Counselling

U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - will provide immediate assistance to individuals in suicidal crisis by connecting them to the nearest available suicide prevention and mental health service provider through a toll-free telephone number: 1-800-273-TALK (8255). It is the only national suicide prevention and intervention telephone resource funded by the Federal Government.

This is a toll free number for most (all?) countries in the world. If you are suicidal right now, please phone them immediately!


Canadian Suicide Prevention Crisis Centres

ChristianGays.com is often approached to counsel people with problems related to Christianity and homosexuality. Some people need in-depth counselling. Some just need a one-on-one person to connect with. Fortunately we have been blessed with some wonderful people who have volunteered to be there for you in your time of need.

Some of our volunteers have more formal training than others, but all have felt led to make themselves available to support you in any way they can.

ChristianGays.com takes no responsibility for advice given. This is merely a service of volunteers which we are making available to you.

Click on the link for the name of the person you wish to contact and it will bring up a letter addressed to them. You may write to one or several.

Our Volunteer Counsellors

Russ is a 39 year old gay Christian Minister in Columbus, Ohio. He is not a pulpit minister, but prefers to reach out to those in his community one on one to spread God's Word.

He received his B.A. in Psychology from Miami University of Ohio and holds church-issued diplomas in Philosophy of Religion, Religious Studies, Theology, and Crisis Chaplaincy. He also holds the title of Knight Third Class of the Order of Knights of St. Luke's Evangelical Christian Ministries for his in-depth studies.

Russ has worked in the medical field as an EMT, in the health and fitness field as a Massage Therapist and Personal Trainer, and as a para-professional counselor for a Crisis Intervention Center.

In 2003 he was called into service as an ordained Minister and now holds ordainment through three separate religious organizations. He has intervention and counseling experience with drug and alcohol abuse and addictions with friends, partners, and family. And he has experience in counseling HIV from detailed research he has conducted since being diagnosed himself.

Often as a young adult going through the trials and tribulations of being gay Russ found himself asking God, "Where were you when I needed you?" And one day when he (Russ) finally chose to listen, God responded with, "My child, you're still alive aren't you?"

It was shortly after that epiphany Russ began to hear the call that God was whispering to him. God had chosen this life for him so that he could understand and reach out with his heart wherever God placed him, and help others who are pulled away from God's perfect love by those who would condemn in the name of Christ. We were put here to help one another and to glorify God however we can. God is Love. We are of Him. And we are loved.

Marguerite is a 51 year old Christian Lesbian. She has a BA In Psychology, a BS in Sociology, and has 25+ years experience working in a variety of Mental Health Fields. She believes God has called on her to use her professional, as well personal knowledge in the related fields to touch others' lives.

She has received much training in a variety of areas such as Child/Adolescent Behaviors, Domestic Violence and Grief Counseling, along with working in the treatment of emotional and behavioral problems in both children and adults, and is trained to provide individual and group counseling. Though, not claiming to be an expert in any one field, she feels God has gifted her with a listening ear to anyone in need.

Marguerite is a mother of five and grand mom of three. She has two biological children, and with her partner, they adopted three more.

Julian is a 32 yo female-to-male (FTM) transgendered individual. He has a diploma in Environmental Technology, and is currently working toward an undergraduate degree in Women's Studies and Global Development Studies. He has lived a unique life, choosing most often the 'road less traveled'. As such, he has traveled extensively, and has loved the learning that has come with interacting with lots of different people. As female, he identified as bisexual and lesbian. Now, he identifies as pansexual.

He was raised Catholic, and has studied world religions - mainly Shamanism and Buddhism. He strongly believes in the Light; the Divinity in all of us; inherent in all things - this is what enabled him to survive a very difficult upbringing. Spirit is central to his core functioning.

A main thrust of his life has been on healing his wounds. As such, he has read psychology, seen many types of therapists, participated in support circles, worked toward preventing his own suicide, and delved deeply into the healing arts. He has his Third Degree Reiki certification, and is also certified in Sound & Colour Therapy and Essential Touch Aromatherapy. He loves the outdoors - nature is a significant part of his life and happiness. He aims toward greater self-subsistence: to live in greater harmony with Mother Earth.

He is happy to offer his ears and his heart.

Mary Lou Wallner is a "straight" Christ-follower, and totally GLBT supportive. My lesbian Christian daughter committed suicide 10 years ago.

After being totally NON-accepting of her, because at that time I was a fundamentalist, I went on a journey after her death, of reading everything I could get my hands on about homosexuality, praying and talking with people on both sides of the issue. The result has been a 180 degree transformation of our beliefs.

