Towards a Welcoming and Inclusive Church
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Embodying Our Faith
MSNBC Keith Olbermann on Prop 8, Marriage and more!
MSNBC Keith Olbermann comments on Calif. Prop 8, gay rights, marriage, love and more.
Faith in Action
Remember: Faith communities can save transgender lives
The Transgender Day of Remembrance (November 20, 2008) is set aside to remember those lost to anti-transgender violence in the last year. Much of this violence is fueled by a sentiment that it is tacitly and explicitly reinforced by narrow understandings of gender, as well as outright transphobia and homophobia expressed in the name of a Christian God. Too many of us have not only heard "God condemns you" -- but also "It would be better if you were dead."
It is a profound and important step for every faith community to join in a resounding chorus that condemns all forms of violence against people who are differently gendered.
- By vocally condemning anti-trans bullying, harassment, and hate crimes, we begin to chip away at the self-righteous fuel that feeds those who believe they are doing God's will by punishing the differently gendered.
- By loudly proclaiming that people of all genders are beloved, we begin to address the rampant rate of depression and suicide among transgender youth and adults that so to often encouraged by religious judgment.
- By reaching out in love to the transgender community, we begin to undermine the isolation and low self-esteem that can undergird substance abuse and high-risk behaviors (which inform high rates of HIV and AIDS).
Beyond the hate and judgment, trans people's lives are at risk because we so often struggle to meet our most fundamental needs such as safe employment and basic health care. Faith communities need to be out in front of such justice issues as well.
So, this year, let us (re)commit ourselves to the work of speaking up and speaking out, to the work of educating ourselves and educating others, to the work of reaching out in love.
Chris Paige
Publisher, TransFaith Online
Followup reading:
TransFaith Online is dedicated to supporting transgender folks in our faith journeys, while providing useful resources to help people of faith become better educated trans-allies.
Lutherans dismayed by the disciplining of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Canada
Lutherans Concerned / North America is dismayed and disappointed by the disciplinary action against a congregation in Canada that ordained an openly gay man who is legally married to his partner.
On November 15, 2008, Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Newmarket, Ontario, was informed it was suspended by the Bishop and Synod Council of the Eastern Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC), based on the May 2008 call and ordination of Rev Lionel Ketola as Associate Pastor and Ambassador of Reconciliation. The May events violated the ELCIC policy not to ordain or call an LGBT person who is "self-proclaimed," that is, open and public about his or her sexual orientation. Rev Lionel Ketola is open about his orientation and his marriage to Stephen. Same-gender marriages are legal in Canada, but are not recognized by the ELCIC.
Pastor Dawn Hutchings, pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran, said, "While we all knew that such a judgment was possible, it still hurts. To be suspended by our church for doing what we have felt called to do for the sake of the Gospel, is painful. Our sadness is tempered by the knowledge that we have acted together as a congregation and together we will continue to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we respond to the Eastern Synod's failure to live up to its professed desire to be a church "In Mission for Others." We will do all that we can to encourage, help, and challenge our Bishop and Synod Council to live up to their "expressed desire to responsibly work toward changing policies that preclude the full participation of all God's people in our ecclesial life." As faithful members of the ELCIC we shall continue to work and pray for the day when all God's children enjoy the freedom of equal opportunity in God's holy church."
Read more from Lutherans Concerned / North America...
Read more from Holy Cross Lutheran Church...
Bishop Gene Robinson to Participate in a Transgender Panel Discussion
The RT. Rev. V. Gene Robinson who has been recently referred to as President Elect "Obama's go to God guy" will attend a "Transgender Conversation" with the advocacy group; Dallas Transgender Advocates, and Allies (DTAA), in order to share his wisdom, faith and to learn about the transgender struggle for equality. This will be Bishop Robinson's first experience sitting down with a panel to discuss transgender issues.
