A Strong Response to Mohler's Gay Baby Solution

I have hesitated in addressing the latest homophobic spew wrapped in "Christianity" from Dr. Albert Mohler, the president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. In case you missed it, in brief Mohler recently wrote that if it was possible to determine in an unborn baby was homosexual and doctors were able to biologically change it that they should.

I have pledged to keep this blog positive and homophobe free as much as possible, so it was hard to work this in to that editorial approach.

That is, until I saw this open letter to Mohler written by The Reverend Elder Nancy L. Wilson, the Moderator of Metropolitan Community Churches. Rev. Wilson wrote:

The use of Scripture and faith perspectives to justify prejudice and hatred, and ultimately our extinction as a people, cannot be condoned by anyone who knows God's love and acceptance for all creation.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are not the result of sin or God's judgment. If some LGBT people struggle with our identities, it is not because our orientations are in any way inherently sinful.

My more than 35 years of affirming, supportive ministry to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people of faith reveal the underlying reasons why some LGBT people struggle with their own acceptance and identities:

-- It is because some of our brothers and sisters in Christ insist that we are an aberration, call for our virtual elimination from the human race, and advocate "unapologetic support" for "the use of any appropriate means" to change our God-given orientations.

-- And it is because too many faith leaders have used their positions of authority and their publicly acclaimed voices to fan the flames of homophobia, leaving some LGBT people singed with unnecessary shame and false guilt.

I thank God that the Scriptures offer the promise of a "more excellent way" (I Corinthian 12:31).

Can I get an amen for that!

Montel's Es-Gay Show and What Didn't Make the Air

Talk show host Montel Williams recently taped a show about the "ex-gay" movement, a program which aired Thursday. Appearing on the program was blogger, activist, and entertainer Peterson Toscano, who wrote about the process of putting the program together and what did not make the air.

According to Peterson, Montel came across strongly opposed to reparative therapy and also showed his frustration with the Bible being used to support it.

This was a very personal and emotional experience for Peterson, who is a survivor of ex-gay therapy. Both sides of this issue were represented, including the head of Exodus, Alan Chambers. The audience was also populated with an eclectic mix of people covering the spectrum of views on homosexuality.

I highly recommend taking a few minutes to read through Peterson's post and perhaps leave a comment supporting his efforts.

Anglican Bishop: Coming Out Is God's Work

The openly gay bishop of New Hampshire, Gene Robinson, has robustly defended his position.

While the worldwide Anglican community tries to figure out how to handle the American church, where gas bishops are being ordained and same-sex marriages are being blessed, Bishop Gene Robinson states his case:

"If you want to know my homosexual agenda, it's Jesus," Bishop Robinson said, according to crosswalk.com.

"I feel that this is a real extension of what I've been called to do in the gospels.

"And I would propose to you that peoples' coming out - gay and lesbian folk being honest about who they are, what their lives are, what their families are like, their desire to contribute to this culture, to serve in the military, to take their place as full citizens of this country - is God at work," he added.

This is a critically important message to share with the GLBT community, and God bless Bishop Robinson for doing it so decisively. Homosexuality is not a curse that narrow minded right-wingers like Albert Mohler want people to think. Just like heterosexuality, it is a gift from God and needs to be used for His glory.

Thanks to PageOneQ for the tip.

Announcing the 9th International Carnival of Pozitivities

Ron Hudson has organized his 9th International Carnival of Pozitivitities and Creampuff Revolution is hosting it.

The ICP provides a periodic forum for people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS. As the title indicates, these are intended to shed insight into the world of AIDS while sharing uplifting, positive stories about people's lives while they deal with this situation.

As someone who long ago rejected right-wing rhetoric that told us AIDS was God's punishment toward homosexuals, I am pleased to link to yet another wounderful, eclectic gathering of stories.

Soulforce Equality Ride 2007 Underway

This post from the Gay News Blog reports on the first two days of the 2007 Equality Ride. Predictably, the tour has already resulted in several arrests for acts of peaceful civil disobedience.

I strongly support the purpose of the ride. As was the case last year, they are traveling around the United States to primarily Christian colleges (32 visits are scheduled this year) to engage in dialogue and/or protest policies at these schools which are preceived to silence or discriminate against GLBT students.

I'm all for any group of people who are working to spread God's message of love and inclusion, and Christian institutions of higher learning seem like an excellent place to target.

However, I'm not comfortable with their particpants intentionally committing acts that lead to them being arrested. Is that necessacary? Better yet, would Jesus willingly break civil laws intending to be arrested?

It seems to me that there are plenty of ways to convey a message in today's society, without compromising the integrity of that message, that don't require laws to be broken. In that light, are people being arrested the most positive face to put on Christianity?

What do you think?

Is the GLBT Community Hung Up On the Word "Marriage"

From an article on The Advocate.com written by teenage contributor Tully Satre.

We are advocating for the wrong thing. We should be establishing the fundamental principles for same-sex couples that come in marriage contracts, not getting wrapped up in the word marriage itself. According to nationwide polls, American voters support granting marriage-like rights to same-sex couples. In Virginia, the majority of voters say they would support legislation that allows for these benefits for same-sex couples, as has been made apparent in this year’s general assembly session in Richmond. The issue of marriage is still a sensitive subject for our country. Are same-sex couples deserving of the rights and benefits granted to heterosexual couples in marriage? Yes. Are American voters supportive of same-sex marriage? No. Are American voters supportive of key benefits of marriage for same-sex couples? Yes. Yet, where do our priorities lie in the gay rights movement?

Well readers, what do you think about this? Should GLBT activists take a more pragmatic view like the one suggested in this piece or hold out for full equality in marriage including the word itself. There are a lot of folks in New Jersey who have these legal rights yet still feel cheated of full recognition for their unions. How much of the struggle for marriage equality is an emotional issue, and is there anything wrong with that?

From where I sit as a straight man, I don't see anything wrong with that at all.