Straight Not Narrow-Presenting Jesus Beyond the Walls: 8/9/09

August 15, 2009

Encouraging Words 8/15/09-We Will Stand

I listened to this song a few days ago, and I was overwhelmed when I really paid attention to the lyrics which are posted below.

Sometimes it's hard for me to understand
Why we pull away from each other so easily,
Even though we're all walking the same road
Yet we build dividing walls between
Our brothers and ourselves.
But I, I don't care what label you may wear
If you believe in Jesus you belong with me.
The bond we share is all I care to see
And we'll change the world forever
If you will join with me,
Join and sing, sing,

You're my brother, you're my sister,
So take me by the hand
Together we will work until He comes.
There's no foe that can defeat us
When we're walking side by side.
So long as there is love,
We will stand.

The day will come when we will be as one,
And with a mighty voice together
we will proclaim that Jesus
Jesus is King.
It will echo through the earth;
It will shake the nations,
And the world will see,
See that you're my brother, you're my sister
So take me by the hand
Together we will work until He comes.
There's no foe that can defeat us
When we're walking side by side.
So long as there is love,
We will stand.

Take me by the hand,
Join with me.
Join and see - yeah.
You're my brother, you're my sister,
So take me by the hand.
Together we will work until He comes.
There's no foe that can defeat us
When we're walking side by side.
As long as there is love,
We will stand

My straight brothers and sisters, just think how strong our church, our faith could be if we reached across and took the hand of our GLBT brothers and sisters, not looking to condemn them because they are different than we are, but instead joining together with them to spread the Good News, the Gospel of Jesus that can save us all, straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender!

My LGBT brothers and sisters, think how much better all of our lives would be if, when those hands are stretched out toward you, that you grasped them and lifted them up in the air to praise the God who made all of us, and who loves each and every person so much that he sent His son to die so that we could ALL have eternal life!

We need to stand together because otherwise we can fall apart.

Now enjoy Avalon performing "We Will Stand," and for those of you who will worship tomorrow, either at your church or virtually with us on this site, I encourage you to keep this song in mind and ask the Lord what you can do to make it a reality in your life, in that of your church, and in our severely fractured society.

Encouraging Music 8/15/09-Fingerprints of God by Steven Curtis Chapman

Bill Clinton on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and DOMA

Bill Clinton was in the process of giving the keynote speech at the Netroots Nation conference when he was interrupted by blogger/activist Lane Hudson, who challenged Clinton to explain why he signed off on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

You can see his response on the video below. I think he actaully gave a pretty good explanation myself, what do you think?

Thanks to Towleroad for the link. They also have a transcript of the former president's remarks here.

Can we pray for you? E-mail straight_notnarrow@yahoo.com

August 14, 2009

Encouragining Words 8/14/09: Stereotypes About GLBT Spirituality Are Wrong

That's the conclusion George Barna, one of the most prominent religion pollsters, came to after a recent survey of 9,000 gay, lesbian, and bisexual Americans. From the blog "Politics Daily:"

As America's leading Christian denominations are once again feuding and splitting over whether they should allow gays and lesbians to marry, or ordain them as clergy, is it a miracle there are any gay Christians? Given Christianity's history of exclusion and often outright homophobia, and the current bloodletting over their role, why do homosexuals bother staying, not to mention believing?

They do both in numbers that might surprise you: A new survey of 9,000 gay, lesbian, and bisexual Americans from George Barna, a well-known evangelical pollster, showed that 70 percent of gay adults describe themselves as Christian and 60 percent say their faith is "very important" in their lives. Granted, those figures are lower than the population as a whole, which register 85 and 70 percent on those rankings, respectively. But Barna, himself a Bible-believing, born-again Christian, points out that the numbers demonstrate that "popular stereotypes about the spiritual life of gays and lesbians are simply wrong."

"People who portray gay adults as godless, hedonistic, Christian bashers are not working with the facts," Barna said. "A substantial majority of gays cite their faith as a central facet of their life, consider themselves to be Christian, and claim to have some type of meaningful personal commitment to Jesus Christ active in their life today."