Bishop Robinson will discuss issues affecting the transgender community, including social acceptance and religion. It is expected that he will share some of what he has learned from his experience as an outsider to the recent Lambeth Conference within the Anglican Church, which he was not invited to attend. His appearance in the Dallas area is especially significant due to the upcoming vote within the nearby Diocese of Fort Worth to possibly secede from the Episcopal Church. The reason for seceding has been tied to the Episcopal Church's stance on homosexuality among other things. This vote will occur only one week prior to the panel discussion.
The hosting panel, Dallas Transgender and Allies is a transgender advocacy group comprised of a nationwide network of advocates diverse in ethnic, social, educational, economic, religions, gender identities, sexual orientations, political views and methods of advocacy. Their goal is to unite the Transgender, Questioning, Intersexed, Asexual, and Queer communities. This is accomplished through a realization of potential in people's soul and spirit, united in the cause of social, legal and religious equality.
Sheraton Dallas Hotel
Seminar Theater
400 North Olive Street, Dallas, Texas 75201
Map and directions
November 22, 2008
1:00 until 2:00pm
Panel question and answer
Pastoral Letter following the 2008 Elections
Emily Eastwood
Executive Director, Reconciling in Christ
I suspect no matter how we voted many of us will long remember where we were when the results of the 2008 presidential election were announced. I was in frosty Anchorage having dinner with Regional Coordinators, Paul and Karen Jolly and our synod liaison for the Alaska Synod when those nearer the TV let out a cheer worthy of winning the Super Bowl. Envoy Paul returned from a fact finding mission to report that Barack Obama had indeed been elected the President of the United States of America. It was an intense historic moment and a crowd response I did not expect, especially in Alaska.
The next night Karen, Paul and I were in Olympia, Washington, having met with members of a prospective RIC congregation. Synod liaisons for the Southwest Washington Synod joined us for a bite at a local fast food joint. There was a young African-American man in the restaurant boasting an oversized Obama t-shirt declaring victory. He talked excitedly on his cell phone while he pulled at the picture covering his chest. As we congratulated him, his broad smile told a story well beyond the election of a president. I can only imagine his joy, his validation, his new understanding of the meaning and possibility of equality, his swelling pride. I rejoiced for him, for all people of color, and indeed for all of us.
Read more...DignityUSA Responds to Passage
of Anti-Marriage Equality Ballot Initiatives
Last week's passage of Arizona's Proposition 102, Proposition 8 in California, and Proposition 2 in Florida amending these states' constitutions to prevent same-gender marriage was profoundly disappointing to all who believe in fairness and equality. However, I firmly believe that this represents a temporary setback in the ongoing work to ensure justice for all families, and want to point to some of the signs of hope which can serve as building blocks for future successes.
Particularly in California, DignityUSA and local Chapter leaders helped to build a coalition of Catholics who support marriage equality that included representatives from a number of organizations, as well as parents and friends of GLBT people. This group help press conferences, circulated a sign-on statement, confronted priests and bishops who distributed anti-equality material, and volunteered their time and money to No On 8 efforts. The Field Survey taken just prior to the election showed that 48% of California Catholics opposed Proposition 8, with only 44% in favor. Our California Chapters celebrated civil marriages for dozens of couples, and established wonderful guidelines for couples considering getting married at Dignity. In Florida, local leaders were very active in No On 2 efforts, as well as in national efforts to mobilize non-gay Catholics who support marriage equality.
Sodomy and civil rights
David R. Weiss, November 7, 2008
This country has a sodomy problem. And until we have the wisdom and the courage to be honest about what that means we’re not going to resolve the question of civil rights for homosexuals. We need to be clear about why sodomy is such a threat to the common good of civil society, why it undermines the family, and why it is such an evil when afoot in faith communities. It’s not going to be easy. But it needs to be done.
The word “sodomy” comes from a biblical text (Genesis 19) where the ancient city of Sodom is marked out for divine destruction because its evil ways so angered God. Sodomy names those who act like the inhabitants of Sodom.
Fine. But listen carefully. Not in this text—nor in any other biblical text—is there a condemnation of committed same-sex relationships. Not one. Not anywhere. There are a small handful of texts that condemn same-sex prostitution in pagan temples, and perhaps military rape and pederasty. But nowhere in the Bible is there a single word that condemns committed same-sex relationships.
