Why I Joined MFSA
by Bill Watts
My MFSA story started in 1995.
Even though I’m an optimist by nature, I was scared to death for my daughter Andrea twice in her life. Once when she had spinal meningitis, and once when she came out to us. Her meningitis was treated with good medicine, skilled doctors in white lab coats, and a heavy dose of parental love. But when we were faced with her coming out, I had to ask: Where was the good theology? Where were the spiritual leaders?
At first, I told her it was a sin. She remembers those words. And now, with the weight of hindsight, I understand how deeply they must have hurt. But I took them back quickly. I was her papa. I had driven her to Sunday School, youth group, the Conference Council of Youth Ministries, and Lakeside Institute. I had cheered her on at what felt like a thousand track and cross-country meets. GO ANDREA! She won nearly every award her high school had to offer. I knew she didn’t choose to be different or wrong—because she wasn’t.
My love for her—as her father—overcame the harmful theology I had grown up with. Joy, my wife, dug into the theology and sought out support—we’ve got the library to prove it! As for me, I was just always there for my sweetie. But I still feared for her. What would people think? Would she be safe? We were warned that gay men are often targeted with physical harm, and that queer women face sexual violence too. The world didn’t feel safe. Why would we tell anyone?
In college, Andrea taped a sign to her wall that read:
DON’T LET THE PEOPLE WHO DWELL IN FEAR AND HATE GOVERN HOW YOU LIVE.
She was braver than we were. And we began to realize: silence was not love.
If it weren’t for Methodist Federation for Social Action, and other progressive United Methodist organizations like Reconciling Ministries and congregations that welcome fully and freely, we wouldn’t have been able to stay in the United Methodist Church. But in those spaces, we could breathe again. We could feel God’s goodness again.
So today, I’m still here—to continue that love, to help change the church, our state, the nation, and the world. MFSA gives me hope. It connects me to a long and proud history of faithful justice-seekers. It lifts up spiritual leaders who challenge injustice, promote inclusive theology, and offer educational opportunities for all. MFSA advocates for civil rights, addresses inequality in healthcare and poverty, and continues to push our church and world toward justice.
Being part of MFSA means I’m not standing alone. Together, we raise our voices, challenge injustice, and live out our faith with courage. I’m proud to be part of this community.
Bill Watts (he/him/his) is a longtime MFSA supporter and former board member who has served in leadership roles with the East Ohio chapter for over a decade. He’s also been active in Reconciling Ministries and volunteered at the last three General Conferences with the Love Your Neighbor Coalition. Bill retired from Goodyear after a 48-year career that took him to 53 countries as a Rubber Mixing Technology Specialist. He now coordinates a regional eyeglass recycling center and continues to advocate for LGBTQIA+ inclusion, racial justice, immigration reform, and equity for all.