Homosexuals who have come to terms with their sexuality also tend to be active in church, and especially in lobbying to change church policies on homosexuality, for the same reasons they are involved in these causes in the secular sphere: because they want Christianity, and America, to live up to their stated beliefs.

"I am deeply invested in the United States, as a country, living up to its constitutional ideals, and the vision of democracy we espouse is deeply moving to me," said the Rev. Rebecca Voelkel, a lesbian and United Church of Christ pastor, who leads faith outreach efforts for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. "Likewise, part of my DNA is as a Christian, as a member of the United Church of Christ. The vision of what the church stands for and espouses really is my identity." (Voelkel notes that many of the toughest skeptics come from within the LGBT community, which understandably equates organized religion to organized opposition to its agenda and its very identity.)

On the other hand, Christianity has throughout its history faced crises over whom to include and how to include them -- from the disputes among the apostles over welcoming gentile believers, to the split in the Reformation, to divides over race and roles for women. "Each one is in my mind an opportunity for the church as a whole to make the decision: Are we going to choose extravagant welcome and hospitality and justice as that which guides us as a community? Or are we going to choose fear and inhospitality?" said Rebecca Voelkel. "Over and over again, when the church chooses extravagant welcome and hospitality, it makes itself stronger and truer to its core Gospel."

Besides, as the orthodox George Barna noted in his survey, while most homosexual Christians have rejected elements of traditional church teaching in order to remain in the fold, they do so "to nearly the same degree that the heterosexual Christian population has rejected those same teachings and principles."

"Although there are clearly some substantial differences in the religious beliefs and practices of the straight and gay populations," Barna concludes, "there may be less of a spiritual gap between straights and gays than many Americans would assume."

There is much more in the article, including a look at the debates within several of the major religions denomination. Click here to check it out.

Encouraging Music 8/14/09-How Great Thou Art by Elvis Presley

Should the LGBT Community Trust Obama?

Joe Solomonese, the president of the Human Rights Campaign, trusts Obama. Solomonese explained why you trust both him and Obama in an interview with religion writer Dan Gilgoff for the U. S. News & World Report:

Q: President Obama hasn't moved on promises to overturn "don't ask, don't tell" or the Defense of Marriage Act. Has he fulfilled his pledge to be a "fierce advocate for gay and lesbian Americans"?
A: There have certainly been some glaring moments of insensitivity. The choice of Rick Warren, the language in the administration's court briefing defending DOMA—that has been incredibly disappointing. Having said that, this administration has worked side by side with us to get the hate crimes bill on his desk. They are laying groundwork on everything from expanding the federal government's nondiscrimination policy to cover transgender employees to ending the ban on HIV-positive people coming into the country.

Q: How confident are you that Obama will overturn don't ask, don't tell?
A: I'm certain. The president has made the commitment, and people working for the president that we work with have made the commitment. I have no doubt it will be overturned.

Q: So you think LGBT complaints of White House foot-dragging are unfair?
A: I don't see them dragging their feet. But where the LGBT community is feeling frustration is that the road map and timetable have not been made as clear to them. Sometimes there is simply the need for reassurance from the president. I've seen a great deal less frustration since the president spoke on June 29 [the Stonewall anniversary] and recommitted to [our] issues. And the president signed the memo expanding the nondiscrimination policy for federal employees and calling on Congress to give him a bill extending healthcare benefits to domestic partners. It's probably as frustrating to him and his administration that things are not moving as quickly as we would like.

Q: How do you respond to gay activists who say you're carrying the president's water?
A: With a community as diverse as the LGBT community, there is little one can do that isn't going to be met with criticism from somebody. A lot of that has to do with frustration of being woefully behind in securing a fundamental set of benefits and a fundamental sense of equality. But I also have a very clear road map and a plan of how this is going to get done.

Q: What do you think of the tactic of some gay activists who out purportedly gay politicians who are working against gay causes?
A: Any closeted gay person who votes against the interests of gay people and is outed because of it is getting what they deserve. My only concern is that sometimes the sensational aspect of outing somebody gets us to lose sight of just what it is that was so bad about them. And they get drummed out of office and are replaced by somebody who is just as bad.

