61 20 2479 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/4e17fddd1c8fb0b648241a906095f815.jpg bc82f43503f7f4b90ab506cc3619b7dc Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Quaker Group on Homosexuality and Other Problems of Sex Minutes of Meeting held April 23rd at the University Women's Club, London W.1. Present: Diuncan Fairn Kenneth Barnes Alastair Heron Alfred Torrie Keith Wedmore Joyce James Lotte Rosenberg Apologies for Absence: Kenneth Nicholson Richard Fox Mervyn Parry 1. Keith Wedmore reported on his correspondence with the Joseph Rountree Trust. We have agreed with Keith Wedmore's reply to the Joseph Rountree Trust, and note with pleasure the receipt of a grant for a further year. 2. Keith Wedmore reported on this receipt of a letter from Elizabeth and Arthur Darlington. These Friends have expressed their appreciation of the Group's work and emphasised the need for further work among Young Friends. The letter will be circulated among members of the Group. 3. Keith Wedmore reported on the receipt of a letter from George Gorman's friend whose comments we had discussed at previous meeting. Comments he made will be read in the course of our further discussion of the draft. 4. The sections of the draft on Female Homosexuality, prepared by Lotte Rosenberg, and on Homosexuality, prepared by Keith Wedmore, were discussed and further amended. 5. The date of the next meeting:--Friday, 19th May, 12:30 p.m., at the University Women's Club, W.1. Possible dates for the following meeting: June 25th (A.H. would not be able to come) and July 2nd (KN would not come but might manage the earlier date. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Meeting Minutes, 23 April 1961 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Keith Wedmore Papers Description An account of the resource The group learns of renewal of grant, hears correspondence received from other Friends and discusses sections written by Rosenberg and Wedmore. https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/cf4f7cbf8f56d26fb20f8918a58ff3fd.jpg a0e5d057d4057269cd0f7314b2eb41ee Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document The Quaker Group on Homosexuality and Other Problems of Sex Minutes of Meeting held June 19 at the University Women's club, London, W.1. Present: Duncan Fairn Alfred Torrie Kenneth Barnes Alastair Heron Joyce James Richard Fox Lotte Rosenberg Apologies for Absence: Kenneth Nicholson Mervyn Parry Keith Wedmore 1. The section of the draft part V on Deviations, as amended by Richard Fox, was discussed and further amendments were made. 2. The section on Paedophilia was discussed and amended. 3. Part VI on Origins of Sexual Behavior was discussed and amended. 4. Alfred Torrie and Richard Fox were asked to prepare a draft on Frigidity and Impotence. 5. Richard Fox was asked to prepare a draft of Transvestitism and to send these drafts to members prior to the next meeting. 6. Dates of next meetings:-- Sunday, 2nd July at 10:30 a.m. Canceled Sunday, 8th October at 10:30 a.m. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Meeting Minutes, 19 June 1961 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Keith Wedmore Papers Description An account of the resource Group discussed and amended sections on Deviations, Origins of Sexual Behaviour and Paedophilia and invited persons to write new sections on Frigidity and Impotence and on Tranvestitism. https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/66f241a5543c29e1dbdf7960d6a458aa.jpg b8ba7d9cc2d125a7a6094611bdc309f4 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/db9562da2a2724fc61951c1b2621bad6.jpg 801bd93b3e07f2a5ee1851e8eca16e8d https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/3ab7f4da9a84cde989cf6b21eaf877ef.jpg a8f48153a4b49491540f84fdb4242ac4 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Meeting Minutes, 10 July 1960 Description An account of the resource Only five members at this meeting. Discussed feedback from some participants in the 10 June Conference. Received letter from Eric Baker of the Study-in-Fellowship Committee suggesting cooperation in developing study materials. Discussed draft of report. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Keith Wedmore Papers https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/37191d4ba3dc2da2967ea0c60ea44924.jpg e80da67629b7c1aee4ee06a79fb8ee6f Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document The Quaker Group on Homosexuality and Other Problems of Sex Minutes of a Meeting held on December 10th, 1961, at the University Women's Club, W.1. Present: Anna Bidder Alfred Torrie Joyce James Kenneth Barnes (acting chairman) Mervyn Parry Richard Fox Lotte Rosenberg Apologies for Absense: Duncan Fairn Kenneth Nicholson 1. During the Meeting for Worship we felt the need to re-examine our thinking on sex morality, on commitment in personal relationships and commitment to God. 2. The trend of thought that began during the Meeting for Worship was coninued during the morning session. 3. The section on "Towards a Quaker View of Sex" was discussed and amended. 4. We asked Kenneth Barnes to work the thought of our morning's discussion, together with the latter part of this section, into a draft that should form part of the introduction (2,c and d of the Table of Contents.) 5. We felt that the later stages of work on the drafts could be done better if we had a week-end together. Possible dates suggested were: 24th-25th March, 31st March-1st April, 28th-29th April, 4th-5th May. Places suggested were: Jordans, Blue Idol, London University Hostel, Saffron Walden School. Lotte Rosenberg was asked to inform the absent members, asking for their possible dates, and to write to Jordans and Blue Idol. 6. We thought it would be useful to have some knowledge of Harold Loukes' forthcoming book. We asked Kenneth Barnes to contact Harold Loukes with a view to obtaining the loan of a manuscript. 7 The date of the next Meeting is the 28th January, 1962. Proposed agenda for that Meeting:- Section on masturbation, prepared by Alfred Torrie and Richard Fox. Section on part of introduction, prepared by Kenneth Barnes. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Meeting Minutes, 10 December 1961 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Keith Wedmore Papers Description An account of the resource Minutes reported a shift in perspectives within the group on relationships and sexual morality from the Meeting for Worship. Group asked Kenneth Barnes to work these changes into the Introduction. A full weekend meeting in spring 1962 was proposed. https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/0efcecd39dbf593ee9e45909659d00b2.jpg 1cbb2901e51beab2882fbc7f0b2b789c https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/c19a44bc739a6a56973ed8f3066624eb.jpg 0ed586a6e3c328d54ff1d8c47555efa6 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/b39d0b430ee98a2bd5d8addfcf11f6b1.jpg a070cc30b347ef9051a40dcb437ebddf https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/95d8ac753e24c555e22555656bed781a.jpg eb05876d696046fa25bc113d972e9729 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Quaker Group on Homosexuality and Other Problems of Sex Meeting of the 1st March 1959 at 2 Audley Square, W.!. Members present: Alastair Heron Duncan Fairn Richard Fox Anna Bidder Lotte Rosenberg Kenneth Barnes Mervyn Parry Apologies for Absence: Marion Fairn Alfred Torrie Kenneth Nicholson Keith Wedmore 1. Minutes of last Meeting were accepted. The difficulty was recognised of recording meetings of the depth and quality of the last one. 2. Correspondence from Headmasters and Discussion of our Meeting with them: Letters from the headmasters John Ounsted, Hugh Maw, Kenneth Nicholson were reported on. J.O. stressed that for them sex is only one of many problems and that homosexuality has much diminished during the last few years. During the discussion Hugh Maw had stressed the problem of the headmistress's co-operation, which seemed to be crucial in his approach to sex-instruction. Several members felt that the difficulty exists in other Friends' schools. At a later date this group will probably wish to find an approach to headmistresses. In the discussion it was felt that the problem of approachability which was raised in the headmasters discussion will require further clarification. Not only the approachability of the adult but also the young person's ability to approach needs to be considered. In this connection the situation of students, their loneliness and their high suicidal rate at the Old Universities, were mentioned. Evidence had been offered by headmasters and others that in coeducational schools homosexuality is not a problem. Mutual masturbation occurs, however, in young boys but is transitory and can, according to these opinions, be ignored. Points were raised concerning the much needed research into the causes of homosexuality. It was thought that there is uncertainty regarding the causative factors, e.g., the role of environment. Enquiry would be desirable into the problem of homosexuality in ex-pupils from coeducation schools as compared with those of uni-sex schools. As a group we might be able to lay the foundation for such research and perhaps make our deliberation known in a pamphlet. 3. Discussion of our Future Programme: Anna Bidder outlined the trend of our discussions and the possibilities of our future programme: We have spent a long time discussing first infant sexuality, then older children, then adolescents, bringing in Young Friends. We were side-tracked into a discussion of Friends' inhibition in discussing sex. This side-tracking was necessary for us, for we as Quakers are concerned with this inhibition and we cannot discuss it with other Friends. So far we have not discussed adult homosexuality and that of the near-adult, the undergraduate. We have not yet come to the place where we could make a moral judgment, except in so far as we distinguished between the pre-marital, the extra-marital (adultery) and the transitory sexual relationship. We have discussed the problem of possible damage through transient sex relationship. We have always assumed the positive value of personality and personal relationships and we have assumed that the physical relation is important only in so far as it affects the personality and its personal relations. Discussion following Anna Bidder's statement raised the following points by various members of the group: Does the physical relation always affect the personality? Is trivial physical sex experience without effect on the personality? What seems trivial may not be so trivial in the unconscious and could affect the personality profoundly. Buggery can be more damaging that mutual masturbation because, at least in the passive partner, it can cause fixation on the infantile anal-erotic level. Since second marriages are often very successful, the fact that the first marriage involves the personality fully does not seem to preclude a successful second relationship. The relation between the physical and personality is different in men and women because of the women's experience of a physical change after intercourse--the rupture of the hymen, the possibility of establishing vaginal sensitivity only after intercourse, and the possibility of pregnancy. This difference may have influenced the traditional, value of female chastity. More intensive intimate sexual behaviour may have a more profound influence on the personality, but the degree to which a person is affected by sex experiences does not depend on the physical aspect alone. There exists a continual parallel between the physical and emotional commitment;specific for each individual. We agreed that topics requiring further discussion are: female sexuality and homosexuality of girls and women. Before we take up this topic we should have an additional woman member. Members were asked to bring in suggestions as to a suitable woman Friend. We agreed that our next phase of work should be concerned with the significance of the physical and its moral aspect. 4. Discussion of our Attitude and Responsibility as Quakers regarding the Relation Between the Physical and Personality: Points raised in the discussion: Patterns of sexual behaviour are determined by cultural influence. Have we as a group a responsibility in forming a cultural pattern of sexual behaviour? Pre-marital chastity can be considered as one aspect of a cultural pattern. Transitory relation does not necessarily affect a happy married life. The assault of children does not invariably lead to their damage. A large number of people have a capacity for normal marriage adjustment in spite of any pre-marital experience, but there is a minority who will be damaged. What is our responsibility toward this minority? How do we feel about sexual stimulation through books and plays, especially the display of homosexuality in plays and films? There is a "fringe" of people who will get damaged through such displays. Discussion raised further points regarding social sanctions and our own responsibility connected with these: Every restriction is directed toward a minority. We have to distinguish between right and wrong restrictions. We behave with the assumption of free will and it is difficult to determine the point at which sanctions should be introduced. We need to consider the effect of prohibitions on those for whom they are not needed. In the very sensitive and excessive fear of sin resulting from prohibitions may have a damaging effect. Healthy prohibition must be based on knowledge. We should distinguish between prohibition and the creation of a standard. The sense of sin derives from the perception of one's own selfishness; this can be confessed to God when repentance becomes real. This act would then be the Quaker alternative to the Roman Catholic confession by which the Roman Catholic Church provides a framework for the ordinary person. A perception that a certain act is selfish presupposes tremendous surrender to self-examination, such as exists in the Society of Friends, Is this appropriate for "simple" folk? The Quaker attitude sometimes results in Quaker children experiencing moral sanctions at too early an age. Is then a code of behaviour necessary? Shall we as a group find ourselves pronouncing a moral judgment? Are there those who need a moral code in order to remain outside it? As Quakers we do not accept creeds. Do we also discount Codes? In our generation Codes are disappearing, but they may return in another generation. Would it be more appropriate to substitute questions for codes? For whom is the code helpful? For those kind of young people who are not strongly aroused by the sexual impulse, prior to meeting the right marriage partner. Such people are helped by a code to avoid premature sex experience. But those who have a compelling urge or are getting deeply involved in personal relationships will overstep the code. Some of us accept a premarital sex experience that derives from a clear decision: such experience usually leads to marriage. We all condemn the experience born from self-love. There are sincere transitory relationships born of a wish to give pleasure and leading to mutual gratification. Are these to be condemned? A transitory relationship which has involved the sexual may be less damaging than a relationship that has been frustrated by withholding the giving. Adolescents have usually a natural shell, an inhibition that protects them from premature sex experience. The attitude of adults should aim at avoiding sex becoming a means of rebellion in the young. This aim should be achievable by the Society of Friends. The headmaster has a special role in the coeducational school, in so far as he is a father image to the girls his attitude influences their attitude to the male partner. The headmistress rarely plays a similar role for boys. We seek to express what matters in sex relationships in the light of what we feel is inherent in Quakerism and Christianity. We need to know what we personally consider as acceptable. It is agreed, therefore, that members should be asked to send in a short note (not more than 500 words) on the topic: "The relation in the expression of sex between the physical and personality and the relevance of this relation to the sexual code of society." This note should reach L.R. by the 10th April in as many copies as possible. These will be circulated to members before the next meeting on May 3rd. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Meeting Minutes, 1 March 1959 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Keith Wedmore Papers Description An account of the resource Group reviewed correspondence and discussion with headmasters from last meeting; Bidder provided observations about their "future programme"; extensive discussion of members' perception of sexual activity related to personality and the role of moral codes. Each members asked to write thoughts before next meeting. https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/9bb2dd8163b8253fc14bdd320faee300.jpg f01ca8e3160c0c9d6db1907ce1485a76 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/c69dca421da378ed21f8550e6ceb8350.jpg 1a8e0e22912dba5d09722ad683ab92ee https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/7aeb0b3c0d89d9c8083bfee3106b24d9.jpg 6b7dd96434b120d16c335fa38786b868 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Quaker Group on Homosexuality and other Problems of Sex Meeting of the 1.2.59, at the University Women's Club. W.1. Morning session: Present: Anna Bidder Alfred Torrie Kenneth Nicholson Kenneth Barnes Richard Fox Mervyn Parry Alastair Heron Keith Wedmore Lotte Rosenberg Apologies for absence: Marion Fairn, Duncan Fairn. 1. Minutes of last meeting 7.12.58. Criticism was expressed regarding the form of the minutes: The minutes cannot give a detailed account of the discussion, therefore they sometimes appear to contain contradictions. One imperfect record in narrative form can give a misleading impression, e.g. in 2(b) of last minutes. It was agreed that minutes should record individual opinions as "points made during discussion", but that if on any point the meeting reaches full agreement this should be recorded as a formal minute. 2. Discussion of the meeting with representatives of Young Friends: In the discussion the following points were raised: Is a young person permanently affected by early sex experiences? Why does it seem that Young Friends do not discuss sex in groups as this is done by other young Christians? Young Friends seem burdened with concerns and this pre-occupation tends to suppress the awareness of sex problems. Is perhaps their concern with general problems of the world a substitute for the dealing with their own personal problems? The incidence of nervous breakdown as a result of sex problems has been exaggerated by the Young Friends reporting. Factors which determine sexual attitude of the young person were discussed. It was said that the child's attitude is more determined by the home than by the school. In this connection the role of the father was stressed. It was said that the Quaker father is often outwardly non-aggressive. If the boy identities with this non-aggressive father he may become prone to homosexual leanings. This trend can be intensified by pacifism and by the lack of righteous indignation and aggression amongst Quakers. 3. Discussion of the agenda for the next meeting, to be held at 2, Audley Square, on Sunday, 1.3.59., (morning session will begin at 10:30 a.m.) a) We agree to invite no guests to our next meeting but to concentrate on evaluation of our work so far and on our future policy. b) We agree that we should not separate the wider aspects of sex problems in society from the attitude of Quakers regarding these issues. Some of us are inclined at times to separate these two views but we find that we cannot avoid as Quakers seeing sex as part of the wholeness of life. 4. Discussion of Sources of Material open to us as a group: It is doubtful whether we can give the time to a programme of widespread fact-finding. The most accessible facts for our discussion are our own experiences and those of people known personally to us. Such discussion must be searching and is only possible if we regard all matters discussed within this group as strictly confidential. Afternoon session: Present all members as above, and in addition Hugh Maw and John Ounsted. The four headmasters present were asked to give comments on the five points suggested in the letter of 8th December 1958. 1,2: Sex instruction at home and at school: In the case of young children it is often thought advisable to send a letter to parents prior to their entry of school at 11, asking the co-operation of parents and suggesting that the parents should have talked to children before they enter school. The response from parents varies a great deal, some show appreciation, some hope that the school will relieve them of this responsibility. Replies from parents are often misleading: instruction may have been "given at the wrong moment or stage and rejected by the child, and is usually continued to the physical side of reproduction. It is not always easy to assess, during the first terms, what the child actually knows nor what are its needs. Instruction at school takes place at various stages of the child's education. Some schools give such instruction during Biology lesson after the child enters school at 11 or 13. Individual talks with those who wish to talk about personal problems can follow such class instruction or instruction can be given from the start in small groups. When questions regarding the emotional and social aspects can be encouraged, in class or in groups, very free discussion may result. Other means by lecture and film are mentioned. Personal problems which arise during the course of class-work or life can be made as opportunity for further discussion and instruction when need arises. During the last year at school a further opportunity may be given in the Divinity lesson, often taken by the headmaster. Success depends on the co-operation of all staff and the approachability of the individual teacher. Even so a child in need is often not able to talk to the adult but he may be observed until the right opportunity occurs. It is recognised that the problems of those in most need may go undetected. Right timing is considered essential. 