HomeMy WebLinkAboutNon-Discrimination Public Comment from Rev. Gregory Smith 5-1-14 Rev D Gregory Smith, 1145 Meagher Ave, Bozeman, MT �,OYYIYI /1
I am a native Montanan (4t'generation).
I am an ordained priest with 3 degrees in theology and scripture.
I am a licensed Mental Health Counselor.
I am also a gay man, and Bozeman is my home.
Despite the prejudice and discrimination I have experienced in Bozeman, I choose to live here.
Despite the stories and concerns I hear from parishioners and counseling clients who are Lesbian,
Gay, Bisexual and Transgender- I choose to live here. Why?Mostly, because I am now an adult, and
I am supported and loved by my family, friends, neighbors and my church.
And I want to ensure that no kid repeats my childhood here. Not anymore.
As a 15 year-old, I attempted suicide because my church and my community called me "disordered",
"unnatural" and a"pervert". Not to my face- but they didn't have to. The climate of my community
and church and school—where there were no protections against discrimination- did it for them.
I think we forget how sensitive kids are.
But if nothing else happens tonight- I want you to remember just how sensitive kids are.
Thankfully, my suicide attempt failed, but every time I see the obituary of a teenager, I wonder, "Did
sexuality have anything to do with this?My God, did a church have a part in this?"
I'm reminded of this verse from Matthew (18.6): Whoever causes one of these little ones to lose
faith in me, it would be better for them to have a great millstone hung around their neck and
drowned in the depths of the sea."
Well, the behavior of discriminatory churches is causing a lot of these little ones to lose their faith.
I know. I'm one of the ones they call, in tears and pain, wondering how they can be a Christian if
God hates them so much. They wonder what they did.
They did nothing.
And I always tell them God loves them very much- even if God's people don't seem to.
Sexuality is NOT a choice. It is a fact. Gender is NOT a choice. It is a fact.
We have to trust the experience of others to help us to see them clearly.
WE HAVE TO.
That's what civil societies do. We encourage people to tell the truth about themselves-because it
sets them free- and maybe the rest of us as well.
This ordinance provides Bozeman with a chance to speak loudly in favor of truth.
Allowing even the perceived sexuality or gender of a child- or an adult-to be the cause of bullying,
pain- or even suicide is inexcusable.
It still happens. Right here. There are too many examples to list in the available time.
If any of you would like to speak to me about it, I am available. Please pass this ordinance.
Thank you.