THREAD:

Until my early 20s, @YoungLife was my community, family, and home. YL was the center of my life. For that reason, I need to share about the harm YL has done and continues to do to queer people like me. #DoBetterYoungLife (1/8)

As a @YoungLife student, leader, Work Crew, Summer Staff, Intern, and @beyondmalibu guide, I spent my childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood in YL. It’s impossible to express how much YL meant to me as a kid. I wouldn’t be who I am without it. (2/8)

In @YoungLife, I feared that my only option was to repress my authentic self. The only community I knew was on the fence about queer people, and I was willing to do everything to stay in the fold. I prayed every day, many times for hours, that God would heal me. (3/8)

When I was more or less forced to come out at 24, every one of those fears came true. That was over 5 years ago, and I’m still processing the pain of rejection. I still dream about @YoungLife, and sometimes I dream that I’m welcomed back. (4/8)

My pain pales in comparison to many. The repercussions of @YoungLife’s policies are dangerous and deadly to youth who aren’t as lucky I am. I care about YL now because I care about queer youth who are at risk. (5/8)

“Every kid” is not welcome when queer kids are only accepted at an arm’s length.

@YoungLife needs to stop gaslighting queer people and queer allies. This is why we’re saying #DoBetterYoungLife. (6/8)

Right now, there are queer kids in @YoungLife who know they’ll eventually have to choose between living authentically or staying in the community they love. They can’t have both in YL. Forcing this on queer youth is immoral. (7/8)

To those who currently support @YoungLife: If you are not ready to end financial support, consider speaking directly with leadership. If you are ready to end financial support, please do so and communicate why. #DoBetterYoungLife (8/8)