Michelle - Lesbian Life - Gay/Lesbian Issues - People/Relationships

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Expert Profile: Michelle

Expertise: I can answer/explore questions regarding: coming out; conflicts of faith for both the gay/lesbian person accepting their own sexuality as well as friends/family accepting the sexuality of someone they care about; coming out to your children; talking to your teens about being gay; coming out of a long term opposite sex marriage; history of marriage; legal recognition of same gender marriages; how ultra-conservative religious training/upbringing affects gays and lesbians; being "out" in a small, conservative community; current dynamics of religion/dynamics.

Experience in the area
I was raised in a conservative Christian church, and still am a Christian. From my earliest memories, I always had "crushes" on girls/women, but because of my background and training, believed homosexuality was a "sin" and that I was an abomination. I believed it was a "choice" and I was determined to choose heterosexuality. I married a man (claimed to be a Christian, ended up being abusive), had three kids, and was married for 20 years. I attended a Christian college (had devastating crushes there) and at the age of 26 started writing and speaking for Christian groups across the United States and Canada. After fifteen years of teaching others to "remove the masks" I finally peeled away my last mask. I lost my church, my oldest friend, my career, and quite a few people I trusted and loved--but I gained my soul. You can't fool God. I used my experience and tweny-five years of biblical studies to understand how scriptures have been misused against the gay/lesbian/bi/trans community. I am now married to a woman (seven years) and active in the gay/lesbian community. I have made myself an expert on same gender marriage issues and legal cases. I am very involved in local, state, and national politics.

Organizations
HRC PFLAG Equal Rights Washington Legal Marriage Alliance

Publications
Two books and hundreds of articles for Christian publishers Publisher's Weekly Western Horseman

Education/Credentials
2.5 years of college, including a variety of theology classes. 11 years of seminars & workshops 20 years as a writer (fifteen of which were for Christian publishers)

Ask a Question	View Past Answers	View Ratings

What do you like about this subject? I love talking to other women who may be going through experiences similar to my own. I know how alone I felt, and if I can help keep someone from feeling that, then it wasn't wasted.

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field? Anything and everything. I don't really believe in "experts"--only people who have gone this way before, who are still moving, still seeking, still learning.

Something controversial or provocative about this subject The CREATED conflict between faith and sexuality. I don't believe that God ever intended there to be a conflict--but being the human beings we are, we have created that conflict.

Average Ratings
Prestige Points: 8160
Knowledge	9.95 Best of the best
Clarity of Response	9.98 Best of the best
Timeliness	9.96 Best of the best
Politeness	10.0 Best of the best
Number Of Questions (in Past 24 Hours)		1
Max Questions to be Asked (in 24 Hour period)		3
Total Questions (since joining AllExperts)		1282

Recent Reviews from Users

Knowl	Clarity	Time	Politeness	Date
10	10	10	10	08/28/08
10	10	10	10	08/28/08
10	10	10	10	08/26/08
10	10	10	10	08/27/08
10	10	10	10	08/26/08

User Comments

Thanks for helping me. what you said really makesa since.
(Cameron on 08/28/08)

Thank you so much, Michelle. It really helped to see all that there typed up. I must admit, that first line about me having the same thoughts already
(Rachel on 08/26/08)

Thank you so much Michelle. That was very helpful, and I will try your advice as soon as my baby is not working so much!! I will keep you posted on ho
(Tia on 08/27/08)

Thank you Michelle, I guess I never looked at it that way.But thinking about it in the terms of having fun and hoping to meet someone whild doing so,
(carly on 08/26/08)

View All Comments

Ask a Question	View Past Answers	View Ratings

Recent Answers from Michelle

2008-08-28 idk: Hi Amanda, I remember you very well, and am really happy to hear from you again. I know that it is very hard for you right now, you are dealing with a lot of different stuff. Some of what I say to you...

2008-08-27 wife....lesbian: Hi Rick, you are very welcome. The fact that the erotica sites were story sites makes a lot of sense, actually--even if she is completely straight (don't know, I am not making an assumption either...

2008-08-26 is she flirting?: Hi Lynne, thanks for writing. It sounds like there is a definite possibility there that she is flirting...usually our gut has a pretty good read when it comes to things like this, so I would say your...

2008-08-26 wife....lesbian: Hi Rick, thanks for writing. I think that it is really good that the two of you are going to go in for counseling, that is a great first step. And I appreciate your concern about when and how to talk...

2008-08-26 Not sure what to think: Hi Rachel, thanks for writing. I often say that 95% of what I do here is act as a sounding board. I think it is less about any advice I might have to offer as much as it is about another human being...