Second Stone #29 - July/Aug 1993

Second Stone #29 - July/Aug 1993

29

1993

July/Aug 1993

AMERICA'S GAY & LESBIAN CHRISTIAN NEWSJOURNAL
For a gay pastor, often it's a battle to stay in
ministry. Sometimes it's a battle to leave.
The courage
to quit
Tim Parry, a member of London, England's Lesbian
and Gay Christian Movement, rediscovered the
church after coming to terms with ~is se~ualit~. ~ine
years after coming out, he was ordained into ministry.
Just three years later, he decided to leave. the ministry.
This is his st ory.
I BY TIM
nJanuary,19791 came out as a gay
man. First to a very nice man who
was on the end of a phone line at
Manchester Gay Information that particular
night, secondly to members of
PARRY
its gay youth group wh ich met the
following evening, and soon afterwards
to my parents and two brot hers.
It was an exhilarating hme.
One night I remember cycling
home from a youth group meeting. It
was still winter, and the decaying
Victorian mansions of Whalley Range
looked suddenly magical instead of
grimey through the softly falling
snow. I was overwhelmed by a feeling
of well-being, of coming home, of
beginning to find myself. It was my
''born again" experience.
Nearly nine and a half years later I
was ordained deacon by the Archbishop
of York in his minster , and
begun my work in a suburban parish
in Hull. Just over three years since
then I am unemployed again. I know
1 will not be returning to the stipen diary
ministry. I am in a turmoil
over my re lationship with God, with
the Church, and with the colleagues
and friends who I have largely left
behind. Although not emotional by
nature I know I am going through a
bereavement. I have lurid dreams in
which I take part in fantasti cal liturgies,
often featuring some dreadfu l
and embarrassing mishap. A psychoanalyst
might have a field day.
And I am still perp lexed by what
has happened . Perplexed by the fact
that I spent six years (three in college,
three in the parish) and more in voluntary
subjection to a vision and set
of doctrines which seem no more now
than an engaging if still beguiling
fantasy. I do n' t know if I am unusual
in that I (re)discovered the Ch urch
some years after beginning to come to
terms with my sexuality and myself.
It happened in Oxford. In 1982 I
received a grant to d o research in
arch itectural history and exchanged
the scraping tower blocks of Hulme
for the dreaming spires . By then I
had already been involved with
Man chester's new gay centre and
phonelines, with the university gaysoc
and in helping to write, paste-up,
pub lish and sell a monthly mag, the
Mancunian Gay, which is still around
ISSUE#29 I
today in another form. I had occasionally
gone to church before. The
Church of England was for me a
harmless object of affection and inter est,
and my Sunday school/ harvest
festival/ vicarage fete sort of Anglican
upbringing was one in which the
parish priest was an unthreatening
figure in straw hat or (I later
discovered) biretta. In Oxford I came
across Anglo-Catholicism, via Evelyn
Waugh, ecclesiastical architecture and
the theological students who were
virtually part of the furniture in The
Red Lion, the veritable gay pub.
I was captivated. Anglo-Catholicism
seemed to have the lot - the best and
most exotic buildings, a sense of
living heritage and history, good
choreography, a rich musical tradition,
a sometimes outrageous disrespect
for the Anglican establish - .
men! and, so it seemed, a positive
welcome for young gay men like me.
Being an Anglo-Catholic seemed far
removed from the fuddy-duddy respectability
of the mainstream Church
of England. It was fun for a start.
You belonged to a sub-culture which
mocked ecclesiastical conventions as
much as Lesbians and gay men
implicitly mock those of hetero sexuality.
Perhaps that was (although
I only vaguely recognized it at the
time) why Anglo-Catholicism was so
attractive. It felt subversive, while
paradoxically claiming to be ultraorthodox.
The clergy had their own
hierarc hy of correctness .. in which
parishes, bishops, even whole provinces
were graded as to doctrinal
rectitude, use of "correct" liturgies, ,
even by the style of clergy cassocks.
In its extreme form Anglo-Catholicism
is a sub -group of the ecclesiastical
SEE COVER STORY, Page 10
If your business offers products or services
to the rainbow crowd ... we1ve added up the
reasons you should advertise in
Second Stone ... see page 14.
BULK RATE
U.S. POSTAGE
PA ID
NEW ORLEANS. LA
PERMIT No. 511
SUBSCRIBE NOW - ONE YEAR ONLY ' S15 .00.• BOX 8340 ORLEANS~l7..2.! 8i ~ - - .
T. From the Editor T .................................
Was it really courage?.
By Jim Bailey
- Quitting isn't a particularly courageous thing to do, you might have
thought as you read the headline for this edition's cover story. For a
gay or lesbian church pastor facing possible ouster from his / her job
the thing to do is stay and fight, we think, But the cover story for this
issue is not about fighting the church council or congregation or filing a
discrimination claim with the city's human rights commission or appearing in
ecclesiastical court. It's about the quiet fight. The issue is not church bylaws
and procedures - not yet - and the outcome will not be determined by some
judicial body - not yet. The issue at hand is honesty - dishonesty. For the
lesbian Catholic nun . For the gay Southern Baptist youth minister. For the
Lutheran pastor who is known to be gay but must keep his/her significant
other a secret. Being honest would almost certainly mean an end to their
present ministry career. Being dishonest is against everything they know
and believe and preach. The quiet fight. When being true to your call
means you can't be true about yourse/f. The struggle sometimes born of such
conflict will change the church one day, as some of those gay and lesbian
pastors decide to risk their careers and come forward to challenge church
doctrine. We see their stories in the news more and more. But what about a
pastor who, longing to reconcile his life to the values he holds close, sees the
church as an obstacle to his peace and decides to leave the ministry? (Also
leaving behind the call and the vision, the years of training; the stability and
support of the church and the potential of the years ahead.) Is it a statement
that the church can overlook - when a good hardworking pastor leaves
because the church made a lie of his/her life? I believe that Tim Parry's story
is indeed one of good courage. I am interested in hearing what you think.
Are you a community
builder yet?
You may recall that in the January /February, 1993 issue of Second Stone, we
announced plans to start community forums among our readers. This is a
really exciting idea and you might want to review this issue to see how you
can go about starting a group in your community. If you are working on
getting gay and lesbian Christians together for good fellowship and
conversation, we are interested in knowing about it - and we'H help spread
the word. Here in New Orleans, we have been collecting names of those
interested in such a forum and plan to have a gathering in late summer to
meet each other and get to know what our needs and concerns are. We are
meeting gay and lesbian Christians from all faiths and walks in our
community, so the experience is a bit different from going to church or a
chapter meeting. If you are tired of the ordinary venues offered by the gay
and lesbian community for meeting others, then you should explore our idea
for a community forum.
SECOND STONE Newsjoumal, ISSN No. 1047-3971, is published every other
month by Bailey Communications, P. 0. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182.
Copyright 1993 by Second Stone, a registered trademark.
SUBSCRIPTIONS, U.S.A. $15.00 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
title) Second Stone, P.O. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182. Manuscripts to be
returned 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 newsjoumal for the riational gay and
lesbian community. ·
PUBLISHER/EDITOR: Jim Bailey
CONTRIBUTORS FOR THIS ISSUE: Tim F'arry, Rev. Richard B. Gilbert,
Johnny Townsend, Richard K. Smith
[2J Second Stone-July/August, 1993
Contents . ............ ..... . .......... .
['2-1 From The Editor
~_J .
Commentary/Letters
Rev. Troy Perry on Gays in the military
News Lines
'97 Poetry L!_J . By Richard K. Smith
Cover Story
So much for a career in ministry
By Tim Parry
l.fl73· Music lill _ New releases from Witness and Marsha Stevens
On Video
Enrichment for those who minister to the bereaved
Reviewed by Rev. Richard B. Gilbert
In Print
A new. title from the American Friends
Service Committee
Reviewed by Johnny Townsend
[67 Calendar
L~
1--171. Noteworthy
~-,
I 191 Resource Guide
[200 Classifieds
I STILL HA VE A DREAM
MARSHA STEVENS
NO _W AVAILABLE ON TAPE OR CD
.• ..
The powerful and moving
music of Marsha Stevens
NEW! I Still Have A Dream
□ On Tape, $10.00 □ On CD. $15 .00 $. ___ _
NEW VIDEO!
Marsha Stevens Live In Concert
0 VHS Video, $20.00
ALSO AVAILABLE:
The Best Is Yet To Come
□ On Tape. $10.00 0 On CD. $15.00
Free To Be
□ on Tape, $10.00
Shipping and handling $1.50 per item
Order From:
BALM PUBLISHING
P.O. BOX 1981
COSTA MESA, CA 92628
(714)641-8968
Name
Address
TOTAL (Send -check or money order.) $ ____ City, 8tate & Zip
• For concert booking information call or send for a free infonn _ation packet.
Price -iricludes t~x_. Accoinpanimenf tapes and sheet music ava ilable upon request.
Un't miss this exciting new release
with 01 Still Have A Dream," a song by
Danny Ray and Marsha for the 1993
March on Washington taken from
Dr. King's famous speech ... and a special
. new 25th anniversary arrangement of
your favorite hymn, the first song that
Marsha wrote, "For Those Tears I Died"
orchestrated by Chris Lobdell
'' Marsha Stevens doesn't just sing. she ministers. She lifts our
spirits and challenges OUer hearts with her sermons-in-song.
REV. NANCY WILSON, MCC WS ANGELES
Spectacular and spirit-ft/led, as usual ...
REV. TROY PERRY, FOUNDER
UNIVERSAL FELLOWSHIP OF METROPOUTAN
COMMUNITY CHURCHES
Very powerful and nwving ... a song for every one a/us.
PAM SMITH, AMAZON RADIO
Marsha, I admire you as a singer and songwriter ... you tell
your story with a combinalion of JocUS, warmth, intelligence,
social concern, deep faith a,ui humor.
BOB CROCKER, THE HYMNAL PROJECT
SAN FRANCISCO
In times when I war spiritually /ow ,.your music has
helped me get close to God again.
SAM HAMMACK, EXCEL INTERNATIONAL
You are so personable and sincere. To wp it all off, you Tove
the Lord and that comes /!trough loud and clear.
DAVID McCOUOUGH, DIRECTOR OF MUSIC
CATHEDRAL OF HOPE MCC, DALLAS, TEXAS
I've long had a gr eat appreciation/or your musical genius,
but what warmJh and wit ... we were deeply moved.
REV. MICHAEL PIAZZA
CATHEDRAL OF HOPE MCC, DALLAS, TEXAS
Refreshing and original alternative .in women's mu.sic.
KELLY CONWAY
DYKES ON MYKES '' And IIOW available ...
25th A1111iveriary Edition Video ...
MARSHA STEVENS
LIVE IN CONCERT
This exciting video contains over 13 of Marsha's
songs including the 25th anniversary year release of
"For Those Tears.I Died." all three title cuts from her
solo albums, "Free To Be," ''The Best Is Yet To Come,"
and the newly released 1'1 Still Have A Dream." as well as
favorites like "Celebra te," "Mommy's Song," and "Can't
We Find A Way." But what really makes the video special
is hearing Marsha's story in her own words. Celebrate the
25th anniversary year of "For Those Tears I Died" with this
video of Marsha's warmth, humor and musical talent!
Comment .................................................. • ............... -• ...... •,
Rev. Troy Perry's letter to members of the Senate Armed Services Committee
The right to serve~in the military
Honorable Members: civil rights, preserving equal rights,
equal justice, and equal opportunity
under the lawfor all people;
Lesbians in the military:
1. Ending discrimination is not a gay
issue; it is a human rights issue. I am
certain that some members of the
committee can remember inost of the
arguments being raised against Gays
and Lesbians are the same ones that
SEE COMMENT, Page 7
I am the founder and elected
Moderator of the Universal
Fellowship . of Metropolitan
Community Churches, an ecumenical
Christian religious denomination
founded in 1968, with a primary
outreach and constituency in the gay
and lesbian community. We have
been correctly described by the . press
as the largest organization in the
world touching the lives of Gays and
Lesbians; Our 25,000 members in the
United States regularly provide ministry
each year to more than 100,000
additional Gays and Lesbians plus .
their families and friends. Within
these numbers are thousands of Lesbians
and Gays who have honorably
served in the United States military .
Many are presently serving.
•Our fervent belief in a democratic
society and our support of the freedom
guaranteed to all citizens by the
. Bill of. Rights and the Constitution of
the United States of America, the
highest law of the land for our
pluralistic society; YourTum
We, who are part of. the Universal
Fellowship of Metropolitan Community
Chul'ches, are shocked and saddened
at the tone and terms of the
national debate over gay and lesbian
human rights and we pray that our
contributions as a Christian church
would be a careful and-compassionate
Christian voice to engage our national
conscience.
The women and men of the
Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan
Community Churches, a world-wide
Christian denomination with 230
congregations in the United States,
proclaiming a three point Gospel <:>£
salvation through Jesus Christ, Christian
community, and Christian social
action, are moved by God's Spirit to
declare:
•Our unyielding commitment to full
•Our complete support for all oppressed
minorities, specifically gay
and lesbian people, whose lives,
careers, and reputations are daily
threatened by the existing climate of
discrimination and the violence it
engend .ers;
•Our firm opposition to any attempt
to limit civil rights of gay and lesbian
· people or any other Americans;
. •Our unequivocal support for the
lifting of the unjust and unwarranted
ban of Gays and Lesbians serving
without restriction in the U.S.
· military;
•Our insistence that Congress investigate
and acknowledge the variety
and magnitude of contributions made
by gay and lesbian people in the U.S.
military and all aspects of American
life;
•Our intention to utlilize prayer and
fasting, and all other means consistent
with Christian faith and conscience to
accomplish these goals.
Let us ensure that all persons in our
great nation are accepted and valued,
their contributions appreciated, and
their fullest potential achieved.
There are four areas I wish to
discuss in my testimony as it pertains
to our Church's view of Gays and
Now i, the perfect time for
Gn-n«:; Lff IN P'nm:C11~
Set in the Tem Hill Coontiy in th• 1pring, thi, richlylayered
novel is 1111 enchanting saga of romance in the late
1800s AND an insightful tale of psychological & spiritual
awakening in the current day ... truly a joy to read.
The gay genre novet. of Lammy-winner Toby Johnson,
Pl■ gu.e, Secret Mauer 9 & Gelling Life in Penpeclive tell
refreahing, life-positive atorica-touching & 'WUe, lightly
1exy & funny, remhlllcent of moviea like GhoJt and CocOOn.
Q.938743-17-1 $10 ~~hl~~~.7;:=;t,ro:,;~h.~~C:t.:~~
.. t111 lhi&inport1r1t20lh C. llnklt. NIWfrom t.iNlfif j,itl.tt0.9S(tsBN O-&lOl!,7-65&-A}
Toby Johnson's books are available at liberty Books,
rbe quality Lesbian & Gay books1ore, gift shop, and
Community resource center in Austin. the gay heart
of Texas. (512) 495 9737 (800) 828-1279
Featuring a wide -selection of
, books & magazines in the
newly emerging fields of
lesbian & gay spiritualities
and new paradigm thought.
LiJ Second Stone-July/August, 1993
. __ . - .. _ . __ . . . ·----·
1014 B North Lamar
Eleventh & Lamar
AaUa, Ter• 78703
. _-. . . , --- - --
"Zapping"
not a
Christian
activity
Tucson, Arizona
Dear Second Stone,
We are writing to express our disappointment
in your lack of editorial
and spiritual judgment as evidenced
in the May/June issue of Second Stone.
We can well identify with Don
Karvelis' letter in the same issue,
regarding the frequently un-Christian
content of your publication.
We are greatly concerned that
Paul's instructions for the Body of
Christ found in Romans 12 is being
overlooked, if not completely forgotten.
Scripture does not give us a
choice. We must love all brothers
and sisters in Christ, even if they
persecute us.
We are much dismayed when a
publication such as yours, whose subtitle
reads "America's Gay and Lesbian
Christian Newsjoumal," runs a
"news" item publicizing a video
game that allows the player to "zap
and vaporize a rabid fundamentalist."
Not only does such a game promote
violence, hatred, and vengeance, all
of which are definitely un-Christian
according to Scripture, but the objects
of this behavior are the very imagebearers
of Jesus Christ Himself. How
saddened our Lord must be to see a
"Christian" publication promoting
such sin against fellow believers.
Satan's oldest and most effective
weapon is to divide and conquer. As
long as . we continue to fight those
within the church, those outside will
continue to die without the Gospel
and go to Hell, right where our real
enemy wants them . One day we will
stand beside those "rabid fundamentalists"
before God's throne of
judgment and give an account of how
we .carried out the great commission.
I doubt we will have much to say in
our defense.
We urge you to give .greater
consideration to the material you
print in your publication. We need to
set a Christ-like example for the rest
of the country, not perpetuate the
hatred that is already directed at us.
We can only win over our detractors
when we rise above their militant
tactics . A publication such as yours
can have a great deal of influence
over our community . Please don't
abuse it.
"And He has given us this
command: Whoever loves God must
also love his brother." (1 John 4:21)
In Christ's service,
The Executive Board
Cornerstone Felluwship.
A real and
true uplift
Indianapolis, Indiana
Dear Second Stone,
. As my subscription to your fine
publication is nearing expiration, I'd
like to, posthaste, submit my renewal
subscription for another year and
have enclosed my check for same.
Further, I would like to tell you just
how very much I have been enjoying
Second Stone, not only for the news
coverage and such fine articles as
those by Nancy Hugman and Cathie
Lyons in the March/ April '93 issue;
but for the real and true "uplift" it
brings to me. Oh, yes, and it's also
nice when I come across a "familiar
face," such as Rev. Dr . Fred C.
Williams' of King of Peace MCC down
in St. Petersburg, Florida. (He was
my pastor when I lived down there.)
Even though I currently live in one
of the larger metropolitan areas, I find
I feel somewhat isolated from other
gay and lesbian Christians. Your
publication helps to lessen that feeling.
Many thanks and I look forward
to another year of Second Stone!
· Respectfully,
James Bates
Write to Second Stone. All letters must
be original and signed by the writer.
Clearly indicate if yaur name is to be
withlield. We reserve the right to edit.
Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 or
FAX to (504)891-7555.
NewLsien s
FormeSr outherBna ptislte adelro sni gf amilym embertso A IDS
ll.THE REV. JIMMY ALLEN, who presided.over the Southern Baptist Convention in
1978 as the group's last moderate president, has several family members who have been
impacted by the AIDS crisis: Allen's youngest son, Scott, has lost his wife and a son to
AIDS. Another child in the same family has the disease, and Scott Allen, a pastor, was
kicked out of his church as a result of his family's illness. Jimmy Allen's oldest son, Skip,
who is gay, has tested positive for HN. The elder Allen is now rastor in Big Canoe, Ga.,
and is wrapping u_p an academic year as a visiting scholar at Vanderbilt University's
First Amendment Center. Scott Allen, also an ordained Southern Baptist minster, was an
associate at a Disciples of Christ church in Colorado Springs, Cofo .. When his senior
eastor learned about the family's problem with AIDS, he forced Scott Allen to resign.