3. Problems encountered: Different maturation in boys and girls can cause problems if class instruction is given in a co-educational school. It is difficult for any teacher to observe the intimate life of children and only a very small faction of existing problems can become known to the staff. Even pupils are often unaware of what is going on in the neighbourhood of the dormitory. The mutual masturbation of children between 12-14 is very common, mostly however transient and subsides after 14 without, according to some of those present, having caused emotional involvement or leaving after-effects. The name homosexuality is perhaps not really applicable to these practices, as they seem to occur from a wish to show off, from curiosity or insecurity. The habit may linger on into a later age and it is then important to help the young person to overcome it without taking any punitive measure. Such inclinations may still be transient and should be distinguished from the homosexuality that has been conditioned by early experience and is deeper rooted. The young person who shows this latter inclination is not suitable for a one-sex school and a transfer can be advised without causing the pupil to feel expelled. Many ears may best a child in connection with biological functions when knowledge is lacking and it is not always easy for a teacher to detect the ignorance and to dispel these fears. If an adult is generally approachable for all problems he or she is more likely to be approachable for sexual problems. Without close contact with and confidence in the adult, sex remains, in the young, as a means of rebellion. It seems that homosexuality occurs less in day pupils attending boarding schools and it is decreased then outside contacts are more available. The Prep school has a large influence on the early formation of homosexual habits. The separation from parents at the young age may cause anxiety that favours mutual masturbation. Teachers may not be able always to help a child even if they are fully aware of the problem. A young person may not be approachable at that time, but he may at a later stage benefit from the school environment and he, as a parent, may show the result of his teacher's influence. The advice from a psychiatrist is sometimes sought and in some cases treatment is needed. We do not expect or seek unanimity amongst headmasters on problems of the sex morals. We are not seeking a testimony against something, but a positive attitude, to seek God in our neighbour. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Meeting Minutes, 1 Feb 1959 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Keith Wedmore Papers Description An account of the resource Group reviewed discussion with Young Friends from previous meeting; set agenda of next meeting to review their progress; in afternoon heard presentations from headmasters about sex instruction and development of adolescents. https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/051330d70a9034e40058f864dd7a6096.jpg 656d15f9fc9e62d573a0e39ecff62c8d https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/e18bcd35c835b49d5cd55fb507182857.jpg a61b586b4ef7a46988099b296eb225f2 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/5725ac905e61db5f477d1bd97cb6ad50.jpg e038306a78bc79c4970189d2fe418148 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/af9924a297fa65aac8d593c7d8b98fbe.jpg 5b67be9a0a6d3eaf93e994f63f9496ca https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/e2e652c7a3bc1fca4b101ce4245d05b5.jpg 28176c27e3e614f6014a174470d34ba6 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document The Friend July 12, 1963 Meeting for Sufferings No Statement--and No Conference Full Discussion Ends Negatively Meeting for Sufferings spent a full morning last Friday considering whether to issue a statement giving guidance on sexual conduct, and whether to hold a conference on the recent pamphlet, Towards a Quaker View of Sex, or at any rate on the subjects with which the pamphlet deals. In both cases it was decided not to. At its last assembly (in May) the Meeting had been asked by Western Quarterly Meeting to issue "a short, simple statement in the name of the Society, presenting affirmatively what in our experience we have found to be good in socially responsible behaviour". In the interval Hugh Doncaster had been working on a draft, taking into consideration the comments of four other Friends appointed to confer with him.* The results, which had been circulated to members beforehand, was a document of some 2,000 words, for the actual form and working of which, Hugh Doncaster emphasised, he alone must be held responsible. although "much that is of value in it comes directly from" the other four. No instruction had been given in May as to whom this statement should be directed, but as it turned out it was directed "to young Friends in the later teens". The draft was headed: BOY FRIENDS AND GIRL FRIENDS CHASTITY OR INTERCOURSE? Its preamble explained that here was an attempt to help people find what is right for them in the circumstances in which they are, for there is little value in trying to impose from outside a code which is unacceptable. At the same time, patterns of behaviour which have been found to be good over many generations are likely to be based on good foundations. The preamble went on to suggest an outline of what was the Christian ideal. This general statement was then expanded into a submission of nine good reasons why sexual intercourse was best avoided by the unmarried--including sexual intercourse by those intending to marry. A final paragraph, before summing it up, emphasised that the question to ask is not," What do conventional standards require? "or even in abstract terms, "What is right?" but the far deeper and more exacting one, "What, in view of all the facts, does love require?" A Beginning and not an End? Hugh Doncaster recalled that the Meeting in May had wished that a statement, if to be made, should be a "complement" to Towards a Quaker View of Sex, and not a comment upon or answer to it; and this had been very much in mind. The draft was an attempt to take up the positive message of the pamphlet and develop it a little further. It proposed to say to young people that here was some factual information that should be available to them, "considering what love requires of them". Jean Storrow, one of the Friends who had been consulted about t he draft, considered it "a beginning, and not an end", and, as a beginning, excellent. But a teenager to whom she had shown it had said: "Yes, it's very good, but it's somebody standing there giving us good advice." It would have been better in this statement to have put to young people some questions to which they, knowing their own situation as no one else could, could be trusted to find the right answers for themselves. She welcomed the emphasis in the statement on loving and caring for one another as the key to the problem; indeed it was the key to all human relationships. And it seemed a good time for some sort of statement. Towards a Quaker View of Sex had set the stage; now they did want to go further and address themselves to some specific task. Nevertheless they might do well to consider whether they were rushing it a bit. "Healthy to Disagree" Anna Bidder (one of the eleven members of the group which had produced Towards a Quaker View of Sex) said that her reaction to this draft was very much the same as that which (she could not but gather) had been the reaction of a number of Friends to the pamphlet. There was much valuable material here, and "some absolutely splendid phrases"--"but the thing as a whole fills me with horror". The first impact of this reaction in herself--to find that "I simply don't agree"--had terrified her. But "gradually it came to me that it is right and healthy to be able to disagree with each other in the Society, and to be led together into light and truth. It is our genius to reach unity through pretty fundamental disagreements". The unity which lay behind both the pamphlet and the draft was the solid conviction that monogamous, loyal and loving marriage was one of the great contributions of Christianity to the world, and anything they said about sexual relationships was always directed towards helping people to a marriage that was just that. If, continued Anna Bidder, they were to offer advice to teenagers, it must be in the spirit of: "We in our experience and in our generation have found that this and this is so. You may agree or disagree, but you will remember that this is our honest personal statement." But she hoped that they would not say that patterns of behavior which have been found to be food over many generations are likely to be based on good foundations. She should have thought that the whole history of the Society had shown Friends again and again taking a stand against that attitude in the Christian Church. Friends took their stand on their own experience, on what God gave them to do and to say. She would not dare to say that any pattern of sexual behaviour which some or many had found right was to be claimed right for everybody. People were made in such different patterns and, as the statement had rightly said, God forbid that they should judge. Nor should they allow young people to think that the only thing that really mattered was whether intercourse took place before or after marriage; nor, further, that a marriage could not be well founded if casual adventures had taken place beforehand. It was not only the careless or light-minded who entered into sexual relations without marriage. Many others than themselves--and she had known and honoured some of them--felt that adventures without marriage were permissible, who would be shocked at any other view but that in marriage one should be anything other than