MyOutSpirit.com Gay Spirituality Blog

Jamaican Gays Worship in the Closet

Read Micah Fink's full article on MinnPost.com

It takes just 15 minutes to set up an underground church.

Two boxes and a white sheet make up the pulpit. The altar is a card table. Folding chairs constitute the pews. Then Rev. Robert Griffin, a solidly built gay American minister in his mid-40s, unpacks a battered cardboard box; inside is a wooden chalice, two candle holders, a communion plate and a dog-eared copy of the King James Bible. Add a pianist warming up on an electric keyboard and suddenly an empty meeting room is transformed into the Kingston branch of the Sunshine Cathedral, Jamaica's only gay church (an affiliate of the Metropolitan Community Churches).

"We call it church in a box," said Griffin, who travels to Jamaica once a month from Florida to hold services for Jamaica's gay community. He helped found this congregation five years ago after reading a Human Rights Watch report about institutionalized anti-gay violence in Jamaica...

Jamaica is a hostile place for gay men and women and homophobia is woven into the everyday fabric of society... In just one packed afternoon, I met one woman who was shot several times by a gunman who shouted out "de lesbian fi dead" (the lesbian must die), as he pulled the trigger. One man told me his best friend was murdered, chopped into pieces with a machete, and had the skin flayed from his face; he then went on to relate how another gay friend was locked up in his parent's house by a group of gunmen who then set the building on fire and burned him alive.

Then there was another congregant whose features appeared in video shot at a gay birthday party that became a black-market best seller after a copy was stolen and then released on the streets. He's had to abandon his home twice, in two different cities, after neighbors saw the video, recognized him and made plans to kill him. And he's one of the lucky ones, the man says, since he's lived to tell the tale — unlike four other gay men he knows who had the misfortune to appeared in the video and were later hunted down and murdered...

"Ministers here are endorsing violent acts, calls for murder, to incite riots," Griffin said. "I hear it being done here, I read it in the papers here, I have even heard it myself. They tell me: 'We don't believe in homosexuality and homosexuals should be killed because that's what the scripture says.'"

Read Micah Fink's full article on MinnPost.com

Photo Credit: "Interlocking" by John K.

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.

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.

Black Jesus, Gay Jesus and Obama

Black Jesus is causing controversy now for U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama.

“Jesus was a poor black man who lived in a country and lived in a culture that was controlled by rich, white people,” said Obama’s recently retired pastor Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr.  He was preaching to a predominantly black congregation.

I appreciate the need for the black Jesus because as a lesbian minister and author I promote the idea of a queer Christ.  These radically new Christ figures embody and empower people who are left out when Jesus is shown as a straight man.  They can free the minds of everyone.

However, some people reacted with outrage when videos of Wright’s preaching were broadcast on national television yesterday.  News reports about the controversy focus not only on the black Jesus, but also on his analysis of U.S. politics, which Obama has condemned as “inflammatory and appalling.”

Wright recently retired as pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago.  Watch him on video and judge for yourself.
________
Kittredge Cherry Kittredge Cherry is the author of Art That Dares: Gay Jesus, Woman Christ, and More.  She edits the Jesus in Love Newsletter on queer spirituality and the arts.  She offers progressive spiritual resources at JesusInLove.org. 

Discrimination because of perceived orientation

Penn State's ladies basketball coach did discriminate against a former player because she perceived her to be a lesbian, an investigation has concluded.  Here's what the university is threatning her with:

Coach Portland will be required to pay a $10,000 fine, a written reprimand will be put in her personnel file, she will be required to participate in a professional development experience devoted to diversity, and has also been informed that further violations will result in termination with cause.

A Kinder, Gentler Elitism

Former first lady Barbara Bush, on the Hurricane Katrina refugees who are crowded into the Astrodome in Houston:

"What I’m hearing which is sort of scary is they all want to stay in Texas. Everyone is so overwhelmed by the hospitality. And so many of the people in the arena here, you know, were underprivileged anyway, so this--this [she chuckles slightly] is working very well for them."

What's so sad about "compassionate conservatives" is that they honestly have no idea how elitist and cold-hearted they sound until their handlers tell them, after the fact (or after the press reports their remarks).

Woman Leads Muslim Prayers!

Another small step on the road to equality for women:

In rare act, woman leads Muslim prayers in N.Y.
Middle East critics accuse her of 'tarnishing' the faith

Where Do We Go From Here?

Most queer people I've talked to since the election answer that question with "Canada." I, however, am feeling energized. Don't get me wrong, I'm also devastated by Bush's election ("the first time is always the sweetest") and our loss on Proposal 2 here in Michigan and the other 10 states that chose to discriminate against unmarried couples. I'm as scared as anybody about what the next few years could bring if the Right decides to see just how far they can push back liberty, democracy, peace and justice. I'm not happy about it, but, at the same time, I'm optimistic about the future.

