Second Stone #24 - Sept/Oct 1992

Second Stone #24 - Sept/Oct 1992

24

1992

Sept/Oct 1992

AMERICA'S GAY & LESBIAN CHRISTIAN NEWSJOURNAL
SEPTE M BER/ OCTOBER, 199 2 I SS U E# 24
Anti-gay document
draws shock , anger
BY JIM BAILEY
Gay a nd lesbi an Ca tholics were
stunned, distressed, and angered in
late July by a four-page document
declaring the Vat ican's suppo r t for
d iscr imination against gay and
lesbi an p e ople in s uch ar eas as p ublic
housing, family health benefits and
the hiring of teachers, coache s and
milit a ry personnel. The Vatican do cument,
entitled "Some Considerations
Conc e rning the Catholic Response to
Legislat iv e Proposals on the NonDiscrimination
of Homosexual Persons,"
from the Congregation for t he
Doctrine of the Faith, was sent to all
U.S. bishops throug h the Vatican
Nunciature on June 25th by the
General Secretary of the U.S. Catholic
Conference. The statement came to
th e atte ntion of New Ways Ministry, a
national gay-affirming group that
works w ith gay and lesbian Catholics .
New Ways Ministry sent copies ·of the
document to the media. The Washington
Post broke th e story on July 17,
igniting a wave of anger in the gay
and lesbian community, Catholic and
non-catholic alike.
The statement urges church
authorities to lobby against legislation
that might encourage homosexual
behavior because such behavior,
according to th e document, under mines
traditional family life. It said
g overnmen t sh ou l d d eny cert ain
privilege s to gay and lesbian people
to promote the traditional family and
prote ct society. '"Sexu al orientation '
does not consti tute a quality com parable
to race, ethnic background,
etc., in respect to non-discrimination,"
the statement reads. "Unlike these,
homosexual orientation is an objective
disorde r ." The hard-line document
continues, to the shock and dismay of
many Christians, to say that "there
are areas in which it is not unjust
discrimination to take sexual orientation
into account..."
The weeks following the discovery
of the Vatican's unchari table position
on human rights for gay and lesbian
peof,le produced a flood of responses.
In t us report, Second Stone presents
reaction from across the nation to the
Vatican statement.
SEE COVER STORY, Page 10
f(ETUflN TO
5eNOfrl·
KEVIN CALEGARI, president of Dignity/USA stands near the office of the
Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, preparing to "return to
sender' a copy of the Vatican statement opposing civil rights for Gays and
Lesbians. Cardinal Ratzinger refused to meet with Calegari.
f]JPROJECT TOCSIN: GAY BROTHERS: [l7l OUR FAMILIES:
California group
battles right wing
poison
This religious order
won't kick yo u out
if you're gay
The fathe rs of the
· bride helped p lan
the wedding
BULK RATE
U.S. POSTAGE
PA I D
NEW ORLEANS, LA
----------------------------------------------------- 1 PERMITNo.511
· T ,·From the Editor T ....................................
Ostrich approach won't work
By Jim Bailey
Editor
SINCE THE REPUBLICAN National Convention I've not iced I've been
watching television more in the "mute" mode. I'm sure this has to do
with spending an inordinate amount of time on the phone putting this
issue together. I just forgot to "de-mute" after the phone calls were over.
I think. · I hope it has nothing to · do with my aggravation with a
C-SP AN caller who phoned in during the Republican gathering to voice
his opinion that one could not be both a Democrat and a Christian. (I do
recall that was the first time I had used the mute button in some time.)
Watching television in such a manner is confusing and can be
dangerous. With the phone between my ear and shoulder, I glanced
over at the silent Headline News . For a moment , I thought I saw a
citizen of Sarajevo scrambling to safety with an armload of befongings .
No, that was a looter stealing from a Miami store in the aftermath of
Hurricane Andrew. The!\ scenes of destruction. It reminded me of
hurricanes I had experienced. No, that was Sarajevo. The next time I
caught the screen they were on the hurricane again: a map of the Gulf
of Mexico, the swirly hurricane symbol now positioned in the Gulf, a
track of destruction across Florida, and big orange arrows pointing at
me . Clearly, it was time to demute .
In these days of "ethnic cleansing" in Bosnia-Herzepovina, rising
neo-Nazism in Germany, official hatred from the Vatican, and
dangerous right wing political influence on the leadership of the United
States, it is tempting to hit the mute button ... to deny. There is an evil
threat to the freedo _m and liberty ... to the very lives ... of gay and
lesbian people in the United States. It's disguised under steeples and
crosses. The story on Project ·Tocsin in this issue is about people who
recognize this threat and have gone to battle against it.
Reconstructionists and others involved with the radical religious right
movement are counting on apathy from the gay and lesbian ·
community and, so far, to a great extent, that's just what they've gotten .
They want to chart a new course for America, destroying what they
don't like along the way. Right now, the orange arrows are pointed at
us.
SECOND STONE Newsjournal, ISSN No. 1047-3971, is published every other month
by Bailey Communications, P. 0. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182. Copyright 1992
by Second Stone, a registered trademark .
SUBSCRIPTIONS, U.S .A. $13.00 per year, six issues . Foreign subscribers add $10.00
for postage. All payments U.S. currency only.
ADVERTISING , For display advertising information call (504)899-4014 or write to
P.O. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 .
EDITORIAL, send letters, calendar announcements, noteworthy items to (Department
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should be accompanied by a stamped, self addressed envelope . Second Stone is otherwise
not responsible for the return of any material.
SECOND STONE, an ecumenical Christian newsjournal for the national gay and lesbian
community .
PUBLISHER/EDITOR: Jim Bailey
CONTRIBUTORS FOR THIS ISSUE:Rev. Dr. Fred C. Williams,
Andrea L. T. Peterson; Pamela White, Ivy Young, Rev. Dr. Timm Peterson,
Michael Blankenship and Nancy Hugman
· I 2Tsecond Stone• September/October, 1992 ·
l___..:..-J .
Contents ........... ........... .. ......
[]] From The Editor
I 3__J· 1
1
Commentary
The false issue of •~raditional family values"
[4J News Lines
[I]
[]]
[I]
Coming Out To My Pastor
Telling her nationally-known homophobic pastor
all about it... by Pamela White
Project Tocsin
They're battling right wing poison
I Remember Enrique
A moving letter recalling the power of an
important friend
! 10 l Cover Story
.
Reaction to Vatican 's position on gay and lesbian
civil rights
il2I _ gj
Meet The Brothers Of The Mercy Of God
Sexual orientation won't get you kicked out of this
order of gay Christian men
1_·1 !) 1 The Parable Of The Shetter
~ By Nancy Hugman
Andrea Peterson reviews Sandy Rapp's God's Country: 1~ 1
lnPrint
A Case Against Theocracy, Michael Blankenship reviews
_Rev . Stephen Pieters' I'm Still Dancing
[61 Relationships
How scripture helps us fix broken relationships
by Rev. Fred C. Williams
ml17 Families l!!J An interview with two gay grandfathers
l]8] Calendar
I 191. Noteworthy News about people, churches and groups
120 I Classlfl .eds
Comment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
"Traditional family values"
False issues and moral posturing
By lwYounq
Guest Comment
THERE YOU GO again, George .
Making ill-informed, demagogic and
misguided moralistic pronouncements
about the nature of family life in this
country and the unsuitability of Lesbians
and Gays to be parents.
And we must ask, as it was asked
of Senator Joe McCarthy, so many
years ago, "Have you no decency? At
long _last, have you no decency?"
There are millions of lesbian and
gay parents in this country who, like
parents everywhere, spend most of
their time and energy caring for and
worrying about and loving their
children. And hoping, too, that those
children grow up in a world free of
the bigotry and prejudice so evident
in George Bush's remarks about the
"abnormality" of same-sex parents.
That the president of the United
States would target millions of lesbian
and gay parents, discredit their lives,
do psychological harm to their children,
and make them scapegoats for
the fundamental problems of this
country is unconscionable and unworthy,
even in an election year.
We know all too well that the Vice
President cannot spell. The question
befor e us now is does the President
ever read. Did he read the U .S.
Departm ent of Health and Human
Services youth suicide study that
showed gay youth, because of .society's
intolerance and rejection by
their families, are two to three times
more likely to attempt suicide than
heterosexual youth? Does he read
the reports that put the divorce rate in
this country at 50 percent, or the
National Coalition Against Domestic
Violence report that three to four
million women a year are abused by
their husbands and boyfriends? Gay
youth suicide and spouse abuse
appear to be long-standing "traditional
family values" in this country.
Did the president overlook the front
page headline in the Washington Post
a while back: "Increase in Baby
Killings Attributed to Family Stress"?
That article contends that the nation 's
recession, joblessness and low wages
are causing parents to take out their
frustrations on their children. More
than 1300 children died of abuse last
year, 50 percent more than in 1986.
The Post article makes pointed reference
to the fact that because of
budget cuts, there is little help available
for families in crisis. This is
normal family life in America.
Our community did not create this
crisis. Instead, in the face of anti-gay .
policies and rampant homophobia,
such as that displayed by the president,
three to five million lesbian
and gay parents struggle daily to
provide loving homes for their
children . An ever-increasing number
of sociological studies indicates that
children raised in lesbian and gay
families grow up to be no better or
worse than children raised in heterosexual
families. Of course, we all
hope that our children, unlike Neil
Bush, do not grow up to be thieves or
To sit idly by while your cronies and
big n1oney campaign contributors loot
the savings and loan institutions where
thousands of An1erican fan1ilies deposited
their hard-earned resources is
not the n1ark of someone with a deepseated
concern about any kind
of values.
brigands.
Bush is using "traditional family
values" as the smoke and mirror tactic
to appease and win back the disenchanted
right wing. But even those
with the hardiest intestinal fortitude
should find this snake oil difficult to
swallow.
For Bush to profess such love and
concern for the American family and
veto the Family Medical Leave Act is
hyprocrisy at its most profound.
American families fill homeless shelters
and sleep on the streets, but this
administration consistently reduces
spending on low and moderate
'income housing. To sit idly by while
your cronies and big. money campaign
contributors loot the savings
and loan institutions where thousands
of American families deposited their
hard-earned resources is not the mark
of someone with a deep-seated co11-
cern about any kind of values. How
can one claim to cherish families on
one hand and promote such destructive
anti-family policies on the
other?
This is not a time for false issues or
moral posturing. This is a time for
leadership. Unfortunately, in his
attempt to keep his job for another
four years, the president has again
displayed the venal cowardice that is
unbecoming to anyone who would
seek to lead this natiort.
Ivy Young is the director of the
Families Project of the National Gay and
Lesbian Task Force Policy Institute.
Jesus did have something to say about homosexu.ality
By Rev. Dr. Timm Peterson
Guest Comment w HY ARE THE mainline Protestant
churches having so much trouble
with the issue of lesbian/ gay civil
rights in the church and soci~ty?
What is keeping the leadership of the
denominations from taking a strong
stand on this issue and teaching the
laity they are wrong to discriminate
against us? What is the major issue
for the laity in dealing truthfully with
20th century psychology and sociology
about lesbian/ gay sexuaHty
and sexual identity for children,
youth and adults? You guessed it.
The Bible.
One of the major obstacles facing
Open and Affirming, More Light and
Welcoming Churches and Reconciling
Congregations is the authority of
scripture, biblical interpretations and
what Jesus said or didn't say. For too
long liberal Christians have been
silent. This must change.
With the release of the Dead Sea
Scroll material and other published
works on the early Christian period,
we are beginning to discover much
more about the cultural influences on
Jesus' life and mission. I had always
wondered as a gay man and a Christian
if Jesus was aware of homosexuality
in his day. How could he "
have no t ? And if he did say anything
about it, where in the core
documents of the New Testament
would it be? Then I remembered
something. His greatest text on inclusivity
was in his Sermon on the
Mount in Matthew's Gospel. Surely,
if there were something, it wo'uld be
there.
To my surprise, there was. The text
is Matthew 5:22. "If you say to your
brother/ sister raca you will be sent to
the Sanhedren ." The New Revised
Standard Version says in a footnote
that Raca is an "obscure term of
abuse." What the biblical theologians
are not saying is that the term Raca
means "faggot." This means that Jesus
is saying at the peak of his ministry
that he doesn't want his followers to
gay-bash or even verbally harrass
gay people . And he is directing this
prohibition to heterosexuals and their
homophobia.
What is more interesting is the next
part of the phrase, "or you will be
sent to the Sanhedren (the Jewish
court system). What could this mean?
Recently author and professor John
Boswell has been doing research on
early gay Holy Unions and how
ancient they are, dating back to early
Roman soldiers and their unions.
Coujd this mean that Jesus was supporting
a gay rights bill of his day
and saying that homophobes should
be punished? It seems so.
Testament text which 1.) focuses on
heterosexuals doing deviant sexual
acts with same-sex persons, 2.) relates
to Greek pederast sexuality with
marrieds and call boys, 3.) relates to
cultic worship experiences and/ or 4.)
relates to rape . None of these usual
texts have anything to do with
consenting, loving and mutual relations
for same-sex couples. The
fundamentalists never quote the Song
of Solomon either.
It is time the churches face up to
this moment. Marginalizing and
oppressing openly lesbian and gay
churchfolk is no virtur~. Let's stop
using the Bible as a weapon of
injustice and start going to the .root of
the Gospel itself: love your neighbor
as they define themselves asyou love
yourself. As we do this we love God
inclusively as we should.
The evidence is mounting to show
that gay and lesbian same-.sex unions
preceded heterosexual marriage ceremonies.
This would mean that Jesus
was not only pro-gay, but also supported
loving, mutual relations for ·
same-.sex couples. What more do we Rev. Dr. Timm Peterson is a United
need to show that the Lord of the Church of Christ minister living in
church is for us and not against us? Chicago, He teaches at Triton College and
· When the conservatives respond, is Associate Editor of Changi1tg Men
they usually quote Paul or some Old magazine. _____ '
Second Stone• Sep~ember/October, ImtnJ.
News Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Washington elects woman suffragan bishop
D. THE REV. JANE HO LMES DIXON, 54, rector of St. Philip's Church in Laurel, Maryland
was elected a bishop in the Episcopal Church by more than 300 delegates of the Diocese of
Washington. If approved by a 11:ajority of the country's 99 dioceses, she wi ll become th~
second woman b1sbop m the Episcopal Church, followmg the Rt Rev. Barbara C. Hams
election in Massachusetts in 1988. Dixon has repeatedly spoken out in favor of ordaining
gay people. Everyone should enjoy equal access to the ministry, she said. "If the Gospel of
Jesus Christ weren't inclusive, I wouldn't be standing here," she said. -The Washington Post
UFMCC kicks off rally series
D. The Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches kicked off a series of
national and internationa l rallies on the 4th of July at the Majestic Theatre in downtown
Dallas. Over 1,000 Lesbians and Gays, family and friends were present to honor gay
military personnel and veterans. The initial rally was held in Dallas because the four
Dallas-area MCCs represent the largest concentration of lesbian and gay Christians in the
world. In a letter to the MCCs of Texas, Governor Ann Richards praised their special
commitment to the gay and lesbian community which helps "~uarantee that every American
will have the Of>portunity to pursue his or her spiritual life... The next rally is scheduled to
be held in Fort J:auderdale, Florida, in May 1993.