The trouble with Christian faith is it's so afraid of death and the unknown that it
always comes up with clear-cut answers," said Scott Allen. "That's not how life works."
- AssociatedP ress
Doctour rgesB aptisttso fightA IDSn, otp eoplew ithA IDS
!:.A PHYSICIAN URGED Southern Baptists to offer more than Bible verses to ease the
AIDS crisis and to show compassion for victims of the disease. "We're supposed to be a
compassionate society. Frankly, we are anything but," said Dr. Michael Saag, associate
erofessor of medicine and director of the University of Alabama at Birmingham AIDS
Outpatient Clinic. Saag spoke at a health seminar connected with the Cooperative
Baptist Fellowship's general assembly in Birmingham. Saag told about 100 people
attending the health semmar that churches often respond to AIDS by citing Bible verses
condemning homosexuality. "I can find those too," Saag said. "But when you turn to those
pages, how many pages do you turn past that talk about loving, accepting ... before you get
to those?" - AssocUltedP ress
MCCerasn dP entecostaglast hear t sameh otel
I:.T HE SHERATON HOTEL in New Carrollton, Maryland, was the setting for the sprin~
conference of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churchs
Mid-Atlantic District. Due to a mistake by a hotel employee, a black Pentecostal
women's group was also booked for a conference. The Pentecostal group was cordial to
the MCCers, who swayed to the Pentecostal's music during business meetings and
workshops. The.hotel employee is no longer with the Sheraton.
Canadiacnh urchp icksg aym inister .
llT. HE CONGREGATION OF an affluent United Church has become the first in Canada
to endorse an openly gay man as its minister. Rev. Gary Paterson received warm and
vigorous applause when he was introduced to more than 200 members of the
congregation of Ryerson United. "It was very moving and reaffirming," said Paterson. 'Tm
excited." Paterson, 43, has been with his partner for ten years and is raising three
teenagers from a previous marriage. - Gaep,tte ,
Proposatol barg ays tudentfsro ms choogl overnmeinst d efeated
i'.OPENLY GAY TEENS are welcome on Bremerton (Washington) Hi~h School's student
council after pupils rejected a proposed amendment to the schools constitution that
would have let students oust their gay and lesbian peers from the elected body. The
measure, which identified homosexuality as an "immoral behavior" was denied 635-475,
said Principal Marilee Hansen, who stated that she was -"a little taken aback by the
number of students who have this [anti-gay] feeling." "We have a lot of educating to do,"
she said. The amendment's author, senior Joe Harlin, told The Sun newspaper in
Bremerton that the bill was designed "so we just get normal people up there representing
normal society." Said Harlin, "We don't hate the person. We're not going to throw rocks
at these people, although the Bible tells us we should do that." - SouU1erV11o ice
Presbyteroiarnd inatiounpsh eld
!',A REGIONAL BODY of the Presbyterian Church (USA) defied a national church policy
and upheld the ordination of two gay persons as deacons. The Presbyterian Synod of the
Pacific's ju di cal commission ruled' 6-1 that Heather Boonstra and George Link should be
allowed to serve as deacons at Central Presbyterian Church in Eugene. A church in
Portland, Oregon, Hope Presbyterian, challenged the ordinations, saying they should be
annulled because they were "in rebellion against the word of God ." The synod's ruling
will likely be appealed to .the General Assembly of the national church. - Cruise
Luthera0na sto/srenatobra cksg ayr ights
!',ADMITTEDLY TAKING POLITICAL risks, a Minnesota state senator and ELCA
pastor broke ranks with his fellow Republicans to support a bill that will protect Gays
and Lesbians from discrimination . State Sen. Dean Johnson, who is a pastor of Calvary
Lutheran Church, Willmar, Minn., told the senate that voting for the bill carried political
risks. But he said legislators were elected not to be fopular but "to lead., to do what is
right." The six .Minnesota bishops of the Evangelica Lutheran Church in America also
supported the bill, along with the Minnesota ·Catholic Conference and the Minnesota
Council of Churches. Goy. Arne Carl59n signed the bill into law April 2. Also a Republican,
Carlson said he signed the measure not "because I enjoy enormous popularity on
the issue," but because it is "the right thing to do." • The Lutheran
Cardinablo oeda ftera ttackindgo mestipca rtnershliepg islation
i'.BOOS AND CHEERS greeted Philadelphia Cardinal Anthony J. Bevilacqua at City
Hall aS he attacked a proposal to offer ga_y and lesbian couples legal partnership status.
"This proposed legislation extends legal recognition to a sexual relationship, which I
and, I sincerely believe, the overwhelming majority of the citizens of this citY,c, onsider to
be immoral," the Roman Catholic prelate testified before a City Council committee.
Activists crowding the council _gallery cried out, "Hatemonger!" "What about gay
priests?" - The Balturwre Alternatwe
Subscribe
Today.
AND YO U1 LL NEVER
A FRIEND
JOURNEY.
WITHOUT
YOUR
BE
FOR
SecoSntdo ne The National Gay and Lesbian
Christian Newsjournal
..Y. ES!·················.·.· .·.·.·:..;. ..
Begin my subscription to
SECOND STONE for:
[ ] One year (6 issues) $15.00
[ I Two yrs. (12 issues) $25.00
[ ] Three yrs. (18 'issues) $36.00
NAME
ADDRESS
............................................·.·.· ······~···
CITY/STATE/ZIP CODE
CHECKH ERE[ ] If a plain envelope Is required and add $2.00 per year. Allow 6-8
weeks for delivery of your first Issue. International subscrlbers add $10.00 per year,
U.S. currency. . ·
Mail To: SECOND STON.E, Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182
THANK YOU
for your subscription support!
Second Stone-July/August, 1993 [lj
News Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lutherans in favor of anti-discrimination laws for Gays
LI.TI-IE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN Church in America's Division for Church in
Society board reaffirmed the church's opposition to harassment and violence aimed at
gay, lesbian and bisexual people. A resolution passed by the board opposes "all forms of
verbal or physical harassment or assault of persons because of their sexual orientation.''
The re.solution also supports legislation, ·referenda and policies protecting the civil rights
of all people "regardless of their sexual orientation," induding discrimination in housing,
employment and public services and accomodations. - The Lutheran
Schlafly wouldnl want gay son in militarv
LI.EVEN IF HER OWN gay son wanted to join the mifitary, Phyllis Schlafly would not
. support lifting the ban on Gays in the armed forces so he could join. That's what she
confirmed wlien confronted liy a reporter and American University students after an
anti-feminist speech in Washington, D.C. in April. Son John was outed by the gay
magazine QW. Schlafly is president of the conservative Eagle Forum. - Southern Voice
Men who firebombed lesbian's home found guilty of murder
LI.TWO MEN HA VE BEEN convicted of felony murder in the deaths of a lesbian and a
gay man in Portland, Ore., last.fall at the heiglit of the campaign against the homophobic
Measure 9. According to Portland's Just Out, Leon Tucker and Plulip Wilson were found
guilty of throwing Molotov cocktails into the basement apartment oi Hattie Mae Cohens
and l3rian Mock. In addition to murder charges, . Tucker and Wilson, identified as
Skinheads, were found guilty of racial intimidation. During the trial, evidence was
presented that the intended victims were relatives of Coliens, who was AfricanAmerican,
and that the crime was more a racist one than homophobic. -Soutl1e111 Vor:e
Churches disavow support for gay rights
.!l.IN SEPARATE STATEMENTS, officials of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America and the United Methodist Church denied endorsement of the April 25 March on
Washington or the Campaign for Military Service, a coalition working for removal of the
ban on Gays and Lesbians in the military. Elements within both churches have said that
basic human rights and civil liberties are due to all persons, regardless of sexual
orientation. - Gazette
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) passes affirming resolution
LI.THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH of Northern California-Ne vada eassed a gay-friendly
resolution at its 139th annual meeting in Asilomar, Calif., in April. Delegates resolved to
"Welcome all persons, regardless of sexual orientation, into church membership, with all
of its privileges and responsibilites, including fuH opportunities for positions of
leadership and ministry, subject to the Biblical qualifications for all people." The
assembly represents 64 congregations with 7,586 members. The resolution was passed
with 87 yes votes, 38 no votes, and 6 abstentions. A regional chapter of Gay, Lesbian,
-Affirming Disciples (GLAD)· Alliance was active in the process of eaucating members of
local churches. ·
Town upset over arrival of MCC
.!I.RESIDENTS OF THE town of Mountville, Penn., are upset that the Vision of Hope
Metropolitan Community Church plans to relocate to their town from nearby Lancaster.
At a borough council meeting in June, residents voiced their disapproval. "I find this very ·
offensive," said Connie Mancuso . "If Mountville allows this to go through, it's not the
town I thought it was ... Mountville won't be a nice town anymore . If.we don't stop it
here, it's going to spread to other communities.'' Resident Paul Dansereau said a group of
homosexuals i:lo not deserve a Christian church, saying it won't bring "anything positive
to this area.'' The 1_3-year-old church is purchasing a plot of land from a Unitea Church
of Christ congregation. Council members concedea tliat there is no legal way to stop the
sale, but some members pledged . to do anything within legal bounds to halt it.
- -Southem Voice
Iowa parents complain 4-H advocating homosexuality _
11.P ARE'.NTs WHO TMJNK two workshops at this year's Iowa Youth and 4-H Conference
advocate a gay lifestyle are complaining. The seminars, part of a da}' long diversity
workshop held during the June 29 to July 1 conference, are titled "One in Ten" and "What
Difference Does It Make?" They were among 30 workshops on diversity issues. All
were optional,and conference attendees could choose to attend up to three.
-Southern Voice
"Had enough?" Houston church asks
11.MCC OF THE Resurrection, Houston, responded to the presence of the Southern Baptist
Convention meeting in their city in J,me by placing full page ads in community
newspapers welcoming Baptist Gays and Lesoians to "worship openly as God has
created' them. The SBC spol<e in strong terms against Gays and Lesbians. The ad said
such action is still echoed oy man.r. other churches and denominations. "Haven't you had
enough?" MCCR asked readers . We share sorrow that your denomination continues to
treat Gays and Lesbians like second class citizens, and continues to believe that we have
no basis for a relationship with God." The church invited Gays and Lesbians to worship
with them.
Presbyterians affirm ban
.!I.PRESBYTERIANS AFFIRMED their ban on gay clergy for now but approved a
three-year study on the matter . Despite hopes that the 3%-155 vote June 7 would bring
peace to the 2.8 million-member Presbyterian Church (USA), about 70 gay rights activists
marched around the assembly hall, shouting, "You want to study us to death!" In their
vote for a study, the delegates asked all churches and regional presbyteries to look at
sexuality as it relates to membership and the clergy. But the resolution also affirmed as
"authontative" the church current prohibition agamst homosexual cle'l,Y. Church bodies
were encouraged to allow Gays and Lesbians who have not made their sexuality public
· to participate m the study without fear of retribution. .
[ft] Second Stone-July/August, 1993
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
IN FACT targets abuses of tobacco industry .
11.INFACT, THE GROUP that organized a successful international boycott of General
Electric, has announced its third corporate accountability campaign. Citing a range of
abuses, INFACT's Tobacco Industry Campaign aims to stop the marketing of tobacco
products to children and young people aroung the world, and stop the tobacco industrv's
actions that undermine public health efforts, including interference in public
policymaking. For information on INFACT's efforts, contact the group at 256 Hanover
Street, Boston, MA 02113, (617)742-4583.
Publisher encourages libraries to defend books for aav teens
LI.HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARIANS are in a unique position to heTp lesbian and gay
teenagers. That was the message delivered by publisher Sasha Alyson in a keynote
speecli to the New England Association of Independent School Librarians in Lakevill e,
Conn. "Many of us who are gay can tell you that our first step in coming out involved a
trip to the library's card catafog," he told them. "Reading a book is safer for a gay
teenager than talking to a person, because there's no risk of rejection. Today, there are
dozens of good books for gay teenagers✓ and jf yoll aren't making them available✓ you are
failing to serve many of your students."
Fundamentalist preacher protests funeral of gay man
t.REV. FRED PHELPS, the ministe r of Westboro (Kansas) Baptist Church, called for a
protest at the funeral of Kevin Oldham, a prominent gay citizen of Missouri who died of
AIDS related complications on March II th. Oldham was a musical composer well
known in Kansas. The news release, printed on the letterhead of the Westboro Baptist
Church, is written in vicious language, with a photograph of Oldham and the caption,
"Kevin· Oldham, Dead Fag." "Detying the laws of God, man and nature, Kevin Oldham
played Russian roulette with promiscuous anal sex and lost big time when he died of
AIDS on March 11," Phelps wrote. "Worse, the Kansas City Star made a hero of this
filthy dead sodomite in a March 12 piece, 'Gifted local composer leaves musical legacy."'
- Seattle Gay News
Catholics lobby for gay rights in Illinois house
LI.AFTER MORE THAN 15 years of consideration a gay rights bill passed the Illinois
House of Representatives with a 60-49 vote on April 21. Catholic religious played
significant roles in the passage of the bill. Brother for Christian Community Rick Garcia,
the directo r of Catholic Advocates for Lesbian and Ga}' Rights, served as lobbyist and
. strategist for the effort. 'This is a victory for fair-mindei:I ana justice-seeking Illinoisan ...
I am especially heartened by the response of Catholic religious to this civil rights
legislation.'' Catholic religious lobbied" heavily spending two full days before the vote
cornering Catholic legislators in the halls of the state's capital in Springfield. In addition
to support from the National Coalition of American 1"uns, the National Assembly of
Religious Women and Chicago Catholic Women, the legislation was endorsed by the
Justice and Peace Office of the Ruma, II based Adorers oCthe Blood of Christ, the Sisters
of Loretto and individual Catholics. Chicago's Joseph Cardinal Bernardin and the
Illinois Catholic Conference did not take a position on the legislation. "The strong
support of Catholics in this effort should put to rest the fallacy that Catholics oppose gay
ani:1 lesbian civil rights legislation," Garcia said .
Medical journal refuses ad from gay physicians
LI.THE NATION'S MOSf widely circulated medical journal has refused to accept an
advertisement from a national gay and lesbian medical society, according to the
physicians' group. The San Francisco-based American Association of Physicians for
Human Rigfits had attempted to place a full page $7000 ad in the Journal of American
Medical Association warmng physicians about .the negative medical consequences of
homophobia. JAMA rejected the ad, claiming in a written statement that its content was
1" olihcal" and "not scientific.'' Oklahoma physician Larry Prater, MD, president of
API-ffi, noted that "The biased rejection by a medical journal of an aa criticizing
homophobia in medicine dramatically underscores the very need for the ad. The fact is
that homophobia is a health hazard, and all physicians have an ethical obligation to
combat it.''
Colorado Presbyterians say no to gay clergy
LI.BY_ A CLCl5E VOTE, Colorado Presbyterians decided against the ordination of gay and
lesbian _ minsters. Delegates representing more than 50 mainline Presbyterian churches in
Colorado voted 98 to 94 on May 25 against ordaining homosexual ministers. The
decision reversed a March decision that called on the national church to end its ban on
ordaining gay and lesbian ministers, a policy established in 1978. Before the May 25
reversal, Denver had joined other Presbyterians across the country in calling for an end
to that policy. The Rev. Dusty Taylor 1 pastor at Montview Presbyterian Church, said
the same deliate occurred before Presbyterians accepted women ana blacks as ministers.
It isn't up to Presbyterians to decide whether Gays and Lesbians are rightfully called to
serve the church, she said. "I would rather God decide that," Taylor said . .
- Associated Press
School board stands behind gay poster in high school
.!I.DESPITE TWO HOURS of testimony from 400 outraged Winona, Minnesota, citizens
who ob1ect to two educational posters on teenage gay and lesbian issues hung in Winona
Senior High School, the school board voted 4-3 on April 19 to keep the poster at the
school. Die posters, sponsored by Wingspan Ministry, in conjunction with the Gay and
Lesbian Community Action Council, Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, and the
Youth and AIDS Project, ask, "What can you do? Your best friend has just told you, 'I'm
gay.'" The flack in Winona began in February when visitors to the high school objected
to the erominent display of one poster in the school's hallway and another on a school
counsejor's door, saying the posters advocated _a ~ay lifestyle and were immoral.
Accordmg to counselor Lee Rol,erts, the community s stand against the poster speaks
loudly aliout bigotry in the southeastern Minnesota dry. "I can tell you," he said,
"homophobia is alive and well in Winona, Minn.'' - Equal Tune
Encourages "wise discretion" in blessing of same-sex relationships
Lutheran Synod maintains
fellowship with suspended congregations
SAN FRANCISCO - A "strong bon:d
of fellowship" is to be maintained between
the Sierra Pacific Synod of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America and two congregations under
discipline for calling and ordaining
as pastors a gay man and lesbian
couple, a violation of church policy.
The congregations are currently under
suspension pending resolution of
their disagreement with the parent
church over the requirement that lesbian
and gay clergy must pledge lifelong
celibacy. The suspension becomes
expulsion if the disagreement
COMMENT
From Page4
were used against African-Americans
by a prejudiced majority before President
Harry S. Truman signed the
executive order to ban discrimination
and to integrate the Armed Forces.
Many whites did not want to eat,
sleep or bathe in proximity _to
African-Americans. Like now, violence
was threatened and chaos was
predicted. President Truman ~id t~e
right thing, not the popular tlung, m .
the face of widespread prejudice.
2. Pointing to fears that military men
and women will in some way be
sexually harassed by Gays and
Lesbians only points to the military's
need for strong regulations dealing
with sexual harassment. In the light
of the Tailhook scandal, it is clear that
the military has been very lax as long
as women are the only victims of
sexual harassment in the military.
The moral position is that sexual
harassment is wrong whether the
victims are women by men, men by
women, men by men, or women by
women . I urge you to extend your
efforts to protect all military personnel
from sexual harassment.
3. In response to those who fan the
flames of fear and hysteria about the
AIDS epidemic in order to deny
human and civil rights to gay and
lesbian American citizens, it is
essential to be truthful and up front.
AIDS is only spread through sexual
promiscuity, IV use and irresponsible
and unsafe medical practices, whether
the participants are homosexual or
heterosexual, period. This plague of
AIDS will only be averted through
establishment of responsible relationships
(whether heterosexual or homosexual),
a meaningful and effecttve
response to drug use, and ethical and
safe medical practices. Rather than
decrying the purposes of committed
gay relationships as some have raised
as an argument against lifting the
ban on Gays and Lesbians in the
military, the responsible position is to
encourage the safest and best relais
not resolved by the end of 1995.
In a resolution passed by a large
majority at the synod's 1993 assembly
in Santa Clara, Calif. May 20-23, the
synod recognized the ongoing ministries
of the two congregations and
stated its intent to continue a relationship
with St . Francis Lut.heran
Cnurch and First United Lutheran
Churd1 of San Francisco even if they
are expelled from the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America.
