MyOutSpirit.com Gay Spirituality Blog

Interfaith Celebration of CA Marriage Ruling in LA TONIGHT!

You are invited to attend an Interfaith Celebration of     Thanksgiving with the Los Angeles plaintiffs in the California Supreme     Court marriage case, The Reverend Dr. Troy Perry and his spouse,     Phillip Ray De Blieck, and long-time activist Robin Tyler, and her partner,     Diane Olson -- whom the LA Weekly referred to as "the LA four who     stated all the trouble." 

 

The brief celebration will take place at 6 PM at     Metropolitan Community Church of Los Angeles on Thursday, May     15th.

   

The Los Angeles interfaith event will be led by Rabbi     Lisa Edwards of Beth Chayim Chadashim and Rev. Neil Thomas, senior     pastor of MCC Los Angeles.

   

An open press conference will follow. 

   

The event is open to the public.

   

All are welcome.

        

In 1969, Rev.     Dr. Troy Perry officiated at the first public same-sex wedding     ceremony in the United States -- in Huntington Park, California. In     January of 1970, Rev. Perry filed the first U.S. lawsuit seeking legal     recognition of same-gender marriages. The case was dismissed before it was     heard, but it launched the marriage equality movement. Rev. Perry was the     first openly-gay member of the Los Angeles Human Relations Commission and     was a delegate to the White House Conference on AIDS and the White House     Conference on Hate Crimes. Each year the denomination of Metropolitan     Community Churches (MCC), founded by Rev. Perry, performs more than 5000 same-gender marriages.

Presbyterian Highest Court Clears Spahr of Censure

Tiburon, CA – Today the Presbyterian’s General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission (GAPJC) reversed the two-year-old Synod decision to censure Rev. Dr. Jane Adams Spahr for her role in marrying same-gender couples. Today’s decision held that the Presbyterian constitution contains no prohibition against marrying same-gender couples.

“I am grateful that the Commission let stand the Presbytery’s original ruling which affirmed my ministry,” said Rev. Spahr. “The Church is a place of welcome and hospitality in which I will continue to honor relationships of love and commitment, regardless of sexual orientation.”

Surprisingly, by a bare majority, the decision – while clearing Spahr – attempted to set forth language that could be interpreted to preclude such marriages in the future. 

In a dissent signed by five Commission members – a significant minority – the members stated, “It is not the place of this Commission to go any farther and step into the legislative realm…In rendering it’s decision, the majority has taken the liberty of legislating in the guise of interpreting inconsistencies” within the constitution and current case law.

“We are deeply troubled by the majority’s insistence on reading any language into the constitution that renders these marriages anything less than fully equal.” said, Sara Taylor, Rev. Spahr’s attorney.  “By this act, the majority exceeded its judicial authority with respect to marriage in this denomination.”

“I will continue to honor my calling to perform marriages for all couples who love one another and are committed to one another,” said Spahr. “To not perform these marriages would go against my faith, my conscience and most importantly, against God.”

The Judicial Commission’s ruling marks the end of a four-year legal journey for Spahr that began in 2004, when she was charged by her local Presbytery for performing same-gender weddings. The ruling by the Redwoods Presbytery Permanent Judicial Commission originally affirmed Reverend Spahr, ruling that performing same-gender weddings was not “outside of, or contrary to, the essentials of the Reformed faith as understood by the Presbytery of the Redwoods.”  That historic decision was appealed and sent to the next highest church court, the Synod Permanent Judicial Commission, which ruled against the Redwoods Presbytery's affirmation of Janie's Ministry. That decision was appealed and this past Friday was heard by the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission, which is the church’s highest court.

“Our marriage affirms that no matter whom you love, you still have complete access to God,” said Sherrill Figuera and Annie Senecahl, a couple married by Spahr and named in the disciplinary case.

 

Who are the 50 Most Influential LGBT Spiritual Resources?

MyOutSpirit.com is looking for the 50 most influential Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender body/ mind/ spirit resources in the world!

Who would YOU include in that list?  Who has had the biggest impact on your life?  Who is doing the most important work for our community?

Nominate YOUR favorites and inspirations!  Just leave one comment on this post per nomination!

American Family Outing: LGBTA Families Attempt to Connect with Conservative Christians

[source: Soulforce.org]  Recently supporters of the Family Research Council received an envelope stamped with the words "EXPOSED: Radicals' plan to attack churches!" What was the nature of the "plot" that had FRC in such frenzy? Well, in December of 2007, Soulforce, COLAGE, the National Black Justice Coalition, and the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches sent letters to:

• Rev. Joel Osteen and the Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas
• Bishop T.D. Jakes and The Potter's House in Dallas, Texas
• Bishop Harry Jackson, Jr. and Hope Christian Church in Beltsville, Maryland
• Bishop Eddie Long and New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, Georgia
• Rev. Bill Hybels and Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois
• Dr. Rick Warren and Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California

In these letters we expressed a desire to share a meal with leaders and families in their congregations on a designated weekend between Mother's Day and Father's Day 2008 (see complete schedule at www.soulforce.org/afo). Our goal is simply to traverse any division and try to find common ground, despite our differences on the issues of sexual orientation and gender identity.

