My boyish innocence was stolen by a sexual predator, and I kept the soul-gnawing secret for decades. That experience changed me. Growing up in 1950's England, I couldn't discuss my sexual identity issues with anyone. Feeling isolated and confused, I turned my back on the father who misunderstood me, and the religion that failed me. Later, as I lost friends to AIDS and suicide, I became more determined than ever to live by faith and not by feeling.
Christians often believe God simply wants to change our behavior, but ultimately, He longs to heal our wounded hearts. What shaped me as a lad does not define me. My true identity emerged as I walked out my quest for who I really was, and sought to be the man I was created to be.