82 20 2484 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/fa882d79fbf4d4f0441e242ebb8f3bc9.pdf 90b172e8d4233b1ca981940c0e45adac 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 Second Stone Description An account of the resource Issues of the Second Stone publication. Issue An issue of a recurring publication. Issue Number The number of the issue (within a volume) 24 Publication Year The year the issue was published 1992 Publication Date The date the issue was published Sept/Oct 1992 Text Any textual data included in the document AMERICA'S GAY & LESBIAN CHRISTIAN NEWSJOURNAL SEPTE M BER/ OCTOBER, 199 2 I SS U E# 24 Anti-gay document draws shock , anger BY JIM BAILEY Gay a nd lesbi an Ca tholics were stunned, distressed, and angered in late July by a four-page document declaring the Vat ican's suppo r t for d iscr imination against gay and lesbi an p e ople in s uch ar eas as p ublic housing, family health benefits and the hiring of teachers, coache s and milit a ry personnel. The Vatican do cument, entitled "Some Considerations Conc e rning the Catholic Response to Legislat iv e Proposals on the NonDiscrimination of Homosexual Persons," from the Congregation for t he Doctrine of the Faith, was sent to all U.S. bishops throug h the Vatican Nunciature on June 25th by the General Secretary of the U.S. Catholic Conference. The statement came to th e atte ntion of New Ways Ministry, a national gay-affirming group that works w ith gay and lesbian Catholics . New Ways Ministry sent copies ·of the document to the media. The Washington Post broke th e story on July 17, igniting a wave of anger in the gay and lesbian community, Catholic and non-catholic alike. The statement urges church authorities to lobby against legislation that might encourage homosexual behavior because such behavior, according to th e document, under mines traditional family life. It said g overnmen t sh ou l d d eny cert ain privilege s to gay and lesbian people to promote the traditional family and prote ct society. '"Sexu al orientation ' does not consti tute a quality com parable to race, ethnic background, etc., in respect to non-discrimination," the statement reads. "Unlike these, homosexual orientation is an objective disorde r ." The hard-line document continues, to the shock and dismay of many Christians, to say that "there are areas in which it is not unjust discrimination to take sexual orientation into account..." The weeks following the discovery of the Vatican's unchari table position on human rights for gay and lesbian peof,le produced a flood of responses. In t us report, Second Stone presents reaction from across the nation to the Vatican statement. SEE COVER STORY, Page 10 f(ETUflN TO 5eNOfrl· KEVIN CALEGARI, president of Dignity/USA stands near the office of the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, preparing to "return to sender' a copy of the Vatican statement opposing civil rights for Gays and Lesbians. Cardinal Ratzinger refused to meet with Calegari. f]JPROJECT TOCSIN: GAY BROTHERS: [l7l OUR FAMILIES: California group battles right wing poison This religious order won't kick yo u out if you're gay The fathe rs of the · bride helped p lan the wedding BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PA I D NEW ORLEANS, LA ----------------------------------------------------- 1 PERMITNo.511 · T ,·From the Editor T .................................... Ostrich approach won't work By Jim Bailey Editor SINCE THE REPUBLICAN National Convention I've not iced I've been watching television more in the "mute" mode. I'm sure this has to do with spending an inordinate amount of time on the phone putting this issue together. I just forgot to "de-mute" after the phone calls were over. I think. · I hope it has nothing to · do with my aggravation with a C-SP AN caller who phoned in during the Republican gathering to voice his opinion that one could not be both a Democrat and a Christian. (I do recall that was the first time I had used the mute button in some time.) Watching television in such a manner is confusing and can be dangerous. With the phone between my ear and shoulder, I glanced over at the silent Headline News . For a moment , I thought I saw a citizen of Sarajevo scrambling to safety with an armload of befongings . No, that was a looter stealing from a Miami store in the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew. The!\ scenes of destruction. It reminded me of hurricanes I had experienced. No, that was Sarajevo. The next time I caught the screen they were on the hurricane again: a map of the Gulf of Mexico, the swirly hurricane symbol now positioned in the Gulf, a track of destruction across Florida, and big orange arrows pointing at me . Clearly, it was time to demute . In these days of "ethnic cleansing" in Bosnia-Herzepovina, rising neo-Nazism in Germany, official hatred from the Vatican, and dangerous right wing political influence on the leadership of the United States, it is tempting to hit the mute button ... to deny. There is an evil threat to the freedo _m and liberty ... to the very lives ... of gay and lesbian people in the United States. It's disguised under steeples and crosses. The story on Project ·Tocsin in this issue is about people who recognize this threat and have gone to battle against it. Reconstructionists and others involved with the radical religious right movement are counting on apathy from the gay and lesbian · community and, so far, to a great extent, that's just what they've gotten . They want to chart a new course for America, destroying what they don't like along the way. Right now, the orange arrows are pointed at us. SECOND STONE Newsjournal, ISSN No. 1047-3971, is published every other month by Bailey Communications, P. 0. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182. Copyright 1992 by Second Stone, a registered trademark . SUBSCRIPTIONS, U.S .A. $13.00 per year, six issues . Foreign subscribers add $10.00 for postage. All payments U.S. currency only. ADVERTISING , For display advertising information call (504)899-4014 or write to P.O. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 . EDITORIAL, send letters, calendar announcements, noteworthy items to (Department title) Second Stone, P;O . Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 . Manuscripts to be returned should be accompanied by a stamped, self addressed envelope . Second Stone is otherwise not responsible for the return of any material. SECOND STONE, an ecumenical Christian newsjournal for the national gay and lesbian community . PUBLISHER/EDITOR: Jim Bailey CONTRIBUTORS FOR THIS ISSUE:Rev. Dr. Fred C. Williams, Andrea L. T. Peterson; Pamela White, Ivy Young, Rev. Dr. Timm Peterson, Michael Blankenship and Nancy Hugman · I 2Tsecond Stone• September/October, 1992 · l___..:..-J . Contents ........... ........... .. ...... []] From The Editor I 3__J· 1 1 Commentary The false issue of •~raditional family values" [4J News Lines [I] []] [I] Coming Out To My Pastor Telling her nationally-known homophobic pastor all about it... by Pamela White Project Tocsin They're battling right wing poison I Remember Enrique A moving letter recalling the power of an important friend ! 10 l Cover Story . Reaction to Vatican 's position on gay and lesbian civil rights il2I _ gj Meet The Brothers Of The Mercy Of God Sexual orientation won't get you kicked out of this order of gay Christian men 1_·1 !) 1 The Parable Of The Shetter ~ By Nancy Hugman Andrea Peterson reviews Sandy Rapp's God's Country: 1~ 1 lnPrint A Case Against Theocracy, Michael Blankenship reviews _Rev . Stephen Pieters' I'm Still Dancing [61 Relationships How scripture helps us fix broken relationships by Rev. Fred C. Williams ml17 Families l!!J An interview with two gay grandfathers l]8] Calendar I 191. Noteworthy News about people, churches and groups 120 I Classlfl .eds Comment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . "Traditional family values" False issues and moral posturing By lwYounq Guest Comment THERE YOU GO again, George . Making ill-informed, demagogic and misguided moralistic pronouncements about the nature of family life in this country and the unsuitability of Lesbians and Gays to be parents. And we must ask, as it was asked of Senator Joe McCarthy, so many years ago, "Have you no decency? At long _last, have you no decency?" There are millions of lesbian and gay parents in this country who, like parents everywhere, spend most of their time and energy caring for and worrying about and loving their children. And hoping, too, that those children grow up in a world free of the bigotry and prejudice so evident in George Bush's remarks about the "abnormality" of same-sex parents. That the president of the United States would target millions of lesbian and gay parents, discredit their lives, do psychological harm to their children, and make them scapegoats for the fundamental problems of this country is unconscionable and unworthy, even in an election year. We know all too well that the Vice President cannot spell. The question befor e us now is does the President ever read. Did he read the U .S. Departm ent of Health and Human Services youth suicide study that showed gay youth, because of .society's intolerance and rejection by their families, are two to three times more likely to attempt suicide than heterosexual youth? Does he read the reports that put the divorce rate in this country at 50 percent, or the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence report that three to four million women a year are abused by their husbands and boyfriends? Gay youth suicide and spouse abuse appear to be long-standing "traditional family values" in this country. Did the president overlook the front page headline in the Washington Post a while back: "Increase in Baby Killings Attributed to Family Stress"? That article contends that the nation 's recession, joblessness and low wages are causing parents to take out their frustrations on their children. More than 1300 children died of abuse last year, 50 percent more than in 1986. The Post article makes pointed reference to the fact that because of budget cuts, there is little help available for families in crisis. This is normal family life in America. Our community did not create this crisis. Instead, in the face of anti-gay . policies and rampant homophobia, such as that displayed by the president, three to five million lesbian and gay parents struggle daily to provide loving homes for their children . An ever-increasing number of sociological studies indicates that children raised in lesbian and gay families grow up to be no better or worse than children raised in heterosexual families. Of course, we all hope that our children, unlike Neil Bush, do not grow up to be thieves or To sit idly by while your cronies and big n1oney campaign contributors loot the savings and loan institutions where thousands of An1erican fan1ilies deposited their hard-earned resources is not the n1ark of someone with a deepseated concern about any kind of values. brigands. Bush is using "traditional family values" as the smoke and mirror tactic to appease and win back the disenchanted right wing. But even those with the hardiest intestinal fortitude should find this snake oil difficult to swallow. For Bush to profess such love and concern for the American family and veto the Family Medical Leave Act is hyprocrisy at its most profound. American families fill homeless shelters and sleep on the streets, but this administration consistently reduces spending on low and moderate 'income housing. To sit idly by while your cronies and big. money campaign contributors loot the savings and loan institutions where thousands of American families deposited their hard-earned resources is not the mark of someone with a deep-seated co11- cern about any kind of values. How can one claim to cherish families on one hand and promote such destructive anti-family policies on the other? This is not a time for false issues or moral posturing. This is a time for leadership. Unfortunately, in his attempt to keep his job for another four years, the president has again displayed the venal cowardice that is unbecoming to anyone who would seek to lead this natiort. Ivy Young is the director of the Families Project of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Policy Institute. Jesus did have something to say about homosexu.ality By Rev. Dr. Timm Peterson Guest Comment w HY ARE THE mainline Protestant churches having so much trouble with the issue of lesbian/ gay civil rights in the church and soci~ty? What is keeping the leadership of the denominations from taking a strong stand on this issue and teaching the laity they are wrong to discriminate against us? What is the major issue for the laity in dealing truthfully with 20th century psychology and sociology about lesbian/ gay sexuaHty and sexual identity for children, youth and adults? You guessed it. The Bible. One of the major obstacles facing Open and Affirming, More Light and Welcoming Churches and Reconciling Congregations is the authority of scripture, biblical interpretations and what Jesus said or didn't say. For too long liberal Christians have been silent. This must change. With the release of the Dead Sea Scroll material and other published works on the early Christian period, we are beginning to discover much more about the cultural influences on Jesus' life and mission. I had always wondered as a gay man and a Christian if Jesus was aware of homosexuality in his day. How could he " have no t ? And if he did say anything about it, where in the core documents of the New Testament would it be? Then I remembered something. His greatest text on inclusivity was in his Sermon on the Mount in Matthew's Gospel. Surely, if there were something, it wo'uld be there. To my surprise, there was. The text is Matthew 5:22. "If you say to your brother/ sister raca you will be sent to the Sanhedren ." The New Revised Standard Version says in a footnote that Raca is an "obscure term of abuse." What the biblical theologians are not saying is that the term Raca means "faggot." This means that Jesus is saying at the peak of his ministry that he doesn't want his followers to gay-bash or even verbally harrass gay people . And he is directing this prohibition to heterosexuals and their homophobia. What is more interesting is the next part of the phrase, "or you will be sent to the Sanhedren (the Jewish court system). What could this mean? Recently author and professor John Boswell has been doing research on early gay Holy Unions and how ancient they are, dating back to early Roman soldiers and their unions. Coujd this mean that Jesus was supporting a gay rights bill of his day and saying that homophobes should be punished? It seems so. Testament text which 1.) focuses on heterosexuals doing deviant sexual acts with same-sex persons, 2.) relates to Greek pederast sexuality with marrieds and call boys, 3.) relates to cultic worship experiences and/ or 4.) relates to rape . None of these usual texts have anything to do with consenting, loving and mutual relations for same-sex couples. The fundamentalists never quote the Song of Solomon either. It is time the churches face up to this moment. Marginalizing and oppressing openly lesbian and gay churchfolk is no virtur~. Let's stop using the Bible as a weapon of injustice and start going to the .root of the Gospel itself: love your neighbor as they define themselves asyou love yourself. As we do this we love God inclusively as we should. The evidence is mounting to show that gay and lesbian same-.sex unions preceded heterosexual marriage ceremonies. This would mean that Jesus was not only pro-gay, but also supported loving, mutual relations for · same-.sex couples. What more do we Rev. Dr. Timm Peterson is a United need to show that the Lord of the Church of Christ minister living in church is for us and not against us? Chicago, He teaches at Triton College and · When the conservatives respond, is Associate Editor of Changi1tg Men they usually quote Paul or some Old magazine. _____ ' Second Stone• Sep~ember/October, ImtnJ. News Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Washington elects woman suffragan bishop D. THE REV. JANE HO LMES DIXON, 54, rector of St. Philip's Church in Laurel, Maryland was elected a bishop in the Episcopal Church by more than 300 delegates of the Diocese of Washington. If approved by a 11:ajority of the country's 99 dioceses, she wi ll become th~ second woman b1sbop m the Episcopal Church, followmg the Rt Rev. Barbara C. Hams election in Massachusetts in 1988. Dixon has repeatedly spoken out in favor of ordaining gay people. Everyone should enjoy equal access to the ministry, she said. "If the Gospel of Jesus Christ weren't inclusive, I wouldn't be standing here," she said. -The Washington Post UFMCC kicks off rally series D. The Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches kicked off a series of national and internationa l rallies on the 4th of July at the Majestic Theatre in downtown Dallas. Over 1,000 Lesbians and Gays, family and friends were present to honor gay military personnel and veterans. The initial rally was held in Dallas because the four Dallas-area MCCs represent the largest concentration of lesbian and gay Christians in the world. In a letter to the MCCs of Texas, Governor Ann Richards praised their special commitment to the gay and lesbian community which helps "~uarantee that every American will have the Of>portunity to pursue his or her spiritual life... The next rally is scheduled to be held in Fort J:auderdale, Florida, in May 1993. Former Presbyterian leader 'changes mind' on aay ordination D. WILLIAM P. !HOMPSON, the former Stated Clerk of the United Presbyterian Church (now Presbyte .nan Church USA), who previously took a hard line on the ordination of Gays and Lesbians, wrote in a letter to the Rev. Vernon B. Van Bruggen, Presbytery Executive of the Presbytery of New Brunswick, that he had changed his mind . He asserts that his ch~nge of stance was ii:i-£1uenced ~y the fact_that skilled experts differ in Biblical interpretation and that new saentific evidence md1cates the absence of the free choice essential to sinful behavior. He also claimed to be influenced by loss to the church caused by the policy. 'The result seems tome to constitute injustice to th(! persons involved, to the congregations they have ·served or might serve and, indeed, to the whole people of God ... ," Thompson wrote. -Christianty & CristS · Churches reject anti-gay ballot D. AT RECENT CONVENTIO!'JS, a synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and a conference of the United Church of Christ overwFtelmingly condemned an attempt by the group Colorado for Family Values to· have an anti-gay 6a1lot measure placed on the November election ballot. Representing the Rocky Mountain Conference of the UCC, 300 delegates condemned the measure and 600 delegates of the ELCA synod passed a resolution opposing the anti-gay action. -Malchus / / a Clean Heart Glenn Baker Conservatives lose in sex ed battle t;, CALIFORNIA CHRISTIAN FUNDAMENTALISTS failed in their attempt to change new sex education guideli n es they claim would promote gay lifesty les, but vowed to try again. Parts of the document are "totally unacceptable because homosexuality is not acceptable to presentfoyoung, impressionable children and teenagers as a viable lifestyle," said the Rev. Lou Sheldon, who predicted that the issue would bolster support for a school-choice initiative proposed for a November ballot. -Cruise UFMCC seeks military chaplaincy · · . D. REV. TROY PERRY, founder of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches has filed an application with the Department of Defense to allow the church's clergy to serve as military chaplains. Perry predicted the Pentagon would approve the request. Rev. Dusty Pruitt of Long Beach will oe the church's first chaplain nommee . Pruitt, 45, sued the Army after her 1986 dismissal for "moral dereliction." She had served six years active service and nine years in the reserves. "If you have ministerial skills, you are able to apply them across the spectrum," Pruitt said. "Ministry -is not sexually oriented ... The application is consistent with the desire of my heart to be a chaplain and in the military ." Perry said the church would sue if Pruitt is rejected. The church also asked the Pentagon to drop its policy banning Gays and Lesbians fiom the military. -The New Voice Clinton's scripture quoting upsets Robertson, Falwell D. PAT ROBERTSON AND JERRY FALWELL are angry that Rev. Jesse Jackson and Governor Bill Clinton quoted scripture during their speecbes at the Democratic National Convention. Said Falwell, "Misquoting and manipulating scripture for political purposes should be offensive to millions of Americans. It is certainly a more significant error than the much publicized misspelling of potato." -Seattle Gay News Presbvterian lesbian refused ordination · . D. LISA (ARGES has been denied ordination in the Presbyterian Church on the grounds of sexual orientation. Larges, 29, who became qualified for ordination in spite of being blind, said the church was still her home. "I just don't want to leave because they don't hke me," she said. "I want them to take responsibility for their decision, to know that this affects people." -Equal Time Gays adopt highway near fundamentalists (),. A LESBIAN AND GAY GROUP has adopted a stretch of highway just yards away from the Christian Broadcasting Network's headquarters . The Hampton Roads Lesbian and Gay Pride Coalition's choice of a two-mile piece of Interstate 64 for their partic1patio~ in the state's highway clean-up program is a protest against CBN founder Pat Robertsons views on Gays. - C/ucago Outfines Ousted North Carolina church reconsiders prergay stance D. OLIN T. BINKLEY Baptist Church, Chapel Hill, ousted from the Southern _Baptist Convention for licensing a gay cleq;y student, will reconsider its stance on licensing gay students, voting for further discussion by a_ margin of 151-24. Whil_e the new di scussion does not affect the licensure of John Blevins, 1t could have a ch11lmg effect on other gay-positive steps the church might take . Seven deacons resigned over the resolution to affirm the rights of gay Christians to be integrated into the ministry and now , after being expelled from both the state and national Baptist -associations, church members may be bending to the pressure . -Q Notes NCC ends plans for meetings with UFMCC D. THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES Executive Coordinating Committ ee voted May 19 to dismiss the NCC-UFMCC Dialogue Committee after learning that only three or four of its 32 member denominations were interested in the meetings. "We are an&ry but not surprised at the dismissal of our committee, and I vow that we will not go away, said Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson, UFMCC Chief Ecumenical Officer. Rev. Troy Perry, leader of the UFMCC, said the church has applied for "observer " status in the ·council. NCC lead ers have described homosexuality as "the most divisive church .issue since slavery." Baptist preacher says gay is okay D. A BAPTIST PREACHER has opened a counseling center in Pompano Beach, Florida, where he hoRes to help Gays and Lesbians reconcile their homosexuality and their Christianity.' Your salvation has nothing to do with your sexuality," Jerry Lee_St(!phenson told the Ft. Lauderdale News and Sun-Sentinel. Detroit bishop heads gay inauirv · D. VATICAN OFFICIALS HAVE AS~ Detroit Archbishop Adam Mai<!,a to inve~tigate a Catholic group that promotes equality for Gays and Lesbians. Two Michigan bishops - Saginaw Bishop Kenneth Untener and Maida's own Auxiliary Bishof> Thomas Gumbleton - recently were headline speakers at a ·national conference- sponsotecti>y .Mary,land-based Ne~ Ways Ministry. Two b_ishops at the Natiol)al Conference of Catholic Bishops _at the Uruversity of Notre Dame said they were aware of the mvestigation, and Maida confirmed the inquiry but said it was too sensitive to discuss publicly, "and I prefer not to say anything about it right now." Bishop Gumbleton has publicly acknowledged he has a brother who is gay. -Cruise Catholic officials take no stand on Colorado initiative D. COLORADO CATHOLIC OFFICIALS have declined _ to · take a positioμ on a controversial initiati':e seeking to ban state fr,il rights protections for Gays and Lesbians. Archbishop J. Iiranc1s Staffora of Denver, Bishop Arthur Tafoya of Pueblo and Bishop Richard C. Hanifen of Colorado Springs released a statement saying, "The ambiguous language of theJroposed amendment confuses the crucial distinction between homosexual 'orientation' an homosexual 'conduct' or 'relationships.' -The New Vo,ce ·News Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............................................ ..... Presbyterian group sues New Jersey over gay rights law , t. A PRESBYTERIAN GROUP has filed suit against the state of New Jersey, charging that a bill banning discrimination based on sexual orientation is · unconstitutional. The Presbytery of New Jersey of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church charges that the new law could force their organiztion to hire, ordain and marry "sexual sinners." The !)COUP says their suit arose after .they heard of a gay church orgarust who sued a Presbytenan cburch in San Francisco after he was fired 15y the church. "We.want to make sure that the same thing doesn 't ~appen here," said Thomas Neuberger, attorney for the Presbyterian group . -Stonewall Unwn Reports Parents protest pride proclamation t. PARENTS THREATENED TO PULL their children from classes at a demonstration against the Los Angeles school board's proclamation of June as "Gay and Lesbian Pride Month." "No longer is this the Los Angeles Board of Education. It's the special interest board of indoctrination," said Eadie Gieb, president of Parents and Students United of the San Fernando Valley . The group sponsored the protest with the valley-based Christian Coalition, founded by evangelisfPat Robertson. -Chicago Outlines Military discrimination costs millions t,. A NEW STUDY presented by.the General Accounting Office has documented that the Department of Defense spends tens of millions of do!Iars each year to keep Gays and Lesbians out of the military. The Pentagon spends $27 million each year to recruit and train replacements for those who are discharged for being gay. NC minister transfers to banished Baptist church t. SAYING THAT THE PULLEN Memorial Church in Raleigh is "embracing what Christ said church should be about," the Rev. Nancy Petty left her Charlotte churcli. and became Pullen's minister of education. Pullen was voted out of the Southern Baptist Convention because it blessed a union between two gay men. Petty no longer considers herself a Southern Baptist , saying, "Southern Baptists have kind .of disowned me anyway as a female ." -Southern Voice Robertson laments gav/lesbian visibilitv at Demo Convention t,. THE REV. PAT ROBERTSON reported on the highly visible gay/ lesbian presence at the Democratic National Convention during a segment of CBN's tlie 700 Club. Robertson said it is a sign that God "is about to abandon America," and that if the gay rights bill is ever passed, the country will be destroyed "in seven or eight years." Robertson said that Gays and Lesbians are to blame for many problems facing America, including the "no-fault" divorce. "They are doing it because they hate the family. It is Lesbians who are realJ;y . behind the abortion issue. They can't ha ve children and they're [jealous] o£other womens femininity . They say, 'If I can' t have a child then I don't want you to have a child so you'll be like me ." Robertson also said, "This idea of separation of church and state is nonsense." The struggle over "values" has gone beyond tall::, said Robertson. "It's blood in the streets. It's bloody out there." -Seattle Gay News 'FAG' to battle anti-gay initiative in Oregon t,. ACTIVISTS BATTLING A MOVE by the right wing Oregon Citizens Alliance to amend the state consitution to include Old Testament law have formed the Famil:,, Alliance of God, FAG, to put forward a companion amendment. Among the restrictions the FAG amendment would cover are a ban against the state "condoning and promoting the consumption of shrimp, lobster, crab" and other foods prohibited in Leviticus. The amendment would also add tlie death penalty for adultery and cursing one's parent. -GayNet Klan calls for death for Gavs and Lesbians t,. F1FfY KLANSMEN, SKINHEAbS and supporters rallied in Daytona Beach, Fla., on July 12 proclaiming the death penalty for Gays and Lesbians . Members of the National Organization for Women and members of a local gay-affirming church held a counter-demonstration, outnumbering the Klari three-to-one. Florida Klan leader John Baumgardner said, "It's up to Christians to rise up and impose the death JJ!!nalty on [Gays and Lesbians]. Rev. Step!ien Steele of Hoi,e MCC in Orminond Beach said, 'The Klan lias brought its message of hate here. I can't believe they consider themselves to be Christians." -Associated Press Minister refused An to protest church action t,. THE REV. HOWARD WARRENoflndianapolis announced June 9 that he would stop taking his AZf to protest what he called "hateful'' actions by the Presbyterian Church afits annual meeting in Milwaukee . "Sometimes you must confront extreme acts of hate with equal extreme, peaceable actions," Warren said. '.'In m~ own church, I felt like I was taking on hate." Warren resumed his medication after church eaders postponed action on anti-gay measures . -Southern Voice · · Lesbian marriaae ianites furor In Austin · t,. FUNDAMENTALIST CHRISTIANS have protested a .decision by the Austin American-Statesman to sell Sara Strandtman and Karen Umminger space for a picture and short story about their union . 'The purity of these pages has been marred by the stain of immorality," said . Jack Chambers, a talk show host for a Christian radio and . cable TV station. American-Statesman publisher Roger Kintzel said, "It's simple. We have decided not to discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation." -Fort Worth Siar-Telegram Priest auits after oarish reiects AIDS home t,. A CATA:OL!C PRIES!' has quit fus parish because parishioners rejected his plan . to house homeless AIDS patients in the church rectory . Rev. Larry Johnson, 43, left hls £OSition at the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Ma!).' Catholic Church in Maplewood, Minn ., on June 21. "I.have never confronted anything like it," said Johnson , who has spent I7Jears in the priesthood. 'Twas very much surprised by the ignorance, fear and hatre . Their homophobia and fear paralyzed them ." -Associated Press Episcopal diocese grants benefits to partners of Gays t. THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF NEW ARK extended dental coverage to partners of lesbian and gay priests and .Jay employees. The decision came about after a lesbian priest in Newark , the Rev. Karen Murphey, tned to enroll her partner in the diocese's dental plan. F\)llowing negotiations, the diocese agreed to do that m all 130 of its churches. · -Southern Voice · Nicaraguan·Gays in danaer t. WITH CATHOLIC CHURCH SUPPORT, the Nicaraguan parliament has passed a law forbidding any gay activity, including rights activism. Cardinal Obando y Bravo, the most powerful churchman in Nicaragua, praised the law, saying, "any sensib.le and responsible Christian ought to be in agreement" with it. Bravo said thafhomosexuality, "while not a sin, constitutes a strong tendency toward behavior intrinsically bad from the moral perspective ." -Seattle Gay News . Archbishop-of Canterburv kills lesbian/gay prayer book t. BRITAIN'S LEADING CHRISTIAN publishing house has dropped plans to publish a book of prayers for gay and lesbian Christians after the Archbisliop of Canterbury, the Most Rev . Georgl! Carey, its president, told them he did not approve. The publication committee of the Society for tfte Promotion of Christian Knowleage decided not to print Daring to Sf,eak Love's Name: A Celebration of Friendship, which had been schedulea for release in uly . Dr. Elizabeth Stuart, who edited the book, said she owed it to the "thousands of Christian Lesbians and Gays" in Britain and worldwide to find another publisher . The Rev. Richard Kirker, general secretary of the Lesbian and Gay Christian · Movement, reacted strongly . "The Archbishop of Canterbury's actions are intellectually indefensible and blatantly, homophobically discriminatory, tliey demean the office that he holds," Kirker said. -The Voice of Integrity . Take pictures on National Coming Out Day . t. TWO NATIONAL LESBIAN AND GAY organizations, National Coming Out Day and The Lesbian and Gay Public Awareness Project, are asking all photographers (r,rofessional and amateur) to record October 11, National Coming Out Day as: a day m the life of Gay and Lesbian America . 'The Photo Project will confirm for all of America what we have been saying all along, there is no 'us' and 'them'," said Lynn Shepodd, Executive Director of National Coming Out Day. Amateur and _professional photographers interested in submitting their October 11, 1992 portraits of lesbian and gay America for consideration for ~se in Tli.e _Photo Project, and tliose wishing more i~ormation, should_ register with National Commg Out Day, (505)982-2558, or The Lesbian and Gay Pubhc Awareness Project, (818)990-8000. . . , diqnit'1JUSC an 01[/tuuZatwn for gay ana us6i1ln Catfio(;u, tli,irfam;/lis anafriuufs. ., .J L.. Dignity /USA has ministered to gay and lesbian Catholics, their families and friends for over 20 years. We have over 4,000 members ., r in 80 chapters across the country. If you'd like to s~ our ministry, please join Dignity/USA today l,y completing the form below and enclosing your $40.00 check Pll!fable to Dignity, Inc. to: Dignity/USA, 1500 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Suite 11, Washington, DC 20005. Telephone: 1-800-877-8797 - □ Y.ES, I ~Id Hke to support the work of ~ .' Enclosed is·my $40.00 check for membership. Name Address City State ZIP ..,; Second Stone• September/O~tober, im([j Bishop Browning: Christians must hear gay/lesbian issues CALLING FOR reconciliation in the church, Episcopal Presiding Bishop Edmund L. Browning returned to his home state of Texas to lead the opening Eucharist fqr the Integrity National Convention in Houston. Bishop Browning appeared at a service attended by about 300 people at palmer Memorial Episcopal Church on July 10. Browning's appearance was a first for a leader of a major denomination to attend a meeting of a gay /lesbian group. On July 11, Browning led a forum with Integrity members during which he spoke supportively of lesbian and gay Episcopalians. "I am convinced that this church will never be reconciled about any issue unless we can reclaim the struggle in Christ's name with Christ's methods," Bishop Browning said during his sermon. "I am convinced that neither side can win a war. Peace must break out. Reconciliation must · begin. The struggle of Christ is not a project of seeing who can win ." "Is it possible to know the pain of what you have known and _still find it within yourself to remain in the body where so much of that pain has occurred?" Browning asked those attending the service. "Can you be the reconcilers Christ calls of us to be without either denying the reality of your pa in on the one hand or denying the possiblity of its corning to an end on the other, without either minimizing what you have felt or. allowing it to overcome you? How can we struggle together in love, when so many of the models for struggle which we have are models of hate?" The Rt. Rev. Maurice M. Benitez, Bishop of Texas, was not expected at the convention and he did not attend. The absence of the arch-conservative bishop led Integrity's founder, Dr. Louie Crew, to suggest that the Bishop was guilty of "the sin of sodomy," meaning inhospitality. Benitez reportedly distributed a letter indicating that no diocesan officials would attend the convention, but many clergy of the diocese did attend. In an interview with Episcopal News Service prior to his appearance in Houston, Browning said he accepted the invitation to the Integrity convention because he wanted to go and felt it was important to go. "Phoenix [the Episcopal Church's General Convention, July, 1991] called the church into a dialogue on the issue of homosexuality, and it seems to me that my visit to the Integrity meeting is an important way of modeling the church's willingness to be in dialogue Fourteenth Annual Additional Sites: Seminar In International Ministry Mansfield College, Oxford · January 2-18, 1993 New Visions otGOd1s Lectt1rers: Activity Professor Chung Hyun-Kyong Ewha Women'$ University, Seoul, Korea Dr. Preman Niles General Secretary, Council for World Mission Professor Maurice Wiles Sometime Reg/us Professor of Theology, Oxford Kenilworth, Warwickshire Cost: $1570 includes accommodation , meals, tuition, transfers Selly Oak Colleges, Birmingham London Option The Seminar is meant to appeal to clergy, laity, and seminar faculty and students and has attracted hundreds of participants during the past 13 years. Participation is limited to 55. Founded and directed by North American Study Sessions, Inc. (NASS) in cooperation with Mansfield College, Oxfotd, there is in addition a cooperative arrangement with Andover Newton T heological School and Iliff School ofTheology. Aadem .ic and Continuing Education Credits are available. • For further Information, registration ... contact: Donald J. Ru_dalevlge, 566 Commonwealth Ave ., Boston, Mass. 02215 617-266-3900/926-4366 rn· Second Stone• Septe~mber/October, 1992 on the issue," Browning said. ..Browning said that he was "sympathetic" to the impatience ex- L.A. Bishop rides in pride parade. THE RT. REV. Chester L. Talton, suffragan bishop of the Diocese of Los Angeles participated in the West Hollywood gay pride parade on·June 28. Talton was well-received along the parade ·route, according to Larkette Lein, convenor of Integrity/ Southland. "People of color seemed especially gladdened to see him, and often made exhuberant efforts to make sure they made eye contact," said Lein . "In. our riot-weary city, his presence was particulary empower ing." Nearly 200 people from the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles particpated in the parade. Talton is the first leader of a mainline denomination to participate in the gay pride event. Los Angeles Suffragan Bishop Chester L Talton and Integrity/ Southland convenor Larkette Lein in pride parade Photo: Paul Couny pressed by some gay and lesbian memb ers of the Episcopal Church that the church is still an oppressive institution or not responsive to their concerns. "Sometimes I think the church moves at a · snail's pace," he said. "I would encourage people who feel discouraged to 'hang in there.' It is extremely important for their voices to be .heard." Browning said that Christians must not shrink from addressing difficult issues, and must keep a listening . ear and open heart toward persons who disagree. Despite his optimism about dialogue on gay and lesbian issues, . Browning acknowledged that the debate on homosexuality in the Episcopal Church would probably not end before his 12-year term expires in 1998. During his installation Browning said that the Episcopal Church must be a place where "there will be no outcasts." Browning said that he might phrase it a little differently today. "Maybe what I would say now is that the church is . a place for outcasts. Browning said that the .past six years had revealed "that ther e are many people who believe themselves to be outcasts, but who are not willing to come in the center and participate unless they can make others outcasts. They come with strings attached . We need to challenge that," he said. Accor:ding to Browning the sacrament of baptism was the "underlying foundation" for his vision of inclusiveness. "Baptism puts us in relationship - not only with Christ - but also with every other baptized person," he said. In over 50 Integrity chapters in the United States the primary focuses are worship in a supportive environment, emotional support and counseling, spiritual nourishment and Christian education, and service to the Church and the lesbian and gay community . American Baptists reject anti-gay · resolution THE 91 TO 88 VOTE of the General Board of the American Baptist Churches in the USA to reject a resolution condemning lesbian, gay and bisexual people was a clear signal to continue dialogue, according to leaders of American Baptists Concerned, the national lesbian, gay and bisexual Baptist caucus, which held its annual retreat June 29-July 2. Many attending the r etreat expressed gratitude for "the responsible, rational and compassionate way" the resolution was considered by the General Board meeting at Green Lake, Wisconsin June 21-23. The resolution, which originatep in the West Virginia region, attempted to legislate behavior, in contradiction to Baptist polity, on the ~asis of a . particular perception of what "grieves the heart of God." American Baptist tradition allows full autonomy to local congregations and "honors God's Word as experienced and interpreted by individual conscience as the highest authority." American Baptists Concerned has formally established 'The Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists," an alliance of individuals, groups and congregations, both gay and rion-gay, that have pledged to be affirming of lesbian, gay and bisexual. More than 20 applications for membership in the association have been received, including eight congregations. American Baptists Concerned for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual People was adopted as the new name of the organization, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. In 1984, I went as a fundamentalist minister to "witness" at a gay rights rally in Sacramento , California. I had a solid spiritual pedigree. I had been active in some kind of ministry since 1971 when I met Christ. I was valedictorian of my Bible institute class, sang in a gospel group, led a mobile evangelism team through Northern California, and was a licensed minister in the Assemblies of God. I somehow knew that I would have some kind of ministry · in the "homosexual" community. I had no idea that I would do it as a lesbian. (Well, maybe down deep I knew.) Today I am a Christian lesbian activist and am active in Emmanuel MCC in Albuquerque. . · Several.important events catalyzed this transformation. I nearly had a nervous breakdown, fell in love with half a dozen women, and had some National Coming Out Day, October 11, 1992 Coming out to my pastor BY PAMELA WHITE human sexuality courses in graduate school. I came out with a vengeance. I decided to form a personal policy. I had been very pub lic in my opposition to the concept of "lesbian and gay Christians." I decided now to be equally public in my support. Signing my real name in editorials and being interviewed on a news segment about gay parents was part of this effort. Recently, I felt impressed to take another step . I wrote a coming out letter to my ex-Assemblies of God clergy, Pastor Glenn Cole of Sacramento . I attended Cole's church and taught adult Sunday School there for about five years. persecution dished out by the religious right. Because I believe that fundamentalists ( or more accurately the powers of evil behind them) are engaging in a literal spiritual holocaust against Gays and Lesbians, I •encouraged the pastor to withdraw his condemnation against our community. · "Resolving the apparent conflict between my sexuality and spirituality was very challenging," I wrote. "I literally felt that I was throwing myself off the. edge of the world with no certainty that God would catch me. I did notice, however, that at no time did the Holy Spirit withdraw from me ." It is the authenticity of our relationships with Christ, our ability to speak a "religious language" and Christ -like works that most meaningfully attests to the truth. A powerful Biblical story illustrates this. Violations in 142 countries Pastor Cole was on my credentials committee when I was licensed as a minister and was the president of the Bible institute from which I graduated. He pastors the largest cl1Urch in Sacramento and is well known on a national level in the denomination. Acts 10 is often cited by gay and lesbian Christians as a text that supports the reality of our experience with Christ. Peter had a vision where God pronounced ."clean" foods that Peter previously believed to be impure. The vision was later revealed to be about people. Gentiles. The spiritually excluded. Peter obediently went to preach at the house of Cornelius and God punctuated the point of the vision in a powerful way. Torturers, state assassins get away with abuses GOVERNMENTS AROUND the world are breeding contempt for human rights by letting their forces get away with abduction, torture and murder, Amnesty International said as it released its 1992 annual report . covering the period January to Dec. ember 1991. "As long as the torturers, the state assassins and those who give the orders act with a free hand and without fear of punishment, the cycle of violations will never be broken," the human rights organization said. The organization's global survey covering 142 countrie s shows the result of letting human rights vio lations go unpunished. In 199.1 alone, people were jailed as prisoners of conscience in about half the countries in the world, and more than 100 governments continued to torture or ill-treat prisoners. People also "disappeared" in some 20 countries and remained missing in many more, extrajudicial executions were carried out in 45 countries, and death sentences were handed down in more than 50 countries and carried out in 33 countries. "Governments in Africa and throughout the ·world often use the violence of opposition groups as an excuse for letting their security forces get away with human rights violations," Amnesty International said. "While we condemn torture, hostagetaking and deliberate and arbitrary killings by such groups , those abuses can never justify government counter- terror." Extrajudicial killings and "disappearances" continued in the Americas where sweeping amnesty laws in a number of countries have let the state killers go free. In 1991, hundreds of street children died at the hands of death squads in Brazil, hundreds more were killed by the army or paramilitaries in Colombia and more than 300 people "disap peared" and at least 60 were extrajudicially executed in Peru. In the United States there were more than 2,500 people on death row and 14 executions throughout the year - a figure that was already surpassed in the first six months of 1992. In Europe, the fighting in Yugoslavia led to large scale human rights violations including torture and massacres of civilim;is by all sides in the conflict, while political killings also took place in Turkey, mainly among the Kurdish population in the southeast. In the Middle East, Iraq and Kuwait were the scene of massive human rights violations, with arbitrary arrests, torture, "disappearances" and killings following the withdrawal of Iraqi troops from Kuwait and similar atrocities committed by Iraqi soldiers in the wake of uprisings in March and April. "It is high time that governments worldwide stop persecuting their citizens and begin protecting them . Until all governments commit to a single human rights standard a climate of terror will prevail through out the world," said John G. Healey, Executive Director of Amnesty International USA. 'Today's challenge for the United States government and the international community is to move from espousing human rights rhetoric to enforcing human rights law by bringing to justice those responsible for abuse." For information on the annual report of Amnesty International, write to AIUSA, 322 Eighth Ave., New York, NY 10001. In my desire to write an effective letter, I used the most powerful tools that I knew; my personal story and my experience with other gay and lesbian Christians. My motivation to write to Pastor Cole was guided by the strong sense that our oppression in society is . directly related to the intensity of SEE COMING Otrr, Page 13 ~ Phoenix Evangelical Bible Institute 2 Timothy 2:15 1035 East Tumey Phoenix, AZ 85014 (602)265-2831 Do your best to preset:1t yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. FULL TIME CLASSES AND CORRESPONDENCE AVAILABLE Current correspondence courses include: •Angels, Demons and Satan •Christian Gay Ministries •Christology •Fundamentals of the Faith •New Testament Survey •Old Testament Survey FOR SCHOOL INFORMATION OR CATALOGS CONTACT: PH EB I 1035 EAST TURNEY• PHOENIX, AZ 85014 (602)265-2831 , . Second Stone• September/October, 1992 rn .. • "It is the goal of a number of us to try to Christianize _the state of California. We think it's,.very possible, by the year 2000, to have Christians - mature, biblically literate - gain the majority of seats in all the city councils in [Santa Clara] county." UPDATE: Reconstructionists & The Far Right different ministries and professions are creating a 20 year plan to return America and Canada to what the group describes as "the Biblical foundations which made North America a gr-eat, and one time, Christianized society." In 1989, the leaders agreed on a five year plan to "systematically and •aggressively" direct the group toward that goal. PRO TO ·EC T SIN -Coalition On Revival · BATTLES RIGHT WING POISON The major thrust of the five year plan calls for religious leaders in each of 60 major American and Canadian cities identified in the plan to form what the council calls "a single, coordinated, interdependent spiritual army of fearless Christians from all denominations by creating a 'Ministry Merge Network"' to carry out the council's suggested goals. National Director Jay Grimstead The religious right's growing political influence, clearly evident during the Republican National Convention, continues to draw only lukewarm reaction in many parts of the country from the gay and lesbian community, in spite of the threat it pr esents to the freedom and personal liberties of Gays and Lesbians, according to Jerry Sloan, one of the founders of Project Tocsin, a group monitoring the religious right wi thin the California Republican Party. Alarmed at the success and organizing poV{er of the religious right, Sloan got together with Marghe Covino and Joanna Cassi and formed Project Tocsin in March of this year. "We wanted to let everybody know that the theocrats are taking over," said Sloan. Project Tocsin was initially funded · The May/fune, 1991 · issue of Second Stone published a story on Reconstructionists - a radical group of Jar right fundamentalist Christians who believe that American society should 'be rebuilt according to the laws revealed in the Old Testament . Although unwilling to publicly admit it, many Reconstructionists by personal contributions from the co-founders but now the organization .• receives income from speaking engagements, workshops and donations. Th e group is also connecting with people all over the country who are interested in starting local projects ·. to combat the religious right. Sloan said many are straight Republicans who feel their party has been. taken away from them, Gays and Lesbians are not responding with alarm because many do not believe the religious right can succeed. "But, I'm sorry, it's hap- AT LAST! • AN INCLUSIVE DEVOTIONAL• AT LAST! The Road to Emmau -s Joseph W. Houle, ed. EMMAUS PRESS P.O. Box 70434 / Washington, D.C. 20024-0434 416 pp.• paperback• $12.95 (plus $3.00 for postage & handling) Discounts available on quantity orders. At last! A Christian devotional for all people - the young and old; the male and female; the lesbian, the gay man, and the heterosexual; the single, the married, and the celibate; the Asian, the Black, the Hispanic, the Native American, and the White; the physically strong and the physically challenged. Contributing authors of The Road to Emmaus - including Sr. Jeannine Gramick (Homosexuality and the Catholic Church), Fr. Robert Nugent (Stations of the Cross for Persons with AIDS), and the Rev. Larry Uhrig (Sex Positive) - are a blend of men and women, laypersons and clergy, Black and White writers. Special care has been taken to make this devotional inclusive in language, tone, and content. Its underlying message is that the Gospel is good news for al/people. AT LAST! •AN INCLUSIVE DEVOTIONAL •AT LAST! I 87 Second Stone• September/October, 1992 believe that in a society got>emed by such laws, an "unrepentant" act of homosexuality should be punishable by death. This is an update on the religious right and a story about a California gro up who's taking the far right movement seriously. pening," said Sloan. 'The y are well organized and they are gaining ground." The Republican Central Committee in Santa Clara County, California, was targeted for a "stealth" campaign by religious conservatives and in June they succeeded in capturing 14 out of 20 open seats. If at least nine win in November, and the conservative incumbents return, they will outnumber the moderate Republicans. Two years ago, in San Diego County, 60 out of 90 religious right candidates won low level offices by campaigning through conservative churches. Far right candidates are particularly interested in school board positions because they are easier to win and successful candidates can immediately put their agenda into .action by banning any teaching or textbook materials that depict Gays and Lesbians in a favorable light. The religious right's National Coordinating Council is self-described as "an informal, fellowship-based, ad-hoc committee of Christian leaders from the ranks of [the Coalition On Revival] and other reformation/ activist groups interested in rebuilding our society on the principles of the Bible." Jay Grimstead is the leader of COR and the council. The council is not formally related to COR but is described as a "stepchild" of the group. Council literature claims that 50 national leaders working in 24 Some of the Ministry Merge goals include: •Teach all leadership Christians how to cast out demons and territorialize the kingdom of God . • Produce kingdom-oriented television programs and slick magazines to mobilize Blacks, Hispanics and Asians. •Organize towards the elimination of Communism, Nazism and Liberation Theology from the Western hemisphere. •Work towards replacing all local public scl10ols with private schools by 2000 A.O. •Create regular .entertainment productions, videos, concerts, children's shows, and a Kingdom version of Saturday Night Live. •Protect 2nd Amendment rights and gun ownership for responsible citizens. •Organize and lobby for a flat tax of all U.S. citizens and state citizens . • Work towards dismantling the IRS by 2000 AD . Grimstead wrote in the first issue of Crosswinds magazine that the goal of COR is to bring "families, finances, education, legal matters, professional life, voting choices, involvement in the arts and sciences, recreation and physical health all under the King's dominion." W ou)d a society governed by Old Testament laws call for the death penalty for abortion, adultery and "unrepentant" homosexuality? Most far right Christians and reconstructionists clearly think it would but are reluctant to say so publicly out of fear of alienating many of the people they so desparately need to join their SEE TOCSIN, Page 13 UNITED METHODISTS: we're here for you -'-Affirmation: United Methodists for Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Concerns welcomes you . P.O. Box 1021 Evanston, IL 60204 (415)221-1612 I thought about calling Enrique on Sunday, but at the last second thought better of it, deciding not to disturb his family on Easter. Something told me not to call, as clearly as a voice right in my ear. Now I know why. I much preferred to hear the sad news from you, and than!< you for doing what must have been an incredibly painful duty. In my last letter to Enrique, I shared these thoughts: Living through your experience alongside you has been both painful and enlightening. I go through waves of wanting to "do something about it," wanting to "wish it away," wanting to rail against it as though it were some malicious demon to be exorcised. I feel humbled by your courageous adjustment to hosting this fellow living creature, to the inevitability of future events, and to the supremacy of the greater wisdom making tlie ultimate decisions. But above . all, I'm proud to have such an incredible friend. If you find yourself frequently suffering from a reddening sensation about the ears, it's not a new symptom - it's the number of times daily that you connect with me, through fond memories and reminders. You are the beneficiary of absolute clouds of prayers, dear one, and your example and influence continue to help so many of us, more than you could imagine. All this will be just as true now that · he is no longer physically present on the f,lanet. I have never been so deep y affected by a living being. His passing is a terrible loss, but there is such joy in having known him, and such relief in knowing that his suffering is over. My grief is transitory and will pass, as I gradually realize how very much he is still with me. I'm quite sure he'd rather we have a big, FAB-ulous party, anyway. How fortunate we are - and how rare it is to feel "honored" to have been someone's friend! So many "snapshots" have been coming back, as I reflect on our long and not always easy friendship. In the beginning, we were rivals for the same lover. We went through a soap opera triangle complete with all the backbiting, deceit, and manipulation. It was that experience that brought Enrique and me together. The affair became a therapeutic exercise, a painful but necessary mirror held up so we could see ourselves as is. And what we saw was our · pathetic neediness. At that time, I was pretty close to being spiritually brain dead. I had no faith in anything, let alone a benign Creator. I could understand Enrique's devotion to the Episcopal Church. I too love all the campy pageantry and _ Anglophile poetics - but I couldn't for the life of me understand his actually believing in the Episcopal faith . I was astounded to _ find that Enrique actually prayed, believed in the sacraments, read the Bible, and all that good stuff. How in God's name could one such as Enrique believe? And so one day I asked him. As it happened, God was already at it with those mysterious ways, because only days before a friend had given me some readings on Eastern philosophies that shook me up. To my horror, I found them making sense to me, touching me, awakening something deep within. And I went to Enrique to discuss them, figuring he the next few weeks, he introduced me t6 meditation, persuaded me to go to my first meeting of a gay Bible study group, and helped me through the death of my sainted mother. It was a series of such powerful events in such a short period of time that it left an indelible imprint. Through it all, there was Enrique, smiling, earnest, empathetic, eager to help without being pushy, exquisitely sensitive to each subtle nuance of my transition toward the light. And I believe the effect of these events was equally profound upon him. When the dreaded HIV-positive A letter recalling a powerful friend I remembe -r Enrique "It was as close as I've ever felt to union with another human being." would have a good chuckle over this nonsense, validate my doubts, and help me retire to the safety of my unbelief. diagnosis came down, the roles were ·abruptly reversed.- Suddenly, it was Enrique who needed the things he had so selnessly and freely given me in my time of great need. I. remember Enrique asking to talk one day, shortly after he had received the bad news . Though he didn't directly say so, it was clear that he wanted to share his coping strategies with me, to say aloud to an understanding friend the things he was saying to himself. Though he felt firm in his beliefs, he did seem to need a nod, a smile, some gentle form of validation, of confirmation that he was making sense and not deluding himself. He spoke of disciplining himself with deep meditation. He spoke of spending more "quality time" with people he held dear . He spoke of relieving pressures on himself by greatly reducing his expectations and narrowing his goals for the future. He spoke of doing for others, of his · responsibilities and potentials as a role-rriodel, of his gratitude for the compassionate medical treatment he was receiving and the support and encouragement of his friends. · There wasn't a hint of anger or self-pity, no raging against the person who gave him this virus or against a vengeful God who would doom his child to such misery, no wretched self-shaming for having exposed himself to it or having risked exposing others - none of the ranting or whining one might expect in the face of such devastating news. He had fears: of prolonged pain, of becoming mentally incompetent; of being a burden on others ... But even in the midst of those justifiable fears he found serene acceptance of a will infinitely larger than his own, faith that this will would not give him more than he could bear, nor abandon its lovin& son. I didn't have to say a word that day, than!< God. I was so choked up and overwhelmed I'm not sure·! could have! ' As Enrique shared these most intimate of thoughts and feelings, I listened. I nodded. I smiled. And occasionally, I wept. We prayed, and then we hugged. It was as close as I've ever felt to union with another human being. I knew, beyond doubt, that I was in the presence of holiness. In .. the end, it was Enrique who sh-0wed me that we are, all of us, no matter who we are or what our circumstances, always in the presence. of holiness, if we but pause to listen and feel and acknowledge it. There are ·simply some who manifest it more conspicuously than others, and Enrique was one of them. Among so many other things, I am grateful to have known something of his other, less-than-saintly side, for it was his own transformation that so inspired and motivated mine. In one. sense, Enrique will quite literally be with me, always, for I do not doubt the immortality of the soul. Yet in another, perhaps even more significant way, he will be with me because he helped me find the "Enrique" in myself. It was an effect he had on everyone who knew him; it was, I believe, his function and ,:mrpose on this planet. Maybe .those mysterious ways" aren't so mysterious, after all. Maybe we're just too busy wearing blinders and . throwing up smokescreens . . Our friend is with God, God is with us. Bless you; dear one, and thank you for being there to understand so well what this all means to me. With boundless love, Bob Au Contraire! Once he grasped what was happening with me, he gave me a copy of The Book, by Alan Watts. "Read this," he said, "it will only take an ho·ur." That hour changed my life. That book, at Enrique's gentle urging, finally broke my resistance to the acknowledgement of of loving, universal intelligence greater than, yet one with, my self. Notice, he didn't go fetch me his New Testament; he knew I_ wasn't ready for that. Over - Second Stone. September/October, 1992 r 9 I T Cover Story .......... •··• .......................... ~ ............ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vatican statement draws angry response COVER STORY, From Page 1 DIGNITY/USA: Church leaders out of touch "The Vatican has clearly disregarded Christ's mandate to love," said leaders of Dignity /USA, a national group .of 4000 gay and lesbian Catholics. Representatives from Dignity /USA and other gay and lesbian activist groups held a rally and press conference in front of the Vatican Embassy in Washington, D.C. on July 20. The groups called on "all Americans who seek justice to raise their voices in opposition to the Vatican's attempt to rob human beings of their right to housing, jobs, security and safety," declaring that the Vatican statement has no place in a society and a church that seeks justice. Leaders of Dignity /USA ~aid that while they were outraged, they were also heartened by the knowledge the Vatican statement does not reflect the views of the majority of American Catholics. A recent Gallop survey showed that 78% of all American Catholics believe gay men and Lesbians should enjoy the same civil rights protections as all other citizens. Church leaders "are clearly out of touch with the movings of the Holy Spirit in the lives of its members," the group said. Dignity leader KEVIN CALEGARI: "Ecclesiastical disobedience" On Saturday, July 25, Dignity/ USA president Kevin Cal egari held an unprecedented meeting at the Vatican with an official of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith to deliver a letter of protest addressed to Cardinal Ratzinger, prefect of the Congregation. "You reinforce and continue the conspiracy of silence forced on lesbian and gay people for centuries," Calegari wrote in his letter, "insisting that the problem of discrimination is brought on by lesbian and gay people themselves when thefr orientation becomes public. You blame the victims of discrimination, rather than You'd be surprised at how "Right" religion doesn't have to be. THE PILGRIM PRESS 700 Proepect Avenue Eaet Cleveland, Ohio 44115--1100 ' Newl FOR THOSE WE LOVE: A Spiritual PerBpective on AIDS 2nd Edition, Expanded Newl REDEFINING SEXUAL ETHICS: A Sourcebook of E,;,;aye, Storie&, and Poeme Edited by Suean E. Davlee and Eloanor H. Haney AIDS ISSUES: Confronting the Challenge David G. Hallman, ed. AIDS: Peroonal StorieB in PaBtoral PerBpective Earl E. Shelp, Ronald H. Sunderland, and Po~r W. A. Man••II AIDS: Sharing the Pain Bill Kirkpatrick COMING OUT TO PARENTS Mary V. Borhek MY SON ERIC Mary V. Borhek SPEAKING OF CHRIST: A Le,;bian Feminist Voice Carter Heyward Born out of the AIDS Minie-try Program of the Archdloceee of Saint Paul and Minneapolio, FOR THOSE WE LOVE •peak• without diecriminatlon, teachee without- preaching, and through tho ey•• and tho voice• and tho hoarte of people with A IDS- and tho opocla! pwplo who love and care for them-It reveal& wledom, love, hope, at1d etrength. 128 pp. $!l.95 ISBN 0-8291HJ919-8 A bold, contemporary literary collect/0t1 addreeefng many different aepecte of' eexuallty in ethical ~d thcwlc,gfcal terme. 375 pp. $24.95 ISBN 0-8291HJ912--0 Ethical and thcwloalca l coneiderat/one of the eocla1 con~quencee of AIDS, lllneee and health, and ee-xuality from the proceedlnge of a hietorical rnumatfonal coneultatlon. 296 pp. $16.95 ISBN D-8291HJ793-4 True etoriee revealing the nud for minfetry to the afflicted eommunity. 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Ratzinger refused to meet with Calegar i and on Wednesday, July 29, as reporters looked on, Calegari, in what he .called an act of "ecclesiastical disobedience," put the Vatican document in an envelope marked "return to sender" and tacked it to the front door of the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. NEW WAYS MINISTRY: Statement embarrassing, flawed New Ways Ministry, a Marylandbased gay-affirming Catholic group ,· called the statement an "emba r- · rassment'' to U.S. Catholics, "seriously flawed, " and "ultimately unconvincing." New Ways director Greg Link said, "While the document mouths token support for the dignity of the homosexual individual, it is actually a massive and unconscionable attack on that dignity. This new statement indicates a fear in the Vatican that they are losing ground on the issue of civil rights." The ministry's response, "Human Dignity and the Common Good," released on July 15 said that the experience and knowledge of individual Catholic bishops, theologians and scholars in the United States, who have closely examined the complex interplay of legality and . morality, 'had been bypassed. Such individuals are much better equipped to comment on the realities involved in the theoretical and practical distinction between moral issues and civil rights, the document said. 'This latest Vatican pronouncement is an attempt to impose a unified ideology that appears out of touch at least with contemporary and firsthand awareness of these issues in our society," the document concluded. DIGNITY/WASHINGTON: Unkind, uncharitable, unchristian 1 'We reject the document issued by the Vatican in June as logically flawed, morally bankrupt, ethically wrong, and in direct opposition to the central teaching of Christianity," said leaders of Dignity /Washington. "Jesus preached a message of inclusion, not exclusion . Since the Vatican pronouncement is antithetical to that it is unworthy of being followed or even given serious consid eration ." The group said that the hierarchy is not the clrnrch; that the church is th e people of God and many believe, as they do, that the statement is unkind, uncharitable, and unchristian . "While we condemn the document , we pray, inthe Spirit that brings us together, for those who would perpetuate this type of hatemongering that they will come to know that God's love transcends all bounda ries and comes to give rest and comfort to all God's people," said the group . Former priest JOHN J. McNEILL: No moral obligation to obey John J. McNeill, a psychotherapist and former Jesuit priest who has written several books on the Catholic Church and homosexuality, told the Washington Blade that the document represents a new tack by Vatica_n officials. "In taking such a position m civil rights and civil law, the Church has moved beyond the position of ... teacher and has become a political agent for homophobia," said McNeil!. "And therefore no Catholic - and this includes the hierarcl1y of the Church - is under any moral obligation to obey this Vatican statement." DIGNITY/CHICAGO: No scriptural basis 1 'It is particularly distressing that the Church hierarchy sees fit to mal<.e it 'obligatory' to interfere with our civil · rights," said James Cappleman, r.resident of Dignity/ Chicago. 'There is absolutely no scriptural basis for such actions, and the repercussions of this could cause many people to suffer needlessly. Any Christian organization that actively and openly sanctions discrimination of a group of people where their civil rights are violated, is clearly venturing away from the true mean ing of the Gospels." Bishop JOSEPH FERRARIO: Gays should have same rights The head of the Catholic Church in Hawaii issued a statement conflicting with the Vatican position. Bishop Joseph Ferrario said that Gays_ and Lesbians should have the same nghts as everyone else. Patrick Downes, editor of the Hawaii Catholic Herald, said Ferrario believes Gays and Lesbians "have every right that every other person does." Former Dignity leader JIM BUSSEN: Absolutely abominable "This is unacceptable, vile, heinous and gut-wrenclting," said Jim Bussen, former national president of Dignity/ SEE COVER STORY, Next Page COVER STORY , From Previou s Page USA, in an int e rvie w with the Chicago Sun-T imes. "How dare the Vatican insert them selves into our democratic process!" Bussen said that the Vatican's assertion that Gays and Lesbians go against family values is "absolutely abominable." Says Bussen, "Where do they think gay and lesbian people come from? We don't grow under cabbages. We are born and raised in families. It is those people who tout family values who throw us out of our families. For a church to buy into that specious argument is absolutely unacceptable." DIGNITY/INTEGRITY/RICHMOND : The Vatican is wrong "The Vatican document contradicts church teaching," said David Peake in an interview with the Times Dispatch. The president of the_ Richmond, Va., chapter of Dignity/ Integrity said that discrimination against anyone is discrimination against all. "We're taught that we're all God's creatures ... The statement is not -representative of the people but only a - few in the Vatican ," Peake said . 'The people are right, the Vatican is wrong, and the people make up the church." HRCF Director TIM McFEELEY: Should be repudiated The executive director of the nation 's largest lesbian and ga y policital organi z ation, th e Human Right s Campaign Fund, called on American Catholic s to "continue th eir long ·standing support for lesbian and gay rights. " In addition, Tim Mcfeeley urged America bishops, clergy and the laity to repudiate the Vatican's endorsement of anti-gay and lesbian discrimination . "Roman Catholic Americans understand that bigotry is wrong ," McFeeley said. "We will continue to work with the overwhelming majority of American Catholics who believe that achieving justice for lesbian and gay Americans is a moral and a just cause ... In time, I believe, the slow moving church bureaucracy will recognize what American Catholics have long understood, that Lesbians and gay men are part of their families, that they work hard , attend. religious services, , contribute to their communities and are part of the rich and di verse mosaic of American life." Activist RICHMOND YOUNG: Keep the faith "What the Vatican does in no way diminishes my faith in God," Young told the San Francisco Sentinel. OURWID The International Gay Travel Magazine Month by month, we invite you to explore the exciting world of travel available to gay men and lesbians . Each month we help you to discover the multitude of interesting hotels, inns and resorts that welcome the gay traveler. · Enjoy articles and color . photos of a romantic hotel in Spain, a secluded retreat in Hawaii, a manor house in the English countryside, a Greek pension overlooking the sea, a rustic resort in Colorado, and more -all catering to our lifestyle! Plus, every month, regular departments provide you with valuable information on gay events and festivals, travel updates and tips, interviews, and the latest gay trips and tours-sail the Caribbean on a private yacht , join an expedition to Nepal, cruise the Mediterranean on a luxury liner or fly to Sydney for the Gay Mardi Gras. .__ ________ _, Whatever you're looking for, let OUR WORLD be your ticket to adventure . 1 year (12 colorful issues) only $ 44 (in the USA) - US$ 52 (Worldwide). First issue mails in 4°6 weeks in plain sealed envelope. Sample copy US$ 5. Mail To: Our World Publishing 1104 North Nova, Road, Suite 251 Daytona Beach, Florida 32117 USA TEL: (904) 441-5367 Subscribe Today. AND YO U1 LL NEVER .· A FRIEND JOURNEY. WITHOUT YOUR BE FOR Second Stone The National Gay and Le sb ian Christian Newsjou -rnal · ···YES!·······;················............... .. Begin my subscription to SECOND STONE for: , [ ] One year (6 issues) $13.00 [ ] Two yrs. (12 issues) $25 .00 [ ] Three yrs. (18 issues) $36.00 NAME ADDRESS ··········································"''''''' . . CITY/STATE/ZIP CODE CHECK HERE [ ] If a plain envelope is required and add $2 .00 per year. Allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of your first Issue. international subscriber.; add $10.00 per year, U.S. currency . Mail To: SECOND STONE, Box 8340, New Or le ans, LA 70182 THANK YOU for your subscript ion support! Second Stone• Septem~/October, 1992 [Ii] The BROTlll:RS of the MERCY or GOD Religious community examines candidate's hearts, not sexuality BY JIM BAILEY F ourteen years after becoming part of a religious community, Bro. Gerald Pelletier found himself failing the institutional church's litmus test of who is called to serve. He was dealing with an issue that they never addressed in seminary. Recognizing the conflict between the stifling community environment and the surfacing of his repressed sexual identity, Bro. Gerry decided to leave the community, but he left with a vision of what the community could have been. In 1988, Bro. Gerry founded the ecumenical Brothers of the Mercy of God as a ministry to those who feel alienated, disenfranchised, or left out of the church, to the poor and less fortunate, and to people with AIDS. An Evangelical, Bible Based Church Where Everyone Is Welcome Gome ... Let Us Share God's Love With You It is a community where men can · come forward and serve God even , though the institutional church may · have made them think they couldn't. The Brothers of the Mercy of God is a religious community made up of gay men . "In a world so divided by the scandal of church policies, we open a way of understanding to individuals so that they can reconcile their lives back to God," said Bro. Gerry. The Brothers are inspired by, but not affiliated with, the ecumenical Community of Taize (France). They live by the rules of St. Francis of Assisi and of Taize. Baptized Christ_ ians from all denominations are accepted into the order. Most of the Brothers have been in religious communities prior to their entering the CHRIST-The Cornerstone For All Sunday School - 9:00a.m. Sunday Worship Celebration 10:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Wednesday Prayer & Praise 7:00 p.m. CORNERSTONE FELLOWSHIP 2902 N. Geronimo • Tucson, AZ 85705 (602)6224626 r·1-2·7 Second Stone• September/October, 1992 ' J . Mercy of God Brothers. Some are still involved in other parishes and mini6tries and all hold secular jobs. _. Candidates must express a willingness to pronounce commitments to poverty (detachment from material things, and the responsible use of one's time, talents and gifts), chastity (unconditional, unselfish love, responsible sexuality), and obedience (allowing God's will to be the guide), to pause three times daily for Christian prayer and to be involved in ministry to others. In addition to the traditional vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, there is a fourth: stability. The community is now in its fifth year. There are eight professed Brothers. The next formation class begins the end of September and th.ere will be five more candidates in preparation. Says Bro. Gerry, 'The call to ministries of love, care and concern. It is from within that change will come about, so they will know our work as community by our deeds." l'!t is newer communities such as ours that really never become accepted at first," said Bro. Gerry, "but in time, the churches realize that we are meeting real needs, and meeting challenges that are beyond their ·understanding, and then like many orders in the past, after being tried and tested, they are then asked to become part of the church. The Brothers have developed ·an associate program at the request of many persons who are unable to join the community as vowed, intern members, yet are interested in the apostolic work of the community . Associate members, who are very much involved with the community and who support the apostalate in Brother Gerald Pelletier, right, founder of the Brothers of the Mercy of God accepts the first year vows -of Bro. Ron Cross. ' community today is a call to accept an overwhelming challenge in a world that is different, exclusive of those who are different, and those who suffer the violence of hatred. In accepting the call to proclaim the Kingdom and the message of the Gospel, one must also be in the world amidst the storm and be present to the Christ in all with whom we come in contact." Bro Gerry said that there is freedom in not having to call anyone's sexual orientation into question. 'That alone gives the individual the ability to move on with his life and his love ·of God. If the Holy Spirit does not discriminate in who is called to come forward and serve the Gospel, who are we· to say 'No you cannot serve.' Sexuality is not an issue here, only one's ability to see the face of Christ in all who he comes in contact with: • This spirit and this spirit alone represents one's true call to live, love and serve the Gospel." The Brothers of the Mercy of God is a non-canonical community and they presently do not seek or desire canonical approval. "We are already within the church, working our prayer and in spirit, can be found in all parts of the United States and Canada. The community publishes a quarterly' newsletter to keep members, near and far, up to date with the group's activities. Each Brother wears a black cassock, closed collar, and a black cord with vows knotted into it, and a black scapular. Emblazoned on the left side of the scapular is the cross of the community. The cross represents the church of the east and the church of the west, sometimes called the orthodox cross. A heart in the center of the cross represents Christ's love for the Brothers. The religious dress is worn for meetings, liturgies and functions within community ministry. When the Brothers are together for worship they usually chant their prayer service . Worship, as well as monthly meetings, is open to all to attend. Worship at various locations may include an evening of prayer around the cross. 'This is a very lovely, very moving service of candles, scripture, music, and singing," said Bro. Gerry. "It is a way for all SEE BROTHERS, Page 13 .TOCSIN, From Page 8 •ranks. One member of a fundamentalist group told a San Jose, California newspaper that fhe death penalty clairri was an attempt "to paint us as some sort of weirdos, and frankly we're not." In the same report, Jay Grimstead also denied that COR advocated the death penalty for homos exual acts. But Colorado-based Pastor Peter J. Pete rs, director of Scriptures for America, has no qualms about claiming that "God's Law" does indeed call for capital punishment for homosexual acts. In writing about the group's recently published booklet, "Death .Penalty for Homosexuals," BROTHERS, From Page .12 thos e attending to let out their deepest feelings of spirituality." For those who request prayers for their loved ones, the sick and for thosE! who have died, the community places the request on the altar and remembers each person. Like religious and monastic orders have done for centuries the Brothers of the Mercy of God make candies from secret recipes to support the life of their community. Packages of fudge and buttercrunch are mailed to sweet-lovers all over the United States and Canada . During "the past three - years, the Brothers have made candy only si:x months out of the year but now plan to cook year round. Some of the proceeds from new candy s.ales COMING OUT, From Page7 God did the same kind of works among the .Gentiles as was done with believing Jews . The power of my point is that God works in and through our community as well. "My life has been painful," I wrote, "but I see it's for a purpose. I consider it now an honor to be who I am and to bring a message of Christ's love to those in the gay and lesbian community who have been taught that God has abandoned them. I can think of no greater calling." I had no illusions that this letter would immediately change his mind - and it didn't. The response I received wa s perfunctory and liberally sprinkled with phrases like "eternal never-changing Word of God," "Russian roulette" and "Sodom and Gomorrah." So what's the use? It is the knowledge that things can change - one person at a time. We don't know who will be open to reconsider their views and who won't. Those who won't change after the first letter or experience may be open to reconsider after the 100th, or after a persona.I crisis . Statistics prove overwhelm- Peters said, 'There is only one thing that will stop the perversion in our land and that is God's Law and it's about time someone says it, so I wrote this boo klet and tried to. say it in the most reasonable, logical, . scriptural manner I know." Jay Grimstead, in an interview with the San Jose Mercury News, said many more Christians will have to wake up in order to get America back to :·normal, mainstream values." 'They're probably still asleep; probably until '96 or '98." According .to Jerry Sloan, many Gays and Lesbians are sleeping pretty soundly too. For information on Project Tocsin, call (916)374-8276. are earmarked for the establishment of a residence that the Brothers say they so earnestly need. Although presently negotiating on a house in Scitutae, Rhode Island, the Brothers now live individually, in small groups, or with family members. "We do hope one day that we have a house," said Bro . Gerry, "so that those who want to live in common will be able to do so. Also, it would be a place for others to come and see us, pray with us and share> with us. It is also our hope when ,. house . is established that we offer retreats to ·the gay man and lesbian woman as a group or individually ." Although work to establish the community has bee.n hard, .the obstacles have been few. For Bro. Gerry Pelletier, the number of people who have taken profession into community has made it all worthwhile. irtgly that those who actually know Gays and Lesbians are in favor of gay rights an<;i this is true spiritually as well. I feel satisfied that Pastor Co le now knows that there is at least one lesbian who believes she is a Christian and describes spiritual experiences that are like his own. It is the ppwer of sharing our authentic Christian experience that will slowly turn the tide of fear and ignorance - one person at a time. . ~•'•\"'°¥:· I ~· . "'r,, !-~·~· ' ·,.~ , j ~, . ·•·• •··• I .J' 'l •.• --~" '\.J... We ~ . bland§ G/nn A Lesbian Paradise. .. On 100 beautiful acreSwith pool, hot tub, skiing and more. Innkeepers Judith Hall and Grace Newman invite yrn.1 to write or call for a brochure. P. O . . !lox 118 SL Bethlehem, NH 03574 (603) 869-3978 . The Parable of the Shelter BY NANCY HUGMAN . THE REALM OF GOD is like a woman who built a shelter for the homeless in the midst of the inner city. She then went out to the st~eets saying, "Come into my shelter. I wili give you food and warmth and a place of comfort to sleep. And you will know love and peace for your spirits." Some of the people eagerly went with her, but some Were fearful and did not trust in their hearts, saying to themselves, "She will put too many demands on me. I want to be free. Free to sleep in ,the doorway of my choice. I want to be free to search for food in the trash bins of iny choice." Some of the people were so excited when they got to the front door of the shelter that they immediately went out to tell their friends. But their friends convinced them that one fix or a pint of whiskey was much more exciting than anything they would find behind the doors of the \ shelter, and so the people shot up and drank an<! believed they had found joy in the needle and the bottle. Some of the people ·who went with the woman stayed only for a meal and a good night's sleep. Then they began to say to themselves, 'This is too rich, too good for me. I don't deserve to be treated like this." And they went back to the streets which they knew well. Still some of the people stayed in the shelter with the woman and they grew strong in body and mind and spirit. They learnec! that they are precious beyond price. The woman loved them ·and they loved the :woman and in this was truly everlasting joy. And each day, unfailingly, the woman brought food and blankets to ·those people on the street who chose not to come to her shelter, to those who would accept her gifts but not her love. Bulk Copies Available • • • • • • • • • • • • • OF THIS ISSUE OF SECOND STONE For c/Jurch l group distribution. conferences, bar m,mstry. etc 10 copies· $13.50 • 25 copies - $29.50 • 50 copies• $45.00 100 copies - $67 .50 includes postage and handling Limited quantity of back issues available FREE: add $5.00 postage for every 50 copies Send your pre-paid order to Second Stone, P.O. Box 8340. New Orleans, LA 70182 Second Stone• Sept~m,ber/October, 1992113 j , , In Print . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . God's Country: A Case Against Theocracy By Andrea L. T. Peterson Contributing Writer In an attempt to trace the roots of the current fundamentalist Christian movement which has cdrnrnitted itself to fight against the rights of women .to govern their own bodi es and against gay men and Lesbians who seek to acquire for themselves the civil rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution/Bill of Rights, author/ activist Sandy Rapp presents, in God's Country: A Case Against Theocracy, a concise though extremely brief, coherent study of· the more than 2,000 year old patriarchal premises which underlie Christian .fundamentalism. Rapp's contention is that many United States citizens, a considerable number of whom "rPpresent profoundly affected categor ies (i.e ., women - lesbian or non-gay, and gay men)" are not sufficiently aware of the impact or the potential of this movement, and even less aware of how to counter it. Beginning .with the exper ience of a representative gay man whose life - ........... E m!"tby is a journal that deserv~s our · iupport for th~ original and creative work it docs in the interest of truth and jwtice. i-f. Rev. Malcolm Boyd, author of 23 books including Are Yo•; R,mni,rg with Mt, Jesus?, Take Off th, Masks, and G•y Pmst E mpathy provides a much-neded and welcomed communication link for persons involved in education a.bout homophobia. At its best it will keep us informed and in touch, supponcd and chall~ngcd, excited and proud. if. Brian McNaught, lecturer ar1,d author of On Being Ga1_: ThoMghts on family, Faith, a~d Lo,:e and early death from AIDS - may illustrate how society's condemnahon of an entire subgroup of its population may contribute significantly to. promiscuity, teen suicide, and premature death in the gay community; and an overview of the lesbian perspective, Rapp proceeds to examinE; sexual politics (read action taken to limit gay and lesbian experience and/ or limit the power that th ey and non-gay women have) fro,!ll a political, historical, and religious perspective. Regr etta bly, she has either bitten off more than she can chew, or she has not given herself enough room in w hich to adequately chew it! Thus, God's Country is more of a call to activism than a treatise on patriarchy, invasion of privacy, and the consequent centralization of power in the hands . of a few: white males or others willing to think and legislate as they do. If, however, Rapp, the activist, intends to sound the call to activism, she has done a fairly good job. Although her survey of the historica1 treatment of homosexuality in social, Empathy tAn Interdisciplinary Journal for Persons Working to End Oppression on the Basis of Sexual Jdentity PUBLISHED TWICE A YEAR, EMPATHY -INCLUDES SCHOUJU..Y ESSAYS, PROSE AND POETRY, PJtAcnTJONER ~ ARTICLES, ANECDOTAL ESSAYS, ANO 11.ESUJlCH 11.EPORTS AS WELL AS ANNOTATED BIBUOCRAl'HJES FOR RESOURCE MATERIALS, RECENT RESEAJlCH AND BOOXS. THE JOURNAL SERVES PEOPLE WOJUClNG IN .EDUC\TlON, COUNSEUNG, HEALTII CAR.2, SOC1AL WORK, C0!¥1MUNTJ:Y _ACilVJSM, AND TH£ MINISR.Y NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY, One y~ar (2 issues) individual subscription s10 ($15 i_nscitutional) Make checks payable to G~y and Lesbian Advocacy Research Project (GLARP) and mail to: . Empathy, PO Box 1081, Columbia, SC 29250. li4] Second Stone• Septembei-/October, 1992 psychological, and political contexts, as well as her study of the role and rights of women in this country is terribly scant, .she doe s provide a good, "bare bones" outline which sho uld provide interested readers with all they need to be appalled at the consistent maltreatment of what probably amounts to nearly 60 percent of the populatiori (assuming that 50 percent of the population is female and that 10 percent of the remaining, i.e. male, half if gay or bisexual.) She also presents a quick look at those scriptural passages frequently "used against" homos exuals and demonstrates how such verses, which certainly do not address mutual, loving same"gender relationships, do not, for the most part, even address homosexuality at all. Likewise she examines the treatment of homosexuality by the American psychiatric and psychological associations. According to Dr. Alan Bell, co-author of the book Sexual Preference (1981; Indiana University Press; Bloomington), "although we have entitled our present work Sexual Preference, we do mean to imply that a given sexual orientation is the result of a conscious decision." The choice to be homosexual usually refers to the choice to acknowledge the truth about oneself, thus, it is even more absurd to find that while it "is wrong to postulate rights solely on innateness ... Religion ... is certainly an acquired trait, yet civil rights statutes specifically protect fundamentalists opposing rights for the gays whom they insist have a 'choice' to be more like them through religious conversion." Fundamentalists organize and use their money to acquire positions of · influence where lawmaking is concerned. · "l.t must indeed be argued," Rapp maintains, "that the imposition of one religious belief on all U.S. residents, including members and clergy of other religions, is a dramatic invasion of their religious freedom." Perhaps as unreasonable as the notion that sexual orientation is "chosen," or at least changeable, is the tendency in American culture to "presume heterosexuality." Although there has been a button and a t-shirt around for years that reads: How Dare You Presume I'm Heterosexual, God's Country elaborates on the sentiment behind the slogan. For centuries, according to Rapp, there · has been a mostly unspoken presumption of heterosexuality. This is more than an ignorance on the part of those presuming. Rapp's discussion on the social and political attitudes toward non-heterosexuality suggests a more deliberate conspiracy of silence - an encouraged ignorance lest heterosexuals discover that homosexual men and women are just like they are: human beings with feelings, ambi- • tions, meaningful vocations, and the basic right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiri ess (including the right to privacy .) In fact, those sexual practices defined by most states as sodomy, and therefore considered illegal, although frequently "trotted out exclusively to harass and entrap gay people," are extremely common heterosexually. God's Country is an enlightening little volume which provides backgound information, educational advice, and suggestions for organizing and taking action against legislated injustice . Sandy Rapp, author; Harrington Park Press; 1991; PB; 128 pp. (139 pp. with notes); No price given. In Print, briefly ... Redefining Sexual Ethics 6. This collection represents bold and provocative ethical and theological considerations of race, gender, age, disability, class, and sexual orientation. In essays, poems, songs, and stories, this sourcebook gives a voice to many who have been shunted to the periphery of society. - From The Pilgrim Press ACLU Guide to a Gay Person's Rights b. Authors Nan D. Hunter, Sherryl E. Michaelson and Thomas B. Stoddard have written the only nontechnical book containing legal advice for lesbian and gay Americans. Using a simple question-and-answer format, the authors set forth the rights of Lesbians and Gays under present law ancl offer suggestions as to how these rights can be protected. . -From Southern Illinois University Press · The Other Side 6. The July/August issue of this excellent peace and justice magazine includes two articles of special interest to gay and lesbian Christians. Romans Revisited, by Hendrik Hart, from the Institute for Christian Studies in Toronto, proposes Paul intended Romans 1 to be a critique of those who condemn and judqe homosexual behavior. Beneath the Battle, by Holland's Pim Pronk, explores ethical issues for and against homosexual behavior and practice. Too often such discussions are based on the "wrong questions" and Pronk tries to dete.nnine what the right questions are. · - From The Other Side, 300 W Apsley, Philadelphia, PA 19144-4221, single issue, $4.00. T In Print T . .......... ....... ..... .......... •.• ............... ~ .• ................ . He danced with death... and keeps on dancing By Michael Blankenship Contributing Writer M y first encounter with Rev. Stephen Pieters occurred on · the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D .C. Metropolitan Community Churches from across the nation had gathered for the National Match for Gay and Lesbian Rights, and were holding a pre-march service. In the gray early morning light of that October day, I saw this man take the microphone and announce the singing of "Amazing Grace." He went on to reveal the special significance of this song for him. He'd had AIDS for over five years, but through the power of God he had experienced continued good health. He could truly In Print, briefly ... Broken Bridges, Trail Close Behind ... Soaring Wings b. The poems in Bonnie C. Mullikin"s new book were written over a span of several years. Beginning with the innocence of her coming out, living through the abuse she suffered at the hands of a woman she believed loved her, through the heartbreak of her realizations of. the abuse she endured, in the name of love, coming to terms with the abuse, culminating with her final acceptance of herself and the love of another woman. Says Editor Debra Minier, "I feel this book provides a thought provoking insight into the lesbian world." . -From Minikin Publications, P.O. Box 2306, Conington, KY 41012. For Those We Love: A Spiritual Perspective on AIDS b. The Al DS Ministry Program of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis present a handbook and resource written for and by people with Al OS and their caregivers. The book contains· stories that put the reader into the lives of hurrian beings dealing with the daily realities of illness and uncovers the spiritual core of the experience. • From The Pilgrim Press Called to Blessing b. This book is the English translation of a Pastoral Letter authored by the Working Group of Catholic Gay Pastors in the N.etherlands. It is foreworded by Robert Nugent and Jeannine Gramick, who call the book "another important contribution to help the Catholic community hear and respond to the voices of its lesbian and gay members." -From New Ways Ministry, 4012 29th St., Mt. Rainier, MD20712. speak from personal experience when he sang, "I was blind, but now I see." I wished that my own friends who were suffering . with the virus could h_ear Rev. Pieter's message of hope and story of God's power. Since that time Steve Pieter's name has become very familiar around the UFMCC, and he has indeed taken his message to the world. He has spoken and ministered in hundreds of cities across the nation. Once, he was a featured guest via satellite on 'Tammy's House Party" hosted by Tammy Bakker, and he spoke freely about having AIDS and being a gay man. By the end of the interview a teary-eyed Tammy , with rivlets of black mascara cascading down her face, told Steve, "How sad that we as Christians, who are supposed to love everybody, are so afraid of an AIDS patient that we will not put ow arm · around him and tell him that we care! There are a lot of Christians here that wouldn't be afraid to put their arms around you and tell you that "".e love you ." Following the interview Tammy's toll-free switchboard lit up like a Christmas tree. Hundreds called to chastise · her for being so friendly to a known homosexual. He was never invited for a return appearance. Rev. Pieters has compiled a number of his articles and sermons into a book which has been published by the Christian gay-owned Chi Rho Press of Gaithersburg, Maryland. The book, entitled I'm Still Dancing: A Gay Man 's Health Experience, begins in 1984 during the worst of Pieter 's ordeal and graphically recounts the fear and anger and pain of someone who has known AIDS firsthand . In journal fashion he details the progress of the disease for nearly a year . At times he is resigned to death, but he never gives up and always pulls himself together to continue his fight for life . The last part of the book is filled with the elation of someone who has been touched by God's grace, someone who wishes to share his faith and his good news. Since the Tammy Bakker show, Pieters has appeared in LIFE magazine and has been featured in a chapter of Michael Callen's book Surviving AIDS.Just last summer he was the focus of an installment of Jane Pauley's TV show. When asked by Pauley what infections he had during the 1980s his reply · sounded like a walking menu for the AIDS virus. During the course of his illness he 'd had hepititis, cytomega!ovirus, herpes, mononucleosis, candidiasis, shingles, pneumonia, and Kaposi's sarcoma, but it was lymphoma (lymph cancer) that was supposed to have killed him by the end of 1984. His doctor freely admitted that she couldn't explain his recovery, other than an experimental drug he had taken. Today Rev. Pieters is the Director of AIDS Ministry in the UFMCC, a fitting position for someone who has shown the world that AIDS is not an automatic death sentence. He feels that he has been "called to bring hope in the face of all the hopelessness," and for those of us who have met this man we can add a hardy, "Amen!n He certainly demonstrates the joy of being alive, and unhesitatingly gives God the credit for his survival. If you or someone you know has AIDS, the message of hope in I'm Still Dancing from one of the long -term survivors of AIDS is a must. As lesbian and gay Christians we should all seek out every positive message of God's love and healing power during these depressing times. Make this book a part of your own library . In a personal and profound way, · · I'm Still Dancing clearly shows that life is precious and worth fighting for, that God is greater than AIDS. He may have been diagnosed with full-blown AIDS ten years ago, but Rev. Pieters is still dancing! Rev. Stephen Pieters, author of I'm Still Dancing Christus · Om.nibus ! is the new bimonthly magazine for gay and lesbian Christians. • what the Bible really says about homosexuality • reconciling ministries • interviews • book reviews • spirituality. plus a national resource directory listing hundreds of churches which welcome gay and lesbian members. · SUBSCRIBE NOW AND DON'T MISS A SINGLE ISSUE! YES I want to subscribe to CHRISTUS OMNIBUS! and support , ministry to the gay and lesbian community! _ 1 Year (6 Issues) $15.00 _ 2 Years (12 Issues) $25.00 _ 3 Years (18 Issues) $35.00 NAME ______ _ _ __ _ _ _______ _ _ ADDRESS _ __ ___ ...:.._ __ ____ __ __ _ CITY, STATE, ZIP __ ___ ___ ___ _ __ _ _ Make checks or money orders payable to CHRISTUS OMNIBUS! and send to: CHRISTUS OMNIBUS! 146 E. Duarte Road, Suite 213, Arcadia, CA 91006 Second Stone• September/?ctober, 1992_ j 15 I · ·t ·.:. Relationships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Scripture offers way to heal relationships By Rev. Dr. Fred C. Williams EACH OF us,_ at one time or another, has experienced the pain of a broken relationship. It may have been a lover, a partner, a best friend, parents, a family member, or possibly even an employer or co-worker. We all react differently in situations where someone hurts us, talks about us, lies about us, betrays us, or offends us by the things they do and say. From the pastoral point of view, I've observed some of the ways we sometimes handle, or rather mishandle, such situations. · First, sometimes we may act like an avoider. When we meet the situation as an avoider, we make elaborate arrangements in our life so we'll never come face to face with the other person. Ordinarily we might see this person at the bank, in the grocery store, at work, or in a gathering of friends. So we plan our fife in such a way that we never "run into" this person. We go on living day after day engaged in our constant efforts to avoid this person . And as we do, the situation eats away at our heart. Then, there is the mind reader. Somebody offends us and they don't even know it. We expect them to be mind readers. We never tell them how they hurt us. We tell others, but never them. Thus, when we are around them we darn up and they ask if anything is wrong. Our only response is a cutting, ''You figure it out!" TheIJ. ~e walk away allowing the relationship to remain in its broken state. Next is the grudge carrier. Once we get hurt, we never Jet that person or anyone else forget about it. We carry that grudge every day that we live. Psychologists tell us that people who carry grudges secretly love the fact that they have been hurt. They can lash out at that person, talk about them, and even get others to see how wrong that person really was. So, a grudge carrier doesn't want to drop the grudge. If they do, they lose their power and the pleasure they get from carrying the grudge. So they never let it go! And then, there is the gossiper. The gossiper loves to talk. They'll talk about anything whether it's true or not. They'll talk to anybody except A Presbyterian Promise "We will work to increase the acceptance and participation in the church of all persons regardless of racial-ethnic origins, sex, class, age, disability, marital status or sexual ori~ntation" - 195th General Assembly (1983), Atlanta, Georgia If this is your promise, too, we invite you to join Presbyterians for Lesbian/Gay Concerns Write to Elder James D. Anderson PLGC, P.O. Box ~8, New Brunswick, NJ 08903-0038, 201/846-1510 ·[jjJ Second Stone .• September/October, 1992 the person they are talking about. And if they are ever confronted with the fact that they said something,. they deny every word. They'll get angry that someone thought they were gossiping. Strangely enough, their anger never shuts them up. They keep on talking and spreading the gossip to anyone who will listen. And finally, there is the blaster. Now the blaster doesn't care who hears what they have to say. They'll blast anybody, including the person who hurt them. Their words have the force of an explosion from a sawed-off shotgun. Most people who encounter the blaster end up picking themselves up from the floor, stunned and deeply hurt. The Bible clearly tells us how we can handle broken relationships . And it's not by being an avoider ... a mind reader ... a grudge carrier ... a gossiper ... or a blaster. Rather the Bible says if anyone does something wrong to you, go and tell them what they did. Do it privately. Let it be between you and them alone. And when you speak, speak with truth and love. We don't fix broken relationships by getting even, beating on people, or expressing our righteous anger . We fix broken relationships when we approach them with the full hope of restoring that which is broken. The purpose of going to the person face to face is not to tell them off, or punish them, or to get them out of your life. The purpose is restoration . In restoring the relationship the two of you can go on living with peace in your hearts and Jove on your lips. Such a face to face confrontation may not be easy. It may be painful for the one who must speak the words and equally painful for the one who must hear them. However, if our words are coated with a spirit of love and care for the person, then there is a genuine chance that the relationship can be repaired. TIMBERFELL O g G E A Fully Self-Contained Gay Men's Resort The relationship between my father and me was once broken. Twentyseven years ago my father discovered I was gay. He was devastated. In such a state, he turned to angoar and that anger was lashed out upon me. We had a word battle and a screaming match that shook the roof of our home. I was hurt. He was hurt. I walked out of our home and did not see him of any of my family for two years. One day while I was sitting in a bar in a motel, I felt a heavy hand fall upon my shoulder. It was my father's hand. I was shocked. Thoughts raced through my mind. How had he found me? In my father's rental car was a map of the United States. On that map were pins marking each city where I had, in ·anger and retaliation, charged expenses to my father's credit cards. For two years. he had been trying to find me . That's why he never cancelled the cards. It was his only way of knowing that I was alive, so he willingly paid those bills to keep up with my location. "I'm so glad I've finally found you," he said to me. "I want you to come home and I want to help you become that pastor God has called you to be." Tears filled my eyes and my body shook as we embraced. A relationship had been repaired because this man decided to follow the words of scripture. "Jf anyone does something wrong to you, go and tell them what they did. Do it privately. Let it be between you and them alone. And speak with truth and love." At church one day, just as the sermon was finished a small boy asked his mother, "Now is it all done?" "No," replied the mother. '1t's all said, now we have to go out and doit. _ Rev. Dr. Fred C. Williams is the senior pastor of King of Peace MCC in St. Petersburg, Floridt:l. This article first appeared in the cl1urc;h magazine, Vision. • Open Year Round - • 250 Seduded Aaes • Airport Pick-up_ • Deluxe Rooms, Private Baths • Bunk Rooms Available • Gourmet Meals • Full•Facility Pool Complex • Poolside Beer Bar · • Ten-Mwi Sunken Jacuzzi • F,shinp, HikiflfJ, Bicycling • Clothing Optional THE COUNTRY'S FINEST GAY RESORT! Route 11, Box 94-A, Attn: SS Greeneville, TN 3n43 For Reservations and Information Out of state: 800-437-0118 In state: ~15-234-0833 Families- ................. --~ ................. ~ ......................... .. . ...... . An interview with two gay grandfathers Fathers of the bride B OB, 45, IS A commercial interior designer, with three children. Their mother died when they were very young. Robert, 36, is a psychiatrist. They met in 1980 and have "lived through and survived" having three teenagers in the home. Well almost - Preston, 19, lives at home while finishing high school. David, 24, is working towards becoming a fireman. And last year, Amy, 21, was married and gave birth to granddaughter Paisley, now almost two years . Bob, Robert and family live in Texas . ' Robert, when you first became a part of the family, was it "instant fatherhood?'' ROBERT: When we first met, ' David was living with Bob and the younger two children were living with his sister in North Carolina. Bob was dealing with coming out and thought it would be better for them to live in a more "normal" environment with a husband and a wife. In retrospect, it was a mistake. After we had been together for two years, we were going to visit the young ones for Christmas _ and we found out that Bob's sister's husband would not allow me in the house during the visit. Bob's reaction to that was "Oh my God, this .man is raising my children." We very quickly decided that by the end of the school year, they would come to live with us. I will never forget when they stepped off the plane and Bob turned to me and said, "From this moment on, our Jives will · never be the s·ame." At what point did th e kids find out you were gay? BOB: I told each of them when they were about 11 years old. Actually, Preston, the youngest, I never told. He learned by osmosis . When they were very young, the children tried to hide it from their friends and ca me up with some strange stories. One was that I had an incurable dis ease which only affected me at night, so I had to have a doctor living at home with me. How they came up with these sto1ies is beyond me. :,.,. ROBERT: We just wanted them to feel comfortable in their . home . . We even started out with separate bedroorns for when the children had other kids over . We would go in and mess up the bed and put a book by it and all that - until one night David came to us and said that wasn't necessary anymore : BOB: When the children were · yoL1nger they had a difficult time knowing when to talk about our sexuality and when not to. Each of them had to get to a point where they were comfortable enough with it and they ·were willing to share the information with their friends. If their friends were going to judge them according to how Robert and I lived, then they didn't want them as friends anyway . And that's what evolved. Did you have any problems in coming out as a family? BOB: Some of our children's friends' parents had a problem. These friends could come over after school, but their parents would not allow them to be at our house after dark . And some of our sons' friends weren't allowed to spend the night here . But our children understood that this was caused by prejudice and a lack of education. How about those awkward teen years? ROBERT: I remember one of David's first girlfriends. He was fearful about telling her because this was one of the first people he had the hots for. And when he finally told her, she said "Oh, my mother 's a lesbian!" He was so relieved . How was planning a wedding? BOB: Some parts of the wedding preparations were complicated. For instance, how should the invitations read? Should both of us "request the pleas ure of your company at the marriage of their daughter?" We finally decided to avoid the issue by doing a personal invitation to all the guests by phone. And when you escort the bride to the altar , the minister asks, "Who gives this woman in marriage?" Well, it wasn't just me, it was Robert as well. Our solu tion was to answe r, _"Her family does." ROBERT: Another problem was that the wedding traditionally begins with the seating of the mother of the bride - which in this case was me . So I escorted B~b's mother, the grandmother of the brige, down the aisle. BOB: Actually, my mother escorted "the mother of the bride." Any memorable moments? BOB: When I sat down next td Robert ' after walking Amy down the aisle, an · I could think of was the wedding at the end of the movie, La Cage Aux Foiles. I got tickled and I couldn't help but laugh . So I'm trying to keep quiet and my shoulders are bouncing . My sons, sitting in the pew behind us, thought I was crying and actually I was giggling. So now you are grandparents ... BOB: It's great. We get to help out when it's convenient for us. Occasionally, we take the baby with us for a weekend at our lake house so Amy can get a break. The first time we were down at the lake with Paisley, I had t;ucen care of her all Saturday and Saturday night, so I said to Robert, 'Tomorrow morning is your time ." He said, "How will I know what to do?" Aren't you both too young to be granddads? BOB: I have had Paisley with me by myself, whiie I'm out shopping. And people automatically think she is mine, because she looks like me, with red hair and fair skin. And I just let them go on thinking that. I don't tell them that she is my granddaughter - if they want to think that that's fine with me . Are both of you called "grandpa?'' BOB: When Amy was pregnant, the children were sitting in the living room one night figuring out what Robert should be called by the baby. They knew that I was going to be "Paw-Paw," because that is what they called their grandfather and what I called mine. So all three children are just - throwing out suggestions. "How about 'Mi-mi' (a play on Robert's last name)?" [ROBERT: No!] "how about 'Auntie?"' [ROBERT: NO!] Eventually, they decided it would be "Papa Robert." What's the best part about b·eing , · grandparents? BOB: After a weekend at the lake, we can give Paisley back to her mother. And that's wonderful! We really do enjoy our time with her, but by the time the weekend is over, I'm ready to give her back . ROBERT: I can change a diaper, but I don't have to all the time! BOB: That is the wonderful thing about grandparenting . I'm enjoying Paisley much more than I enjoyed my own children . I can be with her and just play - and I couldn't do that with my own kids. Reprinted with pe1mission from Network, the newsletter of the Gay and Lesbian Parents Coalition. OPEN AND AFFIRMING: A JOURNEY OF FAITH An Open and Affinning Video Resource from the United Church Board for Homeland Ministries "It brings to life fhe printed words 1 have read aboui the ONA process. Real people. Real churches. Really valuable!" UCC Clergyper son "A n excellent video. I look.forward to using il in our local church." UCC Laywoman Open and Affirming: A Journey of Faith Color, 55 minutes, VHS; Purchase only - Not available for rental Documents the experiences of three United Church of Christ congregations deciding whether or not to declare themselves open to and affirming of lesbian, gay and bisexual persons. Different approaches to the ONA dialogue are documented as are candid comments from church members about personal experiences with the ONA process. Video package includes printed resources . To order send $25.00 to: ' Rev. Bill Johnson ONA Video Resources - UCBHM/DAMA 700 Prospect Avenue Cleveland, Ohio 44115-1100 All orders must be pre-paid by chect or money order payable to "UCBHM". For funher infonnation call (216) 736 - 3270. Second Stone• Septem~/October, 1992 \ 17 l T C.a . . l. .e . .n . .d . . a. . .r . . . . . .T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (jo l/cJwing announcements have been omitted by sponsoring or affiliated aups. 1th Annual 1FLAG Convention ll'TEMBER 4-7, "Love in Action, 1 in Diversity" is the theme for the !l'ents and Friends of Lesbians and tys Federation covention to be held the Hilton Hotel in Seattle, Wash; ton. Over 300 participants are pected. Registration is $150 per n;on. Speakers include Pepper 'hwartz, Ph.D., co-author of the ,st-selling American Couples. An rursion to Mt. Rainier and a cruise tPuget Sound in planned. For more formation contact Ardyce Fish, 7737 ~th S.W., Seattle, WA 98106, :}5)763-4575. Jational Episcopal 1IDS Coalition :onference 2TOBER 8-11, The National Epis, pal AIDS Coalition presents "A ,nference and Retreat for People ving, Working, and Ministering in e-Second Decade of AIDS." The 3tional 4-H Center, Chevy Chase, .a,ryland is the setting. The conference is an opportunity for Episcopalians and others interested or involved in new and established HIV/ AIDS ministries to come together to share, integrate, and sensitize each other to common and diverse experiences and to increase awareness and knowledge of current issues and information on HIV/ AIDS. For information write to the National Episcopal AIDS Coaltion, 733 15th St., NW #315, Washington, DC 20005-2112 or -call (202)628-6628. Affirmation Fall Gathering OCTOBER 9-11, Affirmation: United Methodists for Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Concerns meets in Washington, D.C. in conjunction with the display of the Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt. For information write to Affirmation, P.O. Box 1021, Evanston, IL 60204. National Skills Building Conference OCTOBER 8-11, The Sheraton Washington, Washington, DC, is the setting for this gathering sponsored by the AIDS National Interfaith ■ Let a new light shine for someone you love. Second Stone is a gift of love, comfort, inspiration and resolution for friends and family who may be in doubt, despair, isolation or suffering illness. Give the special people in your life the gift of Second Stone. We'll take it from there. FROl,I, Yes ... .,_ , Please _send a gift """"' subscription and card CJtj, - Zip ' in my name to the Name person(s) listed: Address [ J One gift, $15 City [ J Two gifts, $29 State Zip [ l Three gifts, $42 SlgnGlltCUd Add $10 for each Name foreign subscriber. Address , US. currency. City PAYMJNI' State Zip ' ENCTDSED: SlgnG!jtCUd Use additional sheet for more gifts, Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 ■ 8~ Second Stone• September/October, 1992 Network, National Association of People with AIDS, and the National Minority AIDS Council. The focus of the program is on producing results. The dates coincide with the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial display. For - information contact Carol Coy, (202)544-1076. Brethren/ Mennonite Council Convention OCTOBER 9-11, 'Tending the Flame - Nurturing our Sexuality and Spirituality" will be the theme of the fourth international convention of the Brethren/Mennonite Council for Lesbian and Gay Concerns. Over 100 people are expected to gather in Denver at the Executive Tower Inn for the meeting, which is open to gay, lesbian, and bisexual people, and their families and friends. Workshops will include Corning Out, Spirituality, Intimacy, HIV/ AIDS, and a dialogue with the Supportive Church Network. Information and registration forms are available by writing Box 65724, Washington, DC 20035. National Coming Out Day OCTOBER 11, Take your next step during NCOD Year No. 5. For information on National Corning Out Day, write to P.O. Box 8270, Santa Fe, NM 87504 or call (505)982-2558. Advance'92 OCTOBER 19-25, Advance Christian Ministries sponsors a week long conference for fellowship, ministry training, and dynamic worship. The theme is 'With a shout, the voice of the archangel, and the trumpet of God ... The Rapture of the Church!" The Golden Cross Ranch, Houston, is the setting. For information, contact Advance Christian Ministries, 4001-C Maple Ave., Dallas, TX 75219, (214)522-1520, Lavendar Law Ill OCTOBER 23-25, The National Lesbian and Gay Law Association ~ ~ ~ Evangelicals Jiiij; '#1/lo ge/her me. 8/BlE STllff( GIIOl/PS SOCIAlS• WORKSHO•P RSE TREATS HIVI AIDSS l/PPORGTI IOl/P PASTORACLA REI COIJHSEl/1/G FORG a&yL esbiCanh ristians InS outheCrna llfor.n.s.i ain ce1 979 Suits 109-Box 16 7985 Santa Monica Boulevard West Hollywood, CA 90048 213/656-B570 sponsors its bi-aimual conference dedicated to lesbian, gay ai1d AIDS legal issues. The Mart Plaza Hotel, Chicago, is the setting. Dedicated to educating lawyers, legal workers and law students in areas of concern to the lesbian and gay community, the conference typically attracts over 600 people from around the country. For information contact NLGLA, Lavendar Law III, P.O. Box 77130 National Capitol Station, Washington, DC 20013 or call (202)389-0161. 5th Annual Creating Change NOVEMBER 13-15, The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Policy Institute presents its annual national conference for gay and lesbian organizing and skills building. The Los Angeles Airport Hilton is the setting. For information contact Creating Change 1992, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Policy Institute, 173414th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009-4309, (202)332-6483, TTY (202)332-6219. Common Boundary Annual Conference NOVEMBER 13°15, Common Boundary presents its 12th aimual conference at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. "Invisible Threads: Exploring the Fabric of Our Relationships" is the theme for this one-of-a-kind gathering of therapists, artists, educators and spiritual teachers. Participants are invited to come and explore interconnectedness through music, art, dance, movement and the spoken and written word. For information contact Common Boundary, 4304 East West Highway, Bethesda; MD 20814, (301)652-9495. Ghost Ranch Retreat NOVEMBER 19-22, "Who's God? Whose God?" will provide an opportunity to enjoy community, express doubts, explore faith and understandings of God from various perspectives, in the beauty ·and serenity of Ghost Ranch, the Presbyterian Conference Center in New Mexico. Co-leaders are Rev. Lisa Bove and Chris Glaser. For information write to Ghost Ranch Center, Abiquiu, NM 87510. Send calendar items to: Second Stone Box 8340 New Orleans, LA 70182 or FAX to: (504)891-7555 T ·Noteworthy•· ' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HistoriMc anhattacnh urch joinsa ffirminmg inistries /:J,, PARK A VENUE CHRISTIAN Church, New York City, the oldest continuously worshipping congre&ation in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), founded in 1810, has· become an Open and Affirming Congregation. The congregation's board voted without dissent to join 12 other Disciples of Christ congregations and campus ministries and over 230 other congregations in five denominations who have made a commitment to minister to gay and lesbian people. In November, 1989 the congregation selected ;m openly gay man, Allen V. Harri's, as Associate Minister. John Wade Payne is Senior Pastor. -Crossbeams Connectednefossr HIV-positivPeW, As . /:J,B, EING ALIVE, a Los Angeles support organization for people who are HIV positive and people with AIDS has started publishing a newsletter to facilitate dating for HIV-positive people and PW As. Ferd Eggan, executive director, said the newsletter, Connect, is "a better way to meet people without having to overcome the real and imagined barriers and discri~ination that one has to deal with when disclosing their HIV or A:IDS status." Over 700 listings appear in the newsletter, with about 600 being gay. For information, -write to Connect, 3626 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90026. BritishM CCsin vitetdo joinE vangelicAal liance /:J,T, WO BRITISH CHURCHES, MCC Bournemouth and MCC in East London have been invited to join the Evangelical Alliance in the Un\ted Kingdom. EA is a~ in!e~-denommational group of md1v1duals and churches who subscribe to evangelical teaching. "Either they have not realized who we are or they genuinely want an input from MCC," said Rev. Neil Thomas, pastor of MCC Bournemouth. -Keeping in Touch Gayp arentsse ndle ttetro Bush /:J,, OVER 250 LESBIANS AND GAY men and their children gathered in Indianapolis, Indiana over the 4th of July weekend for the 13th Annual Conference of the Gay and Lesbian Parents Coalition , International. The newly-elected executive board held a press conference to den?~nce atta?<s on gay and lesbian farmhes by _vice President Dan Quayle and President George Bush. uwe never once heard either say, 'to be a goo~ pa~ent, th~. most important ingredient 1s love, said GLPCI President John Sheets. In an open letter to President Bush, th~ organization _ said, "What _we don t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . need is more rhetoric about 'family values' and what is 'normal,' which only panders to the fears of the ill-informed and the intolerant. Gay and · lesbian · parents don't pose a threat 'to the American family - we are the American family." During the conference two men, Tim Fisher and Scott Davenport of Washington, D.C., had their six-week-old son Fritz, baptized during a moving interfaith service. For information on GLPCI write to P.O. Box 50360, Washington, DC 20091. Tucsonc ablem inistrpyl anned /:J,n, m OTHER SHEEP :MINISTRIES, Tucson, Arizona in planning a local religious cable TV show with hopes of syndicating to other c~ble mar_kets, according to James C. Rice, president of the ministry. A catalog of programming is sched';'led to be available after six months of production. For information write to P.O. Box 78676, Tucson, AZ 85703-8676. Educatorhso noVr irginiUa ribe /:J,, THE NATIONAL EDUCATION Association awarded Los Angeles educator Dr. Vriginia Uribe with its 1992 Award for Creative Leadership in Human Rights. Uribe is the founder of Project 10, a pioneering education program for lesbian and gay teenagers. Calling herself "the little old lady from Pasadena,'' Uribe called NEA's award "a significant step in the struggle for equity for our lesbian and gay children. The NEA has come a long way since 1972, when gay delegates were "booed off the floor," said retired teacher Bob Pine. -Southern Voice welcoming stance towards Gays and Lesbians. The gatherings, themed "Nourishing the Tree of Life," were .coordinated by the Reconciling · Congregation Program, a network of 54 United Methodist churches and several other groups that have made a publicdeclaration that they welcome all persons . Dignitfyo rmsc hapteor nM aui /:J,T, HE NEWEST CHAPTER of Dignity /USA is forming on the Hawaiian island of Maui. The core group of ten members will soon have its own individuality, after being sponsored by Dignity'/Honolulu, whicl1 recently celebrated its 16th anniversary. For information on Dignity /Maui write to · 2141 Iliili Rd., #101, Kihei, HI 96753. -Both Sides Now Larsecne lebrate2s0y ears /:J,, ALL GOD'S CHILDREN MCC, Minneapolis, will formally affirm Rev. Charles Larsen as Senior Pastor during a weekend celebratio_n starting September 26. The appomtment coincides with Rev. Larsen's 20th year as a pastor in the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches. PastoRr andyH illd ies SeattleM CC2 0tha nniversary /:J,M, CC/SEATTLE celebrated its 20th anniversary .with special services on August 9. As part of the celebration, the church installed its new pastor, Cheri Starchman. !:,_R EV. FLOYD RANDALL HILL, ·pastor of Hosanna Church of Pr~~se and executive director of Necessities and More, Inc., San Jose, Calif., died on August 1 from AIDS related conditions. Pastor Hill founded and pastored MCC churches in Nashville and Tucson and was the founding pastor of Hosanna_Church _of Prai_se. At his side at the time of his passmg ' were his companion of 10 years, Marc Johnson, his mother Norma Hill, and a few close friends. A memorial fund has been established throught Necessities and More, Inc., 24 N. 5th St.,. San Jose, CA 95112. Newf ellowshiipn S acramento /:J,K, OINONIA CHRISTIAN FELLOWship, Sacramento, held its first wo_rship service in July. The fellowship . meets at the Lambda Center and is headed by Bro. Tom Rossi. For information write to P.O. Box 189444, Sacramento, CA 95818 or call (916)452-5736. UnitedM ethodismtse et to supporGt aysa ndL esbians /:J,T, HOUSANDS OF UNITED METHodists. gathered in 80 cities around the country in June to confe~s the c:J:iurch's homophobia and to vmce the1r support for Lesbians and Gays. The worship services of healing and reconciliation were in response to the United Methodist Church's General Conference whicl1 reaffirmed its un- . . . -·-·. .. - ... - .. . . Mississippfii'rss t · openlyg ayo rdination D. REV. JIM BECKER, formerly of Covenant MCC in Birmingham, Alabama, now pastor of MCC of the Gulf Coast in Bjfoxi,.-,Miss., has become the · first openly gay minister ordained in Mississippi. Becker was featured in . a story in Jackson's Clarion-Ledger. The ordination took place during the UFMCC's GuH Lower Atlantic District Conference m · Jackson. -Alabama Forum Firstg ay/lesbian ministriyn W estV irginia D. THE FREEDOM FELLOWSHIP, Morgantown, West Virginia, is the state's first gay and lesbian Christian outreach. Tfte group began worship. ping in March and had plans to move to a permanent location by Sept- ............... •· .. ember. For information write to P.O. Box 1552, Morgantown, WV 26505 or call (304)291-6940. Churchp lansA IDSr esidence 1:,_ ALL GOD'S CHILDREN Metropolitan Community Church, Minneapolis is raising funds toward the opening of Agape Home, an assisted living residence for people with AIDS who are in the last stage of their illness. Fundraising event.s held in August featured Alison Arngrim, who portrayed Nellie Oleson on Little House on the Prairie. Agape Home is being offered as an alternative to nursing home or hospital admission. The home will offer palliative care and will allow the caregivers, families and partners of the residents to participate in the care. BaltimorAel ternative founder/editdoier s !:,_W ILLIAM J. URBAN, publisher and editor of The Baltimore Alternative, died of complications from AIDS on June 24. He was 36 years old. From his newspaper's beginning in 1986, Bill Urban committed the paper to extensive, thorough coverage of the AIDS epidemic, and the cause o_f gay and lesbian civil and privacy nghts. The Alternative was opposed to the ACT UP /NY demonstration in St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City in December 1989. It said: "The Alternative strongly disagrees with the Roman Catholic Church's stated positions on AIDS, homosexuality, and the rights of women ... But we also believe in the inviolable sanctity of religious services, .. a_nd that_ the desecration of any rehg10us service 1s morally reprehensible ... " Urban was a supporter of Second Stone, an encourager, and editorial contributor. GLADA lliancgea therast TexasC hristiaUnn iversity /:J,,M EMBERS OF THE GAY, Lesbian and Affirming Disciples Alliance gathered on the campus of Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas July 17-20 for the s!xth annual GLAD Alliance Event. Alliance members travelled from 19 states to participate in the event. The Albance honored Rev. Allen V. Harris, associate pastor of Park Avenue Christian Church in New York City. A special offering was received and designated for the Kagiwada Memorial Scholarship Fund and Basic Mission Finance, both of which are ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ.) Elected to the Alliance Council were Chuck Carpenter, Randy Palmer, Rev. Tina Heck, Wayne Sparrow, Rev. Laurie Rudel, Dr, Jon Lacey, Rev. Holly B_eaumont SEE NOTEWORTHY, Next Page Second Stone• September/October, 1w,121!9 . Classifieds ........................... •·• ......... ·-· ............................... . Books & Publications "WONDERFUL DIVERSITY," "Heartily recommended," "Philosophically intriguing," "Excellent." Why do reviewers highly esteem CHRISTIAN*NEW AGE QUARTERLY? Great articles and lively columns make this bridge of dialogue between Christians arid New Agers as entertaining as it is substantive. Subscribe for only $12.50/yr. Or sample us for $3.50. CHRISTIAN*NEW AGE QUARTERLY. P.O. Bo,c 276, Clifton, NJ 07011-0276 . TF CHI RHO PRESS. Send for your copy of The Bible and Homosexuality by Rev. Michael England for $5.95 or I'm Still Dancin!f by long-term AIDS survivor Rev. Steve Pieters for $8.95 and · receive a free catalog from Chi Rho Press, an MCC-based publishing house for the Gay/Lesbian Christian community. Or receive our catalog · by sending $1.00. P.O. Box 7864-A, Gaithersburg, MD 20898. SALVATION, SCRIPTURE, and Se,cuality by Bishop Mark Shirilau clearly demonstrates that God loves everyone, regardless of sexuality. $4.00 includes tax, postage. Healing Spirit Press, P.O. Box 94, Villa Grande, CA 95486. BEYOND HETEROSEXISM, a bimonthly sourceletter for local churches and activists. Workshop ideas , pastoral care notes, Bible study (ecumenical lectionary), Christian year lituroies and more! A MUST FOR PROGRESSIVE CHURCHES! Subscription, $18. Sample, $4. More details free with #10 SASE. AlterVisions-#21, PO Box 2374, Boulder, co 80306. Friends/Relationships GWM, 63 with playful, youthful spirit , inte rested in relationship with man, tender/ affectionate with passion and comfortable with self; age/race not important. Reply: Ed, Box 8848, Madison, WI 53708-0848. Mail Order HOLY UNION ANNOUNCEMENTS/Invitations - You don't have to play it straight anymore! Order yotir announcements in ease and comfort from printers that know your needs. For a catalog write: SCA, 5838 54th Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL 33709 or call (813)546-6266. HIS & HIS / HERS & HERS - A complete line of personalized items with your lifestyle in mind - towels, rob.es, linens, aprons, etc. Ideal gifts! For catalog write: SCA, 5838 54th A venue North, St. Petersburg, FL 33709 or call (813)546-6266. Organizations NEW ORLEANS AREA: Gay and ·lesbian Lutherans and Episcopalians interested in a joint chapter of Integrity and Lutherans Concerned, please call (504}482-3734. Business or personal-try a Second Stone classified ad! -------- ---------7 Classified Order Form FOR ONLY 35¢ per word, your classified ad will reach readers from Sitka , Alaska to Amherst, Maine and everywhere in between . Business or personal. .. try a classified ad in our next edition! Mail To: : Second Stone 1 Box 8340 Name ____________ _ Address __________ _ City/St./Zip ________ _ AD COPY _______ _ --------------------------- ------ - ----------- __ wo,· Js X .35= $ ____ _ 20 word minimum. All classifieds must be pre-paid. Deadline one month prior to cover date. We will mail you a copy of the edition(s) in which your ad I New Orleans, LA 70182 appears Please place my ad in these : issues: [ J Jan/Feb [] Mar/Apr I [ J May/Jun [ J Jul/Aug l [ J Sept/Oct [ J Nov/Dec CLASSIFICATIONS [ J Books & Publications [ ] Business Opportunities [ l Employment [ J Friends/Relationships [ J General Interest [ l Mail Order [ ] Merchandise [ J Organizations [ l Professional · Services [ J Real Estate [ J Retreats [ l Roommates [ ]Travel I _______ ----------------------------------------------------- NOTEWORTHY, From Previous Page and Mark Anderson. GLAD Alliance is comprised of laity and clergy from the 1.1 million-member Christian Church (Disciples of Christ.) Longtime UFMCC District Coordinator retires AR. ADAM DeBAUGH, elected in October, 1983 as coordinator of the Mid-Atlantic district of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches, has retired from that position to devote his time to Chi Rho Press , a religious materials publishing company. "We need your prayers, your unpublished manuscripts, your orders and your contri' butions," said DeBaugh. Rev. Arlene Ackerman was elected to replace DeBaugh ; Bible institute offers classes A PHOENIX EV ANGELICAL Bible Institute has announced resident and correspondence classes iri a variety of subjects. The school's emphasis is on educating Christian gay men and women to share the message of the Gospel. "How wonderful that God has raised up a Bible Institute where I can learn about God today, yesterday and forever without any concern about my sexual orientation," said Greg Davis, student body president. For information call (602)265-2831. Environmental group announces new programs D. THE PEACEABLE KINGDOM, Inc., a nonprofit corporation dedicated to education and mediation on environmental issues, has inaugurated new programs to help improve the earth. Among the programs: Adopta- well, designed to seek out local groups who will "adopt" the financial obligation to provide clean, safe, drinking water for a community or village in the "developing" world; and The Rainforest Rescue, a cainpaign to enlist the support of schools to purchase rain forest acreage to be held in trust by a national conservation organization and cannot be sold or exploited. For information write P.O. Box 210, Hackett, AR 72937-0210. UFMCC pastor celebrates 20th year D. REV. ELDER FREDA SMITH has celebrated her 20th year in the ministry, the longest pastorate in the UFMCC. She was the first woman pastor in the UFMCC, and the first woman to be elected to the Board of Elders. · River City MCC celebrates 21st anniversary D. RIVER CITY MCC, Sacramento, marked its 21st year this summer. The church, located at 34th and Broadway, has a television ministry three times a week, a thrift store, counseling center, veterans outreach, and the Samaritan Center, which provides meals daily to anyone in need . Interfaith coalition formed in Ohio A AFfER MEETING FOR NEARLY a year, 15 groups in Columbus, Ohio, have formed a religious coalition of local congregations and denominational groups . 'The driving force for forming such a group is that there are. many projects that none of us can do on our own, that can be accomplished with our joined forces," said Diana Vezmar-Bailey, founding pastor of Spirit of the Rivers. "Up until now, homophobic fundamentalist Christians have had the only religious voice for the most part, and it's .past time for that to change." ARE YOU MOVING? The Post Office will not forward The Second Stone . You must notify us for uninterrupted service if you move. Please notify us four weeks in advance for unint errupted delivefy. Send both old and new . addresses . If possible atlacn mailing label in space provided. PRINT NEW ADDRESS ~ g. R .,[ ~ ~ Send completed form to: THE SECOND STONE Box8340 New Orleans, LA 70182 !'201 Second Stone• September/October, 1992 [ _ __ _, 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 Second Stone #24 - Sept/Oct 1992 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/7b700aa73212a498203cf8a43c769ec1.pdf 02394c16cb8a32fde7a9394cc0371c13 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 Second Stone Description An account of the resource Issues of the Second Stone publication. Issue An issue of a recurring publication. Issue Number The number of the issue (within a volume) 25 Publication Year The year the issue was published 1992 Publication Date The date the issue was published Nov/Dec 1992 Text Any textual data included in the document 1 _AMl;RIC(( S GAY & LES~ !AN CHRISTIAN· NEWSJOURNAL I .- , . Treacherous path couldn't erase pastor's vision ~!ways wanted to be an she was inde ed guilty of, and sen- ''I BY JIM BAILEY evangelist, " says Pas tor tenced to 17 years in prison. The Naomi Harvey . By the newspapers reported the crime as age of 16, Harvey was having homosexual overtones. She ministering in the Assembly of God felt like she h ad lost eve rything, and beginning to nurture the faith especially the chance to ever parthat was to later sustain her through ticipare in ministry again, after being personal tragedies that could have left outed as a lesbian by the press. her lost, defeated, and faithless . 'Th e fact that I had taken a life felt Harvey, 52, is now pastoring Potter's House in Portland, Oregon, and, like cancer to me," says Harvey. "I aJongwithRonnie Pigg, is co-pastor of could not forgive myself and certainly Fountain of Life Church in Seattle, did not expect God to forg ive me ." Washin gton . Harvey founded bo_th That changed one day when she was ministries, which are spirit-filled out- walking across the prison campus and reaches to th e gay and lesbian com- stopped to talk with a woman she was munity. serving time with . "Naomi," the Pastor Harvey stayed with the woman said, "I took the lives of nine Assembly of God only two years and people and I know God has forgiven then put her youthful energy into the me." The woman was Susan Atkins founding .of a church in Aberdeen, who, along with Charles Manson and Washington, where she pastored for other memb ers of his clan, com-- 18 mitt ed the grisly murders of actress fue::~ late 1970s, Harvey saw her Sharon Tate and others in the late life slip into a dark nightm are. She was convicted of murde r, a charge SEE COVER STORY, Page 10 . A TESTED FAITH Naomi Harvey, founder and co-pastor of Potter's House in Portland, Ore., and Fountain of Life Church in Seattle, Wa. FUNDAMENTALISTS VS. GAY / LESBIAN RIGHTS Colorado vote rs approve anti-gay amendment _ Anti-gay 'twisted efforts' rejected by Oregon voters ANTI-GAY FUNDAMENTALISTS in Oregon may look to their associa tes in Colorado for help in planning th eir next move against gay rights. Oregon voters on Nov. 3 rejected an attempt to crush gay rights while Colorado voters banned state and local governments from passing laws to protect Gays and Lesbians. Voters in Tampa, Fla., overt urne d a city ordinance protect ing Gays and Lesbians, while voters in Portland, Main e, . turned back a similar repea l effort. The Orego n Citizens Alliance, the group beh ind the failed proposal, is expected to attempt to bring the issue in some ne w form befo r e voters again in two years. O r egon's gay and lesbian SEE 'TWISTED EFFORTS,' Page 11 But '· com- BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PA ID NEW ORLEANS. lA PERMIT No. 511 Celebrate _ Gay Pride all year long!! GENRE "READS LIKE A GAY VERSION OF ESQUIRE OR GQ ... OFFERS GAY MEN AN UPFRONT, UPSCALE, UNASHAMED CELEBRATION OF THEIR LIFESTYLE". --USA TODAY "Wake up world! Sexuality, gay or straight isn't the issue. Tell that kid to come out of the closet and I'll meet him on the other side". --PATTY LABELLE . "It's ridiculous when they say 'stop having sex .' We hope people never stop having sex." --DE EE-LITE Pertaining to it's magic, Barcelona has few equals. A Hydra of the best faces of Europe, it embraces the excitement of Paris and the beauty of Rome . --BARCELONA For a one year subscription (6 bimonthly issues mailed discreetly) send $11.95 and Name ____ _ _________ Address. _________ __ ___ _ City ______________ _ State ____ Zip. ___ _ TO: GENRE; Box 25169; Anahiem, CA 92825 _$11.95 enclosed __ Bill me . m' Second Stone-November/December, 1992 L..C::..-.., ' - - - - - - . - - - - - - ., • T From the Editor T . . . . . .. . ..................... . Have you found community? By Jim Bailey When I was growing up, a treehouse was a necessity, especially as an escape from a Southern summer's blistering sun . Almost as soon as the final bell ·rang on nine months of early morning bus rides anp. unbearably structured days, the plan would be laid in our minds. With wood scraps from the cabinet shop, a palace would begin take shape in the tallest tree in the densest part of the woods. Hands working together toward a single goal. A few days later we would be enclosed in safety, imperceptibly swaying, high · above any who would be unfriendly toward us. I remember sitting quietly there, glancing at my buddies, asleep, exhausted from the construction task. The breeze rustling the leaves · was the only sound . All was truly right. From the earliest years, we seek community. Family, friends, spouses, like minds, ext ended family ... working toward common goals. Providing companionship and support. Providing a plac e of security. Have you identified and established community in your life? My perception is that more often than not, gay and lesbian Christians ar e struggling to find a place. Many times there is a feeling of being an outcast among outcasts. Fitting comfortably into the gay and lesbian community may be too much of a compromise. And fitting comfortably elsewhere ... in our families, in· our churches, is often not a choice available to us. The next issue of Second Stone, our first of th e new year, will be dedicated to community. How have you established community for yourself? Wqo provides that sense of connectedness for you? Is it family, special friends, roommates, your spouse, your church, a religious community, a gay or lesbian group? If you have something good to share about how your life is connected to and involved with others, Second Stone. would like to hear from you. Make lime between now and the busy days of Christmas to send us a brief essay . If a photo that reflects your community is available, send it along as well. I hope you share my excitement as we begin to plan this issue on community, and I hope you'll participate. SECOND STONE Newsjoumal, ISSN No. 1047-3971, is published every other month by Bailey Communications, P. 0. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182. Copynght 1992 by Second Stone, a registered trademark. SUBSCRIPTIONS, U.S.A. $13.00 per year, six issues. Foreign subscribers add $10.00 for postage. All payments U.S. currency only. . ADVERTISING, For display advertising information call (504)899-4014 or wnte to P.O. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182. EDITORIAL , send letters, calendar announcements, noteworthy items _to (Department title) Second Stone, P.O. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182. Manuscnpts to _be returned should be accompanied by a stamped self addressed envelope. Second Stone ,s otheTWise not responsible for the return of any material. . SECOND STONE, an ecumenical Christian newsjoumal for .the nabonal gay and lesbian community. PUBLISHER/EDITOR: Jim Bailey CONTRIBUTORS FOR THIS ISSUE: Jack Pantaleo , Johnny Townsend, Kim Byham, Rev . Dr. Buddy Truluck, Dr. Paul R. Johnson, Rev. Richard B. Gilbert, William L. Day, Kevin Gepford Contents ............................. if 1 LJL_j [5J 00 ~- 1 ilOJ IT2l __ ::.::::::.__J lrn [HJ From The Editor Sense of community oftentimes evasive Commentary Guest comment by Dr. David Deppe Your Turn Interpretation of 'raca'. causes racket News Lines Art Imitates Episcopal Life Daytime television gives viewers a dose of religious homophobia ... by Kirn Byham Cover Story Through it all, Pastor Naomi Harvey kept ministry in her hopes ... by Jim Bailey Confronting Religious Bigots They're part of our future. We have to learn now how to handle fundamentalist bigots . .. by Rev. Dr. Buddy Truluck, Uncle Fred's Ministry Enough of this perversity! Uncle Fred can change your life. A short play by Jack Pantaleo In Print The Dysfunctional Church reviewed by Rev. Richard Gilbert; Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism reviewed by William Day; Gay · and Still Catholic: A Journey Home reviewed by Johnny Townsend • Essay Kevin Gepford remembers his 'Grarnps' Just Out 'Looking for Langston' on home video Calendar Noteworthy News about people, churches and groups Classifieds -- - - ---------- - --------------'---- -- - · ·--·.- Second Stone•No~-~ber/Deceinber, 1992 [[J .. , • Comment T .............................. ·• .................................. ·• ...... ·~ Not a curse It's just a part of life By Dr. David E. Deppe Guest Opinion Homosexuality is a part of life , not a curse," says Bishop John Spong in his book Living in Sin? Recently I brought this quote to the attention of a friend of mine, and his response was, "Well you could have fooled me. Why doesn't someone tell the church that?" Indeed, it is stange, in fact distre ssing, that the church seems to discr edit or ignore current research that points to a conclusion that homosexual persons do not choose their sexual orientation, cannot change it, and constitute a quite normal but minority expression of human sexuality . In spite of the evidence, the church continues to pass social statements and "expectations," based on traditional and often prejudicial thinking that is not supported by the scientific community. Many in the church, including ecclesiastical authorities, judge homosexuality as a perversion deliberately chosen by those of a depraved or sinful n&ture. Such thinking is most often expressed by those of the dominant sexual orientation who reason that what is . normal for th em is also natural. If something is not normal for them it is deviant and therefore "unnatural." How can the clrnrch, which has long practiced circumcision and institutionalized celibacy, ever dismiss any other practic e on the basis of its unnaturalness? As Bishop Spong points out, "Sanctified ignorance is st'ill ignorance." It is true that any sexual behavior can be destructive, exploitative, predatory . or promiscuous; and therefor e evil, regardl ess of the sexual orienta- T YourTurn T ................................ Raca? Honolulu, Hawaii Dear Second Stone, The Rev . Dr. Timm Peterso n's intent was laudatory (Commentary: Jesus did have something to say about homosexuality, September/October, 1992), giving critics the opportunity to dismiss the uncontrovertible with the questionable. It is disturbing when we see statements that are open to question rendered as categorical fact. "unsuitable for marriage." How apt that might be applied to today's homosexual. It was unque stionab ly comforting . to the worried childless disciples. Dr. Peterson had something of importance to say. It is regretful that this statement rendered categorcially detracts, when challenged, from the genuinely important truths he wanted emphasized. Sincerely yours, Fred R. Metliered Dr . Peterson should have left unchallenged the NRSV comment Don't ask for . about "raca," a little used Aramaic mercy Of term. He gets on shaky ground when he states categorically that those who "raca" means ."faggot." Someone who Can't g"IVe-· "It might be called "faggot" today might · have been called "raca" in biblical Longview, Texas times. The term was more likely to Dear Second Stone, have been used, less pejoratively, as As a gay Christian, I think that we "oddball," "nutty, " "silly," maybe should take a .closer look at Ephesians "queer" or some other somewhat 6:11-18•. · · · derogatory term. It seems impossible It is time we stop playing these that it was used in biblical times to , • sado-masochistic games.with these so apply only to .homosexuals. · called religious leaders of power . To Personally, I think Dr .· Peterson me, Lou Sheldon comes across ·as a would have b een on more solid satanic homo sexual. · We must reground with the term used in Mat- member Satan does. not have the thew 19:12 and elsewhere, translated power to give . mercy. Mercy is a as "eunuch" in the · King James powe r and a right given only to Jesus version but also by a great variety of Christ to bless his people with. terms in modern . translations, Therefore , we should stop begging including "incapable of marriage" these satanic idol gods for things only and, personally preferred, the Ger- Christ has the power to give. man "eheuntauglich," roughly, from In Christ, Greek to German to English, as Paul Ennis [IJsecond Stone-November/December, 1992 tion of those involv etl. Whenever such conditions exist, a word of moral judgment must be spoken. The difficulty comes when society in general, a nd the church in particular, evaluates heterosexuality per se as good and homosexuality per se as evil. Such moral judgments leave gay and lesbian persons with no options save d enial or suppression. Indeed, many church bodies have s uggested that these are in fact the only moral cl1oices open to homosexually oriented people . However, by refusing to accept any homosexual behavior as normal, the church drives many gay and lesbian people into the very behavior patterns it condemns and fears most. · The difficulty comes when society in general, and the church in particular, evaluates heterosexuality per seas good and homosexuality per se as evil. Spong notes, how ever, that th ere are some sig ns that the church is beginning to temper its traditional positions, although those signs are often too little and too late. Today almost every church ·body has passed some sort of justifying resolutions designed to soften the continued oppression of gay and lesbian persons. The earliest of these resolutions · were couched in the sweet rhetoric of piety. Homosexual persons were declared to be the children of God and commended to the pastoral ministry . of the church. Such statements are based on the premise that we love the sinner but hate the sin. Funny how few . of those labeled as sinners experienced that love. Funny? No, tragic! Many gay and lesbian people, no long er trusting the church or its "pastoral ministry," have simply left. A second step in this tempering is seen in some of the church's social statemen\s which urge justice before the law for all people, even homosexual people, incluaing equal opportunity for employment and housing . The church has felt qui te proud of these "liberal" resolutions, and yet the church has never pressed the implementation of these resolutions. Consider the social and economic penalties a gay or lesbian person pays when not able lo claim his or her mate as a dependent, discrimination in health insurance, or closer to home, the refusal to ordain a gay or lesbian pastor. The next step follows on the heals of justice and is seen in those resolutions . which affirm the orientation but deplore 'the behavior. Whereas such resolutions may signal a dawning realization on the part of the church that homosexuality is. not an orientation that is chosen but a reality that is given, they are surrou nded by incredible naivete. 'What they suggest is that those who have a homosexual . orientation also have a capacity to refrain from all sexual activity. They assume that ten percent of the population can or will be willing to affirm and accept the vocation of celibacy that someone other than themselves has approved for them. Such thinking portrays an irrational belief in a sadistic God who created gay and lesbian people complete with sexual drive, and then says that morality demands that this drive be repre ssed . The time has come when the church must do some serious re-thinking of its traditional attitudes and official pronouncements about human sexuality that is solidly grounded in the Gospel that it is ·called to proclaim, rath~r than in the fear by which it is imprisoned. The church must give up its elevated stance of righteousness . and enter with its people into the more difficult gray areas of life to seek a basis for decision making that is life giving, not life destroying and is appropriate to the age and circumstances of the people involved. We all have much lo learn in this regard. QUOTABLE: God's hands GOD has no other hands than ours. If the sick are to be healed, it is our hands that will heal them. If the lonely and the. frightened are to be comforted, it is our embrace, not God's, that will comfort them. The warmth of the sun travels on the air, but the warmth of God's love can travel only through each one of us." -Rabbi Robert Kirschner .................T... ..............N....e..wL...si..n ..e..s.. .......T.... .... •. ..... . ArchbishoJpo hnR oacha gainb ootsD ignitcyh apter t.DIGNITY /TWIN CITIES has been forced to prolong its search for a permanent home following an Aug. 27 directive from Archbishop John Roach prohibiting the organization from renting space at St. SteJ?hen's Church in Minneapolis. Dignity has been meeting at the University of Minnesota s Lutheran-Episcopal Center since being evicted from the Newman Center in 1987. According to Dignity /Twin Cities President Brian McNeill, the organization decided several months ago to attempt to find a home in a Catholic facility. They subsequently approached three Minneapolis parishes, ·and, of the three, St. Stephen's responded affirmatiyely. Before Dig~ity could meet with St. Stephen's, Roach fired off a letter to Rev. Pat Griffin, St. Stephens pastor, saying simply that he intended to enforc~ the 1987 Vatican directive and that he expected parishes to comply. -Equal Time Baltimobreis hopin f avoro fo rdaininwgo men t.A CA 1HOLIC NEWSPAPER has published statements showing that two leaders of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore disagree over the ordination of women. Archbishop William H. Keeler defends _the church's longstanding opposition to ordaining women. But Auxiliary Bishop P. Francis Muq>hy would like to see women ordained as a way of revitalizing the church. The Catholic Reuiw published Keeler's and Murphy's opinions side by side. A pastoral letter about the role of women and the church will come up for a vote by the nation's nearly 300 Catholic bishops in November. There is a growing movement among the more liberal America bishops lo put more pressure on the Vatican to reopen discuss10ns on the issue. Pope John Paul If so far has blocked such efforts. -11ie Baltimore Alternative SouthC arolincah urcahs ksh omophobsieam inartos m ove t.A ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP in Columbia, S.C., objected to holding two seminars on homosexual issues at Catholic churches, forcing seminar organizers in Columbia and Charleston to find different locations. Bishop David Thom(>son of the Catholic Diocese of Charleston said that the programs "would not be in the best interest .of the church," even though they were co-sponsored by the Catholi _c Charities of the diocese. Sister Jeannine Gramick and Rev. Robert Nugent present the seminars for the church-affiliated Center for Homophobia Education. "We have presented this program in nearly all of the dioceses across the country," Gramick said. "This is only one of a few times that this has happened." -Associated Press · ConservatiCvhe ristianass kedn ott oc riticizBeu sh t.A SOUTHERN BAPTIST LEADER said he was contacted by White House staffers and asked to halt his criticism of President Bush's views on homosexuality, at least until after the election. But Richard . Land, of the Southern Baptists' ethics agency, said he was speaking out for Baptist values. Bush was blasted by some conservative Christians when he appeared vague when asked in a TV interview whether he would support an openly gay fers _on in his cabinet. Bush remained the\ clear choice of. the far right, however. "If were homosexual," said evangelical organizer Ed McAteer, 'Td be a fool to vote for Bush." -Associated Press Houstocnh urcqhu itsS BCo verh omosexuailsitsyu e t.COVENANT BAPTIST CHURCH, Houston, voted unanimously in August to cut ties with the Southern Baptist Convention over the convention's action regarding churches which affirm Gays and Lesbians. The convention last summer endorsed an amendment to its constitution stipulating that churches approving homosexual behavior are "not in friendly cooperation" with the SBC. James Leach, pastor of Covenant, said that his church "affirms the sanctity, dignity and equality of human beings and the ~value of. all life in the universe." Says Leach, "We welcome persons of all racial and ethnic heritages, all sexual orientations and all faith perspectives to our Christian community." -Baptist Today Anglicaonr dinatioinnA ustralciaa usecso ntroversy . t.DAVID McAULIFFE is the first openly non-celibate gay priest ordained by the Anglican Church in Australia. Perth Archbishop Peter Carnley quietly frocked McAulif.fe in August, Agence France Presse learned in September. McAuliffe was appointed curate of a suburban Perth church, which reportedly has caused some controversy there. -Chicago Outlines Canadiacnh urch asf irsto penlgya ym inister t.THE UNITED CHURCH OF CANAN A has ordained its first openly ga,: minister, f~ur years after passing a controversial resolution that approved such ordinations. Tim Stevenson, 46, of Vancouver, was ordained by the church's British Columbia branch. Delegates to the annual meeting of the UCC's Saskatchewan branch resolved to fill 10 i:,ulpits with open Gays within three years. The UCC's Manitoba branch voted to develop a liturgy for gay unions. -Outlmes Unitarianssu ppogrta va ndl esbiarnig hts · t.THE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST General Assembly voted last summer to oppose "legalization of discrimination against ga_ys, lesbians, and bisexuals," in response to the amendments which appeared on the l:iallots m Oregon and Colorado. The Umtanans Board of Trustees also passed a resolution denouncing the Boy Scou_tso f America_'s anti-gay policy, and called for the BSA to allow Gays to fully participate m their activities and community. -Outl111es Clintono C hristiasna, ysT exasm inister · t.REV. W. N. OTWELL, a Texas-based fundamentalist minister, and about 50 followers protested outside Gov. Bill Clinton's church, saying Cl),nton cannot call _him~elf a Christian and embrace gay rights, abortion and feminism. __W e believe that Bill Clinton ought to either repent of his stand with the sodonutes, the militant femmist movement and ·the abortion crowd ... or either withdraw himself from this church," Otwell said, standing outside Immanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock. -Southern Voice ItalianG ayss aya bandotnh ec hurch t.ARCIGAY, ITALY'S LEADING gay rights organization called on Catholic Gays and Lesbians to abandon the church for "other more tolerant Christian religions" because of the Vatican letter urging U.S. bishops to oppose i,ay rights legislation. The group, which has long opposed church ·influence in Italian politics, said it was time for gay and lesbian Catholics to "defect" to churches with more enlightened attitudes about homosexuality. -GayNet EnglisGh aysp rotesVt aticana'sn ti-gasyt and t.MORE THAN A DOZEN gay rights activists from the radical group OutRage dressed in nuns' habits interrupted services at Westminster Cathedral on, Aug. 9, protesting the Vatican's call on U.S. bishops to oppose gay civil rights measures. The protestors paraded in front of the altar with pfacards and attempted to deliver an alternative sermon. Authorities said no arrests were made despite the noisy disruption. -GayNet Teacherre primandfeodrA IDS'p unishmesntta' tement t.BEVERLY REAGAN, a St. Petersburg, Fla., adult education school teacher has been formally reJ>rimanded for telling a health education class that AIDS was God's punishri1ent for homosexuality, reported the St. PetersburgT imes. Methodisbtsa ng ay' marriage' t.THE HEAD BISHOP OF INDIANA told United Methodis.t pastors not to perform rituals between same-sex couples that "resemble the rite of marriage," the ChicagoT ribune reported. Bishop Leroy C. Hodapp initially supported a July ceremony between two gay men, but reversed his opinion when he learned the men exchanged rings; Although Hodapp retired Sept. 1, bis successor, Bishop Woodie White, wjlf continue Hodapp's policy until the issue is discussed by both Methodist districts in Indiana. Rev. Morris Floyd of Minneapolis commented that the decision "put[s] a chill not only on this particular type of ministry but upon all other forms of relationships between gay and lesbian people." -Chicago Outlines UnitedM ethodiswto matnu rnsd owna ppointment t.MICHIGAN REV. ELION A SABO-SHULER, who took part ill a celebration of Holy Covenant between two gay men, has turned down an appointment as a United Methodist district superintendent, reports the Chicago Sun-Times. Sabo-Shuler, pastor of William_stown United Methodist Church, who along with four other Indiana United Methodist clergy took r.art in a July 25 ceremony for two men in Indianapolis, said she did not want "to embroil the conference ... in controversies ... involved in ministries among gay and lesbian persons. -Chicago Outlines Discovtehre c atalog ofs portsweaanrd accessoritehsa t Ills the "lifestyle" oft heG aya nd Lesbiacno mmunity. Men• Women• Children eatt7M4tf,.,. 1-800°952-7520 FRE*E FRE*E FREE ◄ ~'th ~eiro -· NeWs Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ELCA won't ordain open lesbian . li]ODIE BELKNAP has had her approval as a pastoral candidate in th_e Evangelical Lutheran Church in America witlidrawn by a synod candidacy committee after she publicly acknowledge _d her lesbianism. Belknap gr:3du_ated from Luther Northwestern Seminary, St. Paul, Minn., in January 1 and her ordmation was approved before synod officials knew of her sexual onentat10n. After graduation she took a position with Wingspan Ministries, a ministry for gay and lesbian people in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. She told the Minneapolis Star Tribune that she feels hurt and anrgy about the church's decision . "Although [the ELCA] isn't accepting of who I am , the gospel is embracing of me and of other gay and lesbian people," she said. -The Lutheran Catholic newsoaoer criticizes Bishop Wuerl . t:,A NATIONAL CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER criticized Pittsburgh's Roman Catholic bishop for letting a ~ay group conduct its own service and allowing a key position to go to a "homosexualist nun . TTie Wanderer, a weekly based m St. Paul, Minn"! said _Bishop Donald Wuerl has lost the "conservative" image lie had when he was appointed in 1988. It also described Wu~rl as "dialoguing with fominist factions and showing support for their cause by washmg the feet of women m Holy Thursday ntuals ... and placing radicalized nuns in key chancery positions." Catholic priest comes out in support of gay riahts ordinance . . t:,A ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST surprised the Board ot Aldermen in Louisville, Kentucky by announcing that he · is gay and urged them to pass ~- gay ~vii nghts ordinance. The Rev. Josepn_Vest had requested to sreak at the open mike sess10n, but he didn't decide to tell about his sexual orientation until after Archbishop Thomas C. Kelly announced his opposition to the gay rights measure. "I stand before you as a Rol!'a~ Catholic priest saddened that the Gospel of Jesus has been used to diVIde our commuruty , Vest told the board . "And I stand before you as a gay man who is plain tirw of having my rights denied. -Cruise, GayNet Fundamentalists air anti-gav ads · t:,THE CHRISTIAN ACTION NETWORK sponsored a $500,000 national advertising campaign against President-elect Bill Clinton, linking him with ''.homosexual hiring quotas" and using sensational selected clips from gay and lesbian pnde festivals. The ad made a direct appeal for financial support for CAN . · · Homophobe attacks own church tJNF AMOUS HOMOPHOBE Rev. Joseph Chambers, pastor of Paw Creek Church of God and the president of Concerned Charlotteans, has added his own Church of God denomination to his lengthy list of foes._ Chambers stated th~t his North Ca,~olina congregation voted to leave the denomination due to the fact that _ extreme liberals were leading it toward a _m~re "worldly" stance. One of the cited instances mvolved the denomination's sanctiorung of choreographed dancmg. -QNotes Case dismissed against Minneapolis pastor . . . !:,REV. DAN GESLIN, co-pastor of Spirit of the Lakes Ecumenical Community Church, Minneapolis, said he was "very happy and relieved" that ~ Cahforma felony case alleging that he sexually abused three .minor boys was disnussed due k> insufficient evidence on August 13." Geslin, who has been on suspension from church duties du!ing the ordeal, said, "I think that the D.A .'s office rursued this case because of, my positio_n and because th ey knew early on that they had some kind of gay leader . Despite the dismissal, the congregation of Spirit of the Lakes voted on Oct. 4 to remove Geslin. The pastor resigned within 48 of the vote, 51 percent in favor of his removal. Sources said that internal and externa l allegations of sexual misconduct, though not proven, contributed to th.e decision to remove Geslin. -Equal Time Nuns criticize Vatican stance on Gays · 6THE SISTERS OF LORETTO, a Roman Catholic order of nuns, has_ criticized the Vatican document that approves of discrimination against Gays and Lesbians. Then~ say the missive "contradicts a belief in basic human dignity .'' In a statem~t adopted at its general assemblr, the517 member order said, "It saddens us that the Vatican would enter the U.S. politica arena by encouraging a departure from the finest ideals of our 1;ohtical tradition, ideals which promote eq1;1ahty and basic civil pghts for eve'.yone. While concurring with a part of the Vatican s stateme,(\t opposmg violent m~hc~ against Gays and Lesbians the sisters said the document by approving of discmmnation ... helps create the ve(y climate which fosters the violence and 'gay-bashing' which it seeks t9 condemn.'' -Southern Voice · Madonna's publisher wouldn't print gay book .iR. R. DONNELLEY, one of the country's largest book manufacturers and printer of Madonna's steamy riew book Sex refused to print a gay-themed novel, according to Sasha Alyson of Alyson Publications. "In 1984, Donnelley refused to print a novel we sent, and flatly told me they would not print any new books fro~ us_that h;,d·gay subject matter," ' Alyson said. A year ago, when Alyson had trouble finding a prmter for Gay Sex: A Manual for Men "Who Love Men, they re-arproached Donnelley. "We were turned down : again," said Alyson. "So naturally, when rlearned they were printing Madonna's.Sex, I was astounded. Even by election-year standards, this is a startling level of hypocnsy . · Group goes after gay" rights in Missouri 6FIRED UP (Freedom Involves Responsibility Exposing Decadence and Upholding Pdndp le), an anti-gay religious g'.oup, has presented petitions t? ci_ty_ officials in Kansas City man effort to have sexual orientation deleted from the city s civil nghts ordmance. The group presented more than 9500 signatures opposing the newly formed Human Rights commission and a task force on gay and lesbian issues, slightly more than the number of signatures needed to place the issue on the ballot. -Southern Voice . · · rn Second Stone•November/December, 1992 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••• i •• • . ••• Church offers march housing . . . t:,ROCKVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, a gay-affirming More Light congregation in a Maryland suburb of Washington, D.C., has 30 beds available for gay an_d lesbian Christians and their friends ,~ho are planning _to attend the March on. Washmgton for Lesbian, Gay and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation. The march is Apnl 25,_ 1993, with related events planned for the entire weekend. Planners have set a goal of brmgmg out 1 million supporters for the event. For information on housmg at Rockville Cliurch call Liz Magill, (301)m--0475, between 11:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m., Eastern time . Gay flag under attack in San Francisco . /:,RELIGIOUS FUNDAMENTALISTS in San Francisco are callmg for the removal of the rainbow flag, a gay pride symbol, tha t flies over the Harvey Milk Branch Library in N°'." Valley. The library 1s named in honor of the first openly gay me.mber of San Franciscos Board of Supervisors. Milk was assassinated m 1978: Complaints against the flag were lodged with the city by the Chnstian Coalition. Coahbon member Josef Youmtom~ called the flag a "divisive symbol that proves once agam that Gays are given more nghts. Other members of the group called the flag a "glorification of the homosexual lifestyle." The San Francisco Library Commission rejected the demand, how ever, a_nd the Christian Coalition threatened a lawsuit against the city for flying the flag, which has flown over the library since 1989, when it was donated by the Alexander Hamilton Post of the American Legion. -Southern Voice Savannah churches told to do more about AIDS 6CHURCHES SHOULD INVITE people with AIDS to their services and embrace families who have loved ones dying of the disease, participants at an AIDS fo':'m m Savannah were told. The forum, sponsored by First Baptist Church and Umon Mission, drew 70 people. "We had the feeling that the churches were really silent," about AIDS, said Dianne "Fuller, chairperson of tli.e pastoral care committee of First Baptist Church. "We wanted to foster discussion.'' Betty McCloud, whose son died of AIDS last December, told the audience the church was not so responsive . After her son announced to the congregation that he had AIDS, the church turned its back on him and his family, McCloud said . -Associated Press Billy Graham silent on Oregon measure !:,EV ANGELISTBILLY GRAHAM refused to condemn Oregon's Measure 9 during a·five day revival swing through the state . Graham said he dicf not want to get involved in politics. "One side is going to win and one.is going to lose," he said, "but it woul!1 be a great thing if after it was over they wouldteafize that they must love each other, it they are to obey God." -Seattle Gay News Priest to oreside at lesbian rite · M DETROlT EPISCOPAL PRIEST says he is within the bounds of an order against blessing gay marriages in his church by holding a ceremony to help a lesbian c~uple declare tlieir love. But critics of the plan said the ~ev. Ervin Brown is usini:, semantics to sidestep the two-year-old order from Bishop R. Stewart Wood, Jr. Brown said he will hold a ceremony for two lesbian members ofhis Christ Episcopal Church congregation at an unspecified date to give them "a pastoral and liturgical affirmation of the covenant <;f fidelity be tween two people." He said the date of the ceremony, as well as the womens nan1es, will be kept secret to avoid protests. "!,,am only trying to make a pastoral response to two women who are my parishioners, he said. Wood, who two years a~o told Michigan priests to refrain from blessing or marrying gay couples agreed. A congregation seeking to respond pastorally to its own people certainly needs some freedom to do so," he said. "And there will be no confusion between this and a so-called marriage or a blessing.'' "To call this anything other than a blessing_. .. is playing a semantic game that underrates the intelligence of the average Episcopalian," said the Rev. Eugene Gerome! of Swartz Creek, a spokesman for tradibonalists m the diocese. -Associatea Press Falwell claimsecondeath threat · MNTI-GAY TELEVANGELIST. Jerry Falwell told his Thomas Road Baptist Church congregation that unidentified activists ,yith Queer Nation had mailed him a package claimil)g to contain a material saturated with HIV-mfected urme, gay pornography and a letter threatening to kill him sign by the activist group. It was the second time ~ less than a year Falwell has claimed members of the activist group have threatened his hfe. Minister preaches comoassion to Bush . . . /I.PRESIDENT BUSH heard a plea for compassion for people with AIDS and mclus10n of Gays and Lesbians in churcli ministry as he attended St. John's Church, Washmgton, D.C., during observance of AIDS Awareness. The Rev. John Harper, re~tor oI the Episcopal church across Lafayette Park from the White House, preache1 that Jesu~ calls us to respond with_love to everyone, especially those who are suffermg. ~arper said the ministry of the Episcopal Church, of which the president is a member, must be to all people, regardless of position or need or sexuaf orientation." "Listen to them, care for !hem, take !hem in our arms," he said. 'They are the people for whom Christ died." Photoaraoher seeks portraits of our lives . !:,NANCY ANDREWS, a 28-year-old lesbian from Virginia is writing and photographing Family: Portraits of Gays and Lesbians, scheduled. to be rublished in the spring ofl 994. The award winrung newspaper photographer is loolcmg for couples wno liave been together for 40 years or more - or a Holy Union between now and May, 1993. Andrews has been a staff photographer at The Washington Post since 1990. She may be contacted by writing 1201 S. Barton St. No. 180, Arlington, VA 22204 or by calling (703)979-9316. Episcopal renewal movement leader comes out involuntarily THE REV. W. Graham Pulkingham, one of the best known members of the charismatic movement in the Episcopal Church, has been temporarily suspended from functioning as a priest by the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Fr. Pulkingham has acknowledged having had sexual relationships with several men who were members either of the parishes he served or of the religious order he founded. Fr. Pulkingham gained fame as rector of a widely publicized Episcopal charismatic parish in Houston, the Church of the Redeemer. The revelations began as a result of a woman from Topeka, Kan., writing to the Bishop of Kansas, the Rt. Rev. William Smalley, in early August. She claimed that her marriage had been destroy ed by Pulkingham's affair with her British-born husband. The husband, who was in his 20s at the time, had been counseled by Pulkingham. Pulkingham has admitted the affair with the man, who now lives in London, which continued from 1978 to 1982 while the man was a member of the Community of Celebration, the order founded by Pulkingham in 1964. Smalley forwarded the letter to the Bishop of Pittsburgh, where Pulkingham is now canonically resident. The Rt. Rev. Alden Hathaway summarily inhibited Pulkingham from performing prie s tly functions as well as serving as leader of the Community of Celebration, located in Aliquippa, Penn., since 1985. · The news was especially upsetting in Aliquippa, where Pulkingham had been Vicar of All Saints mission from 1986 through the end of 1991. Aliquippa is northw est of Pittsburgh, only three miles from Ambridge, the home of Trinity School for Ministry and the nerve center of the charismatic or renewal movement in the Episcopal Churdi. The Community of Celebration, which had 26 members when they arrived in Aliquippa but now has only 18, is best known for its musical component, the Fisherfolk, who have made 45 recordings. Pulkingham's wife, Betty, was the principal arranger of their music and two of her arrangements are in The Hymnal 1982. Pulkingham, 66, was born in Ohio but raised in Canada and went to the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin. He spent his early ministry in the Diocese of Texas. He became Rector of Redeemer, Houston, in 1963. The following year he received the "Baptism of the Holy Spirit" from Pentecostal minister and leading anti-gay crusader David Wilkerson. Pulkingham never m entioned anyt_ hing about being "healed" of his homosexuality in the three books he authored (he does refer to being "swept clean of all defilements") nor in any public statements; he was not a public supporter of so-called "ex-gay" ministries. Nevertheless, following the August revelations, he said in an interview, with Julia Duin, "I am deeply ashamed and totally guilty of what I did." He said he had been "tormented" by homosexual inclinations since adolescence. -Kim Byl1am Honesty member to serve as resource Southern Baptist dissidents to study sexuality issues THE ALLIANCE OF Baptists (formerly the Southern Baptist Alliance) has commissioned a task force to study issues of human sexuality following the much publicized affirmation of gay persons by two Southern Baptist churches in North Carolina. Most Baptist bodies have criticized the two churches. After 13 years of domination by fundamentalists and political conservatives, the Southern Baptist Convention now declares such church actions to warrant denominational exclusion despite a strong tradition protecting the autonomy of congregations. · David Reed, a 33-year-old selfidentified gay Baptist has been appointed a resource person to the task force. Reed is a founding member of the Ft. Worth chapter of Honesty (Southern Baptists advocating equal rights for Gays, Lesbians, and Bisexuals) and immediate past president of the Tarrant County Lesbian/ Gay Alliance. Quinn T. Chipley, an ordained gay Southern Baptist minister and Honesty member, said, "I am excited and hopeful since hearing of the Task Force's recognition of David Reed. The Alliance of Baptists' demonstration of good faith means I can now join their membership in good conscience." The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, an emerging moderate faction, has not commented on gay-affirming churches. The Alliance of Baptist Task Force will not produce policy declarations, but will certainly inform constituent opinion. The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and the Alliance of Baptists . are groups of dissenting Baptists spawned by the 13-year controversy in the Southern Baptist Convention. Subscribe Today. AND YO U1 LL NEVER A FRIEND JOURNEY. WITHOUT YOUR BE FOR Second Stone The National Gay and Lesbian Christian Newsjournal ···YES!·······································Begin my subscription to SECOND STONE for: [ ] One year (6 issues) S 15.00 [ ] Two yrs. (12 issues) $25.00 [ ] Three yrs. (18 issues) $36.oo· NAME ........................................................... _ .. ADDRESS CITY /STATE/ZIP CODE CHECK HERE l ] If a plain envelope is required and add $2.00 per year. Allow 6-6 weeks for delivery of your first Issue, International subscribers add $10.00 per year, U.S. currency. Mail To: SECOND STONE, Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 THANK YOU for your subscription support! Second Stone-November/Deci:mber, 1992l 7 l . I ' Church's highest court : Spahr can't serve THE REV. JANE SPAHR will not be allowed to serve in the Rochester, N.Y., Presbyterian church that ask ed her to become a pastor, the church's highest court ruled Nov. 4. The General Assembly Pe rmanent Judicial Commission said it was upholding denominational policy by denying the "self-affirm ed, practicing homosexual" her appointment. . The ruling overturns an earher 9-1 decision by the Permanent Judicial Commission of the Synod of the Northeast which on July 31 rul ed that Spahr's appointmen t is valid despite the fact tha t she is an open lesbian. Spahr was optimistic following the July ruling. "Hopefully this will be a beginning for lesbian and g ay people who are qualified candidates to serve in th e church that they lov e," she said. After the most recent ruling, Spahr told the Associated Pr ess th at she maintains that her sexuality is a gift from God. "For any institution to encourage that a person lie, or th.it person cannot say or be who they are, I am deeply troubled by th e decisio n," she said. Spahr's appointment last November as co-pastor of the Downtown United P resbyter ian Church was challenged by 10 upstate New York church es. The challenge was based on a 1978 declaration by the Pr es byterian Gen eral Assembly that homosexuality is "incompatible with Christian faith and life." Tl1e assembly said homosexuals could not be ordained as minist ers, but said its ruling should not affect Pastor files discrimination complaint with Chicago's Human Relations Commission A MINISfER whose job offer as an interim pastor was revoked after he revealed he would be sharing the parsonage with his same-sex mate has filed a complaint with the Chicago Commi ssion on Human Relations . Rev. Dr. Timm Peterson has charged St . Nicl1olai United Church of Christ, Chicago, with discrimination based on sexual orientation. Peterson was interviewed by St. Nicholai's search committee on Septemb ·er 13 and, according to the complaint filed, accepted an offer of salary and housing. When he stated that the housing arrangement wo uld include another man, a committee member asked Peterson if he was a homosexual. On Sept. 15, Peterson was told he could lead worship for two Sundays, but that he would not be appointed to the interim pastor job. "My offer of the job was revoked only after the seach committee learned I was gay," said Peterson. 'T he Church's guidelines state that homosexuality is acceptable, and the Church's tenets do not include refusing to . allow gay pastors or members. Nevertheless, the search . committee refused to hire me after they learned that I am gay." Peterson said that he filed the complaint because he had faced ten years of discrimination with th e Reconciling Congregations up to 60 SEVEN MORE United Methodist congregations have publicly declared in the last three months that they welcome all persons; including Lesbians and Gays. This brings the total numb er of Reconciling Congregations across the U.S. to 60. These new Reconciling Con- Mass wedding to be performed gregations include the first in Massachusetts, Osterville UMC, and the first campus ministry , the Wesley Foundation at the University of California Los Angeles. In addition to the 60 U.S. congregations, five congregations of the Methodist Church of New Zealand have declared them- UFMCC endorses March on Washington THE ELDERS OF the Universal Fel. lowship of the Metropolitan Community Churches have voted to endorse the 1993 March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay, and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation. Rev. Troy Perry, founder of the UFMCC has agreed to o~ganize a second non-sectarian cerernimy to formalize the union of hundreds, perhaps thousands of lesbian, gay and bisexual relationships. The ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, April 24, 1993, the day prior to the March. "We lift ourselves up against the weight of discrimination and bigotry when our unions are celebrated and blessed," said Perry, "Spiritual health and self respect give us the strength to fight on for the legal recognition of our marriages." Billy Hileman, national co-chair of the March, said that the sixth of seven demands in the March platform asserts that the definition of family includes the full diversity of all family structures. "Our march is fighting for the legalization of same sex marriages and . recognition of domestic partnerships. Society's hqmophobia is crushing lesbian, gay and bisexual families. We are denied custody of our children, adoption, foster care and visitation rights. We are discriminated against even as taxpayers and we are robbed of medical and insurance benefits." 00 SecondStone•NovemberlDecember. 1992 . selves "reconciling." 'The movement of congregations welcoming all persons, including lesbian, gay and bisexual persons, is rapidly growing arouμd the country," said program coordinator Mark Bowman. 'There are now more than 300 Disciples of Christ, Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Church of Christ, and United Methodist congre gations that have adopted welcoming statements." "Last weekend I spoke to about 125 members of ten different congr e~ gations in the Troy Conference of the United Methodist Church (Vermont and northeastern New York) who are e ducating their fellow church members about the need to be 'reconciling,"' Bowman said. "Our office is aware of about 200 United Methodist congregations across the country that are discussing becoming Reconciling Congregations." "Our movement is growing as Christians are becoming increasingly disturbed by the discrimination gay men and Lesbians face in our church and society," explained RCP Board chair Susan Spruce. ''The UMC General Conference's affirmation of its unwelcoming stance last May, the gay-bashing at the Rep_ublican. convention, and the anti-gay nghts SEE RECONCILING, Page 17 any pre viously o rdain ed deacon, el der, or minister. Spahr was ord~ined in 1974, but she did not publicl y acknowledge he r homosexuality until after 1978. Spahr said she hopes th e church will evei 1tuall y change its policy and ordain openly gay and lesbian candidates. Of the major Christian denominations, only the United Church of Christ officially allows ordination of homosexuals. -Associated Press American Baptist Church, USA, and three years of same with the United Church of Christ. "I have lost tens . of thousands of dollars and professional development by church staff and local church search committee's continual discrimination in employment solely based upon by open sexual orientation," he said. Rev. William Voelkel, Conference Minister of the Chicago Metropolitan Assoc iation of Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ sa id, in a letter to Peterson, that he was "truly saddened" by Peterson's decision to seek redress outside of th e community of faith. Voelkel had recommended that Pe terson seek counsel and support within the Association. The Top 12 GaySupportive Companies A = offers health benefits to JOmestic partners. B = bans anti,gay bias. C = offers other partner benefits. D = has a gay and lesbian workers group. American Psychological Association: A,B,C American Telephone & Telegraph: B,C Ben & Jerry's Homemade, lnc.: A,B,C Digital Equipment Corp: B,D Levi Strauss & Co,: A,B,C,D Lotus Development Corp.: A,B,C,D Microsoft: B,C,D Montefiore Medical Center: A,B,C Proctor & Gamble: B U.S. West Communica• tions: B,C,D Village Voice: A,B,C,D Xerox Corp: B,C • ' • l e extremely handsome but unmarried rector of a promnent Episcopal parish on Philadelphia's mainline has been removed from his post by the Bishop of Pennsylvania. This resulted from an effort by the Vestry of St. James, Llanview, Pa., to sever the pastoral relationship under Title III, ·Canon 19, following rumors in the parish that the priest, The Rev . Andrew Carpenter, was gay. Fr. Carpenter refused to directly answer the allegation which stemmed from his counseling of a gay teenager and the fact that his brother died of AIDS. Although the congregation seemed largely reconciled following a display of the AIDS quilt on the church lawn, the bishop nevertheless decided that Carpenter was too controversial and should be shifted to administrative duties in the diocese. All of this controversy was played out before eight million people every day, a far larger audience than is usual for Episcopal disputes over gay and lesbian issues. It was the main summer story line on the 24-year old soap opera, One Live to Live. The Episcopal Church's reaction to homophobia became a part of daytime drama because of One Life's head writer, Michael Malone, who is a parishioner at St. Peter's Church in Philadelphia's Society Hill. He says the model for Andrew Carpenter, · though not for the story line, is his rector, the Rev. Tad Meyer. 'Malone is not a typical soap ·writer. A Harvard Ph.D ., he taught fiction at Yale, Swarthmore and the University of Pennsylvania and has published seven novels, the most recent being Foolscap, a humorous adventure in an academic setting. When ABC hired movie producer Linda Gottlieb (Dirty Dancing) to revitalize the ailing One Life, she l_ooked for a special writer. nWhat she said was, Tm looking for the American Dickens,' and what novelist could resist that?" Malone told The Los Angeles Times. He had never watched an episode of a soap opera. One Life needed a lift when Malone joined it in September of 1991. In taking the show from eighth place out of 11 daytime soap operas to fourth, Malone has balanced stories about the show's core family, the Buchanans (Mrs. Victoria Buchanan is Sr. Warden at St. James), with interesting new characters. Not surprisingly, Malone added an Episcopal priest since there is one in each of his novels. The Rev. Andrew Carpenter, played by Wortham Krimmer, was introduced several months before the homophobia story line began on June 18. "He looks like an Episcopal priest," sajd vestment designer Victor Challenor, 'They did his garb well. Andrew is tastefully apparelled in cassock and surplice and even the "It's not something you figure out. It's something you know deep down inside. It's like I've been holding my . breath all of my life and I finally can let it out." As· a summer story, it was design ed to expand One Life's core auruence - women ages 18 to 49 - and "hook" younger viewers, home from high school and college, on daytime television. And it did that. Malone reports, "We have received thousands of letters from young people, many saying 'I thought I was the only gay teenager."' BY KIM BYHAM Billy is the first gay teenage character on daytime TV. Although adult lesbian and gay characters made low-key appearances on All My Children in 1983 and on As the World Turns in 1988, there had never b.efore been a lesbian/ gay plot line in a soap opera. requisite tweed jacket." The character appeared so much like a priest that when he dated women the show received numerous letters of complaint from viewers who assumed h e was Roman Catholic. To offset this, the show meticulously refers to him as a "minister.'' Th.is led Challenor to write a protest letter to which M.id1ael · Malone responded. Challenor was satisfied and concluded that this one "liberty" with Episcopal polity was forgivable, "I've watched them like a hawk and they've done well [with their portrayal of the Episcopal Church.]" The credit for this accuracy clearly goes to Malone and to Fr. Meyer, who from Andrew's arrival has served as a special consultant to the show. 'Tad is a model for Andrew in_ many ways: his Anglophilia, his bird watching," Malone said, "but so is The ·Rev. Peter · ·Hawkins, professor at Yale Divinity School, and godfather. of my daughter." Malone and Meyer met when the latter was Curate at Christ Church, New Haven. Fr . Meyer subsequently attended Cambridge University where he received at Ph.D. After his move to St. Peter's, Malone and his family, who had earlier moved to Philadelphia, joined the parish. . Not surprisingly, One Life has become a staple of conversation at St . Peter's, from Malone's wife, ·Maureen Quilligan, a professor of Renaissance Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, to the parish secretary, to Meyer and his wife. Meyer has been closely consulted about the current story line. While he hasn't had any personal confrontations with homophobia, it is an issue on which he agrees with the character. "Andrew takes stands that are dear to me, but they don't necessarily reflect mywords," he said . As chair of the diocesan Commission on Ministry, he believes sexual orientation should not be a matter determining fitness for ordination. Meyer gave suggestions about dealing wit(l a Vestry and how priests dress. But what fascinated him was a "priest who's _being depicted as a human being and going through Sturm und Orang about issues of prayer and principal. Michael wanted the priest to have strong faith and wanted to show how that faith could be lived out." Meyer was an adjunct professor .at General Theological Seminary last spring and the actor playing the priest came to his class. Meyer also visited the set. When Malone introduced him as the model.for Andrew, he received an enthusiastic response from the cast. Phillippe, 17 and staight, was hesitant about accepting the role of Billy. "I wasn't sure how my friends and family would handle -it. I worried about telling my parents, about hate mail, you know_." There have been some negative reactions back home in Delaware. "I've grown up in a Baptist school. I go to church every Sunday. Some people in the church don't accept my decision; I can tell by the way they look at me, which is how a gay person must feel,'' Phillippe told The Chicago Tribune. "I wanted to talk about prejudice, " Malone said. 'That's why we made the -story one based on an accusation . Before filming started, Gottlieb The Church is beautifully placed to brought in psychiatrist Richard !say, illustrate the effects of prejudice and author of Being Homosexual: Gay Men how it is overcome. Andrew, like and Their Development and a specialist Thomas More, is a man of conscience. in issues faced by gay teens. "I had a His refusal to name names is like lot of questions," said Phillippe in Germans who refused to give the Entertainment Weekly. "But when he names of Jews and those who refused told us that three times as many gay to give the names of Commurusts to teenagers kill themselves as do Joseph McCarthy. _ straight teens, I realized that maybe "Bigotry divides, tolerance and this role is where I'm supposed to be. acceptance unite people,'' he con- Maybe some kids will see that there tinued. 'That's what made the quilt are ways to deal with this positively." such a wonderful symbol - it's 'The emotional scenes are very stitching people together." difficult," Wortham Krimmer, who With a Daytime Emmy nomination plays Fr. Carpenter, said, also in for outstanding writing to his credit, Entertainment Weekly. "But I feel a big Malone found ABC receptive to his responsibility to make it Work. We story but somewhat frightened . 'Tm read about homQphobia every day in proud of our audience. We had the newspapers, but it's informafeared loss of affiliates and sponsors. tional, not emotional. These scenes That hasn't happened. 99% of the really hit you hard." · mail has been positive. But there 'The gay community in our ·country have been hate letters - all religiously is large and the fears that attend it are couched, saying things such as, rarely explored,'' Linda Got1lied told "You'll bum in hell."' USA Today . 'This is the first.time we The story line began with a young . (in daytime) have examine 'd where woman that Fr. Carpenter had been homophobic fears come from:" · _ counseling trying to seduce him. "Michael [Malone] has a hidden Next 16-year-old Billy Douglas, agenda,'' Meyer revealed, "not to played by Ryan Phillippe, confessed proselytize people to Christianity or to the priest that he was gay. to the Episcopal Church, but to get 'Tm wondering how you figured it people to ask basic faith questions . In out," asked Carpenter. 'That's just it," this age· we've lost the ability to ask Billy, president of his class and questions. The story is an excellent captain of the swim team, explained. paradigm of the faith." -- - ---'------- -- ~- -- --------'---- - -----::-:---,-,,-------:-:,---:--=-- ·--l""n7 Second Stone•November/December, 1992 Lf!J ' ' • T Cover Story T .. " ......................... ............................................. . Pastor ~cept vision during despair COVER STORY From Page 1 · 1960s. "Atkins had sought and received God's forgiveness," said Harv ey. "I knew God could forgive me as well. At that moment I felt like the man who grumbled because he had no shoes, who then met someone who had no feet. The power of life and death, and the grace of forgiveness, is in the hands of the Lord ." Harvey never felt that God abandoned her, even as she was faced with the death of her father and a tragic fire that destroyed her home and took the lives of her two sons. In 1985, Naomi Harvey was blessed with the opportunity to start over. A plea bargain arrangement brought a reduction in her charge from second degree murder to manslaughter and lessened her sentence to five years, which she had already served. She was free. She was reconciled over the ·crime she had committed. She wanted to be involved in ministry J.:i:;, . . "· ~•'•1·, , ~_:; ·' 7' .---,~- t--.1 ~-,. --~- .... V . ' .. •'\ ' . We 'HJ~'~{~~~!~~ .. On 100 beautiful acres with . pool , hot tub , skiing and more. Innkeepers Judith Hall and ili:N:e Newman invite you to write or call for a brochure. P. 0. Box 118 SL Bethlehem, NH 03574 (603) 869-3978 again but was beginning to understand that she would have to do so as an openly lesbian Christian. Her challenge at that point was to reconcile her sexuality with her Christianity , Pastor Harvey is now an advisor for the Dallas-based Advance Christian Ministries, a national conference of independent churches, which held its seventh gathering October 19-25 at the Golden Cross Ranch near Houston. "When I found Advance, I received a hope," Harvey says. "It became a healing . I found a people of like faith. They're wonderful Christians, We share the same vision." Advance is a ministry of help and support for pastors and small independent churches. It is a fellowship in which thos e participating do not actually hold membership, but come together every autumn to worship and renew. 'The fellowship has no barriers," says Harvey, who has been with Advance since the group's beginning. "We encompass a vast . range of beliefs but our foundation is · believing in the Lord Jesus Christ. People come and worship the way they want." · Advance's activity does not stray far beyon d the focus of its mission: to spread the gospel and empower others to do so. An advisory committee of Advance Christian Ministries goes out to growing and often- · times struggling churches who are not able to pay preachers and ministry consultants to come in. The committee sponsors an "Acts Weekend" at churches they visit. It is a time of teaching and support for the church pastor and congregation. Advance fills a particular niche in what has become known as the independent church movement. Ministries with a special outreach to the · gay and lesbian community are popping out of the woodwork, accord-., ~ Evangelicals It. 'I(/ logether ma 818lE STt/O'f GllOI/PS SOCIAI.S • WORltSIIOPS • RETREAIS HIV I AIOS SIJ>PORT GROVP ~TORAl CARE & COUI/SEUIIG FOR Gay & Lesbian Christians In Southern Califorlia ... since 1979 SUltfl 109-Box 1 tJ 7985 Ssnts Monies Boulavard West Hollywood, CA 90046 213/656-8570 ."'- ~ i- -- - -- ... --- ...... - -· -- ---~ - ___ ... __ ,.....,.,.....,-,,..,._ : A•a\Vra' tt•c.:e, fWiJ.rniitstt,r,1jre1s, ait 'f#; 'g1hairat0:e·i • . • · ,-:--·,,.~ i:t- ... J;'.., ·' '-{ • ~ ~., ·~,.,~ ... ~-➔~ !:.,~ .'" .Jr ),t ~.f4':,.,,:!J ~.1 .~ ,.,~ ~ """-"'luu: Y;,\\.;;. Advance Christian Ministries is the largest national conference of independent evangelical churches in the gay community. The founder and director is Thomas Hirsch. Associate director is Bill Roberts . Advisors are Naomi Harvey, Michael Cole, and Ronnie Pigg. The first Advance gathering was held in January of 1987 at a YMCA camp in Fort Worth, Texas. About 35 peopl e from no more than five ministrie s attended. Advance has rapidly grown to a peak attendance of over 150 in a few short years. It has sponsored tw elv e regional conferences, and is now planning for its eighth national conference. Emphasis is on fellowship, teaching, and Spirit led worship. Advance Christian Ministries maintains a directory of churches as a resource to other ministries. It also provides for financial help and encouragement to churches and mini sters as need s become known. The group sometimes provides ministry to small er churches with limited finances and also sometimes helps with the purchase of songbooks or equipment. . Audio and video tapes of Advance '92: The Rapture of the Church are available. For information write to Advance Christian Ministries, 4001-C Maple Ave., Dallas, TX 7521.9. ing to Pastor Harvey, who estimates that Advance has contact with some 200 such ministries which are not · affiliated with the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitian Community Churches or gay and lesbian denominational suprort groups . 'There is a new move o the Spirit of the Lord to return Gays and Lesbians to the church," says Harvey, recalling how the church first reject ed and then embraced the work of peace activists say 'this can't be,"' says Harvey, who. hopes such ,revelation will one day lead to the church really being one people , . For Pastor Naomi Harvey, these days are the finest. "All my training and experience is for this very hour. I would have never dealt with my sexuality had the tragedy not happened. After I accepted who I was I understood why God forced me out of my closet. I realized it was God's ~ "All my training and experience is for this very hour. I would have never dealt with my sexuality had the tragedy not happened. After I accepted who I was I understood why God forced me out of my closet. I realized it was God's mercy to help n1e to help others." who were part of the hippy movement of the late 1960s. The independent churches tend to be strictly Bible-based, according to Harvey, who claims that some gay and lesbian ministrie s have become too political or too social or are engaging irr belief that is not scripturally based. Curious ministers from mainline .. denominations, including closeted gay and lesbian ministers, who are invited to the Advance gathering leave with a better understanding and a new vision of Gays and Les- · bians, according to Harvey . 'They mercy to help me to help others. I hope to continue to support ministers who are still closeted and bring light to them. For us who have served the Lord, there's a job for us to do. We must come out and be teachers." During the course of her 52 years, Pastor Harvey has adopted and cared for 17 children. When Elaine Kaye, a foster mother who has provided care for over 100 children, began worshipping at Potter's House the two had an immediate connection in their love for children. Harvey and Kaye . have been together as a couple for about a year now. Oregon fundamentalists' 'twisted efforts' fail From Page 1 rnunity plans to remain organized and committed to respond to any such future effort, according to Bill Roberts, co-pastor of Potter's House in Portland. "We're going to keep up our awareness and make sure that we are not caught off guard," said Roberts. 'The OCA is likely to reword the proposal so that it doesn't appear to be v·hat it is - hate. That is the word that kept corning up and likely led to the defeat of the measure. The battle in Oregon was much more hateful than in Colorado, including the murder of a gay man and a lesbian woman." Involvement by mainstream denominations helped defeat the measure in. Oregon. The battle also helped give greater visibility to gay and lesbian Christians, according to Roberts, so that the gay and lesbian community is able to see that fundamentalists represent only a small minority of Christians. Measure 9 was proposed by the Oregon Citizens Alliance, an organization of fundamentalist Christians who gathered enough petitions to put it on the November 3 general election ballot. Had it been adopted, it would have overturned gay rights ordinances in several Oregon cities and would have legally dedared that "homosexuality ... [is] abnormal, wrong, unnatural, and perverse, and that these behaviors are to be discouraged and avoided." Episcopal bishops Robert Ladehoff of Oregon and Rustin Kimsey of Eastern Oregon released a pastoral letter to all parishes on September 24, calling on parishioners to "strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being." Kimsey described the pastoral letter from the two Episcopal bishops as "unprecedented," adding that "the enormity of the situation forced us to respond. This kir O of singling out of a particular group who become a whipping post for a lot of confusion and fear is extremely dangerous." This situation has become far more than a political issue," Ladehoff said. 'There are serious moral ;3sues and concern for basic jusiice at stake here." The bishops ur15ed the Chri.stian community to rnatdt "the stridency to condemn found within Measure 9" with "a stridency of tolerance." They reminded Episcopalians that "the Episcopal Church has acted consistently in affirming that homosexual persons are children of God, entitled to all the sacramental and pastoral resources of the church, and that their basic human rights Colorado": Greatd eal of uncertaintiyn the air" deserve to be safeguarded ... " Ladehoff said that he was concerned about what will happen now that the election is over. "We will have a serious opportunity for some significant dialogue, and I think we can offer that in the church." Other mainline Christian denominations also came out in opposition to the measure. The Oregon Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America passed a resolution encouraging members to vote against the initiative. "It is part of the Christian calling to take care of and protect those who are oppressed in the world," said the Rev. Thomas Hiller, pastor of Colton [Ore.] Lutheran Church, who developed the synod's resolution. "If this ir,itiative were to pass in Oregon, it would mean the oppression of homosexuals, many of whom are our brothers and sisters in Christ." Hiller's brother is gay, which brings a personal dimension to the political issue. "It's not a black and white thing for me," Hille; said. '1 realized that if my brother lived in Oregon and this measure passed, it could very badly affect his life. All the people this measure could affect are bro~~ers and sisters of other people . • Television evangelist Pat Robertson donated $20,000 t,:\' lhe campaign to pass the anti-gay rights measure. Lou Mabon, chairman of the OCA, sought the donation during a trip to the home of Robertson's Christian Broadcasting Network in Virginia Beach, Va. Mabon, 45, is a former drug addict who says he "met the Lord" at a California commune in 1969. While casting himself as a defender of "traditional family values" against "militant homosexuals," Mabon says his former drug addiction taught him tolerance and compassion. Before the failure of Measure 9, Mabon predicted that Oregon would be at the leading edge of a movement that will sweep the United States within "one. or two election cycles." There were two murders during the course of the hate campaign. A gay man, Brian Mock, and lesbian woman, Hattie Cohens, roommates, were killed when a firebomb was thrown into their basement apartment at 3:18 a.rn. on September 26. Police have arrested four young white supremacist skinheads in the killings. -Staff reports and Jeffrey Penn, Episcopal News Service,( 1ssociatedP ress, The Lutheran and Southern Voice Lostf ight unifiedg ay/lesbianc ommunity· Voters in the state of Colorado approved a measure spawned by Colorado for Family Values to prohibit the state or any political subdivision from passing any civil rights law.s protecting Gays or Lesbians. The vote was 55 percent in favor of Amendment 2. CFV had gathered 16,000 more signatures than needed to place the measure on the November 3 ballot. Passage of the amendment rescinds gay rights laws in Denver, Aspen and Boulder. Gay activists promptly called for a tourism boycott of Colorado. Gov. Roy Romer, an opponent of the measure, told gay leaders, "It is not you who are gay and lesbian who have lost the fight. It is all of Colorado." Scott Stebbins, spokesperson for Evangelicals Concerned Western Region said that Colorado's shocked gay and lesbian community was in a somber mood following t.he election. Polls had predicted the measure's failure. 'There's a great deal of uncertainty in the air," said Stebbins, 'but there's a resolve that we're going to proceed further. It's strengthened my resolve to be out and stay out." Pastors and congregations from the Evangelkal Lutheran Church in America, the United Church of Christ, the United Methodist Church, and other mainline denominat ions were on record opposing Amendment 2. In Denver, United Methodist Bishop Roy Sano sent a letter to 290 Methodist ministers, saying that denying civil rights for Gays and Lesbians amounted to "twisted efforts." Sano criticized the group promoting the measure, saying it was attempting to "write prejudice" into the state constitution. The CFV is an affiliate of the Orange County, California-based Traditional Values Coalition. Members of CFV's executive and advisory boards represent fundamentalist, right-wing groups such as the TVC, Focus on the Family, Concerned Women for America, Summit Ministries and the Eagle Forum. Forme r U. S. Sen. Bill Armstrong gave his support to Colorado for Family Values, lending his name to a fund raising letter in which he said he considers the gay rights movement to be a "grave threat" to Colorado. With the approval of voters, Article 2 of the Colorado Constitution may now be amended to read, "No protected status . based on homosexual, lesbian or bisexual orientation." However, since the amendment appears to violate the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the measure's legality will almost certainly be reviewed by the courts. Stebbins said that it was up to gay and lesbian Christians to come out i:1 their churches so that everyone will know someone who is gay, because the battle is far from over. "Even if we had won, we knew they would be back," said Stebbins. "It's not a dead issue." The unsuccessful battle to defeat Amendment 2 did have a silver lining , according to Stebbins. "It • brougfit JnOre unity · to our community." · -Staff reports, Associated Press and Southern Voice SecondS tone-November/Decembe1r,9 92l ll]. Confronting religiou s bigots and winning! BY REV. DR. BUDDY TRULUCK J esus was not tormented and killed by street gangs, pick-. pockets, common thieves, prostitutes or criminals. Jesus was ·misunderstood, attacked and killed by the most religious people in the world at that time. Jesus was destroyed by religious leaders who saw him as a threat to their power, wealth and spiritual authority. Gays and Lesbians have experienced religious bigotry and religious attacks. These attacks frequently have been launched by their parents, relatives, close neighbors and hometown church . Usually Gays and Lesbians lack the expert Bible knowledge to answer effectively the uninformed and emotional religious attacks that they endure. The result of the conflict between gay people and religion is often the total abandonment of religion by Gays and Lesbians. Most of the teachings of Jesus recorded in the four gospels spring from religious controversies forced on Jesus by bigoted religious leaders. Most of the parables were given in direct response to religion that demanded legal justice but overlooked human frailty and need. Matthew 21:45-46: When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus' parables, they understood that he was speaking about them. And when they sought to seize Jesus, they became afraid of the multitudes, because they believed Jesus was a prophet. All of Matthew chapters 22 and 23 is devoted to Jesus' response to religious bigots. Webster defines bigot as "one obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his own church, party belief, or opinion." Jesus came into the most highly developed and detailed religious system in history! His mission would have been a lot easier if he had come into a total religious vacuum. But that was not God's plan. So we are able to gain some greatly needed help in handling intol erant religion by our study of Jesus . Matthew 22 begins with two parables of a wedding feast, which was symbolic of the joy of God 's presence in the kingdom or "rule" (Greek basalia) . of God. In both parables, those who thought that they deserved tl1e kingdom are thrown out and destroyed . Jesus had all along tried to show that the hard hearted religion of the Jewish leaders was a hindrance to fellowship with God and not a help. The Pharisees responded with anger . They refused to admit that they were wrong. Matthew 22:15-22: Then the Pharisees went and -counseled together how they might trap him in what he said. And they sent their disciples to Jesus, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are truthful and teach the way of God in truth, and defer to no one; for you are not partial to any. Tell us therefore, what do you think? Is it lawful to pay a tax to Caesar, or not?" But Jesus perceived their malice, and said, "Why are you testing me, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used for the tax." And they brought him a denarius. And he said to them, "Whose likeness (Gk. ikon) and inscription is this?" They said to him, "Caesar's" 171en Jesus said to them, "Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's." And hearing this, they marveled, and leaving him, they went away. After this, the Sadducees asked · questions about the resurrection and the Pharisees asked about the greatest law. Luke adds the parable of the Good Samaritan to the encounter with the lawyer over "who is my neighbor?" (Luke 10:25-37) Rabbi arguments over the "greatest" commandment led to classification of scriptures . Rabbis .said Moses gave 613 laws (365 proh ibitions and 248 [I2JSec ond Stone•November/December, 1992 positive commands). These laws were said to be reduced to 11 in Psalm 15, to 6 in Isaiah 3:15, to 3 in Micah 6:8, to 2 in Isaiah 56:1, and to 1 in Habakkuk 2:4 - quoted in Romans 1:17: 'The just shall live by faith." Love God with "heart, soul, mind" (22:37). Deut. 6:5 has "might" instead of "mind ." Mark 12:30 and Luke 10:27 have all four terms. After Jesus answered the attacks by religious leaders, he asked them about the identity of Christ, whom they called "the son of David" and Jesus showed that they were wrong in their understanding, quoting Psalm 110:1 (the most quoted Old Testament verse in the New Testament.) And "no one was able to answer Jesus a word, nor did ;1nyone dare from that day on to ask him another question." 22:46. The Pharisees (meaning "separated ones") called themselves the Haberim, meaning "neighbors." The Hebrew word "neighbor" simply means "the one nearby." Gentiles were the "ones far off." Jews were the only truly "nearby ones. See Ephesians 2:11-22and the quote there from Isaiah 57:19. The Law and Prophets "hang" (22:40) on the teachings .of Deut. 6:5 and . Lev. 19:18. Love is the key to everything. See John 13:34-35 and Romans 13:8-10. Jesus refused to be distracted by religious squabbles over which law is greatest. He kept attention on the main issue of love, which he demonstrated in his own words and actions. How Jesus dealt wit h opposit ion 1. Jesus faced opposition from religious bigots and refused to back off or run away. · 2. Jesus kept the crowds with him. He was popular because he demonstrated his real care for people. 3. The views of others were taken seriously and answered. Pharisees were not stupid . Many were brilliant scholars, as was the .apostle Paul, SEE WINNING, Page 20 Church didn't always condemn same sex love (RADICAL RIGHT PREACHERS have a penchant for creating short anti-gay sayings to be used on talk shows and at demonstrations. If the far right can use these political and religious one liners to promote their indignities, Lesbians and Gays must learn to use one liners to proclaim the truth.) The toxin... Historically the Jewish and Christian church has opposed Gays and Lesbians. The antidote ... Organized resistance was introd uced in the 12th century . . ORGANIZED RESISTANCE to gay love first appeared in the church in 1197 when Peter Cantor first attempted to teach that certain New Testament passages were ·against homosexuality, per se. It was at Peter's urging that the Ecumenical Church Council introduced, for the first time, laws condemning all kinds of homosexual behavior . Before the time of Peter Cantor, the church generally believed these New Testament passages referred to such things as masturbation and birth control. Except for the church Fathers who condemned practically all sexual acts; the early church never reflected any hostility toward homosexuality nor did they believe that the Bible reflected any hostility toward gay love. For a thousand years after Genesis 19, the people of God believed that Sodom was destroyed because of inhospitality resulting in attempted gang rape. The Jewish historian, Josephus, at the time of Christ still reflected this "act of violence." Hebrew authorities recognize that the Hebrew terms describing the angels in Genesis 19 do not idenFfy their gender. For 500 years in the early church authorities believed that Romans One reflected the Greek concept that heterosexuals should not try to change their nature and, by inference, that Gays also should not attempt to change their nature. The early church also believed that Paul's epistles taught that both homosexual and heterosexual excess was evil (I Car. 6:9; I Tim. 1:10; Rom . 13:13). Homosexual rape, adultery, prostitution and child abuse were treated as heterosexual sins were treated. Throughout the Bible one finds a number of prosecutions for sexual crimes. At least five of those concern homosexual relat ions and certain clerics suggest that this shows that all homosexuality is sinful. These incident s are listed among accounts of heterosexual crimes. The common theme is rape, using males as substitute women, sacred prostitution, parental incest and trying to change one's sexual nature. Like ancient Greek and Roman law, the Bible condemns only the abuse of heterosexuality or homosexuality . -Dr. Paul R. Jol;nson . I' Ed. Note: This play was performed at last summer's meeting of the Western RegionC onnECtionC onferenceo f EvangelicalCs oncerned.T I1ea uthor, JackP antaleor,e cently hada play produced in San Francisco , Tiie Gospel According to the Angel Julius. For infonnalion on performingt he play, or for an unedited script of the play, contact the author in care of Second Stone. {THERE IS A LOUD KNOCK ON THE DOOR.) Uncle Fred: Come in. (IN WALKS A DEPRESSED-LOOKING MAN WITH HEAD AND EYES DOWNCAST. UNCLE FRED SHAKES HIS HAND.) Welcome. I'm Fred Turner, but most of the guys here just call me Uncle Fred. Hank: (LOOKING UP FINALLY.) It's nice to meet ya. I've read all your books. I can't tell you how much they've helped me. I just hope I have the courage to go through all this. Uncle Fred: My boy, my boy, you've got nothing to worry about. If you made it this far, you're more than half-way home. Now let's you and I sit down a spell and see what's going on here. (THEY SIT DOWN, AND HANK BEGINS TO FIDGET WITH HIS FINGERS AND HANG HIS HEAD.). So tell me, Hank. How are you feeling at this very moment? Hank: (LOOKING UP.) Well, actually, I'm not doing too well. I guess I'm pretty nervous. Uncle Fred: Nervous? Nervous about what? Hank: About this whole thing. Do you really think I can change like the others. What I mean is - do you really think God can change someone like me? Uncle Fred: Of that you can be assured. There is nothing God cannot do. No one is too far gone for our Lord and Savior the Christ Jesus, the Almighty. Those testimonies in my books are eye-witness accounts of the healing, transforming, restorative powers of our Lord and Savior the Christ Jesus, the Almighty One who was, who is, and who is to come again. Alleluia! Oh, praise be to God. Hank, it's no accident -that you're here. It's no accident you've been sent to Uncle Fred's Ex-Straight Ministries International to be cured of your heterosexuality! (RISING FROM HIS CHAIR.) Yes,heterosexuality 9l!l be cured! Hank: All my life I've wanted to be freed of the bondage of heterosexuality. Uncle Fred, I've waited for th.is day for a very long time. Uncle Fred: (SITTING DOWN.) Well, my boy, your wait is over. Let's get started right now. Let's begin with your childhood. When do you first recall being attracted to members of the opposite sex? Hank: Well, it really was at a very young age. My first memory is when I was about four or five years old. It all started one summer. Our neighbors had a daughter in her teens. She had long, beautiful, flow- BY JACK PANTALEO ing red hair and a reddish, freckled face. Well, this particular summer, I just happened to be looking out my bedroom window and saw this young woman standing in her bedroom. She changed her clothes in front of my very eyes. I'm quite certain that my heart skipped a beat when she took off her training bra. (HANK LOOKS DOWN' AGAIN.) I've felt ashamed of myself ever since. Uncle Fred: (SHAKING HIS HEAD.) What a traumatic thing to have happen at such an impressionable age. Didn't you tell your parents? Hank: No. I was too ashamed. I had gay parents like every normal person. And they were very loving and all that, but - Uncle Fred: Are you sure they were loving? If they were so loving, how did you turn out to be straight? Think about it, my boy. Before I get through with you, I'll be able to point out just how unloving your parents really were. Bi.it let me take a stab in the dark . You probably didn't have passive same-sex male parents, did you? Hank: (SHEEPISHLY.) Well, no. I didn't want to mention this before, but one of my parents was actually - how can I put it delicately? I'll just say it. He was assertive. Uncle Fred: Oh, my God! I knew it. I just knew it. The same patterns repeat themselves over and over again in the broken men who come to me. To act in an assertive way around you is nothing short of child abuse. That's what it is all right, child abuse, plain and simple. Oh, my boy, the trauma, the trauma. But that's why I'm here. That's why Uncle Fred's Ex-Straight Ministries International is here. I'm here to help men like you leave the sinful, wanton heterosexual lifestyle. I'm also here to combat the unrestrained immorality that has overtaken this country - may God's hand spare this nation. Why, just the other day, I heard that some California judge appointed a child to a. heterosexual couple! Can you believe it? Son, I say, son, that just turns . my stomach. But let us continue. Now, tell me about your first heterosexual encounter. Hank: Do I really have to? Uncle Fred: Oh, yes, my boy. Oh, yes. But first let me tum on the t<1pe recorder. I wouldn't want to miss a single detail, not a one. (UNCLE FRED TURNS ON THE TAPE RECORDER.) .Hank: OK, here goes. I was a freshman in college at the time, I was able to resist Satan until then. Uncle Fred: Splendid! That's a big point in your favor. You're going to be just fine, my boy, just fine. Hank: It happened after the freshman Christmas dance. Cindy and I were walking home, and we passed by the Wilson's vacant barn. I don't quite know how it all began, but we decided to look inside the barn. We sat on this pile of hay and talked - just talked - until - well - I don't know. (HANK BECOMES MORE AND MORE EMBARRASSED.) I reached over my hand and held hers. Uncle Fred, it was so soft. She squeezed back. And then it happened. We ended up having heterosexual intercourse. Uncle Fred: No! Hank: Yes! And worst of all, I liked it! Uncle Fred: Nol Didn't you know .it was wrong? Hank: Of course I knew it was wrong, but by that time, Satan had invaded my heart. All I could think about were · her two oval-shaped breasts and her wide ruby red lips. All I could th.ink about - Uncle Fred: (HOLDING HIS STOMACH.) OK, OK, I get the point, boy. I get the point. Hank: Since that time, I've had many other encounters. But, of course, only in back rooms and alleys where people of my kind frequent. My undoing was six months ago when an undercover female cop lured me into one of the city bathrooms. The moment I touched her breasts, she arrested me. I've spent the last six months in prison. That's where I heard about your ex-straight ministry. Why, I had never heard of such a thing. It was something I had been praying for all my life. Ever since I heard about you, I've been trying to change. On a good day, I can actually lisp. And just last week, a friend told me that he actually noticed a slight swish when I walk. I've seen every Bette Davis movie a hundred times trying to copy her mannerisms. Uncle Fred: Any luck? Hank: Not really. (ALMOST TO THE POINT OF TEARS.) I try for Bette Davis, but all that comes out is Fred McMurray. Uncle Fred: Not only is it unnatural, but heterosexuals will stop at nothing to trap young people into following the straight lifestyle. As a matter of fact, that's the reason straight people have so many children. They can't recruit, so they have to reproduce. Now, let me check in with you, my boy. How are you doing? Are you strong enough to take the first step in our ex-straight program? Hank: Uncle Fred, I couldn't be more ready. · Uncle Fred: I'm proud of you, Hank. Here's where it really begins. Beginning tonight, you'll sleep with a pair of men's briefs under your pillow. And tomorrow, you'll carry a pin with you at all times. That way, whenever you feel even the slightest attraction to the opposite sex, you can stick yourself to bring you out of Satan's spell. You've had a hard day, and I want you to get a good night's rest, but before I let you go, I want to say a prayer for you. It's time to speak that prayer of healing to our Lord and Savior the Christ Jesus, the Almighty One. (UNCLE FRED ST ANDS AND POSITIONS HIS HANDS ON TOP OF HANK'S HEAD AND PRAYS.) Hocus pocus, dominocus, being gay will be your primary focus! (UNCLE FRED LIFTS HIS HANDS, AND HANK SHAKES HIS HEAD AS IF WAKING UP.) Well, my boy? Well, it is working? Hank: (ST ANDING UP, SPEAKING IN A BETTE DA VIS VOICE.) What a dump! Let's get out of this rat hole and go shopping! (HANK REACHES FOR A PURSE, TAKES OUT A PAIR OF WHITE GLOVES AND PUTS THEMON.) . Uncle Fred: (WILDLY WAVING HIS ARMS IN THE AIR.) Fabulous! Fabulous! It's another victory of our Lord and Savior the Christ Jesus, the Almighty One. Alleluia! Alleluia! Hank: Let's not dawdle, Fred dawling. I'm just dying to get a new pair of pumps to matcl1 the outfit I'll be wearing tomorrow. Uncle Fred: There's a cute little shop down the street that has just what you're looking for. But before we go, . let's tell the girls about your healing. Hank: (ARMS AROUND EACH OTHER, WALKING OUT THE DOOR.) Do lets! . Free at last. Free at last. · Thank God, Almighty. I'm free at last! Second Stone-Nov~ber/December, 1992-[ll] ...................................I..n.P r.i.n...t. ....... ...................... The DysfunctionalC_ hurch By Rev. Richard B. Gilbert ContributingW riter The Dysfunctional Church: Addiction and Codependency in the Family of CatholicismM, ichaelH . Crosby,a uthor. Notre Dame Press, 1991. I rriade a mistake starting this book when I did. It was 4 a.rn. and I had just dragged home from the hospital after being called out to minister to a patient and her family at the time of her death. It wasn't just t!'te tragedy of this death that set me off, but because this was another middle-of-the-night ministry added to my already overloaded schedule because the priest-refused to come in. He not only refused in a most forceful and abrasive way, but argued, "I have already anointed her and there is nothing I can do." Too tired to sleep, too soon to dress and go to work, I picked up this book. It both fed my anger and tempered it as I read, '1t is my contention that the 'deadly disease; undermining the church.in our day is the addiction of-the papacy and its extension in the hierarchy to the preservation of the male, celibate, clerical model of the church.' This has happened in a way that has takeri a hold of all the limbs of many of us in such a manner that -our codependency has Was St. Paul gay? become diagnosable as well ... (It) has been observable and progressive, is manifest in repeated symptoms, and that, unless drastic action is taken, will prove deadly ... " (p. 7) With these strong words I began my reading of a scholarly, prophetic,. and , yes, very pastoral account of a struggling community within the Christian family, a family in need of healing and redirection. It is essentially a book of three parts. Throughout the three parts the message· and agenda are clear. "Since part of addiction is to make its patterns of thinking, feeling and acting normative, some outside norm for right order must be found." (p.9) The first section is very heavy reading. Relying very heavily on some of the current books on addiction and dysfunction (the book has very excellent bibliographic notations), the first section is both a scholarly definition of dysfunction set within the framework of the religious community, and a parallel discourse on church history as a pattern of feeding the dysfunction. It is heavy reading. While it is quite scholarly and powerful, the average religious leader or parishioner might not be willing to tackle such heavy reading, and thus miss the invitation to freedom. Throughout the heavy reading the A bishop's daring idea By William L. Day ContributingW riter Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism, John Shelby Spong, ,!.uthor. Harper, San Francisco, 1991. A fter Jesus himself, St. Paul is probably the most important figure in Christian history. . Called "the Apostle to the Gentiles.'' he is primarily responsible for Christianity breaking away from the Jewish church. His epistles provide the first accounts of the early history of the church. Although in the New Testament they follow the four Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles, a number of Paul's epistles were written first and probably influenced the Gospels and Acts. But Paul had a problem. He wrote of it in terms that have led scholars to speculate about what illness or other physical failing he had - epilepsy, perhaps? Spong sees Paul as a "tortured man" (p. 113) and advances a theory that may shock most Christians. Paul, he suggests, was battling his own sexuality - in this case, homosexuality, a grievious condition in view of Jewish teachings. . Only the grace of God through Jesus - unconditional love - enabled him to live with his homosexuality. 'To me," Spong writes (p. 125), "it is a beautiful idea that a homosexual male ... could nonetheless, not in spite of this but because of this, be the one who would define grace for Christian people." · Spong, a bishop of the Episcopal Church in Newark, N.J., a few years ago ordained a practicing gay man to the priesthood. But except for the chapter mentioned above, which comes near the end of the book, he is not concerned primarily with homosexuality but rather, first, bringing the results of modern Biblical scholarship to show how the books of the Bible came to be written and the varying purposes they were meant to serve and, second, to show how, in spite of departing from long accepted interpretations, the Bible becomes richer and more meaningful in [14Se]co ndS toncoNovember/Decemb1e9r9, 2 points are clear. Absolutism is a symptom, using legalism and dogmatism · to control people and maintain power . "When the leaders define themselves as the only teachers and truth as their teaching, the hierarchy's interpretation becomes the absolute legal norm. Despite the lip service to the scriptures as the first font of revelation, the second font, tradition, de facto takes prededence ." (p.11) The second section is a tender, honest diary of a man's journey through childhood, the wrestling with a call, albeit cluttered with the dysfunction both of family and religious community, and his struggle to maintain a sense of faithfulness and mission in a community which symbolizes those dynamics, then often stands in the way of them. This diary is a painful revelation by a beautiful person. It tells of a further dysfunction common in the ministry, of people entering the ministry for the "wrong" reasons ("My father told me to be a priest," "My mother thought one of us should be a nun"), and yet God continues to speak and work even through our brokenness. Throughout this personal story and struggle, you see a man corning to the realization of what he now is expressing in print, and being forced ' to examine his faith, his undertoday's world when it is read with honestly and reason in the light of modern science and research. Spong sees the Christian community perilously divided between funda. mentalists afraid of the truth and postmodern secularist liberals who "because of the habits of a lifetime, still relate to religious institutions at nominal levels, even though they find no real sustenance there" (p. 134). He sees no future for Christianity unless essential Christian truth "can be extracted from the phenomenalistic . framework of the ancient past.'' Those who have left their churches standing of the church, and what this all means for the ordained ministry. He reminds us, 'The institutional church represents a dysfunctional family system in contrast to a functional one. It is closed rather than open; it functions to meet a few key members' personal needs rather than all members' basic needs; its rules operate to keep the system closed by reserving power to only a few in contrast to functional family rules that · operate to maximize all the members ' potential. In a dysfunctional family, roles become identified with persons, continually getting enacted in a rigid, anxious manner, functional family rules distinguish the role from the person, are invoked only when needed, and then in a relaxed, flexible way." (p. 101) The closing section is the statement of a commitment from a man who recognizes his call in a new way, who claims his brokenness is a community of broken people, and now senses his call to move forward, to .reach out, SEE DYSFUNCTIONAL, Page 18 In Print, briefly. .. TinyS tories L'IDennisC iscel, an AIDS and HIV prevention trainer and case worker, has gathered his poetry about AIDS and some of the people we have lost into TinyS toriesi,l lustratedb y David Swim. Ciscel is a poet who performs frequently in Austin, Texas, and received a grant from the Austin Arts Commissiotno producet he book. -FromP lainV iewP ress(,5 12)441-2452. Outo ft heB ishopC'sl oset L'TI he daring coming-outs tory of a Mormon High Priest returns in a paperback Second Edition. Author Antonio A. Feliz presents a story of healing and forgiveness. Malcolm Boyd called Feliz, "a bearer of theological promise and spiritual hope to Lesbians and gay men who have wrongly suffered rejection and betrayal in the name of God." -FromA lamoS quareP ress or who have sat in the pews " questioning what they hear from the pulpit or lectern may find here the answers they have been seeking. In one way, the book is. a sequel to his earlier work, Living in Sin? A Bishop Rethinks Human Sexuality, which evoked an outcry from traditionalists. Religioann dS piritualitAy : Checklisotf Resourcefosr Lesbian&s.G ayM en L':.ThGe ay and LesbianT ask Forceo f theA mericanL ibraryA ssociationh as compileda listo f 195b ooks,5 1 organizations, and 44 periodical publications dealingw ithr eligiona nd homosexualityT. he 17-pagel ist is available for$ 3.00,p ostpaid. -FromG LTFC learinghouscelo, Office for Outreach Services, American Ubra,yA ssociatio6n0, EastH uronS t, ChicagoIL, 60611. I doubt if they will like this book. Its interpretations are amply supported by footnotes, a bibliography, and an extensive index. In Print ............... ......... ~ .............. -· .. . Catholic guilt Gay and Still Catholic: A Journey Home By Johnny Townsend Contributing Writer Catholic guilt is the main theme of Leo Giovanni's autobiography Gay and Still Catholic: A Journey Home. Such guilt rears its head on page one, and it stays reared for another hundred and fifty pages. It is not ii subtle note but is slammed into the reader over and over and over again, not just once a page, but twice, even three times a page. After a couple of dozen pages, it starts to get old, but one things is always clear, and that is that th.is account of deep turmoil rings true. In Print, briefly ... Daring to Speak Love's Name D.A gay and· lesbian prayer book, banned from publication by the Arch• bishop of Canterbury, was scheduled to be in print as Second Stone goes to press. . -From the Lesbian and Gay .Christian Movement, Oxford House, Derbyshire St., London, England E2 6HG. Brother to Brother: A black gay anthology t:,. Editor Essex Hemphill presents a book by and about black gay meri. "My hope is that Brother to Brother will continue to reach new aud1• ences," says Hemphill, "to affirm and empower not only black gay men, but Gays and Lesbians generally who have long felt persecuted by heterosexual society and its narrowly defined definitions of what gender, sexuality, and identity are to be, how such is to be constructed, and who has the right to claim his or her own humanity from the chaos." -From Alyson Publications Writer's resource updated !:,.Putting Out:: A Publishing Resource Guide for Lesbian & Gay Writers, a 1991 reference book with over 250 book publishing, newspaper, maga· zine, journal, and theatre markets for lesbian and gay writers and playwrights, has just been updated with a 1992/93 supplement listing more than 95 new markets. The supplement retails for $4.95, or is included at no extra charge when ordered with the original edition, $12.95. · -From Putting Out Books, 2215-R Market St.,# 113, San Francisco, CA 94114, (415)621-5766. Certainly, there were many times I wanted to grab the author (who uses a pseudonym to protect his family) and shake him. I wanted to slap him and say, "Get over it already!" but unfortunately, I remembered that my own non-Catholic coming out was almost as guilt-ridden, and probably many readers of many religious backgrounds can identify with the author 's story, particularly those who still haven't fully re conciled their sexuality and religion yet. Giovanni praises himself as an intellectual and yet there are several hilariously irrational scenes throughout the book, such as when he tries to avoid feeling guilt for masturbating by having sex with a female friend, or when he wants to avoid the guilt of Each person must ultimately be responsible for his or her own actions, but actions are performed in a context, an:d he shows how Catholic teachings against Gays which supposedly are supposed to help them "better" themselves cannot do anything except bring not only misery to them but also act as a direct cause of creating more sin, not less. a gay sexual encounter and so repeat edly visits a series of female prostitutes . He candidly admits that many of his first gay sexual encounters were not mutual - he experienced his orgasm and ran home, leaving the other fellow behind . Giovanni certainly cloes not come across as much of a hero, and the whining on top of it gets increasingly hard to take as the story progresses . He also comes across as possessive and demanding of his friends, and so little information is given about other facets of his life that despite his disclaimer on this point, he does end up depicting himself as overly obsessed about sex. However, · Giovanni does a reasonable job of convincing the reader that many of his negative ideas and negative behaviors were inevitable given Catholic teachings . Each person must ultimately b e responsible for his .or her own actions, but actions are performed in a context, and he shows how Catholic teachings against Gays which supposedly are supposed to help them "better" themselves cannot to anything except bring not only misery to them but also act as a direct cause of creating more sin, not less. Giovanni takes us slep by painstaking step through his very long corning out process, quoting letters from priests and nuns, portions of his own letters and journaf entries, some of his prayers, and anything else to give us insight into how he felt at the time (the late 1960's and early 1970's). Unfortunately, all too often I felt I was .reading the exact same information over and over again . He is thorough, there is no doubt, but . almost too thorough to be readable. If, however, a non-gay Catholic would read Giovanni 's story, she or he would be hard-pressed not to believe that the man honestly did everything in his power to change his sexual orientation, and that in itself is enough value for the story. Perhaps the book is most powerful then for a non-gay audience, and yet few non~ gays who are not already sympathetic would be likely to ever pick it up. Still, evidence is there, evidence in the forr_ of one long, detailed case history, and every little bit helps . There are certainly more readable accounts of gay Catholic struggle, but until the message gets through, it must be told again and again, until someone's voice is really heard. Perhaps what I find repetitious and gl!ilt-sodden (up until the last 20 pages, not enough to get rid of the negative aftertaste) will be the voice that reaches someone else. At the very least, I see one more gay Catholic who is finally at peace, and that is almost enough to have made the reading worthwhile . VIRGINIA RAMEY MOLLENKOTI Out from A well-known EvangeRcal feminist shares th.e story of her own journey to greater spiritual awareness. "I have always found Virginia one of the most irenic and spiritually reconciling voices in the feminist movement. Virginia shares with us the deepest secrets of her striving to be one with the Spirit . The chapters dealing with reconciliation and forgiving one's enemy will, I believe, become spiritual classics:' -JOHN J. McNEILL, author of Taking a Chance on God: Liberating Theology for Gays "Virginia Ramey Mollenkott, trusted and beloved evangelical lesbian feminist, builds new bridges of intellect, spirit and psyche, helping everyone cross over from oppression to liberation:' -MARY E. HUNT, author of Fierce Tenderness: A Feminist Theology of Friendship $12.95 paper At bookstores or call 1-800-937-5557 CROSSROAD 370 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10017 Second StoneeNovember/December, 1992. [I[] ·, I Essay· T . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . ............................... Part of me died earlier this year, on the day that my 76- year-old grandfather passed away in California, half a continent away. With the news of his death came the creeping revelation that I would never again have the chance to know the Gramps who took me bird-watching as a child, who sent me lizard skins and porcupine quills, and gave me books. Gramps died in a nursing home, from Alzheimer's and a myriad of infections, with only a nurse at his side. Before that - long before - I knew this man as my brilliant grandfather; a rattlesnake catcher and strawberry grower, an anesthesiologist, horticulturist, nonconfonrust, workahohc and inventor. This man filled many roles, but one role he rarely played, however, was a doting grandfather. sroNcWALL Rtors The giver of lizard skins, porcupine quills, and a sense of wonder BY KEVIN GEPFORD "Can't fritter away my time" was the motto of his New Hampshire heritage. · Now I struggle with conflicting memories of him . Th9se memones paint him as an aloof eccentric, a man who alienated · nearly everyone he knew - even his family. As I grew BY ANDREA NATALIE up, Gramps and I grew apart .. Whe~ever I visited, in lieu of a relat10nsh1p we would drive from his horrie in the mountains outside Los Angeles into the desert, or to Palm Springs and Hadley Fruit Orchard. We neve r missed driving to Loma Linda, where he had worked and lived as a Seventh-day Adventist physician, and Forest Lawn Cemetery (where he usually swiped chrysanthemum cuttings from tombstones when Grandma's back was turned, in order to root a rare hue of blossom for himself). In the final decade of his life (he suffered stoma .ch cancer and diabetes · before Alzheimer's came to stay) Gra mps began to see life more clearly. He slowed · down a little. He retired, and began creating a new garden on two acres of a cool mountainside overlooking Los. Angeles. There, winter frosts killed hts kumquats. During those last years his eyes also invaded my closet over the thousands of miles that separated us. · One day in a fit of senile rage he announced to my mother that I was a homosexual - long before I knew it myself. Now, with him dead, I feel we are closer in a way. Seventh-day Adventists believe that a person's soul dies with their body, remembered only in the mind of God untU the resurrection. As an Epfscopalian, I don't know which view of the afterlife I prefer. I suppose it doesn't really matter, for he lives on in memory. . In my1nind, I hear him talk about when he and Grandma joined the Adventist Church just before they were married on the coast of Maine. He would talk about his mother dying when he was nine years old, his two brother s, and about when he left New England for California. There he supported two daught ers and a wife while working his way through medical school. ·liID Second Stone-November/December, 1992 He would tell me about his love for traveling madly across the United States, and his passion for plants, of all kinds... About how he loved people, but could never find a way to say what he really felt. He loved growing things more than people 'though, for they would accept care o~ terms that he gave it without grumbling, and they always flourished . He would tell me about his frustration with the changing times, the theological conflicts and declining standards he believed were devouring the Seventh-day Adventist church he had loved since his youth. . Yes, Gramps would want to know why I spent a year in colleg_e overseas; why I chose a career m Journalism, how I met my lover, and about our two cats (he hated cats) and our little white house with green shutters in Chattanooga. This, of course, is the Gramps I never knew. Perhaps someday we will meet again, but ll)y last image of him is in a hospital bed with tubes extending from every orifice of his body. He does not recognize me - his gay (and only) grandso1,1 - nor his own wife of 51 years with still-red hair . An hour before death, his mind clears. He sees the late afternoon sun streaming through th e window, and rises from bed. He wanders down the hallway and out the door, searching for an ice cream cone. Suddenly the cloud . descends again. He stops, gown flapping in the breeze, and realizes he's lost. He can't remember where he is going, or where he come from. He can't remember who he is. Suddenly, he realizes he is still trapped in his bed. When he looks down, he sees IV tu bes running from his arm; the doctor has become the patient. The foot of his bed is being lifted by the nurse . to help with circulation. Voices. Shapes. Does he know these people hovering around lum? He II ask later and for now he dozes off, his left hand, so thi11, hanging by the wrist over the side of the bed. The voices drift away. There is silence. And then he dies with only a nurse to observe his passing. Kevin Gepford is the former editor of the SDA Kinship Connection, a monthly newsletter for gay present and former Seventh-day Adventists. He attends the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in New York. JusOt ut T . . . . . . . ~ . . . . . . . . . . ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Moody peek into Harlem Renaissance Looking for Langston Water Bearer Films, under an exclusive agreement with Jane Balfour Films of London, has licensed for the home video rights to Isaac Julien's previously unavailable film, Looking for Langston. The video marks the sixth release in Water Bearer Films line of "Festival Favorites" for the gay and lesbian community. Langston Hughes is considered America's premiere Afro-American poet. Writing during the time of the Harlem Renaissance, Hughes was able to capture the mood and texture of the first great cultural ascension of the Afro-American movement in this country. Today, Hughes' work is required reading for many public and private schools across the nation. Isaac Julien's first feature film, Looking for Langston, pre-dates his most current theatrical feature, the critically acclaimed Young Soul Rebels. The film is a musing meditation on the black poet. Across its multitextured elements, the film reclaims Langston Hughes .as an important Shop at home for His & His, Hers & Hers items Need gay or lesbian-themed printed products? Couples and individuals no longer have to feel compromised or intimidated by less than cooperative printers when planning a special event. A new shop-at-home service makes purchasing printed materials like Holy Union announcemen ts, party invitations and imprinted napkins easy and affordable. Smith Cordeiro Advertising, a lesbian-owned printing and advertising agency, has developed a mail order division that handles such products. · In addition, the company has developed a His & His / Hers & Hers catalog featuring imprinted towels, robes, bed linens, aprons and an assortment of other personalized items for gay men and Lesbians. Smith Cordeiro Advertising has pledged that a percentage of the proceeds from orders will be donated to the AIDS programs of Metropolitan Community Charities. For a catalog write to SCA, 5838 54th Ave. North, St. Petersburg, FL 33709 or call toll free, 1-800-952-7520. · Do gay anfi les.bian Christians kee·p candles in the bathroom? The Seventh-day Adveniist Kinship International took an informal and anonymous·poll during its Kampmeeting last July. Over 100 people attended the meeting. Those responding to the poll answered in this way: I am in a relationship: 40 Not in a relationship: 23 Don't care to be in a relationship: 3 Are celibate: 3 ·snore: 14 Have a tattoo: 3 Read the Bible regularly: 24 Have been gay-bashed: 10 Are thinking of having children: 21 Have pierced ears: 18 Have body piercing other than ears: 2 Are artists: 17 Are the oldest: 23 Are the middle child: 17 Are the youngest: 22 Are the only child: 3 Have Latino heritage: 4 Have African-American heritage: 8 Have Asian heritage: .6 Have Jewish heritage: 2 Were student missionaries: 11 Earn less than $15,000 a year: 11 Earn more than $100,000 a year: 4 Have gay .or lesbian siblings: 11 Were· missionary's kids: 6 Were pastor's kids: 8 Have attempted suicide: 16 Were abused as a child: 12 Have ex-lovers who are straight (or think they are): 10 Have been married to a member of the opposite sex:· 9 Have children: 5 Are HIV positive: 6 Have been tested for HIV: 34 Are transgendered/transsexual: 1 Have candles in the bathroom: 23 Have ever lived outside the U.S.: 28 Have . ever been pregnant: 4 Live where there is no "established" gay community: 9 Are bisexual: 2 Have issues of addiction: 18 Are incest survivors: 11 Have resolved issues of homosexuality and the Bible: 51 Have not resolved such issues: 17 Are carnivores: 35 Ar_e out to parents: 41 -Connection black gay voice in American culture. Enlisting the poetry of Essex Hemphill and Bruce Nugent and dedicated to the memory of James Baldwin, Looking for Langston is a lyrical exploration of black and white gay identities. Original footage of the Cotton Club during the 1920's and period blues numbers set the scene for this examination of attitudes toward homosexuality then and now. Moodily dramatized scenes of Hughes in a re-imagined Cotton Club are interspersed with fascinating RECONCILING, From Page 8 referenda that was pusl1ed by socalled Christian groups in Oregon and Colorado are all evidence of the extreme hostility being directed at lesbian, gay and bisexual persons today. Reconciling Congregations seek to counter that message with one of hospitality and love." The seven new Reconciling Congregations are: Mayfair UMC, Chicago; UM Church of Osterville, ■ archive footage depicting the Harlem Renaissance period. Striking black and white images pervade the drama: elegant and atmospheric smooch-dancing; two lovers holding each other; and Robert Mapplethorpe's photos of black men, all projected in sharp contrast with the intruding reality of sirens, the threatening Ku Klux Klan-like thugs, the police and the pounding disco beat of "Can You Feel It?" Massachusetts; First St. John's UMC, San Francisco; First UMC of Corvallis, Oregon; Trinity UMC, Austin, Texas; Fair Oaks UMC, California; and the Wesley Foundation UCLA. The Reconciling Congregation Program began in 1984 and now includes 60 Reconciling Congregations, 4 Reconciling Conferences, and numerous other "reconciling" groups in the UMC. ■ Let a new light shine for someone you love·. Second Stonei s a gift of love, comfort,i nspirationa nd resolution for friends and family who may be in doubt, despair, isolation or suffering illness. Give the special people in your life the gift of Second Stone. We'll take ft from there. FROM, Yes ... .,_ Please send a gift ...... subscription and card <lty ... 7.lp in my name to the Name person(s) listed: Addrus [ ] One gift, $15 Qty [ ] Two gifts, $29 SUie 1Jp [ ] Three gifts, $42 SlgnGlftClnl Add $10 for each Name foreign subscriber. '1ldress U.S. currency. Qty PAYMENT" . SUie 2'Jp ENCLOSED: ~gnGJ!IClnl Use additional sheet for more gifts. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 ■ ■ Second Stone•November/December: 1992 [IZ] y Calendar .................................. ....................................... I11e following announcements have been submitted by sponsoring or affiliated groups. 5th Annual Creating Change NOVEMBER 13-15, The Natio nal Gay and Lesbian Task Force Policy Institute presents its.annual national . conference for gay and lesbian organizing and skills building. The Los Angeles Airport Hilton is the setting. For information contact Creating Change 1992, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Policy Institute, 173414th Street NW, Washington, DYSFUNCTIONAL, From Page 14 and to minister, yes, even in a family that will work very hard to resist him. This is a powerful book, rich in definitions, insight into matters of faith and practice, and historical bases to understand many of today's problems within the church. It is heavy reading, but well worth it. It Wcm1ingtonlJ<? APRIL 25, 1993 DON'TMISS 'DDSONE! DC 20009-4309, (202)332-6483, TTY (202)332-6219. Common Boundary Annual Conference NOVEMBER 13-15, Common Boundary presents its 12th annual conference at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. "Invisible Threads: Exploring the Fabric of Our Relationships" is the theme for this one -of-a-kilid gathering of therapists, artists, educators and spirit ual teachers. Participants are is essential reading for Roman Catho lics if they are to understand areas of concern and struggle, and then seek the gifts of faith and Spirit to change the course of things. It is equally essential reading for other Christians so that we can better understand and support our broth e rs and sisters in faith. In the case of non-Roman Catholic dergy, espe cially chaplains, it is crucial reading for us if we are to better serve Roman Catholics in our care, and maybe lessen our sense of anger and exasperation when we have our next conversation with a "non-cooperative" priest. One final note. In writing this as a Lutheran, I remind myself that, while much of this story and the history it records is uniquely Roman Catholic, the Roman Catholic community does not have a comer on the dysfunction market. Whenever control, power and its resultant brokenness stand in the way of the symbols of faith (wholeness, wellness, freedom), we have work to do, pain to address, problems to resolve. It is a book equally helpful in forcing me to address the dysfunction in my own denomination, and in my own ministry. Accommodations, AIDSMIV rMOurcu, bus, bookltorN, vartous buslnMNS, hutth care, legal urvlcN, organlutlono;publlcatlons, ,.11g1oua groupo, owtlchboards, lhefaplats, lnlnl ■gonts, & much more, tor gay women and men. All prices - INCLUDE FIRST CLASS POSTAGE'> USA,~ & Moxk:o,.ln-od , cisaaet envelopes. t.'alllng Nsts •• ..ic:tty c:anlldenlal. Orders tom ausldo USA (Including ~ & Mexico): payment must be In US Funds payable on a US bank. a by PmtOfllcea American Express money crda'. (We-tyou-ry alOcal bookstlflfirs~ ID avoid poo~bll Custcml problemsQ US/CANADA.~ and USA"" women & men. Cit)' by di)' lnlcrmatlon ""alt us Slates, C8nadian P!'7iincos, and Ile US Virgin 1-. plus ra11onwido ,...,.,.ces lnckxtlng~s ol rational aga,lzatlons end awcusos; ~a,s; mail orda< a,mpenles, otc. $12.00; OUlaldl N. Amorlca $17 (afrmal) NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY. NY & NJ; separata Women's Section; IJanhattan bar notes by Jerry Fitzpa,id<. $5.00; - N. Amorlcl $8 (■lrm■ IQ 5O\ITHERN/Soulhom Mldwut. 64 pages. AL. AZ, AR, Fl. GA, KS, KY, LA, MS, P.O, NM, NC,OK, PR. SC. TN, TX, us Virgin lslalds, VA. $5.00; outside N. ArMrlca $8 (alrmal) NORTHEAST. CT, DE, DC, ¥E, Ml\, NH, OH,f'A, RI. VT, WI/. $5.00; ouslde N. America $8 (almullij RENAISSANCE HOUSE, BOX 533-SS VILLAGE STAIDN, NEW YORK, NY 10014-0292 (212)674-0120 f i8: Second Stone•November/December, 1992 ~ ---· invited to come and explore interconnectedness through music, art, dance, movement and the spoken and written word. For information contact Common Boundary, 4304 East West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814, (301)652-9495. Ghost Ranch Retreat NOVEMBER 19-22, "Who's God? Whose God?" will provide an opportunity to enjoy community, express doubts, explore faith and understandings of God from various perspectives, in the beauty and serenity of Ghost Ranch, the Presbyterian Conference Center in New Mexico. Co-leaders are Rev. Lisa Bove and Chris Glaser. For information write to Ghost Ranch Center, Abiquiu, NM 87510. Intimacy with God JANUARY 7-10, 1993, This retreat for gay men will explore how gay love and gay spirituality contribute to cultivating the experience of God's love. The retreat process will include presentations, dialogue, small group work, prayer, play, and worship. Facilitator is John McNeill, Catholic priest, psychotherapist, co-founder of Dignity, and author of The Church and the Homosexual and Taking a Chance dn God. Fee is $275.00. Kirkridge, a mountain retreat center in Eastern Pennsylvania, is the setting. For information contact Kirkridge, Bangor, PA 18013-9359, (215)588-1793. Sixth National Black Gay and Lesbian Conference FEBRUARY 11-15, 1993, The Hilton Hotel in Long Beach, Cal., is the setting for ''Black Lesbians and Gays: Building Bridges, Making Connections," a conference to focus on the inherent need to bridge the gaps that separate around issues of gender, race, and sexual orientation . Topics to be discussed during the five day conference include leadership, culture/ arts, family /youth, heterosexism, health, public policy, economics, women's/ men's issues and spirituality. For information write to the Black Gay & Lesbian Leadership Forum, 2538 Hyperion Ave., #7, Los Angeles, CA 90027, (213)666-5495. CMI Conference '93 MARCH 4-7, 1993, Communication Ministry, Inc., presents a conference on 'The Goodness of Being Gay: Spirituality for Lesbian and Gay Religious, Clergy and Seminarians ." Besides major addresses and celebratory liturgies, workshops will include: Celibacy as a Way of Loving, Relationships in the Committed Life, Corning Out, Formation Issues, Aging/Middle Years, and Hiv Positive. Conference fee.is $75.00. For further information and pre-registration, write to: CMI Conference '93, P .O. Box 60125, Chicago, IL 60660-0125. Connecting families MARCH 12-14, 1993, Laurelville Mennonite Church Center is the setting for the fourth Connecting families retreat sponsored and planned by Church of the Brethren and Mennonite familes with gay or lesbian members. For information write to Brethren/Mennonite Parents, P.O. Box 1708, Lima, OH 45802 or Laurelville Mennonite Church Center, Route 5, Mt. Pleasant, PA 15666. Send calendar items to: Second Stone Box 8340 New Orleans, LA 70182 or FAX to: (504)891-7555 GETTING LIFE KThere is a fresh naivete in fl'oby Johnson's] style that rings pleasantly in the ear, like the memory of a 'boy's hook' enthusiastically devoured at age 12. Against the sour punk of so much of today's gay male fictioo, Gelling Life in Pers,nclive is IN PER.5PECTIVE DY TODY JOHNSON a trcaL.. Muv Shaw, 8.A.R. Getting Life in Perspective from Lavender Pr8S6 Toby Johnsoo 's spiriwally-lhemed gaynovels-G<llutg Life in. Perspective & Lammy Award winner St.cret Matier- tell entertaining, life-affirming stories with meaningful. even uplifting, messages, sw~ characters, and happy endings. They are fine examples of the gay-positive literature the whole lesbian/gay literary industry came into being to promote. Also look for The Myth of the Great Secret from Celestial Ans. It is lhe story of Toby's spiritual friendship wilh renown mythographer and modem day wise man Joseph Campbell. For ordering lnfonnatlon, call Lberty Books 800 829 t279. Visa/MC/Oise accepted. $1 D each fol1he two novels. $10.95 fOf Myth of the Gf9BI Sectsl. S1.65P&H.(Texansadd8%tax).M~lto1014•8Nlamar,AustinTX78700. '• ' ... ·• ...... . Lewallen listed in "Who's Who in Religion" LIELINOR KIRBY LEW ALLEN, former P-FLAG Federation president, is listed in the 1992-93 Marquis edition of Who's Who in Religion in America, along with her personal tribute to the "beautiful gay and lesbian people" she has met in recent years. Lewallen was president of P-FLAG in 1987-88 and chaired the group's task force on religious issues from 1988-92. She has also .had a leadership role with the Rocky Mountain Conference of the Methodist Church. Toby Johnson elected to board of Joseph Campbell Library LIGA Y ACTIVIST, no ve list and religious writer Toby Johnson was welcomed as the ne w est member of the Board of Govenors of the Joseph Campbell Archives and Library at its October 17, 1992 meeting, announced Barbara McClintock, Executive Director. The library, located at Pacifica Graduate Center near Santa Barbara, Cal., houses the personal library, research notes, and collection of religious artifacts and memorabilia of the noted scholar of religions Joseph Campbell, who died in 1987. Toby Johnson was a student of Campbell's in the 1970s. Jolmson, 47, a former Roman Catholic monk and a retired psychotherapist , is author of three novels that present gay spiritual attitudes he believes he has discovered througi, the study of myth and religion. Johnson's most popular novel, Secret Matter, won a Lammie Award in 1991 and his most recent novel, Getting Life in Perspective, is a romatic novel about gay spiritual growth. 'Tm very happy to have been invited to sit on the board of the Campbell Archives. What a wonderful opportunity ii is for me to help keep alive his legacy, not because he was so special himself, but because we'd all be better off if more people thought like him. Lesbians and gay men would sure be better off. I"m glad to be a gay presence on that board." While Campbell had long had a following among students of spirituality and comparative religions, he became widely known only after his death when the PBS TV network ran a series of conversations between him and commentator Bill Moyers . The series, 'The Power of Myth," has been so popular many listener-supported TV stations continue to broadcast it regularly during funding campaigns as an example of excellence in television programming. "Campbell's work ~uggests that Noteworthy T . .................................................. . religion has to be understood from a prespective outside any one particular tradition," says Johnson. "What is important and true in the various religions aren't the particular doctrines and dogmas but the indication that there is more to life and awareness than we usually think." With his lover of almost nine years, Kip Dollar, Johnson runs Liberty Books, a lesbian and gay bookstore in Austin, Tex. Toby Johnson, left, with his lover, Kip Dollar Task Force names new director LITHE BOARD OF the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Policy Institute has named Torie Osborn new executive director of NGLTF and NGLTF Policy Institute. Osborn, · outgoing executive director of the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Community Services Center, the nation's largest gay organization, was selected following an extensive nationwide search. She succeeds Urvashi Vaid. 'The gay and lesbian movement is coming into its own in the 1990s," said Osborn. "Our issues are front and center in the political and social arena of this nation, whether from the political attacks of the Far Right or through the growing force of our movement. NGLTF will continue to be at the forefront ." UCC group offers groundbreaking youth outreach LITHE UNITED CHURCH Coalition for Lesbian/Gay Concerns (UCCL/ GCJ, a -recognized group of the United Church of Christ, has created a new position as of October, 1992 to serve the needs of bisexual, lesbian and gay youtl,, and youths questioning their sexuality. The national youth outreach position has been created through the Voluntary Service Program of the United Church Board for Homeland Ministries and is funded by grants from the Carpenter Foundation and the United Church Board for Homeland Mnistries. Gregory Anderson of Worcester, Mass., the UCCL/GC's Coordinator of Outreach to Youth and Young Adults, will be responsible for participating in workshops and speaking engage-- ments, ·developing resources for youth, young adults, and youth serving adults, networking with other .. organizations providing bisexual, . lesbian, and gay youth and young adult outreach, and providing a · listening ear ·to individuals in need. Anderson was founder of Supporters of Worcester Area Gay and Lesbian Youth, a social and support group serving the central Massachusetts area. For information on this UCCL/ . GC youth program call (614)593-7301, (716 )731-3271 or (508)755-0005 . . Ministerial degree program offered LITHE INDEPENDENT Church of Religious Science and Religious Science Theological Seminary is now offering ministerial degree programs at its new location in East Long Beach, Cal. The organization is also sponsoring a 16-week cultural diversity workshop presented by the Religious Science Gay and Lesbian Council. For information on ,he degree program or the church, call (310)433-0384 or (310)434-2194. Harlan Wand remembered LIHARLAN F. "HAL" Wand's 64 years of life was celebrated with a memorial service sponsored by Dignity/ Chicago on October 16. Wand died following a stroke on August 20, 1992. A Dignity member for over 20 years, Wand was a director at .large on numerous Dignity/ Chicago boards . He was elected _ secretary for 1982-83 and vice president for 1983-84. In 1984, the membership of Dignity/Chicagc- voted to give Wand the Jolm Michie Award for service to the gay 'l,nd lesbian community. Wand once edited the Dignity/USA newsletter and, in 1981, ran for national president of Dignity, losing by only a few votes. He was the founder of the Phoenix chapter of Dignity. Hal Wand was born May 15, 1928, in Elizabeth, Illinois. For a tim e , Wand was a classmate of Joseph (now Cardinal) Bernardin at St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore and was a member of the first delegation from Dignity/ Chicago to meet with Cardinal Bernardin. In recent years, Wand helped create an organization called Legacy, for lesbi'l.n and gay seniors. He also served many years on the Gay and Lesbian Interfaith Committee. In 1984, the Advocate named Wand one of the 400 most significant contributors to the gay and lesbian movement in America. Wand left behind a lover of 30 years, Patrick Ryan. As a result of an early marriage, he als.9 leaves behind a wife, a son, a daughter, afid two grandchildren. Harlan Wand, left, with Rev. John McNeil Good Shepherd MCC celebrates 22 years LIGOOD SHEPHERD Metropolitan Community Church celebrated its 22nd anniversary in October. The church was Chicago's first gay and lesbian religfous organization . Deborah Bell named national facilitator for March on Washington LITHE NATIONAL OFFICE for the 1993 March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay & Bi Equal Rights & Liberation is up and running with the appointment of Deborah Moncrief Bell, a community activist and writer from Houston, Tex., as National Organizing Facilitator. She has over 25 years of experience working on · civil rights issues. A true child of the 60's, Bell was involved in civil rights and anti-Viet Nam war efforts . She developed as a feminist while a young mother of two sons and was greatly influenced by the International Women's Year Conference held in Houston in 1977. She berame active in NOW and has served in several NOW positions. The national office for the March on Washington is located at 1012 14th St. NW #705, Washington, DC 20005, (202)628-0493, 1-800-832-2889. Those who plan to attend the March an.d related events are urged to register with the national office. Fax Noteworthy items to (504)891-7555 Second Stone•November!December, 1992119 I Classifieds ........................................................................ 'Books & Publications "WONDERFUL DIVERSITY," "Heartily recommended," "Philosophically intriguing , " 11Excellent." Why do reviewers highly esteem CHRISTIAN*NEW AGE QUARTERLY? Great articles and lively columns make this bridge of dialogue between Christians and New Agers as entertaining as it is substantive. Subscribe for only $12.50/yr. Or sample us for $3.50. CHRJSTIAN'NEW _AGE QUARTERLY. P.O. Box 276, Clifton, NJ 07011-0276. TF CHI RHO PRESS. Send for your copy of The Bible and Homosexuality by Rev . Michael England for $5.95 or I'm Still Dancing by long-term AIDS survivor Rev. Steve Pieters for $8.95 and receive a free catalog from Chi Rho Press, an MCC-based publishing house for the Gay /Les bian Christian community. Or receive our catalog by sending $1.00. P.O. Box 7864-A, Gaithersburg, MD 20898. SALVATION, SCRIPTURE, and Sexuality by Bishop Mark Shirilau clearly demonstrates that God loves everyone, regardless of sexuality. $4.00 includes tax, postage . Healing Spirit Press, P.O. Box 94, _Villa Grande, CA 95486. · BEYOND HETEROSEXISM, a bimonthly sourceletter for local churches and activists. Workshop ideas, pastora l care notes, Bible study (ecumenical lectionary). Christian year liturgies and more! A MUST FOR PROGRESSIVE CHURCHES! Subscription, $18. Sample, $4. More details free with #10 SASE. AlterVisions-#21, PO Box 2374, Boulder, co 80306. DESPERATELY SEEKING the following books: Christ and the Homosexual (1960) by Robert W. Wood, Loving Women/Loving Men (1974) by Sally Gearhart and William R. Johnson, and Christian Sexuality by Richard Mickley. Michael Blankenship, P.O. Box · 20495, Roanoke , · VA 24018. (703) 989-0402. 12/92 Fr ien ds/R e I ati on ships CHRISTIAN MALE, gay, born 2-25-54. Born again in Christ, July, 1976. Kindred spirits are beckon. Paul (903)757-5231. 12/92 MID-THIRTIES GWM. with mission from God to fulfill seeking committed 'partner/ relationship . Stocky build and short, but an incurable romantic · with lots of love to share. Educated, well-travelled, honest, healthy , sincere, and poor! Desire · GWM 30-40 with Christ in their life and nonmaterialistic view of sUccess. Let's share our thoughts and dreams. Write: Kenny, P.O. Box 4488, Pensacola, FL 32507. 12/92 General Interest PASTOR WANTED - Small flock seeks pastor, leader, preacher who believes the Gospel should not be compromised. Cover letter and resume to: Freedom in Christ Evangelical Church, P.O. Box 14462, San Francisco, CA 94114. 121n IF YOU HA VE READ "The Aquaria□ Gospel of Jesus the Christ" by Levi, 1 am interested ·in corresponding and discussing. W. Courson, P.O. Box 1974, Bloomfield, NJ 07003. 6/93 Organizations NEW ORLEANS AREA: Gay and lesbian Lutherans and Episcopalians interested in a jo"int chapter of Integrity and Lutherans Concerned, please call (504)482-3734. -------- ----------7 Classified Order Form FOR ONLY 35¢ per word, your classified ad will reach readers from Sitka , Alaska to Amherst, Maine and everywhere in between. Business or personal. .. try a classified ad in our next edition! Mail To: Second Stone Box 8340 New Orleans, LA 70182 Name ____________ _ Address __________ _ City/St./Zip _______ _ AD COPY _______ _ ------------------------- -------------------------- _ _ words X .35= $ ____ _ 20 word minimum. All classifieds must be pre-paid. Deadline one month prior to cover date. We will mail you a copy of the edition(s) in which your ad appears Please place my ad in these I issues : [ l Jan/Feb [] Mar/Apr l [] May/Jun [] Jul/Aug I [ l Sept/Oct [ J Nov/Dec J CLASSIFICATIONS [ l Books & Publications [] Business Opportunities [ l Employment [ l Friends/Relationships [ l General Inte rest [ l Mail Order [ l Merchandise [ l Organizations [ ] Professional Services [ l Real Estate [ l Retreats [ l Roommates [ ]Travel I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I _____________________________________________________ _ _______ I WINNING, From Page 12 who was a Pharisee before his conversion. 4. Jesus kept his firm foundation in Scripture. 5. He refused to be drawn into the methods and tactics of his enemies. He did not seek to hurt or destroy them. . 6. He used .concrete examples (the coin) that were easy to visualize and understand. 7. Jesus used logic an d reason: common sense. 8. Jesus knew his own purpose and · could plainly declare his point of view with complete assurance. 9. He used the scriptures with free• dom, relevance and power. He had mastered the content and meaning of the Old Testament (22:29). 1(). Jesus refused to be manipulative, like the Pharisees and Herodians (22:18). Neither flattery (22:16), ridicule (22:28), nor hostility could shake Jesus' "cool spirit." He honestly and openly faced his opponents • even though it finally led to the cross. Matthew 23 contains the most harsh condemnation of Jesus against religious bigots found anywhere in the gospels. Religious pride is the exact opposite of the spirit of Jesus and is thoroughly condemned in the seven "woes" of 23:13-36. Jesus observed the preoccupation of the Pharisees with unimportant details and said in 23:6-12: And they love the place of honor at banquets, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called "Rabbi. " But do not be called Rabbi (" teacher"); for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth your father; (disciple called rabbi "father") for One is your Father, who·is in heaven. And do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader: Christ. But the greatest among you shall be your servant ("deacon"). And whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles herself shall be exalted. The theme of humility versus pride goes through the entire chapter. A vivid conclusion is given in 23:27-28: Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead bones and all uncleanness. Even so you too outwardly appear righteous to other people, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. Then the judgment of 23:33, "You serpents, you brood of vipers, how shall you escape the judgment (or sentence) of hell?" John the Baptist had said much the same thing; Matthew 3:7. The chapter concludes with Jesus weeping over the city that is left desolate because its spiritual leaders are corrupt and blind. The blindness and hardheartedness of religious bigots who condemn Gays and Lesbians cannot be overlooked or ignor ed. The religious attacks against Gays and Lesbians have gone too long without effective, forceful and convincing response. The most serious result of prolonged religious attacks against Gays and Lesbians is that Gays and Lesbians have_ become convinced that they are evil for being gay and have condemned themselves and each other! Learn the content and meaning of relevant Scripture. Love. Speak out. Come out. Be part of the struggle for truth. God loves you and wants you to love yourself! Don't let anybody take that from you! · ARE YOU MOVING? The Post Office will not forward The Second Stone. You must notify us for uninterrupted service if you move. Please notify us four weeks in ajjvance for uninterrupted delivery . Seni:1 both old and new addresses. If possible attach mailing label in sp~ce provided . PRINT NEW ADDRESS t Q ~ ~ ; '< a ~ ~ Send completed form to : THE SECOND STONE Box8340 New Orleans, LA 70182 _[2ftj' Second Stone•November/December, 1992 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 Second Stone #25 - Nov/Dec 1992 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/0f15d173a1eaa687fb2c597df3048f30.pdf 8df68c5fe781cfc0ea51f6d0990dc04a 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 Second Stone Description An account of the resource Issues of the Second Stone publication. Issue An issue of a recurring publication. Issue Number The number of the issue (within a volume) 26 Publication Year The year the issue was published 1993 Publication Date The date the issue was published Jan/Feb 1993 Text Any textual data included in the document . • I f AMERICA'.S GAY & LESBIAN CHRISTIAN-t4~WSJOURNAL , . . _ . :· . ,, - . . . ._ .. ~,. .' - ------. , - - . BUILDING -"-.COMIIIIUNITY Voluntee rs bring fa ith and mortar; leave buildings· BY CANDACE CHELLEW and JIM BAILEY esidents of a poor community in the Dominican Republic have a new worship facility thanks to labor donated by a group of 18 volunteers from the Atlanta-based World Community Builders. The group returned Nov. 30 after spending ten days · assembling donated construction material into a worship structure in El Tamarindo, a small village adjacent to the capitol city of Santo Domingo. The ministry of World Community Builders is carried out through missionary work camps, where volunteers offer their labor to help people in a foreign culture wi th a construction project. Local leaders determine the work to be done, which may be construction of a church , school, clinic or orphanage, the refurbishing of an existing structure, or assisting a community clean up and recover after a natural disaster. The organization is affiliated with the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches. The organization's name was chosen to reflect the SEE COVER STORY, Page 10 MAKING A WCB Volunteer Helene Loper helps DIFFERENCE: lay the foundation for a building in a village in the Dominican Republic. ·;, . . SUBSCRIBE NOW - ONE YEAR ONLY $15 .00!• BOX 8340 BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PA ID NEW ORLEANS, LA PERMITNo. 511 ", • Celebrate Gay Pride all year long!! G ENRE ."READS LIKE A GAV VERSION OF ESQUIRE OR GQ ... OFFERS-GAY MEN AN UPFRONT, UPSCALE, UNASHAMED · CELEBRATION OF THEIR LIFESTYLE". --USA TODAY "Wake up wo r ld! Sexuality , gay or straight isn't the issue. Tell that kid to come out of the closet and I'll meet him on the other side". --PATTY LABELLE "It's ridiculous when they say 'stop having sex.' We hope people never stop having sex." --DE EE-LITE Pertaining to it's mag,ic, Barcelona has few equals. A Hydra of the best faces of Europe, it embraces the excitement of Paris and the beauty of Rome. --BARCELONA For a one year subscription (6 bimonthly issuss mailed discreetly) send $11.95 and Name·--------~----- Address·---~--- - --,----- --- City ______________ State __ ~-- Zip. _______ ___:_ __ TO: GENRE; Box 25169; Anahiem, CA 92825 $11.95 enclosed _Bill me · [g]i S"':ond Stone•January/February, . 1993 _ ~· ' . T FrotmhEe ditoTr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..... Web egino urf ocuso nc ommunity W 1TH TH IS EDITION, we begin a series of issues, perhaps all six for this year, which will focus on community. I extend my call from the Nov/Dec issue for your input on what community means to you - how you or people you know are connected in some way to others in the gay community; how you live and love together; and how you work toward common goals. Our first look at building community is a report on a group that. actually took that concept as its name - World Community Builders. Members of this organization have just returned from the Dominican Republic where they volunteered their time and labor to build the first MCC church structure there. More such missionary- work camps are planned. (For information contact WCB, 1120 Morley Ave., S.E., Atlanta, GA 30312.) We also report on two Sacramento agencies who are helping people who are suffering with AIDS - and are homeless . And then there is the story of Hutsville, a community of homeless living in make shift huts in Atlanta. Within that community there is another - homeless Gays who have taken up residence at Hutsville. You'll be wondering what you can do for these folks as you read this article. And then there's the surprising epilogue. IntroducinSge conSd.t one'Cs ommuniFtyo rum REV. STEVE FUND, director of World Community Builders, says his organization came about as the result of a conversation with friends. Great accomplishments always have their roots in a few people getting together and discussing ideas. When was the last time you got together with a few people just for the purpose of discussing ideas and concerns? With the belief that one person can make a significant difference in a cQmmunity (and that that person is you) and that great things do happen when caring people get together, Second Stone in this issue puts forth our idea for community building ... Second Stone's Community Forum. Modeled after Utne Reader's Neighborhood Salons, our Community Forum is an opportunity for one person - you - to connect a group of gay and lesbian Christians in your community. The result may simply be good conversation; it may mean the end of isolation for someone you reach out to; the result may even be a project like World Community Builders (and your photo on the cover of Second Stone?) There may not be a place in your community where people can come together just to talk and exchange ideas. Try putting a community forum together. My feeling is that there are people in your community who will be responsive - and appreciative! Second Stone will help you every step of the way. (See page 16 about getting started.) We will have followup reports (including what you tell us about your forum) and recommendations in issues to follow. Yourm ailboixs o ur" suggestiobno x" WE WANT TO do a good job with Second Stone. Have you noticed that there is very little advertising in Second Stone? Practically all of our revenue comes from readers, NOT advertisers. Your personal subscription, and your gift subscriptions, pay for this publication. If we're not doing the job, don't give us the silent treatment, which means waiting until renewal time - and not renewing. Tell us now what you like, what your disappointments are, and what you expect to see in Second Stone. We will hear you. My very best to you during the new year! SECOND STONE Newsjoumal, ISSN No. 1047-3971, is published every other month by Bailey Communications, P. 0. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182. Copyright 1993 by Second Stone, a registered trademark. SUBSCRIPTIONS, U.S.A. $15.00 per year, six issues. Foreign subscribers add $10.00 for postage. All payments U.S. currency only. · ADVERTISING, For display advertising information call (504)899-4014 or write to P.O. Bo" 8340, New Orleans. LA 70182. EDITORIAL, send letters, calendar announcements, noteworthy items to (Department title) Second Stone, P.O. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182. Manuscripts to be returned should be accompanied by a stamped, self addressed envelope. Second Stone is otherwise not responsiblefor the return of any material. . ' SECOND STONE, an ecumenical Christian newsjoumal for the national gay and lesbian community. PUBLISHER/EDITOR: Jim Bailey CONTRIBUTORS FOR THIS ISSUE: Andrea L T. Peterson, Mayne Ellis, Johnny Townsend, Kevin Calegari, Candace Chellew NOTE: The article "Uncle Fred's Ministry" in the Nov/Dec, 1992, issue was edited without the permission of the author. Contents [[] [I] [[1 [[] [8] [ru [20] ........................ From The Editor Commentary Unity is on the way, says Rev. Sam Kader News Lines Bishops, Queens & Pawns Kevin Calegari, president of Dignity/USA reflects on the Catholic Bishops Conference Cover Story . World Community Builders finishes first mission camp in the Dominican Republic Families The late Rev. Sylvia Pennington'sla st article written for Second Stone The Gay Homeless Nestled between two ,"straight neighborhoods" of make shift shacks is the "gay neighborhood" In Print Out of the Bishop's Closet reviewed by Johnny Townsend; Sensuous Spirituality reviewed by Andrea L. T. Peterson Second Stone's Community Forum Get to know the gay and lesbian Christians in your neighborhood. Put on some coffee. Calendar Noteworthy News about people, churches and groups Classifieds Second Stone•January/F!'bruary, 1993:[JJ .. I I Comment .............. . ... ............................................... ·• ...... ·~ Unity is on the way By Rev. Samuel Kader Guest comment F or a few decades now, the gay and lesbian Christian community has acknowledged Isaiah 56:3-5 as a prophetic word regarding sexual minorities. When the Bible mentions sexual minorities it is not the arsenokoites of I Cor. 6:9 (abusers of themselves with mankind) referred to, but the eunuchs of Matthew 19:12 and Isaiah 56:3. The eunuch of Isaiah would try to say, "Behold I am a dry tree." Over centuries of oppression the person of non-mainstream sexual orientation begins to feel they've been shut out of the church, and therefore, spiritually speaking, are a dry tree. They feel they will just wither and die since so little of their contribution to the church is accepted when their secret is out. So often they are outright rejected as persons of value and worth when their orientation is known. But for 25 years or so, God has been faithful to the promise to "pour out My Spirit on all flesh." Not only has there been revival in the non-gay community during this century but all flesh has been included as the Holy Spirit has brought revival in the gay community as well. From Isaiah 56:3-5 over the 1-ast 25 years, the eunuch has grabbed the promise which says, "I will give them a name which is better than that of sons and daughters. Sons and daughters are identified as the traditional non-gay church members. We have been comforted thinking somE\how God has seen our plightand one day God will give us a 'name better than that of our oppressors. We have waited and waited and waited. In the meantime, in the rest of the church world, the promise has been that the miracles of the book of Acts and in the Gospels would be restored crusades took place in North America and other parts of the world as well. But unlike in the Gospels, when Jesus had compassion on the multitudes and healed them all, not every person received a physical healing. Some died. And in the last 20 years people have been asking God, "When will you do it again, like in the book of Acts?" One major key, however, was that in the book of Acts, the believers were all in one accord. . Does it seem like a miracle today This same pastor from Pittsburgh told the pentecostal pastors assembled in Dayton that he had a problem with people making statements like "if God doesn't judge San Francisco for its homosexuality, He'll have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah ... " to the church. We likewise have held -to that promise, and expect AIDS and the other enemies of God to be made God's footstool, to be put under the feet of the church, Christ's body. Beginning in the late 1940's through the 1970's great healing for the church to ever be in one accord? People do not come into unity about various doctrines, and styles of worship. Yet they do come together in the true church, around the person of Jesus. As a result, Jesus declared to the The exultant misdiagnosis By Johnny Townsend . Guest comment P.n a Donahue show discussing the marriage of two Lesbians in Austin, Texas, a woman in the audience p to declare to the couple in front of a nationwide audience, "I think you're sick!" Then, smiling broadly, she sat down again. The camera focused on her for several more seconds and returned to her briefly a few more times during the show. Always, she was smiling triumphantly. My question is if she really believes her own opinion, why is she smiling? What decent person would go up to someone and, smiling happily, say, "You have leprosy!" or "I think you have cancer!" or "I know the truth! You have the flu!" If these people who claim to sincerely believe homosexuali ty is an illness are in fact sincere, what does the fact that they're gleeful about their opinion say about them? [I] Second Stone•January/February, 1993 A "Christian" on the same show insisted that he loved Gays and. Lesbians, but that out of love he was also obligated to tell them the truth. Is this love the basis for the smirking expressions of those who are sensitive and honest enough to know and declare the truth? If the smile means, 'Tm so good and clever to have figured this out," isn't the focus on the wrong person? Let's imagine this scene: a woman goes from doctor to doctor with her puzzling symptoms. No one can find anything wrong. They tell her, •in fact, that she is fine. But eventually one doctor does find something wrong with her, by virtue of being more clever than the other doctors. "My dear," she says, smiling warmly, "I'm happy to say I've discovered the problem. You have an incurable, terminal illness ." And she smiles even more broadly and sits down without another word. How would we feel if a doctor gave us his diagnosis in this fashion? Now let's consider a different situation. A woman feels perfectly healthy, but she has some odd symptom. Perhaps she has gone prematurely gray at the age of 20. She dyes her hair for a few years so no one will know, but eventually justs lets the natural color show. Some think she looks "handsome," while others think she looks awful. Some tell her that it's simply a ni,ltural phenomenon which happens to some people. But one woman, with absolutely no medical training, stops her on the str<'!et and insists majestically, "I think you're sitk!" and walks off, smiling as if she'd just won an award. There are really two issues here. The first is that it's awfully hard for Gays and Lesbians to believe they're sick when they feel · fine, and the second is that it's hard for them to accept that critics truly believe they're ill either when they announce their diagnosis in such an odd manner. In fact, Gays and Lesbians are downright mystified that heterosexuals can believe such a ridiculous tactic could have any effect on them. And they first disciples, "And other sheep I have which are not of this fold." 'Them also I must bring in, and there shall be one fold and one shepherd (John 10:16). He also revealed that when the church comes together in unity Gohn 17:21) then revival would break out globally because the world would believe that God sent Jesus. So the promise to the eunuch to have a name better than that of sons and daughters is not isolated and separated from sons and daughters. For it also declares in Isaiah 56:5 to the eunuchs who take hold of my covenant, that "even unto them will I give in my house and within my walls a place and a name better than that of sons and daughters. The name God gives us is not separated but within the confines of the church. Amazing? Too impossible? Amos 3:7 says the Lord God will do nothing in the earth except He reveals it to His servants the prophets. So what are the prophets saying? On February 28, 1989, on the Trinity Broadcasting Network, Rev. Benny Hinn, pastor of the several thousand member Orlando Christian Center in Orlando, Florida, stated that God showed him that the largest revival to ever hit the earth was going to come to our planet, splashing on every continent. He said that SEE COMMENT, Page 20 wonder if helping them is really a goal for these exultant quacks in the first place. If "helping the sick" is truly the motive for the diagnosis, perhaps these self-appointed physicians need to learn a more appropriate bedside manner. After all, it's useless to have knowledge that will never reach the patient because the patient can find no way to trust the doctor . But still I can see the exultant face of the woman on the Donahue show, the foce of someone who believed she'd actually done something positive by making her claim. Was sill' smiling victoriously becausl' slw had really done anything usl'ful? Or Was sill' just happy that slw had a w,1y of "proving" lwr supniority, of congratulating lwrsl'lf on lwr own s,·xual orientation, ·over which :slw hi\d no control? Tlw qu,•slions r,1is1•d by smiling critic:•; an• intriguing. Bui al1no:·,l non{· of lhl' aw1w1·rH .in· lwlpful to .1nyo11t.·i t ,,II. T News Lines T Presbyterian leader predicts ordination of gay ministers llNON-CELIBATE GAYS AND LESBIANS will likely be admitted to ordained ministry in the Presbyterian Church some time this year, the head of the denomin ation predicted. The Rev. John Fife, the church's highest elected official, said the decision denying .Rev. Jane Spahr the pastorate of a Rochester, N.Y., church would lead to a re-examination of a 14-year-old church policy barrini; sexually acti ve Gays and Lesbians from ordination . If the policy doesn't cliange, Fife said "Presbyterians are only going to be the know-nothing party of prayer." He made the comments while addressing students and faculty at Princeton Theological Seminary. -The Star-Ledger Virginia Baptists won, exclude Gays t.A CONVENTION OF VIRGINIA'S South e rn Baptists have decid e d that the denominati on shou ld reach out to Gays and Lesoians . Repre sen tatives at the association's two day m eeting rejected an amendm ent that would have excluded churches that confirm, approve or end o rse homosexual behavior. -Associated Press Christian, Jewish leaders: End military ban llLEADERS OF THREE Christian denominations and a Jewish organization are urging President-elect Bill Clinton to follow through on a campaign promise to end the ban on Gays and Lesbians in the armed services. fn an open letter to Clinton, United Church of Christ President Paul H. Sherry wrote , "Refusal to induct a person into th e milita r)', or discharg e of a person, solely on 'the basis of sexual orientation, is intol erable. " President C. William Nichols of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) , the United Church's ecumenical partner , endorsed the letter, as did Bish op Melvin G. Talbert of the United Methodist Church and Rabbi Alexander M. Schindler, president of the Union of American Hebrew Congreg ations. The letter says the military 's policy of discri mination based on sexual orientation plays on the prejudices of civilians, encouraging "other acts of discrimination against gay and lesbian persons in our society which, at times, have led to harassme nt, violence, even dea th ." The r eligiou s leaders commended Clinton's "cour ageo us commitment to end injustice in the military with regard to Gays and Lesbians ." They added "we encourage you to fulfill your pledge as quickly and as clearly as possible following your inauguration. " Southern Baptists ask Clinton to rethink stand on gay rights llSOUTHERN BAPTISTS oppose a public policy that would add sexual orientation as a protected status unde r civil rights laws, the head of the convention 's ethi cs agency said in a lette r to Bill Clinton . "We fear the wrath of God on our nati on if our gover nment pursues this path," said Richard Land , director of the conven t ion's Cliristian Life Commission, in a letter to the president-elect on Nov. 12. -Associated Press Seven major demands outlined by March committee llTHE SEVEN MAJOR DEMANDS for the 1993 March on W ashin gton were presented by the Executive Committ ee at the Na tional Steering Committee meeting held in Denver on October 3 & 4. The demand s bring focus and priority to the '93 March agen da. "The dem ands prior itize our fight for civil right s, access to health care, recognition of our family relat1onsh1ps, ou r rightfu l mclus1on m educatio nal systems as well as our commitmen t to fight racism ani:1 sexism," said a spokesperson for the committee. Gav-friendly church censured llTHE ORGANIZATION THAT GOVERNS Presbyterian churches in the Cincinnati area ha s censured a chur ch th at permits Gays and Lesbians to b ecome deacons and eld er s. Lea ders of the Presbytery voted by a mar gin of nearly 2-1 to censure the Mount Auburn Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Harold Porter, pastor of Mount Auburn, said the church rule forbidding th e use of Gays and Lesbians in church lead ership is unjust and demeaning. -Associated Press NC Baotists uoholdecision to oust churches t.DELEGATES TO THE Nor th Carolina Baptist State Convention's annua l session vot ed overw helmingly Nov. 10 to r eaffirm a decision by its governin g board to exclude Olin T. Binkley Memorial Baptist Church, Chapel Hill, ani:I Pullen -Me!llonal Baptist Church, Raleigh, for affirming the worth of gay and lesbian people. Speaking agams t the motion, Tim Moore of Sham rock Drive Baptist Church in Charlotte reminded members that the convention once exclud ed black churche s. -Associated Press Malta Catholic priest suppressed for views ll FATHE R MARK MONTEBELLO, 29, a Dominican priest who sai d in a radio broadca st that Christ should have experienced the state of marriage for him self and that if homo sexual couples loved each other in .the same way as heterose xuals th ey should also be allowed to marry, has been banned by his Roman Catholic superiors from speaking or writing about his views. Church officials said Montebello had drawn the prohibihon for what officials said was misr epresen ting church teac hin gs, distortin g biblical facts and scandalizing his audience. -GayNet Norwegian politician comes out t.ANDERS GAASLAND, the 24-year-old leader of the yout h organi _zation of Norway's anti-gay Christian Democratic Party, came out on a nahonal telev1s1on news broadcast October 17. Gaasland said he wanted to come ou t so he could help ot h ers m the same situation as himself, an ambiguous statement th at may have meant that other lesbian and gay P'?liticos in the_ country should follow .his examp le and come out. as we ll. Th e Clirishan Democratic Party makes a d1stmchon between sexual on entahon and sexual behavior in supportin g or opposing rif$hts measures, a distinct ion· Gaa.sl~nd said is "artifici.a l" in his eight-minute TV talk. If you t ake away a person's poss1b1hty to love someone, t here isn't much left,'' he said. -GayNet Subscribe TOday. A N D Y O U' L L N E V E R WITHOUT A FRIEND YO U R J O U R N E Y. BE FOR Second Stone T h e N a t i o n a· I G a y a n d L e s b i a n Christian Newsjournal ···YE S!