Bridge of Light

LGBT Community Celebrates New Year’s Eve with Bridge of Light, a 3rd Annual World Spirituality Day Event

FOR RELEASE ON DEC. 14, 2006

Members of the worldwide lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community are among those creating a more spiritual and reflective transition to 2007. The Bridge of Light celebration on December 31 marks the arrival of the New Year by honoring the full equality and dignity of all people. This celebration marks the 3rd annual celebration of the cultural tradition, founded in 2004. Today, the Bridge of Light is a part of World Spirituality Day, a non denominational global spiritual tradition modelled after Earth Day.

Seattle, WA -- Members of the worldwide lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community are among those creating a more spiritual and reflective transition to 2007. The Bridge of Light celebration on December 31 marks the arrival of the New Year by honoring the full equality and dignity of all people. This celebration marks the 3rd annual celebration of the cultural tradition, founded in 2004 by participants of the Gay Spirit Culture Summit (GSCS) held in Garrison, New York.

Although the Bridge of Light idea was the fruit of the GSCS, a gathering of over 100 spiritual leaders and luminaries in the international gay and bisexual men's community, now the event belongs to anyone. All are invited to celebrate a tradition to affirm the full equality of all persons, setting visions for the year ahead, and symbolize their shared hope, unity, and spiritual heritages and principles.

The Bridge of Light tradition is part of the 4th annual World Spirituality Day, an event sponsored by Integrative Spirituality, a not-for-profit omni-denominational spiritual organization based in San Francisco, CA. World Spirituality Day is regarded as "The Earth Day for the Spirit." Just as Earth Day is celebrated worldwide now, in many different ways, World Spirituality Day allows for a kaleidoscope of worldwide gatherings and events, big and small, year after year. Bridge of Light is one such type of event, celebrated by members of the LGBT community.

The nondenominational World Spirituality Day is simple to participate in and can be celebrated either alone or in a group. Bridge of Light's distinctive contribution to this global tradition is to symbolize the many distinctive contributions of gay and queer-identified women and men from throughout history and in many cultures. Specifically, the Rainbow is offered as the focal symbol for Bridge of Light celebrations because it is the symbol most widely recognized as identifiable with the worldwide gay and lesbian community. The Rainbow is honored not only for its diversity but also for its underlying Unity behind the multiplicity of colors.

Joe Perez, founder of the Bridge of Light tradition and founder/editor of the Gay Spirituality & Culture Weblog, says: "The first two years of Bridge of Light celebrations have seen only small, private celebrations in homes. But I hope that soon larger group and community-wide parties will emerge. Social, religious, and civic groups are welcome to add Bridge of Light ceremonies to their list of winter activities. What makes this tradition unique is its focus on spiritual principles that are the common heritage of all people ... and the vision that these principles can provide the basis for affirming universal human dignity, rights, and justice for the gay community and all people."

Like Kwaanza, the holiday honoring African-American heritage first celebrated in 1966, Bridge of Light is a cultural celebration not requiring any particular set of religious beliefs. The central ritual of Bridge of Light is a candle-lighting ceremony intended to honor the distinctive contribution of men who love men and women who love women and others whose ways of loving mirror the beauty of the Divine ways of loving. As part of the Bridge of Light, six candles are lit on New Year's Eve, one candle for each color of the rainbow.

Universal values and spiritual principles are honored with each lit candle: Creativity (by lighting a purple candle), Freedom (a red candle), Integrity (a blue candle), Self-Reliance (an orange candle), Harmony (a green candle), and Love (a yellow candle). Some celebrants of Bridge of Light also light additional candles to highlight additional traditions, values, and principles from their own distinct traditions.