Former Presbyterian leader 'changes mind' on aay ordination
D. WILLIAM P. !HOMPSON, the former Stated Clerk of the United Presbyterian Church
(now Presbyte .nan Church USA), who previously took a hard line on the ordination of
Gays and Lesbians, wrote in a letter to the Rev. Vernon B. Van Bruggen, Presbytery
Executive of the Presbytery of New Brunswick, that he had changed his mind . He asserts
that his ch~nge of stance was ii:i-£1uenced ~y the fact_that skilled experts differ in Biblical
interpretation and that new saentific evidence md1cates the absence of the free choice
essential to sinful behavior. He also claimed to be influenced by loss to the church caused
by the policy. 'The result seems tome to constitute injustice to th(! persons involved, to the
congregations they have ·served or might serve and, indeed, to the whole people of God ... ,"
Thompson wrote. -Christianty & CristS ·
Churches reject anti-gay ballot
D. AT RECENT CONVENTIO!'JS, a synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
and a conference of the United Church of Christ overwFtelmingly condemned an attempt by
the group Colorado for Family Values to· have an anti-gay 6a1lot measure placed on the
November election ballot. Representing the Rocky Mountain Conference of the UCC, 300
delegates condemned the measure and 600 delegates of the ELCA synod passed a resolution
opposing the anti-gay action. -Malchus
/
/
a Clean
Heart
Glenn Baker
Conservatives lose in sex ed battle
t;, CALIFORNIA CHRISTIAN FUNDAMENTALISTS failed in their attempt to change new
sex education guideli n es they claim would promote gay lifesty les, but vowed to try again.
Parts of the document are "totally unacceptable because homosexuality is not acceptable to
presentfoyoung, impressionable children and teenagers as a viable lifestyle," said the Rev.
Lou Sheldon, who predicted that the issue would bolster support for a school-choice
initiative proposed for a November ballot. -Cruise
UFMCC seeks military chaplaincy · · .
D. REV. TROY PERRY, founder of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community
Churches has filed an application with the Department of Defense to allow the church's
clergy to serve as military chaplains. Perry predicted the Pentagon would approve the
request. Rev. Dusty Pruitt of Long Beach will oe the church's first chaplain nommee . Pruitt,
45, sued the Army after her 1986 dismissal for "moral dereliction." She had served six years
active service and nine years in the reserves. "If you have ministerial skills, you are able to
apply them across the spectrum," Pruitt said. "Ministry -is not sexually oriented ... The
application is consistent with the desire of my heart to be a chaplain and in the military ."
Perry said the church would sue if Pruitt is rejected. The church also asked the Pentagon to
drop its policy banning Gays and Lesbians fiom the military. -The New Voice
Clinton's scripture quoting upsets Robertson, Falwell
D. PAT ROBERTSON AND JERRY FALWELL are angry that Rev. Jesse Jackson and
Governor Bill Clinton quoted scripture during their speecbes at the Democratic National
Convention. Said Falwell, "Misquoting and manipulating scripture for political purposes
should be offensive to millions of Americans. It is certainly a more significant error than the
much publicized misspelling of potato." -Seattle Gay News
Presbvterian lesbian refused ordination · .
D. LISA (ARGES has been denied ordination in the Presbyterian Church on the grounds of
sexual orientation. Larges, 29, who became qualified for ordination in spite of being blind,
said the church was still her home. "I just don't want to leave because they don't hke me,"
she said. "I want them to take responsibility for their decision, to know that this affects
people." -Equal Time
Gays adopt highway near fundamentalists
(),. A LESBIAN AND GAY GROUP has adopted a stretch of highway just yards away from
the Christian Broadcasting Network's headquarters . The Hampton Roads Lesbian and Gay
Pride Coalition's choice of a two-mile piece of Interstate 64 for their partic1patio~ in the
state's highway clean-up program is a protest against CBN founder Pat Robertsons views
on Gays. - C/ucago Outfines
Ousted North Carolina church reconsiders prergay stance
D. OLIN T. BINKLEY Baptist Church, Chapel Hill, ousted from the Southern _Baptist
Convention for licensing a gay cleq;y student, will reconsider its stance on licensing gay
students, voting for further discussion by a_ margin of 151-24. Whil_e the new di scussion
does not affect the licensure of John Blevins, 1t could have a ch11lmg effect on other
gay-positive steps the church might take . Seven deacons resigned over the resolution to
affirm the rights of gay Christians to be integrated into the ministry and now , after being
expelled from both the state and national Baptist -associations, church members may be
bending to the pressure . -Q Notes
NCC ends plans for meetings with UFMCC
D. THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES Executive Coordinating Committ ee voted
May 19 to dismiss the NCC-UFMCC Dialogue Committee after learning that only three or
four of its 32 member denominations were interested in the meetings. "We are an&ry but not
surprised at the dismissal of our committee, and I vow that we will not go away, said Rev.
Elder Nancy Wilson, UFMCC Chief Ecumenical Officer. Rev. Troy Perry, leader of the
UFMCC, said the church has applied for "observer " status in the ·council. NCC lead ers have
described homosexuality as "the most divisive church .issue since slavery."
Baptist preacher says gay is okay
D. A BAPTIST PREACHER has opened a counseling center in Pompano Beach, Florida,
where he hoRes to help Gays and Lesbians reconcile their homosexuality and their
Christianity.' Your salvation has nothing to do with your sexuality," Jerry Lee_St(!phenson
told the Ft. Lauderdale News and Sun-Sentinel.
Detroit bishop heads gay inauirv ·
D. VATICAN OFFICIALS HAVE AS~ Detroit Archbishop Adam Mai<!,a to inve~tigate a
Catholic group that promotes equality for Gays and Lesbians. Two Michigan bishops -
Saginaw Bishop Kenneth Untener and Maida's own Auxiliary Bishof> Thomas Gumbleton
- recently were headline speakers at a ·national conference- sponsotecti>y .Mary,land-based
Ne~ Ways Ministry. Two b_ishops at the Natiol)al Conference of Catholic Bishops _at the
Uruversity of Notre Dame said they were aware of the mvestigation, and Maida confirmed
the inquiry but said it was too sensitive to discuss publicly, "and I prefer not to say
anything about it right now." Bishop Gumbleton has publicly acknowledged he has a
brother who is gay. -Cruise
Catholic officials take no stand on Colorado initiative
D. COLORADO CATHOLIC OFFICIALS have declined _ to · take a positioμ on a
controversial initiati':e seeking to ban state fr,il rights protections for Gays and Lesbians.
Archbishop J. Iiranc1s Staffora of Denver, Bishop Arthur Tafoya of Pueblo and Bishop
Richard C. Hanifen of Colorado Springs released a statement saying, "The ambiguous
language of theJroposed amendment confuses the crucial distinction between homosexual
'orientation' an homosexual 'conduct' or 'relationships.' -The New Vo,ce
·News Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................ .....
Presbyterian group sues New Jersey over gay rights law ,
t. A PRESBYTERIAN GROUP has filed suit against the state of New Jersey, charging that a
bill banning discrimination based on sexual orientation is · unconstitutional. The
Presbytery of New Jersey of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church charges that the new law
could force their organiztion to hire, ordain and marry "sexual sinners." The !)COUP says
their suit arose after .they heard of a gay church orgarust who sued a Presbytenan cburch
in San Francisco after he was fired 15y the church. "We.want to make sure that the same
thing doesn 't ~appen here," said Thomas Neuberger, attorney for the Presbyterian group .
-Stonewall Unwn Reports
Parents protest pride proclamation
t. PARENTS THREATENED TO PULL their children from classes at a demonstration
against the Los Angeles school board's proclamation of June as "Gay and Lesbian Pride
Month." "No longer is this the Los Angeles Board of Education. It's the special interest
board of indoctrination," said Eadie Gieb, president of Parents and Students United of the
San Fernando Valley . The group sponsored the protest with the valley-based Christian
Coalition, founded by evangelisfPat Robertson. -Chicago Outlines
Military discrimination costs millions
t,. A NEW STUDY presented by.the General Accounting Office has documented that the
Department of Defense spends tens of millions of do!Iars each year to keep Gays and
Lesbians out of the military. The Pentagon spends $27 million each year to recruit and train
replacements for those who are discharged for being gay.
NC minister transfers to banished Baptist church
t. SAYING THAT THE PULLEN Memorial Church in Raleigh is "embracing what Christ
said church should be about," the Rev. Nancy Petty left her Charlotte churcli. and became
Pullen's minister of education. Pullen was voted out of the Southern Baptist Convention
because it blessed a union between two gay men. Petty no longer considers herself a
Southern Baptist , saying, "Southern Baptists have kind .of disowned me anyway as a
female ." -Southern Voice
Robertson laments gav/lesbian visibilitv at Demo Convention
t,. THE REV. PAT ROBERTSON reported on the highly visible gay/ lesbian presence at the
Democratic National Convention during a segment of CBN's tlie 700 Club. Robertson said
it is a sign that God "is about to abandon America," and that if the gay rights bill is ever
passed, the country will be destroyed "in seven or eight years." Robertson said that Gays
and Lesbians are to blame for many problems facing America, including the "no-fault"
divorce. "They are doing it because they hate the family. It is Lesbians who are realJ;y
. behind the abortion issue. They can't ha ve children and they're [jealous] o£other womens
femininity . They say, 'If I can' t have a child then I don't want you to have a child so you'll
be like me ." Robertson also said, "This idea of separation of church and state is nonsense."
The struggle over "values" has gone beyond tall::, said Robertson. "It's blood in the streets.
It's bloody out there." -Seattle Gay News
'FAG' to battle anti-gay initiative in Oregon
t,. ACTIVISTS BATTLING A MOVE by the right wing Oregon Citizens Alliance to amend
the state consitution to include Old Testament law have formed the Famil:,, Alliance of God,
FAG, to put forward a companion amendment. Among the restrictions the FAG amendment
would cover are a ban against the state "condoning and promoting the consumption of
shrimp, lobster, crab" and other foods prohibited in Leviticus. The amendment would also
add tlie death penalty for adultery and cursing one's parent. -GayNet
Klan calls for death for Gavs and Lesbians
t,. F1FfY KLANSMEN, SKINHEAbS and supporters rallied in Daytona Beach, Fla., on
July 12 proclaiming the death penalty for Gays and Lesbians . Members of the National
Organization for Women and members of a local gay-affirming church held a
counter-demonstration, outnumbering the Klari three-to-one. Florida Klan leader John
Baumgardner said, "It's up to Christians to rise up and impose the death JJ!!nalty on [Gays
and Lesbians]. Rev. Step!ien Steele of Hoi,e MCC in Orminond Beach said, 'The Klan lias
brought its message of hate here. I can't believe they consider themselves to be Christians."
-Associated Press
Minister refused An to protest church action
t,. THE REV. HOWARD WARRENoflndianapolis announced June 9 that he would stop
taking his AZf to protest what he called "hateful'' actions by the Presbyterian Church afits
annual meeting in Milwaukee . "Sometimes you must confront extreme acts of hate with
equal extreme, peaceable actions," Warren said. '.'In m~ own church, I felt like I was taking
on hate." Warren resumed his medication after church eaders postponed action on anti-gay
measures . -Southern Voice · ·
Lesbian marriaae ianites furor In Austin ·
t,. FUNDAMENTALIST CHRISTIANS have protested a .decision by the Austin
American-Statesman to sell Sara Strandtman and Karen Umminger space for a picture and
short story about their union . 'The purity of these pages has been marred by the stain of
immorality," said . Jack Chambers, a talk show host for a Christian radio and . cable TV
station. American-Statesman publisher Roger Kintzel said, "It's simple. We have decided not
to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation." -Fort Worth Siar-Telegram
Priest auits after oarish reiects AIDS home
t,. A CATA:OL!C PRIES!' has quit fus parish because parishioners rejected his plan . to house
homeless AIDS patients in the church rectory . Rev. Larry Johnson, 43, left hls £OSition at
the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Ma!).' Catholic Church in Maplewood, Minn ., on
June 21. "I.have never confronted anything like it," said Johnson , who has spent I7Jears in
the priesthood. 'Twas very much surprised by the ignorance, fear and hatre . Their
homophobia and fear paralyzed them ." -Associated Press
Episcopal diocese grants benefits to partners of Gays
t. THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF NEW ARK extended dental coverage to partners of
lesbian and gay priests and .Jay employees. The decision came about after a lesbian priest in
Newark , the Rev. Karen Murphey, tned to enroll her partner in the diocese's dental plan.
F\)llowing negotiations, the diocese agreed to do that m all 130 of its churches. ·
-Southern Voice ·
Nicaraguan·Gays in danaer
t. WITH CATHOLIC CHURCH SUPPORT, the Nicaraguan parliament has passed a law
forbidding any gay activity, including rights activism. Cardinal Obando y Bravo, the most
powerful churchman in Nicaragua, praised the law, saying, "any sensib.le and responsible
Christian ought to be in agreement" with it. Bravo said thafhomosexuality, "while not a sin,
constitutes a strong tendency toward behavior intrinsically bad from the moral
perspective ." -Seattle Gay News .
Archbishop-of Canterburv kills lesbian/gay prayer book
t. BRITAIN'S LEADING CHRISTIAN publishing house has dropped plans to publish a
book of prayers for gay and lesbian Christians after the Archbisliop of Canterbury, the
Most Rev . Georgl! Carey, its president, told them he did not approve. The publication
committee of the Society for tfte Promotion of Christian Knowleage decided not to print
Daring to Sf,eak Love's Name: A Celebration of Friendship, which had been schedulea for
release in uly . Dr. Elizabeth Stuart, who edited the book, said she owed it to the
"thousands of Christian Lesbians and Gays" in Britain and worldwide to find another
publisher . The Rev. Richard Kirker, general secretary of the Lesbian and Gay Christian ·
Movement, reacted strongly . "The Archbishop of Canterbury's actions are intellectually
indefensible and blatantly, homophobically discriminatory, tliey demean the office that he
holds," Kirker said. -The Voice of Integrity .