·· ···························;··· Begin my subscription to SECOND STONE for: [ ] One year (6 issues) $15 .00 [ ] Two y rs. (12 issues) $25.00 [ ] Three yrs. (18 issues) $36.00 ........................................................... · NAME ADDRESS CITY/STATE/ZIP CODE CHECK HERE [ ) If c;:i plai n envelope is requ ired and add $2.00 per year. Allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of your first issue, International subscribers add $10.00 per year, U.S. currency. Mail To: SECOND STONE, Box 8340, New O rlea ns, LA 70182 THANK YOU for you r subscription support! News Lines ........................................................................ Integrity calls for replacement of NCC delegates t.THE NATIONAL BOARD of Integrity, in a special meeting on December 3, called for the immediate replacement of the Rev. William Norgren as Ecumenical Officer of the Episcopal Church and the replacement of four other members of the Episcopal delegation to the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA with, among others, "persons with ecumenical experience who are active in lesgay ministries in the Episcopal Church." Integrity's board also dissociated itself from the action by the majority of the Episcopal delegation who opposed granting observer status in the NCCCUSA for the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches. Norgren was the only representative from a mainline denomination to speak in opposition to UFMCC s application. Integrity claims that the delegation's vote violates "the stated and authoritative goal of. the [Episcopal] church" which is to encourage dialogue with the lesbian and gay community. Tlie Episcqpal delegation at the NCCCUSAignored the mandates of several General Conventions encouraging dialogue, the Integrity resolution said. Gav help not needed, savs Nashville organization t.AN ORGANIZATION OF NASINILLE churches has rejected the membership bid of a small congregation of gay and lesbian people. "Basically, we were taking the position that the practice of homosexuality isn't consistent with Christianity," said the Rev. Bob Jared, president of the East Nashville Cooperative Ministry board of directors. Jack Gregory, a leader of the congregation of Dayspring Christian 'Fellowship, said the group had sought membership to help with the organization's social work, but that Dayspring accepted the group's decision and does not want to start a controversy. -Associated /Yress Far right working on new anti-gay measures . MAR-RIGHT LEADERS connected with Pat Robertson's Christian Coalition have made it clea r that Colorado's newly pas sed anti-gay Amendment 2 has become the model for a state-by-state campaign that may eclipse abortion as its premiere issue for the next several years. -GayNet No gay unions, Episcopal clergy savs . t.BISHOP A THEODORE EASTMAN, head o( the Epis.copal Church in Maryland, has ordered the clergy not to follow the example of the Rev. William W. Rich, who blessed the union of two women in_a cerem ony last summer. "Because the Episcopal Church has made no official provision for the blessing of same-gender covenants, and because there is clearly no consen sus locally or on the wider scene about the significance of these rites, I have directed the clergy of the Diocese of Maryland to refram from such blessings," Eastman said. The Rev. William N. McKeachie, rector of Old St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Baltimore, critici ze d the bishop's reaction, saying that Eastman should ha ve more strongly condemned the union. -Baltimore Alternative •E mpathy is a journal that deserves our .>uppon for the original and creative work it does m the· interest of truth and justice. ;.f.. Rev. Malcolm Boyd, author of 23 books including Are You Running with Me, Jesus?, Takt Off the Masks, and Ga:y Priest E mpathy provides a much-needed and welcomed commu~ication link for persons involved in education about homophobia. At its best it will keep us informed and in t0uch, supported and challenged, excited and proud. a. Brian McNaught, lecturer and author of On Being Gay: Thoughts on Family, Faith, and LO'l.'I! [I] Second Stone•January/February, 1993 Empathy LAn Interdisciplinary Journal for Persons Working to End Oppression on the Basis of Sexual Identity r>UBl.JSHED TWICE A YEAR, EMPATHY INCLUDES SCHOLARLY ESSAYS, flROSE ANO POETRY, PRACTITIONER ARTICLES, ANECDOTAL ESSAYS, AND RESEARCH REPORTS AS WELL AS ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHIES FOR RESOURCE MATERIALS, RECENT RESEARCH AND BOOKS. THE JOURNAL. SERVE.$ PEOl'LE WORKING IN EDUCATION, COUNSELING, HEALTI-I CARE, SOCIAL WORK, COMMUNI1:Y ACTIVISM, AND THE MINISTRY NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY. Oney.ear (2 issues) individual sub~cription uo (s15 institutional) Make checks payable to Gay and Lesbian Advocacy Research Project (GLARP) and mail to: . Empathy, PO Box 5085, Columbia, SC 29250. Helms, Wildmon attack AIDS project &ROJECT ARIES, a telephone counseling service and research program out of the University of Washington, Seattle, is under attack by right wing activists who are portraying the program as a federally funded phone sex line for gay and bisexual men. The program targets men who continue to have unsafe sex despite the risk of contracting HN or transmitting the virus to their partners. In .September, 1991, Project Aries received a $2 million grant from the National Institutes of Mental Health. A right wing newspaper in New York, I11e New York Guardia11, ran a September cover story calling the program a "homosexual hotline." The article quoted Rev. Donald Wildmon, president of the American Family Association, who said about the project, "If it wasn't so serious it would be funny. The National Institutes of Health is part of the homosexual lobby like PBS and the NEA, a lobby that has extraordinary influence in the media and the highest levels of government." Pentaaon nixes aav chaolains t.THE P'tNTAGON DE~ERRED action on a · request by the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches to have chaplains in the U.S. armed forces until the church presents a candidate who is heterosexual. The church's current candidate, the Rev. Carolyn D. Pruitt, was dismissed from the.Army after announcing that she is lesbian. - The Lutheran Michigan bishop warns pastors t.LESS THAN TWO MONTHS after taking office, Donald Ott, Michigan United Methodist Bishop, has barred his clergy from blessing gay couples. At the same time he urged his church to continue its discussions on the issue. Bishop Ott banned his clergy from conducting "an event in which a public covenant is made between same-sex people, akin to marriage, impl ying blessing or endorsement." Ott also inform ed the clerg y that he expects them to call him or their District Superintendent if they are consider ing attending or taking part in any kind of blessing. H e said that the was trying to set up some clear boundaries for his cler11y as the church continues its dis.cussions on gay and le sbia n issues within the denomination. - Cruise Clergy group opens dialogue on gay issues t.A CLERGY ASSOCIATION in Charlotte, North Carolina, ha s met with Gays and Lesbians to dialogue on issues that have separated the two groups. Rev. Dick Little, of Advent Lutheran Church, said that the decision to begin sucn dialogue sprang from last year's · Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays' International Convention held in Charlotte . Rev. Jimmy Creech, a heterosexual minister from Raleigh who was removed from his church for supporting Gays and Lesbians, encouraged the focal ministers to meet with the gay and lesbian community. Charlotte Area Clergy Association member Rev. William Medlin said of the meeting, "We can't be in ministry and stand in judgment at the same time. We have to choose." -Q Notes Anti-gay activist links gay rights with Dahmer t.A VIRGINIA ANTI-GAY ACTNIST has kicked off his latest national "Emergency Campaign" to stop the lesbian and gay rights bill, this time linking gay rights to the crimes of mass murderer Jeffrey Dahmer and accused Philadelphia sex offender Ed Savitz. Longtime anti-gay fundraiser Eugene Delgaudio issued his six-page direct mail assault on lesbian and gay Americans under the banner of his Virginia-based Public Advocate of the U.S. The right-wing organization was responsible for the abundant signs on the floor of the Republican National Convention proclaiming "Family Rights Forev er, 'Gay' Rights Never." Del gau dio said that if the "twisted bill" becomes law , "radical homosexuals and lesbia ns will be free to prey on small children to replenish the 'homose xua l community.'" -Baltimore Alternative Falwell mav revive Moral Majoritv . MDDRESSJNG A GROUP OF evangelica1 ministers in Burlingame, Cahf., Jerry Falwell said that if President Clinton fulfills his campaign promises to lift the ban on Gays and Lesbians in the military, lo sign a federal gay rights bill and to support pro-ch01ce legislation , he may rev ive the now-defunct Moral Ma1onty. Falwell said the country 1s "on the verge of moral collapse" and made it clear that his decision will depend on how the Clinton adminstration deals with the nation's social issues. - GayNet New Catholic catechism urges respect for Gays t.THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH in November unveiled a ne w catechi sm that is more tolerant of hom osex uality. Seven years in the making, the new catechism follows traditional teachings in condemning homosexual acts and in instructing Gays to practice chastity. But it adds that since most Gays do not willingly choose their sexual orientati on, they "must be welcomed with respect ; compassion and delicacy." The 676-page b oo k continues, "One must avoid all un1ust discrimination against them." It is the first new catechism since 1566. -11,e Lutl1eran Far riaht suffersetback in California assembly races t.CAPI'l'OL COMMONWEALTH GROUP'S big bucks strategy failed in the effort to win California Assembly seats for candidates who are committed to the agenda of the theocratic religious right. Of the 20 Republican candidates backed and banl<rolled by the group, only six won election to the Assembly. The election cost the Capitol Commonweal! h Group, which in May became the Alhed Business PAC, at least$ 2 million. Rev. Jerry Sloan, Co-Chair of Pro!ect Tocsin, said, "While we're pleased with the results of the election, we hope people wi I not be lulled int_o a false sense of security . Our people need to realize that the theocratic right will not be deterred by this election setback. They're like chameleons which change colors to fit their.surroundings.'' Politically incorrect anthology seeks submissions t. WE'RE NOT WHO YOU THINK, an anthology for those who feel excluded because of beliefs o r affiliations, is seeking submissions from Gays and Lesbians who are "not all Democrats, vegetarians , or Queer Nation members." For information, send a selfaddressed, stamped envelope to P.O. Box 2745, Quincy, MA 02269. Clinton: Victory. not possible without gay, lesbian support WASHINGTON, D.C.- To the wild applause of gay, lesbian and bisexual activists from around the country, Bill CHnton, in a letter of support, acknowledged his <!ebt to the gay community and thanked gay voters for making .his presidential campaign victory possible. The surprise Clinton letter was read by former National Gay and Lesbian Task Force chief Urvashi Vaid at the opening of the 1992 NGLTF Policy Institute Creating Chang~ Conference. The 5th annual conference was held in Los Angeles, Nov. 13-15. 'To my friends al the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force," said Clinton in his letter, " ... Hillary and I would like to thank you all for the hard work you have done for the advance- · ment of human rights for gay and lesbian people everywhere. It is an inspiration to us all. "I would also like . to take this opportunity . to thank .every one of you for your tremendous support during our campaign for change - without your support our victory on November 3rd would not have been possible. I now ask you again for your help and support in implementing the changes that are needed to get America moving forward once more," Clinton wrote. Peri Jude Radecic, NGLTF acting executive director, said, 'This conference took on heightened significance as the first national gathering of the gay and lesbian community following the presidential elections. We stand as a people at a dramatic turning point." Next year's Creating Change conference will be held in November in the Washington, D.C. area. For information, contact Ivy Young, NGLTF Creating Change Coordinator, 1734 14th St. NW, Washington, DC 20009, (202)332-6483. Hundreds gather to launch banned prayer ·book By Mayne Ellis Special to Second Stone Daring to Speak Love's Name, a gay/ lesbian prayer book compiled by Dr . Elizabeth Stuart, and banned by the Anglican Church's publishing house, · was the focus of a remarkable launch on October 27. Over 300 people filled Westminster Auditorium, London, for an evening of worship and protest. John S. Spong, Bishop of Newark, New Jersey, delivered the keynote address .. 'To preserve unity," he observed, "the church plays to fear and prejudice." "God works in such strange ways to draw t_his broken world into the wholeness for which it was created. The Christian Church so frequently raises its institutional voice to offer support to the forces of oppression and prejudice. When that happens the wide disparity between the Gospel of God's love and the way the church actually lives out that Gospel, when its institutional vested interests are threatened, becomes obvious." · Spong noted that Archbishop George Carey, in his address to the American House of Bishops, criticised "one issue Christians," citing feminism, biblical fundamentalism and homosexuality as "tangential issues ." Spong noted his s.urprise that any thinking Christian could consider the status of women, th e abuse of scripture, and human sexuality to be marginal issues. They are interlocked, he said, defining basic struggles in the Christian church, and he resoundingly affirmed his ongoing support on these issues. To a standing ovation, he called the church to open its heart and mind to gay and Little Rock congregation sets progressive pace for Arkansas LITTLE ROCK - Pulaski Heights Christian -Church (Disciples of Christ) has become the first Arkansas congregation in the mainline tradition to name itself "Open and Affirming" of all persons, including lesbian, gay, and bisexual Christians . Responding to the defeat a year ago of Michael Kinnamon ii;I his bid for the top post of the 1.1 n,.illion member denomination, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), due primarily to his support of iesbian and gay persons in the church, .the congregation felt compelled to , make explicit its position . The Little ' Rock congregation has formally_. joined with . thirteen other Disciples of Christ congregations and campus ministries to join the Open and Affirming Ministries Program coordinated by the Gay, Lesbian, and Affirming Alliance (GLAD). Writing in the church's newsletter the week•'following the vote, Pastor Arnotd Nelson reflected that the congregation, in seeking to remain inclusive, had become a meeting elace for ·a ri~h diversity of people . We've made quite an amazing patchwork quilt of saints and sinners," wrote Nelson, "and I love us for it." The congregation proudly touts the maxim, ''This church has no doctrine but Christ, preaches no gospel but love, and has no purpose but to serve." The official statement reads, in part: 'We welcome all who profess Jesus of Nazareth as the Christ, Son of the Living God. We affirm the value and dignity of all without reference to other tests of fellowship or any life condition . We celebrate Christ's call to all his disciples and in his name we embrace each other as brothers and sisters." The Gay, Lesbian, and Affirming Disciples Alliance was formed in 1979 to maintain a visible presence in outreach to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and affirming members and congregations of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The organization established the Open and Affirming Ministries program after the Findlay Street Christian Church in Seattle , Washington announced its inclusive vision 'in 1987. The Christian Church, the largest North American-born mainline tradition, has over 4,000 congregations throughout the U.S. and Canada. lesbian people . The gathering featured readings and scripture from Daring to Speak Love's Name, a blessing of relationships performed by the Rev. Jean Elder and Fr . Bernard Lynch, and music performed by the MCC Women's Choir and the London Gay Men's Choir. Dr. Elizabeth Stuart, lecturer at St. Mark's and St. John's Theological College and editor of Daring to Speak Lave's Name, took the podium to massive applause and told of the dramatic events surrounding the book's publication . Initially, she · had been commissioned by the Society to Promote Christian Knowledge to produce Daring to Speak Love' s Name. Early last year, someone on the editorial board alerted the Archbishop of Canterbury, President SEE LAUNCH, Page 20 LGCM to investigate "ex-gay" movement LONDON - The Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement has appointed a commission to investigate Christian-inspired attempts to "heal" or "convert" Gays and Lesbians to heterosexuality. The ex-gay programs in England are being described as a "new, alarming trend." Taking note of the obvious need to examine and evaluate the claims and m ethods of ex-gay organizations LGCM's team has been asked to consult extensively with all interested parties and publish their findings . LGCM has appointed Tony Green as secretary of the commission. Commenting on the launching of the commission, LGCM's General Secretary Rev. Richard Kirker said, "We take the view that to coerce anyone to abstain from a sexual relationship, solely because . of sexual orientation, leads to a profoundly distorted and incomplete life. Rather than offering true healing to the sexually confused or vulnerable the ex-gay movement simply crea te s an illusion of false hope. People who are inisled in this way are denied the chance of finding sexual wholeness and God 's unconditional love. We must warn of these dangers." The controversy has been gaining momentum as a result of several newspaper articles and a television documentary appearing within the last year. Classified SPECIAL FIRST TEN WORDS FREE! Meet a new customer for your business ... a new friend in a city you'll be visiting soon ... a new pen pal. .. the possibilities are exciting! Second Stone classifieds reach readers in every state and many foreign countries. 20 words just $3.50! 30 words just $7.00! Use the order form on the classified page or FAX your ad to (504)891-7555, including classification, months to run and billing address. 20 word minimum. Each additional word, 35¢. Second Stone•January/February, 1911·1 UFMCC rebuffed by . National Counci.l of Churches ANGRY LESBIAN AND GAY Christians demonstrated on the floor of the National Council of Churches meeting in Cleveland on November 12 after NCC's General Board rejected by a vote of 90 to 81 the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches' application for observer status. "It's easier to get into heaven than into the NCC," said the Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson of Los Angeles, Ecumenical Officer for the UFMCC, who was invited to the dias to speak after the vote. "We have come to this point after 11 years of relationship with you," she continued. "And now we have had to endure this experience of hearing you have a conversation about us, but not with us." The vote touched off an emotional demonstration by UFMCC members, as well as by members of gay and lesbian caucuses from denominations that already belong to the council and from other non-member denominations. Leaders from these groups were meeting in Cleveland in conjunction with the NCC meeting. The vote came nine months after Orthodox churches resumed ties with the NCC after a 10-month split to protest liberal positions of the council and member denominations on homosexuality and other issues. After the meeting, Elder Wilson rejected the NCC Membership Committee's recommendation that talks continue between the council and UFMCC, saying there would be no point to such talks after the church had been so severely rebuffed. The predominantly lesbian and gay UFMCC had applied for observer status in May, 1992, following the termination of an 11-year prncess of investigation and. dialogue which followed UFMCC's application for NCC membership in 1981. Observer status, which confers only the opportunity to attend meetings and speak with the chair's permission, had previously been given to Muslim and Jewish groups and to the Unitarian Universalist denomination, which ordains openly gay and lesbian persons and blesses same-sex unions. NCC spokesman J. Martin Bailey said the primary opponents to granting observer status to the UFMCC were the Eastern Orthodox · churches, some of the historically African-American denominations and the Korean Presbyterian Church in the United States. 'There were 12 [of a total of 32] denominations which, according to an informal poll in the corridors, said that if observer status was granted they would be forced to leave the council,': he said. At the same meeting the NCC voted to seek better ties with Roman Catholic, Pentecostal and evangelical churches, groups which strongly oppose equality for Lesbians and Gays. To build ties with them, the General Board extended its ecumenical committee's work through 1995 and added five employees for relations with those groups. "We will be making much closer contact with them and inviting them to our meetings so we would have much closer relationships with them and a fuller understanding of each other," said NCC presiden.t, the Rev. Syngman Rhee. Lesbian/gay religious leaders meet during NCC gathering REPRESENTATIVESO F MOST of the nation's gay and lesbian Christian caucuses and the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches met in Cleveland November 10-13 in conjunction with the meeting of the General Board of the National Council of Churches. More than 25 representatives from 13 organizations attended. The group, which last met in 1989, shared concerns among the various groups struggling for equal rights within their respective denominations. The gay and lesbian leaders also wanted to be present at the NCC meeting to support the UFMCC's request for observer status and to remind delegates of []] Second Stone•January/February1. 993 the presence of gay and lesbian members in their own denominations. The meeting on Tuesday, November 10 was held at the national headquarters of the United Church of Christ in downtown Cleveland. · In other action, the gay and lesbian leaders made plans to meet again in November, 1993 and also sponsor a joint presence at the March on Washington in April, 1993. They expressed outrage at Rev. Jane Spahr's rejection as pastor of the Downtown United Presbyterian Church in Rochester, New York, and called for action against the state of Colorado. · Lesbian, Gay and Bisexua\ · We Are J\\read)1In The church Lesbian and gay Christian leaders protest at the NCC General Board meetinr after the vote on the UFMCC observer status on Nov, 12, 1992. R@. Nancy Wilson, Ecumenical Officer for the UFMCC, is second &om right. PhotoK: ittredgCe herryU, FMCC Free ticket to DC for three longest term couples Love and fidelity to be celebrated at March AMERICA'S LONGEST TERM lesbian, gay and bisexual couples will be honored at The Wedding, a massive ceremony of commitment to be held April 24, as part of The March on Washington. Rev. Troy Perry, founder and moderator of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches has announced that the UFMCC is launching a national search for the lesbian, gay and bisexual couples who have stayed together the longest. The UFMCC will give the three longestterm couples a free round-trip airline ticket to Washington to attend the ceremony. "I want to celebrate the love and fidelity of these three extraordinary couples and show Middle America and the world that our relationships last as long as · those in the heterosexual community, even with all the cultural pressures against us," Perry said. "I have already received a letter from a gay male couple who just celebrated their 46_th year together. I am sure there are many, many couples out there who have been together for decades. I want to hear from them." · Rev. Perry· will conduct the wedding ceremony at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 24. He expects the ritual to set a world record as the largest ceremony of its kind ever held, with at least 4,000 gay, lesbian and bisexual couples exchanging vows. Long-term couples may contact Rev. Perry by writing to The Wedding, UFMCC, 5300 Santa Monica Blvd., Ste. 304, Los Angeles, CA 90029. ·•@ii·)!EID:ttiNHitail·lifflD!BD:l=ma•i·t◄?!mi•m- Bishops, Queens and Pawns By Kevin Calegari Special to Second Stone Ed. Note: The National Conference of CatholicB ishopsm et in Washington,D C in mid-November to discuss issues facing the AmericanC atholicC hurch. In this article, Dignity/USA president Kevin Calegaris haresh is reflectionso n the gathering. I didn't have any illusions. I didn't expect to see centuries of sexism and homophobia overturned. But somehow, I thought that four days with 275 Catholic bishops at the National Conference of Catholic Bishops meeting in mid-November would be fun. What better opportunity to schmooze and buttonhole and put "in their face" the story of lesbian, gay and bisexual people? Yes, it was fun. There were moments of humor, and there was a bit of a thrill to be in the middle of it all. But after four days of wading through a sea of black suits as it rolled, crested and · crashed through the halls and ballrooms of the Omni Shoreham Hotel, I know one thing. I don't want to have to do it again. Now, don't get me wrong. I haven't lost my faith. They say that a trip to Rome can make one lose one's faith. Well, I've been to Rome too many times, and I still believe. In God, yes. In Christ,yes. In God's people and their work for peace and struggles for justice, yes. But I know better than to look to my bishops for clear guidance and moral leadership wheri it comes to gender and sexual justice. I look to the work and faith of all the women and men of our tradition, of which I am a part. I believe not in it petrified tradition jealously guarded by those in power . I look to a living . tradition, handed on by those who struggle with the big questions in their lives, the tradition handed on especially by those not in power. · I believe, for all its sexism and homophobia, racism and classism, the Christian tradi lion can be redemptive. And I believe, somehow, that the tradition can be redeemed. God speaks a word of challenge in the lives of my powerless sisters and · brothers. This is where I find hope. On November 16, the first day of · .the meeting, over 100 Dignity members and New Ways Ministry supporters gathered outside the Omni Shoreham for a prayer rally. We had with us over 12,400 petitions gathered from across the country, rebutting last summer's dastardly memo from the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. This document instructed bishops to oppose our civil rights, resurrecting old myths and tired stereotypes and, in the process, violating several principles of Catholic theology: so much for a magisterium .which carefolly guardsand preserves the. tradition. After weeks of negot1ahons ai1d heated debate in the bishops' administrative committee, the conference agreed to acknowledge our presence and delegated Bishop James Malone to meet us and receive the petitions. A small victory. But a significant one, since this is the first time the bishops conference has acknowledged that we exist, let alone sent a bishop to meet with us. It follows on an unprecedented meeting I had last summer at the Vatican, and numerous private meetings with bishops around the country. In fact, Dignity has met with more church officials in the last four months than in the previous six years. Why all this "dialogue" after so many years of stalemate? The famous Ratzinger Jetter of 1986, which banned Dignity and made "intrinsic disorder" a household phrase, had a chilling effect on lesbian/ gay ministry and theological reflection in official church circles. While discussion was cut off or · limited by official guidelines, ministry and reflection continued to flourish in liminal communities such as Dignity.· However, the outrageous statements in the recent CDF memo has pushed members of the hierarchy to join in conversation once again. While it was prompted by certain American -prelates (our sources indicate that Francis Stafford, Archbishop of Denver, and Cardinal James Hickey, Archbishop of Washington, were involved in its drafting), few bishops or other Catholics, for that matter, agree with the fundamentalist ideology prominent in the memo. The consensus is that Rome has gone too far. Even a Gallup survey commissioned by Dignity and other groups last spring shows that.78 percent of U.S. Catholics support equal rights for lesbian and · gay people. Unfortunately, the bishops did not take up the issue of lesbian/ gay rights in floor debate. Their energies were consumed by the pastoral on women's concerns and, in executive session, by the Vatican deficit and by the clergy pedophilia problem. While I received numerous words of encouragement, even praise from individual bishops, no one was willing to stand up to Rome publicly with blunt words of criticism. It is a sorry state of affairs, this conspiracy of fear and silence. Clearly, the bishops are divided on our concerns, powerless to combat the violence and bigotry we face, even when some are so inclined. If there was too much silence on lesbian and gay issues, there was no dearth of discussion on the proposed women's pastoral. Since sexism and homophobia are linked and intertwined, I did not feel as if lesbian/ gay concerns were -ignored. The debate on "women's concerns" was, by extension, a debate on lesbian/ gay concerns as welf. After all, how can a church even consider affirming its lesbian, gay and bisexual members if a "natural resemblance" to Christ (understood in the Vatican's 1976 Inter Insigniores as possession of a penis) is a prerequisite for priesthood? The nine-year effort was probably doomed to failure from the start. How could a group of men write about women's concerns without looking paternalistic? The fourth draft, after numerous interventions from the Vatican, virtually obliterated the voices of women which had been part of earlier drafts. The eventual 137-110 vote, short of the 190 votes required for approval, showed a rift among bishops never before exposed. While not a debate on women's ordination per se, the issue was clearly on their minds. Courageous progressives appealed for openness to further dialogue, and spoke of women's alienation and anger. Bishop Thomas Costello called the prosposed draft "intrinsically and internally inconsistent." Conservatives trembled, fearing that a failure of resolve now would open the floodgates to worse heresies. Bishop Austin Vaughan put . a new twist on "anatomy as destiny" by moaning, "a woman can no more be a priest than I can have a baby." Hearing the frank and often opposing statements was refreshing, even a cause for joy: here one could actually observe the painful retirement of one paradigm and the slow emergence of another. The floodgates were opened, and the sea of black suits was leaking out in every direction. Imposed unanimity, the "unity of uniformity" which is antithetical to Catholic tradition, fell apart. One bishop noted, "the genie is out of the bottle." Added a waggish observer, "and it's a girl." · Admittedly, these changes come too slow for many of us. But cl1anges are Come follow Jesus with us! Brothers of the Mercy of God :A. ~~II. t? _C?f;lf;ll!n!l(. Call us for literature about our Religious Community We are an inclusive Order. 341 E. Center St. #212 Manchester, CT 06040 1-800-366-2337 Wait tor beep then dial 11903. Call from anywhere in the USA. The Brothers have for sale, home made candies and confections, fudge, choc olate dipped fruit, and butter crunch. Please ask for candy brochure. afoot in Catholicism, which is good for Catholics and their neighbors alike. At their November meeting, the bishops heard the voices of women loud and clear, whether they liked what they heard or not. The bishops met the gay and lesbian Catholics for the first time. They also met with survivors of clergy pedophilia, thus ending years of denial of a problem stemming from the church's sexual dysfunctionality. The bishops faced not only those seeking justice, they° faced their own limitations. Any pastor would call this a valuable lesson in spiritual development. . While the feminist and lesbian/ gay movements have been saying for years that "the emperor has no clothes," it was remarkable to see, in the bishops' admission of failure, the emperor himself acknowledging his nakedness and vulnerability. Mary's words come to mind: "God .has brought down the powerful from their thones, and lifted up the lowly" (Luke 1:52). The powerless have confronted the powerful, and the tradition lives on; to be reformed, enriched and redeemed by the lives and voices of those who can no longer be ignored. In the end, the women's pastoral lost. The Body of Christ, and especially its female, lesbian, gay: and bisexual members, won an important, if interim, victory. 8181.EST l/!1YG ROUPS SOCAILS• WORKSHOP• SR ETRAETS HIVI AIDSS UPPORGTR OUP PASTORACLA REI COUNSELING FORG ay& L esbaniC hrsitians InS outheCrant ifom..s.i ain c1e9 79 Suite 109-Box 16 7985 Santa Monica Boulevard Wssr Hollywood . CA 90046 '" 213/ 6 56- B570 .rtf~3;i·ft:~,~ ·,r·· . ·,_~ ' ../ . '- °'%' ··- .. , I ). ' ' "•"- \,..L ~ w~1{~1~i~~-- //" pool, hot tub, skiing and more. Innkeepers Judi.th Hall and Grace Newman invite you to write or call for a brochure. P. 0. Box 118 SL Bethlehe m, NH 03574 (603). 869-3978 Second Stone•January/February'. 1993' [I] Cover Story .................................... •- ................................... . ., World Community Builders completes mission in Dominican Republic COVER STORY From Page 1 vision of building community with those in need, wherever the need might be, as opposed to just building structures, according to Rev. Stephen Fund, founder and director of World Community Builders. He is sometimes asked whether it would be better to just send money and let locals do their own construction but, says Fund, the work project can be thought of as an excuse for being with the people. "People often come away from cross-cultural experiences with a new perspective on life, a new understanding of one's self, and a stronger commitment to serve others as Christ would serve," Fund says. Reclining on the couch at his Atlanta home, which serves as the headquarter s for World Community Builders, Rev. Stephen Fund reflects on the ministry he has long dreamed of. "This is a faith venture for me," he begins io exp lain. "When I resig ned as p as tor of All Saints Metropolitan Comm uni ty Chu rch (in Atlant a), people aske d me, 'What are you gonna do?' and I answered, Tm going to hy to dev elop the mission prog ram,' and people would say, 'Yeah, b ut what ar e you goin g t 9, do?' They meant how was I g oing to pay the bills." So far, it seems God has provide d fo r the ne e ds of World Community Builders as they come off their first ten day work camp . Many temporal needs still exist, like money for more camps, a photocopier and other busc iness office expenses, but all evidence suggests a spiritual need has been met by World Community Builders. The pavilion built at the El Tamarindo site will serve as a community center and as a meeting place for MCC El Tamarindo.· It is the first UFMCC church building in the Dominican Republic. The 18 volunteers represented ten churches, nine cities, and eight states . Eleven were men and seven were women with ages ranging from 30 to 65. Rev. Howard Williams, pastor of MCC Santo Domingo and Francisco Barrera, student cleric and pastor of MCC El Tamarindo, provided local coordination of the project. Fund gets the same gleam in his eye when he talks about World Community Builders that a proud parent gets when pictures of his kid s are passed around. The seed of WCB was planted when Fund was only 17. While attending high school in southern California, he went on his first work camp to Mexico in 1970 [fill' Second Stone•January/February. 1993 with a Church of God organization called Vacation Samaritans. "It just rang my b.ells," he recalls: The next summer, he went to Panama with the Samaritans and a pattern was established. ''Between those two work camps, I really sensed that I was being called into missionary work," he says. 'The program was very significant for me in identifying where I was to head in the future." But, it would be ten years before WCB came into existence. In that time, Fund became a pilot and worked for Vacation Samaritans until 1977, when he began to realize he was gay. His corning out process was very slow, he says, as he struggled to reconcile his gayness, his Christianity and his calling . By 1984 he had begun his journey into the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Church es and was called to be a lay leader at thei r Tacoma , Washington con grega tion . Th ere he became s tu dent clergy, earni ng his licensur e b y 1987. Tha t year als o marked his first fulltime pastorate at All Saints MCC in Atlanta. All du ring th at time, his heart and mind never st rayed far from m issions and outreach. "I tr ied ver y hard to keep my congrega tion involved in mis sions," says Fund. "While I past ore d in Tacoma, we supported MCC in Nigeria. At All Saints, w e sent support to Santo Domingo." World Communit y Builders was born at a dinner table in Phoenix, Arizona in 1991. While at the UFMCC General Conference that year, Fund went out to dinner with several old friends. ''The conversation turned to missions, and it was like the table lit up," he remembers, with that gleam in his eyes, "there was a spirit there. We all had a burden for missions and wanted to see MCC do more in the international community." On that same trip, Fund visited with his old friend, Dr. Darrell Jones, leader of Vacation Samaritans . He ran the idea past Dr. Jones, who was supportive and continues to be a resource for World Community Builders. Now, Fund looks to the future of WCB, dreaming of four w ork camps a year . Through the UFMCC World Church Exiension, there is no shortage of areas that can use their help. And, with Fund's gift of faith, hopefully there w ill be no shortage of people to help him build a true world community. Those attending a work camp are responsible for their own expenses, including travel and a donation toward building supplies, although church and community service g_roups sometimes raise funds to sponsor volunteers. Although some of . the work is stren uou s, support jobs ·such as food preparation provide a place to contribute for those who are not physically strong. Workers need not be familiar with the local language. A lot of communication can take place without words, says Fund. "Love is a universal language." Fund explains his philosophy on missions this way. "Abraham and · Sarah were blessed to be a blessing. God didn't intend for them to keep the blessing to themselves or to Israel, but that through their descendents, meaning Jesus, the whole world would be blessed. We, in America, are bless ed, and we need to spread that blessing ." Mary Bologna didn't know she wanted to go to Santo Domingo. The 47 year old medical secretary from Atlanta is a member of All Saints MCC. While at the denomination's District Conference in Chattanooga, Tennessee in November of 1991, she says she was praying for God's will in her life . "I prayed that God would put me where I was supposed to be," she recalls. "When I came home from conference, and went to church there was a presentation on World Church Extension that included a small part about Santo Domingo. It was like a lightbulb went on and I said, 'That's where I'm going."' The very next day she got a passport and began searching for more .information on how she could get to Santo Domingo . She began writing to Rev. Howard Williams, the . minister at the . Santo Domingo church, and they kept regular corres pondence. A few months later, SEE WCB, Next Page Stacking blocks for posts, left to right, Carson Malcomb Charlie (Dominican worker), Mary Bologna, Dan Leary ' Helping the PWA homeless , By The Latest Issue IN A LARGE SENSE every American with AIDS is homeless. Federal funding ' and polices governing treatment and research are shamefully inadequate. The sad reality of the 90s is that more and more people with AIDS are becoming homeless not only in the symbolism of a nation's neglect, but in physical terms as well. The causes of homelessness among people with AIDS are in many ways similar to the causes of homelessness among the general population. "People who cannot work, who have no assets or strong family connections are at risk of becoming homeless," says Dan Delaney, administ rator of Loaves and Fishes, a Sacramento, Cal., organization supported by the Catholic Church. The program serves the poor and homeless through a variety of community based programs, includ ing Hope House, a home for people with AIDS. to actually receive the grant can be from six to eight months. This is more than enough time to exhaust · the resources of most people and head them into the downward spiral of homelessness. 'The federal housing budget · was cut by 75 percent during the Reagan-Bush era," Delaney said. "All the money that we've gone into debt for during the last twelve years went into the military budget and they tried to gut everything else. "When the economy is good there are a lot of people who just' hang on by the edge, but when , the economy contracts some people fall off the edge," Delaney said. While the federal Supplemental . A scenario of a person with AIDS sliding toward homeless0 ness was offered by Carlo Parker, a community outreach worker to the Sacramento AIDS Foundation. "Some people get a positive diagnosis and panic," said Parker. 'The person may think, I'm going to die anyway, and then may go off on a tangent of alcohol and drug abuse. They lose their self esteem and the wreckage that they create in their life creates WCB, Security Income prog ram provides individuals approximate ly $675 per month, the waiting time From Previous Page Stephen Fund, then minister at AH Saints, announced the first WCB work camp would be in Santo Domingo. "I was the first to sign up," says Bologna. When the plane landed in Santo Domingo in November of 1992, her year of waiting was over. "It was like going home to a family," she says smiling. 'There were no barriers, even though we didn't speak the same language. We just communicated." There was a bit of a culture shock. Most Dominicans live in abject poverty. Their homes are small shanties with no doors or windows, and only occasional electricity. There is no running water or air conditioning. But, what struck Bologna was the spirit of the people. "I've never seen so much laughing and singing," she .exclaims. Each night, after working hard all day to build the church in El Tamarindo, they would sit under the stars and sing. "Now, when I leave work at 7 p.m., I think, They are singing now,"' she smiles. 'These people are so happy and they don't even know they are poor. They are so peaceful." The culture also identifies homosexua ls in a different way. Those men considered exclusively gay are those who cross-dress or act effeminate. "Most of them don't fit these categories," explains Fund. "Most of them are or have been married and have children. They are not considered gay although they may be involv e,d with other men and prefer that." ' Fund estimates that 95% of the men in the Santo Domingo -church are what we would call gay. Most of the women attending are wives, mothers and sisters of the men and as in many cultures, what the women do sexually is largely ignored, so it's hard to say how many Lesbians are in the congregation. But, cultural definitions didn't seem to make much difference in how people treated one another, or their American guests . Bologna says the hard work of building a pavilion at El Tamarindo brought everyone together . "Men, women, and children were all helping. We dug ditches, we hauled cinder blocks and more," she remembers. 'Tve never done construction work before. The dirtiest my hands ever get is when I repot a plant. But I worked hard, we all did. I've never seen such a dedicated more wreckage - which makes natives to ·the lifestyles they are the compulsion to 'use' even leading.'' stronger - and the wreckage even While the poor economy of the greater." Bush administration and the sub- The harsh reality of life on the sequent unraveling of our social streets also causes difficulty for fabric are undoubtably a root those with HIV. Like some sad, cause of the homelessness among weird reflection of "normal" soci-, : HIV sufferers, . Dan Delaney ety, the homeless HIV sufferer : , believes that the true problem fears discrimination. lies somewhere within the col- "Even among those who have lective American psyche. 'There · been tested, homeless HIV vie- is some part and parcel of the tims don't admit that they have American mentality that leaves HIV, because the street culture the poor and the sick behind," will discriminate against them," . said Delaney. "Most other counsaid Parker. ' tries who are generally recog- The young constitute still nized as civilized don't allow this another group of homeless HIV type of thing to occur." sufferers whose numbers continue If what Delaney says if true, if to grow. They are the runaways there is some tragic crack, some or throwaway kids whose lives Achilles heel in the American often become an incoherent jum- character which allows us as a ble of hustling ~d drug abuse. society to throw the dying on the Jerry Love, a health education worker for the Sacramento AIDS: Foundation believes that the number of younger homeless people is indeed growing. "Outreach to the young around so called 'public sex environments' is very impo rta nt," said Love. 'They need to know that there is hope and that there are alterstreet, then surely now is the time for us to come together and attempt to correct that deficit. Dan Delaney, Jerry Love, Carlo Parker and countless others are doing their par t to end the plight of homeless HIV sufferers. It's time for the rest of us to find ways to join the fight. -Dave Roelke Reprintedw ith pennissionjl 'om .. , The Latest Issue. , bunch of people, both Americans and Dominicans." The sweat, laughter and love produced an open air pavilion and the village's only flushing toilet and runni ng water sinks. The building doesn't look like an American idea of . a church, but it's just what the community needs. . 'They don't need walls and glass in their humid climate," explains Fund. 'They need a place for the breeze to come through and a roof to keep the sun off their heads. It also produced a long lasting ' .. friendship between those who went and the Dominicans. Bologna says she will keep in touch with her new family, writing to them, and trying to learn Spanish in time for the next trip. World Community Builders plans to return to Santo Domingo in Marcl1 to help fix up the San Salvador• · Orphanage and build a lean-to at the El Tamarindo site. Bologna says she will be there. 'The bonding that we did was unbelievable," she gushes, trying to recapture the feeling in words. "I never anticipated that. I was afraid of talking to people because I didn't speak the language, but you didn't have to. What comes from a heart, goes to a heart." WCB director Re·v. Steve Fund carries cement to worksite SecondS tone•Jaimary/refmiiiry1;9 '93'![]]] ......... Families _. ........ ....... ........... ........ . . ......... • .• ........ . Buildingg ay and lesbianf amilies By Rev. Sylvia Pennington Contributing Writer Ed. Note: The late Rev. Sylvia Pennington filed this article with Second Stone in November, 1990. -~onsiderable progress has . been made over the past · two decades allowing gay and lesbian people to parent, ave nests and live more of the kind of family life they grew up in. It's commonly known that many gay people sort c,f merge into their own families with one another. Some parents cannot accept a homosexual child. Others are able to accept their homosexual child, but not the child's mate. I know of a gay male couple who in their 25 year relationship have never spent a Christmas - or any holiday or major family event - together. Members of the younger generation usually will not put up with this. If they cannot attend family functions as a couple, they just don't go at all. Does this mean that they do not have a family in the larger sense? Not really. Many people in this situa- ■ tion seem to be able to find other couples facing the same problem and together become extended family. And while many couples are content in their relationsh ip with, each other and extended family, others seek to include children, either their own or adoptive, in their family unit. Today, many lesbian mothers and some gay fathers are given custody of their children, with the other parent hav- .; ing visitation rights. A while back, a 16 year old boy hung himself in the basement of his mother's home in a small town in Missouri. The boy's father , a gay man, married at 18 years of age in an attempt to "do the right thing" and, perhaps, to get "straightened out." At 19 he became a father and at 21 he realized he could no longer keep up the pretense of being heterosexual. During the divorce hearing, his homosexuality became a major issue. The judge granted very minimal visitation rights and the visits had to be chaperoned . The child had heard about "faggots" and "queers" and how they couldn't be trusted to be alone with even their own child. Despite this the boy loved his father and ■ Let a new light shine for someone you love. Second Stone is a gift of love, comfort, inspiration and resolution for friends and family who may be in doubt, despair, isolation or suffering illness. Give the special people in your life the gift of Second Stone. We'll take it from there. FROM, Yes ... My Name Please send a gift """" SW, Zip subscription and card City in my name to the · N,me pers on( s) listed: - [ I One gift, $15 aiy [ ] Two gifts, $29 sure Zip [ I Three gifts, $47, ~gnGilt_!:,rd Add $10 for each Name foreign subscribe r. Address U.S. currency. aiy PAYMENf sw, ENa.DSFD: Z1p SignGl(!Cw Use additiona l sheet for more gi[ts. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 ■ . - rrn~ Sec.onoStone January/February , 1993 " enjoyed his visits with daddy. But the child's early years of hearing so much negativity of what gay people were like traumatized him when, in his early teens, he began to realize that he, too, was gay. Unable to deal with the persecution he knew his father had lived with, he opted to take his own life. every sense a family and the children usually leam at a fairly young age that they simply have two mommies and two daddies. If it's a well bonded unit, the children will be able to pass through the peer pressure of adolescence and know they have a healthy, normal, good home. I know of one family in Colorado The need and desire to be a parent is being realized in a number of ways by gay and lesbian people. Thank God that what this child experienced through years of brainwashing has become much less the norm More often than not if a gay parent does not have custody of the children, they're at least given liberal visitation rights and custody privileges during summer months and major holidays . In most cases now the jay parent remains active in the chi! 's life and so the child is free to learn and understand both sides of the picture. The need and desire to be a parent is being realized in a number of ways by gafE and lesbian people. As single peop e are often given adoption rights today, many childre n are adopted by what appears to be a sing le parent but, in actuality, the_ single parent is part of a gay or lesbian couple. Also, it is not uncommon for a lesbian couple to have one partner artificially inseminated by the other partner's brother so that the blood lines are mixed. Other lesbian coupies, primari ly in major cities, will find doctors who are willing to artificially inseminate them as an openly gay couple. . I know a great many men today who have been used to artificially inseminate a lesbian woman with the understanding that, though the mother will have the primary physical custody of the offspring, the child will know who their father is and spend considerable time with him. I am aware of other couples where both the daddies and the mommies share one large home . They are in where a gay man and lesbian married in order to have a child. During the first two years of the child's life, daddy was th e prima ry child care parent. The couple divorced after a few years and each parent entered into a gay relationship. The child had two homes . When I met him at six years of age, he was a bright, spunky little guy who didn't appear in the least confused over the family arrangement. After school he went home to his daddies where he played, did homework and had dinner. After dinner, he was taken home to his mommies where he was bathed, read to, and tucked into bed. After breakfast, mommy took him to school. The child was fortunate that both sets of parents were nurtur ing, loving, Christian people. Today, at almost 15 years of age, both his tea cher and the school counselor consider him to be a very happy, norma l youngster. At the present time, he lives primarily with his dads who are now in the 12th year of their relationship. His mother's relationship didn't last and, since she's back in school and also working, it 's more convenient for him to stay with his dads , but he still sees his mother a Jot. I'm not sure how it comes about, but I know of many gay and lesbian couples today who get babies shortly after the baby's birth. Most of these babies are of mixed racial background and from single parents who have chosen to give their babies up to what they consider to be a healthy environmen t for the child. By Southern Voice It's 10 am on a weekday morning. Curtis builds a fire in a garbage barrel for the morning coffee. People come out of their homes, squinting at the morning light. They close doors behind them, doors that latch perfectly. They spill into wide streets filled with dirt and . gravel. Chelsea, the dog, roots around for scraps. Somewhere a pair of cats searches out breakfast. This is morning in Hutsville, a "homeless" community in Atlanta, in the shadow of the Georgia Dome. And this is the gay neighborhood of Hutsville, up on a slight hill centered between two "straight" neighborhoods. Today is a little different from most mornings - a city of Atlanta sanitation crew is bulldozing Hutsville's woodpile about 20 yards away. Curtis is animated. 'They come to take all the wood," he says. "All the wood. You tell me. How we supposed to cook with 110 wood? How we gonna cook?" "They say it looks like trash to them," he continues. ''But it's our wood. How we gonna cook?" Other residents are nodding and talking in agreement, but no one has any ideas of what to do. With the bulldozers droning in the background, life in Hutsville goes on. "We're a community just like anybody else's commun_ity," s.~~s Dale Mines, a four year resident. Its just that when you moved into yours the homes were already built and you had to go into your pocket and pay to stay there." "Us," he continued, "when we got here, there was nothing and we had to go into our muscles and build." And build they did. Out of scraps from the dumps of the Dome construction and whatever else is available, they have built about 20 huts that house over 70 people. 'There's always 72 people," says Mines, "All the time you have some go to jail and at the same time some get out, but basically it's 72 people." Like the individuals who live there, each hut has its own personality. Residents take pride in their huts, keeping them neat and organized. On the door of B. J. Byer's hut is an "Andrew Young for Mayor" sticker. Inside is a table, a camp stove, a full size bed with a patchwork quilt. And burglar bars on the windows. "I've lived here going on 3 years," he says. 'This is my home, but I spend weekends with friends. I live here with a friend of mine, and when we have to go, we'll move together." According to those who live here, the gay community is strong. "It's the gay individuals in this community who hold all the strength," says Mines. 'They're not afraid-to stand up_. The heterosexuals PhotoS: kyeM ason The gay homeless Memories of Hutsville just kind of hang their heads." Mines, who is known as the Mayor of Hutsville, shares his home with a partner. "I didn't run for Mayor," he laughs. "I was just elected." Life in Hutsville is not easy. Residents collect cans to sell for money. They rummage garbage· cans for food. Winter time is cold, meaning more fires for warmth, and often burned huts. Mines' hut, with a stone fireplace and a fence made of pallets surrounding a patio, burned a year ago. He tells the story like this: "Right here, as we sit, this is my patio porch now. This used to be another hut and my house was where you see ·it. His hut caught on fire. And by the Wind being that strong that night, it ignited mine. It was.quite innocent, actually. He went to sleep, he was a little tipsy. The wood fell out of his barrel which was inside his hut. It burnt his and mine went with it. So it's really nobody' fault." While Mines regards his misfortune as "nobody's fault," fires like the one that took his hut are common. 'They get drunk and pull garbage barrels with fires in them into their huts and fall asleep," said Mark . Usserie, a friend of Hutsville's residents. Usserie visits the community several times a week, bringing them food and clothing. 'These peole are driven by crack," he said. "But they're not seedy. They are young intelligent men with high school educations. They don't see beyond today and satisfying their crack addiction ." "Church groups bring food and clothing to them and they turn around and sell them for crack. A few have jobs but most just live, colle~.ting enough cans for crack or beer. , The residents themselves deny any serious addiction problems. "Some of them have an alcohol problem, some of -them have a drug problem," says Mines. "And some of them are just misfits. Do you know you find the most bri!liantist people in trouble?" The residents of Hutsville are, on the most part, unskilled, unprepared for the job market and in need of substance abuse treatment. The population represents the hardest people to place in housing, · "I'd go for transitional housing," said a friend of B. J. Byers, 'That's you," Byers replied. "I want to have my own apartment by myself." "A shelter won't do," said Mines. ''You're under somebody else's roof, there's no privacy." ''You'd have to see what it's like in a shelter to understand this," said Sherry Siclair, housing coordinator for AID Atlanta, which offers support services to HIV+ residents. 'The quality of life at Hutsville is much better than in the shelters. They have a home base, something that's intrinsic to being a human being." "Which would you choose," she added, "sleeping on a cot with 200 other people in_ a_ big room or living SEE HUTSVILLEP, age 19 Second Stone-iiinuary/February, 19931ll] .f-n-t~.f- ·1··n.· a. ? .. ··~ ...... . ..... ~ .. ......... . ........... ~ .............................. . . Out of the Bishop'sC loset By Johnny Townsend ContributingW riter Another religious person realizes the error of his ways and comes out. Ho hum. Out of the Bishop's Closet,° from Alamo Square Press, is not, however, a ho hum book. Antonio Feliz was not only a Mormon bishop, which alone makes his experience more interesting, but he also worked in the Church Office Building in Salt Lake City, interacting daily with the highest officials at the Latter-day Saint Church headquarters. We thus read of personal 'encounters with the Prophet and Twelve Apostles, plus we see the research Feliz has dug up in the closed off Church Archives, material which suggests rather strongly that Joseph Smith, the Church's first prophet, fully accepted homosexuality as being in accordance with God's will. This is what really makes the book, originally published in 1988 and now updated, truly intriguing. Certainly, it is always useful to read of another account of a religiously devoted person who comes to accept his or her homosexuality, and this is the first book-length account from a Mormon perspective. Naturally then, any gay or lesbian Mormon should find this account by a former missionary and then husband and father of four children helpful. But the book actually is insightful for a more generalized audience as well, as it illustrates the workings of church politics, how even "men of God," whom Feliz believes to the end truly are men of God, are still human, very human, something certainly not unique to the Mormon Church. Sneaky financial dealings, and the manner in which doctrine or scripture is "approved" or altered throughout church history throws further light on a church which, like many others, considers itself perfect and the "only true church on the face of the earth." Feliz's experiences as a temple worker who has the power -to marry heterosexual couples "for time and all eternity.,. also put him on a higher level for Mormons, and his dilemma as a bishop who must hold court and excommunicate gay members (one of whom then commits suicide) is also enlightening in how not only internalized homophobia but also the idea of obedience to authority at all cost works. In fact, this leads to a discussion of the famous Milgram experiment, in which subjects were told to inflict electric shocks upon other people and who continued to inflict those shocks despite the agonizing cries of the himself out of school, with the reality that less than half his credits . will · transfer elsewhere. . · This theme . of · "security" runs throughouJ the_book, as Feliz himself is asked by the Apostles to spy on several church members in Salt Lake (for their · opposing doctrines other than the church position on homosexuality). Feliz must follow these members, befriend them, and write down names and license plate numbers, and then report back. The most interesting · material, however, has to be that about the early church reaction to gay members. When a missionary, Lorenzo D. Barnes, dies in England and is buried When they were both seniors at the LOS Brigham Young University, one of them, tracked down at a gay meeting by campus security under direction of the university Standards Office, is coerced to name everyone · else he knows at the school who is gay. "victims." Feliz compares this both with church hierarchy ('The Prohpet will never lead you astray." "If you obey the Priesthood leaders even when they're wrong, God will bless you.") and with society in general. Other "shocking" stories include that of two gay lovers together for several years, one of whom must finally confess a terrible sin to the other. When they were both seniors at the LDS Brigham Young University, one of them, tracked down at a gay meeting by campus security under direction of the university Standards Office, is coerced to name everyone else he knows at the school who is gay. He has only one class left to take before graduation and is threatened with expulsion. He gives the name of his future lover, who, with only one semester left, now finds in Illinois on April 16, 1843, Joseph Smith comforts Lorenzo's '1friend," reflecting that they shared something special, that 'Two who were vary [sic] friends indeed should lie down upon the same bed at night locked in each other's embrace talking of their love & should awake in the morning together that they could immediately renew their conversation of love even while rising from their bed ... " Book denounces biases of writers of the Bible Feliz then points out how Wilford Woodruff, who recorded the above statement, two years later, after Smith's death, and after an official effort to rewrite church history, revised the statement to include a female. Woodruff was the prophet 50 years later to rescind the long standing practice of sealing (marrying) men to men in the temple (now never mentioned as having ever taken place), despite the assertion of Brigham Young Qoseph Smith's successor) that "Men will be sealed to men in the Priesthood ." The discussion is too. involved to convey completely here, but Feliz shows that in other sources, the "vary friend" is referred to as a "sealed Lover" and by Joseph Smith himself as the "Lover" of Barnes, while in the same discussion, Smith talked of the wives and husbands of other people. The chauvinistic-patriarchal mind · set of the writers of the Bib le is responsible for the institutionalization of male dominance over women, the discrimination and fears of people affected by AIDS, the discrimination against blacks and other minorities, and the discrimination, religious persecution and disrespect for the human dignity of Gays and Lesbians, says the author of The Love Forum, Rev. Dr. Emilio E. Marquez,. Pastor and Iii Second Stone•January/February, 1993 Dean of the Independent Church of Religious Science, Long Beach, Cal. One of the main purposes of the book is to neutralize the patriarchal lies of the past, according to Marquez, and to make Lesbians and Gays feel welcome at the church again. He hopes that readers are inspired to respect the Bible for its spiritual treasures, and not be intimidated by the historical biases of Bible writers of the 10th Century B.C. One last bit of history is that of Joseph Smith's interaction with the new convert John C. Bennett. Joseph's brother tells Joseph that Bennett has been driven out of over twenty towns for "buggery," and yet Joseph still appoints Bennett as the first ,mayor of the Mormon town of Nauvoo: Joseph's brother later complains about Bennett's sexual activities with cadets in the Nauvoo Legion, and Joseph refuses to take any action against Bennett. He even makes Bennett the assistant president of the church. All of this, obviously, is repressed by the church today, and Feliz calls out for historians to do further research. The bits we get here are certainly tantalizing, and we can only hope someone takes up his challenge, since Feliz; now excommunicated, has no further access to the archives. There are, despite the jewels in the book, still a few rhinestones. Gram- . matically, Feliz has an infuriating habit of putting a comma after the word "but" or "and" rather than before it, creating odd pauses in flow. More problematic is his assertion that he ·not only receives inspiration from God but actual revelation, and he .recounts a couple of these for us. He , is still convinced that he holds the actual priesthood authority of God, and he talks of heatings he's taken part in. For anyone expecting his leaving the church to mean he's really made a break with it, or with religion in general, the book would be disappointing. But for those who want to see spirituality in action even outside of organized religion, or who want to see insights on church hierarchy or into history, the book offers much on which to reflect. In Print, briefly. .. Bookfo rs traights who don't get it TheS traightP erson'sG uidet o GayP eople'sA nguishb y Dignity/LonBge achle ader JackC astiglionwe asw rittento helpr eaders understand the physically and psycholog1callyd amaginge ffectso f rejection. Thisi s 'the' bookt o givet o the relativeo r friend who 'just can't seem to get it,• accordintgo thea uthor.C astiglioncea rries _on a patient, caring conversation-style monologuwei tht her eadewr hicht henl ead·s intoh ighlyc hargedg,r ippingch apterws hich describe the disturbing struggles which Gaysa ndL esbianfsa ce. · $15.00a t bookstoreost fromt hea uthor, P.0 . Box7 945L, ongB eachC, A9 0807. Gayb ooksc atalog PathsU ntroddena, gayo wnedm ailo rder books e1Vicfeo r literaturec oncerninmg ale homosexualityg,a y liberationa nd men's i~sues has released its annual catalog, listing hundreds of titles. The company specializesin hard to find small press, importeadn do uto f printb ooks. · Catalogfr omP athsU ntroddenP,. O.B ox 3245 Grand Central Stn., New York, NY 10163$, 3.00. T In Print T .................................... •.• ............. . • ..1 .. •·.• .... ~ ~ .......... Ousted cadet: Sensuous Spirituality: Out from Fundamentalism New military policy won't change much By Andrea L. T. Peterson Contributing Writer Virginia Ramey Mollenkott, Crossroad Publishing Co.; 1992; PB; 204 pp. (including appendices and notes) V irginia Ramey Mollenkott, who has been trying to shed light on women's, Gay's, and Lesbian's reality since the late 70s, seems to have upped the wattage with her newest book, Sensuous Spirituality. Her struggle is to get "out from fundamentalism," under which she was raised - to answer the question "How does a fundamentalist who believes she is essenti~lly and totally depraved become transformed into a person who knows she is an innocent spiritual being who is temporarily having human experiences?" · Mollenkott , who aligns her · theology/ ideology most closely with liberation theology, echoes the core of that theology: "spiritual beings who are having human experiences ... demonstrate love for their ultimate and eternal context by enacting tender concern for penultimate and the apparently temporary." In other words, a geniune concern not for self, but for all others (people as well as all other living creatures) and for the planet and its resources is an automatic, almost involuntary by-product of those truly at one with God. To support this thesis, Mollenkott considers and incorporates a number of simple premises. Among them, these three. First, God is "neither male nor female nor ne uter, and yet all-inclusively male and female and neuter." Second, "everyone else at their core is exactly who I am: undivided from God Herself, ulti- In Print, briefly ... Resource for gay and lesbian Mormons No More Strangers and Foreigners is a helpful resource for gay and lesbian Mormons, their friends and family members and also for those who counsel such. The 24-page brochure was written by Robert A. Rees, who served as bishop for five years of a Mormon congregation for singles in Los Angeles. Bishop Rees developed an insight and understanding of gay and lesbian people which is representative of the growmg awareness among members ahd leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Single copies are available for $3.00 each, including first class postage. Bulk discounts also available. -From Grand Teton Graphics, P.O. Box 1826-A, Idaho Falls, ID 83403-1826. mately secure in a love that can never be broken." And third, "we must not measure God's nature by our own." Her initial discussion of the language which we use to name/ describe God is eye-opening as well as entertaining. It would not do her justice to try to thoroughly outline that discussion here. Suffice it to say that since Goddess, Her, She, female, and woman all incorporate the words which refer to males, it makes at least as much sense to use the "more inclusive" words. In addition, since male terms have been considered both normative and inclusive for at least 2000 years, why not give the other set of terms a millennium or two! Mollenkott is not unaware of her humor - nor is she unaware of the true validity of the arguments, in spite of the humorous approach. Hers is, in fact, one of the best - and most convincing - arguments for inclusivity around . Readers may judge for themselves. Sensuous Spirituality is not, however, a treatise on inclusive language. While this discussion of. language is important, the thrust of the book lies in concept of inclusivity implied by the notion of justice . Mollenkott manages to transform the golden rule from "do unto others as you would have others do unto you" into do unto any other as you would have others do unto you if you and "After President Clinton rescinds the military ban on gay personnel, the big news will be how quickly everything returns to normal," pred1ct_ s a former ROTC cadet. Jim Holabaugh was thrown out of ROTC and told to repay his $25,000 scholarship after he came out. He tells about his experiences in Torn Allegiances: The Story of a Gay Cadet (Alyson Publications, 1993.) "There will not be a mass coming-out of Lesbians and gay men in the service," says Holabaugh. "For the most part, those who feel they'd be accepted by their peers are already out, on some level. Those who feel they'd be harassed if they came out will remain invisible, even after the policy cl1anges." Holabaugh has spent much of his time working to abolish the policy that led to his discharge . On Dec. 12, the generals saw one more line of writing on the wall when they opened the New York Times and found a full page ad, signed by over rules for some futuristic society - using biblical justifications for each rule. The difficulty arises when each participant is told that there is no way of knowing "whether you yourself will be born into that society as female or male; black, yellow, red, or white; homosexual, bisexual, or Suffice it to say that since Goddess, Her, She, female, and woman all incorporate the words which refer to males, it makes at least as much sense to use the ''more inclusive" words. he (or she) were to find yourselves, by whatever quirk of fate, living each other's lives. One of the most effective tools Mollenkott presents for simulating the establishment of a truly just society, built upon this annotated golden rule, in which diversity is not only tolerated or accepted, but respected, is a little exercise of the imagination. Each participant is asked to imagine that she or he is charged with formulating the moral and ethical heterosexual; able-bodied or physically handicapped; mentally capable or incapable; poor or wealthy; nor do you know whether your nation will be powerful or weak." Choosing between such passages as 1 Tim. 6:1 (which urges slaves to honor their masters) and Deut . 23: 15-16 (which admonishes against returning or oppressing runaway slaves); Gen . 3:16 (which subjects women to the domination of their husbands) and Eph. 5:21 (which Jim Holobaugh Photo: Mark Gilbert 100 college and university presidents, urging a cl1ange in the policy. The ad was orchestrated · by Holobaugh, who, told he could not serve his country, had become a volunteer at the Lesbian and Gay Rights Project of the American Civil Liberties Union. subjects husbands to wives as well as wives to husbands in mutually · respectful relationship) becomes a real challenge. Likewise, determining which better gmdes, Deut 23:1 (which prohibits emasculated men -from entering the temple) and Matt. 19:11-12 (which elevates eunuch who have made -themselves such for God's kingdom); 1 Cor. 6:9 (which list all who will be prevented from entering heaven) and Romans 8:38-39 (which affirms that nothing can separate us from the love of God); and Mark 7:27 (which distinguishes between between the Greeks and God's chosen, the Hebrews) and Acts 17:26-27 (which claims all nations for God); may seem to be impossible. · And impossible it will be, unless each of those planners chooses to assume that he or she will be born into the worst set of circumstances (by 1990 standards) and selects those scrjptural passages that will enable him or her - as wells as all others born into the same or "better" circumstances - to live tl1e best possible ... in the most just world possible. It would behoove each reader to put him or herself to the test (p. 56), although it is likely that readers of Mollenkott have already considered such things as they approach life in the world around them. There is really so much that can be said about Sensuous Spirituality. In sum, it is an invaluable resource to any serious student of the world that will - regardless of the roles _individuals choose to or choose not to take - birth the 21st century! Second Stone•January/Februa~, I 993 _ [fil .. • BUILDING COMMUNITY Put on some coffee Can We Talk? Get ready to meet the gay and lesbian Christians in your community. · Announcing Second Stone's Community Forum Is there· a place in your community to go to meet interesting and caring people like yourself ... to engage in stimulating conversation and share interests and concerns? No? Well, YOU can change that! Make life more fun and more interesting. Empower yourself with new ideas. Meet wonderful new people. Listen. Learn. Laugh. With the rise in popularity of Utne Reader's Neighborhood Salons, Second Stone thinks it's time for gay and lesbian Christians to have their own version of saloning. We're calling it Second Stone's Community Forum. One person (YOU!) can make a difference in your community. With a little effort, you can connect a small group of thoughtful Christians in your area for discussion and community. WHAT IS A COMMUNITY FORUM? A community forum is a small group of individuals who meet on a regular basis for good conversation and fellowship. Although the focus is on discussion and debate, some such groups develop into book and video exchanges, travel groups, and other kinds of sharing experiences. ... AND WHAT IS IT NOT? The forum is not a church or worship group. The focus is on discussion, in an ecumenical fashion, of issues of importance to gay and lesbian Christians. Participants from all faith backgrounds should be welcomed and included. The forum is not a support group to help deal with personal issues. WHAT DO YOU TALK ABOUT? Discussion topics may include hot issues in the news such as abortion and the environment, issues peculiar to your community, and, in particular, national and local issues pertaining to gay and lesbian Christians. Articles from Second Stone or some other periodical may be discussed. CARE SHOULD BE TAKEN THAT DISCUSSION OF PERSONAL ISSUES NOT TURN THE FORUM INTO A SUPPORT GROUP. · GETTING 'STARTED Assembling a handful of people for your forum may be very easy or near impossible depending upon who you know and where you live. If you are a well connected ·gay or lesbian Christian you need go no further than your address book, call two or three acq11aintances, tell them what the forum is all about, set up a time, and ask them to invite a friend. If a scan of your address book produces no candidates, and you live in an area where there is an established gay community, there are a few things you can try . If there is a local gay /lesbian newspaper, you should approach the editor about your idea of putting together a community forum. She/ he will probably run a notice for you at little or no cost. A small circular, such as the one illustrated, may be posted at a gay business. If there is a gay and lesbian ministry in your area, the pastor may allow you to post your circular at their meeting place and may make an announcement for you as well. POSTING A CIRCULAR Always get permission before posting an announcement on someone's bulletin board. Some folks who see your announcement may not be gay-friendly. If you are worried about prank phone calls, you may want to use a post office box for contact. (This, howe ver, makes contact a bit more difficult and may cause some interested parties to put it off, or even forget altogether.) Do not include an actual meeting date on yo ur circular. Just announce when your forum meets (first and third Wednesdays, etc.) This way your notice will not become dated, needing replacement. tlfiJ Second Stone•January/February, 1993 WHEN OPENNESS IS RESTRICTED Perhaps you live in an area where there is no established gay community, and an idea such as posting a circular is out of the question. REMEMBER: THERE ARE GAY AND LESBIAN CHRISTIANS IN THE SMALLEST OF COMMUNITIES. You will have to seek them out. Contact local pastors and inform them that you are planning a series of meetings to discuss "how the clrnrch can respond with compassion and affirmation to homosexuals in the church" and whether or not she/he may know .of someone who might be interested in such discussion. Attend local meetings of peace and social justice groups, such as Pax Christi, and announce your forum there. Contact hospital chaplains and health department social workers. Discuss your plan with everyone who might be interested, or know someone who might be interested, in attending the forum. Don't give up. WHERE DO YOU MEET? Initial meetings may be held at a coffee house, cafe, community center, or church space. As members of the forum get to know one another, meetings may rotate between members' homes. In meeting in the homes of members, take care that small children are well occupied or being sit with so as not to interrupt the conversation. You may want to consider a meeting space that relates to the topic to be discus se d. If the forum is discussing homelessness, you may want to meet m <I shelter for the homeless: If the discussion is on emergency relief for some disaster, you may want to meet at drive headquarters. SEE FORUM, Next Page SECOND STONE'S fflirUtt Gay & Lesbian Christians (and friends, family and supportive others) MEET TO SHARE IDEAS, CONCERNS, DISCUSSION AND GOOD FELLOWSHIP Group meets: For information contact: Second Stone, the national gay and lesbian Christian newsjournal Bor. 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 TIIlS CIRCULAR CAN BE USED TO POST OR TO HA VE AVAILABLE AS A HANDOUT TO PROMOTE YOUR COMMUNITY FORUM, FITS TWO-UP ON 81/2 X 11, FORUM, From .Previous Page HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU MEET? Ask for input on meeting frequency from participants. It is probably best to meet twice monthly on a schedule that is easy to remember, such as the first and third Tuesday. Your forum may meet once a month, but cohesiveness may suffer. The more frequent the meetings, the better everyone gets to know each other. Recall from the previous meeting will give the group momentum. DIVERSITY OF THE GROUP Every . pa;ticipant in your forum will show up with different needs and expectations. Some will want the group to be oriented toward Bible study, others toward social concerns, still others, political issues. If the common · ground cannot support the range of discussion interests, another forum, or two, can be organized along the lines of discussion desire.cl. Forums should not split because of disagreements on issues, however . Such disagreement insures lively-discussion from all sides. SIZE OF THE GROUP Everyone should have a chance to be heard. If more than ten people attend your forum there may not be time for all to have input. A forum regularly attended by mor e than ten people should consider splitting into another group. tell us about the talk of your town. Second Stone wants to know about your Community Forum. We'll list your meeting in a future issue. , CITY _ ________________ _ MEETING SCHEDULE _________ _ CONTACT _____________ _ I What is your vision for the Community Forum? Tell us about your recent discussions. Send Second Stone a photo of your group. 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Second Stone•Janua;/February , 1993 [II] y Calendar Y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . •••• 1 • ••••••••••••••••••• The foll(TU)ing announcements have been submitted by sponsoring or affiliated groups. Intimacy with God JANUARY 7-10, 1993, This retreat for gay men will explore how gay love and gay spirituality contribute to cultivating the experience of God's love. The retreat process will include presentations, dialogue, small group work, prayer, play, and worship. Facilitator is John McNeill, Catholic priest, psychotherapist, co-founder of Dignity , and author of The Church and the Homosexual and Taking a Chance on God. Fee is $275.00. Kirkridge, a mountain retreat.center in Eastern Pennsylvania , is the setting . For information contact Kirkridge, Bangor, PA 18013-9359, (215)588-1793. Annual T-E-N Weekend FEBRUARY 26-28, The Evangelical Network has selected ''Keeping the Church Alive" as the theme for its For your convenience you may now FAX: EDITORIAL • Letters to the Editor •Newscllps •Calendar items SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES •New subscriptions •Renewa ls •Gift subscriptions •Address changes ADVERTISING •C lassified ads •Insertion orders or space reservations (504)891-7555 annual gathering in Phoenix. The congregation of Casa de Cristo Evangelical Church is the host. The Evangelical Network is an alternative fellowship of biblical churches, minis tries and individual Christians. Workshops will include: Discipleship/ Equipping , Pf"!!!i_ng, Prayer , Communication, Leadership, Commitment/ Dedication, and Accountability . Support groups will include Pastor's Spouses, Pastors, AIDS Ministries, Christian 12-step and Ex-gay Recovery. For information contact T-E-N, P .O. Box 16104, Phoenix, AZ 85011, (602)265-2918. Sixth National Black Gay and Lesbian Conference FEBRUARY 11-15, 1993, The Hilton Hotel in Long Beach, Cal., is the setting for "Black Lesbians and Gays : Building Bridges, Making Connections," a conference to focus on the inherent need to bridge the gaps that separate around issues of gender, Wa.mingtollDC APRD., 25, 1993 GAYELLOWm s~~~; PAGES ~ Accommoclatlo .. , AJDSMIV ..... -. ...... bookat-, varlouo-. hoalth care, legal OOMCOO, Dfll_,lz.ltlonl, publlc:atlolW, rolgloua groups, -chboanll, thonptltl, travol agontl, & mt •ch mora, tor py wom ■n and 1111ft. All prlCOl.belaw INCLUDE ARST Cl.ASS POSTAGE II USA, -& Mmck:o, In MIiied, dsaeet onvelcpel. Malling 11111 • • Sflcty cxr,lkfen_hl . - 0n1or_ atom ouaidOUSA (Including_&_): paymont ..... lboln us F .... porfablaon aUSbonk. a bV l'llltOIICea Amorlcan Expreu man1J Ilda' . (We auggoatv,:a,Yy •-boob-r..~ !Davoicl paojllllo Cuataml pn,IJl..,.Q / . . - , IJSICANADA.Clf,acSaandUSAb'-,&mon . Cllybycll'f-b'alUSSlala,Conlidian P-,ftl ..,US'hgln- . plus ...-,........lndudlngi.adqulrllrlclratlonaf • crganlzlllonlandca,c:usos;ptdcalcm;mallcrdlr..,.,...,...,IIC.$12.00;...-N.Anwlca$17 (•~ . .·· NEWYO-JEIISEY . PN&NJ;._.10Womon'1Soctlon;_,barnotosbV.lonyFl1Zparick. $5.00;•-N.-$1(olnnal) .. SOUTHEIIN/Soulhom-.64-.AL.~,AR.FL.GA,KS,Kf,IA.MS,MO , NM,NC,OK.PA.SC, TN, TX, US Vlr;lnl- , VA.$5.00;-N.-St(alnnal) NMTHEASI'. CT. DE, DC, 1,1:, MA. NH, OH, Pill, RI. VT. WI/. S5.0II; -N. AnwtcaSI (alrmalij - RENAISSANCE HOUSE, BOX SD$$ VILLAGE STATION, NEW YORK, NY 10014-0292(212)674-f120 [18]'-Second Stone•January/February, 1993 race, and sexual orientation. Topics to be discussed during the five day conference include leadership, culture/ arts, family/ youth, heterosexism, health, public policy, economics , women's/ men's issues and spirituality . For information _write to the Black Gay & Lesbian Leadership Forum, 2538 Hyperion Ave., #7, Los Angeles, CA 90027, (213)666-5495. CMI Conference '93 MARCH 4-7, 1993, Communication Ministry, Inc., presents a conference on 'The Goodness of Being Gay: Spirituality for Lesbian and Gay Religious , Clergy and Seminarians." Besides major addresses and celebratory litur_gies, workshops will mclude: Celibacy as a Way of Loving, Relationships in the Committed Life, Coming Out, Formation Issues, . Aging/Middle Years, and Hiv Positive . Conference fee is $75.00. For further information and pre-registration, write to : CMI Conference '93, P.O. Box 60125, Chicago, IL 60660-0125. , PLGC Midwestern Regional Conference MARCH 5-7, This conference, sponsored by Presbyterians for Lesbian and Gay Concerns, to be held at the Heartland Presbyterian Center, Kansas City, Missouri, will give participants an opportunity rediscover the roots of their faith and celebrat e their spiritual strength as individuals and as a community . For information contact Doug Atkins, 747 N. Taylor Ave ., Kirkwood, MO 63122. Connecting families MARCH 12-14, 1993, Laurelville Mennonite Church Center is the setting for the fourth Connecting families retreat sponsored and planned by Church of the Brethren and Mennonite familes with gay or lesbian members . For information write to Brethren/ Mennonite Parents, P.O. Box 1708, Lima, OH 45802 or • Laurelville Mennonite Church Center, Route 5, Mt Pleasa,nt, PA 15666. Women-Church Convergence Conference f\PRIL 16-18, Albuquerque; New ·Mexico, is the setting for the third annual Women-Church Convergence . qoals for the meeting include putting ·forth _ a vision of Women-Church, . ............ . .. . addressing the l'COllt.)mit: , FH)\ilic.,I, sexual, and spiritual liv,•s or wnnwn, and celebrating th rough prayer, symbol, song, and story . Woml'n interested in a global , ecumenica l movement of feminist -bas ed communities of justice seeking friends who engage in sacramen t and solidarity are encouraged to write Roz Ostendorf, Women-Church Convergence, 3915 Kingman Blvd., Des Moines, IA 50311. ABC Annua l Retreat JUNE 26-29, American Baptists Concerned hosts its annual retreat in the San Francisco Bay Area. For information contact American Baptists Concerned, 872 Erie St., Oakland, CA 94610. Gay and Lesbian Parents Meet JULY 2-4, Hundreds of lesbian moms, gay dads and their children will meet in Orlando, Florida for the 14th annual conference of th e Gay and Lesbian Parents Coalition . "Share the Love ... Share the Magic!" is the theme. The Clarion Hotel is the setting, providing opportunity to visit the Disney attractions . For information contact GLPCI '93, Box 561504, Orlando, FL 32856-1504, (407)420-2191. "Partners f or the Glory of God" JULY 15-20, The Gay and Lesbian Affirming Disciples Alliance and the Unit ed Church Coalition for Lesbian/ Gay Concerns will sponsor joint activities during the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ biennial General Ass embly (Disciples) and General Synod (UCC) at the Cervant es Convention Center in St. Louis. Michael and Katherine Kinnamon are schduled to speak at a Saturday ev ening banquet. For in fomation, contact Randy Palmer at (319)332-6245. Send calendar items to: Second Stone Box ·8340 New Orleans, LA 70182 or FAX to: (504)891-7555 ... I Paris MCC recognized t.CENTRE de !'ESPRIT LIBERATEUR Metropolitan Community Church in Paris has become a registered church in France. Ms. Caroline DeBlanco, pastor, said that the church's bylaws were reviewed "with a fine-toothed comb" by the prefect of police and by the Minister of the Interior. DeBlanco said that between 15 and 30 people attend services, and the church · averages 10 services per month. -Keeping in Touclz Anita C. Hill honored t.ANITA C. HILL recently received the Voice of the Spirit Award from the Lutheran Lesbian and Gay Ministry in San Francisco. Hill was recognized on November 7, 1992 at the LLGM Voices of Distinction even t for her work with St. Paul-Reformation's Wingspan Ministry, and for her "spirited advocacy" on behalf of gay, lesbian and bisexual people in th e Evangelical Lutheran Church in America . Hill served as Ministry Associate with Wingspan Ministry from 1983-1990 and is a member of the ELCA Task Force on Human Sexuality. She is currently employed by Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota as coordinator of AIDS Ministry and is 11n educator/ counselor in the HIV/ AIDS and Anti-Homophobia Training Program of Family Service, Inc. in St. Paul. For information about the Lutheran Lesbian and Gay Ministry or the Voices of Di stinction awards contact Rev, Ruth Frost, Rev. Jeff Johnson or Rev. Phyllis Zillhart, (415)553-4026. New Life MCC receives charter llNEW LIFE METROPOLITAN Community Church, Charlotte, N.C., has been given "charter church" status in the Universa l Fellowship ·o f Metropolitan Community Churches. The charter was presented fo Pastor Robert Carl Darst by the Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson . during the business meeting of the Gulf Lower Atlantic District of the UFMCC at its recent meeting in Raleigh, N.C. Fourteen members of New Life traveled to Raleigh to be present at the event which took place at Pullen Memorial Baptist Churcl1. New Life MCC will celebrate its ninth anniversary on January 30. -Q Notes Group formed for gay Lutheran clergy, church professionals t. WINGSPAN MINISTRY of St. Paul Reformation Lutheran Church, St. Paul, Minn ., has helped launcl1 a new group known as Uncommon Call, which is composed of clergy, seminarians, and other church profes- . sionals, all · of whom identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual. The group Noteworthy ~ ................................... .. ........ .. draws its membership from Regions 3 and 5 of the Evang elical Lutheran Church in America. Leo Treadway, spokesperson for Uncommon Call, said "As this organization draws increasing numbers of church profes- - sionals who feel that the church has run roughshod over them, their lives, and their ministries, Uncommon Call may become a force to be reckoned with." He said the churdl, confronted by significant numbers, will have to . face the shortsightedness of past strategies and own up to the pain it has inflicted on countless individuals. For information on Uncommon Call, call (612)224-3371. -Equal Time South Carolina MCC triples membership t.MEMBERSHIP HAS TRIPLED from 31 to 93 at MCC Charleston, SC, since Ms. Mary Moore became pastor two years ago. 'The biggest sing le reason for the growth is the empty chair," Ms. Moore said. "At every meeting we hav e set aside an empty chair to. acknowledge the people who are not yet there . When a new member joins, we tell them, 'Someone else paid for your chair. Will you provide a place for the next person?"' That philosophy of making space to welcome new members is described in a new book that Moore highly recommends, Preparing the Clzur'cl( for ·t1ie Future by Carl George. She also credits the dmrcl1's growth to strong, mature lay leadership in the congregation. -Keeping in Touclz New pastor, new building for MCC/Baltimore AAFTER A PERIOD OF nearly two years without a regular pastor, the Metropolitan Community Church of Baltimore has selected the Rev. Joseph Totten-Reid to lead the congregation. Rev. Totten-Reid had pastored the MCC in Santa Barbara since 1987. His arrival coincides with another landmark change for the church . Beginning wifh the Christmas Eve service, MCC/Baltimore began worshipping in its own church building, Waverly Chapel, the former home of the Waverly Presbyterian Church. -Baltimore Alternative New More Light church t.THE SESSION OF CHRIST Presbyterian Church in Terra Linda adopted a More Light statement on June 9, 1992, becoming a More Light Congregation welcoming of gay, lesbian, and bisexual m embers. The statement reads, in part, "All who confess their faith in Christ and wish to be His disciples are welcome to membership. This includes people of all races, people of all social or economic states, _ handicapped peopl e, single people, marr\,ed people, gay or lesbian people. BMC meets in Denver t.OVER 140 PEOPLE ATTENDED the Fourth International Convention _of the Brethren/Mennonite Council for Lesbian and Gay Concerns in Denver, Colorado, October 9-12. The convention marked a maturing for BMC in - a number of . ways. The decision to hold the convention in the west, away from BMC's strong base in the east, allowed many from the western part of North America to attend, which the group hopes will lead to a stronger BMC presence there. The women's contingent at the convention was very strong, and women provide leadership in ways that have moved the group much closer to equality. The Brethren presence was strong, and included a meeting where Church of the Brethren concerns were discussed. An auction was held which raised over $4600 for the convention travel fund and for the BMC's Linscheid Memorial Endowment Fund. New Pentecostal church for Vermont · t.THE NATIONAL GAY Pentecostal Al!ianc() has announced the formation of Resurrection Apostolic Ministries in r,j& Pontius' Puddle SNOW IS Ll\<.E' · T14E NEW V£AR. IT 6E&IN~ ~S f!i.. GIFl" FRC>ti\ t:,-Ot>·· Pt>RE l U~SPQ\LEO, FOI..L OF \-'OPE AND PROt<\\SE. Burlington, Vermont. The mission is the first NGPA work in New Eng-. land, and joins other NGP A churches, Lighthouse Apostolic Church in Schenectady, N.Y., and Casa de la· Paloma Apostolic Church in Tucson, Ariz. The . NGP A was founded in Schenectady in 1980 and has . churches, missions and ministers from Arizona to West Africa. It operates a school for _training clergy and publishes a bimonthly newsletter. For information on Resurrection Apostolic Ministries contact the pastor, Sr. Miki Thomas, P.O . Box 162, Essex Jct., VT 05452. Rev. David Eckert passes AREV. DA YID K. ECKERT, interim pastor of Delta Harvest MCC, Stockton, Cal., passed away on Oct. 25, 1992. I;:ckert was very active in the fight for civil rights of lesbian and gay military persons. He had a distinguished milit9fY career. Eckert was licensed as a pastor in the UFMCC in July, 1991. He leaves behind his life partner, Bill Weaver, two daughters Elisa Anne and Angela Christine, and his supportive former wife, Beverly, of Orangevale, Cal. Fax Noteworthy items to (504)891-7555 HUTSVILLE, From Page 13 in a home with doors and windows and furniture that's just yours?" -Liz Lapidus and KC Wildmoon · EPILOGUE: Hutsville, which some say was over 25 years old, exists no more. The community was razed_ in preparation for the opening of the Georgia Dom~. Sources say the city of Atlanta was fair in offering housing and opportunities. This article first appeared last spring in Southern Voice. Reprinted with permission. THEr-1 IT FALL~ lt-lTO Tl-lE !-\ANDS Of: t-\ANKIND. 0 6 i t r- I > .. , 'i / / '• I .. • ... •· ........ . "WONDERFUL DIVERSITY ," "Heartily recommended," "Philosophically intriguing, 11 "Excellent. 11 Why do reviewers highly est eem CHRISTIAN*NEW AGE QUARTERLY? Great articles and lively co lumns make this bridge of dialogue between Christians and New Agers as entertaining as it is substantive. Subscribe for only $12.50/yr. Or sample us for $3.50. CHRJSTIAN*NEW AGE QUARTERLY , P.O. Box 276, Clifton, NJ 07011-0276. TF CHI RHO PRESS. Send for your copy of The Bible and Homosexuality by Rev. Michae l England for $5.95 or I'm Still Dancrn~ by long-term AIDS survivor Rev. Steve Pieters for $8.95 and receive a free catak,g from Chi Rho Press, . an MCC-based pubhshmg hous~ for the Gay /Lesbian Chnsban ~ommumty. Q_r receive our catalog by. sending $1.00. P.O. Box 7864-A Gaithersburg, MD 20898. ' G~neral Interest · IF YOU HA VE READ "The Aquarian Gospel ?f Jesus the Chnst" by Levi, I am interested m corresponding and disc;ussing. W. Courson P.O. Box 1974, Bloomfield , NJ 07003. 6/93' Profes·siona-1 Servie.es , PUBLISHING_ OPPORTUNITIES, Having d1fficulty gettt~g your written words pubhshed, JM Publtshmg Co., a Christian based pubhshmg house is accepting manuscripts for _review. Send submissions to: JM Pubhshmg Co., ·P.O. Box 2662 Middletown CT 06457. 2/93 ' ' LAUNCH, From Page 7 of S!'CK, _and a Christian not known for his wholehearted acceptance of gay and lesbian people, about the book,, In his reply to _the board, he achmtted he had not read the whole book, but said some prayers might "foster the myth that HIV and AIDS are confined to the homosexual community." _The Rev. Peter D'Driscoll, chair of the Daring to Speak Coalition , demanded, "Where were the Archbishop and the Church when the meqia were fost_ering that myth?" Carey sugg~.~ted he might resign as President 1£ a divergence... in editorial poli cy were frequently repeated." The board withdrew its · commission, leav ing Dr. Stuart and the book in the wilderness. But she did i:iot slink away, as the resulting media coverage last' March made clear. · Bishop Spong noted that there was a blessing in the entire situation. Because of the attention given to the suppression of the book by SPCK, it will_ now be more widely known and available through Hamish Hamilton's sponsorship. - Dr. Stuart said she had learned a valuable lesson from the upheaval: "We will never allow ourselves to be treated like that again," to which a _?1eering audience replied, "Amen!" [ml Second Stone•Jan uary /Feb ruary , _1993 Classifieds . ......... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... •~ ..... . --------- ---------7 Classified Order Form FOR ONLY 35¢ per word, your classified ad will reach readers from Sitka, Alaska to Amherst, Maine and everywhere in between Business or personal... · try a classified ad in our next edition! MailTo: Second Stone Box 8340 New Orleans, LA 70182 COMMENT From Page4 churches who would be part of this flow and movement of God would be those . churches who received homosexuals, He said that just as in the Jesus movement of the 1970's, those churches who receive.d hippies were the· blessed churches, and those who wouldn't re ceive them missed this ril?ve of God. So it would be, Benny H1nn said, that those churches which would not accept homosexuals into their churches would miss the greatest outpouring of the Spirit yet. _ Therefore, Hinn stated, he began to pray for God to bring homosexuals into his church. I'm not sure he fully understood what God was showing him, but he never stated that God was going to make heterosexuals out of these homosexuals. In t~e_J~uary /February, 1990 issue of Ministries Today the "insiders report" revealed that "respected Bible teacher John Sandford from Coeur · D'Alene, Idaho, writing to charismatic Sou them Baptists in the fullness fellowship · Communique .newsletter hsts what he believes will be "significant changes to take place in the · 90's." One of the changes Sanford expects is to "see the exaltation of eunuch ministries based on Matthew 19:12." On September 22, 1992 the pastor of a large charasmatic church in Pittsburgh, Penn ., stated that in their ea,rly morning prayer time the church prays that the North, South, · East ~nd W~st_ would give up souls held m caphv1t_y. But one morning God spoke to him and said '1 have a group of people you're not praying into the church."He asked God who that might be and God said "the homosexuals." So now Covenant Church of P_ittsburgh is praying for God to send m homosexuals. Name ____________ . _. Address City/St./;::Z:-ip----------'- AD COPY _______ _ ----------------------------------------- ------ ·------------------ -------------------- __ words X .35= $ ____ _ 20 word minimum. All classifieds must be pre-paid. Deadline one month prior to cover date. We will mail you a copy of the edition(s) in which your ad appears He shared at the International Ministers Forum annual convention in Dayton, Ohio in September, 1992 that "God is bringing a paradigm shift to the church." We are beginning to travel on new ground. This same pastor from Pittsburgh told the pentecostal pastors assembled inDayton that he had a problem with people making statements like "if ~od doesn't judge San Francisco for its homosexuality, He'll have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrha " because, he said, "Sodom and G;morrha were never destroyed for homosexuality at all. According to ?zekiel 16:49 they were destroyed for mhosp1tality and an attitude problem which sounds like the church today .:. Many pastors at the IMF convention on hearing this, grabbed pens and paper to make note of this scripture reference. God is doing a sovereign work in the earth that is just beginning to be understood, though the groundwork has been laid for the last two and a half decades . . Be ready for God to do a new thing m the earth. Expect miracles. There 1s only one flock, with one Shepherd qne Body _of Christ. No longer can th~ unappreciated remain ignored, amputated and screaming, "Behold I am a dry tree ." But Isaiah 56:7 prophecies 'for My house shall be called a house of prayer for all people." So be it, Lord, Jesus. So be 1t. When? God says soon. But God's impression of time is not the same as ours. All we know is that it's corning. ·Soon. Rev. Samuel Kader is co-founder and pastor of Community Gospel Church in Dayton, Ohio. The Dayton church a gay-positive, full gospel church is soo; to celebrate its 7th anniversary. Pastor Kader has been a conference speaker in the gay/lesbum community since 1975. Please place my ad in these I issues: [ J Jan/Feb [ J Mar/Apr [ l May/Jun [] Jul/Aug I [ l Sept/Oct [ ] Nov/Dec I I CLASSIFICATIONS [ l Books & Publications [ l Business Opportunities [ J Employment [ l Friends/Relationships [ l General Interest [ l Mail Order [ l Merchandise [ l Organizations [ l Professional Services [ l Real Estate [ J Retreats [ l Roommates [ ]Travel ARE YOU MOVIN G? I I · 1 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I The Post Office will not forward The Second Stone. . You must notify us for uninterrupted service if you move. Pl~ase notify us tour weeks in aOvance for uninterrupted delivery. Send both old and new :i~~:s;~i~i~!ci~ssible attach mailing label in PRIN T NEW ADDRESS ~ 2 ~ z CD -< o. ~ ~ N -o· 0 ~ Send completed form to : THE SECOND STONE Box8340 New Orleans, LA 70182 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 Second Stone #26 - Jan/Feb 1993 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/382b0cfa76c99f78d95b90de0d6b34de.pdf 511b789a83c2f30f60ae878c974b3a42 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 Second Stone Description An account of the resource Issues of the Second Stone publication. Issue An issue of a recurring publication. Issue Number The number of the issue (within a volume) 27 Publication Year The year the issue was published 1993 Publication Date The date the issue was published Mar/Apr 1993 Text Any textual data included in the document AMERICA'S GAY & LESBIAN CHRISTIAN NEWSJOURNAL : REFLECTIONS ON GAY AND LESBIAN CHRISTIAN ACTIVISM BY NANCY HUGMAN claiming that position means engaging in civil disobedience, defying the status quo, risking personal loss? In the case of our churches, struggling to grow and remain financially solvent, what wou.ld so passionately motivate us that we would risk losing members, losing our status with the Council of Churches, or losing our reputations with the nebulous heterosexual or gay and lesbian "communities?" Looking ba.ck at the Christian Christianity is a risky business. Jesus of Nazareth got nailed - literally - for challenging the status quo. When The Way, as early Christianity was called, could no longer hide behind Mother Sarah's skirts, lions' jaws ripped Christian flesh from Christian bones. Some Christians hid and survived and others renounced The Way and ran back to the relative safety of Abraham's bosom. Since then, Jesus' disciples, individually and collectively, have confronted some tough choices. As a little girl in Catechism classes, I wondered if I would have courageously faced the lions or followed Jesus to the cross. As an adult, I wonder what issues, situations, and people are important enough to risk taking a pro-active stance, even if church's track record for taking a ' '-"-"'-'--'--''----'-"---"--'=~= =-"--'"'-"--'-="-""=~""'-'~=~===~"" : .. ;.2· ""'•""'-1'• · "Christian" stand in difficult circumstances, I find that, in many cases, the oppressed, after winning power, become the oppressors . The Christian church has successfully made the SEE COVER STORY, Page 10 Washington, DC April 25, 1993 BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PA ID NEW ORLEANS, LA PERMITNo. 511 Fromlhe Editor T ............. • .... ' .......... ....... .... . Religion::g:on~:-.b~d .:-::-:. . . . . . . . . ... By Jim Bailey · 1· n recent day_s the ~arn:age of .tl~e mass s:icid~ in .Jo11estowi:t; C,uyana is · called to mmd. The comman:dmg .v01ce · of. 'Jim Jones,- barking -and p eading at the sa~e -ti~~' reverberate s fro_m. ~-,public ;idciress_ system . throughout a village constructed in the jungle -by followers -who were convini:~d they were building a community for God. The faithful were receiving .the final message fro111 their prophet and would soon be dead, vidi~s :oIJ?oisoned drink and poiso;ried religion. Tl}e God ,of guns and poison ha_s raised another prophet in Waco, Texas . As is almost always the case with ·religious sects, the despairing and dise_nfranchised gi_ve tl~e111selves,. their time, and their possessions to a charismatic leader-who claims to know the path to The Promised Land . And ju~t in case th~re ar(! ~ne~i _e~ along the way, '.they arin-for battle, therri against the world. How chilling to imagine Dayid Koresh, lead~r of the Branch Davidian s , pr;op\l~t o(blood and misery, Biblein <;>he hand and . assault:weapon in _the_ other; killi11g for his dominion and testing : the outer _ limits .of what those cci!'nmitteci to iMfr faith and b elief will do:. ' So once again we see the. extreme <:onsequences cif religlon -go~e : bad. : ·we SE_?e ~ ~vangeli~t preaching a God_ that is comprehencleii :Only by himself and. his followers. ' When the faithful ·drink from the : cauldron of poisi_on or puli out the big . guns, .it is obvio us to ~II tiuit. sometl1ing is terribly wrong ai1d ,ire are shaken by 'what can be done in the-Ila.me-of a loving God. But the poison is ·not' · always so apparent. an\i oftentiines the doses are not fatal. The : life· of Christ is a -mode], for ministry . The function of religious organizations and dehcirnimitions· ·in carrying ou t the ministry of Christ is simple. It is rooted in .compa ssion.for others - feeding, clothing, sheltering, healing and teachillg whenev·er t,he·opportunity arises. Not too far beyond ti1~t,. the poison sets· in, : Wl~e;, one ness breaks down into "them and us," the cauldron starts ·bubbl_ihg, Constantly we must call our cl1urches and religious organizations toward oneness and ministry of compassion. That includ es churches who vote to ~xcl~de Gays and Lesbians and churches· who ·s~pport 'discriminati;n against Gays and Lesbian s:,.: Ii:i s1:1ch churches .religioil lJas gone: bad . There . are _no : live updates a's we · s~.:V f;om Waco, ho,~ever : Th e' ongoing violence is SQ subtle most ·hardly notice it. · 0Aj ~ · SECOND STONE Newsjoumal. ISSN No. 1047-3971, is published every olher month by Bailey Communications, P. 0. Box 8340, New O rleans, .LA 70182. Copyright 1993 by Second Stone, a registered trademark. SUBSCRIPTIONS, U.S.A. $15.00 per year, six issues. Foreign subscribers add $10.00 for postage. All payments U.S. currency only. ADVERTISING, For display advert ising infonnation call (504)899-40 14 or wrile to P.O. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182. EDITORIAL, send letters, calendar announcements.noteworthy ilems lo (Department title) Second Stone, P.O. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 . Manuscripls to be returned should be accompanied by a stamped, self addressed envelope. Second Slone is otherwise nol responsible for the relum of any material. SECOND STONE, an ecumenical Christian newsjoumal for the national gay and lesbian communi1y. PUBLISHER/EDITOR: Jim Bailey CONTRIBUTORS FORTHIS ISSUE: Nancy Hugman, Michael Blankenship, Johnny Towns end, William Day. Rev. Dr. Buddy'Truluck, Joe Miller, Cathie Lyons m Second Stone•March/April, 1993 ~ Contents . . -. ,., .. · ..... -·· ................. .......... . Ct] From The Editor Religion gone bad ~_J1 1 ·_. Commentary ~~~ Gay and lesbian Christians as political :activists [tJ News Lines [[] Building community: · . · Dominican women.sew for their lives _. . _ _ . : Al_so: Poetry by Kathryn Vivian Keating ·llru. -Hope and the resurrection of Jesus By Rev. Dr. Buddy Truluck· . . :Gays and Lesbians fn North America's oldest Mennonite congregation By Joe Miller qover Story . . What price will we pay for freedom? :By Nancy Hu_gman . r1· . 1· 1 Gays and Lesb;aOs In the Holy Land The struggle is just beginning ·. . · ·. [r _ gj Ministry in the second decade of AIDS By Cathie Lyof)s . . . . . . · . . : Can Homophobia_ Be C~re_d? reviewed by . [HJ In Print · · · · Joh,nnyTownsend;.A Christian Gay Catechism reviewed by Michael: Blankenship [67· Calendar L ~ r~ 1171 Noteworthy ~ --, 1191 Resource Guide I 20 I Classifieds Comment> •••••••••••••••• .- •• • • :• • . : . ~ •• : 9; .................... • •• ,, • ••• • ••• • ••• . ••• . ••• • •••••• . •••• Gay and lesbian Christians as activi:sts By Michael Blankenship Guest Comment forgotten what a political activist Jesus was! It is a fact ·of history that Jesus was tried, sentenced, and executed by the Roman courts on the charge of high treason. The inscription on the cross (The King of the Jews) leaves no -· -doubt - about the charge that was brought against him. He incited his Should gay and lesbian Christians be politically active? I know that when we see other Christian leaders such as Jerry - Falwell and Pat. Robertson expounding their conservative views in the political arena we're all turned off. So what's the difference between them and us? First of all, they are -· using their political clout to keep the oppressed peoples of this nation in (what they consider to be) th eir proper pla ce. We, on the other hand, use our political abilities to further liberate out sisters - and · brothers. Should we allow further political greed for p·ower and contro_l to continue, or should we press our government for full civ_il rights.? people, the Jews, to revolt and cease paying taxes to Rome. Jesus wanted Israel to be liberated from · archaic laws and . attitudes. Even in the first chapter of Luke, Zechariah proph- _ esied, 'The God ·of Israel has turned to God's people, saved them and set them free by raising up a deliverE, of Troy Perry, the founder · of the : UFMCC, over the years has repeatedly come under attack for being a driving political force in the gay and lesbian community . I think with regard to his political activity, Rev. · Perry can be compared to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Both worked tirelessly for their ideals of freedom and civil rights for their individual oppressed minorities, yet -never advo,cated violence it, any form. Clearly both hav_e felt that working politically was an act of "loving their neighbors," wanting the best for their communities, as well as themselves, know ing God would work through their efforts toward a world free from prejudice. Surely no one would put down King for his politi~al actions. For some reason, the gay and lesbian Christian community, in its efforts to remain obscure, has totally For some reason, the gay and le~bian Christian community, in its efforts to -_-remain obscure, has totally forgotten - what a political activist Jesus was .. : All of the Bible prophets .urged their. people to justice-:making activities. Rather than sitting quietly in the closet, shouldn't we be doing the th . ? same 1ng. victorious power. on ·e Who ,viH deliver us from our enemies and out · ofthe hand of all who hate us."· Tht$ passage -describes a. political le,ader; this passage describes Jesus. - · , - If ·Jesus · ·were the leader of the -lesbian .and -gay movement of today his message would still be the same one he had for his own 1\ation: change yourselves! Don't let' liitter_ ness and resentment of the oppo$i~iqn, interfere with your efforts at liberation, by all means "love · your enemy." . • . . -. - · - Don't let internal oppression (arid .internalized homophobia) oc01r. -This lack of compassion for our brothers -arid sisters could r'uin air · our progress. Who-would want -to leave one form _ of oppression for another?_ So remember to love your neighbors . Most importantly Jesus would have us change _ to be living examples of the values and ideals we would like to see coming from the oppressors. When our detractors see what . a lo.ving, compassionate, and -faithful community we are (as .many have seen during the_ AIDS crisis) then their minds will be changed. All of the Bible prophets urged their people to justice-making activities. Rather than sitting quietly in the closet, shouldn't we be doing the same thing? - Proclaim your human dignity, agressi_vely voice _ your opposition to prejudice, but be loving, _ and don't defame your enemies. Support your J;,rothers and sisters and we'll all be stronger . Show the love of Christ in your "works" ... without "works" (including political works) your faith is nothing. Worst prejudices reflected in effort to ostracize Gays, Lesbians By Rev. John Cunningham Guest comment E very wave has its undertow. Every rise in human consciousness stirs up the dark side. This was obvious during our nation's civil rights ·movement. Film clips of this historic struggle are edifying and horrifying . They show us how a minority, daring to claim their rights and invoking our highest ideals, elicit in turn hostile and base reactions from those too afraid to understand. Today, are we not alarmed by the resurgence of neonazis m, and other hate movements, as if nothing has been learned , no ground gained? Issues change, but this pattern is repeated time and again . Now we see it played out in Colorado, where city ordinances of Aspen, Boulder, and Denver, enacted to protect the rights of lesbian and gay citizens, have been nullified by a small majority of the state's electorate. Newsweek's cover story highlighted the sky rocketing incidence of violence done to lesbian and gay people. Statistics reports that our teenagers, who come to discover this to be their sexual orientation, have a suicide rate three times · higher than their other peers. Publi_sher Matthew Rothschild, a month after the Republican Convention, wrote an article carried in the new s papers entitled, "Gay bashing becomes new national pasttime." The prejudice and discrimination associated with homophobia is widespread and deep-rooted. And it is ugly . What dishearten s me most is that so-called Christians spread this . bigotry and were the force behind Amendment 2 in Colorado as well as the failed Measure 9 in Oregon. The religious right, armed with a faulty biblical exegesis and a social agenda of repression based on ignorance and fe"ar, are organizing ·to wage -their campaign in a score of other states. Our mo.st cherished · religiou ·s conviction is that God creates .every human being. Studies indicate that approximately one out of ten comes· intci the world with some var iation of a same-sex orientation. They make up society's invisible minority. This occurs eve rywh ere and _ in · every genernti_on. Wise people see this as _ part of the myst ery and diversity of Creation, and can accept others for who they are. Only the most narrow and insecure peopl e stigmatize other's · for being different. A true Christian honors every person as a child of God. · And a true American champions the rights of all persons. Dr Arnold Mindell, founder of process oriented psychology, maintains that minority groups serve a vital function in society. They represent the cutting edge; they are the wave of the future .· Their emergence · may seem unsettHng and brash; but _ it is the harb(nger of new life. For minority issues contain a valujc! that the collective needs . Their integration is nol for the sake of the few of "them," rather, it is for the ·health of all. The . wisdom of scripture is . apropos: "Love the stanger then, for you were once strangers in Egyp t" (Deut. 10:19). Can we ride the wave, or will we get sucke(l down by the undertow? The Rev. John Cunningham is the pastor of St. Bridget Church in Mesa, Arizona. Second St.;-ne•March/April, 1993 W :y News Lines • ~ .......... . •.~·· ~ '· -~ ..... ..... .............................................. . Catholic priest dies of:A\DS . . . . . . M ROMAN CATHOLIC priest who was forced.to )ea\fe hij, Ohio parish after disclosing he was gay and had AIDS died on Jan.10 of.complications_from the disease. The Rev. Robert Apking was "hospitalized last November, seven years after he learned he had contractea HIV. Apking was fori:ei:I· to leave St. Christopher Church "in Vandalia, Ohio in 1990 after he discussed his illness and sexual orientation in an interview with the .Dayton Daily Nws. ·Prior to his death ; Apking was a counselor and member of the board of trustees of the Miami Valley AIDS Foundation. -Southern Voice Church drops Southern Baptist Convention affiliation llTHE DOLORES STREET BAPTIST Church in San Francisco has voted to withdraw as a member of the Southern Baptist COnvention.beca·use of the national group's condemnation of homosexuality. The Southern Baptists have moved to banish congregations that "affirm, approve or endorse homosexual behavior ." In voting to leave tne national organization as of Jan. 10, the Dolores Street Baptist Church voted to reaffirm its 1981 declaration that they "choose to remain open and loving to all persons. -GayNet One gay person killed every five days llRIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil's daily newspaper reports one gay person is killed in the city every five days. At least 50 Gays were Killed between January and September 1992. Tlie real figure is probably much higher due to the reluctance of families to report the full circumstances of the deaths. Of tnese deaths, only about ten percent were investigated by Rio police. -SDA Kinship Journal Integrity chapter follow~ trial of member's murderer AfNTEGRITY /BROOKLYN played a pivotal role in the prosecution, conviction, and sentencing of the murderer of one of its members; a contribution-which was widely noted in the New York media. Philip Cooper, a graphic artist and poet, who lived in the Fort Greene section of Brooklyn, was beaten and stangled to death in his apartment on November 5, 1991 by Kevin Murray of Manhattan, who had previously been arrested 47 times and convicted 25 times on various charges. As the case came to trial, Integrity members pledged to monitor the progress of the trial and at least six people showed up m ~riminal court over the cour~e of the three day tri~l. _New York Newsday reported, 'Members of the Brooklyn Heights chapter oHntegnty filled the courtroom durmg _the trial and sobbed as [State Supreme Court Justice Glorial Goldstein handed down the stiff sentence." -11,e Voice of Integrity Arsonist said church programmed him toward homosexuality llP A TRICK LEE FRANK, 42, who was charged with setting fire to at least 17 churches in Florida, was found not guilty by reason of insanity. _A Tennessee native with a long history of mental illness, Frank believed churches were programming him to have homosexual urges , psychologists said at his trial. -17,e Lutheran Camoaian launched to bring "heter.osexual elhic" to California llFOLi.OWING COLORADO'S LEAD, a conservative California religious ~roup has .launched · a campaign to add an anti-gay -rights h1easure to their state's constitution. A fund-raising letter sent by the Rev. Lou ·sheldon of the Traditional Values Coalition calls for a "statewide ballot proposition on the heterosexual ethic" in California. The letter ·holds up the success of Colorado's Amendment 2 as an example. "Pro-family activists won a measure prohibiting 'special rights' in Colorado," the letter states. "There is no guarantee that a campaign such as this one will succeed [in California], but the greatest danger is not doing anything at all." -Southern Voice· -Former seminary professor gets severance settlement llOVER $100,000 has reportedly been paid by the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago to the Rev. Dr. David E. Deppe, in an out-of-court severance settlement over issues pertaining to Depl'e's sexual orientation. ·Deppe, who is gay, was a tenured member of the faculty and had taught preaching and church / society courses at Lutheran seminaries for over "24 years. After being "outed" by individual members of a faculty wives group, Depl'e was asked to resign, but he.refused , saying that he had previously reveaJed his sexual orientation to the seminary president. The settlement is rel'ortedly the lar&est ever paid by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to one of its gay clergy. 'Most pastors are expected to .resigl\ over this issue, and are usually paid little 'or notliing," said Deppe. "I decided to take a aifferent action and to stand up for what I knew was right." Task Force launches "Fight the Right" campaign llTHE NATIONAL GAY and Lesbian Task Force Policy Institute has hired Oregon activist Scot Nakagawa to coordinate its "Fight the Right" campaign against an onslaught of Colorado-style anti-gay initiatives. "Family values" groups in at least a dozen states are gearing up to put anti-gay ballot measures before voters this year and next. States t_argeted by tlie right are-Idaho, Michigan, Ohio, Washington, Montana, Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota, Ca]ifornia, Maine , Georgia, and Oregon. Gay and lesbian activists around the country are pre paring for battles similar to tnose waged last year in Colorado and Oregon. · Through hiring Nakagawa, who will work out of a field office in Oregon , NGLTF will expand its civil rights organizing work and coordinate efforts to oppose statewide initiativ es. Chaplain rejects Gays as paren~s llWITH THE CLAMOR dying down about the discussion three Lesbians had with students at a Boise, Idaho high school in November, a local chaplain has sl'oken against gay parenting to balance out the debate. The Rev. Chris McGreer last week talked to 90 l·uniors and seniors about "medical , psychological and sociological" disadvantages of the ifestyles of Gays and Lesbians. "Il"asically, 1 just provided them with the facts on the issue," he said afterward. Three teachers were suspended last November after they ·allowed three Lesbians to· discuss gay parenting with their students. All three were reinstated after a storm of protest. -Sou them Voice · . [Ij Second Stone•March/April, 1993 Methodists want denominational gathering moved from Colorado llCOLORADO UNITED METHODISTS Against Discrin1ination is circulating petiti ons calling on the Commission on General Conference of the United Methodist Church to move the site of its 1996 gathering from Denver, Colorado to an alternate location, in response to the passage of Amendment 2. "We need to bring national pressure on the state of Colorado to overturn this legalized discrimination," the organization stated in a press release ~ The group has been joined in P.ublicly calling for the conference site chang e by California •Nevada Conference Council on Ministries, Methodist Federation for Social _Actio_n, North Central Jurisdiction Church and Society leaders, Western Jurisdiction College of Bishops and Western Jurisdiction Council on Ministries. For information on the petition, which all Methodists can sign, write to Gregory Norton, First United Methodist Church, 1401 Spruce St., Boulder, CO 80302. Bizarre scandal hits Church of England llTHE INDEPENDENT has outed the Rev. Sir Derek Pattinson, .the most powerful lay member of the Church of England who succeeded in barring the pro-gay book Daring to Speak Love's Name. Pattinson is chairman of .the Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge and served as general secretary of the Church of England's General Synod for 18 years until his retirement in 1990. Pattinson was suspended from his post at S,PCK in early Dec ember, while the society looks into "financial irregularities" stemnhng from a 1990 trip to Johannesburg, South Africa, where he was joined, at SPCK expense, by his then-lover Barnaby Miln, a gay rights activist and one of Britain's youngest Justices of the Peace. -GayNet National Eoiscopal organization cancels Colorado meeting llTHE EXECUfNE COMMITTEE of the Association of Diocesan Liturgy and Music Commissions of the Episcopal Church voted unanimously at its recent meeting to decline an offer to hold its 1995 meeting in the .state of Colorado due to the passage of Amendment 2. The Rev. James Newman, ADLMC !'resident, noted that the passage of the Amendment . was in conflict with the organization's theme of "hospitality, welcome, inclusion , and inculturati o n in the Body of Christ." Because tlie Episcopal Church's General Convention has stated its opposition to legal discrimination against gay and lesbian people and because ADLMC is a Christian organization, "we feel that we cannot in good .conscience meet in Colorado at this time," Newman said. Presbyterian pastor tells congregation she's lesbian, then resigns M PRESBYTERIAN MINISTER who hid her ·homosexuality for six years has resigned because of her church's opposition to gay pastors. · The Rev. Kathlee n Buckley, 39, told members of the First Presbyterian Church of. Watervliet, NY, about her relationship with another woman at the same time that she resigned in February. She said she felt sfie had to step down after a national Presbyterian liody rul~d in November that a Rochester church could not hire a lesbian, the Rev. Jane Spahr, as its pastor. Members of Buckley's church initially voted 55-7 not to accept her resignation, then agreed to let her leave. -Southern Voice Operation Rescue faces IRS investigation · llFOLLOWING UP ON a complaint by Americans United for Separation of Church and State, the IRS is investigating Operation Rescue for possible violations of laws that prohibit non-profit religious groups from engaging in political activity. Last fall, Randall Terry, Operation Rescue's director, said in a letter to 37,000 churches, "Our tax status be damnea if it prevents us from proclaiming God's truths ." Terry was ur&ing churchgoers to vote against Bill Clinton, saying a vote for Clinton would be a 'sin against God." -Tl,e Fre~aom Writer Coors, Ocean Spray has ties to religious right llTHE COORS BEER family, who also brew Keystone and George Killian beers, is a major supporter of several radical religious right groups including Morality in Media and Pat Robertson's Regent University. In addition to that corporate involvement, a Christian Reconstructionist organization, the Plymouth Rock Foundation, has as it's president John G. Talcott, Jr., who is also president of Ocean Spray Cranberries. -11,e Freedom Writer Conservative diocese gets sample of inclusivity llA FEMALE PRIEST has led a communion service in the Fort Worth Episcopal Dio cese, one of only about five of the 100 U.S. dioceses that oppose female priests . The Rev. Lauren Gough perform ed the service desl'ite oppo sition from several member s of the conservative d10cese. Bishop Clarence Pope, th e founding president of the Fort Worth-based Episcopal Synod of America, which is opposed to women, Gays and Lesbians being ordained, called Gough's service "a misuse of the Eucharist, quite frankly." -17,e Houston Post Straight, gay clergy in dialogue t.BUILDING ON THE foundation that was laid at a groundbreaking October meeting between members of the Charlotte Area Clergy Association and tlie gay and lesbian community, a task force has been established to continue the dialogu e in North -Carolina. Rev. Randy Vetsch, n ewly elected pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church of Charlotte, said he is serving on the task force in hope s of derailing some long-standing stereotypes about Gays. "kfeally, the clergy will get a different opinion of who we are - a more positive opinion. I'm hoping they will see us in a different light." -Q Notes Youth sponsors sought llMCC SANTO DOMINGO is seeking sponsors for children in an orphanage in San Salvador . Th,i orphanage is operated 6y Rev. Howard Williams, a missionary to Santo Domingo. Sponsors who contribute $20 per month will receive a photo.and progress -report of the child being sponsored. For information contact Dan "Leary, 2927 Gandy Blvd., Tampa, FL 33611, (813)835-4221. News.-Lines ~ ........................... ... •· ..... . UFMCC reapplies to send gay/lesbian chaplains to U.S. military .6.ENCOURAGED BY PRESIDENT Bill Clinton's actions to open the military to Gays and Lesbians, the Universal Fellowship of'Metropolitan Community Churches again asked the Pentagon to allow its ministers to serve as military chaplains. The Defense Department deferred an earlier request by the UFMCC to be recognized as a religious body able to endorse chaplains, saying that the UFMCC must first present a candidate who is heterosexual. Willi the new regue st, the UFMCC r eaffirmed as its candidate Rev. Dusty Pruitt, a lesbian who successfully sued the Army after she·was discharged because of her sexual orientatio n in 1986. The UFMCC has asked for a meeting with Secretary of Defense Les Aspin and other Defense Department officials to discuss the UFMCC chaplaincy. · · South Carolina minister and mother die from AIDS .6.THETOUCHTON FAMILY must cope.with the loss of a second family member to AIDS, but the survivors vow to use the douole tragedy in a positive way. Sarah Touchton died of AIDS in the summer of 1990. She got the virus · th at causes AIDS from a blo o d transfusion. She told church members that she wanted to open people's minds and dispe l ste reotypes. Her son, the Rev. Robert Touchton , used he r message in his sermo ns an d ministry. But he never to ld anyone that he, too, had HIV. On Dec. 18, he died from AIDS. "My son was gay, and ·h e was in the ministry, and he had to keep it a secret the whole time," said Bruce Touchton, who was Sarah's husband and Robert's father. He and hi s daughter, the Rev. Zeta Lamber son, say they believe Robert Touchton would ha ve wanted them to tell people how he lived and how he died. "I have to believe that he didn't · expec t anything different," sai.d Rev. Lamberson, a minister at Peachtr ee .Presbyterian C hurch in Atlanta. "I thi nk he just didn't want to be the one to have to tell people ." -Associated Press · · Head of Presbyterian Church favors gay acceptance . M T A MEETING IN ILLINOIS, the head of the 2.9 million member Presbyter ian Church (USA) criticize d a 1978 ruling that keeps openly gay and lesbian p eople from being ordained as ministers or serving local congregations as deacons or elders. ·"The more we learn about this, the more it seemsJhat sexual orientation is a matter of God'.s created order, " said the Rev. John M. Fife, Moderat or of the 204th Annual Presbyt erian General Assembly. "We are going to have to grapp le with it both biblicaUy and theologically . -Southern Voice · · · · Falwell vtarns followers of dangers of Gays in the military .6.FORM?R MORAL MAJORITY leader) erry Falwell jump ed·o n the ."no Gays in th e nuhtary bandwagon when he sent his followers a fundraismg Jett.er askmg for a donation of $35 to raise national concern that Gays and Lesbians are trying to "force their Godless agenda on the American f'eople," and trying to turn the nation into •:a modem Sodom and Gomorrah." Falwell scheduled a television address on Jan. 17th, three days before the Presidential,inauguration, to ask "all Americans to pl ead with their new President to change his policy towards the homosexual agenda;"' referring·to Clinton's promise to lift tne military ban . against Gays and Lesbians. "Ce.rtain militant homosexuals are already trying to bramwash our nation's children," Falwell said in his lett er. Gays ·"have target ed our childr en and grandchildren so that they can gain nationwid e acceptance ol their evil lifestyle," he added. -Seattle Gay News Virginia Baptists wantougher stand against homosexuality .6.A REGIONAL BAPTIST organization is disappointed with a statement made by the Virginia Baptist General Association that the cliurch should minister to homosexuals. Rev. James Meriwether, director of the Lebanon Baptist Association, said that the statement did no go far in condemning homosexuality . The board of the association adopted a resolution saying it was "disturbed and embarassed by the failure of the recent Virginia Bap tist General Association to publicly state the sinful and unbiblical natur e of homosexuality." "Our purpose is not to condemn people ... but to condemn the practice as sinful," Meriwether said. "We don't agree with the statement that homosexuality is just a lifestyle." -Associated Press Operation Rescue embarassed by protest flop .6.OPERATION RESCUE, the notorious anti-abortion group, sponsored protests around the country on January 8 against Gays in the military . But .the ·protests, originally scheduled for "100 cities," according to Operatio n Rescue's chief, Randall Terry, Iizzled out as only a handful of protestors appeared in three or four locations. The group, in conjunction with the Christian Defens e Coalition, led by Rev. ·Patrick Mahon ey, spo nsored the events to protest President Bill Clinton's decision to ope n the military to Gays and Lesbians. "Christian civilians and veterans will gather in cities all across the nation to send a prophetic message of rebuke to the coming Clintion administration ," said an OR pamphlet advertising the events. "Join us in our prophetic stand against gays in the military." Robert Bray, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force director of public informati on said, "If there are any homosexuals out there, gay men in particular , who still believe abortion is not a gay issue, let this be a wake up call. Operation Rescue has allied .itself with other Far Right religious extremist groups to attack gay and lesbian freedom. Their objective is to mandate control over our prjvacy. Their agenda is not to "save babies, " but to repress people, especially women and Cays." New Jersey church fears it may have to hire Gays . .6.A NEW JERSERYCHURCH that fears anti-discrimination laws could force it to hire Gays has lost a court battle for an exemption. The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court .of Appea ls denied the Orthodox Presbyterian Church's request for a preliminary injunction earring the state from enforcing a gay and lesbian civil rights provision against it The churcft argued that its First Amendment freedom of religious worship might be violated. -Southern Voice Subscribe . . ·'"T;O· d·· . ~\T 1\ ' a.J. ' . . AND YOU'LL NE.VER WITHOUT A FRIEND Y O U R JO U R N E Y . BE FOR Second Stone The National Gay and Lesbian Christian Newsjournal ···YES!·······'.·················· ··············;··· Begin my subscription to SECOND STONE for: [ ] One year (6 issues) $15.00 [ ] Two yrs. (12 issue s) $25.00 [ ] Three yrs. (18 issues) $36 .00 NAME ADDRESS CITY/STATE/ZIP CODE CHECK HERE •I ] If a plain envelope Is required and add $2.00 per year. Allow 6-B weeks for delivery of your first issue, international subscribers add $10.00 per year, U.S. currency. · Mail To : SECOND STONE, Box 8340 , ·New Orleans, LA 70182 . THANK YOU for your subscription support! Second Stone•March/April, 1993 ~.h. , uu ,.. UFMCC joi·ns· Interfaith Impact The Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches was unanimously received as ·a national member organization in Interfaith Impact for Justice and Peace Feb. 12. · Based in Washington, D.C., Interfaith Impact serves as the collective voice o( the religio·us community on national public policy questions. · Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson, UFMCC chief ecumenicar officer, noted' that membership in Interfaith Impact is especially important in light of the November vote by the National Council of Churches to deny observer status to the .UFMCC. "As members of Interfaith Impact, we will be able to participate in public policy decisions and build relationships with other communities of faith in much the same way that we had hoped to do as members of the NCC," she said. "Iri fact, the NCC ·is also a member of Interfaith Impact." Rev. Elder Don Eastman of the UFMCC added, "The .people of UFMCC have some clear ideas and strong values on .various social justice issues. These values and ideas need to influence our society. Our commitment to . social acti .on requires intentional structural and programmatic response at the denominational level." Rev. Troy Perry, UFMCC founder and moderator, pointed out . that Interfaith Impact fits well with UFMCC's social action mission. "By joining Interfaith Impact, UFMCC will be more effective in bringing Christian social action to the world," he said. James Bell, executive director of Interfaith Impact, will speak during UFMCC's General Conference July 18-25 iii Phoenix, Ariz. Dignity/USA calls gay and lesbian Catholics to New Orleans Dignity/USA will bring its eleventh biennial convention to the Fairmont Hotel in New Odeans, 'Louisiana, from July 28 through August 1, 1993. Certain to be the surprise · high point of the New Orleans Archdiocese's 200th anniversary year, the Dignity convention will draw gay and lesbian Catholics and their supporters from throughout the United ~tales.. Major speakers will include authors Virginia Hoffman and Brian · McNaughl, and the Rev. Carter Heyward, one of the first women priests ordained in the Episcopal Church. Dignity /USA is a national organization for gay and lesbian Catholics and their friends. It was founded in 1969 in Los Angeles by an Augustinian priest. Dignity today is primarily lay-led, with over 80 cha - Author Brian McNaught, who will be a featured speaker at the 1993 Dignity USA Convention. · Daughters of Sarah The Magazine for Christian Feminists Can you be feminist and Christian? Yes. Absolutely. Explore importantissues: sexuality, peace, health, racism abortion, spirituality. Challenge ·church and world to seek justice, mutuality, and reconciliation. Reject oppression. Find libefation arid wholeness; Subscriptio~s: ~18: i>er,vear/4 issues Sample: $;3 Write: Dau·g!it.ets o,:Sa~ah. Dept S 3801 N . . K:eeler; Chicago, IL 60641 r ,,7' . I 6 I Second Stone•March /April, 1993 L __ J ters throughout the United States, and national headquarters in Washington, D.C. Rooted proudly in the Catholic tradition, Dignity/ USA nevertheless vigorously promotes the reform of Catholic sexual teaching. The theme for the Dignity 1993 Convention is "Celebrate a Living Church," adapted from Virginia Hoffman's book Birthing a Living Church. For information write to Dignity /USA, 1500 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Ste, 11, Washington, DC 20005 or call 1-800-877-8797. Lutheran congregation faces expulsion from ELCA for calling openly gay pastor On Saturday, January 23, 1993 the Rev. Jeff R. Johnson, an openly gay man, was installed as the pastor of First United Lutheran Church, a small parish located in San Francisco's Richmond District. The installation took place in spite of the opposition of the local Lutheran Bishop, the Rev. Lyle G. Miller, and other national leaders of the 5.3 million member Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. At a special meeting of the congregation in November, 1992, the members of First United · voted unanimously lo call Johnson to be their · new pastor, after knowing Johnson for the three years he served as Assistant Pastor, and experiencing his style of ministry and leadership. Bishop Lyle Mjller of the Sierra Pacific Synod of the ELCA has not endorsed Johnson's call and did not participate in the Servi~ of Installation. The Rev. David Rohrer, Dean of the San Francisco Conference of Lutheran Churches represented the larger Lutheran community at the SEE EXPULSION, Next Page Denomination shouldn't meet in Colorado, says Affirmation Affirmation : United Methodists for Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Concerns passed a resolution at its winter National Council meeting in Nashville, Tenn ., calling on the United Methodist Church to move the site of the church's 1996 General Conference ·from Denver, Colorado, saying that the group "opposes the patronage _of any locale that has discrimination ordinances against.homosexuals." Affirmation -also adopted . a · resolution expressing concern that the alcohol and tobacco industries "are engaging in· target marketing within the lesbian, gay, and bisexual rnmmunity" and asked the Affirmation constituency to help create alcohol and tobacco free space. In other action, the group passed resolutions: proclaiming that recognition of committed relationships is an essential part of reconciling ministries with the gay, lesbian and bisexual community; asking whether Affirmation and its allies should consider a rebirth of Methodism outside the framework of the current denomina" tion; calling upon the Clinton administration to quickly proceed with the goal of reversing the ban on homosexuals in the military. The resdlutlon reminded the United Methodist Church that chaplains must be prepared to work with and to understand the needs of the homosexual military community and addressed how to minister t.o them pastorally. The Na:tional Council meeting was held at Edgehill United Methodist Church, a reconciling congregation. Episcopal Convention. passes gay-friendly resol~tiqns Meeting January 29-30, . 1993, in Mahwah, New Jersey, the Episcopal Diocese of Newark passed four resolutions which addressed issues before the nation and the church and clearly stated the convention's support qf equal rights for Lesbians and gay men. The Diocese of Newark comprises the seven northern counties of New· Jersey and includes 43,000 Episcopalians in 129 parishes. The diocese is headed by the Rt. Rev. John S. Spong, who has been one of the most outspoken supporters of lesbian/ gay rights in the national Episcopal Church's House of Bishops. The resolutions supported the inclusion of Lesbians and gay men in the armed forces, the inclusion of sexual orientation in the federal civil · rights· law, a ban on n.ational church meetings in the state .of Colorado, and a ·condemnation of the exclusion of the Universal Fello\\rship of Mefropolitan Community Churches from the National Council· of Churches. The Episcopal Diocese of Newark was the pdncipal religious institutional supporter of the expansion ·of the New Jersey civil rights law to include Lesbians and Gays in 1992, ··and the convention voted to send its resolutions o.n the military and the federal civil rights law to the president and to the New Jersey delegation to Congress. . . The resolution calling for a church boycott of Colorado js of particular importance because Denver is one of the three finalists for the 1997 Gerieral Convention of the Episcopal Churcn. That convention, which brings together thousands ·of deputies · a:nd other · church leaders every three years, is one of the 25 la.rg·est conventions in the United States. The Convention expressed its "dismay and disapproval of the [November 12; 1992) vote of the National Council of Churches ... denying observer status to the Universal Fellowship of . Metropolitan Corri- . munity Churches," and it singled out for particular criticism the Episcopal delegationto the NCC which was the only · delegation . from a mainline denomination to vote against seating the UFMCC. The resoiutions were authored by members of Integrity, the lesbian/ gay jti,stice ministry q(the Episcopal Church nationwide, and of Oasis, the Diocese of Newark's ministry with the lesbian ·and gay community. Integrity's founder, Dr. Louie Crew, and its immediate paSt national president, Kim Byham, served on the resolutions committee, which. presented the pro-gay resolutions to ·the convention · with its recohirriendation. ,tii#Jt Catholic group criticizes military archbishop ..;:~.:::..,~ A national Catholic gay rights organization has issued a blistering criticism of Arcl1bishop Joseph Dimino's opposition to Hfting the military's ban on gay and lesbian personnel. Dimino, who heads the Archdiocese for Mili0 tary Services, warned that accepting Gays in the service will have "dis ·astrous consequences for all concerned." The group has also written to President Bill Clinton praising his desire to lift the ban and urging him to do it as soon as possible. Catholic Advocates for Lesbian and Gay Rights called Dimino's opposition "mean-spirited at best and sinful at 'worst. Lesbian women and gay men have served and continue tci serve their country with distinction · albeit closeted and invisibly." "Archbishop Dimind's suggestion EXPULSION, .From Previous Page service and installed Johnson as pastor. The majority of Lutheran · churches in San Francisco overwhelmingly support and affirm the decision of the congregation to call Johnson, in spite of the objections and oppositiort of Bishop Miller. Johnson's installation as pastor violates ELCA policy wi_1ichp rohibits the ordination or installation of openly lesbian and gay clergy involved in relationships of commHment. First United, and it's sister , congregation, St. Francis Church, are currently in the third year of . a five-year disciplinary suspension from the ELCA for violating the policy, by ordaining Johnson and two lesbian colleagues in January, ,1990. On January 20, 1990 a Lutheran and ecumenical community of 1,000 people participated in the '.'unauthorized and irregular" ordinations of Johnson and two lesbian colleagues, Ruth Frost and Phyllis Zillhart. that gay and lesbian military personnel are detrimental to the military is both unsubstantiated and offensive to right: thinking Catholics," said Br. Rick Garcia, BFCC, Catholic Advocates ' executive director. "We are · appalled and embarrassed by the uninformed .and bigoted attitude -the archbishop harbors about gay and lesbian people. His support of bigotry and prejudice is disgusting. He should be ashamed." Catholic Advocates noted that the military's ban .on Gays and Lesbians did ncit being until the late 1940's. During the Desert Storm conflict all discharges of Gays and Lesbians ceased. "We call upon Archbishop Dimino to have a conversion of heart and turn from his bigotry and ignorance and On July 7, 1990, the two cong.regations were brought to e·cclesiastical trial and giv,en a five year sμspension for the actions. The suspension will automatically convert to expulsion from the ELCA if Johnson, Frost and Zillhart remain on staff at their respective,parishes. · Johnson's call as sole. pastor virtually assures the expulsion of this century-old Lutheran congregation in the ci_ty, unless the policy of the ELCA changes by the end of 1995. 