The relationship between the synod
and the congregations after the expulsion
was not defined. As orginally
tionships possible for all of our people.
4. Finally, the point has been raised
that many GI's would not serve by
the sides of Gays and Lesbians
because of religious beliefs. I don't
think it's the job of any denomination
to point out to the country that the
Constitution upholds freedom of
religion for all Gl's, but we must in
good conscience. It does not give the
right, for instance, to Orthodox Jews
to refuse to fight alongside a GI who
happens to be Baptist because the
Baptist might consume pork, while
the Orthodox Jew would not, based
on his or her religion. The Armed
Forces does not permit a member of
the Church of God of Prophecy, who
abhors divorce, to refuse to fight
alongside an Episcopalian, who may
be divorced and remarried. We
confront this argument as a matter of
religious freedom. The present policy
is both costly and discriminatory. It
serves no purpose except to support a
particular religious viewpoint which
considers ·homosexuality immoral ;
Our religious viewpoint is different.
It is supported by reasonable scholars
and it is exemplified by the constructive
lives and positive contributions
of most Gays and Lesbians .
We see homosexuality as a natural ·
variation within God's created order .
It is a part of the diversity to be
· accepted within our pluralistic society.
On a more personal note, I served
in the U.S. Army during the Viet
Nam era. I had a top secret NATO
cryp to deara .nce, needed for my
service as a cryptographer, and l
.inspected missile sites for the U.S.
Army in Germany . During my tour
of duty I was known by my .commanding
officer · and many of my
fellow soldiers to be gay. I never had
any problems during my two years of
active duty as a draft ee during that
time period. I served honorably, was
given superior ratings and completed
my service duties and was given an
honorable discharge. It is time for
our g overnment to come to term s
with the rights of all of its citizens to
service in the U.S. military.
presented; the resolution called for
the synod to reinstate the two congregations
to membership on January
1, 1996. When this was ruled unconstitutional,
the language was
amended to encourage the two congregations,
should they be expelled,
to apply immediately to the Sierra ·
Pacific Synod for recognition .
Bishop Lyle Miller pointed out that
such an application would have
difficulty being approved. The ELCA
" Church leaders
are afraid that a ·
nationwide debate
on this question will
be divisive. I
believe that such
a discussion will
ultimately strengthen
the church ... "
requires that member congregations
call pastors only from the roster of
candidates approved by the ELCA ..
Until the church 's policy requiring
celibacy for gay and lesbian clergy is
changed, some of the . clergy of the
two congregations cannot be accepted
on the ELCA's roster .
ment to p~stors involved in pastoral
blessings of "monogamous, covenantal
relationships between two persons
of the same sex," encouraging prayer,
"wise pastoral discretion," and asking
the synod's bishop and staff to offer
"advice, counsel, and support" to such
pastors . · ·
The resolution was a substitute for
one which would have deemed
"inappropriate" the synod council's
statement or any such statement by a
congregation or individual pastor .
The synod assembly voted 272-240 for
the substitute resolution .
"Clearly, our church is divided .on
the question of whether or not samesex
relationships are sinful," observed
the Rev. James Lokken, an assistant
pastor at St. Francis. "We need to
address the underlying question in
order to resolve this conflict. Unity
will not be achieved by voting on
resolutions. Church leaders are afraid
that a nationwide debate on this
question will be divisive. I believe
that such a discussion will ultimately
strengthen the church because it will
lead us to a better understanding of
the scriptures and the nature of ,the
gospel of Jesus Christ.''
■ "Maybe We're •
Talking About a
Different God"
A half-hour documentary on the Rev.
Jane Spahr and her call to the Downtown
Church in Rochester, protested and
brought to trial.
Shaws how confusion and fear ('What!
A woman and a lesbian? No way!")
can be transformed into understanding
and compassion. ("Then I met Janie!")
VHS Tape & Discussion Guide
SEND $32.35 TO:
In another resolution, the Sierra Leonardo's Chilclren,Inc.
Pacific Synod commended its synod 26 Newport Bridge Rd.
council for issuing an advisory state- ■ Warwick, NY 10990
=-----'-(9_14_,_)9_8_6-_6888 ___ ~•=
People helping people.
If you are coping with AIDS or cancer
we offer a financial "helping hand."
We can help tum your life insurance policy into
"life11 benefits instead of death benefits. This may
not be for everyone, but for those who have made
the choice, it is truly a Godsend: Let·us explain
the process so you can decide . You can have the
money you need to secure the best medical care and
ease .stress. Be good to yourself. Call today.
VIATICALASSISTANCE CORPORATION
1-800-892-1282
Foundin Member, National Viatical Association
Second Ston.,.July/August, I99j1[7.l
North Carolina church council welcomes MCCs
THE HOUSE OF Delegates of the
North Carolina Council of Churches,
meeting at Trinity_ Zion Church in
Greensboro on May 5, voted to receive
into membership the Gulf
Lower Atlantic District of the Universal
Fellowship 0£ Metropolitan
Community Churches. The membership
application was approved by the
Council's Executive Board in
December, and the Board then recommended
approval to the House. Following
careful discussion, a motion to
delay action for study and dialogue
was defeated by a vote of 39 to 30.
After further discussion, the main
motion to receive the new group into
. membership passed with 50 in favor,
15 opposed, and 7 abstaining. Proponents
emphasized that me_mbership
in the ecumenical body 1s not
based upon agreement on moral
· questions, but upon faith in Jesus
Christ as Son of God and Sav10r.
Although it may seem ironic for
North Carolina, the buckle of the
Bible Belt, to so readily accept the
UFMCC, Rev. Collins Kilburn, Executive
Director of the Council, said,
'The vote was somewhat surprising,
but the NC Council has a long history
of pioneering in the areas of social
controversy. The NC Council was
one of the first in the South to become
interracial."
Rev. Bob Galloway, pastor of the
Advertise in
Second Stone!
1116th Page Ad
FOR A FUU YEl\R
as low as $15. 75 per month!
Your
ad
here.
GREAT FOR GUEST HOUSES,
BOOK STORES AND PUBUSHERS!
Reach Second Stone readers-in every
slate for a full year at this great sixtime
rate! An excellent opportunity
for advertisers to direct their message
to our precisely defined target market
Call (504)89&-4014 FAX (504)891-7555
$189.00 pe, year or 6 bi lings d $31.50 each. L8J SccondStoneoJuly/August, 1993
Metropolitan Community Church of
Asheville, said, "Involvement with
the Council should help individual
churches start building common
coalitions with other churches to work
on joint projects which help all
communities." Although many opponents
are expecting negative results,
Galloway responds, "Any move
towards a sense of unity, whether in
the religious or socia l area, is a
positive _ one. So much more can be
accomplished when people work
together rather than apart."
In other action, · the Council
presented the annual Distinguished
Service Award to the Rt. Rev. Robert
W. Estill, Presiding Bishop of the
North Carolina Diocese of the
Episcopal Church since 1983. Bishop
Estill has held several leadership
p ositions in the Council over the past
ten years, and served as president of
the Council in 1990 and 1991. In
presenting the award to Estill,
Kilburn said, ''You have led us with
good humor, spiritual grace, and
courage. You have given generously
of your time and energy to ecumenism
and to the Council. You
have encouraged and supported us in
some of our not-too-popular efforts,
and nudged us forward irito risky
areas." Kilburn mentioned Estill's
leadership on criminal justice issues,
the death penalty, and equality for
gay and lesbian persons: He also
noted that Estill was the catalyst of the
· grandest event in the Council's history,
the coming of Bishop Desmund
Tutu to Duke Chapel in 1986.
- Staff reports and Q-Notes
Integrity welcomes two major Episcopal
Church figures to convention
THE 1993 NATIONAL Convention of
Integrity, the lesbian and gay ministry
of the Episcopal Church, to be
held July 15-18 in San Diego, will
feature -two prominent figures from
the Episcopal Church. Pamela Chinnis
will be the principal speaker at
the convention's banquet and the Rt.
Rev. Douglas E. Theuner will preach
at the opening Eucharist.
Chinnis is the first woman to serve
as President of the House of Deputies,
which together with the House of
Bishops, sets policy for the Episcopal
Church at triennial General Conventions.
She has long been an advoca_te
of lesbian and gay inclusion in the
church and has been criticized for her
appointment of several openly lesbian
and gay Integrity members to
various national committees and commissions
of the church.
Theuner is the bishop of New
Hampshire and chair of the Episcopal
Church's Commission on AIDS. In
the House of Bishops he has been an
outspoken advocate for lesbian and
gay justice and has an openly gay
priest as his principal assistant.
This year's convention theme is "Let
us sow love," a quote from a prayer
by St. Francis. It is the convention's
goal to work within the church to
affect change, to strengthen every lesbian
and gay Christian to believe in
the love of God, helping many to
shed the falsehood of guilt. A second
goal works toward the unity of each
Integrity chapter, making it a ·force
for good. The third goal seeks to personalize
Lesbians and gay men in
each of their respective congregations,
showing the opposition that Lesbians
and gay men are indeed God's creation
and worthy of God's grace and
love as they follow the precepts of
Jesus Christ.
Convention events will-be held at
St. Paul's Cathedral in San Diego.
The convention coincides with San
Diego's Gay Pride Parade and Festival.
Information may be obtained by
calling 800-845-5183.
Integrity was founded in rural
Georgia in 1974 by Dr. Louie Crew.
Dr. Crew, now a professor at Rutgers
University, will attend the convention
. The "Louie Crew Award" for
outstanding service to Integrity will
be presented at the convention. The
Episcopal organization, with 70 chapters
throughout the United States and
non-affiliated chapters in Canada and
Australia, is by far the largest lesbian
and gay caucus relative to the size of
its denomination and is second to
Dignity, the Roman Catholic caucus,
in absolute membership numbers.
Catholic groups criticize compromise
on Gays in the military
A SPOKESPERSON representing nine
Catholic organizations says that the
ban on Gays in the military should
be lifted completely and that the
"don't ask, don't tell" compromise is
unacceptable.
"Senator Sam Nunn's compromise
on Gays serving in the military is not
simply a political maneuver, but a
compromise on the integrity oi lesbian
and gay people," said Greg
Link, a spokesperson for a group of
Catholic organizations supporting
President Clinton's proposed executive
order to repeal the ban on Gays
in the military. Nunn, chairman of
the Senate Armed Services Committee,
has said that he .is willing to
accept Gays in the military as long as
their homosexuality is kept secret.
That for.ces lesbian and gay people to
live a lie says Link, director of New
Ways Ministry, one of nine Catholic
oganizalions which support lifting the
ban entirely.
"Our armed services are proud of,
and endeavor to enforce, a strict code
of honor. Being forced to live a lie is
an affront to the military's honor code.
Gay and lesbian persons who are
open, and thus honorable, will be
punished," said Link. "Does this ,
make sense?"
The nine Catholic groups, members
of Catholic Organizations for Renew~
QUOTABLE
"EvenJthing that irritates us
about others can lead us to an
_ 11nderstanding of 011rselves."
-Carl Jung
al, have ·a combined constituency of
more than 30,000 people .
In a letter to Nunn, the groups
stated that "the Gospel of Jesus challenges
us to promote respect for all
persons regardless of sexual orientation."
They called on the "Department
of Defense to give wide coverage
to the Pentagon studies which
show that gay and lesbian military
personnel perform as well or better
than their heterosexual counterparts."
The organizations signing the letter
include New Ways Ministry, the
Association for the_ Rights of Catholics
in the Church, Call to Action, Catholics
for a Free Choice, Conference for
Catholic Lesbians, Dignity, Friends of
Vatican III on Church and Democracy,
Quixote Center, and Renewal Coordinating
Community.
The groups urged bishops and
other Catholics across the country to
add their voices to the "growing cry
to end one of the most blatant discriminations
of our day." -
Methodist publis.her refuses
invite to gay forum
'THE UNITED METHODIST Publishing
House was invited last November
to send a representative to participate
in ·a convocation forum on the publication
of the report of the United
Methodist Church Committee to
Study Homosexuality. A letter was
recieved in late March from Duane
Ewers, editor of Church School Publications,
declining the invitation.
In his letter, Ewers cited lack of
"staff time or budget" to send a reps
resentative, but did indicate a willingness
to provide a written report
on the progress of the publication,
A few days after the letter was
received, Ewers called the Reconciling
Congregations Program office
and requested that all mention of the
possibility of the forum be ceased.
During the conversation he indicated
that concerns were being raised about
being "associated with a group like
this."
The RCP's written response to
Ewers questioned the wisdom of
refosing the opportunity to be in dialogue
with "the greatest reservoir of
experience in ministry with Lesbians
and gay men ... in the UMC" and the
short-sightedness of ignoring a constituency
that could be "one of the
major users and promoters" of the
curriculum, The letter also expressed
the hope that the Methodist Publishing
House "would be eager to
hear a variety of viewpoints and not
be captive to segments of the church
which seek to perpetuate homophobia
and to exclude persons from the life
and ministry of the church."
- RCP News
Over 2500 urge moving of
Denver conference
THE SIGNATURES of over 2500
United Methodists from 36 states and
the District of Columbia have been
collected on a petition asking the
United Methodist Church to move its
1996 General Conference from the
city of Denver, Colorado. The petition
describes the move as a witness
against discrimination in response to
the passage of Colorado's Amendment
2 in last November's election.
This Amendment to the C@lorado
constitution overturns local anti-discrimination
ordinances in the cities of
Denver, Boulder, and Aspen and
allows discriminatory practices based
on sexual orientation statewide.
The General Conference is the
United Methodist Church's highest
legislative body, meeting every four
years and convening over 5000 lay
people and clergy from around the
world. The conference is currently
slated to take place in Denver in
April of 1996. Copies of the signed
petitions are being forwarded to the
church's Commission of the General
Conference and the Council of Bishops
for consideration at meetings of
both groups scheduled for later this
spring.
Colorado United Methodists
Against Discrimination, organizer of
the petition drive, is made up of
Colorado clergy and lay people and
was formed late last year following
the November election. The group
sees a national, public stand by . the
United Methodist Church as a
powerful Christian witness against
the oppression, marginalization and
injustice embodied in Amendment 2.
In a cover letter accompanying the
petitions, the group notes that it is not
advocating a general church boycott
of Colorado, but a single act of
conscience in moving General Conference.
Several of the church's
boards and agencies have gone on
record in support of moving the
conference. These include the General
Board of Church and Society, the
Western Jurisdiction's Council of
Bishops, the Methodist Federation for
Social Action and many regional and
local groups.
Lutheran activists implement
new strategies for change
BUILDING OUR FUTURE, the first
national strategy building summit for
Lutheran activists on lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgender issues,
produced new plans to create change
within Lutheran congregations, the
institutional church and greater
society. Heeding inspiring words
from keynote speaker John Ballew "to
commit ourselves to something
greater - the. reign of God and the
spiritual renewal of our people," 50
Lutheran activists from across the
United States rolled up their sleeves
and went to work.
The summit ~ook place April 21-22
in Washington, D.C., before the historic
March on Washington on April
25th. It was sponsored by the Alliance
for Action, which is a coalition of
Lutherans Concerned/North America,
The Network, Voice and Vision:
Lutheran Lesbian and Gay Ministry
and Wingspan Ministry. Participants
included representatives and leaders
from all four organizations and
members of the Justice Network in
the Lutheran Church and P-FLAG.
In tlie name of a {jotf tliat is ltn,e
In tfie name of a (joa tliat is fove,
'I'&y hate.
In tfie name of a (joi tliat is rove,
'I'&y iiscriminate.
In tfie = of a (joi tliat is fove,
'I'&y ~{uie us fr""1 tlieir spiritual worsfiip.
In tfie name of a (jotl tliat is fove,
'T!ieys utltfen{ye .zyefu s from fovingf a mifyr efationsfiips.
In tlie rtame of a (Joi tliat is rove,
'T!ieyi nsist our commitmentsm eant uJt/iing.
In tfie name of a (jotf tliat is fove,
t'J'&py revent us from fegaf{my arrying.
In tlie name of a (joi tfiat is fove,
'Ifteyt feny tfie mu{titutfeo f gifts of creativityw e fiavef ree{y
given tlie worU in so many areas.
In tlie = of a (joa tfiat is wve,
'T!ieya ttempt to fegisfatea iscriminatioang ainstu s.
In tlie rtame of a (joa tliat is wve,
'T!ieyr ejectu s is everyw ay, wfiifem any of us e.zyerience
tfepressiona n,i su6stancea 6use.
In tli£ name of a (jotl tfiat is fove,
'Ifiey steal our diiftfren antf say we are unfit parents.
In tfie name of a (joa tfiat is wve,
'T!ieytf eciaew e are unfit to aefanao ur country,a ntf even
after we fiave proven tliem wrong t!iey ezye[ us, with. our
me{afs ana aewrations.
In tfie = of a (joa that is U)'[)e,
'T!ieyt lo not appraiseu s intfivitlua{[y6,u t wntfetnttu s a[[.
In tfie rtame of a (jotl tliat is fove,
!Many6 eCtevwe e sfwufa6 e wntfemneato tleatn.
In tfie rtame of a (joa tliat is fove,
'Tlieya ccuseu s of 6eingp sycfwtica ntfp ervertetl.
In tfie rtame of a (Joi tliat is fove,
'T!ieyU Ulfjalsi tfie suiciaer ate //1TW11o/fu ry outli soars.
In tfie rtame of a (joi tliat is fove,
'I'&y ~ep us from reacliingo ut to oury outli w protectt fiem.
In tfie name of a (jotl tliat is fove, •
'T!ieya ttac{us pliysical{y- wountfing,m aimi1iga rul f;j([ingu s.
In tfie rtame of a (Joa tliat is fove,
'T!ieyr osea [{ senseo f wmpassiona rulf ove arul tum inw
'llicious6 easts.
In tfie name of a (Joa that is U)'[)e,
'T!iejyu age, "It's (jotl'sp unislimcnt,"a s tli£ /w,roro f JU'lJS
tfevastates us.
In tfie = of a goi tliat is fove,
'T!ieys ay, ''£etJ U'lJSR .,ia.[l{l tfief aggots."
J11.nIt f6 ecomei ntrospective,
J11.nIt ft fiinRo,n theset n.ings,
J11.nIt fw ontfer- 'WJf'E'l{,'IES ,z,{'£ £0'V'E?
Second StoneoJuly/August, 1993 [I]
T CovSetro ry T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
"Enforced dishonesty" took toll on gay pastor
From Page 1
scene as identifiable and as selfregarding
as the gay community can
be and often is within society at large.