Take pictures on National Coming Out Day .
t. TWO NATIONAL LESBIAN AND GAY organizations, National Coming Out Day and
The Lesbian and Gay Public Awareness Project, are asking all photographers
(r,rofessional and amateur) to record October 11, National Coming Out Day as: a day m the
life of Gay and Lesbian America . 'The Photo Project will confirm for all of America what
we have been saying all along, there is no 'us' and 'them'," said Lynn Shepodd, Executive
Director of National Coming Out Day. Amateur and _professional photographers interested
in submitting their October 11, 1992 portraits of lesbian and gay America for consideration
for ~se in Tli.e _Photo Project, and tliose wishing more i~ormation, should_ register with
National Commg Out Day, (505)982-2558, or The Lesbian and Gay Pubhc Awareness
Project, (818)990-8000. . . ,
diqnit'1JUSC
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Second Stone• September/O~tober, im([j
Bishop Browning: Christians must hear gay/lesbian issues
CALLING FOR reconciliation in the
church, Episcopal Presiding Bishop
Edmund L. Browning returned to his
home state of Texas to lead the
opening Eucharist fqr the Integrity
National Convention in Houston.
Bishop Browning appeared at a service
attended by about 300 people at
palmer Memorial Episcopal Church
on July 10. Browning's appearance
was a first for a leader of a major
denomination to attend a meeting of a
gay /lesbian group. On July 11,
Browning led a forum with Integrity
members during which he spoke
supportively of lesbian and gay
Episcopalians.
"I am convinced that this church will
never be reconciled about any issue
unless we can reclaim the struggle in
Christ's name with Christ's methods,"
Bishop Browning said during his
sermon. "I am convinced that neither
side can win a war. Peace must break
out. Reconciliation must · begin. The
struggle of Christ is not a project of
seeing who can win ."
"Is it possible to know the pain of
what you have known and _still find it
within yourself to remain in the body
where so much of that pain has
occurred?" Browning asked those
attending the service. "Can you be
the reconcilers Christ calls of us to be
without either denying the reality of
your pa in on the one hand or denying
the possiblity of its corning to an
end on the other, without either
minimizing what you have felt or.
allowing it to overcome you? How
can we struggle together in love,
when so many of the models for
struggle which we have are models of
hate?"
The Rt. Rev. Maurice M. Benitez,
Bishop of Texas, was not expected at
the convention and he did not attend.
The absence of the arch-conservative
bishop led Integrity's founder, Dr.
Louie Crew, to suggest that the
Bishop was guilty of "the sin of
sodomy," meaning inhospitality.
Benitez reportedly distributed a letter
indicating that no diocesan officials
would attend the convention, but
many clergy of the diocese did
attend.
In an interview with Episcopal News
Service prior to his appearance in
Houston, Browning said he accepted
the invitation to the Integrity convention
because he wanted to go and felt
it was important to go. "Phoenix [the
Episcopal Church's General Convention,
July, 1991] called the church into
a dialogue on the issue of homosexuality,
and it seems to me that my
visit to the Integrity meeting is an
important way of modeling the
church's willingness to be in dialogue
Fourteenth Annual
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January 2-18, 1993
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Professor Chung Hyun-Kyong
Ewha Women'$ University, Seoul, Korea
Dr. Preman Niles
General Secretary, Council for World Mission
Professor Maurice Wiles
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Kenilworth, Warwickshire
Cost: $1570
includes
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Selly Oak Colleges, Birmingham
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The Seminar is meant to appeal to clergy, laity, and seminar faculty and students and has
attracted hundreds of participants during the past 13 years. Participation is limited to 55. Founded
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Aadem .ic and Continuing Education Credits are available.
• For further Information, registration ... contact:
Donald J. Ru_dalevlge, 566 Commonwealth Ave ., Boston, Mass. 02215
617-266-3900/926-4366 rn· Second Stone• Septe~mber/October, 1992
on the issue," Browning said.
..Browning said that he was
"sympathetic" to the impatience ex-
L.A. Bishop rides
in pride parade.
THE RT. REV. Chester L. Talton,
suffragan bishop of the Diocese of Los
Angeles participated in the West
Hollywood gay pride parade on·June
28. Talton was well-received along
the parade ·route, according to
Larkette Lein, convenor of Integrity/
Southland. "People of color seemed
especially gladdened to see him, and
often made exhuberant efforts to
make sure they made eye contact,"
said Lein . "In. our riot-weary city, his
presence was particulary empower
ing." Nearly 200 people from the
Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles
particpated in the parade. Talton is
the first leader of a mainline denomination
to participate in the gay pride
event.
Los Angeles Suffragan Bishop
Chester L Talton and Integrity/
Southland convenor Larkette
Lein in pride parade Photo: Paul Couny
pressed by some gay and lesbian
memb ers of the Episcopal Church that
the church is still an oppressive institution
or not responsive to their
concerns. "Sometimes I think the
church moves at a · snail's pace," he
said. "I would encourage people who
feel discouraged to 'hang in there.' It
is extremely important for their voices
to be .heard."
Browning said that Christians must
not shrink from addressing difficult
issues, and must keep a listening . ear
and open heart toward persons who
disagree. Despite his optimism about
dialogue on gay and lesbian issues, .
Browning acknowledged that the
debate on homosexuality in the Episcopal
Church would probably not end
before his 12-year term expires in
1998.
During his installation Browning
said that the Episcopal Church must
be a place where "there will be no
outcasts." Browning said that he
might phrase it a little differently
today. "Maybe what I would say now
is that the church is . a place for
outcasts.
Browning said that the .past six
years had revealed "that ther e are
many people who believe themselves
to be outcasts, but who are not willing
to come in the center and participate
unless they can make others outcasts.
They come with strings attached . We
need to challenge that," he said.
Accor:ding to Browning the
sacrament of baptism was the "underlying
foundation" for his vision of
inclusiveness. "Baptism puts us in
relationship - not only with Christ -
but also with every other baptized
person," he said.
In over 50 Integrity chapters in the
United States the primary focuses are
worship in a supportive environment,
emotional support and counseling,
spiritual nourishment and Christian
education, and service to the Church
and the lesbian and gay community .
American Baptists reject
anti-gay · resolution
THE 91 TO 88 VOTE of the General
Board of the American Baptist
Churches in the USA to reject a resolution
condemning lesbian, gay and
bisexual people was a clear signal to
continue dialogue, according to
leaders of American Baptists Concerned,
the national lesbian, gay and
bisexual Baptist caucus, which held its
annual retreat June 29-July 2. Many
attending the r etreat expressed gratitude
for "the responsible, rational and
compassionate way" the resolution
was considered by the General Board
meeting at Green Lake, Wisconsin
June 21-23.
The resolution, which originatep in
the West Virginia region, attempted
to legislate behavior, in contradiction
to Baptist polity, on the ~asis of a .
particular perception of what "grieves
the heart of God." American Baptist
tradition allows full autonomy to local
congregations and "honors God's
Word as experienced and interpreted
by individual conscience as the
highest authority."
American Baptists Concerned has
formally established 'The Association
of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists,"
an alliance of individuals,
groups and congregations, both gay
and rion-gay, that have pledged to be
affirming of lesbian, gay and bisexual.
More than 20 applications for
membership in the association have
been received, including eight congregations.
American Baptists Concerned
for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual
People was adopted as the new name
of the organization, which is celebrating
its 20th anniversary this year.
In 1984, I went as a fundamentalist
minister to "witness" at a gay
rights rally in Sacramento , California.
I had a solid spiritual
pedigree. I had been active in some
kind of ministry since 1971 when I
met Christ. I was valedictorian of my
Bible institute class, sang in a gospel
group, led a mobile evangelism team
through Northern California, and was
a licensed minister in the Assemblies
of God. I somehow knew that I would
have some kind of ministry · in the
"homosexual" community. I had no
idea that I would do it as a lesbian.
(Well, maybe down deep I knew.)
Today I am a Christian lesbian
activist and am active in Emmanuel
MCC in Albuquerque. . ·
Several.important events catalyzed
this transformation. I nearly had a
nervous breakdown, fell in love with
half a dozen women, and had some
National Coming Out Day, October 11, 1992
Coming out
to my pastor
BY PAMELA WHITE
human sexuality courses in graduate
school. I came out with a vengeance.
I decided to form a personal policy.
I had been very pub lic in my opposition
to the concept of "lesbian and
gay Christians." I decided now to be
equally public in my support. Signing
my real name in editorials and
being interviewed on a news segment
about gay parents was part of
this effort. Recently, I felt impressed
to take another step . I wrote a coming
out letter to my ex-Assemblies of God
clergy, Pastor Glenn Cole of Sacramento
. I attended Cole's church and
taught adult Sunday School there for
about five years.
persecution dished out by the religious
right. Because I believe that
fundamentalists ( or more accurately
the powers of evil behind them) are
engaging in a literal spiritual holocaust
against Gays and Lesbians, I
•encouraged the pastor to withdraw
his condemnation against our community.
· "Resolving the apparent conflict
between my sexuality and spirituality
was very challenging," I wrote. "I
literally felt that I was throwing
myself off the. edge of the world with
no certainty that God would catch me.
I did notice, however, that at no time
did the Holy Spirit withdraw from
me ."
It is the authenticity of our
relationships with Christ, our ability
to speak a "religious language" and
Christ -like works that most meaningfully
attests to the truth. A powerful
Biblical story illustrates this.
Violations in 142 countries
Pastor Cole was on my credentials
committee when I was licensed as a
minister and was the president of the
Bible institute from which I graduated.
He pastors the largest cl1Urch
in Sacramento and is well known on a
national level in the denomination.
Acts 10 is often cited by gay and
lesbian Christians as a text that supports
the reality of our experience
with Christ. Peter had a vision where
God pronounced ."clean" foods that
Peter previously believed to be
impure. The vision was later revealed
to be about people. Gentiles. The
spiritually excluded. Peter obediently
went to preach at the house of
Cornelius and God punctuated the
point of the vision in a powerful way.
Torturers, state assassins get
away with abuses
GOVERNMENTS AROUND the
world are breeding contempt for
human rights by letting their forces
get away with abduction, torture and
murder, Amnesty International said
as it released its 1992 annual report
. covering the period January to Dec.
ember 1991.
"As long as the torturers, the state
assassins and those who give the
orders act with a free hand and
without fear of punishment, the cycle
of violations will never be broken,"
the human rights organization said.
The organization's global survey
covering 142 countrie s shows the
result of letting human rights vio lations
go unpunished. In 199.1 alone,
people were jailed as prisoners of
conscience in about half the countries
in the world, and more than 100
governments continued to torture or
ill-treat prisoners.
People also "disappeared" in some
20 countries and remained missing in
many more, extrajudicial executions
were carried out in 45 countries, and
death sentences were handed down
in more than 50 countries and carried
out in 33 countries.
"Governments in Africa and
throughout the ·world often use the
violence of opposition groups as an
excuse for letting their security forces
get away with human rights violations,"
Amnesty International said.
"While we condemn torture, hostagetaking
and deliberate and arbitrary
killings by such groups , those abuses
can never justify government counter-
terror."
Extrajudicial killings and
"disappearances" continued in the
Americas where sweeping amnesty
laws in a number of countries have
let the state killers go free. In 1991,
hundreds of street children died at
the hands of death squads in Brazil,
hundreds more were killed by the
army or paramilitaries in Colombia
and more than 300 people "disap peared"
and at least 60 were
extrajudicially executed in Peru. In
the United States there were more
than 2,500 people on death row and
14 executions throughout the year - a
figure that was already surpassed in
the first six months of 1992.
In Europe, the fighting in
Yugoslavia led to large scale human
rights violations including torture and
massacres of civilim;is by all sides in
the conflict, while political killings
also took place in Turkey, mainly
among the Kurdish population in the
southeast.
In the Middle East, Iraq and Kuwait
were the scene of massive human
rights violations, with arbitrary
arrests, torture, "disappearances" and
killings following the withdrawal of
Iraqi troops from Kuwait and similar
atrocities committed by Iraqi soldiers
in the wake of uprisings in March
and April.
"It is high time that governments
worldwide stop persecuting their
citizens and begin protecting them .
Until all governments commit to a
single human rights standard a
climate of terror will prevail through out
the world," said John G. Healey,
Executive Director of Amnesty International
USA. 'Today's challenge for
the United States government and the
international community is to move
from espousing human rights rhetoric
to enforcing human rights law by
bringing to justice those responsible
for abuse."
For information on the annual report
of Amnesty International, write to
AIUSA, 322 Eighth Ave., New York,
NY 10001.
In my desire to write an effective
letter, I used the most powerful tools
that I knew; my personal story and
my experience with other gay and
lesbian Christians.
My motivation to write to Pastor
Cole was guided by the strong sense
that our oppression in society is
. directly related to the intensity of SEE COMING Otrr, Page 13
~
Phoenix Evangelical
Bible Institute
2 Timothy 2:15
1035 East Tumey
Phoenix, AZ 85014
(602)265-2831
Do your best to preset:1t yourself to God as one
approved, a workman who does not need to be
ashamed and who correctly handles the word
of truth.
FULL TIME CLASSES AND
CORRESPONDENCE AVAILABLE
Current correspondence courses include:
•Angels, Demons and Satan
•Christian Gay Ministries
•Christology •Fundamentals of the Faith
•New Testament Survey •Old Testament Survey
FOR SCHOOL INFORMATION OR CATALOGS CONTACT:
PH EB I
1035 EAST TURNEY• PHOENIX, AZ 85014
(602)265-2831 ,
. Second Stone• September/October, 1992 rn
.. •
"It is the goal of a number of
us to try to Christianize _the
state of California. We think
it's,.very possible, by the year
2000, to have Christians -
mature, biblically literate -
gain the majority of seats in all
the city councils in [Santa
Clara] county."
UPDATE: Reconstructionists & The Far Right different ministries and professions
are creating a 20 year plan to return
America and Canada to what the
group describes as "the Biblical
foundations which made North
America a gr-eat, and one time,
Christianized society." In 1989, the
leaders agreed on a five year plan to
"systematically and •aggressively"
direct the group toward that goal.
PRO
TO
·EC T
SIN
-Coalition On Revival · BATTLES RIGHT WING POISON The major thrust of the five year
plan calls for religious leaders in each
of 60 major American and Canadian
cities identified in the plan to form
what the council calls "a single,
coordinated, interdependent spiritual
army of fearless Christians from all
denominations by creating a 'Ministry
Merge Network"' to carry out the
council's suggested goals.
National Director Jay Grimstead
The religious right's growing
political influence, clearly evident
during the Republican
National Convention, continues
to draw only lukewarm reaction
in many parts of the country from the
gay and lesbian community, in spite
of the threat it pr esents to the freedom
and personal liberties of Gays and
Lesbians, according to Jerry Sloan,
one of the founders of Project Tocsin, a
group monitoring the religious right
wi thin the California Republican
Party.
Alarmed at the success and
organizing poV{er of the religious
right, Sloan got together with Marghe
Covino and Joanna Cassi and formed
Project Tocsin in March of this year.
