MyOutSpirit.com Gay Spirituality Blog

MI: Together in Faith this Weekend

Together In Faith Collaborative - Registration Deadline Thursday 3pm! Together In Faith Collaborative - BECOME A PEACE BUILDER! Friday, May 15th 5pm - 9pm (Ann Arbor Friends Meeting House) & Saturday, May 16th 9am - 5pm (Detroit Cobo Hall) Become an Inclusive Justice Peace Builder! Actions that lead to problem solving or resolution of longstanding conflicts begin with constructive speech. Like any form of action, speech can be non-violent or violent. Dialogue that builds common ground is essential for peace and leads to healing, transformation and beloved community. In potentially violent or difficult situations, we are presented with an opportunity. We can give you the skills you need to deescalate and connect. By building on the C-LARA Method, (Center, Listen, Affirm, Respond and Add) utilized internationally in peace building and conflict resolution, the Inclusive Justice Program can assist your congregation, organization or school in building an environment where all are valued and peace is promoted. This year's Together In Faith Collaborative partners with Michigan Policy Summit to bring you a groundbreaking keynote speaker, Dean Baker, Co-Director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research followed by a dynamic panel of Michigan experts moderated by our very own Charles Pugh, former anchor on Fox 2 News and radio host for FM 98 WJLB! Registration Includes: • Internationally recognized training that can be employed in schools, congregations, organizations and our personal relationships. • Friday Dinner & Saturday Lunch. • Entrance to the Michigan Policy Summit Keynote & Panel. • Updates on LGBT Legislative Initiatives state and nationa.l • Opportunity to change your life, your community and the world with other amazing indviduals! • People traveling over 30 miles will be provided shared housing. Registration Required. Who Should Come : • Clergy & Leaders • Activists & Teachers • Faith Action Network Participants & Leaders • Anyone interested in making Michigan a more peaceful state & a beloved community! TO REGISTER: Together In Faith Collaborative

Clergy Call lobbies for GLBT justice

Clergy Call for Justice and Equality -- two days of prayer and lobbying for GLBT rights -- begins tomorrow, May 4, in Washington, DC. May God be with them!

Clergy of all faith will gather from across the U.S. to worship together and get “tools for the journey,” including specific training on lobbying. Then Tuesday, May 5 is “Lobby Day,” when they make lobby visits to assigned politicians.

They will raise progressive religious voices in favor of important laws such as the Hate Crimes Bill and the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. They will also support an end to the military’s Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy.

This looks huge. My partner looked over my shoulder as I was browsing through the announcement on my computer. “Are those all the attendees?” she asked.

“No, that’s only the SPEAKERS!”

The Clergy Call is sponsored by the Human Rights Campaign. I’m thrilled that the HRC is doing so much about spirituality these days. They are also joining with MyOutSpirit.com to sponsor this year’s National Coming Out Day on the theme “Coming Out Spiritually.”

P.S.  For first-hand reports by participants in Clergy Call 2009, click this link to the Jesus in Love Blog.

Music video supports same-sex marriage

"Fidelity": Don't Divorce... from Courage Campaign on Vimeo.

A touching video supports same-sex marriage -- at a time when group divorce is threatened for 18,000 same-sex marriages in California.  I was moved by seeing images of real gay and lesbian couples set to the song “Fidelity” by Regina Spektor.

Courage Campaign made the music video to inspire people to sign a petition to the California Supreme Court to protect same-sex marriage.  Petition deadline: Valentine’s Day!

News broke Tuesday (Feb. 3) that the state Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on March 5, then decide within 90 days about the validity of Prop 8 and the 18,000 marriages.

Ken Starr -- yes, the prosecutor who led the campaign to impeach President Bill Clinton -- filed a legal brief for the "Yes on 8" campaign. It would forcibly divorce the 18,000 same-sex couples married in California last year before the passage of Prop 8.

When Starr's legal brief went public in December, the Courage Campaign immediately launched the "Don't Divorce..." campaign, asking members to send pictures with a simple message. 

See those beautiful, powerful photos on the music video, and consider signing the petition at CourageCampaign.org.

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Cross-posted at the Jesus in Love Blog

When is Incest Not Incest?

[The following commentary continues our ongoing conversation on "Reconsidering Marriage."  Read Clayton's first two editorials "Reconsidering Marriage" and "Rick Warren Comes Out for Gay Rights," and additional commentary by our bloggers Azariah Southworth ("Show Rick Some Love") and Joe Perez ("What, was Jeremiah Wright busy?").]

The LGBT community is mistaken about the fight for marriage equality.  Many of us equate the battle for equal partnership rights with the war for equal respect and recognition of our relationships, and the two goals are not the same.