We seek first to understand, and then to be understood, as we engage these congregations -- all with pastors who have been ranked by Christian organizations as among the 50 most influential Christian leaders in America. These churches have large memberships, some exceeding tens of thousands, and each leader has an enormous influence on American culture through speaking engagements as well as best-selling books, radio and television programs that reach millions of homes each week.

In January of 2008, Jay Bakker, son of Jim Bakker and Tammy Faye Bakker-Messner, followed our initial letter by writing to Bill Hybels, Rick Warren, and Joel Osteen...

Ex-Gays Speak in CURE FOR LOVE, TV Premiere Saturday, April 12, 2008

Cure For Love is a new documentary about the "ex-gay" movement - a religious network whose goal is to help their members renounce homosexuality. The ex-gay movement now encompasses 120 ministries in the US and Canada and is active in 56 countries world wide.

The film follows two men who have experienced the ex-gay movement in different ways. One gets married, though he admits he is still attracted to men, and another struggles to embrace his homosexuality. The film premieres on Canada's Global Television, at 7pm Saturday April 12.

With startling honesty, the men tell their stories of struggle to reconcile their sexual orientation with their Christian values.

The film was written and co-directed by Christina Willings and Francine Pelletier. Christina is an Alberta-based writer and filmmaker and last week, Matt Forsythe of the National Film Board of Canada asked her a few questions about making the film.

It seemed painful for the Christian subjects to discuss their sexuality at times. What was the hardest part about interviewing these people?

I took myself outside between interviews and cried. Does that about cover it?

Seriously, the process was emotionally exhausting and wonderful at the same time. It was completely perfect that some of the subjects found the process of interviewing very healing.

This is the best possible scenario for me as a filmmaker. The hardest part was interviewing the 'practised Chrisitians' - it's very difficult to cut through the rehearsed testimonies and make authentic connections with people who are used to proselytising and/or defending their positions to people they are in the habit of mistrusting (non-Christians).

It was also difficult to see how little people value their own happiness, and their own right to sexual enjoyment/connection. Heartbreaking really. Evangelical Christianity seems to have as its underpinning, shame and chronic self-criticism - whether in the arena of sexual identity or not. After all...if we don't need redemption form our own sinful natures, then no one needs to die for us, and the bottom falls out of the whole thing.

The level of engagement that some Christian communities are taking with their gay members is suprising. What were the roots of Christian ex-gay organizations like Exodus and New Direction?

Christian communities are actually not engaging much with gay people. They have engaged with the 'threat' of same sex marriage and other progressive legislation initiatives in the past 10 years and have felt increasingly forced to deal with homosexuality - motivated primarily by the desire to "defend their turf". What this has meant for gay people within the church is that there is an opening of interest for them to stick their toe into and perhaps begin to engage people on a human level.

This actually mirrors the development of Exodus and New Direction [an ex-gay ministry] as both were originally organizations of a bunch of tortured gay people toiling away in obscurity before Focus on the Family identified the "homosexual agenda" as it's next big campaign and began to pump money into Exodus.

On the "left of the Christian right" are people like Brian and Anna - they work in the Canadian context where the battle is largely seen as having been lost. 

The key is that they are welcome as long as they are still seeking healing from their orientation.

The film shows two couples: one couple has “renounced” their sexuality and is apparently happily married and another couple has ceased questioning their gayness and accepted it. How did you find these subjects for your film?

Researcher Arlene Moskovitch found Brian and Ana through New Direction in Toronto. I found John and Darren and Ricky at Brian and Ana's wedding.

Are these religious therapy groups exclusive to Christianity or do we see these in other religions as well?

I have come across [similar] groups for Mormons and Orthodox Jews.
 

Cure for Love premieres on Global Television's "Global Currents," Saturday, April 12 at 7pm

The film will be released on DVDs and at festivals later this year. 

Cure For Love is produced by Earth to Sky Pictures Inc. in co-production with the National Film Board of Canada.

Gay Spiritual Authors Give It Away

Brighton, England, April 10, 2008 -- Spiritual authors and speakers, Story Waters and Lee Harris, announced today that their best selling product, The Freedom Exercises, will be given as an unconditional gift to anyone open to receive it.

The Freedom Exercises is a 6-hour guided journey of inspirational listening into the energy of awakening through five healing stages - Release, Trust, Open, Receive and Awaken. This ground-breaking material is offered by download on their website at www.limitlessness.com with absolutely no strings attached.

