• About Sean

Uncommon Devotion

~ God is calling for a prophetic community to emerge, drawn from the nations of the world, that is characterized by uncommon devotion to the compassion and peace of God revealed in Jesus Christ. – D&C 163:11a

Uncommon Devotion

Tag Archives: BiVisibility

Words Matter. Visibility Matters.

13 Monday Aug 2018

Posted by Sean Langdon in Culture

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Bisexual, BiVisibility, discipleship, Faith, Gay, LGBT, Religion, Social Justice, Sugarland

“Words matter. Think about what you say.”

IMG-3338That was the sentiment on the screen as Sugarland sang a cover of “Tony” by Patty Griffin. They went on to share messages like “It is UP TO US to protect all of our LGBTQ kids whether they are our kids, our neighbors’ kids, or our classmates”, “Our homes can be affirming places. Our schools. Our churches. Our communities.”, and “We must STAND UP for them when other don’t and TALK TO and resist those who reject and bully them.” They ended the song with information shared about The Trevor Project and Human Rights Campaign.

Overcome with emotion and pride, I immediately posted this on my Facebook as Sugarland kept on singing:

As if I didn’t already love them, Sugarland just sang “Tony” by Patty Griffin. I was moved by the song as they sang it with these words and more behind them on the screen. As I now read the actual lyrics on my phone, I am even more deeply moved that they choose to highlight LGBTQ suicide among youth in their concert and that they chose this song to do so. 🏳️‍🌈💚💛🏳️‍🌈🧡🏳️‍🌈❤️💜🏳️‍🌈

Pride isn’t about needing to feel special and recognized for our sexuality. It is about being seen. It is about being loved and having safe space to express love. It’s about equality. It’s about bringing awareness to the fact that people are literally dying or hurting themselves because of the hateful words and actions taken by churches, families, classmates, bakers, businesses, governments, and more. Pride is about experiencing freedom. The freedom to be. The freedom to love. The freedom to claim our own truth.

Thank you, Sugarland! You had me on the edge of tears! Deep gratitude for bringing your spirit of equality to the country music community, a community that I love but one that isn’t usually the most supportive of LGBTQIA+ rights.

As I approached this summer, I pondered how I was going to express myself as a human who was part of the LGBTQIA+ community during the various youth ministry events that I staffed this summer. It wasn’t about feeling the need to do it for myself but for everyone else that was present. For the youth who were out and publicly living their truth, it was to be a sign of solidarity. For those who were still hiding an integral part of themselves from the world, it was to be a sign of hope and safety. To know there were others in leadership roles who had a similar identity and who had walked a similar journey as a teen. To everyone else, it was to help normalize same-sex attraction (because guess what… It’s normal.). Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Reddit
  • Twitter
  • Tumblr

Like this:

Like Loading...

Celebrating Bi Visibility Day: The Journey Continues!

23 Saturday Sep 2017

Posted by Sean Langdon in Culture

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Bisexual, BiVisibility, Community of Christ, Equality, GALA, LGBT

“I’m g-g-g-g-gettin’ bi. I’m gettin’ bi and it’s something I’d like to demystify. It’s not a phase; I’m not confused; Not indecisive; I don’t have the “gotta choose” blues. I don’t care if you wear high heels or a tie, you might just catch my eye. Because I’m definitely bi.” – “Gettin’ Bi” from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.

Today, September 23, 2017, is Bi Visibility day. Last year on this day I remember spending time thinking about who I was. I was still in the closet then. Scared to come out. It wasn’t necessarily that I was afraid of rejection by people I loved and respected but I think I was afraid of being my authentic self. To be our authentic selves requires vulnerability and I image2wasn’t quite ready to be that kind of vulnerable with myself and others. At the same time, I was sensing an urgency to embrace my identity as a bisexual male. 2 1/2 months later I came out and finally did just that and every day since, I have experienced gratitude for being free of that aspect of my hidden, false self.

This past Labor Day Weekend I attended the GALA Retreat at Camp Red Cliffe in Hunstville, Utah. GALA is an organization whose mission seeks to “Providing sanctuary, spirituality, and transformation: For persons of ALL sexual orientations and gender identities through our shared faith experience in Community of Christ building bridges of understanding”. In the months leading up to the retreat I experienced a wide range of emotions. I went from being excited and couldn’t wait for it to arrive to feeling nervous about the experience and almost canceling my registration, to being excited and filled with anticipation again and so on. Additionally, I also struggled with the retreat theme of “Blessed are the Queer in Spirit” which hindered my anticipation for the event. In fact, the only reason I followed through with attending was that I was traveling to and from the retreat with a friend and didn’t want to cancel on her. I did follow through though and attend the retreat and I was blessed. Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Reddit
  • Twitter
  • Tumblr

Like this:

Like Loading...