La Communauté de LGBT célèbre la veille de nouvelle année avec le pont de la lumière, un 3ème événement annuel de jour de spirituality du monde

Les membres de la communauté mondiale de lesbienne, de gay, bisexuelle, et de transgender (LGBT) sont parmi ceux qui créent une transition plus spirituelle et plus r3fléchissante à 2007. Le pont de la célébration légère décembre 31 marque l'arrivée de la nouvelle année en honorant la pleines égalité et dignité de toutes les personnes. Cette célébration marque la 3ème célébration annuelle de la tradition culturelle, fondée en 2004. Aujourd'hui, le pont de la lumière est une partie de jour de spirituality du monde, une tradition spirituelle globale non dénominative modelée après jour de la terre.

La comunidad de LGBT celebra la víspera con el puente de la luz, un 3ro acontecimiento anual del Año Nuevo del día de la espiritualidad del mundo

Los miembros de la comunidad mundial de la lesbiana, del gay, bisexual, y del transgender (LGBT) están entre ésos que crean una transición más espiritual y más reflexiva a 2007. El puente de la celebración ligera de diciembre el 31 marca la llegada del Año Nuevo honrando la igualdad y la dignidad completas de toda la gente. Esta celebración marca la 3ro celebración anual de la tradición cultural, fundada en 2004. Hoy, el puente de la luz es una parte del día de la espiritualidad del mundo, una tradición espiritual global no denominational modelada después de día de la tierra.

Greg DiStefano endorses Bridge of Light

Got this e-mail today from Greg DiStefano:

Thanks again for thinking of me in regards to your newest endeavor. I so admire your enthusiasm, creativity, and determination, and hope this meaningful tradition finds its wings. Bridge of Light is a wonderful way to add a greater depth of spiritual meaning to the New Years occassion. For GLBT people, their supporters, and the wider global culture, the Bridge of Light celebration will help keep focus on universal spiritual values while honoring diversity, unity and equality -- a terrific ritual and message to combine with the New Year's occassion.

Greg DiStefano is a spiritual explorer, integral philosophy enthusiast, and national book award-winning author of the gay spiritual memoir Breakdown, Diamonds, Death, and Second Chances   www.BreakdownBook.com

The six principles compared to the principles of Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is a tradition honoring African-American culture first celebrated in 1966. It is based on a synthesis of philosophies drawing from Afrocentrism, cooperative (or socialistic) economics, and black nationalism. The founder, Ron Karenga, described the principles as "the seven-fold path of blackness: think black, talk black, act black, create black, buy black, vote black, and live black."

Bridge of Light is a new tradition honoring the full dignity and equality of all people. It is the fruit of ideas generated at the 2004 Gay Spirit Culture Summit in Garrison, New York; first promoted by writer Joe Perez; first celebrated in 2004. It is based on principles of integral philosophy and spiritual evolution, however it does not require adherence to any particular worldview or perspective.

Timeline

Nov. 24, 2004--Joe Perez proposes a new queer winter holiday (called "Yuletide") via a blog post on Gay Spirituality & Culture and in an op-ed to later appear in several regional GLBT newspapers.

Dec. 20, 2004--First celebrations of the new holiday begin. Although the holiday did not have the current name, it is regarded as the first celebration.

Jan. 7, 2005--The name of the holiday is changed to "Bridge of Light" and a new website launched. About 20 public endorsements are received in the following six months.

Jan. 1, 2006--Celebrations of a holiday named Bridge of Light reported. This is the second year for recognized celebrations.

Nov. 20, 2006--The date of the Bridge of Light holiday is revised. Instead of celebrating the holiday on January 1, the new proposal is to celebrate the holiday on December 31.

Carolyn Baker endorses Bridge of Light

Carolyn: "Yes, I will endorse Bridge Of Light!"

Carolyn Baker, Ph.D., is an adjunct professor of history, author, and former psychotherapist whose book in process COMING OUT FROM CHRISTIAN FUNDAMENTALISM: Affirming, Life, Love and The Sacred, will be released in the spring of 2007.

How do you say?

How do you say "Bridge of Light" in...

Dutch: Brug van Licht
French: Pont de Lumière
German: Brücke des Lichtes
Greek: γέφυρα του φωτός
Italian: Ponticello di Luce
Portuguese: Ponte da Luz
Russian: мост света
Spanish: Puente de la Luz

Translation provided by Babelfish. Please report corrections and additions...

