Posts Tagged ‘LGBT equality and inclusion’
What Will Life Be Like For My Interracial, Interfaith, Queer Family?
There’s a scene in the first season of the television show “The Fosters” in which Lena, one of the mothers in a lesbian relationship, helps Jude, her foster son, remove polish from his nails after some kids at school harass him over it. She sits with him and explains that there are times when she…
Read MoreDisciples of Christ’s 2017 Assembly Will Return To Indianapolis
The past couple of weeks have been quite a roller coaster, especially for Disciples and especially for Indiana, the state where our church has maintained our denominational offices since long before we called ourselves a denomination. Certainly you know the basics of the story. The state legislature passed and on March 26 the governor of…
Read MoreThe Hope Of The Resurrection
On Easter Day, I spent some time reflecting on what this holiday is like for those who feel estranged from their church communities because they are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. For most of us who grew up in church, there was a time when the words “Happy Easter! He is risen” only ever brought…
Read MoreWhen Is “Enough” Enough?
Recently, some African American pastors who came to “heckle” me changed their minds and instead asked me what they could do to move the conversation about moral equality for LGBT people in the Black church forward. I appreciate their honesty regarding the difficulty of this justice shift and the courage of those who will embark…
Read MoreWhy I Defend An Institution That Does Not Defend Me
In case you missed it, a few days ago the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) changed its definition of marriage to include people of every sexual orientation and gender identity. There has been much celebration, and I rejoice with my Presbyterian siblings. As someone who is particularly sensitive to Reformed theology, days like these make me desperately…
Read MoreHolding Out Hope For The Presbyterian Church
Here we go: I am one of those women who has been planning her wedding since before she started dating. My Pinterest board can attest to this. I wanted a long, lace,appropriately modest dress and calla lillies. Since I am a product of the church, I have also dreamed about having the pastor that I…
Read MoreHow To Spread The Gospel After Marriage Equality
A year and a half ago, I was asked by a couple from Alabama to perform their wedding. These two women had been together for 26 years, but never foresaw the opportunity have their state recognize their marriage. They were Sacred Harp singers who were going to come to Minnesota for our September singing convention.…
Read MoreTo Christian Parents of Gay Children
“You want to shove those words back in and put the lid on. But you can’t. Your child is gay. This goes against everything you’ve been taught. It was not what you had in mind, and you instantly wonder where you went wrong.” When you become a parent, you know to expect the unexpected. But…
Read MoreThe Day Love Reigned In Florida
From faiths of all traditions, we clergy stood waiting to be selected like kids on a childhood playground. People from all walks of life had gathered: gay, straight, couples, singles, families with children, black, white, Latino, and Asian. People mingled introducing one to another. All of us there for one purpose, to celebrate and witness the…
Read MoreLGBTQ Christian Movement Leaders Stand In Solidarity With North Carolina Muslim Community
As Christians blessed to do the work of advocating for the inclusion and needs of LGBTQ people, we wish to express our deep grief over the killings this week in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. We offer the North Carolina Muslim community our love and solidarity. Chapel Hill is a city built on a hill, on the dream of tolerance and…
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