Romanticism versus Gospel?

This video below is from almost exactly a year ago.

The Church of England was debating whether to adopt a report on marriage and sexuality that was heralded as a compromise between liberals and traditionalists and would set the direction for that church going forward.  The report was ultimately rejected by orthodox traditionalists (and probably some liberals too, who didn't think it went far enough toward their understanding of inclusion).

I share this because, while the speech is short, I think it gets right at the heart of why the sexuality debate has been and remains so passionate and rancorous.  We are encouraged in our culture, from a very early age, to see romantic and sexual fulfillment as the key to living "happily ever after", even as the very essence of our identity in this world.  People look at their sexual desires and say "this is who I am" and "don't I deserve to be happy?"  Those are potent convictions indeed.
This connection of happiness-identity-and romantic fulfillment is precisely why many who identify as LGBQTIA will continue to see the Church's rejection of certain sexual practices as a rejection of their lives, their value, their very selves.

The Christian Gospel is - on this score - irreducibly counter cultural.  As understood right down through the ages, the Gospel offers a counter message to the message of our culture, about who we are and where joy and authentic identity are found.
Saints and believers from many cultures, with many different sorts of desires, appetites, and addictions have attested that this counter message turns out to be liberating and life-giving in a way that romantic relationships never can be.  One example is Rev. Allberry, who personally experiences same-sex attraction, yet has found his new identity in Christ and the classical Christian faith.

I appreciate Rev. Allberry's courage in sharing his own testimony here: