Posts Tagged ‘Activism’
Pride & Pentecost
The fact that Pentecost is occurring on the same weekend as DC Capital Pride, one of the largest Pride events on the East coast, isn’t lost on me. Pentecost is a weird spoke in the wheel of the year, but it’s an amazing one all the same. As the Orthodox hymn for the feast goes, “Blessed…
Read MoreAWAB Joins Federal Lawsuit Challenging North Carolina’s Marriage Laws
The Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists (AWAB) joined the General Synod of the United Church of Christ vs. Cooper as a plaintiff in the pending Federal District Court lawsuit challenging North Carolina’s marriage laws, including Amendment One. Among the suit’s charges is that North Carolina’s ban on same-sex marriage restricts the rights of clergy to…
Read MoreBeing An Ally Is My Divine Destiny
“Once social change begins, it cannot be reversed. You cannot un-educate the person who has learned to read. You cannot humiliate the person who feels pride. You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid.” —Cesar Chavez In studying the life of Cesar Chavez, I was surprised to learn, he couldn’t demand equality for his…
Read More“We’re Nothing Like Fred Phelps”: An Excuse That Can No Longer Be Used
“As a pastor who has served a church where Fred Phelps protested, I have experienced the vitriol he spewed throughout his life. But if my tradition has taught me anything, it has taught me the power of forgiveness. May his funeral be filled with signs that read ‘you are a beloved creature of worth;’ may…
Read MoreLenten Friendship: Reflecting On The Life Of Oscar Romero
As we journey through this reflective time of Lent, reflecting on love, sacrifice, transfiguration, pain, fear, and redemption, we also take the time to ponder our friendships, especially around death. March honors the legacy and witness of Archbishop Óscar Romero, a prophetic voice who called for change in church and society—a voice for peace in the midst…
Read MoreMy Loneliness Led Me To God
Simply writing the title makes me feel over-exposed. Just now walking our dog, Hobbes, I found myself contemplating my lifetime need for God. I felt extremely lonely as a child. Hard to believe in a loving household of a family of five with pets living in a small tract house with a single bathroom, sharing…
Read More10 Black Religious Leaders Advancing LGBTQ Justice
As we near the end of Black History Month, we’re featuring ten lesbian, gay, transgender, same gender loving, and queer leaders (pictured clockwise) who are making history as they pave the way for the welcome and affirmation of all people across Christian traditions. 1. Archbishop Carl Bean Former Motown recording artist Archbishop Carl Bean has dedicated his…
Read MoreRussia And The Olympics: It’s Not A Game!
An Italian advocate for transgender rights and former member of parliament was detained at the Olympics for unfurling a rainbow flag with “Gay is OK” on it. Russian officials denied it, but the Italian foreign ministry activated its crisis protocol for Italian travelers in trouble. Russian President Vladamir Putin showed up last week at a celebration party for…
Read MoreRev. David Weekley Honored By GLBT Hall Of Fame
Congratulations to Rev. David Weekley for being one of the six recent inductees into the GLBT Hall of Fame. Weekley has been an ordained elder in The United Methodist Church since 1984 and quietly served his congregations for twenty-eight years before sharing his story and spiritual journey as a transgender man with his congregation, denomination, and…
Read MoreTwo Films Inspiring Social Change Toward LGBT Equality
During the 2013 Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, I caught two films that highlight the impact religious bigotry plays in the actual lives of LGBT individuals. In the film Bridegroom, Designing Women creator Linda Bloodworth-Thomason crafted a full-length documentary out of Shane Bitney Crone’s viral video “It Could Happen to You.” Recorded on the…
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