"We wanted to let everybody know
that the theocrats are taking over,"
said Sloan.
Project Tocsin was initially funded ·
The May/fune, 1991 · issue of Second
Stone published a story on Reconstructionists
- a radical group of Jar right
fundamentalist Christians who believe
that American society should 'be rebuilt
according to the laws revealed in the Old
Testament . Although unwilling to publicly
admit it, many Reconstructionists
by personal contributions from the
co-founders but now the organization .•
receives income from speaking
engagements, workshops and donations.
Th e group is also connecting
with people all over the country who
are interested in starting local projects
·. to combat the religious right. Sloan
said many are straight Republicans
who feel their party has been. taken
away from them,
Gays and Lesbians are not
responding with alarm because many
do not believe the religious right can
succeed. "But, I'm sorry, it's hap-
AT LAST! • AN INCLUSIVE DEVOTIONAL• AT LAST!
The Road
to Emmau -s
Joseph W. Houle, ed.
EMMAUS PRESS
P.O. Box 70434 / Washington, D.C. 20024-0434
416 pp.• paperback• $12.95 (plus $3.00 for postage & handling)
Discounts available on quantity orders.
At last! A Christian devotional for all people - the young and old; the male
and female; the lesbian, the gay man, and the heterosexual; the single, the
married, and the celibate; the Asian, the Black, the Hispanic, the Native
American, and the White; the physically strong and the physically challenged.
Contributing authors of The Road to Emmaus - including Sr. Jeannine
Gramick (Homosexuality and the Catholic Church), Fr. Robert Nugent
(Stations of the Cross for Persons with AIDS), and the Rev. Larry Uhrig
(Sex Positive) - are a blend of men and women, laypersons and clergy, Black
and White writers.
Special care has been taken to make this devotional inclusive in language,
tone, and content. Its underlying message is that the Gospel is good news for
al/people.
AT LAST! •AN INCLUSIVE DEVOTIONAL •AT LAST!
I 87 Second Stone• September/October, 1992
believe that in a society got>emed by such
laws, an "unrepentant" act of homosexuality
should be punishable by death.
This is an update on the religious right
and a story about a California gro up
who's taking the far right movement
seriously.
pening," said Sloan. 'The y are well
organized and they are gaining
ground."
The Republican Central Committee
in Santa Clara County, California,
was targeted for a "stealth" campaign
by religious conservatives and in
June they succeeded in capturing 14
out of 20 open seats. If at least nine
win in November, and the conservative
incumbents return, they
will outnumber the moderate Republicans.
Two years ago, in San Diego
County, 60 out of 90 religious right
candidates won low level offices by
campaigning through conservative
churches. Far right candidates are
particularly interested in school board
positions because they are easier to
win and successful candidates can
immediately put their agenda into
.action by banning any teaching or
textbook materials that depict Gays
and Lesbians in a favorable light.
The religious right's National
Coordinating Council is self-described
as "an informal, fellowship-based,
ad-hoc committee of Christian leaders
from the ranks of [the Coalition On
Revival] and other reformation/
activist groups interested in rebuilding
our society on the principles of
the Bible." Jay Grimstead is the
leader of COR and the council. The
council is not formally related to COR
but is described as a "stepchild" of the
group. Council literature claims that
50 national leaders working in 24
Some of the Ministry Merge goals
include: •Teach all leadership Christians
how to cast out demons and
territorialize the kingdom of God .
• Produce kingdom-oriented television
programs and slick magazines to
mobilize Blacks, Hispanics and
Asians. •Organize towards the elimination
of Communism, Nazism and
Liberation Theology from the
Western hemisphere. •Work towards
replacing all local public scl10ols with
private schools by 2000 A.O. •Create
regular .entertainment productions,
videos, concerts, children's shows,
and a Kingdom version of Saturday
Night Live. •Protect 2nd Amendment
rights and gun ownership for
responsible citizens. •Organize and
lobby for a flat tax of all U.S. citizens
and state citizens . • Work towards
dismantling the IRS by 2000 AD .
Grimstead wrote in the first issue of
Crosswinds magazine that the goal of
COR is to bring "families, finances,
education, legal matters, professional
life, voting choices, involvement in
the arts and sciences, recreation and
physical health all under the King's
dominion."
W ou)d a society governed by Old
Testament laws call for the death
penalty for abortion, adultery and
"unrepentant" homosexuality? Most
far right Christians and reconstructionists
clearly think it would but
are reluctant to say so publicly out of
fear of alienating many of the people
they so desparately need to join their
SEE TOCSIN, Page 13
UNITED METHODISTS:
we're here for you -'-Affirmation: United Methodists for
Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Concerns welcomes you .
P.O. Box 1021 Evanston, IL 60204
(415)221-1612
I thought about calling Enrique on
Sunday, but at the last second
thought better of it, deciding not to
disturb his family on Easter. Something
told me not to call, as clearly as
a voice right in my ear. Now I know
why. I much preferred to hear the sad
news from you, and than!< you for
doing what must have been an
incredibly painful duty.
In my last letter to Enrique, I
shared these thoughts:
Living through your experience
alongside you has been both painful and
enlightening. I go through waves of
wanting to "do something about it,"
wanting to "wish it away," wanting to
rail against it as though it were some
malicious demon to be exorcised. I feel
humbled by your courageous adjustment
to hosting this fellow living creature, to
the inevitability of future events, and to
the supremacy of the greater wisdom
making tlie ultimate decisions. But above
. all, I'm proud to have such an incredible
friend.
If you find yourself frequently
suffering from a reddening sensation
about the ears, it's not a new symptom -
it's the number of times daily that you
connect with me, through fond memories
and reminders. You are the beneficiary of
absolute clouds of prayers, dear one, and
your example and influence continue to
help so many of us, more than you could
imagine.
All this will be just as true now that ·
he is no longer physically present on
the f,lanet. I have never been so
deep y affected by a living being. His
passing is a terrible loss, but there is
such joy in having known him, and
such relief in knowing that his
suffering is over. My grief is transitory
and will pass, as I gradually
realize how very much he is still with
me. I'm quite sure he'd rather we
have a big, FAB-ulous party, anyway.
How fortunate we are - and
how rare it is to feel "honored" to
have been someone's friend!
So many "snapshots" have been
coming back, as I reflect on our long
and not always easy friendship. In
the beginning, we were rivals for the
same lover. We went through a soap
opera triangle complete with all the
backbiting, deceit, and manipulation.
It was that experience that brought
Enrique and me together. The affair
became a therapeutic exercise, a painful
but necessary mirror held up so
we could see ourselves as is. And
what we saw was our · pathetic
neediness.
At that time, I was pretty close to
being spiritually brain dead. I had no
faith in anything, let alone a benign
Creator. I could understand Enrique's
devotion to the Episcopal Church. I too
love all the campy pageantry and _
Anglophile poetics - but I couldn't for
the life of me understand his actually
believing in the Episcopal faith . I was
astounded to _ find that Enrique
actually prayed, believed in the
sacraments, read the Bible, and all
that good stuff. How in God's name
could one such as Enrique believe?
And so one day I asked him. As it
happened, God was already at it with
those mysterious ways, because only
days before a friend had given me
some readings on Eastern philosophies
that shook me up. To my
horror, I found them making sense to
me, touching me, awakening something
deep within. And I went to
Enrique to discuss them, figuring he
the next few weeks, he introduced me
t6 meditation, persuaded me to go to
my first meeting of a gay Bible study
group, and helped me through the
death of my sainted mother. It was a
series of such powerful events in such
a short period of time that it left an
indelible imprint.
Through it all, there was Enrique,
smiling, earnest, empathetic, eager to
help without being pushy, exquisitely
sensitive to each subtle nuance
of my transition toward the light.
And I believe the effect of these
events was equally profound upon
him.
When the dreaded HIV-positive
A letter recalling a powerful friend
I
remembe -r
Enrique
"It was as close as I've ever felt to union
with another human being."
would have a good chuckle over this
nonsense, validate my doubts, and
help me retire to the safety of my
unbelief.
diagnosis came down, the roles were
·abruptly reversed.- Suddenly, it was
Enrique who needed the things he
had so selnessly and freely given me
in my time of great need. I. remember
Enrique asking to talk one day,
shortly after he had received the bad
news . Though he didn't directly say
so, it was clear that he wanted to
share his coping strategies with me,
to say aloud to an understanding
friend the things he was saying to
himself. Though he felt firm in his
beliefs, he did seem to need a nod, a
smile, some gentle form of validation,
of confirmation that he was making
sense and not deluding himself.
He spoke of disciplining himself
with deep meditation. He spoke of
spending more "quality time" with
people he held dear . He spoke of
relieving pressures on himself by
greatly reducing his expectations and
narrowing his goals for the future. He
spoke of doing for others, of his ·
responsibilities and potentials as a
role-rriodel, of his gratitude for the
compassionate medical treatment he
was receiving and the support and
encouragement of his friends.
· There wasn't a hint of anger or
self-pity, no raging against the person
who gave him this virus or against a
vengeful God who would doom his
child to such misery, no wretched
self-shaming for having exposed
himself to it or having risked
exposing others - none of the ranting
or whining one might expect in the
face of such devastating news. He had
fears: of prolonged pain, of becoming
mentally incompetent; of being a
burden on others ... But even in the
midst of those justifiable fears he
found serene acceptance of a will
infinitely larger than his own, faith
that this will would not give him
more than he could bear, nor
abandon its lovin& son.
I didn't have to say a word that
day, than!< God. I was so choked up
and overwhelmed I'm not sure·! could
have! ' As Enrique shared these most
intimate of thoughts and feelings, I
listened. I nodded. I smiled. And
occasionally, I wept. We prayed, and
then we hugged. It was as close as
I've ever felt to union with another
human being. I knew, beyond doubt,
that I was in the presence of holiness.
In .. the end, it was Enrique who
sh-0wed me that we are, all of us, no
matter who we are or what our
circumstances, always in the presence.
of holiness, if we but pause to listen
and feel and acknowledge it. There
are ·simply some who manifest it
more conspicuously than others, and
Enrique was one of them. Among so
many other things, I am grateful to
have known something of his other,
less-than-saintly side, for it was his
own transformation that so inspired
and motivated mine.
In one. sense, Enrique will quite
literally be with me, always, for I do
not doubt the immortality of the soul.
Yet in another, perhaps even more
significant way, he will be with me
because he helped me find the
"Enrique" in myself. It was an effect
he had on everyone who knew him;
it was, I believe, his function and
,:mrpose on this planet. Maybe .those
mysterious ways" aren't so mysterious,
after all. Maybe we're just too
busy wearing blinders and . throwing
up smokescreens . .
Our friend is with God, God is with
us. Bless you; dear one, and thank
you for being there to understand so
well what this all means to me.
With boundless love,
Bob
Au Contraire! Once he grasped
what was happening with me, he
gave me a copy of The Book, by Alan
Watts. "Read this," he said, "it will
only take an ho·ur." That hour
changed my life. That book, at
Enrique's gentle urging, finally broke
my resistance to the acknowledgement
of of loving, universal
intelligence greater than, yet one
with, my self. Notice, he didn't go
fetch me his New Testament; he
knew I_ wasn't ready for that. Over
- Second Stone. September/October, 1992 r 9 I
T Cover Story .......... •··• .......................... ~ ............ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vatican statement draws angry response
COVER STORY,
From Page 1
DIGNITY/USA:
Church leaders out of touch
"The Vatican has clearly disregarded
Christ's mandate to love," said
leaders of Dignity /USA, a national
group .of 4000 gay and lesbian
Catholics. Representatives from
Dignity /USA and other gay and
lesbian activist groups held a rally
and press conference in front of the
Vatican Embassy in Washington,
D.C. on July 20. The groups called
on "all Americans who seek justice to
raise their voices in opposition to the
Vatican's attempt to rob human
beings of their right to housing, jobs,
security and safety," declaring that
the Vatican statement has no place in
a society and a church that seeks
justice. Leaders of Dignity /USA ~aid
that while they were outraged, they
were also heartened by the knowledge
the Vatican statement does not
reflect the views of the majority of
American Catholics. A recent Gallop
survey showed that 78% of all
American Catholics believe gay men
and Lesbians should enjoy the same
civil rights protections as all other
citizens. Church leaders "are clearly
out of touch with the movings of the
Holy Spirit in the lives of its
members," the group said.
Dignity leader KEVIN CALEGARI:
"Ecclesiastical disobedience"
On Saturday, July 25, Dignity/
USA president Kevin Cal egari held
an unprecedented meeting at the
Vatican with an official of the
Congregation of the Doctrine of the
Faith to deliver a letter of protest
addressed to Cardinal Ratzinger,
prefect of the Congregation. "You
reinforce and continue the conspiracy
of silence forced on lesbian and gay
people for centuries," Calegari wrote
in his letter, "insisting that the
problem of discrimination is brought
on by lesbian and gay people
themselves when thefr orientation
becomes public. You blame the
victims of discrimination, rather than
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call for the conversion of those who
commit acts of violence against us."
Ratzinger refused to meet with
Calegar i and on Wednesday, July 29,
as reporters looked on, Calegari, in
what he .called an act of "ecclesiastical
disobedience," put the Vatican document
in an envelope marked "return
to sender" and tacked it to the front
door of the Vatican's Congregation for
the Doctrine of the Faith.
NEW WAYS MINISTRY:
Statement embarrassing, flawed
New Ways Ministry, a Marylandbased
gay-affirming Catholic group ,·
called the statement an "emba r- ·
rassment'' to U.S. Catholics, "seriously
flawed, " and "ultimately unconvincing."
New Ways director Greg Link
said, "While the document mouths
token support for the dignity of the
homosexual individual, it is actually a
massive and unconscionable attack on
that dignity. This new statement
indicates a fear in the Vatican that
they are losing ground on the issue of
civil rights." The ministry's response,
"Human Dignity and the Common
Good," released on July 15 said that
the experience and knowledge of
individual Catholic bishops, theologians
and scholars in the United
States, who have closely examined
the complex interplay of legality and .
morality, 'had been bypassed. Such
individuals are much better equipped
to comment on the realities involved
in the theoretical and practical distinction
between moral issues and civil
rights, the document said. 'This latest
Vatican pronouncement is an attempt
to impose a unified ideology that
appears out of touch at least with
contemporary and firsthand awareness
of these issues in our society,"
the document concluded.
DIGNITY/WASHINGTON:
Unkind, uncharitable, unchristian
1 'We reject the document issued by
the Vatican in June as logically
flawed, morally bankrupt, ethically
wrong, and in direct opposition to the
central teaching of Christianity," said
leaders of Dignity /Washington.