'Through this action, the predominately heterosexual · membership of First United has reaffirmed ifs decision of three years ago, and again is confronting the policy of the denomination; considered to. be ·blatantly discriminatory," the congregation said in a prepared statement. Johnson currently lives with his partner, Michael Schoenig, iri San Francisco. view gay and lesbian persons not as '"(lie the enemy to be battered down but as sisters and brothers entitled to respect and justice," Garcia added . Catholic Advocates was founded in 1987 to· advocate for the legitimate civil rights of gay andlesbian people. The ·organization is funded and supported by over 50 religious orders of priests, brothers an4 nuns .. • wr ~. it;~Y:.i~-- pool, ,hot tub, skiing and more . Innkeepers Judith Hall and Grace Newip.affinvite you to write or call 'fof a brochure. P. 0. Box 118 SL Bethlehem, NH 03574 (603) ·869-3978 a GAY-CHRISTIcAoNn ference! N, • I E C. l Q,, • .. Featuring '-'\ three key- , ~ • . •• • • n_ore speakers., '\, great m~sic, spe- "\. ' .· - . . . cial workshops and , ', This yeaI~s" ConO:ECtio~ta ke~ 0 plate in ~h:e~; n small groups where ", youcaffdiscussyourper- ~ '\ ' Francisco Bay Area' of California arid ru·ns ', frorri.: · · ' • • sonal issues as a lesbian or ..\ . · gay Christian. ", •, FridayJ, uly2:to MondayJ, uly5 • •• • Workshops include topics, li~e: ~ Coming:out • • • ', Keynote ~peakers: •• • • Rev: iv!.M ahan Siler, Jr. • • Living with HI'v/AIDS • The "ex-gay" movement • Dat~ng and r~lation,Ships • .. ', • Ms. Patricia V. Long •, : . • Dr. Ralph Blair • • • De:i.ling with pareftts and family • Understanding spi~irualiry and sexuality • • • ', · A great j,lace· tO • \ . meet Ji:iends! • Also .. , BayA reaa uthor and composerJ ackP antaleo, ', will present .the musi~I: The Gospel According to the ', Angel/ 11/'.u.;s '!. •• . ' · \ . . For inore illforQ:larionp lease send . yoll r na~e . ~fl.c.alddress to: fi . .I\CWR P.O. Box 4750, ·, ' De_nve, rCO 80204 ~ , CQ.rlnECtion •~3 }s prod~~e~ ~f·E vangelicals Goncerned _. .-~ Wes.tern Region,_a non-pr~fit,o~ganiiarion rhar positively ~ unires·Iesbian/g~y sexuality With-Bib!iq.l S:~ristianiry. • • • • • ·~ l '! l l Second Stone•March/April, 1993 tz:J BUILDING COMMUNITY Operat ion Oppor tunity: Dominican women sew for their lives In a tiny village outside Santo Domingo the rains pound on the tin roof as six children run around inside the crowded shack . Four women sit crouched over squares of cloth, sewing them iogether . They are sewing for their lives. Operation Opportunity was conceived to be a permanent soluti~n to the chronic problem of total unemployment for women in the barrio of El Tamarindo. The unemployment rate for the men of the village is close to 80.percent.but the unemployment rate for women is 100 percent. There is no opportunity at all for the women of the village. They follow the tradition of having childen and hoping that the father will share the costs when he is able. Often the mothers never leave their father's home unM the sheer number of people in the · shack forces them to find some other shelter. Thus, the idea of employing Women to sew patch-work blanets was initiated. In Tampa, Florida 12 members of the Agape Mission Covenant Family examine the first results of a dream that has taken a year and many hou_rs of hard work. The Family is part of the Metropolitan Community Church of Tampa which provic;les _the essen- Ill tial umbrella of a non-profit organization as well as access to the many church mis~ions throughout the world. Membership in the Family is informal and open to anyone interested in helping the people of the world to achieve a better life through their own efforts. The Family members have hawked refreshments at the Gasparilla Parade, held dinners, arranged yard sales, even · sold a car that was donated to them in order to raise the money necessary to if!tplement Operation Opportunity . While the "membership" of the Family has grown and shrunk over the months, the core members have maintained the dream ·. The Family provides seed · money, suppHes and training for the women to make the blankets . Then the blankets are sent back to Tampa where the Family sells them . The blankets are very simple - five inch square patches of cloth sewn together into a blanket approximately 80". X 100". A sheet is sewn to the back of the patch-work with one end left open so a blanket can be inserted for use in cold weather. There are no sewing machines in the village . It take~ one woman .approximately one ■ Let a new light shine for someone you love. Second Stone is a gift of love, comfort, inspiration and resolution for friends and family who may be in doubt, despair, isolation or suffering illness. Give the special people in your life the gift of Second Stone. We'll take it from there. FROM, Yes . .. My Name Please send a gift """" subscription and card Q~ '""- --- "•---- . in my name to the Name person(s) listed: Mdress [ I One gift, $15 City [ ] Two gifts, $29 S12le Zip [ ] Three gifts, $42 Sign Gift Card Add $10 for each Name foreign subscriber. Mdress U.S. currency. C'Jty PAYMENT S12Je Zip 8'/CIDSID. Sign Gift Card Use additional sheet for more gifts. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 ■ ■ L8J Second Stone•March/ April, 1993 month to finish a blanket. Each blanket is completely hand made, signed by the woman who made it, and accompanied by a photo and short biography. Twelve women competed for the coveted opportunity to earn a living for themselves and their families. Four of the best were chosen. This is probably the only opportunity they will have . for breaking the clrnins of poverty that imprison them in an endless cycle of grinding degradation. · Four blankets have been received by the Family and two have been sold. Four more are expected soon . The blankets have been purchased by the local MCC clmrches to be used as prizes in drawings. If the blankets continue to sell, all 12 of the women will be hired for a total annual output of 144 blankets. The blankets cost $150. Of that, the Dominican women get $100 and the other $50 is used to buy material and train more people to become self supporting. Readersw lzoa rei nterestedi n this work may contact Agape Mission Covenant Family for information: MCC Tampa, 2904 ConcordiaA ve., Tampa,F L 33629, (813)839-593. 9 (jotf SpeaR.§to tlie.C liurches By KATHRYN VIVIAN KEATING Out in the .cities ... hidden by night, I see My Sheep stumble alone in My sight I see the111l;o nely; Put out of the fold e U O S ' And f arf I f trangeness· chilled thru by the cold' They search for fulfillment. For love they can share . The love of some other, who'll know, but still care! They realize not that they are my design. That tho' they be 'different,' I cherish them Mine. I follow these close as they wander along. At times, driv 'n to destruction - or pulled into wrong . 0, I beg them to listen again to My voice, . For I never abandon the Sheep of My choice! And the love which they need, I'll provide if they trust and walk with Me humbly, and know that I'm just. I died for their sake, when I died for all men, And will give life eternal when I come again. I know about these ... These Sheep who are Mine, And wait to sustain them with love that's Divine. "Thed iseasedh avey e not strengthenedn, eitherl zavey e healedt hat whichw as sick; neitherh avey e boundu p tlzatw hich was broken,n eitherh avey e brought againt hat whichw as drivena way. NeitherJ iavey e soughtt hat whichw as lost; but with force and witlz cruelty have ye ruled them. And tlzey were scattered, becauset lzerew as no slzeplzerda:n d tlzeyb ecamem eat to all tile beastso f tile field wizen they were scattered.. . For tlzuss aith the Lord God,B eholdI , even I will both searchM y sheepa nd seekt hem out as a Slzeplzersde eketlzo ut liisf lock in tile day tlzatH e is amongH is sheept hat ares cattereds;o will I seek out My sheep, and will deliver them out of all the places wlzere they lzave been. scatteredi n tile cloudya nd darkd ay." -Ezekie3l 4:4-5;11-12 -Poetry from FromA HeartbrokenG odT o A HeartbrokePn eople ©1992 by Kathryn Vivian Keating resurrection: "] lay down my life for the sheep ... I lay down my life that I 0 may take it again . No one takes it away from me, but I lay it down on my own initiative." ur living of the Christian life When Jesus raised Lazarus from the springs from the life of Jesus. dead, he first said to Martha, "I am The central event of the Bible the resurrection and the life; whoever is the resurrection of Jesus believes in me shall live even if they from the dead. It is the climax of each die, and everyone who lives and of the four gospels and the main point believes in me shall never die. The of every sermon in the Book of Acts. Fourth Gospel makes it abundantly Everything . that we believe and prac- clear .in dozens of passages that hce as Chnshans depen~s on and 1s everything that we have through our based on the resurrection of _Jes~s experienc e with Jesus Christ is bas ed from the dead. The resurrection 1s - on the -resurrection of Jesus from the our basis for hope. dead . The empty tomb in itself was not How can we experience the gift of ev,d~ncc of the resurrection. The first resurrection in our daily lives? We react,,on of even the most devoted of can maintain our faith and hope and Jesus followers, the women, was th at our love in the midst of adversity. To the body had been stolen . The f1;st live is to be under pressure. Someevidence of the resurrection was he times we are tempted to give up . appearance of angels, messe?gers, The resurrection of Jesus constantly who announced the resurrection to reminds us that no matter how bad the women, who hastened to tell the things seem to be, there is a way out. 1!~e-resurrect1on of Jesus BY REV. DR. BUDDY TRULUCK disciples the good news. (So the first Christian pr eachers were women!) Just as Jesus took the initiative in selecting and calling the individual disciples to follow him, Jesus also took the initiative in identifying himself as alive from the dead to those who believed in him. This says something very special to us as gay and lesbian believers. Life, love and hope from Jesus come in our personal experience with Jesus. The gift of the presence of the living Jesus is given by Jesus and not by the church or any other organization. Neither can any · church or other religious group .deny to us the living presence of Jesus, which God alone can give. The entire Gospel of John views th e life and work of Jesus from the standpoint of the resurrection. In John 10:1-18, Jesus described his mission being like the ideal relationship between a shepherd and his sheep . Jesus said , "I came that they might have life a nd might have life abundantly. " Then Jesu s focused on taking the initiative in his death and There is hope. In Romans 12:12, Paul joins together these two spiritual gifts: "rejoicing in hope; per severing in tribulation ." These two experiences certainly go together . By rejoicing in hope we become better able to keep going in tribulation . God has better plans for us than for us simply to drag painfully along through life barely getting by. One of the most distressing features of the gay and lesbian community as I have observed it is the great number of pepple who merely exist. They have minimal income, have to share living space with others just to survive, often go hungry for lack of money, and progressively deepen their own low self image. God offers us far more than mere survival. Paul in Romans 5-8 declared the many dimensions of our hope in Christ, beginning in 5:2 by saying "we exult (rejoice or boast) in the hope of the glory of God." Then he adds in 5:5, "Hope does not disappoint ." The concluding declara, lion of hope in this passage in 8:37-39 is powerfully stated : "In all these things (a long list of tribulations) we overwhelmingly conquer through Christ who loved us." The resurrection of Jesus Christ from th e dead makes Jesus available and alive 111 your life and in mine if we invite and open our hearts and minds to Jesus. As Paul announc ed in Colossians 1:27-28 that the good news from God for the whole world is "Christ in you, the hope of glory," and that the purpo se of all of Paul's preaching and teaching was "that we may pres ent every person complete in Christ." We set our goals too low. We want to improve things ; God wants to bring all things into pe rfect harmony and completeness in Christ. We seek simply to do better next time. Jesus offers us to live life within and through us so that we can become "more than conquerors" and live the abundant and spiritually fruitful life. How would you like to attend an Anabaptist church where · y.ou as ,m openly ,gay or lesbian person were welcomed into full membership, and your partner /lover and you were treated just like any .other co,uple or family unit; where you were i!lvited to participate fully . on church committees, were asked to lead services or prea~h on Sunday morning, wer(l. expec_ted to take y.our turn wit-J:1 d1ildcare duties (you really were trusted with the children); where o.thers of your gay and lesbian friends held positions of leadership in providing visiqn for the future of the coi:igregation; and where ~he words gay and lesbian ca._-ne up regularly in the course of worship service and announcements? · If this · picture excit,es you, then Sexual orientation not a consideration at North America's oldest Mennonite congregation BY JOE MILLER welcome to Germantown Mennonite Church in Philadelphia. This, the oldest Mennonite congregation in North America, was also one of the first to deal with the issue of homosexuality and church membership, all because one person had the strength, courage, and integrity to come out of the closet and ask for church membership. The story begins some ten years ago when a member of Germantown Mennonite Church asked a young man who was a fellow social worker to visit .Germant own and see what worship there was like . Since_ this young .man was very much interested in' Anabaptist ways, he soon became a regular attender . and also joined inthe Wednesday night di s cu·ssion group . Be made friends and built rejationships and began to feel he belong ed there , He talked to : the - _pastor a.nd .made it .known privately _ that _he was.ga y, an~ J elt affirmed _ when he was told he should continue to worship at Germantown. Perhaps a year or so went by, and th en the Wedn esday evening discus- · sion group decided to dis cuss the · issue of l10mosexuality and the church. During these discussions the young man of our story came out to the congr egation, stating he was both gay and Christian and asking to be accepted as such in the church. The discussions continued for a number of we eks, during which time he felt increasing affirmation from others in the church. His acceptance came surprisingly easily. -As one member put it, "We had gotten to know and fike you as a· person so well, it was ·harcl to see you any .differently once we ·knew you were gay." Some of the ) rtembers said that they felt good about being part of a congregation in which they could bring _up issues like this and deal with them openly. The heat was turned up, however, when he asked for membership at Germantown . Most of the vocal opposition against including Gays and Lesbians had disappeared from within the congregation, but discussions at the conference level were not so positive. Discussions were set up with the conference to seek their support for the inclusion of gay and lesbian members at Germantown . At this time, the pastoral team wrote a position paperfor presentation to the conference on how Germantown planned to respond to Gays and Lesbians applying for membership .. To summarize this paper, it admitted that a great deal of controversy surrounded the interpretation of specific biblical texts relating to homosexuality, and that no one interpretation could be demonstrated conclusively to be superior. Therefore, - further guidance should be drawn from the general tenor of the Scriptures . Since the Bibl.e empha- , sizes· spreading the message of God's ·-love, inercy, and justice to all, and particularly to outcast groups in our society , we should risk offering acceptance to homosexual persons in their struggle toward wholeness. The criteria it set up for membership at Germantown were that sexual orientation would be considered irrelevant in processing a person's application; all applicants, regardless of sexual orientation, were to commit to the ideal that sexual expression should be the outgrowth of loving intimacy between two persons, and that it is intended to be monogamous and lifelong . While the discussions between the ~ongregation and the conference over these issues see-sawed back and forth, concerns were expressed that soon Germantown would be performing ''.gay marriages," In the end, however, the conference chose not to st.and in the way of Germantown in seiting its own standards for accepting homosexual members, provided it continued to dialogue with the . SEE MENNONITE, Page-18 Second Stb,reoMarchlApril, 1993 cu Y Cover Story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .............. The price of freedom From Page 1 transition from fighting the status quo to becoming the status quo. Would we have stood against the papalback~ d Inquisition in defense of Galileo? Or do the revolutions of the earth really matter to hard working, God•fearing Christians? The same radical church - which, at -its birth, haa · rocked the ·status quo . with its empowerment of women - ha~ stagnated to become the foremost oppressor of w·omen. ·-Would-we have stood in defense of Margaret' Sanger, who, in 1915, sent birth ·control information, considered obscene material, through the· U.S. mail? ·Or do (he ideas -that Women get in their heads really matter to hard working, Godfearing Christians? · · Stonewall Inn, Greenwich Village, midnight, Friday, · June 27, 1969: another police raid on another gay bar. Police begin arresting patrons without identification ·: drag queens, dykes, Hispanics, 'blacks, those too gay in mannerisms to successfully remain closeted, a menagerie of the disenfranchised, ostracized by "normal" Gays. A lesbian resists arrest. Others join in. Drag queens cancan, taunting the police. Fists fly, epitaphs fly, spirits fly. -Would we have stood in defense of Stonewall? Or do queers .really · matter to hard working, God-fearing .Chrjstians? Eight months prior to Stonewall, Rev. Troy Perry led Metropolitan Community Church's first worship service. On the forefront of gay and lesbian civil tights, the Universal _ Fellowship of MCC's has applied · every peaceful means available; including civil disobedience, to help secure the freedoms that we experience today. Factions of many other Judeo-Christian denominations have followed suit. Houston, Texas, 1978: My spouse Sandy and I, wrapped in wool caps and mufflers to avoid identification, blended into the crowd at- our first gay rights rally . . Fellow MOC member Phyllis (formerly Phillip) approached the microphone. She reminded the crowd that, since she had not submitted ·to an operation to change her male anatomy, the Houston police could legally arrest her for cross-dressing . in public. Phyllis was visibly frightend, but she stood proud. Lale'r, she told me, "When you come ~ut, you · risk being ·beaten or killed, If you stay in the closet, you will die slowly, like a cancer eating you from the inside out:' The next year, Sandy and · I represented the Texas Gay Task · Fotce, from the back of a Cadillac convertible, in I:-iousto11's first Gay Freedom Day Parade. Easy targets lfil_ [Second !llone•March/April, 1993 for any holl)ophobic sniper, we remembered Phyllis' words and risked dying free rather than living emotionally and politically muzzled. As we rounded the corner from Montrose . to Westheimer Street, instead -of being riddled with bullets, we were showered with bouquets of flowers, thrust into our arms by· an ecstatic middle-aged florist.. We were not afraid anymore. Times have changed. In the information age, mainline journalists won't cover just any story about just any protest over just any social injustice. Consequently, groups wishing to make a. public statement must plan new . and extreme mediagrabbing tactics, from shutting down rush hour. traffic to burning and looting. How should we Christians respond church should stay out of politics, King argued that involvement in politics, when it is used as an instrument of oppression is a moral obligation. King detailed four steps to any nonviolent campaign: " ... collection of the facts to determine whether injustices exist, negotiation, self-purification [preparation to meet violence with nonviolence], and direct action [only after failed negotiations.] ... Nonviolent direct action seeks to create sucl1 a crisis and foster .such a tension that a community which has constantly refused to negotiate is forced to confront the issue." Direct action should then give way again to negotiation. Typically, churches respond in one of four ways when a glaring wrong slaps the church in the face. The The Front-Line Churches immediately role up their sleeves and get to work to right the wrong. The Nicodemus Churches work behind the s·cenes at night, but won't associate with the ca11se in the light of day. The Iceberg Churches acknowledge that a wrong might, perhaps, theoretically exist and they -pray that the problem will go away. Lastly, the Rabid Dog churches, clenching their 13ibles in their teeth, growl that the wrong is a God-ordained right. to injustice? Shol,\ld we take lives and/ or destroy other people's property in the name of justifiable civil <;lisobedience? Is rioting another form of righteous indignation? Is violence morally worse· than passive resignation? Perhaps a look at Martin Luther King's "Letter from Birmingham Jail," addressed to eight white, lukewarm clergy, will suggest some guidelines for Christian social action: One has not cmly a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral ·respcmsibility to disobey unjust laws... Any law that uplifts human. personality is just. Any · law that-degrades human personality is unjust... One who breaks an unjusUaw must do so openly, lovingly, and with a willingness to accept the penalty .. , in · ·order to-arouse the consciousness of the community over its injustice. · · While some would argue the Front-Line Churches immediately role up. their sleeves and get to work to right the wrong. The Nicodemus Churches work behind -the scenes at night, but won't associate with the cause in the light of day, The Iceberg Churches acknowledge that a wrong might, perhaps, theoretically exist and they pray that the problem will go · away. Lastly, the Rabid Dog churches, clenching their Bibles in _ their teetl1, growl that the wrong is a God-ordained right. If we Christians wish to serve as a moral presence in our communities, we cannot idly wag our heads back and forth, like spectators at a ping-pong tournament, as extremist protestors wage war on the fanatically entrenched status-quo . We-must base all of our actions and all of our goals on sound Christian principles, not the least of which is "Do unto others as you would have therri do unto you," A pro-choice campaigner who prevents motorists from driving across a public bridge cannot complain too loudly when an anti-choice protestor ' prevents a woman from entering an abortion clinic. In a constructive relationship with media, we can headline our unusual efforts to meet violence with nonviolence, oppression with love. King wrote, "Human progress never rolls in on ·wheels of inevitability; it comes through the tireless efforts of men (sic) willing to be co-Workers with God ... We must use time creatively, in the knowledge that time is always ri'pe to do right." Today, we find ourselves in a season of optimistic calm. We have elected a pro-choice, gay-sensitive president, who we expect will end . the ban on Gays in the military and appoint Supreme Court Justices who lean toward individual ·freedoms. We hope that President Clinton will "fix it" for us. ("It" being what ever ails us and·our society.) We can snuggle in under the warm comforter of new leadership and sleep for awhile.. . But in fitful dreams we remember Colorado's Amendment 2 which prohibits any liomosexual or bisexual from filing a claim of discrimination. We'll protest by boycotting Coloradounless the ski season is just too irresistible .. Someone is fighting the constitutionality of 2, aren't they? Someone will take care of it for us. In our dreams we see visions of the battle against Oregon's Measure 9, which would have mandated schools teach children that being homosexual is wrong, mandated libraries dispose of all pro-gay literature. Our nightmare continues as · faceless intruders ransack and steal mailing lists from anti-Measure 9 organizations, including churches. Anonymous callers inform businesses that certain employees are homosexuals. Leaders on both sides of the initiative wear bullet-proof vests on. election day . But Measure 9 didn't pass - this time. We are safe to dream more pleasant dreams: dreams of winning the lottery or meeting that certain -someone, or even noble dreams that human kind will one day live in harmony - without too much effort or risk on our part. After all, God can perform miracles. We are safe to dream, provided we don't wake up .too late. Nancy Hu.gman is Lay Minister of Teaching at Diablo Valley Metropolitian Community Church in Concord, California. • .i:I.;1;1ltt#ll•1a:1;1:t:t•X•11;1 Gays and Lesbians struggle for freedom in the Holy Land 11Lesbiot11 and 11Homoim11 make their way to the Knesset It was meant to be a demonstration full of power and pride. A kind of political outing of unity, declaring not only "here we are" but also, "We are mapy, and we won't hide any longer." More than a hundred came, which, in American. terms may not seem to amount to much, but is significant in Israel, where gay activists have never managed to gather . more than a handful of people for political demonstrations. Contrary to what many would probably like to belie.ve, even in the Holy· Land there are Gays and Lesbians. In these days Israelis are finally being given a fair chail~e to realize that, as in societies the world over, men who love men and women who love women have been ever present amongst them. Not that everybody wants to face this reality; the conservative tones of Israeli society, generated by Jewish and Moslim religious writings, .leave little room for accepting this deviation from what they see as the chosenway. But we need to take _a few sfeps backwards if we are to understand the circumstances which gave rise to a group of mostly youngreople standing together in front o the Knesset, their gleeful spirits. undaunted by the freezing air .of Jerusalem's virgin snowfall of the year. Member of Knesset Yael Dayan (labour), daughter of the late Moshe Dayan, orchestrated Israel's inaugural meeting for Lesbians and Gays in the framework of the Knesset's Committee for Women's Rights. For her efforts, Dayan was rewarded by a barrage of attacks from· across the political spectrum . Having just returned from Tunis, as the first MK to meet with the PLO leadership since Israel repealed the law forbidding meetings with the PLO, Dayan .·was greeted by the caustic remarks of several outspoken crifics, de_nouilcing her meeting with Arafa!, with one of the more outrageous comments being voiced live on Israel television by Y. Lapid, a leading Israeli journalist and political commentator who taunted: "You can bet that Arafat would just love to see lots of queers in the Israeli· Defense Forces." Whatever · vestiges of intellectual standards remained gave way entirely when the baton was passed to the representatives of the conservative religious wirig. Rabbi Yizhak Levy, MK (National Religious Party) laconically chose to proclaim Lesbians and Gays "handicapped" and "sick individuals, whose mere physical presence would be .a blight upon the integrity and sanctity of Israel's House of Parliament." Meanwhile the Society for the Protection of Personal Rights, Israel's umbrella organization for gay men, Lesbians andpisexuals, wrapped up· its preparations for the historical day. Anula Shamir, a well-known lesbian playwrite, spent weeks rushing from interview to interview and was even invited twice by Israel television, where she spoke of the heretofore "non°issue" of homosexuality in Israel society; "Gay guys are in a Worse position than Lesbians," Shamir says. As reflected in the later rabbinic edict forbidding males from "spilling their · seed in vain," male homosexuality is described in the Old Testament as a tainted and vile act which, in the days of the prophet Moses, was punishable by death. Jud.aism's approach to lesbianism, whether through oversight or other .considerations, is more charitable. Furthermore, Lesbians are free of the added difficulties encountered in the heavy machoistic undertones of Israel's military society, which attaches great value to their military achievements. Israeli men, more so than their American ·or European counterparts, . . are expected to be strong and always "manly" - a point which is constantly reinforced for the Hebrew speaker by the shared etymology of hero (gibor) and man (gever). Says Shamir, ''I wi'sh all the Gays who fought· in our wars would come out of the closet." Public disputes over IDF's policy r~.;arding the induction of Gays into the military have never been wide~ pread, as the unspoken policy has always directed ,military personnel to ignore the issue if at all possible. One should also consider the fact that Israel could not easily release ten percent of its population from military service, in light of the significant security risks it faces. Yet behind the unoHical veil, clear orders exist detailing instructions for dealing with gay soldiers whose sexual orientation "could lead to security risks." One of the · speakers duririg the Knesset-outing session views the army as one of the most problematic institutions for homosexual men. Prof. Uzi Even, who heads the Department of Chemistry at Tel Aviv University, spoke with quiet dignity and in a most touching manner of his personal experiences in the IDF where he served for 15 years in top secret - research and development capacities until he decided to put an end to the· lies hiding his true sexual identity. "From one day 'to· the next an iron curtain fell between me' and my colleagues," Even 'recalls. 'They were ordered not to communicafe with trie any more." For Even this was · the end of his military career; Neverthe- · less, he did -not give up easily. Feeling hurt, angry and betrayed by the army in whose ranks he had served 15 years, including ·active duty in two wars, he brought his case in front of a military· council, which included an officer of Field Security, as well as the chief of the secret service, Schabak. He ·was · told , by both that he posed a security risk. Even was demoted ' frc;nn his former military post, and finally started a new tareer outside the military framework. occurred to Israeli author and playwrite Ilan Schenfeld. Only last year he was awarded the Prime Minister's Prize for literature: · But ever since he · came out of the closet; no public library has accepted his books. 'The . same establishments that awarded me several prizes," says Schenfeld, "rejected the same books from their libraries." Though hot directly connected with Dayan's Knesset-outing, one cannot overlook the fact that oniy a few days earlier, the Regional Court in Tel Aviy passed down a landmark decision_ regarding . the economic lien~fits and rights of partners in -a· .hoip9~ sexual union. The verdict,. which, is unmatched by many eq1,1iv~.elryts worldwide, possibly paves the way for greater equality between homosexual, and heterosexual couples; not only: in Israel but also far beyond it's borders. The court's decision orders El-AUsrael Airlines to provide a free ticket to the lover of .an employee, in keeping :with the customary benefits policy for El-Al employees. · '.Despite the difficulties experienced by Israeli Lesbians and Gays, their situation . is nonetheless easier than the-situ!ltion of their counterparts in the USA,. who _tend to emphasize their distinct lifestyle. The Israel lesbian woman and the gay man is very much a part of mainstream society. At the same time, the public is not as . obvioμsly intolerant of-Les,bians and Gays. Amit Kama, active -in the Society for the Protection of Personal Rights, .offers his own explanation: "Israelies have the Arabs to. hate. They don't need us for this purpose." "You can: bet that .Arafat would jusf love to see lots of queers in the Israeli Defense Forces." During the Knesset-outing Even appealed to Yael Dayan, asking her whether the army orders restricting soldiers in their military career and barring them ·from serving in special, top secret units are still in force. Of the politicians present, Even inquired whether similar orders exist blocking homosexuals from executive positions · in the Foreign Ministry or in the Ministry of Education., Unlike his former experiences in the Israeli security establishment, Even claimed that · he has not been subject to discrimination in· his current academic career where he is evaluated on -the basis of his professional merits alone: · A similar experience of official recognition on -the one . hand and subtle discrimination on the other The present legal situation regarding Gays in Israel is· better than in most western countri.es, including the USA. However, ul\like the situation in the US, . where Lesbians and .Gays have _attained substantial po)itical representation, Israel's homosexual community is in the midst of its first real steps towards political maturity. · Is the Knesset-outing the firs.t sure step in this direction? The success of this event remains to ·be determined. Undoubtedly, the path taken by Israel's gay community will be frought with several regrettable falls, as it · labors to maintain as "straight path" but as expressed by Schenfeld, the community .has already learned that "un_itym akes us strong." Second Stone•March/A~ril, 1993 [II] As in the time of Jesus, the healing ministry of the church today must be grounded firmly within the context of the lives of the people. No form of human need, no area of suffering fell beyond the purview of Jesu,s _ Who, through ministries of healing and the forgiveness of sin, estaoHshe'g the more just and merci.ful _ reign .of God at those points where ' God's creation was most in anguish. Mote than one hundred people die each day in the United Statesfrom the. complications of AIDS - one every 15 minutes - and the pace is accelerating. Though most new AIDS cases have been from metropolitan areas, there has been a significant increase in new cases in municipalities with pofulations of less than 500,000. Lack o access to adequate health care has denied the benefits of advances in treatment to many in these smaller cities and rural communities and failure to acknowledge the dimensions of the crisis has resulted in insufficient attention to AIDS education and prevention pro0 grams. The number of African-American and Hispanic cases of AIDS and HN disease, owing to all modes of lransmission, grows steadily. Infections among women and children, particularly within the communities of color, are increasing dramatically, with reported AIDS cases among women growing faster than those among men. AIDS is now one of the five leading causes of death among young women. As our concern grows about the welfare of our youth we are forced to recognize that a large number of individuals diagnosed with AIDS in their mid to late twenties were infected during their teens. HIV disease has a devastating impact on those who are already marginalized members of society with growing numbers of infections and diagnosed cases appearing today among the poorer residents of inner cities. So overwhelming are the larger social and political realities confronting us that we . are tempted to focus on the AIDS crisis in relative isolation from the multiple problems which are its firm foundation. We do not diminish the signific;mce of the AIDS crisis, but rather put· it in proper perspective, by being aware that the main thing which is new and different in the HIV epidemic is the virus itself. Beyond the virus most of what we are experiencing represents old problems that have been poorly managed or ignored completely. Though the results of the presidential election are a clear indication . [12] Second Stone•March/April, 1993 BY CATHIE LYONS I.hat the electorate wants to see changes brought about which will address and correct .the hurting realities of the peoples of this nation, let us not take a simplistic view of the tasks confronting President Bill Clinton. Fundamental changes are required which will touch and challenge our lives, our values, and our assumptions about the responsibilities and duties of both the public and private sectors and our religious and . secular institutions. The matter of HIV prevention education and the content of that education remains a pressing problem. Persistent absence of frank talk about sex and drugs has claimed countless lives already and will result in needless infections and deaths in_. the future, As church persons concerned about those who are already HIV challenged or who have been diagnosed with AIDS, we must be aware constantly of the many contexts within which these individuals are fighting . for their lives and well being. Ideally, care for people with HIV disease should include a broad range of health care and social services designed to enhance the quality of life, maximize individual choice, and minimize hospital and institutionalbased care. In reality, the health and human service systems in too_ many municipalities are already overwhelmed or are ill prepared to deal with the crisis, Ideally, services should be rendered with compassion in a manner that allows people with HIV disease and their loved ones to act as P¥tners with their care providers. In reality, there are still too few physicians outside of the major impact cities _ with adequate experience in diagnosing and treating HIV disease. Fear of persons with HIV disease persists and acceptance of co-decision making regarding the treatment of choice (even when options are readily available) is not always understood, respected or honored. People who have cared for persons with HIV and AIDS know that HIV disease, especially in its later stages, presents complex challenges. The host of opportunistic infections that characterize AIDS may attack virtua1ly any part of the body. HIV disease stubbornly refuses to be limited to any single organ or treatment strategy. In 1993, we are twelve years into an epidemic which has shown itself to be stronger than our precious resources or resolve to deal with it. The silent insidious spread of the virus continues. The unresolved issues of prevention educa;tion and service delivery which plagued us in the past are killing us in the present. The epidemic of HIV infection, nationally and globally, cannot be addressed p·roperly without putting it in this larger context. The landscape I have drawn is not neat or tidy and it's not attractive. We have gotten to where we are today, step by step as a Remember the Jesus who violated the purity codes. He was rejected, forced out into the countryside for his association and physical contact with the leper ... This Jesus of the healing miracles is the Jesus many people lost touch with early in the AIDS epidemic. nation, owing in large part to a national inability to address profoundly important and difficult questions regarding the human community and our ability to live with, to care for and to love one another. There are days when I have thought that Jesus would have found himself at home in this untidy landscape which is bordered on all sides by rather strict norms regarding what is right and what is wrong, what is proper behavior and what is sinful behavior, and who the people are who are worthy to receive the ministrations of church, temple and government. In the New Testament we are presented with the flesh and blood Jesus who finds himself embroiled in controversy over his healing ministries and the teachings of the temple. Imagine for a moment this Jesus whose touch is the healing touch of the Most Holy One. He is born into a world in which disease and suffering are rampant. Very early he realizes that the temple's mandates regarding holiness will stand in the way of his works of healing. Jesus will have to decide whether to observe the laws of Torah and the temple or to be obedient to God. . In thinking about the healing ministry of the church, let's think for a moment about this man Jesus who in doing God's work would redefine the meaning of holiness. It is this Jesus whom the church must understand and follow in AIDS ministries. The purity code contained in Torah was based on the theological conviction that because Yahweh was holy, Yahweh's chosen people were to be holy also. Purity codes ,established external boundaries delineating the holy from the unholy: the clean from the "unclean." The most pure, holy and clean were priests and levities: those associated with the service of the temple. At the other .end of the spectrum was the leper. Stigmatized as the one in whom impurity ruled, the leper was the one most to be feared: the one to be announced by the words, "unclean, unclean." Into such a world Jesus came and touched the leper. Into such a world Jesus came and brought an image of holiness defined not by its distance from what was considered to be unclean, but by its proximity to it. Into a world so divided and separated within Hself came Jesus, who, with the touch of a hand, restored human community. Into a world, so fascinated with the notion of affliction's sinful cause,Jesus SEE AIDS, Next Page AIDS From Previous Page entered, giving attention to illness and affliction as opportunities within which one could experience God's compassion and love. Into a world which so clearly judged some as sinners and made outcasts ·of others, came this man Jesus · who, in forgiving sin and in cleansing the leper, gave a preview of God's more just and merciful kingdom. Jesus redefined the meaning and activities of holiness. In Jesus, holiness included entry into the lives of others: holiness became an act of engagement, not a state of separation. In Jesus, holiness took on the suffering of others; holiness associated with what was meek, lowly, despised. In Jesus, holiness' healing touch was the touch of inclusion and participation; the touch that said "you belong." The healing miracles of the New Testament present us with a Jesus who broke down barriers, who took risks which challenge us today. Jesus risked unconditionally for the neighbor; risked without fear of reputation; risked for the sake of the Kingdom; risked his life and lost it and returned to reveal the promise of the scriptures for life eternal. Jesus' challenge is ever present with us. Have you looked into the face of a person who has HIV or AIDS and not found the face of Christ there? . Look again. Have you worked closely with a person with HIV/ AIDS and not come to a deeper understanding of what love is really all about? I had the honor of delivering the Words of Witness as the memorial service for Fred Mutti, one of Bishop Mutti's two sons who died of AIDS. At that service in celebration of Fred's life I said that the remarkable thing about love is that i.t is full of surprises. Every time we think we have a fix on it, the terrain shifts a bit as if to test us, to force a reality check on us, to make us look at it from a diffe_rent angle, to see if it is really love at all. In a sermon delivered on the subject of AIDS, Dr . Donald Messer, President of Iliff Theological Seminary included this quote about love: "So in the end love comes down to this ... not some Clark Gable appraisal of Vivien Leigh of some sex symbols' seductive pose, but 'Help me sit up.' In the end love is not a smoldering glance across the dance floor, the click of crystal, a leisurely picnic spread upon summer's clover. It is the squeeze of a hand. I'm here. I'll be here no matter how long the struggle . Water? You need water? Here .... drink ... let me straighten your pillow.'' AIDS has taught us things about love that transc.end all the debates of all the churches of all the centuries about sexuality. The AIDS epidemic has given us an opportunity to learn about the character of the love that sustains one and upholds one in sickness and in health.· In learning to care for one another and to love one Not only has AIDS robbed us of our family members, our loved ones and friends, AIDS has robbed churches of their collective n1emory of the compassionate Jesus, the messiah or the marginalized, the prophet most at home among the people pushed to the periphery. another in the best and the worst of times, AIDS has brought to us experiences of love that are larger than anything we have ever experienced, larger than anything we have ever understood, larger than anything we have ever asked f9r, larger than anything we can ever forget. In the midst of all the pain and agony, in the midst of the fear and the loneliness, the uncertainty and loss we are captured by a love such as this. Remember the radical, defiant Jesus I mentioned earlier . Remember the Jesus who violated the purity codes. He was rejected; forced out into the countryside for his association and physical contact with the leper. He was scorned by the temple because he took it upon himself to forgive the sins of the people. This Jesus of the healing miracles is ·the Jesus many people lost touch with early in the AIDS epidemic. Early in the '80s, shortly after we began hearing about a strange new disease initially referred to as GRID (gay related immune deficiency) the pretender christs rose up: those who felt it incumbent upon themselves to preach -God's wrath, to speak God's words of judgment and condemnation; to proclaim that AIDS is God's punishment for sin. I thought frequently about the Jesus who broke the purity codes and forgave sins as the pretender christs took to the pulpit. I thought of the pain that the flesh and blood, sensitive son of God would feel in this world today . I thought of the boundless ability of those who bear Christ's name to inflict endless suffering on the remembrance of Hirn: the Jesus of the healing miracles, present always with those who were sick and suffering . . The Jesus who always located himself and God 's .unconditional and unmeasured love precisely at the point where God's creation was most in anguish. • If the historical · Jesus were physically present with us today he would present himself wearing the visible signs of Kaposi's sarcoma: so complete, so total, so inescapable would be his identification with all who are living with HIV disease and AIDS. No t only has AIDS robbed us of our family members, our loved ones and friends , AIDS has robbed the churches of their collective memory of the compassionate Jesus, the messiah of the marginalized, the prophet most at home among the people pushed to the periphery. Why do I care so deeply about the healing ministry of the church in the midst of the AIDS epidemic? Why do I care so deeply about the idea of churches making a Covenant to Care, a concept which is so simple, so deeply grounded in the Old and New Testaments? My passion for .the church's healing · ministry and to see churches · develop Covenant to ,Care statements and · to be involved in AIDS ministries developed -in part in response to a question raised by a .24-year-old man at our National Consultation in 1987. George "'.as Hispanic, he was living with AIDS, Kaposi's sarcoma was visible on his arms and face, he was also gay. Half way thro·ugh the consultation he took up the courage to go to a floor mike and ask : "Would I be welcome in · your ·-local church?" A 24-year-old man cut to the quick of the matter and asked the most profound theological question -of (he consultation. George died a few years later in New York where I had gotten to know him after he moved to the city. When George died, I decided that he and all others like him deserved an answer to the question he had raised. I knew that one way of answering his question would be for churches to make Covenant to Care -statements ·letting it be known in their communities that if you have AIDS or if you are the loved one of a person who has AIDS you are welcome here. It has been my hope that churches would go on· to take seriously the challenge set forth in the final paragraph of the church's 1988 Resolution on AIDS and the Healing Minist_ry of the Church which reads : "As members of the United Methodist Church we covenant to£ether to assure ministries antf other services to persons with AIDS ... We ask for God's guidance that we might respond in ways which bear witness always to fesus' own compassionate ministry of healing and reconciliation; and that to this end we might lave and care for one another with the same unmeasured and unconditional lave that fesus embodied." The healing ministry to which our . churches continue to be · called in this second decade of the AIDS epidemic is a ministry of truth and revelation. The pretender christs focused on God's wrath forgetting perhaps that Jesus looked at those who suffered artd saw therein fue face of God's creation. So too is it our task and our holy duty to proclaim: that the face ' that AIDS wears is always the face of a person created and loved by God; that the face that AIDS wears is always the face of a person who is someone's mother or father, husband or wife, son or daughter, brother or . SEE AIDS, Pag~ 20 Second Stone•March/A;ril, 1993 IT3J .In Print ..................................... ................. ,• .............. . Helping to heal Christian homophobia By Johnny Townsend Contributing Writer D . · o you have a family member or friend at church who is finally at the point of at least being willing to listen to you, but who you know is not ready for "full conversion" to accepting gayness? If so, then Bruce Hilton's Can . . .. Homap.hobia Be Cured?might be . a. book to offer that person. The book is short, broken down into small, easily accessibl"e sections, and is an easy read. Naturally, the biggest problem with this approach is that many of the issues dealt with are treated simplistically and superficially. This is not.a book for anyone wanting to delve deeply into the issue of religion and homosexuality, but as a first book for someone non-gay trying to open up his or her mind, it could work. One of the strengths of the book is its focus near the end of the history of how the official position of the United Methodist Church on homosexuality was shaped. One .does not need to belong to this particular religion to recognize that most religions . probably evolved .in similat ways, and seeing the step by step proce.ss helps demystify the all powerful . '.'final decision" that most. people believe has always existed but whicl1 does in fact have a history, . Another ·of the book's strengths is its soft -approach. While the disci!ssion of biblical passages is one of the more superficial parts of Can· Homophobia · Be Cured?, it's true, too; that . m/my people aren't intellectually prepared to . read a scholarly dissertation (though Hilton adds a bibliography of useful books and oi"ganizations at the end of his book.) Even in his biblical discussion, however, he is willing to make concessions to those who oppose Gays, as their love for gay friends · or family the origin or cause of homosexuality. when he writes, "Every [biblical] will need ·these kinds of concessions He also brings up the "fact" believed mention of homosexual sex indicates in order not to be forced too quickly for centuries that women had one that it is wrong. ' There isn't a fav- down · a new pathway .of thinking. more _rib than men, based_ on interorable word anywhere in the Bible Later, they can come the rest of the pretatton of the Bible m spite of how about same-sex acts." way. This book only attempts to help easy it was scientifically to determine I find this and other "admissions" them start down that path. the truth, and uses that in_ a decent refreshing, and I also suspect that Hilton mentions the Kinsey studies discussion of religion's relationship lo many religious non-gays who are plus recent Dutch researd1, the hypo- science. caught between their church and thalamus theory, and twin studies on Hilton displays a real sensitivity to BRUCE HILTON CA , BE CURED? lfo,-r WRESTLING WITH QUESTIONS THAT CHALLENGE THE CHURCH · · ·language as he tries · neithecto · b·e sexist nor heterosexist, and though he uses some moving examples of his involvement in civil rights issues in Mississippi in the mid-1960's, he isn't above putting himself down, as in his example of not standing up in public for gay rights when visiting another city, even when lobbying in town for just that purpose. Humor helps in his list of official reasons "Why Heterosexual Men Should Not Be Ordained," and a list of famous gay and lesbian people, while old news for most of us, could be eye opening for someone newly introduced to homosexuality. Finally, there is a discussion of how one can as an individual start a ministry that includes gay people, and how one can involve the entire congregation, so the book ends on a hopeful note that with treatment, homophobia, if not completely curable, can at least be controlled. His ·concluding two lines, a real zinger I'll save for the reader, su•ccinctly sums up Hilton's belief that action is more important than empty clai_ms of saying one is a Christian. So while the book may not necessarily be better than other introductory works, ii does hold its own and offers another chance of reaching those people who will open themselves to sincere questioning, and to the belief that love is the most important aspect of gospel living. Sexuality from Catholic, Lutheran perspectives Euti~chs for the Kingdom of Heaven/ Women, Sexuality and the Catholic Chuich, Uta . Ranke-Heinemann, translated from German by Peter Heinegg, Doubleday, 1990, 360 pages; $21.95. Human S~xuality dnd the Christian Faith/A study for the church's reflection and deliberation, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Episcopal edition 1991, 55 pages, $1.50 plus postage. CT4J Second Ston~•March/ April, l 99~ By William Day" Contributing Writer A.lthough these two items are not comparable - the first, by a Catholic scholar is quite critical of Catholic teachings; the second, prepared as a study document; inviting discussion and comment - they afford sharply contrastrng approaches · to Christian behavior with relation to sexuality. Ranke-Heinemann's does ·not pertain directly to the concerns of Gays and · Lesbians except for a brief chapter near the end entitled "Homosexuality." Its main thrust tells . how the Catholic Church became so concerned about sexuality tha_t it debased the role of women and mandated celibacy for its priests and, in general, considers the enjoyment of sex wicked. Its value to Gays and . .Lesbians, I suggest, lies in illustrating the extraordinary lengths to which . the Roman ._heirarchy can go to sell ·the idea that sex is sinful unless · intended purely for procreation. · For example, take the case of Mary, the mother ·of Jesus, "ever-virgin Mother of God," in Catholic termi- · nology. Thus New-Testament refers ences to brothers and sisters of Jesus are interpreted by' Catholicism as references to half brothers .or sisters who were offspring of Joseph by an earlier (or later?) marriage while it is maintained that despite the birthing of Jesus, Mary's hymen remains intact. The author, who has a doctorate in Catholic theology, Jost her chair at the University of Essen for her works but now holds a chair · there in the history of religion. · This book will be useful to many readers -chiefly because of its careful and thorough documentation concerning Catholic "moral theology." Such topics as original sin, abortion, contraception, masturbation (onanism), as well as celibacy are discussed with references to Catholic theologians, e.g.; ·Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, and to relevant scriptural texts which are at variance with Catholic teach- SEE PERSPECTIVES, Next Page In Print . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .......................... • · ................. . A catechism for conservative gay Christians prostitution and rape are condemned. orders. The "la·st days" a~e thought to By Michael Blankenship Contributing Writer By definition, a "catechism" is a handbook for teaching the principles and fundamentals of religion. Many of us grew up in churches where there were ·no catechisms, and without good reason the word seems foreign to us or at least very "high church ." So it was with pleasure that I recently found that Cristo Press in Arizona has published their own Cltristian Gay Catecltism. This handbook, designed with a series of questions and answers, is an absolute wealth of information. Included is a great amount of information about the Bible, the church, Christian history and theology. To say that this catechism is affirming to lesbian and gay Christians would be an understatement. Throughout we find many passages that reject and refute the traditional views of most fundamentalist churches. Within the first ten pages the author states emphatically that the Bible does not give a blanket condemnation of homo~exuality, but, just as with heterosexuality, certain acts such as In Print, briefly ... Gay Midlife and Maturity This book, edited by John Alan Lee, PhD, challenges the long-held stereotype of the sad and lonely old homosexual. It rejects this myth and illustrates that older gay men and Lesbians cope well with the aging process. Included is an in-depth interview with Don Bachardy about his 33-year relationship with Christopher Isherwood, a renowned English writer who was 30 years his senior. -From Harrington Parle Press Community Jobs This monthly employment newspaper for the non-profit sector lists over 200 positions in arts, health, youth, civil rights, housing and human services. A three month subscription is $29. °From Access. 50 Beacon St., Boston, W.02108 . The Devil in Men's Dreams This collection of 12 short stories by Tom Scott are told with understated candor and clarity. "My Battle With The Devil" develops the theme of homosexuality in · a young funda· mentalist man whose religion and sexuality are irrevocably intertwined, with disastrous resu.lts. Two stories involve personal experiences and reactions to Al DS, such as the discovery by a grieving family· of their son's homosexuality. -From GLB Publishers The author g9es on to state that God be prophetically foretold in the 38th loves homosexuals, who, like all · chapter of Ezekiel with the former human beings are created by a God Soviet Union playing an important who does not make mistakes . The part. An anti-abortion stance is point is also made that Jesus had , strongly stressed. And, the thought nothing whatsoever to say about 1s expressed that calling God homosexuality . "mother" often leads into heresy and I really liked the full explanation of paganism. Paul's opinion of homosexuality, and It is unfortunate that this treasure how his views were formed on the trove of basic Christian knowledge basis of his personal observance of and information is at times tarnished pederasty, homosexual rape, ·and with judgmentalism. New Age temple prostitution. Since Paul's let- Christians are thought to be guided ters are often used to condemn by demons. Metropolitan . Commuhomosexuality this book offers excel- nity Churches are said to have an lent ammunition. emphasis on a kind of love that is However, 1 think this book will find . "unscriptural" ·and these churches are its greatest appeaJ: for those from a criticized. for being too diverse. There pentecostal or .literalist background . is also little tolerance for other The belief is expressed in real religions and faiths: Hinduism is demons which can "possess" people called ."satanic to the core," Jehovah's to the status of cults, and Buddhists are simply addressed as atheists. Also, it is stated that it is "inconsistent" for Christians to ,be members of lodges such as the Masons. Despite the small bits of self-righteous "tarnish" · I've picked from this book, A Christian .Gay Catecltism is still a gleaming example of what gay and lesbian Christians can create when they explore their own theology. For homos exual Christians from an evangelical background who are "coming out" this would be a most important book to own . This book will provide a new, yet conservative, perspective, while attacking the anti-gay ideology found in most fundamentalist churches. Available from Cristo Press, 1029 E. Turney, Phoenix, AZ 85014, $3.00. causing insanity and emotional dis- Witnesses and Muslims are relegated ------------------ PERSPECTIVES, From Previous Page ing. Celibacy, ·for example, is enforced as a good thing against scriptural evidence that the Apostles were married. A major question, of course, is why the Catholic Church took off on this anti-sex tangent. The author says this was definitely not part of Christianity's Jewish heritage. She attributes its introduction to Gnosticism, with its emphasis on the mind and its rejection of the body . The author discusses "Luther and his Influence on Catholic Sexual Morality" (Chapter 11) but does not otherwise go into the implications of Catholic morality theology for the reformed or protestant churches . But readers from these traditions can ponder the extent to which their church doctrines were influenced by Roman teaching before the Reformation . No mention is made of the Vatican letter a few years ago condemning homosexuality, but a gay or lesbian . reader who reads this book, in toto or in part, should have no problem in understanding the Catholic attitude in view of its marked opposition lo sexual pleasure without procreation. The Lutheran document illustrates an entirely different way of dealing with specific sexual concerns on the part of two major Protestant denomi- . nations . Concerns include sexual abuse, gay and lesbian relationships, and genital sexual relationships outside of marriage. Scriptural texts are presented and discussed and then questions are rais _ed for group discussion . The following from page 31 indicates the overall tone: 'The Church and its practices must always Concise and · accurate youth resource ·Christianity· and Homosexuality: A Resource for Students, published by England's Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement, presents dear and accurate information on homosexuality in . a easy to read style for young people. Author Sue Vickerman, who has worked with Mother Teresa in India, said that the book was written lo encourage young peopje to think for themselves. "I offered to write this publication for the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement because after ~hree years experience as a Religious Education te .acher I feel it is appropriate for homosexuality· to be talked about with children in a moral context," Vickerman said. The book summarizes diverse Christian views on homosexuality in a balanced, objective manner. For information contact LGCM, Oxford House, Derbyshire St., London, E2 6HG. be reformed for· the sake of remaining faithful to its mission in the world . Doctrinal, liturgical, and moral traditions must be examined in light of what is central to our identity and mission as Christians . Some human- . based customs or taboos mily have little to do with God'.s law or with the promise of the gospel." The preface says 'This study is the first stage in the development of a social statement on human sexuality. It is intended to stimulate reflection and dialogue with Scripture, with the · Lutheran theological tradition, arid with one another." A disclaimer notes the study does not have official policy status. The preface identifies ·a task force of lay persons and clergy, also a staff director, Dr. Karen · Bloomquist of the Division for Church in Society, ELCA, and five members of an adjunct staff. The chapter on "Episcopalian Perspectives Related to Sexuality" was written by Bishop Edward W. Jones of the Episcopal Church's Indianapolis Diocese. Note: The office of ELCA's Division for Church in Society is located at 8765 W. Higgins Rd ., Chicago, IL 60631-4190, (312)380-2710. Second Stone•_March/April. 1993 .[rn ., • Calendar ............ •- ........................... ............ ..................... . Tlie Jo/lawing announcements have bem submitted by spcmsoring or affiliated groups. CMI Conference '93 MARCH 4-7, 1993, Communication · Ministry, Inc ., presents a conference on 'The Goodness of Being Gay: Spirituality for Lesbian and Gay Religious, Clergy and Seminarians." Besides major addresses and celebratory liturgies, workshops will include: Celibacy as a Way of Loving, Relationships in the Committed Life, Coming Out, Formation Issues, Aging/Middle Years, and Hiv Positive. Conference fee is $75.00. for furth er information and pre-registration, write to: CMI Conference '93, P.O. Box 60125, Chicago, IL 60660-0125. . . PLGC Midwestern Regional Conference MARCH 5-7, This conference, WcmungtonDC APRll, 25, 1993 DON'TMISS THISONE! sponsored by Presbyterians for Lesbian and Gay Concerns, to be held at the Heartland Presbyterian Center , Kansas City, Missouri, will give participants an opportunity rediscover the roots of their faith and celebrate their spiritual strength as individuals and as a community. For information contact Doug Atkins, 747 N. Taylor Ave ., Kirkwood, MO 63122. Conn~cting families MARCH 12-14, 1993, Laurelvill e Mennonite Churc h Center is the setting for the fourth Connecting families retreat sponsored and planned by Church of the Brethren and Mennonite fomiles with gay or lesbian members. For information write to Brethren/Mennonite Parents, P.O. Box 1708, Lima, OH 45802 or Laurelville Mennonite Church Center, Route 5, Mt. Pleasant, PA · 15666. Second Annual Women's Conference MARCH 26-28, "Women's Experience: Creating Connections in the 90's" is the theme of this conference to be held at Mundelein College at Loyola University (Chicago). Housing is limited . Fee is $25.00: For information contact'Women's Conference, Sullivan Center, Room 200, 6525 N. Sheridan Road, Chicago, IL 60625, (312)508-8430. Third U.S. Women-Church Conference APRIL 16-18, "Weavers of Change" is the theme of this gathering in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which is an opportunity for women to deepen Accommodations, AIDS/HIV resourcu, bars, boo"kstoru, various businesses, haaHh care, logal urvk:u, org'antzatlons, publlcaUons, ralgtou1 groups, switchboards, tharaplsts, travel agents, & much more, tor gay women and men. All pt"lces below INCLUDE FIRST CIASS POSTAGE t> USA, Canada & Mexico, In soaJed, discreet envelopes. ~.lllng lists we strictly oon~endal. ~r:~~~k;: ~,(::~:=: ~~"lw.'~~r;;~~k~r=~tst(~!;,;~bank, possible Customs problemsij US,CANAPA. Canada aid USA tor women & men. City by dty Information tor all US States, canadian Pn:wincEI!, and !he US Vigin Islands, plus retionwlde rsS011cas including headqUMers of natlona orga,lzations clld c:aLCUSes: pi.blicadoos: mail aderc:cmpanles, etc. $12.00; OUlslde N. Amarlca $17 (airmail) NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY. NY & NJ; "'1)8rate Women's Sectfa,; """1hattan bar rotes by Je,ry Fitzpatrick. $5,00; outside N. America $8 (alrmalQ SOlflHERN/Southom Mldwost. 64 pages. AL "2, AR, FL, GA, KS, KY, IA, MS, MO, NM, NC, OK, PR, SC, TN, TX, US Virgin Islands, VA. $5.00; outside N. Am1~ca $8·(alrmall) NORTHEAST. CT, DE, DC, ME, MA, NH, OH, PA, RI, VT, WV. $5.00; ousldo N. America $8 (airmail) RENAISSANCE HOUSE, BOX 533-SS VILLAGE STATION, NEW YORK, NY 10014-0292 (212)674-0120 []j] Second Stone•March/April, 1993 understanding of the richness and depth of the diversity of women's experiences. Featuring over 100 speakers, presenters and artists, four major plenary sessions and 30 focus sessions. For information write to P.O. Box 1025, Melrose, MA 02176 or call (617)662•2102 or (617)524-7030. LGCM Annual Conference · APRIL 16-18, England's Lesbian and Gay Christian MoVement gathers at Wellington Avenue Methodist Church ill'Liverpoo l for its annual conference. Dr. Elizabeth Stuart, authol' of Daring to Speak Love's Name, is keynote speaker. 'For information contact Lesbian and Gay Christian ·Movement, Oxford House, Derbyshire St., London, England E2 6HG, 071-739-1249. Affirmation Spring Gathering APRIL 23-25, Affirmation (United Methodists) meets in the Washing .ton, D.C. area in conjunction with the March on Washington. Facilitators are Peggy Gaylord, Mary Jo Osterman, Randy Miller and Ben Roe. Guest speaker.is Lani Kaahumanu, nationally known activist and co-editor of Bi Any Other Name; Bisexual People Speak Out. For registration information contact Affirmation, P.O. Box 1021, Evanston, IL 60204. Healing From Where We Are MAY 3-7, This retreat, offered by Kairos, at the Marianist Center in Cupertino, Calif., is a sharing experience for HIV+ priests and male · religious. For information contact John McGrann, 114 Douglass St., San Franciso, CA 9.4114, (415)861-0877 or David Eidem, 1534 Arch St., Berkeley, CA 94708, (510)841-2229. Dialogue on the Bible and Homosexuality MAY 23, The Piedmont Religious Network for Gay and Lesbian Equality sponsors a group discussion at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Winston-Salem, North Carolina . Presenters include Rev. Jimmy Creech and John Blevins. For information call (919)766-9501 or (919)748-3488. SpiritFest '93 MAY 28-31, The Catholic Formation Center, Irving , Texas is the setting for this Memorial Day weekend · gathering. Fee of $120 includes room and meals. For information contact Rev. Terry Enloe, (504)944-9836. Evangelicals Concerned · Eastern connECtion JUNE 4-6, The 14th annual eastern summer retreat of Evangelicals Concerned, Inc. will be held at Kirkridge, a mountain retreat center in eastern Pennsylvania. Keynoters will be Peggy Ca mpolo, Nicho la s Wolterstorff and Ralph Blair. For information write to Evang elka ls Concern ed, Inc., Ste. G-1, 311 East 72nd St., New York, NY 10021. 17th Annual Gay & Lesbian Christian Retreat JUNE 10-13, This event for Lesbians, gay men and bisexuals of all colors, their family and friends, continues to explore issues of sexuality in the context of Christian faith and practice. Facilitators include Mary E. Hunt, Jolm McNeil!, Virginia Ramey Mollenkott and William Smith. Kirkridge, a mountain retreat center in Eastern Pennsylvania is the setting. For information contact Kirkridge, Bangor, PA 18013-9359, (215)588-1793. BMG Annual Retreat JUNE 24-27, The Brothers of the Mercy of God invite all to join them at their host Monastery by the Sea. The conference, themed "Religious Life," promises a time of prayer and sharing. For information write to Bros. of the Mercy of God, 341 E. Center St., Manchester, CT 06040 or call 1-800-253-5506. (At the beep press 11903 and leave message .) Seventh Annual Golden Threads JUNE 25-27, The Provincetown Inn in Provincetown, Mass. will be the location for this gathering of a worldwide social network of lesbian .women over 50, and women who are interested in older women. Julie Woods is the featured entertainer. Attendance is limited to 250. For information contact Christine Burton, Golden Threads, P.O. Box 3177, Burlington, VT 05401-0031. SEE CALENDAR, Next Page .......... T Noteworthy T ..................... ~ ....................... ~ ............•.......•...... Lutheran Church of Honolulu becomes RIC t:.AT THE JANUARY annual meeting of The Lutheran Church of Honolulu the members voted to accept the Affirmation of Welcome for gay and lesbian persons and become a Reconciled in Christ congregation. The resolution recognizes that gay: and lesbian people share with all others the worth that comes from being unique individuals created by God. In becoming a Reconciled in Christ congregation, the 93 year old church joins more than 90 other Lutheran congregations and synods and 300 congregations of other Christian denominations that have CALENDAR, From Page 16 .. ~merica Baptists ·. Concerned National Retreat JUNE 26-29, The Isis Oasis in the Russian River area of Northern Califorina will be the site of the annual retreat of American Baptists Concerned. Cost, including meals and lodging, is $175. The retreat will include a trip to San Frat!c/Sco for the annual Gay /~~bian Pritle parade. For information contact American Baptists Concerned, 872 Erie St., Oakland, . CA 94610. · Gay and Lesbian Parents Meet JULY 2-4, Hundreds of lesbian moms, gay dads and their children will meet in Orlando, Florida for the 14th annual conference of the Gay and Lesbian Parents Coalitio11. "Share the Love ... Share the Magic!" is the theme. The Clarion Hotel is the setting, providi11g opportunity to visit the Disney attractions. For information contact GLPCI '93, Box 561504, Orlando, FL 32856-1504, · ( 407)420-2191. "Partners for the Glory of God" JULY 15-20, The Gay and Lesbian Affirming Disciples Alliance and the United Church Coalition for Lesbian/ · Gay Concerns will sponsor joint activities during the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ biennial General Assembly (Disciples) and General Synod (UCC) at the Cervantes Convention Center in St. Louis. Michael and Katherine Kinnamon are scheduled to speak at a Saturday evening banquet. For infomation, contact Randy Palmer al (319)332-6245. made similar statements of inclusive ministry. "We cannot visualize an image of Christ standing at the door of our . church welcoming some and shunning others. Our church is not simply a religious fellowship of like minded people. It is a community which comes together through . the costly reconciliation by Christ's death on the cross," said Dr . Donald Johnson, pastor of the church. Lesbian'Gay radio show on air; s~ks material t:.THE VOICE OF GAY CHRISTIAN~ !TY Radio Broadcast, a production of Manos Music Ministries and the Metropolitan Community Church ·of UFMCC's 16th General Conference JULY 18-25, "For All The Nations" is the theme of this conference celebrating the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Church's 25 years of ministry . The conference returns to The Pointe at Tapatio Cliffs in Phoenix, Arizona, site of the immediate past UFMCC General' Conference. For registration information write to the UFMCC, 5300 Santa Monica Blvd., Ste. 304, Los Angeles, CA 90029. Dignity/USA Convention JULY 28-AUGUST 1, The national gay and lesbian Catholic organization holds its 11th biennial convention at the Fairmont Hotel in New Orleans. "Celebrate a Living Church" is the theme of the gathering, to which attendees are encouraged lo wear Mardi Gras colors of green, gold -and p1.1rple. Brian McNaught is the featured speaker . For information contact Dignity /USA, 1500 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Ste.11, Washington, DC 20005, 1-800-877-8797. BMG Hospitality House AUGUST 14-21, The Brothers of the Mercy of God sponsor a week by the ocean, summer fun, and sharing life's experience. The setting is an authentic New England farmhouse in Matunuck, R.I. The atmosphere is relaxed, prayerful and joyous. For information write to Bros. of the Mercy of God, 341 E. Center St., Manchester, CT 06040 or call 1-800-253-5506. (At the beep press 11903 and leave message.) Northern Virginia, an hour -long radio broadcast of music, preaching, and interviews, has begun broadcasting on WCXS 94.5 Stereo FM Cable Access Radio in Fairfax County, Virginia. The show airs every Wednes< lay night at 9:00. Program Director Manos M. Clements said that the show is seeking professionally pro duced Christian music recordings by gay and lesbian artists, recorded sermons, and financial contributions. For information write to Manos Music Ministries, MCC NOV A, 7245 Lee Highway, Falls Church, VA 22046. Robert Williams dies t:.J. ROBERT WILLIAMS, an openly P-FLAG Annual Convention SEPTEMBER 3-6, The 12th Annual International Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays gathering wiU be held in New Orleans Labor Day weekend at the Sheraton Hotel on Canal Street. "Celebrating Family - New Orleans Style" is the theme. For information contact New Orleans P-FLAG, P.O. Box 15485, New Orleans , LA 70175. Nationat Skills · Building Conference OCTOBER 31-NOVEMBER 3, The AIDS National Interfaith Network, National Association of People with AIDS and National Minority AIDS Council sponosor their annual gathering. New Orleans, on Halloween weekend, is the setting. For information contact ANIN, 110 Maryland Ave., NE, Ste. 504, Washington, DC 20002. RE-imagining/ Churches in Solidarity with Women NOVEMBER 4-7, A global theological conference by women for women and men. Re-imagining God, creation, Jesus, church as spiritual institution, arts/ church, -lar)guage / word, ethics/ work/ ministry, commurJty, sexuality/ family, churcl1 as worshipping community . '.Featuring many preseriters including Mary E. Hunt and Virginia Ramey Mollenkott. The Minneapolis Convention Center is the setting . Contact Rev. Sally Hill, 122 W. Franklin Ave., Room 100, Minneapolis, MN 55404, (612)870-3600, fax (612)870-3663. gay minister ordained in the Episcopal Churcl1, died on Christmas Eve in Boston of an AIDS related infection. He was 37.. Williams, who was asked to resign just six weeks after his ordination in December 1989, was diagnosed with AIDS in November 1990. His body was cremated and his ashes scattered over Cape Cod B.ay. · UFMCC opens expansive new churches tiTWO, OF THE UFMCC'S largest churches, in Dallas, Texas and Washington, D.C. held their first Sunday worship services in newly constructed buildings just before Christmas . CNN Headline News look note of the Dallas church opening, saying that "Gays and Lesbians now · have a cathedral of their own." Both Cathedral of Hope MCC in Dallas and MCC Washington held their first services in the new facilities on the same day. The $3 million .Cathedral of Hope MCC seats 1,000 people. With 1,000 members, it is the world's largest church with a specific outreacl1 to Gays and Lesbians, 'The fact that this building exists · at all is a testament to the power of God to enable people to triumph over· adversity," said Rev. Michael Piazza, pastor. The cl1Urch building features lesbian/ gay symbols in a spiritual setting, including a triangular altar of pink marble and stained glass windows with lambdas and the like. MCC/DC's new church, which cost $1.5 million, seats 350. Rev. Larry Uhrig, pastor of the . church, said of the ·new building, "It proves to me that we should never give up on our dreams and ·visions, but when we. wail on them they come tous." Two mid-sized UFMCC congregations, in Omaha, Nebraska, and Boca Raton, Florida have also purchased new buildings in recent months. Rev. Freda Smith on Dallas cable t:.SILENT HARVEST MINISTRIES has announced weekly · cablecasting of worship services from River City MCC, Sacramento, Calif., to TC! cable customers in Dallas, Texas. The program features Rev . Elder Freda , Smith, the first woman ordained in the UFMCC and the first woman elected to the Board of Elder:;. c,c show can be seen on rhannel 12-B Sun., 7:30, Thurs., 11:30, Mon., 10:00, and Fri., 11:00; (All times .p.m.) Ft. Lauderdale church sets record t:.CHURCH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT MCC, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida: held the UFMCC's largest Christmas Eve service last year with a congregation SEE NOTEWOR1HY, P~ge 19 Second .Stone•March/April, 1993 [IT] Reconciling Congregation Program calls on Methodists to support Colorado boycott The board of directors of the Reconciling Congregation Program added its voice to the many other groups in the United Methodist Church that are calling for the denomination to relocate its General Conference from Denver in 1996 because of the passage of Amendment 2 by Colorado MENNONITE, From Page 9 conference on the issue, and that no formal written position be adopted by the congregation or the conference . Therefore, while the position paper prepared by Germantown's pastors was officially abolished, the ideals stated in the paper still guide the cong~egation today. Once our young man became a member at Germantown, many others followed -. Other gay and lesbian Christians in the Philadelphia area joined when they saw there was a comfortable place in which they could be whole and still worship ·in their tradition. At least one person from an outlying "country" church Coming Out means teiling the truth about our lives ... a family value we can live with. Please give generously to the most effective campaign 011r comm11nity will ever wage. NATI0NALC0MINGOUTDAY• OCT0BER11 PO Box 8270, SANTA FE, NM 87504-8270 SOS-982-2558 Your contribution is tax-deductible voters. The board met Feb. 12-14 in Chicago. In a leUer to the Corrimission on General Conference, the board stated, in part, "General . Conference is the most visible and most official gathering of the United Methodist Church. We dare not meet •in a place in which the policy is in was directed by his pastor to "try Germantown" after he had disclosed his sexual orientation. More than anything else, the open arms of both gay and straight members have invited gay men and Lesbians to find a church home at Germantown. To be sure, Germantown is not a gay /lesbian church. The congregation is largely made up of young and middle-aged married couples with a lot of youngsters under six years old. It struggles not only with sexuality issues, but with issues relating to women, the poor and homeless, arid · economic inequality, as well as the inore mundane problems of leadership and meeting space. But .the For your c~nvenience you may now FAX: EDITORIAL •letters to the Editor •Newscllps •Calendar items SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES •New subscriptions •Renewals •Gift subscriptions •Address changes ADVERTISING •Classified ads •Insertion orders or . space reservations (504)891-7555 Classified SPECIAL FIRST TEN WORDS FREE! Meet a new customer for your business ... a new friend in a city you'll be visiting soon .. . a new pen pal. .. the possibilities are exciting! Second Stone classifieds reach readers in every state and many foreign countries. · 20 words just $3.50! 30 words just $7.00! Use the order form -on the classified page or FAX your ·ad to (504)891-7555, including classification, months to run and billing address. 20 word minimum. Each additional word, 35¢. ris: Second Stone•March/April, 1993 LL . a: such blatant opposition to the c-<iprotection of basic human rights, a widely-supported United Methodist position." In other action, the RCP board launched plans for a Reconciling Pastors Network, which would provide a way for pastors to be identified as pastors have noted the unique contributions made by the. gay and lesbian members .. They poirit to the contribution of gay men to a greater sensitivity among the men in the church; they also point out that gay and lesbian couples have provided models of stability for many heterosexual relationships in the congregation. The. Germantown congregation seems to be largely comfortable with how it has dealt with the issue of supporting ministries with lesbian, gay and . bisexual persons. Also, a youth/young adult task force held its inaugural meeting ancl plans were finalized for the third national convocation of Reconciling Congregations from July 8-11, 1993 in Washington, D.C. faces the challenge of providing leadership and an example to congregations and the church at large. As homosexuality affects more families and congregations within the church, a witness of acceptance and inclusion is vital. Germantown is a fine example that this can be done to the benefit and enrichment of the congregation. It is hoped that through involvement with the Supportive Congregations Network, and through being open and unapologetic about its position, Germantown Mennonite They point to the contribution of gay men to a greater sensitivity among men in the church. They also point out that gay and lesbian couples have provided models of stability for many heterosexual relationships in the congregation. homosexual members, although some aspects of the issue continue to cause moments of unease with a few people. The congregation has moved forward in making acceptance of gay and lesbian persons no less important a goal than any other aspect of doing God 's work. While most of the energy expended on sexual orientation issues has been internal within the congregation, Germantown now Church will continue to be a shining example for the inclusion of all oppressed groups within the Anabaptist tradition. Joe Miller has attended Germantown Mennonite Church since 1986, and serves as a trus'tee in the .congregation. Reprinted from Dialogue, the newsletter of the Brethren/Mennonite Council Jo,· Lesbian/Gay Concb·ns. Bulk Copies Available • • • • • • • • • • • • • OF THIS ISSUE OF SECOND STONE For church /group distribution, conferences, bar ministry, etc. 10 copies - $13.50 • 25 copies - $29.50 • 50 copies - $45.00 100 copies - $67 .50 includes postalte and handling · Limited quantity of back issues available FREE; add $5.00 postage for every 50 copies. Send your pre-paid order to Second Stone, P.O. Box 8340. New Orleans, LA 70182 Resource Guide.· ................. • ................. •· .................................... . Listings in the Resource Guide are free to churches, organizations, publications and community services. Send information to Second Stone, Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 or FAX to (504)891-7555. National EVANGELICALS CONCERNED, c/o Dr. RalplrBtair, 311 East 72nd St, New York, NY 10021-(212)517-3171. Publications: Review and Record. · CONFERENCE FOR CATHOLIC LESBIANS, P.O. Box 436 P~netariumStn., Ne;, York, NY 10024. (607)432-9295. RELIGION WATCH, P.O. Box 652, North Bellmore, NY 11710. A CTif~~i~~~~~~m !~b~i~~~~~~~~ 10461, lesbiar\/gay community and the Roman Catholic Church. . HONESTY: Southern Baptist Ac!/ocates lor E"'al Ai~ts, P.O. Box 7331, Lotis\;lle, KY ffi/. (502)883-0783. FEDERATION OF PARENTS AND FRIENDS OF LESBIANS AND GAYS, INC. P.O. Box 27605, Wlshirgon, DC 20036. Send $3.00 {or packet of infonmation. . - NATIONAL GAY PENTECOSTAL AWANCE (also Pentecostal Bible Institute (Ministerial trainingl) P.O. Box 1391, Schenectaa,,, NY 12301-1391. (518)372-6001. Ptblication: The Apostolic Voice. · Alabama BIRMINGHAM • THE ALABAMA FORUM, P.O. Box 55894, 35255-5894. (205)328-9228. Arizona ~~~ g:~~~ Slation, Cllica(P, IL 60610-0461. Ptblicalion: PHOENIX - Lion of Judah Ministries, P.O. Box 26531, PRESBYTERIANS FOR LESBIAN& GAY CONCERNS, P.O. Box 85068-6531. (602)997-5372. Chuck Shamblin, Bert Miller 38, New Brunswick, NJ 08903·0038. Publication: More Light Co-pastors. 1 Update TUCSON· Cornerstone Fellow..hip, 2902 N. Geronimo, 85705. . UNIVERSAL FELLOWSHIP OF METAOPOUT AN COMMUNITY · (602)622-4626. Rada Schatt, Pastor. CHURCHES 5300 Santa Monica Blvd, '304, Los Angeles, CA MESA • Boundless Love Community Church, 431 S. Stapley 90020, (213)464-5100. Ptblication: Keeping in Touch Dr., 85204. (602)439-0224. P.J. Fousek-Grega11 p,,stor. Smay, BRETHREN I MENI\QNITE COUNCIL FOR LESBIAN AND GAY 10:00 a.rn CONCERNS, Box 65724, Washirgon, DC 20035. Ptblication: TUCSON • Casa De La Paloma Apostolic Church, 1122 N. B~11 ~~De CHURCH COALITION FOR LESBIAN I GAY ~ 0 ar;';:'~S:~ t:J:.~~8;i.32 • 4003 · 1602 )J23-S85S. Rev. CONCERNS, 18 N. College, Athens, OH 45701, (614) 593-7301. Publicalion: waves · SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISTS KINS.HIP INTER NA TIONA~ Box 3840, Los Angeles, CA 90078, (213)876-2076. Publication: Connection RECONCIUNG CONGREGATION PROGRAM, P.O: Box 23636, Washington, DC 20026, (202)863-1586. Publication: Open Hands ~£~~~~p1%,,~~ :1:~o:s~~~f 20036-0561, ECUMENICAL CATHOUC CHURCH, P.O. Box 32, Villa Grande, CA 95486-0032. Holy Spirt Church, East Moline, IL, (309)792-6188. St. Michael's Church, Russian River, CA, (707) 865-0119. Publication: The Tablet ' LIVING STREAMS, P.O, Box 178, Concord, CA-94522-0178. Bi-monthly publication. · AIDS NATIONAL INTERFAITH NETV.ORK, 300 I St., NE, Sia. 400, Washirgon, DC_ 20002. (800)288-9619, FAX (202)546-5103. Pubhcat1on: lnteract1on · NATIONAL CENTER FOR LESBIAN RIGHTS • 1663 Mission SI, 5th Fir., San Francisco, CA94103. GAY AND LESBIAN PARENT COALITION, P.O. Box 50360, WasNn(l!on, OC 20091. Publication: Network · · THE VlliNESS, PLblished tlf lhe Episcopal Church Publishing Co., 1249 Washi~on Blvd, Ste. 3115, Detroi\ Ml 48226-1868. (313)962-2650 ·. . · · INTERNATIONAtGAY AND LESBIAN ARCHIVES, The Natalie Barney Edward Carpenter Library, P.O. Box 38100, Holtywood CA 90036. (213)854-0271. Ptiilication: Bul~tin. . COUf:'LES Ne'NSletter, Pl.blished by TWr Press, Inc., P.O. BOX . 253, Brairtree, MA 02184-0003. · WOODSWOMEN • Adventure travel tor_ women, 25 W. Diamond Lake Ad., Minneapolis, MN 55419, (800)279-0555, (612)822-3809, FAX(612)822-3814. ·DAUGHTERS OP SARAH - The magazine for -Christian Femirists, 3801 No. Keeler, Chicago, IL60641, (312)736-3399. CHI AHO PRESS· A special \\Ork of the UFMCC Mid-Atlantic District. Publisher of religious books and materials. P.O. Box b~~~~~fflc'NMS~'mFifV£~ 1 :.iogue and su rt !10\JP for gay and lesbian Catholiclergy and religious. ro. Box 60125, Chicago, IL 60660-0125. PLblication: Communication ' . V.OMEN'SALUANCE FOR THEOLOGY, ETHICS AND AITUA~ : 1~J!'.~l~O~:i:;.~~iA~t~f (301)589-2509, FAX INTERNATIONAL FREE CATHOLIC COMMUNION, 258 Aspen SI., #11, Arroyo Grande, CA 93420. (805)473-2510. Ptblical1on: The Free Catholic Communicant. . INDEPENDENT CHURCH OF RELIGIOUS SCIENCE, 4102 East 7th St, #209, Lorg Beach, CA90004. (310)433-0384. . . UNITED LESBIAN AND GAY CHRISTIAN SCIENTISTS:- Box 2171, 256 So. Robertson Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90213. (818)760-0827. AFFIRMATION: Gai & Lesbian Mormons, P.O. Box 46022, Los ml~fM~nit~)?i~t;~;l, for Gay & Lesbian c~ncerns, P.O. Box 1022, Evansto11 IL60204. ST. TABITHA'S AIDS APOSTOLATE, Christian AIDS Nel\\Ork of the Merican Orthodox Catholic Church ot St. Gre(Prios, P.O. ~i ~M~~s'~~~~~:1si°:~\i~ Rock, AR72200 (501)372-5113. Workshops o_n women's issues, social justice, racism and homophobia: EMERGENCE tnternat,onat: A Community of Christian Scientists Sl.!)porting Lesbians and Gay Men. P.O. Box 9161, San Rafael, CA 94912-9161. (415)485-1881. Ptblication:.Emergel GAYELLOWPAGES-P.O. Box 292, Village Sin., New York, NY 10014. (212)674-0120 \/\OMEN'S ORDINATION CONFERENCE, P.O. Box 2693, Fairtax, VA 22031-0693. (703)352-1006 GAY, LESBIAN AND AFFIRMING DISCIPLES ALLIANCE, P.O. Box 19223, tndanapolis, IN 46219-0223. (319)324-6231. For members ot the Christian Church (Disciples ot Christ). PutJication: Crossbeams. NEW-OIRECTION Magazine tor gayAesbian Mormons, 6520 Selma Ave., Ste. AS-440, Los Angeles, CA 90028. · CHRISTIANITY & CRISIS Ma!fizine, 537 l'kst 121st SI., New York NY10027. (212)662-5907. BLK Magazine, Box 83912, Los Angeles, CA 90083-0912. (310)410-0BOa NEW WAYS MINISTRY, 4012 29th St., Mt. Rainier,.MD 20712, (301)277-5674. A_ gay-affirming organization bridging the California SAN LUIS OBISPO • MCC 61 the Central Coasf, P.O. Box 1117, ~=~t~p!;~; (805)481-9376. &Jnday, 1020 a.m. Rev. SACRAMENTO • Koinonia Christian Fellowship, P.O. Box 189444, 95818. (916)452-5736. Tom Rossi, Pastor. · SACRAMENTO· THE LATEST ISSUE, P.O. Box 160584, 95816. (916)737-lOBa ~%~~~~i~tfi1~[ 1 i~~ss,TWoll~oo~~i~A 1~008.ft. (213)656-8570. Ptblication: ET News SAN FRANCISCO· Lutherans Concerned, 566 Vallejo SI., #25, 94133-4033, (415)956-2069. Ptblicat~n: Ament. ~~i.;,~~ i\~~n?.: PG~y :xd 4~~1ci~~4~~1°r/~l~i~s'.~sg 1 Ptblicalion: Our Storie·s. · SAN FRANCISCO • The Parsonage, 555-A Castro St., 94114-0293. Ptblication: The Parsonagi ·News ARROYO. GRA_NDE • St. Brendan Free Catholic Church i'jlosto~te, 258 Aspen SI., N11, 93420. (805)473-2510 CONCORD - Free Catholic Apostolate of the Redeemer, 1440 Deir~! Ave, 113, 94520. (510)798-5281. SAN FRANCISCO • DIGNITY, 208 Dolores SI., , 94103. (415)255-9244. Ptblication: Bricl;!es. · .• • GLENDALE· Divine Redeemer MCC, 346 Riverdale Dr., 91204. Sunday, 10:45 a.m., l'kd., Fri., 7:30 p.m. Rev. Stan Harris, pastor. P~l?lic.9tion; Fram Mary's ~hrine. Colorado DENVER· Evangelicals Reconciled P.O. Box 200111, 80220, (303)331-2839. Colorado Springs: (719)468-3158. DENVER • Evangelicals Concerned I Western Re,ion, P.O. Box 4750, 80204. Publication: ThECatJe. Connecticut HARTFORD-MCC, P.O. Box 514, 06016, (203)724-4605. SLl1Cl!y, 7:00 p.m. The Meeting House, 50 Bloomlield Ave. District of Columbia lnte11ity/Washington, Inc., P.O. Box 19561, 20036-0561. (301 )953-9421. Ptbl~ation: Gay!pfing MCC of Washirgon, DC, 415 M SI., N.W., 20001. Rev. Larry J. Uhrig, p,,stor. Florida ~M~~~~W1~it.:~ ~~~'.;~g~ :~51: /~eil~: Dr. FredC. V\ltliams, Sr., Pastor. CLEARWATER • Free Catholic Church of the Resurrection, 303. N Myrt~ Ave., 34615. (813)442-3867. WEST PALM BEACH · MCC, 3500 45th St., N2A, 33409. (407)687-3943. Sunday, 9:15 & 11 :00 a.m. Sel'lices also in Ft. P~rce, (40n687-3943 and Pt. St. Lucie, (407)340-0421. FOAT MYl:AS • SI. John the Apostle MCC, 2209 Unity at the corner of Broacl.vay. (813)278-5181. Sunday, 10:00 a.m., 7:00 p.m. Rev. James Lynch. Georgia ATLANTA • SOUTHERN VOICE, P.O. Box 18215, 30316. (404)876-1819. ATLANTA· All Saints Metropolitan Community Church, P.O. Box 13968, 30324 (404)622-1154 Hawaii KAHULUI • BOTH SIDES I\QW Newsletter, P.O. Box 5042, 96732. lflinois CHICAGO • OUTLINES, Published by Lambda PLblications, 3059 N. SoiJtl)ort, 60657. (312)871_-7610. FAX (312)871-7600. Louisiana (504)945-5390. &Jnday, 10:00 a.m. Shelley Hamilton, Pastor.- Maryland . THE BALTIMORE AlTERNATl',E, P.O. Box 2351, Batimore, MD 21203. (301)235001. FAXr;D1)889-5665. Massachusetts CHERRY VALLEY· Morning Star MCC, 231 Main St., 01611. (508) .892-4320. Ptblication: Morning Star V\ltness. Mrch1gan g~~1oo~_AUISE Magaiine, 19136 'M>odHard No~h. 48203: FUNT· Redeemer MCC, 1665 N. Chevrolet Ave.,-48504-3164. (313)238-6700. Sunday, 6:00 p,rn Rev. Linda J. Stoner, Pastor. Publ,callon: Sounds ol Rooeemer. - ANN ARBOR - Huron Valley" Community ·church meets at Glacier Way UMC, 1001 Green Rd., Ann Arbor, 48105-2896. (313)741-1174. SLl1Cl!y, 2.00_p.m. • DETROIT· lrteg:ity, 960 'lmlmore, N205, 48203. GRAND RAPIDS • Bethel Ctvislian Assermly, 920 Cherry SE, P.O. Box 6935, 49516. (616)459-8262 Rev. Bruce Rolter-P~tcher. pastor. PLbficalion: Bethel Beacon. T etevision: Channel 23; Sun, 10:00p.rn . EAST LANSING I Lansing. Ecelesia. Affinning.church meets at People's Church, 200 W. Grand River. Sunday, 8:15 p.m. ANN ARBOR • Tree of Life MCC, meets at First Con11egationat Church, 218 N. Adams, Ypsilanti. P.O. Box 2598, 48106. (313)665-6163. Su-day, 6:00p.m Minnesota MINNEAPOLIS· EQUAL TIME, 310 E 381h St., Room 207, 55409. (612) 823-3836. Ptblished tlj Lavendar, Inc. · MINNEAPOLIS •. All Gods Children Metropolitan Community Church, 3100 Park Ave. S .. (612)824-2673. Publ~alion: The Disciple. New Jersey HOBOKEN· The Oasis, 707 Wlshingon St, P.O. Box 5149, 07030. (20!) 792-0340. . . . New Mexico SANTA FE· THE GATSBY CONNECTION, 551 W. Cordova, Sta ™=. 87501. (505)986-1794. New York NEW YORK • Lesbian and Gay Community ·services Center, Inc., 208 W. 13th SI., 10011. (212)620-7310. P,ijicalions: Center ~Yg~~~r,~;~, PO Box 5202, 101~0043. Ptblication Outlook •. ROCHESTER • THE E~PTY Cl:OSET, 179 Atlantic Ave., 1t1°lNV~5eo~~:i~ ~~•sJ~~~b\rls,l:~x Church, P.O. Box 9073, 12209. (518)346-0207. Father Herman, CSJn, Guardian. Plblication:. Melanoia. NEW YORK · AXIOS, Eastern and Orthodox Christians, P.O. ·Box 756, Village Sin., 10014. Second Friday, 8:00 p.m., Community Center, 208 West 13th SI. · SCHENECTADY • Li~thouse Apostolic .Church, 38 Cotumt,;a SI., P.O. Box 1391, 12301-1391. (518)372-6001. Rev. \Wtiam H. Carey, pastor. North Carolina CHARLOTTE· Metrolina SV.ffcltxlard, (704)535-6277. P.O. Box 11144, =-V\ILMI NG TON • GROW Community Service Col])Oration, P.O. Box 4535, 28406. (919)675-9222. Youh outreach: ALIVE lor gay, lesbian, bisexual youth. · RALEIGH • Raleit Aeligous Nel\\Ork tor G1 and Lesbian ~1bt.?s~~ . p=-~~~1~~9!8~:,,k for Gay and Lesbian E"'°tly, P.O. Box 15104, 27113-0104. (919)766-9501. Ohio DAYTON· Community Gospel Cnurch, P.O. Box 1634, 45401 (513)252-8855. Pentecostal, charismatic meets Sunday, 10:00 a.m. 546 Xenia Ave: Samuel Kader, Pastor. COLUMBUS • Metropotttan Community Church, 1253 North ~:tic~\~<;;\::!;,,~6~4 -3026 Sunday, 1030 a.m. COLUMBUS· STONEWALL UNION REPORTS, Box 10814, 43201-7814. (614)299-7764. Pennsylvania ALLENTOWN • Grace Covenant Fellowship, 247 N. loth SI., 18102. (215)740-0247. 81yon Ro..,, Pastor. Thom Ritter, Minister of Music. Tennessee . NASHVILLE· Daysprirg Fellowship, 120-B ·so. 11th St., Box 60073, 37206. (615)227-1448. Ptblication: Son Shine. NASHVILLE : tnlegity of Middle Tennessee, Inc., P.O. Box 121172, 37212-1172: (615)383-0018. News~er._ Texas DALLAS· Whte Rock Commuruty Church, P.O. Box 180063, 75218. (214)285-2831, (214)327-9157. Sunday, 10:30 a.m. Jeny Coo~ Pastor. ~~1i~~~~~'. P.O Box 190351, 75219-0351 (214)520-0912 AUSTIN - Joari Wakeford -Ministries, Inc., 9401-B Grouse Meaoo.Y Ln., 78758-6348, (512)835-7354. DALLAS • Silent Harvest Ministries, P.O. Box_ 190511, 75219-0511. (214)520-€655. MIDLAND : Hoiy Trintty Community Church, 1607 S. Main, 79701. (915)570-4822. Rev. Glenn E. Hammett, Pastor. Publication:Trinity Tribune DALLAS • Holy Trinity Community Church, 4402 Roseland, 75204. (214)827-5088. Rev. Frederick Wright, Pastor. Publication: The Chariot HOUSTON • Community Gospel Church, 501 E. 18th at . Coturmia. (713)880-9235. Sunday, 11 :00 a.m. Chris Chiles, Pastor. • HOUSTON• Houston Mission Church, 1633 Marshall, 77006. ~~~~d~~ a~c~M.~~~,~~air,~a~~~atur, 77001. (713)861,9149. Rev. John Gill, Pastor. Ptblication: The Gooc News m~JgJJi72rnsi,i~~~:! NH, PO Box 66821, 77266. .HOUSTON -. Kingdom Community Church, 614· E. 19th SI., 77008. (713)862-7533 (713)748-6251. SIIXl!y, 11:00am LUBBOCK · Lesbiar\/Gay Alliance, Inc., P.O, Box 64746, 79464-4746. (806)791-4499. Ptblication: La!Jixll Times. Virginia AOAI\OKE • MCC of the Blue Aiqie, P.O. Box ·20495, ·24018, (703)366-0839. Ptblication: The Blue Ricl'.le Banner ~OANOKE • BLUE RIDGE LAMBDA PAESS, P.O. Box 237, 2«m, (703)890-3184 . FALLS CHURCH • MCC ot Northern Virginia, 7245 Lee Higlway, 22046. . . FALLS CHURCH· Alfirmation Gay & Lesbian Monnons, P.O. Box 10034, 22320,0034, (202)828-3096 FALLS CHURCH· Telos Ministries, P.O. Box 3390, 22043. (703)560-2680. Bapfisl.gOll). Washington SEATTLE GAY NEWS, 704E. Pike, 98122. (206)324-4297. FAX (206)322-7188. • SEATTLE· Grace Gospel Chapel, 2052 NW 64th SI_, 98107. (206)784-8495. Sunday, 1100 a.m. & 7:00 p.m., Wecilesday, 7:30 p.m. Jerry Lachina, Pastor. RICHLAND· Shalom UCC, 505 McMlmly, 99352 (509)943-3927. ()pen and alfirming congegalibn. TACOMA • Hillsida Community Church, 2508 South 39th St., 98<00. (206)475-2388. West Virginia MORGANTOWN· Freedom Fellowship Church, P.O. Bot 1552, 26.'lJS.(~)291-69«). International • LONDON • Lesbian and Gay Christia~ Movement, Oxford House, Oert:lfshire SI., londonE26f£, UK, 071-739-1249. Lis.tings .are free at the request of the organization. Send to Second Stone, Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 or fax to .(504)891-7555. _ NOTEWORTHY, From ,Page 17 of 2,651. "It was probably the most innovative service in any Christian church I've ever been to," said Gus Kein, associate of pastoral care. The massive service was held in ihe Broward County Performing Arts Center, which will also be the site of the second "Celebrate Our Freedom" . evangelism rally with Rev. Elder Troy Perry, UFMCC founder and moderator. The rally is scheduled for May 29, 1993. - Keeping ln_Touclz Speakers bureau established LI.STAFF MEMBERS of Maleh us are available to speak to student groups, churches and other organizations . Rev. C. Alexis Tancibok, editor of Malclzus, a lesbian and gay Christian monthly newsletter, said 'There is so much out there to share with not only the straight community but our own as well." Inquiries may be written to Malclzus, 6036 Richmond Hwy,, #301, Alexandria, VA 22303 or faxed to (703)329-7896. Second Stone•March/ Aj>ril, 1993 [iru I I • Class iii eds T- ................. ~ ..... .. • ................................................ . :s0 ,0ks & Pu·bt1.cation_s ·· "WONDERFUL DIVERSITY," "Hea rtily recom~ended ," . "Philosophically intriguing ," "Excellent.,, Why do revie wers highly esteem CHRISTIAN*NEW AGE QUARTERLY? Great articles and liv_ely columns mak e this bridge of dialogue between Christians and New Agers as entertaining as it is substantive. Subscribe for only $12.50/yr, Or sample us for $3.50. CHR!STIAN*NEW AGE QUARTERLY, P.O. Bo'. 276, Clifton, NJ 07011-0276. TF CHI RHO PRESS. Send for your copy of The Bible a11d Homosexuality by Rev. Michae l England for $5.95 or I'm Still Dan ci11g by long-term AIDS .survivor Rev. Steve Pieters for $8.95 arid receive a free catalog from Chi Rho Press, an M(;C-based publishing house for the Gay/Lesbian Christian community. Or receive our catalog by sending $1.00. P.O. Box 7864-A, Gaithersburg , MD 20898. GAY USED BOOKS wanted. Please share your·read· books. Thanks. Tom, 1116 Marble NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102. 6/93 General Interest IF YOU HA VE READ "The Aquarian Gospel . of Jesus the Christ" by Levi, I am interested in corresponding and discussing. W. Courson, P.O. Box 1974, Bloomfield, NJ 07003 .. 6/93 MESSIAH COLLEGE ALUMNI (Grantham, PA) ~re you interested in forming a lesbian/ gay alumni group? If so please call Susan . Bailey, 703-820-0483; Julia Lowery, 717- 697-8347. 8/93 MERCY OF GOD COMMUNITY, Christian, ecumenical and inclusive, WelcOmes i~quirers age 21 and older as prospective vowed brothers and sisters. Live and minister locally, participate in growing national network. Religio us Life Weekend retreat June 25 to 27; hospitality house August 14 to 21. For information, call toll-free - 1-800-366-2337, at tone press 11903; or write: Dept. SS, P.O. Box 6502, Providence, RI 02940. 4/93 AIDS, From Page 13 sister, loved one or best friend; and that the face that AIDS wears is always the face of a person who is the most important person in someone else's .life. · Acrilss this nation, in churches larg.e and small, pastors and laity continue to ·ask: "What can my church do?" My answer is always based oil what many churches are doing so well already. These acts of faithfulness include: •Making a covenant to be a place of , spiritual nurture and uplift; • Making a covenant (a promise) to affirm the sacred . worth of persons with HIV and AIDS; .. • Making a covenant to be har• bingers of hope. We all need hope in our lives: ·things to fook forward to. We all need to celebrate life in wliatever form it is given to us today. Covenant to be a place of joy and celebration. [2ft] Second Stone•March/April, 1993 I I I I I 1 I I I I I I 1 ---------------- -7 Classified Order Form FOR ONLY 35¢ per word, your classified ad will reach readers from Sitka, Alaska to Amherst, Maine and everywhere in between . Business or personal. .. try a classified ad in our next edition! MailTo: Second . Stone Box 8340 New Orleans, LA 70182 • Making a covenant to be a companion to one who is ill and alone. How long·the hours are in a hospital. Making a covenant to visit: to not be afraid. • Making a -covenant to provide care when loved ones need a break. Lend a hand. It's one of the gestures of Christ's healing touch. • Making a covenant to take time to be there. You are .the presence of Christ in the midst of suffering, doubt and fear. No greater commission- was ever given to the followers of Christ than to be the presence of Christ in the lives of others. •Making a covenant to work with · other churches and community groups to address the larger context of AIDS. • Making a covenant to see that AIDS prevention become a reality. • Making a covenant to take care of yourselves. Remember, Jesus withdrew from the disciples to-pray, to be alone with God, to care for his spiritual needs, Perhaps there were times when Jesus wept over the burdens he carried. It's okay to cry. Perhaps there were times when he felt uncertain, unsure, not up to the · task of establishing God's reign on earth. . God understands our unbelief, our lack of confidence. As in .the life of Jesus, God moves us from prayer to action. God is with us always in our covenant-making and our covenant-keeping. Work faithfully with your church that it inight .covenant to be a ' nonjudgmental place of openness where .persons whose lives have been touched by AIDS can name their pain, can reach out for compassion and consolation. Work with our church that it might covenant .to be an outstretched hand, a welcoming shoulder, a comforting breast where pain finds Christ's . Name ___________ _ Address _________ _ City/St./Zip _______ _ AD COPY _______ _ -------------------- -------------------- -------------------------- __ words X .35_= $ _____ _ 20 word minimum. All classifieds must be pre-paid. Deadline one month prior to cover date. We will mail you a copy of the edition(s) in which your ad appears mercy and the love and companionship of those who bear his name. · Make a Covenant to Care filled with the awareness that persons with HIV and AIDS have so much to offer your congregation and that your congregation is not fully representative of the Body of Christ so long as any person with HIV or AIDS is excluded, b<!fred, kept out. · Make quilt panels , to remember those you have loved. Hang them in your church. Remember always that to be iri the presence of the quilt is to be in the presence of the Holy; to be upheld and sustained by the knowledge that God's mercy has no end, that God's love endures, that God has received those who have died, and that the wounds of the living will be healed. •· In your healing ministries be a convenant-keeping people of a covenant-making God. Be the visible followers of the Christ Jesus who red,;,fined the meaning of holiness; who with the touch of the hand established the merciful and just reign of God among those whom temple and society believed to be "unclean" "unclean"; those judged to be sinners; those who were cast out by others who deemed themselves to be holy. Make a covenant to follow him . Break down barriers. · Risk for the sake of a new heaven and a new earth . Covenant to follow him: the Son of God, the Christ of the journey, the Jesus who knew what it was like to be lo_nely, rejected and despised. Covenant .for follow . . Covenant to care. Cathie Lyons is the Associate General Secretary of the Health and Welfare Ministries Program Department, General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church. Please place my ad in these issues: [] Jan/Feb [) Mar/Apr [ l May/Jun [) JuVAug [ ] SepUOct [ ) Nov/Dec CLASSIFICATIONS [ l Books & Publications [ ] Business Opportunities t l Employment . [ l Friends/Relationships [ l General Interest [ l Mail Order [ l Merchandise [ l Organizations [ l Professional Services [ l Real Estate [ l Retreats · [ l Roommates [ )Travel ARE YOU MOVING? The Post Office will not forward The Second Stone. You must notify us for uninterrupted service if you move. Please notify us lour weeks in advance for uninterrupted delivery . Send both old and new addresses . If possible attach mailing label in space provided . PRINT NEW ADDRESS * ¥ ~ t ~ -~ N ;; · () g_ . se·nct completed form lo: THE SECOND STONE Box8340 New Orleans, LA 70182 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 Second Stone #27 - Mar/Apr 1993 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/2fb062836116fb191c20b66ceda6e4ef.pdf c911c3f4ce7a9328b9f97a3811c2ae80 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 Second Stone Description An account of the resource Issues of the Second Stone publication. Issue An issue of a recurring publication. Issue Number The number of the issue (within a volume) 28 Publication Year The year the issue was published 1993 Publication Date The date the issue was published May/June 1993 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 Second Stone #28 - May/June 1993 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant AMERICA 'S GAY & LESBIAN CHRISTIAN NEWSJOURNAL MA Y / J U N E, 1 9 9 3 ISSUE #28 _ HEARTFELT LOVE Couples participating in a mass blessing of rel ationships chalked their names on the street, encircled by hearts. Photo: Rev. Kittredge Cherry March was political, spiritual milestone BY REV. K IT T RED G E C H ERR Y L esbians and gay men made a spiritual and political breakthrough at the 1993 March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation. We saw ourselves in a new way: an estimated one million strong, in all our diversity, proud to claim our identity and our rights. At the April 25 march we tested our wings and felt our power, and ·that exp erience will continue to transform and build lesbian and gay community globally in ways that we are just beginn ing to imagine . The rest of the world saw us in a new way too. The mainstream news media covered the March and related events extensively and with remark• able fairness, balancing images of doctors and drag queens. The reli• gious right ranted against us, this lime noting our organizational ability. For the first lime in history, a U. S. president sent a letter of support to a march for lesbian and gay rights . Almost every person who talked with me, every face I saw, glowed with a kind of wonder . It began when I boarded a plane to Washing· ton, D.C. 'The whole plane's queer!" exult ed a fellow passenger. On t he plane , on the subway, On the str eets of D.C., strangers greeted each other. Or, more accurately, we were not strangers to each other. My most memorable moment came during the March, when I stepped onto the main afternoon stage on the Mall wit h Rev. Troy Perry, founder SEE COVER STORY, Page 10 Thousands circle Capitol grounds to demand action on AIDS crisis ·: WASHINGTON, D.C. • More than 30,000 people join ed ACT UP /DC's "Ha nds Around the Cap itol" dem on· stration on th e day prior to the March on Wash ingt on, joining hand s to s urround the Capit ol build ing, de• mandin g Congressional action on the AIDS cr isis. Stretching thousand s of feet of red ribb on a round the Capito l grounds, the protestors formed tw o complete human rings w hile chanting "AIDS cure now!" and "Act up ! Fight back! Fight AIDS!" Fo llowi ng th e d em ons tratio n, . aut hor and AIDS activis t La r ry Kramer spoke to the cr owd from the steps of the Capitol building. Also speaki ng w e re Cornelius Baker, cofounder of Brother Help Thysel4 Bill Freeman, executive director of Na· tional Asso ciation of People with AIDS, Chr istopher fjates, director of t he DC CARE Consort ium, Vivian Torres , New Jer sey Womans AIDS Network, Tommy Fabregas, board member of the San Francisco AIDS Founda tion, and Jennifer Chamb ers, ACT UP LobbyCorps coordinator_. "Han ds Around the Capito l" wiis th e largest AIDS-specific action dur· ing the weekend. During the March on Su nday, hund reds of ACT UP me mb ers staged a "d ie-in" a t _the White House along the march route . More March stories on Page 11 BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE • PA I D NEW ORLEANS, LA PERMIT No.' 511 From the Editor •· ......................... . Liars silenced for a day By Jim Bailey -yhe 1993 March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation was about truth - being true to ourselves, our families, our communities and our nation. "We have come to speak the truth of our -lives and silence the liars," said Urvashi Vaid, former director of the National Gay and Lesbirui Task Force, in an address to demonstrators. So, what did the liars have to .say about that? Less than 16 hours after the conclusion ofihe March, Pat Robertson cautioned his 700 Club viewers to send their children out of the room bec.ause there was video corning up that they su~ely wouldn't want the kids to see. The show's strategy in dealing with gay and lesbian issues is to disgust and scare, usually in that order. Disgust then scare. Of course the disgusting scenes are predictably the same_. (Some of us were not dressed in our Sunday clothes and were not at our best behavior.) Vaid is a powerful speaker. A tape of a portion of.her speech was the scary part of the 700 Club segment. When you listen to her, you are sure you are hearing the truth, you feel the urgency of correcting wrongs, and you feel aware of your personal power to work for justice. The March was a bridge, Vaid said . " ... on this day, with love in our hearts, we have come out, and we have come out to build a bridge of understanding, a bridge of progress, a bridge as solid as steel, a bridge to a tand where no one suffers prejudice because of their sexual orientation, their race, their gender, their religion, or their human difference." Yes, that was the scary part for the religous right. As we build our bridge to freedom, we see their construction on the· other side . They build toward power, s.ocial control, and a theocratic government. They are skilled at organizing, putting their numbers together and getting to work. On April 25th, they discovered that we are skilled at organizing, putting our numbers together and getting to work. Both bridges are being built on the same site, and only one can stand. 'To defeat the right politically is our challenge when we leave this march," said Vaid. "We've got to march from Washington into action at home." But with their recent failure in the national political arena, the . wounded religious right is also renewing concentration on action at home, with the more fanatical condeming mainstream politics and mumbling ·about recons\ructionism again. Vaid concluded by saying, '"When all of us who believe in freedom and diversity see this gathering, we see beauty and power. When our enemies see this gathering, they see the millennium . Perhaps the religious right is right about something. We call today for the end of the world ... as we know it. We call for the end of racism, sexism, bigotry, violence, discrimination and homophobia." On this day the viewers of the 700 Club were not· so disgusted by a man dressed in a nun's habit as they were scared of a woman dressed in .armor. SECOND STONE Newsjm1rnal, ISSN No. 1047-3971, is published every other month by Bailey Communications, P. 0. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA. 70182. Copyright 1993 by Second Stone,a ·registered trademark . SUBSCRIPTIONS, U.S.A. $15.00 per year, six issues. Foreign subscribers add $10.00 for postage. All payments U.S. currency only. · ADVERTISING, For display advertising information call (504)899-4014 or write to · P.O. Box 8340. New Orleans, LA 70182. · EDITORIAL, send letters, calendar announcements.noteworthy items to (Department title) Second Stone , P.O . Box 8340 , New Orleans, LA 70182. Manuscripts to be returned .should be accompanied by a stamped, self addressed ·envelope. Second Stone is otherwise not responsible for the return of any material. SECOND STONE, an ecumenical Christian newsjournal for the national gay and lesQian community. PUBLISHERIEDfTOR: Jim Bailey CONTRIBUTORS FOR THIS ISSUE: Rev, Kit Cherry. Rev. Richard B. Gilbert, P . D. Sterling, Christine . Coughlan. Toby Johnson, J. Russell Kieffer, Kevin Gepford, Texas Fitzgerald, Kenny Dayton, Br. Ron Crepeau-Cross , B.M.G. Contents m lj! _J From The Editor March speech scares religious right Commentary/Letters Could it be? Jerry Falwell right about something? News Lines Into Africa P. D. Sterling gets a first hand look at a beautiful -but troubled - land Gay People as Monks and Mystics We are especially suited to the roles, says Toby Johnson Cover Story Gay and lesbian Christians at the March By Rev. Kit Che_rry Volunteer Follows His Heart J. Russell Kieffer on his volunteer experiences at Benedict House in Buffalo The P-ath of the Journey . The risk, the joy, the gilt and the growth By Christine Coughlan On Video Walk Me To The Water Reviewed by Rev. Richard B. Gilbert 1.1·-5-7 In Print : : Someone You Know L~ Reviewed by Kevin Gepford i----7 i 16 J Calendar , - ;;;;-i I lu Noteworthy ~ -7 U19 Resource Guide ~ I 20 I Classifieds ___ _ _ _________ _ _ _ ':_-:._-:._-:._-:.._-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-~_-_ ... _ m Second Stone•May/Jwie-:-j993 [_....:,_, T .Comment T ................................. ........................................ ( Maybe Jerry Falwell is right By Kenny Dayton Guest Opinion The morning after President Clinton's inauguration, I awoke very early in front of my television where I had fallen asleep watching the festivities in Washington honoring our new leadership. Just viewing the parties and people and attitudes the night before made me feel good about my country again. And as a gay man, it gave me hope for our future. Maybe with our efforts and President Clinton's commitments, we can change attitudes in the United States . It won't be easy and it won't happen overnight, but we all have to agree that the best opportunity in years is at hand! My elation soon turned to pessimism, as my eyes focused on the television screen and I recognized the self-appointed voice of the ultraright... Jerry Falwell. For 45 minutes I sat and listened to him spout off about abortion and homosexuals, with a very heavy emphasis on the latter. As a Christian who happens to be gay, I have always found it interesting to listen to people such as Falwell, Robertson, Wildmon and the like tell us about God, and the way they interpret the Bible. Almost without fail, they all preach to thousands of listeners who accept what they say without question or research of their own. Let's face facts. Many members of religious organizations are the proverbial sheep who follow their leader without question. They will mail letters to a television network about what they are told is an offensive show without ever having seen the program ... because the minister said to do so! They will · boycott the sponsor's product ... because the minister said to do so! They will vote for ballot issues like Amendment 2 in · Colorado not because of how they feel... but because they were told to do so by someone they trust and respect. Unfortunately for us, and the Christian community as a whole, generations of misinformation and prejudice are being furthered by people of God who refuse to examine the scriptures and search for the truth about such YourTurn ............... ....... . • ...... • ....... . Praise for Hugman's essay Apple Valley,.California Dear Second Stone, Your March/ April issue contained some of the best articles I have ever read concerning Christianity and Gays. Nancy Hugman's "The Price of Freedom" addressed the subject of just how far we should go from the pulpit on political issues. Very informative. Joe Miller's article on Germantown Mennonite Church in Philadelphia brought tears . It struck a very deep place. Our minister of music, Merlin Schrock, who is a Mennonite, is visiting his home in the midwest and intends to have a visit with his pastor there to address some iss.ues concerning Gays and their church. A friend of the family who had attended the church just passed away with AIDS and Merlin does not approve of the way the church handled .it. Hopefully, he will have some success raising their consciousness a little. Thanks so very much for such an informative publication. In His Love, Donna R. Campbell, Pastor Ligl1t of the Desert Church Commentary lacking in Christian attitude Long Beach, California Dear Second Stone, I am renewing my subscription without as much enthusiasm as in the past. Having just caught up with my reading, I was surprised to find the Commentary by Ivy Young in the September/October issue. Her essay was lacking totally in Christian content, let alone attitude. That you would print something so hateful, so plainly political is dismaying. How ironic that we who have been the victims of hate would think that we can win rights, let alone love, by exhibiting the same kind of hate once used against us! Is that really what it means to be a gay Christian? What happened to "love your neighbor as yourself" and all the other related teachings of Jesus? Sincerely, Don Karvelis issues as homosexuality. This particular morning, the good Mr. Falwell had a speech impediment tI{at would not permit him to mention homosexuals without hyphenating Sodom and Gomorrah to it. You can only imagine how many times in 45 minutes he used "homosexualitySodom-&- Gomorrah" in his message. Regardless of what he says about "loving the sinner ," his message that morning was filled with bigotry and hate-mongering. We are what is wrong with this country! We are responsible for every social ill from AI~S to the breakup of the family . . And now we have the audacity to want to be treated as any other functioning member of society and treated as equals as the constitution of this great country guarantees ... · and even serve · in its military to defend those rights. This country is on the edge of becoming Sodom & Gomorrah according to Mr. Falwell. If the good Mr. Falwell would examine the scriptures with an open mind, he would find that "on the edge" is not quite accurate. According to Ezekiel 16:49 it appears as if SEE COMMENT ARY, Page 6 First Galileo, then Gays? By Br. Ron Crepeau-Cross. B.M.G. Guest Opinion The unprecedented pronouncement by Pope John Paul II last fall, stating that the Church was wrong when it condemned Galileo in the 17th century, has major theological and pastoral implications and gives new hope to millions of · gay and lesbian Christians and to those who minister to them. In 1633; the Roman Catholic Church found Galileo "guilty of vehement suspicion of heresy," for teaching that the earth rotates around the sun, not the other way around. Of course, the astronomer was right, but the Inquisition nevertheless threatened to burn him at the stake unless he recanted his proof'of the Copernican theory . - The pope said the Galileo case was an example of "tragic, mutual incomprehension" that showed the limits of theology and science. He said the ecclesiastical judges acted in good faith, but were "incapable of disassociating faith from an age-old cosmology." John Paul attributed the Church 's error to an overly literal interpretation of the Bible. He said that science, with its methods and freedom of research, obliges theologians to examine the way they interpret scripture, but that "most of them did· · not know how to do · so." He emphasized · that scriptural interpretation must go beyond literal meaning. · The Pope acknowledged that the Church has learned from the Galileo case and said it illustrates "the duty for theologians ' to keep themselves regularly informed of scientific advances" so they can determine Write to Second Stone. All letters must be original and s_igned by the writer. Clearly indicate if your name is to be withheld. We reserve the right to edit. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 or FAX to (S04)891-7555. whether there is cause for "introducing changes in their teachings." The Church already admits that affectional orientation is "not freely chosen," but persists in stating that homosexual acts are "intrinsically morally disordered." In other words, "It's okay tci be a bird, but it's a sin to fly." There is growing evidence, in the antropological and behavioral sciences, and the psychiatric and psychological professions long ago concluded; that affectional orientation is genetic and natural, and it follows .that its expression, whether heterosexual or homosexual, likewise sho11ld be considered ·normal and morally acceptable. The Church's position on this issue is based largely on the interpretation of certain biblical passages . Jesus Himself never said a ·single word about it, but ancient traditions, such as the Levitical code, do list same-sex relations among the prohibited "abominations," and the · New Testament proceeds on the same assumption. Now that the pope, in reversing the Galileo verdict 359 years later, has so clearly advised that once-believed exegetes and tlieologians can be in error, and that they must conform their teachings to scientific findings, is it only a matter of time before Cardinal Ratzinger and his contemporary inquisitors catch up with the reality of sexual orientation and admit that they have been wrong on this issue as well? While we wait for another Vatican acknowledgement, ten percent of the entire human family, not unlike Galileo, remains violated by the Church . Fortunately, many of us have found the truth as revealed to us in our lived experience, , and . the primacy of our consciences already has exonerated us. These developments have given a whole new impetus to our ministry to our lesbian sisters and gay brothers. · Second Stone-May/June, 1993 w News Lines ........... •·.• ..................... ................... ' .................. . Clergy group refuses MCC membership 6MCC'i<EY WESr has been denied membership in the local ministerial association. "We didn't meet the moral standard that they came up with because we're queers," said Rey . Steve Torrence, eastor .of MCC Key West. "They didn 't let the Jewisn rabbi in, either, because he wasn t Christian." The recent hiring of Rev. Julia Seward enabled MCC Key West-to respond by forming a new ministerial association, Rev. Torrence said. "We began by contacting the loc~I clergy who ·weren't active in the other group," he said. Since then, some mempers of the older association have switched membership to the new organization , the .Key We sflnferfaith Council.'-Keeping in Touch Mother Teresa to open AIDS hospice in Atlanta. 6MOTHER TERFSA hopes to open a hospice in Atlanta, primarily for people with AIDS. Four sisters of her Missionaries of Charity are living in Atlanta and have started meeting clients at Grad}" Memorial Hospital's Infectious Disease Clinic who may need their care. Grady officials said that the sisters, with help of the Catholic Archdioce,;e of Atlanta, are searching for a building for the proposed hospice . Dr . Shame _ Sheehey , a doctor at the IDC, got the ball rolling for the hospice by sending a letter a year ago to Mother Theresa in Calcutta. - Southern Voice Students protest at Marquette . 6THE TOP ADMINISTRATOR of Marquette University, Milwaukee , agreed to meet with a J)rotest group that conducted a sit-in objecting to the-school's stance toward Gays and Lesbians. About 18 students and one alumnus approached the Rev. Albert) . DiUlio, president of Marquette, in a hallway March 15 as the demonstration began . Ther, presented him with a letter asking for-a meeting on the issue and also on the university s ·refusal to adopt a policy that would include sexual orientation in its anti-discrimination policy. DiUlio was advised that the group planned to sit down -and wait for a response to the -d;,mand_s. '.',Well, then :y:ou will nave a _long wait, and you will probably be arrested, he said . Sit _down and make yourselves -comfortable." About 50 minutes fater, however , DiUlio addressed the students and presented -them with a letter sa:y:ing the Roman Catholic school, for legal reasons, could not include the words "sexual orientation" in its anti-discrimination policy . -Associated Press Plan to prevent HIV transmission submitted 6THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION of Physicians for .Human Rights, the national organization of lesbian and gay physicians .and medical students, has called upon the Clmton administration to implement a three-part plan to reduce .the .spread of AIDS among gay and bisexual men. The group urged the government to launch innovative initiatives in the areas of educational campaigns aimed at gay and bisexual men, increased funding for scientific research, and funding for innovative and intensive support erograms for gay men and other high risk individuals that provide the ongoing emotional sustenance for difficult behavioral changes. Homosexuality not a sin, theologians say 6GOD APPROVES OF homosexuality as well as pf gay and lesbian marriages and parenting. That is the 1revailing belief of 19 distinguished theologians and religious leaders of ten differen faiths surveyed nationwide. Their answers , published in a booklet "Is Homosexuality a Sin?" were given"in response to a survey conducted by the Federation of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays in conjunction with the Metropolitan Washington Chapter of P-FLAG. "The enlightened answers from prominent Christian and Jewisn leaders will now help families reconcile their love of God and of their gay or lesbian loved one," said Mitzi Henderson, Federation President. Religious leaders and scholars surveyed include Bishop John S. Spong (Episcopal), Bishop Stanley E. Olson (Lutheran), Bishop Melvin Wheatley, Jr. (United Methodist), and Rabbi Dr. David Teutsch(Judaism-Reconstructionist). The booklet may be purchased from P-FLAG, P.O. Box 27605, Washington, DC 20038-7605 for 75¢ each. Now is the perfect time for CllTIIIG Lri IN PnmCIM Set in the Texa; Hill Count,y in the spring, this richlylayered novel is an enchanting saga of romance in the late 1800s AND an"insightful tale of psychological & spiritual awakening in the current day . .. truly a joy to read . The gay genre novels of Lammy-winner Toh)' Johnson, Pl■gu.e, Secret Matter, & Getting Life in Per1pective tell refreahing, life-poaitive atoriea-touching & wiae , lightly sexy & funny, reminiscent of movies like Gho/Jt. and Cocoon, 0-938743-17-1 $10 Toby Johnson's books are available at Liberty Books, the quali')' u:sbian & Gay bookstore,.gift shop, and Commuruty resource center in Austin, the gay heart of Texas. (512) 495 9737 (800) 828-1279 Featuring a wide selection of books & magazines in the newly emerging fields of lesbian & ga.y spiritualities and new paradigm thought. 1014 B Norlh Lamar . Elennth & Lamar Austln, Texas 78703 -Sponsor of 91,art 'l ~ire qay Afen ~ (jatkrings- [I] SC;CC>nd Stone-May/Jwie, 1993 Gays protest at Falwell's church MBOUT 35 PEOPLE picketed in front of the Thomas Road Baptist Church, the church of anti-gay crusader Jerry Falwell . The demonstration was sponsored by Lxnchburg, Virginia-based Gays and Lesbians United for Equality, with others joining in the protest from Richmond and Roanoke. Demonstrators wore. pink lapel tags saymg "Yes, Jesus loves me!" "They are not bad people. The}' need the Lord," Falwell told the congregation. "They've got every right to oppose us ancl ·they're doing it peacefully ." ()_rganizer Kelly McHugh, a former Lynchburg resident now living in Richmond, said she and others were outraged by Falwell's persistent attacks on Lesbians and Gays. Ms, McHugh accused Falwell of perpetrating hatred and violence toward people base<! on their sexual orientation. -Associatea Press · · Chicaao Presbyterians support gay ordination 6THE CHICAGO-AREA governing body of the Presbyterian Church (USA) voted 199-131 to ask the nationaf church to overturn the denomination's policy panning gay and lesbian ordinations. MCC's $3 million cathedral a "sad commentary" says Forum leader 6THE 1000-MEMBER Cathedral of Hope Metropolitan Community Church of Dallas, with it's sparklin~ new $3 million building, has upset some Texas conservatives. "It's a sad commentary' that a gay and lesbian church exists in "the buckle of the Bible Belt, " said Cathie Adams, president of the Dallas Eaple Forum. "We want to help them recognize their lifestyle as a habitual problem to them,' Adams said. ''They have not accepted that message ." - Southern Voice. Anti-gay activist says anti-gay tactics too extreme 6TONY MARCO, co-founder of Colorado for Family Values , the organization which Sf)onsored Amendment 2, resigned from the organization and condemnecl it for extremism, -which he fears will aid the gay movement. ~arco ·is disgusted by CFV's widespread use of the propaganda video Tfie Gay Agenda, a 20 minute film which gay and lesbian observers condemn ·as outrageously slanderous. Marco sa;ys use of the film will fuel hysteria and violence against Lesbians and Gays, which will in tum cause a backlash against-CFV and further the cause of gay /lesbian civil rights. CFV wuld self-destruct by "rubbing the faces of the state's l'eople in repulsive, extremist homosexual behavior;" Marco wrote in a letter to Will Perkins, the oilier co-founder of CFV. "You risk giving the gay activists ammunition to make their charge that Amendment 2 is what they've saicf it is: a hateful, fear-mongering and mean-spirited eiece of work," he continued. "You risk arousing violent animosity towards Gays, to-which Gay militants will react in kind, as extremists on both sides come out of ilie woodwork ... Yes, it is easier to nauseate than educate ." - Associated Press Chaos in ~nesset over claim King Davidwas gay MCCORDING TO THE Los Angeles Times, the Israeli Knesset exploded Feb 10, when Yael Dayan, one of the country's most controversial liberals, began insisting on equal protections for Gays and Lesbians in the Israeli army by implying that the biolical King David, considered the ideal Jewish leader, inay have had a homosexual relationship with Jonathan, a son of King Saul. Conservative members of Knesset interrupted Dayan, accusing her of blasphemy. One member of the conservative National Religious Party called Uayan "a foul and dirty creature" who "must take her filth and go." - GayNet Activists gather at "Fight the Right" summit MBOUT 250 GAY, lesbian and bisexual activists from ten states gathered in Denver, Colo., in March to strategize around countering far right attacks and discuss tactics for repelling Colorado-style anti-gay initiatives. "Fighting fhe Ri~ht: A Regional Strategy and Networking Conference,'' was held March 13-14 at Denvers Executive Town Inn. The conference was targeted for activists in the Northwest and Rock}' Motintain•regions, and was hosted by Equality Colorado . Currently, Oregon, Idaho, Washington , Michigan , California and Florida are facing some kind of anti-gay initiative, many similar to Colorado's Amendment 2. The Amendment passed last November and repeals an existing gay rights ordinance . Anchorage, Alaska, is facing a local gay rights repeal measure . A Midwest "Fight the Right" regional summit is planned for September . "For information contact the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, 1734 14th St. NW, Washington, DC, (202)332-6483. Bishop cancels homosexuality seminar · 6CATHOLIC BISHOP WILLIAM HUGHES of the Diocese of Covington, Kentucky , canceled a seminar about homosexuality, saying that "the timing was wrong ." One of tfie priests of the diocese who is now retired, Father Earl Bierman, was recent!}" accused of sexually abusing several young boys . Ed Stieritz, director of the Maryclale Retreat Center who helped organize the seminar , ~aid the bishop had receiv~d some ')~~alive comments about the J>lanned event. Greg Lmk, co-faahtator of the semmar, said I a like to go throu~h with 11 because it would show that homosexuality is not connected to pedophilia. - Associated Press Kansas minister leads anti-gay campaign L'IPOLICE ARE MONITORING protests by a minister who crusades against gay rights after he claimed to have received death threats. Rev. Fred W. Phelps , Sr., pastor of the Westb oro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas, is leading a series of protests which include carrying signs that read "Gays Deserve To Die." Officers were assigned to protect picketers affer a brawl broke out on a sidewalk. - Southern Voice Name change for Lutherans Concerned? 6LAUGHTER IS THE best medicine, they say .Membersof Lutherans Concerned/Seattle, apparently unhappy with the slow progress the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has made toward justice for Gays and Lesbians , has suggested that the oganization's name be changed to,''~utherans Worried Sick." In selecting a one word name like ''Dignity" or "Integnty" the1.utherans considered "Anxiety." News Lines •••• ft •••••••••••••••••••••••••• Pope tells youths that chastity is the only way to fight AIDS Af'OPE JOHN PAULH told an audience .of youths in Uganda that chastity is the only proper way to stop th~ spread ·of AIDS. According to sol!le estimates, .one of eignt Ugandans 1s infected with the HIV-virus. The country's Anglican and Catholic bishops - Uganda is-40 percent Catholic - have fought efforts by the government and aid .groups to promote condom use to fight AIDS. 'The sexual restraint of chastity is the only safe and virtuous wa y to put an end to the -tragic plague of AIDS," the pope told thousands of_ singing and cheering young people. -Assoc,a1£d Press , Windstorm the "wrath of God" says gay rights opponent LIFORMER WASHINGTON STATE Senator Ellen Craswell , founder of a new lobbying organization called "Family in Touch," said that a wind storm that hit Washington.state on the day of President Clinton's inauguration was a sign from God. Craswell 1s a bitter opponent of gay/ lesbian people ana an activist in the "traditional famil}' values" movement. "It was the stormy wind that cut off power, man's power, closed clown thg legislature,". Craswell told the Seattle Times. "We believe it Was a significant sign that our all powerful Father, who raiseth the stormy wind, did so on In_auguration Day . The angry gusts seem to whip at everything in the1r-path, including the giant American flag over ilie KIRO studio - and the flag was rent in two. Oh, but that we might reach our wit's end and cry unto the 'Lord, .that he might bring us out of this darkness." -Seattle Gay News Religious right opponent attacked in office LIRUTH WILLIAMS, 48, a Colorado Springs therapist who opposes the religious right movement was attacked in her office by an mtruder . She was !m()Cked unconscious , and crosses were cut into her hands and clothing. She was sprayed with tear gas. Her office was ransacked and .her walls were spray painted with slogans "Seek Goo," "Stop Evil" and "Repent." -TWN Bishop: Don't teach "basic disorder" to students LITHE CATHOLIC BISHOP ofBrooklyn, describing homosexuality as a "basic.disorder," said city school leaders show a lack of "moral leadership" when they advocate its acceptance. In a telev-ised interview last week, Bishop Thomas Daily said he thought the avowed purpose-of the New York City school's "Children of the Rairibow" curriculum - which teacn es tolerance for Gays and Lesbians - was being obscured by an effort to "legitimize" gay lifestyles. In calling homosexuality a disorder, Daily said, ''Just look at them. I don't think you'll argue with me." -Southern Voice Alabama Episcopal bishop doesni-like church policy on Gays LIALABAMA EPISCOPAL churches will research sexuality while continuing to not ordain openly gay or lesbian ministers or aerrove same-sex marriages , the bishop said . ' The Right Re_v . Robert 0 . Miller said he w1J :upholi:f the ch91:ch's st~nd on Gays until there is a change. "I may not like it, but I'm a pretty 'obedient p_ersori,"ne said. Miller said he strongly believes Gays are entitled to the same rights as anyone else, although he does not "conaone _h◊mosexual activity. " -Soutlzern Voice - . KKK still mad about racial integration into the military · LICHAIR OF THE JOINT Chiefs of Staff, General Colin Powell, might be surprised to find the Ku Klu x Klan agreeing with him on the issue of Gays and Lesb ians in the military. The Grand Dragon of the Northwest Knights of th e Ku Klux Klan , headquartered in Tacoma, Washin g ton, had _this to say in a recorded message: "The KKK, which has many military veterans and oth er white .Chri stian patriots, -were morall :ir and scripturally correct when opposed to the abomination of race mixing in our armed forces. We are also rnorally and scripturally correct in our -current opposition to homosexuals in the military. The Hofy Bible is quite clear on both issues . We urge all members to contact their elected officials on the federal level and demand that all homo sexual pervert s be purged from the military. " -Seattle Gay News Church must apoloaize to gav pastor LIA SPECIAL REVIEW TEAM of the United Church of Christ"has re commended that a Chicago church writ e a ·1etter of apology _ to Rev . Dr . Timm Peters on, who filed a complaint with the Chicago Human Rights Commission against St. Nicholai UCC after he was refus ed employment as their interi"ril p astor when they learned he wa y gay . Th e Human Rights Commission will co ntinue its investigation. · Zap a fundamentalist on your Macintosh LIIF YOU'VE EVER DREAMED of vaporizing a rabid fundamentalist , your day has arrived. Gays, Lesbians .and others cart do just that with the introduction of GayBlade , the first fantasy role-playing game for gay and lesbian Macintosh computer user s. A product ofRJBest, a San Francisco based computer game company, the game is the firs t in a-selection of flames with gay and lesbian characters - and anti-gay villains . For information ca (415)206-1985. Former ex-gays sought for interviews Af'EOPLE WHO HA VE been involved in ex-gay ministries and who are inter ested in telling their stor ies are being sought for interviews for a book project . For information contact Restoration Ministries, P.O. Box-1123, Schenectady, NY 12301-1123. Anthology seeksubmissions LIBEDSIDE COMP ANIONS, Essex Hemehill's forthcoming anthology of short fiction by black gay rnen, is accepting s ubmissions. Hemphill hopes the anthology will challenge tne invisi6ility and silences that surround the lives and experiences of black gay men. For information send a stamped, self addressed e nvelope to Essex Hemphill, Aritliology 1993, 401 Wilshire Blvd.,.Ste. 700, Santa Monica, CA 90401-1455. Subscribe Today. A N D Y O U' L L N E V E R WITHOUT A FRIEND Y o _u R JOURNEY, BE FOR Second Stone The N.a ti on a I Gay and -- Lesbian Christian Newsjournal " -ES· ·-t - - ·--- -··-·--------------- ····~• ························•.•······~--- Begin my-s1o1BsGription to SECOND STONE for: [ ] One year (6 issues) $15.00 [ ] Two yrs. (12 issues) $25.00 [ ] Thr~e yrs. (18 issues) $.36 .00 NAME ADDRESS CITY/STATE/ZIP CODE. CHECK HERE I ] If a plain envelope Is required and add $2.00 per year. Allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of your first Issue. International subscribers add $10.00 per year , U.S. currency . Mail To: SECOND STONE, Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 THANK YOU - --- -- _for_vour subscription support! Second Stone-May/June, 1993 l]J Hate, Lies arid . Videotape: Group witt·battle bigots with agressive media campaign A NEW GROUP has formed to fight anti-gay hale crusades and has kicked off its media campaign with the premier of "Hale, Lies and Videos tape," a _new videotape that exposes the propaganda tactics of the religious right. . The Gay and Lesbian Em_ergency Media Campaign (GLEMC) will produce . and distribute media that exposes the agerida of the religious right and promotes lesbian and gay visibility. GLEMC is a project of Testing the Limits, an -~ward-winning fih11making group based in New York City. One of GLEMC's first projects was the premiere of a new video, "Hate, Lies and Videotape." The video vividly compares ''The Gay Agenda" - a slick 19-minute documentary-style video that feeds on gay and lesbian stereotypes - with other hate propaganda films . such as ''The E.ternal Jew," a 1940 Nazi propaganda film. GLEMC charg(ld that Congressional and Pentagon resistance lo lifting the ban against Gays in the military is being fueled by 'The Gay-Ag~nda ." The videotape has been distributed to U.S. Senators, Representatives and to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and is being shown . in military establishments around the country and abroad. Gay activists were . outraged to hear recently that Gen. Cir! Mundy Jr., · Commandant of • the Marines, ,had provided copies to the Joint C~efs. .''The Gay Agenda'' includes sensationalist images from gay pride events taken out of context and combined with statements from people purporting to be "medical authorities." The video is one of the . major weapons -in the Far Right's declared :Holy War" against Lesbians and Gays. · T1ie Washington Post described 'The Gay Agenda"-as, "Men in G-strings gyrate to pulsating music on the back of a flatbed truck rolling slowly down an American street. Bare-breasted women parade by children sitting on their parents' shoulders. A medical doctor explicitly describes what he says are the . unhealthy sexual acts practiced by homosexuals." The official viewings of ''The Gay Agenda" are "a 'disgusting and outrageous misuse of taxpayer time and mo_ney," said Am1 Northrop, executive clirector of GLEMC and former CBS producer . "We will fight the religious right with an information campaign fo show America that attacks on Gays and Lesbians are attacks on human clignily and freedom." "The Gay Agenda" video was . produced by the Springs of Life . charismatic Christian church in Lancaster, Calif., the same church that made news for re-ordaining Jim Baker . after he had been accused of stealing rriillions of dollars from unsuspecting followers. The tape was · GE sells aerospace division INFACT calls off GE boycott AFTER SEVEN years of growing public pressure, General Electric, th e corporate giant which owns NBC-TV ai\d sells home appliances, decided to get rid of its nuclear weapons division - despite the fact that it was a moneymaker. INF ACT, .the international corporate accountability group that waged a seven year boycott of the General Electric Co. declared victory on Friday, April 2, when GE closed the sale of-its aerospace division to Martin Marietta . "GE has reacted to the concerns of millions of people," said INF ACT Executive Director Elaine QUOTABLE "Your silence will not protect you." -Audre Lorde , . []J Second Stone-May/June, 1993 Lamy, who called for an end to the boycott. Over 4 million individuals and 500 organizations _worldwide . joined the boycott launched by INFACT, the -group best known for its effective 1984 boycott of Nestle, which forced - that company to change its unethical mark eting of infant formula in developing countries. "Clearly, the success of the GE boycott shows that grassroots efforts can mak e a difference," said Lamy. In just over two · years, GE's medical division lost more than -$50 million in medical e.quipment sales. The pressur e on GE increased last year when INFACT won an Academy Award for _its hard hitfing documentary, "Deadly Deception: General Electric, . Nuclear Weapons, ·anu Our Environment. " Countless TV viewers -worldwide were urged to ·"Boycott GE" during the Oscars. Included among the 500 organizations that endorsed the boycott are Methodist Federation for Social Action, New Jewish Agenda, the Gray Panthers, and Clergy and Laity Concerned. released last October, with thousands of copies delivered lo Oregon and Colorado in time for those states' anti-gay initiatives. The tape is endorsed and promoted by Pal Robertson's Christian Coalition, and is · sold for $13.95 over Robertson's "700 Club" cable show. The Rev. Jerry Sloan of Sacramento told T11e Latest Issue, "Our community · does not take the film seriously enough: We don't see ourselves in the film," he sa'id and therefore do not think anyone could take it seriously. "I've seen films like this before," ·Rev. Sloan continued . ''But this is sensa' tional because this video was willingly and enthusiastically accerted and distributed by the Pentagon . GLEMC produced "Hate, Lies and Videotape" to expose and counter the fear-mongering tactics of the Far Right. It contains compelling compar- · isons between 'The Gay Agenda" COMMENT ARY From Page 3 th e greatest country in the world has already achieved its status · as the modern day Sodom & Gomorrah . We have not arrived at this turning point because of sexuality issues but rather because in the 1980's we duplica ted the sins that spelled the downfall of Sodom. "Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She .and h er daughters were arrogant, overfed, and · unconcerned; they did not help the · poor and needy ;" (Ezekiel 1(,:49. NIV) Arrogant - overfed . - unconcerned .... sounds a · lot like the "me ·first" attitude that prevailed in the Reagan era. and propaganda tactics of the Ku Klux Klan and the German Nazi movemen,. The tape also contains dramatic footage of gay-bashing victims and their attackers. Copies of the tape were distributed to the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the · major television networks, with more copies slated for distribution to the U.S. Congress . Loretta Ross, program director of the Center for Democratic Renewal, underscored GLEMC's contention that the religious right, whlch sparked campaigns against Jews and Blacks, is engaged in a campaign of bigotry against Gays. "When you're talking about the Christian Coalition, you're talking about the ones [Klan members] that don't wear the sheets." For more information about GLEMC and the videotapes, contact GLEMC, (212)229-2863, 39 West 14th St ., #402, New York, NY 10011. from the same sins specified in Ezekiel, our great land may indeed be doomed. We need to learn to care about others and their needs . We have to realize that many peopl e are in trouble and we who are better off are required to help them. We, as the wealthy nation we are, need to get concerned, squelch ciur arrogance, · ai1d share our abundance. Mr. Falwell, you · are correct: We must not allow our .country to fall any further into the Sodom & Gomorral1 pit. But to prevent that from happening we must first recogniz e the "Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed, and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy ." (Ezekiel 16:49 NIV) Arrogant - overfed - unconcerned .. . sounds a lot like the "me first " attitude that prevailed in the Reagan era. Consider the possibilites that exist . for change ... change for the better if we recognize that according to scripture the true sin of Sodom & Gomorrah was that they were the original yuppies , "Me and mine ... but none for thine!" ''The homeless want to be that way!" "But I have bills to pay ... I can't help anyone out!" There is always an excuse. And I'm sure that the residents of Sodom & Gomorrah has theirs too. Yes; Mr. Falwell, I too believe that Sodom & Gomorrah is at hand. · I · think that as a country where the majority claim to follow the teachings of Christ and the scriptures we need to recognize that if we do not turn true sin_s ai1d then join together to heal our errors. Continuing to dispense a very opinionated interpretation of the story of Sodom & Gomorrah will not bring us together tis Christians, nor .will it ever prevent those true sins from being dup1icated. Jerry, why don't you do the same thing that many of us out here who are gay have done. . Go into your closet, shut .the door, get down on your knees, and in faith ask God to . provide understanding . The answer . will give you either affirmation that you are correct or a whole new outlook. We are told to trust in God, not in man. I trust the answer I received. - . Centennial observance of original worldwide interfaith dialogue Chicago hosts Parliament of World's Religions LEADERS REPRESENTING man y of th e world 's religions and interfaith groups will gather in Chicago later this year for the Parliam ent of the World 's Religions, a week-long gathering which seeks to foster cooperation among the world 's religious communities and institutions . Th e conclave, which will be held Aug. 28 - Sept. 5 at the Palmer House Hotel in downtown Chicago and at other sites throughout the city, marks the centennial of the first World's Parliament of Religions held in Chicago in September, 1893. "At a time of increasing anxiety and strife, interfaith dialogue offers a way to unite people in working for peace and the relief of suffering,'' said Rev. Dr. David Ramage, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Council for a Parliament of the World 's Religions. "In particular, we must work to lessen religious conflict around the world." The goals of the Parliament of the World's Religions'are to promote understanding and cooperation among the world 's religious communities and institution s, assess and renew the role of the. religions of the world in relation to personal spiritual growth and th e challenges facing the global community, and develop and encourage interfaith groups and programs which will continue inter-religious cooperation into the 21st century. The Chicago observance will .includ e thousands of people representing all of the world's religions, including Baha'i, Buddist, Christian (Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Anglican, Protestant and others), Confucian, Hindu, Indigenous, Jain, Jewish, Muslim, Native Am erican, Shinto , Sikh, Taoist, Unitarian and Zoroa strain . Many of the world 's spiritual leader s will participate in t11e 1993 Parliament, inc_luding Nobel Peace Prize winners, the Dali Lama and Mother Teresa. The 1893 event , held during the Columbian .Exposition, was the first time that representatives of the world's major religions had ever held a formal meeting. The first Parliament marked the birth of the interfaith dialogue movement in the modern world, introduced Eastern · religions to .the West, established Catholicism and · Judaism as mainstr e~m American religions, and affirmed African-Americans and women as spiritual leaders. "In our time, the distinctions betweeri community and planet seem to have disappeared," said Daniel Gomez-Ibanez, Council Executive Director . • 'The health of the world depei"lds more than ever on the strength of communities and . their . . ability to live in harmony. During this summer's Parliament of the World Religions, we are committed !o building ways to live wisely together ." The Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions is a non-profit organization supported by more than 125 co-sponsoring organizations. Group joins in battle for gay/lesbian ordination WITH VIRTUALLY NO ONE in opposition, members of the Presbyterian Health, Education and Welfare Association vot ed to join the front lines in the battle for ordination rights for gay and lesbian Presbyterians. In giving near unanimous approval to four resolutions relat ed to the prolonged struggle for gay and lesbian ordination in the Presbyterian Church, the association brus hed aside concern s that taking such actions might jeopardize the association's structural relationship with its parent Social Justice and Peacemaking Ministry Unit. . A memo of understanding between the two groups gives the association the right to "responsible dissent" while working within the framework of the church's General Assembly policy. The executive director of the association is an employe e of the General Assembly. The. association receives about $80,000 from the ministry unit's budget. . Under ari agreement worked out INTEGRITY, From Page 11 Bishop of Utah. A large group from the Oasis, the gay and _ lesbian ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark, also marched with Integrity . When the Integrity contingent reached the small group of anti-gay PLGC, From Page 11 Janie Spahr's partner, read Luke 7. Worsfoppers dedicated their offering to the Mautner Project. Directed by Marianne Thatcher, with-Susan Hester as president, the project serves lesbian women who have breast cancer. A biblical. self defense course on lesbian, gay and bisexual concerns was sponsored by the National Capital Chapter of PLGC on Saturday preceding the March. _Led by the betw een the association's board of directors and SJP officials, no money from the unit or staff time by PHEW A executive director Rev. Mark Wendorf will be committed to the associatiot1' s effort to change the denomination's ordination policy. Prior to the vote on the resolutions, former PHEW A interim executive director Rev. John Scotland sketched . the hi.story of the r elationship between PHEW A and the denomina tion·· and outlin~d the dangers of takin g actions that run counter to current General Assembly policy. 