Posts Tagged ‘Faith and Identity’
Living The Resurrection: My Church’s First LGBT Program
It was Saturday afternoon at 3:38 pm: the doors to the auditorium had been open for 18 minutes, and we already had a filled room. We talked about streaming in one overflow room, but we ended up with three rooms. This was the first program Andrews University, the flagship institution of the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA)…
Read MoreChristianity Made Me Bisexual
I grew up in the church and prayed the sinner’s prayer at least a dozen times between age six and sixth grade. As someone who grew up in the church, I’m sure I’m not alone in wondering how much my life has been shaped by my parents’ religion. With a different upbringing, I might have…
Read MoreA Confession Of A Bisexual Granted Straight Privilege
Eternal God, I confess I have sinned against you in thought, word and deed; By what I have done and by what I have left undone. I have not loved you with my whole heart. I have not loved my neighbor as my self. Holy Week invites us to engage intensely in examination of our…
Read MoreThe Revelation Within
I remember a conversation I had soon after I left the monastery. I’d been a monk in a Roman Catholic religious order for a few years, and once I was back in the real world, a family member asked me what I wanted to do with my life. “I guess I’d like to be a writer,”…
Read MorePraying For Our Enemies
I remember the first time I heard the name Fred Phelps. Five days before I turned sixteen, Matthew Shepard was brutally attacked in Laramie, Wyoming. One day after I turned sixteen, Matthew Shepard died. Like many of you around the country, I was glued to the news reports. Enter: Fred Phelps. The first I heard of…
Read MoreWhere Do I Go?
I was sitting in Rev. Vance Rains’ office at the Florida State Wesley Foundation the first time I said the words “I’m gay” out loud to any other living human. I specify because of the countless memories I have of telling people in dreams, and also prayerfully informing my deceased grandmother, who I firmly believe…
Read MoreLet It Go: When You’ve Been Nice Enough
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment.” I John 4:18 A year ago this month, I came out to myself and the world. I totally overturned my life to seek peace and happiness, because neither my ex-husband nor I was happy, and by extension, our daughter was…
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 MoreA Prayer For Fred Phelps
In the wake of news that Fred Phelps—famed for picketing funerals with signs of hatred toward lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people—died, I want to take this opportunity to release this statement of prayer for Fred Phelps and his family. Members of the Metropolitan Community Churches do not celebrate the death of Fred Phelps.…
Read MoreJames Rowe Named New Director Of Believe Out Loud
Intersections International is pleased to announce the appointment of James Rowe as the new Director of Believe Out Loud. Prior to his new appointment, James served as both the Community Outreach Director and Acting Director for Believe Out Loud, working closely with faith leaders, movement organizers and welcoming churches across the country to advance LGBT equality…
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