This week I lost my dear friend in Christ, Dave Moreton. I met Dave at a point in my life where I needed to work through truly reconciling my faith with my sexuality. I was gay, I never chose it and I never seemed to be able to get free from it nor did the God of my formative years seem willing and able to ‘sort me out’. Dave was recommended to me by my then college principal to help me find wholeness and healing from the shame toxic theology had put upon me. Meeting Dave was life giving, he always got to the point, helped you locate the source of shame in your life and gave you permission to rant, rave and work through it! I have thrown off shame and I see my gay identity as a beautiful gift to be owned and celebrated, yes through Dave I’ve tasted the living waters and received the abundance of life he always spoke off! Not only did Dave journey with me but he became like a best friend, we called him the hospitality queen because his house and heart was always open for others. He strived tirelessly to help the church become fully inclusive and he also stood in solidarity with people like me who needed to work through the horrors of conversion therapy and learn to reclaim and be proud of our true identities. Dave, I am who I am because of you and tonight I’ll be having a Moreton measure of G&T in memory of your heroic stand for our queer community ❤️❤️🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🙏🏻