Anglican Head Wants Churces to be "Safe Place" for GLBT People

From The Christian Post:

The Church is challenged to show that it is truly a safe place for people to be honest and where they may be confident that they will have their human dignity respected, said the head of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams spoke just after the Anglican Communion made available an interim report on churches' commitment to listen to the experience of homosexual people.

"The commitments of the Communion are not only to certain theological positions on the question of sexual ethics but also to a manifest and credible respect for the proper liberties of homosexual people," Williams stated.

"There are contexts where it is difficult to find a safe place for gay and lesbian people to speak about their lives openly," said the Anglican leader. "There are contexts where people assume the debate is over. The report shows that listening is possible, but also that there is a great deal still to be done. The work continues, but we have a solid start here."

"I share the concerns expressed about situations where the Church is seen to be underwriting social or legal attitudes which threaten these proper liberties [of homosexual people]," stated Williams. "It is impossible to read this [interim] report without being aware that in many places – including Western countries with supposedly ‘liberal’ attitudes – hate crimes against homosexual people have increased in recent years and have taken horrifying and disturbing forms."

Treating GLBT people like, well, people, is an important fundamental step toward not tolerating them but completely accepting them as full and equal partners in God's kingdom. It sounds like Archbishop Williams gets that, but the U. S. branch of the Anglicans, the Episcopal Church, is still under a September 30 deadline to respond to a moratorium on consecrating homosexuals and blessing same-sex unions.

I'll be keeping an eye on that situation as it develops.

UK Prime Minister Takes Strong Stand for LGBT Rights

United Kingdom Prime Minister Tony Blair recently delivered the keynote address at a dinner for Stonewall, the UK's biggest gay rights organization - making Blair what is believed to be the first time a national leader has addressed an LGBT civil rights group while still in office.

Blair told the guests at London's ritzy Dorchester Hotel that one of his proudest accomplishments has been in enacting a national LGBT civil rights law and the passage of Britain's partnership unions law that gives gay couples all of the rights of marriage, although not the name.

"[By] taking a stand on this issue and by removing a piece of prejudice and discrimination, and by enabling people to stand proud as what they are, it has had an impact that I think is far more profound on the way the country thinks about itself."

Although joined at the hip with U. S. President Bush concerning the efforts in the Iraq war, Blair has taken a divergent path from Bush on gay rights since Bush has pushed for a Constitutional amendment making same-sex marriage illegal and is opposing a hate crime bill currently under consideration in Congress.

Kudos to Prime Minister Blair for bringing some civility back to Western civilization.

More Opportunities For GLBT People in the Jewish Faith

From an Associated Press report via the Washington Post:

The seminary considered the flagship institution of Conservative Judaism said Monday it will start accepting gay and lesbian applicants, after scholars who guide the movement lifted the ban on gay ordination.

The Conservative branch holds the middle ground in American Judaism, adhering to tradition while allowing some change for modern circumstances.

The larger and more liberal Reform Jewish movement, as well as the smaller Reconstructionist wing, allow gays to become rabbis; the Orthodox branch bars gays and women from ordination.

In December, the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards voted to allow the seminaries to decide on their own whether to admit openly gay students. However, their decision also left leeway for synagogues to reject gay and lesbian clergy if the congregations believe that same-sex relationships violate Scripture.

There is more detail within the article I've linke to. Kudos to these Jewish leaders who have taken an important step forward for GLBT equality.

Rising From Humble Beginnings to the "World's Largest Gay Church"

The Washington Post ran a recent Reuters report about the Cathederal of Hope, a gay-affirming church in Dallas, Texas (how deliciously ironic is that location?) that claims to be the world's biggest gay church. Recently affiliating itself with the gay-friendly United Church of Christ, the Cathederal of Hope has 3,500 members and a worship center that can seat up to 900 people.

Jo Hudson, the senior pastor and rector of the church, estimates up to 90% of the membership is GLBT.

You can click here to visit the Cathederal of Hope website. It sounds like their message directly ties in with their name.

There Are Traeoffs for Black Pastors Who Accept GLBT People

Accoring to this report in the New York Times, Rev. Dennis Mereith of Tabernacle Baptist Church began preaching about acceptance of gay men and lesbians and promptly lost 300 of the 1,100 members of his church. Rev. Oliver White, senior minister of Grace Community Church, lost nearly his entire 70 person membership after he supported same-sex marriage in their denomination, the United Church of Christ. Attendance at Victory Church in Stone Mountain, Georgia fell from 6,000 a week to 3,000 after Rev. Kenneth L. Samuel began preaching acceptance of GLBT people.

It is no coincidence that both of these churches have congregations primarily made up of African-Americans.

“The church has to come to a point when it has to embrace all the people Jesus embraced, and that means the people in the margins,” Dr. Samuel said. “It really bothered my congregation when I said that as people of color who have been ostracized, marginalized, how can we turn around now and oppress other people?”

Speaking for the other side:

“It is one of several factors that are taking away the interest in traditional marriage in the African-American community,” said Bishop Harry R. Jackson Jr., the president of the High Impact Leadership Coalition, a black conservative Christian group.

