A comedian created “Was Jesus Gay?” as a comedy video, but most of it makes good sense to me as a lesbian Christian.
The popular video was made by Pat Condell, an English comedian and outspoken atheist. His online video monologues of what he calls “godless comedy” have gotten more than 15 million hits. “Was Jesus Gay?” has nearly half a million views.
I started watching Condell’s gay Jesus video without knowing that it was intended as comedy. I thought he was a serious church leader, and kept wondering, “Why haven’t I heard of this theologian before?!”
The video begins with some well-deserved barbs against the Church for mistreating gays. Then Condell states, “I’ve heard it suggested from some people that Christians are so irrationally obsessed with this subject because deep down they’re terrified that Jesus himself might have been gay.”
He talks about how Jesus spent the night with a naked youth in the Secret Gospel of Mark. He speculates about what John meant when he called himself “the one who Jesus especially loved.” He also discusses Jesus’ heterosexual marriage in some of the other Gnostic gospels. All these theories about Jesus’ relationships are common topics of serious study by queer scholars.
My favorite part of the video is when Condell asks, “If somebody could prove historically beyond all doubt that Jesus was in fact homosexual, would Christians then reject Jesus or would they reject the evidence -- as usual?”
Good question. _______ Cross-posted at the Jesus in Love Blog by Kittredge Cherry, lesbian Christian author and editor of the Jesus in Love Newsletter on GLBT spirituality and the arts.
On Sunday, June 28, Jeff Lutes (Executive Director of Soulforce) and
two of his three children met with John Hagee and his wife, Diane, after
the 11am worship service at Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, Texas. Jodie
Eldridge (Executive Director of Atticus Circle) was also in attendance,
along with a few other members of the Hagee family and church staff.
In the roughly thirty minute meeting, Lutes shared his concerns
about the way in which Hagee and others falsely claim that LGBTQ people are
a danger to children, marriage, and society, and explained the damage such
rhetoric can cause to the lives of LGBTQ people and their families. Hagee
listened, said that he was moved by the gracious tone of Lutes's June 4
letter, and asked Lutes to serve as his point of contact to the LGBTQ
community in the future. Both sides listened respectfully as the other
shared stories and personal experiences.
Lutes asked Hagee to consider an
ongoing series of conversations about this topic within a
yet-to-be-determined framework. Hagee agreed to this possibility and asked
Lutes to email a proposed format for such continued dialogue. The
differences between us were clear and transparent; yet the courage to have
this conversation also produced a connection based on our common humanity.
Meanwhile, a delegation of approximately sixty LGBTQ people and their
straight allies conversed at a reception with dozens of Cornerstone pastors
and leaders in the church's chapel. Soulforce and Atticus Circle delegates
looked for common ground while letting Cornerstone leaders know why LGBTQ
equality is so important.
Cornerstone Church is one of the largest single congregrations in Texas
and John Hagee has been named one of the country's most influential
religious leaders. Coverage from the event included this San Antonio Express-News article, looking at both
parties' views on how the conversations went;
this WOAI-AM article, which called the meeting
"historic," and this Austin American-Statesman article from Saturday,
previewing the meeting.
This visit to Cornerstone marks the launch of Sundays of
Solidarity, a joint program of Soulforce and Atticus Circle that
encourages groups of LGBTQ and allied people around the country to train
themselves in nonviolent direct action and communication, and then attend
worship services and seek conversation with leaders at a church of their
choice - a church that is not welcoming and affirming of openly LGBTQ
members and guests.
It was the evening of June 27, 1969 – the NYC Police Department raided the Stonewall Inn – and Greenwich Village was turned upside down. These raids were common and people were arrested for being homosexual. Gay men were beaten, dragged onto the streets, and arrested because of their sexuality. But on this night, gays had enough, and fought back in what has been called the Stonewall Riots. For many nights, protestors stood outside the Stonewall Inn and fought off the cops. This is what history has deemed as the beginning of the Gay Movement. And, yes, we have moved forward in so many ways, and yet, not enough in some areas.
This weekend marks the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. This is an opportunity to look back with gratitude for all who stood outside the Stonewall Inn and stood up for GLBT rights and say thank you. It is also an opportunity to make sure that all the sacrifices by those who came before us were not made in vain. They prepared the way for greater liberation for all. We can thank them by our continued efforts to educate, advocate, and bring our ideas and visions forward.