faithful. "We must be honest with our young people and admit that a very wide range of sexual behaviour is not incompatible with goodness." She did not believe that for years to come the Society would be ready to issue an official statement on this matter. Meanwhile it was all to the good that documents of a tentative nature should be circulated. But it would not be right in so short a time to issue a statement in the name of the Society. No statement in that sense could be made without first having been though the channels of all the Monthly and Quarterly Meetings, and without having been the fruit of long study, search and prayer. Reginald A. Smith could not be happy about the draft. He had begun thinking it very fine, both as to phrase and substance; and was disappointed that it just did not stand up to further consideration. "Essentially it is not a Christan appeal but an appeal to bourgeois prudence, and I have no more use for bourgeois prudence than have the authors of the pamphlet whose title I cannot bring myself to pronounce." It was perfectly true, the world being what it was, that they had to be extremely careful and responsible as to bringing a child into the world. But that was not the fundamental and eternal reason why completely monogamous marriage was the one sexual relationship really worthy of their calling in Christ. The reasons for that lay much deeper than most of what was said in the draft, and they must get down to them. Much as he admired the exercise and thought of the draft, it was not one which ought to be put out on behalf of the Society. Polonius Gustav Fischer gravely doubted whether the statement was either necessary or advisable. "In Hamlet there is only one character I thoroughly dislike--Polonius. I cannot imagine the youth of 1963 listening to Polonius, If I were a girl and found a boy who could read through these nine reasons I would not marry him." Elsie Wright thanked Hugh Doncaster and his co-workers, but the statement should not be published as a Quaker document. "It would be a mistake to issue anything that might tie us down." It was not final; it had defects of expression, perhaps; but it was helpful and reasonable, and young people should have the chance of reading it. She hoped it would be "published as a pamphlet and not issued as a fiat from the Society". Helen Neatby found no objection in the sentence from the statement which Anna Bidder had criticised. The finest human values remain permanent from days of old to the present. "Although their expression may change it doesn't change as much as one would expect." The statement, rightly understood, was profoundly true. Speaking as an Elder, and presenting, he believed a very large body of opinion among Friends, Wilfrid Allott thought they should approach with great care a proposal to issue a statement which purported to supplement or add to a pamphlet that had already given hurt and that had made some feel pushed outside the fellowship. By this move they would seem to be adopting the pamphlet. Both statements gave less weight to history than to psychology--a mere child among the departments of knowledge. The issue of the statement would cause more division in the Meetings for Worship. "We have a long way to go before we can get a view of sex which the Society can adopt without splitting it down the middle." "Just What We Want" Marie Best hoped that, whether or not published as a Quaker statement, it would be made available by some means to young people and to those whose responsibility it was to guide them. The draft had received a whole-hearted welcome from friends or hers, with responsibilities of this sort, to whom she had shown it. "This is just what we want", they said. Robert Illing, one of those who has just those responsibilities, fully concurred with this. Walter Stone, too, felt that there was great need for a statement along these lines. Carl Marcussen said that it was beside the point to criticise the statement as not necessarily being "for all time". A very large number of Friends considered it just the type of statement that was needed for this moment. Wilfred Demain had not a great of use for the statement; he feared that it was in fact a "reaction" in a critical sense from Towards a Quaker View of Sex. The glossy magazines were full of advice as good as this. What had Friend parents been doing all these years if it was necessary to reinforce their responsibility with this statement? Muriel Putz said they had to decide whether they wished it to be published, and, if so, by whom. She had been impressed by Anna Bidder's point that a statement issued by the Society as a whole should have been the fruit of long study, search and prayer and been considered in all the Meetings. But there were alternative methods of publication. They could ask Hugh Doncaster and the Home Service Committee to see whether a pamphlet could be issued under the aegis of the latter, without necessarily involving Meeting for Sufferings. The statement would then (as in the case of Towards a Quaker View of Sex) become a personal statement on behalf of those who had prepared it. Young People Know Nancy Richardson's work takes her into many groups of young people and into discussions there on this very subject. "Although I am very grateful for this statement", she said, "I am afraid it is nothing like enough." The young people she was thinking of would already know everything that was said in it; and the same could be said of young Friends. Young people had in fact a great deal of information, some correct, some incorrect, but they were wandering in a sea of theory. She agreed with Jean Storrow that if they were going to appeal to young people they must appeal on the basis of loving and caring for each other. "The only attack we can make to modern young people is: 'If you love, if you care, you do not want to hurt.'" This caring side of the Christian message was the one side of it which did get under the skin of young people. In the statement there was not quite enough on the caring side. She was surprised how many older Friends had welcomed the statement as if it was something new. Excellent material of this kind was issued by the moral welcome organisations, the National Marriage Guidance Council and other bodies. There was no lack of information; but there were far too few people willing and qualified to talk to young people; far too many parents who said: "I can't help them; can I give them something to read?" Here were cues for further steps they could take; not the issue of a statement. She hoped they would say to the compilers: "Thank you very much; you have made us think. But may we put it back and think again?" The clerk (Doris I. Eddington)* said that it was clear that the document was not one which Friends wished to be issued by the Society. But the drawing of a minute was deferred until the second item (below) had been dealt with. Conference? This second question was whether to hold a conference of Friends on the pamphlet, Towards a Quaker View of Sex, or on the whole subject, or both. In May three members of the group which had prepared the pamphlet, three members of the Marriage and Parenthood Committee, and three members of the Friends' Temperance and Moral Welfare Union, were asked to look into this. They now reported that an open conference would not be helpful at this time, but that later a representative conference might be useful. Meanwhile Elders and Overseers and others with a special interest might be called together locally to discuss problems of sexual morality, and for this they should be offered what central help was available. Reginald A. Smith (who was one of the nine Friend) said that the minute might be viewed in the light of three possible verdicts on Towards a Quaker View of Sex. These were, in Reginald Smith's words: (1) "that the pamphlet is a great revelation to the Society and the world;" (2) "its authors' view that, after five years' gestation, it must be good"; or (3) "that the pamphlet has got in it poisons so virulent that it is essential that we should do our utmost to render them nugatory." He made it very clear that the last was his own view. Anna Bidder said the committee had felt that an open conference would be more useful after small group discussions had taken place. Eric Baker said it was clear that Friends up and down the country wished to discuss the subject thoroughly. He suggested that (1) Arrangement for local discussion should be made through Quarterly Meetings. They should be asked to arrange for a group of Friends, in a Quarterly Meeting or larger local region, to discuss this topic, and he hoped that the discussion would not be restricted to Elders and Overseers. (2) Preparatory material, including the pamphlet, Hugh Doncaster's draft and other material raising wider questions should be provided to help in the discussion. (3) A small committee should be set up to provide material and keep in touch with the gathering. Sidney Arnold did not feel that Meeting for Sufferings should take on itself to start throughout the Quarterly Meetings a discussion on one aspect of life--sexual relations. He was aware of the importance of the subject and agreed most thoroughly with Hugh Doncaster's draft. But he thought that, partly because of diffidence and fear of hurting people, there were overlooking the one simple question that was deeply troubling many Friends because the Society, through one of its Committees, had issued a pamphlet "that contains poison". Many of the things that had arisen, for example the initiative of his own (Western) Quarterly Meeting towards the issue of a statement, had been occasioned by deep concern as to the effect of the pamphlet upon young people. That simple question was "How are we to lessen the harm and danger that this pamphlet has brought upon our young people?" Hugh Mellor, John Dennisthonre, Horace Bamford, and Doris Gourlay were among those expressing growing doubt about a general, or any, directive for local discussion. The last-name suggested instead a small, centrally nominated, group. Wyn Sweatman, with considerable emphasis, cried: "I hope we drop the whole question of sex in our meetings. Please let us do nothing at all. Let us go out and breathe some clean air over the holidays. Just leave the whole thing alone. We have really been rather foolish. A shocking waste of time. All this sickening discussion about sex." The Meeting decided to take no further action at present; either about the statement; the conference; local discussions; or a centrally nominated group. John Harvey felt that they could not separate without expressing warmest thanks to Hugh Doncaster for his able efforts, and their commiseration with him in the disappointment at so slender an outcome of all his work. (Our report of this lengthy Meeting's attention to other subjects must be left until next week) ___________________ *Doris Eddington has now fully resumed her duties as Clerk after her illness. