<p style=font-family: Verdana Arial Helvetica sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-right: 30px; ><b>How have you felt when people have shouted &quot;Dyke!&quot; or &quot;Faggot!&quot;</b>&nbsp;at you or someone you know? You do what you have to do to survive right? Either retreat in secrecy and fear or throw it back in their faces. With that kind of name calling you just know they wouldn't understand. At the heart of both reactions is a longing to fit in.&nbsp;</p> <p style=font-family: Verdana Arial Helvetica sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-right: 30px; >We as lesbian gay bisexual and transgender people claim our dignity as children of God. We as full members of society and church are called to live out who we are with integrity and love.&nbsp; It is important for you to remember that you are not alone. We have all felt the fear and panic you are experiencing right now!&nbsp;</p> <p style=font-family: Verdana Arial Helvetica sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-right: 30px; >We as lesbian gay bisexual and transgender Christians believe that we were created this way by God.&nbsp;<b>Everything we are including our sexuality is a gift from God.</b>&nbsp;There are many faith communities who believe in the holiness of every person whose support is valuable for our coming to terms with our own identities. The church and the Bible can in fact help us in our discovery of ourselves.&nbsp;</p> <p style=font-family: Verdana Arial Helvetica sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-right: 30px; >Dignity communities like all communities of faith act as role models to each other &mdash; in how we live and how we love. We talk about our lives and our values we recognize what is healthy life &mdash; giving and holy about our relationships whether we're just dating or working on something deeper.&nbsp;</p> <p style=font-family: Verdana Arial Helvetica sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15px; margin-right: 30px; >Such values are the basis for all of our friendships and love. They make long-term commitments possible even when the going gets tough.&nbsp;</p> <p>To the right are some resources you can tap. Read a bit: think it over; talk about it with a friend or contact one of the groups. All of us are here for each other as instruments of God's love and care.&nbsp;</p>