The Center believes the proclamation shows that Colorado  Springs is "progressing in tolerance and diversity and becoming a world-class city." They hope the PrideFest would "create a sense of community and promote acceptance and understanding among lesbians, gay men, bisexual and transgender people and the community at large."

Last Monday, a group of gay-affirming Christian, Jewish, Hindu and Muslim religious leaders held their bi-annual inter-faith meeting of the National Religious Leadership Roundtable here in Colorado Springs.  We were personally invited to attend this gathering  in hopes of establishing dialogue.

In good faith, we accepted their invitation.
We attended and listened to their case. And as Focus on the Family staff members (and former homosexuals), we publicly apologized to the panel on behalf of every Christian who may have miscommunicated to homosexuals that God does not love them. We affirmed that God does love them. And as ex-gays, we asked if they validated our experience and conversion to heterosexuality.

They rejected our apology. And we were told that there is no such thing as an "ex-gay."  Specifically, it was said to our faces, "You don't exist."

Is this tolerance?
Is this a celebration of diversity?  Is this beginning a process of seeking dialogue about homosexuality and homosexuals? We think not. Indeed, th eletter addressed to Focus on the Family speaking of dialogue and tolerance, was sent not to the ministry, but to The Gazette. 

Please, listen to our hearts.
Can it be possible that we are motivated by love rather than by hate? We are motivated by God's life-changing love for us--and even more so by His tremendous love for homosexuals, right where they are. His grace compels us to share the truth of our experience. Yet, it deeply saddens us that we are considered hateful because we believe that when anyone asks God for a relationship with Him, He always responds in love.

When we were in need, thankfully, there were some in the Church motivated by love who sought to understand us and were willing to walk bside us. We are growing in numbers. And now our families sit in your pews, play in your parks and live in your neighborhoods.

We genuinely care.
And we feel privileged to share with others our experience of the transforming power of God's love and fogiveness, and our long struggle out. Our sincerest desire is to offer the message of hope that's being silenced today: there is freedom from homosexuality through the unconditional love and grace of jesus Christ. You can change into a new creation -- the one God intended. We experienced His peace and rest by letting Him fill us with the amazing, genuine love we'd been searching for all our lives. And we are forever changed.
 

Focus on the Family stands ready to assist you any way we can. Please call us at 1-800-A-FAMILY or visit us on th eweb at www.family.org