After spending 20 years as a member of an Evangelical church, Susan Cottrell was absolutely convinced that “being gay was somehow wrong.” That is, until her own daughter came out as bisexual.
In a powerful new TED talk, the mother of five says her perspective completely changed the moment her 20 year-old-daughter, Annie, called from college to say: “Mom, I’ve got something to tell you. I’m attracted to girls. I think I’m bisexual. I prayed about it, Mom. I resisted, but it won’t go away.”
Cottrell’s immediate response: “Don’t give in. We’ll support you. How can I help?”
Up until then, Cottrell regularly attended a Bible study class where she and her peers were constantly told “homosexuality is a sin and we can’t accept it.”
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Now, she had a choice to make.
“I realized I was being asked to choose between the two most important parts of my life: my child and my church. I chose my child,” she recalls.
It took some time for her to fully accept Annie, but eventually Cottrell realized that “God was telling me to serve the gay community.”
So she did just that.
She and her husband, Rob, started the blog FreedHearts.org, which offers messages of love and hope to counter the hateful ones spewed by many Christian organizations and churches, like the very one she had attended for two decades.
“As pastors, Rob and I represent the voice of God, and it’s a voice of love,” she says.
Since then, the Cottrells have also facilitated support groups, officiated same-sex weddings, and offered free mom and dad hugs at Pride parades.
“Real love,” she says, “accepts people as they are with room for who they may become.”
Watch.
Archie
1 Timothy 5:8
But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Good job Mom!
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
Thanks a million for posting that quote!!
BGinBigD
Amen
Rex Huskey
we are all related
Billysees
Very applicable quote.
MISTERJETT
good for mom!!! two thumbs up!!!!!!
batesmotel
This is an excellent story and video. Glad you posted something more meaningful than usual. If everyone in the church did what this woman did, then that would sound a loud message. That God accepts and loves gays whether those anti-whatever people like it or not..
Toofkncool
Feels good man
JessPH
Morality is doing what is right, no matter what you are told. Religion is doing what you are told, no matter what is right.
ImSoRich
Wonderful – can I use this? I think this is so well worded and so true.
itzallan
Excellent! She made the choice to feel love instead of fear. She’s an inspiration.
ZUMMY
Many of these Evangelicals are fond of wearing WWJD? bracelets, Tshirts, etc. If they truly want an example, they should listen to this wonderful woman. So sad that Jesus’ words are forgotten by so many of them.
fur_hunter
WOW!!!!…..THIS video needs to be seen by millions of people. This lady gets it. But she did have to do the research to discover what LGBT folks are all about. So many refuse to accept the unbiased and legitimate facts regarding LGBT people. Also, many are too damn lazy to do the research. They would much rather listen to MORONS standing in a pulpit spouting lies. It is sad. But these ignorant and intolerant bigots are slowly dying off and fading away. More and more younger people DO understand and are educated enough to get it. The wheel of progress is turning. Slowly, but it is turning. I was 24 when Stonewall happened and thought I would never live long enough to see same-sex marriage legalized in the country……but….here I am, still kicking. And the wheel keeps turning.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
Unfortunately there are many people in power today who are working overtime to reverse those wheels…..
If RBG is actually as ill as I fear the progress made will soon evaporate…