In their words

Sun., May 28, 2006

The Spokesman-Review

Loreen Birge, Spokane

Sixty-one years ago my husband and I had a beautiful baby boy. He was a good baby and grew into a good teen. He was a good young man. He married, had two children. He was active in his church. Then we discovered his problem he had years of struggling with: He was gay.

He always paid his bills, helped keep a clean house and a beautiful yard. He loved his kids, was good to his grandparents and his parents.

He was gay. He struggled with this problem for years. Finally he and his wife, after arguments and prayer, divorced.

You know what? He is still a good man who loves his children.

He keeps in close contact with them and thinks his grandchildren are the only grandchildren worth talking about. He keeps in close contact with me and came from Portland to paint the kitchen for me. He pays his bills, keeps a clean house, is active in his church, volunteers in the cancer unit at a hospital near him, and he is gay.

What changed? His sexuality, and whose business is that?

Believe me, it took almost 20 years for me to come to this place, and I am so glad I have a loving God who helped me understand.

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