At a youth conference in early spring, one of the most popular sessions was entitled “Leading with Love: How do we accompany those with same-sex attraction?” The presenter, Fr. Daheim, works with an organization called Courage ministry. This apostolate includes Catholic men and women with same-sex attractions who live chaste lives in fellowship, truth and love. His session was so popular perhaps because many of our young people know gay boys or girls at school who struggle to be accepted on an equal basis with their peers. When a young person enters the teenage years, he/she begins to discover their sexual preference. It is not something they choose, but rather a natural inclination. Evolutionary biology observes that same-sex preference will always be a minority, ~4-6% of the overall population. This is because the species always tends towards self-propagation. The Biblical authors would have been unaware of these scientific truths. As Christians, we believe that each human being is made in God’s image. Therefore it makes no sense to treat anyone differently because of their sexual orientation, just as we don’t react differently to people with red hair, who are left-handed, or who have a birth defect. The Catechism says that people with homosexual tendencies “must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided.” (CCC 2358). These persons will, like all of us, be judged according to the same standards of self-giving love, faithfulness in their promises, and commitment to truth and sincerity. We should be relieved to know that God will be the Final Judge of all mankind, and that we only need to act with courage to love these brothers and sisters as Jesus Himself would love them. – – – Fr. Jim