Creativity, freedom, integrity, self-reliance, harmony, love

The following descriptions are intended as a starting point for developing your own beliefs and ways of honoring the Six Principles of the Bridge of Light. They are intended as a source of inspiration for discussion, stories, ritual, essays, art, song, dance, education, and fun.

Principle 1. Creativity. Light a purple candle to honor Creativity. This principle affirms the vital life force of the universe and our connection to Eros. We especially honor queer artists, musicians, and all who create and protect beauty and life . . . children with their curiosity, enthusiasm, and abundant energy . . . and the creative principle within each of us. Affirmation: "we are creators."

Principle 2. Freedom. Light a red candle to celebrate Freedom. This principle affirms our individual self-respect, collective power, and the pursuit of joyful self-expression in community. On this evening we honor freedom fighters, activists, pioneers, and heroes . . . and our own inner warrior or protector. Affirmation: "we are free."

Principle 3. Integrity. Light a blue candle to affirm Integrity. This principle stresses the value of looking within to search for meaning and purpose in our lives and of recognizing our personal responsibilities and duties, honesty and accountability. Gay and lesbian parents, teachers, and mentors are especially honored this evening . . . as well as our own impulse toward authenticity and treating others as sacred, precious beings. Affirmation: "we strive for integrity."

Principle 4. Self-Reliance. Light an orange candle to celebrate Self-Reliance. The principle of Self-Reliance reminds us of our need to define our success in terms of bringing our individual interests into alignment with the common welfare. We especially honor our scientists, inventors, analysts, thinkers, researchers, and business people . . . and every person’s drive to self-determination and contribution to the spirit of innovation. Affirmation: "we are self-reliant."

Principle 5. Harmony. Light a green candle to embrace the impulse to harmony and integration as it is expressed in the best and highest insights of every culture, time, and place. This principle focuses on cultivating sensitivity (especially to people who are different from ourselves), acceptance, gratitude, and living in harmony with all beings. We honor the Earth and all who work on behalf of a clean, safe, and healthy ecosystem. We also recognize peacemakers. Affirmation: "we strive for harmony."

Principle 6. Love. Light a yellow candle in recognition of love and lovingkindness in all its forms. This principle honors each person’s ability to give gifts of blessing, passion, and to be connected to their feelings, other people, and to Spirit. We honor all people alike with unconditional love and compassion . . . and we share our stories of the hope, wisdom, and faith that supports our commitment to selflessness in the face of all obstacles. Affirmation: "we are love."

Bridge of Light: Dec. 31, 2006

By Joe Perez

At this time of year, major religions from throughout the world celebrate holidays designed to signal the warmth of family and community amid the winter gloom. These celebrations often use the symbol of Light to represent hope, unity, and spirituality. Other seasonal holidays mark the arrival of the new year and provide an opportunity for introspection and setting visions for the year ahead.

Until recently there have only been two sorts of winter holidays: on the one hand, traditional religious ceremonies grounded in one particular faith; on the other hand, secular traditions devoid of any recognition of common spiritual bonds capable of uniting people in a higher purpose. However, three years ago a new twist emerged: Bridge of Light (BOL), a new winter celebration intended to stress the shared threads that unite people of all faiths and philosophies.

Wanted: Help the GLBT community make (our own) history

Put Your Stamp on Bridge of Light

Contribute ideas to make everyone's BOL celebration more festive and communal. Volunteer your ideas, energy, and time to help make BOL a success around the country (and beyond).

Share Bridge of Light Recipies - Traditional foods that could be served at a Bridge of Light celebration on January 1. Brunch?  Dinner? Cocktails? Desserts? Will there eventually be a traditional BOL menu? Send ideas here.

Share Ideas for Bridge of Light Fun & Games - Do you want to share a light-hearted BOL carol? What sort of music speaks to you the heart and soul of BOL? Are there games that would be a good fit for adapting to BOL parties? Send ideas here.