David Weiss is a theologian and author of To the Tune of a Welcoming God (2008). He lives with his wife and children in St. Paul, MN.
Schwarzenegger tells backers of gay marriage: Don't give up
The governor expresses hope that Proposition 8 would be overturned as protesters continued to march outside churches across California.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Sunday expressed hope that the California Supreme Court would overturn Proposition 8, the ballot initiative that outlawed same-sex marriage. He also predicted that the 18,000 gay and lesbian couples who have already wed would not see their marriages nullified by the initiative.
"It's unfortunate, obviously, but it's not the end," Schwarzenegger said in an interview Sunday on CNN. "I think that we will again maybe undo that, if the court is willing to do that, and then move forward from there and again lead in that area."
A Pastoral Letter:
To our same gender loving brothers and sisters, their families, friends and allies
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Grace to you and peace on this day after the General Election and in the days ahead.
We have come through an historic election and many of us were involved in important ways, working for the candidates and issues that we care about. Regardless of how one feels about the Presidential results, the votes on ballot measures addressing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender ( LGBT ) concerns were disappointing. While these ballot measures were only in a handful of states, the results affect us all. We write to express our solidarity, the assurance that we are not alone, acknowledge the significant progress made in spite of the results, and the good news of God's presence with us, especially as we seek to move forward from this place.
First and foremost, we praise God and lift up with deep gratitude all who gave so much to the cause of equality and justice in this election as volunteers or staff to campaigns, with donations and through their prayers. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Two Methodist women get 'extraordinary ordination'
Two women blocked from ordination as United Methodist ministers because one is a married lesbian and the other disagrees with church rules on gay rights received "extraordinary ordination" in Baltimore yesterday. Organizers said it was the first such action by dissenters hoping to change Methodist policies toward gays.
Neither woman will be eligible for assignments to lead Methodist churches under existing policies, but they both believe their new credentials will make them eligible for other jobs within the church, or as ministers in other denominations.
Connecticut Supreme Court Sides with Equality, Grants Equal Marriage!
HARTFORD, Conn. - Connecticut's Supreme Court ruled Friday that gay couples have the right to marry, making the state the third behind Massachusetts and California to legalize such unions. The ruling comes just weeks before Californians go to the polls on a historic gay-marriage ballot question, the first time the issue will be put before voters in a state where same-sex couples are legally wed.
The 4-3 ruling is the first time that a state that had willingly offered an alternative to marriage was told by a court that civil unions aren't enough to protect the rights of gay couples. Connecticut was the first state to voluntarily pass laws to affirm civil unions.
Upcoming Training Opportunities
- Washington, DC — Welcoming Church Leadership Training
November 14 - 16, 2008
Lutheran Church of the Reformation
Washington, DC - Tallahassee, FL, — Reconciling in Christ Training
March 19–22, 2009
Tallahassee, FL
Multi-Faith Work
2008 NRLR press conference in California supporting the freedom to marry
On Monday, Oct. 20, dozens of multi-faith leaders of the National Religious Leadership Roundtable, convened by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, gathered on the steps of San Francisco City Hall, where they sent a strong and unified call of support for the freedom to marry. They were joined by local faith leaders to amplify the message of treating all California citizens equally under the law.
During the press conference, it was also announced that 2,200 ordained clergy from more than 50 faith traditions and every state in the U.S. have endorsed the Open Letter to Religious Leaders on Marriage Equality, sponsored by the Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice, and Healing, as a call for recognition of civil and religious marriages for same-sex couples. Several media outlets covered the press conference; view some of the highlights below.