'Ther e are those in the church who are waiting for us to make a· mistake. If we choose to give up our life on this, let's know it going in." During floor ·debate , Rev. Jane Spahr, director of a ministry v;:ith gay and lesbian persons and their families in San Rafael, Calif., rose and said, 'The cost to PHEW A may be 'money, but the cost to gay and lesbian people is death." Laurene Lafontaine of Denver, ptotestors across f~om the Treasury Building on Pennsylvania Ave., the homophobic taunts were drowned out by "We're here, w e 're · queer, we're Anglican, get used to it!" Rev. Lindsay Louise Biddle, the course examined passages commonly used to condemn homo sexuality, highlighted modern scholarship and incorporated several real life scenarios · that participants role-played. The course attracted over 70 people from many denominations and faith traditions. The Rev. Biddle is a member of th e Twin Cities Area Presbytery in Minnesota and is a former Student Associate at Westminster Churci1. Colo., added "If we kow-tow on this issue, then our commitment to justice is empty. If we act out of fear, then we are standing on sand . If we stand on the rock of justice, God will take care of us." its board of directors to monitor the introduction of similar legislation in other states and to alert synods and presbyteries in those states where such legislation is introduced . The In a related action, the association approved a resolution urging the overturning of Amendment 2 in Colorado. The association also asked · group also approved a resolution supporting President Clinton's deci. sion to / nd the ban on gay and lesbian persons in the military. -More flight Update/News N \ ~ \ \ \ Featuring '~ three key- , \ \ · \ \ \ I no te sp eakers, ', g~ea r music, spe- · ', ', This year's ConnECtion takes place in the San c1al workshops and \ small groups where ', you ci~ discussyourp er- ', ', Francisco Bay Area of California and runs , from: sonal issues as a lesbian or \ gay Christian. ', \ \ \ Workshops include topics, like: • Coming out • Living with HIV/AIDS • The "ex-gay" movement • Dating-and relatio nships . • Dealing with parent s and family \ \ \ \ ' \ ', Friday, July 2 to Mo11day, July 5 \ \ • ', Keynote speakers: \ • Rev. M. Mahan Sil~r, Jr. ", • Ms. Patricia V. Long \ , , • Dr. Ralph Blair \ \ • \ • • A great place to • Understanding spiritualio/ and sexuality \ \ \ • \ meet friends! \ \ Also ... BayAreaauthorarrdcomposerJackPanraleo, • \ • \ .. will present the. musical: The Gospel According to the _ ''- __ Angel Julius! \ \ For ·more i nformation plC~se ~end your name and address to: .ECWR P.O. B~x 4750, • Denver, CO 80204 ConnECcion '93 is produced by Evangelicals Concerned Westerri Region, a non·profit 9rganizarion that positively unites lesbian/gay-sexual!ty with Biblical Christianity. \ • '93 Christian visitor feels a burden for a troubled land INTO AFRICA BY P. D. STERLING In North America we are far from the pr_ oblems and _opporturu· ties in South Africa. We depend upo!l second-hand information. My rec~nt visit was an eye-opener as much as it was a blessing. One reason I am so convicted of the need for people to learn about South Africa is that I think the problems there can and will be · overcome. I urge everyone to study or visit.. , In addition to the ongoing injustice toward ethnic groups, there is hatred aimed at Gays and Lesbians as well. Recently, a gay restaurant in Johannesburg was firebombed and activists say rightest extremists are responsible. The restaurant had been the subject of intense harassment by police, neighbors and a white supremacist group. To prepare for writing this article, I called a friend who • is a native of South Africa. They recommended a movie called 'The Power of One," to focus my thoughts. It was so shockingly violent, I did not sleep well for a couple of nights. I am not going to discuss the movie in depth, but you may be interested in renting it. The plot deals with the life of a protagonist and his unique experiences, which raise his consciousness to the needs _ of ·humankind. How he develops coping skills is the thread tha.t weaves thoughout the story. And there isn't the happy ending .I would like to see, but there is an ending of strong hope for tomorrow. The reason it bothered me was that,: rather than being able 'to say, "It's only a movie," I felt . convinced the events were 100 percent plausible and did, in fact, happen to sqmeone, if not the characters portray~d .. My entire stay in South Africa was a time of blessing, even when I was bickering with my host. The first cultural opportunity I had was with language differences. I got a sml!ll book to learn a few words of Afrikaans. When I arrived in Durban I found that the province of Natal is the most British of the four and I did not need to know any Afrikaans. Then my host informed me I had been billeted in a neighbor's home, to act as house-sitter 'while they were away. I'm not underfoot, can come and go, and I have two · domestic workers to cook and care for my clothes. Ah, but they don't speak English! People who know me understand what I mean when I say I don't intend to spend several weeks of grunting and pointing as a means of communication. Immediately, I began learning basic words and phrases in Zulu. For instance, I learned that when you leave home you say "Sala Kahle," but the one you are leaving behind replies, ''Hamba Kahle." . Regardless of the language struggle, I have many happy memories. My first day trip from Durban was to the Valley of a Thousand Hills, where I ~wewcwwwowoo wo,vw;w M>tMtOM at oooco ee1tt o♦ :Nl>Mea O!Mt\lG>ertOQ . ' L8.SJeco ndS tone-May/June1, 993 got my first opportunity to witness. I met two Christians who operate a small restaurant by the side of a busy highway (most highways are busy, given the relative lack of interstatetype roads.) They related information about their small prayer circle, and asked Rev. Joan Wakeford to come for services in their area, 25 miles out in · the hills. A two-day retreat to the Drakensberg was one highlight of my trip . Since I didn't know exactly how far it was, it seemed like an interminable drive, maybe 125 miles from Durban. We stayed at the Royal Natal National Park for two nights . Another cultural experience was learning about the Ned Kerk, as the Dutch Reformed Church or Neder ·duits Gereformeerde Kerk, is called. It is the most prevalent in three provinces other than Natal (Cape, Orange Free State, Transvaa~.) Of course, there are more Anglicans in Natal. Unfortunately, I got the impression that these denominations have the same problems as others world-wide. Some are so institutionalized, they no longer respond to individual needs, and many free churches, small prayer circles and show-biz fellowships have been organized. The group I visited inDurban was a small prayer circle. At the time I was there, it was all women. However, I have received ·word that they have been successful in expanding to new . people of both genders. Just before my arrival, the first ever gay pride march in Durban took place. The concept of 100 men and . women marching for gay rights, in a city the same size as Daflas, was noted with surprise by many - 23 years after Stonewall! In Johannesburg, I had .the privilege to atten.d GCBJGCC. You have to get used to all acronyms in Afrikaans/ English. The gay Christian community is a full-fledged congregation with about sixty in services when I attended. Their services are bilingual, aithough the sermon is in English three out of four Sundays. I felt at home and at ease, though I was too self conscious to sing very loudly in Afrikaans. I didn't know if my host would be kind about my hatcl1eting his native language. The group has a professional approach to their worship committee, drawing fro!ll local talent. in various ' denominations. The Sunday I was there, , a Major from their local Salvation Army brought a warm and · stirring message of the all-inclusive love of God. Later, I visited Methodist and Ned Kerk bookshops as wejl as secular booksellers. Nothing by Boswell, Kushner, Mollenkott, Pennington, or Perry. I didn't expect a wide selection, but was surprised to see nothing at all. For this reason, I have been appealing for donations of books on theology, philosophy and grief management. Some folks in Africa may be bilingual, but they are still bound by a literal translation of Romans 1 and can't break away. I made a point to visit the Voortrekker Monument. It is awesome, indescribable in a few words. It tells the history of Afrikaner people and can give you a sense of their struggle. Voortrekker is usually translated as pioneer, however, that does not adequately compare or contrast the pioneers of the American West with those of Southern Africa. As citizens in a federal republic, I sometimes think people in the United States have no ken of what it means to be tribal. People in South Africa are tribal. This means their first Joy alty is to family and tribe. They may feel some sense of national loyalty, but they are often far removed from national differences. Most official signs one might read in public are bilingual, in Afrikaans and English. However, I noticed that signs put up by individuals were in English and Zulu. In the Post Office, I noticed posters were in Afrikaans, English, Shona, Sotho, Venda, Xhosa and Zulu plus a couple of languages I · couldn't figure out. To understand the political climate, one must recognize that Mr. Buthulezi heads the Zulus and Mr. Mandela heads the Xhosas. These are the largest black tribes. Most members of these groups are not well educated. In a general election today, they would merely vote in blocs, on advice of their leaders. The possibilites for unethical manipulation are unlimited. Various people claim to lead the Afrikaners, however I don't think anybody can claim leadership of the English. For this reason, it is difficult to establish coalitions needed for national government. In 'The Power of One," part of the plot line deals with the legend of the rainmaker. The rainmaker is one who is able to bring the rain, to cool the earth as well as its peoples, and to help people of all tribes live together in harmony. My concern is more about a predatory bird called the lammergeyer. This is araptor, large enough to snatch away a lamb, and is the South African equivalent of the North American coyote. I see the forces of evil in the world snatching away blessings for S.outh Africans, and feel that political solutions will _ never really work. _ The Spirit of God is the ohly force which can heal the tension. I hope to enlist people I meet to feel a burden for world missions and for South Africa ill particular. Perhaps somewhere in our missions, we will come across a rainmaker for that nation. P. D. Ster/ins is director of Silent Harvest Ministries. He may be contacted at Box 190511, Dallas, TX 75219-0511. '' I haven't had sex with anyone since December '84," an attractive gay man remarked to me recently. "It just isn't worth the risk." Perhaps unwittingly, a major consequence of the AIDS tragedy in gay culture has been an awakening of what might be called spiritual concerns. AIDS has resulted for many gay people in a premature acquaintance with death and a consciousness of the importance of serving the sick and the needy. Such awareness of the fragility and transitoriness of life has long been considered a foundation for spiritual development. The fact is that, regardless of what miracle cures may be found in the future, AIDS has changed gay life. The "ol' days" are never coming back. And the generation that championed them is growing older and with aging sex has a way of naturally becomi11g less important. But there has always been more to gay life than sex. "I've practically become a monk," the attractive gay man continued . As a former 'monk' myself, having been • 'like a·•disproportionately large percentage of gay men and women - in Catholic religious life for several years after high school, I was especially sensitive to his meaning. For . many years I've noticed that among openly gay people, especially activists, there have been a surprising number of ex-religious. It makes sense, of course; the gay movement has almost always been one of abstract principles of justice and fairplay, and the thankless devotion demanded by being open, resem_bles pure religious zeal. (During the late '70s, when hooded sweatshirts were an integral_part -oUhe gay costume, al least on Castro Street, it seemed like deep-seated monastic tendencies were showing up in fashion.) Today, "celibacy," a word imported from the monastic tradition, has become current among gay men to mean the decision not to be sexually active. Because we've grown up with Christian sex-negative attitudes, we tend to see "celibacy" as a great sacrifice . . But for homosexuals of the past, it may often have seemed like a real escape. from social pressures and a wonderful opportunity to develop personal interests. (For some today, like the sexually inactive _man I was talking with, "celibacy" may seem like a real escape from life-threatening pressures.) Technically, celibacy does not mean abstaining from sex. In terms of Catholic religious life, celibacy (the Gay People as - Monks & · Mystics BY TOBY JOHNSON obligation imposed by the vow of chastity and by ordination) is the obligation not to marry. -Of course, since that tradition taught that sex should only be enjoyed within marriage, celibacy de facto excluded sexual activity, including masturbation. Certainly that tradition was (and is) sex-negative, BUT the emphasis in celibacy was not avoiding sex but on avoiding marriage and family: Priests, monks, and nuns were enjoined to celibacy out of the observation that spiritual ideals were more likely to flourish freed from the dreams of the cycle of coupling and reproduction. (Could Jesus, for instance, have maintained his integrity and risked crucifixion if he'd had a wife and kids?) The .spiritual insight is that family values are deceptive - important, yes, but ultimately incomplete; the truth is that life is fleeting, immortality through offspring illusory, and material success is just dust in the wind. Celibacy and its sister virtue, poverty, were intended to pro-_ pel the spiritually-minded mdividual outside the concerns of normalcy. Historically, monasticism probably developed, in part, to provide a place for people . who 'didn't belong,' who had little or no interest in marrying and having children. In the Dark Ages, the clan/family (with the economic strength of primogeniture) was the center of everything. In the agrarian economy beset with constant warfare, offspring were everything. Men and worrien who didn'.t feel sexually driven lei marry and have children - who with insight we might guess were homqsexual - needed a place iii sodety. The monastery and convent gave them a legitimate role in society-- in · many -cases doing what gay people are still · espedally good at; teaching . children, i1ursing the sick, counseling the troubled, developing philosophical insights, brewing liqueurs, creating .art, and defining sensibilities and tastes·-. and providing them with an opportunity to develop same-sex communal relationships . It should not be surprising that in a world that by our standards was pretty hung-up on sex, these relationships would not be defined as sexual. At the same time, _the status of "non-breeders" allowed the monks a spiritual/ philosophical perspective, a critical stance, on society fro·m which - at least in theory - they could lead the masses in constructive direction (by developing universities, for instance.) In the book Ordi11ary People as Mo11ks and Mystics, northern Californian organizational psychologist Marsha Sinetar presents a contemporary reevaluation of the monastic identity. From interviews with modern day individuals who've opted out of the mainstream to live simple, ordered, perhaps solitary, but contributive lives, she distinguishes two motivations for choosing such an unconventional lifestyle. These correlate with the terms in her title: monks and mystics. The monks choose to free \hemselves of the pressure of financial, material - and sexual - pursuit. The mystics choose, in addition, to facilitate heightened aesthetic sensibilities ariccrri lfcal'stani:e on reality . (Obviously', there is ·overlap between the two.) Though the people Sinetar interviewed chose, rather un-monklike, to live alone, such like-minded individuals might join together - permanently or occasionally - in loose-knit community to support one another in a life of simplicity and consciousness development. Sinetar reminds us that simplicity of life, solitude, and silence have long · aided individuals in confronting the significant spiritual issues raised by personal isolation and the realization of impermanence and mortality . In very rough fashion, her categories correlate with major changes in gay life; the shift in sexual and relationship patterns and the concern with death and spiritual matters. Perhaps the tragedy of AIDS demands a major reevaluation of modern society with all its sexual demands, skewed values, pathogenic . pre.ssures ; a11d health-threatening emotional stress. Perhaps it might _ ··make-some of us ready to retire from the world in an age~old tradition and se.ek a simpler, saner life, "' For those of us who were;religious in our youths (even though, often, our real motive was to avoid having to deal with heterosexuality) monastic life may still be appealing. I think an awful lot of us would really like to go back if we could bring our gay identities and sophistication with us SEE MONKS, Page 20 . Second Stone•MaylJune, 1993 [I] '- . T Cover Story T ............................................................. . • ......... . -.Marching toward freedom From Page 1 and moderator of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan .Community Churches; his lover; Philip; Rev. Paul Sherry, president · of the United Church of Christ; and his wife, Mary . The crowd stretched as far as I could see, engulfing the Washington Monument. Tears came tomy eyes. I felt like I was also standing with my gay male friends who had died of AIDS and my earliest lesbian friends . who had been imprisoned in mental hospitals to be "cured" of homosexuality. So many of us once lived in hiding. So many of us once believed we were sinners. So many of us once thought 'Tm the only one in the world ." The shame and pain of that isolation melted and · were replaced by this new image: Marching , to -· gether, a million strong. "This is the defining moment ·in · history for us," Rev. Perry said many times that weekend . "I look out today and think, we truly are the rainbow tribe . We're the minority that comes in all colors. We realize that prejudice still exists in our culture, but we gladly challenge such prejudice rather than retreat into the shadows of despair and ignorance. We will not be stopped as we take our rightful place as · children of America and children of God." The only other denomination heads al the March were Rev . Sherry and Rev. William Schultz, president of the Unitarian Universalist Association. Both spoke at a Sunday morning communion service at the Lincoln Memorial, sponsored by UFMCC. "We want to share with you, yes, your anger and your pain, but also your shimmering expectation of God's future," Rev. Sherry sai.d to more than 1,000 worshipers gathered that morning. "We commit ourselves to walk the walk with you and talk the talk with you until justice flows down like a mighty river." Rev. ,William Schultz proclaimed, 'The dam is breaking, freedom is coming, and we're all here.to give it a push.' '. Many other speakers made similar statements throughout the weekend, but the words · always seemed fresh and poignant ·coming from people who had lived by them. Thousands from the lesbian and gay religious community were visible at the March and the more than 300 related events. The official schedule included gatherings of Lutherans, Presbyterians, Unitarians, UCCers and Radical Faeries, as well as many interfaith worship services and Jewish shabbat and Havdallah services. Religious groups, number 44 in the marching order, all met at noon · 001 _s~μ~ Stone•May/Jun~, 1993· · Sunday in the same area under the hot sun near the Washington Monument to wait to join the March. This may well have been the largest . gathering ever of lesbian and gay people of faith, with at least 3,000 of us. At ten minutes past noon, a voice called from the morning stage, "We are marching! One ·million queers take over D.C.!" The crowd began to dance as music played, "You gotta have faith in the power of love." This was just one of countless times during the weekend when the language of faith was used by secular and political leaders. Religious leaders also used political language, focusing especially 'This is the defining moment in history for us," Rev. Perry said many times that weekend. "I look out today and think, we truly are the rainbow tribe. We're the minority that comes in all colors... We will not be stopped as we take our rightful place as childrett of America and children of God." on .fighting the religious right .and lifting the ban on Lesbians and Gays in the U.S. military. The gathering of religious groups was like a huge party, where people milled, mingled and met countless friends and colleagues for four hours before it was our tum to marcl1. The last marchers strode past the White House at 6:00 p.m. Joy was the prevailing emotion, but much justifiable anger was expressed during the weekend, too . Larry Kramer, founder of ACT UP, was the most voca l critic of the government's failure to take action. At one point, hundreds of marchers dropped to the sidewalk in front of. the White House for a seven-minute "die in" symbolizing the tradedy of AIDS. The crowd booed when it was announced that the U.S. Park Service estimated that only 300,000 people attended the March. Arguments over actual attendance will continue for weeks. The main counter-protestors of the March were, as usual, a handful of Christian fundamentalists . Marcl1ers w,:ilked past them, responding · with chants such as "Stop the hate!" Overall, the March was peaceful, with police reporting only four arrests. In addition to the March itself, the event that touched me most deeply was "The Wedding;" a massive blessing of relationships and de!llonstration for the civil rights of lesbian and gay couples. An estimated 8,000 people attended the April 24 event, including 2,100 couples who registered to receive certificates. Since The Wedding was sponsored by UFMCC, I ,had been involved in planning it for five months. Still, ·I was overwhelmed by the solemnity and joy of seeing thousands of lesbian and gay couples pledge their love. I felt deeply honored to meet couples UFMCC found through a nationwide search for the longest lesbian and gay relationships: Kay .Thompson, 69 · and Bob!,ie-Smith, 69, of Tampa, Florida, , together 33 years; and Du.sty Keyes, 66, and Jim Busby, 71, of Arlington, Virginia, together 46 years . I was delighted when couples spontaneously chalked their names on the street, encircled by hearts - a childhood ritual from which we were excluded. . As I reflect on the March, the words - of Psalm 118 come to me: 'The stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner. This is God's doing; it is .marvelous in our eyes. This is the day which God has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Rev. Kittredge Cherry is U.S. National Ecumenical Officer for the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches. . .. • ," -- :- - - :- :- - .- - - • r - , \ .. •O◄ffi•~iffi;JH=l•HPbJ-1=0Hdl•Hsishop Jane Holmes Dixon leads Eucharist Integritym emberst urn out THE RT. REV. JANE Holmes Dixon, Suffragan Bishop of Washington, celebrated and preached at a Eucharist sponsored by Integrity /Washington on April 23 as part of the March on Washington activities. Gay and J.esbian Episcopalians came from all parts of the country to attend the March. Bishop Dixon, the second female bishop in the Episcopal Church, USA and the third woman Anglican bishop worldwide, preached a strongly supportive sermon which was frequently interrupted with the usually un-Anglican sound of "Amen!" St. Thomas Church near Dupont Circle was filled beyond capacity and numerous people stood throughout the service. The bishop began her sermon by telling of the support she received in coming to the Integrity service from the diocesan bishop, the Rt. Rev. Ronald H. Haines. She also said that while having tea at the St. Thomas Rectory prior to the service, she wondered, "Was this a new beginning for the Church of God? There we sat in Jim Holmes· rectory: a woman bishop and an openly gay priest. Tl1ank God!" She was interrupted .with sustained applause. . The day of the March, many Integrity members joined for Eucharist at the historic St. John's Church, across Lafayette Square from the White House. · At the march, members of 27 of Integrity's 70 chapt ers marched with Integrity, while members of at least 20 other chapters marched with their state or other affinity groups. About 30 ordained Integrity members were part of the group, most wearing clerical collars. Also marching separately were students from the Episcopal Divinity School irt Cambridge, Mass., the church's most gay /lesbian-friendly seminary. Marching with them was their retiring dean and president, the Rt. Rev. Otis Charles, sometime SEE INTEGRITY, Page 7 Prer ~.ring to march with Integrity, left to right, Ernest Clay, life partner of D;. !..auie Crew, Dr. Crew, founder of Integrity and professor at Rutgers University, the Rt. Rev. Otis Charles, bishop and Dean of the Episcopal Divinity School, the Rev. Barry Stopfel, ordained as an openly gay man in 1991 and recently elected Rector of St. George's Church, Maplewood, N.J., and the Rev. David Norgard, ordained as an_ openly gay man in 1984 and Executive Director of the Oasis, the lesbian/gay ministry of the Diocese of Newark Presbyterians march to a new tune PRESBYTERIANFSO R LESBIANa nd Gay Concerns (PLGC) were well represented at the March on Washington. Members, elders, deacons and ministers from across the Presbyterian Church (USA) rallied with songs, "Jesus Loves Me" and "We Are A Gentle Angry People." They also sang a familiar hymn with fresh lyrics: uO nward Cl1ristians oldiers, marching for gay_r ights, From the mainstream With · (he cfos~4 J~sus, briif~ing forth more light. · Like a royal banner, leads us on the way, Forward• intoj ustice, lesbian, bi, gay." The Rev. Janie Spahr, a Presbyterian lesbian evangelist, preached prededing ·the March at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Washington. Hundre ·ds of worshipers gathered with thti More Light congregation .to hear her sermon, "Celebrating - Com0 ing Out/Coming In/Coming Home." The F.ev. Spa& was recently denied by the denomination 's highest court from serving as co-pastor of the Downtown . United Presbyterian Church in Rochester, New York. Westminster 's pastor, the Rev. • Jeanne MacKenzie, and Elder Charlie Hunnicutt welcomed visitors to the service. Members Bob Yeargan, Ron Willett, Jeff Mintzer and Charlie Bishop-sang Rhea's arrangement of the "One Hundredth Psalm," electri- Religious leaders s·upported March REPRESENTATIVEOS F THE nation's religious community were supportive of the March on Washington -for Lesbian, Gay and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation held in Washington on April 25. _ A spokesperson for the Evangelical Lutheran Chutch in America said that. the ELCA had committed itself to in its support for civil rights and in its solidarity with those who have. too long endured the burden of fear, ignorance, hatred and . violence_. . We strongly supporf the Mar_cI1.. . in the hope that the day will soon come when all.Americans will enjoy equal0 ly the rights of their citizenship." · "particpate in God's mission by advo~ Rabbi Lynne F. Landsberg of the eating dignity and justice" for all peo- Union of American Hebrew Cpt;1greple. Kay Dowhower said the ELCA gations .discussed the need for- relsupported the Civil Rights '.Amend- igious people everywhere to , fight ment Act for Gay and Lesbian Civil discrimination against Lesbians !Ind Rights. "We urge swift passage of Gays, particularly in the mirfrary, this legislation. We look .upon the _ saying, "We recognize that religious March on Washington as one way:in antag9pism_ towards homosexuals has which }hose supportive of the' civil cqnttibuted to the acceptance of antirights for all persons, regar-dless of gay bias, but ju~.t as such acts of hate sexual orientation, can join together to . have no place in. communities of faith, support one another in that effort." -- neither may we tolerate them in the Robert F. Glover of the Christian centr?l institutions of our national Church (Disciples of Christ) agreed,,, ✓- life .. : Yet our country, founded upon saying 'The church stands firm today -· · the ideals of equality and democracy, obstinately adheres to the tactics of a totalitarian regime ... We are here today to say, _loudly and clearly, that the real traditional values of American life - if not always of Amer-· ican history - are those of freedom, liberty and equality. Robert A. Alpern, Director of the Washington Office of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations in North America, spoke of the long history of many religious groups in support of gay and lesbian rights, saying, "After passage of the . anti-civil rights initiative in Colorado, the Unitarian Universalist General Assembly Planning Committee withdrew its reservation for the $3 million 1997 General Assembly in Colorado. So it is in this spirit... that we have for months urged Unitarian Universalists from across the ·continent to come to Washington and joi11-this historic manifestation to reverse the cruel fying the crowd with · their harmony and use of female pronouns for God. The Rev. Bob Davidson, pastor of West Park Church, New York, read a portion of the Second Helvetic Confession. Elder Robin Alexander read Exodus 14 and 15. Elder Mark Palermo, Co-Moderator of the More Light Churches Network, read Romans 8. The Rev. Coni Staff of the UFMCC, SEE PLGC, Page 7 discrimination practiced agafr1st 25 million or more of our relatives, friends and others we do not know. Billy Hileman, National .Co-Chair of the March, expressed his gratitude to the religious community fof,!their support in an ,emotional statement, saying "While more than 100 organizatfons have already endorsed the March, this support from the religious community is perhaps the !llOSt heartening to ·us. Our .community has a dual relationship with religion - at the same time some religious groups have been sowing the seeds of hatred that result in harassment and even death for some of us, many of us have also turned to religious organizations to sustain our spiritual lives. So it is with great emotion that we welcome all people of faith to our fight for full civil rights. · VOLUNTEER often lose sight of the role I play in · this drama. . · "Y 011 know, I was sitting .;n the kitchen 0 Ows THE CA .L earlyonSaturdaywaitingonaride,and F LL · . · L suddenly it hit me. This is what my life has been reduced to: sitting here waiting ·on someone else to take me to the OF His HEART S/1riner's Cirt11s." . _ Th,s is a function of poverty; grown men who have been robbed of BY J. RUSSELL KIEFFER control. To whom did Jesus speak when he said, "Blessed are you who are poor?" The Hebrew word for poor was ani, which, among other things, referred to those who are without clout, those who are helpless and easily exploited; men, women, children, lovers, Christians, and .grandparents who are dying from a pandemic called AIDS. Blessed are they. "A patlz with lzeart is one that we feel called to take. Tlze sense of being called can come fronz tile quiet, inner voice of our own yearnings, or from a loud, insistent one that challengesu s from the newscast of a pulpit, from the curses of the downtrodden, or tlze waiting of a child." - Passion For Life lam not certain if it was a sincere desire to serve, or -the fear of having to find a "real" job that led me on a path with heart . Nonetheless, the decision to work as a fulltime volunteer is part of my deliberate journey, and its realness has been a progenitor of fear. As a college sh.1dent in a conservative southeastern town in New Mexico, I decided that the year after my graduation would be spent in service to those in need . After many months of research, I applied to the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. and was accepted to the program. - · The JVC is a nationwide organization likened to a domestic Peace Corps. The volunteer Works in an agency that would not otherwise be able to afford a full-time staff person. He or she lives in a four to seven member community with fellow volunteers, and must be committed to work for social change. Additionally, the volunteer lives on an $85 monthly shpend and is asked to explore spiritual issues. Through a process of elimination, impetuous decision making, and a strong sense of calling, I wound up in Buffalo, New York, where I would Work in a residence for those dying, or rather, living with AIDS: "When something goes wrong in life, you can always go on a diet, or get your hair done or buy yourself some new clotlze.s.. anything to makey ourselfl ook better. Only I can't d0 that. I can eat 'ti II tlie cows come' home and· never gain a pound. So I decided to put everything into my job, until I lost it. Bu,t time heals all wounds you_ know. Only it doesn'tb ecausel don't havea ny time. .." Walk into Benedict House and just listen. The voice of the past speaks clearly in the mellow croak of nineteenth- century wooden floors. Enlivening stained glass, intricately fashioned woodwork, and a towering brick turret join in the genteel serenade to a Victorian yesteryear. Where are your tired? Where are rm Second Stone-May/Jm1e1, 993 l. _ . _, your poor? Walk into Benedict House and open your eyes. Behold the contradiction . Love is in the air. This is where we eat well, sleep well, recreaie well and pray well. This is where we come to live with AIDS when there is no place else to go; this is where ·the justice is served; this is where we wiH probably die; Tony came to Benedict House in the early faUfrom a local hospital. Gaunt and withdrawn, he was literally dropped on the door step by his family. Here he waited for his belongings, his clothing - his familiarity. He was eventually dressed in the clothes of a man who died at our house The only reason Al ever came to Buffalo was because he slept through the stop in Rochester. One city is as good as another when you have nowhere to live. After spending several weeks in a detox unit trying to kick a chronic alcohol problem, Al came to live at Benedict House. -On Thanksgiving day, I spent the morning taking Al to the airpor!'to greet his mother. We were well on The author, right, counsels . a client at Benedict House in Buffalo, New York before Tony even came here to live. He remained a quiet resident and didn't require much more than . chocolate candy and the company of his favorite stuffed animal. Tony never saw his wife and children again., He died in late February and was cremated without a service or funeral. The only acknowledgement of Tony's life or death was is a small ·memorial service in our house chapel. Here are the poor. One function of my job includes coordinating resident activities. I our way when I discovered that not only did Al not know what time his mother was arriving, he had also failed to find out ori what airline she would be flying and in which terminal the plane would be landing. While waiting on Al to find his mother, vactioners got in and out of our van, mistaking me for the guy from the Holiday Inn. Al had only lived here for two weeks when we discovered more than 50 empty king-sized liquor bottles in his bedroom. How can you encourage a man to sober up when he probably won't see next Thanksgiving? Here are the !ired. On Valentine's day the Girl Scouts brought cookies and candy over to the house. John politely welcomed the 10 year-old philanthropists by saying, "Hi, my name is John. I have AIDS. Thank you for the goodies ... we'll eat all of you up ... I have demenita you know!" "T11sea ddestt hing aboutl iving in this place is the size of this bed, because I .know there's no way two people could everf it in it! Now don't get me wrong. .. it's just that when you have AIDS people don't really want to touch you anymore. And I miss tlzal." As director of volunteer" services it is my responsibility to integrate tl~e neighboring community into our community; to, in the words of Victor Frankl, remind others that "man finds meaning by creating a work or doing a deed, by experiencing something or encountering someone, or through the attitude we _take toward unavoidable suffering;" to encourage others to take part in what Tolstoy deems "the transfiguration of ·suf- . fering ." All is not loss, though, and here we are among the living. My greatest lesson from those who -are dying is learning how to live. Benedict House is a place of joy, where all are accepted. Here is where members of the gay community come to share in the .comraderie . _the-y - create; to remember their pasts, celebrate the present, and discover the future. Greg was living in Florida when his parents brought him, kicking and screaming, to Buffalo. He had been arrested there after walking outside one night in his underwear. He was institutionalized, heavily drugged, and given electric shock treatment. No one realized that he had PML, a neurological disorder associated with AIDS which generates lesions on the brain and causes rapid dementia. Greg was a 4.0 graduate from a local university and had two degrees. The world could be his. Instead, he wears Christmas ornaments on his ears and thinks he's going to have a baby. I believe that _ when Jesus would touch the lives of broken people, he used his own mortality for a basis of relation. He would ·touch others with his humanity, and in the context of humanness, something devine occurred. We have all been left that legacy. We are all called to create divinity out of our brokenness and in our humanity. The faith response is not sp much a yes or no to a fact, but a yes or no to a process of living within a mystery that is always more knowable. To live with this understanding is to constantly discover new sources of strength, new sources of hope, new ways and reasons to be, even in the midst of. laughter or tragedy. In the Gospel of the woman at the well, we encounter two people from completely different worlds. They cross each other's paths in their journeys and make a substantial difference in each other's lives. Jesus, a tired , thirsty traveler, stops for water, rest, and so~tude at Jacob's Well before resummg his journey and mission of teaching about the life of the Spirit and the worlds beyond and within. While Jesus rests a Samaritan, a woman, arrives. She ~eems to be bent solely on fulfilling her concrete daily tasks in her realistic world-at-hand. Jesus breaks all cultural rules of the times and talks to this Samaritan woman and asks her; somewhat bluntly, for a drink of water. · She, being a Samaritan and taught to iiespise Jews, could easily have refused his ·request, but instead, she complies, perhaps irritably, but generously. He _sees her openness to generosity as a_n opportunity to touch her soul. Their conversation is one of banter, challenges, and answers. Both vacillate between arrogance and gentleness. He is touched by her steadfast stances, her spunk and spontaneity, and her undaunted longing for liberation and a more meaningful life. She is touched not only by Jesus knowing her personal past, but _ by his nonjudgme11tal statements and penchant for seeing deeper meanings. He learns that he must see each person as unique and he must respect and welcome challenges as valid, in order for his message to be fully heard and in·_ order to fully relate. She learns to see deeper meanings and becomes a vehicle for furthering not only her own person~! ~nd spiritual growth, but also Jes~s ~mstry in Samaria. They were s1gmficant to one another and to us. He teaches us to love the marginalized, to take risks, to be open to differences, and to look for deeper meanings even in every day substances such as water. She teaches us to question authority, even messiahs, to hold firmly to our own perspective and dignity, but to be open to new perspectives and deeper meanings beyond the obvious and ·concrete. They eacll gave freely and generously and received in return. · After their encounter, they each continued on their own journeys, significantly changed.· What exactly is our journey in our modern-day lives? Most trips, for me, involve some level of risk and varying degrees of ambivalence, quest!oning, excitement, and preparahon. Why am I going? Do I have anything to offer? Will I meet new people or see new sights? Should I stay home -where it is familiar and easy? Am I open to loving, giving, and supporting? The Rath· of the Journey: .Risk, Joy, Giff, and Growth BY CHRISTINE COUGHLAN Webster's Dictionary defines "journey" as travel from one ·place to another or something that suggests . travel, like a journey through life. .Sometimes a journey can have a conscious, well planned purpose. These travelers can say "I know what I want; I know how to get it, so I'm on ·my way." Other travelers can have a purpose but be unsure about how to fulfill it. They might say, "I think I can, I think I can," or like a good Catholic, possibly, "I know I should, I know I should." The response might hopefully ·become "I know I can, I'm blessed ." And there's another group · of travelers who just panic, "I don't care, I'm out -of here, maybe I'll be back." But no matter what type of journeyer we may be, spontaneous, perhaps unconsciously connected events do happen. Both plarmed and spontaneous events add dimension, meaning, and depth to our hves, These events, moments, periods of time help us to more clearly define or further become who we are. This can occur as blissful. or tumultuous, alone or with others, in conflict or harmony, and apart from or within challenging communities. · Whether by ourselvesor with others, continuing life's journeys of growth involves taking chances on ourselves, on others, and .on God. It involves making ourselves . vulnerable, setting limits, accepting differences, forgiving ourselves and oth~rs, enjoying similarities, challengmg stagnation, having fun, being open to new life, and letting _ourselves love ourselves and others. The same questions we ask ourselves before business trips and vacations can be asked again, in a deeper context, about life journeys. "Am I prepared or preparing?_ Am I trying? What will I win or lose by going or not going, by choosing cir not choosing? Am I fully being me? Am I encouraging others to be fully themselves? Am I open to risks? Am I enjoying myself? Am I accepting? Am I willing to face fear and pain in order to grow? How do I resolve conflict and ambivalence? Do I pray or do I ask myself why not? How else am I naturally spiritual? Do I appreciate my gifts? Am I willing to share them and let them grow to full potential? Am I at least trying to relate to others with tolerance, if not with love? Do I have goals? Do I truly value my .friends and my families? Am I willing to . give up selfcenteredness even if : slowly, so to give freely and serv:e others, in whatever way service 1s most natural? Am I forgiving? Do I sometimes give in? Am I trying to -let go of some controls and let life be, let life in? How well do I care about the Earth and its peoples? · Can I really look at me in a courageous, deeply probing way? Can I · create my own _safety and security by depending on myself yet bemg able to reacll out? Do I Tove me? Do I see God in my life, in my relationships, in me?" Asking these questions and finding or waiting for the answers can be very painful, but they are part ~f growth filled journeying. An_d this journeying can, hopefully, bring us closer to each other and foster deeper friendships . It can present to us relationships that will allow us to see God more tangibly in our lives and encourage us to participate more fully in creative, real, life-affirming community. _ We are Spirit-filled individuals into one · community - our community. We have journeyed as a community, withstanding countless trials and growing pains, controversial internal conflict and painful external ass,iults, potentially humiliating-and ironically growth producing insults. We have been jeered, misunderstood, imposed upon, emotionally and physically · bashed and some of . this we have done most brutally to ourselves. -At the same time, however, we have been blessed and led by prophets and disciples, realistic and reactionary, some of whom are now deceased. We have endured the pain, the Jesus-like suffering, and the toll of AIDS, making so many of us so much more appreciative of the gifts of life, of the courage of our suffering brothers and sisters, and of the deep beauty of care-giving. We have been plagued by Ratzingers and lauded by Hunthausens. We have been inspired by Ruethers, Gram1cks, McNeills, Nugents, and Gormans. We have been, and are, leaders and mentors for one another. We ·are community. We are church.· But what is this church? What is our continued purpose? What is our deeper meaning? What are our goals for the future as we continue on our journey? How well do we truly serve one another and celebrate our gifts? How well do we look at ourselves, learn from our mistakes, and act with humility and charity? What can we do to create and perpetuate Spirit-filled and inclusive community, without which we are not a community? How can we attempt to continue to recreate the church of the early Christians, one which was much less impeded by structure and rules? How do we continue to have church be a rri.eans for all its people to better know God within and beyond, to learn to pray and to acknowledge the spiritual dimensions that alre~dy exist in ourselves rather than havmg the institution of the church be the end in itself? I believe, so I speak out. I would like to offer some -suggestions, some . of which are already living well, and others which need to be strongly considered. I believe first, that we .are a blessed and chosen people, that we are God to one another, and therefore the means to becoming closer to God. I believe that I can and must affirm not only my gifts, pain, and dignity but that of others as we are called to do and be for each other. I believe in a genderless Creator who is the highest epitome of -love, forgiveness, and forgiving. I believe in a Holy Spirit - who sanctifies and enlightens, and in Jesus, the redeeming friend who taug~t us lovmg and healing ways. I believe that. we are all .potential healers and that we !oo are · Jesus' . loving and healing disciples . . I b.elieve in lay-led liturs _ gies, shared homilies, the or~!nahon of women literally and experienhally, in -inclusive language and genderless images .of God. I believe many of us, μnbeknownst to even ourSelv~s, ~re ·apostles, healers, presiders_, m1msters, homilists, counselors, leaders, lovers, directors, financial wizards, and organizers. I believe _we are a wellsp r ing _ of untapped gifts rea~y to be -SEE JOURNEY, Page_ 20 Second Stone-May/Jun~, 1993 (llJ Videos . ~ ...................................... •· .......... ·-·. ~ .................. . Walk Me to the Water: Three People in Their Time of Dying By Rev. Richard B. Gilbert Contributing Writer Presented by John Seakwood, in association with St. Peter's Hospice, Albany, New York It is very clear why the flier for this video lists it as an award winning video, including the "President's Award for .Excellence'; from the National Hospice Organization. It is gripping, yet ten- ■ J,ii;;t; ~t·~~ :,. ~~f ~ • •'\ : "-L. 'We Cfl~1t;.~J;~'.' r pool, hot tub, skiing and more . · Innkeepers Judith Ha11 and Grace Newman invite you to write or Cali for a brochure. P. 0. Box 118 SL ·Bethlehem, NH 03574 (603) 869-3978 - der, letting shine the harsh realities of death as experienced by people, yet surrounded by the opportunites for gentle care, love and peace. · The video is described as a "special half hour film that intimately portrays the experiences of three terminally ill cancer patients being cared for at home." No talk about denial, anger or fear .. No, not words ... experiences. "I drank a lot." "I kepi smoking." Shared . frustrations with various visitors who ask stupid questions. "How are you? ... How the hell do you think I'm doing? I have cancer ... " Or the volunteer who sits in front of the television and insists ori talking "when I want to watch the World Series." It is a penetrating look at people struggling to die with dignity, to claim life even in the midst of dying, to maximize the moments of life, however few there may be left, yet often having to fight not only the disease, but the caregivers who steal away even more of those pr .ecious moments of time and life. We meet Joe, strugg ling to survive his moments of time. Then there is Ann, having to deal with many ■ Let.a new light shine for someone you· love. Second Stone is a gift of love, comfort, inspiration and resolution for friends and family who may be in doubt, despair, isolation or suffering illness. Give the special people in your life the gift of Second Stone. · We'll take it from there. FROM, Yes ... Mj Name Please send a gift """"' subscription and card o" '""· 7Jp in my name to the Name person(s)-listed: Mdress [ )Oneglft,$15 CJty [ ) Two gifts, $29 St,te l'Jp [ J Three gifts, $42 Sign Gift cant Add $10 for each Name foreign subscriber. Mdress U.S. currency. City PAYMENI' ENQ.OSED: swe 7Jp Sign Glk cant Use additional sheet for more gifts. B~x 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 ■ ■ . [Ji] Second Stone-May/June, 1993 / health care needs and systems. Maintaining dignity in the midst of medicine's endless intrusions. She shares her stories well. With Marion, we meet patient and family, struggling together with the experiences of life and death . Each perso.n offers an important line or .thought for us: Says Joe, "How precious life was, each and every moment of it. We take it for . granted ... " Ann adds, " ... (and) that's what you need, the voices and faces of your family." Finally, from a member of Marion's family, '.There was a lot of hard times and it wasn't easy, but a lot of good came out of that too ... I wasn't sure if I had it in me to take care of her and I found out I did and a lot more." "H ? ow are you .. ;. How the hell do you think I'm doing? I have " cancer ... The content is excellent, the didactic help, and the message of the desire for hope in the midst of dying comes through clearly. It is offered .as a series of black and white still photographs, moving along through its theme with helpful narrative, mostly in the first person. It isn't easy, and it reminds us that _ death often is very difficult, very painful, and a battle that seems more frustrated by family and systems than the disease. In viewing this video will come a new awareness of the patient, of the family; cf the helpful ways of caregiving, and of the wonderful gifts of life (and an appreciation for life), hope and eternity that patients will give us if we allow them. This video is strongly recommended for health care professionals working with the terminaIJ.y ill, hospice volunteers, home health agencies, visiting nurses, clergy, social workers, and caregivers. It also has a special message and insight for the friends and families who could, with some redirection and education, become more effective in their presence. For information on this video write to Box 258, Bird Rd., New Lebanon, NY 12125. ( The Rev. Richard Gilbert is Director of Pastoral Services, Porter Memorial Hospital, Valparaiso, Indiana. On Video, briefly ... Three videos from Willowgreen Productions: Nothing is Permanent Except Change: Learning to Manage Transition in Your Life This video, offered in small segments wit.h time for reflection, accepts the reality of change, but moves us to explore and manage the transitions in our lives. An excellent experience of endings and beginnings. . -Listen to Your Sadness Hopelessness strikes all of us al various limes, and it touches every corner of our lives. This video en• ables you to face your pain, not escape it. In the "facing" we take the first slep toward finding hope again. How Do I Go On? This video hils hard on feelings as the experience and the pathway, gently moving us foiward to peace. It fs for "people whose futures seem limited by circumstance, accident or illness." ·All three videos available from Wil· /owgreen Productions, P.O. Box 25180, Fort Wayne, IN 46825. (219)424-7916. -Rev. Richard 8. Gilbert Men and women vets sought for documentary Authur Dong, an independent film producer, is currently in production for the documentary Coming Out Under Fire for PBS, based on the book by Allan Berube. The film's research staff is actively looking for lesbian, gay and bisexual World War II veterans. They want to talk to women who served in any branch, including the Nurse Corps. Especially sought are those who served in the 100th/442nd Regiment, the 2nd Calvary Division, the 92 and 93rd Infantry Division, men of color and women of color. Contact Deep Focus Productions, 4506 Palm• ero Dr., Los Angeles, -CA 90065 (213) 254-m3, FAX (213)254-7974. InP rint ............................................... ~ .. • ..... ~ .... • ............ . Someone You.Know· By Kevin Gepford ContributinWg riter Maria Pallotta-Chiarolli, author. Wakefield Press, Kent Town, South Australia. 188 pages, paperback, $14.95. Th~ stories we love - the best of stories - are about people's lives, the ups and downs, the conflicts and the enduring friendships. Such a story comes from Australia in the new book Someone You Know. Do you know this man, or someone like him? He's a gay Seventh-day Adventist who suddenly faces his own mortality when he learns he is HIV positive. And . his friend - the book's author, Maria Pallotta-Chiarolli - becomes his closest companion as he develops AIDS. . Storyteller Pallotta-Chiarolli gives a first-person account of Jon, an outgoing and well-loved teacher in her Adelaide school. Her account is well In Print,b riefly.. . WhenH ateG roups Cometo T own Thel atestp ublicatiofnro mt ~eC enter. for DemocratRice newaclo versv irtuallye verya specot f thel egal,s trategic and tacticali ssuest hat surroundo rganizing to counter hate groups. WhenH ateG roupsC omet o TownA: Handbooko f EffectiveC ommunity Responsesis beingm arketeda s a trainingto ol as well as an individual resource. -Fori nformatiocno ntacLt orettaR oss, (404)221-(XJ25. Homoaffectionalism: MaleB ondinfgro m Gilgamestoht heP resent PaulD . Hardmanh,i storiana ndl egal scholar, has worked for nearly ten years on this book about the rela· tionshipb etweemn eno f notet houghoutt heh istoryo f thew orld.T hereis a speciasl ectiono n the military,f rom Roman emperors to 1992, giving namesa ndd atesa ndr eferences. -FromG LBPul:iishePrs.,O .B ox7 8212, SanF ranciscCo,A 9 4107 PaganB abies Thisn ovelb y GregJ ohnsonis about two. friends,d escribeda s "Catholic misfits"g rowingu p togetherJ. anice Rungrena nd CliffordB annonm eet as third-gradeirns Catholics chooli n Texasd uringt he early1 960s. From there their relationshipsp anst hree decadesa nd encompassevsa rious attractionasn dc onflictsin, cludingfa l· lingi n lovew itht hes amem an. -FrollJD utton told with . good insights into Jon's mind. The book does suffer from confusing chronology and sometimes inauthenic dialogue; however - faults that detract from the book's overall worth but do not destroy it. Maria Pallotta-Chiarolli's friendship with Jon grows as she learns more about his life and his lover, Kevin. She and Jon take trips together, and share notes about being members of minority groups: she, _of Italian descent, and he, a homosexual. The author gives great care to describe Jon's personal conflicts - of being Seventh-day Adventist and gay, of coming from a rigidly conservative home, and of falling away from the church that could not love him. Pallotta-Chiarolli shares her own insights into Jon's life as she struggles to understand his feeling of alienation. · Finally, AIDS enters the stage. Maria is the one friend Jon chooses to accompany him to find out the results of the HIV test. -She has a hard time comforting him as he begins to morbidly dwell on the future. Maria keeps in touch with Jon as he moves away, breaks up with Kevin, dabbles with a new job and faces declining health. She and some of his fellow teachers from Adelaide visit him at last on his deathbed, where they meet his parents who have arrived to sing hymns and pray by his bedside. Although the parents - unused to sharing their'emotions - never accept Jon's homosexuality, they come to realize that he was _loved and respected by his friends and colleagues. Much of the book is dedicated to the · final moments of Jon's life as he fades in and out of consciousness and friends and family drop by. In the end, only Maria, Kevin and · a third close friend are present to witness his passing. The book's main failing is in how it presents the sequence of events. It gets off to a confusing start with chapters alternating from past to present like a time warp gone awry. The author gives few clues to help the reader uncferstand this tortuous chronology. And it takes several chapters before Pallotta-Chiarolli reveals the point of the whole book - that her dear friend is dying ,from a terrible disease. Someone You Know is filled with dialogue, some of which seems unnatural and a little stilted, as if overedited. All the characters come out sounding the same; their personalities seem a bit flat - a problem that BuildingB ridges,G ay and Lesbian Reality and the Catholic Church By Texas FitzGerald ContributingW riter Authors Robert Nugent and Jeannine Gramick have. been involved in educational and pastoral ministry involving homosexuality and the Catholic Church for two decades. They have counseled · gay /lesbian Catholic . youth, gay /lesbian Catholics who are married, lesbian nuns in mid-life crisis, gay priests with AIDS, and others. They, have conducted seminars on homophobia in three quartei;s of the diocese in the United States. Building Bridges, Gay and Lesbian Reality and the Catliolic Chu-rch is a readable, comprehensive book on the issue of lesbian and gay people in the Catholic Church. Nugent and Gramick document the liberalness of the American branch of the Catholic ·Church while acknow- · !edging the orthodox stance of the Vatican. Various Catholic groups have made positive statements on . lesbian and gay civil rights. Polls · indicate a majority of American Catholics support equal civil rights for Lesbians and Gays, ,and support legalization of homosexual acts. between consenting adults in private. Approximately one third believe homosexual behavior is not necessarily sinful and that homosexuality is a valid alternative lifestyle. Various · gay and/ or lesbian Catholic groups have been formed. Seemingly in reaction to this liberalness, the Vatican has issued letters characterizing homosexual orientation as an objective di_sorder, has • appointed more conservative bishops, . and has caused the eviction of Dignity chapters . In July, 1992, according to the Associated Press, the Vatican advocated exclusion of homo' sexuals from adoption, teaching, and military positions. Building Bridges, Gay and Lesbian Reality and the Catholic Church attempts to span this chasm. The chapters include updated articles published in journals, plus additional material. The book has four major sections. "Education and Social Concerns" justifies Catholic support for equal civil rights for Lesbians and Gays. The arguments are thoroughly reasoned and appeal to theology, church plagues reconstructed conven,ati_ons, as these seem to be. · · However, PallottaaChiarolli's crisp use of language and descriptions of places and people give the book a rich feeling of reality. Through her lens you see what is important to her and her relationship with Jon. You discern the paradoxes of religion and the quandry of parents trapped between love of their son and loathing of his lifestyle. Someone You Know is an excellent first book, and a delightful story comfng from Australia. Concerned Christians in North America will be able to relate to its message, plus get a glimpse of how AIDS is affecting the lives of people like us in Australia. Someone You Know, published in Australia, is not likely to be found in your . local bookstore. Contact the Inland Book Co., 1-800-243-0138P, .O. Box 120261, East Haven, CT 06512, to find out if a bookstore near you has this title. Kevin Gepfordi s a graduates tudent in the school of journalism at Columbia University in New York. He is the former editor of the SDA Kinship Conne~ tion, a journal-for gay and lesbian Seventh;dayA dventists. statements ·prior to July, 1992, science, and philosophy. "Counseling and Pastoral Issues" describes problems of family acceptance of Lesbians and Gays, lesbian women in the church, and married Gays and Lesbians. Although there are some recommendations in this section, much is vague perhaps . due to the dilemmas posed. "Religious and Clerical Life" tackles homophobia in sexually segregated orders, HIV testing and candidates, . mid-life crisis of nuns who recognize they are lesbian, and discussions on the meaning of celibacy. "Evolving Theological Perspectives" documents various Catholic state.ments on homosexuality and discusses clearly labeled alternative theology, including examples of lesbian and gay theology. · Building Bridges attempts . to offer personal support for Lesbians and Gays who remain in the Catholic Church, while attempting to inform· the wider church on this topic, Texas FitzGerald is an elder in tlte CumberlandP resbyteriand enomination. Second Stone-May/June, 1993 ~ Calendar . . . . . . . ·• ....... ~ .................... ...... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Jo/lawing announcements have bew submitted by sponsoring or affiliated groups. Healing From Where We Are MAY 3-7, This retreat, offered by Kairos, at the Marianist Center in Cupertino, Calif., is a sharing . ' experience for HlV + priests and male religious. For information contact John McGrann, 114 Douglass St., San foirlciso, CA 94114, (415)861-0877 or David Eidem, ·1534 Arch St., Berkeley, CA 94708, (510)841-2229. More Light Churches Network Meets MAY 7•9, the 9th Annual National Conference of the More Light Churches Network meets at the Seventh Avenue Presbyterian Church in San Francisco. "Reclaiming Justice, Rekindling Love, Reforming the Church" is the theme. Planned workshop topics include how to become a More Light church, evangelism, polity issues, AIDS ministries · and Bible defense. For information contact Richard Sprott, 3900 Harrison St., #301, Oakfand, CA 94611. , Dialogue on the · Bible and . Homosexuality MAY 23, The Piedmont Religious Network for Gay and Lesbian Equality sponsors a group discussion at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Presenters include Rev. Jimmy Creech and John Blevins . For information call (919)766-9501 or (919)748-3488. Earl M. Willits Conference MAY 22, Author Chris Glaser is the presenter for this one day conference themed "Making 1t Work: Reconciling the Church with Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Christians" to be held at Plymouth Congregational Church, 4126 Ingersoll, Des Moines, IA 50312. Call (515)255-3149 for information . . SpiritFest '93 MAY 28-31, Th e Catholic Formation Center , Irving, Texas is the se tting for this Memorial Day weekend · gathering , Fee of $120 includes room and meals . For information contact Rev. Terry Enloe, (504)944-9836. East Coast ACTS Weekend JUNE 4-6, the gathering, themed "Building Bridges" will explore building connections between believers. The weekend will be held at a campground at Sandy Lake, Penn. The meeting will center on biblical teaching , worship and fellowship. For information cc;mtact Pastor Sam Kader, (513)228-8000. Evangelicals Concerned Eastern connECtion JUNE 4-6, The 14th annual eastern summer retreat of Evangelicals Concerned, Inc. will be held at Kirkridge, a mountain retreat center in eastern Pennsylvania. Keynoters will be Peggy Campolo, Nicholas Wolterstorff and Ralph Blair. For information write to Evangelicals Concerned, Inc., Ste. G-1, 311 East 72nd St., New York, NY 10021. Accommodatlorw, AIDSMIV resourcu, bara1 bookstores, vartousbuslnasses, Mltth care, llgal urvlcN, organizations, publlcatlona, r9l91c>Us groups, swttchboarda, therapists, tnivel agents, • much mora, 1or gay women and men. · All 11lces below INCLUDE FIRST·CLASS POSTAGE r, USA, C&na<l8 & Meleo , In sealed, dsaeet envelopes. PlaiHng lists B'O srlcdy ccnftdenlal. Order• ~om ooslda USA (lricludlng C8nada & Meleo): pal'fflantmuslbe In US Funds payable on a .US bank, ar by Pco!Offlcear American Ex11ess money crdB' , (WesuggestyouYy alocal booksr,,e firs~ IDavcld possible Custans 11o1>1amsij · · · . US/CANADA. C&nada8'1d USA tor women & men. City bydty lnlormallonlor all us Slates, C&nadian PIIHlnees, and the us Vi gin-. plus relOnWlde r8SCU'ces lricludi'll haadqu8'1efs or national arga,lza!lons 8'ld caucuses: ptblicalcns: mail ardor companies, elC. $12.00; outside N. America $17 (airman) NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY. NY & NJ; separata Women's Socllon; Manhallan bar "'tes by Je,ry Fitzpafiek , $5.00; outlldo N. America~ (alnnalQ . SOUTHERN/Southam Midwest. 64 pages. AL.AZ, AR, FL, GA, KS, I((, LA, MS, M:l , NM, NC, OK, PR, SC, TN, 'IX, us Virgin Islands, VA. $5.00; outside N. Amlllca $8 (alrmal) NORTHEAST. CT, DE, DC, t,IE, MA, NH, OH·, PA, RI, VT, WV. $5.00; ouoldo N. America $8 (airmail) RENAISSANCE HOUSE, SOX 533-SS VILLAGE STATION, NEW YORK, NY 10014--0292 (212)674-0120 lliiJ Second Stone-May/June, 1993 Pastoral Care and AIDS JUNE 4-6, Retreat, JUNE 6-10, Institute. An interfaith retreat and institute for pastoral caregivers for persons living with AIDS, sponsored by the Center for Ministries, Merrimack College. Major presenters include Rev. Douglas Graydon, Sr. Teres .ita Weind , Rabbi J.B. Sacks, Rev. Ann Showalter and Dr. Terry Tafoya . For information contact the college at 31.5 Turnpike St., North Andover, MA 01845, (508)837-5347. 17th Annual Gay & Lesbian Christian Retreat JUNE 10-13, This event for Lesbians, gay men and bisexuals of all colors, their family and friends, continues to explore issues of sexuality in the context of Christian faith and practice . Facilitators include Mary E. Hunt, JolmMcNeill; Virginia Ramey Mollenkott and William Smith. Kirkridge, a mountain . retreat center in Eastern Pennsylvania is the .setting. For information contact Kirkridge, Bangor, PA 18013-9359, (215)588-1793. BMG AnnuaJ Retreat JUNE 24-27, The Brothers of the Mercy of God invite all to join them at their host Monastery by the .Sea. The conference, themed "Religious Life," promises a time of prayer and sharing. For information writ e to . Bros. of the Mercy of God, 341 E. Center St., Manchester, CT 06040 or call 1-800-253-5506. (At the beep press 11903 and leave message.) Seventh Annual Golden Threads JUNE 25-27, The Provincetown Inn in Provincetown, Mass. will be the loca- . lion for this gathering of a ·worldwide social network of lesbian women over 50, and women who are interested in older wom en. Julie Woods is the featured entertainer. Attendance is limited to 250. For information contact Christine Burton, Golden Threads, P.O . Box 60475, Northampton , MA 01060-0475 America Baptists Concerned National Retreat JUNE 26-29, The Isis Oa sis in the Russian River area of Northern C~liforina will be the site of the annual retr ea t of American Baptists Concerned . Cost, including meals and lodging, is $175. The retreat will include a trip to San Francisco for the annual Gay /Lesbian Pride parade. For information contact American Baptists Concerned, 872 Erie St., Oakland, CA 94610. Gay and Lesbian Parents Meet JULY 2-4, Hundreds of lesbian moms, gay dads and their children will meet in Orlando, Florida for the 14th annual confer ence of the Gay and ' Lesbian Parents Coalition. "Share the Love ... Share the Magi~!" is .the theme . The Clarion Hotel is the setting , providing opportunity lo visit the Disney attractions. For in:formation contact GLPCI '93, Box 561504, Orlando, FL 32856-1504, ·(407)420-2191. connECtion '93 JULY 2-5, Evangelicals Concerned hosts its annual gathering. Keynote speakers include Rev. M. Mahan Siler, Jr., Dr . Ralph Blair, and Patricia V. Long. The conference will be held in the San Francisco Bay Area. For information write to ECWR, P.O. Box . 4750, Denver , CO 80204. National ) .-. Convocation of Reconciling Congregations JULY 8-11, The Reconciling Congregations Program . hosts its 3rd National Convocation . "Borne of the Breath of God: Remembering, Ren ewing, Reforming , Returning" is the them. e. George Washington University in Washington, D.C. is th f location. Twenty workshops will be offered . Leaders are Dr . Sally Brown Geis, Iliff School ofTheology and Dr. Tex Sample, St. Paul School of Theology. . For information write . to tl1e RCP, 3801 N. Keeler Ave., Chicago, IL 60641, (312)736-5526. UCCLJGC National Gathering 13 JULY 12-15, Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, is the setting for the 13th annual meeting of the United Church Coalition for Lesbian/ Gay Concerns. "Unity & Diversity: Gifts to Celebrate, Obstacles to Overcome" is the theme . For information contact UCCL/GC, 18 N. College St., Athens, OH 45701, . (614)593-7301. SEE CALENDAR, Next Page T Noteworthy T ..................................................................... .... Rev. Jane Spahr to serve as evangelist for Rochester church LiHA YING BEEN DENIED their selection of Rev. Jane Spahr as co-pastor of their church, the congregation of Downtown Unite!1 Presbyterian · Church, Rochester, New York, has hired her as an evangelist. The High Court of the Presbyterian Church (USA) had ruled earlier against the church's call of Spahr as co-pastor because she is a lesbian. As an evangelist, Spahr will travel throughout the denomination to speak on behalf of gay and lesbian Presby- CALENDAR, From Page 16 "Partners for the Glory of God" · JULY 15-20, The Gay and Lesbian Affirming Disciples Alliance and the United Church Coalition for Lesbian/ Gay Concerns will sponsor joint activities during the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ biennial General Assembly (Disciples) and General Synod (UCC) at the Cervantes Convention Center in St. Louis. Michael and Katherine Kinnamon are scheduled to speak at a Saturday evening banquet. For infomation, contact Randy Palmer at (319)332-0245. 4th Annual Northampton Lesbian Festival JULY 23-25, the popular festival expands to 3 days this year . The location is the Swift River Inn in Cummington, Mass. For information contact W,OW Productions, 160 Main St., Northampton, MA 01060, (413)586-8251. UFMCC's 16th General Conference JULY 18-25, "For All The Nation s" is the theme of th.is conference celebrating the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Church's .25 years of ministry. The conference returns to The Pointe at Tapatio Cliffs in Phoenix, Arizona, site of the immediate past UFMCC General Conference. For registration information write to the UFMCC, 5300 Santa Monica Blvd., Ste. 304, Los Angeles, CA 90029. Dignity/USA Convention JULY 28-AUGUST 1, The national terians and the congregations who value their leadership . The goal of her work will be the overturn of the denomination's "definitive guidance." This policy, adopted by General Assemblies 1978 and 1979 forbids chur .ches and presbyteries from ordaining "self-affirming, practicing homosexual persons. " Contributions to support Spahr's ministry, payable to DUPC, may be sent to ·•That All May Freely Serve," Downtown United Presbyterian Church, 121 ·N. Fitzhugh St., Rochester, NY 14614. -More Light Update gay and lesbian Catholic organization holds its 11th biennial convention at · the Fairmont Hotel in New Orleans. "Celebrate a Living Church" is the theme of the gathering, to which attendees are encouraged to wear · Mardi Gras colors of green, gold and purple. Brian McNaught is the featured speaker. For information · contact Dignity/USA, 1500 · Massachusetts Ave., NW, Ste.11, Washington, DC 20005, 1 °800-877-8797. BMG Hospitality- House AUGUST 1M21, The Brothers of the Mercy of God sponsor a week by the ocean, summer fun, and sharing life's experience. The setting is an authentic New England fal'll}house in Matunuck, R.l. The atmosphere is - relaxed, prayerful and joyous . For information write to Bros. of the Mercy of God, 341 E. Center St., Manchester, CT 06040 or call 1-800-253-5506. (At the beep press 11903 and leave message.) Parliament of the World's Religions AUGUST 28-SEPfEMBER 5, a major interfaith gathering with many of the world 's religions represented. Exhibits, performances, lectures and presentations, interfaith dialogues, children's programs and meetings of specialized groups . The Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions says "All are welcome to g;i,ther in . · Chicago in 1993 to listen to one · another, to be challenged to find new ways of livirig together, and to seek new visions for the future." For information write to: Parliament of the World's Religions, P.O. Box 1630, Chicago, IL 60690. P-FLAG Annual Convention SEPTEMBER 3-6, The 12th Annual International Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays gathering will be BrethrervMennonite parents document concerns .,ip ARENTS OF GAY and lesbian members of the Brethren and Mennonite churches recently sent an open letter to their respective churches expressing concern about the lack of acceptance of their sons and daughters by the church. Over two dozen parents came together at a recent w eekend meeting to share the stories of their families' pilgrimages. Mennonite parents confronted the church about the disbanding of the Listening Committee and Brethren parents held in New Orleans Labor Day weekend at the Sheraton Hotel on Canal Street. "Celebrating Family - New Orleans Style" is the theme . For information contact New Orleans P-FLAG, P.O. Box 15485,New Orleans, LA 70175. Tour of Israel SEPTEMBER 22-OCTOBER 8, Royal Menorah Adventures coordinates a tour of Israel for gay and lesbian travelers, escorted by Bible s~udent. and .previous Israeli resident Daniel Mark. $2850 per person, sharing twin accommodations . Contact Royal Tours, 1742 E. Broadway; Long Beach, CA 90802, {310)983-7370. Skills Building Conference OCTOBER 31-NOVEMBER 3, The AIDS National Interfaith Network, National Association of People with AIDS and National. Minority AIDS Council sponosor their annual gathering . New Orleans, on Halloween weekend, is the setting . For information contact ANIN, 110 Maryland Ave., NE, Ste. 504, Washington, DC 20002. RE-imagining/ Churches in Solidarity with Women NOVEMBER 4-7, A global theological conference by women for women and men. Re-imagining God, creation, Jesus, church as spiritual institution, arts/ church, language/ word, ethics/work/ ministry, community, sexuality/family, church as worshipping community . Featuring many presenters including Mary E. Hunt and Virginia Ramey Mollenkott. The Minneapolis Convention Center is the setting. Contact Rev. Sally Hill, 122 W. Franklin Ave., Room 100, Minneapolis, MN 55404, ( 612)870-3600, fax (612)870-3663. expressed concern over their church's Annual Conference Program and . Arrangements Committee's denial of booth . space for the Brethren/ Mennonite Council at the Annual Conference. Parents called on both churches to become a "courageous voice for justice." Parents interested in joining the movement may write to P.O . Box 1708, Lima, OH 45802. Fellowship forming for Seattle area gay and lesbian clergy . LiPASTOR RON SHONK is coordinating efforts to provide support for networking among gay and lesbian clergy of any denomination in Northwest Washington . Shonk is chaplain and director of OpeffDoor Ministries, a Lutheran ministry of consultation and pastoral care for AIDS and · gay and lesbian concerns. For information call (206)628-0946. New GLAD chapter for Central Iowa LiTHE GAY, LESBIAN, and Affirming Disciples Alliance has a new chapter in the Des Moines area . GLAD-Central Iowa is the first Alliance chapter to be formed as the · result of the direction of a congregational committee. The Ministry in Society Committee of the First Christian Church of Des Moines initiated the chapter format.ion process. For information about the new group contact GLAD-Central Iowa, c/ o First Christian Church, 2500 University Ave., Des · Moines , IA 50311, (515)255-2181. New Open and Affirming church for UCC • . LiTHE -FIRST CONGREGATIONAL Church of Pasadena, United Church of Chri.st, has become an Open and Affirming congregation, according to the Rev. Byron Hiller Light, Senior Minister . The California church has a long history of aligning itself with groups marginali2:ed by society or religion : At the turn of the ' century, the church ministered to Asian immigrants and now, First Congregatiorial Church houses over tw.o dozen homeless people nightly. Regarding the Open and Affirming decision, Rev. Light said, "After a year of intensive biblical study, teaching, discussion .and reflection the congregation voted overwhelmingly at its winter business meeting to not only welcome homosexuals and bisexuals to First Congregational, but also to actively affirm their worth and presence as individuals, gifted by a loving God." The cllurch is located at . 464 East Walnut St., (818)795-0696. SEE NOTEWORTHY, Page 18 Second Stone-May/June,_ 1993 .IJll NOTEWORTHY From Page 17 Ministry plans trip to Latin America LI.OTHER SHEEP Multicultural Ministries is planning a four-month trip through some 20 countries in Latin America to develop and support ministries with a specific outreach to Gays and Lesbians. The trip will begin in Dallas and take them through Central America, down the Pacific side of South America and back up the Atlantic side, returning again through Central America. For information on Other Sheep Ministries or this trip write to John Doner, 5105 Belmont Ave., Dallas, TX 75206 or call (214)827-0804. Reconciling pastors to advocate lesbian/gay ministries AA RECONCILING PASTORS' Action Network has been launched to advocate the full inclusion of lesbian, gay and bisexual persons within the United Methodist Church. This new network is being organized by the Reconciling Congregation Program, a national movement of 63 United Methodist congregations that publicly welcome all persons, including Lesbians and Gays. "While the focus of the RCP continues to be the local church," said Mark Bowman, pro- Coming Out means telling the truth about our lives ... a family value we can live with. Please give generously to the most effective campaign · 01,r community will ever wage. NATI0NALC0MI,NGOUTOAY· OCT0BER11 PO Box 8270, SANTA FE, NM 87504-8270 • 505-982-2558 Yourcontnbutlon is"tu:-deductlble gram coordinator, "we need to build a network of church profes~ionals who wish to publicly identify with our growing movement." The spark to initiate RP AN came during the February meeting of the RCP board of directors in response to reports of United Mehtodist pastors being threatened or reprimanded for carrying out ministries with Lesbians and gay men. It will be a network of activists confronting homophobia within the United. Methodist Church and advocating the removal of all bars to full participation of lesbian, gay and bisexual persons. United Methodist church professionals interested in RP AN should contact the RCP, 3801 N . Keeler Ave., Chicago, IL 60641, (312)736-5526. Restoration Ministries helps Gays, Lesbians with first step LI.REV. ALLEN PHILLIPS has formed a ministry in Schenectady, New York, to help gay and lesbian Christians, especially those from Pentecostal, evangelical and fundamentalist backgrounds, accept their homosexuality. Phillips also .plans to minister to people with AIDS, with a special focus on newly-diagnosed HIV+ people. Restoration has published a brochure entitled "Help! I'm HIV+! Now What" which is available free by sending a stamped, self-addressed For your convenience you may now FAX: · EDITORIAL •Letters to the Editor •Newsclips •Colendar items SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES •New subscriptions •Renewals •Gift subscriptions •Address changes ADVERTISING •Classified ads •Insertion orders or space reservations (504)891-7555 Classified SPECIAL FIRST TEN WORDS FREE! Meet a new customer for your business ... a new friend in a city you'll be visiting soon .. . a new pen pal. .. the possibilities are exciting! Second Stone classifieds r each readers in every state and many foreign countries. 20 words just $3.50! 30 words just $7.00! Use the order form on the classified page or FAX your ·ad to (504)891-7555, including classifica t ion , months to run and bill ing address. 20 word minimum. Each additional word , 35¢. t I 11 · envelope to P .O. Box 1123, Sd1enectady, NY 12301-1123. Pastor Phillips may be reach ed at (518) 372-6001. . Dignity chapter started in Hawaii LI.DIGNITY /MAUI was scheduled to have its first meeting at high noon on th e . first day of spring. Gay and lesbian Catholics who are interested in gathering with Dignity for fellowship and worship may contact Kihei, (808)874-3950. Christthe Redeemer fACC installs new pastor LI.REV. LEE CAMPBELL was installed on March 7 as pastor of Christ the Redeemer MCC, Evanston, Illinois. The church is located' at 933 Chicago Ave., (312)262-0099. Ministry announces logo contest LI.THE OPEN AND AFFIRMING Ministries Program of the Gay, Lesbian, and Affirming Disciples Alliance is seeking submissions in a contest to select a logo for "O&A Ministries. " The contest is open to members and friends of GLAD Alliance. Entries · must be postmarked by June 15th, 1993. For information contact Allen Harris, 1010 Park Ave., New York, NY 10028-0991. Affirmation chapter provides support for gay and lesbian Mormons LI.GAY AND LESBIAN MORMONS in the Alexandria, Virginia; area, have a very active chapter of Affirmation for support and fellowship. The group offers a Mormon support group and a monthly chapter meeting. For information, call (202)828-3096 and leave a message for Fred or Kirn. Wheaton College gay and lesbian alums organize Ll.P AUL PHILLIPS, of the entertainment team Rornanovsky & Phillips, is organizing a gay and lesbian alumni group for his alma mater, Wheaton College, a conservative, non-denomination evangelical Christian school located 30 miles west of Chicago. Phillips says that he was motivated to form the group after hearing about a young student on the Wh eat on campus who had taken his own life due in part to his inablility to come to terms with his sexual identity. "It is my hope that there will finally be some open dialogue about Gays and Lesbians at Wheaton," said Phillips . "I was in the class of '76 and I came out of th e closet in my freshman year at Wheaton. At the time, I was the only 'out' gay person there. The campus was in complete denial that there were other gay and lesbian people in their midst. " In just a few month s, more . than 60 other gay/ lesbian alums from throughout the U.S. and abroad have signed up. Wheaton alumni include Rev. Billy Graham and conservative Republican Senator Dan Coats. For information about th e Wheaton Gay & Lesbian Alumni Association, contact Paul Phillips, 369 Montezuma #209, Santa Fe, NM 87501. Atlanta congregation votes to purchase new building LI.FIRST MCC of Atlanta members vote<! on March 21 to purchase a new church building. The 164-rnernber church recently celebrated its 21st charter anniversary. The building , located at North Druid Hills and Tully Road, will house a 500 seat sanctuary, multiple offices for ministerial and counseling staff, a kitchen, a dining area and four large meeting rooms. r Network provides support for lesbian mothers Ll.MOMAZONS, A NATIONAL organization for lesbian mothers and for -Lesbians who want children in their lives, has been formed to provide an opportunity for Lesbian s to explore options in bearing, : adopting, raising or being involved with children. "We've been organizing here in . Central Ohio for more than 5 years, and over 100 local w·ornen and their children have been participating in Momazon meetings," said Mornazoris' founder . and director, Dr. Kelly McCormick. Mornazons produces a bimonthly newsletter, faciiitating a national dialogue about Lesbians' experiences and opinions about considering children, creating a family , blending families, child rearing, and other issues of significance to lesbian mothers and their families. For information · on Momazons, write to P .O . Box· 02069, Columbus, OH 43202 or call (614) 267-0193. Bulk Copies Available • • • • • • • • • • • • • OF THIS ISSUE OF SECOND STONE For church/group distnbu tion, conferences, bar ministry, etc . 10 copi e s - $ 13 .50 • 25 copies - $29. 50 • 50 copies - $45.00 100 copi e s - $67 .50 includ es po stage an d handl ing Limited quantily ol back issues available FREE, add $5 .0 0 p os tage l or eve ry 50 co pies Send your pre-paid order to Second Stone, P.O. Box 8340. New Orleans, LA 70182 Resource Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Listings in the Resource Guide are free .to churches, organizations, publications and community services. Send information to Second Stone, Box 8340, New Orleans, LA , 70182 or FAX to (504)891-7555. National EVANGELICALS CONCERNED, c/o Dr. Ralph Blair, 311 Easl 7200 SI .. New York, NY 10021. (212)517-3171. Pul>icalions: Review aoo Record. CONFERENCE FOR CATHOLIC LESBIANS, P.O. Box 436 P~netarium Sin,~ York, NY 10024. (607)432-9295. RELIGION WATCH, P.O. Box 652, North Bellmore, NY 11710. A CTi'f~iie;~~~~~~~~ /~~~~~~l~~:g~ 10461, ........... ~ ... Box 7331, Lousville, KY 40257. (502)893-0783. . FEDERATION OF PARENTS AND FRIENDS OF LESBIANS AND GAYS;INC. P.O. Box 27605, Washingon, DC 20038. Seoo ~<ficJWc'~!~ 0 it~;~~TAL AWANCE (also Pentecoslal Bible· lnslitute !Ministerial training!) P.O. Box 1391, Scheneclact,,, NY 12301-1391 .. (518)372-6001. PLIJlicalion: The Aposlolic Voice. DIGNITY/USA, ·1500 Massachusells Ave., rm, Sle. 11, Washington, DC 20005. (800)8'7-8797. Gay and lesbian Calholics and !heir lriends. MORE LIGHT CHURCHES NEN.ORK, 600 W. Fullerton Pkwy., Chicago, IL 60614-2690, (312)338-0452. Resource packet, $12 . . Pul>icalion: More Lighl Churches Netv.ork Newsleller Alabama Fort DeartxJm Slalion, Chicago, IL 60610-046l . PtJJlicalion: BIRMINGHAM . THE ALABAMA FORUM, P.O. Box 55894, i~ii~~E~ANSFOR LESBIAN& GAY CONCERNS, P.O. Box 35255-5894. (~)328-9228. 38, New Brunsv.ick, NJ 08903·0038. Pul>icalion: More Ughl ~~~~SAL FELLOIMlHIP OF METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCHES 5300 Sanla Monica Blvd, ~4. Los Angeles, CA ~lfh~mt~l~~~~~~~irJs':tNANDGAY CONCERNS, Box 65724, Washington, DC 20035. Pul>icalion: 8~1 1¥~~• CHURCH COALITION FOR LESBIAN I GAY CONCERNS, 18 N. College, Alhens, OH45701, (614) 593-7301. ~~~~nbX'v~VENTISTS KINSHIP INTER NA TIONAI., Box 3840, Los Angeles, CA 90078, (213)876-2076. Publicalion: Connectipn RECONCILING CONGREGATION PROGRAM, P.O. Box 23636, Washington, DC 20026, (202)863-1586. Pul>icalion: Open 11:ri~RITY, INC., P.O. Box 19561, Washngon,_.DC20036-0561, lfcim:ii~l\';_'f~Jr~Rb°tP~b 1t~ . Villa Grar<le, CA 95486·0032. Holy Spirt Church,. Easl Moline, IL, (309)792-6188. SI. Michael's Church, Russian River, CA, (707) 865-0119. PtJJlicalion: The Table!. LIVING STREAMS, P.O. Box 178, Concord, CA 94522-0178. Bi-monthly publication. AIDS NATIONAL INTERFAITH NETWORK, 300 I St., NE, Ste. 400, Washifl!1on, DC 20002 .. (800)288-9619, FAX (202)546-5103. Publication: lnteraction. NATIONAL CENTER FOR LESBIAN RIGHTS • 1663 Mission St, 51h Fir., San Frardsco, CA 94103. GAY AND LESBIAN PARENT COALITION, P.O. Box 50360, Washington, DC 20091. Publicaiion: Nelwork. . . . THE 1'141NESS, Published ti/ the Episcopal Church Pul>rshng Co., 1249 Washingon Blvd, Ste. 3115, Delrorl, Ml 48226-1868. fm~:~NAL GAY ANO LESBIAN ARCHIVES, The Nalalie Barney Edward Carpenler library, P.O. Box 38100, Hollywood, g~m~s (=~112';:7 ~J;:!/;~~l;\~e~~ess, Inc, PO Box ~c?oi~M~~ ~1 ~tCX:ure 1ravel lor women, 25 W. Diamond lake Rd., Minneapolis, MN 55419, (800)279-0555, (612)822-3809, FM (612)822-3814. DAUGHTERS OF SARAH : The magazine for Chrislian Femi~sts, 3801 No. Keeler, Chicago, IL 60641, (312)736-3399 .. CHI RHO PRESS - A special work of lhe UFMCC M1d-Allanl1c Dislricl. Publisher of religious oooks aoo malenals. P.O. Box . bt~~~m1:tn'8NM~1t'll,~R~ 1 1~~ 1 i~ior,ie and SU rt group for gay and lesl>an Calholic cler!l)'. and religous. 'rci. Box 60125, Chicago, IL 60660-0125. Publicalron: Communication WOMENS ALLIANCE FOR THEOLOGY, ETHICS AND RITUAL, 8035 131h SI., Silver Sprii MD 20910 (301)589-2509, FM f ~~:J,;}]5°iJj~~~"'/;A T~Ei tid6~MUMON, 258 Aspen St., 811, Arroyo Grar<le, CA 93420. (805)473-2510. Pul>ical1on: The Free Calholic Communicant. . INDEPENDENT CHURCH OF RELIGIOUS SCIENCE, 4102 Easl mf~ms~'.&8 ~~-g~PJ~i~ltr~:~TISTS . Box 2171, 256 So. Roberlson Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90213. (818)700-0827. AFFIRMATION: Gax & Lesbian MDfmons, P.O. Box 46022, Los Ang,les, CA 00046. (213)255-7251. AFFIRMATION/United Methocisls for Gay & lesbian Concerns, P.O. Box 1022, Evarolo~ IL 00204. . ST. TABITHA'S· AIDS APOSTOLA TE, Chrisliari AIDS Nelwork of lhe Merican Orthocllx Calholic Church ol SI. Gregonos, P.O. ti 1 ~M~:J~~~~~.f:~~o:~\i 1e Rock, AA 72200. · (501)372-5113. Workshops on women's issues, social juslice, racism and homophobia. . . . EMERGENCE International: A Community of Christian Scientists .Supporting Lesbians and Gay Men. P.O. Box ~161, San Ralael, CA94912-9161. (415)485-1881. PtJJlicalion: Emerge! GAYELLOWPAGES • P.O. Box 292, VIiiage Sin., NewYDf~ NY ~~8/fbt:>ti~ATION CONFERENCE, PO Box 2693, Fairlax, VA22001-0693. (703)352-1006. GAY, LESBIAN AND AFFIRMING DISCIPLES ALLIANCE, P.O. Box 19223, lndianapoHs, _IN 46219-0223 .. (319)324-6231. _For members ot lhe Chnst,an ·church (D,scrples o1 Chnsl). Publication: Crossbeams. _ NEW DIRECTION Magazine lor gaynesbian Mormons, 6520 Selma Ave., Ste. RS-440, Los Angeles, CA 90028. BLK Magazine, Box 83912, Los Angeles, CA 90083-0912. ~JW~~MINISTRY, 4012291hSI., Ml. Rainier;MD20712, 1:~~2 ~ 7 · 55 [!n:u~ay;~r~n~o~i~r::1rc r~~~h~ !he HONESW, Soulhern tptist Acllocates for Equal Rights, P.O. Arizona PHOENIX • lion ol Judah Minislries, P.O. Box 26531, 85068-6531. (602)997-5372. Chuck Shamblin, Bert Miller, ~g~r\:ornerslone Fellow.;hip, 2902 N. Geronimo, 85705. (602)622-4626. Rada Schatt, Paslor. MESA - Bouooless love Communily Church, 431 S. Stapley 'Dr., 85204. (602)439-0224. P.J. Fousek-Grega~ paslor. SUnday, 10:00arn TUCSON - Casa De la Paloma Aposlolic Churcl\ 1122 N. Jones Blvd, P.O. Box 14003, 85732-4003. (602)323-6855. Rev. Margaret 'Sanct,,• Lev.is, paslor. California SAN LUIS OBISPO-MCC ol lhe Central Coast, P.O. Box 1117, Grover Cily, 93483-1117, (805)481•9376. SUnday, 10:30a.m. Rev. Ranct,, A. Lester, Pastor. SACRAMENTO - Koinonia Chrislian Fellowship, P.O. Box 189444, 95818. (916)452-5736. Tom Ross, Pastor. SACRAMENTO- THE LATEST ISSUE, P.O. Box 160584, 95816. ~fi~b~YWOOD - Eva~gelicals To lher, Su;te 109-Box 16 7985 Sanla Monica Blvd., Wesl ~lywood, CA 90046, (213)656-8570. PLl:licalion: ET New.; SAN FRANCISCO· LUlherans Concerned, 566 Vallejo SI., 1125, 94133-4033 (415)956-2069. PtJJlication: Acllenl. SAN FRANCISCO • Gay and Lesbian Hislorical Sociely ol Northern California, P.O. Box 42126, 94142. (415)626·0980. POO!ication: Our Stories. SAN FRANCISCO • The Parsonage, 555-A Caslro SI., 94114-0293. Publication: The Parsonage New.; ARROYO GRANDE • SI. Breooan Free Calholic Church . Aposlo~le 258 Aspen St., Nll,-93420. (805)473-2510 CONCORD =·Free Calholic Aposlolale ol lhe Redeemer, 1440 DelroitAve 1/'J, 94520. (510)798-5281. SAN FRANCISCO • DIGNITY, 208 Dolores St, , 94103. (415)255-9244. Pttllicalion: Bndges. . . GLENDALE. Divine Redeemer MCC, 346 Riverdale Dr., 91204. Suooay, 10:45 a.m, Wed, Fn., 7:30 p.m. Rev. S1an Harns, paslor. Publicalion: From Mary's Shrine. APPLE VALLEY - li<111 of lhe Desert Church, Inc., P.O. Box 247, 92307. (619)247-2512. Sunday, 6:30 p.m. Non-denominalional Christian church. SAN JOSE· Hosanna Church of Praise, 24 No. 51h SI., 95112. Publication: _Celebralirg His Lile; Sharing His Love Colorado DENVER - Evangelicals Reconciled, P.O. Box 200111,'80220, (303)331-2839. Colorac!J ~ings : (719)488-3158. . DENVER • Evangelicals Concerned I Weslem Region, P.O. Box 4750, 80204. Pul>ication: Ttl:Cal>e. Connecticut HARTFORD-MCC, P.O. Box 514, 06016, (203)724-4605. SLOO!y, 7:00 p.m. The Meeting House, 50 Bloomheld Ave. D1Strrct of Columbia lntegity/Washington, Inc., P.O. Box 19561, 20036-0561. (301 )953-9421. Publ~alion: Gay'!)ling. MCC of Weshington, DC, 415.M St., N.W., 20001. Rev. l arryJ. Uhrig, paslor. ALEXANDRIA, VA. - St. Gyril's Easlern Chnslian Fellowship, 6036 Richmooo tt,,y., ~1, 22303, (703)329-7896. A Byzanline Christian· community. Florrda ST. PETERSBURG - King of Peace MCC, 4825 91h Ave. N., 33713-6135. (813)323-5857. Sundir{, 10:00a.rn & 7:30 p.rn Rev. Dr. Fred C. WIiiams, Sr., Paslor. . CLEARWATER - Free Catholic Church of the Resurrecl1on, 303 N. tMle Ave., 34615. (813)442-3867. . WEST PALM BEACH - MCC, 3500 45th SI., #2A, 33409: (407)687-3943. Sunday, 9:15 & 11:00 a.m. Services also in Fl. P~rce, (407)687•3943 and Pt. st. Luce, (407)340-0421. FORT MYERS • St. John lhe Aposlle MCC, 2209 Unily al lhe corner o1 Broacl.vay. (813)278-5181. Suooay, 10:00 a.m., 7:00 p.m. Rev. James lynch. Georgia ATLANTA - SOUTHERN .VOICE, ·P.O. Box 18215, 30316. (404)876-1819. ATLANTA. All Sainls Metropolilan Communily Church, P.O .. Box 13968, 30024. (404)822-1154 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ Hawaii KAHULUI • BOTH SIDES NOW Newsleller, P.O. Box 5042, . 96~ . Illinois CHICAGO • OUTLINES, Published by lambda Publicalions, 3059N. Solltp011, 60657. (312)871-7610. FM (312)871-7609. Louisiana W'Jrcl~~J; ?fu.r:0,0r:R::~i:1J:~~~°iv Box 3768, 10m. NEW ORLEANS-Vieux Carre MCC, 1128 St. Roel\ 70117-7716. (~ )945-5390. SUnday, 10:00 a.m Shelley Hamitton, Pastor. Maryland THE BALTIMORE Al TERNA TIVE, P.O. Box 2351, Balli more, Mp 21200. (301)235,3401. FAA(301)889-5665. Massachusetts CHERRY VALLEY· Morning S1ar MCC, 231 Main St., 01611. (508) 892-4320. Publicalion: Morning Star IMlness. Michigan DETROIT.· CRUISE Mag:,zine, 19136 Wocx!.vard North, 48203. (313)369,1901. FUNT. Redeemer MCC, 1665 N. Chevrolel Ave., 48504·3164. ~~~l~~~~'.~J~~f t~~rRev Linda J. Stoner, Paslor. ANN ARBOR • Huron Valley Communily Church meels at Glacier Way UMC, 1001 Green Rd., Ann Arbor, 48105-2896. (313)741-1174. SLOO!y, 2:00 p.m. DETROIT -lrlegily, 98011.!ilmore, '205, 48203. GRAND RAPIDS • Belhel Chr~lian Assembly, 920 Cherry SE, P.O. Box 6935, 49516. (616)459-8262 Rev, Bruce Rol~r-P~lcher, pastor. Plblicalion: Bethel Beacon Television: Channel 23, ~i'r 1i~mi I Lansing - Ecclesia. Affirming church meels al People's Church, 200 W. Grand River. Sunday, 8:15 p.m. . ANN ARBOR • Tree o1 Lile MCC, meels at Frrsl Con9"egalional Church, 218 N. Adams, Ypsilanli. P,O. Box 2598, 48106. (313)665-6163. Su"day, 6:00 p.rn DETROIT • Men of Color Motivalional Grol.l) meets Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. al St. Mallhevls and St. Joseph's Episcopal Chlrch, 8850 Wocx!.vard (313)871-4750. Minnesota MINl'EAPOLIS • EQUAL TIME, 310 E. 381h St., Room 207, 55409. (612) 823-3836. PtJJli- ti/ lavendar, Inc. MINNEAPOLIS • All Gods €hildren Melropolilan Communily Church, 3100 Park Ave. S. (612)824-2673. Pul>icalion: The Discir>e. Mississippi JACKSON •. St. Stephen's Uniled Community Church, 4872 N. ?teKfot~J.;frJ;TJ~!~?~: 1 io<:e'. 1~~ 71:6x 7737, 392PA-n37, (601)373-8610. JACKSON· Phoenix Coalilion, Inc., P.O. Box 7737, 39284-7737. Counseling services. (601 )373-8611Y(601)939-7181. New Jersey HOBOKEN· The Oasis, 707 Westin(ton St., P.O. Box 5149, 01cm. (201) 792-0340. New Mexico SANTA FE - THE GATSBY OONNECTION, 551 W. Corc!Jva, Ste. DiE, 87501. (505)986-1794. New York NEW YORK • Lesbian and Gay Communily Services Genier, Inc., 208 W. 131h St., 10011. (212)620-7310. Ptijicalions: Genier ~i\g~t~rl~~~~. PO Box 5202, 10185-0043. Pul>icalion: Oullook. ROCHESTER - THE EMPTY CLOSET, 179 Allanlic Ave., l1Ji°l;N:5eo~:~~i ~'~r'J~~iJl':r.1\:;;"'~~x Church, P.O. Box 9073, 12209. -(518)346-0207. Falher Herman, CSJn, Guardian. Plblicalion: Metanoia. .................. (513)252-8855. Penlecostal, charis,;.,lic meels Sunday, 10:00 a.m. 546 Xenia Ave. samuel Kader, Pastor. COLUMBUS.• Melropolilan Community Church, 1253 North High Street, 43201. (614)294-3026. Sunday, 10:30 a.m. Publicalion: The Beacon New.;. COLUMBUS - STONEWALL UNION REPORTS, Box 10814, 43201-7814, (614)299-7764. Oklahoma OKLAHOMA CITY - Holy T rinily Ecumenical 9alholic Church, 2328 N. MacArthur, P.O. Box 25425, 73125, (405)942-2604. Fr. . Marty Martin, paslor. Oregon PORTI.AND • American Friend» Service Committee Gay and lesbian Progam, 2249 E. Burnside, 97214, (503)230-9427. Contact Dan. Pennsy Iva ma ALLENT0\1,1',J - GraceCovenanl Fellow.;hip, 247 N. lOlh St., 18102. (215)740-0247. · Bryon Rowe, Paslor. Thom Ritter, Minister of Music.- Tennessee NASHVILLE· Dayspring Fellow.;hip,. 120-B So. 111h SI., Box 68073, 37206. (615)227-1446. PtJJlicat~n: Son Shine. NASHVILLE· lnlfl!J'ily of Middle Tennessee, Inc .. P.O. Box 121172, 37212-1172 (615)383-6008. Nev,sleller. • Texas DALLAS· Whle Rock Communilv Church, P.O. Box 180063, 75218. (214)285-2831, (214)327-9157. Surday, 10:30 a.m. Jerry Coo~ Paslor. ~~~i~~rl~~ PO Box 190051, 75219-0351. (214)520-0912 AUSTIN • Joan ·Wakelord Minislries, Inc., 9401·8 Grouse Meaoow Ln., 78758-6348, (512)835-7354. DALLAS • Silent Harvest Minislries, P.O. Box 190511, 75219-0511. (214)52().tl,55, MIDLAND _. Holy Trinily Community Church, 1607 S. Main, 79701. (915)570-4822. Rev. Glenn E. Hammell, Pastor. Publication:Trinitv Tribune DALLAS • Holy 1rinilv Communilv Church, 4402 Roseland, 75204. (214)827-5088. Rev. Frederick Wrighl, Pastor. Pul>icalion: The Chariot HOUSTON • Community Gospel Church, 501 E. 181h al Columbia. (713)880-9235. Sunday, 11:00 a.m. Chris Chiles, Pastor. HOUSTON • Houslon Mission Church, 1633 Marshall, 77006 Sunday, 10:30 a.m. Rev. Rebert L Carter, Pas!Of. HOUSTON • MCC/Resurreclion, 1919 Decatur, 77007. (713)861-9149. Rev. John Gill, Paslor. Publicalion: The Good News HOUSTON. Oignily, 1307 Yale, #H, P.O. Box 66821, 77266. (713)880-2872 Salurday, 7:30p.m HOUSTON - Kingdom Community Church, 614 E. 191h St., 77008. (713)862-7533(713)748-6251. SL001y, 11:00 am. LUBBOCK - Lesbian/Gay Alliance, Inc., P.O. Box 64746, 79464-4746. (806)791-4499. PtJJlicaUon: larrlxl! Times. Virginia ROANOKE. MCC of lhe Blue Ai~,' P.O. Box 20495, 24018, (703)366-0839. Pul>icalion: The Blue Ric)Qe Banner fiOANOKE • BLUE RIDGE LAMBDA PAESS, P.O. Box 237, 2®2 , (700)890-3184 FALLS CHURCH - MCC ol Northern Virginia, 7245_lee ~lrsaycfi2S~H . Aflirmalion Gay & Lesbian Mormons, P.O. ~~IfFch~~~1:~~s. PO Box 3390, 22043. (703)560-2680. Baplist gro4>. Washington SEATTLE GAY NEIMl, 704 E. Pike, 98122. (206)324-4297. FAA (206)322-7188 SEATTLE - Grace Gospel Chapel, 2052 NW 641h St., 98107. (206)784-8495. Sunday, 11 :00 am. & 7:00 p.rn, Wedlesday, 7:30 ~l~H~ L:'~~'/;;,;~ !j)5 McMunay, 00352 (509)943-3927 Open and affirming cong-egation. · TACOMA • Hillside Communily Church, 2508 SoUlh 391h St., 98<m. (206)475-2388. West Virginia NEW YORK - AXIOS Eastern and Orthooox Christians, P.O. Box 756, Village Sin., 10014. Secooo Friday, 8:00 p.m., MORGANT0\1,1',J. Freedom Fellow.llip Church, P.O. Box 1552, Communily Center, 208 West 131h St. · 26505 (304)291-6940 · SCHENECTADY • lighlhouse Aposlolic Church, 38 Columbia . . · . St., P.O. Box 1391, 12301-1391. (518)372-6001. Rev: IMlliam H. Carey, pastor. LONG ISLAND/NEW. YORK • International Free C_alholic Churcl\iGood Shepherd Church, P.O. Box 436, Cenlral Islip, 11722, (516)723-0348. Rev. Ms!J'. Rdlert J. Al,nen, paslor. North Carolina CHARLOTTE· Melroliira Sv.ilctlloard, (704)535-6277. P.O. Box ~\.t:1~6N - GROW Communily Service Corporation, P.O. Box 4535; 28406. (919)675-9222. Ymih ootreach: ALIVE ID! r;,y, lesbian, bisexual youlli. . RALEIGH - Raleigh Religious Network for Gay aoo Lesbian Eq,afrty, P.O. Box5961, 27650-5961. (919)781-2525. v.\NSTON-SALEM ·• Pieanonl Religious Nelwork for Gay and Lesbian EqJal!y, P.O. Box 15104, 27113-0104. (919)766-9501. Ohro DAYTON - Community Gospel Church, P.O. Box 1634, 45401 International LONDON • Lesbian and .Gay Christian Movement, Oxlo~d House, Defyshire St., Loooon E2 6HG, UK, 071-739-1249. Listings are free at the request of the organization. Send to Second .Stone, Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 or fax to (504)891-7555. Second Stone-May/June, 1993 fjjl . l= Classiiieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ·Books & Publications "WONDERFUL DIVERSITY," "Heartily recommended," "Philosophically intriguing, 1' "Excellent." Why do ·reviewers highly esteem CHRISTIAN*NEW AGE QUARTERLY? Great articles and lively columns make this bridge of dialogue between Christians and New Agers as entertaining as it is substantive. Subscribe for only $12.50/yr. Or sample us for $3.50. CHRISTIAN*NEW AGE QUARTERLY , P.O. Box 276 , Clifton, NJ 07011-0276. TF CHI RHO PRESS: Send for your copy of The Bible and Homosexuality by R~v. Michael England for $5.95 or I'm Still Dancing by long-term AIDS survivor Rev. Steve Pieters for $8.95 and receive a free. catalog from Chi Rho Press, an MCC-based publishing house for the Gay /Lesbian Christian community. Or receive our catalog by sending $1_.00 . P.O. Box 7864-A, Gaithersburg , MD 20898. GAY USED BOOKS wanted. · Please share your read books. Thanks. Tom, 1116 Marble NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102. 6/93 .'G,eneral Interest . IF YOU HA VE READ "The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ" by Levi, I am inte rested in corresponding -and discussing. W. Courson, P.O. Box 1974, Bloomfield, NJ 07003. 6/93 MESSIAH COLLEGE ALUMNI (Grantham, PA) are you interested in forming a lesbian /. gay ·alumni group? If so please call Susan Bailey, 703-820-0483; Julia Lower y, 717- 697-8347 . 8/93 MERCY OF GOD COMMUNITY, Christian, ecumenical and inclusive. welcomes inquir-- ers age 21· and older · as prospective vowed brothers and sisters. Live and minister locally, partici_pate in growing national network. Religious Life · Weekend retreat June 25 to 27; hospitality house August 14 to 21. For informatio n, call toll-free 1'800-366-2337 , at tone press 11903; or write: Dept. SS, P.O. Box 6502, Providence, RI 02940. 4/93 PASTOR WANTED - Small 0ock seeks pastor, leader , preacher. We are Bible-based, Christ-centered, and believe the Christian walk must not be compromised . Letter and resume to: Freedom in Christ Evangelical Ch urch , Box 14462 , San Francisco , CA 94114. 12/93 JOURNEY, From Page 13 shared and riurtured so we can remain and become even more of a vibrant ; life-affirming, all-inclusive, welcoming, life-model community for ourselves, the institutional church, and for other spiritual groups . If we believe, we must speak out. . If we ·believe, we must decide whether to stay, restate our needs, and be responsible for. helping to fulfill them· - here or elsewhere. If we believe in inclusivity and feminist perspective, indeed if we believe in creating women -welcome space, we must continue our drive toward inclusivity jn all areas for · all peopleand ·move away from condescendingly discrimi- ~.ft] Second Stone-May/June, 1993 1 1 I 1. Classified Order Form FOR ONLY Name __ ------- ----------7 Please place my ad in these issues: [ J Jan/Feb [ J Mar/Apr [] May/Jun [] Jul/Aug [ J Sept/Oct [ ] Nov/Dec d Address _________ _ 35¢ per wor , City/St./Zip_______ CLASSIFICATIONS your classified ad will l 1 Books & Publications reach readers from AD COPY_________ [ J Business Opportunities Sitka, Alaska to ~-,---------------- [ J Employment Amherst, Maine and _________ [ l Friends/Relationships everywhere in between. [ l General Interest ------------------------ [ l Mail Order Business or personal... _______ [ l Merchandise try a classified ad in [ l o 1 - __ w_ords X .35= ·$ rganizations Our next edition! ·----- [ J p fi · 1 s · 1 20 word minimum. All classifieds ro ess10na ervices I Mail To: must be pre-paid. Deadline one month [ l Real Estate I Second Stone prior to cover date. We will mail you a [ l Retreats 1 Box 8340 copy of.the edition(s) in which your ad [ l Roommates J I New Orleans. LA 70182 appears [ ]Travel I ~------------ · -----------------------------------------------' MONKS, From Page 9 and not have to deal with obdurate, righteous ecclesiastical superiors waiting to slam shut the closet doors. Maybe it's lime we start to look for creative, insightful, "gay" ways of recreating monasticism. Perhaps some of us will decide we'd be much happier and live fuller, longer lives if we exercised our freedom and chose to liquidate our possessions and move 'into collective farms and communes and artist colonies in the countryside, the sort · I've written about in my novel, Getting Life in Perspective. After all; gay liberation developed out of the sixties' counter-culture with its idealized notions of such alternatives. Now with the twenty years of maturation and economic sophistication and practical knowchow gained since the Summer of Love, a battlescarred generation might be ready to re-embrace those teenage utopian ideals. _ Perhaps many of us will find that natory rituals and structures. We must be creative Christians moved by the Spirit, not co-dependent Christians imprisoned by shame . Let us listen to the gifts and visions of our women and ·our men. We ,must continue to promote social justice · through our various ministries, through academic research, through education, spiritual ' · development, social interaction, and individual and communal affirmation of ourselves as gay men and Lesbians. We must continue to reach out to the marginalized in our own community and in the larger community . We must emulate the personhood of Jesus as the answers to the devastation ot . AIDS will lie in discovering solitude and examining the big questions aboμt life arid death. There is certainly a continued need for political action, lobbying for scientific research, and experimentation with . medical solutions. We have reason to be outraged. But what's the point of going to the grave · outraged? Requiescant in pace. . I, for one, hope to find a big house for my lover and me somewhere in the woods. Around us I'd like . to · develop a community of old and new friends involved in in'editation and exercises for the raising and merging of consciousness, a community , engaged in a variety of cottage industries such as bee-keeping, psy~ho- . therapy, creative arts, and most specifically, -gay tourism . Indeed, providing lodging for travelers and retreatants has almost always been one of the functions of the monastery. With our gay ingenuity we certainly ought to be _able to recreate the best parts _of an otherwise disappearing institution, while simultaneously cultivating our. so1,1ls and growing old gracefully. _ androgynous loving friend, gifted healer, believing child, and builder of community, We can then rightfully be called Christian. and be spirited mentors and loving, healing friends for each other. In this way, we can help to continue the vibrant, crucial holy journey of our own gifted lives and of our liberating community . Christine Coughlan is chair of the Committee for • Women's Concerns, Dignity/USA . . This is an excerpt of a homily offered at the 1991 Dignity Convention- in Washington, D.C. Reprinted from the Dignity/USA Journal. ARE YO U MOVING? The Post Office will not forward The Second Stone, You must notify us for uninterrupted service if you move. Please notify us four weeks in advance for uninterrupted delivery Send both old and new addresses . If pbssible att ach mailing label in space pro v ided . PRINT NEW ADDRESS ~ ~ ~ - ~ ~ '< ~ ~ Send completed form to: THE SECOND STONE Box8340 New Orleans, LA 70182 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/c2120d0cc286c2d097b8d5fedd6e301c.pdf 6fd91ae99ee2006cdaef79c5fb040ae5 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 Second Stone Description An account of the resource Issues of the Second Stone publication. Issue An issue of a recurring publication. Issue Number The number of the issue (within a volume) 29 Publication Year The year the issue was published 1993 Publication Date The date the issue was published July/Aug 1993 Text Any textual data included in the document AMERICA'S GAY & LESBIAN CHRISTIAN NEWSJOURNAL For a gay pastor, often it's a battle to stay in ministry. Sometimes it's a battle to leave. The courage to quit Tim Parry, a member of London, England's Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement, rediscovered the church after coming to terms with ~is se~ualit~. ~ine years after coming out, he was ordained into ministry. Just three years later, he decided to leave. the ministry. This is his st ory. I BY TIM nJanuary,19791 came out as a gay man. First to a very nice man who was on the end of a phone line at Manchester Gay Information that particular night, secondly to members of PARRY its gay youth group wh ich met the following evening, and soon afterwards to my parents and two brot hers. It was an exhilarating hme. One night I remember cycling home from a youth group meeting. It was still winter, and the decaying Victorian mansions of Whalley Range looked suddenly magical instead of grimey through the softly falling snow. I was overwhelmed by a feeling of well-being, of coming home, of beginning to find myself. It was my ''born again" experience. Nearly nine and a half years later I was ordained deacon by the Archbishop of York in his minster , and begun my work in a suburban parish in Hull. Just over three years since then I am unemployed again. I know 1 will not be returning to the stipen diary ministry. I am in a turmoil over my re lationship with God, with the Church, and with the colleagues and friends who I have largely left behind. Although not emotional by nature I know I am going through a bereavement. I have lurid dreams in which I take part in fantasti cal liturgies, often featuring some dreadfu l and embarrassing mishap. A psychoanalyst might have a field day. And I am still perp lexed by what has happened . Perplexed by the fact that I spent six years (three in college, three in the parish) and more in voluntary subjection to a vision and set of doctrines which seem no more now than an engaging if still beguiling fantasy. I do n' t know if I am unusual in that I (re)discovered the Ch urch some years after beginning to come to terms with my sexuality and myself. It happened in Oxford. In 1982 I received a grant to d o research in arch itectural history and exchanged the scraping tower blocks of Hulme for the dreaming spires . By then I had already been involved with Man chester's new gay centre and phonelines, with the university gaysoc and in helping to write, paste-up, pub lish and sell a monthly mag, the Mancunian Gay, which is still around ISSUE#29 I today in another form. I had occasionally gone to church before. The Church of England was for me a harmless object of affection and inter est, and my Sunday school/ harvest festival/ vicarage fete sort of Anglican upbringing was one in which the parish priest was an unthreatening figure in straw hat or (I later discovered) biretta. In Oxford I came across Anglo-Catholicism, via Evelyn Waugh, ecclesiastical architecture and the theological students who were virtually part of the furniture in The Red Lion, the veritable gay pub. I was captivated. Anglo-Catholicism seemed to have the lot - the best and most exotic buildings, a sense of living heritage and history, good choreography, a rich musical tradition, a sometimes outrageous disrespect for the Anglican establish - . men! and, so it seemed, a positive welcome for young gay men like me. Being an Anglo-Catholic seemed far removed from the fuddy-duddy respectability of the mainstream Church of England. It was fun for a start. You belonged to a sub-culture which mocked ecclesiastical conventions as much as Lesbians and gay men implicitly mock those of hetero sexuality. Perhaps that was (although I only vaguely recognized it at the time) why Anglo-Catholicism was so attractive. It felt subversive, while paradoxically claiming to be ultraorthodox. The clergy had their own hierarc hy of correctness .. in which parishes, bishops, even whole provinces were graded as to doctrinal rectitude, use of "correct" liturgies, , even by the style of clergy cassocks. In its extreme form Anglo-Catholicism is a sub -group of the ecclesiastical SEE COVER STORY, Page 10 If your business offers products or services to the rainbow crowd ... we1ve added up the reasons you should advertise in Second Stone ... see page 14. BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PA ID NEW ORLEANS. LA PERMIT No. 511 SUBSCRIBE NOW - ONE YEAR ONLY ' S15 .00.• BOX 8340 ORLEANS~l7..2.! 8i ~ - - . T. From the Editor T ................................. Was it really courage?. By Jim Bailey - Quitting isn't a particularly courageous thing to do, you might have thought as you read the headline for this edition's cover story. For a gay or lesbian church pastor facing possible ouster from his / her job the thing to do is stay and fight, we think, But the cover story for this issue is not about fighting the church council or congregation or filing a discrimination claim with the city's human rights commission or appearing in ecclesiastical court. It's about the quiet fight. The issue is not church bylaws and procedures - not yet - and the outcome will not be determined by some judicial body - not yet. The issue at hand is honesty - dishonesty. For the lesbian Catholic nun . For the gay Southern Baptist youth minister. For the Lutheran pastor who is known to be gay but must keep his/her significant other a secret. Being honest would almost certainly mean an end to their present ministry career. Being dishonest is against everything they know and believe and preach. The quiet fight. When being true to your call means you can't be true about yourse/f. The struggle sometimes born of such conflict will change the church one day, as some of those gay and lesbian pastors decide to risk their careers and come forward to challenge church doctrine. We see their stories in the news more and more. But what about a pastor who, longing to reconcile his life to the values he holds close, sees the church as an obstacle to his peace and decides to leave the ministry? (Also leaving behind the call and the vision, the years of training; the stability and support of the church and the potential of the years ahead.) Is it a statement that the church can overlook - when a good hardworking pastor leaves because the church made a lie of his/her life? I believe that Tim Parry's story is indeed one of good courage. I am interested in hearing what you think. Are you a community builder yet? You may recall that in the January /February, 1993 issue of Second Stone, we announced plans to start community forums among our readers. This is a really exciting idea and you might want to review this issue to see how you can go about starting a group in your community. If you are working on getting gay and lesbian Christians together for good fellowship and conversation, we are interested in knowing about it - and we'H help spread the word. Here in New Orleans, we have been collecting names of those interested in such a forum and plan to have a gathering in late summer to meet each other and get to know what our needs and concerns are. We are meeting gay and lesbian Christians from all faiths and walks in our community, so the experience is a bit different from going to church or a chapter meeting. If you are tired of the ordinary venues offered by the gay and lesbian community for meeting others, then you should explore our idea for a community forum. SECOND STONE Newsjoumal, ISSN No. 1047-3971, is published every other month by Bailey Communications, P. 0. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182. Copyright 1993 by Second Stone, a registered trademark. SUBSCRIPTIONS, U.S.A. $15.00 per year, six issues. Foreign subscribers add $10.00 · for postage, All payments U.S. currency only. · ADVERTISING, For display advertising information call (504)899-4014 or write to P.O. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182. EDITORIAL, send letters, calendar announcements, noteworthy items to (Department title) Second Stone, P.O. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182. Manuscripts to be returned should be accompanied by a stamped, self addressed envelope. Second Stone is otherwise not responsible for the return of any material. . SECOND STONE, an ecumenical Christian newsjoumal for the riational gay and lesbian community. · PUBLISHER/EDITOR: Jim Bailey CONTRIBUTORS FOR THIS ISSUE: Tim F'arry, Rev. Richard B. Gilbert, Johnny Townsend, Richard K. Smith [2J Second Stone-July/August, 1993 Contents . ............ ..... . .......... . ['2-1 From The Editor ~_J . Commentary/Letters Rev. Troy Perry on Gays in the military News Lines '97 Poetry L!_J . By Richard K. Smith Cover Story So much for a career in ministry By Tim Parry l.fl73· Music lill _ New releases from Witness and Marsha Stevens On Video Enrichment for those who minister to the bereaved Reviewed by Rev. Richard B. Gilbert In Print A new. title from the American Friends Service Committee Reviewed by Johnny Townsend [67 Calendar L~ 1--171. Noteworthy ~-, I 191 Resource Guide [200 Classifieds I STILL HA VE A DREAM MARSHA STEVENS NO _W AVAILABLE ON TAPE OR CD .• .. The powerful and moving music of Marsha Stevens NEW! I Still Have A Dream □ On Tape, $10.00 □ On CD. $15 .00 $. ___ _ NEW VIDEO! Marsha Stevens Live In Concert 0 VHS Video, $20.00 ALSO AVAILABLE: The Best Is Yet To Come □ On Tape. $10.00 0 On CD. $15.00 Free To Be □ on Tape, $10.00 Shipping and handling $1.50 per item Order From: BALM PUBLISHING P.O. BOX 1981 COSTA MESA, CA 92628 (714)641-8968 Name Address TOTAL (Send -check or money order.) $ ____ City, 8tate & Zip • For concert booking information call or send for a free infonn _ation packet. Price -iricludes t~x_. Accoinpanimenf tapes and sheet music ava ilable upon request. Un't miss this exciting new release with 01 Still Have A Dream," a song by Danny Ray and Marsha for the 1993 March on Washington taken from Dr. King's famous speech ... and a special . new 25th anniversary arrangement of your favorite hymn, the first song that Marsha wrote, "For Those Tears I Died" orchestrated by Chris Lobdell '' Marsha Stevens doesn't just sing. she ministers. She lifts our spirits and challenges OUer hearts with her sermons-in-song. REV. NANCY WILSON, MCC WS ANGELES Spectacular and spirit-ft/led, as usual ... REV. TROY PERRY, FOUNDER UNIVERSAL FELLOWSHIP OF METROPOUTAN COMMUNITY CHURCHES Very powerful and nwving ... a song for every one a/us. PAM SMITH, AMAZON RADIO Marsha, I admire you as a singer and songwriter ... you tell your story with a combinalion of JocUS, warmth, intelligence, social concern, deep faith a,ui humor. BOB CROCKER, THE HYMNAL PROJECT SAN FRANCISCO In times when I war spiritually /ow ,.your music has helped me get close to God again. SAM HAMMACK, EXCEL INTERNATIONAL You are so personable and sincere. To wp it all off, you Tove the Lord and that comes /!trough loud and clear. DAVID McCOUOUGH, DIRECTOR OF MUSIC CATHEDRAL OF HOPE MCC, DALLAS, TEXAS I've long had a gr eat appreciation/or your musical genius, but what warmJh and wit ... we were deeply moved. REV. MICHAEL PIAZZA CATHEDRAL OF HOPE MCC, DALLAS, TEXAS Refreshing and original alternative .in women's mu.sic. KELLY CONWAY DYKES ON MYKES '' And IIOW available ... 25th A1111iveriary Edition Video ... MARSHA STEVENS LIVE IN CONCERT This exciting video contains over 13 of Marsha's songs including the 25th anniversary year release of "For Those Tears.I Died." all three title cuts from her solo albums, "Free To Be," ''The Best Is Yet To Come," and the newly released 1'1 Still Have A Dream." as well as favorites like "Celebra te," "Mommy's Song," and "Can't We Find A Way." But what really makes the video special is hearing Marsha's story in her own words. Celebrate the 25th anniversary year of "For Those Tears I Died" with this video of Marsha's warmth, humor and musical talent! Comment .................................................. • ............... -• ...... •, Rev. Troy Perry's letter to members of the Senate Armed Services Committee The right to serve~in the military Honorable Members: civil rights, preserving equal rights, equal justice, and equal opportunity under the lawfor all people; Lesbians in the military: 1. Ending discrimination is not a gay issue; it is a human rights issue. I am certain that some members of the committee can remember inost of the arguments being raised against Gays and Lesbians are the same ones that SEE COMMENT, Page 7 I am the founder and elected Moderator of the Universal Fellowship . of Metropolitan Community Churches, an ecumenical Christian religious denomination founded in 1968, with a primary outreach and constituency in the gay and lesbian community. We have been correctly described by the . press as the largest organization in the world touching the lives of Gays and Lesbians; Our 25,000 members in the United States regularly provide ministry each year to more than 100,000 additional Gays and Lesbians plus . their families and friends. Within these numbers are thousands of Lesbians and Gays who have honorably served in the United States military . Many are presently serving. •Our fervent belief in a democratic society and our support of the freedom guaranteed to all citizens by the . Bill of. Rights and the Constitution of the United States of America, the highest law of the land for our pluralistic society; YourTum We, who are part of. the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Chul'ches, are shocked and saddened at the tone and terms of the national debate over gay and lesbian human rights and we pray that our contributions as a Christian church would be a careful and-compassionate Christian voice to engage our national conscience. The women and men of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches, a world-wide Christian denomination with 230 congregations in the United States, proclaiming a three point Gospel <:>£ salvation through Jesus Christ, Christian community, and Christian social action, are moved by God's Spirit to declare: •Our unyielding commitment to full •Our complete support for all oppressed minorities, specifically gay and lesbian people, whose lives, careers, and reputations are daily threatened by the existing climate of discrimination and the violence it engend .ers; •Our firm opposition to any attempt to limit civil rights of gay and lesbian · people or any other Americans; . •Our unequivocal support for the lifting of the unjust and unwarranted ban of Gays and Lesbians serving without restriction in the U.S. · military; •Our insistence that Congress investigate and acknowledge the variety and magnitude of contributions made by gay and lesbian people in the U.S. military and all aspects of American life; •Our intention to utlilize prayer and fasting, and all other means consistent with Christian faith and conscience to accomplish these goals. Let us ensure that all persons in our great nation are accepted and valued, their contributions appreciated, and their fullest potential achieved. There are four areas I wish to discuss in my testimony as it pertains to our Church's view of Gays and Now i, the perfect time for Gn-n«:; Lff IN P'nm:C11~ Set in the Tem Hill Coontiy in th• 1pring, thi, richlylayered novel is 1111 enchanting saga of romance in the late 1800s AND an insightful tale of psychological & spiritual awakening in the current day ... truly a joy to read. The gay genre novet. of Lammy-winner Toby Johnson, Pl■ gu.e, Secret Mauer 9 & Gelling Life in Penpeclive tell refreahing, life-positive atorica-touching & 'WUe, lightly 1exy & funny, remhlllcent of moviea like GhoJt and CocOOn. Q.938743-17-1 $10 ~~hl~~~.7;:=;t,ro:,;~h.~~C:t.:~~ .. t111 lhi&inport1r1t20lh C. llnklt. NIWfrom t.iNlfif j,itl.tt0.9S(tsBN O-&lOl!,7-65&-A} Toby Johnson's books are available at liberty Books, rbe quality Lesbian & Gay books1ore, gift shop, and Community resource center in Austin. the gay heart of Texas. (512) 495 9737 (800) 828-1279 Featuring a wide -selection of , books & magazines in the newly emerging fields of lesbian & gay spiritualities and new paradigm thought. LiJ Second Stone-July/August, 1993 . __ . - .. _ . __ . . . ·----· 1014 B North Lamar Eleventh & Lamar AaUa, Ter• 78703 . _-. . . , --- - -- "Zapping" not a Christian activity Tucson, Arizona Dear Second Stone, We are writing to express our disappointment in your lack of editorial and spiritual judgment as evidenced in the May/June issue of Second Stone. We can well identify with Don Karvelis' letter in the same issue, regarding the frequently un-Christian content of your publication. We are greatly concerned that Paul's instructions for the Body of Christ found in Romans 12 is being overlooked, if not completely forgotten. Scripture does not give us a choice. We must love all brothers and sisters in Christ, even if they persecute us. We are much dismayed when a publication such as yours, whose subtitle reads "America's Gay and Lesbian Christian Newsjoumal," runs a "news" item publicizing a video game that allows the player to "zap and vaporize a rabid fundamentalist." Not only does such a game promote violence, hatred, and vengeance, all of which are definitely un-Christian according to Scripture, but the objects of this behavior are the very imagebearers of Jesus Christ Himself. How saddened our Lord must be to see a "Christian" publication promoting such sin against fellow believers. Satan's oldest and most effective weapon is to divide and conquer. As long as . we continue to fight those within the church, those outside will continue to die without the Gospel and go to Hell, right where our real enemy wants them . One day we will stand beside those "rabid fundamentalists" before God's throne of judgment and give an account of how we .carried out the great commission. I doubt we will have much to say in our defense. We urge you to give .greater consideration to the material you print in your publication. We need to set a Christ-like example for the rest of the country, not perpetuate the hatred that is already directed at us. We can only win over our detractors when we rise above their militant tactics . A publication such as yours can have a great deal of influence over our community . Please don't abuse it. "And He has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother." (1 John 4:21) In Christ's service, The Executive Board Cornerstone Felluwship. A real and true uplift Indianapolis, Indiana Dear Second Stone, . As my subscription to your fine publication is nearing expiration, I'd like to, posthaste, submit my renewal subscription for another year and have enclosed my check for same. Further, I would like to tell you just how very much I have been enjoying Second Stone, not only for the news coverage and such fine articles as those by Nancy Hugman and Cathie Lyons in the March/ April '93 issue; but for the real and true "uplift" it brings to me. Oh, yes, and it's also nice when I come across a "familiar face," such as Rev. Dr . Fred C. Williams' of King of Peace MCC down in St. Petersburg, Florida. (He was my pastor when I lived down there.) Even though I currently live in one of the larger metropolitan areas, I find I feel somewhat isolated from other gay and lesbian Christians. Your publication helps to lessen that feeling. Many thanks and I look forward to another year of Second Stone! · Respectfully, James Bates Write to Second Stone. All letters must be original and signed by the writer. Clearly indicate if yaur name is to be withlield. We reserve the right to edit. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 or FAX to (504)891-7555. NewLsien s FormeSr outherBna ptislte adelro sni gf amilym embertso A IDS ll.THE REV. JIMMY ALLEN, who presided.over the Southern Baptist Convention in 1978 as the group's last moderate president, has several family members who have been impacted by the AIDS crisis: Allen's youngest son, Scott, has lost his wife and a son to AIDS. Another child in the same family has the disease, and Scott Allen, a pastor, was kicked out of his church as a result of his family's illness. Jimmy Allen's oldest son, Skip, who is gay, has tested positive for HN. The elder Allen is now rastor in Big Canoe, Ga., and is wrapping u_p an academic year as a visiting scholar at Vanderbilt University's First Amendment Center. Scott Allen, also an ordained Southern Baptist minster, was an associate at a Disciples of Christ church in Colorado Springs, Cofo .. When his senior eastor learned about the family's problem with AIDS, he forced Scott Allen to resign. The trouble with Christian faith is it's so afraid of death and the unknown that it always comes up with clear-cut answers," said Scott Allen. "That's not how life works." - AssociatedP ress Doctour rgesB aptisttso fightA IDSn, otp eoplew ithA IDS !:.A PHYSICIAN URGED Southern Baptists to offer more than Bible verses to ease the AIDS crisis and to show compassion for victims of the disease. "We're supposed to be a compassionate society. Frankly, we are anything but," said Dr. Michael Saag, associate erofessor of medicine and director of the University of Alabama at Birmingham AIDS Outpatient Clinic. Saag spoke at a health seminar connected with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship's general assembly in Birmingham. Saag told about 100 people attending the health semmar that churches often respond to AIDS by citing Bible verses condemning homosexuality. "I can find those too," Saag said. "But when you turn to those pages, how many pages do you turn past that talk about loving, accepting ... before you get to those?" - AssocUltedP ress MCCerasn dP entecostaglast hear t sameh otel I:.T HE SHERATON HOTEL in New Carrollton, Maryland, was the setting for the sprin~ conference of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churchs Mid-Atlantic District. Due to a mistake by a hotel employee, a black Pentecostal women's group was also booked for a conference. The Pentecostal group was cordial to the MCCers, who swayed to the Pentecostal's music during business meetings and workshops. The.hotel employee is no longer with the Sheraton. Canadiacnh urchp icksg aym inister . llT. HE CONGREGATION OF an affluent United Church has become the first in Canada to endorse an openly gay man as its minister. Rev. Gary Paterson received warm and vigorous applause when he was introduced to more than 200 members of the congregation of Ryerson United. "It was very moving and reaffirming," said Paterson. 'Tm excited." Paterson, 43, has been with his partner for ten years and is raising three teenagers from a previous marriage. - Gaep,tte , Proposatol barg ays tudentfsro ms choogl overnmeinst d efeated i'.OPENLY GAY TEENS are welcome on Bremerton (Washington) Hi~h School's student council after pupils rejected a proposed amendment to the schools constitution that would have let students oust their gay and lesbian peers from the elected body. The measure, which identified homosexuality as an "immoral behavior" was denied 635-475, said Principal Marilee Hansen, who stated that she was -"a little taken aback by the number of students who have this [anti-gay] feeling." "We have a lot of educating to do," she said. The amendment's author, senior Joe Harlin, told The Sun newspaper in Bremerton that the bill was designed "so we just get normal people up there representing normal society." Said Harlin, "We don't hate the person. We're not going to throw rocks at these people, although the Bible tells us we should do that." - SouU1erV11o ice Presbyteroiarnd inatiounpsh eld !',A REGIONAL BODY of the Presbyterian Church (USA) defied a national church policy and upheld the ordination of two gay persons as deacons. The Presbyterian Synod of the Pacific's ju di cal commission ruled' 6-1 that Heather Boonstra and George Link should be allowed to serve as deacons at Central Presbyterian Church in Eugene. A church in Portland, Oregon, Hope Presbyterian, challenged the ordinations, saying they should be annulled because they were "in rebellion against the word of God ." The synod's ruling will likely be appealed to .the General Assembly of the national church. - Cruise Luthera0na sto/srenatobra cksg ayr ights !',ADMITTEDLY TAKING POLITICAL risks, a Minnesota state senator and ELCA pastor broke ranks with his fellow Republicans to support a bill that will protect Gays and Lesbians from discrimination . State Sen. Dean Johnson, who is a pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church, Willmar, Minn., told the senate that voting for the bill carried political risks. But he said legislators were elected not to be fopular but "to lead., to do what is right." The six .Minnesota bishops of the Evangelica Lutheran Church in America also supported the bill, along with the Minnesota ·Catholic Conference and the Minnesota Council of Churches. Goy. Arne Carl59n signed the bill into law April 2. Also a Republican, Carlson said he signed the measure not "because I enjoy enormous popularity on the issue," but because it is "the right thing to do." • The Lutheran Cardinablo oeda ftera ttackindgo mestipca rtnershliepg islation i'.BOOS AND CHEERS greeted Philadelphia Cardinal Anthony J. Bevilacqua at City Hall aS he attacked a proposal to offer ga_y and lesbian couples legal partnership status. "This proposed legislation extends legal recognition to a sexual relationship, which I and, I sincerely believe, the overwhelming majority of the citizens of this citY,c, onsider to be immoral," the Roman Catholic prelate testified before a City Council committee. Activists crowding the council _gallery cried out, "Hatemonger!" "What about gay priests?" - The Balturwre Alternatwe Subscribe Today. AND YO U1 LL NEVER A FRIEND JOURNEY. WITHOUT YOUR BE FOR SecoSntdo ne The National Gay and Lesbian Christian Newsjournal ..Y. ES!·················.·.· .·.·.·:..;. .. Begin my subscription to SECOND STONE for: [ ] One year (6 issues) $15.00 [ I Two yrs. (12 issues) $25.00 [ ] Three yrs. (18 'issues) $36.00 NAME ADDRESS ............................................·.·.· ······~··· CITY/STATE/ZIP CODE CHECKH ERE[ ] If a plain envelope Is required and add $2.00 per year. Allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of your first Issue. International subscrlbers add $10.00 per year, U.S. currency. . · Mail To: SECOND STON.E, Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 THANK YOU for your subscription support! Second Stone-July/August, 1993 [lj News Lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lutherans in favor of anti-discrimination laws for Gays LI.TI-IE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN Church in America's Division for Church in Society board reaffirmed the church's opposition to harassment and violence aimed at gay, lesbian and bisexual people. A resolution passed by the board opposes "all forms of verbal or physical harassment or assault of persons because of their sexual orientation.'' The re.solution also supports legislation, ·referenda and policies protecting the civil rights of all people "regardless of their sexual orientation," induding discrimination in housing, employment and public services and accomodations. - The Lutheran Schlafly wouldnl want gay son in militarv LI.EVEN IF HER OWN gay son wanted to join the mifitary, Phyllis Schlafly would not . support lifting the ban on Gays in the armed forces so he could join. That's what she confirmed wlien confronted liy a reporter and American University students after an anti-feminist speech in Washington, D.C. in April. Son John was outed by the gay magazine QW. Schlafly is president of the conservative Eagle Forum. - Southern Voice Men who firebombed lesbian's home found guilty of murder LI.TWO MEN HA VE BEEN convicted of felony murder in the deaths of a lesbian and a gay man in Portland, Ore., last.fall at the heiglit of the campaign against the homophobic Measure 9. According to Portland's Just Out, Leon Tucker and Plulip Wilson were found guilty of throwing Molotov cocktails into the basement apartment oi Hattie Mae Cohens and l3rian Mock. In addition to murder charges, . Tucker and Wilson, identified as Skinheads, were found guilty of racial intimidation. During the trial, evidence was presented that the intended victims were relatives of Coliens, who was AfricanAmerican, and that the crime was more a racist one than homophobic. -Soutl1e111 Vor:e Churches disavow support for gay rights .!l.IN SEPARATE STATEMENTS, officials of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the United Methodist Church denied endorsement of the April 25 March on Washington or the Campaign for Military Service, a coalition working for removal of the ban on Gays and Lesbians in the military. Elements within both churches have said that basic human rights and civil liberties are due to all persons, regardless of sexual orientation. - Gazette Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) passes affirming resolution LI.THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH of Northern California-Ne vada eassed a gay-friendly resolution at its 139th annual meeting in Asilomar, Calif., in April. Delegates resolved to "Welcome all persons, regardless of sexual orientation, into church membership, with all of its privileges and responsibilites, including fuH opportunities for positions of leadership and ministry, subject to the Biblical qualifications for all people." The assembly represents 64 congregations with 7,586 members. The resolution was passed with 87 yes votes, 38 no votes, and 6 abstentions. A regional chapter of Gay, Lesbian, -Affirming Disciples (GLAD)· Alliance was active in the process of eaucating members of local churches. · Town upset over arrival of MCC .!I.RESIDENTS OF THE town of Mountville, Penn., are upset that the Vision of Hope Metropolitan Community Church plans to relocate to their town from nearby Lancaster. At a borough council meeting in June, residents voiced their disapproval. "I find this very · offensive," said Connie Mancuso . "If Mountville allows this to go through, it's not the town I thought it was ... Mountville won't be a nice town anymore . If.we don't stop it here, it's going to spread to other communities.'' Resident Paul Dansereau said a group of homosexuals i:lo not deserve a Christian church, saying it won't bring "anything positive to this area.'' The 1_3-year-old church is purchasing a plot of land from a Unitea Church of Christ congregation. Council members concedea tliat there is no legal way to stop the sale, but some members pledged . to do anything within legal bounds to halt it. - -Southem Voice Iowa parents complain 4-H advocating homosexuality _ 11.P ARE'.NTs WHO TMJNK two workshops at this year's Iowa Youth and 4-H Conference advocate a gay lifestyle are complaining. The seminars, part of a da}' long diversity workshop held during the June 29 to July 1 conference, are titled "One in Ten" and "What Difference Does It Make?" They were among 30 workshops on diversity issues. All were optional,and conference attendees could choose to attend up to three. -Southern Voice "Had enough?" Houston church asks 11.MCC OF THE Resurrection, Houston, responded to the presence of the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in their city in J,me by placing full page ads in community newspapers welcoming Baptist Gays and Lesoians to "worship openly as God has created' them. The SBC spol<e in strong terms against Gays and Lesbians. The ad said such action is still echoed oy man.r. other churches and denominations. "Haven't you had enough?" MCCR asked readers . We share sorrow that your denomination continues to treat Gays and Lesbians like second class citizens, and continues to believe that we have no basis for a relationship with God." The church invited Gays and Lesbians to worship with them. Presbyterians affirm ban .!I.PRESBYTERIANS AFFIRMED their ban on gay clergy for now but approved a three-year study on the matter . Despite hopes that the 3%-155 vote June 7 would bring peace to the 2.8 million-member Presbyterian Church (USA), about 70 gay rights activists marched around the assembly hall, shouting, "You want to study us to death!" In their vote for a study, the delegates asked all churches and regional presbyteries to look at sexuality as it relates to membership and the clergy. But the resolution also affirmed as "authontative" the church current prohibition agamst homosexual cle'l,Y. Church bodies were encouraged to allow Gays and Lesbians who have not made their sexuality public · to participate m the study without fear of retribution. . [ft] Second Stone-July/August, 1993 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IN FACT targets abuses of tobacco industry . 11.INFACT, THE GROUP that organized a successful international boycott of General Electric, has announced its third corporate accountability campaign. Citing a range of abuses, INFACT's Tobacco Industry Campaign aims to stop the marketing of tobacco products to children and young people aroung the world, and stop the tobacco industrv's actions that undermine public health efforts, including interference in public policymaking. For information on INFACT's efforts, contact the group at 256 Hanover Street, Boston, MA 02113, (617)742-4583. Publisher encourages libraries to defend books for aav teens LI.HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARIANS are in a unique position to heTp lesbian and gay teenagers. That was the message delivered by publisher Sasha Alyson in a keynote speecli to the New England Association of Independent School Librarians in Lakevill e, Conn. "Many of us who are gay can tell you that our first step in coming out involved a trip to the library's card catafog," he told them. "Reading a book is safer for a gay teenager than talking to a person, because there's no risk of rejection. Today, there are dozens of good books for gay teenagers✓ and jf yoll aren't making them available✓ you are failing to serve many of your students." Fundamentalist preacher protests funeral of gay man t.REV. FRED PHELPS, the ministe r of Westboro (Kansas) Baptist Church, called for a protest at the funeral of Kevin Oldham, a prominent gay citizen of Missouri who died of AIDS related complications on March II th. Oldham was a musical composer well known in Kansas. The news release, printed on the letterhead of the Westboro Baptist Church, is written in vicious language, with a photograph of Oldham and the caption, "Kevin· Oldham, Dead Fag." "Detying the laws of God, man and nature, Kevin Oldham played Russian roulette with promiscuous anal sex and lost big time when he died of AIDS on March 11," Phelps wrote. "Worse, the Kansas City Star made a hero of this filthy dead sodomite in a March 12 piece, 'Gifted local composer leaves musical legacy."' - Seattle Gay News Catholics lobby for gay rights in Illinois house LI.AFTER MORE THAN 15 years of consideration a gay rights bill passed the Illinois House of Representatives with a 60-49 vote on April 21. Catholic religious played significant roles in the passage of the bill. Brother for Christian Community Rick Garcia, the directo r of Catholic Advocates for Lesbian and Ga}' Rights, served as lobbyist and . strategist for the effort. 