Posts by Believe Out Loud
Silence=Death
As the old term says so aptly, “Silence=Death.” As a preacher and a pastor, I know this to be true. As a religious person, I know personally the silence that is incubated by religious communities and the destruction that it creates. I, for one, want to break that silence. That’s why I want to tell you about…
Read MoreBlack, Queer & Standing On The Side Of Love
Shanelle is currently working with the Unitatarian Universalist Association on the upcoming Mama’s Day celebrations. Send a custom e-card to the mama in your life, featuring inspiring messages and beautiful, originally-commissioned artwork by artists of color. Growing up, I didn’t always understand what love was. For me, it was both constant and obscure, almost always coming in the…
Read MoreThe Myth Of Biblical Inerrancy
Perhaps it is a bad idea to write about something that one feels needs to begin with a defense, but I’m going to do it anyway. Before I talk about why I think the idea of biblical inerrancy has limited the gift of scripture for us, I want to go on record as saying that…
Read MoreA Blessing In Disguise: My Accidental Entry Into SCOTUS
“See, I will create new heavens and a new earth” (Isaiah 65:17) It was Tuesday, March 26th, 2013, the First Day of Passover and Holy Tuesday. The night before, I did not dream that soon I would be anywhere close. And yet, here I was, in the back row of the Highest Court in the United…
Read MoreCardinal Dolan Hugged A Gay Man: Me
That’s right, Cardinal Dolan and I shared a hug, but more on that later. Over the past few days, I have received both letters of support as well as letters suggesting that I pursue “ex-gay therapy” in response to Sunday’s events. Regardless, the positive responses have been overwhelming and have provided me with a deeper…
Read MoreWhole Selves: Camp Osiris Attendees Integrate Faith & Queer Identity
There are a few spots left for Camp Osiris, a retreat experience for queer and/or trans* people and allies who want a safe space to discuss their faith and their identities. The following reflection is from camp co-founder, Rev. Shannon Kearns. I remember one of the first times I had the courage to write in my journal: “I…
Read MoreReason and Experience: United Methodist Resources for Correcting Our Course
As a lifelong United Methodist, an ordained elder in the New York Annual Conference, and a scholar specializing in theological and social ethics, I am profoundly grateful for the efforts of Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN), their affiliate Methodists in New Directions (MIND), and similar organizations throughout the denomination, to foster marriage equality for LGBT persons within United Methodist practices.…
Read MoreCardinal Dolan Denies Catholics Entry At Cathedral Because Of Dirty Hands
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:7-8). Today, we knocked at the door of St. Patrick’s…
Read MoreWho Gets To Claim Faith In The Boy Scouts Debate?
In the weeks leading up to the Boy Scouts of America’s vote on dropping the anti-gay ban, communities of faith are speaking out. The problem for the media covering this is that faith communities are not saying the same thing. Who gets to represent the voice of faith when talking about the Boy Scouts proposed…
Read MoreOn NBA Center Jason Collins’ Coming Out: The Truth Will Set You Free
In a profoundly simple way, NBA veteran Jason Collins became the first active player in one of the four major U.S. professional sports to come out as gay. Collins said, “I’m a 34 year old NBA Center. I’m black. And I’m gay” in a first-person article posted on April 29 on Sports’ Illustrated website. Collins…
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