At a time when our President announces benefits for same-sex federal employees, we still have a military policy of, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” At a time when couples are rushing to Iowa (yes, Iowa!) to get married, many states are telling us that civil unions are enough or worse yet, reversing same-sex marriage.
People have told me to wait until the right time to speak about marriage equality, adoptions, and medical protections. “When is the right time for civil rights?” asked Lance Black, screen writer for the movie Milk. He went on to say that this country historically has worked on civil rights issues during times of unrest. Was it good timing when Rosa Parks sat at the front of the bus? Every movement has its time and I believe this is our time to open up the conversation for equality for the GLBT community. If we think back to the time of prosperity during the Clinton presidency, we walked away with two terrible policies, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act).
Everyone has their views and I respect that. What I really desire is a society that honors love between adults. I dream of a day when it is not a matter of straight marriage and gay marriage, but honoring love. I have been with my partner for 15 wonderful years. We are present in the lives of our families during both times of joy and pain. We have lost loved ones and have been there for each other through sickness and health. Yet, I have to consciously decide when and to whom to share my life’s story and how. I have to choose how to answer medical forms which often leave my relationship out when I am asked to circle, “married, single or divorced.” I have had to accept being introduced (after 15 years) as my partners “friend.” I accept that change is slow and I accept that change is possible – because on a personal level, I have changed how I show up in the world and live my life with openness and vulnerability.
The best part of my life is the fact that I share it with everyone – men, women, gay, straight, bi-sexual, African American, Indian,white, social workers, city workers, life coaches, shamans, writers,nuns, nurses, business owners etc…I love that we are all of it. We are woven into the fabric of society.
The gift of Stonewall is that we stood up and said we are here – see us. I didn’t “come out” because I wanted people to tolerate me. I came out because I wanted folks to know I love and hurt like everyone else. This is a time of celebrating 40 years of a rich and diverse community. This year, I invite you to stand alongside a gay or lesbian friend or family member. Stand alongside and thank them for the gift of love and courage they give to the world. Stonewall lives on.
I am grateful for all the men and women who went before me and stood up for their right to be loved and love others – no matter their sexual orientation. I am grateful for all those in the Stonewall Rebellion. I am grateful for my loving life partner, Lorene, for 15 wonderful years.
In honor of the 40th anniversary of Stonewall, the International Court
System, in collaboration with the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force,
is recognizing 40 transgender and gender- nonconforming individuals for
their contribution toward lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT)
equality.
To mark this occasion, the International Court System
is showcasing these "40 Trans Heroes" on its Web site at
www.impcourt.org/Trans40/ to highlight the importance of the
transgender and gender-nonconforming community as an equal and
important part of the broader LGBT community. The "40 Trans Heroes"
were solicited and selected from hundreds of nominations by a special
committee of the International Court Council.
"This is by no
means a complete list or a 'best of' or 'top 10' list. It is merely a
beginning tribute to the thousands of transgender and
gender-nonconforming individuals that have made our modern-day movement
possible," says Thom Hansen, president of the International Court
Council. "This momentous tribute to the transgender community is a long
time coming. The International Court System is honored to partner with
the Task Force. Together, we pay tribute to those whose lives and works
have impacted each and every one of us."
"On the 40th
anniversary of the Stonewall riots, let's remember the legacy of those
who started our struggle for equality and liberation," says Rea Carey,
executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.
"Recognizing 40 of the many transgender and gender-nonconforming
individuals who have worked tirelessly and passionately in favor of
full LGBT equality throughout these four decades is a reminder of the
determination and persistence of the transgender community and of the
human spirit. Let's continue to honor these important contributions
toward a more just and equal society for all of us."
The
International Court System will present a commemorative plaque
inscribed with the names of these outstanding individuals on June 25 to
be placed at the Stonewall Inn.
MyOutSpirit.com would like to make it 41 by recognizing the work of Barbara Satin.
Barbara Satin is a transgender activist involved with both the local
and national gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities.
Besides serving on a number of local GLBT boards, she is a founder of
GLBT Generations, a group that works to educate people about the needs
of LGBT persons as they grow old. Nationally, Barbara serves on the
Executive Council of the United Church of Christ, the first transgender
woman to have a national leadership role in that denomination. She is
also an adviser to the Civil Marriage Collaborative.