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Meeting for Sufferings 5 July 1963 Description An account of the resource As reported in <em>The Friend</em>, dissension and unrest over TQVOS appeared to be heightened in the next Meeting for Sufferings. Still the body could not reach consensus to adopt either proposal from the previous meeting--to publish a statement or to hold a conference. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Reproduced by permission of<em> The Friend</em>, July 12, 1963, pp. 809-13 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/beedccc87e0859bbbd34ba460386fb5a.jpg 1112d77fa0f81eb3078bfe2476ddcd84 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/ec642954b05c243307a904f1097738fd.jpg dfd9fc91f3f312066393bd032d183c07 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/aea4d4597c4844867b1e7e0972edce44.jpg f4c3510423d20a8381f3f2c4f01b0fb1 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/2b0f31bea6d96279ac2dce2442becd24.jpg d791b8412c21028713476cbe30ec4106 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/0e2088957c7c6ccd744b5ac421ad118b.jpg 076942d085051fba5c6091aa91e2a5e4 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document The Friend May 10, 1963 An Elgar-ian Meeting for Sufferings One theory about the Enigma Variations is that Elgar called them so because the theme they are based on is never stated; that is has to be reconstructed by deduction from the heard variations, itself being unheard; a silent chief guest at the feast. If so, Meeting for Sufferings last Friday was rather like the Enigma Variations. Its agenda was dominated, under several separate headings, by a recent rather celebrated pamphlet. But this dominaton was mostly invisible, indirect, and carefully not alluded to. Speakers largely engaged in discussing matters closely allied to the contacts and manner of publication of the pamphlet were manfully doing their best most of the time to behave as if there was no connection at all. The only flaw in this Enigma analogy was that the pamphlet kept popping up, by inadvertence if not by design. It even got into a report on the Yearly Meeting Fund accounts, when the Accountant (Leslie Todd) speculated that "the Society's bestseller may have had something to do with" a reduction of the annual deficit on the Friends Book Centre by £200. And, as the long morning wore into a long afternoon, the references got less and less oblique. By this civilised device the Meeting managed to compose quite a comprehensive set of variations on "Towards a Quaker View of Sex". And it seems possible that a conference on the subject is looking ahead for a larger body of Friends than the Meeting itself. "A Short, SImple Statement" A large part of he morning was focused on a minute of the Western Quarterly Meeting. After recalling the origin of the concern in the Worcester and Shropshire Monthly Meeting, this minute went on (with a buried significance in the very first words): Much that has recently been published about the relationship between men and women in an attempt to get away from a legalistic and conventional attitude. It has also tended to deal with the abnormal. There is bewilderment among young people as to the standards they should observe in their behaviour towards one another and this Meeting would welcome the issue of a short, simple statement in the name of the Society presenting affirmatively what in our experience we have found to be good in socially responsible behaviour. We should hope that such a statement would have the widest publicity. Hugh Doncaster hoped that this minute would be considered in some isolation from other statements and on its own merits. The concern thus expressed went back for him a good many years--indeed to the time of the first Young Friends' National Conference held after the last war. Asked to speak there on personal relationships between men and women, he had been drawn into many private conversations, mostly with Young Friends, at the time and at similar occasions later, and into many more about his pamphlet, Personal Relationships Between Men and Women, had been published by the Home Service Committee in 1950. Time after time a Young Friend would say: "But why aren't these facts made more widely known to us?" Facts were felt to be needed, as a basis for right judgment. Articles, correspondence and other material in The Friend a year ago; the Reith Lectures of G.M. Carstairs (where "charity" and "chastity" appeared to be rather curiously presented as incompatibles); and more recently the publication of Towards a Quaker View of Sex, had afforded the opportunity for renewed discussion, which had disclosed the diversity of Friends' approach. Yet, except at the extreme either ends of the spectrum, there was a good deal of common ground. All would agree that it was important to maintain a living conception of personality and individuality, and not to let that become hardened into a set of general regulations. All were agreed that they should be sympathetic and understanding, that they should "meet people where they are", and that they should beware of judging situations that they themselves had never been in. All this had been said, fully and fruitfully. What had not been said was that, if one coming new to these problems of personal relationships was to behave responsibly, he or she needed to know certain facts about human relationships, and what had been found good in the past and in the present. Hugh Doncaster recalled that, at an informal gathering of young people which he had chaired for a free discussion of personal relationships, as time went on it became clear that no one present wanted to advocate pre-marital intercourse. The meeting said to itself: "We all seem to agree with this. But why?" Only one reason could be found among them--the risk attaching at present to contraceptive methods. So the meeting turned to him for further help, and he gave three or four reasons. At once they came back at him with: "Yes, of course. But why isn't this said?" He believed there was a clear case for a short simple statement, affirming that Friends were not wanting to sit in harsh judgment on anybody, but that it was their experience to have found a certain pattern of conduct to be ideal--a pattern which did not include either extramarital or premarital intercourse. In and after the Quarterly Meeting discussion two Friends had disclosed cases of young girls who believed they were "the only virgins in the class" at school and who were deeply perplexed to know the reason they could give for the stand they were taking. Allowing for a considerable element of bluffing in the confessions of young people among themselves, the fact was that a good deal of adolescent intercourse was going on. Friends had a reponsibility to give guidance, not in the sense of an edit, but by telling what experience they had found to be ideal. So his suggestion was, not for a long, careful, detailed consideration of all issues, but something simpler and more urgent; something that could be produced quite soon--with a draft, perhaps, to the next Meeting for Sufferings in July. A Diverse Discussion In the careful and prolonged consideration that followed the advisability of issuing such a statement was seriously examined. While it was clear that many Friends would welcome a statement in the name of the Society, there were also many who felt strong hesitation. Among those supporting the publication of a statement was Jean Storrow, Education Secretary of the Ipswich Marriage Guidance Council. She felt that the best way of getting facts known by young people was in discussion, but there were not enough people to go round to do this. Mary Pickard, welcoming the proposal, also pointed out the valuable Home Service Committee pamphlets, Christians and Sex: A Quaker Comment, by Harold Loukes* and regretted that so far this had not been more widely used. Majorie Fox, speaking out of her experience of a long and happy marriage, shared the concern for a statement. Ruth Wilson recalled Friends to material already available and hope it would be looked at again. Charles Deakin recognised the difficulties but hoped that a statement would get out. Mary Wilkinson asked Friends to realise at what an early age young people nowadays had to meet these problems; many of them were not very clever and needed something very simple. Several Friends stressed the urgency of the matter. Joan Pargeter agreed with publication, but they had to guard against the idea that life was cut and dried. No set of rules was applicable; all they could hope to do was to give a spiritual perspective. Bessie Blackburn said that the issue of a statement was not a simple matter, and it could not be produced quickly, since the issues needed to be studied honestly. Gustav Fischer was very hesitant about a statement, as it could not be produced in isolation from the wider issues involved. Maisie Birmingham considered the present as probably the worst possible moment for putting out a statement. Whatever they might intend, it would be interpreted as a contradiction of Towards a Quaker View of Sex. She hoped Friends would not rush into producing it. Several Friends supported this view. Robert Illing said that Towards a Quaker View of Sex had brought respect for the Society, and he had received many comments from students on its value. He would welcome a statement for private use, but doubted the wisdom of issuing it publicly. Phyllis Taunton Wood agreed that the pamphlet had received a warm welcome from other Christians. Marjorie Lee was not clear as to what sort of people they wanted to address. Scott Bayliss hoped that the statement would be be primarily for Friends, while Beti Jones stressed the importance of the manner of publication of a statement, as vitally affecting the way in which it would be read and interpreted. Eric Baker hoped that if they were to contemplate such a statement they would not give any colour for suggesting that they were being run away with by newspaper headlines, but should base their decision on the sober comments of statisticians and a recognition of the real complexity of the matter. He hoped that no Friend parents were waiting for the Society to tell them what to think, but were strenuously working it out for themselves. And he also hoped they were not going to confine their attention to extra-marital and premarital intercourse, for relations of this kind did not just happen, but happened for a reason for which they must search. If they