EASTER MASS

WATCH: Ali Forney Center Makes Easter Time Plea For Christians To Acknowledge Religious Intolerance

Though it doesn’t get the play Christmas does, this is a very religious week: As Jews the world over continue to celebrate the holiday of Passover, Christians are gearing up for Easter.

So Carl Siciliano, director of New York’s Ali Forney Center, released an essay and a set of videos calling on Christians to recognize the anti-LGBT climate prevalent in many churches, and how it can lead to queer youth being homeless or engaging in high-risk behavior.

The videos feature clients of the Ali Forney Center describing instances of physical abuse, psychological torment, and rejection they suffered in Christian households, driving them out of their own homes. Incidents described by the youths include a client being strangled by his father, a Southern Baptist minister, during a homophobic rage, and another made to stay up all night reciting biblical verses condemning homosexuality.

“Decent people do not stand by in silence when children are being abused,” says Siciliano. “We need to recognize that the condemnation of LGBT people in churches leads to the abuse and rejection of LGBT children in far too many Christian homes. As Christians commanded to love one another, we need to demand that this climate of rejection stops.”.

So maybe instead of painting eggs and scarfing down chocolate bunnies, you could do somehting to help LGBT youth in need? For ideas, visit the Ali Forney website.

 

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