Barbara served as Interim Program Director for the Institute of
Welcoming Resources during the first half of 2007 and stayed on as IWR
& Faith Work Consultant working on special projects. She is also a
member of the Spirit of the Lakes United Church of Christ in
Minneapolis, where she is involved in developing and marketing a 41
unit senior housing cooperative.
BRIDGEPORT,
Conn. - The video shows the 16-year-old boy lying on the floor, his
body convulsing, as elders of a small Connecticut church cast a
"homosexual demon" from his body.
"Rip
it from his throat!" a woman yells. "Come on, you homosexual demon! You
homosexual spirit, we call you out right now! Loose your grip, Lucifer!"
The
20-minute video posted on YouTube by Manifested Glory Ministries is
being called abuse by gay and youth advocates, who are demanding an
investigation. But a church official this week denied that the teenager
was injured or that the church is prejudiced.
"We believe a man should be with a woman and a
woman should be with a man," the Rev. Patricia McKinney told The
Associated Press. "We have nothing against homosexuals. I just don't
agree with their lifestyle."
'Come out of his belly' The
church posted the video on YouTube but has since removed it; it is
still available on some Web sites that copied it. The church declined
to make the video available for distribution by The Associated Press.
It shows church members standing the youth on his feet by holding him under his arms, and people shouting as organ music plays.
"Come out of his belly," someone commands. "It's in the belly — push."
Later, the teenager is back on the floor, breathing heavily. Then he's coughing and apparently vomiting into a bag.
"Get another bag," a participant says. "Make sure you have your gloves."
As the youth lay back on the ground, limp, church members put a white sheet over him.
It's
nearly impossible to say how often similar exercises occur in churches
nationwide. But Kamora Herrington, who runs a mentoring program at True
Colors and has worked with the youth, said she believes it's fairly
common.
"This happens all the time," she said. "This is not isolated."
Robin
McHaelin, executive director of True Colors, an advocacy group for gay
youths, said her organization is aware of five cases in recent years in
which youths in her program were threatened with exorcism.
'I think it's horrifying' In
one case, she said, a child called to report that his caregiver had
called a priest who was throwing holy water on his bedroom door.
"I
think it's horrifying," McHaelin said of the video by Manifested Glory.
"What saddens me is the people that are doing this think they are doing
something in the kid's best interests, when in fact they're murdering
his spirit."
McHaelin
said she planned to report the situation to the Connecticut Department
of Children and Families. An agency spokesman said the agency does not
comment on complaints or investigations.
"They have this kid in a full nelson," she said. "That just seems abusive to me."
McKinney said the youth was 18. The boy confirmed he is 16 but otherwise declined to comment, citing the advice of his pastor.
McHaelin
said the boy told her staff that the church performed the ritual three
times at his request. She said the boy has been engaging in risky
behavior that she blames on the church's treatment.
McKinney said the youth went to the church last year and collapsed on the floor during a service.
"He was out of control in the church," she said. "This young man came to us. We didn't go to him."
'He didn't want to be like that' McKinney
denied the ritual was an exorcism, describing it instead as a casting
out of spirits. She said the church took care of the youth, providing
him clothes.
"He was dressing like a woman and everything. And he didn't want to be like that," McKinney said.
The
teen had been in reform school for stealing but was eager to get out
and go to the church to have what he thought were his demons driven
out, Herrington said.
Exodus
International, a Christian group that believes gays can become straight
through prayer and counseling, does not advocate the church's approach,
said Jeff Buchanan, director of church equipping.
The
Rev. Roland Stringfellow, a minister in Oakland, Calif., said he was
subject to demon casting in the 1990s when he was at a Baptist church
and was struggling with his sexuality. He said he was put in front of
the church as members shouted "demon of homosexuality come out of him."
"It caused nothing but shame and embarrassment," Stringfellow said.
McKinney
also has a weekly radio program. She talked on Wednesday's program
about being "persecuted" in recent days but did not mention the video
specifically.
"It's
been a hard time for me, but I'm looking good and I'm standing strong
because when you have a mandate like mine you're not going to say what
you want without the adversary coming after you," she said. "If you are
a true prophet you're not going to be popular with the people."
