MyOutSpirit.com Gay Spirituality Blog

LGBTQ Buddhist Meditation Retreat at Garrison Institute is Your Chance for Revival and Reflection

 

2016 is shaping up to be a wild one, with a contentious election process and conflict all around us. From April 14-16, get away from it all and centered in your right mind at Garrison Institute’s annual silent retreat for (and by) LGBTQ people: “Waking Up Free, Whole, and Fabulous: Healing Within and In the World.”

 

“Attending a retreat revitalizes my aspiration for mindfulness practice, inspires me to continue deepening my practice, and reconnects me to myself and others,” says La Sarmiento, teacher at Insight Meditation Community of Washington and Inward Bound Mindfulness Education, and transgender themselves. “I come home feeling more grounded, open, compassionate, loving, and accepting of others.”

 

Participating in a mindfulness retreat even affects others in your life through “retreat osmosis,” says Madeline Klyne, co-founder of South Shore Insight in Hanover, MA.

 

“When I come home from a retreat, my wife says she can absorb some of the retreat energy I bring home! We are more open, more present, more spacious, more awake, and more connected.”

 

“A silent retreat offers a rare opportunity to take a break from our often crazy, busy world,” says Sarmiento.

 

Dharma teacher Gavin Harrison explains, “On a silent retreat, there is an opportunity to turn towards the infinite loveliness of our true nature, and this understanding is the gift that accompanies us back to the everydayness of our lives.

 

“What we are, most truly and deeply, is a ground of unutterable wakefulness, love, compassion, and wisdom. All the mystics tell us this.”

 

“Every year, I am reminded of the power of LGBTIQ people practicing together,” Klyne continues. “Many of us don’t even recognize the stress and tension we feel in a world where LGBTIQ people are still marginalized, and this retreat gives us a chance to literally breathe outside of our fears and anxieties.”

 

Mindfulness is important for LGBTQ people to practice, Sarmiento says, because “when we are NOT mindful, present, or comfortable in our skin, we have a tendency to: withdraw, act out, become impatient, be irritable, engage in unskillful behavior, be judgmental or overly critical, and unkind.”

 

“I was infected with HIV before the virus was identified,” Harrison recalls. “Without the ground of mindfulness at the time, and without a consolidation of inner affection and love, I gave myself to a sexual situation even though the voices within me were loud and filled with caution. I turned away from the knowing of my heart. It was an unconscious moment with permanent repercussions.

 

“I consider mindfulness, the spiritual journey, and awakening to my true nature to be the best medicine available on the planet!”

 

All the retreat leaders agree that mindfulness and meditation have enormous potential to make LGBTIQ people happier and healthier. Harrison concludes:

 

“The LGBTIQ community is thirsty for more love, honesty, integrity, and authenticity. We can make this happen moment-to-moment by the choices we make – by how you live your precious human life. When our preciousness is valued deeply we become a more trustworthy and impactful force for good in our beautiful world. We become the solution we pray for.”

 

 

Learn more and register for the retreat at https://www.garrisoninstitute.org/event/waking-up-free-whole-and-fabulous-healing-within-and-in-the-world-lgbtiq-retreat/

 

 

AMERICAN SPRING: MARRIAGE EQUALITY AND THE ARC TO JUSTICE

Remember the Arab Spring? Fueled by social media, the people of several Arab nations started taking to the streets five years ago to demand a different way of life, a change in the relationship they have with their governments. Now granted, the Egypt, Libya and Syria of today may not look exactly like what we might have expected as a result of the protests – but if we look at our own history in America we can see that, as Martin Luther King Jr. said, its arc is long but does indeed bend towards justice.

So we need the Arab Springs, and the long hot summers of discontent — but they’re just the beginning.

Calvary in Charleston: How forgiveness overcame guns, flags and hate

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” (Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.)

The name Emanuel means “God is with us”. And as if one needed any more evidence that God is with the grieving survivors of Dylann Roof’s rampage at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, the tear-stained forgiveness exhibited by the families of the victims at Roof’s bond hearing is just that, to a factor of seventy times seven.