Millions of Americans continue to be highly motivated by this election, millions of Americans who can help fund progressive think-tanks, voter identification and citizen education, millions of Americans who can force the Democrats to represent true moral values: lifting each other up by fighting poverty and injustice; restoring our environment through protectionism and by changing design, production and energy standards; achieving energy independence; passing a national living wage; and working for peace in our minds, our country and our world. Among others, standing for these truly moral (as opposed to moralistic) values will guide us toward political success, not to mention a better country.

But the question remains for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender women and men of all ages, "Where do WE go from here?" Our families were placed at the center of the Religious Right's "get out the vote" campaign, and pundits across the world are all but blaming us for losing the election. Will a new version of "Queer Eye" really do anything to advance LGBT rights and recognition? What should we be doing? How should we spend our time and money for the next three years?

It's not enough to just join HRC, even though it's important to send money to pay for political action. National, state-wide and sometimes local organizations are already on the ground doing political work--advocating, lobbying, training activists, identifying voters supportive of LGBT issues, and backing LGBT-affirming candidates--and we need to make sure they are fully funded and staffed. We need to back the creation of new political organizations where necessary.

There are also organizations that have years of experience doing the deep social change work our country needs. My partner's Faith Action Network, for example, identifies, organizes, trains and mobilizes progressive people of faith to stand up for LGBT rights and recognition, teaches nonviolent dialogue workshops so people on opposite sides of a controversial issue can have a meaningful, relationship-building discussion, and hosts the national conference for spiritual LGBT activists, "Together in Faith." Southerners on New Ground works in twelve states in the Southeast to dismantle racism, homophobia and economic disparity through education and strategic, multi-issue organizing. We have to give money to and volunteer for such organizations--they must be fully funded and staffed.

In the end, though, it comes down to us as LGBT individuals. What can we do in the next few years to change the direction of our country? Besides getting politically involved, besides supporting LGBT and progressive organizations, what can we do?

There is work for us, too. Although it seems much easier and more attractive to pay someone at an organization to stand up for us, there is important work for each of us:

We all have to come out;

We have to move from a concept of Pride to a concept of Integrity;

We have to study and understand the connections of oppressions so that we can pull them all up by the root;

We have to use methods of activism that are constructive; some people call this nonviolence, in Shirt of Flame I call it "Collective Cultivation."

We all have to come out because it's what's best for us and for the country. Living honestly is living well, and all of our friends and co-workers and church members will be changed by our honesty. Studies show that people who know LGBT people are far more likely to support their equal rights.

We have to move from a concept of Pride to a concept of Integrity because we all know what Pride goeth before. Pride, at least queer pride, is a rebellious exercise. These are not the days for "We're here, we're queer, get used to it!" Celebrating our personal Integrity is a more mature interaction with straight society. We don't need to be 'proud' of whom and how we love; we need to be secure in our identities, and to live so that our true selves and true goals are manifested.

We have to study and understand the connections of oppressions so that we can pull them all up by the root. There are linkages between the oppression of queers and the oppressions of women, racial and ethnic minorities, and the poor. If we want to end any of them, we have to address the root mental models, we have to destroy the ideas behind oppressions. We have to shine a bright light on all oppressors. We have to stand with our oppressed sisters and brothers.

We have to use methods of activism that are constructive, that do nothing to hinder our progress. As I argue in Shirt of Flame, some kinds of activism LGBT people have used actually hurt our cause. The goal for our individual activism has to be changing hearts and minds, not raising hell. You don't scream at a door to get it to open any more than you open hearts and minds by yelling. Like doors, they're opened by oiling the hinges, finding the handle and learning to turn it. Like doors, there are many different sizes, colors, shapes and materials. If we want change, we have to become change, and that means engaging in "Collective Cultivation" on a massive scale.

Most importantly, we have to stay awake, and not let go of the idea that a better future is possible if we start working for it today. It's not too late. Are you with me?

Trend in Hispanic spirituality may increase anti-gay sentiment, says a report

Immigrants from Latin America are shifting from a historically Catholic identity to a more evangelical and pentecostal faith. This trend produces a kind of religiosity that is "more spiritual, more experiential, more inviting," says a report in the Christian Science Monitor.

U.S. churches are adapting to the changing spiritual sensibility to create a more friendly environment for Latinos. However, this social trend could make U.S. religion more conservative and less hospitable to gays, says the report:

Experts say the movement has broad implications for religion in the US - making it more socially and theologically conservative. Such churches tend to emphasize a literal reading of the Bible and take a conservative stance on contentious issues like gay unions or abortion."

Professor E. Patrick Johnson says being around self-affirming gays was a source of strength

A feature in the Southern Voice describes gay events set to recognize Black History Month in February. Among the events is a book reading by E. Patrick Johnson, an associate professor of performance studies and African-American studies and author of Appropriating Blackness. The book includes topics related to homosexuality and spirituality:

Many black gay men in the South were also raised in religious homes, which created inner turmoil over reconciling their spirituality and their sexual orientation, says Johnson, a North Carolina native.

"I dealt with it by being around positive gay people who weren’t always necessarily black, but were self-affirming about themselves and about me. It gave me enough strength to accept who I am," he says. "More and more folks are finding ways to do that."