Posts Tagged ‘LGBT equality and inclusion’
Rising From The Ashes
As I reflect on the last six months, I can only say it was the grace of God that has kept me and kept my mind. It was only God’s love that kept my wife and I covered. After disclosing my sexual orientation to the church where I was the senior pastor and sharing that I had…
Read MoreBeing An Ally Is My Divine Destiny
“Once social change begins, it cannot be reversed. You cannot un-educate the person who has learned to read. You cannot humiliate the person who feels pride. You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid.” —Cesar Chavez In studying the life of Cesar Chavez, I was surprised to learn, he couldn’t demand equality for his…
Read MoreUnited Church Of Christ Landmark Lawsuit Says North Carolina Laws Restrict Freedom of Religion
The General Synod of the United Church of Christ (UCC) filed a lawsuit today in U.S. District Court in Charlotte, arguing that North Carolina laws defining and regulating marriage as being between a man and woman restrict UCC ministers from performing their religious duties and are unconstitutional. The State of North Carolina prevents couples of…
Read MoreSeeing With The Eyes Of The Soul
Picture the scene as Mary Magdalene weeps outside the tomb of Jesus. She’d already witnessed her Lord and friend murdered days earlier, nails hammered hard through his hands and feet, his body dying before her. And this morning she’s up early to clean and anoint him, but he isn’t here! His body’s missing! “They’ve taken…
Read MoreChristian Faith Leaders Honored Among Trans 100
Last week, the second-annual Trans 100 was released, honoring Trans individuals from across the United States who are currently alive and active in the work of making the lives of Trans people better. Alongside Jen Richards, Minister Asher Kolieboi, co-founder of Legalize Trans* and current Chaplain Intern at the Davidson County Sheriff’s Department, served as the Co-Director of the 2014 Trans…
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 MoreLove Actually
Until recently, I had never really thought about being straight—if you asked me who I was, I would tell you I was someone who adored books, talked a lot, wanted to move to Europe, and enjoyed gourmet cooking long before I even thought to mention that I liked boys. I experience straight privilege—I am allowed…
Read MoreUnited Methodists Gathering For Full LGBTQ Inclusion At Wedding
Despite their denomination’s policy against gays and lesbians, people of faith from all over California and neighboring states will be celebrating a “Season of Love” this coming May—a call for acts of love and support for full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people in The United Methodist Church. “It all begins with…
Read MoreBeyond Our Comfort Zones
We all have our comfort zones. Sometimes we decide it’s time to step out, and we just take a leap and hope for the best. Sometimes we’re so afraid of stepping outside of these comfort zones that we never really experience all that life has to offer us. There are even times that we don’t…
Read MoreThe Lynchings Haven’t Stopped
On March 6th, in Galveston, Texas, a city outside of Houston, a young African-American lesbian couple was killed and dumped near a dumpster. Britney Cosby and Crystal Jackson (pictured left) were 24 years old and out to their families, yet the main suspect for this crime is Cosby’s father. These two women shared the same age and race…
Read More