A Gay Yogi Begins His Year Long Meditation Instructor Training

 

{by Patrick Henry Morris, Awakened Artistry}

Last weekend I started my year long immersion training with The Interdependence Project in New York City. Entering those doors and climbing the 200 stairs to the loving space of my Sangha I was nervous with the teeming possiblities. What would this training mean to me? How would it change me? What would I learn? Am I smart enough to complete this? Will the others understand me? Will I be a good teacher? Will I be a good student?

As we took our seats, Ethan Nichtern started by giving us some meditation instruction. At the end, he asked us to get in touch with what we feel in our bodies and to start getting comfortable with being on the spot, showing up and staying in the present, no matter how fearful we may be. At that moment, all the questions in my mind vanished. I made a commitment to be available to what the world was teaching me at that moment.

Being completely open to what was arising didn’t mean I wasn’t scared anymore. I don’t think I stopped sweating for the rest of the weekend. We went through a study session and taking turns teaching mindfulness meditation and giving feedback. I was nervous for all of it except when I was actually leading meditation. I stayed with those feelings, I felt them. And what do ya know, I didn’t die. I’m still here to relate this story to you. I always assume whatever hard task is in front of me will kill me but some how I prevail. I should start remembering that from the beginning.

As the weekend progressed, I kept feeling more inspired and grateful for the opportunity to learn from 15 different teachers during the course of this year. People from all walks of life with such vastly different experiences. Each unique in their own way, yet we have so much in common. It’s nice to share a space with so many indivuduals who are interested in learning more about themselves and their own minds.

I’m no longer nervous about being put on the spot. I know it’s exactly what I need to do to learn more about myself, become accepting, and grow. I’m inspired to continue on this journey and learn how to better relate the teachings so that others may benefit.

May I be of benefit.

---

“Wag the Dog” of Christmas

Well, we are nine days away from what Christians have come to call Christmas.  I find it hard to understand and almost laughable at how twisted and screwed up this “church” celebration of it’s founder has become.

 

I want to share this obvious observation: Even if there were some remote chance I could become pope…they would never let me. The reason is simple and it is not because of my progressive views of Christian theology, or the fact that I am unapologetically gay or even the fact that I do not believe the bible is the inerrant word of God.

 

Nope, it is because I believe December 25th is one of the biggest scams ever pulled on humanity.

 

Those who are pastors know that what I am suggesting is very true. Y’all went to seminary and know that saying Jesus was born on December 25th is like saying there is a real living breathing Santa Claus. Of course this is but one of many transparent lies and traditions that are based on fiction rather then fact.

 

We have kind of a “Wag the Dog” scenario.  You remember the movie: The story of a US President running for office and before elections, a spin-doctor and a Hollywood producer join efforts to "fabricate" a war in order to cover-up a presidential sex scandal.

 

I think the first time I heard this Christmas script of a “war on Christmas” was from Bill O’Reilly. What has now become the ultimate fundraiser of those on the “Christian and political right”: “The War on Christmas” is fought for the entire 12 weeks leading to December 25th. Do you say “Happy Holidays” or “Merry Christmas”? Legal fights jam our courts over these phrases or worse when a nativity scene gets set up. Conservative Christian websites fire up the war by warning their readers and members that “Christmas is about to be stolen from them so send us money to protect you!”

 

However if you really think about it, this so-called “War on Christmas” is simply a ridiculous marketing idea that fits our arrogance, selfishness and greed to a “t”.  Read me clearly here: the conservatives, fundamentalists, liberals and progressives have all bought into a huge marketing adventure of “wag the dog”.

 

For the Christmas season, which begins long before the 1st Sunday in Advent, actually right after Halloween, we are subjected to twelve weeks of Christmas messages that have little to do with or about our Christian faith. In fact, most of the preparations and so-called traditions have been borrowed or should I say stolen from pagan practices! Although many marketing people cleverly package their presentations in the form of a cute little baby in a cute well-manicured and warm manger scene.

 

People begin making plans for family gatherings and the perfect gift to make the perfect statement of love or impression. This is all destroyed when Johnny announces he is bringing Tom home for Christmas or Susie tells the family she will be spending this holiday with Tammy and her family.

