This letter came from a Thomas Road participant. He is a professor at Liberty University. I thought this group would be happy to see this wonderful man's letter. I met him after my first Thomas Road partner left the table. He was sitting with Pastor Doug Donley - and this gentleman, whose name I will keep private, was telling us about the difficut time he has with his lesbian sister. i, of course, gave him more advice than a stranger should give, but that's me. :-)

I was glad to get your email.  I certainly remember you - meeting you was a high point of the event.  I was struck by the earnest way in which you reached out to those of us from the other side.  And I was grateful for the way in which you gave us the benefit of the doubt.  I was powerfully moved by your family's story, your interest in mine, and your counsel regarding where my sister is coming from.

"In my classes the next couple of days my students were very interested in what happened at the event and my reflections on it.  I indicated that I was impressed by the sacrifices your side had made to be a part of the event.  I had been a reluctant  participant.  You participated willingly.  I was scarcely inconvenienced (living less than a mile away).  You traveled great distance at great expense.  And I was impressed at the many tokens of friendship that you extended. 

Unless I'm mistaken, most of our people had to be impressed by these things.  I really felt that you wanted to get to know us, understand us, and build a bridge to us.  It's hard not to respond to that, and I think that many on our side felt a bond of friendship.  Naturally, our respective views on lifestyle haven't changed.  But, for my part, my views about the people who practice your lifestyle have.  You have a face, a story, and I relate to you as a person, not as "the opposition." So, I think that a lot was accomplished… Let’s stay in touch.