In high school, I had a few friends who identified strongly and openly as Christians. There is nothing wrong with that, and when they had invasive questions about me being gay, I welcomed the discussion and the different perspectives.

One of my “friends” was very blunt in how she saw things. She said to me one day, “You know, Megan, I love you so much, but I’m a Christian and I believe you’re going to Hell because you’re gay.” I said, “Gee, thanks, Janice, that means a lot.”

I laughed about that interaction then and I continue to laugh about it now.

My other devoutly Christian friend, Rebecca, had her own opinions and questions as well. One day, after telling me that I could join her church as a gay person as long as I didn’t act on my homosexual urges, she asked me if I found her to be attractive. I tried to be nice about telling her that since she’s not attracted to every guy she sees, I don’t feel attraction to every female I see, so no, Rebecca, I don’t actually find you attractive, but you’re my “friend”, so I’m going to lie to you and say that you’re cute but not my type.

That was a doozy. We don’t really talk anymore because every conversation we have developed into her asking me if I’m seeing anyone and then telling me that she still doesn’t approve. Why the fuck are you asking me about my dating life that you don’t approve of? She confused me.

All in all, I can laugh at these interactions. At the same time, they were exhausting and constantly being told you’re an abomination is not easy on the soul, so I didn’t appreciate that portion.

If you’re a Christian, rock on, man. You do you. Let’s just keep my “lifestyle” out of conversation.