Owner: A CHRISTIAN VOICE FOR GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER RIGHTS URL:www.christianlgbtrights.org Join Date: Sat, 19 Apr 2008 12:25:44 -0500 Rating:0 Site Description: This blog is designed to show how there is absolutely no inconsistency between being a Christian and being gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. There are posts, articles, and many links that challenge the ignorant, erroneous, and often hateful rheto Site statistics:Click here
AN EXCELLENT ARTICLE BY MIKE SIGNORILE 2008-04-18 02:01:00 "It was electrifying. Chills ran up and down my spine as I watched the protesters and then looked back at Ratzinger. Soon I broke into a sweat, overcome by heat, my face turning red as anger swelled up inside me: This man was the embodiment of all that had oppressed me, all the horrors I had suffered as a child. It was because of his bigotry that my family, my church -- everyone around me -- had alienated me, and it was because of his bigotry that I was called "faggot" in school. Because of his bigotry I was treated like garbage. He was responsible for the hell I'd endured. He and his kind were the people who forced me to live in shame, in the closet. I became livid."[For the full article, see here.]The untold damage done to LGBT people by the likes of a Joseph Ratzinger, the current Pope,
A HERO WHO SEPARATES THE WHEAT FROM THE CHAFF 2008-04-17 10:48:00 “'I know I will be cut off from many within the Christian community, and if so, then they didn’t get the point of the life of Christ. I believe by me living my life honestly and authentically now, I am able to be a better person and a better Christian. '" [For the full article, see here.]Now, see the following two comments posted as they were written regarding that article concerning a man who courageously chooses to live an authentic Christian life:Posted by Karen 04/17/08 10:00 CSTThis is so sickening. I sure as heck hope that your "teachings" on your show to children all over does not now make you a HYPOCRITE in the eyes of GOD. Please do not from here on out refer to yourself as a "Christian" as the very meaning of this word is to be Christ like - and your lifestyle of CHOICE whic
STEREOTYPING, HUMAN DIVERSITY, AND DISCRIMINATION 2008-04-16 12:31:00 "I was like, 'You all are a bunch of jealous [f----]. You all are just jealous of everything I have.' Stephen Davis told me I needed to shut up and all that stuff I was saying sounded like some gay [s---], like I'm soft, not like I'm gay. That's all he said. It wasn't like, 'You're gay,' but it got changed to that really quick. So the connotation is Michael Westbrook is gay.' The connotation has faded, but not completely. 'My ex-girlfriend heard it about a year ago from this guy and she went nuts,' Westbrook said. 'Everybody that knows me knows that's the farthest thing from the truth. For about three years, I wanted to lock myself in the house and never come out.'" [Thanks to Towleroad.]Former NFL player, Michael Westbrook, says that the "Gay tag" still "haunts" him! He denies being Gay
THE IMPORTANCE OF "THE PRESENTATION OF SELF" 2008-04-13 11:42:00 A post was written on April 12th entitled, "Gay Catholics plan 'respectful presence' along pope's route (spew massive chunks alert)" on The Free Republic website. I'd like you to read, not only the post, which says that "Gay Catholics and especially gay Catholics associated with DignityUSA will launch formal protests in Washington and New York against Benedict and his 'anti-gay stances,'" but also please read the comments attached to that post.The vilification of LGBT people by such people as those who commented on that post is expressed by ignorant and sometimes hateful people who use as "justification" for their homophobia the most bizarre public face that is presented and that is felt by them, and by many potential allies as well, as personifying Gay people, Gay identity, and Gay life.
ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF CLOSED-MINDED LEGALISTS IN ACTION 2008-04-12 02:40:00 "After Aquinas College canceled a presentation by philosopher and gay-rights advocate John Corvino, a group of students now is looking for an independent venue to host the speaker."Corvino's presentation 'What's Morally Wrong with Homosexuality?' was scheduled last week at the college, but administrators postponed it until April 22 after receiving complaints."Aquinas President Ed Balog canceled the event Thursday, saying the Catholic school cannot endorse a program that directly opposes church teachings."'I'm not trying to keep people from seeing him. I'm trying to prevent the college from sponsoring an event that displays an attack on Catholic teaching values,' Balog said."[For the full article, see here.]Dr. John Corvino [Pictured] is being prevented from presenting a rational, logical,
ON THE NEED FOR MARRIAGE EQUALITY 2008-04-11 11:19:00 I received the following email today from Kate Burns who, along with her partner Sheila Schroeder, "were arrested for trespassing on September 24, 2007 when they peacefully remained at the Denver Clerk and Recorder Office after being denied the opportunity to apply for a marriage license." (See the video of this incident here.)This case again highlights the courage needed to acquire full and equal civil rights, and again shows how anything less than the conferring of the designation of "marriage" is the equivalent of "separate and unequal." This is the email Kate sent:(Denver, CO) – The trial for lesbian couple Kate Burns and Sheila Schroeder is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Monday, April 14th at the Denver City and County Building located at 1437 Bannock Street, in Courtroom 117M. The two w
GOD BLESS ARCHBISHOP TUTU 2008-04-10 09:13:00 "'How sad it is,' he said, 'That the Church should be so obsessed with this particular issue of human sexuality when God's children are facing massive problems-- poverty, disease, corruption, conflict...'"'We struggled against apartheid in South Africa, supported by people the world over, because black people were being blamed and made to suffer for something we could do nothing about-our very skins,' he wrote. 'It is the same with sexual orientation. It is a given. I could not have fought against the discrimination of apartheid and not also fight against the discrimination that homosexuals endure, even in our churches and faith groups.'"[For the full article, see here.]Archbishop Desmond Tutu is one of the sane voices in the institutional Church who not only refuses to major in the minors
ANOTHER MINISTER MAKES CHRISTIANS LOOK LIKE A PACK OF FREAKS! 2008-04-09 14:29:00 "A SENIOR minister of a Sydney Anglican parish has made an extraordinary attack on the High Court judge Michael Kirby [Pictured], warning he would face the wrath of God if he remained unrepentant as a gay man."The rector of St Stephen's Church in Bellevue Hill, the Reverend Richard Lane, denounced the judge for calling himself a Christian Anglican while living in an openly gay relationship and warned as a 'messenger, watchman and steward of the Lord in the Anglican Church of Australia', he faced God's judgment."To call himself a Christian Anglican was a 'perversion of truth' and to continue to do so without changing his lifestyle would brand him, like Herod, a 'coward, a liar, a deceiver' and a 'lawless one'."'I appeal to you to cast yourself on the mercy of Jesus … That is admit your si
WHERE WERE "THE LEADERS?" 2008-04-08 08:36:00 "As the country considers who to elect as the next President, the so called 'leader of the free world,' I wonder, where are our leaders? Who represents the LGBT community on a national and international stage?"Is there anyone?"Recent months have brought several disturbing events in our community. Lawrence King was shot in his classroom after being teased and harassed for being gay. Simmie Williams was killed while wearing a dress in Fort Lauderdale. Just yesterday, Duchy Trachtenberg, a Montgomery County Council member who authored a bill outlawing discrimination against transgendered people, announced that she is receiving death threats."And Joe Solmonese is running around telling our legislators to vote for a non-inclusive ENDA bill?[For the full article, see here]Sara Whitman wrote an e
A TERRIFIC ARTICLE 2008-04-06 09:41:00 "In the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, we are proud to be let onto the bus, so we don’t raise a fuss about having to sit in the back. If a church will smile at us and treat us nicely, we will gladly sing in their choir and fill their offering plates, even though they won’t marry us, or ordain us, or treat us like real children of God."We gladly accept a concession like domestic partnership, which is similar to but still substantially less than marriage. We are willing to throw members of our own community under the bus, so we support hate crimes legislation that does not include protections for our transgender brothers and sisters."[For the full article, see here.]Rev. Michael Piazza wrote an excellent article that must be taken to heart by everyone who is truly conc
CUTTING THEIR OWN THROATS 2008-04-05 08:31:00 "Several U.S. mainline Protestant denominations are about to face their latest showdowns on one of the most vexing issues since slavery: whether to break from biblical morality as traditionally understood to allow clergy with homosexual partners and to sanction blessing ceremonies for same-sex couples."'Mainline' groups (predominantly white, with early American roots, and affiliated with the National Council of Churches) contain vocal, well-organized liberal and evangelical combatants. The resulting dispute 'certainly has taken a big toll,' says Jack Haberer of Presbyterian Outlook, an independent magazine that airs varied views. 'For some, it's the total compromise of all things moral. For others, it's the compromise of all things just,' and these "polar positions" dominate discussions wh
