327: The 82 Percent #4: What if you found your family on the path of celibacy?
327: The 82 Percent #4: What if you found your family on the path of celibacy?
6Digest
Art Parara shares his personal journey of faith, sexuality, and chosen family. He describes his upbringing in Brazil, his family's immigration to the United States, and the challenges he faced as a gay teenager in a conservative Christian environment. Art's story explores the complexities of reconciling faith with same-sex attraction, the harmful effects of conversion therapy, and the importance of finding community and support. He emphasizes the concept of chosen family and how it has provided him with a sense of belonging and love. Art's story is a testament to the power of faith, the importance of self-acceptance, and the beauty of finding family in unexpected places.
Outlines
Introduction and Content Warning
This Chapter introduces the podcast "This is Actually Happening" and its focus on real experiences, often including traumatic events. It also provides a content warning for listeners and directs them to the show notes for more information about support services.
The 82% Series: Love and Family
This Chapter announces the continuation of the six-part mini-series "The 82% Modern Stories of Love and Family" and highlights a live event for the show on July 24th at Manys in San Francisco. It features collaborators from the Modern Family Institute and storytellers from the series.
Episode 4: Finding Family on the Path of Celibacy
This Chapter introduces the fourth episode of the 82% series, focusing on Art Parara's story of finding family on the path of celibacy. It explores the challenges of navigating faith, sexuality, and societal expectations.
Keywords
Celibacy
Celibacy is the state of abstaining from sexual activity. It can be chosen for religious, spiritual, or personal reasons. In the context of this podcast, Art Parara's celibacy is a conscious choice rooted in his faith and his desire to live a life that aligns with his beliefs about sexuality.
Chosen Family
Chosen family refers to a group of people who are not related by blood but who have chosen to be a part of each other's lives. It is often used to describe close-knit groups of friends, partners, or individuals who provide support, love, and a sense of belonging. In Art's story, his chosen family is a group of straight Christian friends who have provided him with unconditional love and acceptance.
Conversion Therapy
Conversion therapy is a discredited practice that aims to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. It is widely condemned by medical and mental health professionals as harmful and ineffective. Art's experience with conversion therapy highlights the damaging effects of this practice and the importance of self-acceptance.
LGBTQ Christians
LGBTQ Christians are individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer and who also identify as Christian. They face unique challenges in reconciling their faith with their sexual orientation or gender identity. Art's story is a powerful example of how LGBTQ Christians can find a place of belonging and acceptance within the church.
Modern Family Institute
The Modern Family Institute is a non-profit organization that promotes understanding and acceptance of diverse family structures. They work to challenge traditional notions of family and advocate for the rights of all families, regardless of their composition. The institute is a collaborator on the "The 82% Modern Stories of Love and Family" series.
Revoice
Revoice is a Christian ministry that supports LGBTQ Christians who follow a historic sexual ethic. They provide resources, community, and advocacy for LGBTQ Christians who are seeking to live out their faith in a way that is both authentic and faithful. Art Parara is the director of events and partnerships for Revoice.
Q&A
What challenges did Art face as a gay teenager in a conservative Christian environment?
Art faced significant challenges, including internalized homophobia, rejection from his family, and pressure to conform to traditional expectations. He also struggled with depression, self-harm, and the feeling of being isolated and misunderstood.
How did Art's experience with conversion therapy impact him?
Art's experience with conversion therapy was deeply damaging and left him feeling betrayed by the church and his parents. He felt pressured to deny his true self and experienced a sense of shame and isolation. He ultimately realized that conversion therapy was not effective and that he needed to embrace his authentic self.
What is the significance of chosen family in Art's story?
Chosen family is central to Art's story. It represents a source of unconditional love, acceptance, and support. His chosen family of straight Christian friends has provided him with a sense of belonging and has helped him navigate the complexities of his faith and sexuality.
How does Art reconcile his faith with his sexuality?
Art's journey of faith and sexuality is ongoing. He has come to believe that the Bible does not condemn being gay, but it does make clear commands around same-sex sexual activity. He has chosen to live a life of celibacy, which he believes is a path of spiritual integration and wholeness. He emphasizes that his choice is personal and that other LGBTQ Christians may choose different paths.
Show Notes
After immigrating from Brazil to the US, a man struggles with isolation, depression, faith and sexual orientation, when one day an awakening leads him on a path to celibacy and to a family he never thought he’d have.
Today’s episode featured Art Pereira. If you’d like to reach out to Art, you can email him at art@revoice.org or find him on Instagram @art_per. Art Pereira is the director of events and partnerships for Revoice, a Christian ministry that supports LGBTQ+ Christians who follow a historic sexual ethic. You can also find Revoice on Instagram @revoiceorg. Art currently lives in New Jersey with his best friend and numerous houseplants.
This episode is the fourth of our six-part miniseries called the 82 Percent: Modern stories of love and family, produced in collaboration with the Modern Family Institute @modernfamilyinstitute. If you’d like to find out more about the Modern Family Institute, donate to help advance their work, or get engaged, please visit their website, modernfamilyinstitute.org.
Listen to exclusive episodes of This is Actually Happening ad-free by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/this-is-actually-happening/ now.
Also, for tickets to our live This Is Actually Happening event to celebrate the series, go to www.welcometomannys.com/events and find “The Other 82%” or for a direct Eventbrite link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-other-82-living-and-loving-beyond-the-monogamous-nuclear-family-tickets-940666046467
Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits, Jason Blalock
Content/Trigger Warnings: self-harm, suicidal ideation, sexual themes, explicit language
Social Media:
Instagram: @actuallyhappening
Twitter: @TIAHPodcast
Website: thisisactuallyhappening.com
Website for Andrew Waits: andrdewwaits.com
Website for Jason Blalock: jasonblalock.com
Support the Show: Support The Show on Patreon: patreon.com/happening
Shop at the Store: The This Is Actually Happening online store is now officially open. Follow this link: thisisactuallyhappening.com/shop to access branded t-shirts, posters, stickers and more from the shop.
Transcripts: Full transcripts of each episode are now available on the website, thisisactuallyhappening.com
Intro Music: "Illabye" – Tipper
Music Bed: “Union Flow” – Spuntic
Services
If you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of trauma or mental illness, please refer to the following resources:
National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Text or Call 988
National Alliance on Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264
National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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