How I Became a Baha’i–Three Times! by Larry Hertel
submitted November, 2023
My first employment was at the Ronneburg Restaurant in Amana, Iowa starting in 1969 while in high school. I worked in the kitchen as a dishwasher and salad maker for 3.5 years. In January 1973 I became a waiter and worked in that position until I exited my restaurant employment in late 1978. A new waitress began employment in 1973. Her name was Gail Young and we became good friends. She was a Baha’i and introduced me to the Faith. I met Joanne Marion, a Baha’i from North Liberty, who gave me my first Baha’i book, The Reality of Man.
I declared my acceptance of Baha’u’llah as the current Manifestation of God in the fall of 1974, while living in Burge Hall as a student at the University of Iowa. I had the pleasure of meeting the following Iowa City Baha’is: Vaughn and Tammy Fletcher, Marty Schirn, Terry Ofner, Bill Rutenbeck, and Karen Webb.
I moved to Cedar Rapids in January 1975 and lived in an apartment with Bill Rutenbeck from Dewitt, Iowa. After Bill moved, Baha’i Todd Snell moved in. I was humbled to serve on the Cedar Rapids LSA with Willma Yourex, Edna Wilson, and Claudia and Hank Ryan, plus 4 others whose names I can’t remember. Edna’s bequest at her passing allowed for the Cedar Rapids Baha’i Center to be born by the purchase of the house wherein the Center is located. My stay in Cedar Rapids was short-lived. I left in May 1976, when I moved in with my parents and grandmother in South Amana.
Iowa City became my home for the second time in the Fall of 1976, when I moved into my college roommate’s apartment at age 23. I met Iowa City Baha’is Jon Michael and Carolyn Cavitt. I don’t remember serving on the LSA.
This move was life-changing as my apartment roommate was gay. I knew this from living in the dorm with him in the Fall of 1974. Finally I knew my own identity as a 23-year-old gay man.
I left the Faith in 1978 for 2 reasons: 1. I was not 100 % accepting Baha’u’llah as the most recent manifestation of God, due to my Christian upbringing. 2. I was more interested in participating and living in the Iowa City and Cedar Rapids gay subculture.
After my roommate’s University of Iowa graduation he moved to Chicago. I visited him about once a year and was introduced to the gay subculture there. I was surrounded by very effeminate men and found them fascinating, caring, and comical. I lived a gay lifestyle for many years in Iowa City.
Fast Forward: I lived in Coralville from 1990 to 2005, owning both a condominium and a home built to my specifications. I moved back into my childhood home in South Amana in 2005.
The Faith never left my mind during any of these time periods. In either 2010 or 2012 I asked to be reinstated and was. Due to severe health issues affecting my mental clarity at the time I once again disenrolled.
In the Fall of 2016 I asked myself, “What in heaven’s name have I done?” I contacted the Baha’i Center in Wilmette and explained my confused state of mind at my recent disenrollment and requested to be enrolled for the 3rd time. My utmost wish was granted. This was in October 2016.
Is it possible for a LGBTQ Baha’i to live the life? Unequivocally YES. It is my sincere wish to be a counselor for any Baha’i parents finding uncertainty in their approach to LGBTQ children as well as LGBTQ adults (Baha’is or seekers). Those with my background have much self-denial to accomplish and it can be done. I understand the Baha’i law on marriage and will always support that unequivocally.
My exposure to the LGBTQ community has been an incredible blessing. I have an extreme sensitivity for this community as well as for all marginalized in our global society.
I am indeed blessed beyond measure to be a part of the Iowa City and Cedar Rapids Baha’i Communities. Let me know if I can be of assistance to our Baha’i Community.