I cannot think of a crueler and more destructive expression of homophobia in our time than having hundreds of thousands of teens be rejected by their families, deprived of love, and driven to utter destitution. No teenager who comes out of the closet should be thrown into the streets. And together, if we stand up and lift up our voices for them, we will make sure they can find a home.
Executive Director, Ali Forney Center
Fourteen-year-old Stark McClellan (nicknamed Stick because he’s tall and thin) is bullied for being “deformed” – he was born with only one ear. His older brother Bosten is always there to defend Stick. But the boys can’t defend one another from their abusive parents.
When Stick realizes Bosten is gay, he knows that to survive his father’s anger, Bosten must leave home. Stick has to find his brother, or he will never feel whole again. In his search, he will encounter good people, bad people, and people who are simply indifferent to kids from the wrong side of the tracks. But he never loses hope of finding love – and his brother.
Those very ones who seem to be maligned by others; those who appear imperfect, in bondage to sense or to sickness, are to have a new name. They will come to know their real nature and identity. The imposters–those mortal, limiting beliefs about man and about life–will be seen for their inauthenticity, and the true children will come to know and claim their birthright.
Don’t accept a lesser heritage. Don’t agree to be a child of limits, of fear, of inadequacy, of shame. This is not your highest selfhood and it is not who you are. Those very struggling souls will come into the awareness that they are indeed the children of the living God—the perfect image of Him and blessed always by His Love.
This awakening does not change the old man, the imposter, it only reveals the genuine one, right where that lesser idea might try to gain presence and power. God requires that we know His Father-Motherhood, and so He brings us into the knowledge of our identity, our real name.
And this awareness, found after doubt and false identification, is even more saving and wonderful. The child who comes to discover that he is not a black sheep, or a sick puppy, but the very beloved son or daughter of God, has even greater riches. For he does not take for granted his heritage, but rests in conscious gratitude for all that is his and the wonderful reason why.
Laura Moliter, CS
