Cheryl Folland
Cheryl Folland currently lives on Vancouver Island where she studies creative writing at the local university. In 2011, Cheryl graduated with a bachelor in biblical studies and joined an overseas mission. She served with them for 3 years. Working from her experiences as an overseas missionary, a Bible teacher, and a young adult’s minister —Cheryl now acts as an advocate between the contemporary church and LGBTQ community. The three most important things in Cheryl’s life are faith, Friends and good coffee.
by Cheryl Folland
Just over a year ago, I came out as bisexual to those who know and love me. But for the sake of Christian connection, I put myself back in the closet in order to avoid hard conversations, criticism, isolation and the potential loss of relationship. It hurt. I started to lose myself. I became judgmental, defensive, angry, and isolated. All the things I’d been afraid of.
Friends and family tried to reach out to me, to be close with me. They called, texted, and emailed regularly. I shut them out. I kept telling myself, “They won’t understand” because I knew they couldn’t accept me—at least not the real me. What I was forgetting is that many of these people already love and accept me. Always have. Always will. What’s more, many of them suspected I was struggling with something bigger than my anxiety.