Posts Tagged ‘LGBT-Affirming Religious Voices’
Bringing The Margins To The Center In Our Churches
I have a friend named Felipe who frequently attends worship celebrations at our church. Felipe was raised in the Valley—Brownsville, Texas—in a firmly Christian home. His father was Pastor of a Latino congregation with a vibrant outreach ministry to local youth whose poverty, a circumstantial product of their race and of living in a border…
Read MoreHow My Queer Son Became More Than A Blessing To Me
When I was pregnant with my son, my thoughts were muffled with unspeakable joy, of course, coupled with a touch of fear; as well as the sounds of 2am feedings, dirty diapers, fatigue, birthday parties filled with screaming crumb snatchers, 3 meals a day, playing games, lots of questions, and being able, by God’s grace and mercy, to…
Read MoreChristian Australia Is Ready For Marriage Equality
In Australia, clergy are “coming out” for marriage equality in ever increasing numbers. This is because of their experience of working with people at the most personal of levels. Through such interaction they have seen that profound love and deep commitment is at the very essence of the human person. They also understand from science that an…
Read MoreIn Quick Victory, Catholic School Reverses Position in Firing of Lesbian Teacher
In a landmark decision for LGBT employees at Catholic institutions, St. Mary’s Academy in Portland, Oregon, has altered its employment policies to be more inclusive, in response to what was a growing backlash against administrators’ decision to withdraw an employment contract with a lesbian counselor, Lauren Brown. Bondings 2.0 reported on this incident earlier today and you can…
Read MoreGood News For Two Catholic Educators In LGBT Employment Disputes
The trend of church workers losing their jobs in LGBT-related employment disputes is not slowing, but thankfully community responses and legal improvements are pushing back. Below, I offer updates on two previous incidents, including the implementation of a German bishops’ employment policy more welcoming of LGBT church workers. A German educator fired for her plans to marry a…
Read MoreGLAAD Releases Guide For Journalists Reporting On Pope Francis & LGBT People
In preparation for Pope Francis’ upcoming visit to the United States, GLAAD, the nation’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy organization, today released “The Papal Visit: a resource guide for journalists covering Pope Francis and the LGBT community.” The playbook was released after GLAAD, DignityUSA and 28 other groups published a letter asking…
Read MoreHow Long Will The Church Refuse LGBT People?
There is a mighty move of God happening. It’s been going on for a while but it is growing in momentum! God is sending people to the very doors of God’s sanctuary all over this country. However, attachment to tradition may cause the church to miss a Golden Opportunity to show Christ’s love to those…
Read MoreBecause I Am Their Pastor & They Are God’s Beloved Children
On August 1, 2015, I will be involuntarily removed from the work of my calling. I will have gone to sleep the night before as an ordained United Methodist minister of the gospel, only to awaken in the morning as a suspended pastor in The United Methodist Church. And then, for ninety days—more than twice…
Read MorePope Francis Urged To Meet With LGBT Catholics During Upcoming U.S. Visit
Today, The New York Times exclusively broke the news that GLAAD and DignityUSA, backed by nearly 30 groups and individuals, have asked Pope Francis to meet with LGBT Catholics and their families during his visit to the United States. A letter, signed by GLAAD’s President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis and DignityUSA‘s Executive Director Marianne Duddy-Burke and endorsed…
Read MoreI Will Not Be Bullied By My Church
“F**got!”- the big boys yelled across the school yard. You try to avoid eye contact, mindful that you’re about to burst into tears. You get home and run up to your room to hide your bruises and drown your broken heart with loud music. You shut out your parents, who might not call you names,…
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