Click here to read much more in the rest of the interview.

August 13, 2009

Encouraging Words 8/13/09-Faith is a Relationship With God, Not a Religion

That's the takeaway from this essay written by straight ally Rev. Jerry S. Maneker, who was also one of the first people to give me encouragement when we started this blog, on the Whosoever online magazine. Here's an excerpt:

It must be emphasized that there is literally a world of difference between having a relationship with God and one's adherence to the construction of man-made religion! A relationship with God defines love and compassion as its essence, and when legalism and perfectionism enter the framework and dialogue of religiosity we can be sure that "religion" has trumped any "relationship with God" that that person may or may not have had.

Just because a person is a member of the clergy, or is a professing Christian lay person, doesn't necessarily mean that he or she has a relationship with God! We can safely say that he or she might be "religious," but that might well be far different from his/her having a relationship with God!

For example, many people have a relationship with God through one or more of the Church's sacraments, and that is authentic and meaningful for them; there is absolutely nothing wrong with having the sacraments be a vehicle or a vessel upon which to base and reinforce that relationship.

Others may have a relationship with God that is experiential apart from sacramental worship, and that, too, is authentic and meaningful for them; there is absolutely nothing wrong with having that experience or series of experiences be ones upon which to base and reinforce that relationship.

In other words, in Christianity, as in life, one size doesn't fit all!

However, regardless of the dynamics of one's relationship with Christ, Christianity is based solely on the Person of Christ!

I know many of you reading this have received condemnation from religious figures, but it is critical to understand that their authority is only within the four walls of their particular church and NOT in the kingdom of God. The Lord is the only one who has the right and power to condemn us, and as long as we have accepted him as our savior (if you don't know what that means, click on our "Who Needs a Savior" feature in the top right hand column of this blog) we are saved--he promised that in John 3:16 (NIV)

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

No exceptions, no qualifications, WHOSOEVER (that mens you) believes in him will have eternal life.

Click here to read more of Rev. Maneker's essay.

Can we pray for you? E-mail straight_notnarrow@yahoo.com

Encouraging Music 8/13/09-Held by Natalie Grant

Focus on the Family Outsources "Ex-Gay" Work to Exodus

From the Washington Blade:

Facing a $6 million budget shortfall, Focus on the Family is shifting control of its Love Won Out conference to an outside organization.

Exodus International, a group that claims people can overcome unwanted same-sex attractions with the help of its ministry, announced Tuesday it will take control of the program starting in November.

“Exodus is the ideal organization to transition Love Won Out to,” said Melissa Fryrear, director of Love Won Out. She noted that Focus on the Family and Exodus have been closely aligned for years.

That move comes at this time in part, Fryrear said, because Focus on the Family’s income is down $6 million from what was expected for this year.
The shortfall was recently cited in an e-mail appeal to donors.

Alan Chambers, director of Exodus, said his group is financially equipped to take over Love Won Out, but the move was in the making for years. Focus on the Family planned to provide financial support by providing speakers and marketing assistance.

Wayne Besen, a gay activist whose organization, Truth Wins Out, decries so-called “ex-gay” therapy, said he was not surprised at the development. He noted that Exodus “has acted as an unofficial subsidiary of Focus on the Family” for years.

“Focus on the Family claims that they are facing a $6 million shortfall,” he said. “If they can eliminate a few positions due to this change, it will benefit their bottom line. This is especially true, because we suspect that Love Won Out is slowly losing support as gay people gain more acceptance each year.

The crowds appear smaller and the road show has received less media coverage than it has in the past.

“If they are downsizing, it is because the market for such misinformation has continued to shrink.”

Let's hope Wayne is right. With the recent statement by the APA damaging even further the shaky credibility of repairative therapy, let's hope that this move is another step toward the contraction of the "es-gay" industry and, more importantly, the harm they can perpetrate upon vulnerable GLBT people.