 

Money, jobs, friends, illness, those dying, families, the homeless, starving children, criminals of all kinds and political games all become the all consuming thing that will happen in that particular year or in a lifetime coming up to December 25th.

 

Starting with Thanksgiving and through Christmas day every story has a Christmas slant meant to make one feel guilty, or believe it is possible for one day if enough money is spent, to be a day of perfect perfection.

 

Almost every retail business, in America anyway, is geared to this time as making or breaking them for the entire year.

 

Legislation, which is vital to so many people’s lives, is either held hostage or used as extortion leading to December 25th.

 

Also, starting with Thanksgiving our food consumption just simple goes off the charts, eating far too much of everything and especially the wrong things. Alcohol consumption also goes off the charts but hey, you got to drink something with all that food.

 

The normal everyday challenges of life become a crisis of faith because “tis the season”.

 

People’s social and pageant schedules become so jammed there is no time to take a breath or enjoy a quiet moment of peace and wonderment at God’s creativity in this world in which we live.

 

We are pushed to acts of kindness because it is the Christmas season, rather than it is the right and just thing to do.

 

I could go on and on but you get the point.

 

Now for those who have at this point decided I am some sort of Scrooge or Grinch that stole Christmas, be patient and give me a few more sentences.

 

When I was young my Grandfather told me the reason one should not lie is because once you tell a lie, you have to tell another lie to cover the first and another to cover the 2nd and pretty soon you are just having to lie all the time because you have lost track of the truth and you can’t remember what you said and to whom.

 

We have been told and believe so many lies concerning Christmas that we have almost completely lost why this particular birthday is important, why we celebrate a life which in thirty-three years (a couple years more or less) had such an impact as to change the very course of human events.

 

In all the perfection we strive for in the holiday season, we forget this birth was anything but neat, clean and glamorous. We forget or by cheesy tradition, explain away that this child was conceived out of wedlock, borne in abject poverty and grew up in a world that was most certainly as dangerous to human life as it is today. We forget or don’t talk about how the gossips of the day must have had a field day both inside the temple and outside.

 

We jump past the truth of this story which tells us that no matter how bad things are or get God can raise us up out of the ashes of despair to a place with the Creator.

 

We forget this is a birth that gave us a moral compass for living a life that would be pleasing to the God who created us because it leads to a life of doing justice, acting mercifully and walking humbly with God.

 

When we first bought the lie of December 25th, it became easier to buy the other lies. In fact the Christian and political right’s fear of Christmas being stolen while a lie itself was a self-fulfilling prophecy. For you see, I don’t think we have to worry about Christmas being stolen…it already has been stolen and replaced with the craziness that we call the “Holiday Season”.

 

It is the fact that Jesus of Nazareth was born that we celebrate. The truth of the date is somewhere between April and August depending on whose math you believed. About the only thing certain about the date is it was not the 25th of December. The story of the circumstances of his conception and birth give us real hope that it gets better. Jesus’ life and work gives us a working model and road map for our life. His life is indeed one we can look up to and not be disappointed in what we see. His arrest, faulty conviction and the administration of capital punishment followed by a resurrection give those us who call ourselves followers of “The Christ”, the assurance that nothing in this world including death of the physical body can keep us from God.

 

Maybe the date we celebrate the birth in the wider view is not as important as getting back to why we remember this birth like no other birth in history.

 

So it is with the spirit of being authentic in our celebration I ask us to consider how our “Christmas” celebration this year will measure up to the words attributed to the one we celebrate, we remember, we strive to be like:

 

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

 

Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

 

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Creator in heaven. Matthew 5:3-16 (New International Version, ©2010)

 

It seems to me that December 25th is as good as any day to get back to the authentic reason for giving honor to the birth of the one called Jesus.  So to those who have bought into the “Wag the Dog” scenario of Christmas, how about we just get back to basics and let people enjoy the season in peace?

"God Hates Fags" or "Being Gay is a Gift from God?" Which Story will Win?

{by Clayton Gibson, GodLovesGays.org}

Have you ever heard someone say "God hates fags?"

Maybe you've read that homosexuality is an abomination?

