Читать книгу The Courage to Be Queer - Jeff Hood - Страница 8

Like anything worth a shit, a great cloud of people worked together to help me produce The Courage to Be Queer. Some people knew they helped me, and some people helped by accident.

I must thank those who worked hard to keep me closeted my whole life. Those who told me to be silent, thank you for helping me to find the courage to speak. Those who told me to stop, thank you for teaching me that truth always marches on. Those who pushed me to go in a different direction, thank you for encouraging me to listen to the voice of God alone.

While it always sounds award-showish, I have to thank God. If the Queer had not knocked on the door of my closet, I never would have made it. God sent some angels who have helped me along the way. Frances taught me the fortitude of Jesus. Johnny taught me how to have courage like Jesus. Jackie taught me how to listen like Jesus. Charles taught me the compassion of Jesus. Steve taught me how to think like Jesus. Jim taught me how to love like Jesus. Duncan taught me the grace of Jesus. Tashi reinforced the pacifism of Jesus. Knowing that I have met God through them, I am beyond thankful for these queer Jesus impersonators.

One cannot make it in this life without friends. When most of my childhood and college friends abandoned me due to my increasingly queer activism and theology, Stephen and Kathleen were always there to cheer me on. Lanie continued to grow up with me. When I was at my lowest at the unbelievably normative Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Don came out to me and taught me to not be afraid anymore. When I got to Emory University and had few friends, Lucas befriended me and never let me go. Over the last few years, Dave filled the role of my comrade on the West Coast. Through it all, Tyler was and is there for the laughs.

Liz, Kathy, and Jason have read almost everything that I have written over the last few years. I am a better writer and theologian because they live. I am so grateful for each of their friendships. I promise to keep sending you stuff.

For the last two years, I have visited Will on Texas’ death row. Throughout our visits, I have learned what it looks like to embrace the queerness of life no matter the circumstance. During the same time, Broderick has also been a steady companion in a variety of settings, and I am thankful for his friendship.

Brandan taught me that evangelicalism still has room for some queers. Danny pushed me to sit at the table every once in a while. Kim and Trina consistently bless me with the strength of their wisdom and guidance. Glenna, Kyndra, and Andy are queers in action. Matt came back. Martin and Malcolm never leave me. Francisco, Mitchell, and Justin discussed the ideas of this project with me over and over. I am very grateful for each of their imprints on this project.

There are so many friends that I just don’t have the room to name. You know who you are, and you are loved.

Before I thank my family, I must thank Wipf & Stock for taking a chance on a crazy queer book like this. I also am thankful for the guidance and friendship of Christian in the submission of this project and the amazing editorial work of Alex. This book is because all of you are.

Families are always complicated. Though my paternal grandparents are dead and were very conservative in life, I inherited a tremendous legacy of faith. My maternal grandparents will never understand why I would publish such a book, but I could not have made it through school without their help. I will be forever grateful for the inheritances of faith and education from my grandparents.

For most of my life, my mom and I have struggled greatly. Regardless, I love her and she has always loved me. I would never have developed the insatiable thirst for knowledge that produced this book without her guidance. My dad taught me that people matter. In his regular giving of his life for people, Dad showed me what a real hero is. Since I held him for the first time, Justin Hood has been my best friend. I am thankful for my complicated family.

Words do not exist to describe how much I love Emily Jean Hood. Ours is the love beyond love. This is Emily’s book. Without Emily, I could have never written anything like this. Emily is my muse . . . the queerest woman I know.

Jeffrey Kyle Hood III, Phillip Ray Emory Hood, Quinley Mandela Dillard Hood, Oscar Lucas Campbell Hood, and Madeleine Jean Frances Hood, your daddy loves you more than the reach of the entire universe. I will forever fight for the space for you to be the queers that God has created you to be. This is your book for your future. Open the door!