Hi Judith...I just received the Living Out Loud speech from Kent Stanton
Thanks,
Sandie
----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Kent Stanton <
To: S Elliott <
Cc: Kent Stanton <
Sent: Sun, July 15, 2012 8:02:26 PM
Subject: My Pride Service Speech
What does "Living Out Loud" mean to me? The freedom to truly be myself.
Long ago, I read somewhere that the fabulous journey that people of my orientation experience is this: "Quote" " It is a long road...few if any return." "Unquote." What does that quote mean anyway? "It is a long road..few if any return." Sounds like I was forced to walk a gang plank into a pool of hungry sharks. To be honest, my fabulous journey to self discovery about my orientation--- was indeed a long road. When I was younger, and thought I was straight, I dated a woman for many years in a committed relationship. Yet, I was struggling to truly be myself. I was struggling to accept my orientation. I thought that if only I prayed enough, and read the bible enough, and became a born-again christian, then God would make me straight. Well, God making me straight---did not happen! After many years of tears, I fully accept what I truly believe is God's will in my life. God loves me and accepts my orientation.And, indeed, I truly believe God wants me to be gay, and I feel truly blessed byGod because I am gay.
And, God brought me after too many years to this great church. This great church where I've met really nice friends and congregants that will accept me as I am.
Unfortunately, my mom went to heaven many years ago, so she can't be here today at this proud moment. I grew up with a very gay-friendly mom. I was very close to my mom. My mom died tragically of a heart attack at age 59. Even though my mom was not a regular church goer, my mom demonstrated that it is what one does outside of church, this is what is important. My mom was volunteering to help others whom she didn't even know. She read audio books for the blind. Also, even though my mom was not a morning person, many, many mornings she got up very, very early to drive strangers with advanced cancer to and from their chemo-therapy treatments. When my mom died tragically, the church that she rarely attended held a memorial service. Her memorial service was standing room only: every pew seat was taken, and people were literally standing in the aisles. One of my mom's close friends at the receiving line trying to comfort me (at the memorial service) reminded me that my mom was not a church goer; but, she was a good christian, 'cause she cared for, and loved others so much. My mom was pure love.
My mom was also into singing and drama. My mom was a member of the Park Ridge Choralle (a ladies singing group). After my mom's death, the Park Ridge Choralle designated a memorial scholarship in my mom's name to a female senior high school student wanting to go to college and study dramatics. To be honest, my mom was not the lead vocalist in the Park Ridge Choralle.And, she performed in plays, yet, was never in the lead actor's role. Yet, the Park Ridge Choralle wanted to memorialize my mom's significant contributions to the lives of others with a scholarship in my mom's name.
When I was up for a promotion at my job, I was trying to meditate and calm myself just before the interview for my promotion. Then, I had a deeply spiritual experience. My mom had long since passed away atthe time of my interview. Then, I heard my mom's angel whisper in my ear in a very clear voice that was my mom's voice. My mom's angel voice whispered in my ear, "Quote" "I am so proud of you!" "Unquote." And, I felt my mom's presence when I aced my interview and got my big promotion at my job.
Well, Mom, I know that you are with me today, and first let me say, Mom, that I am very proud of you! And, I know that my mom is very proud of me at this moment too.
Mom, I am out and proud!
Thank you.