I just wanted to post a quick note to let everyone know that I have not disappeared, and I am not going anywhere. I am currently completing my post graduate studies this year, and have been too busy to spend time on this blog. But I do have BIG plans for it, and want to provide a lot more content! So, don’t fear, I will be back! 🙂
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Chely Wright is Free
Once again, I am posting late compared to most web buzz, but I wanted to share this too. Chely Wright, who is an American Country artist, also born in Kansas (as was Jennifer Knapp) has come out as a lesbian. This makes her the first major country singer to publicly come out. Trust me, this is big!
Chely appeared on Oprah last week, discussing her story. She speaks of how she has felt trapped her whole life, knowing she way gay, but knowing she could not come out. Chely, who is Christian, was taught from a young age, that homosexuality is a sin, associated with drunkard, thief, and adulterer. One of the most amazing parts on the Oprah episode are the words of her father.
Check out the Oprah interview:
Chely on Oprah Part 2
Chely on Oprah Part 3
Chely has released a new album, and her autobiography titled “Like Me”.
Chely is standing for an important message to all… “people are being told they are damaged goods, but they are not!”. Chely wants to help others to stop living a lie.
Thank you Chely Wright for standing up, and speaking out.
Category: General, Gossip, Information, News
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Myth 10: Tell them they’re sinning, that’ll fix ’em!
It saddens me to see that when a Christian, who has probably battled through the Scriptures with God countless times on this topic, comes out as gay, that so many people immediately start quoting scripture, telling them they are sinning, and quite honestly show no love. Trust me, this is not helping. We know what the Bible says, and how most Christians interpret it.
Before we found the courage to come out, in knowingly Christian surroundings, we spent countless hours researching these Scriptures, praying and asking God for guidance and understanding. It saddens me how many straight Christians don’t even consider doing a proper study into the passages that rebuke homosexuality. What do you honestly feel is achieved by telling a gay Christian that homosexuality is sin? Do us all a favour and study those passages properly before using them as weapons, in the so called name of trying to save a fellow brother or sister.
Most of us have tried to be straight. Most of us know, our same gender attraction will not go away, no matter how much we pray, try, date the opposite sex, or focus on other things.
We know what the Bible says. We have battled through the passages. We have called out to our loving, welcoming, grace giving Father. We are loved and accepted in Him, and we are free.
Remember not to judge. Love does not judge, and it does not condemn, and it does not reject or cast out. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ, who died to save ALL of us.
Category: Myths
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Pray for African Human Rights!
It is heartbreaking to read news of the 14 year with hard labour sentence passed for 2 consenting adult gay men in Malawi. I quite frankly do not believe religion, culture, or tradition should enforce penalties against consenting adult same gender relations! Even if you believe homosexuality is sin, even if it goes against your culture, it should not be criminal to love somebody. People should not be locked in jail, and forced into hard labour for being gay. This is a HUMAN RIGHTS issue, not a religious, cultural, or traditional one!
The rest of Africa has remained silent… most disturbing about this is South Africa, the only African country with legalised gay marriage. But then, I am not all that surprised, and I pray that fears of JZ changing the legislation never transpire into reality. Pray for African Human Rights!
Category: General, News
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Jennifer Knapp is Awesome!
Jennifer Knapp
So, this is old news already, but I wanted to have my say. Christian musician Jennifer Knapp is back on the music scene, and has come out as a lesbian. This naturally caused a major media flurry, as the once Grammy nominated, Dove Award winning Christian artist, bravely re-enters the music scene after +-8 years, horrifying many of her previous fan base by her announcement! See the 4 part Larry King Live interview on youtube.
I used to listen to Jennifer Knapp in the late 90’s, early 2000’s. I always enjoyed her music, and the vibe or attitude her music had. I personally am ecstatic about her being back on the music scene, as well as being brave in coming out. What is MOST impressive about this though, is that she stands firm on her beliefs. She is not attempting to avoid her Christian fans. She boldly states that she IS a person of faith, and I know that this is a very real part of her.
Her new music is not specifically marketed to Christian markets, but it is sad that people would actually stop listening to her music because she is gay. Many Christians are saying how sad they are that she has chosen a path of sin, many are throwing the clobber passages at her, many are rude, harsh, and showing no signs of Christ in them as they throw stones at Jen. Thankfully, there are many of us who are behind her 100%. Standing up and asking those who judge to move on.
Her newest album “Letting Go” was released earlier this month, and seems to be doing well on the charts so far. I’ve been listening to it online… but definitely going to get myself a copy! It’s AWESOME!
