Towards a Welcoming and Inclusive Church
IWR News
September 28, 2008
- 1) Clergy to oppose Fla. anti-gay amendment
- 2) Transgender Professor Joy Ladin Faces Life Back at Yeshiva
- 3) "La Puerta:" Gaychurch.org in Spanish
- 4) Church Gives Sanctuary to Gay Man and His Family
- 5) AT THE CROSSROADS: African-American Attitudes, Perceptions, and Beliefs toward Marriage Equality. Excerpt from the Forward: Willie Brown on Marriage Equality
- 6) Gay-marriage foes protest outside Kevin Johnson's church
- 7) Palin-hunted book "Pastor I Am Gay" - available in Alaskan bookstore
- 8) Bisexual Community Reports Need For Improvements In Mental Health Services
- 9) Calif. religious leaders push for gay marriage ban
- 10) Bench dedicated to Matthew Shepard at UW
- 11) Links to more news from Welcoming Church Programs
1) Clergy to oppose Fla. anti-gay amendment
Miami, Florida, 365Gay.com, September 19, 2008
Moderate religious leaders from across Florida are speaking out against a proposed amendment to the state constitution which would ban same-sex marriage and could be used to deny benefits to co-habitating non-married couples - both straight and gay.
2) Transgender Professor Joy Ladin Faces Life Back at Yeshiva
New York City, Advocate, September 18, 2008
When Joy Ladin told officials at the Orthodox Jewish Yeshiva University she was in the process of becoming a woman, school officials immediately put her on indefinite leave. A letter from her lawyers got the decision revoked, but now Joy, back at school, is facing a slew of new struggles.
3) "La Puerta:" Gaychurch.org in Spanish
Gaychurch.org
"La Puerta" ("The Door") serves the Spanish speaking people in our community. Here articles of note, major announcements, links of interest and the like are translated into Spanish.
[Gaychurch.org] hopes to serve the Christian GLBT (gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgendered) community and friends of our community. Gaychurch.org's mission and ministry is two fold. First is to bring God's message of reconciliation and love to the gay (GLBT) community. Secondly is to be a catalyst to bring our diverse and far flung Christian community together. Regardless of our race, gender, sexual orientation, political or national affiliation - or any other thing that would seek to artificially divide us. We are one in Christ (Galatians 3:28). . .
For more information on "La Puerta," and Gaychurch.org in Spanish, click here.
4) Church Gives Sanctuary to Gay Man and His Family
Raleigh, N.C., New York Times, September 19, 2009
"I was wondering where we could all end up together," Ms. Keel, a 48-year-old psychologist, recalled in an interview this week. "I was wondering where my children could get support. When you have your history in church, it doesn't make sense to throw it all out. There were parts I wanted to hang onto. But I also wanted my kids to be in an environment where they could say, 'My dad is gay,' and nobody would care."
6) AT THE CROSSROADS: African-American Attitudes, Perceptions, and Beliefs toward Marriage Equality.
A Report by the National Black Justice Coalition in Partnership with Freedom to Marry
Excerpt from the Forward:
Willie Brown on Marriage Equality
Shortly before I became Mayor of San Francisco then-Supervisor Carole Migden passed local legislation officially recognizing domestic partnerships. During these early days, I allowed my office to be used by couples to secure their union. For me, it was a concrete sign of my support and affirmation of their sacred partnership.
. . . The African-American community has been at the forefront of many struggles to secure rights for disenfranchised groups and communities. On the issue of marriage equality, however, we have not used our voices or resources to mobilize affirmatively. For the most part, we have been silent. It is my belief that this is our fight too. We must stand for equality and dignity for all of our brothers and sisters. The right to marry whomever you choose is a right that should be enjoyed by everyone. It is true; we are all entitled to our personal and moral beliefs. However, to use those beliefs as a sword or to stand in the way of the exercise of freedom and rights of some groups and individuals is unjust. We must stand in solidarity and raise our voices in support of marriage equality.
. . . I have come to understand that the meaning of commitment, the definition of family, and building community is broad and all encompassing. That is why I have
pledged to use whatever political influence I have to create an environment where everyone is able enjoy the same rights and privileges in this country regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Sincerely,
Willie L. Brown, Jr.
Former Mayor of the City of San Francisco, CA
For full report: click here.