IN REMEMBRANCE OF MARTIN LUTHER KING 2008-04-04 06:58:00 This email from Soulforce is both a homage to the great civil rights leader, Martin Luther King, and also reminds us that we are in the same battle for justice in fighting for full civil and sacramental rights for LGBT people.A Special Message from the Executive Director of SoulforceDear Friend of Soulforce,Today, on the fortieth anniversary of his assassination, we honor the tremendous impact of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s legacy on our nation, even as we acknowledge that there is still much to be done to end racism and poverty in America. The life of Dr. King was cut short because he spoke truth to power and took justice to the streets through marches, vigils, rallies, sit-ins, bus boycotts, and other public demonstrations that exposed bigotry and discrimination. Many clergy leaders of tha
"LIBERALS" AGAIN THROW TRANSGENDERED PEOPLE TO THE WOLVES 2008-04-02 11:45:00 "Sen. Edward M. Kennedy is jumping into the middle of an uproar within the gay community whose causes he has long championed.The Massachusetts Democrat is leading a push in the Senate for a federal ban on job bias against gays, lesbians and bisexuals - but not transsexuals, cross-dressers and others whose outward appearance doesn't match their gender at birth."We will strongly oppose it," said Roberta Sklar of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. "Leaving transgender people out makes that a flawed movement."[For the full article, see here.]Again, Transgendered people have been thrown to the wolves by another "liberal." It's for reasons like this that I don't like liberals! In my experience, they either stand for nothing, save for politically correct rhetoric, or when the chips are do
"THE MILLION FAG MARCH" 2008-03-31 18:27:00 "Well, their numbers didn't reach a million, but approximately 400 people gathered Sunday in Topeka's Gage Park, near Fred Phelps' Westboro Baptist Church for the 'Million Fag March' I posted about in February. The march was a symbolic demonstration against the WBC, who have for years targeted public gatherings, and more recently, military funerals, with their 'God Hates Fags' message."KSN reports: 'People of all ages, races, and sexual orientation were present. The group of more than four hundred people marched throughout Gage Park, but were not allowed to cross any streets without a parade permit. The organizer of the march, Chris Love says he wants to show the Westboro Baptist Church there is an opposing voice equally as powerful. Other marchers feel the same. 'We don't agree with him t
"THE BIG NASTY" 2008-03-29 17:56:00 I want to call your attention to a very provocative two-part post by my friend, Don Charles on his blog, Christ, The Gay Martyr. The title of the two-part post is, "The Big Nasty."He discusses the downside of certain types of Gay porn and how some of the images in that porn, rather than depict love between gay men, shows the edginess that reinforces certain stereotypes, and even puts gay men's lives in danger, through such scenes as those depicting barebacking, double penetration, and fisting.Part of his two-part post reads as follows:"I don't get this impression [that people who create and market products like these harbor a profound hatred for Gay identity] just from reading titles and content descriptions, either. Like most Gay men of my generation, I've seen quite a few erotic films o Read more:NASTY
THE MISUNDERSTANDING OF "FAITH" 2008-03-28 02:18:00 "Police are investigating an 11-year-old girl's death from an undiagnosed, treatable form of diabetes after her parents chose to pray for her rather than take her to a doctor."An autopsy showed Madeline Neumann died Sunday from diabetic ketoacidosis, a condition that left too little insulin in her body, Everest Metro Police Chief Dan Vergin said."[For the full article, see here.]We've all heard of these cases before, where parents use their "faith" as a substitute for getting a critically ill child needed medical attention which could conceivably save that child's life.Beyond the foolishness and gullibility of such parents in using the "faith" argument, the fact is that such misuse of the "faith" argument can be seen in many professing Christians' reaction to LGBT people. The same ignoran
"THE DANGEROUS ATHEISM OF CHRISTOPHER HITCHENS AND SAM HARRIS" 2008-03-27 13:53:00 My friend, Bishop Leland Somers, sent me an excellent article, some excerpts of which I wanted to share with you.
The following excerpts are from a new book by Christ Hedges, author of the excellent book, "War Is A Force That Gives Us Meaning".
Hedges has just come out with a new book that I have yet to read entitled, "I Don't Believe In Atheists" from which the following are some of the excerpts.
"There is nothing in human nature or human history to support the idea that we are morally advancing as a species or that we will overcome the flaws of human nature. We progress technologically and scientifically, but not morally. We use the newest instruments of technological and scientific progress to create more efficient forms of killing, repression and economic exploitation, and to acce
"BULLETPROOF FAITH: A SPIRITUAL SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR GAY AND LESBIAN CHRISTIANS" 2008-03-26 11:01:00 My friend, Candace Chellew-Hodge just came out with a book entitled, "Bulletproof Faith: A Spiritual Survival Guide for Gay and Lesbian Christians," that I wanted to suggest you purchase.
