“It is easy to judge and condemn someone whom we do not know. It is especially easy to judge a group of people whom we think do not measure up to our interpretation of what the Bible says; however, when we take time to learn to know gay people as individuals, our perception of them changes. This is why it is important to tell our faith stories to one another. As the issue of homosexuality is debated in our churches, we seldom ask the people we are calling sinners to tell us about their own personal experience of relationship with God. My own life and attitude has been profoundly changed by listening to the stories of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their families.” – From the Introduction by Roberta Showalter Kreider

2003 Update

From Wounded Hearts went out-of-print while Roberta was working on the second book of faith stories, Together in Love. She thought that perhaps it had served its usefulness, but she continued to receive inquiries about purchasing the book and messages of affirmation for the help it brought. Following are a few of the messages she has received since the book was first published.

…. [We] have read parts of the book and have been awed by the awareness of faith at an early age by many of the writers. These are our precious ones, and it is inspiring and at the same time heart wrenching to hear their stories. (From a mother of a lesbian)

A year or two ago, a mother gave me your first book to read.... She indicated that your book had been one of the most helpful to her. I started reading in the back at your story and was immediately drawn into the book. I found it very touching and engaging.

.... I have read the book cover to cover many times, and marvel at the diversity of subjects and the sensitive way they are presented. I wish you best of luck in all of your worthwhile endeavors, and again thank you.

…. I don’t see how anyone could read these stories and fail to be moved. I hope they are placed in church libraries where they can be read by all teenagers, straight and gay. It couldn’t help but make people more sensitive to the marginal person, however, they may feel about the gay issue.... This work will be a significant one whose effect can only be imagined at this point. Far better than any treatise on Biblical interpretation. Thanks so much.

Several weeks later, I found the book that would forever change – perhaps even save – my life. From Wounded Hearts ... shares the faith stories of many gay and lesbian Christians. Even more than that, the book shares the pilgrimages of a number of Mennonites, several of whom I discovered I knew personally. I could identify with these stories of struggle and reconciliation completely.

Roberta says,

"The very week that I was seeking God’s guidance about a second edition of From Wounded Hearts, I received a phone call from a psychologist wanting to order two copies. She said, 'I use this book a lot in my practice.' It was clear that I should update the book and get it back into circulation again.

It has been exciting to connect with each author and to hear a bit of what has happened in their lives since we first published the book in 1998. It is gratifying that seven of the eleven authors who needed to be anonymous in the original edition are now free to use their names with their stories. Their updated biographical information is included. This is evidence to me again that, as Jesus promised to those who seek truth, “the truth will set us free” (John 8:31-32).

The four authors who still need to be anonymous in order to protect themselves or their loved ones, long for the day when sexual orientation becomes a non-issue for everyone.

There are four entirely new stories to add to this collection – one Catholic, one Jewish and two Mennonite. The variety of stories in the book attests to the fact that diverse sexual orientation is not unique to any one culture or faith tradition. Additionally, there is updated biographical information.

As my husband and I send this book forth again, we pray that it can continue to break down walls of fear, prejudice, and domination that surround our gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender friends and their families."

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