6) Gay-marriage foes protest outside Kevin Johnson's church
Oak park, Calif., Sacramento Bee, September 22, 2008
While Johnson has said he believes "marriage is between a man and a woman," he came out against the ballot measure "because it would write discrimination into the state constitution." The candidate was out of town Sunday, but his campaign manager, Steve Maviglio, said, "It's an all-time low in Sacramento politics when you protest at someone's place of worship. Kevin is a man of faith and he doesn't believe in discriminating against anyone."
7) Palin-hunted book "Pastor I Am Gay"- available in Alaskan bookstore
Palmer, Alaska, September, 2008
Here's a brief note from Howard Bess, American Baptist pastor and author of one of the books in VP candidate Sarah Palin's library censorship story:
"I am getting requests for copies of 'Pastor, I Am Gay.' The book had run its course and places like Barnes and Noble and Borders are not stocking the book. I am referring people to Fireside Books in Palmer. They have a supply and respond quite efficiently. Their phone number is (907) 745-2665. Their website is www.goodbooksbadcoffee.com. To go to site, click here.
Shalom!
Howard Bess
Note: This book is reported to be an excellent pastoral aid. And here's Barnes & Noble's synopsis:
American Baptist Pastor Bess issues a plea for ministers and church members to become acquainted with gay men and lesbians and accept the challenge of reconciliation. Section One is the pastor's autobiographical experience of being pastor to gay and lesbian persons. Section Two is a modest proposal for churches. Pastor Bess also writes about gay and lesbian persons that he knows, with names and places changed to protect their privacy.
8) Bisexual Community Reports Need For Improvements In Mental Health Services
Ontario, Canada, Science Daily, September 22, 2008
The Ontario-wide project evaluated the experiences of bisexual people based on three main determinants of health: social factors, including biphobia and stigma; interpersonal relationships, including those with the LGBT community, the workplace and partners; and internal factors, including self-acceptance and identity struggles. The results demonstrated that social biphobia and stereotypes about bisexuals have far reaching negative effects on the mental health and well-being of bisexual people.
9) Calif. religious leaders push for gay marriage ban
San Francisco, Associated Press, September 24, 2008
Hundreds of pastors have called on their congregations to fast and pray for passage of a ballot measure in November that would put an end to gay marriage in California. The collective act of piety, starting Wednesday and culminating three days before the election in a revival for as many as 100,000 people at the San Diego Chargers' stadium, comes as church leaders across California put people, money and powerful words behind Proposition 8. Some pastors around the state and nation are encouraging their flocks to forgo solid food for up to 40 days in the biblical tradition.
10) Bench dedicated to Matthew Shepard at UW
Cheyenne, Wyoming, Wyoming Tribune, September 27, 2008
Saturday, a bench at the University of Wyoming campus was dedicated to Matthew by his parents and the university president. The day starkly contrasted the night 10 years ago when Matthew was tied to a fence, severely beaten and left to die in the cold. . . . the campus was quiet Saturday, a single police officer standing in the shadows, as UW President Thomas Buchanan and Matthew's parents, Judy and Dennis, addressed the crowd. They stood in front of the bench, which was surrounded by flowers and includes a plaque that reads: Matthew Wayne Shepard, December 1, 1976 - October 12, 1998. Beloved son, brother, and friend. He continues to make a difference. Peace be with him and all who sit here.
11) Links to more news from Welcoming Church Programs
- Associational - The Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists
- Consensus - Affirm United/S'affirmer Ensemble
- Crossbeams - Open and Affirming Ministries of the Gay, Lesbian & Affirming Disciples (GLAD)
- FlashNet - Reconciling Ministeries Network
- LC/NA News and Events - Lutherans Concerned/North America
- More Light News - More Light Presbyterians
- Outspoken - Brethren-Mennonite Council for LGBT Concerns
- Room for All News and Events - Room for All
- WAVES - Open and Affirming Program of the United Church of Christ Coalition for LGBT Concerns (ONA)
- WCNnewsletter - Welcoming Community Network
Additional News
News Selections offers news from around the world related to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersexual, and ally efforts to make the world more accepting and welcoming to everyone of every sexual orientation and every gender identity. It is gathered by Sara Boesser, author of Silent Lives: How High a Price ~ For Personal Reflections and Group Discussions about Sexual Orientation, published by Hamilton Books, an imprint of University Press of America, Inc. Silent Lives provides a valuable resource for individuals, study groups, civic groups, congregations, spiritual groups, and other groups discussing issues of sexuality. It is helpful for personal journaling and sharing with relatives and friends, and is also very useful as a college text, therapy supplement, or a catalyst for group discussions. www.SilentLives.com
