HELP! Los Angeles Mission & Photo Shoot

 

Help MyOutSpirit founder Clayton Gibson get to LA in April 2010!

I have two big things to do in Los Angeles in April, but I need your help.

First, I'm receiving an award at the Liberation 2010 Conference (April 8-11, enter MyOutSpirit discount code "mos50" when you register to save $50), "a weekend long spiritual conference designed to empower LGBTQ people friends, family and fans to come out of the closet spiritually."  

They're expecting 1,000 LGBT people doing deep spiritual work, and MyOutSpirit needs to be there!  

I get into the conference for free, but I need help covering my travel and lodging expenses.

 While I'm in Los Angeles, I also have an opportunity to work with renown radical photographer, Justin Monroe (pictured above), on an amazing "Bible & Homosexuality" themed photo shoot.  

The images will appear as a photo editorial in MyOutSpirit Magazines, on MyOutSpirit.com, and on posters available everywhere commenting on what the Bible says, and doesn't say about homosexuality. The images will be tasteful but edgy, educational but with tongue-firmly-in-cheek!

This kind of project requires an irreverent spirit, and Justin Monroe's got that in abundance.  

The goal here is not to be respectful or gentle.  Justin's MyOutSpirit photos will be a sexy little Bible-bomb that helps people take religious condemnation of LGBT people far less seriously.  

We're not talking about irreverence for simple shock value.  That's been done.  

No, this photo editorial will do more than get public attention (especially among young people) or media coverage (because it will be controversial).  These photos are primarily educational, and will arm LGBTQ people with information to stand up for themselves against attacks on their identity and rights from biblical grounds.  

People still struggling to reconcile their LGBT identity with Christianity could find this art life-changing.  

In fact, this first MyOutSpirit photo shoot will be our largest salvo to deconstruct the deeply internalized cultural belief that queer people and families are not whole, sacred, and equal - "because the Bible says so."

Please help make it possible.

I need to raise $2,000 ASAP to reserve a day on Justin's calendar while I'm also in LA, and another $3,000 for travel and photo shoot expenses.  I can't do it alone.  Please give as you are able.

 

P.S.  I know it's a terrible time to have to ask for money to support my work.  All our hearts and wallets are open to Haiti, where the devastation and suffering are unimaginable.  You can also donate to the American Red Cross relief fund by clicking here: