I'm a Groomer by the Reverend Michael Piazza

I'm a Groomer
by the Reverend Michael Piazza

Put me down as a groomer. No, I haven’t taken up shearing people’s pets; I mean the kind of groomer who strikes fear in the hearts of conservatives these days.

They have resurrected the old fear that homosexuals and others who deviate from their norms are recruiting children and "grooming" them to follow in our nefarious ways. Well, it’s true, at least for me:

I am recruiting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer children to save them from abuse and neglect. In particular, I want to save them from the abuse of being told they are not perfect just as they are. I intend to groom them into peace by assuring them, with all that is within me, that God loves them, always has, always will.
I am recruiting transgender and non-binary children who are made emotionally, spiritually, and, all too often, physically homeless by fear and baseless fearmongering. Come with me. I’ll keep you warm and safe until you can do it for yourself. All I ask in return is you someday will do the same for another.
And yes, I’m recruiting them to be champions for justice, working to make the world a better place, a safer place for all God’s children. I’m recruiting them to have human and humane values so they leave life better than they found it.

The truth is this grooming mania is a political machination to stir up their base and raise money. It is such a thinly veiled ruse I am stunned conservative voters can’t see how they are being manipulated. Their own children, grandchildren, nieces, and neighbors are paying the price. They apparently can’t see it, so maybe you can join me in pointing it out and also confess to being a groomer.

Blessings,
Rev Michael Piazza

Rev. Piazza is a nationally-known author, activist, and church growth consultant.
He is the founder and president of Agile Church Consulting and the senior pastor of Broadway United Church of Christ on Manhattan's Upper West Side

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