I read the part in the first letter about "a religious family" very similarly. A lot of kids could laugh off being told they're can't go to heaven.
Even though the answers were, I thought, good, I would have specified that the parents could find a queer or allied religious leader from an open and affirming congregation of their denomination, if one exists, and have that person offer to start a conversation with daughter -- or with LW!
I agree very strongly. That advice to "begin now to practice your faith in a way" that supports their more supportive intentions could mean joining a more affirming congregation (and may have been intended that way!) Or it could mean changing their home religious practice, while staying in their current congregation/youth group/Sunday school/day school despite its homophobia or "we aren't homophobic; we hate the sin and love the sinner."
No matter how much of a free spirit this girl might be, it will help her to find a supportive community. Support that is only within her family is good, but not enough.
no subject
Even though the answers were, I thought, good, I would have specified that the parents could find a queer or allied religious leader from an open and affirming congregation of their denomination, if one exists, and have that person offer to start a conversation with daughter -- or with LW!
I agree very strongly. That advice to "begin now to practice your faith in a way" that supports their more supportive intentions could mean joining a more affirming congregation (and may have been intended that way!) Or it could mean changing their home religious practice, while staying in their current congregation/youth group/Sunday school/day school despite its homophobia or "we aren't homophobic; we hate the sin and love the sinner."
No matter how much of a free spirit this girl might be, it will help her to find a supportive community. Support that is only within her family is good, but not enough.