Jesus supported love, but not marriage, according to a thought-provoking new poster by gay artist Dirk Vanden.
Large white words against a rainbow background state, “FYI: Jesus never married, nor commanded nor advocated nor performed ‘marriage.’” At the bottom is a Biblical quote from Jesus, “Love one another as I have loved you.”
Vanden says that he creates artworks such as “Jesus Never Married” to help gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) people who are “seeking equality, legitimacy, legality -- acceptance -- of ourselves and our unions and families.”
The poster is a welcome contribution to the current debate about same-sex marriage. Conservatives often use Christianity to justify denying lesbian and gay couples the right to marry. However, Jesus Christ himself was apparently not a big supporter of marriage.
Love between two Biblical women is celebrated in “Whither Thou Goest” by Atlanta artist Trudie Barreras.
The painting shows Ruth pledging her love to Naomi.
Ruth’s famous vows to Naomi are often used in heterosexual weddings. Few people realize that these beautiful words were originally spoken by one woman to another:
“Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee. For whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge. Thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God. Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.” (Ruth 1:16-17)
Now is a good time to reflect on Ruth and Naomi because same-sex marriage is in the news and June is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month (even officially proclaimed by President Obama this year).
Congregation Beth Simchat Torah Releases “With All Your Heart”
Progressive Jewish congregation publishes groundbreaking new siddur for the LGBT community and its allies
(New York, NY)Congregation Beth Simchat Torah (CBST) is proud to publish Siddur B’chol L’vav’cha, (With All Your Heart), a new edition of the community’s long-standing Friday night prayer book. Created for individuals coming from a broad spectrum of Jewish practice and tradition, this siddur introduces numerous liturgical innovations that expand definitions of Jewish family and community to explicitly embrace lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) families.
“B’chol L’vav’cha publicly affirms the pride GLBT Jews possess today, and provides a message of tolerance, inclusion, and inspiration that will facilitate meaningful moments of communal and personal devotion and joy for all Jews,” said Rabbi David Ellenson, President of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. “It roots itself firmly in the soil of Jewish liturgical tradition and draws creatively upon a whole variety of Jewish sources while providing a host of innovative and imaginative poems and prayers.”
With All Your Heart is a meaningful and important addition to a congregation’s liturgical collection, and is an important resource for LGBT-friendly synagogues.
Highlights of this new, inclusive prayer book include:
• Readings by American, Israeli, and Yiddish poets and by gay and feminist writers, including Adrienne Rich, Muriel Rukeyser, Walt Whitman, Yehuda Amichai, and Rachel the Poet; • A broad AIDS section with writings by William Finn, Stephen Sondheim, Tony Kushner, Thom Gunn, and others; • Prayers for coming out, for celebrating transgender experience, and a memorial prayer for Transgender Remembrance Shabbat; • Readings by transgender and intersex members of CBST; • An extensive LGBT Pride section, including an LGBT Pride Al Hanisim prayer; • Prayers and readings on disability, the environment, and social justice; • American folk anthems, such as God Bless America (written by a Jewish immigrant), America the Beautiful (by a lesbian), and Lift Every Voice and Sing (considered the African American national anthem); • Prayers for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; • Songs, readings, and blessings in Yiddish, Ladino, Russian, and French reflecting the diversity of the Jewish world; • The inclusion of feminine God language in Hebrew for many prayers; • Concubines Bilhah and Zilpah included among matriarchs Rachel, Leah, and Sarah, recognizing all of our mothers, not just the “legally married ones”; • Removing heterosexual references to God’s love for Israel in L’chah Dodi by changing kimsos hatan al kalah to kimsos lev b’ahavah.
“This siddur represents and embraces all of us in our beautiful and God-given diversity,” said the book’s editor in chief, Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, Senior Rabbi of New York City's Congregation Beth Simchat Torah (CBST) since 1992. “It represents a key facet of CBST’s mission of creating a kehilla kedosha, a sacred community, built on a love of the Jewish people, a passion for social justice, prayer, and study. Our hope is that this prayer book finds its way to synagogues and into homes across the nation.”
