Wesselmann speaks of life as a gay Christian

Wesselmann speaks of life as a gay Christian

Central Michigan Life, MI

Paul Wesselmann once spoke to several members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and found he had something in common with every single one of them.

They all had experienced being judged solely on one aspect of their destiny.

Wesselmann is both a Christian and a gay man.

“I think it is easier for me to be gay in my Christian circles than it is to be a Christian in my gay circles,” he said.

Wesselmann discussed how being a Christian and a gay man are only two parts of his identity Monday night in the Moore Hall Townsend Kiva.

He said these two aspects often overlap.

“They’re much alike,” Wesselmann said. “They’re an affirmation of my ability to love and be loved.”

He also discussed politics and gay marriage.

“The idea of gay marriage scares people to pieces,” Wesselmann said. “I believe the issue of gay marriage has nothing to do with religion, it has t do with change.”

Around 175 people attended the event, which was part of Pride Week on campus. Audience members got the opportunity to ask questions; one student asked how he reconciled being gay and Christian with what is preached by many.

“Some days it’s hard,” Wesselmann said. “There are nine passages in the Bible that are used as weapons against me.”

He said the biggest influence on his Christian beliefs was a camp he attended as a camper and counselor.

“You don’t teach kids God by sitting them in pews and lecturing to them, you teach them God by showing them God (in nature),” Wesselmann said.

Ana Guerriero, director of the Office of Gay and Lesbian Programs, said diversity and homosexuality are important issues on campus.

“It’s the elephant in the room,” she said. “It’s there, but nobody is talking about.”

Growing up, Wesselmann said, he did not see the images of homosexuals which are now so prevalent.

“You were either homosexual or you were not,” he said. “I thought of myself as asexual (while growing up).”

Jared Moore came to the event because he needed to attend a diversity event for class and left with a new perspective.

“His message was about how everything is connected; how hate in any form is wrong,” the Mount Pleasant freshman said.