Posts by Believe Out Loud
The Dawn Of Advent: A Reflection On World AIDS Day
I make it a point to try to avoid focusing or writing too heavily on my status as an HIV positive individual, lest it comes to define me. There are two times throughout the year, however, where I make it a practice to reflect on the virus. One occurs around the early weeks of Epiphany,…
Read MoreSaints Bring Hope On World AIDS Day 25th Anniversary
World AIDS Day, which marks its 25th anniversary this year on Dec. 1, supports everyone affected by HIV. The day is dedicated to prevention and treatment, and honors those who died of AIDS—more than 25 million people worldwide. First held in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first global health day for any disease. …
Read MoreSeventh-day Adventist Students Sharing Stories
“We realize the importance of our voice when we are silenced.” -Malala Yousafzai A person’s story is one of the most sacred pieces of themselves. To share is to be made vulnerable. It takes a lot of courage to be transparent and honest about one’s story. Yet it is only through stories that we can begin…
Read MoreFamily Conversations: My Mom’s Journey To Advocacy
A few years ago when I was new to working as an advocate for inclusion and equality for all in faith communities, Ross Murray from GLAAD taught me that people generally move from active opposition to silence to tolerance to acceptance and then to advocacy. I’ve seen this happen over and over now in my…
Read MoreThere’s A Wideness In God’s Mercy
In corporate America, particularly Ernst and Young, there is a non-discrimination policy regarding LGBT employees that falls under the corporation slogan: Bring Your Whole Self To Work. It is an incredible supportive statement of the Corporate World towards LGBT people. Bring your complete, whole self to work, as well as your whole and healed self.…
Read MoreThank You & My Upcoming Departure
Today I write to share with you the news that I will bid farewell to Believe Out Loud at the end of this month. Since serving as director in late 2011, I have collaborated and listened to many of you as my team worked hard to find the best ways to curate and share the…
Read MoreEnsuring Decent Care For Transgender People
Our first Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) Ceremony was at a small United Methodist Church in Tacoma, Washington, in 2009. There were 40-45 persons present, most from the local transgender community. Peterson Toscano was performing “Transfigurations: Transgressing Gender in the Bible.” During one segment of the service, the names of reported victims of anti-transgender violence were…
Read MoreCourage To Connect: Observing The Transgender Day Of Remembrance
Earlier this year, I was able to attend the Philadelphia Trans Health Conference. For those of you who may not know, this is a gathering of trans, genderqueer, gender bending, gender transcending and otherwise gender non-conforming (GNC) people of all ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations and income levels, as well as our families and friends, for…
Read MoreMarriage On Trial In The United Methodist Church
In Eastern Pennsylvania, Rev. Frank Schaefer was convicted Monday in a trial of The United Methodist Church (UMC) for officiating the wedding of his son, Tim, to his same-sex partner in 2007. Rev. Schaefer was found guilty on two counts: for officiating a same-sex wedding and “disobedience to the order and discipline of the United…
Read MoreOur Lives Are Valuable
The following piece was written for a virtual Transgender Day of Remembrance service that will be held online this Sunday, November 17, at 9pm ET, offered by the new coalition TDOR Unite! and hosted by the Church of the Larger Fellowship, a congregation without walls. This new service makes it possible for all to mourn…
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