'This is a victory for fair-mindei:I ana justice-seeking Illinoisan ... I am especially heartened by the response of Catholic religious to this civil rights legislation.'' Catholic religious lobbied" heavily spending two full days before the vote cornering Catholic legislators in the halls of the state's capital in Springfield. In addition to support from the National Coalition of American 1"uns, the National Assembly of Religious Women and Chicago Catholic Women, the legislation was endorsed by the Justice and Peace Office of the Ruma, II based Adorers oCthe Blood of Christ, the Sisters of Loretto and individual Catholics. Chicago's Joseph Cardinal Bernardin and the Illinois Catholic Conference did not take a position on the legislation. "The strong support of Catholics in this effort should put to rest the fallacy that Catholics oppose gay ani:1 lesbian civil rights legislation," Garcia said . Medical journal refuses ad from gay physicians LI.THE NATION'S MOSf widely circulated medical journal has refused to accept an advertisement from a national gay and lesbian medical society, according to the physicians' group. The San Francisco-based American Association of Physicians for Human Rigfits had attempted to place a full page $7000 ad in the Journal of American Medical Association warmng physicians about .the negative medical consequences of homophobia. JAMA rejected the ad, claiming in a written statement that its content was 1" olihcal" and "not scientific.'' Oklahoma physician Larry Prater, MD, president of API-ffi, noted that "The biased rejection by a medical journal of an aa criticizing homophobia in medicine dramatically underscores the very need for the ad. The fact is that homophobia is a health hazard, and all physicians have an ethical obligation to combat it.'' Colorado Presbyterians say no to gay clergy LI.BY_ A CLCl5E VOTE, Colorado Presbyterians decided against the ordination of gay and lesbian _ minsters. Delegates representing more than 50 mainline Presbyterian churches in Colorado voted 98 to 94 on May 25 against ordaining homosexual ministers. The decision reversed a March decision that called on the national church to end its ban on ordaining gay and lesbian ministers, a policy established in 1978. Before the May 25 reversal, Denver had joined other Presbyterians across the country in calling for an end to that policy. The Rev. Dusty Taylor 1 pastor at Montview Presbyterian Church, said the same deliate occurred before Presbyterians accepted women ana blacks as ministers. It isn't up to Presbyterians to decide whether Gays and Lesbians are rightfully called to serve the church, she said. "I would rather God decide that," Taylor said . . - Associated Press School board stands behind gay poster in high school .!I.DESPITE TWO HOURS of testimony from 400 outraged Winona, Minnesota, citizens who ob1ect to two educational posters on teenage gay and lesbian issues hung in Winona Senior High School, the school board voted 4-3 on April 19 to keep the poster at the school. Die posters, sponsored by Wingspan Ministry, in conjunction with the Gay and Lesbian Community Action Council, Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, and the Youth and AIDS Project, ask, "What can you do? Your best friend has just told you, 'I'm gay.'" The flack in Winona began in February when visitors to the high school objected to the erominent display of one poster in the school's hallway and another on a school counsejor's door, saying the posters advocated _a ~ay lifestyle and were immoral. Accordmg to counselor Lee Rol,erts, the community s stand against the poster speaks loudly aliout bigotry in the southeastern Minnesota dry. "I can tell you," he said, "homophobia is alive and well in Winona, Minn.'' - Equal Tune Encourages "wise discretion" in blessing of same-sex relationships Lutheran Synod maintains fellowship with suspended congregations SAN FRANCISCO - A "strong bon:d of fellowship" is to be maintained between the Sierra Pacific Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and two congregations under discipline for calling and ordaining as pastors a gay man and lesbian couple, a violation of church policy. The congregations are currently under suspension pending resolution of their disagreement with the parent church over the requirement that lesbian and gay clergy must pledge lifelong celibacy. The suspension becomes expulsion if the disagreement COMMENT From Page4 were used against African-Americans by a prejudiced majority before President Harry S. Truman signed the executive order to ban discrimination and to integrate the Armed Forces. Many whites did not want to eat, sleep or bathe in proximity _to African-Americans. Like now, violence was threatened and chaos was predicted. President Truman ~id t~e right thing, not the popular tlung, m . the face of widespread prejudice. 2. Pointing to fears that military men and women will in some way be sexually harassed by Gays and Lesbians only points to the military's need for strong regulations dealing with sexual harassment. In the light of the Tailhook scandal, it is clear that the military has been very lax as long as women are the only victims of sexual harassment in the military. The moral position is that sexual harassment is wrong whether the victims are women by men, men by women, men by men, or women by women . I urge you to extend your efforts to protect all military personnel from sexual harassment. 3. In response to those who fan the flames of fear and hysteria about the AIDS epidemic in order to deny human and civil rights to gay and lesbian American citizens, it is essential to be truthful and up front. AIDS is only spread through sexual promiscuity, IV use and irresponsible and unsafe medical practices, whether the participants are homosexual or heterosexual, period. This plague of AIDS will only be averted through establishment of responsible relationships (whether heterosexual or homosexual), a meaningful and effecttve response to drug use, and ethical and safe medical practices. Rather than decrying the purposes of committed gay relationships as some have raised as an argument against lifting the ban on Gays and Lesbians in the military, the responsible position is to encourage the safest and best relais not resolved by the end of 1995. In a resolution passed by a large majority at the synod's 1993 assembly in Santa Clara, Calif. May 20-23, the synod recognized the ongoing ministries of the two congregations and stated its intent to continue a relationship with St . Francis Lut.heran Cnurch and First United Lutheran Churd1 of San Francisco even if they are expelled from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The relationship between the synod and the congregations after the expulsion was not defined. As orginally tionships possible for all of our people. 4. Finally, the point has been raised that many GI's would not serve by the sides of Gays and Lesbians because of religious beliefs. I don't think it's the job of any denomination to point out to the country that the Constitution upholds freedom of religion for all Gl's, but we must in good conscience. It does not give the right, for instance, to Orthodox Jews to refuse to fight alongside a GI who happens to be Baptist because the Baptist might consume pork, while the Orthodox Jew would not, based on his or her religion. The Armed Forces does not permit a member of the Church of God of Prophecy, who abhors divorce, to refuse to fight alongside an Episcopalian, who may be divorced and remarried. We confront this argument as a matter of religious freedom. The present policy is both costly and discriminatory. It serves no purpose except to support a particular religious viewpoint which considers ·homosexuality immoral ; Our religious viewpoint is different. It is supported by reasonable scholars and it is exemplified by the constructive lives and positive contributions of most Gays and Lesbians . We see homosexuality as a natural · variation within God's created order . It is a part of the diversity to be · accepted within our pluralistic society. On a more personal note, I served in the U.S. Army during the Viet Nam era. I had a top secret NATO cryp to deara .nce, needed for my service as a cryptographer, and l .inspected missile sites for the U.S. Army in Germany . During my tour of duty I was known by my .commanding officer · and many of my fellow soldiers to be gay. I never had any problems during my two years of active duty as a draft ee during that time period. I served honorably, was given superior ratings and completed my service duties and was given an honorable discharge. It is time for our g overnment to come to term s with the rights of all of its citizens to service in the U.S. military. presented; the resolution called for the synod to reinstate the two congregations to membership on January 1, 1996. When this was ruled unconstitutional, the language was amended to encourage the two congregations, should they be expelled, to apply immediately to the Sierra · Pacific Synod for recognition . Bishop Lyle Miller pointed out that such an application would have difficulty being approved. The ELCA " Church leaders are afraid that a · nationwide debate on this question will be divisive. I believe that such a discussion will ultimately strengthen the church ... " requires that member congregations call pastors only from the roster of candidates approved by the ELCA .. Until the church 's policy requiring celibacy for gay and lesbian clergy is changed, some of the . clergy of the two congregations cannot be accepted on the ELCA's roster . ment to p~stors involved in pastoral blessings of "monogamous, covenantal relationships between two persons of the same sex," encouraging prayer, "wise pastoral discretion," and asking the synod's bishop and staff to offer "advice, counsel, and support" to such pastors . · · The resolution was a substitute for one which would have deemed "inappropriate" the synod council's statement or any such statement by a congregation or individual pastor . The synod assembly voted 272-240 for the substitute resolution . "Clearly, our church is divided .on the question of whether or not samesex relationships are sinful," observed the Rev. James Lokken, an assistant pastor at St. Francis. "We need to address the underlying question in order to resolve this conflict. Unity will not be achieved by voting on resolutions. Church leaders are afraid that a nationwide debate on this question will be divisive. I believe that such a discussion will ultimately strengthen the church because it will lead us to a better understanding of the scriptures and the nature of ,the gospel of Jesus Christ.'' ■ "Maybe We're • Talking About a Different God" A half-hour documentary on the Rev. Jane Spahr and her call to the Downtown Church in Rochester, protested and brought to trial. Shaws how confusion and fear ('What! A woman and a lesbian? No way!") can be transformed into understanding and compassion. ("Then I met Janie!") VHS Tape & Discussion Guide SEND $32.35 TO: In another resolution, the Sierra Leonardo's Chilclren,Inc. Pacific Synod commended its synod 26 Newport Bridge Rd. council for issuing an advisory state- ■ Warwick, NY 10990 =-----'-(9_14_,_)9_8_6-_6888 ___ ~•= People helping people. If you are coping with AIDS or cancer we offer a financial "helping hand." We can help tum your life insurance policy into "life11 benefits instead of death benefits. This may not be for everyone, but for those who have made the choice, it is truly a Godsend: Let·us explain the process so you can decide . You can have the money you need to secure the best medical care and ease .stress. Be good to yourself. Call today. VIATICALASSISTANCE CORPORATION 1-800-892-1282 Foundin Member, National Viatical Association Second Ston.,.July/August, I99j1[7.l North Carolina church council welcomes MCCs THE HOUSE OF Delegates of the North Carolina Council of Churches, meeting at Trinity_ Zion Church in Greensboro on May 5, voted to receive into membership the Gulf Lower Atlantic District of the Universal Fellowship 0£ Metropolitan Community Churches. The membership application was approved by the Council's Executive Board in December, and the Board then recommended approval to the House. Following careful discussion, a motion to delay action for study and dialogue was defeated by a vote of 39 to 30. After further discussion, the main motion to receive the new group into . membership passed with 50 in favor, 15 opposed, and 7 abstaining. Proponents emphasized that me_mbership in the ecumenical body 1s not based upon agreement on moral · questions, but upon faith in Jesus Christ as Son of God and Sav10r. Although it may seem ironic for North Carolina, the buckle of the Bible Belt, to so readily accept the UFMCC, Rev. Collins Kilburn, Executive Director of the Council, said, 'The vote was somewhat surprising, but the NC Council has a long history of pioneering in the areas of social controversy. The NC Council was one of the first in the South to become interracial." Rev. Bob Galloway, pastor of the Advertise in Second Stone! 1116th Page Ad FOR A FUU YEl\R as low as $15. 75 per month! Your ad here. GREAT FOR GUEST HOUSES, BOOK STORES AND PUBUSHERS! Reach Second Stone readers-in every slate for a full year at this great sixtime rate! An excellent opportunity for advertisers to direct their message to our precisely defined target market Call (504)89&-4014 FAX (504)891-7555 $189.00 pe, year or 6 bi lings d $31.50 each. L8J SccondStoneoJuly/August, 1993 Metropolitan Community Church of Asheville, said, "Involvement with the Council should help individual churches start building common coalitions with other churches to work on joint projects which help all communities." Although many opponents are expecting negative results, Galloway responds, "Any move towards a sense of unity, whether in the religious or socia l area, is a positive _ one. So much more can be accomplished when people work together rather than apart." In other action, · the Council presented the annual Distinguished Service Award to the Rt. Rev. Robert W. Estill, Presiding Bishop of the North Carolina Diocese of the Episcopal Church since 1983. Bishop Estill has held several leadership p ositions in the Council over the past ten years, and served as president of the Council in 1990 and 1991. In presenting the award to Estill, Kilburn said, ''You have led us with good humor, spiritual grace, and courage. You have given generously of your time and energy to ecumenism and to the Council. You have encouraged and supported us in some of our not-too-popular efforts, and nudged us forward irito risky areas." Kilburn mentioned Estill's leadership on criminal justice issues, the death penalty, and equality for gay and lesbian persons: He also noted that Estill was the catalyst of the · grandest event in the Council's history, the coming of Bishop Desmund Tutu to Duke Chapel in 1986. - Staff reports and Q-Notes Integrity welcomes two major Episcopal Church figures to convention THE 1993 NATIONAL Convention of Integrity, the lesbian and gay ministry of the Episcopal Church, to be held July 15-18 in San Diego, will feature -two prominent figures from the Episcopal Church. Pamela Chinnis will be the principal speaker at the convention's banquet and the Rt. Rev. Douglas E. Theuner will preach at the opening Eucharist. Chinnis is the first woman to serve as President of the House of Deputies, which together with the House of Bishops, sets policy for the Episcopal Church at triennial General Conventions. She has long been an advoca_te of lesbian and gay inclusion in the church and has been criticized for her appointment of several openly lesbian and gay Integrity members to various national committees and commissions of the church. Theuner is the bishop of New Hampshire and chair of the Episcopal Church's Commission on AIDS. In the House of Bishops he has been an outspoken advocate for lesbian and gay justice and has an openly gay priest as his principal assistant. This year's convention theme is "Let us sow love," a quote from a prayer by St. Francis. It is the convention's goal to work within the church to affect change, to strengthen every lesbian and gay Christian to believe in the love of God, helping many to shed the falsehood of guilt. A second goal works toward the unity of each Integrity chapter, making it a ·force for good. The third goal seeks to personalize Lesbians and gay men in each of their respective congregations, showing the opposition that Lesbians and gay men are indeed God's creation and worthy of God's grace and love as they follow the precepts of Jesus Christ. Convention events will-be held at St. Paul's Cathedral in San Diego. The convention coincides with San Diego's Gay Pride Parade and Festival. Information may be obtained by calling 800-845-5183. Integrity was founded in rural Georgia in 1974 by Dr. Louie Crew. Dr. Crew, now a professor at Rutgers University, will attend the convention . The "Louie Crew Award" for outstanding service to Integrity will be presented at the convention. The Episcopal organization, with 70 chapters throughout the United States and non-affiliated chapters in Canada and Australia, is by far the largest lesbian and gay caucus relative to the size of its denomination and is second to Dignity, the Roman Catholic caucus, in absolute membership numbers. Catholic groups criticize compromise on Gays in the military A SPOKESPERSON representing nine Catholic organizations says that the ban on Gays in the military should be lifted completely and that the "don't ask, don't tell" compromise is unacceptable. "Senator Sam Nunn's compromise on Gays serving in the military is not simply a political maneuver, but a compromise on the integrity oi lesbian and gay people," said Greg Link, a spokesperson for a group of Catholic organizations supporting President Clinton's proposed executive order to repeal the ban on Gays in the military. Nunn, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has said that he .is willing to accept Gays in the military as long as their homosexuality is kept secret. That for.ces lesbian and gay people to live a lie says Link, director of New Ways Ministry, one of nine Catholic oganizalions which support lifting the ban entirely. "Our armed services are proud of, and endeavor to enforce, a strict code of honor. Being forced to live a lie is an affront to the military's honor code. Gay and lesbian persons who are open, and thus honorable, will be punished," said Link. "Does this , make sense?" The nine Catholic groups, members of Catholic Organizations for Renew~ QUOTABLE "EvenJthing that irritates us about others can lead us to an _ 11nderstanding of 011rselves." -Carl Jung al, have ·a combined constituency of more than 30,000 people . In a letter to Nunn, the groups stated that "the Gospel of Jesus challenges us to promote respect for all persons regardless of sexual orientation." They called on the "Department of Defense to give wide coverage to the Pentagon studies which show that gay and lesbian military personnel perform as well or better than their heterosexual counterparts." The organizations signing the letter include New Ways Ministry, the Association for the_ Rights of Catholics in the Church, Call to Action, Catholics for a Free Choice, Conference for Catholic Lesbians, Dignity, Friends of Vatican III on Church and Democracy, Quixote Center, and Renewal Coordinating Community. The groups urged bishops and other Catholics across the country to add their voices to the "growing cry to end one of the most blatant discriminations of our day." - Methodist publis.her refuses invite to gay forum 'THE UNITED METHODIST Publishing House was invited last November to send a representative to participate in ·a convocation forum on the publication of the report of the United Methodist Church Committee to Study Homosexuality. A letter was recieved in late March from Duane Ewers, editor of Church School Publications, declining the invitation. In his letter, Ewers cited lack of "staff time or budget" to send a reps resentative, but did indicate a willingness to provide a written report on the progress of the publication, A few days after the letter was received, Ewers called the Reconciling Congregations Program office and requested that all mention of the possibility of the forum be ceased. During the conversation he indicated that concerns were being raised about being "associated with a group like this." The RCP's written response to Ewers questioned the wisdom of refosing the opportunity to be in dialogue with "the greatest reservoir of experience in ministry with Lesbians and gay men ... in the UMC" and the short-sightedness of ignoring a constituency that could be "one of the major users and promoters" of the curriculum, The letter also expressed the hope that the Methodist Publishing House "would be eager to hear a variety of viewpoints and not be captive to segments of the church which seek to perpetuate homophobia and to exclude persons from the life and ministry of the church." - RCP News Over 2500 urge moving of Denver conference THE SIGNATURES of over 2500 United Methodists from 36 states and the District of Columbia have been collected on a petition asking the United Methodist Church to move its 1996 General Conference from the city of Denver, Colorado. The petition describes the move as a witness against discrimination in response to the passage of Colorado's Amendment 2 in last November's election. This Amendment to the C@lorado constitution overturns local anti-discrimination ordinances in the cities of Denver, Boulder, and Aspen and allows discriminatory practices based on sexual orientation statewide. The General Conference is the United Methodist Church's highest legislative body, meeting every four years and convening over 5000 lay people and clergy from around the world. The conference is currently slated to take place in Denver in April of 1996. Copies of the signed petitions are being forwarded to the church's Commission of the General Conference and the Council of Bishops for consideration at meetings of both groups scheduled for later this spring. Colorado United Methodists Against Discrimination, organizer of the petition drive, is made up of Colorado clergy and lay people and was formed late last year following the November election. The group sees a national, public stand by . the United Methodist Church as a powerful Christian witness against the oppression, marginalization and injustice embodied in Amendment 2. In a cover letter accompanying the petitions, the group notes that it is not advocating a general church boycott of Colorado, but a single act of conscience in moving General Conference. Several of the church's boards and agencies have gone on record in support of moving the conference. These include the General Board of Church and Society, the Western Jurisdiction's Council of Bishops, the Methodist Federation for Social Action and many regional and local groups. Lutheran activists implement new strategies for change BUILDING OUR FUTURE, the first national strategy building summit for Lutheran activists on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues, produced new plans to create change within Lutheran congregations, the institutional church and greater society. Heeding inspiring words from keynote speaker John Ballew "to commit ourselves to something greater - the. reign of God and the spiritual renewal of our people," 50 Lutheran activists from across the United States rolled up their sleeves and went to work. The summit ~ook place April 21-22 in Washington, D.C., before the historic March on Washington on April 25th. It was sponsored by the Alliance for Action, which is a coalition of Lutherans Concerned/North America, The Network, Voice and Vision: Lutheran Lesbian and Gay Ministry and Wingspan Ministry. Participants included representatives and leaders from all four organizations and members of the Justice Network in the Lutheran Church and P-FLAG. In tlie name of a {jotf tliat is ltn,e In tfie name of a (joa tliat is fove, 'I'&y hate. In tfie name of a (joi tliat is rove, 'I'&y iiscriminate. In tfie = of a (joi tliat is fove, 'I'&y ~{uie us fr""1 tlieir spiritual worsfiip. In tfie name of a (jotl tliat is fove, 'T!ieys utltfen{ye .zyefu s from fovingf a mifyr efationsfiips. In tlie rtame of a (Joi tliat is rove, 'T!ieyi nsist our commitmentsm eant uJt/iing. In tfie name of a (jotf tliat is fove, t'J'&py revent us from fegaf{my arrying. In tlie name of a (joi tfiat is fove, 'Ifteyt feny tfie mu{titutfeo f gifts of creativityw e fiavef ree{y given tlie worU in so many areas. In tlie = of a (joa tfiat is wve, 'T!ieya ttempt to fegisfatea iscriminatioang ainstu s. In tlie rtame of a (joa tliat is wve, 'T!ieyr ejectu s is everyw ay, wfiifem any of us e.zyerience tfepressiona n,i su6stancea 6use. In tli£ name of a (jotl tfiat is fove, 'Ifiey steal our diiftfren antf say we are unfit parents. In tfie name of a (joa tfiat is wve, 'T!ieytf eciaew e are unfit to aefanao ur country,a ntf even after we fiave proven tliem wrong t!iey ezye[ us, with. our me{afs ana aewrations. In tfie = of a (joa that is U)'[)e, 'T!ieyt lo not appraiseu s intfivitlua{[y6,u t wntfetnttu s a[[. In tfie rtame of a (jotl tliat is fove, !Many6 eCtevwe e sfwufa6 e wntfemneato tleatn. In tfie rtame of a (joa tliat is fove, 'Tlieya ccuseu s of 6eingp sycfwtica ntfp ervertetl. In tfie rtame of a (Joi tliat is fove, 'T!ieyU Ulfjalsi tfie suiciaer ate //1TW11o/fu ry outli soars. In tfie rtame of a (joi tliat is fove, 'I'&y ~ep us from reacliingo ut to oury outli w protectt fiem. In tfie name of a (jotl tliat is fove, • 'T!ieya ttac{us pliysical{y- wountfing,m aimi1iga rul f;j([ingu s. In tfie rtame of a (Joa tliat is fove, 'T!ieyr osea [{ senseo f wmpassiona rulf ove arul tum inw 'llicious6 easts. In tfie name of a (Joa that is U)'[)e, 'T!iejyu age, "It's (jotl'sp unislimcnt,"a s tli£ /w,roro f JU'lJS tfevastates us. In tfie = of a goi tliat is fove, 'T!ieys ay, ''£etJ U'lJSR .,ia.[l{l tfief aggots." J11.nIt f6 ecomei ntrospective, J11.nIt ft fiinRo,n theset n.ings, J11.nIt fw ontfer- 'WJf'E'l{,'IES ,z,{'£ £0'V'E? Second StoneoJuly/August, 1993 [I] T CovSetro ry T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . "Enforced dishonesty" took toll on gay pastor From Page 1 scene as identifiable and as selfregarding as the gay community can be and often is within society at large. This was the beginning of my journey towar~s ordination, and while at first I simply enjoyed it all, and found genuine warmth and real spirituality there, I soon, as with many things, began to take my religion very seriously. I sometimes wonder how things might have turned out if I had simply carried on using the Church as a spiritual . resource, a place of friendship and support and, quite often, a theatre of entertainment; if I could simply have enjoyed a solemn High Mass on Sundays, the glamorous processions at Corpus Christi and other festivals, the antiquated rituals of Solemn Benediction, without trying to believe it all. Perhaps then my spirituality might have developed in a more humanistic and more generous way. Perhaps my lack of a light touch was the road to my own spiritual selfdestruction. Of course one of the attractions and fascinations of this particular brand of the Christian faith is that, relative to life in general, so many of its practitioners are gay. Among the clergy the concentration is undoubtedly higher. To encounter a young man who attended an Anglo-Catholic church was, with rare exceptions, to encounter a gay man. A wit has remarked that such congregations consist largely of -romantic young men and elderly ladies, of whom the latter fall in love With the former and the former with each other! In this environment, exotic yet not at all oppressive, it was easy to believe that one was being called to the priesthood. The very fact of being a young man in a high anglican congregation was enough to provoke questions about a possible vocation to the ordained ministry. The obvious tensions, even . possible contradictions, hardly seemed evident in that environment. I too was soon convinced that God had called me to be a priest, and within a couple of years I was installed in theological college. When I first re-encountered the Church, and while I was stilh discovering .a · spiritual · home ,there, I retained strong convictions about my sexuality, about sexual politics-and about politics in general; My wrestling with sexual orientation and its meaning had led be to strong socialist convictions, which l was hap.py to propose and defend. ·lritegrity·was, amf is, · a key concept in ·all -this. I remember lambasting-a ·poor .ordinand from an . Oxford theological . c<>lleg\e\' .hoe xplainl!<thi ati n ordert o .; [JUSec oodS1011C"IulylAug:1u9s9t.3 I REMEMBER LAMBASTING A POOR 0RDINAND . I FROM AN OXFORD THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE WHO EXPLAINED THAT IN ORDER TO GET THROUGH A SELECTIONI NTERVIEWH E HAD TO BE LESS THAN HONEST ABOUT HIS SEXUALITY. WHAT WAS THEP OINTO F A PRIESTLVYO CATION, OF CHRISTIANITYA T All, IF IT MEANT ENFORCED DISHONESTY ABOUT SUCH A BASIC AND CRUCIAL AREA OF LIFE?L ITTLED ID I KNOW THATI N A FEW MONTHS I WOULD BE DOING JUST AS HE DID. get through a selection interview he had to be less than honest about his sexuality. What was the point of a priestly vocation, of Christianity at all, if it meant enforced dishonesty about such a basic and crucial area of life?· Little did I know that in a few months I would be doing just as he did. On first meeting the director of ordinands in my home diocese of Leicester I announced that I was gay, that I had a lover, and that I felt called to the priesthood. I expected to be applauded for my directness and honesty. Instead I was asked a few strained questions on the subject and then told to go away and think about things for a few months more. After trying to get in touch with a vocations adviser who had apparently left the job I phoned the DDO again and" asked for another interview. I knew what had to be done. I said that homosexuality was probably much more difficult to define than I had th9ught, that I could possibly previously have been going through a phase, that _I no longer had a partner and I was open to God in the way my sexuality developed in the future. It worked. The ODO, rector of a large and flourishing market town parish, was satisfied, and booked me in for a selection conference swiftlf. At the conference in Chester a particularly unpleasant clergyman asked pointed questions about my personal life, to which I gave evasive replies. It really did seem my sexuality was becoming the touchstone of my suitability for training. If I had had a wife and children my personal life would be assumed to be just that. Because I was single it was a matter for offensive probing, and whatever bishops and ACCM selectors say in public, the fact is that such intrusions still take place on a regular basis, often irisensitively and from a standpoint of near ignorance of the subject, except in so far as it is seen as a "problem" or potential cause of scandal. There still seems to be only the faintest glimmer of the obvious truth; -that by pushing something so funda- THERE STILL SEEMS TO BE ONLY THE FAINTEST GLIMMER OF THE OBVIOUS TRUTH; THAT BY 'PUSHING S0MHHIN ·G $0 Fl'JN,DAMENTAL UN'DERGR0UND · THE CHURCH ·trsELF; COMPC) UNDST HE' PROBLEM'A ND'ENC0URAGES.TH-E POSSIBILITOYF SCANDAL mental underground the Church itself compounds the "problem" and encourages the possibility of scandal. Who can be surprised that it is the one issue that even many socially concerned and deeply committed clergy are too frightened to address or deal with publicly. It seems too hot, too dangerous and too liable to misunderstanding. By the time I was a seminarian in Edinburgh I had mastered the techniques of evasiveness and half-truth which had been forced on me in order to survive the process, and which would prove so valuable in the future. When I arrived at theological college I was surprised to find nearly half the students were gay, together with at least one member of a small staff. And yet this didn't necessarily make things easier. While one or two of us made no bones about it, somehow we still remained part of the collusion that we were aberrations from the norm, to be tolerated but also carefully kept under control. This was achieved in various ways. A particularly memorable pep talk from the principal included such gems as "this college has single rooms with single beds for single people" and "there is more to life than just , · condoms"! Few who have not experienced it can appreciate the hot-house atmosphere of a small residential college, where everyone knows everyone else's business. My major encounter with homophobia occurred when looking for a "title" parish; the church where I would serve my apprenticeship as an . ordained person. I was invited to consider a classic multi-ethnic socially deprived inner city district near the railway station. The congregation was 95 percent black and the atmosphere relaxed and enjoyable, with clouds of incense and raucous singing. Now there were plans for a team ministry covering several churches, with a big staff and a progressive catholic outlook. I was very keen. The interview seemed to go well. ·· The new rector was on the young side of iniddle-ag7d, and hoping shortly to marry a divorcee. During the interview we touched on the issue of sexuality, and while riot being asked directly, I allowed him to know my situation. -I was single; gay, without a Iover, · but ·· with ··n<1: convictio11 or . vocation Jo be ·telibate'. -Everything seemed to go· welt:and ,I awaited a response which usually took a couple of days; After nearly a fortnight of haVing heard nothing· IJhoned the DDO:, Instead of his usu affable self . he wasgu arded ·and not ·particularly friendly. He sai'd he couldn't tell me ·anything ,until, I ~d _ received a -Jetter , ·. t, c: SEE COVER STORY; Page 11 COVER STORY, From Page 11 myself. On the first of December, 1987 it arrived. "The question of homosexuality cannot be easily reconciled with the demands of this post. I am quite sure it cannot be reconciled at all in the absence of a positive commitment to celibacy... The Community Centre is used by many people who because of their experiences of prison, will find it easy to exploit what they will see and make into a weakness ... I am aware of the power of sexual desire; I understand how easy it is to fall... but l can only approach the whole subject in the light of the Church's teaching - repentance, forgiveness and restoration are the specific dynamic involved, but the underlying obedience is to chastity within or outside marriage." The message was dear . While compassion, consideration and a measure of understanding can be extended to those who are gay, repentance is necessary for "restoration,." and anything other than marriage or chastity . demands just that. Gay people who are not celibate, in this view, are people who consistently and continually fall short of a received ideal through sin, and therefore of whom should be demanded continual repentance. On top of that, gay people are "vulnerable"- · subject to blackmail and dangerous to have around, especially in environments imagined to be sensitive. To some this may not seem unreasonable, but imagine how • scandalous· it would be, for example, · were a black ordinand turned down for a curacy on the basis of possible prejudice arising from a white working class·community. A copy of this letter was sent to the principal of my college and to the director of ordinands for my diocese. I subsequently wrote to the latter asking for .an assurance that its contents would not be passed on to any other diocese. He assured that it would not, and that the letter would be shredded on my being ordained priest. I later discovered that information about my sexuality had been passed on verbally by the ODO to his counterpart in the diocese which I did eventually serve my title. This episoae is worth describing not because it is exceptional or particularly remarkable, but because it is symptomatic of the way in which gay people are regularly treated in ·the · Church of England. There .is a constant atmosphere of weariness in dealing with the. non- . married in ,,theological colleges; an implication that Jhese : people are potentially-;'dangerous goods' whose personal lives; dominated as. they are thought to be, by uncontrollable . desires might explode into •harmful scandal at •any. moment. .During the peri.od in question the General Synod . was emb.wiled in yet another debate . -on hom~exuality. ~ Su,cjndulged . in i~ infamous "Pulp.it Poq~;• expose, and .. a number of. gay -priests were . destroy,ed, or neai'~estroyed by other l·MR·l-iM; ►fiM'i@N•·tuM·iti=Miif iii-¥fiii•'90iii-1-1 AFTER THREE YEARS 'SERVING MY TITLE' IN HULL I NO LONGER FELT THAT I COULD CONTINUE IN THE MINISTRY WHILST THERE REMAINED SUCH AN UNRESOLVED CONFLICT BETWEEN MY PER~ EIVED ROLE AS A PRIEST AND MY OWN EMOTIONAL AND SEXUAL NEEDS. I FELT THAT, FAR FROM LIVING A LIFE OF WHOLENESS - HOLINESS - MY PUBLIC AND PERSONAL LIVES. WERE RADICALLY DISJOINTED. a clergyman. Even at the end of three years I found the black suit and clerical collar hard to deal with, as ,well as the sidelong glances and "witty" comments ii tended to elicit. It's now hard for me to comprehend the thoughts of ordinary people when they encounter a clergyman, but some idea can be gained from the way priests or vicars are presented in films and television; usually as bumbling well-meaning incompetents with their heads in the clouds and little understanding of the way of life of those whom they have been . called to serve. They are sometimes painfully shy, sometimes pompous, and often shocked by the slightest venomous attacks both media and church inspired. One outcome was the dismal spectacle of Anglican bishops lining up to deny that they had ever knowingly ordained a 1 "practicing homosexual" or had any working in their dioceses. As any informed person will know, only a complete loss of mental faculties or a deliberate intention to deny the truth could have enabled many of them to say as much. And .even their published report Issues in Human Sexuality still tries to make out a case that gay clergy must, at all costs, be celibate. I wa~ ordained deacon at Petertide · in 1988 by the Archbishop of York in York Minster, and priest by the Bishop ofHull almost exactly a year later. Both were happy and moving occasions, with lots of support from family and friends, and . a real feeling that I was embarking on a worthwhile and probably life-long journey in the Anglican ministry. And, at first and generally speaking, I was contented and hard~working as curate in a suburban parish on the northern side of the city of Hull. I had the moral misdemeanor, as well as being obsessed by politeness and the avoidance of bad language at all costs. encouragement and friendship of a · As a clergyman working in the city sympathetic and conscientious parish . with the lowest church-going populapriest, and enjoyed the kindness and lion pro rata in the British Isles I was warmth of a mixed and growing still aware of this perception. The fact church community. So what went that I was young, enjoyed a drink wrong, and why, at the end of three and was not easily shocked seemed a years, do I now feel unable to return source of endless amazement to to serve the Church with whom I had people outside the Church itself who invested so much energy and so couldn't conceive of a priest without many expectations? Certainly I feel white hair ·and a patronizing manner. no sense of bitterness or pique against In the Church it was on the whole those to whom and with whom I better. Most in the congregation ministered - ordinary and extrao'r- treated me as an individual, and dinary people who in one way or because I was a very different person another had found a home in the from my boss I attracted some who he Church of England. Nor do I feel didn't and of course vice versa. And resentful towards my vicar or the again, many had known a whole bishops, who were usually helpful series of curates and therefore had no and patient. As to my colleagues in illusions about the lack of frailty in the ministry, some I liked and some I young priests! found less likeable, as in any As to my homosexuality, however, profession. that was a completely no go area. To From a personal point of view my be human and have failings was underlying anxiety was, I think, acceptable. To be homosexual was expressed in my unease over the role quite out of the question. Or perhaps of a priest in the parish and the local more exactly to be homosexual and to community. What was I there for and say 50 was the real taboo. There's no did I have a real job to do? From the doubt that some people had their beginning I was extremely self- private opinions about my unmarried conscious of the image I presented as state at the age of 28, and probably most of them were not particularly bothered or interested. What would have been shocking would have been IN THE EYES OF MOST GAY PEOPLE THE CHURCH THUS SEEMS RIDICULOUS, OUTDATED AND, YES, DQWNRIGHT IMMORAL IN THE WAY_IT TREATS .ORDINARY MEN AND WOMEN WHO WISH TO .PU.RSUE A FRE~LY CHOS.EN VISION AND VOCAfor me to proclaim publicly what at most was believed generally should have remained an intensely personal and private matter - a burden to bear solitarily or with the help of a few close friends . And in the end, for someone who has been brought up to believe (and whose Christian understanding has reinforced) that integrity and honesty are two of the most profound · and vital principles, ,it was ultimately too much too bear. , .' TION. IT IS, NO WONDER THAT MOST LESBIANS - .- ' ·-. .-' . . . ,· . . . ... ~ · ·.·_,AN.D-GAY1MEN HAVE.LONGA.C;,O TURNED TH.EIR BACK ON AN INSTITUTION WHICH-HAS,NO REAL ' •• ' ( • ' . • • • • · ' l . • • PL-AC~ FOR THEM EXCEPT ,A$ _ 'REPEtiHANT SINNERS.' It is a small comfort to me'. that I never in fact denied my . sexuality in so .many words . · But neither,.was I able-to contradict the received opinion 'that l was either heterosexual or •asexual. I. remember at one time ,being;asked by a visiting worshipper whether-I was married, and before I could, reply.•one of our own congre- . · SEE' COVER STORY, Page 12 Second Stone-July/A11g1111, 1993~[j] - ------ ---- - - - - - - - - - ---------------~n=ii=f=i•M~••ildUS•i•IN•IM1Aiii•i=@i; .. COVER STORY, From Page 10 gation had chipped i!1 that, "Oh no, Father Parry has only JUSt come out of college," as if I had been kept in holy isolation for years on end and would have not had time yet even to consider the more intimate side of life. My sexuality was in the context of the parish very much my affair. My being gay was very much my problem . It is integral to the person I am, and most probably without it I would never have found myself an ordained inan in the first place. But it was almost entirely mine to deal with, and in a situation in which working hours and parish commitments curtailed most socializing which others take for granted, I was thrown largely back on myself for support and reassurance. Although I was not without gay friends, some of the loneliest and most isolating times of my life were spent during my three years as a airate in Hull. In such circumstances the obvious place to look for friendship and acceptance would seem likely to be amongst those who shared ones sexuality . Yet this was problematical. For one thing many clergymen, especially of an older generation, would simply refuse of admtt there was a problem or. even an issue here. Sexual desires for members of ones own sex was simply a quirk or divine trick or burden which it was up to the individual to deal with, mayoe with the help of a very close friend_ or two. It had nothing .to do with the essentials of the faith, and 0ordinary" people could not be expected to appreciate or understand 11. Therefore the primary objective was to keep it under wraps at all costs. At one meeting of the Hull Deanery Synod a prominent and ambitious local rector welcomed the fact that the General Synod had declined a pernicious attempt by a pressure group to have clergy sexuality ~is~ cussed with a view to outlawing certain gay priests, on the grounds that St. Paul had told us to banish all thoughts of "evil things" from our minds! As far as he was concerned it didn't matter what tactics or reasoning were employed as long as the dreaded subject was kept off the agenda. For him and for many others like him it was just too close to home . Amongst younger priests attitudes were more mixed. Many are relatively confident and self-respecting on · a personal and social level, and use support networks _of friends_and ~olleagues in order to counter 1solati~n and insecurities. But beyond that, m their professional capacity, they ~re almost entirely unable to defme themselves as gay, or even to bring the issue into open discussion for fear of the probable consequences . · At a time when hardly any of the b!shops are willing to even admit the presence of "practicing homosexuals" rm Second Stone-July/ August, 1993 THE CHURCH CONSISTENTLY CLAIMS TO OPERATE IN THE· WORLD BUT NOT TO BE OF THE WORLD. ITS ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE BASIC RIGHTS OF LESBIAN AND GAY PEOPLE SHOWS THAT IT IS IN TOTAL SUBJECTION TO THE PREJUDICES AND UNINFORMED OPINIONS WHICH SOCIETY IN GENERAL CLINGS TO. amongst their clergy, and feel bound increasingly to defend the perceived status quo, a single letter or phone call from a parishioner (or worse, . an article in a local newspaper) can cause havoc for a priest's ministry . While a clergyman I myself was asked to appear on a morning television chat show to debate the subject of gay clergy. I could · not agree to do so, . because of the possible repercussions for · my vicar, the parish and for myself. No serving clergyman could be found who would agree to speak openly about his sexuality on such a public stage, and it is symptomatic that the honesty and courage of Michael Peet (Times interview, Decemeber 4, 1992) has thus been treated with such wonder and applause . Many gay priests battle courageously on, maintaining a remarkable integrity in the face of prejudice, ignorance and lack of institutional or pastoral support. Many are the Church 's most loyal servants, the most conscientious and diligent in their daily work, and the most thoroughly grounded in their prayer Jives and theological understanding. Yet the living of a life which near its center bears such a burden as homosexuality has been made to be by the Church in general, cannot be continued without cost. . Dr. Ben Fletcher, in his Clergy Under Stress (Mowbray, 1990) presents disturbing evidence that stress levels are considerably higher amongst gay clergy persons, and that this is · directly related to an inability to share a vital and integral aspect of themselves with those to whom they have been called to minister. · After three years "serving my title" in Hull I no longer felt that I could continue in the ministry while there remained such an unresolved conflict between my perceived role as a priest and my own emotional and sexual needs . I felt that, far from living a life of wholeness - holiness - my public and personal lives were radically disjointed. I lacked the basic integrity which could only come from my being able to be myself as a priest and a gay man. The subject of homosexuality and the Christian way of life is one which has generated a great deal of verbiage, and a considerable quantity of anguished debate in public a~d private. Yet for the average lesbian or gay man the problem is largely incomprehensible. We all know that we make good doctors, lawyers, salespeople, accountants, cleaners, and so on. Most of us know at least one exemplary clergy man or woman whose sexuality is a positive and creative plank in their ministry. Yet .the Church, that body of people who are supposed to stand up for truth, integrity, acceptance and so on, • cannot bring itself to accept the obvious; that there is nothing integral to being an actively gay person THE QUESTION OF GAY CLERGY IS THEREFORE A DEEPLY MORAL QUESTION, AND ONE WHICH STRIKES AT THE HEART OF WHAT IT MEANS TO BE . A CHRISTIAN AND WHAT IT REALLY COSTS TO STAND UP FOR THE DOWNCAST AND OPPRESSED, AS OPPOSED TO JUMPING ON FASHIONABLE BANDWAGONS. which makes one unfit for Christian ministry . In the eyes of most gay people the Church thus seems ridiculous, outdated and, yes, downright immoral, in the way it treats ordinary men and women who wish to pursue a freely chosen vision and vocation. It is no wonder that most Lesbians and Gays have long ago turned their back on an institution which has no real place for them except as "repentant sinners." The Church consistently claims to operate in the world but not to be of the world. Its attitude towards the basic rights of lesbian and gay people shows that it is in total subjection to the prejudices and uninformed opinions which society in general clings . to . When it comes to the bottom line the reason many priests and ·bishops simply will not speak out on the subject has little to do with personal convictions and far more to do with their terror of "what people will think" and how the world outside will judge them. The question of gay clergy is therefore a deeply moral question, and one which strikes at the heart of what it means to be a Christian and what it really costs to stand up for the downcast and oppressed, as opposed to jumping on fashionable bandwagons. My experience as a gay man and as a clergy man has been painful. I blame myself as wen as the Church for not accepting reality; for hoping that things would tum out alright in the end . I am saddened that the church shows no sign of repenting, of apologizing to Lesbians and Gays for what it has done to them over the centuries, and of courageously welcoming their precious insights and contributions openly and honestly instead of covertly and deceitfully. Two gay men have contacted me to recount how they were denied . the chance to test their vocation in the ordained ministry purely because they refused to lie abou .t their sexuality. I am convinced that they are only the tip of an iceberg, and equally sure that such experiences point to the real scandal about homosexuality and the clergy; not of course, that it exists, but that there remains a pernicious policy to deny that fact and to prevent self-respecting Lesbians . and Gays from gaining access to positions of authority in the Church. While personally I shall not be returning to full-time Christian ministry, it is my prayer and hope that the Church will begin to cease collaborating in the persecution of my lesbian and gay brothers and sisters, will begin to treat human beings with the respect they deserve, and will in doing so become more open, more accepting and more acceptable to those it has done so much to alienate. Excerpted with permission from the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement Member's Newsletter, Oxford House, · Derbyshire St., London E2 6HG. T Sounds T · ............................................... . • ....................... . Voices from MCC/DC "God Is Greater" for Witness Witness,· a musical evangelism team based out of the Metropolitan Community Church of Washington, D.C., has released their second album, "God Is Greater." This musical ministry is made up of musicians and singers who travel the country sharing their original music as well as praise and worship concerts and seminars . "God Is Greater" consists of ten- original songs including "Jesus Is the Final Word," "Hold On To the Gospel," "I Will Not Compromise" and "We Come Before You," which was recently published as · a choral anthem by Fred Bock Publishing. Song styles range from contemporary Christian to country and western. MCC Washington plans to release its second album, "Celebrate Jesus," by Christmas. It will feature the 60- voice combined Victory Choir, Gospel Choir and orchestra. "I believe that God has given us an opportunity to utilize the talent within the gay and lesbian Christian community to produce quality professional music that will edify and encourage our brothers and sisters in their faith walk, and also allow our testimony to shine for the rest of the world to see and hear," Jarrett said. Witness will be in concert at MCC Kansas City, Missouri on July 16th and First MCC of Kansas in Wichita on July 17th. They will be in Phoenix for the UFMCC General Conference' July 18-23. _ "God has abundantly blessed the music !Ilinistry of MCC Washington over the past two years," said Dale Jarrett, Director of Music Ministry. "Witness is a reconciliation ministry. Reconciliation of the gay, lesbian and bisexual community back to God, through Jesus Christ, without condemnation, and reconciliation back to the rest of the Body of Christ." Information about Witness Praise Ministries, concerts and seminars, is available by writing to Witness, cf o MCC Washington, 474 Ridge St., NW, Washington, DC 20001 or by calling (202)638-7373. Cassettes of Witness' albums "Jesus Is Lord of All" and "God Is Greater" are available for $12 each from the same address. Witness: God Is Greater 25th year anniversary for popular hymn New CD, video from Marsha Stevens Marsha Stevens, who put the pen to the popular hymn "For Those Tears I Died" 25 years ago, is celebrating that anniversary with a new release, "I Still Have A Dream," available on tape and CD. The title cut is a song written by Stevens and Danny Ray for the 1993 March on Washington, recalling words from Dr. Martin Luther King's speech from the historic Washington march for civil rights for .African- Marsha Stevens: I Still Have A Dream Americans. The new album also features a special 25th anniversary year arrangement of "For Those Tears I Died" orchestrated by Chris Lobdell. Stevens began her musical career at the age of 16, when she wrote "For Those Tears I Died" (or "Come to the Water") which has been included in almost every church hymnal published since 1972. She sang and toured for nine years with the Christian folk group, The Children of the Day. The group made six albums for which Marsha composed most of the songs. During this time she also sang and did back-up vocals on several of the "Maranatha" and "Praise" albums and toured in the United States, Canada, Europe and Israel. Her songs are played in countries from South Africa to Japan and have been translated into dozens of different languages including such former Iron Curtain countries as Hungary and Czechoslovakia . The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers has included her in their Who's Who in American Music. Stevens came out as a born again lesbian 13 years ago. She spent most of her first five years out sorting and establishing her new life. Then, eight years ago, she began singing and wr-iting again, this time as a ministry to the gay and lesbian Christian community. She has two solo albums to her credit. The first, "Free to Be," is all original material written by Stevens and composed by her and two of her chief collaborators, Ken Caton and LeRoy Dysart. The second is 'The Best is Yet to Come" which, with the exception of one rearranged hymn, is all original compositions by Marsha, Ken and LeRoy and her most recent collaborator, Danny Ray, Minister of Music at Cathedral of Hope MCC, Dallas, Texas. Ray is also responsible for the spectacular orchestra and vocal arrangements on the new tape and CD. Both albums were released on the BALM (Borrt Again Lesbian Music) label, a publishing and recording company owned by Marsha Stevens and - her lover, Suzanne McKeag. McKeag currently handles Stevens' concert bookings and much of the publishing and recording business and tours on the road with Stevens. The two reside in Costa Mesa, California, and belong to MCC Los Angeles. Marsha has two children, Naomi, 20, just back from a year in Germany on an exchange student scholarship, and Johnny, 18, who is already active in music and youth ministry which he plans to make his career. Second Stone-July/August, 1993 [I[] Videos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . ..................... -· .............. , ... . Pastoral bereavement counseling · Ministry to the _bereaved By Rev. Richard 8 . Gilbert Contributing Writer rick DelZoppo is a name ociated with quality care and ucation, innovative teaching, grief therapy, and, above all, the determination and skill to awaken · the religious community (which can ·. li;- ~I ,~ :~( _ ,~ ,. ' -~.-~i t1 I -- ~ • '• "I..,. . ~ ,blaniJ.6~n A Lesbian Paradise .. .- ' On 100 beautiful acres.with pool, hot tub, skiing and mo~. Innkeepers Judith Hall and Grace Newman invite you to write or call for a brochure. P. 0 . B ox · 118 SL Bethle.hem, NH 03574 (603) 869-3978 ... ■ ' ' i be strongly resistant and fearful) to its mandatory (it is part of the work of the church, and all religious com- · munities) call to ministry to and for the bereaved . That DelZoppo is called an "honorary priest" in the small parish where he helps out (as if he didn 't have enough _to do), demonstrates how clearly he un derstands and empathizes with the needs of God's people , and manages to reac h through to them despite the frequent resistance offered by the . church. Further, the steady stream of clergy who seek him out not only for rofessional guidance and training, ut on issues that touch the heart and soul, reinforce tha t this person, and, thus, th.is video, will also speak to the clergy who so clearly need to address their own issues of grief, and "get going" in grief ministry . The video is a bargain at any hrice (especially at $29.95), but do n't t ink there is anything cheap about this video. It is a quality presentation, content, setting, technical skill, music, as DelZoppo teaches us in profound ■ Let a new light shine for someone you love. Second Stone is a gift of love, comfort, inspiration and • resolution for friends and family who may be in doubt, despair, isolation or suffering illness. Give the special people in your life the gift of Second Stone. We'll take it from there. · FROM: Yes ... ., .... Please send a gift """"' subscription and card OJy SW, 7Jp in my name to th~ - Name person(s) listed: Addttss I l Orie gift, $15. , 911' I ] Two gifts, $29 - Zip [ ] Three gifts, $42 ~gnGlftClrd Add $10 for each Name · foreign subscriber. Addttss U.S. currency. <lty PAYM!Nf ENa.DSED: - Zip S!gnG~c.ant Use additional sheet for more gifts. B~x 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 ■ ■ [i4.J Second Stone-July/August, 1993 ways, but yet comes across as one · who is simply sitting with us in a comfortable setting, teaching, sharing, listening and comforting. This video covers these subjects very thoroughly. While . speaking clearly from the Christian perspective ("Jesus invites them to share their grief story ... "), it is his understanding of spirituality that enables this video ·to reach all who want to find help in grief. From this spiritual foundation he discusses: 1) understanding the nature of grief, bereavement and mourning, 2) dynamic s of the grief response, 3) factors that deterrlline the mourning process, 4) principles of bereavement counseling, 5) bereav ement crisis intervention , and 6) pastoral ministry with the bereaved. A special feature of this video is that, as profound as it is in content, I never felt lectured, but rather spoken to and -shared with. The content is solid, what we need to hear (whether we be the caregiver or ·the one in need of care), and presented in a manner that allows the caregiver and . the griever to learn and share California NcwYort llllnoit Tnu ......... ,. Florida PcruuylYanil Ohio Wast.1111on Miclliran Milll\CSOl:t NcwJft$q1 Colorado DC Arizona Miuouri Louisi1n1 Wisconsin NorUl ClNli l'II Maryhnd Fo~ ign COUltrits Orcson Ocorgia Indiana Conntclictll T"""'~ Al1blm 1 Kentucky "~ "'= ~DlllhCunh na NewMu:ico Hawaii 01o:l1ho1111 Miniqif'P Vir~ nla We:s!Virginia Maine Nebrub Alt;,n•-U Vnmont Oclawue Rhock lshnd Utat. Noada Ncwllampshire Aluh Monlana hbllo N9"II_D1ko1 1 Wycmne: 19.-9 1024 ~~~ "' 423 "' "' "' m ~~~ "' "' "' m "' '" ' " . 183 "' \7,& . '" '" '" "' "' "' " 93 " " " 67 " " " ~~ " " " " " " " We've added up the reasons you should be advertising In Second Stone. II your business offers products or services to the nalional gay and lesbian community, we know some people who are interested! Rach paid ••blcrib«r In ev,ry state for /111 than th• cost of adv«• tising)n on, loc•I rm. distribu#on g,yAesbi,n publication. FREE LA \'out AND PROOF SERVICE. i~ Call or FAX k>r assistance. '/ (504)899-4014 l FAX (504)891-7555 P11moR1co USVJ South 0.1.:oia ' ' + =11, 115 readers We reserve the right to refuse any ad for any reason. together. . While not getting caugh~ up in church jargon, De!Zoppo strongly advo cates for the trained pastoral bereavement counselor . Many of these people are the effective caregivers who emerge from a particular journey (loss) and are able to bring that journey experience to others. Note, trained. It is all too easy for the church to "draft" volunteers, use and abuse them, and, · when they have nothing left, to dismiss them. Sound harsh? It does happen . DelZoppo is r ecognizing the importance of volunteers emerging from the trenches of life's experiences. He is stressing the importance of quality training, and provides that training. He is also reminding us that, while clergy must become more involved and more effective (rather than running away Many of these people are the effective caregivers who emerge from a particular journey (loss) and are able to bring that journey experience to others. or otherwise being "too busy"), the fact is that clergy cannot do everything, be all things to all people. In some ways, the best that clergy can do (even when they are very competent) is to be good generalists facilitating the work of others who have more time and resource s to ·bring to the bereaved . Careful review of this video shows a story or text emerging around various themes or issues. This makes for easy points of divide, so that • the video can be used in smaller "does" as a tea ching tool or personal resource. Make this video available to your religious leaders, and the lay leaders or your religious community . Make -it available to _ people doing grief work, and those on that long, tough journey. For information on this video, contact St. Paul Center, 145 Clinton Ave ., Staten Island, NY 10301, (718) 720-3363. The Rev. Richard Gilbert is Director of Pastoral Services, Porter Memorial Hospital, Valparaiso, Indiana. In Pririt ~ ................................... -~ •.• A Certain Terror: Heterosexism, Militarism, Violence & Change Crossing barriers of race,. class, gendera nd_s exualo rientation ByJ ohnnyT ownsend Contributing Writer This anthology, A Certain Terror: Heterosexism, Militarism, Violence & Change, published by the American Friends Service Committee (the Quakers) is thoughtful and stimulating. Its "focus," as can be seen in the title, is rather broad, trying to eliminate not just the "major" oppression but all oppression, not wanting to privilege one kind of discrimination over another. The focus then becomes the need to build coalitions among members of every oppressed group, and the editors feel this can only be accomplished if we have some kind of understanding of these other groups. Hence the variety of essays discussing numerous forms of oppression - racism, sexism, heterosexism, classism, patriarchy - and how feminists, Lesbians and gay men often promote one or another type of oppression while fighting their own. The editors hope that by realizjng the ,harm we are doing, we can amend our behavior and learn to work together. boes the book work? One very nice feature that helps ensure this is that at the end of each essay there are several discussion questions. All but a few of the essays ar~ short enough to read aloud in a group, ~aking the volume useful for cfasses or discussion group.s Theq uestionhse lpf ocus the audience on the key issues raised, and help the readers or listeners not just to read the material and go on, but to stop long enough to let the ideas sink in or be confronted. The book then is probably more successful for a group than for an individual reader, though even reading alone, one can still obviously gain from becoming aware of the various perspectives. There are a nul]lber of big-name QUOTABLE There are further interesting views on . assimilation. Many of us who w.tnt to be "good" have been socialized to feel that fitting in and being approved shows t.hat we're . good, but Harry Hay, who calls assimilation "middle class drag,'.' and others point out that conforming to an oppressive culture would mean We were enough like our oppressors that we could only help· promote the oppression that already exists against so many groups. We are also warned against trying to use our "victim" status to try to create a position of power because of the inherent contradiction involved, • and those who do enjoy some higher degree of class, race, or gender status . are urged not to feel the guilt often heaped on them for their status. "Your privilege is not a reason for guilt," writes Audre Lorde, "it is a part of your power, to be used in support of those things you believe." (256) There are, naturally, with so many ideas and points of view, inevitably a few which will rankle almost any reader, though the "problematic" essays will change depending on the reader. As a white gay male raised in the middle class, it is obvious that my status (all of which was beyond my control in my socialization - note the knee-jerk defense) gives ample SEE BOOKS, Page 20 Order Your "GODL OVEYSO UB" utton! 2H1/O4"T ~-- I $20•0 PINK . !. . . (EACH) Send order and check to: Val Williams 6460 Meml)his Ave. Pensacola, FL 32526 Great for Fundraisers! Ask about large order Discounts MALCHUS "When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us. -Helen Keller contributors to the anthology. Audre Lorde, John D'Emilio, Allison Bechdel, bell hooks, Donn.t Minkowitz, Donelan, Harry Hay, and over 30 others of lesser fame but still of merit. The book is divided into several sections to help organize the views of so many people: Aims and Outlooks, Sexualities and Identities, Militarism and Violence, and Strategies and Visions. Richard Cleaver offers an excellent historical overview on how militarism affected the early gay movement. Barbara Epstein shows how Lesbians have historically been major directors of many peace and environmental movements. Lesbian& GayC hristianM onthly Jane Meyerding explains how anti-basher street patrols defuse violent situations rather than simply reverse the violence toward the bashers, which would still be promoting a victor/victim ideology which would continue to be harmful to everyone. We have to "weaken the structures that make this society a complex of victimizer-victim dualities" (277), she says. Celebrating Faith & SpiritualityT hrougho urD iversity 6036R ichmonHdw y#.,3 01 AlexandrViaA, 2 2303 Subscription$s1 8.00P er Year Second Sione-Ju.ly/August, 1993 [n] Calendar a • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 11ie following annauncements have been submitted by spansorin g or affiliated groups. connECtion '93 JULY 2-5, Evangelicals Concerned hosts its annual gathering. Keynote speakers include Rev. M. Mahan Siler, Jr., Dr. Ralph Blair, and Patricia V. Long. The conference will be held in the San Francisco Bay Area. For information write to ECWR, P.O. Box 4750, Denver, CO 80204. Gay and Lesbian Parents Meet JULY 2-4, Hundreds of lesbian moms, gay dads and their children will meet in Orlando, Florida for the 14th annual conference of the Gay and Lesbian Parents Coalition. "Share the Love ... Share the Magic!" is the theme. The Clarion Hotel is the setting, providing opportunity to visit the Disney attractions. For information contact GLPCI '93, Box 561504, Orlando, FL 32856-1504, (407)420-2191. National Convocation of Reconciling Congregations JULY 8-11, The Reconciling Congregations Program hosts its 3rd National Convocation. ''Borne of the Breath of God: Remembering, Renewing, Reforming, Returning" is the theme. George Washington -University in Washington, D.C. is the location. Twenty workshops will be offered. Leaders are Dr. Sally Brown Geis, Iliff School of Theology and Dr. Tex Sample, St. Paul School of Theology. For information write to the RCP, 3801 N. Keeler Ave., Chicago, IL 60641, (312)736-5526. AIDS, Medicine and Miracles Sixth Annual Conference themed "Unity in Diversity: Sharing Our Gifts" at two locations: JULY 8-11, Berkeley, Calif., and SEPTEMBER 23-26, Rhinebeck, New York. Retreat leaders invite all for a time of learning, play, tears, inspiration and joy. The conference is a forum for an array of expert opinion and for the wisdom of people living with HIV. There is a balance of presentations, workshops and creative experiences ranging from medicine to music. For information contacfAIDS, Medicine & Miracles, P.O. Box 9130, Boulder, CO 80301-9130, ('.303)447-8777 or (800)875-8770. UCCLJGC National Gathering 13 JULY 12-15, Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, is the setting for the 13th annual meeting of the United Church Coalition for Lesbian/ Gay Concerns. "Unity & Diversity: Gifts to Celebrate, Obstacles to Overcome" is the theme. For •information contact UCCL/ GC, 18 N. College St., Athens, OH 45701, (614)593-7301. "Partners for the Glory of God" JULY 15-20, The Gay and Lesbian Affirming Disciples Alliance and the United Church Coalition for Lesbian/ Gay Concerns will sponsor joint activities during the Christian Church (Disdples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ biennial General Assembly (Disciples) and General Synod (UCC) at the Cervantes Convention Center in St. Louis . Michael and Katherine Kinnamon are Accommodations, AIDS/HIV IIOOIRU, btra, bookstoru, various buslrillSHS, hoaHh cara, llgal servJca , organizations, pubUcatlons, rallgJous groups, •wttchboard9, theraplsts, travel ag1nts, & much moN, tor gay woman and man. All prices below INCLUDE FIRST CLASS POSTAGE t, USA, Canada & Maxia,, .In sealed, dsaoet envek)pes, ~•e.rn~ 11~ we s~iCUy Q;11~enUal_. ~g;'~'FO:~~i,~:~~~~~~~~:~==a:st~~bank, pos~ble Cuslllms prc,ljansQ ~~=.i:.s~~~;~=:=~~~5:'~ ...... =ian r.~-r-1·.., Cl!l.CUSOS; plA>IJcalons: mall o,00, companiff;..,_ $12.00; OUllldo N. Anwrlca $17 :.:!.:>.::!': t=~~iii"""'" Wcmen's Seafon: Man/lallan bar l'lllaS by Jetry Fitzpa•ld<. SOU"n!ERN/Soutllom Mldwut. 64 pages. AL, AZ, AA, FL, GA, KS, Kf, LA, MS, '-0, NM, NC, OK PR SC TN, TX, US Virgin Islands, VA. $5.00; outside N. ArMr1c11 $1 (alrmal) ' ' ' NORTHEAST. CT, DE, DC, l,1E, WI, NH, OH, PA, RI, VT. WV. $5.00; OUlldo N. Amorita $8 (1irm1II) RENAISSANCE HOUSE, BOX 533-SS VILLAGE STATION, NEW YORK, NY 10014-0292 (212)674-0120 l.16.J s;,.,,,nd Stone-July/August, 1993 •••••••••••••••••• • ••• 0 ••••••••••••• scheduled to speak at a Saturday evening banquet. For infomation, contact Randy Palmer at (319)332~245. Integrity National Convention JULY 15-18, Gay and lesbian Episcopalians and their friends gather in San Diego for their 19th annual meeting. "Let Us Sow Love" is the theme of the convention. Events will be . held at St. Paul 's Cathedral. Featured guests are Pamela P. Chinnis and the Rt. Rev. Douglas E. Theuner . Attendees will have an opportunity to see the San Diego Pride Parade, which goes past St. Paul's. For information write to Integrity National Convention, P.O. Box 34253, San Diego, CA 92163-0810. UFMCC's 16th General Conference JULY 18-25, "For All The Nations" is the theme of this conference celebrating the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Church's 25 years of ministry. The conference returns to-The Pointe at Tapatio Cliffs in Phoenix, Arizona, site of the immediate past UFMCC General Conference. For registration information write to the UFMCC, 5300 Santa Monica Blvd., Ste. 304, Los Angeles, CA 90029. National Lesbian and Gay Health Conference JULY 21-25, More than 900 lesbian and gay health care providers will discuss strategies for including lesbian and gay issues in the emerging national health care agenda at the 15th National Lesbian and Gay Health Conference and 11th Annual AIDS/HTV Forum to be held at the Hyatt Regency in downtown · Houston. The health conference is sponsored by the National Lesbian and Gay Health Foundation and The George Washington University Medical Center. For registration information and a program brocl1ure call 202-994-4285. Summer Retreat for Gay and Lesbian Christians JULY 23-25, Evangelicals Together _ sponsors a time of renewal at Grey Squirrel Resort, Big Bear Lake, California . Cost is $85.00. For information contact Evangelicals Together, Inc., Ste. 109, Box 16, 7985 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90046-5186. 4th Annual Northampton Lesbian Festival JULY 23-25, the popular festival expands to 3 days this year . The location is the Swift River Inn in Cummington, Mass. For information contact WOW Productions, 160 Main St., Northampton, MA 01060, (413)586-8251. · Dignity/USA Convention JULY 28-AUGUST 1, The national gay and lesbian Catholic organization holds its 11th biennial convention at the Fairmont Hotel in New Orle~s. "Celebrate a Living Church" is the theme of the gathering, to which attendees are encouraged to wear Mardi Gras colors of green, gold and purple . Brian McNaught is the featured speaker . For information contact Dignity/ USA, 1500 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Ste.11, Washington, DC 20005, 1-800-877 -8797. BMG Hospitality House AUGUST 14-21, The Brothers of the Mercy of God sponsor a week by the ocean, -summer fun, and sharing life's experience. The setting is an authentic New England farmhouse in Matunuck, R.I. The atmosphere is relaxed, prayerful and joyous. For information write to Bros. of the Mercy of God, P.O. Box 6502, Providence, RI 02940. Parliament of the World's Religions AUGUST 28-SEPTEMBER 5, a major interfaith gathering with many of the world's religions represented. Exhibits, performances, lectures and presentations, interfaith dialogues, children's programs and meetings of specialized groups. The Council for a Parliament of the World's .Religions says "All are welcome to gather in Chicago in 1993 to listen to one another, to be challenged to find new ways of living together, and to seek new visions for the future." For information write to: Parliament of the World's Religions, P.O. Box 1630, Chicago, IL 60690. SEE CALENDAR, Next Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . AIDS claims Randy Engstrom llRANDY C. ENGSTROM died peacefully on May 20 at Swedish Hospital in Seattle from complications of AIDS. Engstrom was instrumental in starting the Seattle chapter of Evangelicals Concerned, now called Directions Northwest, and was voted a lifetime member in recognition of his many years of devotion to the organization. He was · also a founding member of Grace Gospel Chapel, served as board president, and for many years devoted much of his time and energy to the life of the church . Randy had a profound impact on the spiritual life of many in the gay and CALENDAR, From Page 16 4th Annual Rhytho,Fest SEPTEMBER 2-6, a celebration of women's music, art and politics to be held in a new location in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Asheville, North Carolina. For information contact RhythmFest, 957 N. Highland Ave., NE, Atlanta, GA 30306, (404)873-1551. First International TEN Conference SEPTEMBER 3-5, The Evangelical Network, based in Phoenix, Ariz ., holds its first international conference in Vancouver, B.C., under the . auspices of Liberty Community Church. Sessions and workshops will address such topics as "Healing the Hurls We Don't Deserve," Handling Your Hormones," "Coupling Concerns for Gay Christians," "Mourning Song," and ''The SI<.illed Caregiver." The weekend will climax with a communion service ar\d the lighting of an AIDS vigil candle. For information contact 11201-6380 Clarendon Str., Vancouver, B.C. V5S 2J9 Canada, (604)321-4633. P-FLAG Annual - Convention SEPTEMBER 3-6, The 12th Annual International Convention of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays will be held in New Orleans Labor Day weekend at the Sheraton Hotel on Canal Street. "Celebrating Family - New Orleans Style" is the theme. A variety of workshops will be offered. Featured speakers include Congressman Gerry E. Studds and Mitzi Henderson, P-FLAG president and a leader in the Presbyterian Church's More Light Churches Network. Entertainer Lynn Lavner will kick off the conference with a Friday night Noteworthy T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... • ·• ...................... . lesbian community . He was preceded in death by his mother, Quida, and is survived by his father, Rev. Morris Engstrom of Everett, and his sister, Louise Mori of Sacramento. A memorial service was held June 1 at Grace Gospel Chapel in Seattle. Memorials may be made to Directions Northwest, Randy Engstrom Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 20189, Seattle, WA 98102. Rev. Jacobsen passes llREV. MICHAEL PAUL JACOBSEN died April 25 in Chicago at the age of 46. He was a long-time member of concert. For information contact New Orleans P-FLAG, P.O. Box 15485, New Orleans, LA 70175. D/gni!y/Chicago's ministry team, and 'One of the first clergy to testify on behalf of Illinois' stat _e gay and lesbian civil rights legislation. Jacobsen was ordained a Roman Catholic priest in 1973, and served in several parishes around _ Chicago and its suburbs. He wore his Roman collar proudly in the city's gay and lesbian pride parade, and received the Humanitarian of the Year award from Gay Chicago Magazine for his service to the community during the 7_0's. Father Michael supported Dignity/ Chicago in its rejection of Ca rdinal Joseph Bernardin 's attempt to take over Dignity's weekly service. He is the only national management training conference designed to help community-based organizations become more effective. The Hyatt Regency in New Orleans is the set- _ ting. Attendees will have the oppor- A ff i rm ati On tunity, at extra cost, to attend the N.- t• I Project Lazarus Halloween party, a a I Ona costume-mndatory fundraising Conference party. Forinformat ioncontact SEPTEMBER 17-l 9, Affirmation: Gay National Skills Building Confer~nce, d Le b' M h Id .1 lSth 300 Eye St., NE, Ste. 400, Washmg- -an s 1an ormons o s 1 s _ ton DC 20002-4389 annual national conference. Gay _and _·.•:, _ _ ' . · Lesbian Mormons as well as their -· · _ ,. l~ •i,'t'-'- supportive family and friends are · ,; · invited to attend . For one weekend RE-imagining/ each year, gay Mormons from all · over the United States and several Churches in foreign countries meet to celebrate being gay/lesbian as well as their Solidarity with Mormon heritage . This year, the San W · Diego chapter of Affirmation is - 0 men hosting the event at lhe Kona Kai NOVEMBER 4-7, A global theo- Resort on San Diego's Shelter Island. logical conference by women for Keynote speaker is D. Michael women and men. Re-imagining Quinn . A highlight of the weekend God, creation, Jesus, churcl1 as will be the harbor cruise. For spiritual institution, arts/ cl1Urch, information call (619)283-8810. language/word, ethics/work/minis- . try, community, sexuality /family, Tour of Israel SEPTEMBER 22-0CTOBER 8, Royal Menorah Adventures coordinates a tour of Israel for gay and lesbian travelers, escorted by Bible student and previous Israeli resident Daniel Mark. $2850 per person, sharing twin accommodations. Contact Royal Tours, 1742 E. Broadway, Long Beach, CA 90802, (310)983-7370. National Skills Building Conference OCTOBER 31-NOVEMBER 3, the largest gathering of front line AIDS workers in the country. Sponsored by the AIDS National Inferfaith Net work, the National Association of People with AIDS, and the National Minority AIDS Council, the gathering · church as worshipping community. Featuring many presenters including Mary E. Hunt and Virginia Ramey Mollenkott. The Minneapolis Convention Center is th e setting. Contact · Rev. Sally Hill, 122 W. Franklin Ave., Room 100, Minneapolis, MN 55404, (612)870-3600, fax (612)870-3663. Creating Change 1993 NOVEMBER 12-14, The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force has announced that keynote speakers for· · its sixth annual Creating Change conference, to be held in Durham, N.C.; will be Mab Segrest, Dr . Franklin Kameny and Dr. Marjorie J. Hill . For information on this conference contact NGLTF, 173414th· St., NW, Washington, DC 20009, (202)3.32-6483. was a walking library of Dignity/ USA history, and one of only three peo!)le to_ have attended every D1gruty national convention since the founding of the organization in 1969. PLGC named beneficiary of major trust l>PRESBYTERIANS FOR LESBIAN and Gay Concerns has been named the end beneficiary of the income _ from a major Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust. The trust has been established with the Presbyterian Church (USA) Foundation by Howard and Mary Ann Jacob of Dallas, Texas, Jong-time members of PLGC. Mr. and Mrs. Jacob will receive income from the trust until the death of the surviving spouse. Ther eafter, the trust will be permanentlyinvested by the -Foundation with income to be paid to PLGC. The Jacobs have asked that PLGC use the income for "ministries of justice and advocacy for members of the Presbyterian Church (USA)." Following the lifetime of the donors, the trust will be known as the Howard W. and Mary Ann Jacob Memorial Fund . Howard and Ann Jacob are elders in Bethany Presbyterian Church of Dallas, a More Light congregation. Howard is former Trustee of the Presbyterian Church (USA) Foundation and a current Trustee of the United Presbyterian Foundation of the Synod of the Sun. Ann is a former Trustee of the Grace Presbyterian Foundation . Both are active leaders in local social justice, peacemaking and ministries with the poor and hungry. New community center for San Francisco llMCC SAN FRANCISCO has dedicated a ne .w com~unity center to provide meeting space for lesbian, gay and HIV groups as part of its 23rd anniversary celebration. Cash donation enables church to buy building LIA CASH DONATION of $203,150 has made it possible for MCC New York to purchase its first building . "It's truly an answer to prayer," said Rev. Pat Bumgardner, pastor. The donor has attended worship at MCC-NY only once in the seven years that Rev. Bumgardner has known him, but he made previous donations to MCC-NY's food pantry and homeless shelter, as well as other lesbian and gay organizations . MCCNY signed a contract in late April for a three-story church building in midtown Manhattan at 446 W. 36th St., and hoped to close the deal this summer . It has worship space for 200. The donation was made in bills no larger than hundreds, requiring several tellers to count it. SEE NOTEWORlHY, Page 18 Second Stone-July/August, 1993 [izJ NOTEWORTHY From Page 17 Anderson Foundation honors five llJUSf DAYS BEFORE leaving for the history-making March on Washington, five community activists for AIDS education, gay and lesbian rights and women's interests received telephone calls telling them they had won the no-strings Stonewall Awards of $25,000 "for achievement for gay and lesbian America." The winners, announced by the Anderson Prize Foundation o{ Chicago: Earnest Hite, Second Stone will run your 30 word classified ad in our next 3 issues for the price of 1 ! $10.50 Our classifieds work! Meet a new customer for your business ... a new friend in a city you'll be visiting soon ... a new pen pal... the possibilities are exciting! Second Slone classifieds reach readers in eve,y state and many foreign countries. Use the order form on the classified page and include classification, months to run and billing address. Ads must be pre-paid 20 word minimum. Each additional word, 35¢. Ads may be faxed to {504)891-7555. Ads billed must be paid prior to publication. For help call (504)899-4014. No sexually explicit ads. We reseive lhe Tight to refuse any ad for any reason. - -Coming Out means telling the truth about our lives ... a family value we can live with. ~ -· Please give generously to the most effective campaign our community will ever wage. NATIONA!::COMING OUT DAY• OCT0BER11 PO Box 8270, SANTA FE, NM 87504-8270 50~982•2558 Your contnbutlon is. tax-deductibl@ [lg; Second Stone-July/August, 1993 Chicago, co-founder and president of Image Plus, a support organization targeting African-American gay and lesbian youth, and HOPE Project, an AIDS education program; Pat Norman, San Francisco, executive dir-· ector of the California AIDS Intervention Training Center; Suzanne Pharr, Little Rock, a community action strategi_st who has spent most of the last year working against the Religious Right's anti-gay legislation in Oregon, where the legislation was defeated; and, sharing a prize, Edward Sedarbaum, Queens, New York, founder of Queens Gays and Lesbians United, who leads programs to sensitize police about the gay and lesbian community; and his companion, Howard Cruse, pioneering gay and underground cartoonist. The Anderson Prize Foundation is funded by the estate of the late Paul A. Anderson. New church group planted in New Zealand t.FOR THE PAST 18 months, two dedicated women have regularly journeyed 80 miles each way to attend MCC services in Auckland . Lyn Hare and Iris Saggers felt it was time to bring MCC ministry closer to home, in Hamilton, New Zealand. Following much prayer and dis- . cussion with the Coordinator of UFMCC Church Extension, it was decided to open a Mission Outreach For your convenience you may now FAX: EDITORIAL •letters to the Editor •Newscllps •Calendar items SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES •New subscriptions •Renewals •Gift subscriptions •Address changes ADVERTISING •Classified ads •Insertion orders or space reservations (504)891-7555 in the community. 'The group · wanted to be clear in its focus for 1993, which was to meet the needs of existing MCCers in Waikato ·as well as those who had previously expressed an interest in MCC but found Auckland too far to travel," said the Rev. Elder Willem Hein who attended the first service. 'There was a clear feeling that, in order to have the shelter of an MCC tree in Waikato, the roots had to be there first." Sacramento churchelps Russia rebuild t.RIVER CITY METROPOLI'f AN Community Church of Sacramento, Calif., will be a model in the rebuilding of Russia's churches. After the communist take-over of Russia in 1917, about half of the cl1Urches, over 800, were destroyed . The remai_ning cl1Urclies were used as storage warehouses. During Boris Yeltsin 's s4mmit with President Clinton, one of the government officials in Yeltsin's contingent, Mark Klimenko, who ·is also the priest of the Russian Orthodox · Church of St. Fillip of Moscow, came to Sacramento to visit with Rev. Ed Sherri££, associate pastor of River City MCC and executive director of Samaritan Center, which provides food for the homeless; Sherri££ plans to go to Moscow to further train and help organize feeding programs in the churches there. Center focuses on holistic health t.SUNSHINE CATHEDRAL MCC, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., marked the opening of its Sμnshine Center in April. This extension office is dedicated to fostering holistic health and human development. Joy MCC celebrates anniversary .tiJOY MCC OF Orlando, Fla ., celebrated its 14th anniversary this spring. It is the largest gay and lesbian congregation in Central Florida. .Rev. Jimmy Brock is pastor of the church, located at 2351 S. Fem Creek Road. Samaritan College moves to Dallas t.SAMARIT AN COLLEGE, the educa- Bulk Copies Available • • • • • • • • • • • • • OF THIS ISSUE OF SECOND STONE For church/group distflbution. conferences. bar ministry, etc . 10 copies - $13.50 • 25 copies - $29.50 • 50 copies - $45 00 100 copies · $67 .50 includes postage and handling Limited quantity of back issues available FREE; add $5.00 postage tor every 50 copies Send.your pre-paid order to Second Stone, P.O. Box 8340. New Orleans, LA 70182 tional institution of the UFMCC, has moved its administrative office from Los Angeles to Dallas. 'The college's burst of growth and the need now to hire and train a new registrar require a centralized office," said Rev. Sandra Robinson, Samaritan president . The new particulars: P.O . Box 688, Lewisville, TX 75067, 250 N. Mill St., #6, 75057, (214)221-7749, FAX (214) 221-7345. Gay life on Fire Island subject of exhibit t."OVT ON THE ISLAND: Sixty Years of Lesbian and Gay Life on Fire . Island," ari exhibit of photographs, books, brochures, banners and costumes, will be the featured exhibit, through September 12, of the National Museum and Archive of Lesbian and Gay History at the Lesbian and Gay Community Services Center of New York. The exhibit, produced by Steven J. Cohen and curated by Esther Newton and Steve Weinstein, describes the history of gay and lesbian life primarily in the communities of Cherry Grove and the Pines. The museum is located at 208 West 13th St., New York, (212)620-7310. New LC chapter for San Jose t.LUTHERANS CONCERNED has a new chapter in the San Jose area. The group bases itself at Christ the Good Shepherd Lutheran at 1550 Meridian Avenue in San lose. They have a monthly get-~ogether on the third Sunday, meeting in the foyer of the church after services, about 12:30 p.m . Lutherans Concerned/San Jose is a very cohesive group of Lutherans and others, bonded together by faith and a need for a social outlet. There is a good balance between gay men and Lesbians, and everyone is very welcoming. For information call Dave at (408)978-3176 or Sue at (408)226-3499 or write to LC/SJ at 1153 Husted Ave., San Jose, CA 95125. Center Kids receives award <lCENTER KIDS, the family project of the Lesbian and Gay Community Services Center, New York, was presented with a 1993 Brooklyn Lambda Award from the Lambda Independent Democrats of Brooklyn. Center Kids, which provides educational, recreational, social and advocacy opportunities for lesbian and gay parents and their children, was cited in particular for its ongoing efforts on behalf of the Children of the Rainbow multicultural curriculum struggle in the public schools. Rev. Cherry to co-edit book t.WESTMINSTER/JOHN KNOX Press has approached Rev. Kittredge Cherry, editor of the UFMCC's Keeping in Touch, about co-editing a book of lesbian and gay worship services and celebrations with Rev. Zal Sherwood, a gay Episcopal priest and author. T Resource Guide .......................................................................... Listings in the Resource Guide are free to churches, organizations, publications and community services. Send information to Second Stone, Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 or FAX to (504)891-7555 . National EVANGELICALS CONCERNED, c/o Dr. Ralpi Blair, 311 East 72rd SI., New Yori<, NY 10021. (212)517-3171. Publicalions: Review and Record. CONFERENCE FOR CATHOLIC LESBIANS, P.O. Box 436 P~nelarium Stn., NeN Yor~ NY 10024. (607)432-9295. RELIGION WATCH, P.O. Box 652, North Bellrrore, NY 11710. A rur~:::i~~g~ff~"g' J~go;+~TM~~t~9~: 10461, Fort Dearborn S1al\on, Chicag>, IL 60610-0461. PLblication: The Concord PRESBYTERIANS FOR I.ESBIAN & GAY OONCERNS, P.O. Box 36, New Brunsv.ick, l>LJ 08903-0038. Putjica\ion: More Light ~~~SAL FELLOWSHIP OF METROPOLITAN OOMMUNITY · CHURCHES 5300 Sanla Monica Blvd, l304, Los Ang,les, CA ~:mme~~'Wi~~U\~\'.k\C:1'N AND GAY CONCERNS, Box 65724, Washirgon, DC 20035. PLblicalion: 8~i'f~~e CHURCH COALITION FOR LESBIAN I GAY CONCERNS, 18 N. College, Athens, OH 45701, (614) 593-7301. Publication: Waves SE\IENTH DAY ADVENTISTS KINSHIP INTERNATIONAL, Box 3840, Los Argeles, CA 90078, (213)876-2076. Publication: Connection RECONCILING CONGREGATION PROGRAM, P.O. Box 23636, Washington, DC 20026, (202)863-1586. Publicalion: Open Hands INTEGRITY, lt-C., P.O. Box 19561, Waslirgon, DC20036-0561, fcJ&J~g<'J_\';.f~gn~~i~~6 1i,°T:%, Villa Granoo, ~l~:f;gg3§i. Mi~~r~gl,t£~W~ia~~~e~~~'\1dh 865-0119. Ptblication: The Tablel U\.1NG STREAMS, P.O. Box 178, Concord, CA 94522-0178. ~:oiT!¥ioJLC~f~FAITH NET'MJRK, 300 I SI., NE, Ste. :tji::A'.'!f~~r~~- (600)266-9619, FAX (2l2)546-5100. NATIONAL CENTER FOR LESBIAN RIGHTS • 1663 Mission St, 5th Fir., San Francisco, CA94103. GAY AND LESBIAN PARENT COALITION, P.O. Box 50360, mt~~ti~ r~:i!'t:f~~i.":=~ Church PLblishing Co., 1249 Washingon Blvd, Ste. 3115, Detrott, Ml 48226-1868. (313)962-a;s() INTERNATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN ARCHIVES, The Natalie Barney EdNard Carpenter Library, P.O. Box 38100, Hollywood, CA 90038. (21.3)854-0271. Ptblication: Bul~tin. COUPLES Newsletter, PLblished 'r1f TWr Press, Inc., P.O. Box 253, B<airlree, MA 02184-0003. WOODSWOMEN - Adventure travel. for women, 25 W. Diamond Lake Rd., Minneapolis, MN 55419, (600)279-0555, (612)822-3800, FAX(612)822-3814. DAUGHTERS OF SARAH - The magazine for Christian Femi~s\s, 3801 No. Keeler, Chicag,, IL60641, (312)736-3399. CHI Rfl:l PRESS· A special work ol the UFMCC Mid-Atlanllc District. Publisher of religious books ard materials. P.O. Box b~~S"~~t-rf8NMafmr1Wf 1 1lft 1 :0iog.,e and SU rt g-oup tor rJIY ard \esi:,;an Catholiclergy and religous. ~. Box 60125, Chica(!), IL 60660-0125. Ptblicalion: Communication · WOME1'/S ALLIANCE FOR THEOLOGY, ETHICS AND RITUAL, ~~1s1i~l~'. ~:it~~'.~A~fR:!r (301)589-2509, FAX INTERNATIONAL FREE CATfl:ll\C OOMMUNION, P.O. Box 51158, Riverside, CA 9251.7-2158 (909)781-7391 PLblication: The Free Catholic Communicant INDEPENDENT CHURCH OF RELIGIOUS SCIENCE, 4i02 East 7\h St., 11209, Long Beach, CA 908()4. (310)433-0384: . UNITED LESBIAN AND GAY CHRISTIAN SCIENTISTS'· Box 2171, 256 So. Robertson Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90213. (818)78:>0827. AFFIRMATION: Gay & Lesbian Mormons, P.O. Box 46022, Los Arq:,les, CA 00046. (213)255-7251. . AFFIRMATION/United Melhodsls lor Gay & Lesbian Concerns, P.O. Box 11J2Z Evansto~ IL60204. ST. TABITHA'S AIDS Af'OSTOLA TE, Chri~ian AIDS Network o1 the Merican Orthooox Catholic Church ol SI. Greg,rios, P.O. ~~ 1 $2M~WJ~~~~ft1::.::~t1e Roe~ AR 72206. (501)372-5113. \\brf<shops on women's issues, social justice, racism and homophobia. EMERGENCE International: A Community of Christian Scienlists Sll'l)Orting Lesbians and Gay Men. P.O. Box 9161, San Rafael, CA 94912-9161. (415)485-1881. PLblica1ion: Emergal GAYELLOWPAGES-P.O. Box 292, VillagaStn., New Yori<, NY 10014. (212)674-0120. WOMEN'S ORDINA T\ON CONFERENCE, P.O. Box 2693, Fairtax, VA22031-0693. (700)352-1006. GAY, LESBIAN AND AFFIRMING DISCIPLES ALLIANCE, P.O. ~xml!~o:'1h~na~~i~ti~~ 4 g~~~i~ti;~~~~ 2 6F6~,i~ij'. Publication: Crossbeams. NEW DIRECTION Maf]lzine tor gayAesbian Mormons, 6520 Selma Ave., Ste. RS-440, Los Angeles, CA 90028. rs~)4~~e; Box 83912, Los Angeles, CA 90083-0912. NEW WAYS Mli'iSTRY, 4012 29th St., Ml. Rainier, MD 20712, ~~:~7-56[~.J'Y~:'ttna=.i~~:~ ~,~~g !he toNE~ Sex.Chem tptist AclJocates for Eq.Jal Ri~s . P.O. Box 7331, Lotmil~. KY 40257. (502)893-0783. . FEDERATION OF PARENTS AND FRIENDS OF LESBIANS AND GAYS, INC. P.O. Box 27605, Wlshingon, DC20038. Send $3.00 tor packet of information. . NATIONAL GAY PENTECOSTAL ALLIANCE (also Pentecostal Bible Institute (Ministerial training]) P.O. Box 1391, Schenectacli, NY 12301-1391. (518)372-6001. PLblicalion: The Apostolic Voice. DIGNITY/USA, 1500 Massachusel\s Ave., NW,. Ste. 11, Washington, DC 20005. (800)877-8797. Gay and lesbian Catholics and their friend,. MORE LIGHT CHURCHES l'ET\\ORK, 600 W. F~lerton Pkv,y., ~~lifc~ici~ 6:)to;/· di~~l:-~tii,~~e~iket, $t 2 . Alabama BIRMINGHAM • THE ALABAMA FORUM, P.O. Box 55894, 35255-589.\ (2ai)328-9'228. Anzona TUCSON - Cornerstooe Fellow.,t,;p, 2902 N. Geronimo, 85705. (602)622-4626. Rada Schatt, Paslor. MESA • Bourdless Love Community Church, 431 S. Stapley Dr., 8520<!. (602)439-0224. P.J. Fousek-Greg,n, pastor. SU. -Jay, 1000am TUCSON - Casa De La Paloma Apomolic Church, 1122 N. Jones Blvd, P.O. Box 14003, 65732-4003. (602)323-6855. Rev. Margaret 'Sanclf Lev.is, pastor. California SAN LUIS OBISPO· MCC of the Central Coast, P.O. Box 1117, G'°""rCity, 93483-1117, (805)481-9376. SUnday, 10:30a.m. Rev. Rancl; A. Lester, Pastor. SACRAMENTO • Koinonia Christian Fellowship, P.O. Box' 189444, 95818. (916)452-5736. Tom Rossi, Pastor. SACRAMENTO· THE LA TEST ISSLE, P.O. Box 160584, 95816. (916)737-toaa ~~k~~~~i~E\ii~~f.li~:s,T~[::X,~~~A 1foo~t. (213)656-8570. Pujication: ET Ne-m SAN FRANCISCO • Lutherans Concerned, 566 Vallejo St., 125, 94133-4033, (415)956-2009. PLblication: Adienl SAN FRANCISCO • Gay and Lesbian Historical Society of Northern Calttornia, P.O. Box 42126, 94142. (415)626-0980. Plblicalion: Our Stories. · SAN FRANCISCO • The Parsonag,, 555-A Cas\ro SI., 94114-0293. PLblicalion: The Parsonag, News OONOORD • Free Catholic Aposlolate of the Redeemer, 1440 Detroit Ave, 13, 94520. (510)798-5281. · SAN FRANCISCO • DIGNITY,. 208 Dolores SI., , 94103. (415)255-9244. Pujicalion: Brid;les. GLENDALE· Divine Redeemer MCC, 346 Riverdale Dr., 91204. Surday, 10:45 a.m., Wed, Fri., 7:30 p.m. Rev. Stan Harris, pastor. Publication: From Mary's Shnne. APPLE VALLEY· Lidlt of the Desel1 Church, loo., P.O. Box 247, 92307. (619)247-2572. Surday, 6:30 p.m. Non-denominational Christian church. SAN JOSE; Hosanna Church o1 Praise, 24 No. 5th SI., 95112. Publication: ·ee1ebrating His Life; Sharing His Love OAKLAND • Free Catholic Apostotate of !he Redeemer, 3849 MB)tlelle Ave., 8, 94619 (510)53o-7055 RIVERSIDE-Community of Chris! the Life Giver, P.O. Box 51158, 92517 (9:8)781-7391 BLYTHE - Gods Garden Groll1h Center, 283 N. Solano (619)922-0947. Bro. Michael W. Tucker, pastor . . SAN JOSE • Firs1 Christian Church, 60 South 5th St., 95112. (408)294-2944. Richard K Miller, minister. OOSTA MESA • Evargelicals Coooerned South Coast, P:O. Box 4308, 92628-4308 (714)222-4933. Bible slucli, fellowship meetings, prayer groups, social activities. OAKLAND - Catholic Diocese of Oa~and, Outreach to Gay ard Lesbian Communities and Their Families. Rev. Jim Schexnayder, (510)834-5657, ext. 3114. Colorado DEN\.1:R - Evangelicals Reconciled, P.O. Box 200111, 60220 (303)331-2839. Coloraoo ~ings: (719)488-3158. OENVER • Evangelicals Concerned / Weslem Aegon, P.O. Box 4750, 80204. l'tblication: TI-ECable. Connecticut HARTFORD-MCC, P.O. Box 514;0&l16, (203)724-4605. Sllldly, 7:00 p.m. The Meeling House, 50 Bloomfield Ave. District of Columbia lnte11ity/Washing1on, Inc., P.O. Box 19561, 20036-0561. (301 )953-9421_. PLblication: Gay,pring. ALEXANDRIA, VA. - St. Cynl's Eastern Ctrislian Fellowship, · 6036 Richrrord lt.w., #301, 22303, (703)329-7896. A Byzanline Christian communfy. . WASHINGTON • MCC/DC, 474 Ridge. St., NW, 20001 (202)638-7373. Rev. Larry J. Uhrig, pastor. \\ltness Praise Minis1nes Musical Evangehs1ic T earn, Dale Ja"ett, Director. Florrda CLEARWATER • Free Catholic Churcli of the Resu"eclion, 303 N. M,rtleAw., 34615. (813)442-3867. WEST PALM BEACH • MCC, 3500 45th St., #2A, 33409. (407)687-3943. Sunday, 9:15 & 11 :00 a.m. Services also in Ft. P~rte, (40nll87-3943 arxl f't. St. Lucie, (407)340-0421. FORT MYERS • St. John the Aposlle MCC, 2209 Unity al the comer of Broad.vay. (813)278-5181. Surday, 10:00 a.m., 7:00 .· p.m. Rev. James Lynch. ST. PETERSBUlG • King of Peace MCC, 3150 5th Ave., N. 33713 (813)323-5857. SUooay, 10 a.m. & 7~p .m Rev. Dr. Fred C. WIiiams, Sr., pas1or. CLEARWATER • Free Catholic Church ol the Resurrection, P.O. Box 3454, 34615 (813)442-3867 JACKSONVILLE • SI. Luke's MCC, 126 Easl 71h St., 32206 (904)358-67 47. Stm!y, 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 7 p.m. Rev. Frankye A. White, pastor. Georgia ATLANTA • SOUTHERN VOICE, P.O. Box 18215, 30316. («>4)876-1819. ATLANTA· All Saints Metropolitan Community Churcl\ P.O. Box 13968, 30324 («>4)622-1154 Hawaii ~~LUI • BOTH SIDES NOW Newsletter, P.O. Box 5042, lltrnois CHICAGO • OUTLINES, Published 'r1f Lambda Pibticalions, 3058 N. Solirport, 60657. (312)871-7610. FAX (312)871•7!00. Louisiana BATON AOLGE-Q;qiy, P.0. lla(4181, 70821. (504)383-0010. NEW ORLEANS - Jusf For The ~cord, gay~esllian callle TV. Box 3768, 70177. NEW ORLEANS· V,euxCarre MCC, 1126 St. Roel\ 70117-nt6. (504)945-5390. SUnday, 10:00 a.m. Shelley Harr,lton, Pastor. Maryland Ti-£ BALTIMORE ALTERNATIVE, P.O. Box 2351, Baltimore, MD 212l3. (301)235J401. FAX(301)889-5665. . Massachusetts . CHERRY VALLEY • Morning Star MCC, 231 Main St., 01611. (508) 892-4320. PLblicalioo: Morning Star \\ltness. SHREWSBURY • .Ai)os1ol~ Church in Christ, P.O. Box 4258 TlJOll<ke Sn, 01545 (508)752-0453. Rev. Mark Oe6rizzi, pastor.' Mrchrgan g~~\oof UISE Magazine, 19136 'Mlo<l.vard North, 48203. FUNT· Redeemer MCC, 1665 N. Chevrolet Ave., 48504-3164. (313)238-6700. Sunday, 6:00 p.m. Rev. Linda J. Stoner, Pastor. Pub11calion: Sounds ol Redeemer. A""" ARBOR • Huron Valley Community Cl'lJrch meets al Glacier Way UMC, 1001 Green Rd; Am Albor, 48105-2896. ~1741-1174. Smy, 200_p.m. FIOIT • lrl"flly, 960 \\111more, #205, 48:ll3. GRAND RAPIDS· Bethel Chri~ian Asserrbty, 920 Cheoy SE, P.O. Box 6935, 49516. (616)459-8262 Rev. Bruce Roller-Pletcher, pastor. Ptblication: Bethel Bea co~ Television: Cha Mel 23, SUn, 10:00 p.m EAST LANSING/ Lansing - Ecclesia. Affirming cht.rch meets at People's CtxJrch, 200 W. Grand River. Sunday, 8:15 p.m. ANN ARBOR • Tree of Life MCC, mee\s at First Cong-egalional Church, 218 N. _Adams, Ypsilanti. P.O. Box 2598, 48106. (313)665-6163. &rd,y, 6:00p.m. DETR-◊IT - Men of Color Motivational Group meets Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. at St. Matlhew's and St. Joseph's Episcopal Chu-ch, 8850 \l\bcx!Nard (313)871-4750. Minnesota MINl'EAPOUS • WJAL TIME, 310 £ 36th St., Acom 207, 55409. (612) 823-3836. Ptblished 'r1f Laverdar, Inc. MINNEAPOLIS • All Goas Children Metropolitan Community Church, 3100 Par!< Ave. S. (612)824-2673. Publication: The Disciple. Mississippi JACKSON • St. Stephen's Untted Commun~ Church, 4872 N. T:6eK~oi~J'a;:~rJ~!~ 7 {.~io~~e.'~ 71g~, 7737, 39264-7737, (001)373-8610. - JACKSON· Phoenix Coarnion, Inc., P.O. Box 7737, 39284-7737. Counse6ng services. (601)373-861!1'(001)939-7181. New Jersey fl:JBOKEN • The Oasis, 707 Washingon St., P.O. Box 5149, 071m. (201) m-0340. . . New Mexico SANTA FE· THE GATSBY OONNECTION, 551 w. Coroova, Sta D1:, 87501. (&l5)986-1794. New York NEW YORK - Lesaan and Gay Commuruty Services Center, Inc., 208 W. 13th St., 10011. (212)620-7310. Plij icalions: Center ~~yg~~~rl~~. PO Box 5202, 10185-0043. PLblication: Oullcok. ROCHESTER • THE EMPTY CLOSET, 179 Atlanlic Ave., 11W~V:5eo~~: ~~t"'~~~i\%,~~x Church, P.O. Box 9073, 12209. (518)346-0207. Father Herman,.CSJn, Guardian. PLblication: Melaooia. NEW YORK· AXIOS, Eastern ard Orthooox Chnslians, P.O. Box 756, Village Sin., 10014. Second Fnday, 8:00 p.m., Community Center, 208 West 13th St. · SCHENECTADY • Lighthouse Apostolic Church, 38 Columbia St., P.O. Box 1391, 12301-1391. (518)372-6001. ~v. \\llliam Ii. Carey, pastor. LONG ISLANDiNEW YORK • lrlernationa\ Free Catholic ChurctvGood Shepherd Church, P.O. Box 436, Cerlral Islip, 11722, (516)723-0048. Rev,. Ms!,<. Rooert J. Almen, pastor. North Carolina \\ILMINGTON • St. Jude's MCC, 507 Castle St. Sunday, 6 p.m & 7 p.m Wed g0\4). Kathi Beall and BU<tlj V8$, mirns1ers. WLMII\GTON • GROW Community Service Corporation, P.O. Box 4535, _28406. (919)675-9222. Yollh CXJ1reach: AllvE for '1'/, lest,;an, asexual youth. RALEIGH • Raleigh ·Religous Ne\v,ork tor Gay and Lesaan EQ.Jainy, P.O. llo<5961, 27®5961. (919)781-2525. WNSTON-SALEM • Pieanont Religous Network for Gay and Lman Eq.Jatily, P.O. 13()( 15104, 27113-0104. (919)766-9:llt. Ohio DAYTON• Communily Gospel Church, P.O. Box.1634, 45401 (513)252-8855. Pentecostal, charismatic meels Sunday, 10:00 a.m. 546 Xenia Ave. Samuel Kader, Pastor. COLUMBUS - Metropolitan Clommuntty Church; 1253 North High Street, 43201. (614)294-3026. Sunday, 10:30 a.m. Plillication: The Beacon News. COLUMBUS· STONEWALL UNION REPORTS, Box 10814, ®1-7814. (614)299-7764. Oklahoma OKLAHOMA CITY· Holy Trinity Ecumenical Catholic Church, 2328 N. MacArthur, P.O. Box 25425, 73125, (405)942-2604. Fr. Marty Martin, pas1or. Oregon PORTI.Al'-1:>° - American Friends Service Committee Gay and Lesbian Progam, 2249 E. Bu~de, 97214, (503)230-9427. Comet Da~ Pennsylvania ALLENTOW>l - Grace Covenant Fellowship, 247 N. 10fh SI., 18102. (215)740-0247. Bryon Rowe, Pastor. Thom Ritter, Minisler o( 1,!_usi~. • Tennessee NASHVILLE··. Daysplirg Fellowship, 120-8 So. 11th SI., Box 68073, 37206. (615)227-1448. Ptblioalkln:Son Shine. NASH\.1LLE • fntegity of Micde Tennessee, Inc., P.O. Box • 121172 37212-1172 (615)383-m. NrlY.slaler. Texas DAilAS • 'Mile Rock Convm.ritv.Ch1>ch, P.O. Box 180063, 75218. (214)285-2B31, (214)327-9157. Sooday, 10:30 a.m. Jeny ~ Pastor. DAllAS,-trl<l!litv, P.O. Box 190351, 75219-0351. (214)52o-0012 f'lbfrcatoo: P1liia. AUSTIN - Joan Wakeford Minis\ries, Inc., 9401-B Grouse Meacl,,y ln., 78758-6348, (512)835-7354. DALLAS - Silenl Harvest Ministries, P.O. Box 190511, 7521~11. (~sa,es55 . . . . . • . . . . • MIDLAMJ • Holy Trinity Community Church, 1607 S. Main, 79701. ·(915)570-4822. -Rev.-Glenn E. Hammet\, Pastor. b~~~~:~~~J~b~ornmuni Church, 4402 Roseland, 752Q4. (214)627-so1s. Rev. Wrederick Wright, Pastor. Puaicatioo: The Chariot HOUSTON • Community Gospel Church, 501 E. 18\h at Colurmia. (713)880-9235. Sunday, 11:00 a.rn. Chns C~les, Pa~or. fl:JUSTON • Houston Mission Church, 1633 Marshall, 77006. ~~\6~~ aM"t~M;,!~~t~~~~i ~a~~~alur, 77007. (713)861·9149. Rev. John Gill, Pastor. Pujication: The Good News m~~?i"~~~~t~ IH, PO Box 66821. 77266. HOUSTON • Kingdom Communtty Church, 614 E. 19th St., 77008. (713)862-7533 (713)748-6251. Si.rd!y, 1100 am. LUBBOCK • Lesbian/Gay Alliance, Inc., P.O. Box 64746, 79464-4746. (806)791-4499. PLblicalioo: La_rrbda Times. Vermont ESSEX JCT· Resurrection Apostol~ Minis1ries, P.O. Box 162, 05452. Sr. Michelle M. Thomas, pastor. ROANOKE· MCC of the Blue Ricge, P.O. Box 20495, 24018, (703)366-0839. PLblicalion: The Blue Ricl:le Banner ROANOKE - BLUE RIDGE LAMBDA PRESS, P.O. Box 237, 2«:02,(703)800-3184 FALLS CHURCH • MCC ol Northern Virginia, 7245 Lee Hig,way, 22046. FALLS CHURCH - Affirmalion Gay & Lesaan Mormons, P.O. Box 19334, 22320-9334, (2l2)828-:ml FALLS CHURCH • Telos Ministries, P.O. Box 3390, 22043. (700)560-2680. Baptist g-oup. Washmgton ~i'.&'7 f~y NEv\S, 704 E. Pike, 98122. (206)324-4297. FAX SEATTLE • Grace Gospel Chapel, 2052 tffl 64th St., 98107 . (206)784-8495. Surdey, 11 :00 am. & 7:00 p.m., Weci1esday, 7:30 p.m. Jeoy Lachina, Pastor. RICHLAND· Shalom Ut::C, 505 McMurray, 99352 (509)943-3927. ()pen ard affirming cong-ef]ltion. TACOMA - Hillside Community Church, 2508 South 391h SI. !IOOl.(a'.16)475-2388. ' West V1rg1ma MORGANTOl'.N • Freedom Fe\~ Cllllch, P.O. Box 1552, 26&J5 (304)292-7784. Jarice Mam, Y<l!ShipCOOfd International LONDON • Lesbian and Gay Chr~lian Movement, Oxford CHARLOTTE - Metroina Sv.itcltoard, (704)535-6277. P.O. Box Hoose, Derl7ys!ire St., Lonoon E2 61-G, U<, 071-739-1249. 11144,1!122). Second Stone-July/August, 1993 ijjjl = Classifieds ................................................ . ............... ........ Books & Publications "WONDERFUL DIVERSITY," "Heartily rec o mmended,,.- 11Ph'ilosophically intr i guing, 11 "Excellent." Why do reviewers hghly esteem CHRISTIAN*NEW AGE QUARTERLY? Great articles and lively columns make this bridge of dialogue bet ween Christians and New Agers as entertaining as it is substantive. Subscribe for only $12.50/yr. Or sample us for $3.50. CHRISTIAN*NEW AGEQUARTERLY, P.O. Box 276, Clifton, NJ 07011-0276. TF CHI RHO PRESS. Send· for your copy of The Bible and Homosexuality by Rev . Michael England for $5.95 or I'm Still Dancing by long-term AIDS survivor Rev . Steve Pieters for $8.95 and receive a free . catalog from Chi Rho Press, an MCC-based publishing house for the Gay/Lesbian Christian community. Or receive our catalog by sending $1.00. P.O. Box 7864-A, Gaithersburg, MD 20898. GAY USED BOOKS wanted. Please share your read books. Thanks. Tom, 1116 Marble NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102. Employment PASTOR WANTED - Small flock seeks pastor, leader, preacher. We are Bible-based, Christ-cent ered, and believe lhe Christian walk must not be compromised. Letter and resume to: Freedom in Christ EvangelicaJ Church, Box 14462, San Francisco , CA 94114. 12/93 PASTOR NEEDED for evangellcal Christian congregation primarily of African American gay men and lesbians. Ideal candidate has · minimum thre e years pastor or associate pa stor exp erience. a B.A., preferably in religious studies or from seminary, and experience in lesbian/gay/bisexual/transsexual ministry. Send resume, co ver Jetter, references to Faith Temple, P.O. Box 28494, · Washington, DC 20038-8494. 12193 REMEMBER THAT MARDI GRAS visii lhat made you .want lo stay? S_econd Stone seeks Editorial As sistant with good interviewing and writing skills to work with us here in Ne w Orleans. 5-JO. hours per week means you can attend school or work full lime in the Big Easy. Salary/housing deal. A strong Commitment to Second Stone and the readership we serve is essential. For information write to ~econd Stone , P .. O. Box 8340 , New Orleans, LA 70182. Available 10-1-93. Friends/Relationships CHRISTIAN GWM, 42, would like to correspond ("pen pal, • as ii were) with Christian gay and lesbian contemporaries (40 to 55). James R. Bates, 28E. 16 St., #301, Indianapolis, IN 46202 2/94 · GAY PEN PALS sought by gay Christian white male, 5)8", 180 lbs., into rail travel, correspondence, gardening, etc . No inrpates , bi's or sympathizers, just Gays of any age. Write to WHB, Box 251 , Wilmington, DE I 9899-025 I. I 2/93 GWM, 42, 6 ft. , 150-lbs., good lo oking , intelligent , into camping, massages, pillow fights, basic wrestling, history and other good things. Looking to start a relationship with a strai g ht appearing guy , in shape physically, 19 -38, 5'7 " to 6'8" , 130 - 195 lbs. and AIDS free. You musl be willing lo move to Southeast Kansas to live and work. The righl guy will be rewarded. Interested? If 12ft] Second Stone-July/August, 1993 ------------------7 Classified Order Form Please place my ad in these I issues: [] Jan/Feb [] Mar/Apr l I [ l May/Jun [ l Jul/Aug I : FOR ONLY Name_________ []Sept/Oct []Nov/Dec I I Address __________ _ 1 35¢ per word, city/st.,zip_______ cLASsIFicAnoNs l \ your classified ad will l l Books & Publications l I reach readers from AD COPY_________ [ J Business Opportunities I : Sitka, Alaska to [ ] Employment l 1 . Amherst, Maine and [ J Friends/Relationships 1 } everywhere in between. ------------------------------ [ J General Interest 1 1 I B · I ------------ - ------ []Mail · Order I usmess or persona . .. [ l Merchandise l I try a classified ad in __ words X .35= $______ [ l Organizations I 1 1 our next edition! [ J Pro"ess1·onal Sel'Vl·ces 1 1 20 word minimum. All classifieds 11 1 Mail To: must be pre-paid. Deadline one month ( J Real Estate I l Second Stone prior to cover date . We will mail you a [ J Retreats l I copy of the edition(s) in which your ad [ l Roommates I I Box 8340 [ ]Travel I I New Orleans, LA 70182 appears 1 '-------------------------------------------------------------' you'ye been looking for jusl lhe right guy lo meet and start a solid, hones! relationship with then send your photo along wilh a lelter about yourself lo Gary Rine, 508 South Ninth, Independence, KS 67301-4207 12/93 General Interest IF YOU HA VE READ "The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ" by Levi, I am interes ted .. in corresponding and discussing. W. Courson, P.O. Box 1974,-Bloomfield, NJ 07003. MESSIAH COLLEGE ALUMNI (Grantham, PA) are you interested in forming a lesbian/ gay alumni group? If so please call Susan Bailey, 703-820-0483; Julia Lowery, 717- 697-8347 . 8/93 . Videos "MAYBE WE'RE TALKING About a Different God" A half-hour video documentary on Rev. Jane Spahr, and her call lo the Downtown Church in Rochester, p rotested and brought lo trial. Shows how confusion and fear can be transformed into understanding and compassion. VHS tape · and discussion guide . Send $32.35 10 Leonardo's Children, Inc. , 26 Newpo\l Bridge Rd., Warwick. NY 10990. 12/93 BOOKS, FromPagelS opportunity for criticism. Some of the criticism I still can't accept, out the essays did make me question al least a couple of points . I had already long since questioned almost all of my . socialization process anyway, and now I'll question a p9inl or two more. Still, it was a bit tiring to feel demonized quite so often as some of the contributors to the anthology felt inclined to do . It was almost as if the overall attitude was, "Of course, there are a few good white gay males out there. I'm not prejudiced, you know." This was particularly the case with Marilyn Frye's essay and seems an odd attitude in a collection that is supposed to promote coalition build- • ing rather than alienation. 1 feel that I am basically open minded and reasonably sensitive to other forms of oppression, being anxious rather than simply willing to ensure I don't contribute to anyone else's oppression. If I can feel alienated by some of these essays, it seems a fair assumption that others will as well. Another related p roblem is that several of the authors assume that if we feel sexism and racism is wrong, we must automatically feel that all violence is always wrong, or that we should all agree to be vegetarians, or that we must all agree that all pornography is always wrong. If we don't agree, the implication is tha t we are one of those terr ible, mean, disgusting "others" out th ere . Heterosexuals are criticized for ".othering" Lesbians and Gays, but sometimes readers who don't agree with the long agenda here are also "othered." However, the majority of the essays in the collectiori work to help rather than hurt. When Gloria Anzaldua complains of how while people ask her as a Hispanic woman how she can justify Cesar Chavez 's politics, she turns the tables and asks how a white woman would feel if she were held responsible for all or any of Ronald Reagan's acts (361). This kind of writing helps open the eyes rather than resort to criticism, and mo st of the essays do us.e this strategy . The few diatribes in the collection, however, show just how difficult overcoming the differences among various oppressed groups will be in order to work together, a difficulty which shows clearly just how much a book that attempts to overcome those barriers is needed, and why weought Ii:> take the trouble to read it. ARE YOU MOVING? The Post Office will not forward The Second Stone. You must notify us for uninterrupted service if you move. Please notify us four weeks in advance for un int errupted deliver y . Send both Old and new addres ses . If poss ible atta c h ma iling label in space provided . PRINT NEW ADORESS *" J: ~ ! m (b Send compl eted fo r m to: THE SECOND STONE Box8340 New Orleans, LA 70182 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 Second Stone #29 - July/Aug 1993 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/c40833f2c8039c23545744fb3e9104db.pdf 50e5d60710312565f582bfe2c95543fb 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 Second Stone Description An account of the resource Issues of the Second Stone publication. Issue An issue of a recurring publication. Issue Number The number of the issue (within a volume) 30 Publication Year The year the issue was published 1993 Publication Date The date the issue was published Sept/Oct 1993 Text Any textual data included in the document AMERICA'S GAY & LESBIAN CHRISTIAN NEWSJOURNAL · •· ., ;.. "We need to become more assertive and active. {We are now] a community of prophets across the country; we need to become a prophetic community ... " -Author Robert Goss AN INTERVIEW WITH ROBERT GOSS, AUTHOR OF JESUS ACTED UP: . A GAY A_ND LESBIAN MANIFESTO Jesus as a political activist BY ANDRE A L. T. PETERSON ''Jsus did act up," argues former Jesuit priest Robert Goss , not only in his new book entitled Jesus Acted Up: A Gay ' and Lesbian Manifesto, but in pers on as well. "God's reign ," he continues, "is absolutely political." In fact, Goss maintains, what SEE COVER STORY, Page 10 BULK RATE U.S. POST AGE PA ID NEW ORLEANS, LA PERMITNo. 511 : ., SUBSCRIBE NOW - ONE YEAR ONLY $15.00!• BOX 8340 • NEW ORLEANS, LA 70182 FrotmhEe ditor Summer's conferences were a streetcar ride away By Jim Bailey £ very summer I look forward to making a conference trip or two with a bundle of copies of Second Stone clutched under my arm. For business purposes, I'm there eagerly anticipating meeting that potential reader and looking all about for possible story ideas. But beyond that, and more importantly, conferences provide the opportm1ity to meet fellow pilgrims and share a few moments of inspiration and encouragement, I have very fond memories of the first conference I attended to represent Second Stone; the UFMCC's 1989 General Conference in St. Paul. We had not printed too many editions of Second Stone al that time and the wonderful response received from the MCCers gave us great encouragement and made us feel like there was indeed a future for the publication. And just last week I received a note from a woman I remember meeting at that conference. She had recently had a letter to the editor published in a Minnesota newspaper and she was kind enough to send me .a clipping. I started watching Second Stone's calendar last spring for some new conferences to attend this summer. I had not been to a Dignity/ USA or P-FLAG convention, so those looked promising, and I thought the AIDS National Interfaith Network conference would be a good opportunity. (And so much for that trip out of town - they were all going to be held in New Orleans, which is a break, I suppose, during this financially tight summer. Still, riding the streetcar downtown didn't seem quite as grand as ... oh, well ... ) I met Robert Goss at the Dignity/ USA convention. His new book, Jesus Acted Up:A Gay and LesbianM anifesto,i s reviewed in this issue and he is interviewed as our cover story. He held a workshop at the convention and shared some thoughts on Jesus as a political activist. I think you'll find the interview and re':'iew interesting and, as always, I would like to have your feedback. The P-FLAG convention is just wrapped as we send this issue lo press. I was able to attend four workshops and came away with some good ideas for future issues. It was great to see Beverly Barbo again. Longtime subscribers will remember that she wrote a book, The WalkingV ,,:01mdeadb,o ut the AIDS death of her son. She conducted a workshop for others who have suffered such loss. There is a tremendous ammlnt of interest among members of P-FLAG in spiritual issues as well as religious right issues. Only at two UFMCC conventions have more copies of SecondS toneb een carried out by attendees. We have made it through another long summer. Publications supported by paid subscribers take a beating during these months when readers are engaged in summer activities and many subcriptions lapse. Between now and the end of May, SecondS tonew ill send out over 90,000s ubscription appeals to prospective . readers. Do you know any folks who should be on our mailing list? Just send us their names and addresses - five or 5,000. The "g" a1,d T' words do not appear on the outside of our mailings and, with the exception of periodic trades with Open-Hands, we keep our mailing list to ourselves. Thank you for your support! SECOND STONE Newsjoumal, ISSN No. 1047-3971, is published every other month by Bailey Commumcattons, P. 0. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182. Copyright 1993 by Second Stone. a registered trademark. SUBSCRIPTIONS, U.S.A. $15.00 per year, six issues. Foreign subscribers add $10.C)O for postage. All payments U.S. currency only. ADVERTISING, For display advertising infonnation call (504)899-4014 or write to P.O. Box 8340, New Orleans. LA 70182. · ~DITORIAL, send-letters. calendar announcements, noteworthy items to (Department title) Second Stone, P.O._ Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182. Manuscripts to be returned ~hould be acco~panied by a stamped. self addressed envelope. Second Stone ts otherwlse not responsible for the return of any material. SECOND STONE, an ecumenical Christian newsjournal for the national gay and lesbian community. · PUBLISHER/EDITOR: Jim Bailey CONTRIBUTORS FOR THIS ISSUE: Rev. Dr. Buddy Truluck, Gayla M. Worrell, Andrea L. T. Peters.on.Michael Blankenship, Brian McHugh, Rev. Richard B. Gilbert 127Sec ondS tone-Septemb/eOrctober,1 993 •-~ Contents .............. ................ r2·n From The Editor ~~J No fun conference trips this summer []] Commentary Brian McHugh on community at a pivotal moment [!J News Lines []__] Dr. Mel White joins Cathedral of Hope 1--1 ·110Co1ver Story Robert Goss on the political Jesus Project Tocsin report The California religious right has a far reach l·:1r3nG od remembersy our name The Biblical basis for the AIDS quilt On Video Network Q, Love Makes a Family, Belinda, and Rev. Jane Spahr's story In Print Wayne Muller's Legacy of the Heart reviewed by Rev. Richard Gilbert... and Robert Goss' Jesus Acted Up reviewed by Gayla Worrell Calendar i-- -~ 1181 Noteworthy -~ ~-, 1191 Resource Guide .Comment T ....................................... ,. ............................. The privilege of being at a moment of truth By Brian McHuqh Guest Comment I t is not often that we have the gift given to us to be alive at - a pivotal moment in history. And this is even truer for the history of theological thought, since theology has a reputation for dragging its heels in the whole area of openness. But we are I think al such a moment, ·even if the "moment" will be some time in unfolding and coming to its resolution. It has happened several times in the life of the church. New Testament limes was one of them. How exciting it must have b.een (for those who were aware of the significance of it) to see Christianity break the barrier of the Jewish world and the Gospel extended to the so-called Gentiles. I often wonder if even St. Paul grasped the breadth of what he was instigating! And there is Peter, in that wonderful sermon, saying almost with awe, that all who do good are acceptable to God. There was the moment at Nicea, when uniting "symbols" we forged. There was the moment when Martin Luther under~tood . that salvation could not be earned. And we are now on the beginning edge of righting an appalling injus tice and excising a cancer that has infected the Body of Christ for far too long and severely inhibited the effectiveness of the church's witness Hairdo heaven and credibility for countless millions of people. The fear and condemnation of homosexuality has taken on a proportion far beyond what the nature of homosexual orientation and scriptural reference can support. Homophobia is the scapegoat for the dark fear that human beings have of sexuality in general - a dark fear that has in my opinion been both scandalously ignored and wickedly fostered by the Christian church. It has occasionally been remarked that I talk about sexuality too much. I do so because I deeply believe that until we come to understand and integrate a healthy theology of sexuality, we shall remain driven by ignorance and fear, and not by the light that Christ sheds on the mystery of human nature, The arguments and counterarguments, the opinions and beliefs, the different theological perspectives, are far too complicated to discuss here. My purpose is rather more simple: to give a shout of rejoicing that something that has engendered . so much divisiveness, ignorance, hate and intolerance, might just finally"be coming into the light of God's Truth, there to be healed. Little signs that love is winning out, even . in the church, are hearteningly beginning to appear. A Vestry in New Jersey has called an openly gay man, with his partner, to be their ' Rector, 0simply because he wa<i the The fear and condemnation of homosexuality has taken on a proportion far beyond what the nature of homosexual orientation and scriptural reference can support. Homophobia is the scapegoat for the dark fear that human beings have of sexuality in general ... Getting to the root of 'big hair' and religion By Michael Blankenship Guest Comment What exactly is the connection between "big hair" and religion? I was watching one of those "Christian TV" channels the other night and I have to say it was one of the hairiest experiences I've had in a long time. Christian TV is neat. Where else could you get hours and hours of beautific buns and beehives, and a vast assortment of prayerful pompadours? It's like Cosmetology- World gone berserk! When you see these · walking furballs don't you wonder what mysterious devices make. these .coiffures seemingly levitate in mid:air? I guess only their hairdressers know for· sure . This television experience left me with a great number of questions . Like, where did Richard Roberts get lhat skunk stripe in his hair? And how do they get the rest of his hair jet black without affecting the stripe? Could it·be that Ernest Angsley we,irs a bad toupee, or is his scalp naturally that loose? And I always love .the reruns of the Happy Goodmans featuring the lovely and eternally voluptuous Vestal, looking for all the world like Marge Simpson. What exactly did she store in the gargantuan headgear? A picnic basket? Last week's laundry? Was it inflatable? Could bullets from a machine gun penetrate that helmet? Just how much stock did she own in Aqua 0 net? Did she need a neck brace on windy days? Of course, lo get lo the root of the matter we must first realize that this situatio;, is an outgrowth of St. Paul'; fuzzy thinking on the subject of hair. He tells us quite plainly that •·a woman's glory is her hair." I guess that means that we should never listen to Sfoead O'Conrior music again. She's certainly a woman · known for her honesty and superb talent, in addition to her billiard ball hairdo, but according to Paul she still has no glory. Paul speaks with authority about women's hair, as if he was the Vidal Sasson of Palestine. Perhaps Bishop Spong was correct in his assumption about Paul. But, Paul also speaks with equal intensity about self-restraint being a sp'ititual gift, and the only restraint exhibited by these fundamentalists is a taught hair net. Doesn't it make you wonder where in the world Paul came up with the strange, absurb notion-that somehow connected hair with spirituality? Could it be ... Samson? Samson's · glory was definitely in his Jong hair, that is until the devilish Delilah did the Curley Shuffle on his head. But Paul flatly rejects Samson's powerful tresses and creates his own rules for men's grooming. Paul has left men with the curious admonition that it is "against nature" for them to have long hair. What could possibly be unnatural about long hair on men? It's a good thing Paul never saw any of today's heavy metal bands, who without benefit of best person we saw to be our priest." And m our own Episcopal diocese, St. James' in North Providence called Alcide B~rnaby, an openly gay priest m the diocese, to be their Rector. What happened, of course, is that these people came to know people as people, saw what mattered, and were · • touched by that wonderful love of God and by the spirit of truth. That, at least, is how I see it. The going will be tough for us - the church, I mean. We will have to fight the demons within us, and we will have to endure everything from the fear to the hate of countless centuries of a theological perspective that we now know simply to have been wrong. But what resilience,'and what a credit to some Christians, that they are not afraid to acknowledge that we haven't always gotten everything right and can repent and move on! No church is anywhere near perfect. And there will be anger and anguish among us, never fear. But I for one am excited to be a Christian of the Episcopalian branch! We have come down so often, I think, on the side of the Gospel in all its glory. We seem to sense what is holding us in the bonds of sin and death, and battle our way through to the "glorious freedom of the saints in light." Hang on to your hats! But be glad t.o take .in a deep breath of the refreshing water of life! I look forward to the day when we don 't have to talk about sexual orientation . It will just be. wigs, have naturally long hair ... naturally ugly, too, but that's beside the point. And TV preachers have long hair too, only theirs is stacked like hay to enhance the size of. their heads. I really don't think Paul had any special spiritual or scientific knowledge that related hair to spirituality . · Paul himself says that his rules for dressing and hair care are "traditions" which he "handed on'' to the e,>rly church. It's hard to believe that within 20 years of Jesus' death, Paul was creating a whole new set of religious "traditions" to take the place of all the old religous "traditions" Jesus had broken. So women, bring on the buzz cuts, and guys, let those ponytails gallop! Whenever we break a tired , old, worn-out religious tradition, we are being just like Jesus! Excerpted from The Blue Ridge Banner - - - -· ·- -----· ---·- ---- · -- -- -- -- -------- -- - - --- ·- --- --- -·-- -- ·-·--·-- ·-- -- -------- - m .l\!cond S1011e-Sep1ember/0c1obcr, 1993 W / NewLsi nes •••••••••••••• # ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• CathedroaflH opeg reetsP opew ithle tter t.THE LARGEST GAY and lesbian congregation in America welcon1ed Pope John Paul II to World Youth Day in Denver with a letter calling for an end to Vatican rejection of Gays and Lesbians. · "Forty percent of our own members are former Roman Catholic Christians who find themselves without a spiritual home because of your current p_~licies discriminating against ga_y and lesbian peorle," said the letter from c;athedral of Hope in Dallas, Texas. Senior l'astor Michael Piazza and Cathedral Dean Dr. Mel White urged the Pope to open his arms "to all of God's children including gay and lesbian believers who would worship and witness with you" .and warned that gay and lesbian teenagers often suffer lonely rejection. "Even as you celebrate World Youth Day, you are rejecting hundreds of thousands of your best and brighest young people," the letter said. "Because you are unwilling to deal forthrightly with the new biblical, pastoral, psycholog1cal and scientific data about homosexuality, you are advocating an anti-gay policy that leads to the suffering and death of God's children in your care. StonewaCllo mmuniFtyo undatioevne ntto benefiNt GLT F t.THE STONF:WALL COMMUNITY Foundation has chosen the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Pol_icyI nstitut~ to be one of five c01~munity organizations to ~~nefit from its annual fundra1smg event in New York City. NGLTF was s~l~ded for its Fight the Right" campaign to battle Right Wing anti-gay referenda. The Stonewall Community Founcfation is a nonprofit organizationf founcfed in 1989, that is dedicated to increasing charitable giving within the gay and lesbian community. · iapti:.;otso oosaea yr ightasb, ortion . · . . . / LlSOUTHERN BAPTISTS ended their annual convention m June by passmg resolutions / condemning homosexuality and abortion. Meeting in Houston,. the 17,000 del~gates, or I messengers, repeatedly singled out a fellow Baptist, President Clmton, for .cntic1sm of his support of abortion and gay rights. A resolution was endorsed that, among other things, saicf government sl,ou!d not give special legal protection to homosexuals or "unp05e legal s;:mctio~s against those who believe homosexual conduct to be immoral." - ,1ssocmtedP ,-ess · 41:i"inancial .rreedom "af inancinal lt£rnative' If you are tenninally ill, you may ncetl financial assistance NOW. 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(512) 495 9737 · (800) 828-1279 Featuring a wide selection of books& magazinesin the newly emerging fields of lesbian & gay spiritualities and new paradigm thought. • ~·-) BOOKS 1014 B North Lamar Eleventh &-Lamar Ausu·n, Texas7 8703 -Sp""-'M of ¼art~ 7ire !jay 'Mm s !jat/i,rings~ [4J Second Stone-September/October, 1993 Gaya ctivistdso n'mt ournsl ainM exicacna rdinal t.ROMAN CATHOLIC DIGNITARIFS may have mourned the slaying of Mexican Cardinal Juan Jesus Posadas Ocampo, shot to death May 24 during a drug-related battle, but gay rights activists weren't shedding any tears over the slain prelate. In 1991, Posadas Ocampo heired lead an effort that forced the International lesbian and Gay Assoc_iation to cance its 13th annual World Conference in Guadalajara. The slain archbishop at the time said allowing the ILGA conference to be held in Guadalajara would be "a slap in the face of the city's dignity." Posadas Ocampo also endorsed newspaper ads opposing the conference of "homosexual corrupters" that compared Gays and [esbians to satanists and drug addicts. Pedro Preciado of Guadalajara's Gay Pride in Liberation Group said of the cardinal's death, "There will be no tears from us over his death." - Outlines Catholilcln iversifrye jectgsa yg roups 6BOTH THE STUDENT government and St. John's University officials rejected the request of the Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Alliance to becon\e a sanctioned university organization, holding that the group is inconsistent with the religious values of the S(hool. A second group is facing vocal opposition from students at the country's largest :.:- ;ilh.:llic university, and is unlikely to gain official recognition. - Soutlu:ru. Voice GaysL, esbianasr e" expendabslea,y" sA rchbishop 6ARCHBISHOP THOMAS DOLINAY, head of the Pittsburgh Byzantine-Rite Archdiocese within the Roman Catholic Church, believes that Gays and Lesbians belong on "the list of expendables," and that St. Patrick would be "strongly tempted to lead them over the precipice" into "a dump somewhel'e far from civilization," as legend has it he rid Ireland of snakes. Dolinay made the comments in a letter about the ·controversy over a gay Irish group marching in New York's St. Patrick's Day parade. The letter was quoted 1n «. recent issue of National CatlwliLR.· eporter. - Southern Voice · Groupw orkfso r" fag-freAe"m erica 6ANTI-GAY FLIERS daiming "Death penalty for homosexuals is prescribed in the Bible," are being left on the windshields of cars in Colorado Springs and Denver by STRAIGHT (Society to Remove All Immoral Gross Homosexual Trash). The group, wh05e motto is "Working for a fag-free America" uses the same p05t office box address as the Denver chapter of the KKK. · Methodist-affiliautneidv ersistya ysn ot og ayg roup ./\OHIO NORTHERN UNIVERSITY students gave a resounding no vote when the Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Alliance asked for recognition from the student senate. The 15-9 vote was seen by some as based on religious bias at the United Methodist affiliated ,chool. Members of Sigma Theta Epsilon lobbied on campus against recognition of the Allian~e. Sigma is a national Christian fraternity. - Stonewall Union Reports Findp etitiosni gnerast g uns howsh,o mophoabdev ises 6THE AMERICAN FAMILY Association of Florida and its political arm, the Family Action Council, have been showing the anti-gay propaganda video, The Gay Agenda, throughout Florida, using it to stir up conservative Christians with the worst stereotypes of Gays and Lesbians. Many of the stops on the tour are hosted by David Caton, well known to the Tampa community as the admitted "ex-porno/sex addict" who coordinated the reversal of gay-positive fegislation last year. On May 25 about 50 activists from NOW, ACT UP, and the Lesbian Avengers filed up and down the sidewalk in front of the Bethel Temple Assembly of God in Tampa. Several demonstrators carried signs indicating that their Christian faith and sexual orientation were not at odds. Caton spoke to !he shell-shocked audience after the screening, as did the Rev. Benjamin Sykes, a black minister from Tampa. Organizers handed out packets containing multiple copies of an anti-gay petition as well as ad_vice on h0w to fina signers. Gun sl-iows were said to be one of the best sources for willing signers 1 art shows the least productive. - Gazette Kansapsa stowr hob lessegda ym arriagleea vems inistry 8.A PASTOR WHO BEC.Alv1E involved in controversy after officiating at a ceremony uniting two gay men has left the ministry. The Rev. Bob Lay, pastor at the Salinas Sunrise Presl5yterian Church, told his congregation that, "I am no longer a pastor in the Presbyterian Church (USA)." The ceremony for the two gay men took: place in January, and the following month a special disciplinary committee was appointed to investigate whether Lay had' violated church law. 1n April, the committee said Lay had not acted inappropriately. Lay said that his decision to leave the ministry came atter many hours of soul-searching and that the past few months have been stressful. - Southern Voice SoutherBna ptisCt onventiorenj ectass sauoltn C linton'csh urch t.A SOUTHERN BAPTIST Convention committee turned back an effort to unseat messengers from President Bill Clinton's home church during the SBC gathering this summer. Members of the Credentials Committee rejected a motion by Bo Mammock of Florida to U)1seat he messengers because the church members "due to their lack of action ... are by their silence supportmg Bill Clinton's endorsement of the homosexual lifestyle." Pastor Rex Horne of Immanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock said he was embarrassed and angry about the matter, citing his church's long leadership in Southern Baptist life and his stand against homosexuality. Hammock stood by his motion, insisting Immanuel has failed to deal with Clinton, who he said should recant his views or be disfellowshipped. - The Baptist Mes:;age E:x-gamyi nistrsye tsu pp rayelrin ein r esponstoeg ayp ride 1\THE REUGJOUS RIGHI responded to plans for the 1993 Atlanta Lesbian and Gay Pride celebrzif.ion by setting up n telephone prayer line. Kapatauo Ministries, founded by self-avowed "ex-gay" Joel Afman to "cure" homosexuals, sent out a letter asking people to ,-;:,rayerfully address this issue." Caven also announced 'that the_group needed money to pay for a full page ad in the Atlanta Journal/Constitutiotno offer hope for "those who .;'.:::-i.1ggwlei th t"he issue of homosexuality." - Southern Votce T News -Lines T @I •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Unitarians affirm gay rights t:,.Af3 A DEMONSfRA TION of its ongoing commitment to affirming the rights and dignity of all Gays, Lesbians, bisexuals and transgender persons, the Unitarian Universalist Association presented numerous workshops and events during its recent 32nd annual General Assembly, held in uptown Charlotte, North Caro1ina. More than 2500 congregational representatives of the over 200,000 Unitarians in the United States and Canada met to share ideas and strategies for upholding their denomination's liberal principles offreedom and (?leranc~ in the face of increasing social and political pressure from !he rehg1_o~s nght. The r~hg1ous nght has targeted g_ay, lesbian and bisexual . people for_poMical persecution, said the ,!{ev. Dr. Wilham F. Schulz, outgoing UUA president m his address to the assembly. Our sisters and brothers are dying for the sentiments of their hearts, and we Unitarian Universalists are saying with !he most unequivocal of voices, 'This cannot continue!"' Fulfilling a 1987 commihnent to rrotest anti-gay laws, the annual meeting included a vigil to mark its opposition to North Carolina's sodomy Jaw. The UUA passed a resolution six years ago that whenever the denomination's .General Assembly meets in a state with such laws it must hold a protest. - Q Notes,.Outlmes Broaden agenda, fundamentalists urged L'.CONSERV AT!VE CHRISTIANS should tone down their rhetoric on abortion and lesbian/ gay rights and develop a broader agenda, says one of their leaders. "We must promote policies that personally benefit voters, such as tax ·relief for families, education and crime," said Ralph Reed, executive director of Pat Robertson's Christian Coalition. Reed's comments came during two days of workshops in South Carolina, sponsored by the coalition, addressing how to lobby elected officials, run for office and organize at the grassroots le vel. - Southern Voice England church votes on sexuality create joy, confusion L'.THE ANNUAL METHODIST Conference, ineeting in Derby, voted on two resolutions regarding sexuality during an all day debate on June 29. London's Lesbian and Gay Cnristian Movement reported passage of a resolution which "affirms and ·celebrates the participation and mirustry of Lesbians and gay men in the church," rroposed and seconded by Rev. John Cooke and Rev. John M. Simmonds, which gained significantly more votes than a "traditionalist" motion which also passed. "The passing of Resolution 47 (313 to 217 votes) is a historic, joyful step forward for the Methodist Church," said Rev. Neil Whitehouse, spokesperson for the LGCM Methodist Caucus. "It is the first ever clear ruling on the status of lesbian and gay Methodists," he said. "Our church has broken ranks from other denominations and has chosen a new and positive approach." The resolution also called upon "Methodist people to begin a pilgrimage of faith to combat repression and discrimination, to wori< for justice and human rights and to give dignity and worth to people whatever their sexuality." It is unclear about how the differences between the two motions will be interpreted. For some they point towards the eventual official blessings of lesbian and gay relationships. For others, who do not agree with Resolution 47, they will wish lo enforce celibacy on lesbian and gay Methodists, but this will be difficult given the failure of Motion 20 to draw any distinction between sexual orientation and .practice. MCC church attacked, police apathetic · L'.MCC OF THE VALLEY has been under attack by homophobes and church leaders say the North Hollywood Division of the Los Ang_eles Police Department's Hate Crimes Office has not responded to the situation. On July 18 the church janitor found a sign leaning against the front of the building which read, "$10 four (sic) gay lifes reward." On July 28 vandals broke and entered through one of the rear windows. Every locked ctoor .was broken off its hinges. Very little of value was taken, and money was even left laying on the floor in clear view. Tlie vandals actions indicated a keen mterest in the church records and files. On August 3 a white ranel truck sped through the church parking lot three times endangering and frightening church memoers who were repairing damage. At ·about the same time, occupants of a. maroon car drove by the church and shouted "faggots." That same evening, at at time when groups were gathering for meetings at the church, a maroon car drove by and a gun shot was fired. The police refused to respond when summoned by witnesses. "We have tried repeatedly without success to get the hate crimes office to investigate," said Rev. Dr. Sherre L. Boothman, pastor of MCC in the Valley. "They keep telling us these violent acts, which all occurred within a week and a half and without any other obvious motive, are not hate crimes. I do not know what else . to call it when someone offers a $10 reward for murdering gay and lesbian people and then a series of harassing events occur. Racketeering suit filed in priests' 'sex ring' /:;.REV , GARY HAYES, a 40 year old Catholic priest from Henderson, Ky., and two other men filed a federal racketeering suit against tlie National Conference of Catholic Bishops, the U.S. Catholic Conference, two New England dioceses and 12 other defendants, charging they "conspired to create a sex ring of children that could be sexually alfused by (them]" during the 1%0s and 1970s. The civil suit is believed to be the first class-action case against a church using the Racketeering Influence and Corrupt Organizations Act, which is typically used to fight organized crime groups. Hayes and co-plaintiffs Terrence S'mith and Steven Stolar, lioth of Millville, N.J., claim church officials and groups conspired to cover up complaints by them and other boys between the ages of 12 and 16 that they were being molested by two priests. -Outlines · Baptists attemot to get summer course at USC cancelled .!'.LEADERS OF THE South Carolina Southern Baptist Convention called on the University 'of South Carolina to cancel a summer graduate course on the impact the Christian right is having on public education. The course was taught by an openly -gay professor, 0~. James Se~rs, wh,o was the target of th~ Co~vention's criticism l:iecause of his sexual onentation. Doesn t look hke the course ,s gomg to be taught from a neutral standpoint," said Rev. Jim Oliver, pastor of the Bethlehem Baptist <;:hurch in Roebuck. "It sounds like they're trying to put Christians in a doset." . Conservatives said the selection of a gay professor 1s an affront to them. USC officials did not cancel the course. _ Subscribe Today. AND YO U1 LL NEVER A FRIEND JOURNEY. WITHOUT YOUR BE FOR Second Stone The National Gay and Lesbian Christian Newsjournal ·__ · YES!····.. ·· · ··.. ··················Begin my subscription to SECOND STONE for: NAME I I I ] One year (6 issues) $15.00 ............................................................ . ] Two yrs. (12 issues) $25.00 ADDRESS ] Three yrs. (18 issu9s) $36.00 CiTYi'STATEiilP'CO'DE" ....................... .. CHECK HERE [ ] if a plain envelope is required and add ,$2.00 per year. Allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of your first issue. international subscribers add $10.00 per year , U.S. currency. Mail To: SECOND STONE, Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 THANK YOU for your subscription support! Second Stone-September/October, 1993 ['[J ·Huge church drops Colorado site t.THE 1997 GENERAL CONVENtion of the Episcopal Church, one of the 25 largest conventions in the United States, will be held in Philadelphia instead of Denver, which was the likely choice for the 1997 convention prior to the approval of Amendment 2 by Colorado voters in November. Following that vole, Episcopal officials seemed . willing to locate the convention elsewhere. Indeed, the planning committee voted in March to drop Denver from the list. Philadelphia and Orlando were the other candidates, but both presented problems in accommodating the huge convention, which about 10,00ff people attend. Almost as soon as Denver was dropped, it was added to the list again. Integrity, the lesbian and gay justice ministry of the Episcopal Church; immediately mobilized to strongly oppose locating the convei1tion in Denver. The Episcopal Church went through a wrenching experience holding its 1991 convention in Phoenix before Arizona approved a Martin Luther King, .Jr. holiday. Integrity raised the specter of the church facing the same difficulties in 1997. Moreover, there were even less favorable circumstances in Colorado. In Arizona, state Episcopalians had gone on record favoring a King holiday. In contrast, Colorado Episcopalians meeting in February specifically declined to call for the repeal of Amendment 2, although they approved a resolution opposing gay bashing. This distinction was pointed out in a pre_ss release by Integrity which received widespread attention in the Church. Church leaders contacted Integrity leaders who reported that gay and lesbian Episcopalians did not consider that any compromise which involved going to Colorado to be acceptable. Members of the planning committee visited Denver in early May. In large fart because of the clear message o Integrity, however, Denver remained "unacceptable" to the committee. In June, the decision was ratified by the Church's Executive Council. , Opposition to Lancaster MCC fading CONTROVERSY JS swirling around Vision of Hope MCC's effort to purchase a building in Mountville, Penn. "It's been tense, but miraculous!" said Rev. Mary Merriman, pastor: Strong local opposition, which then aroused strong local support, resulted in massive coverage in the local press, including such headlines as "Vision of Hope is not a true Christian church," "All the homosexuals want is a Mountville church," and "Sickened by criticism of gay church in Mountville." "At first glance, it might seem -scary but as you look within, especially at some of the letters to the editor, there Advertise Second in Stone! --- 1116th Page Ad FOR A FUU YEAR as low as $15. 