This was the beginning of my
journey towar~s ordination, and
while at first I simply enjoyed it all,
and found genuine warmth and real
spirituality there, I soon, as with
many things, began to take my
religion very seriously. I sometimes
wonder how things might have
turned out if I had simply carried on
using the Church as a spiritual .
resource, a place of friendship and
support and, quite often, a theatre of
entertainment; if I could simply have
enjoyed a solemn High Mass on
Sundays, the glamorous processions
at Corpus Christi and other festivals,
the antiquated rituals of Solemn Benediction,
without trying to believe it
all. Perhaps then my spirituality
might have developed in a more
humanistic and more generous way.
Perhaps my lack of a light touch was
the road to my own spiritual selfdestruction.
Of course one of the
attractions and fascinations of this
particular brand of the Christian faith
is that, relative to life in general, so
many of its practitioners are gay.
Among the clergy the concentration is
undoubtedly higher. To encounter a
young man who attended an
Anglo-Catholic church was, with rare
exceptions, to encounter a gay man.
A wit has remarked that such congregations
consist largely of -romantic
young men and elderly ladies, of
whom the latter fall in love With the
former and the former with each
other!
In this environment, exotic yet not
at all oppressive, it was easy to
believe that one was being called to
the priesthood. The very fact of
being a young man in a high anglican
congregation was enough to
provoke questions about a possible
vocation to the ordained ministry.
The obvious tensions, even . possible
contradictions, hardly seemed evident
in that environment. I too was soon
convinced that God had called me to
be a priest, and within a couple of
years I was installed in theological
college.
When I first re-encountered the
Church, and while I was stilh discovering
.a · spiritual · home ,there, I
retained strong convictions about my
sexuality, about sexual politics-and
about politics in general; My wrestling
with sexual orientation and its
meaning had led be to strong socialist
convictions, which l was hap.py to
propose and defend. ·lritegrity·was,
amf is, · a key concept in ·all -this. I
remember lambasting-a ·poor .ordinand
from an . Oxford theological
. c<>lleg\e\' .hoe xplainl!<thi ati n ordert o
.; [JUSec oodS1011C"IulylAug:1u9s9t.3
I REMEMBER LAMBASTING A POOR 0RDINAND . I
FROM AN OXFORD THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE
WHO EXPLAINED THAT IN ORDER TO GET
THROUGH A SELECTIONI NTERVIEWH E HAD TO
BE LESS THAN HONEST ABOUT HIS SEXUALITY.
WHAT WAS THEP OINTO F A PRIESTLVYO CATION,
OF CHRISTIANITYA T All, IF IT MEANT ENFORCED
DISHONESTY ABOUT SUCH A BASIC AND CRUCIAL
AREA OF LIFE?L ITTLED ID I KNOW THATI N A
FEW MONTHS I WOULD BE DOING JUST AS HE
DID.
get through a selection interview he
had to be less than honest about his
sexuality. What was the point of a
priestly vocation, of Christianity at
all, if it meant enforced dishonesty
about such a basic and crucial area of
life?· Little did I know that in a few
months I would be doing just as he
did.
On first meeting the director of
ordinands in my home diocese of
Leicester I announced that I was gay,
that I had a lover, and that I felt
called to the priesthood. I expected to
be applauded for my directness and
honesty. Instead I was asked a few
strained questions on the subject and
then told to go away and think about
things for a few months more. After
trying to get in touch with a vocations
adviser who had apparently left the
job I phoned the DDO again and"
asked for another interview. I knew
what had to be done. I said that
homosexuality was probably much
more difficult to define than I had
th9ught, that I could possibly previously
have been going through a
phase, that _I no longer had a partner
and I was open to God in the way my
sexuality developed in the future. It
worked. The ODO, rector of a large
and flourishing market town parish,
was satisfied, and booked me in for a
selection conference swiftlf. At the
conference in Chester a particularly
unpleasant clergyman asked pointed
questions about my personal life, to
which I gave evasive replies. It
really did seem my sexuality was
becoming the touchstone of my suitability
for training. If I had had a
wife and children my personal life
would be assumed to be just that.
Because I was single it was a matter
for offensive probing, and whatever
bishops and ACCM selectors say in
public, the fact is that such intrusions
still take place on a regular basis,
often irisensitively and from a standpoint
of near ignorance of the subject,
except in so far as it is seen as a
"problem" or potential cause of scandal.
There still seems to be only the
faintest glimmer of the obvious truth;
-that by pushing something so funda-
THERE STILL SEEMS TO BE ONLY THE FAINTEST
GLIMMER OF THE OBVIOUS TRUTH; THAT BY
'PUSHING S0MHHIN ·G $0 Fl'JN,DAMENTAL
UN'DERGR0UND · THE CHURCH ·trsELF; COMPC)
UNDST HE' PROBLEM'A ND'ENC0URAGES.TH-E
POSSIBILITOYF SCANDAL
mental underground the Church itself
compounds the "problem" and encourages
the possibility of scandal.
Who can be surprised that it is the
one issue that even many socially
concerned and deeply committed
clergy are too frightened to address or
deal with publicly. It seems too hot,
too dangerous and too liable to
misunderstanding.
By the time I was a seminarian in
Edinburgh I had mastered the techniques
of evasiveness and half-truth
which had been forced on me in
order to survive the process, and
which would prove so valuable in the
future. When I arrived at theological
college I was surprised to find nearly
half the students were gay, together
with at least one member of a small
staff. And yet this didn't necessarily
make things easier. While one or two
of us made no bones about it, somehow
we still remained part of the
collusion that we were aberrations
from the norm, to be tolerated but
also carefully kept under control.
This was achieved in various ways.
A particularly memorable pep talk
from the principal included such
gems as "this college has single rooms
with single beds for single people"
and "there is more to life than just
, · condoms"! Few who have not experienced
it can appreciate the hot-house
atmosphere of a small residential college,
where everyone knows everyone
else's business.
My major encounter with homophobia
occurred when looking for a
"title" parish; the church where I
would serve my apprenticeship as an
. ordained person. I was invited to
consider a classic multi-ethnic socially
deprived inner city district near the
railway station. The congregation
was 95 percent black and the atmosphere
relaxed and enjoyable, with
clouds of incense and raucous singing.
Now there were plans for a team
ministry covering several churches,
with a big staff and a progressive
catholic outlook. I was very keen.
The interview seemed to go well.
·· The new rector was on the young side
of iniddle-ag7d, and hoping shortly to
marry a divorcee. During the interview
we touched on the issue of
sexuality, and while riot being asked
directly, I allowed him to know my
situation. -I was single; gay, without a
Iover, · but ·· with ··n<1: convictio11 or
. vocation Jo be ·telibate'. -Everything
seemed to go· welt:and ,I awaited a
response which usually took a couple
of days; After nearly a fortnight of
haVing heard nothing· IJhoned the
DDO:, Instead of his usu affable self .
he wasgu arded ·and not ·particularly
friendly. He sai'd he couldn't tell me
·anything ,until, I ~d _ received a -Jetter
, ·. t, c: SEE COVER STORY; Page 11
COVER STORY, From Page 11
myself. On the first of December,
1987 it arrived.
"The question of homosexuality cannot
be easily reconciled with the demands of
this post. I am quite sure it cannot be
reconciled at all in the absence of a
positive commitment to celibacy... The
Community Centre is used by many
people who because of their experiences of
prison, will find it easy to exploit what
they will see and make into a weakness ...
I am aware of the power of sexual desire; I
understand how easy it is to fall... but l
can only approach the whole subject in
the light of the Church's teaching -
repentance, forgiveness and restoration
are the specific dynamic involved, but the
underlying obedience is to chastity
within or outside marriage."
The message was dear . While compassion,
consideration and a measure
of understanding can be extended to
those who are gay, repentance is
necessary for "restoration,." and anything
other than marriage or chastity
. demands just that. Gay people who
are not celibate, in this view, are
people who consistently and continually
fall short of a received ideal
through sin, and therefore of whom
should be demanded continual repentance.
On top of that, gay people are
"vulnerable"- · subject to blackmail
and dangerous to have around,
especially in environments imagined
to be sensitive. To some this may not
seem unreasonable, but imagine how
• scandalous· it would be, for example,
· were a black ordinand turned down
for a curacy on the basis of possible
prejudice arising from a white
working class·community.
A copy of this letter was sent to the
principal of my college and to the
director of ordinands for my diocese.
I subsequently wrote to the latter
asking for .an assurance that its
contents would not be passed on to
any other diocese. He assured that it
would not, and that the letter would
be shredded on my being ordained
priest. I later discovered that information
about my sexuality had been
passed on verbally by the ODO to his
counterpart in the diocese which I did
eventually serve my title.
This episoae is worth describing not
because it is exceptional or particularly
remarkable, but because it is
symptomatic of the way in which gay
people are regularly treated in ·the ·
Church of England.
There .is a constant atmosphere of
weariness in dealing with the. non- .
married in ,,theological colleges; an
implication that Jhese : people are
potentially-;'dangerous goods' whose
personal lives; dominated as. they are
thought to be, by uncontrollable
. desires might explode into •harmful
scandal at •any. moment. .During the
peri.od in question the General Synod
. was emb.wiled in yet another debate
. -on hom~exuality. ~ Su,cjndulged
. in i~ infamous "Pulp.it Poq~;• expose,
and .. a number of. gay -priests were
. destroy,ed, or neai'~estroyed by other
l·MR·l-iM; ►fiM'i@N•·tuM·iti=Miif iii-¥fiii•'90iii-1-1
AFTER THREE YEARS 'SERVING MY TITLE' IN HULL I
NO LONGER FELT THAT I COULD CONTINUE IN
THE MINISTRY WHILST THERE REMAINED SUCH AN
UNRESOLVED CONFLICT BETWEEN MY PER~
EIVED ROLE AS A PRIEST AND MY OWN
EMOTIONAL AND SEXUAL NEEDS. I FELT THAT,
FAR FROM LIVING A LIFE OF WHOLENESS -
HOLINESS - MY PUBLIC AND PERSONAL LIVES.
WERE RADICALLY DISJOINTED.
a clergyman. Even at the end of
three years I found the black suit and
clerical collar hard to deal with, as
,well as the sidelong glances and
"witty" comments ii tended to elicit.
It's now hard for me to comprehend
the thoughts of ordinary people when
they encounter a clergyman, but
some idea can be gained from the
way priests or vicars are presented in
films and television; usually as
bumbling well-meaning incompetents
with their heads in the clouds
and little understanding of the way of
life of those whom they have been
. called to serve. They are sometimes
painfully shy, sometimes pompous,
and often shocked by the slightest
venomous attacks both media and
church inspired. One outcome was
the dismal spectacle of Anglican
bishops lining up to deny that they
had ever knowingly ordained a 1
"practicing homosexual" or had any
working in their dioceses. As any
informed person will know, only a
complete loss of mental faculties or a
deliberate intention to deny the truth
could have enabled many of them to
say as much. And .even their published
report Issues in Human
Sexuality still tries to make out a case
that gay clergy must, at all costs, be
celibate.
I wa~ ordained deacon at Petertide
· in 1988 by the Archbishop of York in
York Minster, and priest by the
Bishop ofHull almost exactly a year
later. Both were happy and moving
occasions, with lots of support from
family and friends, and . a real feeling
that I was embarking on a worthwhile
and probably life-long journey
in the Anglican ministry. And, at
first and generally speaking, I was
contented and hard~working as curate
in a suburban parish on the northern
side of the city of Hull. I had the
moral misdemeanor, as well as being
obsessed by politeness and the
avoidance of bad language at all
costs.
encouragement and friendship of a · As a clergyman working in the city
sympathetic and conscientious parish . with the lowest church-going populapriest,
and enjoyed the kindness and lion pro rata in the British Isles I was
warmth of a mixed and growing still aware of this perception. The fact
church community. So what went that I was young, enjoyed a drink
wrong, and why, at the end of three and was not easily shocked seemed a
years, do I now feel unable to return source of endless amazement to
to serve the Church with whom I had people outside the Church itself who
invested so much energy and so couldn't conceive of a priest without
many expectations? Certainly I feel white hair ·and a patronizing manner.
no sense of bitterness or pique against In the Church it was on the whole
those to whom and with whom I better. Most in the congregation
ministered - ordinary and extrao'r- treated me as an individual, and
dinary people who in one way or because I was a very different person
another had found a home in the from my boss I attracted some who he
Church of England. Nor do I feel didn't and of course vice versa. And
resentful towards my vicar or the again, many had known a whole
bishops, who were usually helpful series of curates and therefore had no
and patient. As to my colleagues in illusions about the lack of frailty in
the ministry, some I liked and some I young priests!
found less likeable, as in any As to my homosexuality, however,
profession. that was a completely no go area. To
From a personal point of view my be human and have failings was
underlying anxiety was, I think, acceptable. To be homosexual was
expressed in my unease over the role quite out of the question. Or perhaps
of a priest in the parish and the local more exactly to be homosexual and to
community. What was I there for and say 50 was the real taboo. There's no
did I have a real job to do? From the doubt that some people had their
beginning I was extremely self- private opinions about my unmarried
conscious of the image I presented as state at the age of 28, and probably
most of them were not particularly
bothered or interested. What would
have been shocking would have been
IN THE EYES OF MOST GAY PEOPLE THE CHURCH
THUS SEEMS RIDICULOUS, OUTDATED AND, YES,
DQWNRIGHT IMMORAL IN THE WAY_IT TREATS
.ORDINARY MEN AND WOMEN WHO WISH TO
.PU.RSUE A FRE~LY CHOS.EN VISION AND VOCAfor
me to proclaim publicly what at
most was believed generally should
have remained an intensely personal
and private matter - a burden to bear
solitarily or with the help of a few
close friends . And in the end, for
someone who has been brought up to
believe (and whose Christian understanding
has reinforced) that integrity
and honesty are two of the most
profound · and vital principles, ,it was
ultimately too much too bear. , .' TION. IT IS, NO WONDER THAT MOST LESBIANS - .- ' ·-. .-' . . . ,· . . . ... ~
· ·.·_,AN.D-GAY1MEN HAVE.LONGA.C;,O TURNED TH.EIR
BACK ON AN INSTITUTION WHICH-HAS,NO REAL ' •• ' ( • ' . • • • • · ' l . • •
PL-AC~ FOR THEM EXCEPT ,A$ _ 'REPEtiHANT
SINNERS.'
It is a small comfort to me'. that I
never in fact denied my . sexuality in
so .many words . · But neither,.was I
able-to contradict the received opinion
'that l was either heterosexual or
•asexual. I. remember at one time
,being;asked by a visiting worshipper
whether-I was married, and before I
could, reply.•one of our own congre-
. · SEE' COVER STORY, Page 12
Second Stone-July/A11g1111, 1993~[j]
- ------ ---- - - - - - - - - -
---------------~n=ii=f=i•M~••ildUS•i•IN•IM1Aiii•i=@i; ..
COVER STORY, From Page 10
gation had chipped i!1 that, "Oh no,
Father Parry has only JUSt come out of
college," as if I had been kept in holy
isolation for years on end and would
have not had time yet even to
consider the more intimate side of
life. My sexuality was in the context
of the parish very much my affair.
My being gay was very much my
problem . It is integral to the person I
am, and most probably without it I
would never have found myself an
ordained inan in the first place. But it
was almost entirely mine to deal
with, and in a situation in which
working hours and parish commitments
curtailed most socializing
which others take for granted, I was
thrown largely back on myself for
support and reassurance. Although I
was not without gay friends, some of
the loneliest and most isolating times
of my life were spent during my
three years as a airate in Hull.
In such circumstances the obvious
place to look for friendship and acceptance
would seem likely to be
amongst those who shared ones
sexuality . Yet this was problematical.
For one thing many clergymen,
especially of an older generation,
would simply refuse of admtt there
was a problem or. even an issue here.
Sexual desires for members of ones
own sex was simply a quirk or divine
trick or burden which it was up to the
individual to deal with, mayoe with
the help of a very close friend_ or two.
It had nothing .to do with the
essentials of the faith, and 0ordinary"
people could not be expected to
appreciate or understand 11. Therefore
the primary objective was to
keep it under wraps at all costs. At
one meeting of the Hull Deanery
Synod a prominent and ambitious
local rector welcomed the fact that the
General Synod had declined a
pernicious attempt by a pressure
group to have clergy sexuality ~is~
cussed with a view to outlawing
certain gay priests, on the grounds
that St. Paul had told us to banish all
thoughts of "evil things" from our
minds! As far as he was concerned it
didn't matter what tactics or reasoning
were employed as long as the
dreaded subject was kept off the
agenda. For him and for many
others like him it was just too close to
home .
Amongst younger priests attitudes
were more mixed. Many are relatively
confident and self-respecting on
· a personal and social level, and use
support networks _of friends_and ~olleagues
in order to counter 1solati~n
and insecurities. But beyond that, m
their professional capacity, they ~re
almost entirely unable to defme
themselves as gay, or even to bring
the issue into open discussion for fear
of the probable consequences . · At a
time when hardly any of the b!shops
are willing to even admit the
presence of "practicing homosexuals" rm Second Stone-July/ August, 1993
THE CHURCH CONSISTENTLY CLAIMS TO OPERATE
IN THE· WORLD BUT NOT TO BE OF THE
WORLD. ITS ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE BASIC
RIGHTS OF LESBIAN AND GAY PEOPLE SHOWS
THAT IT IS IN TOTAL SUBJECTION TO THE PREJUDICES
AND UNINFORMED OPINIONS WHICH
SOCIETY IN GENERAL CLINGS TO.
amongst their clergy, and feel bound
increasingly to defend the perceived
status quo, a single letter or phone
call from a parishioner (or worse, . an
article in a local newspaper) can cause
havoc for a priest's ministry . While a
clergyman I myself was asked to
appear on a morning television chat
show to debate the subject of gay
clergy. I could · not agree to do so, .
because of the possible repercussions
for · my vicar, the parish and for
myself. No serving clergyman could
be found who would agree to speak
openly about his sexuality on such a
public stage, and it is symptomatic
that the honesty and courage of
Michael Peet (Times interview,
Decemeber 4, 1992) has thus been
treated with such wonder and
applause .
Many gay priests battle courageously
on, maintaining a remarkable
integrity in the face of prejudice,
ignorance and lack of institutional or
pastoral support.
Many are the Church 's most loyal
servants, the most conscientious and
diligent in their daily work, and the
most thoroughly grounded in their
prayer Jives and theological understanding.
Yet the living of a life
which near its center bears such a
burden as homosexuality has been
made to be by the Church in general,
cannot be continued without cost. . Dr.
Ben Fletcher, in his Clergy Under
Stress (Mowbray, 1990) presents
disturbing evidence that stress levels
are considerably higher amongst gay
clergy persons, and that this is
· directly related to an inability to
share a vital and integral aspect of
themselves with those to whom they
have been called to minister. ·
After three years "serving my title"
in Hull I no longer felt that I could
continue in the ministry while there
remained such an unresolved conflict
between my perceived role as a priest
and my own emotional and sexual
needs . I felt that, far from living a
life of wholeness - holiness - my
public and personal lives were
radically disjointed. I lacked the basic
integrity which could only come from
my being able to be myself as a
priest and a gay man.
