree to disagree and find solutions that work for all of us.
I would hope we can get to work on a way forward — training, education and dialogue — but it seems some have no desire to move forward, grow and heal.