Just because I played basketball, and just because I majored and got my degree in English does not mean I am a lesbian. I'm not. Never have been, not interested. Not my cup of tea. I was raised Catholic, and the teaching I had in morality and even in secular teaching cast a unfavorable light (shade) on it. I know what the Bible says about it, that's not the gist of my discussion here.
I had a discussion with one of my former teammates from Syracuse University's women's basketball team. I hadn't spoken to that b-ball basketball sister of mine in eons. One of the topics that came up is homosexuality. My handling of it, which wasn't very nice, was part of the reason that in my senior year I was asked to part ways with the team, even though I was able to keep my scholarship (thanks, Coach Jacobs)
As I reflect, I realize my sheltered upbringing definitely had not prepared me for what was to come when I went to play basketball on SU's team. Even as I went to SU, I wasn't on the team. I wasn't recruited. I wasn't on scholarship, at first. I had just gone to Syracuse as a regular student. Providence would place me where I should have been, on the team, with a scholarship.
Back in those days (and even still today), women's basketball was struggling. It wasn't as widely accepted as it is today. I got heat just for wearing hi-top sneakers. I wore them to protect my ankles. Not because I was a tomboy. And being a tomboy was more because of the strong male presence in my household (three brothers and a very present father). Mom was definitely in the house, but her influence was more subtle.
Back to the topic at hand. Homosexuality. My thoughts on it remain the same, not as harsh, though in how I approach and relate to homosexuals. It's not my job to judge them and to tell them what they do is right or wrong. That is a full-time job for me and all the going-on in my still somewhat sheltered life.
I do want to apologize to anybody I may have offended or caused any type of discomfort. That wasn't my intention. I was immature, I lacked knowledge and exposure. And I was highly insensitive. I am now understanding some things I did not understand back in my youth.
One thing I realize: as a Christian, we tend to bash the homosexuals. But that's not cool. First of all, it's wrong. That's not our job. We're supposed to love them, as everybody else. And share the good news, as we should with everybody else. Not about their lifestyle, not unless that's something God leads you to do. But we should be spreading the good news about Christ.