When I was about 6 years old my older brother got married to his wife and they moved in with us for a few months. My mom was so happy to have them and would tell her, “You’re the beat daughter-in-law I have!” And she would laugh and respond, “Well I’m the only one you’ll ever have!” (I have two sisters and a brother). I would hear that and think, but what if I marry a woman? Will she not be my mom’s daughter-in-law? That started my thinking process on sexuality and what was acceptable at home. Even in preschool, I thought my English speaking teacher was so cute and always wanted to sit on her lap and talk to her. I didn’t care for the Spanish-speaking teacher at all! Once I started grade school, I started to notice my crushes for girls but having to pretend they didn’t exist because I would get in trouble.

My dad was a preacher and associate pastor at a Latinx fundamentalist Apostolic/Pentecostal church, so I was taught early on that God created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve. Therefore, God didn’t approve of LGBTQ+ folks and they could never be Christians.

After leaving the church I grew up in, I started studying religion, theology, and history in college. Learning about queer theology gave me the confidence to become fully affirming. God loves LGBTQ+ folks not in spite of who we are, but because of who we are, that who we are is not a sin but rather a gift, that I am queer-fully and wonderfully made.

What resources were instrumental in [my] journey towards affirmation? So many! The Queer Theology podcast, Queerology podcast, Walking the Bridgeless Canyon by Kathy Boldock, Torn by Justin Lee, God and the Gay Christian by Mathew Vines, The Reformation Project, State of Grace by Grace Baldridge, Unclobber by Colby Martin, and so many more I’m forgetting.

I am finally able to be my whole self! I am healing from religious trauma I experienced growing up and at Hillsong Church, but during this process I’ve been able to learn more about myself and my beliefs. My family had a difficult time coming to terms with my sexuality and gender identity, but they are now fully embracing me and learning on their own about queer theology! I am finally about to go on dates without my internalized homophobia in a very healthy way. I am also a member of the Massachusetts LGBTQ+ Youth Commission where I am a vice-chair, recommending more LGBTQ+ inclusive policies in laws in MA. All in all, I am finally being me!