Don Streeter

Don Streeter
Community of Christ
Salem, Oregon

I knew that I viewed boys and girls differently from the time puberty struck but didn't realize that what I felt was defined as homosexuality.  I had always promised God, myself, and my wife that I would be faithful to our marriage covenant and I am proud that I did, even though my head would often turn at the sight of other men.  Shortly after our divorce, my inner being begged to be recognized and dealt with.  I found a support group and upon my first visit was able to come to grips with my sexuality and came to embrace it as part of who I was instead of enduring the self-loathing and contempt that I had experienced before.  For the first time in my life I was able to look in the mirror and love the person I saw instead of seeing him with disgust and derision.

I was called to the office of Teacher in 1971 and several years later to Priest.  I loved those offices dearly!  When I came out in November 1993, I naively expected the support of my church family (not the congregation I attend now) but instead found myself very much alone.  My pastor and district president were unsupportive and seemed more concerned with expediency than honor.  I was silenced on the grounds that I had "disrupted a worship service" (I read a coming out statement during a 9:45 a.m. early morning worship) and for "betraying the trust of the congregation."  My lines of appeal were not available as the district president had already supported the pastor, our regional administrator was dealing with his own divorce proceedings, and an apostle had not yet been reassigned to our area.  I gave up hope.

Don Streeter's stole is quite the fabulous creation.  Made of wildly colored bunched fabric with paper flowers and strings of colored beads, it was once voted the "gayest stole in the collection" by a small group of LGBT United Methodists.

But this bright, festive stole holds an immensely painful story.  Don served his church well and loved that work with all his heart.  He expected his church to return this love when he came out.  Instead he was "silenced," a ritual in Latter Day Saint traditions (no longer practiced in the Community of Christ) which effectively isolates a member from family, friends and church, while cutting off the member's ability to speak on their own behalf.  In a tradition that places a high value on family and community, the impact of silencing on LGBT folk like Don is devastating.

There is no "good news" at the end of this story.  Don ends it simply, "I gave up hope."  It is remarkable that, out of this horrendous experience, Don still was able to produce that exudes the positive strength he has gained from his faith in God, and even acknowledges his call to serve -- a pamphlet describing RLDS Priesthood is attached to the stole.

Martha Juillerat
Founder, Shower of Stoles Project
2006