It would be one thing if I were just gay, but

I’m gay and Catholic.

It would be another thing if I were just Catholic, but

I’m Catholic and gay.

Not John Mulaney-style, “my parents are Catholic, but

I’m not.”

No.

Jesus was fully divine and fully human.

I am fully queer and fully Catholic.

And sometimes, it feels like having divorced parents.

Swapping pride flags for prayer cards

or liturgies for lip synchs, I

have to renounce one family to have access to the other.

I’m half-accepted on the condition that

I don’t mention the half of me

they’re pretending doesn’t exist. 

In fighting with each other, they

neglect the kids in the middle: me and

others like me, whose

interests have been sacrificed in the name

of pride, on the altar

of inequity. 

But if I am made in His image, it is not

for anyone to decide. That which God

has joined together, let no man 

separate. 

And if I hold a letter that lets me 

into the club, no one ought

to keep me at the gate.

After all, I am not half anything.