How Do "Former" Homsexuals Identify Themselves?

[puzzleannie]

There are many people who come out of the homosexual lifestyle and enter, or re-enter, the Catholic faith.

I’m curious to know what these people consider themselves. “Former” homosexuals, someone who was just “confused” before entering (or re-entering) the Church, “non-practicing”? And is it important how they are identified?

why should such an individual be expected to identify himself in any way? what is he today? a Catholic. why should any backstory be necessary, in any context in which he finds himself? Especially why should anyone, at anytime, be expected to identify him or herself in terms that relate solely to one aspect of personality? In any conversation with anyone other than with his spiritual director, confessor, doctor or very narrow range of persons with whom this information needs to be shared, any reference to past or present sexual inclination or activity has absolutely no place, so why bring up any reference to it?

and again by what remote logic does this become a social justice questions?

 

[Scout]

why should such an individual be expected to identify himself in any way? what is he today? a Catholic. why should any backstory be necessary, in any context in which he finds himself? Especially why should anyone, at anytime, be expected to identify him or herself in terms that relate solely to one aspect of personality? In any conversation with anyone other than with his spiritual director, confessor, doctor or very narrow range of persons with whom this information needs to be shared, any reference to past or present sexual inclination or activity has absolutely no place, so why bring up any reference to it?

and again by what remote logic does this become a social justice questions?

I asked the moderator where to put the thread, and “social justice” is where he said would be the best place to put it.

And whether we like it or not, people coming from the homosexual community still, to some degree, identify with their past. And whether we like it or not, it does come up in conversations. For those who still struggle with the issue, it comes up more frequently than some may believe-especially if the person is seeking spiritual direction.

I have a feeling that many people on this forum do not understand how this could be a part of someone’s life-even if they are “recovering” from it.
Scout :tiphat:

 

[Mirdath]

I have a feeling that many people on this forum do not understand how this could be a part of someone’s life-even if they are “recovering” from it.

I do not identify myself as a ‘recovering Catholic’, except as a joke

 

[puzzleannie]

I . And whether we like it or not, it does come up in conversations. For those who still struggle with the issue, it comes up more frequently than some may believe-especially if the person is seeking spiritual direction.

I

you must have some strange conversations. I can think of no casual conversation where discussing someone’s sexuality, past present or future, is appropriate or necessary. Spiritual direction, as I noted with the other “serious” exceptions, is hardly casual conversation (which is how OP was framed). Yes I can understand how people who have been through a conversion experience have all kinds of issues. I have been involved in RCIA for over 20 years and I know very well how those issues arise. And when it becomes necessary for a candidate to discuss pastoral issues, I refer them to the pastoral member of the team (a priest), I do not engage him in conversation about it, which is right out of the realm of my responsibility or rights. As for what any individual chooses to reveal about himself, and how he chooses to describe himself, in a mixed group of candidates and sponsors, that is up to him, but also up to the comfort level of the group, and quite frankly, the average RCIA class does not want the back story.

 

[mangy_dog]

We all struggle with present and past sins. There is no “magical” formula that prevents you from falling into the same sin again. The influence of the world, our own concupiscence and Lucifer are constantly at work to pull us back down. We must make a clean break with our former sinful lives. You are already plenty greatful to the Lord for having brought you out of that dead end existence. Continue to move forward with a life of the spirit. The “twelve step” approach to a previous sinful “lifestyle” or a wanting to “identify and supress” is not a healthy approach to breaking completely with this or any other sin. Lucifer roams the borderlines between the worldly solutions and the life of the spirit. Don’t be distracted with useless processes and empty clasifications.
Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum.

 

[goofyjim]

Identifying as a homosexual is not a sin. Only practicing it is. Even the RSV and NAB make this distinction.

 

[Bennie_P]

I’m not seeking a label for past sinfulness, but I see nothing wrong with labeling a current struggle. For example, many people with a mental disorder (such as depression, bipolar, and others)do admit that they have it. People with diabetes, cancer, and other physical ailments also admit they have it.They don’t wear t-shirts announcing the fact, but it’s not like hide it. I think that sometimes puting a name to something helps you deal with it.

Also, it brings up the thought, can someone be a “former” homosexual person, or it is like being an alcoholic-once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic-you’re just a “recovering” alcoholic?

Scout :tiphat:

I wasn’t going to comment on this thread, but myself being one that has overcome the control of alcohol and drug addiction I need to comment on your ideals of alcoholics. Not all ex-drunks buy into identifying themselves as alcoholic. I choose not to identify myself by my past addictions. For I feel to do so leaves open the door to relapse into the those past failures. At this point of my life I don’t see myself as an alcoholic, nor do I see myself as a recovering alcoholic. I see myself as recovered. I don’t foolishly think that I should try to be a social drinker, I have done screwed up my brain too much for that possibility. But drinking, nor alcohol, nor drugs has anything to do with my current identity, except when I working with those that have just started the journey into recovery. The alcoholic label and the “recovering” alcoholic label are different parts of the journey to becoming recovered. I would feel, could be wrong, that “former” homosexual persons may feel the same way.

I have friends that have and have had struggles with SSA, when I introduce them to other people I don’t say here is my friend “Gay” Bob or, Bob who he use to be homosexual, etc. I just say, I would like you meet my good friend Bob. In fact I don’t label anyone by their sexual orientation or any attribute except those that have titles such as DR.,Officer, Sgt, Mr. Mrs., Etc.