Share Ideas for Stewarding BOL into the Future - Do you want to be part of a steering committee that shepherds the holiday into widespread adoption? Send ideas here.

Other Volunteering Ideas - Are you a graphic designer who can contribute unique BOL graphics? Are you a public relations specialist who can help get the word out to the media? A photographer who can take photos at her or his own BOL celebration and contribute them for future images? Send ideas here.

David Rappaport endorses Bridge of Light

David Rappaport of Bowdoinham, Maine has joined the roster of endorsers for Bridge of Light, the new cultural tradition. David is not only the Senior Program Officer of a healthcare foundation, but he's also a mystical seeker. He writes:

In these post-postmodern if not exactly post-Biblical times in which Christian and other fundamentalists seem to seek to create separation--spirituality from religion, reason from belief, individual from community--I believe it is important to counterbalance by working towards integration. Bridge of Light is a welcome step towards wholeness. I will disseminate information about Bridge of Light, and practice its rituals.

Glad you're joining us!

Andrew Ramer endorses Bridge of Light

I am very excited to announce that Andrew Ramer has written a letter of endorsement of Bridge of Light. I know that Andrew considered his decision carefully, because his initial response to my request for an endorsement was No. His letter explaining the No contained several important points. Andrew also mentioned that he had at one point tried to generate the momentum for a holiday to celebrate gay spirituality, though it didn't quite take off. He wished me luck, even as he declined to endorse the specific idea.

Fortunately, I received great feedback from folks like Andrew and in early January 2005 reformulated the proposal for the holiday. The result was a new Vision Statement that succeeded in getting a much more enthusiastic response from endorsers. Andrew's objections having been handled, Andrew sent me a letter of endorsement in early 2005. (I would have posted Andrew's endorsement earlier, but I've been on hiatus from posting on Bridge of Light, and am just now returning to active duty.)

Andrew Ramer is the author of the gay spirituality classic Two Flutes Playing, available from Lethe Press' White Crane's Spirituality Series. Ramer is a mythologist for gay men, providing evidence to the harmony of gender, love and sex. He lives in San Franscisco. He writes the "Praxis" column for White Crane Journal, the journal of gay men's spirituality.

December 31 to be Official BOL Date

UPDATE: Since this post was written, I have taken the liberty of twice modifying the proposed date/time. Yikes! Bear with me. In the current version of the holiday, Bridge of Light should be held on Dec. 31 (New Year's Eve). An alternative is to begin the candle-lighting ritual on Dec. 31 and conclude the ceremony on the morning of Jan. 1.

New subtitle for this website

I've changed the subtitle for this website, and thought I'd briefly mention what I'm thinking. Gone is "a celebration of the spiritual equality of all people" and up is "a celebration of the full equality and dignity of all people."

Reason: I've responded to feedback that the term "spiritual equality" is potentially vague and confusing. Some people wonder if it means that all spiritualities are equal, or all spiritual beliefs are equal. Yet nothing like that was ever intended.

The inspiration behind Bridge of Light is to honor both the beautiful diversity and uniqueness of the GLBT community and the fundamental unity, dignity, and equality of all people. If the message of many Pride celebrations this year is Diversity, the message of Bridge of Light is Unity in Diversity.

Kip Dollar endorses Bridge of Light

Kip Dollar offers endorsement #18 for Bridge of Light. He writes: "I think this is a beautiful concept and hope it catches on."

Kip, born in San Antonio in 1959, is the partner of Toby Johnson Together they operated Liberty Books, a gay and lesbian community bookstore. They have also ran gay B&Bs in Colorado and Texas. He resides in San Antonio, Texas.

Kip and Toby were among the couples featured in Merle Yost's "When Love Lasts Forever: Male Couples Celebrate Commitment." They were the first male couple registered as domestic partners in Travis County, Texas. An account of their first 14 years together appears in Merle Yost's book on long-term gay relationships: When Love Lasts Forever.