75 per month! Your ad here. CREA T FOR GUEST HOUSES, BOOK STORES AND PUBLISHERS! Reach Second Stone readers in every state for a full year at this great sixtime rare! An excellent opportunity -for advertisers to direct their message to our precisely defined target market Call (504)899-4014 FAX (504)891-7555 $189.00 per year 016 billings of $31.50 each. ttfll Second Stone-September/October, 1993 LU · has been an overwhelming measure of support, unlike two years ago when one of our local bookstores was bombed twice and the Klan came to town," Rev. Merriman said. The story began in April, when Vision of Hope MCC, meeting in a Unitarian church in Lancaster, announced plans to purchase a United Church of Christ building in nearby Mountville . About 25 angry residents and property owners attended a borough council meeting to demand that the city stop MCC from coming because, as resident Connie Mancuso told the press, "Mountville won't be a nice town anymore." After studying the issue, the borough council said in May that it has no legal authority to stop Vision of Hope MCC from locating in Mountville. Some of the town's religious leaders issued a message of compassion and acceptance to their local congregations, and neighbors directly surrounding the church said they had no qualms as long as there were no public displays of affection on Mountville sidewalks. · At the next borough council meeting, nearly 100 people crammed into the hall to debate the subject. Rev. Merriman made a statement in which she quoted Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., "Either we live together as brothers and sisters or we die together as fools." · Neighbors who once held a prayer service for Vision of Hope's "deliverance" are now joining the church in an educational effort to address the myths surrounding lesbian and gay people. Vision of Hope has held discussions with three of the five churches in Mountville and the executive director of the county council of churches wants to meet with Rev. Merriman about a dialogue . MCC was scheduled to close the deal on the property on July 28 and hold its first worship service in Mountville on August 22. - Keeping in Touch American Jews increasingly conflicted over homosexuality THE CONFLICT . OVER homosexuality within American Judaism has not made as many headlines as the debate among Christians on the issue, but it is _no less intense throughout the various branches of the faith, according to a cover story in the Jewish magazine Moment (June). Such recent incidents as the resignation of the dean of the rabbinical school at the Jewish Theological Seminary when he was accused of sexually harassing a male student has brought the issue of homosexuality to the Conservative Jewish institution. The battle over and eventual exclusion of a gay Jewish synagogue's participation in New York's Israel Day Parade also showed a growing split among Jews on the issue. While Judaism has traditionally condemned homosexual activity as outlawed by the Torah and Talmud, such liberal bodies as the Reform and Reconstructionists are allowing homosexual rabbis, as well as blessing gay and lesbian partnerships. But even in such liberal quarters, there is dissent: a recent survey of over 350 Refo~m synagogues found that only seven had changed their bylaws to signify that homosexuals are welcomed. "Very few congregations would accept an openly gay or lesbian rabbi. The subject is still avoided in religious schools," says researcher Rabbi Sandy Seltzer. Younger rabbis are likely to be more open to such developments than the older ones, reports Alice Sparberg Alexiou. As American Jews have been strongly involved in past civil rights causes, many now support the gay rights movement. The battle is just shaping up in Conservative Judaism. While supporting civil rights for homosexuals, the denomination .recently rejected admitting openly gay students to the rabbinical or cantorial schools. A Conservative movement in California represented by the University of Judaism is pressing for a more liberal attitude on the issue than the Conservative Jewish "establishment" in the East. Although Orthodox Jews are clearly opposed to homosexual lifestyles, there are now unpublicized "support groups available for Orthodox Gays and Lesbians." But Orthodox psychologists say they also have many homosexual Orthodox patients trying to change their sexual orientation, sometimes, they claim, with success. The conflict in most branches of Judaism on the issue has led to the increasing formation of gay and lesbian synagogues (or "chavurot") - there are now 32 such congregations in the United States. Alexiou forecasts that Jews will increasingly move away from their traditional opposition to homosexual lifestyles. As American Jews have been strongly involved in past civil rights causes, many now support the gay rights movement. There is a greater willingness to accept homosexuals within families than there was ten years ago, she writes. "It is a product of the growing level of t.heological and personal comfort of Reform, Reconstructionist and other Jews with homosexuality and perhaps also a sign of the growing assimilation of American Jews away from Orthodox viewpoints." . -Reprinted from Religion Watch United Church of Christ reaffirms inclusive stance towards Gays, Lesbians ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE 19th General Synod of the United Church of Christ con(irmed the Synod's stance that the UCC should be an inclusive church that · welcomes gay, lesbian and bisexual Christians into its membership. Past biennial meetings of the Synod, which speaks .to, but not for, the UCC's 1.6 million members and 6,300 churches, had endorsed civil rights for Gays and Lesbians and affirmed the ordination of Gays and Lesbians to the ministry . The 1993 Synod met July 15-20 in conjunction with the General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The first ever common gathering of the two churches' representative bodies included joint worship, workshops and meals, plus separate business sessions. President Clinton's "don't ask, don't tell" policy regarding Gays in the military drew a sharp rebuke from the UCC's Synod hours after the President's announcement on July 19. Delegates voted by a wide margin to direct its leadership to "strongly urge the lifting of the ban against Gays and Lesbians in the military" and assist congregations of the United Church of Christ in educating themselves and engaging in advocacy for the civil rights of Gays and Lesbians." Later, hundreds of delegates from both churches demonstrated their opposition to the President's policy . They stood in a silent line stretching 750 feet from the General Synod hall to the building's entrance. The demonstrator's mouths were taped shut to symbolize the silence imposed on homosexuals by the administration's plan. The . presidents of both churches denounced the new policy in a joint statement released the same afternoon. "Gay, lesbian and bisexual citizens who wish to serve their country in the armed forces should be able to do sci, like every other citizen, without any restriction," said UCC President Paul H . Sherry and Disciples General Minister and President C. William Nichols. In related actions, UCC Synod voted to: •Support passage of a federal gay and lesbian civil rights law to "end discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, and . federally assisted opportunities." _The resolution also called for repeal of all state "sodomy laws" and supported "domestic partnership laws designed to provide greater justice for Gays and Lesbians." •Endorse a predominantly gay and lesbian church's application for "observer status" in the National Council of Churches; In November 1992, the NCC denied status to the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan · Community Churches. The Synod directed the UCC president .to "lodge the strongest possible protest" with the NCC "concerning the continued exclusion" of the church . But delegates rejected a provision that would have called on the UCC to "prayerfully and seriously review its membership in and its financial support of" the NCC unless the council reversed its decision by 1998. • Defeat a resolution that called on the church to "lead gay, lesbian and bisexual ·persons away from their sin." • Affirm that the UCC is "united in Christ despite ... differences and disagreements" over a 1991 General Synod resolution "that supported the "gifts for ministry of gay, lesbian and bisexual people." Delegates called on members of the church "to accept one another in the face of differences · of conviction, show respect for one another as sisters and brothers in Christ, and act in ways that will build up the life of the community ." There are more than 100 openly gay and lesbian ministers in the UCC. About half are serving UCC congregations. Inclusion of Gays and Lesbians in the church also figured prominently in Sherry's biennial address to the Synod on July .16. The UCC, he said, should be "a safe space, a sacred space, a community of embrace." He told delegates about a lesbian "who ' wanted to thank the United Church of Christ for helping save her life." After two attempts to commit suicide, the woman had "begun to see her way to the future" through "the affirmation" of a UCC congregation. 'That woman, that pastor and that congregation are on the way to the Promised Lan1," Sherry said. The United Church of Christ, with national offices in Cleveland, and the 1-million member Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), with general offices in Indianapolis, have shared a unique ecumenical partnership since 1985. Pope asked to address gay and. lesbian youth A NATIONAL CATHOLIC organi zation devoted to promoting justice for lesbian and gay people within the Catholic Church asked Pope John Paul II to speak about lesbian and gay youth in his address to those assembled for World Youth Conference, August 11-15 in Denver. The invitation was made publi.c in an open letter to the Pope whi~h· appeared _ August 11 as a paid advertisement in the Denver Post. The letter is_ signed by 911 individuals and organizations including four Catholic bishops, Thomas Gumbleton, Detroit, Charles Buswell, Pueblo, Colo., John Fitzpatrick, Brownsville, Texas, and Juan Arzube, Authorizes possible Colorado boycott Christian Church reaffirms support o·f gay rights THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), a denomination of one million members, meeting in St . Louis July 15-20, reaffirmed its continuing support of gay rights, commended St. Louis for its anti~discrimination statutes, and urged "the enactment of laws at all levels of government which will ensure the civil rights and civil liber.ties of all persons, regardless of sexual orientation." The resolution also calls upon "members, congregations and other manifestations of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) to advocate, support, and maintain the passage of such laws and work to change discriminatory laws, policies and procedures where they exist." In other action, the church authorized its General Board to change the location of the denomination's 1997 assembly from Denver, Colorado, to another state if Amendment 2 in Colorado is still in effect by the July, 1994 meeting of the General Board. Delegates also elected lo the top office of the denomination, the position of General Minister and President, Dr . Richard Hamm, whose position in favor of gay rights and full inclusion in ordination and ministry was an issue to some conservative delegates. He was elected by a delegate vote of 3,720 to 310. Los Angeles. "We ask you lo be mindful that some of the young people you address will be gay or lesbian," the letter said. "Because of societal pressures, many of them are denying .or hiding their sexual orientation from parents and friends, resulting in division and alienation in family life or even suicidal feelings. We ask you to speak _words of encouragement and healing to these young people." The letter also asked the Pope to cond emn bigotry and dis_crimination a0ainst lesbian and gay people and ■ "Maybe We're • Talking About a Different God" A half.:.hour documentary on the Rev. · Jane Spahr and her call to the Downtown Church in Rochester, protested and brought to trial. defend their human and civil rights. Greg Link, director of New Ways . Ministry, said the Iheme of the Pope's 1993 pilgrimage is "I came so that they · might have life and have it · more abundantly" (John 10:10). "How can lesbian and gay youth have life more abundantly?" Link asked. According lo Link, the letter was hand delivered to the Vatican Nuncio, Archbishop Agostino Cacciavillan, on July 15, to be forwarded through the diplomatic pouch to the Pope in Rome. The placement of the letter in the diplomatic _pouch was confirmed by the Nuncio's office on July 27. A Symbol of Today's Reality and Tomorrow's Hope Slwws how co11jusio11 a11d fear ('Whal! A woman and a lesbian? No wq.y!") Wearing this red and pinlc ribbon pin shows you cart ca11 be transformed into u11ders1a11di11g about those who are HIV+ or have Brtrul Cancer. and compassion. ("Then 1 mel Janie!") 1 IN 250 PEOPLE ARE H~:~N ¢tisusA AT THE CURRENT VHS Tape & Discussion Guide RATE. THEsr,~J~c.~~ir'd~~JJRTHEYEAA2010 sEND"$32.3s ro.- , ,NaWOMEN~:~:~:tnir::~tDIAGNOSED Leonardo's Children, Inc. ro• ADDITIONAL PINS. CONTACT, 26 Newport Bridge Rd. MCC LOUISVILLE Warwick, NY 10990 P 0. BOX 32474, LOUISVILLE, KY 40232 l!!■!!!.._ __ ~(9::..;l:....:4.!.:.)9.::..86=--.::..6888:a:. -=-----■""" 1, ____ ,;;;502-.7,.75;,;;-663__,6 ___ __. Second Stone-September /October, 1993 \ 7 ! Episcopal leader attacked by right wing for speech at Integrity's convention THE 1993 NATIONAL Convention of Integrity, the lesbian and gay justice ministry of the Episcopal Church, held July 15-18 in San Diego, has again generated charges of bias by the church's largest right wing organization against one of the church's two top leaders. The principal speaker at the convention was Mrs. Pamela Chinnis, elected in 1991 as the first woman president of the House of Deputies, which together with the House of Bishops sets policy for the Epis~opal Church at its General Conventions . held every three years. Chinnis has lo'ng been known as an advocate of greater inclusiveness in the church and her. speech continued that tradition. of Deputies lo show sud1 a clear bias and to act upon it." lnteg -rity, however, claims that it is not primarily an advocacy group . In over 65 chapters in the United States, plus affiliated chapters in Australia .and Canada, the primary focuses are worship in a supportive environment, emotional support and counseling, spiritual nourishment and Christian education, and service to the Church and the lesbian and gay community. Through Integrity 's evangelism, thousands of Lesbians and Gays , estranged from the Episcopal and ·other churches, have returned to worship and fellowship. EURRR, in contrast, is solely a lobbying organization. · Mrs. Chinnis is opening up the -committee structure to Lesbians and Gays who have heretofore been excluded, according lo Integrity . Dr. Louie Crew, Integrity's founder and a Deputy from the Diocese of Newark, said, "During the tenure of her pre- . decessor as president of the House of Deputies, the Very Rev. David Collins, openly lesbian and gay Integrity members were blatantly excluded from all committees and commissions of the church, even the Joint Commission on AIDS and the committees whose primary focus was on gay and lesbian issues." Collins was and remains an active EURRR member and is 011, the steering committee to plan EURRR's first national convention to be held in June 1994. The Most Rev. Edmond L. Browning, Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church, was the principal celebrant and preacher at last year's Integrity convention held in Houston. He also was attacked by EURRR after his appearance at the Integrity convention . The preacher at - the convention eucharist was the Rt. Rev. Douglas E. Theuner, Bishop of New Hampshire .and chair of the Episcopal Church's Commission on AIDS. lri the House of Bishops he has been an outspoken advocate for lesbian . and gay justice and has an openly gay priest as his principal assistant. The Louie Crew Award for outstanding -service to Integrity was presented to Sisler Brooke Bushong, C.A., a I_ong-time Integrity member, twice president of Integrity /New York, Integrity's largest chapt er with 300 members, and founder of· the National AIDS Memorial sponsored by Integrity and located at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. Episcopalians United for Revelation, Renewal and Reformation (EURRR), based in Solon, . Ohio, issued a press release attacking Chinnis for her remarks and accusing her of "stacking committees with members who are so clearly biased ." · During her speech Chinnis _ said, ·"After my election as president of the House of Deputies, both the.Presiding Bishop and I intentionally appointed more Integrity members to interim bodies. More members of Int'egrity have been elected as deputies to the next General Convention, and I shall certainly appoint them to Iegisl~tive comrti'ittees of-the 1994 Convertlion. But I need your help in this. I need you to tell me about the persons I don ' t know." Presbyterians struggle over gay/lesbian issues Although all deputies are not yet known, it appears that approximately 12 openly lesbian and gay Integrity · members have been elected by their dioceses to serve at the 1994 General Convention. About one third of the 850 deputies will be appointed to the 26 legislative committees so it is inconceivable that committees can be "stacked" with Integrity members . The Integrity conventi'on's theme was "Where there is hatred, let us sow love," a quote from a prayer by St. Francis. Integrity's president , Bruce Garner, an Alternate Deputy to General Convention from the Diocese of Atlanta, said, "Apparently the EURRR representative at our convention just didn't get it." The convention's focus was on enhancing personal spirituality and strengthening Integrity chapters to minister to the lesbian· and gay community in Christ's name . EURRR's executive director, the Rev. Tod Wetzel, said, "I sense no concern for balance, much less diver- · sity, in President Chinnis' remarks regarding committee appointments. I hear only a concern for winning the _battle. Showing a bias is understandable and appropriate for an advocacy organization such as Episcopalians United or Integrity. It is inappropriate for the President of -the House [8J Second Stone-Sept~mber/October, 1993 THE TURMOIL WITHIN the Presbyterian Church (USA} over what role Lesbians and Gays should play in church life came to center stage at the church's General Assembly in Orlando. Despite pleas from Gays and Lesbians within the church to repeal a ban .on openly gay clergy, the church's Committe e on Human Sexuality, which has been studying the role of Gays in the church, decided instead that what Presbyterians needed was still more study. The committee recommended a three-year, churchwide look at the role of- sexuality as it relates to membership, ministry and ordination within the church . Butthe committee also recommended that closeted Gays and Lesbians within the church, including clergy, would be able to participate in the study without fear that their sexual orientation would be used against them. · The study came at the request of more than 30 regional church groups • some opposing the ban and some wanting the church to take an even stronger stand against the integration of lesbian and gay Presbyterians into church life. But some gay activists were not pleased by the committee's recommendation, which keeps the ban in place for three years while the study of the issue continues. "We feel we are being sold down the drain again," said Rev . Howard Warren of Presbyterian ACT UP. Rev . Jane Spahr, the lesbian minister whose appointment as pastor of a church in upstate New York was revoked last year by the Presbyterian Church 's top judicial body, said the church should lift the ban on gay clergy, then study the issue . "Let's study together, but let's rescind this rule that keeps us divided," she said. What happened to Spahr last year has helped galvanize gay and lesbian Presbyterians . Though parishioners called her to be the pastor of a church in Rochester, N.Y. knowing full well that she was openly lesbian, a church court ruled that she could not take the post because church law does not allow Gays and Lesbians to serve as ordained ministers unless they · "repent of homosexual practice." In 1991, the General Assembly, overturning the report of a task force that recommended that Gays and Lesbians be ordained, affirmed past church statements that declared that being gay or lesbian "is not God's wish for humanity." Rev. David Lee Dobler, newly elected as moderator of the church (its top leadership position), said he thinks that the church should take a moderate stand, expressing compassion toward Gays and Lesbians but keeping the ban on them serving as clergy. "I believe that the middle will hold on this, " Dobler said. 'There are voices on the edges that our Lord and we need to hear, but we don 't have to be driven by them." One of those voices belongs to Tom Edwards, one of the authors of a document called the Princeton Declaration, signed by a group of Presbyterians who believe the church should be less tolerant of Gays and Lesbians. "For 205 years, the Presbyterian Church has maintained a clear Biblical witness," Edwards said. "If we set this aside, the Presbyterian Church will say the authority of_ scripture is secondary. The world will decide and tell us what is right. And that's a very scary thing." By only two votes, the Assembly's Committee on Social Witness Issues and Policy refused to ask sessions that sponsor Boy Scout units as part of their youth programs to merely examine the policy to exclude boys, young men and leaders on the basis . of sexual orientation . At the same time, the committee recommended and the Asse~bly agreed to condemn the anti-gay constitutil ;mal • amendment in Colorado and similar efforts in other states and urged a complete end to the anti-gay ban in the U.S. military. Efforts to ban same-sex unions conducted by Presbyterian ministers in Presbyterian Churches were turned back. During the General Assembly's stay in Orlando, Presbyterians for Lesbian and Gay Concerns held a spirited worship service, complete with the singing of "She'll Be Comin' Round the Mountain." Lisa Larges of San Francisco told the audience that it was not enough for the church to welcome Gay s and Lesbians while refusing to ordain them. "As a church, we cling to the false hope that we can offer love without justice," she said. During one· assembly session, a group of protestors stood in front of the stage carrying a cross. And although the church didn't change its stand, delegates did give a group of supporters a standing ovation after they made an impassioned plea for the delegates to reverse the clergy ban . - Associated Pre,s and More Ligltt Update Dr. Mel White named dean of Cathedral of Hope Former Falwell ghostwriter switches camp WHEN IT COMES TO the religious right .and Gays and Lesbians, the attitude in both camps is "it's them ·or us." But the line is not so finely drawn anymore . One of them, one of their best, became one of us this .summer. On June 27th, Gay Pride Sunday, Dr. Mel White was installed as the Dean of the Cathedral of Hope Metropolitan Community Church. With over 1000 members, the Dallas church is the world's largest church with a primary outreach to lesbian and gay peopl e. 'Today, I give up my place of privilege as a prosperous, uppermiddle- class, middle-aged, white, slightly balding, pretend -heterosexual male," he said to · those gathered at the cathedral for his installation. "And I say to my fri ends on the religious right, 'I am gay, I am proud and God loves me without reservation."' Having written speeches for Oliver North and having served as a ghostwriter for Jerry Falwell and Pat Rober tso n, White carries an impressive resume as he assumes his new position in the gay community. Over the past 30 years, White has earned critical acclaim as a best selling author and prize winning filmmaker. Amon g his accomplishments are 53 motion pictur e and television documentaries including "Deceived: the Jonestown Tragedy," "In the Presence of Mine Enemies," and 'Tested By Fire," which won a dozen American Film Festivals. Tested By Fire was his best selling first book which was about the life of Merrill Womach, a successEul Spokane, Washington, businessman and entertainer who was burned and badly disfigured in a plan e crash. The book documents the sources of one person's strength in a time of physical and psychological suffering. After his impressive debut as an author, White went on to ghostwrite 16 be st: selling books for religious celebrities including Billy Graham (Approaching Hoojbeats), Jer ry Falwell (Strength Jot· tile Journey), and Pat Robertson (America's Dale with Destiny). White grew up in Santa Cruz, where his father served in public office. He graduated from Warner Pacific College in Portland, Oregon in 1962 and married a longtime girlfriend. The marriage produced two child ren. He realized early in his marriage he had an attraction toward men but it was 17 years later before a psychologist helped him confront his homosexuality. In 1980 he joined All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena, Calif., where rector George Ragas urged him to come to terms with being gay . In 1984, at a Palm Sunday service at All Saints, White met Gary Nixon, his life partner, and White divorced his wife. White and Nixon now live in Dallas. His ex-wife is supportive. "I still love her," White says. His parents, Carl and Faythe White, are devotees of Robertson's 700 Club and continue to struggle with their son's revelations. From the beginning of his career in media, White has searched for stories that would inspire and inform in the struggle to be human . He directed two docum entary film crews in Vietnam during the last two years of the war, trying to document the s piritual dimensions of that war on those who were its victims. White has produced and directed television specials in Africa, Asia, South and Central America on everything from literacy, famin e and tropical medicine to political uprisings and freedom movements. He has written and filmed st~ries in India and Hawaii on Han sen 's disease and the spiritual dimension of being an outcast. His book, Ma,garet of Molokai is the story of the last leper to leave the Kalaupapa peninsula . and a fascinating analogy for the current AIDS crisis. Last year White wrote to his colleagues and informed them of his homosexuality. On abandoning his long time career and taking a position at Cathedral of Hope Whil e said, 'This is the moment of truth for our community. The religious and political right ar e mounting an incredible campaign of hate and disinformation against us . Our freedom, our human rights and even our lives are at stake. I I l Dr. Mel White, Dean of the Cathedral of Hope The Catlledral of Hope has a wonderful opportunity to lead the way . If we sit out this revolution, it will be a disaster , but if we mobilize our forces, with God's help, we can help heal the nation." two primary tasks . First, to 9se my skills and experiences to help my gay brothers and lesbian sisters who are suffering across this nation and around the world. Second, to help cut off that suffering at its source, the "The front lines of a war against us are forming before our eyes. Will we take our place or will we stay safely in the closet and watch others fight and die on our behalf?" Former colleagues Falwell and Graham hav e not responded to White's letters. Falwell told the Los Angeles Times that White is "just a nice guy." "He is quite artistic and imaginative, and very talented, :' Falwell said. Pat Robertson wrote to White only to say that hom osexuality is a sin . Mobilizing the forces for White starts with forming Circles of Hope, a national ministry to Gay s and Lesbians living in citiQS and towns across America where there is currently no organiz~d, proactive lesbian and gay presence. "As Dean of the Cathedral, I have religious right," tie said. White said that the religious right believes in theocracy instead of democracy a nd that rather than having the separation of church and state that eventually th e power of the government will be in their hands. "As in the days of segregation, the misuse of God's word by Christian preach ers is at the hea rt of the injustice and discriminati on that we face .. The front lines of a war against us are forming before our eyes. Will we take our place or will we stay safely in the closet and watch others fight and die on our behalf?" asked White. Second Stone-Seplcmhcr /Octobcr. 1993 ml 9 I _ j .................T... .............C .o, ..v.S.e..tr.o. .r..y... .......T... ............. . Robert Goss Jesus the activist From Page 1 specifically took place in Jesus' "stop the temple action" ,vas a response not only to money changers in the temple, but against bankers - who left many in a permanent state of indebtedness, and against a patr .iar~hial system founded and perpetuated through the exclusion of entire classes bf people. confusion his falling in love with this man, Frank, caused. The two left the Jesuits, but "carried on a ministry of two ." Leaving the Jesuits, he recalls, was tough, but he has no regrets. 'The Society of Jesus gave us a spirituality we have lived to the utmost for the last 16 years." Jesus. Frank had encouraged him to turn from their joint business venture · and resume his doctoral work in religion at Harvard . "And I did," says Goss. He began to see the "apparent discrimination against Frank because he was HIV [positive] and general homophobia." · It was his anger at such 'The Romans," Goss e.xplains, "co opted the temple aristocracy into their power structure. What Jesus did was intrude into sacred space ... Jesus was not apolitical. He was not a zealot, but he was an activist. He ·espoused by his actions - associating with sinners, prostitutes, ta.x collectors, people with no hope of salvation - a political idea." Goss' commitment to "the retrieval of Jesus as the Queer Christ," (i.e., a Christ who identifies with the marginalized and oppressed "queer" community) undergirds his theology and seems to guide his life's course. Just what this means is fairly simple. Jesus, on the cross, is the symbol of liberation for all oppressed people, for all society has thrown away, for all historica\Ly rejected by "the church,: His vision is simple: he likens it to the end of the movie "Longtime Companion" when "you will be reunited with all you have lost. My vision of God's reign is a cure and reunion while being reempowered to action, to civil disobedience." - Througli 'the cross, God "said 'no' to oppression! Proclaiming a "queer Christ" doesn't mean (pro)claiming that Jesus was gay. Goss really has no intention of proving anything about Jesus' sexuality - except, perhaps, that it is unlikely that Jesus was asexual (by orientation, not practice). Goss joined the Jesuits in 1970 because he felt very strongly called to the ministry and to be a priest. In 1976 he was ordained. "I loved the fesuits," says Goss. '"They taught me how to love men." In fact, he met and fell in love with another Jesuit, who became his lover. Goss required more than a year to sort out the "God's 1ove was very present and prevalent in our love-makii1g and in our hospitality, welcoming people into our house. [This is] something I cherish," he says. And after a brief pause, "He was my best friend." When, in 1990, Frank was diagnosed with HIV, Goss began to wake up to the reality of a political QUOT ABLE ''There are six admonitions in the Bible against homosexuality, but 362 admonitions against , heterosexuaalc tivity. Now, I don't mem;t o imply that God doesn't love straight people - only that they need more supervision. -LynnLavner lfilJ Second StoneoSepte~ber/October, 1993 discrimination and homophobia, however, that spurred him on. "[I'm]· tired of apologizing for who I am. We need to take a real activist [stand]. There's no reason Christians can't be at the forefront of activist organizations," he says, pointing to the presence of Christians at the forefront of the black civil rights movement. Religion "has been hostile to us. Act Up, Queer Nation perceive religion as the enemy," he says, but he wasn't willing "to throw away the historical Jesus. Christianity is not our enemy. We need to build, give the tools for many of our faith communities to develop - to challenge heterosexism and homophobia in our church." Gay men, in particular, Goss stresses, . "need to uproot misogyny because homophobia is rooted in it. We need to become one hundred percent feminist-identified and committed to the full liberation of wonwn - equality and gender parity in our society. ''Power ·relations," he continues, "are grounded in patriarchy ... based on the submission of women. We need to really uproot that power structure." And "we need to coalesce with other groups struggling for liberation. If we get our civil rights, we will not be free - not until everyone is free of oppression:" "We even have to liberate our oppressors," he adds. The religious right, he says, is so "hateful and unfree." Roman Catholic theologian Daniel McGuire, professor of moral theology at Marquette University, responded to Goss' book by saying that "Outrageous prejudice calls for outrageous protest! Liberation theologies are not new to the Catholic church, nor is Goss' theology especially unique. It shares commonalities with a number of other 'sibling' liberation theologies - Latin American, Black, and feminist among them." What is unique is that Goss' theology is based on "queer" experience. "Queers" are placed - or "re-"olaced in churrh histnrv. (;oss numbers "queers" among the outcast, the marginalized of Jesus' day and ours, and he points out that the "queer" of today is equal, perhaps, to the Samaritan of Jesus' day. It is easily overlooked that the Samaritan stories would have been looked on by early Christians with disfavor at least equal to that of 20th century Christians reading similar . stories in which the homosexual is set apart and embraced, rather than shunned. Goss is a firm believer in "the concrete witness of your life." And his witness is to the reality that spirituality in general, Christianity, in particular, and [homo]sexuality need not be mutually exclusive. His vision is simple: he likens it to the end of the movie "Longtime Companion" when "you will be reunited with all you have lost. My vision of God's reign is a cure and reunion while being reempowered to action, to civil disobedience." Ultimately, says Goss, "we need to become assertive and active. [We are ·now] a community of prophets across the country; we need to become a prophetic community. ,'Look," he says, '.'at what such communities did... toppled the Roman Empire. With thousands of sud, justice communities, we will topple homophobia, end misogyny, and hopefully, maybe end racism." It's a tall order , but it certainly could happen. See In Print, Page 16. A eulogy at a service for one who died of AIDS A well-known figure lost a young beloved son in an absurd accident: drove off the - road into a river - perhaps a few drinks, perhaps too fast, perhaps asleep. Whatever. A pious neighbor bringing food to the wake said to him by way of comfort, "I do not understand the will of God." At which all the suppressed anger and resentment hidden so carefully, broke out, and the son's father tore into the. hapless woman, "Indeed you do not understand the will of God. You think God arranges accidents and tragedies? Absurd horrors? You think He is the agent behind so much misery?" Is He? Easily asserted. Easily denied. Most of us assume that in the end God is in charge of this world, everything somehow is in His 'lJifl's Prayer dominion. And since His dominion is one of love, we can assume that love is the answer, even when that answer emerges with great difficulty from the ashes of disaster. Primitives I knew and love were docile to the world's Jaws in the death of the old, the infirm. The death of the young shattered them. Since poisoning was an aspect of earlier life-ways, the answer to sudden death was always the same: poison. Someone poisoned him. Even when ii was obvious that tliis was not the case, the answer remained. It was easy to Jive with . It was an answer, however inadequate. It worked . Human kind is good at faith in a Savior . Someone to bear our bur. dens, suffer our pain, bear our cross. We are always on the make for a I asl@ti (Joi for strtngtli, tliat I miglit ac/iieve; I was maae weat, tfiat gooi migfi.t 6e ac/iievei in 111£ ... I asl@ti for fita[tfi, tliat I miglit tio greattr tfiings; I was given injinnitg, tfiat I mifJlit io 6etter tliings ... I as/@( for riclies, tliat I migfit 6e fi.appy; I was given poverty, tfiat I mi/flit 6e wise ... I asff!i for power, tliat I mitf lit Ii.ave praise; I was given wea(!l£Ss, tliat I miglit feam patience ... I asf(si for al{ t!iings, tliat I mifJli.t enjoy ufa; I was given Jjfa, tfi.at I migfi.t enjoy a[{ trnngs ... _ I got notliing tfi.at I asf(si for - 6u.t eve,ytfiing I fi.ai liopei for ... .M11wst l.espitt myself, my u.nspo/(!n prayers were answereti. 'Ifie £orii;!J{imseff Is in our aar(!teSs; a[{ is £igfi.t .iefore !Him.. 'I1i£ n!qlit of pain a.nti fta.r fait.s a.way in :His presence. Sed;;,!His far.e, anti trust aCways in !J{is Cove. -'Int pniyer mu[ at tlie fantral of 'Bilt 'llr6an, fourufer of 'Ilie !lltzl'timore Aliematwe newspaper. savior, an answer to our riddles. If you are Boston Irish, the memory of Yankee contempt in a past generation · is not yet laid to rest. The Irish were scum to the Yankee, and treated as such, a generation or so ago. When I was a seminarian, no black could get in a seminary. Or even a Catholic college for that matter. The SVD built . a seminary and trained excell!ml black priests. The bishops, the pastors , the people would not have them. The first of them became a monk here, perhaps with a broken heart. The Polish, years ago, were so shabbily treated that a group left the Church and formed the schismatic Polish Catholic Church . The Germans, at the hands of the Irish bishops, were perilously close to the same. Would you choose of purpose and with intent to be Hispanic today, Mexican, Latin? We need someone to pick on. To crucify. We need someone to hang from a tree, as was the custom just a few years ago. The custom has an Irish name: Lynch. Do you know what it is like to be gay? Today? Yesterday? Do you know what it is like to have the finger on you, guilty and cursed? We go on making Saviors of anyone who will bear it, and on those who will not. It is my generation which will live forever with the Jewish Holocaust. Not to mention Stalin and his kind. Have you ever lived in a small town ■ and known the vicious human tongue? We put Christ to death here and ask his forgiveness for ii . And we receive it. And so are wounds healed, sores dosed, hurts assuaged. And more important, lessons learned . For it is in forgiving that we are healed . When wo do not forgive we are doomed to .. do again what was done to us. What was done before. What we did. That we may learn at long last the lesson so hard to learn! And in the process discover Christ. For the mystery is that when we do another to death in one way or other, as we did Christ, the one we do to death becomes Christ. Christ dies in the Black, the Hispanic, the poor, and the plague ridden. This is the horror and the glory. You Jay the whip on another's back and then discover whose back you whip. We are all together in a mystery of life and death, of suffering and pain. Of glory in an eternal resurrection. That is what this Mass, every Mass, is about. This death, every death. This laying into the earth of one who will rise ... Who will rise ... Who will rise. Every once in a while the Heavens open and we see the glory to come. Usually such moments come only at the price of enormous pain and sorrow. Like now . Like now. Reprinted from Communication newsletter, P. 0. Box 60125, Chicago, IL 60660. .. ■ ' Let a new light shine for someone you love. Second Stone is a gift of love, comfort, inspir~tion and resolution for friends. and family who may be m doubt, despair, isolation or suffering illness. Give the special people in your life the gift of Second Stone. We'll take it from there. FROM, Yes ... .,_ Please send a gift """" subscription and card riy su,, ___ _ !Jp _ _ _ in my name to the - person(s) listed: Add= l l One gift, $15 CJty I l Two gifts, $29 Sim 1Jp [ l Throe gifts, $42 SlinGlft Card Add$10foreach - foreign subscriber. _, U.S. cunency. Cll)' PAYMENf . 5'alt 7Jp 9'1CLOSED. Sign Gift card Use additional sheet for more gifts. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 ■ ■ Second Stone-September/October, 1993 [I} PROJECT TOCSIN: Common Cause report tells only organization is one of approximately 30 policy organizations affiliated with Focus on the Family in as many states. CRI promotes the concept of "gatekeepers" - putting their people in control of Jaw, media , entertainment, education, government, etc. Traditional Values Coalition, $30,000. . Voucher Initiative? Is it for reasons of education reform or do th ey have religious motives? . Perhaps they agree with R. J. Rushdoony when he says, "Education is thus always a religious concern.. . not only is education a totally religious subject, but the curriculum, its ~ontents, and its methods are all religious ... to all children to be in humanistic schools is to be unequally yoked and to serve two masters." half the story Chalcedon, Inc., $500,000. Howard Ahmanson Jr. sits on the board of this organization which is hea.ded by Rev. Rousas John Rushdoony, the leading proponent of Reconstructionism in America. Also on the board 1s Wayne Johnson, once an aide to former California state Senator H: L. Richardson. The Capitol Commonwealth Group tries to hide behind an agenda of being only business people interested in a better business climate, lower taxes ·and less government regulation, but, their real agenda is the overthrow of the secular civil government - to be replaced with a theocracy ruled over by religious magistrates handing out God's justice and mercy as interpreted by them. THE ·FAR RIGHT HAS experienced no better success than in California, where right wing candidates have won political power, where afflue?t business people have pumped big money into special interest groups, and where church-sponsored voter registration drives have enlisted the support of the masses for theocratic causes. In their escalating battle against gay rights, right wing leaders are well organized and committed . . Ai~d they don't hesitate to bankroll their movement. On July 7, 1993 Common Cause of Sacramento issued a report authored by their policy analyst, Kim Alexander, about the political contributi. ons of the Allied Business PAC. The PAC received contributions only from four men; Howard Fieldstead Ahmanson, Jr., Senator Rob Hurtt, Jr., Roland Hinz and Edward G. Atsinger m. Before the Allied Business PAC was formed in May, 1992 the group was caJJed t-he Capitol Commonwea/th Group . It was made up of Ahmanson and Hurtt. They were joined by Hmz and Atzinger in March of 1992 , The two made contributions of $31,125 each to Family PAC which had been used by Ahmanson and Hurtt during 1991 to make contributions to several candidates in special elections. When the contributions are totaled, as listed by Common Cause, the sum is $2,241,121 which makes the Capitol Commonwealth Group the largest contributors to the 1992 elections. This is $902,807 more than the $1,338;314 contributed by the California Medical Association. This is only half the story, however, because there is at least an additional $1,664,307 in contributions to conser- . vative foundations and think tanks which have given CCG their plan of action. Since 1987 Ahmanson and Hurtt have made contributions to: Capital Resource Institute ~f Sacramento, $799,317. Founded in 1987 by Ahmanson, Hurtt, Preston Hawkins, Rob Martin and Peter Henderson, this Claremont Institute, $234,000. A Reconstructionist think tank whid1, until the beginning of 1993, shared office spac.e with CR! and the Western Center for Law and Religious Freedom. Western Center for Law and Religious Freedom, $60,000. Records at the Office of Charitable Trusts indicate the Center is not so much interested in religious freedom as in reproductive rights. The majority of cases in which they had an interes t had to do with that subject . The Reason Foundation, $41,000. According to the Sacramento Bee, this _ group came up with the plan for the Sd1ool Voud,er Initiative which will be on the ballot in November. Why is Capitol Commonwealth Group so interested in the School John Birch Society • David Dhillon X Larry Bowler Phillip Hawkins Cook Barela Perhaps we can find another part of their hidden agenda in a quote from R. J. Rushdoony, ''The [biblical) law here is humane and also unsentimental. It recognizes that ·some people are by nature slaves and will always be so. It both requires that they be dealt with in a godly manner and also the slave recognizes his position and accepts it with grace." This idea comes from Calvinist teaching that God ordains our position in life be it prince or pauper. Provided by Project Tocsin, P.O. Box 163523, Sacramento, CA 95816-3523, (916)374-8276, (916)374-TCSN. X Ted Waggland Ron Stauffer X Doan Anda! Alan Ebanstrin X Jim Kelly .Steve-Baldwin Barbara Alby Brad Parton X Kathleen · Honeycutt Connie Younkin Jim Ellis Dan Van Tieghem Alan Guggenheim Dick Oaleke X Birney Richter Raymond Haynes X Gi Forguson I Barbara Keating Edhf XBIII Morrow X Bill Hoge X Curtis Pringle X Dan Lungren X = -45% winner, Project Tocsin's flow chart of their interp~etation of California's Religious Right rm Second Stone-S.;;;~ember/October, 1993 God Remembers Your Name The Biblical basis for the Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt BY REV. DR. BUDDY TRULUCK H . ave you ever said, "I know your face, but I can't remember your name!"? A popular song severa l years ago was "God Calls Me By My Name." God remembers . "Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? And yet not one of them is forgotten before God ... " (Luke 12:6) When you make the effort to remember important details about other people, like their names, you are folfowing the pattern set by God . On November 27, 1985, during the annual candlelight march commemorating the murders of Mayor George Moscone and Harvey Milk, San Francisco's first · openly gay supervisor, mourners covered the walls of the old Federal Building wjth placards of the names of people who had died of AIDS. The many different sizes , shapes and colors of cardboard reminded Cleve Jones of a qutlt and inspired the idea of an .AIDS memorial quilt. · My first contact with the Names Project came several years ago in Atlanta. My dear friend, Daniel, was a tailor and had begun to work on a number of quilt panels. He invited me to go with him on a quilting bee. When I first saw a panel, I was struck by the large size. · I had imagined small panels, like the ones in quilts my grandmother made. I asked why it was so big. Daniel said, "It is three feet by six feet, the size of.a grave ." I can still remember the emotional impact of that statement like it ju st happened. The Names Project quilt often produces a powerful and uncanny emotional effect whenever it is experienced. To remember is to reflect the image of God who remembers. Memory makes us human. Remembering the course of human and natural history is what education is all about. The Bible is a book of remembering. The Bible is also a "names project." From Adam, meaning "dirt" to Jesus, meaning "savior," names in the Bible help to tell the story of the acts of God in salvation history. God gave to Moses the special name of God in Exodus 3:13-15: "I Am," which is based on the Hebrew verb "to be." This is called God 's "memorial name." Usually this naine is written Yahweh. It is the name of God that recalled the activity of God and expressed the self revelation of God lo the people. Jesus frequently took the title of "I Am" to identify with God in .the Gospel of John. God gave Jesus the "name which is above every name that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow." ' . When Simon confessed Jesus as ruler and savior, his name was changed to Peter, which means "rock ." Joseph was also called Barnabas, which means "one who is called · alongside to help another." Names . The Bible is full of names. Long lists of 'begats" alo1.6 with great eloquent . names of individuals who earned their names by their deeds. God is called by many names and titles. A Christfan missionary was confronted by a Moslem who said, "You have so many names for God that it is confusing. We have one name for God, Allah, but how do you know what to call your God with so many titles like Father, Savior, King, Holy One, etc .?" The missionary thought for a moment and replfed, "I guess we simply call God by the name of what we let God do for us in our lives." One effect of the Names ·Project has been increased teamwork and cooperation between various gay and lesbian groups. In many cities, just as in Atlanta, Lesbians and Gays had a history of internal conflict in various projects. The annual Gay Pride parade and rally, the Gay Center, the churches, AID Atlanta and countless political and support group efforts · had suffered from open war. between various gay · fac.tions within the gay /lesbian community. The Names Project brought them all together in a cooperative and productive effort. The showing of the Names Project quilt in Atlanta on Memorial Day weekend in 1988 also brought many straight Christian s into sympathetic fellowship with the gay /lesbian community . The attitude that I heard most often expressed by both gay and straight people at the quilt showing was reverence and even awe for the love expressed in the quilt and by the p~ople showing and visiting it. When Lazarus died, Jesus went to the tomb of this friend the disciples called "he whom you love." Jesus wept. The reaction <'Jf the crowd was, "Behold, how he loved him!" My response and the response of multitudes of others to the public displaying of the Names. Project Quilt has been tears and a ·new depth of experience and understanding of love. The Names Project is basically a labor of love and a unique expression of remembering and respect. It took Gays and Lesbians to think of such an effective framework for handling grief. It is dramatic, effective therapy. I was a Southern Baptist pastor in several states for over 20 years in churches from about 50 members to one- with over 2,000. In all that time of pastoral ministry in countless funeral services and other means of comfort for bereaved people, I never witnessed anything as healing and as effective as a means of working through grief as the making, assembling, and showing of the Names Project Quilt. Gays and Lesbians are pioneers in a new approach to handling the grief process. The rest of the world can learn great lessons from them . If only people in the churches will set aside homophobia and the misinformation and hate that some so-called Christian anti-gay activists are spewing, the world can learn from · the gay /lesbian community better ways to deal with suffering, loss and grief, · At the end of the quilt showing in Atlanta, the crowd went outside and released hundreds of balloons which saHed up and out of sight . Counselors for the quilt display were taught the great importance of helping people let go of emotional baggage in the grief process. In Philippians 3:12-14, Paul talked about Jetting go of the past and pressing on with hope in the future. · For many panel makers, the hardest part of the Names Project was giving up the panel in the presentation ceremony. It was hard to let go of something that represented so much love . .All who witnessed the closing ceremony of the panels being given up to become part of th e national memorial qu ilt wer e profoundly moved. Tears flowed. Hugs were given and received. Love was there. · Often the best expression of love is silence. Just being with someone as they cry, remember, and let go can bring healing and hope. A young woman who had made a panel for her brother was at the quilt showing in Atlanta in 1988. She was there with her husband to present the panel. I stood with her and listened as she told me· about her brother and how she made the panel. She asked if it was okay for her to pin onto the panel the "Be a Buddy" button that her brother's friend "Buddy" had worn. She had just been given the button. She stooped down and pinned it on. We stood and looked at the panel. We both felt the tears running down our faces as we stood there in silence for several minutes. What would you have said in those moments? It seemed best to say nothing. Being there was enough. Accornmodatlona, AIDS/HIV resowca.ai blra, bookstoru, Ylrloua busfnuus, hNHh care, legal = ·~~.:':~'°:nl:n~:::::., n1g1ous ann,pe, awttchboardl, therlptst-, 1rave1 •oents,, ::-.=::-::~~~~~. ~:J°y~:!,,~TAGE 10 USA, Conada & Mexico, In sealed, cisaeet Orde,1 tom cusldt USA (Including C&nada& Mexia,): paymontmuslbeln us Funds payable ona us bank :,.~::J=!" :=:; Express n-onay «dtr . rNe suggest you~ a local booksmro firs~ ID avoid ' US/CANADA. C8nedaand USAb'_,.on & mon. City bydty inlcffnallanb' al US S1'1tas canadian Prowce,, Sid lie US Virgin 1- , plus ralO!twldo rescx,cos lncludlnglloadqYa1orsof retlonal cr11r,lza!lon1mc:air:uses;piblicalans;mailcrdl!a,mpan1at,1C.$12.00;CMalldeN.Anllrlca$17 (arrmal) NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY. NY & NJ;-tt wcrnon·s SIC!lon; - bar rctes by J•ry Fitzpa~id<. $5.00; DIJlllde N. Amorlca $1 (alnnllij · ~~~-VI ... ,~. Ml,~'AWISl$5.00~ ~~~NL. .AZ,AR, Fi., GA, KS, l(f, IA, MS, M:l. NM, NC,OK. PR, SC, , , rg1n s-"'s, "' . . 1 --- • Amertca $8(alrmal) . NORTHEJST. CT, DE, DC,~. W., NH, OH, PA, RI, VT, WV. $5.00; ~ N. Amorlca$8 (alrmalQ RENAISSANCE HOUSE, BOX 533-SS VILLAGE STAOON, NEW YORK, NY 10014-0292(212)674-0120 Second Stone-September/October, 1993 [11]. Videos ........................................................................ Rev. Janie Spahr's story on video "FOR US TO finally reclaim ourselves, to say 'yes' to ourselves, had to be a spiritual experience ... there had to be a God working with us," says Rev. Jane Spahr during an interview segment of "Maybe We're Talking About a Different God: Homosexuality and the Church," a new video which chronicles the painful ordeal of Spahr's overthrown call to serve a Rochester, New York .congregation. Jane Adams Spahr was chosen over several other candidates by an impressed· nominating committee from the Downtown United Presbyterian Church . The congregation overwhelmingly approved the nominating committee's choice. But the fact that Spahr is an open lesbian did not set well with church hierarchy and the protest that followed eventually was successful in thwarting her call. "I didn't really know the meaning of homophobia until · I joined the [nominating] committee," said Jack . Network Q monthly video magazine Network Q is television from "a slightly different perspective." The monthly video magazine says they are "one year old and still too queer for cable." A new two hour program is available every month for sub scribers. In addition to film and book Love Makes a Family DURING THE PAST decade Quaker meetings have been seeking to understand and accept lesbian and gay families. · "Love Makes a Family" is the story of the affirming and transforming power of love. In 1973, a lesbian couple asked the Quaker meeting in Hayward, California to celebrate their marriage. Since that time, Quaker meetings have engaged in intense discussions of whether they will treat same sex couples exactly the same as they treat heterosexual couples when offering celebrations of marriage . Because Quakers make decisions by consensus, the entire community has been involved in these discussions. · During the years that followed, lesbian and gay Quakers have been quietly assuming an open and equal role in many Friends meetings and organizations. In the process, a new ~J·i·t 11,i!lli) \ -; -.-•- ...i :-.·: ·- ·, -~~ r·· . -- .. , sfu- •, . ·-, ', .... .,. -- ··' 11' ' .... 't ._ \ ~e , . ~{af!i~!~~-- On 100 beautirul acres with pool; hot tub, skiing and more. lnnkecpm Judith Hal\. and Grace Newman invite you to write or call for a brochure. [ 14 j Second Stone<September/October, 1993 ... ·- . reviews, the programs features travel news, comedy, and interviews with people like Urvashi Vaid, Brian McNaught, Mar-vin Liebman, and Gus Van Sant. Subscriptions are $16. 95 per month or $199 per year for 12 videos. For information call 800-368-0638. understanding of "family" has emerged. "Love Makes a Family" provides a new vision of families. It demonstrates that families are not limited by gender, number, or sexual .orientation. Some of the families in this video have children; some do not. Some of the fam.ilies· live in complex, blended family groups. Others consist of a single individual who has neither a "spouse" nor children, but an extended circle of friends and loved ones who form that person'sfamily. "Love Makes a Family" is a moving portrait of the affirming, transcending, and transforming power of love. For information on this · video, write to Love Makes a Family, Inc., P.O . Box 11694, Portland, OR 97211. The video that Jesse Helms wants us all to see 'That gay parade ... I wish every American could see it," said Senator Jesse Helms. Well, every American can see it! The San Francisco Gay Pride parade is available on video tape through . K. C. Frogge, 223 Granada Ave ., San Francisco, CA 94112. It is the largest gay pride parade in the nation. Filmed at the beginning of the parade route from the judge's grandst<1nd, each participant is captured at his or her energetic best. Norton. "I asked one of the people on the committee what did they mean and they told me. So apparently I had •a wee bit of that." The video demonstrates how homophobia can give way to acceptance. "Janie is so much more than that," says one woman. The scenes of the church trial are wrenching. Spahr is shown silently shakin_g her head and squirming as . attorneys representing those who protested the call rattle off myths about homosexuality, linking Gays and Lesbians with child molesters. "How we're described is malicious and violent/ says Spahr, "It's an aching sadness... . We're talking about... we're people. And we're in your families ... We make love, and we make_ pea~e, and we make meals, and we hve ... For information on this half hour video, which comes with a discussion guide, contact Leonardo's Children; Inc., 26 Newport Bridge Rd., Warwick, NY 10990. . " ~·, """-' .w ' 'IJ . . ,. } .""' , ,· ~ ... , . .. ;, Belinda Mason, subject of a video directed by Anne Lewis Johnson Belinda A NATIVE OF easterD Kentucky, Belinda Mason was, as she says, "a small-town journalist, a young .mother, a reliable Tupperware party guest" until she became infected with the HIV virus in 1987. She decided to go public with her condition and spent the rest of her life as a powerful advocate for AIDS prevention, education, treatment, and human rights. In this video, simply titled "Belinda," she talks about her own experiences dealing with AIDS and the support she found within her rural community . "AIDS.is less about dying than about choosing how lo live," she says. Included is • a presentation she made with her pastor to members of the Southern Baptist Convention. "People ask . me if I think AIDS is a punishment from God. I can't pretend to fathom what God is thinking, but maybe we should look at AIDS as a test, not for the people who are infected, but for the rest of us," Mason said. She also comments on her role and responsibilities as a national spokesperson for people with AIDS, saying "one Bush · administration insider, when asked to explain the President's decision to bestow a coveted seat on the National Commission on AIDS on me, observed that I was 'palatabie' - like mashed potatoes and gravy." Funny, · down-to.earth, and nev-er self-pitying, "Belinda" speaks with a moving eloql!ence of the need for a collective response to AIDS which is not crippled by racism, homophobia, fear or ignorance. For information o'n this video, contact Appalshop Film and Video, 800-545-7467 or write to 306B Madison St., Whitesburg, KY 41858. T In Print T .................................... . •_ ................................... . Legacy of the Heart: The Spiritual Advantages of a .Painful Childhood .By Rev . Richard 8. Gilbert Contributing Writer Wayne Muller, author. Simon and Schuster, New York 1992 T his book is about adults (all adults, in many ways), who carry particular scars (challenges) that are burdens from childhood, barriers that may be thwarting personal spiritual _ growth, but which await healing from within through one's spiritual journey. It is a book for all of us as we search out that spirituality which keeps us connected in a world, in our own stories, in our own families, in our own searching, when we ofen feel so very disconnected. Legacy of the Heart starts with invitation/ affirmation. We have scars. We have opportunities lo grow and heal through self discovery on our own journey. The book becomes a pathway that brings together in a most surprising and entertaining way In Print, briefly ... Chosen: Gay Catholic Priests Tell Their Stories There have always been gay priests in the church, but attitudes toward !hem and understanding of their situation has varied over the centuries. This book, by Dr. Elizabeth Stuart, will move many readers and scandalize others. In it, British Roman Catholic priests and seminarians, who · als9 happen lo be gay, share thoughts, feelings and experiences about being a gay man in a church which condemns homosexuality as "disordered." -From LGCM, Oxford House, Derbyshire St., London E2 6HG U.K Uncle What-ls-It Is Coming to Visit Michael Willhoite, the author/illustrator of the controversial-children's book Daddy's Roommate has completed this new book which is the story of two children awaiting a first visit from their gay uncle, and of. all the people who try to tell the children what "gay" means before he arrives. -From Alyson Publications Personal lette1rs sought for new book Personal letters t,illing others about positive HIV status are sought for a bcok tentatively tilled "Moving to the Moon." The anthology is being compiled by Meg Umans, who edited Like Coming Home: Coming-out Letters, published in 1988. Deadline for submissions is December 31, 1993. For information write to "Moving to the Moon," 2447 E. Coronado Rd., Phoenix, Al. 85008. the paths of psychology and the paths of spirituality. The two do not have to exist in conflict, but can work together. In other words, words about mercy, simplicity, nonattach .. ment., isolation, intimacy and forgiveness are not "owned" by those pastoral or those clinical, for we are whole people who can come through life's experiences and burdens lo our common health and spiritual wholeness through that which is both psychological and spiritual. They are partners, not adversaries. The book begins with an invitation to "reawakening," to discovering afresh issues and needs within you that may be hurting you, or at least holding you back on your journey, and which can become openings in the thick walls we build around ourselves to shed light, hope and peace . The book starts where so many of us find ourselves daily . "When we are hurt as children, we can quickly learn to see ourselves as broken, handicapped or defective in some essential way." I hear that over and over in the stories of patients I visit and people I counsel, and I know my counselor/ spiritual advisor hears those words from me. They become slavery, chains that .enslave us, like weeds in the garden, choking off our breathing in the essentials to life and growth . The "garden" which is our story can be cultivated, can be weeded out, or at least made more manageable . These painful scars send out tangential statements and actions that shoot forth from us like stinging ar rows or pointed bullets. They really are not outward, but are inward, issues and dynamics that point to our inner soul and beg for release, for healing, for connectedness. The author then reminds us, "Seen through this lens (the family pain of our past) , family sorrow is not only a painful wound to be endured, analyzed and treated. It may in fact become a seed that gives birth to our spiritual healing and awakening ." The book then begins a remarkable journey of both moving us into our -stories, into our hearts, and yet leading us to that emergence which becomes new life, new freedom, new growth. It is not just a therapy issue. It is the use of many resources, many traditions, that connects to our spirit (spiritual journey) that brings us to the new freedom we all seek. We watch the shackles of these painful enslavements falling away. Then the word of hope, You are not broken; childhood suffering is not a mortal wound, and Wayne Muller, author of Legacy of the Heart, is a therapist and graduate of the Harvard Divinity School. He is founder of Bread for the Journey, a nonprofit organization serving families and communities in need . He lives with his wife, Christine, and two children in Santa Fe, New Mexico. ii did not irrevocably shape your destiny . You need not remove, destroy or tear anything out of yourself m order to build s omething new . Your challeng e is not to keep trying to repair what is damaged ; your practice instead is to reawaken what is alr eady wise, strong, and whole within you ... (and, the hope ... ) Your life is not a problem to be solved but a gift to be opened. Just as the pain, hurt, and suffering that came to you as a child were powerfully real, so is the tangible resilience of your spirit equaHy vital and alive . This book will help you reawak en that inner strength and discover a reliable sense of safety, belonging and peace . Oh how I wish I had read this book earlier in my life. Of course, I may not have been ready to hear the wonderful words of reawakening and life that I now can hear and acqu ire for myself . I hope you will allow this book to bring that awakening into your spiritual story . Rev. Richard Gilbert is the Director of Pastoral Services at Porter Memorial Hospital in Valparaiso, Indiana. QUOTEABLE "The entire onus against homosexualihj is because of religion. For Lesbians and Gays to go to church is like running into a house on fire. Gays are flocking into churches like thet;thfnk it will do them some good and it won't. If thet/ re going in there to find God or individual salvation, it's a waste of time ... - Madalyn Murray O'Hair . r.-;i Second Stone-September/October, 1993 LliJ In Print . . . . . ~ ........ . . · ..... . . . . . . . . ~ . Jesus Acted Up: A Gay and Lesbian Manifesto By Gay la M. Worrell Contributing Writer Robert Goss, author. Harper San Francisco, 1993. $19.00. '' I engage in a queer battle for the politics of Christian · truth and a battle for sexual justice," states Robert Goss in the introduction to Jesus Acted Up: A Gay and Lesbian Manifesto. In this provocative book, Goss presents a "queer" liberation theology that challenges the homophobia found in institutionalized religions. In the first few chapters, Goss presents a well rounded history of gay · and lesbian oppression, the gay ·and lesbian civil rights movement, and the homophobia of institutionalized religions. Citing examples of homophobic oppression in society, Goss constructs the social organization of homophobia. Although· well known among · gay men and Lesbians, Goss presents a concise and accurate history for those unfamiliar with the experience. Included in this history are writings by gay men and Lesbians on the subjects of silence, invisibility, and homophobia. Excerpts of Erik Marcus' Making Histo1y: An Oral Histo1y (Harp.er Collins, 1992) and conversations with participants give a brief history of the Stonewall riots, recognized as the start of the modem gay rights movement. Also included are examples of discrimination faced . by gay men and Lesbians in employment, health care, and within their churches. From excerpts of writing by Judy Grahn, Julia Penelope and others, Goss demonstrates the profound effect that living in a closeted silence has.had on the spiritual lives of many gay men and Lesbians. Goss discusses the formation and activism of such groups as ACT UP and Queer Nation . The liberation of coming out, both personally and publicly, is shown through examples of activism by A TRIBUTE to the GAYS AND LESBIANS of THE QUEEN CITY of CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA ~ru Second Stone-September/October, 1993 these and other groups over the past two decades. One of the most controversial ideas in current liberation theologies is that of Jesus as a sexual being. In 'The Sexuality of Jesus," Rosemary Ruether calls for a restoration of sexuality to the traditional image of Jesus. Both she and Malcolm Boyd claim that Jesus was a sexual being and that His sexuality was controlled, not by power, but by friendship. Goss states that it is only natural for gay and lesbian Christians to reclaim Jesus as a gay friendly, "queer Christ," much as African American Christians have reclaimed Jesus as the "black Christ." Although specific information regarding Jesus' sexual practices has been lost, Jesus' known actions are neither heterosexist nor homophobic. This reclamation . affirms and uplifts the sexually oppressed. A queer liberation theology is ·, . liberation of more than just the gay and lesbian community. By fighting for liberation of all oppressed groups, gay men and Lesbians seek a totally egalitarian restructuring of social and cultural deployments of power. Oppressed groups , need to link experiences, expanding the horizons of liberation and provide energy and commitment to the project of human liberation, Thus, the liberation of one becomes the liberation of all. Goss repeatedly demonstrates the methods by which various institutions, specifically the Catholic and Protestant churches, have silenced gay men and Lesbians. By implicating homosexuals in the breakdown of traditional "family values," the church enforces a form of compulsory heterosexuality. The silence of the _ gay community has only . helped to enforce the attitudes of intolerance al)d fear found within most organized religion. In contrast, Goss shows that the scriptural examples used to promote fear and intolerance can also prove just the opposite. By interpreting these biblical passages to show Jesus' embrace of that which was outside the · cultural norm, Goss explains why the current atmosphere of fear and intolerance toward gay men and Lesbians goes against biblical teachings. Goss shows that Jesus used the symbol of God's reign to speak of liberation, not oppression. The parables of the good Samaritan, the prodigal son, · the vineyard workers, and the great banquet all symbolize the transformation of society into a radically egalitarian age where social power and hierarchical attitudes becpme irrelevant. Thus, sexual, social, religious and political distinctions also become irrelevant. Goss also uses these examples of institutional interpretations to answer the question of whether gay men and. Lesbians should continue their involvement with the church. By remaining in a homophobic spiritual environment, gay men and Lesbians internalize the oppression found in these settings . This is especially true of those in the clergy or administrative positions. The internal: ization of homophobia continues the institutionalized homophobia that those gay men and Lesbians in the church often claim lo be fighting against. For gay men and Lesbians who work from within these institutions to elicit change, they must speak out for their rights as Christians. Goss advocates a day of coming out for those within institutionalized religions. If the larg e numbers of gay men and Lesbians who hold clerical and administrative positions within most churches were to announce their sexual orientation at the same time, the result would be a radical change within the institution of organized religions. The same holds true for congregational members of most churches. Through a deconstruction of the social construction of homophobia and the oppressive theology of institutionalized Christianity, Goss reaffirms the gay and lesbian Christian experience. Goss advocates for Jesus the liberator as opposed to Jesus the oppressor. When viewed as a liberating, radical, dissident, queer, Jesus becomes a liberator of the gay and lesbian community instead of an oppressive tool of institutionalized Christology, With this liberating theology, gay and lesbian Christians can rejoice in a kingdom of God where love, rather than power, governs human relations. Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .............. TIie Jo/lawing announcements have been · submitted by sponsoring or affiliated groups. Parliament of the World's Religions AUGUST 28-SEPTEMBER 5, a major interfaith gathering with many of the ·world's religions represented. Exhibits, performances, lectures and presentations, interfaith dialo~ues, children's programs and meetmgs of specialized groups . The Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions . says "All are welcome to gather in Chicago in 1993 to listen to one another, to be challenged to find new \vays of living together, anc! to seek new visions for the future ." For information write to: Parliament of the World's Religions, P.O. Box 1630, Chicago, IL 60690. 4th Annual Rhythm Fest SEPTEMBER 2-6, a celebration of women's music, art and politics to be held in a new location in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Asheville, North Carolina . For information contact RhythmFest, 957 N. Highland Ave., NE, Atlanta, GA 30306, ( 404)873-1551. First International TEN Conference SEPTEMBER 3-5, The Evangelical Network, based in Phoenix; Ariz., holds its first international conference in Vancouver, B.C., under the• auspices of Liberty Community . Church. Sessions and workshops will addr ess such topics as "Healing the Hurts We Don't Deserve," Handling Your Hormones," "Coupling Concerns for Gay Christians;: "Mourning Song," and 'The Skilled Caregiver." The weekend will climax with a communion service and the lighting of an AIDS vigil candle . For information contact #201-6380 Clarendon Sir., Vancouver, B.C. V5S 2J9 Canada; (604)321-4633. QUOTABLE "Many are called bttt few getup." -Oliver He?ford P-FLAG Annual Convention SEPTEMBER 3-6, The 12th Annual International Convention of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays will be held in New Orleans Labor Day weekend al the Sheraton Hotel · on Canal Sireet "Celebrating Family 0 New Orleans Style" is the theme. A variety of workshops will be offered. Featured speakers include Congressman Gerry E. Studds and Mitzi Henderson, P-FLAG president and a leader in the Presbyterian Church's More Light Churches Network . Entertainer Lynn Lavner will kick off the conference with a Friday night concert . For information contact New Orleans P-FLAG, P.O. Box 15485, New Orleans, LA 70175. Affirmation National Conference SEPTEMBER 17-19, Affirmation: Gay and Lesbian Mormons holds its 15th annual . national conference. Gay and Lesbian Mormons as well as their supportive.family and friends are invited to attend. For one weekend each year, gay Mormonsfrom all over the United States·and several foreign countries meet to celebrate being gay /lesbian as well as their Mormon heritage. This year, the San Diego chapter of Affirmation is hosting the event at the Kona Kai Resort on San Diego's Shelter Island . Keynote speaker is D. Michael Quinn . A highlight of the we ekend will be the harbor cruise. For information c~ll (619)283-8810. AIDS, Medicine and Miracles Sixth Annual Conference themed "Unity in Diversity: Sharing Our Gifts" at two locations: JULY 8-11, Berkeley, Calif ., and SEPTEMBER 23-26, Rhinebeck, New York. Retreat leaders invite all for a time of learning, play, tears, inspiration and joy. The conference is a forum for an array of expert opinion and for the wisdom of people living with HIV. There is a balance of presentations, workshops and creative experienc es ranging from medicine to music . For information contact AIDS, Medicine & Miracles, P.O. Box 9130, Boulder, CO 80301-9130, (303)447-8777 or (800)875-8770. Tour of Israel SEPTEMBER 22-0CTOBER 8, Royal Menoral1 Adventures coordinates a tour of Israel for gay and lesbian travelers, escorted by Bible·.student and previous Israeli resident Daniel Mark. $2850 per person, sharing twin accommodations . Contact Royal Tours; 1742 E. Broadway, Long Beach, CA 90802, (310)983-7370. National Coming Out Day OCTOBER J.1, Take your next step. Call (505)982-2558 for information. Advance'93 OCTOBER 18-24, Advance Christian Ministries sponsors its annual gathering featuring a pastors' and ministers' fellowship, School of the Prophets study courses and the Advance Weekend, filled with preaching, teaching and worship. Over 250 are expected to attend the largest, most established, and continuous evangelical conference of its kind. The location is a campground near Houston . For information call (214)522-1520. BMC Women's Retreat OCTOBER 22-24, The Brethren/ Mennonite Council is planning a fun-filled gathering for lesbian, bi, or supportive straight women at scenic Bradford Woods Retreat Center, 20 miles southwest of Indianapolis. Cost is $45 per person. For information contact Kirsten, (312)761-4868 or Kris, (317)923-1830. Call to Action Conference OCTOBER 29-31, Ever since Call to Action opened the 1990s with "A Call for Reform in the Catholic Church" the group has continued a commitment to "reinvent the Churcl1." The CT A a1mual conference is evolving into a national congress of persons, communities and organizations working to give birth to a church where priesthood and ministry are rethought, women assume their rightful place, collaboration replaces patriarchy, and Catholic social teaching demands an outward mission to transform social structures. Over 2000 people are exp ected to attend the conference, to be held in Chicago at the Hyatt Regency O 'Hare. For more information contact Call to Action, 4419 N. Kedzie, Chicago, IL 60625, (312)6Q4.a0400. National Skills Building Conference . OCTOBER 31-NOVEMBER 3, the largest gathering of front line AIDS workers in the country . Sponsored by the AIDS National Inferfaith Network, the National Association of People with AIDS, and the National Minority AIDS Council, the gathering is the only national management training conference designed to help community-based organizations become more effective. The Hyatt Regency in New Orleans is the setting. Attendees will have the opportunity, at extra cost, to attend the Project Lazarus Halloween party, a costume-mandatory fundraising party. For information contact National Skills Building Conference, 300 Eye St., NE, Ste. 400, Washing- . ton, DC 20002-4389. RE-imagining/ Churches in Solidarity with Women NOVEMBER 4.7; A global theological conference by women for women and men. Re-imagining God, creation, Jesus, church as spiritual institution , arts/ church, language/ word, ethics/work/ ministry, community, sexuality/family, church as worshipping community. Featuring many presenters including Mary E. Hunt and Virginia Ramey Mollenkott. The Mi1meapolis Conv '!!n- · lion Center is the setting. Contact Rev. Sally Hill, 122 W. Franklin Ave., Room 100, Minneapolis, MN 55404, (612)870-3600, fax (612)870-3663. Gay Religious Leadership Meeting NOVEMBER 9-12, The Lesbian, Gay and Affirming National Leadership Meeting is an opportunity for national officers from all of the lesbian and gay caucuses and the affirming congregation programs to share ideas. The Sheraton Inner Harbor in Baltimore is the setting. The meeting is held in conjunction with the National Council of Churches' General Board Meeting. For information contact Rev. Kit Cherry, (213)464-5100. Creating Change 1993 NOVEMBER 12-14, The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force has announced that keynote speakers for its sixth annual Creating Change conference, to be held in Durham, N .C., will be Mab Segrest, Dr. Franklin Kameny and Dr. Marjorie J. Hill . For information on this · conference contact NGLTF, 1734·14th St., NW, Washington, DC 20009, (202)332-6483. Second Slone-September/October, 1993 [iz] T Noteworthy T . . ·• ........... . UFMCC elects three people of color to top leadership t.THE UNIVERSAL FELLOWSHIP of Metropolitan Community Churches has elected three people of color to its Board of Elders, its highest governing board . Rev. Darlene Gamer (If Falls Church, Va., Rev. Hong Tan of London, England, and· Mr. Larry Rodriguez of Los Angeles were ele.cted to the seven -member Board of Second Stone will run your 30 word classified ad in our next 3 issues for the price of 1 ! $10.50 Ourciassifieds work! Meet a new customer for your business ... a new friend in a city you'll be visiting soon. .. a new pen pal ... the possibilities are exciting! Second Stone classifieds reach readers in eve,y state and many foreign countries. Use the order form on the classified page and include classification, months to run and billing address. Ads must be pre-paid. 20 word minimum. Each additional word, 35¢. Ads may be faxed to (504)891-7555. Ads billed must be paid prior to publication. For help call (504)899-4014. No sexually explicit ads. We reserve the right to refuse any ad for any reason. Coming Out means telling the truth about our lives ... a family value we can live with. ~ -· Please give generously to the most effective campaign our community will ever wage. NATIONAL COMING OUT DAYOCTOBER 11 PO Box 8270, SANTA FE, NM 87504-8270 505-982-2558 Your contn1>ullon Is tax-deductible ................................... . -· ................. . Elders July 23 in Phoenix, Ariz., at the UFMCC's General Conference which .nearly 1,200 people attended . Rev. Tan is the first elder of Asian descent and Rev. Garner is the first elder of African heritage. Their election marks the first lime in the · 25-year history of the fellowship that all the elders elected were people of color. "We're going to have a denomination that looks like the world," said Rev. Tro¥ Perry, UFMCC founder and moderator. ''This election reflects UFMCC's continuing commitment to fight racism and create a global church to serve Lesbians, gay men and their supporters around the world." Disciples of Christ regional body passes gayaffirming resolution . t.THE 139TH ANNUAL Meeting of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Northern California-Nevada held at Asilomar endorsed by more than a two. thirds majority of the voting delegates a resolution which affirms and welcomes lesbian women and gay men fully into the church and church leadership . Much of the leadership in persuading the regional church to take s.uch a stand came from First Christian Church of San Jose. "Four years ago, this congregation called me to be its minister with the For your convenience you may now FAX: EDITORIAL • Letters to the Editor •Newscllps •Calendar items SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES •New subscriptions •Renewals •Gift subscriptions •Address changes ADVERTISING •Classified ads •Insertion orders or space reservations (504)891-7555 clear understanding that I am an openly gay man," said Richard Miller. A year ago, at the 1992 assembly for the region, a similar resolution was tabled in favor of an alternative motion calling for a delay in the vote and the appointment of an ad hoc committee to promote study and dialogue on sexuality. Rev. Shawver heads new AIDS agency £\REV. RENNE SHA WYER, former Associate Pastor of King of Peace MCC in St. Petersburg, Fla., has been named to head a new Pinellas County AIDS program, Metropolitan Charities AIDS Services. The goal of the program is to create a safe, positive environment for people who are living with AIDS. Rev. Ken Coulter dies £\FUNERAL SERVICES for Rev. Ken Coulter of Dallas were held May 16th. Rev. Coulter was founder of Grace Fellowship in Dallas and New Orlea_ns. He pastored the Dallas church for the past nine years. Rev. Jerry Felix Russell passes t.REV . JERRY FELIX RUSSELL, founder of Shammah Christian Fellowship in Chicago, died on May 22nd. Rev. · Russell worked with Sylvia Pennington during her ministry and was active in Advance Christian Ministries. MCC's Rev. Larry Dunlap dies LI.REV. LAWRENCE CHARLES DUNLAP, Minister of Music at River City MCC in Sacramento, passed away on July 7 after a lengthy battle with complications with AIDS. He was the former Senior Pastor of Emmanuel MCC in Spokane, Wa., and had been actively involved in a number of UFMCC congregations around the Los Angeles area. He was born March 26, 1955 in Wallace, Indiana. Lesbian Christians plan gathering t.A COMMITTEE has recently been formed consisting of lesbian Christians from across the United States to plan for a National Congress for Lesbian Christians in -1995 to be held on Bulk Copies Available • • • • • • • • • • • • • OF THIS ISSUE OF SECOND STONE For church /group distribution , conferences, bar ministry, etc . 10 copies· $13.50 • 25 copies· $29.50 • 50 copies· $45.00 100 copies • $67 .50 includes postage and handling Limited quantity of back issues available FREE; add $5.00 postage for every 50 copies. Send-your pre-paid order to Second Stone, P.O. Box 8340. ·New Orleans, LA 70182 the West Coast. A survey for those interested in planning, participating, and attending is now being conducted. For information contact the National Congress for Lesbian Christians Planning Committee, P.O. Box 814, Capitola, CA 95010 or call 1-800-861-NCLC between 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p .m., Pacific time; Computerized AIDS Ministries Network up and running t.CAM, THE COMPUTERIZED AIDS Ministrie; Resource Network' is now available. It is designed to provide a medium through which proless10nals may obtain current information and resources to assist in ministering to persons impacted by HIV. CAM also provides services that will help those engaged in HIV/ AIDS ministries to interact with one another . The CAM Network is a project of the Health and . Welfare Ministries Program Department of the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church. Callers can access CAM through a personal computer by dialing 1-800-542-5921, which is toll free. The computer must have a modem, a telephone line for the modem, and communications software. A "CAM User Packet," which includes a manual and a diskette with the communications program, CILINK, may be requested by calling (212)870-3909. All God's Children. plans video ministry .!'.ALL GOD'S CHILDREN MCC in Minneapolis . has recently started a video ministry in which they are taping key worship services, seminars and other special events . The church is seeking producers who are certified on public access equipment to help with at least one program per year. For information call (612) 824-2673. Lesbian and gay parents meet in Orlando iiMORE THAN 340 lesbian and gay parents and their children gathered ,. in Orlando, Florida over the July 4th weekend for the Gay and Lesbian Parents Coalition Intemational's 14th annual conference. ·Founded in 1980 as a coalition of gay fathers support groups and redefined as a lesbian and gay parenting organization in 1986, this year GLPCI achieved the goal of equal participation by men and women. · Teenagers _ and older children attending put on their own conference and by the end of the weekend, the 65 young people present had officially changed their organization's name from "Just For Us" to "Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere" (COLAGE). One particularly wellreceived workshop · was a panel SEE NOTEWORTHY, Page 20 [ 1s·: Second Stone-September/October, 1993 Resource Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............... Listings in the Resource Guide are free to churches, organizalions, publications and community services. Send information lo Second Stone, Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 or FAX lo (504)891-7555. National EVANGELICALS CONCERNED, c/o Dr. Ralph Blair, 311 East 72nd St., New York, NY 10021. (212)517-3171. Publications: Review and Record. CONFERENCE FOR CATHOLIC LESBIANS, P.O. Bo, 436 PfanelariumS\n., New Yor~ NY 10024. (607)432-9295. RELIGION WATCH, P.O. Box 652, North Bellmore, NY 11710. A LUT~E~Ai:s~~c~~N~ iNoRiH1-ME~c~'.9 ~, 10461, Fort Dearborn Slafion, Chica90, IL 60610-0461. PtiJication: The Concord PRESBYTERIANS FOR LESBIAN & GAY CONCERNS, P.O. Box 38, New Brunsl',ick, NJ 08903-0038. Publicalion: More Ugh! ~~~~SAL FELLOWSHIP OF METROPCLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCHES 5300 Sanla Monica Blvd, #304, Los Angeles, CA WrHW~~f~E~~~~i~~~ter~ 'l'li::N AND GAY CONCERNS, BOK 65724, Washingon, DC 20035. Pu~icalion: 8~11 f ~~e CHURCH COALITION FOR LESBIAN / GAY CONCERNS, 18 N. College, Athens, OH 45701, (614) 593-7301. Publication: Waves SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISTS KINSHIP INTERNATIONAL, Bo, 3840, Los Angeles, CA 90078, (213)876-2076. Publicafion: Connection RECONCILING CONGREGATION PROGRAM, P.O. Box 23636, Washington, DC 20026, [202)863-1586. Publicalion: Open Hands Box 7331, L.olis\iDe, KY l{J257. (502)893-0783. , FEDERATION OF PARENTS AND FRIENDS OF LESBIANS AND GAYS, INC. P.O. Box 27605, Wlshirgon, DC20038. Send $3.00 lor packel ol informafion. NATIONAL GAY PENTECOSTAL ALLIANCE (also Pentecoslal Bible fnsfilufe [M°inisferiaf frainingl) P.O. Box 1391, Scheneclaclj, NY 12301-1391. (518)372-6001. Ptblicalion: The Aposlolic Voice. DIGNITY/USA, 1500 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Ste. 11, Washington, DC 20005. (800)877-8797. Gay and lesbian Catholics and their friends. MORE LIGHT CHURCHES NET\\ORK, 600 W. Fullerton Pkwy., Chica90, IL 60614-2690, (312)338-0452. Resource packel, $12. Publicafion: More Ugh! Churches Ne!v.ork Newsleller METHODIST FEDE AA TION FOR SOCIAL ACTION, a PsT¾~tf~r~1~11~~1l~~~)~j3_~}sI_kpJ;~/~~~~:ia!ti~~ Bullelin. Alabama BIRMINGHAM • THE ALABAMA FORUM, P.O. Bo, 55894, 35255-5894. (2(!;)328-9228. Arizona TLCSON • Corne,sfone Fellov.ship, 2902 N. Geronimo, 85705. (&>2)622-4626. Rad:l Schaff, Pastor. MESA • Boundless Love Community Church, 431 S. Slapley Dr., 85204. (602)439-0224. P,J. Fousek-Gregan, pastor. Sunday, 10roam TUCSON • Casa De La Paloma Arx,stolic Church, 1122 N. Jones Blvd, P.O. Box 14003, 85732-4003. (602)323-6855. Rev. Margaret ."Sano( Lewis, pastor. California INTEGAITY,.INC., P.O. Box 19561, Waslirglon, DC20036-0561, SAN LUIS OBISPO - MCC of !he Cenlral Coasl, P.O. Box 1117, [718) 720-3054. Pu!>icafion: The Voice of I nle(Tity . Grover City, 93483-1117, (805)481-9376. Surday, 10:30 a.m. Rev. ECUMENICAL CATHOLIC CHURCH, P.O. Box 32, Villa Grande, Randi A Lesler, Paslor. CA 95486-0032. Holy Spirt Church, Easl Moline, IL, SACRAMENTO • Koinonia Chrislian Fellowship, P.O. Box (309)792-6188. SI. Michael's Church, Russian River, CA, (707) 189444, 95818. (916)452-5736. Tom Rossi, Pa~or. · 865-0119. Publicafion: The Tablet SACRAMENTO. THE LATEST ISSl1:, P.O. Box 160584, 95816. LIVING STREAMS, P.O. Box 178, Concord, CA 94522-0178. (916)737-1088. ~o"s0 ~1/icf~t~fgRFAITH NETWORK, 300 I SL, NE, Sle. m=~~~Olta~~~i~t1i':~t~~ss1T%t:~oo~~ i~/:oos.;,t, ~1::ftA'.1~~r~i;~· (800)288-9619, FAX (202)546-5103. (213)656-8570. PtiJication: ET New; NATIONAL CENTER FOR LESBIAN RIGHTS • 1663 Mission SI, ~~[i~1iifg56~t~~a;~9c~%~~!e~I 6 Vallejo SL' 1125• ~1~1 ~Jtn&'~~t~ 0p~~~i)r°3 coAUTION, PO Box 50360, :~i::~!ii\~?n?.: PG~y ~~d 4~Wci~~~~1°'i~~l5)~;~~8g' WashinQion, DC 20091. PtiJicalion: Nelwork Publication: Our Slories. THE \M1NESS, Published l>f ihe Episcopal Church Pu!>ishing SAN FRANCISCO • The Parsonage, 555-A Caslro SI., Co., 1249 Washington Blvd, Sle. 3115, Delrrnf, Ml 48226-1868. 94114-0293. Publication: T~ parsonage New;_. (313)962-2350 .CONCORD. Free Ca\hclic Aposfola1e ol lhe Redeemer, 1440 INTEANA TIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN ARCHIVES, The Nalalie Delroil Ave, #3, 94520. (510)798'5281. CBaArney Edwa_ (21r3d)8ca54'!"'02n711e_r~~~:!0Bul. tfn 38100, Hof~ SAN FRANCISCO • DIGNITY, 208 Dolores SI., , 94103. 90038 (415)255-9244. PL.i>icafion: Bridges. COUPLES Nev.sletter, Published l>f TWT Press, Inc., P.O. Box GLENDALE. Divine Redeemer MCC, 346 Riverdale Dr., 91204. 253, Braintree, MA02184-0003. Sunday, 10:45 a.m., Wed, Fri., 7:30 p.m. Rev. Stan Harris, WOODSWOMEN • Adventure travel for women, 25 W. pastor. Publication: From Mary's Shrine. Diamond Lake Rd., Minnearx,lis, MN 55419, (800)279-0555, APPLE VALLEY. Light of the Desert Church, Inc., P.O. Box 247, ~lB~~ltF< 5 J~~;/5~\he magazine for Christian 92307. (619)247-2572. Sunday, 6:30 p.m. Non-denominational Ferrunisls, 3801 No. Keeler, Chica90, IL 60641, (312)736-3399. Chrislian church. CHI AHO PRESS. A special mrk of !he UFMCC Mid-Atlantic SAN JOSE· Hosanna Church of Praise, 24 No. 51h SI., 95112. Dislricl. Publisher of religious books and maferials. P.O. Box Publication: Celebraling His Life; Sharing His Love 7864 G lhersbur MD20898 (301)670-1859 OAKLAND. · Fr..-Calhclic Aposlolale of the Redeemer, 3649 COMM~ICATl~N MINISTRY, INC.-Diaiogue and suw,rt MaybelleAve.,8,94619(510)530-7055 griiup for gey and lesbian Calhclic clergy and religious. P.O. · RIVERSIDE-Community of Chris! 1he Life Giver, P.O. Box Box 60125, Chica90, IL 60660-0125. Pubhcal,on: Commurnca-51158,92517(9ll)781-7391 ~MEN'S ALLIANCE FOR THEOLOGY, ETHICS ANO RITUAL, BLYTHE - Gods Garden Growth Genier, 283 N. Solano 8035 13th SI., Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301)589-2509, FAX (619)922•0947-Bro. M~hael W. Tucker, pasfor. · (301)589-3150. Ptblicalion: WATEAv.!leel. SAN JOSE , Fi,sl Chrislian Church, 80 Soulh 51h SI., 95112. INTERNATIONAL FREE CATHOLIC COMMUNION, P.O. Box (408)294-2944. Aic!-.rdK. Miller, minister. 51158, Awe,side, CA 92517-2158 (909)781-7391 Pwlicafion: The COSTA MESA. Evangelicals Concerned SoUlh Coasl, P.O. -Free Catholic Communicant · . Bo, 4308, 92628-4308 (714)222-4933. Bible sluc!f, fellowship· INDEPENDENT CHURCH OF RELIGIOUS SCIENCE, 4102 Easl meetings, prayer grol.1'6, social aclMlies. D~1~eres~'.&~Ncg. ~~l~fmn-m~TISTS '- Box P:s~~D cf:~1 ~;,P.~n~~~ni~m1r:sch ~~ay J~ 2171, 256 So. Robertson Blvd., Beverty Hills, CA 90213. Schexnayder, (510)834-5657, exl. 3114. f~~j~~~fciN : Gax & Lesbian Morm_ons, P.O. Box 46022, Los SAN JOSE • Gay, Lesbian, and Affirming Disciples, c/o Firs! Angales, CA90046. (2l3)255.7251. Christ~n Church, 80 So. 51h St, 95112. (l{J6)294-2944. First Sun AF Fl AMA TION,IJniled Melhodsls for Gay & Lesbian Concerns, Also GLAD Northern Gali!., Third Sun., 4:00 p.m., Univ. Christian P.O. Box 1022, Evansfo~ IL 8:)204. Church, Berkeley. ST. TABITHA'S AIDS AP OS TOLA TE, Chrislian AIDS Ne!v.ork of the Merican OrthoOOx Calholic Church of St. Greg:,rios, P.O. Box 1543, Morterey, CA93Sl{J. (l{J6)899-0731. THE i\OMEf\lS PROJECT, 2224 Main SI., Little Rock, AA 72206. (501)372-5113. v\obrkshops on women's issues, social justice, racism and homophobia. . . . EMERGENCE International: A Community of Chnsllan Scientists S~rting lesbians and Gay Men. P.O. Box 9161, San Rafael, CA94912-9161. (415)485-1881. Ptblicalion: Emerg:,I GAYELLOWPAGES • P.O. Box 292, Villag:, Sin., NewYor~ NY 10014. (212)674-0120. WOMEN'S ORDINATION CONFERENCE, P.O. Box 2693, Fairlax, VA 22031-0693. (703)352-1006. GAY LESBIAN AND AFFIRMING DISCIPLES ALLIANCE, P.O. Box 19223, fndanapofis, IN 46219-0223._ (319)324-6231. _For members ot lhe Christian Church (D,sciples of Chnsl). Publication: Crossbeams. NEW DIRECTION Magazine for gay/lesbian Mormons, 6520 Selma Ave., Sle. AS-440, Los Angeles, CA 90028. ~~)4~~•· Box 83912, Los Angeles, CA 90083-0912. NEW WAYS MINISTRY, 4012 29th SI., Ml. Rainier, MD 20712, f;~a2 ~ 7 - 56 {c!n:u~ay~~:_t{:"~o~~~~\~1lc· ~~,~h~ 1h8 HONESf'{ Sotnhe;n tplisf Aclrocales for E<11al Aighls, P.O. Colorado DENVER· Evangelicals Reconciled, P.O. Box 200111, 80220, (303)331-2839. Coloracb tlJrings: (719)488-3158. DENVER - Evangeli~als Concerned/ Western Aegioil, P.O. Box 4750, 80204. Mication : Tli:Cable. · - Connecticut HARTFORD· MCC, P.O. Box 514, O&J16, (203)724-4605. Sl.11day, 7:00 p.m. The Meeting House, 50 Bloomfield Ave. District of Columbia lnteg:ity/Washington, Inc., P.O. Box 19561, 20036-0561. (301 )953-9421. Ptblicalion: Gayspring. · ALEXANDRIA, VA. • St. Cynl's Eastern Christian Fellowship, ~~t~~h:m~~: N301, 22303, (703)329-7896. A Byzantine WASHINGTON - MCC/DC, 474 Ridge SI., NW, 20001 (202)638-7373. Rev. Larry J. Uhrig, paslor. \\llness Praise Ministries Musical Evange\,s\ic T earn, Dale Jarrell, D1reclor. Florida CLEARWATER • Free Calhcfic Church of the Resurrection, 303. N Myrtle Ave., 34615. (813)44i3867. WEST PALM BEACH • MCC, 3500 45th SI., #2A, 33409. (407)687-3943. Sunday, 9:15 & 11:00 a.m. SelVices also in Fl. Pierce, (407)687-3943 and Pl. SI. Lucie, (407)340-0421. FOAT MYERS • SI. John the Aposl\e MCC, 2209 Unity al !he corner of BroaclNay. (813)278-5181. Suooay, 10:00 a.m., 7:00 p.m. Rev. James Lynch. · ~Ji1~~J~7;:~:~1- ::l~'. fa•:: ~~&i ~1!0 A 5it ~~eFre~ C. \Mlliams. Sr., pastor. CLEARWATER . Free Calholic Church of the Aesurfection, P.O. Box 3454, 34615 (813)442-3867 JACKSONVILLE • SI. Luke's MCC, 126 Easl 7th SI., 32206 · (904)358-6747. Sundly, 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 7 p:m. Rev. Franky• A. \Mile, pasfor. KEY VIEST • MCC, 1215 Pelroria St., 33040. (305)294-8912. Sun .. 9:30 a.m., 11:00a.m Aev. Sleven M. Torrence, paslor. Georgia ATLANTA • SOUTHERN VOICE, P.O. Box 18215, 30316. (404)878-1819. ATLANTA· Alf Saints Metropolitan Communily Church, P.O. Box 13968, 30324. (404)622-115,1 Hawaii KAHULUI • 80TH SIDES 1¥:JW Newsleller, P.O. Box 5042, 007:l2. Illinois CHICAGO· OUTLINES, Published by Lambda Pibficalions, 3059 N. Solitpcxl, 60657. (312)871-7610. FAX (312)871-7609. U)uisiana BATONAOUJE-Dig,ily, P.O. Box 4181, 70821. (504)383-&llO. NEW ORLEANS - Jusf For The Record, gaynesbian cable TV. Box 3768, 70m. NEWOALEANS-Vieux Carre Mee, 1128 SI. Roel, 70117-7716, (504)945-5390. Sunday, 10:00 a.m. Maryland THE BALTIMORE ALTEANA TIVE, P.O. Box 2351, Ballirrore, MD 21200. (301)=1. FAX(301)889-!xi65. Massachusetts CHERRY VALLEY· Morning Siar MCC, 231 Main SI., 01611. (508) 892-4320. Pibficalion: Morning Siar \\llness. SHREWSBURY • Aposlolic Church in Christ, P.O. Box 4258, Turrpke Sin, 01545 (508)752-0453. Rev. Mart< DeBrizzi, paslor. Michigan DETROIT. CRUISE Magazine, 19136 _,d North, 48203. (313)369-1901. FUNT • Redeemer MCC, 1665 N. Chevrolef Ave., 48504-3164. w~~l~:~~:~~~~r, t:~;:r.Rev Linda J. SI oner, Pasfor. ANN ARBOR • Huron Valley Community Church meels at ~fi/i~l~~¥ 4u~~~~1J;:n Ad, Ann Arbor, 48105-2896. DETROIT • frtegily, 980 \Milmore, #205, 48203. GRAND RAPIDS· Belhef Chris\ian Assent>fy, 920 Cherry SE, P.O. Box 6935, 49516. (616)459-8262. Rev. Bruce Aoller-Plelcher, pastor. Plblication: Bethel Beacon. Television: Channel 23, tsr 15-~~ /Lansing· Ecclesia. Affirming church meefs al People's Church, 200 W. Grand River. Sundly, 8:15 p.m. ANN ARBOR • Tree of Life MCC, meels al Firs! Con(Tegalional Church, 218 N. Adems, Ypsilanti. P.O. Box 2598, 48106. (313)665-6163. &may, 6:00p.m CETR"OIT • Men of Color Mofivafional Grol.!) meets Tuesdays al 7:00 p.m. al SI. Mallhew's and SI. Joseph's Episcopal ChLXch, 8850 W:xx!.Yard (313)871-4750. Minnesota MINNEAPOLIS· EQUAL TIME, 310 E 38th SI., Room 207, 55409. (612) 823-3836. Ptblishedby l.averdar, Inc. MINNEAPOLIS· All Gods Children Melropolilan Community Church, 3100 Park Ave. S. (612)824-2673. Pu~ication: The Disciple. Mississ ippi JACKSON • SI. Slephen's Uniled Community Church, 4872 N. ~iK~ot~i.i~rllrJ~~?~:id:e'. 1 ~ 71 :~. 7737, :>Il'2fl4-7737, (001)373-8610. JACKSON· Phoenix Coalifion, Inc., P.O. Box 7737, 39284-7737. Coonselirg selVices. (601)373-8611l'(&l1)939-7181. New Jersey ~iiiJ°i~ ;J~asis, 707 Washingon SI, P.O. Box 5149, SUSSEX • The Loving Brolherhood, P.O. Box 556, 07461. (201)875-4710. New Mexico ALBUQUERQUE • MCC, 2402 San Maleo Pf. NE, 87110. (505)881-ooaa SANTA FE • THE GATSBY CONNECTION, 551 W. Cordova, Sle. □.I:. 87501. (505)986-1794. New York NEW YORK· lnlegily, P.O. Box 5202, 10185-0043. Ptblication: Oullook. ROCHESTER • THE EMPTY CLOSET, 179 Allanlic Ave., 14607-1255. New York Slate's oldesl gay newspaper. ALBANY • Community of SI. John, Cnnslian Orthodox Churc~ P.O. Box 9073, 12209. (518)346-0207. Father Herman, CSJn, Guardian. PtiJlicalion: Metanoia. NEW YORK • AXIOS, Easlern and Orihcdox Chrislians, P.O. Box 756, Village Sin., 10014. Second Friday, 8:00 p.m., Communitv Center, 208 West 13th St. SCHENECTADY - Ug,lhQuse Aposlofic Church. 38 Col_umi,;a SI., P.O. Box 1391, 12301-1391. (518)372-6001. Rev. 1'1111,am H. Garey, pastor. LONG ISLAND/NEW YORK - ln\ernalional Free Calholic Churcll'Good Shepherd Church, P.O. Box 436, Cenlral Islip, 11722, (516)723-0348. Rev. Msg. AooertJ. Alfmen, paslor. LONG ISLAND· Long Island Assn !or AIDS Gare. Inc.,-P.O. Box 2859, tt.mlirgon Sin., 11746. (516)385-AIDS. PLA TTSBUAGH • Si. Ma,Ys Ecumenical Calholic Church, P.O Box 159, Chazy, 12921. (518)566-7745. Rev. Fr. Mic!-.~ Frost. North Carolina CHARLOTTE· Melro!na Sv.iicltxlard, (704)535-6277. P.O. Box 11144,al220. 'MLMINGTON • SI. Jude's MCC, 507 Casile St. Sunday, 6 p.m & 7 p.m. Wed (104'.). Kalhi Beall and Bud'.!/ Vess, min,slers. \l\1LMINGTON • GROW Community Service Corporafio~ P.O. Box 4535, 28406. (919)675-9222. YotAh outreach: ALI\,£ for rf'/, lesbian, bisexual youtli. RALEIGH • Raleigh Religious Nelmrk for Gay and Lesbian EQJally, P.O. Box 5961, 27650-5961. (919)781-2525 . WNSTON-SALEM • Piedmont Aeligous Netll<lrk for Gay and Lesban EQJalily, P.O. Box 15104, 21113-0104. (919)766-950.1. GREENSBORO - SI. Mary's MCC mee!s a! Unilarian Church 3001 Monlery Dr., Sun., 4:00 p.m., 700 p.m.; Mon., 8:00 p.m.; Wed, 7;30 p.m. Rev. Chrisline Oscar, pasfor. (919)272-1606. DURHAM • Dignify/Triangle, P.O. Box 51129, 27717 (919)493-8269. Gay, fesbian and bise,ual Galhclics, friends. Ohio DAYTON • Communily Gospel Church, P.O. Box 1634, 45401 (513)252-8855. Penfecosfaf, charismafic meets Surday, 10:00 a.m. 546 Xenia Ave. Samuel t<ader, Pastor. COLUMBUS • Melropolilan Community Church, 1253 North High Slreel, 43201. (614)294-3026. Sunday, 10:30 a.m. Publicafion: The Beacon Nev.s. COLUMBUS· STONEWALL UNION REPORTS, Box 10814, 43201-7814. (614)299-7764. Oklahoma OKLAHOMA CITY - Holy Trinily Ecumenical Caiholic Church, 232~ N. MacArthur, P.O. Box 25425, 73125, (405)942-2604. Fr. Marty Martin, paslor. Oregon PORTLAND • American Friends Service Committee Gay and Lesbian Pro11am, 2249 E. Burnside, 97214, (503)230-9427. Conlact Dan. Pennsy lvania ALLENTOWN • Grace Covenant Fellowship, 247 N. 101h SI., 18102. (215)740-0247. Bryon Ao\\e, Pastor. Them Ritter, Minister of Music. South Carolina COLUMBIA-Lulherans Concerned, P.O. Box 8828, 29202-8828. (803)791-1099. Third Friday, 728 Pickens SI., use: PtiJication: The lrll)l'imatur. . Tennessee NASHVILLE· Dayspring Fellowship, 120-8 So. 111h SI., Box 68073, 37206. (615)227-1448, Pwlical~n: Son S11ine. .NASHVILLE • lnlegify of Mi(jjle Tennessee, Inc., P.O. Box 121172 37212-1172 (615)383-66'.JB. N:Mslelter. . Texas DALIAS • Vlllile Rock Community Church, P.O. Box 180063,. 75218. (214)285-2831, (214)327-9157:Sunday, 10:30 a.m Jerry Cook, Pastor. ~~:.i~~1~~: P.O. Box 190351, 75219-0351. (214)520-0912 AUSTIN • Joan wakeford Ministries, Inc., 9401-8 Grouse MeaooNln., 78758-6348, (512)835-7354 DALLAS • Silent Harvesf Ministries, P.O. Bo, 190511, 7521~11. (2t4)$0055. MIDLAND • Holy Trinily Communily Church, 1607 S. Main, 79701. (915)570-4822. Rev. Glenn E. Hammell, Pasfor. Publicalion:Trinity Tribune · DALLAS • Holy Trinity Community Church, 4402 Roseland, 75204. (214)827-5088. Rev. F'rederick Wrighl, Pasfor. Publication: The C!-.rtot ~:;l~Nri13iT~~t ~in'£"~, ~~~8~.~-"bh~is 'tl~e:, 1 Pastor. HOUSTON • Houston Mission Church, 1633 Marshall, 77006. ~0~~6~~ a~~Me!~~tfo~~~i ~a~~~alur, 77007. (713)861-9149. Rev. John Gill, Pastor. Plblication: The Good New.; 1i?~faiz°1:~~~~~tl,';; IH, PO Box 66821, 77266. HOUSTON - Kingdom Communily Church, 614 E. 191h SI., 77008. (713)862-7533(713)748-6251. Scrday, 11ro am. SEE RESOURCE GUIDE, Page 20 Second Ston.,.September/October, 1993. ~ Classifieds ............................. ......................... . ............. . ------------------7 "WONDERFUL DIVERSITY," "Heartily recommended," "Phi losophically intriguing," 11Exc e llent. 11 Why do revieWers highly esteem CHRISTIAN*NEW AGE QUARTERLY? Great articles and lively co lumns make lhis bridge of dialogue betw ee n Christians and New Agers as entertaining as it is substantive. Subscribe for only $12.50/yr. Or sample us for $3.50. CHRISTIAN*NEW AGE QUARTERLY, P.O. Box 276, Clifton, NJ 07011-0276. TF CHI RHO PRESS. Send for your copy of The Bible and Homosexuality by Rev. Michael England for $5.95 or I'm Still Dancing by long-te ·rm AIDS survivor Rev. Steve Pieters for $8.95 and receive a free catalog from Chi Rho Press, an MCC-based publishing house for the Gay/Lesbian Christian community . Or receive our catalog by sending $ 1.00. P.O. Box 7864-A , Gaithersburg, MD 20898. Classified Order Form FOR ONLY 35¢ per word, your classified ad will reach readers from Sitka, Alaska to Amherst, Maine and everywhere in between. Business or personal .. . try a classified ad in our next edition! Mail To: Second Stone Box 8340 New Orleans, LA 70182 Name ____________ _ Address _________ _ City/St./Zip _______ _ AD COPY ------------------------ _ _ words X ~35= $, _____ _ 20 word minimum. All classifieds must be pre-paid . Deadline one month prior to cover date. We will mail you a copy of the edition(s) in which your ad appears Please place my ad in these I issues: [ l Jan/Feb [ J Mar/Apr : [ J May/Jun [ J Jul/Aug I [ J Sept/Oct [ J Nov/Dec : CLASSIFICATIONS [ J Books & Publications [] Business Opportunities [ J Employment [] Friends/Relationships [ l General Interest [ J Mail Order [ l Merchandise [ l Organizations [ l Professional Services [ l Real Estate [] Retreats [ l Roommates [ ]Travel I I I I I I .I I I I I I I I • I I I I I I I ----------------- - -------------------- - ----------------------' GAY ·USED BOOKS wanted. Please share your read books. Thanks. Tom, I 116 Marble NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102. PASTOR WANTED - Small flock seeks pastor, leader, preacher. We are Bible-based, Christ-centered, and believe the Christian walk must not be compromised. Letter and resume ·to: Freedom in Christ Evangelical Church, Box 14462, San Francisco, CA 94114. l 2 193 PASTOR NEEDED for evangelical Christian c0ngregation primari ly of African American gay men and lesbians. Ideal candidate has minimum three years pastor or associate pasto r . experience, a B:A., preferably in religious studies or from seininary, and experience in lesbian/gay/bisexual/transsexual ministry . Send resume, cover letter, references to Faith Temple, P.O. Box 28494, Washington, DC 20038-8494. 12/93 REMEMBER THAT MARDI GRAS visit that made you want to stay? Second Stone seeks Editorial Assistant with good interviewing and writing skills to work with us here in New Orleans. 5-10 hours per week means you can attend school or work full time in the Big Easy. Salary/housing deal. A strm,g commitm ent to Second Stone and the readership we serve is essential. For information write to Second Stone, P.O. B'ox 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182. A SMALL NON-DENOMINATIONAL com-· munity ·church in beautiful East Texas is is need of a pastor to lead its congregation. The church's primary ministry is to people of alternate life styles. The candidate must be of high moral character, professionally trained, and ordained. For r urther infonnation please send letter of inquiry to Saint Gabriel Community Church; 13904 CR 193; Tyler, TX 75703 or call (903)581-6923. 2/94. iji= ri ends/Rel at io n·s h-i p-s -. EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN GWM, 41, ·seeks friends to share faith and fun; perhaps relationship. Please write so we can begin our friendship. Thanks!' P.O. Bo< 68005, Rochester . NY 1461 R 2/94 GAY PEN PALS sought by gay Christian white male, 5'8", 180 lbs., into rail travel, correspondence, gardening. elc. No inmates, bi's or sympathizers, just Gays of any age. Write to WHB, Box 251. Wilmington, DE. I 9899-0251. 12/93 r201 Second StoneeSeptember /October , 1993 Ii - . CHRISTIAN GWM, 42, would like to correspond (11pen pal," as it were) with Christian gay and lesbian contemporaries (40 to 55). James R. Bates, 28E. 16 St., #301, Indianapolis, IN 46202 2194 GWM, 42, 6 ft., 150-lbs ., good looking, intelligent, into camping, massages, pillow fights, basic wrestling, history and other good things. Looking to start a relationship with. a straight appearing guy, in shape physically, 19 -38, 5'7" to 6'8", 130 - 195 lbs. and AIDS free. You must be willing to move to Southeast Kansas to live and work. The right guy will be rewarded. Interested? If you've been looking for just the right guy to meet and start a solid, honest relationship with then send your photo along with a letter about yourself to Gary Rine, 508 South Ninth, Indep endence, KS 67301-4207 12/93 IF YOU-HAVE READ "The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ 11 by Levi, I am interested in corresponding and discussing. \V. Courson, P.O. Box 1974, Bloomfield, NJ 07003. MESSIAH COLLEGE ALUMNI (Grantham, PA) are you interested in forming a lesbi a n/ gay alumni group? If so please call Susan Bailey, 703-820-0483; Julia Lowery, 717- 697-8347. CREMATION URNS: Introducing the Lambda Pride Um . Celebrate Life with an um that reflects personality and style. Call for free brochure. Lifestyle Urns 1-800-685-URNS. 8195. ,Q,r g_a,n,i-z.a~f1 o,n,s . . - .. ~"".'J . - THE LOVING BROTHERHOOD has served the spiritual gay community since 1977. We do care! TLB, P.O. Box 556ST, Sussex, NJ 07461. 2/94. . Vid -eos · ' "MAYBE WE'RE TALKING About a . Different God" A half-hour video docu ·mentary on Rev. Jane Spahr, and her call to the Downtown Church in Rochester, protested and brought to trial. Shows how confusion and fear can be transformed into understanding and compassion. VHS tape and discussion guide. Send $32.35 to Leonardo's Children, Inc., 26 Newport Bridge Rd., Warwick, NY !0990. 12/93 RESOURCE GUIDE, From Page 19 LUBBOCK · Lesbian/Gay Alliar<:e, Inc., P.O. Box 64746, 79464-47 46. (805)791-4499. Pt.tfoalion: larrbdl Times: Vermont ESSEX JCT • Resurrection Apostolic Ministries, P.O. Box 162, 05452. Sr. Michelle M. Thomas, pastor. Virginia . ROANOKE· MCC o_t the Blue Ri<\:je, P.O. Box 20495, 24018, (703)366·0839. PL.tJtcat,on: The Blue Ri~ Banner ROANOKE · BLUE RIDGE LAMBDA PAESS, P.O. Box 237, 24002, {700)8m,3t84. FALLS CHURCH · MCC of Northern Virginia, 7245 Lee Hg,way, 22046. .FALLS CHURCH· Affirmation Gay & Lesbian Mormons, P.O. Box 19334, 2232().9334, (202)828,3096 FALLS CHURCH · Telos Ministries, P.O. Box 3390, 22043. (703)560-2680. Baptislgotp. Washington SEATTLE GAY NE'Ml, 704 E. Pike, 98122. (206)324-4297. FAX (200)322-7188. SEATTLE· Grace Gospel Chapel, 2052 NW 64th St., 98107. (200)784-8495. Surday, 1100 a m. & 7:00 p.m., Wecllesday, 7:30 ~l~i-i~o ~a~~:;t~r 505 McMmay, 99352 (509)943-3927. · Open and afllrming congregalion. TACOMA · Hillside Community Church, 2508 South 39th SI., 98«19. (200)475-2388. West Virginia M0RGANTO'M<I · Freedom Fell01',Ship Church, P.O. Box 1552, 26505 (304)292-TT84. Ja~ce Mam, IW!Ship coord International , LONDON - Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement, OXlord House, Dert:r)'shire St., Lonoon E2 6HG, U<, 071-739·1249. ~=~ ~,:;!'~~~s;M~n AIDS, c/o #201, 11456 Jasper Ave NOTEWORTHY, From Page 18 discussion by Florida high school students from straight families on their views of Lesbians and gay men. Next year's conference will be held in New York City as part of t'1e Stone';Vall 25 festivities on Friday and Saturday, June 24th and 25th. More information about the 1994 conference, themed "Family Values," is available by writing to GLPCI '94, P.O. Box 2553, Church St . Stn., New York, NY 10008-2553. The Post Office will not forward The Second Stone. You must notify us for uninterrupted service if you move. Please notify us four weeks in advance for uninterrupted delivery . Send both old and new addresses . If possible attach mailing label in space provided . PRINT NEW ADDRESS IE f Send completed to,m to: THE SECOND STONE Box 8340 New Orleans, LA 70182 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 Second Stone #30 - Sept/Oct 1993 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/278e6fee4cc787e826556247b0a035eb.pdf ed6e05e124c390a25b96a20ea1cbce8c 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 Second Stone Description An account of the resource Issues of the Second Stone publication. Issue An issue of a recurring publication. Issue Number The number of the issue (within a volume) 31 Publication Year The year the issue was published 1993 Publication Date The date the issue was published Nov/Dec 1993 Text Any textual data included in the document AMERICA'S GAV & LESBIAN CHRISTIAN NEWSJOURNAL ACTIVISTS STRUGGLE TO IMPROVE CHURCH'S RESPONSE TO AIDS CRISIS AIDS and the BLACK CHURCH Although African Americans make up only 12 percent of the population of the United States, 54 p ercent of all children with AIDS are African America, as are 53 percent of all women and 32 percent of all men who have AIDS . BY JIM BAILEY E over a decade America' s churches have strived to overcome the barriers which keep them from r ea ch ing out in compassi on to people suffering with AIDS. During th ose year s, contrary to wid ely held belief, the church has made a substant ial effort to minister to pe ople infect e d and affect e d by HIV . But activi sts inv olv e d with SEE COVER STORY, Page 10 '' Some pastors will say it's an issue they don't have to contend with and others are very willing to educate their congregation and work with people with AIDS. But we consistently run into judgmentalism. ,, JACQUEL VN WILKERSON, Director of AIDS Advocacy in African American Churches BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PA ID NEW ORLEANS, LA PERMIT No. 511 From the Editor ............. .............. ...... AIDS and the black church By Jim Bailey The cover story for this issue came about as a result of a workshop at the National Skills Building Conference held October 31 through November 3 at the Hyatt Regency here in New Orl eans . The workshop, "AIDS and the black church," was coordinated by Jacquelyn Wilkerson, director of AIDS Advocacy in African American Churches, a program of the AIDS National Interfaith Network. Homophobia has a particularly strong foothold in many of America' s over 500,000 African American churches. And, as one activist puts it, you can't address AIDS in the black church Without addressing homophobia . In this article you'll meet some determined activists who have the vision and energy to battle homophobia where it's costing lives. Christmas in November Because of our bimonthly format, we have to address Easter (April) in March, Gay Prid e (June) in May, National ·coming Out Day (October) in September, and - you're ahead of me - Christmas in November, which is why Second Stone is nor themed too seasonally. But I have included in this issue a very useful article for a situation I'm sure you will hear of, or perhaps even exper ience, this holiclay season. Thanksgiving and Christmas is family time . For some of us, that means a pleasant intermingling between our family of choice and our family of birth. But for many more of us, it can be a painful time when we experience the sting of family rejection the sharpest. Rev. Buddy Truluck's article, "How Jesus handl ed rejection by kinsmen" will speak in a special and encouraging way to those who are feeling such pain this season Five years old and we still make typos This issue, November/December, is our anniversary issue. We started planning Second· Stone in March of 1988, put out a couple of newsletters that summer, and got on the "big press" for the first time with the Nov /Dec, 1988 issue. So with this edition, we begin our sixth year. My heartfelt thanks to loyal readers and supporters who have been with us through ' thickand thinsometimes very thin - for these past five years, I appreciate it. Community Forum not the talk of the town Earlier this year, we introduced our idea for community discussion groups for gay and lesbian Christians. I wish we wouldn't have done that. The Community Forum, based on Utne Reader's Neighborhood Salon, simply was not well received and we will not pur s ue furth er development. We continu e to hear of the need to estab1ish connectedness in our community, but we very clearly did not have the answer. Our expe rience was that if ten people came together und er the same roof, there were ten different ide.as - very divergent ideas - as to what the Community Forum sho uld b e. And, in spite of good ideas and hard work, it won't be. Better a Second Stone gift subscription than a gift certificate from LL. Bean Second Stone would be honored to do some of your Christmas shopping this y e ar . Remember your gay arid lesbian Christian friends wi,th a g ift subscr iption lo our publication. We know they'll like the idea because, over the past few years, most gift recipients h ave renewed to become reg ul ar subscribers. (About L. L.-Bean - keep reading.) Maybe we 'll move our publication schedule aJ1ead by a month to take care of these "seasonal" problems, but for now I'll just ha ve to do it too far in ad,ao~, all 11,e bffi< <o yoo '"""S <he holiday s=o~ - - - - SECOND STONE Newsjoumal. ISSN No. 1047-3971. is published every other month by Bailey Communications. P. 0. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182. Copyright 1993 by Second Stone, a registered trademark. SUBSCRIPTIONS, U.S.A. $15.00 per year, six issues. Foreign subscribers add $10.00 for postage. All payments U.S. currency only. ADVERTISING, For display advertising information call (504)899-4014 or write to P.O. Box 8340. New Orleans, LA 70182. EDITORIAL, send letters.calendar announcements. noteworthy items to (Department title) Second Stone. P.O. Box 8340. New Orleans. LA 70182. Manuscripts to be returned should be accompanied by a stamped, self addressed envelope. Second Stone is otherwise not responsible for the return of any material. SECOND STONE, an ecumenical Christian newsjoumal for the national gay and lesbian community. PUBLISHER/EDITOR: Jim Bailey CONTRJBUTORS FOR THIS ISSUE: Rev. Dr. Buddy Truluck. Dr. James T. Sears. 'Rev. Ken South m Second Stone-November/December. 1993 '-=-' Contents ....... .... ..... ..................... • LZJ. From The Editor [3 ] Commentary ltf7 News lines L~ 1-·--7 LfiJ AIDS and national health care reform By Rev. Ken South I 7'1, Combating the new tribalism I By Dr. James T. Sears L_ __ rn World AIDS Day I Cover Story [ID] 10 AIDS and the black.church 1 Gay and gray [ -=--i _!2,J Some of us_ are getting older 1 ·191 ~ow Jesus handled family rejection d By Rev. Dr. Buddy Truluck 11TlonVideo Ltl_ __ J Educating parents about AIDS 1-1·-5-7 In Print ! [ By The Pool At Bethesda I I I J i Prayer of Jesus, Prayer of the Heart ~ Gay Theology Without Apology ' [Iz] Calendar ligl Noteworthy L!~~ 1-i.-, 1191 Resource Guide 120 I Classifieds T /Comment· T ........... .. -• ..... -~ ............... ~ ........ ~ .................... ·• ...... . A closet that we cann~t afford to be in By Kenny Dayton Guest Opinion E . ' ach of us has our own unique coming out story. Even though l was able to deal with who I am eight years ago, to an extent my life is still lived partially in the closet. Only part of my family has been told . It's assumed at my job but only confirmed to a select few, and a number of friends are still in the dark . Coming out has been a long and difficult part of my life. We try to turn our lives over to God but then we take the coming out part back. We think we can do beiter on our own. Several occurrences have mad e me see that God is opening ·my closet and forcing me out into the light. God has plans for me and they cannot be accomplished from within a hidd en life, not if I am to reach the people I am supposed to. A year ago, the Ku Klux Klan scheduled a rally in our city to gamer Florida pa nhandle support for their mission of hate. WJ1ether you are black, gay, Jewish, f r Christian, the KKK is still very much alive and well, especially in the "old south." Being a transplanted yankee, I hadn't given much thought to the news stories of the rally. I found it · ludicrous to image that the ignorant ramblings of people who openly advocate hate could actually get support in the 1990s. One Sunday morning I became painfully aware . Just as services were starting at Holy Cross MCC, the .A pastor asked me to keep an eye out · for anyone I didn't know and to check the parking Jot. occasionally for anyone who didn't belong there. My quizzical expression demanded more, and he explained that there had been several bo-'1\b threats phoned in that morning. Maybe it was a coincidence that the KKK rally was to be held that afternoon only a few short blocks away, but the calls were taken very seriously. For the next hour, I had to interrupt of the time, but I will not allow the Klan or the far right or the old south deny me the love of God. A few months later I had the opportunity to test the commitment I had made that day . A co-worker was having a difficult time with me 'because of his religious training and my assumed homosexuality. As we were leaving work, a discussion arose that eventually erupted into a 'tirade from him regarding President Clinton, Gays in the military, and the We have to educate. And we cannot do that from the closet. We cannot ignore it when we hear someone spreading misinterpretations and false stereotypes. my worship to make periodic trips around the building and parking lot. My German temper began to flare during one of these trips. The sanctity of a building of worship had been violated. The sanctity of my ability to worship had been interrupted. The Klan had the right to rally, but they did not have the right to do this. I decided that I would nev er again allow someone's ignorance or bigotry to come between me and God. I may live in a closet part · need for family values to return before the whole country burns in h ell. Although he was strong willed and surprisingly well-versed on the scriptures, he was frustrated at his final effort to convince me that · homosexuality was wrong. I asked him to bring me any generally accepted translation of the Bible and show me where Christ said the first word about homosexuality . . The next morning I was hand ed a photocopy of part of the sermon on the mount and told that, according to his minister, the reference to "as in · the days of Noah" meant homosexuals. In disbelief and not wanting to tum the day into one long religious argument, I closed the discussion with ·a suggestion that he pray about it, and ask God if it was okay for him to judge and hate. I did not care that my closet at work was wide open. I was no longer going to allow som eone to use ignorance against me, nor misuse the scriptures in their att empt. We have to educate. And we cannot do that from the closet. We cannot ignore it when we hear someone spreading misinterpretations and false stereotypes. Do not permit God and God's word to be used against us. That is a closet we cannot afford to be in ... for ourselves, o ur community, and all of God 's children. We have run from the religious right ins tead of at them. As long as we allow the Falwells, the Robertsons, and the pastors in pulpits in o ur hom e towns lo spread the lies and hat e, we will always come o ut looking bad. We have to be willing to challenge them in public. I hav e found it interesting that every time a gay man or lesbian starts to discuss what the word of God does say with one of the religious right ·readers, th ey change the subject to child m olesting or recruit ing or multipl e sex partners or any one of many other stereotypes they have used against us. I pray that they do this out of ignorance and lack of study and · prayer on their part. At least th en they have an excuse. Churches should respond to debate on gay genes By The Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement Guest Opinion The serious ethical and moral issues pos ed by · news that parents could have the choice of rejecting or accepting fetuses which show signs of homosexuality should be closely examined by Christians. Science will not stop its ·search to explore into the unknown, and much good can come from many discoveries. However, with so many cultures and ideologies still holding primitive, simplistic attitudes to some v.:.rieties of human sexuality the temptation to interfere with .nature's own clear wish and ability to produce lesbian and gay people could simply play into the hands of prejudiced people happy to discrirninatEc, even to the point of the ultimate atrocity, on the grounds of sexual orientation alone: The Christian churches must see the challenge to its teaching opened up by news of possible genetic causes of homosexuality as being in every way as important as the threat to humanity that would be posed if parents had the choice cf determining the gender, color, intelligence, or abilities of their cilildren . · All are created equal in God's eyes [,~- Pontius' Puddle · •- and that means no particular sex uality shou ld be subjected to unnatural interference or control with the int ention of reducing its pr evalence or exterminating it alto ·gether. The very differences that are found in human beings, and which gives life its .richness and pleasures, must not be allowed to becom e a uniform, restrictive ever narrower straight-jacket of so-called normality. We completely reject any attempts to legitimize the abortion of unborn homosexuals, and the church should now say the same urgently . JUST t•W LOCK. I \JOLUl-l"'TEER fOR r-\15SION '41/0RK IN A fORcl<HI LA~t>, Al'lt> END U~ C:rE.1'\t•-lG-~SS\&-NEO TO Tl-'E rA~ $10£. Second Stone•No~~~ber/December, 1993 rn NewLsin es • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 0 • •• •••••••••••••••••• Nashvilaler eac hurcheosp posGe ayW orldS eries 1\RELIGIOUS FUNDAMENTALISTS have launched a campaign to stop the 1994 Gay Softball World Series, which will be .held in Nashville and the surrounding area next summer. More than 1,900 signatures were collected on petitions circulated during two services at the huge Madison Church of Christ, where pastor Steve Flatt said, "W~ want to go on record as saymg we would prefer that this event not take place ... We don t need that in Madison." Officials have said that despite any petitions, it would be discriminatory to refuse use of their facilities to any group. The Lesbian and Gay Coalition for Justice, a Tennessee-based political organization, condemned the ministers' "message of discrimination." "T~e choice to use the pulpit as a forum to preac_h bigotry, and attempt to exclude certain citizens from access to metro parks, is mesponsible use of leadership," said Lon Thrasher of the coalition. "Are these ministers afraid that the Gay World Series will show many residents of Davidson County that Lesbians and gay men are real people who enjoy the same recreations that these Madison congregations do?" - Southern Voice Nop lacefo rr eligioinn p olitics,a ysG oldwater. . . /\BARRY GOLDWATER, who for years was the conservative voice of the GOP, says it is "just plain dumb" for Ref>ublicans to oppose Gays and Lesbians u\ the armed forces. "There has been homosexuality ever since men and women were invented. I guess there were gay apes. So it's not an issue," he said in an inter\liew with The Advocate. Goldwater said Clint~n s:iught his views on the issue. "Clinton called ".'~, up one day about this and I told him iustthat, give th_e order _and t~en shut up about it. Goldwater said he has also lost all respect for the rehg10us nght. There is no place in this country for practicing religion in politics. That goes for Falwell, Robertson and all the rest of those political preachers." Goldwater also disclosed he has a gay grandson. - Southern Voice EpiscopSale minarfayc esh ousinbgi asin qui_ry . . t.THE NEW YORK CITY Commission on Human Rights 1s mveshgahng charges the Episcopal General Theological Seminary discriminated against Pro1. Dierdre Good, a tenurea professor at the school, by ordering her to move out of a rent-free apartment provided for faculty and students because sfie was living there with her female _partner. The seminary requires that "persons living together as couples in serrunary housing must be married as this is understood by the Church" even though same-sex couples cannot legally marry in the United St~/es. Good filed a complaint with the CHR, clia_rging_th a,\ she was discriminated against on the basis of her manta! status and sex1.:aI o:ientahon. The CHR claims it has jurisdiction in what would normally be outside its domam because the sem.inary made facultr housing a. cond1ho.r:io f employment and because 1t rents some of its apartments to outsiders. - Clucago Outlmes ·G avsa rea n" abominatiosna"y sG loriGa aynor. . !.IIN AN INTERVIEW in the British tabloid, 17,e Sun, 1970s disco star Glona Gaynor called homosexuality an "abomination." Gt_ing the Bible, Gaynor said, "I feel the same way as the Bible. It says that homosexuality is an abornmahon. God loves homosexuals, but he doesn't love what they do.'' Seve«d rights groups, ~utrage in England an_d Outright in Scotland, quickly called for a boycott of Gaynor s records and a public apology from the singer whose song "I Will Survive" was a popular gay love anthem. -Gnynet . . Internaplr oblemths reateKni ngo fP eaceM CC . MN A SUDDEN move that left man_y in his St. Petersburg, Fla. congregation confused and angry, King of Peace MCC pastor Fred Williams terminated his.former associate pastor Renne Shawver. The announcement came just two months after Shawver was appointed .to head Metropolitan Charities AIDS Services, a newly c_reated AIDS case manag_ement agency in Pinellas County which operated m con1unct1on wit~ the church .. Williams declined to discuss the dismissal, but stated that Shawver had made a decision m her • personal life that made_ it impossible to conhnue" to_have her on staff. Earlier this year King of Peace moved into a large new fac,hty which some say have devastated the financial resources of the church. - Gazette MurdereCda tholipcr ieswt asc losetegda y Li.POLICE IN THE WINE country 1·ust north of San Francisco say they have some "significant leads" in the murder of a ~oman Catholic priest, Father Ronald Maupin, who was apparently a closeted gay man. Friends of Maupin became worried when he didn't show up for work and went to his home where they found hun dead of multiple .stab wounds. Police believe Maupin was killed by someone he knew because there were_no signs of forced entry or a struggle at his apartment. _There w~re reports that the pnest was seen in a gay bar the night before his death. - Clucago 011t/111es . QUOTEABLE "We hired Bill Clinton to be president of the United States, We did not hire him to be the Great Liberator of lesbian and gay people. Our liberation is, as it always has been, in our own hands. " -Roberta Achtenberg /1J SecondS tone•November/Decemb1e9r,9 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ................... Over5 00L utheraCnh urclhe aderssu ppogrta y/lesbiiasns ues t.DURING THE BIENNIAL assembly of the EvangelicaT Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), more than 500 church leaders broke_silence and made public their support for the ecclesiastical recognition_ of loving comnutted relationships among lesbian and gay people, and for the ordination of qualified women and men as pastors and church professionals, regardless_ of _se~ual_o rientation. These .church leaders, known as the Ne_twork (to end sexual d1scnmmation in the ELCA), publicly released their names to an off ma I representative of the ELCA. . The group includes seminary professors, bishops, pastors, lay leaders and others. Bishop Emeritus Stanley E. Olson, a leader of tne Network, is among tho,;e_who publicly came out with his support Bishop Olson said, "I have witnessed the unscnptural burdens the ELCA has placed on all of its many gay and lesbian members, whether-lay or ordained. As one who has held the offrce ofbisnop in · the church, I cannot remain passive or silent." The Rev. David E. Nelson, St. James Lutheran Church, Kansas City, said, "The gospel of Jesus Christ does not call us to be comfortable and safe. Martin Luther has taught us to go boldly forth even if all the answers are not in." - Seattle Gay News , Newn at_ioncaoln servativetelevinseiotwn orskt arting t.A NEW '24-HOUR television network promoting the conservative and religious fundamentalist agendas plans to being nationwide broadcasts Dec. 6 and promises to feature anti-ga}' public affairs programming on a regular basis. Called National Empowerment Television (NET) and backea by sucfi conservative groups as the Washington, D.C.-based Free Congress Foundation, the new television network will be available to more than 3.5 million households with satellite dishes, or an estimated 9.8 million Americans. - Equal Time Neighbowrsa ntN ewL ifeM CCz onedo ut Li.RESIDENTS OF A Matthews, North Carolina, neighborhood want to stop a Metropolitan Community Church from moving near them. People from the community guestioned Matthews Mayor Lee Myers about a zoning variance that allows New Life MCC occupancy. Rev. Robert Darst, pastor of New Life, said that the real concern was not zoning, but that gay and lesbian members attend the church. Darst reported receiving an anonymous dealfi threat by telephone. PatB uchanadno es" superiodra nce" Li.PAT BUCHANAN spoke to 2000 Christian Coalition activists in September with a fiery defense of the Republican Party's anti-abortion stance and a vow to rebuff GOP moderates, calling for creation of a third party if moderates diluted the anti-abortion plank. He won applause with his attack on multiculturalism"scoffing at the idea that the world's cultures are equal. "Our culture is superior because our religion in Christianity, and that is the truth that makes men free.'' - Diversity · Lesbian/graeyli gioulesa derms eet . MN CONJUNCTION with the fall meeting of the General Board of the National Council of Churches, representatives of most of the lesbian/ gay Christian caucuses and the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches were scheduled to meet in Baltimore November 9-12. Leaders Of the supportive congregations program.5: in several denominations were also invited. The religious leaders were to be present at the National Council of Churches meeting both to support UFMCC's relationship with that body and to remind delegates of the presence of gay and lesbian members in their own denominations. The UFMCC, rejected for membership in the NCC last year, has not reapplied. However, supportive delegations from the United Church of Christ and other denominations were expected to raise the issue of greater inclusion of Lesbians and Gays during the meeting. . L.L .B eanh eira ctivein f arr ighct auses Li.CATOLOGUE SHOPPERS purchasing from one of the nation's oldest and most popular mail-order'houses maybe unaware of the political activity of .Linda Lorraine Bean, granddaughter of the founder of L. L. Bean. The heir to the New England outdoor clothier and recreational gear purveyor b;:tcked a mailing campaign whicfi was instrumental in defeating the Equal Rights Amendment in Maine. The media campa_!g_cnon tained pieces showing two men embracinl\ with warnings thatpassage of the ERA would lead to expansion of gay rights. - Sta/1io11 Notr ainh, ails, leeot rs nowh: omophobsitao psm aicl arrier t.POSTAL WORKER George Yoerger resigned his Moville, Iowa position after 12 years because he refused to deliver copies of Time and Newsweek. Tliat week, both covers featured sexual themes. Yoerger said he had no choice but to resign because he was a devoted follower of Jesus Christ. . LocaPl resbyteribano dyu pholdosr dinatioonfg ayd eacons t.THE PERMANENT JUDICIAL Commission of the Synod of the Pacific of the Presbyterian Church (USA) has unanimously upheld the ordination of a lesbian and a gay deacon in Eu&ene, Oregon, and has chided the Presbytery of the Cascade for calling the ordinations 'irregular." The case has been appealed to the Permanent Judical Commission of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, which will likely through out the ordinations. - More Light Update Fouyr earsin t hem aking:L utheranpso ndesre xualitsyt atement t.THE 5.6 MILLION .members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America are being asked to consider a 21-page statement on sexuality prepared by the church's Task Force on Human Sexuality. "The Church and Human Sexuafity: A Lutheran Perspective" was sent to the church's 19,000 pastors on October 22. After local churches respond, a new draft will be preF'ared in time for action by delegates to a churchwide assembly in 1995. The document asks church members to consider whether the church should recommend lifelong abstinence for Gays and Lesbians, tolerate homosexuality or affirmatively bless same-g_ender unions. T NewLsin esT I!' •••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ti ••••• Bishopw hod isciplinepdro -gacyh urcherse signs C>BISHOP LYLE MILLER will not complete his term as leader of 83,000 Lutherans in Northern Californi 0 and Nevada. Miller, who has been bishop since 1987, has resigned saying he wants to· return to parish ministry. Several local pastors say Miller has not been happy with his duties since he was forced to discipline two San Francisco congregations who hired openly gay pastors in violation of church policy. One of the gay pastors, Rev. Jeff Johnson of First United Lutheran Church, was a longtime family friend. Four months ago., another Lutheran pastor in the East Bay announced his homosexuality, setting the stage for a new showdown between the 1ocal church and church leaders. - San FranciscoC hronicle Encyclicraela ffirmCsa tholivci ewso ns ex l'.THE LONG-AWAITED encyclical by Pope John Paul II includes a comprehensive declaration of the Roman Catholic ·church's opposition to abortion, homosexuality, premarital sex and birth control. "Veritatis Splendor" ("The Light of Truth") is also sharply critical of Catholic dissidents who disagree with church teachings. Episcopcahl urchse eksO Ko fs ame-seuxn ions C>MEMBERS OF ST. BARNABAS Episcopal Church in Denver want the Colorado Episcopal Diocese to institute a ceremony to bless same-sex relationships. The Rev. Al Halverstadt., St. Ba!nabas rector~ said it was a "highly inflammatory" topic but something that needs to be discussed. Halverstadt favors blessing same-sex relationships but has not officiated at any. - Associated Press ReligiouFsu ndamentalirsetlse asne ewa nti-gavyi deo C>THET RADITIONAL VALUES Coalition unveiled the latest anti-gay video at a press conference at the Natmnal Press Club. The 40 minute tape, entitled Gay Rights/Special .Rrghts1 is unique among the genre in that. it sports interviews with high profile polrtrcrans, such as former Attorney General Edwm Meese, former Education Secretary Wilham Bennett, and current_ U. s, Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.) The key focus of this video rs a comparison between the crvrl nghts movements of blacks and Gays (which are almost exclusively depicted as whrte.) Although the vrdeo has no _prominent black politicians ' being i_nterviewed,_ it has several blade TVC associates cnticizing Gays for trying to cap_1talrze on the c1v1I nghts work of Dr. Martm Luther King Jr. It also interviews a Latmo school board member m Calrfornra and the head of a group called the Chinese Family Alliance, both of whom criticize Gays for trying to "hijack" the 1964 federal Civil Rights Act. - The Lntest Issue Presbyteriganro ups upportcsh urch-widiea loguoen s exuality t.ABROAD-BASED group of Presbyterian church members is pledging full support for a three -year church -wide dialogue on sexual orientation and ordination in the Presbyterian Church (USA). The group of 26_ local Presbyterian church officers and clergy from all parts of the country discussed their plans during a recent weekend meeting on a farm near Washington, D.C. A steering committee was elected to work with other national organizations rn support of the ordination of gay, lesbian, and bisexual church members ot Presbyterian deacons, elders, and ministers. The gathering included several weary veterans of unsuccessful legislative and judicial attempts to open ordination to gay, lesbian, and bisexual church members, as well as a number of Presbyterians who are mvolved in such efforts for the first time. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA), meeting in June in Orlando, Fla., called on local churches and regional bodies (Presbyteries) to "be engaged in the discipline of open, diligent, prayerful study and dialogue_on the issues of Ftuman sexual behavior and orientation as they relate to membership, ministry, and ordination" in the Presbyterian church. The resolution asked for reports about such dialogue at its meeting in 19%. Agencieisn vestigagtea ya ndl esbiayno uth" de-gavincge" nter l'.THE LAMBA LEGAL Defense Fund, working with the Nationaf Center for Lesbian Rights, is investigating allegations that a Southern California school district is sending gay and lesbian teenagers to an institution in Utah for aversion therapy or "reparative therapy" to "de-gay" them. The institution, known as Rivendell, which calls itself a residential treatment facility for emotionally disturbed youth, is located in West Jordan, Utah. The Rivendell facility, which is a school as well, is rel'orted to have a heavily Mormon influence and to teach its students that homosexuality is wrong. The South Pasadena School District and the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health provided funding for the placement at Rivendell of a young lesbian women through the state's Individuahzed Education Placement program. - Lnmlia Update Seattles tationw on'bt roadcasFta lwell'asn ti-gasyh ows C>KTZZ-TVH AS BEGUN monitoring Jerry Falwell's "Old Time Gospel Hour" and will refuse to air any of the fundamentalist minister's anti-gay programs. The station made the move after gay residents of Seattle complained and threatened public protests. "We're embarrassed, and we're sorry we put the gay community through this ," said KTZZ general manager Wade Brewer. Hundredgsa ht eri nM id-West to battleri ghwt ingin iitatives C>MORE THAN 300 ACTIVISTS gathered in Cincinnati Labor Day weekend to fllan strategies to defeat antr-gay rmtratrves on the state and local levels m the Mrd-West. The Fight the Right Mid-West Reg-ional Summit, held September 4 and 5, was co-sponsored by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and Stonewall Cincinnati, a local gay and lesbia n political organization. Activists from Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin met at the summit to learn skills and share inform ation to battle anti-gay initiatives. Participants screened the new right wing anti-gay video, Gay Rights/Special Rights, which includes interviews and footage from. the March on Washington. Activists discussed ways to counter the misinformation of that video and others that .circulate around the country during debates over gay and lesbian civil rights. For details about Fight the Right trainings, contact Robert Bray, (415)552-644 8. Subscribe Today. AND YOU'LL NEVER A FRIEND JOURNEY. WITHOUT YOUR BE FOR SecoSntdo ne The National Gay and Lesbian Christian Newsjournal ..Y. ES f······.·.· ··.· ................... . Begin my subscription to SECOND STONE for: [ ] One year (6 issues) $15.00 [ ] Two yrs. (12 issues) $25.00 [ ] Three yrs. (18 issues) $36.00 NAME ADDRESS CITY/STATE/ZIP CODE CHECK HERE [ ] if a plain envelope is required and add $2.00 per year. Allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of your first issue. internati onal subscribers add $10.00 per year, U.S. currency. Mail To: SECOND STONE, Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 THANK YOU for your subscription support! Second Stone•November/December; 1993 [ -[~ L~-" AIDS and the national health care reform By Rev. Ken South Contributing Writer I t has been said that AIDS shines a spotlight on the inadequacies of our present health care system like no other. As the discussion widens as to how this country will handle its growing health care delivery crisis, AIDS care and treatment will continue to be an essential part of that discussion. The present two tier health care . system, one for the employed who have access to private health insurance, and the other for the poor who either have never had private health insurance or lost it when they . lost their employment, has failed to be able to provide comprehensive; compassionate, coordinated health care for people with AIDS. The disease AIDS has no routine course or pattern. From the time a person is infected until they experience opportunistic infections, even through the occasions when they need acute or perhaps palliative care, the process can be extremely erratic. During the course of the disease a person can alternate between acute hospitalizations, intensive home care, outpatient treatment, complete independence from the health care system for a time, and also continue to need extremely expensive anti-viral and immune boosting drugs. The current health care final)cing system does not _ have the kind of flexibility to adapt to these changing patterns. A look at a hypothetical person with HIV infection tells the story. Jim Harrison is a 27 year old, who found out he was HIV positive two years ago. His first consideration is, with fear of losing his job, whether to tell his employer. If he does not like his current employment and is thinking of leaving, will his next employer's insurance company allow him on the insurance plan? Even if they do, and they are self insured, will they place a five or ten thousand dollar life long cap on his medical bills? If Jim stays with his current employer his current insurance may not even cover some of the drugs he needs to stay healthy. Jim may need to pay cash for life saving drugs from the local buyers club. Many times the money for these drugs has to come from friends. If Jim's health deteriorates to such an extent that he needs to leave his job, he then is eligible under COBRA to continue his private group insurance for a period of time if he can afford the monthly payments. Where does the money come from to pay for these payments with no paycheck coming in? When the COBRA time limit ends, Jim must then apply for Medicaid to pay for his medical bills. To be eligible for Medicaid he has to "spend down" to become poor. In most cases he will lose his private doctor. Since PW As have a very difficult time finding a doctor who will take Medicaid , he will start having his health care managed at a "af inanciaall ternative" If youa re lenninallyil l, youm ayn eedf inanciaal ssistanceN OW. VACi s hereN OW,t o help ~ou access your life insurance policy for FINANCIAL FREEDOM. NOW, when you neeu 1t. So you can break away from financial worries anu stress, and gel back lo the feelingo f PREEDOM. VIATICAL ASSISTANCE CORPORATION ; 6_J I Second St.o ne-Novembe. r/December1, 993 Please inquire NOW for free and confidential information. 1-800-892-I 282 clinic at the county hospital. During this period, he is eligible for Supplementary Security Income (551), a set monthly amount based on his former employment. If he is approved as disabled, he is then eli~ible for his treatment drugs and waits for Medicare eligibility. After a diagnosis of AIDS he must wait a required 24 months to receive Medicare payments. This permanent disability program was not designed for a chronic, life threatening disease pattern, but for long term permanent disability conditions. In many cases, people with AIDS have received their eligibility for SSDI long after they have died. Some facts about this scenario: The total number of reported cases of AIDS in the United States as of September, 1992 was 242,146. Of this number 160,372 have died. Of these people with AIDS, 29 percent (70,222) have (or had) no private insura~1ce, and another 29 percent have (or had) private insurance, 40 perc~nt (96,858) were covered by Med1ca1d, (90 percent of all children with AIDS are also covered by Medicaid), and only 2 percent (4,844) were (are) eligible for Medicare. In short, at the present time 71 percent of all people with AIDS have their medical costs covered by public sector. Many physicians will not accept AIDS patients whose only method of payment is Medicaid. One reason for this is that Medicaid only pays for a small portion of the real costs to doctors and it varies widely throughout the country. In San Francisco, for example, Medicaid pays only 33 percent of real costs; in New York City it pays only 15 percent. An average doctor in New York City charges $84 for an office visit. Medicaid will pay only $11 of that cost. To make matters more complicated for the people with AIDS, in order to become eligible for Medicaid one must have an AIDS diagnosis . There is no financing . system for the thousands of persons with HIV infection who could benefit by preventive treatments like aerosolized pentamidine for pneumocystis pneumonia. In addition, in order to be eligible for Medicare, a person must have been diagnosed with full blown AIDS for at least five months and then wait 24 months for the first payment. To make matters worse, Medicare does not pay for the same medications that Medicaid covers! It is clear that as the demographics of the AIDS epidemic change to include more persons of color, more wpmen, and more· of the poor, the economics of this disease are also changing rapidly. The total average costs per PW A has dropped significantly from a height of $147,000 in 1987 from HIV infection death to $32,000 (for gay white males) in 1992. And, while 11 percent of all health care is paid for by Medicaid in this country, 25 percent of all AIDS care is paid by this same program. Two percent of all U.S. health care dollars are spent on AIDS treatment and care. This shift has been called the "medicaidization of AIDS." A comprehensive national health care system would have to include the following provisions to really make a significant improvement for the sake of PW As. It would cover all persons living within the United States: citizens, aliens and visitors. It would include coverage of all treatments needed · to battle the. disease from preventative prophylaxis drugs through approved and experimental drugs for treatment. There would be freedom of choice for patients to choose their own health care provider, and there would be no such thing as benefit caps or exclusions. In the mean time, the federal government can do much to help the current system be more responsive to people with AIDS by instituting the recommendations of the National Commission on AIDS: Medicare should cover all low iI)COme people with HIV disease. That is, a diagnosis of_ HIV infection should be the only cntena to receive payment for treatment, not to have to wait for an AIDS diagnosis. Medicaid payments should at least equal .Medicare payment levels of reimbursement for health care providers . States and/ or the federal government should pay the cost of the COBRA payments for those persons who have lost their jobs 111 order to keep them in private msurance plans as long as possible. Persons who are eligible for SSDI should be allowed to purchase Medicare insurance during their 24 month waiting period. Medicaid should pay for this premium coverage. The Department of Health and Human Services should consolidate the purchase and distribution of prevention and treatment drugs for HIV disease. Buying in bulk in collaboration with drug manufacturers will save everybody money. As the halls of Congress ring with the sounds of arguments over how a national health care system will look in the future, people with HIV/ AIDS will have to continue to struggle with the inadequacies and injustices of the current system. In many cases the stress of dealing with "the system" is as destructive as the disease itself. AIDS advocates, the AIDS ministry community, and advocates from the religious community for a humane health care system will continue to be active in the debate to see that people with · AIDS are well served by tlw new system, God willing. Rev. Ken South is executive director of tlze AIDS . National lnte1Jaith Network. Excerpted with permission from Interaction. Sources include Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, HHS 1991 and "Americans Living with AIDS" report of the National Commission. on AIDS 1991. As citizens, we enter the public square from separate communities, speaking in diverse tongues, · worshipping in churches, synagogues, temples, mosques, and ashrams. As Ameri_ cans, for too long we have had no need to communicate across the racial, class, gender, religious, or sexual borders and so we .did not. And now, it seems, we cannot. Our institutions of public education, what John Dewey called an "embryonic society" for democracy, has becm;ne a battleground - not as Justice Hand idealized, "the free market place of ideas" - but among competing factions each with a selfrighteous certainty brandishing a particular version of the truth to impose on a generation of unenlightened youth. A University of South Carolina summer course, "Christian Funda- · mentalism and Public Education" -attracted nationwide attention and reaped a whirlwind of criticism from the highest state official to the simplest church-goer. Some viewed the course as "Christian bashing" while others saw this .criticism as rampant homophobia . . Some questioned . the professor's ability to deliver an "objective" course while others saw the _ensuing controversy · as evidence of the religious right's growing influence in the state. A few wondered why a public university would ever want to challenge the views of a "majority" of . the state's taxpayers while others waved the tattered flag of academic freedom. These and other reactions reflect a disturbing phenomenon: the Tribalization of America. The New American Tribes We are quickly becoming a nation of tribes. These tribes may be clothed with gang colors, professional robes, or cleric collars; these tribes are located in the boardrooms of Manhattan skyscrapers, inside offices or ivy-covered faculty buildings, and on ground zero of our urban jungles; these tribes mount children's crusades for Operation Rescue or engage in the personal terrorism of outing; these tribes speak in the language of the Church, the Street, or Academe; these tribes erect icons like Madonna, Malcolm X, or Pat Robertson. Though each tribe is distillctive, we share several commonalties: We mistake self-interest for the commoll interest. We. confuse ritualized behaviors with meaningful actions. We substitute cal\onical knowledge for self knowledge. Most importantly, each tribe requires The Others to ____ om bating the New TRIBALISM Crossing Boundaries to Transform The Other BY DR JAMES T. SEARS justify their existence and col\test borders in order to warrant their territorial claims. Ameriqm tribalization requires the e_xistence of The C?ther: the queer, the filthy nch, the sp1ck, the baby killer, the radical feminist, the holy roller, the pointy-head intellectual. Without imagined threats posed by The Other, without the silencing of The Other, without the objectification of The Other, the tribe - whose member~ are bound by commonly held beliefs, values, and experiences - could not exist. ~erican tribalizatioll also requires terntones and borders: the hallowed h~lls_ of academe; the gangland d1v1s10ns between the Crips and the Bloods; the homosexual sanctuaries of Fire Island and the Castro, the fortresses of Christianity . Those who crowded together in small towns, a;e conservative religious outposts where networks of family and kin huddle together in worship and prayer. These fortresses guard against the isms: evolutiollism, ecumellicalism, secular humanism, socialism, plural ism, globalism, multiculturalism. At the cel\ter of the state, boul\ded by tree-lilled streets and secular el\terprises towers Academe. Protected by tenure alld promised academic freedom, professors also often isolate themselves from the maelstrom of everyday life content to erect academic empires, to write in obscurant prose, to promote academic hucksterism, or to engage in factional in-fighting. . A "cultural war" has been declared by some members of these two tribes. As border skirmishes have escalated Without in1agined threats posed by The Other, without the silencing of The Other, without the objectification of The Other, the tribe - whose members are bound by common I y held beliefs, values, and experiences - could not exist. choose to cross territories risk the wrath from all sides along the border. Just as it is dangerous for a Cambodian youth flagging his colors to cross O1icago's Broadway Avenue, so too is it for a religious fundamentalist embracing a Bible-to enter the university classroom of an ·"avowed homosexual." Without these border crossers, however, the often promised cultural war will begin in earnest and we will lose our only true opportunity for re-birth. The Church and Academe Scattered throughout South Carolina, alongside dirt roads or into frontal attacks; each tribe has experienced history differently as each wanders aimlessly in an ever diminishing public square. For the religious conservative, the decades since the '60s have seen a progressive deterioration of moral conduct as biblical truths and moral absolutes have bee!