We now go to a wonderful church in North Little Rock, AR, and my husband and I are just 2 out of 4 people who are heterosexual. Everyone else is gay.

I've counseled many GLBT folks over the past 6 years. I am also a psychiatric RN and work at a private psychiatric hospital. I do a lot of speaking all over the country.

See my website, TEACH Ministries which we started in 2002.
TEACH is an acronym for To Educate About the Consequences of Homophobia.

Mary Lou's book, The Slow Miracle of Transformation is available from the ChristianGays.com Store. Click here to read about it.

Dak has been in three major occupational fields during the last 44 years of his life...the hospitality industry, the teaching profession, and the call to ordained ministry. Each area had its share of counseling with customers, employees, young people, and congregants of all ages.

He comes with a B.A. in Religion, a triple major in Instrumental, Choral, and Keyboard music, plus a major in History.

He taught for 20 years in the public school systems and 40 years in private practice.

He attained a Masters of Divinity degree from Central Baptist Theological Seminary in 2002, and has a 30 year span of "listening skills," including working with suicidal young people during the teaching years and in the hospitality industry.

Dak is a jack of all listening trades, probably a master of none, but...he loves people and wants only the best for them. A plethora of counseling courses has held him in good stead. Should you feel led to contact him, please feel free to do so. May God Bless!!!

Jan has had 63 yrs of education in the school of "life".

I suffer from bipolar illness so I understand depression from a very personal perspective. I grew up in what is known as a "holiness" denomination - basically that means I can be perfect if I truly love the Lord. One of the many things I have learned is that no one can be perfect, with or without the help of God. That is why Christ came to earth to suffer and die for my imperfections (sins).

I don't have any formal training in counselling, but have journeyed through "the valley of the shadow of death" and God was truly with me. I was married for 23 yrs and have children and grandchildren.

I can offer a loving and caring ear to your struggles and pain, and share my experience of coming out, and just living life.

Note from Mary: Jan ministers faithfully in the chat rooms most nights as jayme1943. She is my ex-wife, and I have such great confidence in Jan's counselling and ministering abilities, that I personally asked her if she would undertake this volunteer position. We are all blessed that she has agreed.

Rev Bruce Lowe is my dear friend and the author of A Letter To Louise - A Biblical Affirmation of Homosexuality.

He is a graduate of Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas (1936) and of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas (1946). He married Anna Marie in 1944; they have two sons and two grandsons. His ministry included the chaplaincy during World War II, pastorates in Louisiana, and teaching Bible at Louisiana College, Pineville. He left the ministry in 1966 and worked until retirement in the Office for Civil Rights of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Anna Marie Lowe is a graduate of Henderson State University in Arkadelphia (1946) and attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. She has been the church organist or pianist in churches and missions since she was eleven.

Bruce is straight but not narrow and is well-versed in issues of sexuality and Christianity. He is now formally retired, but still very much in God's service and anxious to lend council where necessary.

Ryan is 22 years old and has been blind for four years.

I came out to myself at the age of 15 and have been through the wringer with the denial and depression that goes with coming to terms with being gay.

I also have thought myself to be a "Christian reject", as I like to call it. I now have come to realize in those few years that I am not a reject and that God created me this way for a reason. So now I embrace life as a gay Christian.

I have dealt with drug and alcohol abuse with friends and family. I also love to listen to people and make them smile.

I would like to help the teenage GLBTIQ community to help give back to the people who helped me as a teenager. I would have become another statistic, had it not been for a few people, so I hope to save and help a few others from becoming statistics.

Allen was married for 15 years and has two great sons, ages 16 and 13.

I struggled with my decision to come out, but my hand was forced somewhat with the loss of my job five years ago due to my sexuality. I now live a much happier, more fulfilled life. I am very actively involved in my Catholic Church and serve as a Youth Leader in the LifeTeen Program.

I have a Bachelors degree in Psychology as well as a Specialist degree (above a masters and below a doctorate) in School Psychology. I worked for 9 years as a School Psychologist in the local school system.

Since 1990 I have facilitated groups for the Alcohol & Drug Abuse Council, Houma City Court, The Haven (A shelter for Domestic Violence Victims), Houma Family Violence Council, The Batterer's Intervention Program for Lafourche Parish and for Annunziata Tutoral Center.

I have been a Principal/School Administrator for an Alternative School for Expelled Students, a Program Director for a Mental Health Rehabilitation Program, a Therapist on an Adolescent Psychiatric Unit, a Manager of a Psychiatric Unit and the Admissions Coordinator of and Emergency Department.

In November of 2005 I earned my MBA in Health Care Mangement and I am now the Business Manager of Nursing Services of a Hospital.