The subject of homosexuality and
the Christian way of life is one which
has generated a great deal of
verbiage, and a considerable quantity
of anguished debate in public a~d
private. Yet for the average lesbian
or gay man the problem is largely
incomprehensible. We all know that
we make good doctors, lawyers,
salespeople, accountants, cleaners,
and so on. Most of us know at least
one exemplary clergy man or woman
whose sexuality is a positive and
creative plank in their ministry. Yet
.the Church, that body of people who
are supposed to stand up for truth,
integrity, acceptance and so on,
• cannot bring itself to accept the
obvious; that there is nothing integral
to being an actively gay person
THE QUESTION OF GAY CLERGY IS THEREFORE A
DEEPLY MORAL QUESTION, AND ONE WHICH
STRIKES AT THE HEART OF WHAT IT MEANS TO BE
. A CHRISTIAN AND WHAT IT REALLY COSTS TO
STAND UP FOR THE DOWNCAST AND
OPPRESSED, AS OPPOSED TO JUMPING ON
FASHIONABLE BANDWAGONS.
which makes one unfit for Christian
ministry . In the eyes of most gay
people the Church thus seems ridiculous,
outdated and, yes, downright
immoral, in the way it treats ordinary
men and women who wish to pursue
a freely chosen vision and vocation.
It is no wonder that most Lesbians
and Gays have long ago turned their
back on an institution which has no
real place for them except as
"repentant sinners."
The Church consistently claims to
operate in the world but not to be of
the world. Its attitude towards the
basic rights of lesbian and gay people
shows that it is in total subjection to
the prejudices and uninformed opinions
which society in general clings
. to . When it comes to the bottom line
the reason many priests and ·bishops
simply will not speak out on the
subject has little to do with personal
convictions and far more to do with
their terror of "what people will
think" and how the world outside will
judge them. The question of gay
clergy is therefore a deeply moral
question, and one which strikes at the
heart of what it means to be a
Christian and what it really costs to
stand up for the downcast and
oppressed, as opposed to jumping on
fashionable bandwagons.
My experience as a gay man and as
a clergy man has been painful. I
blame myself as wen as the Church
for not accepting reality; for hoping
that things would tum out alright in
the end . I am saddened that the
church shows no sign of repenting, of
apologizing to Lesbians and Gays for
what it has done to them over the
centuries, and of courageously welcoming
their precious insights and
contributions openly and honestly
instead of covertly and deceitfully.
Two gay men have contacted me to
recount how they were denied . the
chance to test their vocation in the
ordained ministry purely because
they refused to lie abou .t their sexuality.
I am convinced that they are
only the tip of an iceberg, and
equally sure that such experiences
point to the real scandal about
homosexuality and the clergy; not of
course, that it exists, but that there
remains a pernicious policy to deny
that fact and to prevent self-respecting
Lesbians . and Gays from gaining
access to positions of authority in the
Church. While personally I shall not
be returning to full-time Christian
ministry, it is my prayer and hope
that the Church will begin to cease
collaborating in the persecution of my
lesbian and gay brothers and sisters,
will begin to treat human beings with
the respect they deserve, and will in
doing so become more open, more
accepting and more acceptable to
those it has done so much to alienate.
Excerpted with permission from the
Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement
Member's Newsletter, Oxford House,
· Derbyshire St., London E2 6HG.
T Sounds T · ............................................... . • ....................... .
Voices from MCC/DC
"God Is Greater" for Witness
Witness,· a musical evangelism
team based out of the Metropolitan
Community Church of
Washington, D.C., has released
their second album, "God Is
Greater." This musical ministry is
made up of musicians and singers
who travel the country sharing their
original music as well as praise and
worship concerts and seminars . "God
Is Greater" consists of ten- original
songs including "Jesus Is the Final
Word," "Hold On To the Gospel," "I
Will Not Compromise" and "We
Come Before You," which was
recently published as · a choral anthem
by Fred Bock Publishing. Song styles
range from contemporary Christian to
country and western.
MCC Washington plans to release
its second album, "Celebrate Jesus,"
by Christmas. It will feature the 60-
voice combined Victory Choir, Gospel
Choir and orchestra.
"I believe that God has given us an
opportunity to utilize the talent within
the gay and lesbian Christian community
to produce quality professional
music that will edify and
encourage our brothers and sisters in
their faith walk, and also allow our
testimony to shine for the rest of the
world to see and hear," Jarrett said.
Witness will be in concert at MCC
Kansas City, Missouri on July 16th
and First MCC of Kansas in Wichita
on July 17th. They will be in Phoenix
for the UFMCC General Conference'
July 18-23. _ "God has abundantly blessed the
music !Ilinistry of MCC Washington
over the past two years," said Dale
Jarrett, Director of Music Ministry.
"Witness is a reconciliation ministry.
Reconciliation of the gay, lesbian and
bisexual community back to God,
through Jesus Christ, without condemnation,
and reconciliation back to
the rest of the Body of Christ."
Information about Witness Praise
Ministries, concerts and seminars, is
available by writing to Witness, cf o
MCC Washington, 474 Ridge St.,
NW, Washington, DC 20001 or by
calling (202)638-7373. Cassettes of
Witness' albums "Jesus Is Lord of All"
and "God Is Greater" are available for
$12 each from the same address.
Witness: God Is Greater
25th year anniversary for popular hymn
New CD, video from Marsha Stevens
Marsha Stevens, who put the
pen to the popular hymn "For
Those Tears I Died" 25 years
ago, is celebrating that anniversary
with a new release, "I Still
Have A Dream," available on tape
and CD. The title cut is a song written
by Stevens and Danny Ray for the
1993 March on Washington, recalling
words from Dr. Martin Luther King's
speech from the historic Washington
march for civil rights for .African-
Marsha Stevens: I Still Have A Dream
Americans. The new album also features
a special 25th anniversary year
arrangement of "For Those Tears I
Died" orchestrated by Chris Lobdell.
Stevens began her musical career at
the age of 16, when she wrote "For
Those Tears I Died" (or "Come to the
Water") which has been included in
almost every church hymnal published
since 1972. She sang and
toured for nine years with the Christian
folk group, The Children of the
Day. The group made six albums for
which Marsha composed most of the
songs. During this time she also sang
and did back-up vocals on several of
the "Maranatha" and "Praise" albums
and toured in the United States,
Canada, Europe and Israel. Her
songs are played in countries from
South Africa to Japan and have been
translated into dozens of different
languages including such former Iron
Curtain countries as Hungary and
Czechoslovakia . The American Society
of Composers, Authors and
Publishers has included her in their
Who's Who in American Music.
Stevens came out as a born again
lesbian 13 years ago. She spent most
of her first five years out sorting and
establishing her new life. Then,
eight years ago, she began singing
and wr-iting again, this time as a
ministry to the gay and lesbian
Christian community.
She has two solo albums to her
credit. The first, "Free to Be," is all
original material written by Stevens
and composed by her and two of her
chief collaborators, Ken Caton and
LeRoy Dysart. The second is 'The
Best is Yet to Come" which, with the
exception of one rearranged hymn, is
all original compositions by Marsha,
Ken and LeRoy and her most recent
collaborator, Danny Ray, Minister of
Music at Cathedral of Hope MCC,
Dallas, Texas. Ray is also responsible
for the spectacular orchestra and vocal
arrangements on the new tape and
CD.
Both albums were released on the
BALM (Borrt Again Lesbian Music)
label, a publishing and recording
company owned by Marsha Stevens
and - her lover, Suzanne McKeag.
McKeag currently handles Stevens'
concert bookings and much of the
publishing and recording business
and tours on the road with Stevens.
The two reside in Costa Mesa,
California, and belong to MCC Los
Angeles. Marsha has two children,
Naomi, 20, just back from a year in
Germany on an exchange student
scholarship, and Johnny, 18, who is
already active in music and youth
ministry which he plans to make his
career.
Second Stone-July/August, 1993 [I[]
Videos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . ..................... -· .............. , ... .
Pastoral bereavement counseling ·
Ministry to the _bereaved
By Rev. Richard 8 . Gilbert
Contributing Writer
rick DelZoppo is a name
ociated with quality care and
ucation, innovative teaching,
grief therapy, and, above all,
the determination and skill to awaken ·
the religious community (which can
·. li;- ~I ,~ :~( _
,~ ,. ' -~.-~i t1 I -- ~
• '• "I..,. .
~ ,blaniJ.6~n A Lesbian Paradise .. .-
' On 100 beautiful acres.with
pool, hot tub, skiing and mo~.
Innkeepers Judith Hall and
Grace Newman invite you to
write or call for a brochure.
P. 0 . B ox · 118 SL
Bethle.hem, NH 03574
(603) 869-3978
...
■
'
' i
be strongly resistant and fearful) to its
mandatory (it is part of the work of
the church, and all religious com- ·
munities) call to ministry to and for
the bereaved .
That DelZoppo is called an
"honorary priest" in the small parish
where he helps out (as if he didn 't
have enough _to do), demonstrates
how clearly he un derstands and
empathizes with the needs of God's
people , and manages to reac h
through to them despite the frequent
resistance offered by the . church.
Further, the steady stream of clergy
who seek him out not only for
rofessional guidance and training,
ut on issues that touch the heart and
soul, reinforce tha t this person, and,
thus, th.is video, will also speak to the
clergy who so clearly need to address
their own issues of grief, and "get
going" in grief ministry .
The video is a bargain at any hrice
(especially at $29.95), but do n't t ink
there is anything cheap about this
video. It is a quality presentation,
content, setting, technical skill, music,
as DelZoppo teaches us in profound
■
Let a new light
shine for someone
you love.
Second Stone is a gift of love, comfort, inspiration and •
resolution for friends and family who may be in doubt,
despair, isolation or suffering illness. Give the special
people in your life the gift of Second Stone. We'll take
it from there. ·
FROM:
Yes ... ., ....
Please send a gift """"'
subscription and card OJy SW, 7Jp
in my name to th~ - Name
person(s) listed: Addttss
I l Orie gift, $15. , 911'
I ] Two gifts, $29 - Zip
[ ] Three gifts, $42 ~gnGlftClrd
Add $10 for each Name
· foreign subscriber. Addttss
U.S. currency. <lty
PAYM!Nf
ENa.DSED: - Zip
S!gnG~c.ant
Use additional sheet for more gifts. B~x 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182
■ ■
[i4.J Second Stone-July/August, 1993
ways, but yet comes across as one
· who is simply sitting with us in a
comfortable setting, teaching, sharing,
listening and comforting.
This video covers these subjects
very thoroughly. While . speaking
clearly from the Christian perspective
("Jesus invites them to share their
grief story ... "), it is his understanding
of spirituality that enables this video
·to reach all who want to find help in
grief. From this spiritual foundation
he discusses: 1) understanding the
nature of grief, bereavement and
mourning, 2) dynamic s of the grief
response, 3) factors that deterrlline the
mourning process, 4) principles of
bereavement counseling, 5) bereav ement
crisis intervention , and 6)
pastoral ministry with the bereaved.
A special feature of this video is
that, as profound as it is in content, I
never felt lectured, but rather spoken
to and -shared with. The content is
solid, what we need to hear (whether
we be the caregiver or ·the one in
need of care), and presented in a
manner that allows the caregiver and .
the griever to learn and share
California
NcwYort
llllnoit
Tnu ......... ,.
Florida
PcruuylYanil
Ohio
Wast.1111on
Miclliran
Milll\CSOl:t
NcwJft$q1
Colorado
DC
Arizona
Miuouri
Louisi1n1
Wisconsin
NorUl ClNli l'II
Maryhnd
Fo~ ign COUltrits
Orcson
Ocorgia
Indiana
Conntclictll
T"""'~
Al1blm 1
Kentucky "~
"'= ~DlllhCunh na
NewMu:ico
Hawaii
01o:l1ho1111
Miniqif'P
Vir~ nla
We:s!Virginia
Maine
Nebrub
Alt;,n•-U
Vnmont
Oclawue
Rhock lshnd
Utat.
Noada
Ncwllampshire
Aluh
Monlana
hbllo
N9"II_D1ko1 1
Wycmne:
19.-9
1024
~~~
"' 423
"' "' "' m
~~~
"' "' "' m
"' '" ' " . 183
"' \7,& .
'" '" '" "' "' "' " 93
" " " 67
" " " ~~
" " " " " " "
We've
added up
the reasons
you should be
advertising In
Second Stone.
II your business offers
products or services to
the nalional gay and
lesbian community, we
know some people
who are interested!
Rach paid ••blcrib«r
In ev,ry state for /111
than th• cost of adv«•
tising)n on, loc•I rm.
distribu#on g,yAesbi,n
publication.
FREE LA \'out AND
PROOF SERVICE.
i~ Call or FAX k>r assistance.
'/ (504)899-4014
l FAX (504)891-7555 P11moR1co
USVJ
South 0.1.:oia ' ' +
=11, 115
readers
We reserve the right to refuse any ad for any reason.
together. .
While not getting caugh~ up in
church jargon, De!Zoppo strongly
advo cates for the trained pastoral
bereavement counselor . Many of
these people are the effective caregivers
who emerge from a particular
journey (loss) and are able to bring
that journey experience to others.
Note, trained. It is all too easy for the
church to "draft" volunteers, use and
abuse them, and, · when they have
nothing left, to dismiss them. Sound
harsh? It does happen . DelZoppo is
r ecognizing the importance of volunteers
emerging from the trenches
of life's experiences. He is stressing
the importance of quality training,
and provides that training. He is also
reminding us that, while clergy must
become more involved and more
effective (rather than running away
Many of these
people are the
effective caregivers
who emerge from a
particular journey
(loss) and are able
to bring that
journey experience
to others.
or otherwise being "too busy"), the
fact is that clergy cannot do everything,
be all things to all people. In
some ways, the best that clergy can
do (even when they are very
competent) is to be good generalists
facilitating the work of others who
have more time and resource s to
·bring to the bereaved .
Careful review of this video shows
a story or text emerging around various
themes or issues. This makes for
easy points of divide, so that • the
video can be used in smaller "does"
as a tea ching tool or personal
resource.
Make this video available to your
religious leaders, and the lay leaders
or your religious community . Make
-it available to _ people doing grief
work, and those on that long, tough
journey.
For information on this video,
contact St. Paul Center, 145 Clinton
Ave ., Staten Island, NY 10301, (718)
720-3363.
The Rev. Richard Gilbert is Director of
Pastoral Services, Porter Memorial Hospital,
Valparaiso, Indiana.
In Pririt ~ ................................... -~ •.•
A Certain Terror: Heterosexism, Militarism, Violence & Change
Crossing barriers of race,. class,
gendera nd_s exualo rientation
ByJ ohnnyT ownsend
Contributing Writer
This anthology, A Certain Terror:
Heterosexism, Militarism,
Violence & Change, published
by the American Friends Service
Committee (the Quakers) is
thoughtful and stimulating. Its
"focus," as can be seen in the title, is
rather broad, trying to eliminate not
just the "major" oppression but all
oppression, not wanting to privilege
one kind of discrimination over
another. The focus then becomes the
need to build coalitions among members
of every oppressed group, and
the editors feel this can only be
accomplished if we have some kind of
understanding of these other groups.
Hence the variety of essays discussing
numerous forms of oppression -
racism, sexism, heterosexism, classism,
patriarchy - and how feminists,
Lesbians and gay men often promote
one or another type of oppression
while fighting their own. The editors
hope that by realizjng the ,harm we
are doing, we can amend our
behavior and learn to work together.
boes the book work? One very
nice feature that helps ensure this is
that at the end of each essay there are
several discussion questions. All but
a few of the essays ar~ short enough
to read aloud in a group, ~aking the
volume useful for cfasses or discussion
group.s Theq uestionhse lpf ocus the
audience on the key issues raised,
and help the readers or listeners not
just to read the material and go on,
but to stop long enough to let the
ideas sink in or be confronted. The
book then is probably more successful
for a group than for an individual
reader, though even reading alone,
one can still obviously gain from
becoming aware of the various perspectives.
There are a nul]lber of big-name
QUOTABLE
There are further interesting views
on . assimilation. Many of us who
w.tnt to be "good" have been
socialized to feel that fitting in and
being approved shows t.hat we're .
good, but Harry Hay, who calls
assimilation "middle class drag,'.' and
others point out that conforming to an
oppressive culture would mean We
were enough like our oppressors that
we could only help· promote the
oppression that already exists against
so many groups.
We are also warned against trying
to use our "victim" status to try to
create a position of power because of
the inherent contradiction involved,
• and those who do enjoy some higher
degree of class, race, or gender status
. are urged not to feel the guilt often
heaped on them for their status.
"Your privilege is not a reason for
guilt," writes Audre Lorde, "it is a
part of your power, to be used in
support of those things you believe."
(256)
There are, naturally, with so many
ideas and points of view, inevitably a
few which will rankle almost any
reader, though the "problematic"
essays will change depending on the
reader. As a white gay male raised
in the middle class, it is obvious that
my status (all of which was beyond
my control in my socialization - note
the knee-jerk defense) gives ample
SEE BOOKS, Page 20
Order Your
"GODL OVEYSO UB" utton!
2H1/O4"T ~-- I $20•0
PINK . !. . . (EACH)
Send order and check to:
Val Williams
6460 Meml)his Ave.
Pensacola, FL 32526
Great for Fundraisers!
Ask about large order
Discounts
MALCHUS
"When one door of happiness
closes, another opens; but often
we look so long at the closed
door that we do not see the one
that has been opened for us.
-Helen Keller
contributors to the anthology. Audre
Lorde, John D'Emilio, Allison Bechdel,
bell hooks, Donn.t Minkowitz,
Donelan, Harry Hay, and over 30
others of lesser fame but still of merit.
The book is divided into several
sections to help organize the views of
so many people: Aims and Outlooks,
Sexualities and Identities, Militarism
and Violence, and Strategies and
Visions. Richard Cleaver offers an
excellent historical overview on how
militarism affected the early gay
movement. Barbara Epstein shows
how Lesbians have historically been
major directors of many peace and
environmental movements. Lesbian& GayC hristianM onthly
Jane Meyerding explains how
anti-basher street patrols defuse violent
situations rather than simply
reverse the violence toward the
bashers, which would still be promoting
a victor/victim ideology
which would continue to be harmful
to everyone. We have to "weaken
the structures that make this society a
complex of victimizer-victim dualities"
(277), she says.
Celebrating Faith
&
SpiritualityT hrougho urD iversity
6036R ichmonHdw y#.,3 01
AlexandrViaA, 2 2303
Subscription$s1 8.00P er Year
Second Sione-Ju.ly/August, 1993 [n]
Calendar
a • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
11ie following annauncements have been
submitted by spansorin g or affiliated
groups.
connECtion '93
JULY 2-5, Evangelicals Concerned
hosts its annual gathering. Keynote
speakers include Rev. M. Mahan
Siler, Jr., Dr. Ralph Blair, and Patricia
V. Long. The conference will be held
in the San Francisco Bay Area. For
information write to ECWR, P.O. Box
4750, Denver, CO 80204.
