I’m doing something newish today.

I’m going to share a script I wrote years ago. It is a work of fan fiction.

I really loved the movie “Juno”, which starred the former actress known as Ellen Page who now goes by Elliot Page.

Trust me, no one was more heartbroken than I that Ellen now goes by Elliot. I definitely suspected before she even came out as a lesbian, her chemistry with men was weak, but her acting skill was and still is so top tier it didn’t matter. But when she became a “he” and was vocal about their story… I was crushed. I definitely amped up on prayer for the actor.

Why am I using neutral pronouns here? I believe Elliot Page is biologically a woman. But I understand hating your own skin. I use gender-neutral pronouns with the transgender people I work with and I call them by their desired name, but just because I do this I don’t think I’m affirming transgenderism. This helps me build a rapport with the transgender community without compromising my faith. Gender when it comes to words is the interesting thing. In early languages, before English, words were assigned gender and masculine gender was assigned to a crowd of people, does that mean every woman and child in the crowd were technically men? No.

I’ll admit, I think I walk a fine line on this, but this method has given me the chance to share my testimony with a transgender person, and well, though there’s been no repentance in their life, we still respect each other (because yes, I still work with this person).

If you don’t know what “Juno” is about, a teen girl gets pregnant and decides to place her child in adoption. If I tell you more, I’ll spoil it. It’s written by Diablo Cody (that’s a stage name I think), and therefore, I’m not saying go out and watch this movie today, but I still own the movie. I don’t really watch it anymore, but my memories of the film make my heart swell. I enjoyed it a lot. If you read my fictional stories, I often have a pregnancy plot.

Jennifer Gardner and Michael Cera are also in this film along with some other great actors.

But after the movie came out on DVD and I watched it at home for the first time, I thought about the main character and wondered, what her life would have been like 25 years later after she placed her child in adoption. Would she still be with the father of her baby? Would she accomplish her dreams? Would she have more children and WHALA– my concept for “BEAN” was born.

I changed a lot. I made Juno my character Aquila (ironic I gave the character a male name from the Bible and the actress became a man). Aquila was biracial. She went on to have not five, but six more children. She stayed with the father of her first child. She came to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

So, if you like to read scripts, I’m letting you read it today, which is basically fan fiction. I don’t think this will ever become a film, but it was a lot of fun to write. Should I make it a novel? Maybe, it might be fun. I will warn you, this story is real Soap-Oprea-like, so think Korean-Drama meets teen-cult-classic?

If you don’t feel like reading the script, hopefully, you can hold onto this takeaway, be yourself around anyone part of the LBGTQIA+ community. Don’t jump to throw scripture at them. Get to know them, their likes and their dislikes, and see them as people. Pray to God and ask for the opportunity to speak into their life. Be mindful that yes, no is promised tomorrow, but also be mindful of the fact many in this community feel like outcasts, they feel rejected, they suffer from depression and anxiety, and low self-esteem. Believers can be gracious and kind without compromising faith. Whatever you do, just don’t respond in fear or ignorance toward anyone in this community.

And if you haven’t, get your “I Identify As…” and/or “My Orientation Is…” Tees today! [If you think Bean should be a novel, comment below.]