Pastor opens dialogue on Christianity and LGBTQ+ in Rockford
'Just because it's not listed [in the Bible], that there are others within that spectrum, it doesn't mean that they're not God ordained,' said Zion Lutheran Pastor Mike Thomas, who led a conversation on Christian scripture and its relation to sexuality on Tuesday afternoon at Katie's Cup, 502 7th Street.
Thomas said it took him 30 years to become an LGBTQ+ ally.
'I wasn't advocating. I was spineless,' he said.
Today, Thomas is using Pride Month to open a conversation on how Christianity and sexuality intersect.
'We celebrate having conversations like this one today here, as well as at church on Sunday, to talk about what does the Scripture say about people who are in the gay community,' Thomas said.
In many denominations, views interpreting homosexuality as a sin or aberration have softened, with recent studies showing a growing number of Americans support the LGBTQ+ community.
71-year-old Debbie Raymond said attitudes toward gay people have come a long way.
'At the beginning, it was very tough. You basically lived in a closet, you know, you didn't talk very much,' she recalled.
Now, she's a proud member of the Lutheran church. Raymond credited events such as the one at Katie's Cup for helping to bring her and others back to religion.
'Go talk to pastors, go talk to congregations. You know, do your research, understand the first rule: I was born this way,' she said.
'It's wonderful to be able to change people's perspective on understanding what Scripture says, as well as what the central message of God's grace and mercy, through Christ. In the Gospels, that's the emphasis that we focus on,' Thomas said.
Thomas also said he saw more Christian denominations than ever before at this year's on Saturday.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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