New Video Focuses On LGBT Catholics “Owning Our Faith”

Two men standing next to a priest in a church.

A new video about sexuality and spirituality, aimed ultimately at Pope Francis as its audience, has been released on the web by a group of LGBT Catholics in New York City. “Owning Our Faith” is a 14-minute film in which a diversity of LGBT Catholics, family members, and pastoral ministers speak candidly about the intersection of…

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Faith Leaders Support Dr. Forrest Harris & The American Baptist College

A man in a suit and orange tie is standing in front of a sign.

On March 5, 2015 a press release was issued by the National Baptist Fellowship of Concerned Pastors expressing deep concern for the American Baptist College in Nashville, TN, and its invitation to Bishop Yvette Flunder, Dr. Allan Aubrey Boesak and Pastor Delman Coates to preach as a part of this year’s Garnett-Nabrit Lecture Series. In response,…

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What My Momma Saw

A black and white photo of a baby.

As a younger man I would have questioned someone’s sanity if they told me they saw in my future the experiences I am living now. I had not imagined that there would be a life in ministry for me, when I had decided not only to accept my sexuality, but to live in that truth…

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Fasting Toward Reconciliation This Lenten Season

A wooden cross with a purple cloth hanging on it.

An oily black smudge on my forehead and my fingers looking like they’d cleaned a chimney were the indicators Ash Wednesday night that Lent had officially begun. The 40 days of Lent require fasting for the ones who claim to be followers—disciples—of Jesus. Fasting in westernized Christianity suggests that we give up something, that we…

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What Happened When My Son Came Out As Gay

A sign that says i love my gay son.

When my husband and I became parents for the first time, we knew this new role would change our lives forever. Our Catholic faith told us that we had been given the opportunity to become co-creators with God. Gazing into that innocent face helped us to realize that the unconditional love that we felt for…

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Fundamentals Without Fundamentalism

Two hands making a heart shape at sunset.

Had they lived, my mother and father would have celebrated their 100th and 99th birthdays this past weekend. Gratefully I share some of the things they taught me by example that have shaped my spirituality. They considered themselves fundamentalists, but this in the day when fundamentalism did not have quite the edge it does today.…

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When I Spoke Out, Support Poured Out

A wooden cross sits on top of a stone wall.

When I first joined the Many Voices Video campaign, I wrote a reflection on the importance of having the conversation around lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) acceptance in the Black Church—even when we’re not sure how. Since my video voicing my support as an ally and a southern minister was released, one thing is for certain: People…

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Leading By Example

A rainbow flag hangs from the side of a stone building.

It took me a while to get here. Not to the point of LGBT acceptance but to the point of not worrying about what other folks may think of me as the pastor of Exodus Missionary Outreach Church in Hickory, North Carolina. I never had a problem affirming LGBT people. When I was a kid,…

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