March 23, 2021 WWJWMTD by Steve, the son of John
The Equality Act and My Friend
God a few years ago impressed upon me to pray for a spirit of repentance and salvation for the gay community in America. I have been faithful to do this, but within the last year God has asked me to pray that the leadership within the gay movement would become blind and not accomplish its political agenda and cultural goals for American. Much of what the gay movement has purposed to do has come about. There influence on all aspects of America’s society is great and destructive. Many people’s lives have been corrupted and ruin by its influence. It is time for the Church to take a stand and ask God for the Holy Spirit to do what Scripture says the purposes of the Holy Spirit on earth.
Please take time to read what Phillip Lee sent to me, which is also on his website—be informed and moved to do God’s will at this time in history and for the Glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Phillip writes, “On Wednesday, March 17, 2021, the U.S. Senate received 27 personal testimonies of once LGBTQ-identified individuals detailing their opposition to the Equality Act because it discriminates against them.
Each life experience testimony is now a matter of Congressional Public Record and I am very honored to share with you that my testimony (below) is among those received by the U.S. Senate.
The Bill was only discussed by the Senate Judiciary Committee and it is not clear where the Bill will head next.
Possibly to another committee or straight to the Senate floor for a vote.
Let’s pray that this bill gets totally defeated and that God makes a way for more personal stories to be seen and heard by legislators.
My Testimony/Phillip Lee
The Honorable Chairman Dick Durbin and Ranking Member Chuck Grassley
Senate Judiciary Committee
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20001
Dear Chairman Durbin and Ranking Member Grassley:
On Wednesday, March 17, 2001, the Senate Judiciary Committee will be holding a hearing on the Equality Act. I am writing to express my opposition to this bill and share with you how it would have a direct negative effect on me and others like me.
While homosexuality is a topic I speak to and about both professionally and personally, I remain confident that many today are not aware there continues to be men and women with unwanted
same-sex attraction that have and are making the personal decision to leave homosexuality.
As a result, formerly gay-identified men and women are often reviled simply because they dare to exist.
Should not diversity and tolerance be a two-way street by recognizing and including the once gay-identified man or woman? We are real and we are here. Therefore, I must express my growing concern regarding the Equality Act and the often widespread intolerance practiced against those who choose to face and break free of the snare of same-sex attraction.
Thirty-five years ago I said goodbye to homosexuality and the gay identity. Like all faithful followers of Christ Jesus, I had to face the decision of accepting or rejecting Christ’s Lordship. Coming out of homosexuality required deep emotional healing and a restructuring of my whole identity, as our Creator, God is the only One who knows exactly how to restore our personality.
I remember so vividly when coming to know Christ at the age of 35, what it meant for the first time in my life to be a man. But more importantly, what it meant to be a godly man. For me to deny or not share what Christ has done in my life would be the equivalent of denying Him.
Thankfully and gratefully, I am far from the only individual who has experienced change. God has not been silent to the cries of men and women wanting freedom from homosexual feelings and behavior. Many have experienced the restorative power of Christ during their same-gender struggles.
One gay activist challenged me by stating, “Phillip, while I commend you regarding your concern about intolerance, I just can’t get my head your being ex-gay. Why don’t you just be true to yourself?”
“Be true to myself?” I replied. “That is exactly what I am doing.”
What makes one individual happy and content may not make someone else happy, because we are all individuals. Like any man or woman, I deserve the right to self-determination and happiness. To give sexual orientation protection to one group while excluding another is outright discrimination.
Without testimony from all sectors of society, including the ex-gay community, public policy on the topic of homosexuality is seriously flawed.
Formerly LGBTQ-identified men and women are routinely denied equal access to participate in public school events and present on diversity days.
Ex-gay conferences, workshops, and seminars are frequently picketed by pro-gay protesters.
Transgender individuals are affirmed for changing their gender, but formerly LGBTQ-identified men and women are ridiculed for making the choice to address and pursue any degree of change with regard to sexual orientation.
Ex-gays are subject to an increasingly hostile environment where they are labeled as perpetrators of hate simply because they advocate for or live out a different belief and view of homosexuality.
Ex-gays are criticized and face lifelong intolerance for existing as living proof that homosexuality is not innate.
Frankly, the welfare of individuals, society, and the Church depends on our facing the subject of homosexuality honestly, compassionately, and courageously.
Yes, homosexuals have the right, as do others, to believe that homosexual behavior should be accepted as normal. However, they do not have the right to demand everyone agree with them.
True love is loving despite our differences and treating each other with kindness and respect.
It means to live in a society in which freedom of speech and religion are guaranteed.
A true code of ethics calls us to treat all people – heterosexuals, homosexuals, pan-sexuals, bisexuals, etc. – with compassion, and to do our utmost to promote justice and wellness for all. As a result, love and justice are the primary fundamental values which should govern our public policy concerns, as well as our personal attitudes and actions. Not only how we treat people as individuals, but the kinds of laws and social policies which we promote must reflect these basic values.
Ultimately, the Equality Act greatly concerns me in that many may get what they want through the Act but will they get what they truly need.”
Respectfully,
Phillip Lee
Bakersfield, California
WWJWMTD
What would Jesus want me to do?
Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com
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