Comments on: An Open Letter http://malcolmmarler.com/an-open-letter/ a chaplain creating connection and community with the human family and God Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:53:27 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Richie http://malcolmmarler.com/an-open-letter/comment-page-1/#comment-321 Richie Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:49:11 +0000 http://malcolmmarler.com/?p=38#comment-321 I did not come out to my parents until last year(I'm in my mid 40s). They are wonderful parents (you couldn't ask for better), but I knew they would hurt and somehow blame themselves and wonder what they did wrong. We come from that conservative Baptist heritage, and I knew we were all raised in the "Homosexuality is a choice and a sin" church atmosphere. We still don't discuss it; but they are coming to terms with it (70 years of religious teaching/sermons to combat). Most importantly, they let me know I was always their son, and they always will love me. I am not completely out yet. Being in a rural area makes things far more difficult I think. I would be interested in hearing from anyone who can share their experience with being "out" in the country. I just came upon your website today while searching for more information about the 1917 Clinic. I am a new patient there, just learning to deal with the HIV that entered my life recently. The staff there has been wonderful; I can see why it was so hard for you to leave it for your new job. I have not shared my diagnosis with my parents yet; I think I will keep that private until my health or some situation necessitates it. They have their own health problems they are dealing with, and I just don't want to add to that at the moment. Keep sharing people's stories - and your own faith. I know your job has taken you into a broader arena now - but the message that God loves us all and we are to follow his example is an important one. I did not come out to my parents until last year(I’m in my mid 40s). They are wonderful parents (you couldn’t ask for better), but I knew they would hurt and somehow blame themselves and wonder what they did wrong. We come from that conservative Baptist heritage, and I knew we were all raised in the “Homosexuality is a choice and a sin” church atmosphere. We still don’t discuss it; but they are coming to terms with it (70 years of religious teaching/sermons to combat). Most importantly, they let me know I was always their son, and they always will love me.

I am not completely out yet. Being in a rural area makes things far more difficult I think. I would be interested in hearing from anyone who can share their experience with being “out” in the country.

I just came upon your website today while searching for more information about the 1917 Clinic. I am a new patient there, just learning to deal with the HIV that entered my life recently. The staff there has been wonderful; I can see why it was so hard for you to leave it for your new job.

I have not shared my diagnosis with my parents yet; I think I will keep that private until my health or some situation necessitates it. They have their own health problems they are dealing with, and I just don’t want to add to that at the moment.

Keep sharing people’s stories – and your own faith. I know your job has taken you into a broader arena now – but the message that God loves us all and we are to follow his example is an important one.

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