Although I have yet to read it, I know her work quite well, and have been privileged to contribute articles to her excellent website, Whosoever, for many years. From teleconferences, interviews, and knowing her other writings, I'm confident that this book should be a superb addition to any library.
I wanted to let you know about this book as soon as it appeared on the shelves, and I just got word this morning that it's now available.
The book can be purchased here. Read more:SPIRITUAL
THEY'RE STILL AT IT 2008-03-25 09:42:00 "The Catholic Civil Rights League is urging parents to protest a B.C. teacher guide that encourages discussion about diversity -- including sexual orientation -- in all subjects and in every public school classroom."The league says the guide, called Making Space, Giving Voice, will result in the delivery of lessons from kindergarten to Grade 12 that conflict in many cases with family values, culture and religion while also stealing time from core curriculum subjects."[For the full article, see here.]In the name of "family values, culture and religion" this representative of the RC Church is again seeking to help insure future lives of ignorance, desperation, misery, and unnecessary guilt by telling LGBT people that they are "abnormal" and if Gay people act on their God-given desires they a
ANOTHER REASON WHY THE RIGHT TO MARRIAGE IS ESSENTIAL 2008-03-24 18:57:00 Beyond the fact that "marriage" confers a legitimacy as to the recognition and equal sanctity of same-sex love with that of heterosexual love; beyond the fact that we can expect that when same-sex marriage becomes institutionalized that virtually all other civil and sacramental rights will accrue to Gay people, we are clearly seeing that incrementalism in the forms of such constructions as Domestic Partnerships and Civil Unions are not working, and are continuing to place same-sex love in a subordinate, substandard position as compared to heterosexual love in society. "'I’m still working at the same company, doing the same job. Why shouldn’t I be able to cover my partner in Idaho like I did in New Jersey? This would never happen to a married couple,' said [Ralph] Martinelli. "'Konic
HAPPY EASTER 2008-03-23 17:09:00 Have a wonderful Easter, acknowledging and celebrating the Resurrection of our Lord, and all of God's benefits to us, and taking strength from Him every day of our lives, and in the ministries He has ordained for each of us.
SOME THOUGHTS ON "THE MILLION FAG MARCH" 2008-03-21 02:42:00 Beyond the fact that these people who are planning and are going to participate in The Million Fag March are referring to themselves by the same epithet that the Phelps' of the world use to denigrate and defame them and all LGBT people, the major result of this protest will be to give Phelps the publicity for which he is very hungry. Moreover, Phelps and his clan have so little credibility with anyone, even with those who are homophobic themselves, that this march can do little but give him some modicum of credibility that he at this point in time does not enjoy. It inadvertently places him on the same "equal footing," as those who support full and equal LGBT civil rights, a message for full equality that the marchers themselves may not even convey in their demonstration. "While some mi
THE COUNTER-REVOLUTIONARY AND COUNER-PRODUCTIVITY OF PEJORATIVE SELF-LABELING AND CELEBRATION OF BEING "THE OTHER" 2008-03-18 03:45:00 In my post of March 12th entitled, "The Truth, Denial, Revulsion, and the Reinforcing of Stereotypes," I wrote: "Many LGBT people honestly believe that by appropriating degrading names given to them by their oppressors they are re-claiming their essence, and their very liberation, from the hurt that those names that have historically been visited upon them have caused them. They don't see, and many refuse to see, that their use of those horrible names merely reinforces in their psyches and in the psyches of others their 'deviant' and 'abnormal' status that is diametrically opposed to the status one must have, and demand, for full and equal rights to become a reality."Had I written about the use of pejorative self-identifiers and assorted Pride Parades shortly after Stonewall, I would not h
DO YOURSELF A FAVOR 2008-03-17 02:02:00 Please do yourself a favor by sitting back for less than one-half hour and listen to my friend, Rev. Troy Perry, talking about the start of the Metropolitan Community Churches in 1968, and his moving, emboldening, message of courage in the on-going fight for full LGBT equality. Every LGBT person and ally, Gay or Straight, Christian or not, deserves to listen to this wonderful, charismatic, man who is both a superb preacher and prophet.It would take enormous courage to begin such a denomination today in many parts of the U.S. It's inconceivable how much courage it took for Rev. Perry to begin a church in his living room, a year before Stonewall, that was to be a special outreach to all people, particularly LGBT people. He began with 12 people in his living room, and now the MCC is world-