I recommend checking out the entire article to read about those black preachers who are courageous enough to stand up for equality inclusive of ALL people.

Another Interesting View On Same-Sex Marriage

This essay on the site Online Journal is another well presented case for legalizing same-sex marriage. I particularly liked this part:

And equality is really all they want. That’s really all there is to the so-called “gay agenda.” Simple equality. No special privileges, just the same rights as everyone else.

Those who oppose same-sex marriage say that it would undermine the institution of marriage. But isn’t heterosexual infidelity already doing that?

I fail to see how legalizing same-sex marriage would have any effect on heterosexual marriages. As James Carville once said, “I was against gay marriage until I found out I didn’t have to have one.” No, anyone who feels that his own heterosexual marriage would be threatened if gays could marry obviously has some very deep issues that can’t be fixed through legislation.

This country was founded on the principle that all people -- not just the heterosexual ones -- are created equal. It’s time to make that principle a reality. It’s time for the homophobes of America to stop worrying about what consenting adults are doing in the privacy of their own homes. After all, time and time again we’ve seen that those who want to control what goes on in other people’s bedrooms seem to have the most to hide in their own. (Can you say “Ted Haggard”?)

This reminds me of the cliche, "the best defense is a good offense." Doesn't it seem like people with an awful lot to hide are among those most vociferously opposing same-sex marriage and anything that would move GLBT people even a centimeter closer to equal rights?

It's usually easier to attack someone else for their perceived shortcomings than to look in the mirror and address one's own.

Help a GLBT Activist Who Is Reaching Out to Help Local Kids

My good friend Sharone, a proud member of the GLBT community, is participating in the Big Brothers Big Sisters "Bowl For Kids' Sake" on April 22. I met Sharone when I joined Believers Covenant Fellowship, and she is a passionate advocate for GLBT people and anyone who is on the short end of society's stick. She lives in New Mexico now and is blessing a new community with her volunteer work, which includes performing as a clown.

Please consider helping to support a worthy cause. Here is the link to her webpage for the event--you can donate online like I did.

A Straight GLBT Ally In Wyoming

If you're scouting the United States trying to find straight people who are standing up for GLBT equality, Wyoming is probably one of the last places you would look. If you did check that state, however, you would find Dan Zwonitzer, a Republican state representative.

According to this report by the Washington Blade, Zwonitzer spoke out against a proposed bill in the Wyoming house that would ban recognition of same-sex marriages performed outside the state.

“I believe this is the civil rights struggle of my generation,” Zwonitzer, who is straight, said during the meeting (see page 44 for full text). In the brief speech, he emphasized the importance of promoting equal rights so future generations wouldn’t look back on lawmakers with dismay.

Zwonitzer, a fifth-generation Wyomingite, says he became more conscious of the needs for civil rights for gays during his four years at Georgetown, where he was friends with several gay students.

“I guess I really began to understand their struggle and the struggle of the gay population to get basic rights,” Zwonitzer says. “It’s not special rights, it’s just equal rights. I guess it really was the politics of the East that broadened my horizons. Hopefully, I brought that back to Wyoming and expanded our horizons back here.”

A few days ago, I wrote about the lack of leadership being demonstrated on GLBT equality issues by current presidential candidates. In this situation, Zwonitzer showed the kind of leadership I felt was lacking at higher levels. Hopefully the people of Wyoming appreciate having a politician with the strength of character to stand up for something not because it was politically expedient, but because he felt it was the right thing to do.

A Gay Activist Speaks Out About Hatred From Straight People

Larry Kramer, the founder of the "Act Up", an AIDS-advocacy organization, recently wrote an op-ed piece for the Los Angeles Times that was more of an open letter to straight people. It began:

Dear Straight People:

Why do you hate gay people so much?

Sweeping generalizations like that often trouble me, but Kramer made a good case for his. He wrote:

Gays do not realize that the more we become visible, the more we come out of the closet, the more we are hated. Don't those of you straights who claim not to hate us have a responsibility to denounce the hate? Why is it socially acceptable to joke about "girlie men" or to discriminate against us legally with "constitutional" amendments banning gay marriage? Because we cannot marry, we can pass on only a fraction of our estates, we do not have equal parenting rights and we cannot live with a foreigner we love who does not have government permission to stay in this country. These are the equal protections that the Bill of Rights proclaims for all?

Why do you hate us so much that you will not permit us to legally love? I am almost 72, and I have been hated all my life, and I don't see much change coming.

I think your hate is evil.

What do we do to you that is so awful? Why do you feel compelled to come after us with such frightful energy? Does this somehow make you feel safer and legitimate? What possible harm comes to you if we marry, or are taxed just like you, or are protected from assault by laws that say it is morally wrong to assault people out of hatred? The reasons always offered are religious ones, but certainly they are not based on the love all religions proclaim.

You may say you don't hate us, but the people you vote for do, so what's the difference? Our own country's democratic process declares us to be unequal. Which means, in a democracy, that our enemy is you. You treat us like crumbs. You hate us. And sadly, we let you.

