LGBTQ people in Olds are standing up for themselves and the community at large after recent newspaper coverage of a church-sponsored conference frustrated, angered and hurt many, they say.
Controversial beliefs were discussed with crowds attending the Unveiling the Truth religious conference, held at Olds First Baptist Church and the TransCanada Theatre and reported in the Oct. 25 Albertan.
One speaker said in essence, the Bible says people should live as heterosexuals, not homosexuals and another compared transgenderism to an eating disorder.
Those “hurtful messages of intolerance” are not representative of the community at large, says a gay resident of Olds.
“Reading these articles was the first time I felt like I had to revert to going anonymously,” said Jennifer, an alias being used to protect the 30-something's identity. “I've been a member of (Olds) for a few years now and I just live my life. This is the first time I felt like a gay person living in Olds and it felt like you had to defend.”
Her experience is mirrored in another gay resident's time in Olds.
“I've been in this community for almost 10 years and in those 10 years I've never felt different. I never felt unaccepted. I never feared to be myself and I always thought that we had an accepting community that would really embrace gay and transgender,” said Heather, who is also using an alias to protect her identity.
Both fear for the negative impact the conference speakers' views will have on the community.
“What if I was a young person struggling with my identity or being gay and read that...If I had read that even when I was 25, there's no way I'm coming out if that's the way my community feels,” said Jennifer.
The LGBTQ community in the area is not as small as one might think, she added.
“You forget, they're literally the people standing behind you in the grocery store.”
There are many people in Olds and area who are struggling with their sexuality, said Heather.
They need and deserve the community's support, acceptance and respect, she said, adding there are lots of supports for the LGBTQ community.
“I think maybe some people believe that we're kind of subpar. Subpar because we are gay or transgender and we shouldn't be hurt by an article that compares us to an anorexic. In my mind I guess my emotion with that is sadness. We are not subpar,” said Heather.
While both women agree that everyone is deserving of their own beliefs, intolerance is not rampant in the community, they say.
“I feel like this may be a segment of our community and it could be very small, but they got a very big platform in which to express their beliefs,” Heather said.
One speaker's suggestion that society will collapse if a stand is not taken on marriage as being between a man and a woman deflated Jennifer.
“Because as a resident of Olds, I do everything I can to be a part of the community, give back and help others and build society. Gay or straight is not what brings a society down. It's not a matter of gay or straight it's a matter of good people and bad people. People making good choices and bad choices. And it doesn't matter what colour you are, what your sexual orientation is, that's what affects society; what choices are made.”
Asked if she had a message for people who may share the same beliefs as those given during the conference, Jennifer replied unequivocally.
“I think if I were to sit across the table I think I'd have only one thing to say: you don't get to tell me who I am. You can't say that I'm broken or who I am as a person.”
"I've been a member of (Olds) for a few years now and I just live my life. This is the first time I felt like a gay person living in Olds and it felt like you had to defend."JENNIFER