"Jesus preached a message of
inclusion, not exclusion . Since the
Vatican pronouncement is antithetical
to that it is unworthy of being followed
or even given serious consid eration
." The group said that the
hierarchy is not the clrnrch; that the
church is th e people of God and
many believe, as they do, that the
statement is unkind, uncharitable,
and unchristian . "While we condemn
the document , we pray, inthe Spirit
that brings us together, for those who
would perpetuate this type of
hatemongering that they will come to
know that God's love transcends all
bounda ries and comes to give rest
and comfort to all God's people," said
the group .
Former priest JOHN J. McNEILL:
No moral obligation to obey
John J. McNeill, a psychotherapist
and former Jesuit priest who has
written several books on the Catholic
Church and homosexuality, told the
Washington Blade that the document
represents a new tack by Vatica_n
officials. "In taking such a position m
civil rights and civil law, the Church
has moved beyond the position of ...
teacher and has become a political
agent for homophobia," said McNeil!.
"And therefore no Catholic - and this
includes the hierarcl1y of the Church -
is under any moral obligation to obey
this Vatican statement."
DIGNITY/CHICAGO:
No scriptural basis
1 'It is particularly distressing that the
Church hierarchy sees fit to mal<.e it
'obligatory' to interfere with our civil ·
rights," said James Cappleman,
r.resident of Dignity/ Chicago. 'There
is absolutely no scriptural basis for
such actions, and the repercussions of
this could cause many people to suffer
needlessly. Any Christian organization
that actively and openly sanctions
discrimination of a group of
people where their civil rights are
violated, is clearly venturing away
from the true mean ing of the
Gospels."
Bishop JOSEPH FERRARIO:
Gays should have same rights
The head of the Catholic Church in
Hawaii issued a statement conflicting
with the Vatican position. Bishop
Joseph Ferrario said that Gays_ and
Lesbians should have the same nghts
as everyone else. Patrick Downes,
editor of the Hawaii Catholic Herald,
said Ferrario believes Gays and
Lesbians "have every right that every
other person does."
Former Dignity leader JIM BUSSEN:
Absolutely abominable
"This is unacceptable, vile, heinous
and gut-wrenclting," said Jim Bussen,
former national president of Dignity/
SEE COVER STORY, Next Page
COVER STORY ,
From Previou s Page
USA, in an int e rvie w with the
Chicago Sun-T imes. "How dare the
Vatican insert them selves into our
democratic process!" Bussen said that
the Vatican's assertion that Gays and
Lesbians go against family values is
"absolutely abominable." Says
Bussen, "Where do they think gay
and lesbian people come from? We
don't grow under cabbages. We are
born and raised in families. It is those
people who tout family values who
throw us out of our families. For a
church to buy into that specious
argument is absolutely unacceptable."
DIGNITY/INTEGRITY/RICHMOND :
The Vatican is wrong
"The Vatican document contradicts
church teaching," said David Peake
in an interview with the Times Dispatch.
The president of the_ Richmond,
Va., chapter of Dignity/
Integrity said that discrimination
against anyone is discrimination
against all. "We're taught that we're
all God's creatures ... The statement is
not -representative of the people but
only a - few in the Vatican ," Peake
said . 'The people are right, the
Vatican is wrong, and the people
make up the church."
HRCF Director TIM McFEELEY:
Should be repudiated
The executive director of the nation 's
largest lesbian and ga y policital
organi z ation, th e Human Right s
Campaign Fund, called on American
Catholic s to "continue th eir long
·standing support for lesbian and gay
rights. " In addition, Tim Mcfeeley
urged America bishops, clergy and
the laity to repudiate the Vatican's
endorsement of anti-gay and lesbian
discrimination . "Roman Catholic
Americans understand that bigotry is
wrong ," McFeeley said. "We will
continue to work with the overwhelming
majority of American
Catholics who believe that achieving
justice for lesbian and gay Americans
is a moral and a just cause ... In time, I
believe, the slow moving church
bureaucracy will recognize what
American Catholics have long understood,
that Lesbians and gay men are
part of their families, that they work
hard , attend. religious services, ,
contribute to their communities and
are part of the rich and di verse
mosaic of American life."
Activist RICHMOND YOUNG:
Keep the faith
"What the Vatican does in no way
diminishes my faith in God," Young
told the San Francisco Sentinel.
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Second Stone• Septem~/October, 1992 [Ii]
The BROTlll:RS
of the MERCY or GOD
Religious community
examines candidate's
hearts, not sexuality
BY JIM BAILEY
F ourteen years after becoming
part of a religious community,
Bro. Gerald Pelletier
found himself failing the
institutional church's litmus test of
who is called to serve. He was dealing
with an issue that they never
addressed in seminary. Recognizing
the conflict between the stifling community
environment and the surfacing
of his repressed sexual identity,
Bro. Gerry decided to leave the
community, but he left with a vision
of what the community could have
been.
In 1988, Bro. Gerry founded the
ecumenical Brothers of the Mercy of
God as a ministry to those who feel
alienated, disenfranchised, or left out
of the church, to the poor and less
fortunate, and to people with AIDS.
An Evangelical,
Bible Based
Church Where
Everyone Is
Welcome
Gome ... Let Us
Share God's
Love With You
It is a community where men can ·
come forward and serve God even
, though the institutional church may
· have made them think they couldn't.
The Brothers of the Mercy of God is a
religious community made up of gay
men .
"In a world so divided by the
scandal of church policies, we open a
way of understanding to individuals
so that they can reconcile their lives
back to God," said Bro. Gerry.
The Brothers are inspired by, but
not affiliated with, the ecumenical
Community of Taize (France). They
live by the rules of St. Francis of
Assisi and of Taize. Baptized Christ_
ians from all denominations are
accepted into the order. Most of the
Brothers have been in religious communities
prior to their entering the
CHRIST-The
Cornerstone
For All
Sunday School -
9:00a.m.
Sunday Worship
Celebration
10:30 a.m. and
7:00 p.m.
Wednesday
Prayer & Praise
7:00 p.m.
CORNERSTONE
FELLOWSHIP
2902 N. Geronimo • Tucson, AZ 85705
(602)6224626
r·1-2·7 Second Stone• September/October, 1992 ' J .
Mercy of God Brothers. Some are still
involved in other parishes and
mini6tries and all hold secular jobs.
_. Candidates must express a
willingness to pronounce commitments
to poverty (detachment from
material things, and the responsible
use of one's time, talents and gifts),
chastity (unconditional, unselfish
love, responsible sexuality), and
obedience (allowing God's will to be
the guide), to pause three times daily
for Christian prayer and to be
involved in ministry to others. In
addition to the traditional vows of
poverty, chastity and obedience,
there is a fourth: stability.
The community is now in its fifth
year. There are eight professed Brothers.
The next formation class begins
the end of September and th.ere will
be five more candidates in preparation.
Says Bro. Gerry, 'The call to
ministries of love, care and concern. It
is from within that change will come
about, so they will know our work as
community by our deeds."
l'!t is newer communities such as
ours that really never become
accepted at first," said Bro. Gerry,
"but in time, the churches realize that
we are meeting real needs, and
meeting challenges that are beyond
their ·understanding, and then like
many orders in the past, after being
tried and tested, they are then asked
to become part of the church.
The Brothers have developed ·an
associate program at the request of
many persons who are unable to join
the community as vowed, intern
members, yet are interested in the
apostolic work of the community .
Associate members, who are very
much involved with the community
and who support the apostalate in
Brother Gerald Pelletier, right, founder of the Brothers of the Mercy of God
accepts the first year vows -of Bro. Ron Cross. '
community today is a call to accept an
overwhelming challenge in a world
that is different, exclusive of those
who are different, and those who
suffer the violence of hatred. In
accepting the call to proclaim the
Kingdom and the message of the
Gospel, one must also be in the world
amidst the storm and be present to
the Christ in all with whom we come
in contact."
Bro Gerry said that there is freedom
in not having to call anyone's sexual
orientation into question. 'That alone
gives the individual the ability to
move on with his life and his love ·of
God. If the Holy Spirit does not
discriminate in who is called to come
forward and serve the Gospel, who
are we· to say 'No you cannot serve.'
Sexuality is not an issue here, only
one's ability to see the face of Christ
in all who he comes in contact with: •
This spirit and this spirit alone
represents one's true call to live, love
and serve the Gospel."
The Brothers of the Mercy of God is a
non-canonical community and they
presently do not seek or desire canonical
approval. "We are already
within the church, working our
prayer and in spirit, can be found in
all parts of the United States and
Canada. The community publishes a
quarterly' newsletter to keep members,
near and far, up to date with the
group's activities.
Each Brother wears a black cassock,
closed collar, and a black cord with
vows knotted into it, and a black
scapular. Emblazoned on the left side
of the scapular is the cross of the
community. The cross represents the
church of the east and the church of
the west, sometimes called the
orthodox cross. A heart in the center
of the cross represents Christ's love for
the Brothers. The religious dress is
worn for meetings, liturgies and
functions within community ministry.
When the Brothers are together for
worship they usually chant their
prayer service . Worship, as well as
monthly meetings, is open to all to
attend. Worship at various locations
may include an evening of prayer
around the cross. 'This is a very
lovely, very moving service of candles,
scripture, music, and singing,"
said Bro. Gerry. "It is a way for all
SEE BROTHERS, Page 13
.TOCSIN,
From Page 8
•ranks. One member of a fundamentalist
group told a San Jose,
California newspaper that fhe death
penalty clairri was an attempt "to
paint us as some sort of weirdos, and
frankly we're not." In the same
report, Jay Grimstead also denied that
COR advocated the death penalty for
homos exual acts.
But Colorado-based Pastor Peter J.
Pete rs, director of Scriptures for
America, has no qualms about claiming
that "God's Law" does indeed call
for capital punishment for homosexual
acts. In writing about the
group's recently published booklet,
"Death .Penalty for Homosexuals,"
BROTHERS,
From Page .12
thos e attending to let out their
deepest feelings of spirituality." For
those who request prayers for their
loved ones, the sick and for thosE! who
have died, the community places the
request on the altar and remembers
each person.
Like religious and monastic orders
have done for centuries the Brothers
of the Mercy of God make candies
from secret recipes to support the life
of their community. Packages of
fudge and buttercrunch are mailed to
sweet-lovers all over the United States
and Canada . During "the past three -
years, the Brothers have made candy
only si:x months out of the year but
now plan to cook year round. Some
of the proceeds from new candy s.ales
COMING OUT,
From Page7
God did the same kind of works
among the .Gentiles as was done with
believing Jews . The power of my
point is that God works in and
through our community as well.
"My life has been painful," I wrote,
"but I see it's for a purpose. I consider
it now an honor to be who I am and
to bring a message of Christ's love to
those in the gay and lesbian community
who have been taught that
God has abandoned them. I can think
of no greater calling."
I had no illusions that this letter
would immediately change his mind
- and it didn't. The response I
received wa s perfunctory and liberally
sprinkled with phrases like
"eternal never-changing Word of
God," "Russian roulette" and "Sodom
and Gomorrah."
So what's the use? It is the knowledge
that things can change - one
person at a time. We don't know who
will be open to reconsider their views
and who won't. Those who won't
change after the first letter or
experience may be open to reconsider
after the 100th, or after a persona.I
crisis . Statistics prove overwhelm-
Peters said, 'There is only one thing
that will stop the perversion in our
land and that is God's Law and it's
about time someone says it, so I wrote
this boo klet and tried to. say it in the
most reasonable, logical, . scriptural
manner I know."
Jay Grimstead, in an interview with
the San Jose Mercury News, said many
more Christians will have to wake up
in order to get America back to
:·normal, mainstream values."
'They're probably still asleep; probably
until '96 or '98."
According .to Jerry Sloan, many
Gays and Lesbians are sleeping
pretty soundly too.
For information on Project Tocsin,
call (916)374-8276.
are earmarked for the establishment
of a residence that the Brothers say
they so earnestly need.
Although presently negotiating on
a house in Scitutae, Rhode Island, the
Brothers now live individually, in
small groups, or with family members.
"We do hope one day that we
have a house," said Bro . Gerry, "so
that those who want to live in
common will be able to do so. Also, it
would be a place for others to come
and see us, pray with us and share>
with us. It is also our hope when ,.
house . is established that we offer
retreats to ·the gay man and lesbian
woman as a group or individually ."
Although work to establish the
community has bee.n hard, .the obstacles
have been few. For Bro. Gerry
Pelletier, the number of people who
have taken profession into community
has made it all worthwhile.
irtgly that those who actually know
Gays and Lesbians are in favor of gay
rights an<;i this is true spiritually as
well.
I feel satisfied that Pastor Co le now
knows that there is at least one
lesbian who believes she is a
Christian and describes spiritual
experiences that are like his own. It is
the ppwer of sharing our authentic
Christian experience that will slowly
turn the tide of fear and ignorance -
one person at a time.
. ~•'•\"'°¥:· I ~· . "'r,, !-~·~· ' ·,.~ , j
~, . ·•·• •··• I .J' 'l
•.• --~" '\.J...
We
~
. bland§ G/nn
A Lesbian Paradise. ..
On 100 beautiful acreSwith
pool, hot tub, skiing and more.
Innkeepers Judith Hall and
Grace Newman invite yrn.1 to
write or call for a brochure.
P. O . . !lox 118 SL
Bethlehem, NH 03574
(603) 869-3978
. The Parable
of the Shelter
BY NANCY HUGMAN
. THE REALM OF GOD is like a woman who built a shelter for the
homeless in the midst of the inner city. She then went out to the st~eets
saying, "Come into my shelter. I wili give you food and warmth and a
place of comfort to sleep. And you will know love and peace for your
spirits." Some of the people eagerly went with her, but some Were
fearful and did not trust in their hearts, saying to themselves, "She will
put too many demands on me. I want to be free. Free to sleep in ,the
doorway of my choice. I want to be free to search for food in the trash
bins of iny choice."
Some of the people were so excited when they got to the front door of
the shelter that they immediately went out to tell their friends. But
their friends convinced them that one fix or a pint of whiskey was much
more exciting than anything they would find behind the doors of the
\ shelter, and so the people shot up and drank an<! believed they had
found joy in the needle and the bottle.
Some of the people ·who went with the woman stayed only for a meal
and a good night's sleep. Then they began to say to themselves, 'This
is too rich, too good for me. I don't deserve to be treated like this." And
they went back to the streets which they knew well.
Still some of the people stayed in the shelter with the woman and
they grew strong in body and mind and spirit. They learnec! that they
are precious beyond price. The woman loved them ·and they loved the
:woman and in this was truly everlasting joy.
And each day, unfailingly, the woman brought food and blankets to
·those people on the street who chose not to come to her shelter, to those
who would accept her gifts but not her love.
