Bruce Lowe, author of “Letter to Louise,” dies

Rev. Bruce Lowe, the author of gay affirming “Letter to Louise,” and the recipient of the 2006 Cathedral of Hope OKC UCC “Hero of Hope” award, has died at 99, at his home in Dallas, Texas.

The letter, which affirmed LGBT persons, was the result of intense soul-searching and research after a friend shared with Lowe that her brother “hated God because God had made him gay,” and that he, and his sister, thought he would go to hell for it. It is notable, given the Southern Baptist Convention’s official attitude toward gay people, that the letter, more of an essay than simply a letter, is very gay affirming. It has been widely reproduced in the gay community to comfort gay Christians, and help them reconcile their faith with their sexual orientation.

In 2006, the Cathedral of Hope OKC, a United Church of Christ congregation, presented Rev. Lowe with its annual “Hero of Hope” award. Rev. Dr. Scott Jones, then the pastor of the Cathedral of Hope, remembered Rev. Lowe: “Bruce was a dear friend to the gay community. He helped many individuals reconcile their faith and their sexuality, and helped many parents learn to accept their gay children, including my own mother.”

Rev. Jones noted that, after the publication of the letter, Rev. Lowe spent much time in pastoral care of persons who wrote him with questions, or seeking help.

The text of the “Letter to Louise” is at: http://godmademegay.blogspot.com/

The Gayly – October 30, 2014 @ 12:25pm