Coverage of the National Religious Leadership Roundtable press conference on the steps of San Francisco City Hall on Monday, October 20, 2008:
- Marry me - The San Francisco Chronicle
- Battle over Proposition 8 intensifies - ABC News
- All Eyes on California 's High-Stakes Gay Marriage Fight - Religion News Service
- Breaking News: CA Prop. 8 Opponents Speak to Central Voice - Central Voice
- Pastors urge rejection of anti-gay Calif. amendment - 365gay Newscenter
- The Battle Against Proposition 8 Heats Up - Out in Ashville
- Poll: Support for anti-gay marriage amendment widens - 365gay Newscenter
- More than 2,200 Faith Leaders Across Country Express Support in Open Letter
- Video: ABC Local
- Video: CBS 5
More information about the National Religious Leadership Roundtable
Additional Multi-Faith Groups
Liturgical Resource
A Place in God's Heart...
A Place at Christ's Table
Worship Resources for the
Welcoming Church Movement
New & Timely Resources
- Bulletproof Faith: A Spiritual Survival Guide for Gay and Lesbian Christians - This thoughtful, practical guide shows a way through the minefield of condemnation and persecution faced by gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Christians and helps foster a faith this is bulletproof – impervious to attacks, yet loving and savvy in its approach.
- To the Tune of a Welcoming God: Lyrical Reflections on Sexuality, Spirituality, and the Wideness of God's Welcome - explores the divisive questions of whether and how the church might welcome the GLBT Christians at its doorstep—and already in its pews.
- Heterosexism in Contemporary World Religion: Problem and Prospect - Homosexuality is not a problem; heterosexism is, and this problem is often supported by religious statements and practices against sexual minorities.
- Creating Safe Environments for LGBT Students: A Catholic Schools Perspective - A comprehensive training guidebook for educators who are committed to diversity and the full inclusion of LGBT students in every aspect of the Catholic high school experience.
- In the Eye of the Storm: Swept to the Center by God
- The God Box
- Out of the Extraordinary - a compilation album project to raise visibility of the issue of ordination of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer (GLBTQ) pastors and raise funds for scholarships and debt relief for the GLBTQ pastors that have chosen to be or have been forced outside of the ELCA roster of pastors.
- What Every 21st-Century Parent Needs to Know: Facing Today's Challenges with Wisdom and Heart
- Would Jesus Discriminate?: The 21st Century Question
- For the Bible Tells Me So - a film offering healing, clarity and understanding to anyone caught in the crosshairs of scripture and sexual identity. Now available on DVD! Purchase at 25% off through the Human Rights Campaign's Religion and Faith Program
The much anticipated For the Bible Tells Me So: A Study Guide and Advocacy Training Curriculum by Rev. Chris Glaser is now available through HRC's Religion and Faith Program online and free of charge.
Blogs
- Are You Guys Brothers?
Reflections on a long-term relationship by Brian McNaught - The Christian Agnostic
Candace Chellew-Hodge, founder/editor of Whosoever: An Online Magazine for GLBT Christians - A Christian Voice For Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Rights
Rev. Dr. Jerry S. Maneker - Crossing the T
Life at the intersection of Church and Trans with Rev. Allyson Robinson - Faith Matters
Community of Welcoming Congregations (Oregon & Washington) - Gay and Transgender Issues in the Workplace
By Brian McNaught - Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters
Author Alvin A. McEwen - An Inch at a Time: Reflections on the Journey
Integrity President Rev. Susan Russell - A Jihad for Love
by filmmaker Parvez Sharma - MoSAIC
Methodist Students for an All-Inclusive Church - Network of Spiritual Progressives
A project of the Tikkun Community - OutSpoken
National Gay & Lesbian Task Force - Peterson Toscano's A Musing
Musings of Peterson Toscano an ex-gay survivor. - Philocrites
Commentary by Chris Walton on Unitarian Universalism, liberal Christianity, American religion, and liberal culture - Religion, Faith, and Values
GLAAD Blog - Religion Is A Queer Thing
Rev. Tiffany Steinwert, pastor of Cambridge Welcoming Ministries - Sexuality and Religion: What's the Connection?
By minister and sexologist Rev. Debra Haffner - Two World Collision
Being Gay and Christian by Eric - Wake up and LIVE
Thoughts and musings of a lesbian Episcopalian, by Susan Gage - Walking With Integrity
The official blog of Integrity USA - The Wild Reed
Thoughts and reflections from a progressive, gay, Catholic perspective.
