The first 48
Being raised a pastor's kid in VA and NC was interesting at best. We moved every few years, it seemed, and I attended four different schools from K to 9th grade, then was homeschooled. Purity culture, social isolation, suppressed emotions, joining a cult-like church after my father was no longer a minister, all add up to a hot mess. Sexuality was not discussed, and barely educated. Homosexuality was mentioned in church, along with drug addiction and other "sins". I don't think I recognized any gay folx until I was in my late teens, and those church members were definitely second class citizens right below women. Gay people were not allowed any sort of leadership in the church, and not allowed to work with children in any way. Because gays are perverts, right? (sarcasm!) So, this is how at 18 years old I gladly married a man seven years my senior. I'd graduated early from high school, attended a whole semester of bible college, and walked down the aisle in a whi