Maybe you just feel like there's something dirty or naughty (or sinful) about two men or two women together?

Well if you haven't heard those things, I'm moving to wherever you're from! They're a regular part of the conversation here in the United States. In fact, two out of three Americans agree that gay people suffer discrimination and violence and die from suicide at least partly because of anti-gay messages coming out of churches and other places of worship.

It's time for that to change. 

It's time for us to work together to lift up the voices of the thousands of LGBT-affirming spiritual communities in the USA and speak truth to power in one thundering voice, "God Loves Gays."

One small church in Toledo, Ohio, is leading the way.

Central United Methodist Church has purchased a billboard that boldly states, "Being Gay is a Gift from God." [pictured above, obviously]

The Rev. Bill Barnard, Central’s part-time pastor, tells the Toledo Blade that the billboard message will be linked to a four-week sermon series, and the overall campaign goal is “to make a leap beyond tolerance.”

“Members of the congregation have experienced places and times where being lesbian or gay was tolerated — kind of ‘Don’t ask, don’t tell, I know God forgives you,’” Barnard says. “We’re saying, ‘This is the way God created you. There’s nothing to forgive.’"

In an email to MyOutSpirit.com, Central UMC Lead Team Chair Lynn Braun explains, "Central UMC has been actively and openly inclusive of the LGBT community for over 25 years but we felt it was important to make an even bigger statement so that LGBT folks hear messages from religious groups that tell them that they are loved, just the way they are."

We are organizing welcoming faith communities to proclaim love at BringYourGayTeenToChurch.com!

Our plan is for EVERY LGBTQ-AFFIRMING SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY IN THE COUNTRY to celebrate "Bring Your Gay Teen to Church Day" during their services on June 25 or 26, 2011. 

We are raising money at GodLovesGays.org to help the churches pay to promote this interfaith event so that:

Every LGBTQ youth will know that when times are tough, they have a spiritual home to turn to that celebrates their gender identity or sexual orientation (as opposed to churches that would try to change it). 

LGBTQ youth, and their parents, families and classmates, will hear from spiritual leaders that God loves transgender, bisexual, lesbian and gay people just as they are - that "Gay is a Gift from God," and not an abomination, a choice, or a sin.

Every LGBTQ teen will know that someone believes they are sacred, whole, valuable, and perfect as they are.

I don't know if we'll raise enough money to buy every LGBTQ-affirming church a "Gay is a Gift from God" billboard, but wouldn't it be nice? 

It's up to us. Which story will win: "God Hates Fags" or "Being Gay is a Gift from God?"

---

Please donate at GodLovesGays.org so we can spread the love - even if it's just a $1 - and use the "Share" tools on that page to tell all your friends about the event!

You can also find us at http://www.facebook.com/GodLovesGays and BringYourGayTeenToChurch.com.

"Bring Your Gay Teen to Church Day" will Announce that "God Loves Gays"

After an exciting start in Houston in February 2011, MyOutSpirit.com is working with organizations in Austin, Texas, and around the country to launch "Bring Your Gay Teen to Church Day," June 25-26, 2011.

"We hope this interfaith event connecting LGBTQ teens with open-and-affirming faith communities will help prevent LGBTQ youth deaths by suicide," says MyOutSpirit.com founder, Clayton Gibson. "Thousands of churches, temples, synagogues and other spiritual communities are LGBTQ-affirming, and this event will help them get the word out. For once it's not about politics, not about equality. This time, it's about serving the spiritual needs of LGBTQ teens and their families."

 

As the crowd-funding campaign page for "Bring Your Gay Teen to Church Day" explains:

As LGBTQ-affirming clergy,

Spiritual teachers,

People of faith, and 

Parents, friends and family members of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer and questioning youth,

We were all alarmed by the spike in LGBTQ youth deaths by suicide last fall. An April 2011 study found that roughly 20% of gay, lesbian and bisexual teens said they had made a suicide attempt, versus 4% of straight kids. 

Young people who live in areas with a more negative cultural climate towards LGBTQ issues are at an increased risk. Some 70% of calls to The Trevor Project's suicide hotline come from the southern and central regions of the United States.

