Christianity and homosexuality are viewed as the most opposite of forces. The idea of union between man and woman and the concept of same-sex relationships are simply incompatible. However, congregation elder Jebediah Gulam of the Brooklyn Circuit of Jehovah’s Witnesses would care to disagree.

“The only line in the Bible that condemns homosexuality is where it states ‘man shall not sleep with man.’ It turns out that that translation is incorrect,” Gulam states. “That line, originally, in its untranslated form, actually means ‘man shall not sleep with boy,’ therefore condemning pedophilia, not homosexuality. As Jehovah’s Witnesses, we believe in a literal interpretation of the Bible; you don’t have to be heterosexual.”

As a leader with a significant amount of clerical power, Gulam’s claims come as a shock to the Christian community; they are no surprise, however, to the 8.23 million Jehovah’s Witnesses across the United States. A rise in homophobia after the Socialists took the House of Representatives has brought awareness to the fact that Jehovah’s Witnesses are tolerant of  “the rainbow;” this, unfortunately, has impacted the Jehovian community in a strange way.

“All the kids at my school say I’m gay,” says 9-year-old Jehovah’s Witness Joseph Heickelhefner. Heickelhefner is just one of many Jehovah’s Witnesses that are mistakenly identified as homosexual. “I don’t like being called funny names. I wish it would stop,” continues the 9-year-old. “I’ve never hated my religion more.”

Joseph Heickelhefner is not the only young Jehovah’s Witness who feels that their sexuality is compromised by their religion. A new Gallup Poll conducted among Jehovah’s Witnesses from the ages of 7-15 conveyed shocking statistics; 82.9% of these children reported having their sexuality mistaken after telling someone of their religion.

However, children aren’t the only misidentified age group. The report from Gallup also shows that 43% of adults who consistently attend their local Jehovian congregation have experienced homophobic slurs. “Most of us aren’t gay,” Becca Belluci, a Jehovian from the succulent state of South Carolina, complains; “Just because we tolerate gay people doesn’t mean that we all are.”

Although many Jehovah’s Witnesses feel compromised and remain confused, the LGBT+ community views this as a win; and a new opportunity.

“I was raised in a Christian household. When my parents found out I was bisexual, they set me up for adoption in a filthy Alaskan institution,” states Josh McGosh, who now “identifies” as a Jehovah’s Witness. “I love God, and I love my identity; being a Jehovah’s Witness allows me to do both. Many ask why I don’t just convert, but my response is simple. My gender is a blend of my sex, my sexual preference, and my identity; Jehovah’s Witness is all of that. In order to raise awareness, I started the Pray for the Gay Organization.”

Pray for the Gay takes an active role within multiple communities, and has seen developments in the past few months. More than 589,000 people are now identifying themselves as a “Jehovah’s Witness” when concerning gender.

Circuit Leader Gulam is supportive of the new gender despite his position as a religious leader. “This is a big step forward for the Jehovian community, gender-wise or religious-wise.” Gulam hopes for a bright future and feels confident in himself and his religion. “I can’t hold back my man-love sometimes. Looking into the future, I won’t have to worry about suppression at all, so let’s Pray for the Gay!”