Learning From Others: A New Year’s Challenge

A colorful firework explodes over a church.

As we move into this New Year, I would like to share and reflect on three stories from my life that have helped shaped my message for today’s blog: A few weeks ago I was working in Ohio. My organization, Integrity USA, is working there to help gay, lesbian, bi, and trans* people get housing, employment,…

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DC Events Launch LGBT Faith & Asylum Network

United States Capitol dome and entrance steps

The LGBT Faith and Asylum Network (LGBT-FAN) invites you to help launch our LGBT Faith and Asylum Network. We are helping people who are seeking safety in the U.S. because of persecution of their sexual orientation or gender identity in their home countries. The Network is made up of faith leaders, asylum-seekers, people who have…

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Loving Trans People As Ourselves

The sun shines through a window in a house.

Debates over California’s AB 1266, which is scheduled to go into effect in California in January 2014, are bringing out troubling arguments against transgender students in California. AB 1266 restates existing state and federal laws that ensure transgender students can fully participate in all school activities, sports teams, programs, and facilities that match their gender identity.…

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Advent: The Practice of Active Waiting

Two lit candles on a black background.

When I was a child, the run-up to Christmas was much more churchy than it is today.  Every year we started an Advent calendar on December 1 with a picture of the holy family, the shepherds, the kings on camels, the star with glitter glued to it. We opened the doors day by day, so…

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Marriage On Trial In The United Methodist Church

Group singing outdoors, people holding hymnals

In Eastern Pennsylvania, Rev. Frank Schaefer was convicted Monday in a trial of The United Methodist Church (UMC) for officiating the wedding of his son, Tim, to his same-sex partner in 2007. Rev. Schaefer was found guilty on two counts: for officiating a same-sex wedding and “disobedience to the order and discipline of the United…

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