If Rev. Rick Warren - arguably the most influential Protestant minister in the world - is willing to come out in public and say we should have equal partnership rights, we have won a significant battle.  The fact that he does not afford our relationships with equal respect and recognition in his church is not what we are trying to change here, but that is the real reason why we have attacked him since: "He compared our love to incest and pedophilia! He won't let gays join his church!"

We all have different paradigms through which we interpret the world; that is why Gandhi said, "There are as many religions as there are people."  So what is Warren's paradigm that explains how he can say at the same time that he supports gay equal partnership rights and also declare that to him gay marriage is the same as "having a brother and sister together and call that marriage" or "one guy having multiple wives and calling that marriage?" 

If we look at the world through Warren's eyes, here's what I think we see:

Slightly more than 50 percent of households are headed by unmarried people, some single and some partnered, and almost a third of children in the United States are being raised in unmarried homes. About 40 percent of unmarried partner households, queer and heterosexual, have children under 18 years of age living in them. Many aging baby-boomers will spend a significant part of their senior years alone. Many will live with relatives or friends in non-conjugal relationships. Increasingly, both married and unmarried adults are serving as primary caregivers for aging and infirm parents or other relatives. Many people live in extended-family households. Needless to say, LGBT people in each of these categories often face the added burdens of homophobia and transphobia.

Requiring marriage as a way to access legal recognition and the economic support of a caring society is not a viable option for millions of households. Consider, for example, these kinds of families: senior citizens living together or serving as one another's caregivers, partners, or constructed families; close friends or siblings who live together in long-term, committed, non-conjugal relationships, serving as each other's primary support; extended families living under one roof (a practice common in many immigrant communities). [1]

Same-sex couples and these other diverse, non-traditional partnerships would benefit greatly from the rights and responsibilities currently only associated with heterosexual, conjugal marriage, but, while Rick Warren recognizes that these families would benefit from equal partnership rights, he rejects that those partnerships be called "Marriage."

This means that in Warren's paradigm, "having a brother and sister together and calling that marriage" doesn't necessarily mean incest. This is why he declared that he has never equated same-sex couples with incest or pedophilia - it wasn't what he meant.

The LGBT community should see beyond our own narrow issues and build a broad coalition, including Warren, to call for a broader definition of family so that marriage, for all who choose it, is only one option among many, not the only way people can access essential government protections and supports like unmarried partner access to health insurance, second-parent adoption, and survivor benefits for Social Security and pensions.

We should take this rare opportunity to fight for legislation to provide access to a flexible set of household benefits and options that are separated from the requirement of conjugal or marital relationship.

What form does victory take?  On December 30, Ali Shams and Kaelan Housewright, two straight California students, introduced a ballot measure to eliminate marriage from State legislation, guaranteeing everyone equal Domestic Partnership rights and voiding Prop 8.  If we can relinquish the word "marriage" to non-governmental (i.e. sacred) recognition, we have the chance to help millions of households by pursuing civil unions for all.  LGBT people will no longer be seen primarily as a self-interested constituency, but as partners in a larger, multiracial struggle for social and economic justice for all.

I believe we will eventually win the war for equal respect and recognition of our relationships, but let's go ahead and win the fight for equal partnership rights in the meantime.

Love,
Clayton

[1] This article includes quotes and statistics from KAY WHITLOCK's "The Perfect Storm: Why Progressives Must Reframe the Narrow Terms of Marriage Politics," PEACEWORK MAGAZINE, April 2007.

RICK WARREN COMES OUT FOR GAY RIGHTS

This SHOULD have been the headline around the world after the Rev. Rick Warren, Pastor of Saddleback Church and author of The Purpose Driven Life, gave this significant interview to Beliefnet.

Unfortunately, a misunderstanding of Warren’s comments has been widely and loudly disseminated by my fellow progressives, describing Warren as bigoted and hateful, when, in fact, his comments reflect an unusual depth of understanding about gay marriage as a civil rights issue.

Warren may be, as The Task Force warns, an outspoken opponent of reproductive choice and stem-cell research, and that should concern us, but he has never equated marriage between same-sex couples with incest and pedophilia.

In this video, posted on the Saddleback website on December 22, the Sunday before Christmas,  Warren says, flat-out, "I believe no such thing. I never have."  In the video, Warren explains again that he has always firmly believed that gay couples – and other non-traditional families – should have equal access to the rights and responsibilities of marriage.  He just doesn’t think it should be called “Marriage.”

Does this necessarily mean he is ready to give up his legal marriage and go to the wall for civil unions for everyone, as MyOutSpirit.com wondered in “Reconsidering Marriage: Are Gay Activists Fighting the Right Fight?”

