I watched my cousin (bisexual) and all his friends die of AIDS. You will never convince me that homosexuality is normal or healthy.
You’re in a unique club here at FR. I’m in that club too - people who have lived in a society in which we saw gay culture up close and personal. Our perspective has much to offer to others who have no connection to it.
There’s always that fringe preacher out there, who thinks all gays should be killed. The gay community actually loves people like that, because it gives them the opportunity to say, “See, this is what Christians think about us. They hate us.” When I go to the street fairs in the Castro, you see “God hates fags” people out there.
On the other hand, though, you don’t want to baby gay men and women, accepting their lifestyle. I also see the “pro-gay” Christian people who say, “Jesus loves everyone, just go ahead and live your lives.” They don’t offer gays anything. It’s a false compassion.
I think Father Harvey had it right. Offer compassion and love, but give them the truth. When I minister in the Castro, I talk to gays and listen. I tell them there is a way out of the lifestyle. They don’t need to feel trapped. But all the people around them are gay and they don’t know what to do.