Click here to read the rest of the story.

August 12, 2009

Welcome to Our First Mid-Week Worship

Welcome to our first mid-week worship post. We're expanding our Encouraging Words on Wednesdays to include a couple of worship songs and a longer, teaching podcast from Brenda. We hope you are blessed.

One of the critical parts of Jesus' ministry is the fact that he will return someday to take believers to be with him forever. Brenda teaches from Matthew 24:3-44.

Encouraging Music 8/12/09-So Long Self by Mercy Me

Who Should Lead the National March for Equality?

There is a lot of debating going on concering the upcoming National March for Equality scheduled for Washington DC on October 11. One area of concern, voiced in this essay by Steve Ault for the New York Gay City News, is the leadership that is putting together the march. Ault believes they have not learned from what has worked and not worked before, and shares examples in his essay. Here's an excerpt:

As one of the lead organizers for the LGBT community’s first two marches on Washington — in 1979 and 1987 — my ears perked up when I heard there were plans for a new one. I checked out David Mixner’s website where the “National Equality March” was announced, ostensibly for and by the LGBT community, although the name of the event was devoid of any such reference. The date was set, as was an overarching statement of purpose, but unlike the earlier actions, there would be no specific demands. Despite rhetoric invoking the “grassroots,” it appears the leadership already had been decided — Mixner, and a few self-selected others. The whole package was signed, sealed, very neatly wrapped, and then delivered to the LGBT community as a fait accompli.

To date there have been four national marches on Washington organized by the LGBT community — in 1979, 1987, 1993, and 2000. The first three were great successes; the fourth a fiasco marked by a huge event-day rip-off of participating small business people, followed by bankruptcy, lawsuits, and an FBI investigation — not to mention a turnout a mere fraction of the 1987 and 1993 marches. By no coincidence, the first three were run democratically, with grassroots involvement in decision-making and organizing; the fourth — the grandiosely named “Millennium March” — had self-selected leadership and a decision-making process closed to the community.

Briefly, here’s how our first three marches were organized and structured. The primary decision-making steering committee, national in scope, was comprised of delegates elected at regional meetings, assuring representation from all parts of the country while also mandating gender parity and inclusion of people of color. National organizations and spokespeople from unrepresented and underrepresented constituencies were added to make sure just about everyone had a seat at the table. The leadership was in turn elected from and by the steering committee. This decision-making process — admittedly contentious and chaotic at times — won acceptance as fair and inclusive. The ability to be both heard and represented motivated people from all over the country to commit time, energy, and resources to building these marches — a factor at the very heart of their success.

In each instance, when the big day finally arrived, we reveled in and were empowered by our accomplishment. The first three marches on Washington strengthened our movement largely because they were democratically-run grassroots efforts on a massive scale. They have thus become milestones in both our developing self-awareness and our history as a politically effective community. They have even served as models for other movements seeking social change. Some traditions are worth fighting for.

That’s not to say a future march must be organized exactly the same way in order to succeed. We should, of course, take full advantage of the many new social networking technologies available to connect us with each other. But these technologies cannot replace what is unique about face-to-face meetings and old-fashioned grassroots organizing — experiences crucial to building and sustaining a sense of community.

I've never organized an event anywhere approaching the size that the National March will be, but I have been and currently am in an area of leadership, so I will add this comment--the most effective initiatives I've been involved in have been ones that had wide participation in the planning and organizing where the foot soldiers felt they had a voice in the planning and weren't merely carrying out someone else's orders.

I believe the leaders of this event would better serve the LGBT community by seriously considering how they are approaching that and, as Steve Ault wrote, building and sustaining a sense of community, one which will go beyond the National March and build on the success of that event.

Click here to read the rest of Steve Ault's essay.

Can we pray for you? E-mail straight_notnarrow@yahoo.com

August 11, 2009

Encouraging Words 8/11/09-"Transitioning to Acceptance"

What can help make a transgender person's transition less difficult? Love. Here is a story demonstrating how that can work from the Dallas Voice:

When Melanie Blumer transitioned to Oliver Blumer, his counselor recommended he allow his inner child to come out and play, so he could experience what he missed not growing up as a boy.

