Many former members of the LGBTQ community told their stories of change at Capitol Hill recently.
The group is part of the CHANGED community, an organization of people who previously identified as LGBTQ and believe their sexual identity was changed because of Jesus.
April Lockhart, of New Mexico, told attendees at the event that she wanted to change from her lesbian lifestyle.
“I had fully believed in this lie that gets perpetuated that people don’t change, they can’t change, and if you try to change them, it’s detrimental to their health. And I just want to say that’s a lie,” she asserted.
“Nobody has the right to tell you (that) you can’t be what you want to be. And I did want change. And through the power of God, the Creator of heaven and earth, this was able to happen. These days were able to happen. These moments. And I’m a happy woman.”
Luis Ruiz, of Florida, said he was devastated when he found out he was HIV positive because of his homosexual lifestyle.
“While I was searching for men, sleeping around a lot, I didn’t realize that there was a man looking for me,” he said.
“And His name is Jesus. I was able to find a church where they loved me. And they taught me that my identity is not my behavior. My identity was not who I thought it was. But it was a child of God. So I stand here to say that I was a homosexual, a former ‘ho.’ And now I am a child of God.”
CHANGED movement cofounder Elizabeth Woning also spoke at the event, saying she had originally found “solace and comfort” in the LGBTQ community, but today, she has seen restoration because of her faith.
“Our faith compels us to share what we have received,” she said. “We simply want to offer vision to those who feel conflict in their sexual orientation. But also to ask that America recognize there are multiple options for people who experience LGBTQ. People deserve the right to choose their own path and follow their religious convictions, especially in matters of their sexuality.”
Photo courtesy: Teddy Osterblom/Unsplash
Amanda Casanova is a writer living in Dallas, Texas. She has covered news for ChristianHeadlines.com since 2014. She has also contributed to The Houston Chronicle, U.S. News and World Report and IBelieve.com. She blogs at The Migraine Runner.
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