There are several Biblical passages which some Christians have used to condemn LGBTQIA+ people. Sometimes people intend to harm us; other times they believe that they are doing God’s work by enforcing certain commandments or keeping up certain traditions. Often times, people who believe that homosexuality is wrong in God’s eyes think that they are loving gay people better by “telling them the truth” about scripture or God’s wrath.

“ And for anyone who is in Christ, there is a new creation. The old order has passed away; now everything is new! ” 2 Corinthians 5:17 A new year often carries a sense of expectation. We talk about fresh starts and new beginnings, about becoming who we hope to be. It can feel like a reset. And yet many of us also know the quieter truth. We have stood at the edge of a new year before. We have made sincere promises and bold intentions, only to discover how hard it is to sustain