Probably not. 

At the same time, framing this passionate and unrelentingly civil Christian leader as a hateful bigot in the style of Jerry Falwell is unacceptable and counter-productive.

I take that back.  Attacking Warren is only counter-productive if you value dignified and thoughtful coalition-building for the long-term success of our movement for the equal rights and recognition of LGBT families.

If your priority is increasing year-end fundraising, riling up your base, or keeping your issues in the news, then attacking Warren makes perfect sense.

We should be better than that, especially as spiritual LGBT people.  We should educate our community to have deep perspicacity about our issues, and to have the maturity to do the long-term work of creating change.

LGBT activists from around the country will convene in Denver, CO, at the end of January to train and network and get inspired at The Task Force’s Creating Change conference, and I hope the messages that emerge will reflect the world as it is, and not the twisted sound-bites and caricatures that too often define the discussion, as in the case of Rick Warren.

Let's resolve to do better in 2009.

Love,

Clayton

P.S. Of course, these are MY views and do not neccessarily reflect the views of MyOutSpirit.com or its 1,000+ members and resources.

About Steve Lopez's "A life thrown into turmoil by Proposition 8"

Dear Steve Lopez,

While John Aravosis and DailyKos diarists are entitled to their opinions, rants, and raves, I disagree that your article "A life thrown into turmoil by Proposition 8" is "remarkably stupid." It's more likely that their passions have gotten in the way of seeing your article as the fair and honest piece of journalism that it is.

Personally, I'm supporting boycotters against Prop. 8 donors (though as a Seattle resident it doesn't affect me much), and am undecided about whether I'd choose not to solicit this taco joint if Maggie were the hostess. What I would not do is picket the restaurant over a mere $100 donation by one of its employees. Your article showed an example of just how easily the anger behind a legitimate boycott can get out of hand, hurting innocent people, and overall damaging the image of anti-Prop. 8 supporters by casting them as uncivil and mean-spirited.

Aravosis and DailyKos diarists don't speak for all gay activists, though as a proponent of the strategy of "divergent rationales" (see my book Rising Up) it would be incongruent for me to say that there isn't a place for their anger or methods in the LGBT rights struggle. My hope, however, is that theirs isn't the dominant voice, and their methods aren't adopted by most gays, who are by and large cool headed enough to realize that picketing taco joints is a fool's errand when there's the much more serious work to do of changing hearts and minds.

Best wishes,

Joe
http://www.joe-perez.com/

12 queer days of Xmas art starts now

AltXmasArt, a groundbreaking exhibit of alternative Christmas art, will be posted online in 12 daily installments today through Dec. 25 at the Jesus in Love Blog.

Nine artists combine Christmas imagery with a progressive vision of gay, lesbian, bi and trans (GLBT) rights, racial and gender justice, and a world without war, poverty or environmental destruction. 

Click here for the announcement with all 12 images in small format.  Large images will be posted daily with seasonal meditations.

“We hope that people will visit AltXmasArt daily for progressive inspiration in the 12 days leading up to Christmas,” says lesbian art historian and minister Kittredge Cherry, curator of the show.  “Many people feel left out of the traditional Christmas scenes, but AltXmasArt breaks the stereotypes and shows Christ for ALL of us -- gay and straight, male and female, black and white, rich and poor.”

The series offers a superb fusion of high-quality art, deep spirituality and socio-political commentary.  Surprising variations on the traditional Nativity scene include black madonnas, lesbian madonnas, father-and-son scenes of Jesus and Joseph, and a multi-racial trio of female Magi.  The AltXmasArt series starts Sunday, Dec. 14 and ends on Christmas Day.

“Christian rhetoric is used to justify hate and discrimination these days, but AltXmasArt frees people to think differently.  We hope to stimulate dialogue and consciousness of love,” Cherry says.  It’s important to imagine the Christmas story in new and different ways because it empowers people to grow in their relationship with each other and with God.” 

The sometimes controversial art was created by a diverse group of nine artists, including openly gay or lesbian artists such as Keith Haring, Swedish photographer Elisabeth Ohlson Wallin and Becki Jayne Harrelson of Atlanta. 

Artists who dare to picture Jesus’ mother as a lesbian have faced censorship and even death threats, but now their liberating images can be seen and celebrated.  Explicitly queer Christian imagery in AltXmasArt includes “Annunciation” by Elisabeth Ohlson Wallin, in which a gay angel gives a lesbian couple a test tube for insemination (pictured here), and “Madonna, Lover and Child” by Becki Jayne Harrelson, where lesbian parents cuddle the baby Jesus.

