Living Out Podcast

Coming out (sharing with someone about your experience of sexuality) is not always easy, whether you're the person sharing or the one hearing about it.
Laura and Paul join Ashleigh to talk about what coming out was like for them. We hear about the first people they told, the things that have been helpful for them in these conversations, and what it's like to share so publicly about such a personal experience. Paul also shares some thoughts on doing all of this when you're married.
Resources mentioned & related
Laura: Good Friendship (Different Stories #6)
Paul: Responding to Our Desires (Different Stories #5)
Should All Same-Sex Attracted Christians Come Out?, Vaughan Roberts
Coming Out – Some Advice for Christians, Andrew Bunt
How Should I Respond When a Christian Comes Out to Me?, The Living Out Team
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As Christians who experience same-sex attraction, how can we flourish? In this series we'll talk about coming out, answering people's questions, feeling alone, and more. 
Whether you experience same-sex attraction yourself or you want to support someone who does, this series will have something to comfort, challenge and encourage you.

This episode contains discussion of childhood sexual abuse, depression, and suicidal thoughts.
Jo tells us about her favourite episode from our back catalogue - one that shows how God sometimes breaks into our lives in the most unlikely circumstances. Robert was sexually abused by a teacher at school, forced into becoming a Christian, and went on to marry a woman and lead a church – all while being same-sex attracted and not truly knowing Jesus. From there things fell apart, and Robert began living as an out gay man. Only later would he come to know the love of God for the first time, and give his life to Christ.  
Resources mentioned and related 
If you’re affected by any of the issues raised in this episode, please reach out to someone you trust. In the UK, you can also contact Samaritans for support – call 116 123 free, 24 hours a day. 
Samaritans also provide a full list of organisations you can contact for advice on a range of issues, including abuse and mental health. You can find that here.

Andy tells us about his favourite episode from our back catalogue. For many people, same-sex attraction can feel very isolating. Ed, Andy and Anne discuss how, over time, they felt less alone and were able to get support from friends and church. 
We share some advice for those just becoming aware of their sexualities and wanting support, and we look at helpful things churches can do. 
And we also learn about Ed's imaginary wife.

Resources mentioned
Washed and Waiting by Wesley Hill
True Freedom Trust
Living Out stories
Should A Church Start a Group for Same-Sex Attracted Members? Charlie Skrine
What Does Good Pastoral Support Look Like? (Part 1) Andy Robinson
What Does Good Pastoral Support Look Like? (Part 2) Andy Robinson
What Does Good Pastoral Support Look Like? (Part 3) Andy Robinson
Living Out Church Audit

Ashleigh tells us about her favourite episode from our back catalogue. In the last of our series going through the missteps identified in The Plausibility Problem by Ed Shaw, we discussed whether suffering can and should be avoided. We shared our own painful experiences and examined why some argue that the suffering of celibate same-sex attracted Christians is a reason to abandon traditional biblical teaching on sexual ethics.
We went on to show that suffering is a normal part of following Jesus, whether you're gay or straight, single or married. We looked at some of the reasons why God allows us to suffer and the joys and benefits that we receive precisely because we suffer.
We also looked at practical things that help us when we're struggling and ways that we can use our pain to love and serve others.
Resources mentioned and related
The Plausibility Problem Ed Shaw
The Plausibility Problem: A Review Steve Ward
Support to Grieve Anne Witton
You Only Live Once. Really? Adam Curtis
Kitchen Floors and Gethsemane Andy Robinson
What's Good About Struggling With Same-sex Attraction? Anne Witton
Childlessness Anne Witton
Anne and Abby on Their Community House Anne Witton
Sharing Life Together Anne Witton
Confronting Christianity Rebecca McLaughlin
Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy Mark Vroegop