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Second Stone• Sept~m,ber/October, 1992113 j
, ,
In Print . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
God's Country: A Case Against Theocracy
By Andrea L. T. Peterson
Contributing Writer
In an attempt to trace the
roots of the current fundamentalist
Christian movement
which has cdrnrnitted
itself to fight against the rights of
women .to govern their own bodi es
and against gay men and Lesbians
who seek to acquire for themselves
the civil rights guaranteed by the
U.S. Constitution/Bill of Rights,
author/ activist Sandy Rapp presents,
in God's Country: A Case Against
Theocracy, a concise though extremely
brief, coherent study of· the more
than 2,000 year old patriarchal premises
which underlie Christian .fundamentalism.
Rapp's contention is that many
United States citizens, a considerable
number of whom "rPpresent profoundly
affected categor ies (i.e .,
women - lesbian or non-gay, and gay
men)" are not sufficiently aware of the
impact or the potential of this movement,
and even less aware of how to
counter it.
Beginning .with the exper ience of a
representative gay man whose life -
...........
E m!"tby is a journal that deserv~s our
· iupport for th~ original and creative work it
docs in the interest of truth and jwtice.
i-f. Rev. Malcolm Boyd, author of 23 books
including Are Yo•; R,mni,rg with Mt, Jesus?,
Take Off th, Masks, and G•y Pmst
E mpathy provides a much-neded and
welcomed communication link for persons
involved in education a.bout homophobia. At its
best it will keep us informed and in touch,
supponcd and chall~ngcd, excited and proud.
if. Brian McNaught, lecturer ar1,d author of On
Being Ga1_: ThoMghts on family, Faith, a~d Lo,:e
and early death from AIDS - may
illustrate how society's condemnahon
of an entire subgroup of its population
may contribute significantly to.
promiscuity, teen suicide, and premature
death in the gay community;
and an overview of the lesbian
perspective, Rapp proceeds to
examinE; sexual politics (read action
taken to limit gay and lesbian
experience and/ or limit the power
that th ey and non-gay women have)
fro,!ll a political, historical, and
religious perspective. Regr etta bly,
she has either bitten off more than
she can chew, or she has not given
herself enough room in w hich to
adequately chew it! Thus, God's
Country is more of a call to activism
than a treatise on patriarchy, invasion
of privacy, and the consequent
centralization of power in the hands .
of a few: white males or others
willing to think and legislate as they
do.
If, however, Rapp, the activist,
intends to sound the call to activism,
she has done a fairly good job.
Although her survey of the historica1
treatment of homosexuality in social,
Empathy
tAn
Interdisciplinary
Journal
for Persons
Working to
End Oppression
on the Basis of
Sexual Jdentity
PUBLISHED TWICE A YEAR, EMPATHY -INCLUDES
SCHOUJU..Y ESSAYS, PROSE AND POETRY, PJtAcnTJONER
~ ARTICLES, ANECDOTAL ESSAYS, ANO 11.ESUJlCH 11.EPORTS
AS WELL AS ANNOTATED BIBUOCRAl'HJES FOR
RESOURCE MATERIALS, RECENT RESEAJlCH AND BOOXS.
THE JOURNAL SERVES PEOPLE WOJUClNG IN .EDUC\TlON,
COUNSEUNG, HEALTII CAR.2, SOC1AL WORK,
C0!¥1MUNTJ:Y _ACilVJSM, AND TH£ MINISR.Y
NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY,
One y~ar (2 issues) individual subscription
s10 ($15 i_nscitutional)
Make checks payable to G~y and Lesbian Advocacy
Research Project (GLARP) and mail to:
. Empathy, PO Box 1081, Columbia, SC 29250.
li4] Second Stone• Septembei-/October, 1992
psychological, and political contexts,
as well as her study of the role and
rights of women in this country is
terribly scant, .she doe s provide a
good, "bare bones" outline which
sho uld provide interested readers
with all they need to be appalled at
the consistent maltreatment of what
probably amounts to nearly 60
percent of the populatiori (assuming
that 50 percent of the population is
female and that 10 percent of the
remaining, i.e. male, half if gay or
bisexual.)
She also presents a quick look at
those scriptural passages frequently
"used against" homos exuals and
demonstrates how such verses, which
certainly do not address mutual, loving
same"gender relationships, do
not, for the most part, even address
homosexuality at all. Likewise she
examines the treatment of homosexuality
by the American psychiatric
and psychological associations.
According to Dr. Alan Bell,
co-author of the book Sexual Preference
(1981; Indiana University Press;
Bloomington), "although we have
entitled our present work Sexual
Preference, we do mean to imply that
a given sexual orientation is the result
of a conscious decision." The choice to
be homosexual usually refers to the
choice to acknowledge the truth about
oneself, thus, it is even more absurd
to find that while it "is wrong to
postulate rights solely on innateness ...
Religion ... is certainly an acquired
trait, yet civil rights statutes specifically
protect fundamentalists opposing
rights for the gays whom they
insist have a 'choice' to be more like
them through religious conversion."
Fundamentalists organize and use
their money to acquire positions of
· influence where lawmaking is
concerned. ·
"l.t must indeed be argued," Rapp
maintains, "that the imposition of one
religious belief on all U.S. residents,
including members and clergy of
other religions, is a dramatic invasion
of their religious freedom."
Perhaps as unreasonable as the
notion that sexual orientation is
"chosen," or at least changeable, is the
tendency in American culture to
"presume heterosexuality." Although
there has been a button and a t-shirt
around for years that reads: How
Dare You Presume I'm Heterosexual,
God's Country elaborates on the
sentiment behind the slogan. For
centuries, according to Rapp, there ·
has been a mostly unspoken presumption
of heterosexuality. This is
more than an ignorance on the part of
those presuming. Rapp's discussion
on the social and political attitudes
toward non-heterosexuality suggests a
more deliberate conspiracy of silence -
an encouraged ignorance lest heterosexuals
discover that homosexual men
and women are just like they are:
human beings with feelings, ambi- •
tions, meaningful vocations, and the
basic right to life, liberty and pursuit
of happiri ess (including the right to
privacy .)
In fact, those sexual practices
defined by most states as sodomy,
and therefore considered illegal,
although frequently "trotted out
exclusively to harass and entrap gay
people," are extremely common
heterosexually.
God's Country is an enlightening
little volume which provides backgound
information, educational
advice, and suggestions for organizing
and taking action against
legislated injustice .
Sandy Rapp, author; Harrington
Park Press; 1991; PB; 128 pp. (139 pp.
with notes); No price given.
In Print, briefly ...
Redefining Sexual Ethics
6. This collection represents bold and
provocative ethical and theological
considerations of race, gender, age,
disability, class, and sexual orientation.
In essays, poems, songs, and
stories, this sourcebook gives a voice
to many who have been shunted to
the periphery of society.
- From The Pilgrim Press
ACLU Guide to a Gay
Person's Rights
b. Authors Nan D. Hunter, Sherryl E.
Michaelson and Thomas B. Stoddard
have written the only nontechnical
book containing legal advice for
lesbian and gay Americans. Using a
simple question-and-answer format,
the authors set forth the rights of
Lesbians and Gays under present law
ancl offer suggestions as to how these
rights can be protected. .
-From Southern Illinois University
Press ·
The Other Side
6. The July/August issue of this excellent
peace and justice magazine
includes two articles of special interest
to gay and lesbian Christians.
Romans Revisited, by Hendrik Hart,
from the Institute for Christian Studies
in Toronto, proposes Paul intended
Romans 1 to be a critique of those
who condemn and judqe homosexual
behavior. Beneath the Battle, by
Holland's Pim Pronk, explores ethical
issues for and against homosexual
behavior and practice. Too often
such discussions are based on the
"wrong questions" and Pronk tries to
dete.nnine what the right questions
are. ·
- From The Other Side, 300 W Apsley,
Philadelphia, PA 19144-4221, single
issue, $4.00.
T In Print T . .......... ....... ..... .......... •.• ............... ~ .• ................ .
He danced with death... and keeps on dancing
By Michael Blankenship
Contributing Writer
M y first encounter with Rev.
Stephen Pieters occurred on ·
the steps of the Lincoln
Memorial in Washington,
D .C. Metropolitan Community
Churches from across the nation had
gathered for the National Match for
Gay and Lesbian Rights, and were
holding a pre-march service. In the
gray early morning light of that
October day, I saw this man take the
microphone and announce the singing
of "Amazing Grace." He went on
to reveal the special significance of
this song for him. He'd had AIDS for
over five years, but through the
power of God he had experienced
continued good health. He could truly
In Print, briefly ...
Broken Bridges, Trail Close
Behind ... Soaring Wings
b. The poems in Bonnie C. Mullikin"s
new book were written over a span of
several years. Beginning with the
innocence of her coming out, living
through the abuse she suffered at the
hands of a woman she believed loved
her, through the heartbreak of her
realizations of. the abuse she endured,
in the name of love, coming to
terms with the abuse, culminating with
her final acceptance of herself and
the love of another woman. Says
Editor Debra Minier, "I feel this book
provides a thought provoking insight
into the lesbian world." .
-From Minikin Publications, P.O. Box
2306, Conington, KY 41012.
For Those We Love:
A Spiritual Perspective
on AIDS
b. The Al DS Ministry Program of the
Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis
present a handbook and
resource written for and by people
with Al OS and their caregivers. The
book contains· stories that put the
reader into the lives of hurrian beings
dealing with the daily realities of
illness and uncovers the spiritual core
of the experience.
• From The Pilgrim Press
Called to Blessing
b. This book is the English translation
of a Pastoral Letter authored by the
Working Group of Catholic Gay
Pastors in the N.etherlands. It is
foreworded by Robert Nugent and
Jeannine Gramick, who call the book
"another important contribution to
help the Catholic community hear and
respond to the voices of its lesbian
and gay members."
-From New Ways Ministry, 4012 29th
St., Mt. Rainier, MD20712.
speak from personal experience when
he sang, "I was blind, but now I see."
I wished that my own friends who
were suffering . with the virus could
h_ear Rev. Pieter's message of hope
and story of God's power.
Since that time Steve Pieter's name
has become very familiar around the
UFMCC, and he has indeed taken his
message to the world. He has spoken
and ministered in hundreds of cities
across the nation. Once, he was a
featured guest via satellite on 'Tammy's
House Party" hosted by Tammy
Bakker, and he spoke freely about
having AIDS and being a gay man.
By the end of the interview a
teary-eyed Tammy , with rivlets of
black mascara cascading down her
face, told Steve, "How sad that we as
Christians, who are supposed to love
everybody, are so afraid of an AIDS
patient that we will not put ow arm ·
around him and tell him that we care!
There are a lot of Christians here that
wouldn't be afraid to put their arms
around you and tell you that "".e love
you ." Following the interview Tammy's
toll-free switchboard lit up like a
Christmas tree. Hundreds called to
chastise · her for being so friendly to a
known homosexual. He was never
invited for a return appearance.
Rev. Pieters has compiled a
number of his articles and sermons
into a book which has been published
by the Christian gay-owned Chi Rho
Press of Gaithersburg, Maryland.
The book, entitled I'm Still Dancing:
A Gay Man 's Health Experience, begins
in 1984 during the worst of Pieter 's
ordeal and graphically recounts the
fear and anger and pain of someone
who has known AIDS firsthand . In
journal fashion he details the progress
of the disease for nearly a year . At
times he is resigned to death, but he
never gives up and always pulls
himself together to continue his fight
for life . The last part of the book is
filled with the elation of someone who
has been touched by God's grace,
someone who wishes to share his faith
and his good news.
Since the Tammy Bakker show,
Pieters has appeared in LIFE magazine
and has been featured in a
chapter of Michael Callen's book Surviving
AIDS.Just last summer he was
the focus of an installment of Jane
Pauley's TV show. When asked by
Pauley what infections he had during
the 1980s his reply · sounded like a
walking menu for the AIDS virus.
During the course of his illness he 'd
had hepititis, cytomega!ovirus,
herpes, mononucleosis, candidiasis,
shingles, pneumonia, and Kaposi's
sarcoma, but it was lymphoma
(lymph cancer) that was supposed to
have killed him by the end of 1984.
His doctor freely admitted that she
couldn't explain his recovery, other
than an experimental drug he had
taken.
Today Rev. Pieters is the Director of
AIDS Ministry in the UFMCC, a fitting
position for someone who has
shown the world that AIDS is not an
automatic death sentence. He feels
that he has been "called to bring hope
in the face of all the hopelessness,"
and for those of us who have met this
man we can add a hardy, "Amen!n
He certainly demonstrates the joy of
being alive, and unhesitatingly gives
God the credit for his survival.
If you or someone you know has
AIDS, the message of hope in I'm Still
Dancing from one of the long -term
survivors of AIDS is a must. As
lesbian and gay Christians we should
all seek out every positive message of
God's love and healing power during
these depressing times. Make this
book a part of your own library . In a
personal and profound way, · · I'm
Still Dancing clearly shows that life is
precious and worth fighting for, that
God is greater than AIDS.
He may have been diagnosed with
full-blown AIDS ten years ago, but
Rev. Pieters is still dancing!
Rev. Stephen Pieters, author of
I'm Still Dancing
Christus · Om.nibus !
is
the new bimonthly magazine for
gay and lesbian Christians. • what the Bible really says about
homosexuality • reconciling
ministries • interviews • book
reviews • spirituality.
plus
a national resource directory
listing hundreds of churches
which welcome gay and lesbian
members. ·
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Second Stone• September/?ctober, 1992_ j 15 I
· ·t ·.:.
Relationships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Scripture offers way to heal relationships
By Rev. Dr. Fred C. Williams
EACH OF us,_ at one time or
another, has experienced the pain of a
broken relationship. It may have
been a lover, a partner, a best friend,
parents, a family member, or possibly
even an employer or co-worker.
We all react differently in situations
where someone hurts us, talks about
us, lies about us, betrays us, or
offends us by the things they do and
say. From the pastoral point of view,
I've observed some of the ways we
sometimes handle, or rather mishandle,
such situations. ·
First, sometimes we may act like
an avoider. When we meet the situation
as an avoider, we make elaborate
arrangements in our life so we'll
never come face to face with the other
person. Ordinarily we might see this
person at the bank, in the grocery
store, at work, or in a gathering of
friends. So we plan our fife in such a
way that we never "run into" this
person. We go on living day after
day engaged in our constant efforts to
avoid this person . And as we do, the
situation eats away at our heart.
Then, there is the mind reader.
Somebody offends us and they don't
even know it. We expect them to be
mind readers. We never tell them
how they hurt us. We tell others, but
never them. Thus, when we are
around them we darn up and they
ask if anything is wrong. Our only
response is a cutting, ''You figure it
out!" TheIJ. ~e walk away allowing
the relationship to remain in its
broken state.
Next is the grudge carrier. Once we
get hurt, we never Jet that person or
anyone else forget about it. We carry
that grudge every day that we live.