A MUST READ: "STUMBLING BLOCKS TO GAY LIBERATION" 2008-03-16 04:05:00 I strongly urge you to read the six part post by my friend, Don Charles, on his blog, Christ, The Gay Martyr.The six part post is entitled, "Stumbling Blocks To Gay Liberation," and it deals with crucial stumbling blocks that are greatly hurting the psyches of so many Gay people, and are helping retard the needed activism necessary to gain full and equal civil and sacramental rights.Those stumbling blocks with which he deals are "Ignorance,"Denial," "Machismo," "Stereotypes, "Bibliolatry," and "Shame."His incisive discussions of each of these Stumbling Blocks is a must-read for all Gay people in deciding for themselves how and to what degree these impediments to living a fulfilling and meaningful life are housed within their psyches; how what impediments exist can be transcended so that th
THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH AND LGBT RIGHTS 2008-04-20 03:42:00 The following is a letter sent to me by my good friend, Don Charles, regarding a call for true equality in the United Methodist Church, and its not substituting "unity" and "peace" for "justice." Such a call has been essential in virtually all civil rights struggles. What is noteworthy is that the United Methodist Church is among the more "liberal" denominations within the institutional Church. This is the text of the letter:A UMNS Commentary By Steven E. Webster*Many voices from across The United Methodist Church are suggesting there is no way forward in the 36-year-long dialogue about the role and status of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in the church. Declaring an impasse, these voices call for an end to this dialogue in the name of peace and unity.Forty-five yea
"HOMILY TO CHEERING CROWD ON NEED TO OBEY ENDS U.S. TRIP" 2008-04-21 05:12:00 "'Once you actually see him, you can feel him, his eyes are just glowing and he's so happy,' Gaggioli said. 'Everyone just goes crazy.'" [For the full article, see here.]No! This young woman wasn't talking about Jesus or the reality of the Holy Spirit residing within her! She was talking about a mere fallible human being, the Pope. About this pope, the article says, "In his writings before and since becoming pope, Benedict has stressed the importance of a strict adherence to orthodoxy, and opposition to a wide array of modern cultural trends, including feminism, gay rights, and demands - especially among American Catholics - for greater democracy and administrative transparency within the church."So, this mere fallible man who talks about the need for "a strict adherence to orthodoxy,"
FEAR AND LOATHING IN HOLLYWOOD 2008-04-23 02:02:00 "[The actor, Adamo] Ruggiero says coming out was a relatively easy thing to do in Canada, but added he seriously feels for his Hollywood counterparts. [This assertion echoes the two year old statement of the British actor Ian McKellen who said that "it's impossible for homosexual Hollywood actors to have successful careers."]"'My heart goes out to a lot of the young people in Hollywood because they really do have a whole different set of pressures than I have here in Toronto,' said Ruggiero, 21."'I had newspapers that were cheering me on and congratulating me and at the same time respecting my privacy. And I wondered to myself: Would it have been the same situation in America? I don't think so.'"There is simply too much money at stake in the United States, says Ruggiero, who's headed to L
ON THIS NATIONAL DAY OF SILENCE 2008-04-25 02:05:00 To honor our lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender sisters and brothers, this is the 2008 National Day of Silence. In that vein, I want to make this a short post by stating that God values only one thing in a person: Faith! The only way we appropriate God's grace to us, and please God, is by trusting Him over and above seen circumstances!The best way we can show our faith in God is by being authentic! We do God absolutely no favors if we seek to be anything other than what He made us to be, or if we in any way feel guilty for who God made us to be!Indeed, we show a decided lack of faith if we behave in ways that are inauthentic for us in our uniqueness. For example, if one is Gay, he or she is committing a grievous sin if he or she seeks to be anything other than that!To seek to deny
"THE SCIENCE OF SEXUALITY" 2008-04-26 02:31:00 In the article, entitled, "The Science of Sexuality," by Greta Christina, she states the following, after expressing her faith that science one day will come to understand the origins of sexual orientation, and that mere conjectures do a disservice to the question:"So why don't we try a different angle for a while. Maybe something like this:"'We don't really know what causes sexual orientation. And we don't think it matters. It's probably a combination of genetics and environment, but until more research is done, we don't really know for sure. And we don't think it matters. It's an interesting question, one many people are curious about -- but it doesn't really matter. Homosexuality doesn't harm anybody, and it doesn't harm society, and our relationships are as healthy and stable and valid
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