Archbishop Desmond Tutu, an activist for Christ for the GLBT, Retires

“"Instead of growing old gracefully, at home with my family – reading and writing and praying and thinking – too much of my time has been spent at airports and in hotels" Desmond Tutu

"I am deeply, deeply distressed that in the face of the most horrendous problems — we’ve got poverty, we’ve got conflict and war, we’ve got HIV/AIDS — and what do we concentrate on? We concentrate on what you are doing in bed" World Social Forum, Nairobi ,Desmond Tutu, 14 Nov 2005.

"To penalize someone because of their sexual orientation is like what used to happen to us; to be penalized for something which we could do nothing (about) — our ethnicity, our race. I would find it quite unacceptable to condemn, persecute a minority that has already been persecuted," Desmond Tutu

"If God, as they say, is homophobic, I wouldn't worship that God." Desmond Tutu BBC Radio 4 Interview, 18 Nov 2007.

"we struggled against apartheid in South Africa, supported by people the world over, because black people were being blamed and made to suffer for something we could do nothing about; our very skins...It is the same with sexual orientation. It is a given."Sex, Love and Homophobia, Foreword, Amnesty International, 2004.

23 July 2010, Archbishop Desmond Tutu (former Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, South Africa) announced his plans for retirement from public life after his 79th birthday in October 7. He was the receipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 and used his religious and international standing against the Apartheid regime. Since the 70s, he was a strong opponent against the apartheid and called for peace and reconciliation.

Desmond Tutu was a controversial figure in the 70s and 80s, in that he was for economic boycott of his own country rather than the constructive engagement policy then championed by Ronald Reagan who advocated friendly persuation. This can be likened to gays not attending mainstream Christian Churches in Singapore who are against gay relationships and wanted to put gays in prisons. He did not advocate conversation with the South African apartheid regime just as much as many in the gay community do not see any mileage in having discussions with the Christian anti-gay groups. Why should the victim have to educate the trangressor.

Desmund Tutu was also against the violent tactics of the African National Congress and he denounced terrorism. He was a mediator to prevent South Africa going down the path of an all out racial war. He gave them hope in 1993 that one day "We are the rainbow people of God! We are unstoppable! Nobody can stop us on our march to victory! No one, no guns, nothing! Nothing will stop us, for we are moving to freedom! We are moving to freedom and nobody can stop us! For God is on our side!" In the same way, we are reminded that despite the persecution of the gay community by Christians, we are to love them and not to react in the same manner of hate and prejudice.

Desmond Tutu has been regarded as "South Africa's moral conscience", and the Voice of the voiceless. The Christian Right often condemns the gay rights movement as "activists" as if it is something bad, but all of us are called to be activists for Christ to call for justice where there is injustice and discrimination against the minorities, and to call for peace and reconciliation where there is hatred and wars. Where there is hunger and diseases, we are to feed the poor and carry their burdens as if we were serving Christ.

Perhaps the Christian Right was so comfortable with the status quo, and had become the very instrument of harm and injustice instead of proclaiming God's love, grace and mercy. We see Christian leaders frequenting Uganda and stirring up the pot to invoke the death penalty against gays not contented with just a life time prison. The Christian Right has indeed been aligned with the rich, powerful, and the privileged where any challenge is labelled as being an "activist"

We are that reminded that Paul was an activist who insisted on preaching the Word of Grace against the majority who had advocated the Law. He did not backed down, did not called for a "conversation", nor did he water down the truths of the Word of God. He is not compromise and was willing to use his reputation and status to further the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the gentiles.

There are very few Gay Christian Activists who are willing to speak out without compromise against the Christian Right. Few in positions of authority and influence would be willing to be outed and use their influence to support the GLBT community. It is difficult to be like Paul who was once respected religious leader, but because of God's Grace, became a renegade being persecuted and wanted by the very religious establishment he once represented. Are we willing to loose all, our comforts, reputation, wealth and authority so that others will know of the love of God for the GLBT community,

(John 13:34 NKJV) "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

(John 13:35 NKJV) "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

It is easy to compromise, even to advocate the very churches such as Hill Songs that had persecuted the GLBT community and had caused so much harm. The bible says in John 13:34,35, that Jesus gave us a new commandment to love one another just as Christ has loved us. Christ did not compromise to the very end, not with the religious authorities, the Roman rulers, the Jewish leaders, nor with the wealthy and the zealots. He stayed true to His own people and stood up for their rights and dignity. The love that Christ had for His people was shown in the unity of fellowship and loyalty. If we say we love the GLBT community as God loves, we cannot but stand against those who call for gays to be jailed or persecuted.

God is calling out those in the GLBT community of authority and influence to come out of the closet to set the way just as Desmond Tutu did, and what Paul would have done. If we loose our lives for a cause, let it be for the good and benefit of others that they may be free from bondage and live as free man no longer judged just because they were gays. It is a transformation from looking unto self to looking for the needs of others and the community that God has put us in. We will one day reach the Cross, laying down our lives for others because Christ first loved us.

The Archbishop Tutu was once deeply distressed by the situation in South Africa, by the sufferings of the people under Apartheid. Are we likewise, under deep distressed by our fellow GLBT community being persecuted and put to prison all over Asia. Do we feel the pain and sorrow suffered by GLBT Christians being under the religious condemnation by the churches? If we love, then we would learn to bear the burdens and sorrows of others. God is calling us to have a soft heart, to identify with the suffering minorities for Christ came down first to identify with us in our sorrows and sins.

The Archbishop followed Christ and his good race is now coming to an end, but he has made us proud and an example to follow after willing to do all, and become a voice for the voiceless. Open the eyes of our heart Lord, we want to see You. We want to see You lifting those so wounded, hurt and rejected by the churches, whose doors are closed to be GLBT community. Help us to see You Lord, that we may do the works and ministry of Christ to proclaim the Gospel to the GLBT community that God loves and accepts them unconditionally. We want to see You Lord. Open Our Eyes.