The 56-year-old Blumer has indeed played, and he hasn’t had to play alone.

Mary Kay Cody is a nurse and the partner of Blumer, a chiropractor. While it’s Blumer who’s physically changed, it’s both Cody and Blumer who’ve undergone a life transition.

Cody says she’s supported Blumer in his journey to self by allowing him to have fun and “be a child.” For Valentine’s Day this year, she pulled out her checkbook and went shopping for the “little boy” in her partner.

When Cody came home, Blumer received military action figures, Matchbox cars, Play Doh and books for a 12-year-old. Blumer was delighted and is grateful for the support Cody has given him.

“If it weren’t for the love of an understanding partner, this journey would have been very difficult,” he said.

Together, they say their love has made the transition work. And because of their love for each other, and for themselves, they’ve found support in society and in their family.

“We are not experiencing animosity, but acceptance,” Cody says.

The couple, who live in Dallas, says the transition has challenged them in many ways, including their identities, their sexuality, their relationships and their well-being. But so far, the challenges have brought them closer together.

Click here to read the rest of this story.

Can we pray for you? E-mail straight_notnarrow@yahoo.com

Encouraging Music 8/11/09-One Way by Hillsong United

Momentum Building Toward Repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

Here is an essay, posted in its entirey, written by Paul DeMiglio, the Senior Communications Manager for Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, pointing out that the momentum is building to end "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and encouraging everyone to make the final push toward repeal.

The time to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is long overdue. Service members are being fired -- almost two per day -- because they are gay or lesbian. So far, 13,000 have been kicked out under DADT.

The experience of Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenbach is a painful reminder of how this law harms qualified patriots and denies LGBT Americans the freedom to serve. A highly decorated, F-15E combat aviator, Fehrenbach has earned nine Air Medals, including one for Heroism, throughout his 18-year career. He was hand-picked to protect the airspace over Washington, D.C. after the Sept. 11 attacks.

Despite his impeccable record of service, Fehrenbach, who is currently on active duty, will likely be losing his career and $3 million in retirement pay.

The country is ready. Public opinion has shifted dramatically in the 16 years since DADT was first signed into law. For the first time, a clear majority of both conservatives and liberals agree that DADT has got to go. A June Gallup poll in fact shows that 69 percent of the American people - including 58 percent of conservatives and 58 percent of churchgoers - believe gays and lesbians should serve openly. DADT is no longer the controversial, hot-button issue it used to be. 2009 is not 1993.

In the military, views on DADT are largely divided along generational lines. Younger service members in their 20s and 30s - the future of military leadership - largely feel comfortable serving alongside their gay and lesbian comrades.

We need to see and hear more from this White House. As a key player in the legislative process, President Obama can help by publicly endorsing HR 1283, the Military Readiness Enhancement Act.

Members of the House of Representatives should cosponsor this bill, now championed by Iraq veteran Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA). The bill already has a record number of 168 cosponsors, but we need to reach the magic number of 218 in the coming weeks. For this, we need your help. If you or your friends have not done so, get in touch with your representative to ensure he or she has signed on as a cosponsor.

And it's good news that Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin (D-Mich.) has agreed to a DADT hearing this fall - the first in the Senate in 16 years.

The sense of urgency to repeal DADT is palpable. Let's get this done now.

Can we pray for you? E-mail straight_notnarrow@yahoo.com

August 10, 2009

Encouraging Words 8/10/09-"How Did You Tell the Kids?"

"We live our life just like any other family' That's a quote from this enjoyable video of a gay couple who is raising a son and daughter and shares with us via a YouTube series titled "Gay Family Values" what that is like. Among other topics, they do answer the question "How did you tell the kids?" Thanks to Tips-Q for the link.

Can we pray for you? E-mail straight_notnarrow@yahoo.com

Encouraging Music 8/10/09-Your Love is Extravagant by Casting Crowns

Promoting Diversity Within the LGBT Community

As we discuss diversity within society and advocate for the acceptance of LGBT people, there is a concern that the LGBT community itself, or at least the public face of it, does not accurately represent it's true diversity.

