On Friday mornings the Hillsong church runs women’s meetings. I’d usually rather pluck my eyeball out then sit through such boring niceties but Sy Rogers was speaking recently and I just couldn’t pass up the chance.
For those who haven’t had the misfortune of being involved in Christianity, Sy Rogers is a world-touring evangelical. He bases his ministry on the fact that he used to be gay and trans-gender (waiting for the operation in fact) but the Lord healed him. Basically his homosexuality was due to absent father, dead mother blah blah. The usual story.
I went there trying not to look like a big lezzo. Usually I would be put in the ‘femme’ box but I felt like the biggest dyke out with all these nice girls around. When Sy came on I understood why he had decided to become a woman. He was so … gay. It was like a drag queen at any gay club - camp. His sermon was the usual poofter bashing junk. Basically how we’re all depraved and that now he is married with children he is all for the family etc because, geez, every straight person I know is a product of perfect homes and every fag had a bad childhood/was molested.
But, what I had to wonder about when he was “preaching” was where he got all his “facts” from. Every time he talked about the “gay lifestyle” everyone’s ears pricked up. These women were all so bored and submissive they just loved news of life outside their husband and passive existence. For me, the “gay lifestyle” is the best part of being gay (ok, second best). My family may not have a mummy, daddy and two point whatever kids, but we are still extremely lucky. My friends are my family. We are always there for each other, for everything from outfit crises to broken hearts. Just recently I came out of a bad break-up and they were by my side in a second, literally.
So, Sy Rogers and his neo-conservative goonies may think we are possessed by the devil. They may think we are perverted and deviant. But I don’t give a shit, because I know that sometimes I am a deviant, but that most of the time, when you are persecuted and hated by misguided and uneducated people, you form friendships and family that are, in the words of Christians, “awesome”.
- Jessica Ison
Hey Jessica, my partner and I were intrigued by your story. Wondering what your connection(if any) to christianity is? I recently came out of the church after nearly 20yrs of trying to change. Ivé also heard Sy speak and related to it at the time but on reflection I do feel that his message is to come out of homosexuality and that God can change you! I now believe that God made me how I am and I am trying to get my head around that still! Soooooooo many people from christian backgrounds are having their heads done in by it coz they are told they're going to hell, because of their sexual orientation. Check out www.freedom2b.org
... written by Heather Savage , 19 November, 2007
Jessica, Your comments about the "misfortune" of being involved with Christianity are unfair. Some of the least tolerant, homophobic people I ever met were in the Socialist Workers' Party and trades unions, but that doesn't mean that all socialists and all trades unions advocate queer-bashing.
Grow up. Your "left-wing-good/right-wing-bad" views are moronic.
I am a practising and happy Roman Catholic, who lives openly with my non-Christian partner. My parish is as racially and socially inclusive a place as I have ever been,and my parish priest a wonderful man who knows the true nature of love and tolerance.
I am a member of a Gay Catholic organisation which has growing support form individual church members, but I feel no need to put pressure on the Pontiff or cardinals to rewrite church "policy". Change will come when The Spirit moves them.
Much of the homosexual "lifestyle" is overly sexed-up and sleazy, frankly, and it just doesn't appeal to a lot of us. If you need to "celebrate" yourself by dancing in your undies on the back of a float once a year, you're a saddo.
Glad to be gay? Nah...I'm just glad to be me.
... written by Andrew , 18 November, 2007
It is interesting to hear your perceptions of Sy Rogers and his personal decisions in regards to his sexuality. You are incorrect however, in assuming that his sermon is "poofta bashing junk", as this is far from what Sy actually aims to do. Yes, he is an evangelical Christian, but this does not mean he is trying to "convert" homosexual people to his way of thinking. He is openly a campaigner against homophobic violence and is encouraging to both homosexual and straight people in regards to their decisions on life, spirituality and sexuality. Sy has been acknowledged by members in gay communities for the great work that he does do in educating those who are living, misinformed, about sexuality. Sy Rogers explains that we all need a saviour and how God wants to be in relationship with us all. Sy encourages individuals to make decisions, not on his sermons or his teaching, but by seeking answers that are only found in the Bible as the word of God.
I just think that by trying to slander the name of a man, who supports equality and the basic human rights of those who associate as homosexual is not appropriate, not without knowing what truly drives him and motivates him in his work and ministry.
On Friday mornings the Hillsong church runs women’s meetings. I’d usually rather pluck my eyeball out then sit through such boring niceties but Sy Rogers was speaking recently and I just couldn’t pass up the chance.
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