Gay and Lesbian
Parents Meet
JULY 2-4, Hundreds of lesbian moms,
gay dads and their children will meet
in Orlando, Florida for the 14th
annual conference of the Gay and
Lesbian Parents Coalition. "Share the
Love ... Share the Magic!" is the
theme. The Clarion Hotel is the
setting, providing opportunity to visit
the Disney attractions. For information
contact GLPCI '93, Box 561504,
Orlando, FL 32856-1504,
(407)420-2191.
National
Convocation of
Reconciling
Congregations
JULY 8-11, The Reconciling Congregations
Program hosts its 3rd National
Convocation. ''Borne of the Breath of
God: Remembering, Renewing,
Reforming, Returning" is the theme.
George Washington -University in
Washington, D.C. is the location.
Twenty workshops will be offered.
Leaders are Dr. Sally Brown Geis, Iliff
School of Theology and Dr. Tex
Sample, St. Paul School of Theology.
For information write to the RCP,
3801 N. Keeler Ave., Chicago, IL
60641, (312)736-5526.
AIDS, Medicine
and Miracles
Sixth Annual Conference themed
"Unity in Diversity: Sharing Our
Gifts" at two locations: JULY 8-11,
Berkeley, Calif., and SEPTEMBER
23-26, Rhinebeck, New York. Retreat
leaders invite all for a time of learning,
play, tears, inspiration and joy.
The conference is a forum for an array
of expert opinion and for the wisdom
of people living with HIV. There is a
balance of presentations, workshops
and creative experiences ranging
from medicine to music. For information
contacfAIDS, Medicine &
Miracles, P.O. Box 9130, Boulder, CO
80301-9130, ('.303)447-8777 or
(800)875-8770.
UCCLJGC
National
Gathering 13
JULY 12-15, Washington University
in St. Louis, Missouri, is the setting
for the 13th annual meeting of the
United Church Coalition for Lesbian/
Gay Concerns. "Unity & Diversity:
Gifts to Celebrate, Obstacles to
Overcome" is the theme. For •information
contact UCCL/ GC, 18 N.
College St., Athens, OH 45701,
(614)593-7301.
"Partners for the
Glory of God"
JULY 15-20, The Gay and Lesbian
Affirming Disciples Alliance and the
United Church Coalition for Lesbian/
Gay Concerns will sponsor joint
activities during the Christian Church
(Disdples of Christ) and the United
Church of Christ biennial General
Assembly (Disciples) and General
Synod (UCC) at the Cervantes
Convention Center in St. Louis .
Michael and Katherine Kinnamon are
Accommodations, AIDS/HIV IIOOIRU, btra, bookstoru, various buslrillSHS, hoaHh cara, llgal
servJca , organizations, pubUcatlons, rallgJous groups, •wttchboard9, theraplsts, travel ag1nts, &
much moN, tor gay woman and man.
All prices below INCLUDE FIRST CLASS POSTAGE t, USA, Canada & Maxia,, .In sealed, dsaoet
envek)pes, ~•e.rn~ 11~ we s~iCUy Q;11~enUal_.
~g;'~'FO:~~i,~:~~~~~~~~:~==a:st~~bank, pos~ble Cuslllms prc,ljansQ
~~=.i:.s~~~;~=:=~~~5:'~ ...... =ian r.~-r-1·.., Cl!l.CUSOS; plA>IJcalons: mall o,00, companiff;..,_ $12.00; OUllldo N. Anwrlca $17
:.:!.:>.::!': t=~~iii"""'" Wcmen's Seafon: Man/lallan bar l'lllaS by Jetry Fitzpa•ld<.
SOU"n!ERN/Soutllom Mldwut. 64 pages. AL, AZ, AA, FL, GA, KS, Kf, LA, MS, '-0, NM, NC, OK PR SC
TN, TX, US Virgin Islands, VA. $5.00; outside N. ArMr1c11 $1 (alrmal) ' ' '
NORTHEAST. CT, DE, DC, l,1E, WI, NH, OH, PA, RI, VT. WV. $5.00; OUlldo N. Amorita $8 (1irm1II)
RENAISSANCE HOUSE, BOX 533-SS VILLAGE STATION, NEW YORK, NY 10014-0292 (212)674-0120
l.16.J s;,.,,,nd Stone-July/August, 1993
•••••••••••••••••• • ••• 0 •••••••••••••
scheduled to speak at a Saturday
evening banquet. For infomation,
contact Randy Palmer at
(319)332~245.
Integrity National
Convention
JULY 15-18, Gay and lesbian Episcopalians
and their friends gather in
San Diego for their 19th annual meeting.
"Let Us Sow Love" is the theme
of the convention. Events will be .
held at St. Paul 's Cathedral. Featured
guests are Pamela P. Chinnis and the
Rt. Rev. Douglas E. Theuner . Attendees
will have an opportunity to
see the San Diego Pride Parade,
which goes past St. Paul's. For information
write to Integrity National
Convention, P.O. Box 34253, San
Diego, CA 92163-0810.
UFMCC's
16th General
Conference
JULY 18-25, "For All The Nations" is
the theme of this conference celebrating
the Universal Fellowship of
Metropolitan Community Church's 25
years of ministry. The conference
returns to-The Pointe at Tapatio Cliffs
in Phoenix, Arizona, site of the
immediate past UFMCC General
Conference. For registration information
write to the UFMCC, 5300
Santa Monica Blvd., Ste. 304, Los
Angeles, CA 90029.
National Lesbian
and Gay Health
Conference
JULY 21-25, More than 900 lesbian
and gay health care providers will
discuss strategies for including lesbian
and gay issues in the emerging
national health care agenda at the
15th National Lesbian and Gay
Health Conference and 11th Annual
AIDS/HTV Forum to be held at the
Hyatt Regency in downtown ·
Houston. The health conference is
sponsored by the National Lesbian
and Gay Health Foundation and The
George Washington University
Medical Center. For registration
information and a program brocl1ure
call 202-994-4285.
Summer Retreat
for Gay and
Lesbian Christians
JULY 23-25, Evangelicals Together _
sponsors a time of renewal at Grey
Squirrel Resort, Big Bear Lake,
California . Cost is $85.00. For information
contact Evangelicals Together,
Inc., Ste. 109, Box 16, 7985 Santa
Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA
90046-5186.
4th Annual
Northampton
Lesbian Festival
JULY 23-25, the popular festival
expands to 3 days this year . The
location is the Swift River Inn in
Cummington, Mass. For information
contact WOW Productions, 160 Main
St., Northampton, MA 01060,
(413)586-8251. ·
Dignity/USA
Convention
JULY 28-AUGUST 1, The national
gay and lesbian Catholic organization
holds its 11th biennial convention at
the Fairmont Hotel in New Orle~s.
"Celebrate a Living Church" is the
theme of the gathering, to which
attendees are encouraged to wear
Mardi Gras colors of green, gold and
purple . Brian McNaught is the
featured speaker . For information
contact Dignity/ USA, 1500
Massachusetts Ave., NW, Ste.11,
Washington, DC 20005,
1-800-877 -8797.
BMG
Hospitality House
AUGUST 14-21, The Brothers of the
Mercy of God sponsor a week by the
ocean, -summer fun, and sharing life's
experience. The setting is an authentic
New England farmhouse in
Matunuck, R.I. The atmosphere is
relaxed, prayerful and joyous. For
information write to Bros. of the
Mercy of God, P.O. Box 6502,
Providence, RI 02940.
Parliament of the
World's Religions
AUGUST 28-SEPTEMBER 5, a major
interfaith gathering with many of the
world's religions represented.
Exhibits, performances, lectures and
presentations, interfaith dialogues,
children's programs and meetings of
specialized groups. The Council for a
Parliament of the World's .Religions
says "All are welcome to gather in
Chicago in 1993 to listen to one
another, to be challenged to find new
ways of living together, and to seek
new visions for the future." For
information write to: Parliament of
the World's Religions, P.O. Box 1630,
Chicago, IL 60690.
SEE CALENDAR, Next Page
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
AIDS claims Randy Engstrom
llRANDY C. ENGSTROM died
peacefully on May 20 at Swedish Hospital
in Seattle from complications of
AIDS. Engstrom was instrumental in
starting the Seattle chapter of Evangelicals
Concerned, now called Directions
Northwest, and was voted a
lifetime member in recognition of his
many years of devotion to the organization.
He was · also a founding
member of Grace Gospel Chapel,
served as board president, and for
many years devoted much of his time
and energy to the life of the church .
Randy had a profound impact on the
spiritual life of many in the gay and
CALENDAR, From Page 16
4th Annual
Rhytho,Fest
SEPTEMBER 2-6, a celebration of
women's music, art and politics to be
held in a new location in the Blue
Ridge Mountains near Asheville,
North Carolina. For information
contact RhythmFest, 957 N. Highland
Ave., NE, Atlanta, GA 30306,
(404)873-1551.
First International
TEN Conference
SEPTEMBER 3-5, The Evangelical
Network, based in Phoenix, Ariz .,
holds its first international conference
in Vancouver, B.C., under the .
auspices of Liberty Community
Church. Sessions and workshops will
address such topics as "Healing the
Hurls We Don't Deserve," Handling
Your Hormones," "Coupling Concerns
for Gay Christians," "Mourning
Song," and ''The SI<.illed Caregiver."
The weekend will climax with a
communion service ar\d the lighting
of an AIDS vigil candle. For information
contact 11201-6380 Clarendon
Str., Vancouver, B.C. V5S 2J9 Canada,
(604)321-4633.
P-FLAG Annual -
Convention
SEPTEMBER 3-6, The 12th Annual
International Convention of Parents
and Friends of Lesbians and Gays
will be held in New Orleans Labor
Day weekend at the Sheraton Hotel
on Canal Street. "Celebrating Family
- New Orleans Style" is the theme. A
variety of workshops will be offered.
Featured speakers include Congressman
Gerry E. Studds and Mitzi
Henderson, P-FLAG president and a
leader in the Presbyterian Church's
More Light Churches Network.
Entertainer Lynn Lavner will kick off
the conference with a Friday night
Noteworthy T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... • ·• ...................... .
lesbian community . He was preceded
in death by his mother, Quida,
and is survived by his father, Rev.
Morris Engstrom of Everett, and his
sister, Louise Mori of Sacramento. A
memorial service was held June 1 at
Grace Gospel Chapel in Seattle.
Memorials may be made to Directions
Northwest, Randy Engstrom Scholarship
Fund, P.O. Box 20189, Seattle,
WA 98102.
Rev. Jacobsen passes
llREV. MICHAEL PAUL JACOBSEN
died April 25 in Chicago at the age of
46. He was a long-time member of
concert. For information contact New
Orleans P-FLAG, P.O. Box 15485,
New Orleans, LA 70175.
D/gni!y/Chicago's ministry team, and
'One of the first clergy to testify on
behalf of Illinois' stat _e gay and
lesbian civil rights legislation. Jacobsen
was ordained a Roman Catholic
priest in 1973, and served in several
parishes around _ Chicago and its
suburbs. He wore his Roman collar
proudly in the city's gay and lesbian
pride parade, and received the
Humanitarian of the Year award from
Gay Chicago Magazine for his service to
the community during the 7_0's.
Father Michael supported Dignity/
Chicago in its rejection of Ca rdinal
Joseph Bernardin 's attempt to take
over Dignity's weekly service. He
is the only national management
training conference designed to help
community-based organizations
become more effective. The Hyatt
Regency in New Orleans is the set- _
ting. Attendees will have the oppor- A ff i rm ati On tunity, at extra cost, to attend the
N.- t• I Project Lazarus Halloween party, a a I Ona costume-mndatory fundraising Conference party. Forinformat ioncontact
SEPTEMBER 17-l 9, Affirmation: Gay National Skills Building Confer~nce,
d Le b' M h Id .1 lSth 300 Eye St., NE, Ste. 400, Washmg-
-an s 1an ormons o s 1 s _ ton DC 20002-4389
annual national conference. Gay _and _·.•:, _ _ ' . ·
Lesbian Mormons as well as their -· · _ ,. l~ •i,'t'-'-
supportive family and friends are · ,; ·
invited to attend . For one weekend RE-imagining/
each year, gay Mormons from all
· over the United States and several Churches in
foreign countries meet to celebrate
being gay/lesbian as well as their Solidarity with
Mormon heritage . This year, the San W ·
Diego chapter of Affirmation is - 0 men
hosting the event at lhe Kona Kai NOVEMBER 4-7, A global theo-
Resort on San Diego's Shelter Island. logical conference by women for
Keynote speaker is D. Michael women and men. Re-imagining
Quinn . A highlight of the weekend God, creation, Jesus, churcl1 as
will be the harbor cruise. For spiritual institution, arts/ cl1Urch,
information call (619)283-8810. language/word, ethics/work/minis-
. try, community, sexuality /family,
Tour of Israel
SEPTEMBER 22-0CTOBER 8, Royal
Menorah Adventures coordinates a
tour of Israel for gay and lesbian
travelers, escorted by Bible student
and previous Israeli resident Daniel
Mark. $2850 per person, sharing twin
accommodations. Contact Royal
Tours, 1742 E. Broadway, Long
Beach, CA 90802, (310)983-7370.
National Skills
Building
Conference
OCTOBER 31-NOVEMBER 3, the
largest gathering of front line AIDS
workers in the country. Sponsored
by the AIDS National Inferfaith Net work,
the National Association of
People with AIDS, and the National
Minority AIDS Council, the gathering ·
church as worshipping community.
Featuring many presenters including
Mary E. Hunt and Virginia Ramey
Mollenkott. The Minneapolis Convention
Center is th e setting. Contact
· Rev. Sally Hill, 122 W. Franklin
Ave., Room 100, Minneapolis, MN
55404, (612)870-3600, fax
(612)870-3663.
Creating
Change 1993
NOVEMBER 12-14, The National
Gay and Lesbian Task Force has
announced that keynote speakers for·
· its sixth annual Creating Change
conference, to be held in Durham,
N.C.; will be Mab Segrest, Dr .
Franklin Kameny and Dr. Marjorie J.
Hill . For information on this
conference contact NGLTF, 173414th·
St., NW, Washington, DC 20009,
(202)3.32-6483.
was a walking library of Dignity/
USA history, and one of only three
peo!)le to_ have attended every
D1gruty national convention since the
founding of the organization in 1969.
PLGC named beneficiary
of major trust
l>PRESBYTERIANS FOR LESBIAN
and Gay Concerns has been named
the end beneficiary of the income _
from a major Charitable Remainder
Annuity Trust. The trust has been
established with the Presbyterian
Church (USA) Foundation by Howard
and Mary Ann Jacob of Dallas, Texas,
Jong-time members of PLGC. Mr.
and Mrs. Jacob will receive income
from the trust until the death of the
surviving spouse. Ther eafter, the
trust will be permanentlyinvested by
the -Foundation with income to be
paid to PLGC. The Jacobs have asked
that PLGC use the income for "ministries
of justice and advocacy for
members of the Presbyterian Church
(USA)." Following the lifetime of the
donors, the trust will be known as the
Howard W. and Mary Ann Jacob
Memorial Fund . Howard and Ann
Jacob are elders in Bethany Presbyterian
Church of Dallas, a More Light
congregation. Howard is former
Trustee of the Presbyterian Church
(USA) Foundation and a current
Trustee of the United Presbyterian
Foundation of the Synod of the Sun.
Ann is a former Trustee of the Grace
Presbyterian Foundation . Both are
active leaders in local social justice,
peacemaking and ministries with the
poor and hungry.
New community center
for San Francisco
llMCC SAN FRANCISCO has dedicated
a ne .w com~unity center to
provide meeting space for lesbian,
gay and HIV groups as part of its
23rd anniversary celebration.
Cash donation enables
church to buy building
LIA CASH DONATION of $203,150
has made it possible for MCC New
York to purchase its first building .
"It's truly an answer to prayer," said
Rev. Pat Bumgardner, pastor. The
donor has attended worship at
MCC-NY only once in the seven
years that Rev. Bumgardner has
known him, but he made previous
donations to MCC-NY's food pantry
and homeless shelter, as well as other
lesbian and gay organizations . MCCNY
signed a contract in late April for
a three-story church building in midtown
Manhattan at 446 W. 36th St.,
and hoped to close the deal this
summer . It has worship space for
200. The donation was made in bills
no larger than hundreds, requiring
several tellers to count it.
SEE NOTEWORlHY, Page 18
Second Stone-July/August, 1993 [izJ
NOTEWORTHY From Page 17
Anderson Foundation
honors five
llJUSf DAYS BEFORE leaving for the
history-making March on Washington,
five community activists for AIDS
education, gay and lesbian rights and
women's interests received telephone
calls telling them they had won the
no-strings Stonewall Awards of
$25,000 "for achievement for gay and
lesbian America." The winners,
announced by the Anderson Prize
Foundation o{ Chicago: Earnest Hite,
Second Stone will run your 30
word classified ad in our next
3 issues for the price of 1 !
$10.50
Our classifieds work! Meet a new customer
for your business ... a new friend in a city
you'll be visiting soon ... a new pen pal... the
possibilities are exciting! Second Slone
classifieds reach readers in eve,y state and
many foreign countries. Use the order form
on the classified page and include classification,
months to run and billing address. Ads
must be pre-paid 20 word minimum. Each
additional word, 35¢.
Ads may be faxed to {504)891-7555.
Ads billed must be paid prior to publication.
For help call (504)899-4014.
No sexually explicit ads.
We reseive lhe Tight to refuse any ad for any reason.
- -Coming Out
means telling the truth
about our lives ...
a family value
we can live with.
~ -· Please give generously to the most
effective campaign
our community will ever wage.
NATIONA!::COMING OUT DAY•
OCT0BER11
PO Box 8270, SANTA FE, NM 87504-8270
50~982•2558
Your contnbutlon is. tax-deductibl@ [lg; Second Stone-July/August, 1993
Chicago, co-founder and president of
Image Plus, a support organization
targeting African-American gay and
lesbian youth, and HOPE Project, an
AIDS education program; Pat
Norman, San Francisco, executive dir-·
ector of the California AIDS Intervention
Training Center; Suzanne
Pharr, Little Rock, a community
action strategi_st who has spent most of
the last year working against the
Religious Right's anti-gay legislation
in Oregon, where the legislation was
defeated; and, sharing a prize,
Edward Sedarbaum, Queens, New
York, founder of Queens Gays and
Lesbians United, who leads programs
to sensitize police about the gay and
lesbian community; and his
companion, Howard Cruse, pioneering
gay and underground cartoonist.
The Anderson Prize Foundation is
funded by the estate of the late Paul
A. Anderson.
New church group
planted in New Zealand
t.FOR THE PAST 18 months, two
dedicated women have regularly
journeyed 80 miles each way to
attend MCC services in Auckland .
Lyn Hare and Iris Saggers felt it was
time to bring MCC ministry closer to
home, in Hamilton, New Zealand.
