Anonymous Catholic Contributor

I discovered I was gay when I was about 13 years old. I only began to know about being LGBTQ+ when I discovered it in myself. I was a growing Catholic at the time who, while still learning my faith, nevertheless believed what I knew to be true. I knew intuitively though that there was nothing wrong morally in being gay, although I also felt intuitively that it should be a secret/private matter between me and Almighty God.

[Have my beliefs changed over time?] No, not at all. There is a touch of sadness, though, as I read that people younger than me though in a similar position can feel interior pain, or a sense of being treated as second-class. I am a bit set in my ways, and come from a generation which would not have been as outgoing as today's people are about whatever may be on their minds. In a way, that's a bit sad, but we are all who we are and products of our time.

It's strange to say, but I suppose my main resource [in my journey towards affirmation] was that I have never had any personal doubt about the complete moral neutrality of my state. I believe in and love my Church, but believe also that it is completely wrong on this matter. I suffer for fellow Catholic gays who cannot smile at the Church's erroneous prejudices, and actually am writing all this in the hope it may be of help to any Catholic gay person to be able to affirm his or herself before God, and to feel a little more able to make some healthy contact within the Catholic community (which is not to exclude anyone from any other faith community).

[How would I describe my life now?] My life is fine. If anyone cares to write through Nathanial, please feel free to do so. I have not really thought about it, but I suppose I live a double life inasfar as I don't share my gayness with others who don't need to know. So, I hope anyone who writes won't feel put off by my anonymity. Incidentally, I rejoice at the happiness on the faces of the two guys shown alongside this box.