I doubt it’s just me but it really bothers me when people who are not LGBTQ+ seem to be the experts on what is bring us to the Church and what is leading us astray. (Thread?) https://twitter.com/swilsonsmith/status/1272665599643127808

I’ve seen a few replies to this tweet that seems to downplay the *REAL* pain the Church has caused to LGBTQ+ people or deflecting this pain to point to the issue of Church teaching being downplayed/undermined to fit a secular version of tolerance/love.

And while I won’t deny that it is an issue, in convos like this it’s besides the point.

From my experience, if LGBTQ+ folk are being led away from the Church by anything it’s generally always bigotry of other Catholics

Whether you believe the hatred exists or not is on you.

People can say what they want about Fr. James Martin and other folks similar, and while I may not always be the biggest fan.

I disagree whole-heartedly that what Fr. James Martin does is *entirely* harmful.

At least from my own experience, Fr. James Martin and other folks similar, actually made me feel welcomed in the Church and that perhaps there is a place for me within the Church community.

Their ministry openned the door for me to experience healing, deepen my faith, etc.

My point is there is real pain and injustice occuring that shouldn’t be trivialized. I often feel people are so caught up on the Truth of the Faith that they undermine the need for compassion and empathy.

So kindly, if you aren’t LGBTQ+ please stop telling priests and other folks what exactly you think we need or what is best for us.

1. We aren’t a monolith
2. We can speak for ourselves