| Pastor Charlene McLemore-Vogel |
| Charlene was raised in a Pentecostal oriented home by loving parents. Her father being a deacon and mother being a licensed minister, she and her brother were “groomed” for ministry. Charlene first realized her sexual orientation at an early age, but in an effort to please family and church, decided to marry. Her choice to marry was, of course, a minister. During her marriage, she and her husband evangelized and pastored in different parts of the country. After seven years and two (2) sons, they were divorced because alcohol, drugs, and abuse had taken over their lives. At this time, Charlene decided that if she were going to hell anyway, as the church had taught for her uncontrollable feelings toward the same sex, she would earn that right. Therefore, she lived her life in the ditch on the “other side”. Partying and sex became a way of life, her sons being the only stabilizing factor. BUT GOD!!! At the age of 43, God brought BJ into her life, first only to love and feel security. They both had given their hearts to God years before, but together decided they needed to dedicate their lives to Him. Now, “Bubbie”, as their five (5) grandchildren lovingly refer to her, and Charlene put God first, in their relationship of twenty (20) plus years, in their family life, in their church life, and in their everyday walk with Jesus. |
| Bubbie Vogel |
| Bubbie was born in Atlanta. Shortly after her birth her parents were divorced and she and her sister were separated until their early twenties, her father and sister in New York, BJ and her mother in Atlanta. BJ was sent to church on Sunday mornings where she learned about God through felt figures. At an early age, BJ realized her mother was gay and she experienced the “trauma” of transition from one lover to another coming and going. Experiencing both physical and emotional abuse, the main stabilizers in her childhood were her grandmother and a black woman hired by her mother, Eva. Eva was the one who showed her more love even though both taught her many things. Early on, after trying to be “straight”, BJ also realized her sexual orientation, but because of the times and taboo, this was never discussed even with her mother. Bubbie gave her heart to God at age twelve (12) and went on with God leading her life without her really realizing it. After trying college and the business world, God put BJ into nursing school. Because God led, she spent thirty-six (36) years on her “mission field”, Grady Hospital, Atlanta, learning from and teaching others. Her personl life consisted of relationships to which she was faithful. At the age of fifty-one (51) God’s miracle took place. BJ met Charlene and they became one. |
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