Posts Tagged ‘LGBT-Affirming Religious Voices’
Queer, Trans, & Deacon: A Reflection on Being Commissioned
In her book The United Methodist Deacon, Rev. Dr. Margaret Ann Crain explains, “Because deacons are also ordained but usually do not do what elders do, we are challenged to think about ordination as identity rather than function.” This understanding of ordination as identity deeply characterizes much of where my awe, overflowing joy, and gratitude come…
Read MoreA Coming Out Guide for Parents of Queer Kids
“Every gay person must come out. As difficult as it is, you must tell your immediate family. You must tell your relatives. You must tell your friends, if indeed they are your friends.” -Harvey Milk Harvey Milk’s historic call to LGBTQ+ people in the 1970s to come out of the closet was predicated on the…
Read MoreUnitarian Universalist General Assembly Votes To Change UU Bylaws To Include Non-Binary People
On June 24, 2017, delegates to the Unitarian Universalist Association’s General Assembly in New Orleans overwhelmingly voted to approve language to make Unitarian Universalism’s second source more inclusive of people of all genders. Unitarian Universalism affirms and promotes seven principles, drawn from six sources of our faith. The current language of the second source, as…
Read MoreLost Adrift, Or Deeply Rooted?
The annual conference I attended last week with Reconciling Ministries Network was like other trips to annual conferences in many ways—except for one small feature. It was at the beach, Jekyll Island specifically. By recommendation of a friend, on my last night there, I went over to driftwood beach. This section of the island can…
Read MoreCardinal’s Welcome to LGBT Catholics “Felt Like a Miracle”
LGBT affirming religious voices Last month, Newark, New Jersey’s Cardinal Joseph Tobin welcomed a pilgrimage of LGBT Catholics to the archdiocese’s Cathedral of the Sacred Heart—a gesture that is being hailed as a major step forward in the pastoral care of LGBT people here in the U.S. one participant going so far as calling it…
Read MoreJesus Shows Up
“…then their eyes were opened and they recognized him.” –Luke 24:31 Jesus will find us anywhere. As soon as we give him permission, his quest for our hearts is endless. I remember when I first came out as queer—first to myself, next to my first girlfriend and friends, and lastly to family. I never thought…
Read MorePride Events Display Disparities In LGBTQ Community
June is Pride Month for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) communities across the country—and parades abound. While we all rev up each June for Pride so, too, do the fault lines of race and class in the LGBTQ community. With advances such as hate crime laws, legalization of same-sex marriage across the country,…
Read MoreUnited Methodist Church commissions first non-binary trans person as a Deacon
Chicago – The first openly non-binary trans person was commissioned as a deacon in The United Methodist Church (The UMC) on Sunday, June 4th in the Northern Illinois Annual Conference. Rev. M Barclay, who uses singular they pronouns, is appointed by Bishop Sally Dyck to serve as a deacon at Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN). RMN…
Read MoreI Want Our Christianity Back!
I want my face back! Those were the first words out of my mouth last week in the dermatologist’s office. Soft. Smooth. Glowing. Clear. To be envied. These are the adjectives people once used to describe my face, not Scaly. Dry. Itchy. Inflamed. Puffy. I want my face back! While I educated the doctor about…
Read MoreLargest-Ever Gathering of Trans Unitarian Universalist Leaders
From April 10-13, the second-ever retreat was held of TRUUsT, Transgender Religious professional Unitarian Universalists Together, in Palm Harbor, Florida. Twenty-seven trans leaders and two allied Unitarian Universalist Association staff gathered together for community, worship, and organizing to support the many varied ministries of trans people within Unitarian Universalism. Attendees were directors of religious education,…
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