Visit www.limitlessness.com or click below to continue reading their announcement:

National Black Justice Coalition "Power of Us" Conference April 24-26

The Black LGBT community will take center stage next month in Baltimore as several hundred Black LGBT people, their Straight allies, family and friends will gather along with over 50 national experts spanning 35 workshops, panel discussions, Q&As and receptions at the National Black Justice Coalition’s "Power of Us" Conference in Baltimore, MD, April 24-25-26, 2008.  REGISTER NOW!

The Power of Us National Convention - an annual historic gathering beginning in 2008 - will convene the nation's preeminent thinkers to highlight Black LGBT and same-gender-loving couples, families, high-profile activists, religious and spiritual leaders, organizers, artists, designers and more.  The aim is to break down walls of homophobia and racism by educating the public  of the vibrant, affirming and supportive lives of Black LGBT people and same-gender-loving activists who are committed to developing and honing their skills, celebrate victories, build community, and be inspired by preeminent visionaries of our and other movements for social justice and equality. 

The National Black Justice Coalition is a civil rights organization dedicated to empowering Black same-gender-loving, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. The Coalition works for social justice, equality, and an end to racism and homophobia.

The National Black Justice Coalition envisions a world where all people are fully empowered to participate safely, openly, and honestly in family, faith and community, regardless of race, gender-identity or sexual orientation.

"Queer Christ" Featured in TIKKUN MAGAZINE

MyOutSpirit.com resource and frequent blogger, Kittridge Cherry of JesusInLove.org, has an article featured in the latest issue of TIKKUN MAGAZINE!

"Take Back Jesus: The Queer Christ Arises for the Good of All" explores the liberating potential of non-traditional images depicting Jesus as Gay or female. 

Kitt writes, "Nobody knows whether the historical Jesus was attracted to other men, although some contemporary scholars do think so.  He certainly wasn't a woman.  Jesus of Nazarath, the first-century man known through scientific and academic disciplines, was probably nothing like the new Christ figures, and that's okay, even liberating.  After all, he was probably very different from the traditional Christ figures as well.  The new images invite people to connect with what could be called the 'myth' of Christ's life, the archetypal story that rings true to the human spirit."

Pick up TIKKUN today to read the full story!

A Fireside Chat with Neale Donald Walsch

Gay internet radio personality Lance White will host a fireside chat with LGBT Ally Neale Donald Walsch this Saturday, March 29, 2008, at 7pm PST.

For those who want to listen, just go to www.bbsradio.com at 7pm PST, and click the purple button at the top which says, BBS Station 1.  Then, select the player and speed.

The show is called A Fireside Chat With Zany Mystic.  Lance says, "I think I'm the ONLY Gay host there, and though I've had a few Gay guests, and am having another this month, most are not. You can listen all day long if you like for free. Archived shows are by subscription. My next 'Gay guest' calls himself the Gay Mystic."

A Spiritual Survival Guide for Gay and Lesbian Christians

BULLETPROOF FAITH: A SPIRITUAL SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR GAY AND LESBIAN CHRISTIANS by Rev. Candace Chellew-Hodge is available for pre-order on Amazon.com.

A refrain heard relentlessly by gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people of faith is: "God hates fags!" Whether it's hurled as a direct insult or stated more subtly in a "Love the sinner, hate the sin" theology, the message to GLBT ears is the same: "God hates you and so do we!" From this kind of blatant attack, to "ex-gay" ministries, to faith-based arguments for a proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution against "gay marriage," to the divide in churches like the Episcopal Church over a gay bishop, the faith of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people of faith is constantly under assault. In such a toxic religious environment, many GLBT people abandon their faith, believing that God hates them or at the very least will not love them unless they give up or deny their sexual orientation.

Bulletproof Faith: A Spiritual Survival Guide for Gay and Lesbian Christians will help the reader reclaim the spiritual self that criticism from society and religion has led them to give up. There are lots of books on gay and lesbian spirituality and/or Christian faith. Most are apologetics or debate-like responses to Christian conservative viewpoints. But there aren t any books that are simply a guide to being Christian and gay--how to do it, not by having the best apologetic or proof-text but by shoring up the inner life and one s self-esteem as one who is loved by God regardless of what others have to say on the subject. Bulletproof Faith empowers readers to withstand even the most aggressive assaults without fear, doubt, or anger by providing:

*A useful working knowledge of biblical history

*Solid, proven tactics that can be used successfully when faced with an attack

*Spiritual practices (such as meditation and prayer) that enhance and strengthen faith

*Practical tools to discover one's "authentic self": the bulletproof part of each of us

*Guidance on how to turn attacks into opportunities for spiritual growth

The best thing about Bulletproof Faith is that it doesn t argue; instead the author's approach--born out of 10 years of being on the frontlines in the controversies surrounding Gay and Christian identity--is to teach readers to draw on their own inner strength and to return abuse with the spiritual Aikido of gentleness, compassion, reverence--and strength.

Chellew-Hodge is the founder and editor of Whosoever.org, an online magazine for LGBT Christians and a long-time friend to MyOutSpirit.com.