Psychologists tell us that people
who carry grudges secretly love the
fact that they have been hurt. They
can lash out at that person, talk about
them, and even get others to see how
wrong that person really was. So, a
grudge carrier doesn't want to drop
the grudge. If they do, they lose
their power and the pleasure they get
from carrying the grudge. So they
never let it go!
And then, there is the gossiper. The
gossiper loves to talk. They'll talk
about anything whether it's true or
not. They'll talk to anybody except
A Presbyterian Promise
"We will work to increase the acceptance and
participation in the church of all persons regardless
of racial-ethnic origins, sex, class, age,
disability, marital status or sexual ori~ntation"
- 195th General Assembly (1983),
Atlanta, Georgia
If this is your promise, too,
we invite you to join
Presbyterians for
Lesbian/Gay Concerns
Write to Elder James D. Anderson
PLGC, P.O. Box ~8, New Brunswick, NJ
08903-0038, 201/846-1510
·[jjJ Second Stone .• September/October, 1992
the person they are talking about.
And if they are ever confronted with
the fact that they said something,.
they deny every word. They'll get
angry that someone thought they
were gossiping. Strangely enough,
their anger never shuts them up.
They keep on talking and spreading
the gossip to anyone who will listen.
And finally, there is the blaster.
Now the blaster doesn't care who
hears what they have to say. They'll
blast anybody, including the person
who hurt them. Their words have the
force of an explosion from a sawed-off
shotgun. Most people who encounter
the blaster end up picking themselves
up from the floor, stunned and
deeply hurt.
The Bible clearly tells us how we
can handle broken relationships . And
it's not by being an avoider ... a mind
reader ... a grudge carrier ... a gossiper
... or a blaster.
Rather the Bible says if anyone
does something wrong to you, go and
tell them what they did. Do it
privately. Let it be between you and
them alone. And when you speak,
speak with truth and love.
We don't fix broken relationships
by getting even, beating on people,
or expressing our righteous anger .
We fix broken relationships when we
approach them with the full hope of
restoring that which is broken. The
purpose of going to the person face to
face is not to tell them off, or punish
them, or to get them out of your life.
The purpose is restoration .
In restoring the relationship the two
of you can go on living with peace in
your hearts and Jove on your lips.
Such a face to face confrontation may
not be easy. It may be painful for the
one who must speak the words and
equally painful for the one who must
hear them. However, if our words are
coated with a spirit of love and care
for the person, then there is a
genuine chance that the relationship can
be repaired.
TIMBERFELL O g
G
E
A Fully Self-Contained
Gay Men's Resort
The relationship between my father
and me was once broken. Twentyseven
years ago my father discovered
I was gay. He was devastated. In such
a state, he turned to angoar and that
anger was lashed out upon me. We
had a word battle and a screaming
match that shook the roof of our
home. I was hurt. He was hurt. I
walked out of our home and did not
see him of any of my family for two
years.
One day while I was sitting in a bar
in a motel, I felt a heavy hand fall
upon my shoulder. It was my father's
hand. I was shocked.
Thoughts raced through my mind.
How had he found me? In my father's
rental car was a map of the United
States. On that map were pins marking
each city where I had, in ·anger
and retaliation, charged expenses to
my father's credit cards. For two years.
he had been trying to find me . That's
why he never cancelled the cards. It
was his only way of knowing that I
was alive, so he willingly paid those
bills to keep up with my location.
"I'm so glad I've finally found
you," he said to me. "I want you to
come home and I want to help you
become that pastor God has called
you to be."
Tears filled my eyes and my body
shook as we embraced. A relationship
had been repaired because this man
decided to follow the words of
scripture. "Jf anyone does something
wrong to you, go and tell them what
they did. Do it privately. Let it be
between you and them alone. And
speak with truth and love."
At church one day, just as the
sermon was finished a small boy
asked his mother, "Now is it all
done?" "No," replied the mother. '1t's
all said, now we have to go out and
doit. _
Rev. Dr. Fred C. Williams is the
senior pastor of King of Peace MCC in
St. Petersburg, Floridt:l. This article first
appeared in the cl1urc;h magazine, Vision.
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Families- ................. --~ ................. ~ ......................... .. . ...... .
An interview with two gay grandfathers
Fathers of the bride
B OB, 45, IS A commercial interior
designer, with three children. Their
mother died when they were very
young. Robert, 36, is a psychiatrist.
They met in 1980 and have "lived
through and survived" having three
teenagers in the home. Well almost -
Preston, 19, lives at home while finishing
high school. David, 24, is
working towards becoming a fireman.
And last year, Amy, 21, was married
and gave birth to granddaughter
Paisley, now almost two years . Bob,
Robert and family live in Texas . '
Robert, when you first became a part
of the family, was it "instant fatherhood?''
ROBERT: When we first met, ' David
was living with Bob and the younger
two children were living with his sister
in North Carolina. Bob was dealing
with coming out and thought it would
be better for them to live in a more
"normal" environment with a husband
and a wife. In retrospect, it was a
mistake.
After we had been together for two
years, we were going to visit the
young ones for Christmas _ and we
found out that Bob's sister's husband
would not allow me in the house during
the visit. Bob's reaction to that was
"Oh my God, this .man is raising my
children." We very quickly decided
that by the end of the school year,
they would come to live with us. I will
never forget when they stepped off the
plane and Bob turned to me and said,
"From this moment on, our Jives will
· never be the s·ame."
At what point did th e kids find out
you were gay?
BOB: I told each of them when they
were about 11 years old. Actually,
Preston, the youngest, I never told. He
learned by osmosis .
When they were very young, the
children tried to hide it from their
friends and ca me up with some
strange stories. One was that I had an
incurable dis ease which only affected
me at night, so I had to have a doctor
living at home with me. How they
came up with these sto1ies is beyond
me. :,.,.
ROBERT: We just wanted them to feel
comfortable in their . home . . We even
started out with separate bedroorns for
when the children had other kids
over . We would go in and mess up the
bed and put a book by it and all that -
until one night David came to us and
said that wasn't necessary anymore :
BOB: When the children were ·
yoL1nger they had a difficult time
knowing when to talk about our sexuality
and when not to. Each of them
had to get to a point where they were
comfortable enough with it and they
·were willing to share the information
with their friends. If their friends were
going to judge them according to how
Robert and I lived, then they didn't
want them as friends anyway . And
that's what evolved.
Did you have any problems in
coming out as a family?
BOB: Some of our children's friends'
parents had a problem. These friends
could come over after school, but their
parents would not allow them to be at
our house after dark . And some of our
sons' friends weren't allowed to spend
the night here . But our children
understood that this was caused by
prejudice and a lack of education.
How about those awkward teen
years?
ROBERT: I remember one of David's
first girlfriends. He was fearful about
telling her because this was one of the
first people he had the hots for. And
when he finally told her, she said "Oh,
my mother 's a lesbian!" He was so
relieved .
How was planning a wedding?
BOB: Some parts of the wedding preparations
were complicated. For
instance, how should the invitations
read? Should both of us "request the
pleas ure of your company at the marriage
of their daughter?" We finally
decided to avoid the issue by doing a
personal invitation to all the guests by
phone.
And when you escort the bride to
the altar , the minister asks, "Who
gives this woman in marriage?" Well,
it wasn't just me, it was Robert as well.
Our solu tion was to answe r, _"Her
family does."
ROBERT: Another problem was that
the wedding traditionally begins with
the seating of the mother of the bride -
which in this case was me . So I
escorted B~b's mother, the grandmother
of the brige, down the aisle.
BOB: Actually, my mother escorted
"the mother of the bride."
Any memorable moments?
BOB: When I sat down next td Robert '
after walking Amy down the aisle, an ·
I could think of was the wedding at
the end of the movie, La Cage Aux
Foiles. I got tickled and I couldn't help
but laugh . So I'm trying to keep quiet
and my shoulders are bouncing . My
sons, sitting in the pew behind us,
thought I was crying and actually I
was giggling.
So now you are grandparents ...
BOB: It's great. We get to help out
when it's convenient for us. Occasionally,
we take the baby with us for
a weekend at our lake house so Amy
can get a break. The first time we
were down at the lake with Paisley, I
had t;ucen care of her all Saturday and
Saturday night, so I said to Robert,
'Tomorrow morning is your time ." He
said, "How will I know what to do?"
Aren't you both too young to be
granddads?
BOB: I have had Paisley with me by
myself, whiie I'm out shopping. And
people automatically think she is
mine, because she looks like me, with
red hair and fair skin. And I just let
them go on thinking that. I don't tell
them that she is my granddaughter - if
they want to think that that's fine with
me .
Are both of you called "grandpa?''
BOB: When Amy was pregnant, the
children were sitting in the living
room one night figuring out what
Robert should be called by the baby.
They knew that I was going to be
"Paw-Paw," because that is what they
called their grandfather and what I
called mine. So all three children are
just - throwing out suggestions. "How
about 'Mi-mi' (a play on Robert's last
name)?" [ROBERT: No!] "how about
'Auntie?"' [ROBERT: NO!] Eventually,
they decided it would be "Papa
Robert."
What's the best part about b·eing ,
· grandparents?
BOB: After a weekend at the lake, we
can give Paisley back to her mother.
And that's wonderful! We really do
enjoy our time with her, but by the
time the weekend is over, I'm ready to
give her back .
ROBERT: I can change a diaper, but I
don't have to all the time!
BOB: That is the wonderful thing
about grandparenting . I'm enjoying
Paisley much more than I enjoyed my
own children . I can be with her and
just play - and I couldn't do that with
my own kids.
Reprinted with pe1mission from Network,
the newsletter of the Gay and Lesbian
Parents Coalition.
OPEN AND AFFIRMING:
A JOURNEY OF FAITH
An Open and Affinning Video Resource
from the United Church Board for Homeland Ministries
"It brings to life fhe printed words 1 have read
aboui the ONA process.
Real people. Real churches. Really valuable!" UCC Clergyper son
"A n excellent video. I look.forward to using il
in our local church." UCC Laywoman
Open and Affirming: A Journey of Faith
Color, 55 minutes, VHS; Purchase only - Not available for rental
Documents the experiences of three United Church of Christ
congregations deciding whether or not to declare themselves open
to and affirming of lesbian, gay and bisexual persons. Different
approaches to the ONA dialogue are documented as are candid
comments from church members about personal experiences with
the ONA process. Video package includes printed resources .
To order send $25.00 to: ' Rev. Bill Johnson
ONA Video Resources - UCBHM/DAMA
700 Prospect Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44115-1100
All orders must be pre-paid by chect or money order payable to "UCBHM".
For funher infonnation call (216) 736 - 3270.
Second Stone• Septem~/October, 1992 \ 17 l
T C.a . . l. .e . .n . .d . . a. . .r . . . . . .T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(jo l/cJwing announcements have been
omitted by sponsoring or affiliated
aups.
1th Annual
1FLAG Convention
ll'TEMBER 4-7, "Love in Action,
1 in Diversity" is the theme for the
!l'ents and Friends of Lesbians and
tys Federation covention to be held
the Hilton Hotel in Seattle, Wash;
ton. Over 300 participants are
pected. Registration is $150 per
n;on. Speakers include Pepper
'hwartz, Ph.D., co-author of the
,st-selling American Couples. An
rursion to Mt. Rainier and a cruise
tPuget Sound in planned. For more
formation contact Ardyce Fish, 7737
~th S.W., Seattle, WA 98106,
:}5)763-4575.
Jational Episcopal
1IDS Coalition
:onference
2TOBER 8-11, The National Epis,
pal AIDS Coalition presents "A
,nference and Retreat for People
ving, Working, and Ministering in
e-Second Decade of AIDS." The
3tional 4-H Center, Chevy Chase,
.a,ryland is the setting. The conference
is an opportunity for Episcopalians
and others interested or
involved in new and established
HIV/ AIDS ministries to come together
to share, integrate, and sensitize each
other to common and diverse experiences
and to increase awareness and
knowledge of current issues and
information on HIV/ AIDS. For information
write to the National Episcopal
AIDS Coaltion, 733 15th St., NW
#315, Washington, DC 20005-2112 or
-call (202)628-6628.
Affirmation
Fall Gathering
OCTOBER 9-11, Affirmation: United
Methodists for Lesbian, Gay and
Bisexual Concerns meets in Washington,
D.C. in conjunction with the
display of the Names Project AIDS
Memorial Quilt. For information write
to Affirmation, P.O. Box 1021,
Evanston, IL 60204.
National
Skills Building
Conference
OCTOBER 8-11, The Sheraton
Washington, Washington, DC, is the
setting for this gathering sponsored
by the AIDS National Interfaith
■
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■ 8~ Second Stone• September/October, 1992
Network, National Association of
People with AIDS, and the National
Minority AIDS Council. The focus of
the program is on producing results.
The dates coincide with the NAMES
Project AIDS Memorial display. For -
information contact Carol Coy,
(202)544-1076.
Brethren/
Mennonite Council
Convention
OCTOBER 9-11, 'Tending the Flame
- Nurturing our Sexuality and
Spirituality" will be the theme of the
fourth international convention of the
Brethren/Mennonite Council for
Lesbian and Gay Concerns. Over 100
people are expected to gather in
Denver at the Executive Tower Inn
for the meeting, which is open to gay,
lesbian, and bisexual people, and
their families and friends. Workshops
will include Corning Out, Spirituality,
Intimacy, HIV/ AIDS, and a dialogue
with the Supportive Church Network.
Information and registration forms are
available by writing Box 65724,
Washington, DC 20035.
National Coming
Out Day
OCTOBER 11, Take your next step
during NCOD Year No. 5. For information
on National Corning Out Day,
write to P.O. Box 8270, Santa Fe, NM
87504 or call (505)982-2558.
Advance'92
OCTOBER 19-25, Advance Christian
Ministries sponsors a week long
conference for fellowship, ministry
training, and dynamic worship. The
theme is 'With a shout, the voice of
the archangel, and the trumpet of
God ... The Rapture of the Church!"
The Golden Cross Ranch, Houston, is
the setting. For information, contact
Advance Christian Ministries, 4001-C
Maple Ave., Dallas, TX 75219,
(214)522-1520,
Lavendar Law Ill
OCTOBER 23-25, The National
Lesbian and Gay Law Association
~ ~
~ Evangelicals
Jiiij; '#1/lo ge/her me.
8/BlE STllff( GIIOl/PS
SOCIAlS• WORKSHO•P RSE TREATS
HIVI AIDSS l/PPORGTI IOl/P
PASTORACLA REI COIJHSEl/1/G
FORG a&yL esbiCanh ristians
InS outheCrna llfor.n.s.i ain ce1 979
Suits 109-Box 16
7985 Santa Monica Boulevard
West Hollywood, CA 90048
213/656-B570
sponsors its bi-aimual conference
dedicated to lesbian, gay ai1d AIDS
legal issues. The Mart Plaza Hotel,
Chicago, is the setting. Dedicated to
educating lawyers, legal workers and
law students in areas of concern to the
lesbian and gay community, the
conference typically attracts over 600
people from around the country. For
information contact NLGLA, Lavendar
Law III, P.O. Box 77130 National
Capitol Station, Washington, DC
20013 or call (202)389-0161.
