For a variety of reasons, I can't legally change my name right now. But this morning I stood up in front of my church and said my name was Sam, and a congregation of old Christians doused my head with water and anointed me with oil and cheered.
Christianity can be good. To say it's all bad is to give too much ground to the assholes who want to use my faith as an excuse to hate people like me. I've chosen to say my name is Sam and that I walk with Christ, which to me means that if I encounter a beggar I give whatever's in my wallet; it means that I assume the best of others and give them the opportunity to have grace, too; it means that I don't jealously covet anything, but go through life with constant belief that the world is wonderful and good, and that hope is not naïve but is vital and strategic.
I'm a non-binary person and I came out to my church today, and they loved me better for it. The world can be a wonderful place.