Following much prayer and dis- .
cussion with the Coordinator of
UFMCC Church Extension, it was
decided to open a Mission Outreach
For your convenience
you may now FAX:
EDITORIAL
•letters to the Editor
•Newscllps
•Calendar items
SUBSCRIPTION
SERVICES
•New subscriptions
•Renewals
•Gift subscriptions
•Address changes
ADVERTISING
•Classified ads
•Insertion orders or
space reservations
(504)891-7555
in the community. 'The group
· wanted to be clear in its focus for
1993, which was to meet the needs of
existing MCCers in Waikato ·as well
as those who had previously
expressed an interest in MCC but
found Auckland too far to travel,"
said the Rev. Elder Willem Hein who
attended the first service. 'There was
a clear feeling that, in order to have
the shelter of an MCC tree in
Waikato, the roots had to be there
first."
Sacramento churchelps
Russia rebuild
t.RIVER CITY METROPOLI'f AN
Community Church of Sacramento,
Calif., will be a model in the rebuilding
of Russia's churches. After the
communist take-over of Russia in
1917, about half of the cl1Urches, over
800, were destroyed . The remai_ning
cl1Urclies were used as storage warehouses.
During Boris Yeltsin 's s4mmit
with President Clinton, one of the
government officials in Yeltsin's contingent,
Mark Klimenko, who ·is also
the priest of the Russian Orthodox
· Church of St. Fillip of Moscow, came
to Sacramento to visit with Rev. Ed
Sherri££, associate pastor of River City
MCC and executive director of
Samaritan Center, which provides
food for the homeless; Sherri££ plans
to go to Moscow to further train and
help organize feeding programs in
the churches there.
Center focuses on
holistic health
t.SUNSHINE CATHEDRAL MCC, Ft.
Lauderdale, Fla., marked the opening
of its Sμnshine Center in April.
This extension office is dedicated to
fostering holistic health and human
development.
Joy MCC celebrates anniversary
.tiJOY MCC OF Orlando, Fla ., celebrated
its 14th anniversary this
spring. It is the largest gay and lesbian
congregation in Central Florida.
.Rev. Jimmy Brock is pastor of the
church, located at 2351 S. Fem Creek
Road.
Samaritan College
moves to Dallas
t.SAMARIT AN COLLEGE, the educa-
Bulk Copies Available
• • • • • • • • • • • • •
OF THIS ISSUE OF SECOND STONE
For church/group distflbution. conferences. bar ministry, etc .
10 copies - $13.50 • 25 copies - $29.50 • 50 copies - $45 00
100 copies · $67 .50 includes postage and handling
Limited quantity of back issues available FREE;
add $5.00 postage tor every 50 copies
Send.your pre-paid order to Second Stone,
P.O. Box 8340. New Orleans, LA 70182
tional institution of the UFMCC, has
moved its administrative office from
Los Angeles to Dallas. 'The college's
burst of growth and the need now to
hire and train a new registrar require
a centralized office," said Rev. Sandra
Robinson, Samaritan president . The
new particulars: P.O . Box 688,
Lewisville, TX 75067, 250 N. Mill St.,
#6, 75057, (214)221-7749, FAX (214)
221-7345.
Gay life on Fire Island
subject of exhibit
t."OVT ON THE ISLAND: Sixty
Years of Lesbian and Gay Life on Fire
. Island," ari exhibit of photographs,
books, brochures, banners and costumes,
will be the featured exhibit,
through September 12, of the
National Museum and Archive of
Lesbian and Gay History at the
Lesbian and Gay Community Services
Center of New York. The
exhibit, produced by Steven J. Cohen
and curated by Esther Newton and
Steve Weinstein, describes the history
of gay and lesbian life primarily in
the communities of Cherry Grove and
the Pines. The museum is located at
208 West 13th St., New York,
(212)620-7310.
New LC chapter for San Jose
t.LUTHERANS CONCERNED has a
new chapter in the San Jose area. The
group bases itself at Christ the Good
Shepherd Lutheran at 1550 Meridian
Avenue in San lose. They have a
monthly get-~ogether on the third
Sunday, meeting in the foyer of the
church after services, about 12:30
p.m . Lutherans Concerned/San Jose is
a very cohesive group of Lutherans
and others, bonded together by faith
and a need for a social outlet. There
is a good balance between gay men
and Lesbians, and everyone is very
welcoming. For information call
Dave at (408)978-3176 or Sue at
(408)226-3499 or write to LC/SJ at 1153
Husted Ave., San Jose, CA 95125.
Center Kids receives award
<lCENTER KIDS, the family project of
the Lesbian and Gay Community Services
Center, New York, was presented
with a 1993 Brooklyn Lambda
Award from the Lambda Independent
Democrats of Brooklyn. Center
Kids, which provides educational,
recreational, social and advocacy
opportunities for lesbian and gay
parents and their children, was cited
in particular for its ongoing efforts on
behalf of the Children of the Rainbow
multicultural curriculum struggle in
the public schools.
Rev. Cherry to co-edit book
t.WESTMINSTER/JOHN KNOX Press
has approached Rev. Kittredge
Cherry, editor of the UFMCC's Keeping
in Touch, about co-editing a book
of lesbian and gay worship services
and celebrations with Rev. Zal
Sherwood, a gay Episcopal priest and
author.
T Resource Guide ..........................................................................
Listings in the Resource Guide are free to
churches, organizations, publications and
community services. Send information to
Second Stone, Box 8340, New Orleans, LA
70182 or FAX to (504)891-7555 .
National
EVANGELICALS CONCERNED, c/o Dr. Ralpi Blair, 311 East
72rd SI., New Yori<, NY 10021. (212)517-3171. Publicalions:
Review and Record.
CONFERENCE FOR CATHOLIC LESBIANS, P.O. Box 436
P~nelarium Stn., NeN Yor~ NY 10024. (607)432-9295.
RELIGION WATCH, P.O. Box 652, North Bellrrore, NY 11710. A
rur~:::i~~g~ff~"g' J~go;+~TM~~t~9~: 10461,
Fort Dearborn S1al\on, Chicag>, IL 60610-0461. PLblication:
The Concord
PRESBYTERIANS FOR I.ESBIAN & GAY OONCERNS, P.O. Box
36, New Brunsv.ick, l>LJ 08903-0038. Putjica\ion: More Light
~~~SAL FELLOWSHIP OF METROPOLITAN OOMMUNITY
· CHURCHES 5300 Sanla Monica Blvd, l304, Los Ang,les, CA
~:mme~~'Wi~~U\~\'.k\C:1'N AND GAY
CONCERNS, Box 65724, Washirgon, DC 20035. PLblicalion:
8~i'f~~e CHURCH COALITION FOR LESBIAN I GAY
CONCERNS, 18 N. College, Athens, OH 45701, (614) 593-7301.
Publication: Waves
SE\IENTH DAY ADVENTISTS KINSHIP INTERNATIONAL, Box
3840, Los Argeles, CA 90078, (213)876-2076. Publication:
Connection
RECONCILING CONGREGATION PROGRAM, P.O. Box 23636,
Washington, DC 20026, (202)863-1586. Publicalion: Open
Hands
INTEGRITY, lt-C., P.O. Box 19561, Waslirgon, DC20036-0561,
fcJ&J~g<'J_\';.f~gn~~i~~6
1i,°T:%, Villa Granoo,
~l~:f;gg3§i. Mi~~r~gl,t£~W~ia~~~e~~~'\1dh
865-0119. Ptblication: The Tablel
U\.1NG STREAMS, P.O. Box 178, Concord, CA 94522-0178.
~:oiT!¥ioJLC~f~FAITH NET'MJRK, 300 I SI., NE, Ste.
:tji::A'.'!f~~r~~- (600)266-9619, FAX (2l2)546-5100.
NATIONAL CENTER FOR LESBIAN RIGHTS • 1663 Mission St,
5th Fir., San Francisco, CA94103.
GAY AND LESBIAN PARENT COALITION, P.O. Box 50360, mt~~ti~ r~:i!'t:f~~i.":=~ Church PLblishing
Co., 1249 Washingon Blvd, Ste. 3115, Detrott, Ml 48226-1868.
(313)962-a;s()
INTERNATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN ARCHIVES, The Natalie
Barney EdNard Carpenter Library, P.O. Box 38100, Hollywood,
CA 90038. (21.3)854-0271. Ptblication: Bul~tin.
COUPLES Newsletter, PLblished 'r1f TWr Press, Inc., P.O. Box
253, B<airlree, MA 02184-0003.
WOODSWOMEN - Adventure travel. for women, 25 W.
Diamond Lake Rd., Minneapolis, MN 55419, (600)279-0555,
(612)822-3800, FAX(612)822-3814.
DAUGHTERS OF SARAH - The magazine for Christian
Femi~s\s, 3801 No. Keeler, Chicag,, IL60641, (312)736-3399.
CHI Rfl:l PRESS· A special work ol the UFMCC Mid-Atlanllc
District. Publisher of religious books ard materials. P.O. Box
b~~S"~~t-rf8NMafmr1Wf
1
1lft
1
:0iog.,e and SU rt
g-oup tor rJIY ard \esi:,;an Catholiclergy and religous. ~.
Box 60125, Chica(!), IL 60660-0125. Ptblicalion: Communication
· WOME1'/S ALLIANCE FOR THEOLOGY, ETHICS AND RITUAL, ~~1s1i~l~'. ~:it~~'.~A~fR:!r (301)589-2509, FAX
INTERNATIONAL FREE CATfl:ll\C OOMMUNION, P.O. Box
51158, Riverside, CA 9251.7-2158 (909)781-7391 PLblication: The
Free Catholic Communicant
INDEPENDENT CHURCH OF RELIGIOUS SCIENCE, 4i02 East
7\h St., 11209, Long Beach, CA 908()4. (310)433-0384: .
UNITED LESBIAN AND GAY CHRISTIAN SCIENTISTS'· Box
2171, 256 So. Robertson Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90213.
(818)78:>0827.
AFFIRMATION: Gay & Lesbian Mormons, P.O. Box 46022, Los
Arq:,les, CA 00046. (213)255-7251. .
AFFIRMATION/United Melhodsls lor Gay & Lesbian Concerns,
P.O. Box 11J2Z Evansto~ IL60204.
ST. TABITHA'S AIDS Af'OSTOLA TE, Chri~ian AIDS Network o1
the Merican Orthooox Catholic Church ol SI. Greg,rios, P.O.
~~
1
$2M~WJ~~~~ft1::.::~t1e Roe~ AR 72206.
(501)372-5113. \\brf<shops on women's issues, social justice,
racism and homophobia.
EMERGENCE International: A Community of Christian
Scienlists Sll'l)Orting Lesbians and Gay Men. P.O. Box 9161,
San Rafael, CA 94912-9161. (415)485-1881. PLblica1ion: Emergal
GAYELLOWPAGES-P.O. Box 292, VillagaStn., New Yori<, NY
10014. (212)674-0120.
WOMEN'S ORDINA T\ON CONFERENCE, P.O. Box 2693,
Fairtax, VA22031-0693. (700)352-1006.
GAY, LESBIAN AND AFFIRMING DISCIPLES ALLIANCE, P.O.
~xml!~o:'1h~na~~i~ti~~
4
g~~~i~ti;~~~~
2
6F6~,i~ij'.
Publication: Crossbeams.
NEW DIRECTION Maf]lzine tor gayAesbian Mormons, 6520
Selma Ave., Ste. RS-440, Los Angeles, CA 90028.
rs~)4~~e; Box 83912, Los Angeles, CA 90083-0912.
NEW WAYS Mli'iSTRY, 4012 29th St., Ml. Rainier, MD 20712,
~~:~7-56[~.J'Y~:'ttna=.i~~:~ ~,~~g !he
toNE~ Sex.Chem tptist AclJocates for Eq.Jal Ri~s . P.O.
Box 7331, Lotmil~. KY 40257. (502)893-0783. .
FEDERATION OF PARENTS AND FRIENDS OF LESBIANS
AND GAYS, INC. P.O. Box 27605, Wlshingon, DC20038. Send
$3.00 tor packet of information. .
NATIONAL GAY PENTECOSTAL ALLIANCE (also Pentecostal
Bible Institute (Ministerial training]) P.O. Box 1391,
Schenectacli, NY 12301-1391. (518)372-6001. PLblicalion: The
Apostolic Voice.
DIGNITY/USA, 1500 Massachusel\s Ave., NW,. Ste. 11,
Washington, DC 20005. (800)877-8797. Gay and lesbian
Catholics and their friend,.
MORE LIGHT CHURCHES l'ET\\ORK, 600 W. F~lerton Pkv,y.,
~~lifc~ici~
6:)to;/· di~~l:-~tii,~~e~iket, $t
2
.
Alabama
BIRMINGHAM • THE ALABAMA FORUM, P.O. Box 55894,
35255-589.\ (2ai)328-9'228.
Anzona
TUCSON - Cornerstooe Fellow.,t,;p, 2902 N. Geronimo, 85705.
(602)622-4626. Rada Schatt, Paslor.
MESA • Bourdless Love Community Church, 431 S. Stapley
Dr., 8520<!. (602)439-0224. P.J. Fousek-Greg,n, pastor. SU. -Jay,
1000am
TUCSON - Casa De La Paloma Apomolic Church, 1122 N.
Jones Blvd, P.O. Box 14003, 65732-4003. (602)323-6855. Rev.
Margaret 'Sanclf Lev.is, pastor.
California
SAN LUIS OBISPO· MCC of the Central Coast, P.O. Box 1117,
G'°""rCity, 93483-1117, (805)481-9376. SUnday, 10:30a.m. Rev.
Rancl; A. Lester, Pastor.
SACRAMENTO • Koinonia Christian Fellowship, P.O. Box'
189444, 95818. (916)452-5736. Tom Rossi, Pastor.
SACRAMENTO· THE LA TEST ISSLE, P.O. Box 160584, 95816.
(916)737-toaa
~~k~~~~i~E\ii~~f.li~:s,T~[::X,~~~A
1foo~t.
(213)656-8570. Pujication: ET Ne-m
SAN FRANCISCO • Lutherans Concerned, 566 Vallejo St., 125,
94133-4033, (415)956-2009. PLblication: Adienl
SAN FRANCISCO • Gay and Lesbian Historical Society of
Northern Calttornia, P.O. Box 42126, 94142. (415)626-0980.
Plblicalion: Our Stories. ·
SAN FRANCISCO • The Parsonag,, 555-A Cas\ro SI.,
94114-0293. PLblicalion: The Parsonag, News
OONOORD • Free Catholic Aposlolate of the Redeemer, 1440
Detroit Ave, 13, 94520. (510)798-5281. ·
SAN FRANCISCO • DIGNITY,. 208 Dolores SI., , 94103.
(415)255-9244. Pujicalion: Brid;les.
GLENDALE· Divine Redeemer MCC, 346 Riverdale Dr., 91204.
Surday, 10:45 a.m., Wed, Fri., 7:30 p.m. Rev. Stan Harris,
pastor. Publication: From Mary's Shnne.
APPLE VALLEY· Lidlt of the Desel1 Church, loo., P.O. Box 247,
92307. (619)247-2572. Surday, 6:30 p.m. Non-denominational
Christian church.
SAN JOSE; Hosanna Church o1 Praise, 24 No. 5th SI., 95112.
Publication: ·ee1ebrating His Life; Sharing His Love
OAKLAND • Free Catholic Apostotate of !he Redeemer, 3849
MB)tlelle Ave., 8, 94619 (510)53o-7055
RIVERSIDE-Community of Chris! the Life Giver, P.O. Box
51158, 92517 (9:8)781-7391
BLYTHE - Gods Garden Groll1h Center, 283 N. Solano
(619)922-0947. Bro. Michael W. Tucker, pastor . .
SAN JOSE • Firs1 Christian Church, 60 South 5th St., 95112.
(408)294-2944. Richard K Miller, minister.
OOSTA MESA • Evargelicals Coooerned South Coast, P:O.
Box 4308, 92628-4308 (714)222-4933. Bible slucli, fellowship
meetings, prayer groups, social activities.
OAKLAND - Catholic Diocese of Oa~and, Outreach to Gay ard
Lesbian Communities and Their Families. Rev. Jim
Schexnayder, (510)834-5657, ext. 3114.
Colorado
DEN\.1:R - Evangelicals Reconciled, P.O. Box 200111, 60220
(303)331-2839. Coloraoo ~ings: (719)488-3158.
OENVER • Evangelicals Concerned / Weslem Aegon, P.O.
Box 4750, 80204. l'tblication: TI-ECable.
Connecticut
HARTFORD-MCC, P.O. Box 514;0&l16, (203)724-4605. Sllldly,
7:00 p.m. The Meeling House, 50 Bloomfield Ave.
District of Columbia
lnte11ity/Washing1on, Inc., P.O. Box 19561, 20036-0561.
(301 )953-9421_. PLblication: Gay,pring.
ALEXANDRIA, VA. - St. Cynl's Eastern Ctrislian Fellowship,
· 6036 Richrrord lt.w., #301, 22303, (703)329-7896. A Byzanline
Christian communfy.
. WASHINGTON • MCC/DC, 474 Ridge. St., NW, 20001
(202)638-7373. Rev. Larry J. Uhrig, pastor. \\ltness Praise
Minis1nes Musical Evangehs1ic T earn, Dale Ja"ett, Director.
Florrda
CLEARWATER • Free Catholic Churcli of the Resu"eclion, 303
N. M,rtleAw., 34615. (813)442-3867.
WEST PALM BEACH • MCC, 3500 45th St., #2A, 33409.
(407)687-3943. Sunday, 9:15 & 11 :00 a.m. Services also in Ft.
P~rte, (40nll87-3943 arxl f't. St. Lucie, (407)340-0421.
FORT MYERS • St. John the Aposlle MCC, 2209 Unity al the
comer of Broad.vay. (813)278-5181. Surday, 10:00 a.m., 7:00 .·
p.m. Rev. James Lynch.
ST. PETERSBUlG • King of Peace MCC, 3150 5th Ave., N.
33713 (813)323-5857. SUooay, 10 a.m. & 7~p .m Rev. Dr. Fred
C. WIiiams, Sr., pas1or.
CLEARWATER • Free Catholic Church ol the Resurrection,
P.O. Box 3454, 34615 (813)442-3867
JACKSONVILLE • SI. Luke's MCC, 126 Easl 71h St., 32206
(904)358-67 47. Stm!y, 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 7 p.m. Rev. Frankye A.
White, pastor.
Georgia
ATLANTA • SOUTHERN VOICE, P.O. Box 18215, 30316.
(«>4)876-1819.
ATLANTA· All Saints Metropolitan Community Churcl\ P.O.