5th Annual
Creating Change
NOVEMBER 13-15, The National
Gay and Lesbian Task Force Policy
Institute presents its annual national
conference for gay and lesbian organizing
and skills building. The Los
Angeles Airport Hilton is the setting.
For information contact Creating
Change 1992, National Gay and
Lesbian Task Force Policy Institute,
173414th Street NW, Washington,
DC 20009-4309, (202)332-6483, TTY
(202)332-6219.
Common
Boundary Annual
Conference
NOVEMBER 13°15, Common
Boundary presents its 12th aimual
conference at the Hyatt Regency
Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.
"Invisible Threads: Exploring the
Fabric of Our Relationships" is the
theme for this one-of-a-kind gathering
of therapists, artists, educators and
spiritual teachers. Participants are
invited to come and explore interconnectedness
through music, art,
dance, movement and the spoken
and written word. For information
contact Common Boundary, 4304 East
West Highway, Bethesda; MD 20814,
(301)652-9495.
Ghost Ranch
Retreat
NOVEMBER 19-22, "Who's God?
Whose God?" will provide an opportunity
to enjoy community, express
doubts, explore faith and understandings
of God from various
perspectives, in the beauty ·and
serenity of Ghost Ranch, the
Presbyterian Conference Center in
New Mexico. Co-leaders are Rev. Lisa
Bove and Chris Glaser. For information
write to Ghost Ranch Center,
Abiquiu, NM 87510.
Send calendar items to:
Second Stone
Box 8340
New Orleans, LA 70182
or FAX to:
(504)891-7555
T ·Noteworthy•·
' . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
HistoriMc anhattacnh urch
joinsa ffirminmg inistries
/:J,, PARK A VENUE CHRISTIAN
Church, New York City, the oldest
continuously worshipping congre&ation
in the Christian Church (Disciples
of Christ), founded in 1810, has·
become an Open and Affirming Congregation.
The congregation's board
voted without dissent to join 12 other
Disciples of Christ congregations and
campus ministries and over 230 other
congregations in five denominations
who have made a commitment to
minister to gay and lesbian people. In
November, 1989 the congregation selected
;m openly gay man, Allen V.
Harri's, as Associate Minister. John
Wade Payne is Senior Pastor.
-Crossbeams
Connectednefossr
HIV-positivPeW, As .
/:J,B, EING ALIVE, a Los Angeles support
organization for people who are
HIV positive and people with AIDS
has started publishing a newsletter to
facilitate dating for HIV-positive people
and PW As. Ferd Eggan, executive
director, said the newsletter, Connect,
is "a better way to meet people
without having to overcome the real
and imagined barriers and discri~ination
that one has to deal with
when disclosing their HIV or A:IDS
status." Over 700 listings appear in
the newsletter, with about 600 being
gay. For information, -write to Connect,
3626 Sunset Boulevard, Los
Angeles, CA 90026.
BritishM CCsin vitetdo
joinE vangelicAal liance
/:J,T, WO BRITISH CHURCHES, MCC
Bournemouth and MCC in East London
have been invited to join the
Evangelical Alliance in the Un\ted
Kingdom. EA is a~ in!e~-denommational
group of md1v1duals and
churches who subscribe to evangelical
teaching. "Either they have not realized
who we are or they genuinely
want an input from MCC," said Rev.
Neil Thomas, pastor of MCC Bournemouth.
-Keeping in Touch
Gayp arentsse ndle ttetro Bush
/:J,, OVER 250 LESBIANS AND GAY
men and their children gathered in
Indianapolis, Indiana over the 4th of
July weekend for the 13th Annual
Conference of the Gay and Lesbian
Parents Coalition , International. The
newly-elected executive board held a
press conference to den?~nce atta?<s
on gay and lesbian farmhes by _vice
President Dan Quayle and President
George Bush. uwe never once heard
either say, 'to be a goo~ pa~ent, th~.
most important ingredient 1s love,
said GLPCI President John Sheets. In
an open letter to President Bush, th~
organization _ said, "What _we don t
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
need is more rhetoric about 'family
values' and what is 'normal,' which only
panders to the fears of the
ill-informed and the intolerant. Gay
and · lesbian · parents don't pose a
threat 'to the American family - we
are the American family." During
the conference two men, Tim Fisher
and Scott Davenport of Washington,
D.C., had their six-week-old son
Fritz, baptized during a moving
interfaith service. For information on
GLPCI write to P.O. Box 50360,
Washington, DC 20091.
Tucsonc ablem inistrpyl anned
/:J,n, m OTHER SHEEP :MINISTRIES,
Tucson, Arizona in planning a local
religious cable TV show with hopes of
syndicating to other c~ble mar_kets,
according to James C. Rice, president
of the ministry. A catalog of programming
is sched';'led to be available
after six months of production. For
information write to P.O. Box 78676,
Tucson, AZ 85703-8676.
Educatorhso noVr irginiUa ribe
/:J,, THE NATIONAL EDUCATION
Association awarded Los Angeles
educator Dr. Vriginia Uribe with its
1992 Award for Creative Leadership
in Human Rights. Uribe is the
founder of Project 10, a pioneering
education program for lesbian and
gay teenagers. Calling herself "the
little old lady from Pasadena,'' Uribe
called NEA's award "a significant step
in the struggle for equity for our
lesbian and gay children. The NEA
has come a long way since 1972,
when gay delegates were "booed off
the floor," said retired teacher Bob
Pine. -Southern Voice
welcoming stance towards Gays and
Lesbians. The gatherings, themed
"Nourishing the Tree of Life," were
.coordinated by the Reconciling
· Congregation Program, a network of
54 United Methodist churches and
several other groups that have made
a publicdeclaration that they welcome
all persons .
Dignitfyo rmsc hapteor nM aui
/:J,T, HE NEWEST CHAPTER of Dignity
/USA is forming on the Hawaiian
island of Maui. The core group of ten
members will soon have its own
individuality, after being sponsored
by Dignity'/Honolulu, whicl1 recently
celebrated its 16th anniversary. For
information on Dignity /Maui write to ·
2141 Iliili Rd., #101, Kihei, HI 96753.
-Both Sides Now
Larsecne lebrate2s0y ears
/:J,, ALL GOD'S CHILDREN MCC,
Minneapolis, will formally affirm
Rev. Charles Larsen as Senior Pastor
during a weekend celebratio_n starting
September 26. The appomtment
coincides with Rev. Larsen's 20th year
as a pastor in the Universal Fellowship
of Metropolitan Community
Churches.
PastoRr andyH illd ies
SeattleM CC2 0tha nniversary
/:J,M, CC/SEATTLE celebrated its 20th
anniversary .with special services on
August 9. As part of the celebration,
the church installed its new pastor,
Cheri Starchman.
!:,_R EV. FLOYD RANDALL HILL,
·pastor of Hosanna Church of Pr~~se
and executive director of Necessities
and More, Inc., San Jose, Calif., died
on August 1 from AIDS related
conditions. Pastor Hill founded and
pastored MCC churches in Nashville
and Tucson and was the founding
pastor of Hosanna_Church _of Prai_se.
At his side at the time of his passmg
' were his companion of 10 years, Marc
Johnson, his mother Norma Hill, and
a few close friends. A memorial fund
has been established throught Necessities
and More, Inc., 24 N. 5th St.,.
San Jose, CA 95112.
Newf ellowshiipn S acramento
/:J,K, OINONIA CHRISTIAN FELLOWship,
Sacramento, held its first wo_rship
service in July. The fellowship .
meets at the Lambda Center and is
headed by Bro. Tom Rossi. For information
write to P.O. Box 189444,
Sacramento, CA 95818 or call
(916)452-5736.
UnitedM ethodismtse et
to supporGt aysa ndL esbians
/:J,T, HOUSANDS OF UNITED METHodists.
gathered in 80 cities around the
country in June to confe~s the c:J:iurch's
homophobia and to vmce the1r support
for Lesbians and Gays. The worship
services of healing and reconciliation
were in response to the
United Methodist Church's General
Conference whicl1 reaffirmed its un-
. . . -·-·. .. - ... - .. . .
Mississippfii'rss t ·
openlyg ayo rdination
D. REV. JIM BECKER, formerly of
Covenant MCC in Birmingham,
Alabama, now pastor of MCC of the
Gulf Coast in Bjfoxi,.-,Miss., has
become the · first openly gay minister
ordained in Mississippi. Becker was
featured in . a story in Jackson's
Clarion-Ledger. The ordination took
place during the UFMCC's GuH
Lower Atlantic District Conference m
· Jackson. -Alabama Forum
Firstg ay/lesbian
ministriyn W estV irginia
D. THE FREEDOM FELLOWSHIP,
Morgantown, West Virginia, is the
state's first gay and lesbian Christian
outreach. Tfte group began worship.
ping in March and had plans to move
to a permanent location by Sept-
............... •· ..
ember. For information write to P.O.
Box 1552, Morgantown, WV 26505 or
call (304)291-6940.
Churchp lansA IDSr esidence
1:,_ ALL GOD'S CHILDREN Metropolitan
Community Church, Minneapolis
is raising funds toward the
opening of Agape Home, an assisted
living residence for people with AIDS
who are in the last stage of their
illness. Fundraising event.s held in
August featured Alison Arngrim,
who portrayed Nellie Oleson on Little
House on the Prairie. Agape Home is
being offered as an alternative to
nursing home or hospital admission.
The home will offer palliative care
and will allow the caregivers, families
and partners of the residents to
participate in the care.
BaltimorAel ternative
founder/editdoier s
!:,_W ILLIAM J. URBAN, publisher
and editor of The Baltimore Alternative,
died of complications from AIDS on
June 24. He was 36 years old. From
his newspaper's beginning in 1986,
Bill Urban committed the paper to
extensive, thorough coverage of the
AIDS epidemic, and the cause o_f gay
and lesbian civil and privacy nghts.
The Alternative was opposed to the
ACT UP /NY demonstration in St.
Patrick's Cathedral in New York City
in December 1989. It said: "The
Alternative strongly disagrees with the
Roman Catholic Church's stated positions
on AIDS, homosexuality, and
the rights of women ... But we also
believe in the inviolable sanctity of
religious services, .. a_nd that_ the
desecration of any rehg10us service 1s
morally reprehensible ... " Urban was
a supporter of Second Stone, an
encourager, and editorial contributor.
GLADA lliancgea therast
TexasC hristiaUnn iversity
/:J,,M EMBERS OF THE GAY, Lesbian
and Affirming Disciples Alliance
gathered on the campus of Texas
Christian University in Fort Worth,
Texas July 17-20 for the s!xth annual
GLAD Alliance Event. Alliance members
travelled from 19 states to
participate in the event. The Albance
honored Rev. Allen V. Harris, associate
pastor of Park Avenue Christian
Church in New York City. A special
offering was received and designated
for the Kagiwada Memorial Scholarship
Fund and Basic Mission
Finance, both of which are ministries
of the Christian Church (Disciples of
Christ.) Elected to the Alliance
Council were Chuck Carpenter,
Randy Palmer, Rev. Tina Heck,
Wayne Sparrow, Rev. Laurie Rudel,
Dr, Jon Lacey, Rev. Holly B_eaumont
SEE NOTEWORTHY, Next Page
Second Stone• September/October, 1w,121!9
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Steve Pieters for $8.95 and · receive a free
catalog from Chi Rho Press, an MCC-based
publishing house for the Gay/Lesbian
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by sending $1.00. P.O. Box 7864-A,
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SALVATION, SCRIPTURE, and Se,cuality
by Bishop Mark Shirilau clearly demonstrates
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Grande, CA 95486.
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NOTEWORTHY,
From Previous Page
and Mark Anderson. GLAD Alliance
is comprised of laity and clergy from
the 1.1 million-member Christian
Church (Disciples of Christ.)
Longtime UFMCC
District Coordinator retires
AR. ADAM DeBAUGH, elected in
October, 1983 as coordinator of the
Mid-Atlantic district of the Universal
Fellowship of Metropolitan Community
Churches, has retired from that
position to devote his time to Chi Rho
Press , a religious materials publishing
company. "We need your
prayers, your unpublished manuscripts,
your orders and your contri'
butions," said DeBaugh. Rev. Arlene
Ackerman was elected to replace
DeBaugh ;
Bible institute offers classes
A PHOENIX EV ANGELICAL Bible
Institute has announced resident and
correspondence classes iri a variety of
subjects. The school's emphasis is on
educating Christian gay men and
women to share the message of the
Gospel. "How wonderful that God has
raised up a Bible Institute where I can
learn about God today, yesterday and
forever without any concern about
my sexual orientation," said Greg
Davis, student body president. For
information call (602)265-2831.
Environmental group
announces new programs
D. THE PEACEABLE KINGDOM, Inc.,
a nonprofit corporation dedicated to
education and mediation on environmental
issues, has inaugurated
new programs to help improve the
earth. Among the programs: Adopta-
well, designed to seek out local
groups who will "adopt" the financial
obligation to provide clean, safe,
drinking water for a community or
village in the "developing" world;
and The Rainforest Rescue, a
cainpaign to enlist the support of
schools to purchase rain forest acreage
to be held in trust by a national
conservation organization and cannot
be sold or exploited. For information
write P.O. Box 210, Hackett, AR
72937-0210.
UFMCC pastor
celebrates 20th year
D. REV. ELDER FREDA SMITH has
celebrated her 20th year in the
ministry, the longest pastorate in the
UFMCC. She was the first woman
pastor in the UFMCC, and the first
woman to be elected to the Board of
Elders. ·
River City MCC
celebrates 21st anniversary
D. RIVER CITY MCC, Sacramento,
marked its 21st year this summer.
The church, located at 34th and
Broadway, has a television ministry
three times a week, a thrift store,
counseling center, veterans outreach,
and the Samaritan Center, which provides
meals daily to anyone in need .
Interfaith coalition
formed in Ohio
A AFfER MEETING FOR NEARLY a
year, 15 groups in Columbus, Ohio,
have formed a religious coalition of
local congregations and denominational
groups . 'The driving force for
forming such a group is that there are.
many projects that none of us can do
on our own, that can be accomplished
with our joined forces," said Diana
Vezmar-Bailey, founding pastor of
Spirit of the Rivers. "Up until now,
homophobic fundamentalist Christians
have had the only religious voice
for the most part, and it's .past time for
that to change."
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!'201 Second Stone• September/October, 1992
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