Posts by Believe Out Loud
Bells Peal Today in Celebration of Supreme Court Same-Sex Marriage Rulings
The Very Rev. Gary Hall, dean of Washington National Cathedral, issued a statement hailing the Supreme Court rulings announced today that rule as unconstitutional the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and allow same-sex marriage to resume in California: “Today’s rulings announce a new era for our country, one in which married lesbian, gay, bisexual,…
Read MoreSupreme Court Rules For Marriage Equality
Today, the U.S. Supreme Court has struck down DOMA’s Section 3 and dismissed California’s Proposition 8 case on lack of standing. These historic rulings affirm that all families deserve equal respect and treatment under the law. We celebrate today with families across the country that can now access equal rights and recognition from our government.…
Read MoreA Proud Mother Shares Her Story
In honor of Pride, I am grateful for the chance to share a sermon given by Lourdes, mom of a gay son, who attended one of the Believe Out Loud workshops offered by Integrity, the LGBT-advocacy organization within the Episcopal Church. Our partners in other denominations offer similar workshops with the guidance of the Institute for Welcoming Resources,…
Read MoreOvercoming Fear: Pride Is My Calling
Two weeks into my seminary career, I was struggling. I was confronting the reality that essential components of who I was—my theological and political convictions, and especially my sexual identity—directly opposed the beliefs of my family and others who I loved. I lived in persistent fear that I would never feel safe or happy with…
Read MoreExodus International: Harm Repackaged Is Still Harm
What a wild ride the last 24 hours have been. Actually, it started about two weeks ago for me. I’m a member of an online group for survivors of ex-gay therapy. We’ve been getting ready for the Lisa Ling Our America special that aired last night, June 20, 2013. We knew some of the people invited to…
Read MorePride Reflection: Meeting Spiritual Needs Through Inclusion
A rainbow scarf around my neck and 100 rainbow hearts emblazoned with “Jesus Loves Me” in hand, I set out for my first ever Gay Pride Parade. I expected a jovial and supportive crowd in New Paltz. I expected lots of support and rainbows. I also wondered about the possibility of a non-supportive protest—there was…
Read MoreExodus International Apologizes For Harm To LGBT Community
The leadership of Exodus International has announced that they are shutting their doors after 3 decades of practicing so-called ‘ex-gay’ ministry. According to a statement on the group’s web site, the board of directors was finding ‘ex-gay’ work more and more difficult, given their anti-gay words and actions. “Exodus is an institution in the conservative Christian world, but…
Read MoreGod Turns A Conservative Texan Into A Father For Many
Do you know what the word “evangelical” means? Contrary to what many believe, it has nothing to do with judgment or dogma. The term stems from the Greek word eugangelion, meaning “gospel,” or the good news of Jesus and the redemption he brings to the world. Dave Ferrell is a tall white haired Texan. He…
Read More‘Gay Lobby’ at the Vatican—Really?
A “gay lobby” at the Vatican? My first reaction to the leaking of the words of Pope Francis was, “If this Vatican ‘gay lobby’ is supposed to be working for me and the LGBT movement, we ought to fire them immediately!” As a graduate of a Roman Catholic seminary and an admirer of progressive Catholic…
Read MoreI Have No Alternative
I recently took a United Methodist History course and more than anything, I enjoyed reading the primary documents made available to us. The voices of women silenced not so long ago expressed the struggle they endured—a personal, theological and spiritual struggle where their calls did not jive with the institution of their time. Many, like…
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