Siddur B’chol L’vav’cha, (With All Your Heart) was edited and compiled by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and straight Jews and is intended for Jews of every sexual orientation and gender identity. The prayer book is available for order in hardcover, as well as in a deluxe, personalized edition. A companion CD, With All Your Heart: A Musical Celebration of Shabbat at Congregation Beth Simchat Torah, is also available for purchase. Those interested in placing orders may visit the CBST website, (http://cbst.org/NewSiddur.shtml).
About Congregation Beth Simchat Torah Congregation Beth Simchat Torah (CBST) is a synagogue serving people of all sexual orientations and gender identities in the New York metropolitan area. Founded in 1973, and under the leadership of Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum since 1992, CBST has become the largest LGBT synagogue in the world and arguably one of the most influential. CBST is an important voice in Judaism; in the worldwide discourse on the nature of religious community; and in the movement to secure basic civil rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in the United States and throughout the world. For more information about the synagogue, please visit www.cbst.org.
Today,
I am adding my voice to the voices of people of goodwill everywhere who are
deeply disappointed that the California Supreme Court has failed to uphold
marriage equality for California's citizens.
It is ironic that the same
court that ruled in favor of marriage equality last year has now denied that
same right in today's ruling.
My forty years of work on behalf of human
rights and social justice offer hope that today's ruling, while a setback for
gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender couples, is only a temporary
setback in the quest for full equality under the law for all of our
citizens.
The silver lining in the court's ruling is that the 18,000 same-sex couples who were
legally married before the adoption of
Proposition 8 will continue to have full marriage equality under the
law.
I am joining hands with civic, political and faith leaders to
redouble our efforts to guarantee marriage equality for all of our state's
citizens and to pursue every possible option to achieve that goal at the
earliest possible date.
~ Rev. Elder Troy Perry founded the Metropolitan Community Church.
Although the MyOutSpirit.com Gay Spirituality blog isn't about political strategy per se, I can't resist wanting to suggest a potential direction for California's gay rights movement. Winning marriage equality is, after all, an important aspect of creating the social conditions necessary for the holistic well-being of gays and lesbians--and as my readers know, I see politics and spirituality as deeply intertwined--so it's not entirely off-topic.
I'm still digesting the California Supreme ruling, and make no claims to be a legal scholar. However, I can't help but notice that there's a passage in today's decision that practically spells out a potential strategy that gay rights activists can use, one that does not require re-fighting the Proposition 8 battle all over again in a political climate that hasn't significantly changed since last November.
Of all the claims made by the petitioners in today's ruling, probably the strongest was the California Attorney General's contention that "the constitutionally prescribed procedure is invalid simply because the amendment affects a prior judicial interpretation of a right that the Constitution denominates 'inalienable.'" (p. 11). (The petitioners' technical claim that Proposition 8 was a revision but not an Amendment seems to have little support in the state's legal framework.) But the majority's opinion today rebuts the Attorney General's claim by saying: "Although the amending provisions of a constitution can expressly place some subjects or portions of the constitution off-limits to the amending process — as already noted, some state constitutions contain just such explicit limits — the California Constitution contains no such restraints." (also p. 11)
These statements lead me to wonder if a worthwhile strategy for California's same-sex marriage advocates may be to pass an Amendment (requiring only a simple majority vote) stating simply something like this:
No Amendment to the California Constitution is valid if it attempts to alter the inalienable rights of any of its citizens.
An Amendment with this sort of wording would be simple, clean, and capable of winning broad support. While there is no long-term substitute for building broad-based acceptance for the validity of gay marriage in our culture--the task that ultimately must be done to secure marriage equality in California and every state--this strategy does have a way of focusing the public debate strictly on the question of whether marriage is an inalienable right while sidestepping all the messy issues about homosexuality specifically. An Amendment that would simply prohibit Californians from writing discrimination towards anyone for any reason into their Constitution (if such discrimination infringed on "inalienable" rights) would also have the benefit of advancing civil rights not just for gay couples but for every minority group that might one day find itself victim to California voters' majoritarian tendency to squash the rights of groups that aren't popular.
While there is no guarantee that even if such an Amendment passes the Supreme Court would definitely invalidate Proposition 8, in my opinion it's worth considering. Indeed, it's possible to read the aforementioned passage in today's ruling as basically begging California voters to fix a screwed up Constitutional Amendment process.
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