Box 13968, 30324 («>4)622-1154
Hawaii
~~LUI • BOTH SIDES NOW Newsletter, P.O. Box 5042,
lltrnois
CHICAGO • OUTLINES, Published 'r1f Lambda Pibticalions,
3058 N. Solirport, 60657. (312)871-7610. FAX (312)871•7!00.
Louisiana
BATON AOLGE-Q;qiy, P.0. lla(4181, 70821. (504)383-0010.
NEW ORLEANS - Jusf For The ~cord, gay~esllian callle TV.
Box 3768, 70177.
NEW ORLEANS· V,euxCarre MCC, 1126 St. Roel\ 70117-nt6.
(504)945-5390. SUnday, 10:00 a.m. Shelley Harr,lton, Pastor.
Maryland
Ti-£ BALTIMORE ALTERNATIVE, P.O. Box 2351, Baltimore, MD
212l3. (301)235J401. FAX(301)889-5665. .
Massachusetts
. CHERRY VALLEY • Morning Star MCC, 231 Main St., 01611.
(508) 892-4320. PLblicalioo: Morning Star \\ltness.
SHREWSBURY • .Ai)os1ol~ Church in Christ, P.O. Box 4258
TlJOll<ke Sn, 01545 (508)752-0453. Rev. Mark Oe6rizzi, pastor.'
Mrchrgan
g~~\oof UISE Magazine, 19136 'Mlo<l.vard North, 48203.
FUNT· Redeemer MCC, 1665 N. Chevrolet Ave., 48504-3164.
(313)238-6700. Sunday, 6:00 p.m. Rev. Linda J. Stoner, Pastor.
Pub11calion: Sounds ol Redeemer.
A""" ARBOR • Huron Valley Community Cl'lJrch meets al
Glacier Way UMC, 1001 Green Rd; Am Albor, 48105-2896.
~1741-1174. Smy, 200_p.m.
FIOIT • lrl"flly, 960 \\111more, #205, 48:ll3.
GRAND RAPIDS· Bethel Chri~ian Asserrbty, 920 Cheoy SE,
P.O. Box 6935, 49516. (616)459-8262 Rev. Bruce Roller-Pletcher,
pastor. Ptblication: Bethel Bea co~ Television: Cha Mel 23,
SUn, 10:00 p.m
EAST LANSING/ Lansing - Ecclesia. Affirming cht.rch meets at
People's CtxJrch, 200 W. Grand River. Sunday, 8:15 p.m.
ANN ARBOR • Tree of Life MCC, mee\s at First
Cong-egalional Church, 218 N. _Adams, Ypsilanti. P.O. Box
2598, 48106. (313)665-6163. &rd,y, 6:00p.m.
DETR-◊IT - Men of Color Motivational Group meets Tuesdays
at 7:00 p.m. at St. Matlhew's and St. Joseph's Episcopal
Chu-ch, 8850 \l\bcx!Nard (313)871-4750.
Minnesota
MINl'EAPOUS • WJAL TIME, 310 £ 36th St., Acom 207, 55409.
(612) 823-3836. Ptblished 'r1f Laverdar, Inc.
MINNEAPOLIS • All Goas Children Metropolitan Community
Church, 3100 Par!< Ave. S. (612)824-2673. Publication: The
Disciple.
Mississippi
JACKSON • St. Stephen's Untted Commun~ Church, 4872 N.
T:6eK~oi~J'a;:~rJ~!~
7
{.~io~~e.'~
71g~, 7737,
39264-7737, (001)373-8610. -
JACKSON· Phoenix Coarnion, Inc., P.O. Box 7737, 39284-7737.
Counse6ng services. (601)373-861!1'(001)939-7181.
New Jersey
fl:JBOKEN • The Oasis, 707 Washingon St., P.O. Box 5149,
071m. (201) m-0340. . .
New Mexico
SANTA FE· THE GATSBY OONNECTION, 551 w. Coroova,
Sta D1:, 87501. (&l5)986-1794.
New York
NEW YORK - Lesaan and Gay Commuruty Services Center,
Inc., 208 W. 13th St., 10011. (212)620-7310. Plij icalions: Center
~~yg~~~rl~~. PO Box 5202, 10185-0043. PLblication:
Oullcok.
ROCHESTER • THE EMPTY CLOSET, 179 Atlanlic Ave.,
11W~V:5eo~~: ~~t"'~~~i\%,~~x Church,
P.O. Box 9073, 12209. (518)346-0207. Father Herman,.CSJn,
Guardian. PLblication: Melaooia.
NEW YORK· AXIOS, Eastern ard Orthooox Chnslians, P.O.
Box 756, Village Sin., 10014. Second Fnday, 8:00 p.m.,
Community Center, 208 West 13th St. ·
SCHENECTADY • Lighthouse Apostolic Church, 38 Columbia
St., P.O. Box 1391, 12301-1391. (518)372-6001. ~v. \\llliam Ii.
Carey, pastor.
LONG ISLANDiNEW YORK • lrlernationa\ Free Catholic
ChurctvGood Shepherd Church, P.O. Box 436, Cerlral Islip,
11722, (516)723-0048. Rev,. Ms!,<. Rooert J. Almen, pastor.
North Carolina
\\ILMINGTON • St. Jude's MCC, 507 Castle St. Sunday, 6 p.m
& 7 p.m Wed g0\4). Kathi Beall and BU<tlj V8$, mirns1ers.
WLMII\GTON • GROW Community Service Corporation, P.O.
Box 4535, _28406. (919)675-9222. Yollh CXJ1reach: AllvE for '1'/,
lest,;an, asexual youth.
RALEIGH • Raleigh ·Religous Ne\v,ork tor Gay and Lesaan
EQ.Jainy, P.O. llo<5961, 27®5961. (919)781-2525.
WNSTON-SALEM • Pieanont Religous Network for Gay and
Lman Eq.Jatily, P.O. 13()( 15104, 27113-0104. (919)766-9:llt.
Ohio
DAYTON• Communily Gospel Church, P.O. Box.1634, 45401
(513)252-8855. Pentecostal, charismatic meels Sunday, 10:00
a.m. 546 Xenia Ave. Samuel Kader, Pastor.
COLUMBUS - Metropolitan Clommuntty Church; 1253 North
High Street, 43201. (614)294-3026. Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
Plillication: The Beacon News.
COLUMBUS· STONEWALL UNION REPORTS, Box 10814,
®1-7814. (614)299-7764.
Oklahoma
OKLAHOMA CITY· Holy Trinity Ecumenical Catholic Church,
2328 N. MacArthur, P.O. Box 25425, 73125, (405)942-2604. Fr.
Marty Martin, pas1or.
Oregon
PORTI.Al'-1:>° - American Friends Service Committee Gay and
Lesbian Progam, 2249 E. Bu~de, 97214, (503)230-9427.
Comet Da~
Pennsylvania
ALLENTOW>l - Grace Covenant Fellowship, 247 N. 10fh SI.,
18102. (215)740-0247. Bryon Rowe, Pastor. Thom Ritter,
Minisler o( 1,!_usi~. •
Tennessee
NASHVILLE··. Daysplirg Fellowship, 120-8 So. 11th SI., Box
68073, 37206. (615)227-1448. Ptblioalkln:Son Shine.
NASH\.1LLE • fntegity of Micde Tennessee, Inc., P.O. Box
• 121172 37212-1172 (615)383-m. NrlY.slaler.
Texas
DAilAS • 'Mile Rock Convm.ritv.Ch1>ch, P.O. Box 180063,
75218. (214)285-2B31, (214)327-9157. Sooday, 10:30 a.m. Jeny
~ Pastor.
DAllAS,-trl<l!litv, P.O. Box 190351, 75219-0351. (214)52o-0012
f'lbfrcatoo: P1liia.
AUSTIN - Joan Wakeford Minis\ries, Inc., 9401-B Grouse
Meacl,,y ln., 78758-6348, (512)835-7354.
DALLAS - Silenl Harvest Ministries, P.O. Box 190511,
7521~11. (~sa,es55 . . . . . • . . . . •
MIDLAMJ • Holy Trinity Community Church, 1607 S. Main,
79701. ·(915)570-4822. -Rev.-Glenn E. Hammet\, Pastor.
b~~~~:~~~J~b~ornmuni Church, 4402 Roseland,
752Q4. (214)627-so1s. Rev. Wrederick Wright, Pastor.
Puaicatioo: The Chariot
HOUSTON • Community Gospel Church, 501 E. 18\h at
Colurmia. (713)880-9235. Sunday, 11:00 a.rn. Chns C~les,
Pa~or.
fl:JUSTON • Houston Mission Church, 1633 Marshall, 77006.
~~\6~~ aM"t~M;,!~~t~~~~i ~a~~~alur, 77007.
(713)861·9149. Rev. John Gill, Pastor. Pujication: The Good
News
m~~?i"~~~~t~ IH, PO Box 66821. 77266.
HOUSTON • Kingdom Communtty Church, 614 E. 19th St.,
77008. (713)862-7533 (713)748-6251. Si.rd!y, 1100 am.
LUBBOCK • Lesbian/Gay Alliance, Inc., P.O. Box 64746,
79464-4746. (806)791-4499. PLblicalioo: La_rrbda Times.
Vermont
ESSEX JCT· Resurrection Apostol~ Minis1ries, P.O. Box 162,
05452. Sr. Michelle M. Thomas, pastor.
ROANOKE· MCC of the Blue Ricge, P.O. Box 20495, 24018,
(703)366-0839. PLblicalion: The Blue Ricl:le Banner
ROANOKE - BLUE RIDGE LAMBDA PRESS, P.O. Box 237,
2«:02,(703)800-3184
FALLS CHURCH • MCC ol Northern Virginia, 7245 Lee
Hig,way, 22046.
FALLS CHURCH - Affirmalion Gay & Lesaan Mormons, P.O.
Box 19334, 22320-9334, (2l2)828-:ml
FALLS CHURCH • Telos Ministries, P.O. Box 3390, 22043.
(700)560-2680. Baptist g-oup.
Washmgton ~i'.&'7
f~y NEv\S, 704 E. Pike, 98122. (206)324-4297. FAX
SEATTLE • Grace Gospel Chapel, 2052 tffl 64th St., 98107 .
(206)784-8495. Surdey, 11 :00 am. & 7:00 p.m., Weci1esday, 7:30
p.m. Jeoy Lachina, Pastor.
RICHLAND· Shalom Ut::C, 505 McMurray, 99352 (509)943-3927.
()pen ard affirming cong-ef]ltion.
TACOMA - Hillside Community Church, 2508 South 391h SI.
!IOOl.(a'.16)475-2388. '
West V1rg1ma
MORGANTOl'.N • Freedom Fe\~ Cllllch, P.O. Box 1552,
26&J5 (304)292-7784. Jarice Mam, Y<l!ShipCOOfd
International
LONDON • Lesbian and Gay Chr~lian Movement, Oxford
CHARLOTTE - Metroina Sv.itcltoard, (704)535-6277. P.O. Box Hoose, Derl7ys!ire St., Lonoon E2 61-G, U<, 071-739-1249.
11144,1!122).
Second Stone-July/August, 1993 ijjjl =
Classifieds ................................................ . ............... ........
Books & Publications
"WONDERFUL DIVERSITY," "Heartily
rec o mmended,,.- 11Ph'ilosophically intr i guing,
11 "Excellent." Why do reviewers
hghly esteem CHRISTIAN*NEW AGE
QUARTERLY? Great articles and lively
columns make this bridge of dialogue
bet ween Christians and New Agers as
entertaining as it is substantive. Subscribe
for only $12.50/yr. Or sample us for $3.50.
CHRISTIAN*NEW AGEQUARTERLY, P.O.
Box 276, Clifton, NJ 07011-0276. TF
CHI RHO PRESS. Send· for your copy of
The Bible and Homosexuality by Rev .
Michael England for $5.95 or I'm Still
Dancing by long-term AIDS survivor Rev .
Steve Pieters for $8.95 and receive a free .
catalog from Chi Rho Press, an MCC-based
publishing house for the Gay/Lesbian
Christian community. Or receive our catalog
by sending $1.00. P.O. Box 7864-A,
Gaithersburg, MD 20898.
GAY USED BOOKS wanted. Please share
your read books. Thanks. Tom, 1116 Marble
NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102.
Employment
PASTOR WANTED - Small flock seeks
pastor, leader, preacher. We are Bible-based,
Christ-cent ered, and believe lhe Christian
walk must not be compromised. Letter and
resume to: Freedom in Christ EvangelicaJ
Church, Box 14462, San Francisco , CA
94114. 12/93
PASTOR NEEDED for evangellcal Christian
congregation primarily of African American
gay men and lesbians. Ideal candidate has ·
minimum thre e years pastor or associate
pa stor exp erience. a B.A., preferably in
religious studies or from seminary, and
experience in lesbian/gay/bisexual/transsexual
ministry. Send resume, co ver Jetter,
references to Faith Temple, P.O. Box 28494, ·
Washington, DC 20038-8494. 12193
REMEMBER THAT MARDI GRAS visii lhat
made you .want lo stay? S_econd Stone seeks
Editorial As sistant with good interviewing
and writing skills to work with us here in
Ne w Orleans. 5-JO. hours per week means
you can attend school or work full lime in
the Big Easy. Salary/housing deal. A strong
Commitment to Second Stone and the readership
we serve is essential. For information
write to ~econd Stone , P .. O. Box 8340 , New
Orleans, LA 70182. Available 10-1-93.
Friends/Relationships
CHRISTIAN GWM, 42, would like to
correspond ("pen pal, • as ii were) with
Christian gay and lesbian contemporaries (40
to 55). James R. Bates, 28E. 16 St., #301,
Indianapolis, IN 46202 2/94 ·
GAY PEN PALS sought by gay Christian
white male, 5)8", 180 lbs., into rail travel,
correspondence, gardening, etc . No inrpates ,
bi's or sympathizers, just Gays of any age.
Write to WHB, Box 251 , Wilmington, DE
I 9899-025 I. I 2/93
GWM, 42, 6 ft. , 150-lbs., good lo oking ,
intelligent , into camping, massages, pillow
fights, basic wrestling, history and other
good things. Looking to start a relationship
with a strai g ht appearing guy , in shape
physically, 19 -38, 5'7 " to 6'8" , 130 - 195
lbs. and AIDS free. You musl be willing lo
move to Southeast Kansas to live and work.
The righl guy will be rewarded. Interested? If
12ft] Second Stone-July/August, 1993
------------------7
Classified Order Form Please place my ad in these I
issues: [] Jan/Feb [] Mar/Apr l
I [ l May/Jun [ l Jul/Aug I : FOR ONLY Name_________ []Sept/Oct []Nov/Dec I
I Address __________ _
1 35¢ per word, city/st.,zip_______ cLASsIFicAnoNs l
\ your classified ad will l l Books & Publications l
I reach readers from AD COPY_________ [ J Business Opportunities I
: Sitka, Alaska to [ ] Employment l
1 . Amherst, Maine and [ J Friends/Relationships 1
} everywhere in between. ------------------------------ [ J General Interest
1
1
I B · I ------------ - ------ []Mail · Order
I usmess or persona . .. [ l Merchandise l
I try a classified ad in __ words X .35= $______ [ l Organizations I 1
1 our next edition! [ J Pro"ess1·onal Sel'Vl·ces 1
1 20 word minimum. All classifieds 11
1 Mail To: must be pre-paid. Deadline one month ( J Real Estate I l Second Stone prior to cover date . We will mail you a [ J Retreats l
I copy of the edition(s) in which your ad [ l Roommates I
I Box 8340 [ ]Travel I
I New Orleans, LA 70182 appears
1 '-------------------------------------------------------------'
you'ye been looking for jusl lhe right guy lo
meet and start a solid, hones! relationship
with then send your photo along wilh a lelter
about yourself lo Gary Rine, 508 South
Ninth, Independence, KS 67301-4207
12/93
General Interest
IF YOU HA VE READ "The Aquarian Gospel
of Jesus the Christ" by Levi, I am interes ted
.. in corresponding and discussing. W. Courson,
P.O. Box 1974,-Bloomfield, NJ 07003.
MESSIAH COLLEGE ALUMNI (Grantham,
PA) are you interested in forming a lesbian/
gay alumni group? If so please call Susan
Bailey, 703-820-0483; Julia Lowery, 717-
697-8347 . 8/93 .
Videos
"MAYBE WE'RE TALKING About a
Different God" A half-hour video documentary
on Rev. Jane Spahr, and her call lo
the Downtown Church in Rochester, p rotested
and brought lo trial. Shows how
confusion and fear can be transformed into
understanding and compassion. VHS tape ·
and discussion guide . Send $32.35 10
Leonardo's Children, Inc. , 26 Newpo\l
Bridge Rd., Warwick. NY 10990. 12/93
BOOKS, FromPagelS
opportunity for criticism. Some of the
criticism I still can't accept, out the
essays did make me question al least
a couple of points . I had already long
since questioned almost all of my
. socialization process anyway, and
now I'll question a p9inl or two more.
Still, it was a bit tiring to feel
demonized quite so often as some of
the contributors to the anthology felt
inclined to do . It was almost as if the
overall attitude was, "Of course, there
are a few good white gay males out
there. I'm not prejudiced, you know."
This was particularly the case with
Marilyn Frye's essay and seems an
odd attitude in a collection that is
supposed to promote coalition build- •
ing rather than alienation.
1 feel that I am basically open
minded and reasonably sensitive to
other forms of oppression, being
anxious rather than simply willing to
ensure I don't contribute to anyone
else's oppression. If I can feel alienated
by some of these essays, it seems
a fair assumption that others will as
well.
Another related p roblem is that
several of the authors assume that if
we feel sexism and racism is wrong,
we must automatically feel that all
violence is always wrong, or that we
should all agree to be vegetarians, or
that we must all agree that all
pornography is always wrong. If we
don't agree, the implication is tha t we
are one of those terr ible, mean,
disgusting "others" out th ere .
Heterosexuals are criticized for ".othering"
Lesbians and Gays, but sometimes
readers who don't agree with
the long agenda here are also
"othered."
However, the majority of the essays
in the collectiori work to help rather
than hurt. When Gloria Anzaldua
complains of how while people ask
her as a Hispanic woman how she can
justify Cesar Chavez 's politics, she
turns the tables and asks how a white
woman would feel if she were held
responsible for all or any of Ronald
Reagan's acts (361). This kind of
writing helps open the eyes rather
than resort to criticism, and mo st of
the essays do us.e this strategy . The
few diatribes in the collection,
however, show just how difficult
overcoming the differences among
various oppressed groups will be in
order to work together, a difficulty
which shows clearly just how much a
book that attempts to overcome those
barriers is needed, and why weought
Ii:> take the trouble to read it.
ARE YOU
MOVING?
The Post Office will not
forward The Second Stone.
You must notify us for
uninterrupted service if you move.
Please notify us four weeks in advance for
un int errupted deliver y . Send both Old and new
addres ses . If poss ible atta c h ma iling label in
space provided .
PRINT
NEW ADORESS
*" J: ~ ! m (b
Send compl eted fo r m to:
THE SECOND STONE
Box8340
New Orleans, LA 70182