were to state, it must be the fruit of considered thought, taking all things into account. There must be no short cut. "However much you dogmatise, a dogma is not in itself an answer to a real spiritual complexity." The Acting Clerk (Stephen C. Morland) believed that the Meeting was in favour of the quick production of a statement, while recognising the need also for prolonged thought and study. The Meeting finally agreed to the suggestion of Richenda Scott and Wilfrid Littleboy that Hugh Doncaster should nominate some Friends who could confer with him on the draft of a statement. These are: Mary Wilkinson, Jean Storrow, Ruth Wilson, Maisie Birmingham and Joseph Sayers. The draft will be presented to the July meeting, when its text and question of whether, and how, to publish it will be further considered. A Yearly Meeting Conference? Just before lunch the Meeting got on to a minuted from the Friends' Temperance and Moral Welfare Union, which read as follows: We have again considered the pamphlet, Towards a Quaker View of Sex, and its possible effects on our Society and people outside. Some of our members are deeply perturbed by the conclusions put forward in it, even though they are described as "tentative". Even among those of us who feel the pamphlet as a whole is a valuable contribution there are doubts about one or another aspect of the way its subjects are treated. Misunderstanding has arisen and still exists. We all desire to avoid needless division among us for lack of mutual understanding. We feel that a conference should be called, and not by any one section of Friends or special-interest group, so that in a background of worship we may discuss the issues with frankness and the fullest tenderness for each other's concerns, and come as near as possible to a broadly united position on the subjects with which the pamphlet deals. Speaking briefly to it, Cecil Heath, chairman of the Union, emphasised the Union's hope that Meeting for Sufferings would call such a conference, and that from it an authoritative statement would issue. Discussion was resumed after lunch, when it became known that a minute on rather wider lines had been received from Westmorland Quarterly Meeting. Headed with the title of the pamphlet, Towards a Quaker View of Sex, the minute read on: While we recognise the gravity of the problem and the honesty of the authors in their approach, we have felt that the problems of sex should be seen, not as an isolated phenomenon, but as part of the general revolt of young men and women against so much else in our social and moral codes. We are conscious of the great increase in drinking and smoking, in petty pilfering, in violence and crime, of the way in which young people are exposed to constant temptation by the incessant pressure of advertisements, by having too much money, by bad examples of violence in films and television, by the fundamental feeling of insecurity. We feel certain that the Society of Friends, both for its own sake and for the sake of society at large, should not let the matter rest at this point, since the essay has certainly given rise to grave misunderstanding outside he Society and grave uneasiness inside it. We hope that some definite step may be taken by the Society of Friends to make it clear to the public generally that Friends maintain a high moral standard and personal integrity, and their belief in marriage as a sacred relationships which should not be broken, and re-affirm our faith that young men and women have still the inner power to respond to the highest ideals of Christianity. We suggest that Meeting for Sufferings appoint a small group to consider the important major factors which have led to the strong trend among the young today to reject the social and ethical code of their parents and elders and the Christian teaching on many moral and spiritual problems. "The Hurt" Reginald A. Smith, Secretary of the Union, said: "I appeal to Friends generally to realise how much restraint is being exercised by those who feel very deeply and strongly indeed in reaction to this pamphlet. I feel we are entitled to ask that the supporters of the pamphlet shall exercise similar restraint." He had been exceedingly doubtful, in discussions in his committee, whether a conference of this kind could be useful, as he found it hard to see how Friends could get through it without deep division--such as there had been signs of that morning. However, under continuing exercise he had come to feel that a thorough exploration, guided with great care by Friends of special concern and perhaps special knowledge, would be the most hopeful way of achieving unity without laying themselves open to the indictment that they had too "lightly healed the hurt" and cried "peace, peace, where there is no peace". One of the things that opponents of the pamphlet found hard to accept was that they were uncharitable, lacking in compassion, or "innocents in a wicked world". A tremendous amount needed to be done on the level both of the deep realities to which the pamphlet had tried to give expression, and of the even greater and higher realities of which the Society, in present and past generations, had had widespread experience. "It must be a deep exercise", he said, "if we are to bring unity out of the disruptive tendencies of the modern world, of which some of us think this pamphlet is the latest example." Saving Face? Ruth Wilson favoured, not a conference, but a group of no more than ten or twelve to meet the authors of the pamphlet and try to get some concrete alterations to it. Gustav Fischer, on the other hand, believed in holding a conference--but a conference aimed at seeking not unity but the truth. Edgar Dunstan and another Friend supported Ruth Wilson. Anne Millington asked: "Are we saving our face or seeking good?" Many people outside the Society had been encouraged by the pamphlet; the greatest misunderstanding of it had arisen among Friends who had misread it. They should read and study it more carefully, and should also read other work specially written on the subject, such as Kenneth Barnes's He and She and Harold Loukes's Christians and Sex: A Quaker Comment. Otto Peetz gave qualified support to a conference. He would be uneasy if its aim were to tear the pamphlet to bits; much easier if it were to try to clear their minds as a group on the truth. Rightly planned, it could be a useful exercise in group thinking. While realising that neither in a tiny group nor in a conference could they reach out to the truth they needed or find the answers, Muriel Putz thought that they might say "yes" to a conference representative of every Meeting in the country, out of which a continuing committee could be appointed, in further search of some more agreed consensus of thinking of the whole Yearling Meeting. Robert Illing said that the conference should be of Friends in touch with young people, or its pronouncements would be of no value whatever. It was agreed to ask three members of the group which produced Towards a Quaker View of Sex, three members of the Marriage and Parenthood Committee, and three members of the Friends' Temperance and Moral Welfare Union, to confer on the possible scope and terms of reference of such a conference. This will be brought to the July meeting, when the whole question of holding it will be re-examined. Publication Policy At an earlier stage this spring the publication of Towards a Quaker View of Sex, and controversy arising as to its manner of publication, had led the Home Service Committee to review its publication policy. This review continues; but the Committee came to the Meeting to ask if it would appoint two or three members experienced in matters of publication to join the Committee's discussions. The Nominations Committee is to bring in some names. (Our report of this very long Meeting will be concluded next week. Among matters still to be reported are the Meeting's decision to send a latter of appreciation to the Pope on his encyclical.) ______________ *published last year at 1s. 9d. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Meeting for Sufferings 3 May 1963 Description An account of the resource The Meeting for Sufferings (executive committee of the London Yearly Meeting) heard expressions of distress about the TQVOS study during its bimonthly meeting on May 3. Proposals to issue an official statement with more moral certitude and to hold a conference for a wider discussion on sexual morality were to be considered at the next meeting. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Reproduced by permission of <em>The Friend</em>, May 10, 1963, pp. 420-23. https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/98ebc0d0e003de138d06672ac574ea74.jpg 1e9888b11758aceda400632b14726a79 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Historical Development of BIPOC Trans-spiritual Leadership Website A resource comprising of a web page or web pages and all related assets ( such as images, sound and video files, etc. ). Text Any textual data included in the document The Church of Trans Love - A Facebook Post URL https://www.aidschicago.org/page/news/inside-story/meet-abdul-aliy-muhammad-a-black-queer-muslim-hiv-activist-who-has-been-fighting-racism-within-lgbtq-spaces-for-years Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Meet Abdul-Aliy Muhammad: a Black Queer Muslim HIV+ activist who has been fighting racism within LGBTQ+ spaces for years Subject The topic of the resource A queer and Black muslim with AIDS refuses to take his meds until the care organization treating him deals with its systemic racism. Description An account of the resource Muhammad won that battle, and they continue to fight racism and transphobia in the LGBTQ community. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived https://www.aidschicago.org/page/news/inside-story/meet-abdul-aliy-muhammad-a-black-queer-muslim-hiv-activist-who-has-been-fighting-racism-within-lgbtq-spaces-for-years Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Bailey Williams, AFC News, Aids Foundation Chicago, June 26, 2020 capitalism labor actions lgbtq racism and transphobia queer racism sexual assault socialism transgender transphobia worker's rights workers' rights https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/185fc50d6fa47875421c3f0b87f51fbf.jpg c909f10c537f690e92af05a9e8c978aa https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/190b09e07018d386092728eb69b8287f.jpg e50d4d7ee26918d19547a63ba128f038 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Upstairs Lounge Fire Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Text Any textual data included in the document <p>August 15, 1973</p> <p>TO:  Member &amp; Delegates in Assembly<br />Fourth Annual General Conference of the<br />Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches</p> <p>Brothers &amp; Sisters, greetings in Christ’s name:</p> <p>The intent and purpose of the presentation of this white paper is to give an accounting of the “State of the Church.” This document will be made available to official delegates and pastors upon registration for the Conference, and will be presented as the first piece of official business following roll-call and the seating of delegates.