From the HRC's 'Equality Forward series comes an essay written by the organization's Chief Diversity Officer Cuc Vu addressing that issue. Here's an excerpt:

So how do we begin to change the perception, especially among people of color, that “gayness” is “whiteness”? What does this mean for the LGBT movement broadly and what does it mean for LGBT people of color?

The most important thing that the LGBT movement can do is to practice inclusion. Our challenge isn’t diversity; it’s inclusion. Diversity is our reality, but we don’t always recognize it because most of our circles of friends look like us and most of our organizations are staffed by people who also look like us.

Practicing inclusion means that instead of trying to figure out how LGBT people of color “fit” into our LGBT movement and organizations, we have to create a culture that welcomes all people. We not only need to do this with LGBT people of color, but with all people, regardless of sexual orientation, race, gender expression or identity, religion, class, and so on. We have to have a passion for growing our movement. We have to do it with intention and with courage because it takes courage to do something and go somewhere unfamiliar. On a day-to-day and individual level, this means stepping out of your comfort zone. For example, how often do you solicit and listen to the opinions of people who are different from you? And when was the last time you went to lunch with someone who isn’t part of your circle of friends? Actions like these create a culture of inclusion and strengthens our movement.

Our diversity is one of our greatest assets and we must showcase it if we want to dispel the perception that gay is white. LGBT people come from every walk of life, but most people wouldn’t know it by what they see and read. The prevailing images of LGBT people are celebrities like Ellen DeGeneres, elected officials like Barney Frank, and organizational leaders who are mostly white. All of these individuals are exemplary representatives for our LGBT movement. Taken as a whole, however, you can be sure that the first observation people of color will make is that these leaders are all white. Whether we like it or not, this image of a racially homogenous LGBT leadership feeds the perception among people of color communities that LGBT people are not Black, Latino/a or API. So when we press President Obama to fulfill his promise to deliver Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and hate crimes, for example, we give commentators like LZ Granderson, an African American commentator, fodder to cast us as privileged complainers because he is not seeing or hearing African American lesbians say that they will benefit the most from the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell because they are disproportionately affected by the policy. LGBT people of color themselves note in the Equality Forward report that they want to see people who look like them and share their experiences in LGBT media.

Lastly, we have to stand up for more than just LGBT issues. Mandy Carter put it best: Is our cause about “justice” or “just us”? Because race still matters and LGBT people of color experience racism more than discrimination for being LGBT, the LGBT movement must stand up for issues that many LGBTs would consider “race” issues, for example, immigration reform, housing, and poverty. By standing up for the priorities of people of color communities, we are expressing our passion for and commitment to freedom and equality for all. Moreover, we are sending a clear message that discrimination is wrong when it happens to anyone, not just LGBT people.

Click here to read the rest of her essay.

I think Ms. Hu makes a compelling arguement that there needs to be much more attention paid to the representation of diversity at the front of LGBT advocacy efforts, and in our day-to-day lives. What do you think?

August 09, 2009

New Music Starting Next Week

With the addition of a second worship post, we will restict our music with posted lyrics to the Sunday and Mid-Week worship posts and feature a wider range of perfomances by top contemporary Christian artists for the Encouraging Music posts Monday-Saturday.

Next week we'll feature songs by Casting Crowns, Hillsong United, Mercy Me, Natalie Grant, and even Elvis Presley. If you don't know some of those names, we invite you to check out their music-we're sure you with enjoy it and be blessed.

Sunday Worship 8/9/09

If you don't have a welcoming church near you, or you just can't make yourself step into one, we're bringing worship to you. Here are links to some worship music and services from open and affirming ministries (all times eastern). I hope you are blessed and take time out of your busy schedule to enter into the Lord's day.

Don't forget to click on the tab on the upper right of this blog and leave your prayer requests in the comment section so we can petition the Lord for your needs.

If you know of a service we should add to our list, please send an e-mail and share it with us.