I would be more than happy to work with you in your search for acceptance of self and dealing with your religous beliefs. Please feel free to contact me.

Rev Dr Jerry Maneker was born in 1940 in New York City. He is straight, married, and has 2 grown daughters, and is a retired professor of sociology at California State University, Chico, but still teaches two courses a semester.

Jerry believes that gay people are one of God's gifts to the Church and to secular society as well, and there is nothing in the Bible that condemns same-sex love!

"The false gospel of legalism and perfectionism seems to have overtaken much of the "Church" and its discriminatory attitude, and behavior toward LGBT people is a major example of that false gospel."

Jerry has a weekly column in the Sacramento Valley Mirror entitled, "Christianity and Society", and he also has two websites, Radical Christianity and A Christian Voice For Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, And Transgender Rights.

Cristi, who monitors our Bulletin Boards, has a Masters Degree in Counselling and has worked in the mental health system for about three years. She would like to talk/correspond with people who are looking for someone to talk to about glbt issues. God called her to the ministry several years ago (before she accepted the fact that she was gay) and she is beginning to realize that He wants her to use her gifts to help the community.

Jay is a 26 year old gay Christian, former youth pastor and church musician from Atlantic City, NJ. Since the age of 14, Jay has been involved with counseling adolescents on a formal and informal basis. He has been Dean of Boys/Men at numerous Christian camps and even has taught others the basics of counseling.

While at Philadelphia Biblical University, Jay majored in Social Work and Bible with a minor in Counseling. He worked for a crisis pregnancy center as a counselor for father's-to-be and teaching abstinence and STD information sessions to Jr. High and High School students.

Jay's passion has always been working with youth and bringing Jesus into their lives. Jay has given up formal full-time ministry until he finds a church which agrees with ChristianGays.Com's stand on homosexuality, but continues his personal ministries. Jay's forte is in young adult and teen-age issues, but is open to all people who just need an ear to listen.

Maria was born an intersexed (XX) CAH female (www.isna.org) to RC parents. I accepted Jesus at 12, was sure I was gay by 15, and fully accepted myself when I met my wife at 22. I became a widow when she died 3 years later.

I eventually found a home in the Quaker denomination. Currently 41, I have decades of study and acceptance under my belt :)

I would love to share my joy...... and share in your pain.

Russ is a 26 year old who has been through a lot in life, especially dealing with being gay and Christian.

At the age of 16, I received Reparative Therapy to change my sexuality. I was one of those who walked away saying I was "changed" at 18. The therapy and techniques, in combination with my self-hate, conformed to create a morbid past of drugs and partying that masked my denial.

After much loss and suffering I went to detox and rehabilitation. I was 22 yo when I accepted myself as a Child of God and homosexual. Then another two years of "life" experiences.

Two years ago I acknowledged Christ's love for me, for who I am, unconditionally. I know now that the love of God is available to anyone, with no conditions on their sexual preference.

Jack was widowed suddenly in 1998 and had made a conscious decision to journey alone, but four years ago, he met his soulmate. Together, they have five children and five grandchildren. They treat each day as a gift, doing the things they enjoy like travelling, volunteering, Ken's cross-stitch and Jack's latch-hook. Jack and Ken are both committed Christians and objectively approach the life of a same-sex couple, standing with those who feel they are disenfranchised.

Jack has a Diploma in Theology, has taken Psych courses and has years of life experience. He does not have professional credentials, but has taken courses in Clinical Pastoral Education and he continues to provide support for those whom he calls "wounded birds".

Jack has co-ordinated and presented several men's retreats and is anxious to be a listening ear.

Julie is not a licensed therapist, but does have a Master's degree in professional counseliing. She knows that God is tugging at her heart to use the gifts and training He has placed in her life in this area for Him. She doesn't claim to be an expert, but does lend a "good ear" and has some experience doing so.

As a University Professor for the last 36 years, and as moderator of "Husbands Out to their Wives", DJ has counselled many about relationship problems and marriage breakups.

He is not trained except by practice, and thus can only offer experiences of others, including his own, of coming out late in life with three grown children (two in right-wing religious positions). DJ would be willing to be an ear and an advisor.

Note: You will find more information about this delightful gentleman on the Personals-Men's page.  

Ray is a 45 yo from Raleigh, NC. He comes from a Pentecostal background. You can find out more about Ray at his Gospel Music website Ray Vester Ministries. Ray does not have any formal counselling training but will be glad to connect with any who need support.

An Article which may be helpful for our Counsellors is
Using Theory to Understand Gay and Lesbian Identity Development.