Each image in the series will be accompanied by Cherry’s seasonal reflections on its artistic, political and spiritual significance.  Cherry is the author of “Art That Dares: Gay Jesus, Woman Christ, and More.”  She holds degrees in journalism, art history, and religion.  She served as national ecumenical officer for Metropolitan Community Churches.   

Artists in AltXmasArt are:  Joseph Giuliani, Keith Haring, Becki Jayne Harrelson David Hewson, Robert Lentz, Armando Lopez, Janet McKenzie, William Hart McNichols, and Elisabeth Ohlson Wallin.

The show includes artists working both inside and outside the church.  Five of the artists are also featured in “Art That Dares,” which is filled with color images by 11 contemporary artists from the U.S. and Europe.  The artists tell the stories behind their images, including censorship, and a lively introduction puts them into political and historical context, exploring issues of blasphemy and artistic freedom. 

The Jesus in Love Blog promotes artistic and religious freedom by supporting spirituality and the arts for GLBT people and their allies. 

The schedule for the AltXmasArt series is:
Sun, Dec 14: “Annunciation” by Elisabeth Ohlson Wallin (pictured here) www.ohlson.se
Mon, Dec 15: “La Anunciación (The Annuciation)” by Armando Lopez
Tue, Dec 16: “Mother of God: Mother of the Streets” by Brother Robert Lentz
Wed, Dec 17: “Black Madonna - Mitochondrial Eve” by David Hewson
Thu, Dec 18: “The Holy Family” by Janet McKenzie
Fri, Dec 19: “San José (Saint Joseph)” by Armando Lopez
Sat, Dec 20: “Joseph and the Christ Child” by Father John Giuliani
Sun, Dec 21: “Mary Most Holy Mother of All Nations” by Father William Hart McNichols
Mon, Dec 22: “Pacha Mama Healing the Earth” by David Hewson
Tue, Dec 23: “Epiphany” by Janet McKenzie
Wed, Dec 24: “Radiant Baby” by Keith Haring
Thu, Dec 25: “Madonna, Lover, and Son” by Becki Jayne Harrelson

Thanksgiving: A time to thank straight allies

The following Thanksgiving thoughts are taken from a lesbian’s thank-you letter to her neighborhood association in California after the election.

“Thank you to all our straight neighbors, allies and friends who put up yard signs, made phone calls and supported the huge lesbian and gay civil rights movement to make marriage for our people legal in the State of California.  I loved those NO ON 8 SIGNS!!
 
“…I remember the days when there were no straight people at any of our events, and certainly for decades straight people wanted nothing to do with us.  Now something amazing has changed, and I feel proud of our little neighborhood where people literally put signs in the yards that I felt personally supported me.  I smile every time I drive by all your houses now because I remember where all the signs were.”

Read the whole letter at the Jesus in Love Blog

Stop the H8 protests support glbt marriage

Thousands of people rallied for same-sex marriage in simultaneous protests held in every state today.

I was among the more than 500 protesters at the City Hall in Pasadena, California, who rallied to stop the hate behind Proposition 8, the law that just passed banning same-sex marriage.

There was a strong sense of unity, love, hope and creativity. I recorded the historic day with photos and videos. I’m posting a few here, with more great photos and videos at the Jesus in Love Blog. These are too good to miss, so I hope that you will visit the Jesus in Love Blog to see it all.

Join the Impact has more info on the protests and the movement to promote love and equality.

 

"Support Love! Stop H8"  That says it all.

I love the rainbow signs held by these three black women: “I won’t until you can.”  “Separate is not equal” and Love is for all.”

 

“Mormons want 3 wives -- but I can’t have 1 husband!  Get a grip!”  Clever jab at the Mormon Church, which funded much of the latest campaign to ban same-sex marriage.

Is this the new Stonewall Rebellion?

Thousands of same-sex marriage supporters stormed the Mormon Temple near Beverly Hills after the election. They targeted the Mormon Church because it raised most of the money for Proposition 8 campaign to ban same-sex marriage.

I was shocked at the protestors’ rage when I saw the protest on the local news here in L.A. I found the news video to post here because the written news reports fail to capture the deep rage of the glbt community. I’ve never seen a mob of queers storm a church before. This may be a turning point, like the Stonewall Rebellion that launched the gay rights movement in 1969. That historic moment was barely reported at the time. This may be a turning point.

This protest was not like the old days where we used to sing, “We are a gentle, angry people.” Now we are an angry, angry people.

P.S. For those who wage war with words, click here to visit WOW Report’s info on how to report the Mormons to the IRS to get their tax-exempt status revoked for violating the separation of church and state.
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Kittredge Cherry is a lesbian Christian author who also blogs at the Jesus in Love Blog.