</p> <p>In this document, you will be apprised of the actions of the Board of Elders, the Committee on Evangelism and World Missions, and of the various Districts during the fiscal year, September, 1972 through August, 1973. Included in the report will be summaries of activity by the Moderator, Vice Moderator, Treasurer and Clerk.</p> <p>Further, in consideration of time economies, it will contain recommendations and resolutions for action by this Conference, which hopefully, will be considered by the Conference as approving these recommendations and actions as a single entity. Exceptions will be: Vote of renewal for the Elder eligible for consideration this year, as well as addenda relative to By-Law changes which require two-thirds vote by adoption.</p> <p>As we endeavor to summarize the work since our last General Conference, we could heartily agree with the sentiments expressed in the opening lines of Charles Dickens’ <span style="text-decoration:underline;">Tale of Two Cities</span>: “IT WAS THE BEST OF TIMES…IT WAS THE WORST OF TIMES.” Perhaps, if we were to epitomize this year past with some kind of catch phrase, we could say it was our year of growing pains! We began the year with 24 churches and 11 missions. We come into the Conference IV with 36 churches, 12 missions and 3 study groups—just one group shy of our targeted twelve. We have—largely through the efforts of the Board of  Evangelism and Missions—finally begun to make inroads into the middlewestern heartland of this country. Through grievous processes we saw the separation from the Fellowship of 1 church and 2 missions; namely Denver, Colorado Springs and Austin. Naturally, any parent dislikes being separated from children; but we are mindful of the trials and tribulations of the early Christian Churches. We might not be blessed with Paul’s 13 Epistles if all had proceeded smoothly and well in the early church. Almost daily, we remind ourselves that in dealings with one another, we must consider Faith, Hope, Love as our guidelines.  </p> <p>We can state emphatically that your Board of Elders has never worked more diligently, traveled more miles, compiled more files or correspondence than has been attested in this past year. On the positive side we saw in 1972 the institutions of our Pastor’s Conferences—East and West, the transition from Mission to Church on the part of many congregations, and reality in our Continental and European endeavors with a church in London, England as well as Toronto, Ontario. 1973 was also, infortunately, the year of the <span style="text-decoration:underline;">Refiner’s Fire</span>. We were sorely tried by the torch, as fire destroyed the church in Los Angeles (not once, but twice), the meeting place which housed our Nashville mission, our San Francisco Church (Community center early in the year and the rented sanctuary just this past month, and the tragic fire which wiped out almost 1/3 of our New Orleans congregation, including the pastor. Although we have been tried—we were not found wanting! We have not been without problems in other areas.  Yet—the Lord has seen fit to bless and prosper our work. He has also made us full aware that we are still representative of a persecuted minority. Although we may proudly point to the hundreds we have brought into communion with God through our combined efforts, we must needs looks to the tens of thousands who need to know of God’s Love and Care. In light of what has or has not happened on the religious and social fronts, we are well to be admonished: “Work for the Night is Coming!”</p> <p>Represented at this Fourth General Conference are the following churches with official representation and Missions with observer status: (Note: these are based upon available statistics at the writing of this report.)</p> <p>Atlanta, Ga.  111  2 delegates 1 pastor  Rev. John Gill</p> <p>Boston, Mass.  51  1 delegate  1 pastor  Rev. Larry Bernier</p> <p>Chicago, Ill.  75  1 delegate  1 pastor  Rev. Arthur Green</p> <p>Costa Mesa, Calif.  45  1 delegate  1 pastor  Rev. Rodger Harrison</p> <p>Dallas, Tex.  114  2 delegates  1 pastor  Rev. Richard Vincent</p> <p>Fort Lauderdale, Fla,  35  1 delegate  1 pastor  Rev. Don Hoffman</p> <p>Fort Worth, Tex. 30  1 delegate  1 pastor  Rev. David Carden</p> <p>Fresno, Calif.  30  1 delegate  1 pastor  Rev. Ray Cook</p> <p>Honolulu, Hawaii  45  1 delegate   1 pastor  Rev. Jack Isbell</p> <p>Long Beach, Cal.  120  2 delegates  2 pastors  Rev. Robert Cunningham  Rev. Shawn Farrell</p> <p>Los Angeles, Ca.  621  7 delegates  8 pastors  Rev. Troy D. Perry  Rev. Kenneth Jones  Rev. Lee Carlton  Rev. Paul VanHeck   Rev. Richard Ploen  Rev. Lee Spangenberg  Rev. Louis Loynes  Rev. June Norris</p> <p>Miami, Fla.    90  1 delegate  1 pastor  Rev. Keith Davis</p> <p>New York, N.Y.  35   1 delegate  2 pastors   Rev. Roy Birchard   Rev. Howard Wells</p> <p>Oakland, Cal.  35  1 delegate   1 pastor   Rev. Peter Wilson</p> <p>Oklahoma City, Ok.   40  1 delegate   1 pastor  Rev. Robert Falls</p> <p>Philadelphia, Pa.  102  2 delegates   1 pastor   Rev. Jay Neely</p> <p>Phoenix, Ariz.   70  1 delegate  2 pastors   Rev. Joseph Gilbert  Rev. Beau McDaniels</p> <p>Providence, R.I.  45  1 delegate  1 pastor   Rev. Arthur Cazeault</p> <p>Sacramento, Calif.  35  1 delegate  2 pastors   Rev. Freda Smith  Rev. Tom Taylor</p> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource MCC State of the Church Report Includes Fire Description An account of the resource The annual State of the Church Report presented to the MCC General Conference in August 1973 calls the year one of “Refiner’s Fire” as it noted fires in several MCC congregations in addition to the Upstairs Lounge fire. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Roy Birchard Collection, CLGS Archives, Berkeley, Calif. https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/0cd08a470ae6826e995fcde40abc154f.jpg 1ee842a3a0ef1c30f319a21751c33e2f Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource A Sampler of Early Documents Description An account of the resource Artifacts for the A Sampler of Early Documents exhibit YouTube Video A video hosted on YouTube. YouTube ID Eleven-character ID assigned by YouTube 2ge52NpKf3s Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource MCC San Francisco worship service Description An account of the resource This video of the July 29, 1973 worship service at Metropolitan Community Church San Francisco (MCC-SF) – including interviews with the Rev. James Sandmire – was shot by Queer Blue Light, a community collective that produced videos. On Friday, July 27, 1973, the MCC-SF building on Guerrero Street was heavily damaged by arson. The congregation gathered for this worship service two days later at the Mission United Presbyterian Church at 23rd and Capp Streets. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived This video is from the Daniel Smith Collection located at the <a href="http://www.glbthistory.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GLBT Historical Society in San Francisco</a>. https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/d8f9b8e7f36eba4eea42b66193a0fd68.jpg d1cef7da58bccb4ca8d568dbea0cb6b7 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Upstairs Lounge Fire Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Text Any textual data included in the document <p>San Francisco Metropolitan Community Church</p> <p>1074-1076 Guerrero Street</p> <p>San Francisco, California 94110</p> <p>Phone: (415) 285-0392</p> <p>TO: All Members and Friends of MCC</p> <p>FROM:  The Pastor</p> <p>RE: (a) Special Memorial Service Sunday, July 1, 7 PM</p> <p>(b) Special Congregational meeting, Sunday, July 8, 4 PM</p> <p>(c) Travel Plans for Atlanta General Conference, Labor Day weekend</p> <p>Dear Sisters and Brothers:</p> <p>It is my sad duty to inform you that a number of members of the New Orleans MCC perished in a fire at the “Upstairs”—a popular community bar.  I am sure many of you have followed newspaper accounts of this tragedy. There is a strong possibility that the fire was deliberately set.</p> <p>The bar owners were friendly to the Church and served an inexpensive meal after church services which drew many of our members to the bar each Sunday. Among those who died in the fire were both the pastor and the assistant pastor of the church.</p> <p>Rev. Troy Perry immediately flew to New Orleans to confer with regional church and community leaders. Memorial services in which the whole community will join are planned at MCC Churches throughout the country this Sunday. In San Francisco, our regular evening service at 7 p.m. at the church will be dedicated to the victims of the fire. Representatives from most community organizations will attend. We know you will want to make a special effort to join us for this important service…..</p> <p>Yours in Christ,</p> <p>James E. Sandmire</p> <p>pastor</p> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource MCC San Francisco Pastor Responds Description An account of the resource Letter from MCC San Francisco Pastor Jim Sandmire to his congregations draws the MCC connections to the New Orleans tragedy. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived MCC San Francisco https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/4482b1d2d0648056019630c7488406a9.jpg 2731c1b5101613f0943a9c2de9b840f2 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Upstairs Lounge Fire Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource MCC Rectory & Hall on Magazine Street Description An account of the resource MCC raised the funds to rent this double cottage at 1369-73 Magazine Street (shown in 2013) to serve as both home for the pastor and hall for worship. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived GoogleEarth from Henry Kubicki https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/3611c794a3a42d19ca6166b299aa4c88.jpg 3299f60193a473963f1365a0cef675ca Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Upstairs Lounge Fire Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Text Any textual data included in the document <p><strong>Church Strives Following Fire</strong></p> <p><strong>New Phase of Growth, Renewal—Pastor</strong></p> <p>The Metropolitan Community Church in New Orleans, which reportedly lost one-third of its total membership in the tragic Upstairs Lounge fire last year, has entered a new phase of growth and spiritual renewal, according to the new interim pastor, the Rev. Elder Richard C. Vincent, of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches.