During PRIDE month, I’ve taken several opportunities to post on my social media about God’s love for the LBGTQIA+ community. I’ve spoken about his unconditional love for us all and the need for affirming churches where gay Christians can freely worship.

Several Christians grew angry at my posts and have privately and publicly derided me for my “pro-gay” stances, which they believe are anti-God. One of my beloved relatives even went so far as to tell me that my own late mother would be ashamed of me for my so-called “anti-God” actions.

That hit hard and was meant to, but it strengthened my resolve to do one of the things I KNOW God has me on this earth to do: to remind LBGTQIA+ people that HE made them, HE loves them and that OTHERS cannot and will not EVER be able to stand in judgment of them or anyone else.

Apparently, loving people for who they are and accepting them for who they love continues ro bother certain Christians - even the ones who literally have their own sordid histories of adultery, fornication, sexual assault, porn addictions, drug dealing, gambling, child molestations, drug and alcohol abuse, and deserting their families and children. (And I’m just talking about the PASTORS and PREACHERS who came for me)!

Seriously!

Since they’re already mad, I’m gonna wear this shirt on this beautiful Sunday morning and give them something else to talk about: My love for and sincere desire to protect and cover trans youth, which are near and dear to my heart.

According to the Trevor Project, family rejection on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity can have extreme effects on LGBTQ youth.

In one study, lesbian, gay and bisexual youth who reported higher levels of family rejection during adolescence were 8.4 times more likely to report having attempted suicide, 5.9 times more likely to report high levels of depression, 3.4 times more likely to use illegal drugs and 3.4 times more likely to report having engaged in unprotected sexual intercourse, compared to peers from families that reported no levels of family rejection.

As a result of family rejection, discrimination, criminalization and a host of other factors, LGBTQ youth represent as much as 40% of the homeless youth population. Of that population, studies indicate that as many as 60% are likely to attempt suicide.

If the “Saints” are mad today, well then, so be it. Peace, love and let’s ALL protect trans kiddos!

Editors Note: It takes great courage of convictions to speak truth to power and to stand up against those who profess to love you. It could change the world if more of us showed this kind of courage and the love for all people that Jeannine demonstrates.