Confessions of a Gay Christian Country Singer

[xchrom]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chely-wright/gay-christian-country-singer_b_880736.html

There is a robust discussion in our society today about religion and LGBT issues. Since it's Pride Month, I'm eager to weigh in on the conversation. My journey began in the fall of 1970. Being born in Kansas City, Missouri and raised in the very rural parts of Kansas led me to believe that everything was simple, everything made sense and that anything was possible. In the first decade of my life, I came to know and love God, as I was raised in a Christian home and community. My basket of dreams was overflowing.

But the older I got, the more I began to understand that not everything was simple, not everything made sense and the things that once seemed possible, began to feel impossible. I started to take inventory of that basket of dreams and I felt forced to throw some of those dreams away.

As a young girl, there were the obvious messages about what girls could and couldn't achieve. And to compound the limitations I felt being leveled upon me, I realized at the age of nine, that I was gay.

I was truly experiencing a chasm of discord and struggle within myself as I walked the halls of the Wellsville Public Schools. I was a young, gay, Christian, farm girl from Kansas with dreams of becoming a Country Music Star. Can you wrap your head around that? I really couldn't. So began the most difficult chapter of my life which would last more than 25 years; and the storyline was me, committing repeated crimes against myself -- against my emotional, physical and spiritual self. Those crimes would take their toll.

[LeftofObama]

1. Did you ever hear her song "Sea of Cowboy Hats"?

I absolutely LOVE that song. I downloaded it from itunes and it's now part of my running/workout music.

[xchrom]

2. i haven't. i never listen to country music except old school stuff. nt

[LeftofObama]

3. Same here as a rule, but when I heard that song I had to have it

on my shuffle! Definately a keeper!

[Kurovski]

4. "We're everywhere, we're everywhere!"

Coming out is the greatest activist action. I thank every person who has and will do so, and I thank Chely Wright who did so at a time and in a place when and where the challenges were much greater. It's how hearts and minds come to see the reality that it's just a part of the world.

One day maybe debutantes can take back the term "coming out", when it is no longer necessary for anyone to hide or deny in the first place.

Previously recommended.

[mitchtv]

5. My basket of dreams was overflowing.

Heh,Lucky it's a girl saying that. I started picturing bull riders in chaps and tight dungarees.

[HillWilliam]

6. Heh, that image makes me miss GSGRA and TGRA something awful

Whoo!