</p> <p>The Rev. Mr. Vincent has taken a leave of absence from his position as pastor of the Dallas, Tex. MCC and will remain here until the New Orleans church, still in a mission category, has been chartered and a permanent pastor is secured.</p> <p>The MCC mission here has been without a pastor since the Rev. William Larson was killed, along with 31 other persons in the June 24, 1973 fire. Because of the loss of members and other hardships, the congregation is now in a fund-raising campaign.</p> <p>The University Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches was begun in 1968. It strives, through lectureship and other educational programs, to promote a greater understanding and acceptance of the homosexual lifestyle as a valid way of life, according to the Rev. Mr. Vincent.</p> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource MCC Perseveres in Wake of Tragedy Description An account of the resource MCC New Orleans strives to communicate that it is continuing and growing following the tragic loss of members at the Upstairs Lounge. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <em>The Times-Picayune</em>, February 16, 1974 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Shower of Stoles Description An account of the resource Items (stoles) for the Shower of Stoles exhibit Stole A stole in the Shower of Stoles exhibit Honoree The person honored by the creation of thestole. MCC of Louisville (Solidarity Stole) Stole Text Metropolitan Community Church of Louisville Metropolitan Community Church Louisville, KY “And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, support, strengthen, and establish you.” 1 Peter 5:10 I was cast aside by the denomination in which I grew up, and responded by leaving organized religion for thirty years. Then I discovered MCCL. I found a spiritual home that I didn't even know I was seeking. I found a loving group of individuals who had been rejected by the very institutions that should have embraced them as children of God. I found a place where the Holy Spirit was vibrant. And I found a group made richer by the contributions of other seminarians and clergy who had also been rejected by their original denominations. This is not about me; it is about us. My story is their story. My pain, theirs. And most importantly, my redemption is theirs, too. The incredible richness that they bring to the ministries of our church is beyond measure. Through suffering we have been transformed, and by the journey have become the instruments through which God works to bring about healing and love for all. If the church is the Body of God, then MCCL is its heart. Denomination Metropolitan Community Church Contribution Date 2013 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 1162 Title A name given to the resource MCC of Louisville (Solidarity Stole) Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Louisville, Kentucky (USA) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Metropolitan Community Church of Louisville Ally Clergy Activist Kentucky MCC Ordination https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/cf53fd599a38129bea1d8253761e9365.jpg a2ca34fc0d7a2b701c4d16e631bc331b https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/b5da22d5bb41ce073c3a01106af3a0c9.jpg 1c25e6f3125b04244ae6536ef6b93232 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Upstairs Lounge Fire Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Text Any textual data included in the document New Orleans Mission of SD Church <br />Elysian Fields Parish <br />Metropolitain Community Church<br />The Upstairs (Theater in back)<br />604 Iberville Street New Orleans, La.  <br /><br />Rev. David E. Solomon, Missionary Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource MCC National Directory Includes New Orleans Description An account of the resource The June 1971 issue of <em>In Unity</em> includes a map and listing of MCC congregations including New Orleans, as a mission of the San Diego Church. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <p><em>In Unity</em>, June 1971, pp. 3-4</p> https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/80e415b2f0faa431abbe60f8194ccb6a.jpg 0165df02e42b4914d8bfb3723e4a963c Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Upstairs Lounge Fire Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource MCC Meets in Chapel at St. George’s Description An account of the resource After leaving the Upstairs Lounge, MCC New Orleans holds weekly worship services in the chapel at St. George’s Episcopal Church, 4600 St. Charles Avenue (pictured in 2013). Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived from St. George’s Church https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/e084f48f77c4a4f7953e73a73f0bd0d0.jpg 90242e9d16556e72c34dbe829e701008 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/e65acc297c38f304ef4f3356cbc58ec2.jpg 8cd40664653bf33dddac3e4031bc7657 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource The Upstairs Lounge Fire Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Text Any textual data included in the document <h4>Elysian Fields Parrish of MCC New Orleans.</h4> Our mission in Louisiana may be small, but its name is a mouthful! Their pastor, the Rev. David E. Solomon, is working hard trying to find a church to rent for worship services. Finally, he tells us “…the Lord directed me to a theater in the back of a bar in the French Quarter. The owner of the bar discussed it, consulted with their attorney, and have made it available to EFP of MCC of New Orleans on Sunday evenings at 7:30 P.M. Free of charge!” <p>The first worship service was held on May 9, 1971, and six people attended. The following Sunday only four appeared, but Rev. Solomon said he has faith in the future of this mission. A salesman he met to order his cassock got so interested in hearing about Metropolitan Community Church that he gave Rev. Solomon the cassock and surplice as a sample. They fit as it tailor-made for him! He asked his landlady about a table she had which was a good size for an altar and she gave it. The bartender at the bar in front of the theater where services will be held donated the candlesticks. One of the members is making the cover for the table and colored runners for the altar—he’s also donating the cloth. Another young man has offerred to try to find a chalice for them. Rev. David Solomon hopes to promote fellowship thru various social activities. A swimming party is planned, and a Shrimp and Crawfish Boil.</p> <p>Services are conducted at 7:30 P.M at the Theater of the Upstairs 604 Iberville Street New Orleans, Louisiana</p> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource MCC Magazine Announces Mission Description An account of the resource The June 1971 issue of MCC’s <em>In Unity</em> magazine contains story of the New Orleans mission beginning to worship at the Upstairs Lounge. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <em>In Unity</em>, June 1971, pp. 25-26 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource MCC Boston Description An account of the resource Location of MCC Boston https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/482f4be1361fd51cd817b90cb32cd29e.jpg 0df23aa9faf11960f831feae3aff1b27 Person An individual. Text Any textual data included in the document <p>Matthew Vines is the founder and executive director of The Reformation Project and the author of<span>&nbsp;</span><em>God and the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationships</em>. He lives in Lenexa, Kansas.</p> <p>Matthew attended Harvard University from 2008 to 2010. He then took a leave of absence in order to research the Bible and same-sex relationships and work toward LGBTQ inclusion in the church. In March 2012, Matthew delivered a speech at a church in his hometown about the Bible and same-sex relationships, calling for acceptance of gay Christians and their marriage relationships. Since then, the video of the speech has been viewed more than a million times on YouTube, leading to a feature story in<span>&nbsp;</span><em>The New York Times&nbsp;</em>that fall.</p> <p>In 2013, Matthew launched The Reformation Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to training LGBTQ Christians and allies to reform church teaching on sexual orientation and gender identity. The Reformation Project has hosted conferences in Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Kansas City, and Los Angeles; the 2017 national conference will be held in Chicago from October 26-28. The Reformation Project also runs a leadership development cohort for LGBTQ Christians and allies each spring, as well as an event series at non-affirming churches called “Elevating the Dialogue on LGBTQ Inclusion in the Church.”</p> <p>(This biographical statement provided by Matthew Vines.)</p> Biographical Text <p>Matthew Vines is the founder and executive director of The Reformation Project and the author of<span>&nbsp;</span><em>God and the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationships</em>. He lives in Lenexa, Kansas.</p> <p>Matthew attended Harvard University from 2008 to 2010. He then took a leave of absence in order to research the Bible and same-sex relationships and work toward LGBTQ inclusion in the church. In March 2012, Matthew delivered a speech at a church in his hometown about the Bible and same-sex relationships, calling for acceptance of gay Christians and their marriage relationships. Since then, the video of the speech has been viewed more than a million times on YouTube, leading to a feature story in<span>&nbsp;</span><em>The New York Times&nbsp;</em>that fall.</p> <p>In 2013, Matthew launched The Reformation Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to training LGBTQ Christians and allies to reform church teaching on sexual orientation and gender identity. The Reformation Project has hosted conferences in Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Kansas City, and Los Angeles; the 2017 national conference will be held in Chicago from October 26-28. The Reformation Project also runs a leadership development cohort for LGBTQ Christians and allies each spring, as well as an event series at non-affirming churches called “Elevating the Dialogue on LGBTQ Inclusion in the Church.”</p> <p>(This biographical statement provided by Matthew Vines.)</p> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Matthew Vines Matthew Vines The Reformation Project