Two out of three Americans agree with us that gay people suffer discrimination and violence and die from suicide at least partly because of anti-gay messages coming out of churches and other places of worship. We wondered:

What can WE do to help prevent gay teen suicide? 

We believe that LGBTQ-affirming spiritual guidance and community can help lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer and questioning youth who are in crisis. 

We know from personal experience that deep community and spiritual practices like prayer, meditation, mindfulness, forgiveness and yoga help human beings weather hard times. Bringing an LGBTQ teen to a certified welcoming church, synagogue, temple, sangha or other spiritual community can help empower them to "Make It Better" starting today.

That's why we invite your donation to support "Bring Your Gay Teen to Church Day."

We want to change the cultural mindset by making it common knowledge that many spiritual communities would love to welcome, support and inspire LGBTQ young people, without trying to change their sexual orientation or gender identity. 

 

We can replace the incorrect assumption that LGBTQ people are "an abomination"

with our message that "God Loves Gays." 

Most importantly, we want every LGBTQ youth to hear that they are sacred, whole, valuable and loved, just as they are. And we want their parents, families and classmates to hear it, too!

MCC People of African Descent Conference, May 2011

The Metropolitan Community Church's PEOPLE OF AFRICAN DESCENT CONFERENCE will convene in Washington, DC, from May 19-21, 2011.

From the PAD Conference website:

"Since 1998, the MCC Conference for People of African Descent, Our Friends and Allies has been a landmark MCC event. While being firmly rooted in the African-American cultural experience, the MCC PAD Conference is for everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, or nationality.

"The 2011 PAD Conference theme LOVING OURSELVES INTO LIBERATION reflects our commitment to continue our rise from victimhood to victory and to lift others as we climb. To inform and empower us to reach higher heights, workshops and keynote speakers will focus on physical, political, and spiritual health and wholeness. Worship will inspire us to celebrate the fullness of who we are and to embrace the fullness of who God has liberated us to be."

Register now by Clicking Here!

 

NOTE: The PAD Conference will dovetail with Human Rights Campaign's CLERGY CALL 2011.

Clergy Call 2011: Human Rights Campaign Gathers Ministers for Equality

On May 22-24, join MyOutSpirit.com founding member, HRC's Religion and Faith Program, and hundreds of fellow religious leaders from across the country to build the faithful movement for LGBT justice. Now more than ever, we need religious leaders like you to keep equality at the forefront of our nation's conscience. Join us in Washington, DC to organize, learn, worship and bring our witness for justice and equality to Capitol Hill.

Invite your friends, colleagues, local clergy or religious and spiritual community leaders to be a part of the 2011 Clergy Call!

Register Today!

Schedule & Speakers

Sunday, May 22 — Evening events organized in conjunction with the MCC Conference for People of African Descent

Monday, May 23 — Plenary Conference: Leadership for Justice in Complex Times & Interfaith Service in the Evening

Tuesday, May 24 — Capitol Hill Press Conference & Lobby Day

• Full Clergy Call Schedule
• Speaker Biographies
  Coming Soon
• Past Clergy Call Speakers

Lazarus Sunday to Raise HIV/AIDS Treatment Awareness

ONE.org is sponsoring LAZARUS SUNDAY on April 10, 2011. From their website:

Bring the story of the Lazarus Effect and fight against HIV/AIDS in Africa to your congregation; receive a free DVD of the documentary, The Lazarus Effect.

The Fight against HIV/AIDS 
What happens when people dying from AIDS get access to life-saving treatments? People who were once dying from AIDS bounce back from death's door and are able to go back to work and school within 40 days. And the ripple effect is enormous: families and communities are transformed. A sort of resurrection happens. We call it the "Lazarus Effect."

Join the Movement against HIV/AIDS
Join the movement on Sunday, April 10 to witness a modern-day resurrection in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Africa. Show your group or congregation how this work against HIV/AIDS is successful because of the action of people like you who support saving millions of lives in Africa.

REGISTER HERE

 

 

 

Watch the 90 second clip from The Lazarus Effect and learn how life-saving anti-retroviral treatments are bringing life back to Africa.