A girl whose mother is a lesbian has rallied against gay marriage after finding God.
After American woman Heather Barwick’s father walked out of her life when she was just a toddler, Barwick was raised by her mother and her female partner.
Hearing Barwick’s story, most people would assume her to be a women who supports the right of same sex people to get married.
But in a surprising twist, Barwick has recently come out as an opponent of marriage equality.
In a heartfelt letter, published by The Federalist, Barwick said the absence of her father was deeply damaging – and children should not be without parents of both sexes.
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“I’m writing to you because I’m letting myself out of the closet: I don’t support gay marriage. But it might not be for the reasons that you think. It’s not because you’re gay. I love you, so much. It’s because of the nature of the same-sex relationship itself,” she wrote in a letter published by The Federalist.
“Same-sex marriage and parenting withholds either a mother or father from a child while telling him or her that it doesn’t matter. That it’s all the same. But it’s not. A lot of us, a lot of your kids, are hurting. My father’s absence created a huge hole in me, and I ached every day for a dad. I loved my mum’s partner, but another mum could never have replaced the father I lost.”
Ms Barwick said she only realised the beauty of traditional marriage upon the birth of her own children.
She said she let go of the pain her father leaving caused after she “came to Christ” and “felt that burden lifted off me.”
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Ms Barwick is facing Twitter backlash for her comments, as many believe her position should not be focused on same sex relationships, but on the breakdown of her parents’ relationship.
Others are doubting her newfound Christianity.
However, others are praising Ms Barwick for expressing her views.
Ms Barwick also signed a letter supporting controversial fashion duo, Dolce and Gabbana, and their recent comments about IVF children.
Top Comments
In reading the comments below, I think people have missed the point a bit. Firstly, she is speaking her own truth. This is her experience. She is telling the feelings she has and conclusions that she has drawn about that experience.
Secondly, in Christianity, marriage holds a spiritual significance and imagery greater than just a legal transaction to formally recognise life partners. Gay relationships just don't fit in the Christian view of marriage. Of course there are professing Christians today who support gay marriage, but to do that they have to set aside all traditional Church and Biblical teaching on the subject. This does not mean that Christians despise gays - in fact Heather Barwick has gone to great pains to communicate this. It just means that gay relationships don't fit the Christian picture of marriage!
If you can't bear that, then you can't bear freedom of speech or freedom of religion. It's a slippery slope...
I can bear that gay marriage doesn't fit with SOME christian people's ideal of marriage. However, our laws are not based on the bible, or the religious beliefs of a few. I can't bear those Christians for whom gay marriage doesnt fit within their ideal, trying to deny marriage to gay people. Hve your beliefs, practice your religion, interpret your holy text as you see fit, but do not seek to deny someone equal rights to be able to LEGALLY marry the one they love.
Her argument is odd. Her lack of a father has nothing to do with gay marriage. It has to do with a father who abandoned her.
Likewise gay marriage does not necessarily lead to gay parenting.
It would make more sense if she was stridently opposed to divorce and absent parents. Attacking gay marriage has nothing to do with her upbringing and everything to do with her religious beliefs.