Dear Mr./Mrs. Evangelical…

30 Wednesday Aug 2017

Posted by Sean Langdon in Religion

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Bisexual, BiVisibility, christianity, Community of Christ, discipleship, Equality, Faith, LGBT, Nashville Statement, Religion, Social Justice

To those who authored and signed the “Nashville Statement”,

You question why Christianity is dying in America. I see it in books that you author and blog entries you write. So you question why people are turning away from religion and then you publish this garbage. Shame on you. Look in the mirror. The answers you seek about the decline in Christianity may just be staring right back at you.

I would love to sit down with any person listed as a signatory on this document and share in a conversation about it. Maybe we could both grow from seeking to understand one another? So how about we get a drink from Starbucks and listen to one another. And don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be a Unicorn Frappuccino. I’m sure that’s too gay for you anyways. We can just enjoy a regular cup of black coffee that is heavily diluted with white vanilla flavored creamer since I’m sure that is how you prefer to drink it anyways. Hmmm… Actually, Starbucks and their “liberal agenda” may not be the best place. I wouldn’t want you to be uncomfortable. Does Hobby Lobby, Chick-fil-A, or Cabela’s serve coffee? We could always go there. I don’t mind meeting you on your turf. Oh, I know there are some bakeries we could go to. They won’t bake me a wedding cake if I marry a guy but maybe they would serve me a scone to go with my coffee while we talk? Hmmm… Maybe. Continue reading →

Share this:

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Reddit
  • Twitter
  • Tumblr

Like this:

Like Loading...

  • View SamishPatrol’s profile on Facebook
  • View SeanMLangdon’s profile on Twitter
  • View seanmlangdon’s profile on Instagram
I'm a minister, progressive, Jesus following, music fanatic, friend, son, nature loving, ocean dreaming, Gospel preaching, spontaneous road trip driving, camping enthusiast.

Recent Posts

  • “Anti-Hero” and thoughts on shame
  • Next Adventure: Rocky Mountain Mission Center
  • Weary Soul: Will You Cross the Bridge?
  • Merry Christmas – When the Good News isn’t Warm and Fuzzy
  • Bi Visibility Day: My Story
The posts on this page do no necessarily represent the views of Community of Christ. This is a personal blog that explores issues that relevant and important to Sean.

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 494 other subscribers

Recent Comments

Sean Langdon on Next Adventure: Rocky Mountain…
Sean Langdon on Next Adventure: Rocky Mountain…
Sean Langdon on Next Adventure: Rocky Mountain…
Sean Langdon on Next Adventure: Rocky Mountain…
Sean Langdon on Next Adventure: Rocky Mountain…

45 Advent Alternative Facts anti-hero Bisexual BiVisibility black lives matter Blessing Blogging body shaming Borders Bullying christianity Christmas Clinton Coming Out Community of Christ Crazy Ex-Girlfriend death penalty discipleship doctrine & covenants Easter Election 2016 Empire EnoughIsEnough Equality Equity Faith Football GALA Gay Gun Control Gun Reform Healing Holiday Hope Immigration Interfaith Lesbian LGBT Manger Marian Wright Edelman Military minister Nashville Statement Nativity New Year NFL Orlando peace Portland Portlands Resistance Protest Pulse Nightclub Racism Religion Revival Rocky Mountain Mission Center sermons shame Social Justice Sugarland TakeAKnee taylor swift Transgender Trump uncommon devotion witnessing

Follow me on Twitter

My Tweets

Recent Posts

  • “Anti-Hero” and thoughts on shame
  • Next Adventure: Rocky Mountain Mission Center
  • Weary Soul: Will You Cross the Bridge?
  • Merry Christmas – When the Good News isn’t Warm and Fuzzy
  • Bi Visibility Day: My Story

Sean's Instagram

No Instagram images were found.

Blog at WordPress.com.

  • Follow Following
    • Uncommon Devotion
    • Join 50 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Uncommon Devotion
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d bloggers like this: