In October of 1997, I discovered a group on the Internet known as "Bridges Across the Divide". This group, founded by Maggie Heineman and Steve Calverley, encourages discussion on the different views associated with the topic of homosexuality. They have a website and email discussion groups which are open for anyone to join.
So what makes this group so special? Quite simply, the diversity of views represented, and the amazing way God has allowed so many different people from totally different sides of the debate to come together and listen to each other! Maggie is a gay-rights activist with a gay child. She believes in affirming homosexual relationships and same-gender marriage. Steve, on the other hand, is an ex-gay man who believes that God's intent for our sexuality is within male-female marriage only. He established a site called Justice & Respect which encourages conservative Christians to show respect and love to gay people without abandoning their principles.
I cannot express how much I have learned by becoming involved in this project. I've met ex-gay ministry leaders, gay activists, men and women in committed same-sex relationships, men and women with same-sex attractions but no same-sex activity, people from different religious traditions, both conservatives and liberals, and so on. We learn from each other and listen to each other, and we are able to dialogue about the issues which are closest to our hearts.
One of the most helpful things to me about the Bridges Across project is the development of specific terminology. We use the terms "SideA" and "SideB" to talk about the two main viewpoints on homosexual activity. The project says that there are people from many backgrounds and many faiths who, for religious or other reasons, believe one of the following:
SideB -- Only a male/female relationship in marriage is the Creator's intent for our sexuality.
The question is, how can the two sides work together without compromising their different values? Amazingly, that's just what we've been able to do. (God is in this, I'm telling you.)
You'll notice that I've tried to continue this tradition on my site by writing about things that both SideA and SideB can agree upon, but from a distinctly Christian perspective. My goal is not to speak to only one side, so I am very interested in how different people view what I've written and what I continue to write. In fact, you may wonder at times, "Just which side is this boy on?!" But if you just can't stand not knowing...for the record, I'm SideA.
There...happy now? ;-)