Transgender athletes, same-sex attraction and mutual respect

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Respect

Welcome to Three-Peat Tuesdays!

Building from my recent book UNBEATABLE! Seven Pillars of Personal Excellence, each blog will contain three P’s: Pillar, Principle and Practical, all geared towards nourishing you on your personal and spiritual growth journey.

Pillar: Courteous speech

“Remind them to…speak evil of no one, to avoid quarrelling, to be gentle, and to show courtesy to everyone.” -Titus 3:1-2

Principle: Everyone deserves respect

Last weekend was eye-opening as I participated in two separate but related forums that addressed identity, gender, religion and sexuality.  The first forum was brilliantly facilitated by the Strength in Weakness (SIW) ministry (www.strengthinweakness.org), a faith-based initiative, while the second was hosted by Futsal868, a sports-based initiative.

By divine providence both sessions happened on the same weekend. SIW tackled the complex and controversial topic as to whether someone can be gay and Christian simultaneously. Combining courage and grace, the feature speaker, Guy Hammond spoke openly and biblically about same sex attraction, holiness and boundaries.

Geoffrey Edwards, the Futsal868 host, explored scientific and legal perspectives on whether transgender or intersex athletes had a place in sport, in light of the opposition they face especially if their transition was from male to female.

I learned quite a lot over the weekend. Yet, one principle has remained etched in my mind. Hammond advocated persuasively that all persons deserved to be treated with dignity, kindness and respect. He was spot on. It perfectly reflects the spirit of Titus 3:1-2 above.

I admit that I have publicly and privately mocked the idea of same-sex attraction in the past, using the guise of biblical conviction. I was often discourteous, disrespectful and self-righteous. Yet, I must first take the plank out of my own eye. Only then can I see clearly to help others. What about you?

Practical: Gentleness heals

Let us punctuate our differences with gentleness and grace.  These qualities heal and unite rather than destroy.

If you were inspired by this blog, please consider sharing it with one other person today. To learn more about these and other related themes that promote the cultivation of an integrated inner self, read UNBEATABLE! which is now available on Amazon in print and as an e-book.

This Post Has 6 Comments

  1. Ronke+Cunningham

    I attended one of those sessions that you talked about, Tyrone, and I came away with this conviction; treat everyone the way that I would like to be treated – Matthew 7:12.
    Thanks for this.

  2. J.Tyrone Marcus

    I’m with you Ronke. You cannot go wrong with the Golden Rule.

  3. Geoffrey Edawards

    Mr. Marcus

    Simple and succinct.

    I truly admire your self reflection considering I too through upbringing and societal influences – including music selections- had negative thoughts and feelings to the topic.

    God is truly speaking to us to “LOVE our neighbour” and show true love his compassion for the lost.

    #StrongerTogether

    1. J. Tyrone Marcus

      That’s quite true Geoffrey. Genuine love that reflects the heart of God goes beyond those we consider “easy” to love. This is a paradigm shift for me.

  4. Liesann

    Thank you Tyrone for your contribution on this topic. I too both publicly & privately would have discriminated against persons who are same sex attracted because of culture or social norms, but i’m quickly learning to change that narrative because of what the scripture has taught me, Phillipians 2:3 to consider others better than myself

  5. J. Tyrone Marcus

    Thank you, Liesann. That perspective from Philippians is quite helpful.

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