Go Jen! Stand firm, you are a beautiful child of God! 🙂
Category: General, Gossip, Information, News
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2010: It’s going to be AWESOME!
Well, it’s definitely about time I broke the silence, and posted something here! Apologies again for the quiet patch, and thank you for your understanding. I have been job hunting full time – it’s actually like a full time job! Thankfully I am blessed to be in a rather marketable position at the moment, and therefore had a tough decision to make with multiple excellent offers on the table. I have made a decision and accepted an offer, so I start on Monday – wooohooo!! I am also completing my honours degree this year part time, so that kicks off tomorrow night too.
Life has had many more interesting happenings too, and all I can say is that, though there will be ups and downs, I am feeling so excited and so positive about this year! I have a very strong feeling that it will be a good year for many of us. I encourage you to choose to be positive and excited for 2010, as this will rub off on others, and actually make it a reality! 🙂
I do feel quite disconnected… not just from you my loyal readers, but from many of my friends… it truly has been a silly season for me, but I do expect life to settle nicely into a new routine in the coming weeks. Part of that routine will be maintaining regular updates on this blog again. If you have any special requests you’d like to suggest to me, please contact me and let me know. I will do my best to write or comment about it.
Lastly, not sure if I will make it, but hoping to be at LUSH this Saturday evening, Butterfly Bar in Bree Street! See you there… and remember… Les Be Real! 🙂
Category: General
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So quiet?
I just wanted to apologise for being so quiet over the last couple of weeks. I fairly suddenly got retrenched, and therefore very suddenly no longer have my work laptop, which had all my LBR related goodies on it.
Since then, I have also been focusing heavily on getting my CV to the world, and setting up interviews, so my head has been focused rather strongly on that kind of thing.
Don’t worry though, I am not going away. I still have many plans for this blog, and I am determined to continue to post regularly.
Thank you to all my readers so far, and those that contact me personally… it is really appreciated! 🙂
Standby for more posts soon!
Category: General
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Myth 9: You have to sleep with a man before you know you’re a lesbian
Once again, this is one of those myths that you simply turn around to prove how ridiculous it is: Did you have to sleep with the opposite sex before you knew you were straight? Or… have you slept with the same sex before knowing you’re straight? People know before they have sex with anyone who they are attracted to. This should be obvious! I don’t even think I need to elaborate on it. Do I?
I will just add this… the fact is that generally, especially for women, their first sexual experience is not great anyway! For many women, it hurts, or the guy is done in 30 seconds and she is left wondering… was that it?! So, even straight women would probably agree that simply trying sex with a man is not sufficient to establish whether one is gay or not. Straight women may not like their first sexual experiences with men, but remain perfectly straight!
And just to take it a little too far 😉 … I reckon that a lot of straight people who do in fact try sex with the same gender will find it surprisingly pleasing… so beware! 😉
Category: Myths
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Myth 8: You just haven’t met the right man yet!
Firstly, I personally know many straight single ladies who have not yet met their soulmate. I do not personally know any of these who have decided to switch teams because they have not met the right man yet… do you? If there are such individuals, they’re probably more likely bisexual if they are really honest!
Secondly, it is not because I personally have had any bad experiences with men. Sure, I know men I would definitely stay away from romantically, and I know many women who have unfortunately been hurt by men. This for the most part also does not make people switch teams.
I guess you would think it silly if I said to you, that you’re straight because you haven’t met the right [same sex as you] person yet? Well exactly! That’s why this myth is ridiculous!
Also, if you take a read through “My Story” you will find that I have not been avoiding meeting “the right man”. You will find that I am certainly not opposed to falling in love with a man… but that is not my natural inclination. And if I did end up with a man, that will not cure me of being attracted to women. I will always be attracted to women, but I am monogamous and committed, so if I end up with a man, then that is the person I will love with all my heart. I have known plenty of fantastic men in my life. Guys who certainly were very good marriage material, and most of them are now married! The point is that it is not about meeting the right man. Being gay or lesbian is about who we are attracted to, and in our case, it’s the same sex, not the opposite. It is not simply a case of meeting the right man.
Category: Myths
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My Story – Part 4 and 5: Published!
I must apologise for the delay in publishing part 4 and part 5 of “My Story“! I meant to post them this last weekend, but dare I say I was very surprisingly and pleasantly a little distracted! 😀
Please do send me feedback. I would love to hear from any of you who have been following my blog so far! Make comments on blog posts, send me a message, add me as a Facebook friend, become a fan of Les Be Real, follow me on Twitter… the options are endless! 🙂
Category: General, News
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