I know how I feel and how I act, but I can't offer up a strong arguement against his points. I do know, however, that hatred is directly against God's word.

Click here to read the entire piece.

Somebody Has to Write the Checks

One of the problems with advocacy and lobbying is that it costs money. The effort the GLBT community is making to achieve equality in American society is no exception.

Tim Gill is one man who is writing some of the big checks. The founder of Quark software, he cashed out for about $500 million so he could concentrate on philanthropy.

Gill says, "My goal is to see that all Americans are treated equally regardless of sexuality.”

It's a shame that GLBT people have to campaign for that, but people like Gill and the network of donors he has helped put together are writing checks that help make those efforts possible.

Click here to read about Tim Gill in the Atlantic Monthly article, "They won't know what hit them."

Thanks to Dale Jarrett for the tip.

Traditional Marriage--Which Tradition?

We've heard the phrase "traditional marriage" frequently used to defend the status quo and argue against same-sex marriage--why should tradition be changed just so people of the same sex can wed?

This article from the Hartford Courant (a newspaper that has a lot to say in favor of same-sex marriage) digs back into history and finds that traditional marriage has indeed changed over the years.

Claims of historical fact about marriage can be proved true or false, and three of the historical claims made by opponents of same-sex marriage in Connecticut are demonstrably untrue.

First is the claim that the definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman goes back thousands of years. Second is the claim that the Judeo-Christian heritage has always seen marriage as a sacred relationship that must be defended above all others. Third is the claim that marriage has endured for thousands of years without change.

The most commonly approved form of marriage in the past (and the one mentioned most often in the first five books of the Old Testament) was polygamy - one man, many women.

This is yet another example of how ignorance is one of the Religious Right's main weapons.

Is It Right or Is It Wrong?

That sounds like a simple question, doesn't it? Take any action or policy and ask that question; is it right or is it wrong. In my view, leaders are able to answer that decisively and then support their answer. Agree or disagree, at least that shows leadership. Politicians, on the other hand, weigh their answers toward public opinion and evaluate how those views will affect their base of supporters and their financial backers.

In the aftermath of the statements made by Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Peter Pace about his views on the immorality of homosexuality, Democratic presidential hopefuls Senator Hillary Clinton and Senator Barack Obama were asked if they thought homsexuality was immoral. Both candidates initially sidestepped that question so fast they should qualify for "Dancing With the Stars." Although they later stated that they held no beliefs that homosexuality was immoral, it comes accross to me as a political calculation rather than a sincere statement of belief.

We've already got plenty of politicians. Where are the leaders?

Gay Bashing From the Religious Right--All About Power?

That is a conclusion reached by author Chris Hedges, who wrote the book, "American Facists: The Christian Right and the War on America." He does an outstanding job of supporting that thesis with points like this regarding attacks on the GLBT community by religious right leaders:

These attacks mask a sinister agenda that has nothing to do with sexuality. It has to do with power. The radical Christian right -- the most dangerous mass movement in American history -- has built a binary worldview of command and submission wherein male leaders, who cannot be questioned and claim to speak for God, are in control and all others must follow. Any lifestyle outside the traditional model of male and female is a threat to this hierarchical male power structure. Women who do not depend on men for their identity and their sexuality, who live outside a male power relationship, challenge this pervasive cult of masculinity, as do men who find tenderness and love with other men as equals. The lifestyle of gays and lesbians is intolerable to the Christian right because its existence is a threat to the movement's chain of command, one they insist was ordained by God.

Click here to read Hedges' column on AlterNet, "For the Christian Right, Gay-Hating Is Just the Start."

Hasn't that also been one of the primary traits of the Bush administration, you're either with them 100% or against them? Sadly, I believe it has all tied together and greatly diminished what the United States stands for. I'm still looking for someone who can lead the religious right radicals and the entire nation away from that and embrace democracy and God's love again.

Does anyone see that leader on the horizon? At this point in time, it saddens me to say that I don't.

Christian Researchers Call Gay Marriage "a moral good"

From Whosoever.org:

A new Christian think tank has issued the first articulation of gay marriage as "a moral good" that "spiritually liberates straight people as well as gay people.'" The Institute for Progressive Christianity (IPC) considers the paper - "The Kingdom of God and the Witness of Gay Marriage" - a theological breakthrough.

The academic "white paper" could change the outcome of the great battle over same-sex unions now raging inside several mainline Protestant denominations including the Episcopal Church USA (ECUSA) and follows the recent ultimatum from the Anglican Communion to dioceses and parishes within the ECUSA to cease blessing such unions and stop consecrating openly gay bishops.

The Rev. Mark Farr, an Episcopal priest and IPC co- director, called the paper "a truly groundbreaking scriptural affirmation of gay marriage as an almost iconic window into the reality of God's love."

"The paper recognizes fundamental Christian teaching about the nature of God is central to the concept of gay marriage and affirms gay marriage as a necessary moral good within Christian theology," declared the author of the paper, Otis Gaddis III, Co- Director of the IPC Academic Review.

Click here to read the entire article on Whosoever.org.

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.