Breaking my silence: A pastor’s journey with HIV
For years, I concealed my identity as a gay man living with HIV to protect myself from judgment and rejection. Faith communities have often treated HIV status as evidence of moral failure rather than a medical condition. Despite these challenges, I find hope in the church's capacity for transformation. By sharing my story, I claim my dignity as a child of God while contributing to healing the wounds of the church's unresolved struggle with human sexuality.
Originally published in the Presbyterian Outlook, February 27, 2025
National HIV Testing Day: What can churches do?
In this reflection, published in The Presbyterian Outlook, I explore how churches can move from being barriers to bridges in addressing HIV. Drawing from my pastoral experience, I share why faith communities must step beyond historical stigma to become spaces of healing and support for HIV testing and treatment. As we observe National HIV Testing Day, I call on congregations to embody Christ's love in helping end the HIV pandemic.
"God loves transgender youth, no matter what cruel Texas lawmakers say"
My commentary about transgender rights appeared under different titles: "Commentary: Transgender children are God's children" (San Antonio Express-News, May 13, 2021), "God loves transgender youth, no matter what cruel Texas lawmakers say" (Corpus Christi Caller-Times, May 14, 2021), and again with the latter title in El Paso Matters (May 19, 2021). I address the wave of cruel bills targeting transgender youth in Texas, exploring how these legislative attacks contradict both religious values and basic human dignity. I challenge lawmakers who misuse faith to justify discrimination, explaining why supporting transgender youth aligns with true Christian teachings during this particularly challenging time.
Using religion to discriminate is an affront to the Gospel
In my opinion piece published in the San Antonio Express-News on March 2, 2019, I argue against using religious freedom as justification for LGBTQ discrimination in Texas. As both a Presbyterian pastor and someone who witnessed discrimination in apartheid South Africa, I call on Texas legislators to update state laws to protect LGBTQ individuals from discrimination in employment, housing, and public services.
With renewed violence in Gaza, Presbyterian Church's Israel disinvestments are a nonviolent contribution to peace
This opinion piece reflects on the Presbyterian Church (USA)'s decision to divest from three corporations doing business in Israel and draws parallels with my personal experiences growing up in apartheid-era South Africa. The piece examines how economic pressure can serve as a nonviolent tool for promoting peace and social change. Originally published in Cleveland.com's Opinion section on August 1, 2014, amid renewed violence in Gaza.