\ abandoned by s'ociety. The ship of state - absent a moral compass and ethical rudder - has been scuttled on the shoals of secular humanism. Only through the waters of re-birth and redemption can this ship be righted; only through confessing our willful separation from God .- sin - and seeking repentance can our New Zion be reclaimed. No longer content to await the . Millennium, many of these religious conservatives have returned to the public square from self-imposed exile to mirror social activists' tactics of-the religious left a generation earlier as they reje_ct, the separatist teachings of _ their rehg10us forefathers . As their cause became a crusade, their ability alld willingness to communicate in civil dialogue withill the public square has lessened. A generatioll of academics, weaned on economic prosperity and democratic ideals and coming of age under the backdrop of the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights Movement, alld Watergate, el\tered into temples of secular wisdom . For this new tribe of social reconstructionists, whose elder states- · mell included Noam Chomsky, R. D. Laing, and Harvey Cox, the university was a forum to critique the televised imageries of the Cleaver, Jeffersoll, and Partridge households and their communities. Withill a short time, however, a new intel lectual orthodoxy replaced the old. _ This ne'\" orthodoxy reified scholarly discourse and stifled public debate as it diverted valuable intellectual energy and professional activity from the · public square. Nihilism, Orthodoxy, and Doubt In Magister Ludi, Herma!\ Hesse wrote of a faraway land in a distant time. Here a pale young boy lived who enjoyed talent for abstract thought and habit ·of good industry. His talent and habit earned young Joseph Knecht a transfer from an ordinary school in his hometown to an elite school of the Castalia. In Hesse's novel, the establishment of the Order of Castalia and the Glass Bead Game arose from a "Feuilletollistic- collflict" between reasol\ and superstition and between the political and academic worlds. What emerged was an elite believing in intellectual discipline and venerating music and mathematics, protected alld isolated from growing political and religious strife. At first, the Game was llothillg more than a method for developing memory and encouragillg improvisation among students. Soon mathematicians attracted to the Game extended it to express mathematical processes by special symbols and abbreviat! ons. As time passed, other disciplmes, such as the visual arts, philos ophy, and physics also contributed new relations, analogies, and methods to the Game. The Game became a "col\centrated SEE TRIBALISM, Page 8 Second Stone-November/December, 1993 [7.l Combating the new tribalism From Page 7 self-awareness for intellectuals" (p.24). The Game was the showcase of the monastically organized, intellectual culture of the Order of Castalia - a male order which renounced worldly possessions for pursuit of purely intellectual endeavors. The Game represented the "quintessence of intellectuality and art, _the sublime cult, the unio mystica of all separate members of the Uni-versitas Litterarimi" (p.28). The Glass Bead Game prizes unorthodox and enigmatic theories, concepts, and methods with little · regard to their contribution to the art of the practical. Unstirred by social passion and unguided by political realities, The . Game suggests a narcissistic and nihilistic trend within some in academe. University -professors can change their academic field but can or should they affect our social world? There are also those, however, in academe for whom specific social action grounded in political absolutes have become orthodoxy. In her compelling essay about feminism, sexuality, and politically correct behavior, Muriel Dimen (1984) writes, "Politically correct is an idea that emerges from the well-meaning attempt in .social movements to bring · the unsatisfactory present into line ~,'~ ''"'.J.' t-, r~::i'r ·, '' --, "fu-·, . •,./ "!>:, -- _., \J: ' -, ' . We , . bland§ CJnn A Lesbian Paradfse ... On 100 beautiful acres with pool, hot tub, skiing and more. Jnnkeep'!l'SJ udith Hall and GraceN ewmanin vitey ou to write or call fOf' a brochur e. with the utopian future" (pp. 138-139). As Dimen points out, the demands for political correctness presents us with a double-edge sword: the process of ressearch, data inconsistent with one's original theory are welcomed outliers that allows ·the researcher to enhance the match between theory and reality. In both tribes, certainty has replaced doubt as faith in the power of democratic dialogue has disappeared . [Political correctness] creates visions of what is good, it seems sensible and self-respectful to try to live them out. .. It is empowering; by psychological and ideological means, it creates the space for people to organize politically ... [But] when the radical be- Do'ubt and fa1'th/s1·n comes correct,. it becomes conservative. The politically correct comes to and repentance resemble what it tries to change. For it. plays on the seductiveness of , Of all the Apostles, the stories of accustomed ways of living, the Simon Peter and Thomas epitomize attractiveness of orthodoxy. Its social this tension between faith and doubt. armoring can lead the person away Near the end of His three years with from self-knowing authenticity and Peter, Christ said, "I have prayed for the group towards totalitarian control. yourself that your faith may not fail, (pp.140-141) and you, as soon as you have Dogma and doctrine, true believers repented, must strengthen your and zealots, anti-intellectualism and brethren" (Luke 22:32). We are told mindless conformity - whether they in the Bible that Peter separates come from some on the Religous himself from Christ, who he goes on Right who seek to impose their to deny three times in an absence of theological beliefs on the Political Left faith. (John 18:25-27). Despite the who seek imposition of their word of the other-Apostles, Thomas, ideological beliefs - these are incom- too, demanded certainty before .patible with an enlarging and vibrant placing his faith in the unseen: public square . What is absent from "Because you have seen me, you those on either end of this spectrum is have believed. Blessed are those who a willingness to entertain doubt. have not seen and yet have believed" In his classic work, Dynamics of (John 20:29). Doubt is the wellspring Faith, theologian Paul Tillich (1957, of faith. pp. 27-28) warns that even in Too often biblical literalists relig10usly homogenous sooeties, if mistakenly read Scripture through civil authorities endorse doctrinal contemporary eyes without realizing beliefs and enforce spiritual con- the changes in meaning wrought formity then "they have removed the through its evolution from Aramaic, risk and courage which belong to the to Greek, to Latin, and to English, act of faith." Similarly, Tillich argues multiple versions of the English that those who surrender themselves translation, and the passage of time to Papal infallibility or biblical itself. In the chapter cited in Luke inerrancy can on longer doubt and, above, the _Greek words epistrepho thus, their "faith has become static, a meaning "to turn about" and metanoia non questioning surrender" to The meaning "change of mind" have been Other. translated as "repented" and "repen- This absence of doubt is also found lance" - derived from the Latin in the rejection of philosophy of poenitare meaning "to feel sorry" - a 1 science professor Karl Popper's radically different interpretation. premise of "falsifiability." Under this Similarly, faith (pistis) is more concept, knowledge advances not by correctly translated as "another kind P. o, Box 118 SL a search for supportive evidence of of thinking." Repentance and faith Bethlehem, NH 03574 one's theory but · by searching for are necessary for this transformation ":~===(6=0=31=-s~a6::=~-9::-=-::-:3~= 9e~vi:dence that refutes the theory . In or re-birth to occur. r. In other words, the message of the ■ n Maybe We're· ■ A Symbol of Today's Reality New Testament is about the transd Ti • >I formation of consciousness. Like Talkin .g About. a an om~ s nope Paul's trip to Damascus, this change D. f:f: t G d" rg..__-------.--- .-,- ,·• I of mind occurs at a turning point in · 1 l ef efl O ==- , _ one's life where metanoia is possible. A half-hour documentary on the Rev. -1 ,- When this cl1ange of mind occurs an Jane Spahr and her call to theDowntown == . = evolution in one's spiri_tual thinking Churchi n Rochesterp, rotesteda nd - - becomes possible. It is this esoteric broughttotrial. ===. s,.J~,JN .Jj - idea conveyed in the Bible (and in Showsh owc o1ifusioa1n1d f ear ("What! ·""· the spiritual writings of many A woman and a lesbian? No way!') Wearing this red and pink ribbon pin shows you care cultures) that has been Jost on many - can be transformed into understanding aboutt hos, whoa re HIV+o r have Breast Cancer. like the Sower's seed falling along the and compassion.( "The11I met Ja11ie!") i lN2£0PEOPLEAREHli~;;~~ii:susA.ATwTaHy ECsiUdeR RaEnNd T trodden underfoot VHS Tape & DiscussionG uide RATTEH,Es TAT1sT1BcEw1 1N4t1B YTHYEE AR20m (Luke 8:5). SEND $32.35 TO: 11NawoMEN~j~~;i8J's'fi'l1~A~GAN!1OfSf~EoD In this context, when we sin, Leonardo'sC hildren,I nc. WITBHRE ASCTA NCER translated from the Greek as "to miss 26 Newport Bridge Rd. FOR AMCCOLbUlr~it~het m•carkr,," we experience our human WarwickN, Y 10990 p o BOX 2 OU failure to hit the target - which is (914)9136-6888 ■ · · 3 i~l~~LLE, KY 40232 higher consciousness of the Self that ■ L8SJeco ndStoneoNovember/Decem1b9er9,3 transcends the many selves which make up our conscious world. Spiritual evolution is not dependent upon time but on.a change in heart, a change in thinking, a change in consciousness. In the movie, Groundhog Day, Bill Murray plays an egocentric and cynical televisio11 news reporter. On February 1st, he makes his yearly trip to document whether Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow. Arriving at the town that evening, Murray's character makes his routine caddy remarks about the townspeople and the event to his camera crew and then heads off to bed. The next day he gets up and, in a sarcastic and demeaning manner, covers the sacred event. As the news crew returns to Philadelphia, an approaching snowstorm forces it to return to Punxsutawney where Bill Murray is forced to spend another dreadful night. The following morning, a strange .event occurs - there is no following morning . Instead he re-awakes to another Groundhog Day hearing the identical song on the radio to begin his morning, running into the same old high school classmate, enduring the same groundhog shadow sighting, and again failing miserably with a romantic pass to his co-worker. February 2 follows February 2 as Bill Murrary's character struggles with himself until one day he realizes that the key to his having a future is reflection and self-understanding. Until we experience a change of thinking, a change of heart we, like Bill Murray, are condemned to repeat an endless set of tomorrows today with the dreary sameness of yesterday. Only by confronting The Others in ourselves (hitting the mark) and by crossing the border of The Other will transformation (redemption) occur. The Others are our bridges to our Self. In order to transcend ourselves we must not separate from The Other but confront it in ourselves in the stark stillness of solitude and embrace it in others in the ,majesty of the public square. In order to accomplish this we must acknowledge our doubts and embrace our faith in the power of civil discourse. Understanding The Other affords us the opportunity to reflect upon ourselves through the eyes of those who are different and to peer into those parts of ourselves that we prefer not to see. As we peer into the eyes of the other, we embark on a journey of the Self crossing borders to explore our fears, to voice our doubts, to challenge our assumptions, to strengthen our faith, and to celebrate our differences. Our challenge is to become dead to what we have become in order lo be resurrected into what we have the potential of being. December 1, 1993 World AIDS Day World AIDS Day, observed annually on December 1, is the only international day of coordinated action against the spread of AIDS. The day is set aside each year to strengthen the global effort to face the challenges of the AIDS pandemic which continues to spread in all regions of the world. This year, World AIDS Day will be commemorated in approximately 180 countries to draw attention to the worldwide threat to public health that is posed by AIDS. The effort is designed to encourage public support for and development of program s to prevent the spread of HIV infection and to . provide education and awareness on issu es surrounding HIV/ AIDS. The United States Postal Service will issue an AIDS Awareness postage stamp on December 1, in conjunction w.ith World AIDS Day. Over the years, stamps have contribut ed sig nificantly towards generating WHO estimates that 14 million people have been infected !Jy HIV and by the year 2000, between · 30 million and 40 million people will have been infected 1:?Y HIV. awareness, ·support an d understanding for._social and health issues. Local organizations or community gro ups can request _the participation of local postal officials to conduct stamp ceremonies as par .t of the commul)ity's activities and events .. Organizers of World AIDS Day suggest the following activities · for wors_hip servkes: ·Suggest • to yo ur clergy that · a candlelight service be . hel<:f; Suggest the support of World AIDS Day call to action by the sounding/ tolling of bells or by spedal announcement during religious ceremonies; Suggest to your clergy a special prayer for individuals affected by HIV/ AIDS; Arrange a moment of · silence during services on December 1, or Friday/ Sunday before, and throughout the year for the struggle of AIDS; Organize an education class on ethical issues surrounding AJDS; Sponsor a community seminar to provide information about HIV/ AIDS to the public; Encourage · Jong-term commitment by your church, mosque, or synagogue to promote education and community service. Th e first World AIDS Day, held on December 1, 1988 and propos ed by the World Health Organization (WHO), emerged from the World Summit of Health Ministers on Programmes for AIDS Prevention in London in January of that year. World AIDS Day 1988 focused on encouraging governments, communities and indi v idual s to talk about AIDS. In 1989 and 1990, World AIDS Day concentrated on the needs of two groups, youth and women. In 1991 the focus · was on sharing the challenge and in 1992 the focus was on community commitment. The first five observances of World AIDS Day aimed at increasing knowledge and under standi ng of HIV/ AIDS, in addifion to promoting sensitivity and awareness of the social implications that surround the pandemic. The need to work together to overcome the discrimination and stigmatization of people with AIDS has been emphasized. The _activities coordinated on World AIDS Day and throughout the years hav e been successful in bringin g people and communites together to promote the education and prevention of HIV/ AIDS. This year's theme, 'Time to Act!" adds a sense of urgency to the ideas emphasized in the past. World AIDS Day 1993 calls for imm edia te mea sures to be taken by everyone to stop the spread of AIDS. WHO estimates that 14 million people have been infected by HIV and by the year 2000, between 30 million and 40 million people will have been infected by HIV. World AIDS Day originates with WHO, an agency of the · United Nations. WHO ha s a central role in the global response to AIDS. This worldwide strateg y for the prevention and control of AIDS is coordinated by WHO's Global Programme .on AIDS. GPA provides ·leade rship , helps ·· ensure international collaboration a nd coordination, and provides technical and financial support for AIDS prevention and control programs. For information on AIDS, call the Center for Disease Control and Prevention Nationa l AIDS Hotline , 1-800-342-AIDS, Spanish, 1-800- 344-SIDA, Deaf access/TDD, 1-800- 243-7889. Second Stone will run your 30 word classified ad in our next 3 issues for the price of 1 ! $10.50 Our classifieds work! Meet a new customer for your business ... a new friend in a city you'll be visiting soon .. ." a new pen pal ... the possibilities are exciting! Second Stone classjfieds:r?ach readers.in eve,ry state. and many foreign countrie.s. Lise the.order form on the classified page and include classification, months to run and billing address. Ads must be pre-paid. 20 word minimllm. Each additional word, 35¢. Ads may be faxed to (504)891-7555. · Ads billed must be paid prior to publication. Advertise in Second Stone! I/16th Page Ad FOR A FUIL }'.E4R as low as $15.75 per month! Your ad here. GREAT FOR GUEST HOUSES, BOOK STORES AND PUBLISHERS! Reach Second Stone readers in every stale for a full year at this great sixtime ra te! An excellent opportunity for adve rtisers to direct their me ssag e to our precisely defined target market. For help caff (504)899-4014. No sexually explicit ads Call (504)899-4014 FAX (504)891-7555 We reserve the nght to refuse any ad tor any reason. $189.00 per year or 6 billings of $31.50 each. Second Stone•November/December, 1993 CI] T Cover Story T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ......................................... -· ......... . Activists seek improvement in church's response to AIDS From Page 1 African American church es say an unwillingnes s o n the part of church pa sto rs and l eade rs to talk about sexuality in ge neral and homosex uality in particular is contributing to th e continuing high rate of HIV infection in th e black communit y. Although African Americans make up only 12 perc ent of the population of th e United States, 54 percent of all ch ildr en with AIDS are Afr ican A m er ican, as are 53 percent of all wom e n and 32 p ercent of a ll men wh o have AIDS. In s pite of th ese numb ers, bla ck mini s ters continue to see m reluctant " When it comes to African American churches, the pastor isn't the leader. The members of the congrega-. tion are ... Change must come from the pews." PERNESSA SEELE, Founder of The Balm in Gilead to place their churches in a lea dership role in the fight against AIDS . . According to fa cquel yn Wilkerson, Director of AIDS Advocacy in African Am eri can Churches, past ors are only now becomin g more . rece ptive to church-based education pr ograms . 'Th e re s pons e is so div erse," says Wilkerson. "Some pastors will say it 's an iss ue they don't have to contend with and others are very willing to educate their congreg ation and work with people with AIDS. But we co nsistently run into judgmentalism'. ' H er organization is making "slow but steady" progr ess in breaking apart th e image that a large · part of the African Am er ican community still has of A IDS: that it is a gay white male di sease. The AIDS Advocacy in African American Churches Project, a progra m of th e AIDS National Interfaith Ne twork , is ii national campai g n d edicat ed to increasing th e numb er of chu rch-ba sed AIDS mini stries and providing seminar s on AIDS education specifically design ed for African Ame rican clergy and laity. The goals o f the AAAAC project includ e pro ·Viding 2,500 Afric a n Ameri can churches (50 church es in 50 states) with information on deve loping AIDS ministry programs, general information on AIDS, as we ll as a var iety of reso urc es on the affect of AIDS in the African American community. But even as church congregations lose memb ers and friends to AIDS, va luabl e AIDS educ ation programs often get into the church through the b ack door if at all. Acti vis t s mu st so metimes work their way in by offer ing pro gra ms that d ea l first with drug .use o r oth er h ea lth issues - a nd pr ese nt AIDS information only aft er th ey ar e "in." T he _reason for that is fear, says P ernes sa Seel e, founder of Th e Balm in Gilead, In c., an o rganization dedicated t o mobilizin g African American religious communities in fighting HI V/ AIDS. "Pastors fear the response of the congregation ,if they talk about AIDS," says Seele. "When it comes to African American churcl1es, th e pastor isn 't the leade r . The member s of -the congregation are. We're afraid to talk to the preacher about AIDS. That's our ow n fear. That is not th e work of a leader. Change mu st come from the pew s." Christian Unit y Church o f New Orl e ans, La., has strug gled to m _ake suc h chang e and ge t pa st the fear. Assistant Pa s tor Audrey John son' s cousin had full -blown AIDS before eve n seekin g trea tm ent. When her relative's condition was reve aled t o the congre ga tion, church memb ers were afraid to come t o th e house, although th ey did see to it that th e family was ot he rw ise p rovided for. Johnson's cousin was not the only AIDS relat ed death in . the congregation; th e pastor's brother also died of AIDS. This was th e beginning of Johnson's realization that the clmrch had to b e educated and involved. 'Tm on a mission to do whatever it takes to e_ducate our communit y," says John son, whose church has supported the dis tribution of condoms, meals programs for people with AIDS, health fairs at which HIV/ AIDS information was ava ilabl e and a women's conference which attracted over 700 participants. There are people with AIDS in the congregation now and th ey are supported with a great deal of compassion, according to !JlD Second Stone•November/December, 1993 Johnson. "None of us are where we should be," s ays John so n, "but our congr egatio n under s tand s that AIDS is a devastating di sease and some thing mu st b e don e. Our phil oso ph y is that the community owns th e church and se ts the church agenda. And th e church mu st practice w h at s he preach es." ,, I'm on a mission to do whatever it takes to educate our community.,, REV. AUDREY JOHNSON, Asst. Pastor, Christian Unity Church ' There's more dirt than grass i n the cemetery," says Rev. Charles Southall, pastor of First Emrnanual Baptist Church in New Orleans. "It 's our children dead ther e. None of us are safe until all of us are safe." Th ere are 13 ·year old children in First Emmanual's congregation who are HIV infected. So uth all says that his church has responded to the unin vited embrac e of AIDS by providi ng an active stre et mini stry and AIDS education program. Part of Christian Unity's success in providin g AIDS education has to do wi th how it was worked into a mix of concerns including p ove rty, Jack of healthcare, and unemployment. But was part of the success also du e t o leav ing the issue of .homos ex uality unaddr esse d? Although the church appear s to have opened to discussing sexuality, including teaching condom use, R ev. Johnson sk irt s the issu e of homosexualit y. "We do deal with gay/ lesbian iss ues - also women who preach - but ministry can still take place . We want to win the church. We can 't do that by beating her up." There is so me judgm ent in her church against Gays, Johnson ·says, voicing her p erso nal concerns as well . "We are losi ng our black mal es so fast in violence . I am concerned about procr ea tion. My pain is that we' re losing a race of peo ple ." "All pastors don't close their doo rs," says Rev. Southall , in ref er ence t o gay and lesbian people and HIV/ AIDS inf e cted/ affected. "I realized I was wrong a_bout homosexuals. Gays and Lesbiatis n eed savi ng too." Must a gay or les bian person becom e sick with AIDS befor e fee ling affirmation from the church a nd experi encing th e compassion of the cong rega tion? Such conflict over sexuality appears to be al th e roo t of the .church's reluctance t o estab lish AIDS ministry and ed ucati on. There is continued widespread disagreem en t among c hu rc h lead ers and activ is ts over gay and lesbian issues and where Ga ys and Lesbians fit into th e chur ch . "We need to have a he ad -on deba te on sex ua lity ," says Rev . Yve tte Flund er, executive director of The Ark of Refuge in San ·Francisco. "Let's talk a b out h ow we're goi n g to minist e r to th e gay and les bian community. Let's have that dialogue and go a head and ge t that done." ,, There's more dirt than grass in the cemetew,, REV. CHARLES SOUTHALL, Pastor, First Emmanuaf Baptist Church Plund e r says she sees a mass exodus by black gay and lesbian Christians from unaffirming churche s to places where they feel sup ported. It is time, SEE COVER SfORY, Next Page -dM~tml•liOl=it49190'1iJ9=- From Page 10 ,, Let'sta lka bouht oww e're goingt om inistetro theg ay andl esbianc ommunity. Let'sh avet hatd ialogue andg o aheada ndg ett hat done,., REV. YVETTEF LUNDER, DirectoorfT heA rko fR efuge she says, to draw pastors and religious leaders into a forum on sexuality. "We need to better equip ourselves and pastors who are willing to be supportive. We need to identify churches where gay and lesbian black Christians who have HIV I AIDS can to to find a supportive environment." Bringing pastors, especially those who are not already somewhat open to discussing sexuality/ homosexuality, to the table may be near impossible, however. The silence from most pastors on issues of sexuality goes back in many cases to a seminary education that did not prepare them to deal with it. Affer losing a student he describes as brilJiant to AIDS, Rev. Dr. Elias Farajaje-Jones, a professor at Howard University Divinity School in Wasl\ington, D.C., says he knew that he could not be silent in teaching about AIDS. When you talk about AIDS in the black community, you can't talk about sexuality, l1e had been told. "But everybody in church is having sex," he says. 'That's how . we got there to begin with ." "We must deal with homophobia to deal with AIDS," says Farajaje-Jones, who has developed a program congregations may use to become welcoming and inclusive of Gays and Lesbians. The 15-week program, Kujichagulia/ Umoja works to change negative attitudes toward support and appreciation . of Gays and Lesbians. Flunder agrees that some of the problems are coming from academe. "If they get a masters degree, they need to have a people degree. The curriculum is not designed to deal with HIV/ AIDS in the black community,'' she says. "We've got to bombard the institution, because they're Bending out pastors who just want to show how smart they are. We need to have some scholarship about gay and lesbian issues." In spite of barriers thrown up by pastors and congregations, ministry ..... "We musdt ealw ith homophobtioad eal withA !Ds.,, REV.D R.E LIASF ARAJAJE-JONES ProfessorH, owardUniversity DivinitSy chool QUOTABLE "We will never understand the religious right until we view them as a tribe that sees themselves left out of everyone else's liberation." - Martin Marty in the African American community to people infected and affected by HIV /AIDS and black gay and lesbian Christians has made remarkable breakthroughs. Rev. Flunder has seized an opportunity with . the Gospel Music Workshop as a way to bring her message of hope and affirmation to the black religious community through the gospel conference, which impacts up to 20,000 people. She advocates a music project t.o pull pastors into supportive ministries for HIV/ AIDS. "We need to become instruments of peace in the middle of this epidemic," says Flunder. 'There is a reconciliation work of the Spirit going on. People who have been marginalized are finding out that God still loves them." Rev. Seele and The Balm in Gilead is coordinating The Black Church National Day of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS. The "campaign for a spiritual commitment to fight AIDS" has set aside March 6, 1994 as their second annual prayer day and hopes to have many of the over half million black churches in the United States participate. The goal of the campaign is to call on black churches to focus their morning worship activities on the healing of AIDS. Participating churches will be provided with liturgical resources to be used throughout the campaign. AIDS education will continue to improve in the black church community, according to Wilkerson, although perhaps not at the pace which activists would like to see. "With this work," she says, "you have to be able to count your successes." Contact addresses of programs mentioned in tlzis article: AIDS Advocacy in African American Churches Project, 110 Ma1yland Ave., NE, Ste. 504, Washington, DC 20002; Die Balm in Gilead, Inc., P.O. Box 86, Lincolnton Sta., New York, NY 10037; The Ark of Refuge,7 54 14th St., San FranciscoC, A 94114. (RADICAL RIGHT PREACHERSh avea penchanfto r creatings horta nti-gay sayingst o be used on ta(ks haws~ nd at demonstration.._ Isf (hef ~r right t;anu se thesep oliticala nd religiouso ne lmers to promotet heirm d1gmhes,L esbiansa nd Gaysm ust learnt o use one linerst o proclaimt he truth.) The toxin ... All who uphold homosexuals are condemned in the Bible The antidote ... All who bash homosexuals are condemned in the Bible .. FOR A THOUSAND YEARS, organized religion condemned the slave instead of the slave master. The preachers and priests twisted the scriptures found in Genesis 9, claiming the curse of Canaan excused the slave abuser and condemned the slave victim. Jesus rebuked religious leaders for condeming females who were forced into sexual bondage, while allowing the male abusers to go free (Matthew 5:32.) These theologians incorrectly blessed the abuser while condemning the victim. The same may be said of the official clmrch position regarding rape. Often the victim was reproached while the attacker went uncondemned (John 8:3.) The rape victim is still punished for years by society, while the rapist is free to rape again. The Bible is also misused to keep women "in their place." St. Paul does say one time in I Corinthians 11 that women should "keep silent in the church," but the same cl1apter tells the males five times to keep silent in the church! Paul does ask that the wives submit to their husbands, but he also tells the husbands to submit to their wives. Fundamentalists twist these scriptures, praising the abusers and condemning the abused. Gays and Lesbians get the same kind of reverse condemnation. The Bible warns heterosexuals not to rape Gays, not to use gay men as they use women, not to prostitute little boys and not to force Gays and Lesbians to act "straight," (Gen. 19, Lev. 20, I Cor. 6, and Romans 1.) Originally, these warnings were given by God to protect people from abuse . Just a-s with other subjected groups, the organized church has twisted these scriptures, condemning the abused instead of the abuser (Romans 2:1.) · According to the spring, 1992 issue of Aware newsletter: "If I see one of you, I will kill you. Live in fear you queers ... Fag rights are not civil rights. Read your Bible ... I want you to know that my disgust for you and your cause runs too deep to describe. I will continue to persecute gays and dikes [sic) just as a good Christian should." - Dr. Paul R. Johnson · Second Stone-November/December1, 993 [II] America has almost four million Lesbians and Gays age 60 or older. For them, being gay has presented a unique set of challenges. GA GRAY BY SOUTHERN VOICE Eve lyn Fry remembers what- it was like to be a lesbian before Stonewall was a glint in a policeman's eye. She frequented gay bars in Chicago years earlier and had her share of bumps and bruises at the hands of . police. "I wish I had a nickel for every night I spent in the Saturday night lock-up," she chuckles from her Cobb Country, Georgia home. "In the bars, you kept one eye on who you were with and the o\'hcr on the door, watching for the cops. I've had black eyes and puffed lips from my nights out, but you go back to the bars becau se there was nowhere else to go." Like many Gays and Lesbians at the age of 65, Evelyn is retired. She spent 27 years in the Navy. Unlike many · Gays and Lesbians her age, she is out of the closet. According to statistics, there are more than four million gay men and Lesbians in the United States who are over 60. They are generally invisible because of fear based on past prejudices from society. In their youth, they were called sick by doctors, a menace by the police and immoral by the clergy. Many still see the world as a hostile · place where they can't be out. Evelyn Fry doesn't buy it. 'They've done everything they can to me, why not be out?" she insists. "I spent the better part of my life lying about who I was. We've come to a point that if we don't stand _up now, we will be right back to where we were before." But not alJ seniors see it that way. Greg Anderson is a social worker : with SAGE, Seniors in a Gay · Environment, a social service organization based in New York City. "I hear a lot of my older clients say that things were b etter when we all kept it quiet becaus e being out just makes people hate us more," he says. "Now, that's internalized homophobia, but if that's th e way you perceive the world, I'm not_ going to do you much good by ms1stmg that you drop that attitude. You bring people out of the closet slowly - you don't yank them out. I think it would be great if everyone came out, but I don't think a lot of these people ever ':"ill." ] ust ·like the youngsters behind Bulk Copies Available • • • • • • • • • • • • • OF THIS ISSUE OF SECOND STONE For church/group distribution, conferences, bar ministry, etc. 10 copies - $13.50 • 25 copies - $29 .50 • ·so copies - $45 .00 100 copies - $67.50 includes postage and handling Limited quantity of back issues available FREE; add $5.00 postage for every 50 copies . Send ,your pre-paid order to Second Stone, P.O. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 them, older Gays and Lesbians embody a diversity of opinion. They are also .d'hrerse in their appearance and lifestyle. Some got married, some hve -alone, some ·have kids and grandchildren, some have long term partners. Some are. sick, some are healthy, some have outlived their families and spouses. As the .Gays and Lesbians -of the baby boom set grow older, they too ~ill discover (hat aging is one thing m hfe that cant be avoided. "We as a community have really bought into the myth that old means lonely and homely and that somehow, it won't happen to us," says Anderson. "We believe aging is only for old people ." Sarah Swint, a 61 year old Atlanta woman who helped found Lesbians Ov er 50, says there are some nice surprises in aging. "When you are in your 20s, you dread the 30s. In the 30s, you dread the 40s. But you find with each decade that it's good;so it must be the - next decade when it goes downhill," she laughs. "Even when we get to 90, we think it must be 92 or 97 when it gets bad. But each time you hit the ne xt decade, you find it has its own pleasures and rewards, as well as its own problems." . Many of the problems faced by older Gays and Lesbians are really no different than those faced by straight p eople. their age 7 the r,hysical ,iging process, the loss of friends and loved ones, th e end of careers and the beginning of. loneliness. But in ·anoth er way, according to Anderson, what older Gays and Lesbians face is unique. "Particular to Gays and Lesbians is the feeling of never being connected to the sys t em," says Anderson. 'These are people who did not grow up in a very welcoming and generous time . Many still perceive the world as very hostile." Fry knows that hostility very well. During her 27 years in the military, she worked in communications as a decoder. She joined when she was 17 near the end of World War II. She served during the Korean War and part of Vietnam. . 'The bigge s t part for me was going through the witch hunts in the military," she recalls. ''There were ·so many good friends who had their lives shattered. One thing I leamed about the service is that if they really need you , they put the blinders on, but if you can be easily replaced they will go after you. I lost some good friends · to the ·hunts," . , Older Gays and Lesbians are s urvivor s, and many of their stories are _hair raising. But, man y of their lives are studies in triumph. There are couples who met in the 1930s and 1940s who are still together today, d espite society's attempts to tear them apart. "Many of these people can serve as role models," emphasizes Anderson. "We can learn a .Jot from gay and lesbian seniors who have lived tough lives, and "'.ho may have been on the front lines when it wasn't safe to be there." Fry says that she thinks young Gays and Lesbians today face a comparatively easier situation. "A lot of the problems we faced were that you couldn't be .who you were . I look at these young gals today and think how lucky they are," she says . "If I wanted to wear a leather jacket or dress comfortably, I had to be careful where I went. Now you can dress how you like, and that's wonderful." But that doesn't . mean that she thinks a young gay man or lesbian today will grow up to be any less of a survivor. "I think we all have our times to be strong," Fry says. "Where we had to be strong in one way, these kids today are being strong in a way that I don't know if I could hav e coped with. In each generation, we have our own crosses to bear. I hope with the advantages they have today, the young ones will learn a lot faster than we did . As Gays and Lesbians age, they must begin to think about th e time s · when they cannot take care of themselves any more. Some hav e gone into mainstream nursing hom es where they find they must go back into the closet. Slowly, our community is realizing we .must one day take care or our own. "I don't expect to go into a straight nursing home ," says Swint. "I hope to go into a lesbian nur si ng home . Th ere are some group ·homes out West that are starting up and also one in Florida where you can be open. There are also some groups ·in Ge org ia looking to start homes. But, if nothing else, I'll start my own." Support systems for older Gays and Lesbians continue to flourish. The nation 's most well-established organization is SAGE, a ·15 year old group with ·more than 7,000 members. Using a . professional sociai service orientation, SAGE has broken ground with specialized AIDS and home care programs. They provide a senior center and day programs, as well as sponsoring a buddy program called "Friendly Visitor." Anderson sees their main role as helping · seniors cope and use the system to help themselves. A secondary role is one of education. "We _are terribly cruel to our elderly. As an organization we need to coi1stantly educate our ;community and the community at large," says Anderson. "I see a lot of ageism in our community. When you're young and pretty life is great, but don't-you dar e get old because no one will want you. None of us are immun e from aging. In fact, it can be a wonderfully powerful experience." -Candace Chell.ew with Ken Berg contributing. Exce,pted with permission from Southern Voice. l ance told my parents that I was facing up to a drinking problem . and had gone to a couple of AA meetings . My mother, who was happy about my decision, said, "I was a lot more concerned about your drinking than about your being gay!" I said, "Well, that's good, because I can do something about the drinking, but I can't do anything about being gay." My parents, who are active leaders in my · hometown Baptist church, would prefer that I was not gay, but they do accept me and love . me and try to understand me. Many other gay people are not as fortunate in having . the continued love and support of their families . I have known yomig gay people who were thrown out of their homes by their own parents. Some even had their lives threatened by their fathers if they ever came home again. Many simply left home because of the rejection and pressure from family that made life miserable for everyone. Some dropped out of school before graduation because of ridicule and harassment by classmates. People who are different seem to pose a great threat to many people. Pe.rsons with mental or physical handicaps often experience subtle but very real rejection. Even those who are exceptionally bright or creative can experience rejection. Imagine how popular you would be in the average high school if you really loved classical music and opera but had little use for rock and roll. People who accept, love and enjoy people of another race also invite rejection. One way to invite a lot of rejection is to accept and associate with people who are themselves outcast and rejected. Rejection by family and friends has often been devastating in the lives of gay people. Many have had difficulty in developing mature personalities because of the lack of adult role models and the abandonment by significant adults who could have given love and direction in facing the developmental tasks everyone must learn to handle in growing up. Alienation from family and friends oftentimes leads to· hostility toward the world and toward God. Young people without skills and without maturity can easily becomes users, taking other people for whatever they can get with as little real giving on their part as possible. Every human being is profoundly different from every other person, but the differences are often obscured by the relentless pressure of society to conform to the "average." To be who you really are ·without fear or shame takes a lot of courage. The experience of Jesus can help us find our way out of the dismal swamp of conforming to . the expectations of others. Jesus was -often rejected by those who knew him best. Jesus came to his own, and those who were Iris own did not receive him. But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in his name. - John 1:11-12 . One .striking feature of the gospel account of Jesus is the rejection of Jesus by his kinsmen, who considered him to be "out of his mind" when he allowed the crowd to consume his time and energy so much that he could not even eat a meal. (Mark 3:20) Another incident of rejection came in his home town when Jesus did few mighty acts because of the ridicule ru1d rejection by his neighbors: these examples, Jesus was speaking the unacceptable truth to the Jews that God loves Gentiles also. The response of the crowd was: "All in the synagogue were filled with rage as they heard these things. And they rose up and cast him out of the ·city, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their city had been built, in order to thro ·w him down the cliff. But passing through their midst, he went his way and came down to Capernaum." The response of Jesus to violent rejection in Nazareth was simply to continue his ministry elsewhere. Rid- How Jesus handled rejection by '' l<insmen" BY REV. DR. BU DD Y TR U LUCK Jesus came to his home town ... And when the Sabbath l1ad come, he began to teach in the synagogue; and the many listeners were astonislied, saying, "Where did this man get these tliings, and what is this wisdom given to him . and such miracles as· these performed by. his l1ands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James and Joses, and Judas, and Simon? Are not his sisters here with us?" And they took offense (were scandalized) at him. And Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in· his home town and among his own relatives and in his own household." - Mark 6:14 Perhaps there is some truth to -the saying that "familiarity breeds contempt!" The rejection of Jesus by his own home town people reached a violent climax in the account of Luke 4:16-30. Jesus came to Nazareth "where he had been.brought up" and went into the synagogue to read and teach. The first response of the crowd was "all were speaking well of him and wondering at the gracious words which were falling from his lips; and they were saying, "Is this not Joseph's son?" (Luke4:16 and 22) Jesus then pointed out that a prophet is not welcome in his own home town and gave examples of how Elijah fed a woman of Sidon and not a Jew during the great famine recorded in I Kings 17:1-18 and also how Elisha cleansed no Israelite leper but did heal a foreigner, Naaman the Syrian in II Kings 5:1-14. In giving icule and rejection by his neighbors and kinspeople did not deter Jesus from his mission in life. Immediately after-the incident of rejection recorded in Mark 6:1-6, Jesus summoned his disciples and sent them on a special mission representing him in power and effective preaching and healing. When those who knew him best rejected him, Jesus turned his interest and energy toward others who were receptive and open to him. Mark 3:5 is the one direct reference in the gospels concerning the anger of Jesus. The anger was directed against those who put religious tradition above compassion and concern for human need. The religious leaders, who should have realized who Jesus was and given him their enthusiastic support, instead plotted against Jesus, who continued in his -work of service to suffering peopie: · And when his own people (kinsmen) heard of this, they went out to take · custody of him; for they were saying, "He lias lost his.senses."-Mark 3:21 Following this, some of the religious leaders accused Jesus of doing his mighty acts of love and healing in the power of Satan. At this point, the immediate family of Jesus a_ppeared. And his mother and his brothers arrived, and standing outside tliey sent word to liim, and called him. And a multitude was s·itting around him, and they said to him, "Behold, your mother and your brothers are outside lookingfor you." And answering them, Jesus said, "Wlzo are my mother and my brothers?" And looking about on those who were sitting around him, he said, "Behold my motlier and my brothers! For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother." - Mark 3:31-35 Jesus r!!defined the meaning of "family." The people who are your relatives or who grew up with you may not have as much in common with you as others do. Gay and lesbian people often find in others who are like themselves a greater . sense of fellowship and community than they find in their own home town or in their own relatives. You don't choose your relatives. They are given to you. You don't choose your childhood playmates or school classmates. They are also gi_ven. You may select.some people to be especially close to from relatives and friends, but if you are gay or lesbian, you may look in vain for someone from among your given family and friends with whom you are truly comfortable. Jesus practiced a careful selectivity in surrounding himself with the people of his own choice. His mission in life was the dominating factor that motivated all of his choices. Jesus was confident of who he was and what his purpose in life was, This clarity of identity and sense of purpose enabled him to decide on the people who would best fit into his life. In the midst of various forms of rejection in Mark 3, Jesus made some careful . choices of · companions for himself in Mark 3:13-14: And Jesus went up to the mountain and summoned those whom he himself wanted, and they came. to him. And he appointed twelve, that they might be with him. One way out of the pain of-rejection can be your own act of voluntary selection of people who are right for you in your life. This may be difficult if you are not really sure of your own identity or reason for living. Do . you reject or accept yourself as you see yourself? The chief issue in the battle for gay rights has been the fight for freedom of ass·ociation. Gay and lesbian people want the freedom to love and associate with those to whom the heart leads, not those whom society dictates. Your. responsible exercise of choice of people in your life is the other side of handling rejection by those who don't understand or accept you like you are. The help that Jesus gives to us in handling . rejection includes guidance by his teachings ru1d his spirit in making healthy and happy choices of the people we want to be with. us. Rev. Dr. Buddy Truluck is pastor of MCC Nashville. He formerly wrote Sunday School material for Southern Baptist Convention churches. . Second StoneoNovember!December. 1993 iii] PGive The Gift of Second Stone This Christmas During the holiday season... and all year long... let a new light shine for someone you · 1ove! Give the.gift of Second Stone this Christmas. For your friends in town or across the country, a gift subscription to Second Stone will keep on giving long after the holidays are over. Your loved ones will be reminded of your thoughtfulness all year long ... each time they receive a new issue! During the season that's made for sharing, why not invite your friends to journey with us? FROM ADDR,=Es=-=sc-· ------------- CITY, STATE &ZIP-'----------- □ YES! Please send a gift subscription and card in my name to the person(s) listed: FIRST GIFT ___________ _ ADDRESS CITY,STA=TE;;-:;&:-:z=1p:-:----------- SECONDGIFT __________ _ ADDRESS CITY,STA'=rE=-&=-=z=,p=------------- THIRDGIFT ADDRESS------------~ CITY, STATE&ZIP----'----------- FOURTH GIFT ___________ _ ADDRESS:::=-,:-==--------~-- CITY, STATE&ZIP _________ _ FIFTH GIFT __ --,--________ _ ADDRESS.=--==--'----------CITY, STATE&ZIP __________ _ e gift, $15 [ ) Two gifts, $29 [ ] Three gifts, $~2 . l J Four gifts, $54 l J Five gifts, $65 Total amount enclosed · . All gifts are mailed in a plain envelope. Add $10 for eadi foreign subscriber. U.S. currency. Use additional sheet for more gifts. Second Stone • Box 8340 • New Orleans, LA 70182 (HJ Second Stone-November/December, 1993 ·Videos ................................... Educating children about AIDS: Educating parents about AIDS A friendly, familiar face appear~ to introduce the new video "HIV/ AIDS: A Chall enge To Us All," produced by the Pediatric AIDS Foundation . "Every generation has something they need to fight for, to overcome and to change," says Magic Johnson, "and for me and millions of others it's HIV." In 1989 when, against Elizabeth Glasers' wishes, a national tabloid told the world that her and her son Jake were both infected with HIV, an en tire community of parents had to be quickly educated; Jake needed to continue nursery school and ·enter kindergarten. The Parent Education Program, "HIV/ AIDS: A Challenge To Us All" was developed by the Pediatric AIDS Foundation from the experience of educating the Glasers' school community about HIV/ AIDS. The Glasers know what it's like to be a family fearing rejection. With hard work from many, the community learned and responded to their situation. They were embraced with warmth and support. Jake finished nursery sd10ol arid kindergarten just like all the other kids, and was excited about entering third grade this fall. Since the experience in Santa Monica, California was so successful and positive, the co-founders of the Pediatric AIDS Foundation decided it would be beneficial to share the process they developed. Susan ,DeLaurentis, Elizabeth Glaser arid Susie Zeegen present in this video a complete program outlining how to organize a successful parent meeting on HIV/ AIDS, as well as how to talk to children about the virus. . The video presents several scenarios in which children ask their parents difficult questions about HIV/ AIDS, and demonstrates how parents can provide simple, reassuring answe,:s to children about how they can, and can't, get HIV. Concerning a classmate who is HIV positive, one dlild asks, "Can I still be his friend?" "Nothing needs to change," says the parent. "He can still be your friend." "Why is AIDS such a secret?" asks one sixth grader. The father answers simply and honestly, "Lots of people who had HIV were afraid that they had to keep it a secret because other people thought they could catch it from them, or they could lose their friends or even their job." There is a discussion between a mother and her daughter concerning safe sex. The program is designed to edu~ate parents and teachers. Distribution of the video tape, including 20,000 tapes in English and Spanish for the second phase of the program, was underwritten by The Sega Charitable Trust. For information on this video, contact the Pediatric AIDS Foundation, 1311 Colorado Ave., Santa MOilica, CA 90404, (310)395-9051. In Print • • • • • • • • • • e • • • • e • e e e • • • e e • e e • · t t t t I I t I I t t · t I t t I t I t t t I I I t t I t I I t t I t t I t t I I t t t By The Pool At Bethesda By Bro. William Carey Rev. Floyd Thompkins, Jr., author. Genesis 1:26 Publishing, 1992. How do you respond to someone who has a terminal illness? For many, the answer to that question depends upon the illness. Diseases such as cancer often elicit responses of sorrow and cpmpassion, \vhereas an illness like AIDS too often provokes only In Print, briefly ... If YouS educea Straight PersonC, anY ouM ake ThemG ay? This book, edited. by John P. Dececco, Ph.D. and John P. Elia, shows the one-sideness of both biological essentialist and social constructionist versions of both sexual and gender identity and how it is difficult, if not impossible, to conceptually determine the origin of an individual'ss exual expression. -FromH arringtoPn arkP ress Seasonosf t heF eminine DivineC: hristiaFne minist Prayerfso rt he LiturgicaCly cle Mary Kathleen Speegle Schmitt, an Anglican priest in British Columbia, has composed this collection of prayers coordinated with each of the Sundays in Cycle B of the liturgical calendar. - From Crossroad MCC'sfi rstb ook onp ersonaelv angelism Rev. Dr. Rembert S. Truluck has written a valuable workbook to accompany his very popular brochure TheB ibleA s YourF riendA: Guidef or Lesbians and Gays. Invitation to Freedom provides tips on personal evangelism and includes chapters on a number of Bible passages that explain and encourage the work of the Great Commissionfo r everyone. • $7.(Xfr)o mC hi RhoP ress,P .O.B ox 7864G, aithersbuMrgD, 20898. A DelicatBe alance: TheP rofessionCaal regiver ,-FacesA IDS Dr. Jim Messina and Sr. Anne Dougherty, 0.S.F., have developed a workbook and group leader's guide for this workshop on the personal challenge AIDS poses to professional caregivers. They share their personal experience on ways of coping and avoiding burnout. • From Francis House, Inc., 4703 N. FloridaA ve.,T ampaF, L3 3603 judgment and stony silence . Many people are unable to respond no matter what the illness, and simply withdraw from the sufferer. What should be the Christian response to the terminally ill? Should the nature of the illness or the manner in which it was contracted make a difference? A new book, By 111eP ool At Bethesda by the Rev. Floyd Thompkins, Jr., helps answer these questions in a very powerful way. What Thompkins offers us is a collection of reflections on terminal illness, two of which deal specifically with AIDS. Upon reading this book, I was particularly impressed by the overwhelming compassion for those afflicted by terminal illness. It is a sad reflection on the state of Christianity today, but I hardly expected to find such compassion and such a complete lack of judgmentalism in a contemporary Christian writing. In so many books today, even those which demonstrate some compassion, there is still an underlying current of intolerance and a "blame the victim" mentality. This intolerance and unfair blaming is completely missing from Thompkms' work. The following excerpt demonstrates powerfully a true Christian compassion: To blame the victim, which is the real definition of ~ consequential world, brings order and reason to a situation. However, it brings it at the price of mercy. No sexual orientation, lifestyle, addiction or circumstance should sentence one to death or deny one the right · to experience and give love. For this reason, that no one is deemed worthy of death and suffering, Jesus died. Paul wrote: So then we have seen that, through our Lord Jesus Christ, by fait]z we are judged righteous and at peace with God. (Romans 5:1) Paul contends that the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus forever banishes the world of the flesh and calls us to a world of peace with God and one another. . This is the good news. This is the world of the Spirit that beckons to all who profess to be Christian. (Chapter 7) More than just a collection of the author's thoughts and insights on Christian response to terminal illness, By TizeP ool At Bethesdais a workbook for any church serious about following the teachings of Jesus and His Apostles. Each chapter concludes with questions and exercises designed to lead people toward a Christian response. The chapters in the book follow a logical order, from the despair and hopelessness surrounding terminal illness: Chapter 1, Waiting By The Pool At Bethesda, to the intervention of people who care, Chapter 3, Going Through The Roof For The Sake Of A Friend, and •finally lo mourning the tragedy of AIDS and moving beyond it, Chapter 9, We Shall Dance Again. Thompkins' book is powerfully written and bears a message the church must heed if it is indeed to be the church. I strongly recommend By I11e Pool At Bethesda. In a world of words, here is a book that will challenge us to put our faith into action. For information on this book contact Genesis 1:26, 1000 N.E. 26th Ave., Pompano Beach, FL 33062. · Excerpted from The Apostolic Voice, P.O. Box 1391, Schenectady, NY 12301-1391. Prayer of Jesus, Prayer of the Heart By Stephen Mathis Alphonse and Rachel Goettmann, authors. Paulis! Press, 167 pages. $10.95 paper. · F or many of us, contemporary Christianity suffers an appal- 1 i ng lack of depth and - relevance to the affairs of our everyday lives. Content to rest upon what Bonhoeffer calls "cheap grace," the current church has lost its ability to help deliver us from the plagues of emptiness and despair that are so prevalent throughout Western culture. Focused more on church growth, signs and wonders, spiritual warfare, and interdenominational spats, the church has neglected . its primary function of transforming individuals - not the arrogant transformation to a particular theology, but the life-altering transformation that comes through a consuming encounter with the incandescent fire of Jesus Christ. For those who decry the shallowness of the contemporary church, Prayer of Jesus, Prayer of the Heart will come as a pleasant ·oasis. Far from another exhortation to read the Bible more, or come lo church more often, the Goettmanns look deeply into the process of inner transformation through the ancient Eastern Christian way of life known as hesychasm. Taken from the Greek "hesychia," which means peace or tranquility, hesychasm calls us to an integration of our fractured egoic nature into a single whole under the direct control of the indwelling trinity . In the Christian East this is a process of the heart rather than the mind, for the heart is our center and the place where we encounter God in our transparency . The call lo this life is one of continuous releasing and revealing, in humility before God, until we are stripped of all encumbrances. There we experience the true nature of the living Jesus in a fiery encounter within the depths of our being. One of the keys to this transformation is the use of the Jesus Prayer: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son Of God, Have Mercy On Me A Sinner." In this prayer, a sinner in not one who fails to fulfill some ideological requirement, but rather one who lives " ... in rapture with our di vine filiation; receiving ourselves from other sources, nourishing ourselves elsewhere than in God, we make of our deepest interior a place of division where all the divisions in the world find their origin. The external universal schizophrenia is the result of our separation from God within." It quickly becomes clear that the authors of Prayer of Jesus, Praye,· of the Heart have lived and walked this life and are relating their own experiences. Not a theoretical treatise, it is a book packed with the fruits of a rich and profound life lived within the depths of Jesus Christ. The Goettmanns, founders of the Bethanie Community in France, have shared these insights with fellow sojourners for over 20 years. Thanks to the efforts of Theodore and Rebecca Nottingham, who translated the work from French, we now have a written account of the deep insights coming out of this work. The book discusses the power of the name of God in the Old and New Testaments, and the development of the Jesus Prayer in the tradition of the early Eastern Church. But the crucial sections deal with the way of life that use of the Prayer of Jesus evokes. For it is the use -of the Prayer to help bring about a profound change that is the crux of the issue. There is created within each of us a place of intimate encounter, where we may go to rest and hear the voice of God. It is a place where we stand before the mystery of Christ, and the covenant that he sealed with each of us. This encounter is the balm that heals our alienation from God. To enter this place is to come in SEE PRAYER, Page 16 SecondS tone-November/Decembe1r9, 93 [1[] .......... ....... .... ....... ....I.n..P. ..r..i.n...t. ............. ............ ~ . Gay Theology without Apology By Merrill Proudfoot Gary David Comstock, author. Cleveland: The Pilgrim Press, 1993, 183 p., $14.95. The reading of this little book could be tlie event that finally liberates Christian Lesbians and Gays from the tyranny of the Bible. Thank you, john Boswell and Robin Scroggs, but we no longer need excuses for Moses and Paul. If what they were talking about is not what we know as homosexuality, that is good to -know, but by no means crucial. Because we aren't going to allow our lives to be determined by the homophobia of the Bible any more than the homophobia of religious denominations. If I have received in grateful joy the assurance of God's Spirit that my love is okay, a holy thing, then either you are mistaken in telling me that Paul denounces it, or Paul himself was mistaken. Comstock doesn't hesitate to assert the latter: "Paul's letter to the Romans (1:18-32) is ... vicious and misleading in its description of us." He points out that "in the interest of convincing ourselves and the church that the Bible does not condemn us, ... we have tended to overlook ... the hostility that lurk(s) in the very passages with which we have tried to be-come friends." Comstock reminds us that "the Bible is stacked in favor of heterosexual males ruling household, tribe, and nation; and a central factor in maintaining positions is their control of sexual behavior." When real power is declining, as it was after the Exile when Leviticus was written, and as it is in America today, the frenzy Author of book on feminist theology receives award A ROMAN CATHOLIC woman " religious whose work sheds light on the feminine dimension of God has earned _the prestigious 1993 University of Louisville Grawemeyer Award in Religion. Elizabeth A. Johnson, associate professor of theology at Fordham University won the $150,000 award for her book She Who Is: The Mystery of God in Feminist T/ieologica/ Discourse. The book, published by Crossroad in 1992, has been praised as "perhaps the best book on feminist theology to date" by Library lournal. It also won a 1992 Crossroad Women's Studies Award. In the book, Johnson asks, "How are we to speak rightly of God in our day? Can we use women's ·experience and female imagery to describe the Chri s tian experience of God? What can feminist theology learn from the classical Christian discourse of God?" She goes on to show in countless ways how feminist language about God belongs in our PRAYER, From Page 15 humility , emptied of the need to control and understand. Prayer of Jesus, Prayer of the Heart gives us practical guidance in using the Prayer of Jesus to strip away the vestiges of ego that serve to create our alienation. As this alienation is healed, the integration of body-soul-spirit occurs, and in this integration we begin to deeply communicate with God. That communication occurs within "the intense silence of an inner life free of Acc ommodations, AIDS/HIV rBSOurcas, bars, bookstores, variou s busfnessas , haalt h care, leg al services, org anizations , publ ications, religio us groups , swttchboards, thtrap lsts, travel agents, & muchr nort, tor gay wom&ann d fflln. All prices below INCLUDE FIRST CLASS POSTAGE to USA, Canada & Mexk:o, in sealed, disaee t envelopesM. ailingli stsa res trictly cn,fldenlal. Order s from ousld e USA (including Canada & Mexico): payment must be !n US Funds payable on a US bank, r:t by Post Office a American Express money ord9'. (We si..ggestyou'try alocal~k.s!Dfefirst, to avoid poss ible Cμstcms problemsij USICAIYADA. GansdaM d USA fol women& men. Cityb yc ity informatiofno la ll US StatesG, anadian Provinces, ar.,d lhe US Virgin Islands, plus nationwide reso ll"ces including headqu.:irters of national orga.1izations &1d caucuses; publicatla,s; mail Cfder companies, etc. $12.00i outsido N. America $17 (alrmalf) NEW YORK/NEW JERSE.V. NY & NJ; separate Wc:men·sS ection;M aflhai.ian bar r:otas by Jerry Fitzpatrid( $5 .00 ; outsfda N. AfflQrlea $S (al. 1u,-dl) SOUTHERN/South<lmM idwest. 64 pages.A l. AZ. AR, FL, GA, KS, ~ , I.A.M S, MO, NM, NC, OK, PR, SC, TN, TX, US Virgin Islands, VA. $5.00; 0ut:ild e N. Amor!ca $8 (airma!-!) NORTHEPST. CT, DE, DC, !\IE, MA, NH, OH. PA, RI, VT, WV. $5.0-0; ousld• N. llmor lca $8 (airmail) RENAISSANCHEO USEB, OX5 33"SSV ILLAGES TATIONN, EW YORVN, Y1 0014·029(22 12)674-0120 [](LSeic ond Stone•Novernhe/rDccember,1 993 to control private acts becomes greatest. Comstock's proposal is not to abandon the Bible, but taking our clue from the Bible itself, which always looks back to the great liberating events of Exodus and Resurrection, to reject that in the Bible which squelches, and to look for those persons and stories which affirm. As an example, he points to. Vashti,'the Persian queen who refused to come on command to her drunken husband. To the Bible writer, Vashti was just a device to get Esther on the stage, but to us, she can be a model of integrity and courage. Read during dull moments of the Presbyterian Church (USA) General Assembly, Gay D1eologyw itlwut Apology came as a warning against us Gays and Lesbians buying into the pulpits and at our altars. The book's achievement is its convincing presentation of fem inist metaphors to describe how all humans experience the mystery of Spirit. the demands of self. And in that communication \-Ve come in contact with the mystery of who we are, and what we are. It is not easy to let go of self and live within the mystery. But it is a life full of richness and profound satisfactions. Prayer of Jesus, Prayer of tlze Heart is a powerful introduction to the heart of this very Christian way of life. For all of us seeking a deeper life, a life of substance, this book is a worthwhile investment. Excerpted from Christian Ne,v Age Quarterly, Box 276, Clifton, NJ 07011-0276. In Print, briefly. .. Gaya ndL esbiaSn tudies: TheE mergencoef a Discipline This important new book marks the coming of age of gay and lesbian studies programs at colleges and universities worldwide. The gradual development of the gay and lesbian studies discipline has bred controversys imilart o the. emergence of women's and black studies in the 1970s. This book chronicles the dramaticc hangesth at haveo ccurred since such studies were first introducedi n Europeanu niversities. - FromH arringtonP ark Press institutional church too heavily - just because we are denied access - and an exciting reminder that we do not have to, because in our commitment, our love for one another, and in our worship, we are more truly Christ's Church than all the structure defined by "authoritative interpretations," which seems so important to the folk who are "in." Exceipted from More Light Update, the newsletter of Presbyterians for Lesbian/ Gay Concerns. In Print, briefly. .. HIV+W: orkintgh eS ystem AuthorsM ichaeCl onnollya nd Robert Rimerp rovidea practicaal nd innovative guide for the newly diagnosed. SaysR imer", Myp hilosophiys to treat HIV as a chronic,m anageablceo ndition. I think many of us will live to see the medical establishment itself proclaimth at HIV is a chronic,m anageable condition." Among Rimer's strategiesfo r livingw ith HIV:P lano n living.. . just in casey oud o! -From Alyson Publications FromW oman-Pation Woman-VisioWn:r itingisn FeminisTth eology Anne McGrew Bennett's feminism undergirded decades of work for peace, civil rights, and economic justice.B ennettw, hod iedi n 1986h, as beend eeplyi nfluentiaol n the present generationo f feministt hinkers. This volume of lectures, essays, and poems was selected, edited, and introducebdy Mary E. Hunt. -FromW AT ERworksP ress,8 035 13th St., Silver Spring, MD 20910 Int heG ardeno fD eadC ars Sybil Claiborne'sn ew workc oncerns the not-so-distanfut ture and asks a not-so-paranoid question: in postAIDS society, who will control sexuality? Thisp oliticafl ictionw ill interest any reader concerned with the meaningo f AIDSf ors ociety. - From Clefs Press, P. 0. Box 8933, PittsburghP,A 15221 .Calendar •• ~ 0 ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• • ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• The fol/awing announcements have been submitted by sponsoring or affiliated groups. National Skills Building Conference OCTOBER 31-NOVEMBER 3, the largest gathering of front line AIDS workers in the country. The Hyatt Regency in New Orleans is the setting. For information contact National Skills Building Conference, 300 Eye St., NE, Ste. 400, Washing · ton, DC 20002-4389. Churches in Solidarity with Women NOVEMBER 4·7, A global theological conference by women for women and men. Re-imagining God, creation, Jesus, church .as spiritual institution, arts/ church, language/ word, ethics/work/ ministry, community, sexuality/ family, church as worshipping community. Featuring many presenters including Mary E . Hunt and Virginia Ramey Molienkott. The Minneapolis Convention Center is the setting. Contact Rev. Sally Hill, 122 W. Franklin Ave., Room 100, Minneapolis, MN 55404, (612)870-3600, fax (612)870-3663. Gay Religious Leadership Meeting NOVEMBER 9-12, The Lesbian, Gay and Affirming National Leadership Meeting is an opportunity for national officers from all of the lesbian and gay caucuses and the affirming congregation programs to share ideas. The Sheraton Inner Harbor in Baltimore is the setting. The meeting is held in conjunction with the National Council of Churches' General Board . Meeting. For information contact Rev . Kit Cherry, (213)464-5100. Creating Change 1993 NOVEMBER 12-14, The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force has announced that keynote speakers for its sixth annual Creating Change conference; to be held in Durham, N.C., will be Mab Segrest, Dr. Franklin Kameny and Dr. Marjorie J. Hill. For information on this conference contact NGLTF, 1734 14th St., NW, Washington, DC 20009, (202)332-6483. Nourishing The Soul NOVEMBER 12-14, Common Boundary presents its 13th annual conference at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City, Virginia. Entitled "Nourishing the Soul: Discovering the Sacred in Everyday Life," the conference will feature renowned authors, teachers, and lecturers. Participants are invited to come and experience a weekend of exploring and affirming our souls and the soul of the world. For information contact Common Boundary, 4304 East-West Hwy., Bethesda , MD 20814, (301) 652-9495, FAX, (301)652-0579. Christology of Sexuality Retreat NOVEMBER 19-21, The Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement sponsors a retreat featuring Fr. Bernard Lynch. The Royal Foundation of St. Katherine in London is the setting. The popular and widely experienced Catholic priest hopestolead people on a psycho-spiritual journey that allows them to explore themselves as part of that mystery which is commonly called "God." For infonnation contact the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement, Oxford House, Derbyshire St., London, UK E26HG. LGCM Annual Conference APRIL 15-17, 1994, London's Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement sponsors its annual conference. St. Alban's Centre, Baldwin's Gardens, London, is the setting. Keynote speaker is Prof. William Countryman, professor of New Testament, The Church Divinity School of the Pacific and author of Dirt, Greed, and Sex: Sexual Ethics in the New Testament and Their Implications for Today. For information contact LGCM, Oxford House, Derbyshire St., London , UK E2 6HG. Fashion Li,eSQ'les Travel Politics lnterviewvs Entertain,nent •• .. .a Gay version ol' Esqui~ or GQ. •• IISATodoy GENRE magazine brings you the latest in men's fashion. exotic travel destinations. exclusive celebrity interviews. advice on grooming, health. fitness and more. -to subscribe call: :I..-BOo-576-9933 The pren,lere national gay nren'• ,nastazlns~ Second Stone•November/December, 1993 .azJ T- Noteworthy T ........... ~ ........................................................... . Father Bill Steuber dies of AIDS LITHE REV. WILLIAM MICHAEL Steuber of Boise, Idaho, died July 27 from complications arising from AIDS. On July 30, the Rev:. John Tivenan, a close friend of Steuber's, fulfilled the pastor's last wishes by proclaiming Steuber's gayness in front of the bishops, the priests and the faithful in St. John's Cathedral, the See of the Diocese of Boise. · Steuber was born Nov. 4, 1946, in Philadelphia, Penn. He studied for the priesthood at St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore and St. Thomas Seminary in Seattle. While in Seattle, he worked with the diocesan ministry to sexual minorities. He was ordained a priest on June 14, 1977 . . His first parish service was in Caldwell, Idaho, where he started a snpport group for gay men. He met some resistance from the bishop and was limited in what he could do. - Diversity GLAD Alliance moderator Chuck Carpenter dies t-CHUCK CARPENTER, moderator of the Gay, Lesbian ·and Affirming Disciples (GLAD) Alliance of the. Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), died on September 21 at his home in Whittier, Calif., of complications from 0, W011/11J1. 'Eoraer-wall@r traveler-companion to seif, witli. otfiers :How searing tfie fiofes of your sou[? ,Your roots rfeeper tfzan trac£itwn sun(into tfie eartfi-oj-tfie-universe 'Waterec£ 6y tears !J{_urtufeil 6y tfyittglri.sing 'Wound'etl 6y fears 0, woman 'llortfer-waIR!r traveCer-companicn 'from wfi.ere ilo you flee? wrappecf in pains o.,u£ Joys of past Straa,l[mg tensions of unsure tfi.rections AIDS. Carpenter, 39 years old, was elected to the GLAD Alliance Council in October, 1988. In January, 1991, he was elected by the council to serve as moderator. During his term on the council, the Alliance became visibly present within the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) with a booth and other activities at each General Assembly. Membership in the Alliance increased three fold. Also during his term, the denomination elected a General Minister and President who is affirming of gay, lesbian and bisexual Christians and adopted a resolution calling for full civil rights for all gay, lesbian and bisexual persons. The Christian Churcl1 (Disciples of Christ) is a mainline protestant denomination with approximately 1.1 million members in 4,100 c·ongregations throughout North America. Carpenter was a member of Findlay Street Christian Church i1J Seattle, Washington, an Open and Affirming Congregation where he served as deacon. A graduate of Chapman College in Orange, Calif., he was a teacher of special needs children in the public schools of Los Angeles, Palm Springs and Sacramento , Calif., and the Seattle, Washpressures to remain in tli.e present wli.ile 'lietaminetf[y tfrawn towara wli.ispering winrfs anri fieart yearnings into tli.e Jut:u.re. 0, woman 'Eorier-wall@r travefer-companion Qui£t[y 6ut ckar[y (erufer for · so many 'Wise 6eyont! your years Possum gives you strengt!i. for tfi.ejoumey 6aCmfor t;li£ liofes of your sou[ -S!M'.B (!l(fprint.e.tf from Communication 'J{e,,;sCett.e.r) !' 118: Second Stone•Novembcr/December, 1993 l' .~ ington metropolitan area . He is survived by his life partner, · Corey Wiley, three daughters, Galen, Aubree and Lacey, his mother and stepfather, Lillian and Dick Arbenz, -and his . father, Rev. Dr. Bill Carpenter. United Church of Christ publishes AIDS curriculum for churches t-AFFIRMING PERSONS - _Saving Lives is a new AIDS education and resource curriculum published by the United Church Board for Homeland Ministries. The curriculum integrates Christian values, factual information, and decision-making skills in one easy to use package. Each learning series is gear ed specifically to different age groups, from preschooler to older adult. For information contact Patricia Houlehan, (216)736-3271. Rev. Truluck to pastor MCC Nashville . t-REV. DR. REMBERT TRULUCK 'has been appointee! Senior Pastor of MCC Nashville, Tenn. Dr. Truluck was pastor of Golden Gate MCC in San Francisco from 1990 to 1992 and was more recently on the clergy staff of MCC San Francisco while engaged in a tra veling ministry of evangelism, writing and teaching. Dr. Truluck grew up Southern Bapt is t, began pastoral ministry at the age of 18 while a student at Furman University, graduated from Furman and earned three g_raduate degrees from the So uthern Baptist Th eo logical · Seminary in Louisville, . Ken., including th e Doctor of Sacred Theology degree . After serving as pastor in South ern Baptist churches in South Carolina, Virginia, Kentucky; and Mississippi, Truluck was professor of Bible and Religion at the Baptist College of Charleston, S.C. 1973 to 1981 and wrote adult Sunday school · lessons for the Southern Baptist Sunday School Board. He joined the MCC in Atlanta in 1981 and began a ministry that led to writing and teaching for gay and lesbian Christians. MCC Nashville meets at St. . Arm's Episcopal Church, 419 Woodland in Nashville. Rev; White assumes Albuquerque pastorship L:.REV. PAMELA WHITE was elected pastor of MCC Albuquerque, New Mexico. She assumes her ne,..,. position after two years in ministry at River City MCC, Sacramento, Calif., and was formally a licensed minister in the Assemblies of God. Wingspan activities suspended due to lack of funds liTHE·CHURCH COUNCIL of the St. . Paul Reformation Lutheran Church, St. Paul, Minn., has voted to suspend temporarily the activities of Wingspan, the congregation's ministry to Gays and Lesbians, and to lay off the two ministry associates, Leo Treadway and Jodie Belknap. The decision, effective Sept . 15, was made in response to a mounting deficit in Wingspan•s ·budget. "Some of it has to do with a built-in self-obsolescence," said Treadway. "Our mission was to work with people in the community to develop and support fledging efforts. · We helped create groups that now compete for the limited resources. The more successful we were, the more difficulty we have with fundraising." The church is working to fund Wingspan for the next budget year. - Equal Time Atlanta church grows into new home t-FIRST METROPOLITAN Community Church of Atlanta was schedul ed to move in October from their location of 21 years to a building they acquired this past summer . The move to the new building, a form er movie theater, is said to be a landmark of th e growth and stre ngth of the 25-year-old ministry. The building has more than twice the floor space of the old location and, while most of it will not be utiliz ed immediately, the' goal is to have the entire facility completed by 1995, when Atlanta will host the UFMCC General Conference. - Southern Voice MCC of the Pines closes; new church to replace it liAFTER A ROLLER coaster sevenand- a-half years, studded with leadership - changes and financial woes, Clearwater, Florida' s Metropolitan Community Church of the Pines is no more. In what the Board of Directors and congregation are ca!Jing a new beginning, they have opened Spirit of Life MCC in ne arby Holiday. The Pastor al Search Committee is searching for a pastor to lead the new church. Joseph Scholtes has been appointed lay leader. Spirit of Life MCC is located at 4810 Mile Stretch 'Road in Holiday. Alabama congregation votes to purchase new building t-THE LARGESf TURNOUT ever for a congregational meeting at Birmingham 's Covenant Metropolitan Community Church voted unanimously to compfete the details and necessary paperwork for the purchase of a larg e church complex. Situated on a little over three acres of land is . a classicNew England-style sanctuary with an immediat e seating capacity of over 300. Although CMCC has been in its ~urrent building only a year and a half, a growi11g congregation necessitates the move . In midAugust, instead o(the usual "summer slump," attenda1ice soared to an all-time high of 105 for the morning worship. - Alabama .Forum Resource Guide ........................................................................ Lis tings in the .Resource Guide are free to churches, organ izations, publication s and con:imunity ~ervices . Send . inf!Jrmation to Second Stone, Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70 182 or FAX to (504)891-7555. National EVANGELICALS CONCERNED, c/o Dr. Ralph Blair, 311 Easl 72nd SI., New York, NY 10021. (212)517-3171. PLblicalions: Review and Record. · CONFERENCE FOR CATHOLIC LESBIANS, P.O. Box 436 Planetarium Sin., New York, NY 10024. (607)432-f/295. RELIGION WATCH, P.O. Box 652, North Bellmore, NY 11710. A r~~:,:~~Ri~m:i~ie~~~;~o1~461, Fort OearOOrn Station, Chicago, ll 60610•0461. Publica1ion: The Concord PRESBYTERIANS FOR LESBIAN & GAY CONCERNS, P.O. Box 38, New Bruns'Mck, NJ 08903-0038. Publication: More light Updale UNIVERSAL FELLOV\GHIP OF METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCHES 5300 Sanla Monica Blvd, #304, Los Angeles, CA 90020, (213)464-5100. Pll::Aicalion: Keeping in Touch BRETHREN I MENNONITE COUNCIL FOR LESBIAN AND GAY CONCERNS, Box 65724, Washing1on, DC 20035-5724 ffmfJ-2 8~u~~~cag~.i.~l~~ FOR LESBIAN I GAY CONCERNS, 1e N. College, Athens, OH 45701, (614) 593-7301. Publicalion: waves SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISTS KINSHIP INTERNATIONAL, Box 3840, LcoAng,les, CA 90076-3640. (617)436-5950. (213)876·2076. Publicalion: Conreclion RECONCILING CONGREGATION PROGRAM, P.O. Box 23636, Washin(11on, DC 20026, {202)663-1586. Publication: Open Hands INTEGFTITY, INC., P.O. 9ox 19561, Washington, DC 20036-0561, (718) 720-3054. Publication: The Voice ol lnlegrity ECUMENICAL CATHOLIC CHURCH, P.O. Box 32, Villa Grande, CA 95486-0032. Holy Spirt Church, Easl Moline, IL, (309)792-6188. S1. Michael's Church, Russian River, CA, (707) 865-0119. Publication: The Table!. Ll"1NG STREAMS, P.O. Box 178, Concord. CA 94522-0178. 2loi0 :~~~1fN¥~F AITH NETWORK, 300 I St, NE, Ste 400, · Washington, DC 20002. (800)2ee-9619, FAX (202)546-5103. Publication: lnleraclion. NATIONAL CENTER FOR LESBIAN RIGHTS -1663 Mission SI, 5th Fir., San Francisco, CA 94103. THE l'!TNESS, Published ti,, !he Episcopal Church Publishing Co., 1249 Washington Blvd, Sle. 3115, Delroil, Ml 48226·1868. (313)962-2650 INTERNATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN ARCHIVES, The Nalalie Barney EdHard Carpenler Libral)I, P.O. Box 38100, Hollywood, CA90038. (213)854-0271. l'Ublicalioo: Bulletin. I\OODSl'IOMEN - Aclienlure !ravel for women, 25 W. Diamond Lake Ad, Minneapolis. MN55419, (800)279-0555, (612)822-3809, FliX (612)822-3814. DAUGHTERS OF SARAH · The magazine for Chrislian Femif'Wsls, 3801 N:>. Keeler, Chicag:,, fl 60641, {312)736-3399. CHI RHO PRESS • A special work of the UFMCC Mid-Allantic Dislricl. Publisher of religious books and malerials. P.O. Box [ 8~S5t'rc~8:~tlMf1/:c°:.18 Jii10[1Je and su rt group for gay and lesbian CalhoHc clergy-and religious. fo. Box 60125, Chica~. lL-60660·0125. Publication: Communication \\OMEN'S ALLIANCE FOR THEOLOGY, ETHICS AND RITUA~ 0035 13th St, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301)589·2509, FAX ('301)589-3150. Publication: WATER1111eel. INDEPENDENT CHURCH OF RELIGIOUS SCIENCE, 4102 East 7th St., #2.CS, Long Beach, CA 90f.04. (310)433-0384. UNITED LESBIAN AND GAY CHRISTIAN SCIENTISTS· Box 2171, 256 So. Robertson Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90213. (818)760-0827. AfFIRMA TION: Gay & Lesbian Mormons, P .0. Box 46022, Los ~~~,ffig:i6ni{~~3Wef't~5s~i'~~i~~~~~~an Concerns, P.O. Box 10Z2, Evanslon, IL60204.1708)475-0499. ST. TABITHA'S AIDS APOSTOLATE, Chrislian AIDS Nel\lOrk of the Merican OrlhOOOx Catholic Church of St. Gregonos1 P.O. ~E 1 ~M~~l$ti£i~4gJf~!i~i7.Tiiue Rock, AA 72206. (501)372-5113. Wor\<.sOOps on women's issues, social justice, racism and homophobia. , EMERGENCE lnlernalional: A Communily ol Christian Scienlisls Supporting Lesbians and Gay Men. P.O. Box 9161, San Rafael, CA 94912·9161. (415)485-188 I. Ptblicalion: Errerge! GA YELLOW PAGES· P.O. Box 292, Village Sin., New York. NY 10014. (212)674-0120. . \IIOMEN'S ORDINATION CONFERENCE, P.O Box 2693, Fairtax. ~~~J~iff~~~M ING DISCIPLES ALLIANCE, P.O. Box 19223, lndianapoli~; IN 46219-0223. (319)324-6231. For members of lhe Christian Church (Disciples of Ch rist). Pub\ica\ion: Crossbeams. NEW DIRECTION Magazine for gay/lesbian Mormons, 6520 Selma Ave., Sie, RS-440, Los Angeles, CA 90028. BLK Mag,,zine, Box 83912, Los Angeles. CA 90083·0912. 1310)41~0808. N'2NWAYS MINISTRY, 4012 291h SI., Ml. Rainier, MO 20712, (301)277-5674. A gay-affirming organization bridqing the lesbian/gay community and lhe Roman Catholic Church. HONESTY: Southern llapiisl Advocates lor Equal Righls, P.O. Box 7331, Lous~lle, KY 40257. (502)893-0783. FEDERA TfON OF PARENTS ANO FRIENDS OF LESBIANS AND GAYS, INC. P.O. Box 27005, washingon, DC 20036. Seoo $3.00 tm~~L 0 h~~~tmicosTAL ALLIANCE (also Pentecostal ~~~~1~~iJM/R1~~i~.:~i'?ilJ:~uo~~~~':!<li, METHODIST FEDERATION FOR SOCIAL ACTION, a [~!~H~r~,~•1 fo~1~~;1)~;3-~~~{kpJf ~/~~~~!?a:~~~~ B.ullelin. GAY AND LESBIAN PARENTS COALITION INTERNATIONAL, P.O. Box 50360, Washinglon, DC20091. (202)583-8029. Publicalion: Network. ST. SERAPHIM ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN MISSION, 1205 No. SoaiJclngAve., Wes! t'o!Ml'OO<f. CA 90046. (213)851-2256. MORE LfGHT CHURCHtS NET\\ORK, 600 W Fullerton Pkv.y., Chicag:,, IL 60614-2690, (312)338-0452. Resource packet, $12. Publication: More Light Churches Network Newsleller INTERNATIONAL FREE CATHOLICOMMUNION, P.O. Box 51158, Riverside, CA 92517·2158 (909)781-7391 Pt.i>ication: The Free Catholic Communicanf DIGNITY/USA, 1500 Massachuselts Ave., NW, Ste. 11, Washington, DC 20005. (800)877-8797. Gay and lesbian Catholics and their friends. REFORMED CHURCH IN AMERICA GAY CAUCUS, P.O. Box 8174, Pnladelph~, PA 19101-8174 SOVEREIGNTY (Jehovah's l'.ltnesses) Box 27242, Sanfa Ana, ·cA92799 . UNITARIAN UNIVERSAUST OFFICE FOR LESBIAN/GAY CO\CEANS, 25 Beacon SI., Boston MA D2108. (617)742-2100. UNITED LESBIAN AND GAY CHRISTIAN SCIENTISTS, Box 2171, Beveny!-11\s, CA00213-2171. (213)85M258 AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION, Gay/1.esbian Righls Project, 132 We~ 43rd SI., New York, NY 10036. · AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVlCE COMMITTEE lOuaker) 2249 E. Buroode SI., Portlar,\ OR 97214. (503)230-9427. CATI-OLIC COALITION FOR GAY CML RIGHTS, Box 1985, New York, NY 10159. (718)629-2927. CENTER FOR HOMOPHOBIA EDUCATION, Box 1985, New Yor~ NY10159. (301)8648954. CHRISTIAN LESBIANS OUT TOGETHER. Box 758, Jamaica Plain MA 02130. COMMON BOND (lormer Jehovah's l'.ltneses, Mormons) Box 405, Ellll<XX! PA 16117. Tit EVAN3ELICAL r-EMOAK, Box 32441, Phoe~x, AZ85064. NATIONAL COALITION OF BLACK LESBIANS AND GAYS, P.O. ~\l~L ~J~Eno\fc=HES, 475 Riverside Dr., New Yor~ NY 10115. AIDS Task Force, Room 572, (212)870-2421. Human Sexuality Ottice, Room 708, (212)870-2151. NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES, Washington Ollice, 110 Marylard Ave., NE, WashITTQIO[\ DC 20002. (202)544-2350 .. NATIONAL GAY ANDLESBlANTASKFORCE, 1734 141hSI., NW, W,shrqon, CC 200ll-4300. (202)332·6483. FAA (202)332-0207. AMERICAN BAPTISTS CONCERNED, 872 Ene SI., Oaklar,\ CA 94610. (415)465a8652. · f/2517 (909)781-7391 BLYTHE - Gocfs Garden Growth Genier, 283 N. Solano (619)922-0947. Bro. Michael W. Tucker, paslor, :ro~E (cii~~X1:2~~ 1 ~~~;~~~;u~h~~:C:im::ii~~~i Christian church. SAN JOSE - Hosanna Church of Praise, 24 No. 5th SI., 95112. Publication: Celebrating His Life; Sharing His Love Colorado Mississippi JACKSON • SI. ~~n's United Communilj! Church, 4872 N fAtK~ot~Ja~ a~L~~~~7f:%~!,~g.618 Jox 7737, 39284-7737, (601)373-8610 JACKSON-Phoenix Coalition, Inc., P.O. Box 7737, 3f/284-7737 Counseling services. (601 )373-861(\1(001)939-7181. New Hampshire DENVER - Evangelicals Reconciled, P.O. Box·200111, 80220, MANCHESTER -·P-FLAG, P.O. Box 386, 03105. (603)623-6023. (303)331-2839. Colorarll (:\)rings: (719)488-3158. Mnthfy meetings in Concord, Nashua, Stratham, Monadnock. DENVER - Evangelicals Concerned/ Weslern Region, P.O. Box . 4750, 80204. Pt.tjicalion: ThEGable. Connecticut HARTFORD· MCC, P.O. Box 514, 06016, (203)72-i:4605 Sunday, 7:00 p.m. The Meeling House, 50 Bloomli~ J:,ve. District of Cofumbta lnte~riiylVv'astifnaton, Inc., P.O. Box 19561, 20036-0561. (301 953-9421. Pwiicalion: Gayspring WA HINGTON · MCC/DC, 474 Ridge SI., NW, 20001 (202)638-7373. Rev. Larry J. Uhng, paslor. l'.ltness Praise M1~1s!n~s Musical Evangel1strc Team, Dale J~rrel!, Director. Alf1rma\10n (Mormon), P.O. Box 77504, 20013-7504 (202)828-3096 ALEXANDRIA VA. - SI. Cyril's Easlern Chrislian Fellov.ship, 8036 Richmond Hwy., #301, 22303, (703)329-7896. A Byzanline Chrislian communlty. Florida New Jersey ~~1~,J~asis, 707 Washingon SI., P.O. Box 5149, SUSSEX· The Loving Brolherhood, P.O. Box 556 07461. (201)375-471Q ' New Mexico SANTA FE- THE CATSBYCONNECTION, 551 W. Coroova, S1e. J'.11a87501.(505)966-1794 . ALBUQUERQUE · MCC, 2402 San Mateo Pl. NE, 87110. (505)881-00Ba New York ~~-~ 2ciaO~~131~~~~~~~~ (~f~6~~7T1uti~~i ::f~:~;~f;; Stage, Center Voice. NEW YORK · lnleg-ity, P.O. Box 5202, 10185-0043. Publicalion: Oullook. ST. PETERSBLAG -King of Peace MCC, 31505\hAve., N. 33713 ROCHESTER · THE EMPTY CLOSET, 179 Atlanlic Ave., (813)323-5857. Sunday, 10 a.m. & 7:30 p.m. Rev. Dr. FredC. 14607-1255. NewYorkStale'soldeslgaynev.spaper. l'.llhams, Sr., paslor. ALBANY - Communily of SI. John, Christian Orthodox Church, WEST PALM BEACH · MCC, 3500 451h SI., 112A 33409. P.O. Box 9073, 12209. (518)346-0207. Father Herman, CSJn, (~7)687-3943. Sunday, 9:15 & 11:00 a.m. Services also in Ft. Guardian. Pti:.>lication: Metanoia. Pierce, (407)687-3943 and Pl. SI. Lucie, (407)340-0421. NEW YORK· AX\OS, Eastern and Orthodox Chrislians, P.O. Box FORT MYERS· SI. John lhe Aposlle MCC, 2209 Unity al Jhe 756, ½llage Sin., 10014. Second Fnday, 8:00 p.m., Community corner ol Broad.loy. (813)278-5181. Sunday, 10:00 a.m., 700p.m. Genier, 208 West 13th SI. Rev. James lynch. SCHENECTADY - lighthouse Apostolic Church 38 Columt;a KEY v\£ST-MCC, 1215PelroNaS1., 33040. (305)294·8912.SIXl., SI., P.O. Box 1391, 1:1301-1391. (518)372-6001. Rev. Wlliam H. 9:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m Rev. Steven M. Torrence, pastor. Carey, pastor. CLEARWATER · Free Calholic Church ol lhe ResurrecliO/\ P.O. LONG ISLAND· Long Island Assn lor AIDS Care, Inc., P.O. Box Box 3454, 300 N. Myrtle Ave., 34615 (813)442-3867 2859, ft mlingon Sin., 11746. (516)385-AIIJS. JACKSONVILLE • SI. Luke's MCC, 126 East 7th SI., 32206 PLATTSBURGH· SI. Mary's Ecumericaf Catholic Church, P.O. (904)358-6747. Suooay, 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 7 p.m. Rev. Franky, A Box 159, Chazy, 12921. (518)566-7745. Rev. Fr. Michacl Fros!. \',Me, pastor. LONG ISLAND/NEW YORK - lnlernalional Free Calholic Church/Good Shepherd Church, P.O. Box 436, Cenlral Islip, 11722, (516)723-0348. Rev. Msgr. Ad:Jert J. Allmen, paslor. Georgia FRIENDS FOR LESBIAN AND GAY CONCERNS (Quakers) Box 222, SUmney1D'M1, PA 18084. (215)234·8424. LIFELINE BAPTISTS, 8150 Lakecresl Dr., P.O. Box 619, ATLANTA. SOUTHERN VOICE, P.O. Box 18215, 30316. Greerbelt, MD 20770.0019. (404)876-1819. North Carolina Alabama BIRMINGHAM • THE ALABAMA FORUM, P.O. Box 55894, 35255-5894. ·(M)326-9228. Arizona 1UCSON · Correrslone Fellowship, 2902 N. Geronimo, 85705. (602)622-4626. Rad! Schatt, Paslor. MESA • Boundless Love Community Church, 431 S. Stapley Dr., 85204. (602)439·0224. P.J. Fousek-Gregan, paslor. Sunday, 10:00a.m TUCSON • Casa De La Paloma AfX!slolic Church, 1122 N. Jones Blvd, P.O. Box 14003, 85732-4003. (602)323-6655. Rev. Margaret "Sandy" Lewjs, pastor. California SAN LUIS OBISPO· MCC ol lhe Central Coasl, P.O. Box 1117 Grover City, 93483-1117, (805)481-9376. St.may, 1030 a.m Rev. Rand\f A Lesler, Paslor. ' SACl!iAM ENTO - Koinonia Chrislian Fellowship, P.O. Box 189444, 95818. (916)452-5736. Tom Rossi, Paslor. SACRAMENTO· THE LATEST ISSUE, PO. Box 160584, 95816. {916)737-1088. . \\!:ST HOLL YV\l'JOD - Evangelicals Together. Suile .109-Box 16, 7985 Sanla Monica Blvd., Wesl ffollywood, CA 90046, (213)656-8570. PWicalion: ET News SAN FRANCISCO - lulherans Concernec\ 566 Vallejo St., 1125. r;~\~tibi~tt$~y ~~ - L~~b~Hi\loricat Sociely ol Northern California, P.O. Box 42126, 94142. (415)626-0980. Publicafion: Our Siories. SAN FRANCISCO · The Parsonage, 555·A Caslro St., 94114-0293. Pttjication: The Parsonage News ARROY O GRANDE • SL Brendan Free Catholic Church /'i)JStolale, 258 Aspen St., #11, 93420. (805)473-2510 CONCORD - Free Caiholic Aposfolafe ol !he Redeemer, 1440 llelroilAve, #3,94520. (510)798-5281. · SAN FRANCISCO • DIGNITY, 208 Dolores St., , 94103. ( 415)255-9244 Publicalion: Brlo;ies GLENDA LE· Divine Redeemer MCC, 346 Riverdale Or., 91204. Sunooy, 10:45 a.m, Wed, Fri., 7:30 p.m. Rev. Stan Harris, pastor. Publicalion: From Mary1s Shrine. · ~~stt~SJh~r~~~ ~~~nSl°.n9~fif~'T~)~r.t::-Ft~1 ~~~I Also GLAD Northern Gal if., Third Sun., 4:00 p.m., Univ. Christian Church, Berkeley. · SAN JOSE· First Christian Church, BO South 51h SI., 95112. (408)294-2944. Richard K Miller, minister. COSTA MESA - Evangelicals Concerned South Coasl, P.O. Box 4308, 92628-4300 (714)222-4933. Bible study, lel~wship meetings, g~t:&'8~a1~ 1~ 5f~:\, Oaklar,\ Outreach lo Gay and Lesbian Communllies and Their Families. Rev. Jim Schexnayder, (510)834-5657, ex\. 3114. OAKLAND - rree Calholic Apostolale ol lhe Redeemer, 3849 Mayb,lle Ava, B, 94619 (510)5.'30-7055 RIVERSIDE-Community ol Cllrisl the Life Giver, P.O. Box 51158, ATLANTA • All Saints Metropolitan Communily Church, P.O. Box 13968, 30324. (404)622-1154 Hawaii KAHULU • BOTH SIDES NOWNemieller, P.O. Box 5042, 96732. Illinois CHICAGO • OUTLINES, PLtllished by larrllda ~blicaiions, 3059N. Soul'port. 60657. (312)871-7610. FAA (312) 871-7609. Louisiana BA TON ROUGE· (J;g,tty, P.O. Box 4181, 70821. (504)383-6010. NEW ORLEANS· Vieux Carre MCC, 1128 SI. Roch, 70117-7716. (504)945-5300. SUnday, 1000 a.m Maryland THE BALTIMORE ALTERNATIVE, P.O. Box 2351, Baltimore, MD 21203. (301)235-3401. FM-(301)889-5665 .. Massachusetts Michigan CHARLOTTE· Melrolina SWilcltloard, (704)535·6277. P.O. Box 11144,28220. 'MLMINGTON • GROW Community Service Corporalion, P.O. Box _4535,_28400. (919)675-9222. YoUlh outreach: ALIVE lor gay, lesbian, bisexual youth. ~~r~~~.O. :s~t21~~~{~9)~a~~2J£Y and Lesb ian l'!NSTON-SAI.EM - PieOO\onl Religous Netmrk !or Gay and lesbian EQJati1y, P.O. Box 15104, 27113-0104. (919)766-9501. GREENSBORO · SI. Mary's MCC meets at Unitarian Church, ~~. ~;~~~% .0~}~~;i~i~ &~~.7~~,fr:%;~~~2-f~. p.m.; DURHAM • Dignily/Triangle, P.O. Box 51129, 27717. (919)493-8269. Gay, lesbian and bisexual Calholics, lrtencl;. l'.llMfNGTON - SI. Jude's MCC, 507 Casile SI. Sund!y, 6 p.m. & 7 p.m. Wed group. Kalhi Beall and Buo:t,, Vess, ministers. Ohio DAYTON - Communily Gospel Church, P.O. Box 1634, 45401 (513)252-8855. Penlecoslal, charismalic meels Sunday, 10:00 a.m. 546 Xenia Ave. Samuel Kadar, Paslor. COLUMBUS · Mel ropolitan Communily Church, 1253 North High Street. 43201 . (614)294 -3026. Suriday, 10:30 a.m. Publication: The Beacon Nem. COLUMBUS • STONEWALL UNION REPORTS, Box 10814. 43201-7814. (614)299-7764. Oklahoma g~~1oo~RUISE Magazine, 19136 WOOONard North, 48203· OKLAHOMA CITY • Holy Trinity Ecunenical Calholic Church, FUNT - Redeemer MCC, 1665 N. Chevrolel Ave, 48504-3164. ~~8yi~ fr~~~~,r-o. Box 25425, 73125, (405)942-2604. Fr. ~~i/~tt~7~~u~~r, Rse~f:./ev Linda J. Sloner, Paslor. ANN ARBOR . Huron Valley Community Church moels al Glacier Wa' UMC, Hl01 Green Rd, Ann Arbor, 42105- 2896. ~Rl:\bli1.11r1~~2.m::re. #'I.Os. 48203. GRAND RAPJOS : Belhel Chrisfian Assembly, 920 Cheri)! SE, P.O. Box.6935, 49516. (616)459-8262. Rev. Bn.ce RcJler-Plelcher, pastor. Publication: Bethel Beacon. Television: Channel 23, .sun, 10:00 p.m EAST LANStN3 I Lansing - Ecclesia. AHirming church meets al People's Church, 200 W. Grand River. Suooay, 8:15 p.m. ANN ARBOR -Tree of Life MCC, meels al Firs! Corgegational Church, 218 N. Adams, Ypsifanli. P.O. Box 2598, 48106. &Ji~ r,.s~:8~~ •1:/~£:ational Gro~ meels Tues03ys al 7:00 p.m. al SI. Matthews and SI. Joseph's Episcopal Church, 8850 \\bod,\ard (313)871-4750. Minnesota Mlt-.NEAPOLIS-EOUAL TIME, 310E. 381hSI., Room 207, 55409. (612) 823-3836. Pll::Aishedtly Laveooar, lrx:. MINNEAPOLIS • All Gqd~ Chilcten Metropolilan Communily Church, 3100 Park Ave. S. (612)824-2673. PLtllicalion: The Discipie. Oregon PORTLAND - American Fri ends Service Committee Gay and Lesbian Program, 2249 E. Burnside, 97214, (503)230-9427 Conlac\ Dan. · Pennsylvania South Carolina COLUMBIA-lulherans Concerned P.'O. Box ee2a, 2f/202-8828. 1803)791•1099. Third Friday, 728 Pickens St., USC. Ptblicalion: the l~imatu _r. Tennessee NASHVILLE - Dayspring Fellowshi~. 1_20-B So. 11th SI., Box 68073, 37206. (615)227-1448. Pt.tJlicaloo. Son Shme. NASHVILLE • Integrity of Middle Tennessee, Inc., P.O. Box 121172, 37212-1172 (615)383-6806. No..leller. SEE RESOURCE GUIDE, Page 21.1 Second StoneoNovember/December, 1993 ~ ) ...... ,: ............. , . ~-... · , ...... , ... , ...... - •., .... .... ~· ~· •' Classifieds ...... ' .. •· ........................... ~ ................. ..... ... ~ ~- ........ . 1 Books & Publications "WONDERFUL DIVERSITY," "Heartily recommended," "Philosophically in trig-. uing,U 11Excellent." Why do reviewers highly esteem CHRISTIAN*NEW AGE QUARTERLY? Great articles and lively columns make this bridge of dialogue between Christians and New Agers as entertaining as it is substantive. Subscribe for only $12.50/yr. Or sample us for $3.50. CHRISTIAN*NEW AGE QUARTERLY, P.O. Box 276, Clifton, NJ 07011-0276. TF Employment PASTOR- WANTED · Small flock seeks pastor. leader, preacher. We are Bible-based, Christ-centered, and believe the Christian • walk must not be compromised. Letter and resume to: Freedom in Christ Evangelical Church, Box 14462, San Francisco, CA 94114. 12/93 PASTOR NEEDED for evangelical Christian congregation primarily of African American gay men and lesbians. Ideal candidate has minimum three years pastor or associate pastor experience, a B.A .. preferably in religious studies or from seminary. and experience in lesbian /gay/ bisexual/transsex- · ual ministry. Send resume, cover letter, references to Faith Temple, P.O. Box 28494, Washington, DC 20038-8494. 12/93 A SMALL NON-DENOMINAT!ONA.L community church in beautiful East Texas is is need of a pastor to lead its congregation. The church's primary ministry is to people of alternate life styles. The candidate must be of high moral character, professionally trained, and ordained. For further infonnation please send letter of inquiry to Saint Gabriel Community Church; 13904 CR 193; Tyler. TX 75703 or call (903)581-6923. 2/94. EXPERIENCED CHRISTIAN Bimale seeks job as Church Sexton, Gardener, Janitor or Maintenance Man at church , camp, or other institution. Would prefer Northwestern U.S. and Canada. Contact Joe Nolan," 1750 Hwy · .. 126-Box 163, Florence, OR 97439. 4/94 'Frie "nds/Relatfonsh'ip-s " ·-] EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN GWM. 41, seeks friends to share faith and fun; perhaps relationship. Please write so we. can begin our friendship. T.hanks! P.O. Box 68005, Roche~ter, NY 14618. 2/94. GAY PEN PALS sought by gay Christian white male. S8°, 180 lbs., . into rail travel, correspondence, gardening, etc. No inmates, bi1s or sympathizers, just Gays of any age. Write lo WHB. Box 251, Wilmington, DE 19899-,0251. 171?~ .. CHRISTIAN GWM. 42. would like to correspond ("pen pal," as it were) with Christian gay and lesbian contemporaries (40 to 55). James R. Bates, 28E. 16 St., #301, Indianapolis. IN 46202 2/94 GWM, 42. 6 ft., 150-lbs .• good looking. intelligent, into camping, massages, pillow fights. basic wrestling. history and other good things . Looking to start, a relationship with a straight appearing guy, in shape physically. 19 -38, 5'7" }o 6'8", 130 • 195 lbs. and AIDS free. Yo~must be willing to move to Southeast Kans s to Jive and ·work. The nght guy will be rew rded. Interested? If you've been looking for]" ·, 1 the right guy to meet and start a solid, honest relationship with then send your photo along with a letter about yourself to Gary Rine. 508 South Ninth, Independence. K\ 67301-4207 12/93 _ · ------- ----------, Classified Order Form Please place my ad in these issues: [ J Jan/Feb [ J Mar/Apr I I n~y/Jun [iJul/Aug I I FOR ONLY Name__________ (]Sept/Oct []Nov/Dec · 1 I 35¢ d Address__________ 1 I per wor ' City/St,/Zip_______ CLASSIFICATIONS I l your classified ad will l] Books & Publications I I reach readers from AD COPY_________ 1 1 [ J Business Opportunities 1 Sitka, Alaska to ------------------------ [ J Employment 1 : Amherst, Maine and ------------------- [ J Friends/Reiationships :· 1 everywhere in ·between. ------------------ [ 1 General Interest I 1 1 Business or personal... [ l Mail Order I [ J Merchandise I I try a clas!1ified ad in $ [ J Organizations I d" __ words X .35= ______ 1 I our next e 1t1on ! 20 word minimum. All classifieds [ l Professional Services I I Mail To: must be pre-paid. Deadline one month [ J Real Estate I 1 1 Second Stone prior to cover date. We will mail you a [ J Retreats I I copy of the edition(s) in which your ad [ l Roommates I I Box 8340 [ ]Travel I New Orleans, LA 70182 appears I _____________________________________________________________ ! LONELY PRESBYTERIAN . M/W/Bi/M, 55 yrs., 5'5", 17b lbs ., Gardener-maintenance experienced seeks male and female bisexuals for pen pals and more. I'm sensitive, virile and crossdresser. Please relieve my boredom. Joe N., I 750 Hwy 126-Box 163, Florence. OR 97439. 4194 ·General Interest ·.--= " SUBMISSIONS AND IDEAS being sought for an anthology being produced on the ·issues facing lesbian sexual abuse/incest survivors. Contact Lara- Michelle at 165 Beaver St., #3, San Francisco.-CA 94114 for . more information. _Mafl Order · ;, ·CR.EMA TION URNS: Introducing the Lambda Pride Um. Celebrate Life with an um that reflects personality and style. Call for free brochure. Lifestyle Urns 1-800-685-URNS. 8/95. GAY AND LESBIAN PRODUCTS. U.S.A.'s largest inventory. Flags, Tote Bags, Lapel Pins, Umbrellas, Wall Clocks, Bumper Stic~ ers, Windsoc~s. and more . Catalog? SA Si' with 29 cents postage to Flag & Banner Company. 543 Dumaine Street, New Orleans, LA 70116. B ·Organizations · THE LOVING BROTHERHOOD has served the spiritual gay community since 1977. We do care! TLB. P.O. Box 556ST. Sussex, NJ 07461. 2194. BE A RELIGIOUS BROTHER/SISTER while remaining at. home and choosing your own ministry. Join our Christian, ecumenical , inclusive network. Write to 'Mercy of God Community, Dept. SS, P.O. Box 6502, Providence, RI 02940 4/94 Videos · · "MAYBE WE'RE TALKING About a Different God" A half-hour video documentary on Rev. Jane Spahr, and her call to the Downtown Church in Rochester, protested and brought to trial. Shows how confusion and fear can be transfonned into. understanding and compassion. VHS fape and discussion · guide. Send $32 .35 to Leonardo's Children, Inc., 26 Newport Bridge Rd., Warwick, NY 10990. 12/93 RESOURCE GUIDE, From Page 19 Texas DALLAS - Wine Rock Communny Church, P.O. Box 180063, 75218. (214)285-2831. (214)327-9157. Sunooy, 10:3-0 a.m. Jerry Cook, Pastor. ~~~~i~~1~~• PO Box 190351, 75219-0351. (214)520-0012. AUSTIN • Joan Wakelord Ministries, Inc., 9401-B Grouse Meaoo11ln., 78758-8348, (512)835-7354. &1fJ;Jtr Harvest Mini~ries, P.O. Box 100511, 75219-0511. MIDLAND· Holy Trinity Community Church, 1607: S. Main, 79701. (915)570-4822. Rev. Glenn E. Hammell, Pastor. · Publicalion:Trinily Tnbune DALLAS - Holy Trinity Community Church, 4402 Roseland, 75204. (214)827-5088. ~ev. Fredenck 'Might, Pastor. Ptblicalion: The Chariot - rg~~Ji~N(7131i:".'¥f~t ~ix~. ~~~Jg\~o~irts 1 l~1~'. Pastor. HOUSTON - Houston Mission Church, 1633 Marshall, 77006. ~'e'JtJ~~ a/:\'c~1~e~~e~hc,~~rtf~1~a~!i:a1ur, noo7. (713)861-9149. Rev. John Gill, Pastor. Ptblication: The Good News HOUSTON· Di!Jlity, 13-07 Yale, NH, P.O. Box 66821, 77266. (713)880-2872 Salurdav, 7~p.rn HOUSTON • Kinooom Community Church, 614 E. 19th SI., 77008. (713)~•7533 (713)7-51. Sunday, 11:00 am. LUBBOCK · Lesbian/Gay Alliance, Inc., P.O. Box 64746, 79464-4746. (800)7111·4499 .. Ptblication: l.arrlxli nrros. Vermont ESSEX JCT • Aesurreclion Apostolic Ministries, P.O. Box 162, 05452. Sr. Michelle M. Thomas, pastor. AOAOOKE :-Mee of the Blue Ridge, P.O. Box 20495, 24018, ~~~M:il't~:~~t1~Jll%~trcr~x 237. 24002, (700)800,3184 - FALLS CHURCH · MCC ot Northern Virginia, 7245 Lee H"gmay,22046. FALLS CHURCH - Affirmation Gay & Lesbian Morroons, P.O. 8ox 19334, 22'J20.9334, (20'2)828-:nlS FALLS CHURCH · Telos Ministnes, P.O. Box 3390, 22043. (700)500-2680. ilapUst !J'O~. Washington SEATTLE GAY NEl'.S, 704 E. Pike, 98122. (206)324-4297. FAX (206)322-7188. SEATTLE · Grace Gospel Chapel, 2052 NW 641h St., 98107. (206)784-8495. Sunday, 11:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m., We<h!sday, 7:3-0 · > ~l~Htm'o :"~~~;,;~'. 505 McMurray, 99352. (509)943-3927. ()pen and allirmirg con!Je9"tion. TACOMA - Hillside Community Church, 2508 South 391h SI., 984ll. (:cre)475-~ . West V,rgrnia M0RGANTO'MI · Freeoom Fellowship Church, P.O. Box 1552, :1!1505 (304)292-7784._Jarice Mam, v.omhipcoord International LONDON - Lesbian and Gay Christian Movemen\ OXford House, Delbyshire St., Lonoon E2 6HG, U<, 071-739-1249. CANADA - Interfaith Assn. on AIDS, c/o #201, 11456Jasper Ave., Eanonto~ Alberta TSK OM1 ARE YOU MOVING? The Post Office will not forward The Second Stone. You must notify us for uninterrupted service if you move. Please notify us four weeks in advance for uninterrupted delivery. Send both old and new addresses. If possible attach mailing label in space provided. PRINT NEW ADDRESS ~ Q ~ ~ ro '< I ; N -5· " 8. ~ Send completed form lo : THE SECOND STONE Box8340 New Orleans, LA 70182 .(Zftl Second Stone-November/December, 1993 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 Second Stone #31 - Nov/Dec 1993 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/9fa38ad23bc4048a40cf5962402b3bd6.pdf ddca0631c8e4282411b0ab5ade992188 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 Second Stone Description An account of the resource Issues of the Second Stone publication. Issue An issue of a recurring publication. Issue Number The number of the issue (within a volume) 32 Publication Year The year the issue was published 1994 Publication Date The date the issue was published Jan/Feb 1994 Text Any textual data included in the document QUA SIXTH YEAR JANUARY/FEBRUARY, 1994 . ' ISSUE #3~ Let justice roll down like. waters and righteousness like an evertlowing stream. - Amos 5:24 The Church and Human Sexuality: A Lutheran Perspective ~utheran: sexu:ality study lha·S little chance of :changing church polic.y Church leaders take steps to calm conservatives, get off hot seat . A21-page statemen t . on sexuality prepared by a task force ofthe · Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has very littl e chance of sparking changes in church policy at the denomination's 1995 assembly judging by early response to the document. In fact1 delegates to next year's churd1wide assembly may not even get the chance to act on . the gay and lesbian-affirming document , entitled 'The Chur(h and Human Sexuality: A .Lutheran Per spective." Silllilar statements recommending gay-positive changes in church policy ·have been sounp_ly defeated in other mainstream denomi- _ nations. A first draft of the sexuality statement was released to churches in October of last year. It urges church members to challenge traditional condemnation of homosexuality, and argues that supporting and even moving toward a practice of bl_essing committed same- sex unions is "strongly supported by responsible biblical interpretation ." But decisions have been made by leaders of the .na- - tion'i; J\irgest} ,utheran group to put "checks and balances" in place for the process of drafting the statement on human sexuality, according to the January issue of Tiie Lutheran. The ELCA took action_atits council meeting in Chicago in December to calm the "tidal wave" of uproar over the release of the first draft of the statement. The study process was altered by the council and an 11- member consulting panel was appointed to keep closer tabs on the 17-meinber task force that' prepared . the draft ·. document. The study proc ess was altered by the council and an 11- member consulting panel was appointed to keep doser tabs on the 17-member task force that prepared the draft document. The Associated Press SEE COVER STORY, Page 10 Catholic groups blast bishops' opposition to AIDS ads CHICAGO - The leaders of three organizations of Roman Catholics ,have criticized the . United States Catholic Conference for its opposition to new federally sponsored AIDS prevention ads. The ads were condemned by the Catholic bishops of the United States because the ads promote condoms as a means ·of reducing one's risk of contracting HIV. _ _ Leaders of the -Chicago-based National Coaljtion of American Nuns, Catholic Advocates for Lesbian and Gay Rights, and Cl1icago Catholic Women joined AIDS activists in criticizing the position of the American Catholic bishops. "AIDS is one of the scourges of our - time. Anything we .can·do to stem or stop it must be done," said _ Sr. Margaret Traxler, School Sister of Notre Dame, of the National Coalition of American Nuns. 'The bishops should not have spoken agaiqst these necessary ads." 'The bishops' opposition to condom use in the fight against AIDS is irresponsible and may contribute to the spread of- HIV," said Brother for . Christian Community Rick Garica, SEE BISHOPS, Page .Page 7 UFMcc· Mothe·r Cnurch damaged in earthquake LOS ANGELES - The Mother Churd1 of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches, MCCLos Angeles, sustained major damage in the 6.6 earthquake that struck Los Angeles on January 17. The city of Cufver City, Calif., where the congregation is located, has denied entry to the building until city engineers can make a determination if any portion of the building ·can be saved. The Rev. Elder Nancy L. Wilson, pastor of the congregation, arrived at SEE UFMCC, Page 18 Fundamentalists lead opposition to women's camp A WOMEN'S RETREAT center being constructed in rural Mississippi continues to draw the ire of local funda~ mentalist pastors. Brenda and Wanda Henson bought a 120-acre farm in Ovett, population 300, intending to operate a retreat and women's education center called Camp Sister Spirit. -When church pastors discovered the lesbian aspect of the _ organization, ~protests ensued. The conflict came to' the boiling point on the Oprah show in December. The Hensons remain firm in their conviction, however, and work on the camp .continues. For information, or to donate labor or financial assistance, contact Camp Sister Spirit, P .O. _Box 12, Ovett, MS 39464, (601)896-3196. Inside: A religious cloister founded by a young gay man in 1749 is reborn. Page 13 P. 0. Box 8340 Reader survey: Tell us how we can make Second Stone better. Page 9 New Orleans, LA 70182 Address Correction Requested SUBSCRIBE NOW - ONE YEAR ONLY $15.00!• BOX 8340 • NEW ORLEANS, LA 70182 BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PA ID NEW ORLEANS, LA PERMIT No. 511 · 1 inllilil!,111 ; :,illp11 ,l~Jf.f " ~ ,11f Ut;11J :; rn ~ lii··I J(· tiUi;. ~ l·r: 'J ·. I· I f,e~ ' ' ' r rlf i.t1*i 'f-t~ ff I, re . I !Otf 11 Jtf arttlf , i 'UW1t[1.~f ti I lmrhtdff r 11 1 .trJlf t1111hJ 1JI 1 "'l ·"t '' .••~·1 n !>I :r a • w :~Yti~• r . . 1 11' . . f '1 .J~1···~ r,Jf~. f- ... ls ~ , ~I l e flii. i i J ~ r R S. f s r,, ~- ~ ~ ri J. ]1 ~ ; ~ t El~ w § ~l~·J ~ I P!t . lh ·L ·th =~f l •futl h ,dnu id fh I : .· I ~ l! s, ~ ' ~- i;i Ii g !! f~ fi I . :◄. ' , . . ' . . ' ' ti l~. . JI · 11· ~ t ,~ 'i ~ . .. : ~ ' : . : ' . t i · .. , ' ' ' i I I· J . . . . . ' . ·. . . . I . i ·. . I i J Ii . ' . _. :_ ' : . ',' . . . ~ "' ,r a . • • . ·.· . . . . l . : · ll! . f · . i · : . ·. . . · .. ·· . . . : . !. .. ·. . :· I . ~ ·~ . . J . ~ . _-. ·. _··. :-.· _- : .. : : :: ·.. . . ·. ; : .· . . ···:>.·.·: .. -·: : .:: . i . . . ·.: i : _ ..... : · .. : -~ : ... _:. :· . ·; .· .·.--: > ·.· :· ·. ' . . . : .. ' ... YourTurn ............................... ~ ....... ... - .......... ·• ...... ~ Austin, Texas Don't blame Gays and Lesbians for problems of . the modern family Dear Second Stone, _The goal_ of m~st lesbian and gay · activists is to solve the social and personal problems assodated with horri.O" sexuality. From their own experience, they see that these · problems · · arise primarily because our current homophobic sodety does not explain to developing young homosexual women and men the nature of their difference and the realities they ·will · face in growing to adulthood. The problems activists want to solve are the things Chri?lian -fundamentalists and right wing forces condemn · homosexuals for: failure of relation° ships, lack of self-respect, spiritual disenfranchisement, sexual obsession, promiscuity, alcohol and drug abuse, and sexually-tr~s .mitJe.d disease. Yet, ironically, these anti-gay forces uals. What can improving the 1.ot of young gay men and Lesbians possibly have to do with the problems of divorce, rape, child abuse, spouse beating, alcoholism, illegitimacy, unwanted pregnancy, and even abortion in the lives of heterosexuals? . . Jesus. said very little about sexual ,:et.hies.- tte ·_said ;absolutely nothing : about .homosex u•ality. Jesus did speak about soda! relations and about eco; nomic issues. He taught that the problems of_soctety were resolved by love and forgiving - not hatred and blaming . Jesus specifically objected to strict literal 'interpretation of Biblical law (this is why He was executed at the urging .of the conservative religious leaders of His day). Jesus told · his followers to love one another and sell all that they had and give to the poor (not to the church). Where are . the Christian funda_ mentalist leaders urging their flock to disavow materialism and lead lives of simplicity, dispossession, and generosity? That is what Christianity is about, not the .oppression of homosexuals. block every attempt the lesbian and Sincerely, gay community makes to solve these Toby Johnson, Ph.D. very problems. The anti-gay forces insist that the legitimation of homos . sexual relationships threatens the · Southfield, Michigan heteros exual family. In the name of Th k Jesus, they call for homosexuals to be an. S, •• forced back into a secret, criminalized Dear Seco!ld Stone, under cultur<;,. s!'yi~g . t ,kat this . -~!ll: .. : , -: · · , : . . . help the probl ems that face modem . Every s,ther month, there IS a day American heterosexuals struggling to that I most look forward to. That day raise a family in difficult times. sees the arrival of your newsjournal. The problems that beset the I have enjoyed every issue that has modem family are far'.moridikely to come ~y Wl\Y, and look forwa~d to be based in economic issues than in · every issue of 1994. May God nchly the civil rights struggles of homosex- bless you and your work for God's eternal nation. Sincerely, Eric Bicknell Lafayette, Co.lorado ... No, thanks Dear Second Stone, I am sending this letter to give constructive feedback. I have seen Second Stone and decided not to subscribe because it appeared to be d ominated by men. Your invitation [Second Stone's current .subscription appeal program] confirms that initial observation. I am a supporter of lesbian and gay iYJl ri &h ts of membership in churches and I am a member of an Open and Affirming Church. Your invitation with its advocacy of ''ta:king revolution to the streets" and its fea.turing of five males to one female sounds very unappealing. I also object (somewhat) to your polemic claim that the "pivotal l!IOment is here." Where, exactlv? This doesn't sound very "faithful" to me. But, GOOD LUCK, <lespite my reservations . . Si'ncerely, Ginger Taylor Nashville, Teriness,ee Gay Christian organization feels ignored by press Dear Second Stone, I could have warned you about the Dr. Frankenstein from Nashville. I could have told you about Fred Phelps, even about Mel Perry. But • my organization and articles have been ign_ored by the media, both gay and straigl'it. It is ironic that a Fred Phelps caii get national publicity saying "God hates fags," and . the voice of an organization of gay ministers is totally ignored. I have extencled my hand in :the spirit of cooperation to you artd you have ignored my letters across ' 'the years. We are a voice. We will be heard . Thanks, Rev. LaDon Williams, President Halo Longview, Texas Why struggle when we have the victory? Dear Second Stone, After reading the article on Robert Goss and the review of his book, Jesus Acted Up: A Gay and Lesbian Manifesto, a few Bible verses came to mind: I Corinthians 1:29 and 15:50. I wonder why we must fight for things of the flesh. Christ has already given us victory. · Homosexuality and heterosexuality are both of the flesh. The religious right and the religious left are both of the flesh. To be black or to be white is of the flesh . These thing s become idolatry if we love them more than God. They become idolatry if we push them on people instead of the true teachings of Christ. SEE LETTERS, Page 18 .Comment T • e I t I I I I 9 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I · 1 I I I I I I I • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • · • • • • My return to ministry By Vaughn F. Joyce Beckman an minister martyred by the Nazis, Guest Comment proclaimed that God is discovered in I left the ministry over five years : • the midst. of )ife. By participating in . ago. I had to . My spi_rituality lik during : these past five years, I was being destroyed by the. ·have. gained great spiritual insight . anti-gay homophobic rhetoric and I am now returning to ministry. I practice of the church. I felt wounded have to. A great radical revolution is and failed by those who were sup- taking place irt the church and I want posed to be my sisters and brothers. , ·· to be part of it. God is being liberatIt was either pretend or get out. For ed from the litmus test mentality of the sake of my own faith and integ- the self-proclaimed religiously correct. nty, I painfully left. Those outside of the stained glassed The road I have walked down since walls of re,ligious power structures are that departure has been amazing ." reclaiming 'their spirituality and are Through issues and activities, becoming · a prophetic voice of God. through complexities and petsonali- We read in I Corinthians that God is tie s, through mountains and valleys, in the business of ta:king the "foolish," my faith has been rekindled, rede- the least)ik ~ly, the most iUogical, to fined, and refocused. It was not until preach the gospel. I can feel comfort! left the sheltered environment of a able with my return to ministry as a very separatist conservative church gay male because such a call does not .that .I.truly discovered the Divine. have to seem sensible. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the great- Luther- There is much work to be done for the Kingdom of God. We must open doors to those outside. We must lovingly lead individuals to discover their spiritual being . We must give hope to those who have been wounded by an exclusive church. We must proclaim and practice the great Christian principle of loving others as ourselves. We .must promote the spirituality of serving. We must comfort the weak, the sick, the discouraged, and the lonely. We must stand for social ju·stice for all people. We must challenge the cynical. We must do theologies that speak the voice of those left out. All of these things must be done while proclaiming the great liberating gospel of Jesus the Christ. We need to be in the "bridge building" business as well. In Jo hn chapter 17, Jesus prays that his follower s should be one. We must always reach out to build bonds of love - even ·with those who are difficult to love. We must confront those who have placed the Word of God within the confines of their human-created theological systems. We must encourage the fundamentalists to stop adding excess baggage to the gospel. We must demand change of the mainline churches in their hypocrisy of proclaiming but not consistently practicing unconditional love - especially in regard to Lesbians and Gays. . I re-enter the ministry not knowing . where God will lead me and .to what specific ministry I may be called . But, I have faith - faith that the time is right to join the great camaraderi e of . clergy that are bravely speaking the inclusive message of God to this generation. Second Stone-J~~/February, 1994 [I] News Lines ..... ·• ................. ................................................. . Gay ordinations upheld in Oregon judicial case i'.THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (U.S.A.) General Assembly's Permanent Judicial Commission has ruled that an ordination of gay and lesbian persons by an Oregon session was "irregular" but that Cascades Presbytery acted properly in refusing to annul tnem. When Central Church, Eugene, Ore., ordained two self-affirmin_g, practicing homose xual members to the office of deacon on June 16, 1991, tne session of Hope Church, Portland, Ore ., filed a complaint with the Presbytery of the Cascades, contending that the ordinations violated Presbyterian Jaw and constituted re bellion against -the word and will of God. It asked that the ordinations be declared irregular and that they be annulled. Five commision members issued an "Opniion Concurring and Dissenting in Part." The group agreed that not only was annulment not proper , but the ordinations were not irregular. · They argued that banning ordination of gay and lesbian persons on the grounds of "definitive guidance," a 1978 General Assembly action, and not the "Book of Order" is .unconstitutional. -More Light Update Methodist judicial body backs lesbian clergy t,ON OCTOBER 30, the Judicial Council of the United Methodist Church overturned Oregon-Idaho Bishop William Dew's decision that Rev. Jeanne Knepper is not appointable . This was in spite of the fact that the Oregon-Idaho Board of Ordained Ministry and Clergy Session had both adopted a motion that said they "believed" fhat Knepper was a "self-avowed practicing homosexual.'' The Judicial Council ruled that ''The prohibition of an appointment m_ust ·be exercised in compliance with the rights of all persons who are in full membership. In order to do that, the words "status" and "self-avowed practicing homosexual" must be defined by either the General Conference or the various Annual Conferences." The Judicial Council also ruled that, should Bishop Dew decide to appoint Rev. Knepper, "it is without penalty or prejudice." -Affirmation Preacher: Gaylord, Michigan, not too gay t,TOTO TOURS recently set up its first-ever tour specifically for gay and lesbian parents and their children - a weekend at a Gaylord, Michigan dude ranch. But when a nearby minister, Jon Harwood heard of the tour ne formed a group, Citizens of Gaylord for Traditional Family Values, to try to stop the vacation. Harwood explained, "This is disturbing in the town of Gay1ord. We certainly don't want people to misunderstana the name of our town." Harwood's protest fizzled, however, and the parents and their kids had a good time at the dude ranch. - Stonewall .Union News Pro-gav priest becomes bishop oTHE R.W. JAMES JELINEK has been consecrated as bishop of the Episcopal piocese of Minnesota ; a ~eremony_ delayed b}' critics of nis stance on the ordination of Gays and Lesbians. Dunng · the celebration Oct. 29 at St. John's Abbey, Jelinek became the eighth bishop of the Diocese of Minnesota, consisting-oI 33,000 members in 127 congregations. Conservatives opposed him because he favors ordaining gay and1es6ian ministers .. "Everyone who is [gay or lesbian] is a child of God," Jelinek said. "We need to affirm them as that. I'm trying to focus on uni ty." -Associated Press Neighbors' efforts to oust MCC continues t,SOME NEIGHBORS ARE still unhappy with New Life MCC's move to Matthews, North Carolina. With court action pending, neighbors . continue to harass the worshippers. For the October 1_7 service , residents of the community put up a large cardboard sign that read "gay crossing" at the corner, with balloons reading "life is a bitch and then you die." Cindy Faw, spokesperson tor the residents, voiced concerns that there would be traffic and noise that would disturb them, that because facilities had not been put into place, church members might "relieve theirselves outside" on the property, and finally thafthe membership was homosexual. She stated "what they do in their own home is their business, but when they congregate - that's my business." ''Laws mean nothing to these people, morals means nothing to these peoele," Faw said. · -QNotes Conservative Christian politician comes out i.A RECENT POLL shows that · a Norwegian conservative Christian politician's coming out had a positive effect. Anders Gasland, cha:ir of the · Christian People's "Part}', came out on national television last year. Seven out of 10 people polled said he did the right thing . . The poll showed that half a million Norwegians are more accepting of homosexuals because of his action. Right wingers zap P-FLAG phone line · . oDESPITE PERSISTENT RUMORS that Gays and fundamentalists could bring down each other's 800 lines by tying up their toll-free numbers, it was oniy ·rumor - until recently. This past-year, Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (P-FLAG) became the first casualty of the right wing 's guemlla war on.gay .groups. Between January and May, P-FLAG received up to 100 calls a day from numbers in Colorado Springs, Colo., the home of Focus on the Family as well as other anti-gay groups. Iri June, the group had to pt.ill its 800 num6er. It currently is raising funds to get it up again. - Southern Voice Former Utah Episcopal bishop comes out MN EPISCOPAL BISHOP who led the Utah diocese and recently retired as · dean of the Episcopal Divinity Sch~! has _disclosed that he is gay. Bishoe Otis Charles wrote a letter to othe_r bishops_Just before the annual meeting of the House of Bishops i!' Pan_am_a m late Septmeber. "I have promised myself that I will not remain silent, mY1s1ble, unknown," Charles wrote . "The clioice [D Second Stone-January/February, 1994 for me is not whether or not I am a gay man, but whether O( not I-am honest about who I am with myself and oth ers. It is a chcic!! to take down t&e:waU of · silence I have bwlt aro~nd an important and vital part of my life, to.enc! the separation ~nd 1so_lahon I have imposed upon ·rt,yself all these yea:rs." Cfiarles, 67, JS the first bishop of a mainstream American dendniinafion to publicly declare that he is gay. He is the father ·of five grciwn childrel\ and severa[ grandchildren. Charles served as the spiritu ·a:l lea·der of Utah's Ep1sc'?pal Diocese from 1971 to 1986 when he bec"ame dear! of the Episcopal D1v1ruty School m Cambridge , Mass . -Gazette · · · "Pro-family" campaign leader arrested for assaulting former wife . . · oTHE LEADER OF a group that wants to_ ban civil rights for Gays and Lesbians in Washington ~tat" has_b~en ~•med thr~timesand wi's _arrested in 1991 on an assault charge mvolvu:1g his· second wife . ·Robert Lanmer, Jr,, 42, head,,ofC11lzens Alhance of Washington, said, "No one likes -a failed marnage . The fourth-<legree charge was ultitl\ately dismissed. P-FLAG bans affiliations with churches LILOCAL P-FLAG AFFILIATES are banned from formal affiliation wiih religious institutions or wit!' helpingJJrofossionals or a:gencies·under ·poljdes adopted by the board of "d1rectors. The statement un religious connections specifically affirm_s _the "importance of bdth_oq~anized religion , arid Rersonal expressions of spmtual beliefs, as well .as indiY1dual.dec1s1oris for freedom from religi~Il:·" But it estab1ishes a p~licy of "c_ol!'p]ete ir:ideeende~c~.of ciny P-FLAG affihate,_ contact, group, or c_hapter from otg;tmzational Iles to apy rehg1ous mstituhon, church , synag9gue, tenip)e, or otner place of worship. The ban does not extend to informal relatio11ships•with supporti .ve ch1,1rches that provide "meeting space, announcements, sponsorship by social justice committees, and similar support" _ . _ _ · Black Baptists bash Gays . · . · · · - · - LIREV. THEbDORE )EMISON, president of the National Baptist Convention, the nation's largest denomination of black churches, called gay life "sinful " in an address to the .group at its annual convention, "The Lord wants us· to be men," Jemison said, "men who stand up for right and righteousI)e~s, (or righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a reproacn to any people, - Ifwe are not careful , we'll raise a generation that is. lost.."·. The reverend's remarks brought delegates to their feet wit_h shouts of "amen". -BLK . S.F. mayor fires black minister CISAN FRANCISCO MAYOR Frank Jordan has asked -Rev ; Eugene Lumpkin to resign from the city's human rights commission for saying thal homosexuals · should be stoned to death during a television interview. Lumekin, pastor of the Elienezer .Bartis~. Chu .~,h, J:tas· ,been undei fi_re. {or. -wf:\eks for. saying homosexuality is, a!' abomination aga,inst God('. Lumpkin has . been replaced by James Mayo, a director of the Umted Negro College Fund ar\d_a .trustee of Bethel African American Church. -BLK · · University moves to allow discrimination . oCHRISTIANGROUPS AT Central Michigan _ University may discrin)iriate agains/ Gays _and Lesbians ·wh1;,n choosing leaders of their organizatio _ns, the schools president has rul:ed . The First Amenql1)ent, tells us that we, .as a gov_emmer;t agency, may not prohibit the free exercise of.religion or, an md1v1dual s right to freely associate with others," said CMlTPresident Leona_rd . Pl_achta, in._ exe~pting Christian groups .from a campus anti-d1scrunmation pohcy. Whil e we may not sponsor religion ; we also cannot interfere with its practice," Plachta said. - _Cruise . · , Anti-gay pastor plans to expand television ministry · i'.P ASTOR PETE PETERS of the LaPorte Cl,t.irch of Christ in -LaPo,te; Colo., continues to expand his nation-wide television ministry: Author of D_eath Penalty for Homosexuals ls Pf.escribed in t~e B_ible, Peters appears three times a week via satellite on the Keystone Inspirational N¢twor!c . Labor group supports gay rights in Maryland · , · , · oEFFORTS_TO ENACT a state gay righ _ts bill in Maryland receiv¢d a ]J_ush forward with the formal endo:sement of the .Mary.land State, ,md . D.C. AFL-CIO. The AFL--CIO affrhates represent over 400,000, worker'~ in Maryland . On December _2, 199.3, labor 1eaders from .thoughout Maryla_nd formally v~ted to rndorse upcoμ,ing legisl~tion \hat woulcf.'!dd ,''se~ual · f:~ntation to the hst of protected clas.ses, u_n1er th~ Marylaf\d hurii.:I) r/ghts Survey: Episcopalians think·$ame-sex · relationships are okay . . t,A _Sf:XUALLY ACTIVE gay or lesbfari _ person c_an :Sfill be a : faithful Chnshan, •~cording to a sizable qtaJ,ortty :of u:5: Ep1scopahans ~ho partic1pat~d in a _recen_t._church-sponsored su~vey._ Se_v~nty petc~nt of the nearly_ 20,000 Ep1scopahans in Ifie· survey ' said faithful 'Cfmshans can be sexually active Gays and Lesbians, while 75 perc _ent said a faithful Christian can live with someone:of the opposite sexwitfiout be,ng-inartied , · - Religious News Service . - - ; ·. · .. , . Discrimination-investigation at General Seminary. · LITHE CITY OF NEW YORK Commission ·on Human Rights ·has found "probable cause" that-the General_ Theoloi,ical Seminary discriminated agamst Prof. Deirdre J. Good m denying housing because she had -a same-sex partner . An investigation is continuing. · · ·· · ·News Lines Jewish leaders call .for recognition and benefits for gay couples . t-.A RESOLUTION . CALLING for local, state and federal legislation extending health care and . survivor benefits to same gend~r partners of co_vered workers on a par with _heterosexual health and survivor benefits, was endorsed b.y the Union of American Hebrew Congregations at its biennial convention. Some 4000 delegates, representing nearfy a thousand member temples of the Union ot American Hebrew Congregations overwhelmingly approved the resolution which also calls for lei,;1slation giving gay and lesbian couples "the means of legally acknowledging su·ch relationships." - Gazelle Spain mission may be subject of new trial t-.THE REV. JANIE SP Al-IR'S mission as an evangelist for the inclusion of Lesbians and Cays as .Presbyterian clergy may 6e the subiect of another church trial. A comj>laint has been made to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Synod of the Pacific by Rev: Michael Haggin of San Anselmo, Calif., against Pr.esbytery of the _Redwoods for their approval of Rev. Dr. Jane Spahr's change :of call from executive director to .evangelist/ educator for the Seectrum Ce_t1ter fpr U,sbians, Gays, and .Bisexuals. Tlie complaint, aimed at silencing the _ most prominent Presbyterian spokesperson fo~ full inclusion of lesbian, gay and b1sext;a[ people m the church, came 1ust one week after the Presbyterian General Assembly called for a three-year dialogue on sexual otientation . and ordination arid asked the church to "assure a climate for di~logu~ which is open .and -non-incriminating in. order to .assure that no testjmony given by any _persoμ will result in jeopardizing the reputation or standing . of any partner m 1ialogue." - Tlie Empty Closet . Florida church votes to retain pastor llAFI'ER SIX WEEKS OF confusion, controversy and conflict, the members of Kint of Peace Metropolitan Community Church voted 126 to 91 to retain the Rev.Fred.Williams ·as pastor : The vote_left many still disgruntled, but Rev. W1lhan1s·and MCC Reg10nal ·Coordmator ·Rev . -Judy Davenport both · ·promised that grievances would be · heard and changes would be made. The tiouble 'began in•e~rly September when Williams terminated former Associate ·Pastor Renne Shawver. Parishioners who ·questioned the abrupt action were concerned about how the decision was made and carried out, and what role the board of directors played in church administration. After the vote, Rev. Davenport asked all members to remain with King of Peace, saying, "You cannot change things· &:om without." -Gazette · : Fundamentalists •predict bleak future in planned novel i'-C0[ORi'.DO 'FOF, FAMILY Values ; tt,e ·org'aniza 'tibn that SJ?Onsored Amendment 2'm that ·state, has branched out mto the world of Iiterature, according to Out Front. CFV is planning to publish a futuristic novel called Colorado 1998, which depicts the state as run by an organization called Queer Sensitivity .Services, Inc. In the book, a religious fundamentalist's . four year old daug~ter 'is taken into st~te custody because QSS finds her family to be homophobic , and the mother 1s forced to watch lesbian pornography as · rartof a -re-programming .process. CFV director Kevin Tebedo called the.plot entirely plausible." - Southern Voice International gay group condemns pedophilia; fights to keep UN status MN INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION of over 300 lesbian and gay groups reacted an_ ,grily to_ recent statements by the United States government tli~t seemed to'Jink then\ with pedophilia. The organi_zafion also fook the dramatic step of moving .to expel one of its members( the North Amencan.Man Boy Love Association in a bid to disassociate itself from the polthcal aims of NAMBLA. 'This action on the part of the International Lesbian and Ga)' Association followed indications by the United States Mission to the Unitea . Nations that it might call for the removal -of ILGA's ·consultative roster status within the Unite<f Nations .' "ILGA has always taken very strong, very clear 'positions on the rights of children," said Rebe~ca Sevilla, co-clia_ir of ILGA · and president of Movimiento Homos~xual de Luna, a gay rights group .from Peru. "Accusing us ·of complicity with child abuse ,s nothing · but political · · opportunisin by the right wmg." The gr.anting .of consuUative status to ILs;A attracted ·little attention until a s1riall right wmg publication begart ISsumg statements attempting to equate the _politic~l aims of NAMBLA ";'ith those of the ILGA. The U.S. governmen .t responded by issuing a public statement indicating its intention to try to revoke ILG A's consultative .status. . The Log Cabin Republicans and Parents, Fam1hes and Friends of Lesbians . , and .Gays have clenounc\"'1 NAMBLA.as a. pedophile group, and den:ianded the expulsion of NAMBLAfrom the ILGA., P-FLAG passed a resolution stating that the group "strongly condemns. the sexua_l exploitation of children by any indivic!ual, group, or orgal1lZ<!tion, many form and under any arcumstances." Gay community defends workers fired for being straight t.FOUR WOMEN DISMISSEB from a New Port Richey, Fla., nightclub contend they were fired because of their heterosexual orientation. Tlie club's format was · recently changed from · straight to gay. .A Tampa-based gay /lesbian rights groμp, Human Rights Taslfforce, l\~s come to the women's .defense . "We thin!< that firing peopfe because they _ are straight is just as bad as people ·being •passed by because they are gay," said Todd Simmons, co-chair of the task force. . SEE NEWS LINES, Page 15 Subscribe Today. AND VO U' LL NEVER A FRIEND JOU RN EV. WITHOUT YOUR BE FOR Second Stone the National G ·ay end · Lesbian Christian Newsjoul ·nal · · ···YES !·······;··A············••u•··········;:·· !i8~Nrgvs;~~i~~~ion to \ NAME: ........... _. ................. : .............. ..... .. [ _] One year (6 issues) $15.~o·~·ooRESS ....... , ...................................... . [ ] Two yrs. (12 issues) $25.00 "\ " [ ] Three yrs. (18 issues) $36.00 . '2iriisrATEJZi·;,·coi3'e ......................... .. \ CHECK HERE [ ] if a plain envelope Is ,;.q~lred and add $2.00 per year . Allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of your first Issue. lntemati~nal subscribers add _$10.00 per year, U.S. currency. Mail To: SECOND STONE, Box 8340,\ New Orleans, LA 70182 THANK YOU for your subscription support! S'eoond Stone-January/February, 1994 [[] Gay/lesbian Christians gather electronically for community PEOPLE ALL ACROSS the nation are joining together daily in a unique way, taking advantage of one of the many benefits of high technology: electronic mail, or e-mail. This network of computer users consists primarily of lesbian, gay and bisexual Christians. Participation is in no way restricted by sexual orientation or religious affiliation. Lively discussjons are held on a wide variety of topics, such as what it's like to be gay in a mainstream church, or what it feels like to discuss being gay with family, friends and clergy. Individuals are free to participate to any degree based on available time and individual needs for privacy. · · The network was started by Dr. Louie Crew in late 1992. Crew came up with the idea_ at a time when he wanted to facilitate frequent discussion and a sense of community among Episcopalians who grapple with the modem issues that challenge church doctrine. As the church strives to address issues of human sexuality, many Christians from all denominations have joined · in this ·network forum. Friendships form, opinions are shared, and lively debates ensue. What is most noteworthy is that a LJiS.eJco ndS tone-January/Februar1y9, 'J4 spirit of Christian love and support binds all together. Many participants express how nurturing and safe the forum is, as compared to other e-mail networks for Christians. Since the greater Chriss tian community is often filled with divisive debate about human sexuality, and_ often expresses condemnation toward Lesbians, Gays and bisexuals, this unique e-mail network provides for many the only place where a sense of Christian love and worship prevails. Although many network users are part of a parish of congregational community, some are not welcomed into those communities. 'This place is a complete blessing for me," reports one participant who wishes to remain anonymous .. "I wouldn't have a connectjon to any Christian - community at all if it weren't for this network of mostly gay Christians. The.love, caring and support shown here are far superior to anything I've ';Vitnessed in a church." While all participants need not be lesbian, gay or bisexual, nor are they required to be Christians, all who participate are generally concerned about the . importance these issues have in daily Christian life. Many participants debate openly, taking all sides of these issues. Since such debates are generally held according to Jesus Christ's directive to love one another, the environment within this network of gay and lesbian Christians and interested friends is loving and God-centered. Persons interested in participating in this form of modem community .may contact Dr. Louie Crew through the Internet at 1crew@andromeda.rutgers.edu: Historicp eace organizationv otes to affirmG ays,L esbians - · THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE of the Disciples Peace Fellowsh ip of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) voted unanimously at its fall meeting to work for justice on behalf of Lesbians, gay · men, and bisexuals . The DPF was formed in October of 1935 around the belief that "war is pagan, futile and destructive of the spiritual values for which the Christian faith stands." The adopted statement reads, "Because Disciples Peace Fellowship continues to believe that the cause of peace _and justice !s best served by the mclus10n and affirmation of all people, and because our understanding of the gospel includes Christ's call to acceptance of all people as children of God, we reaffirm Disciples Peace Fellowship's status as an Open and Affirming Ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and in so doing advocate the full inch,1sion of gay, lesbian, and bisexual people in all manifestations of the church and in society." The peace organization has historically taken strong progressive stands on resolutions at the denomination'sGeneral Assembly including the support of conscientious objectors, criticism of the U.S. role in Central America, and opposition to the Strategic Defense Initiative. As last summer's assembly, meeting in July in St. Louis, DPF endorsed the passage of a resolution calling on congregations to promote efforts to expand civil rights for lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons. The resolution was adopted by a two-thirds majority. Beth Topliffe, DPF president, writing in the group's f)e_wsletter, . SEEVOTES, Next Page F ashion Li .,e ~ les Travel Politics ln~ervie.vs Enf:erf:ain1nenf: •• .. .a Gay versiQn al' Esquire or GQ • ., IISATGENREm agazinber ingsy out hel atesti n men'sf ashione. xotict raveld estinations. exclusvie celebrityin terviewsa. dviceo n groomingh.e alth.f itnessa ndm ore. f'o •ubscr#be call: :I..-BOD-576-9933 The pren1lere national gay ,nen•• ,nag,,,zlneNew church curriculum on AIDS prevention aims to save lives THE FIRST COMPREHENSIVE course in a community where people of all in AIDS prevention designed for ages can speak the truth in love,-" church use was released in Decem- Johnson says. "The church has to ber. "Affirming Persons - Saving move beyond denial and recognize Lives" is an ambitious 1,000-page cur- that ignorance about AIDS is as riculum published by the American deadly as the virus itself. This Missionary Association, a division of curriculum confronts the AIDS crisis the United Church Board for Home- in a context of core Christian values, land Ministries. The Homeland self-giving love, healthy self -esteem Board is the U.S. mission arm of the and respect for others." 1.6 million member United Church of Christ. "With this bold step, the United Church of Christ is acting responsibly in the midst of the greatest health emergency in our time,'' said ucc President Paul H. Sherry . "Every family in America is potentially threatened by AIDS. This . is _ a family~oriented and church-centered curriculum that · will help parents, teachers, youth and children become partners in the education we need to protect qurselves and those we love ." DCC-minister William R. Johnson, who co-authored the curriculum with educator Cynthia A. Bouman, says "Affirming Persons - Saving Lives" is rooted in biblical values and Chris- Several features set the curriculum apart from secular models. Sessions are designed for use in church school and other settings for Christian education. Bible study, prayer and theological reflection are part of the lesson plans. Parents and teachers are encouraged to preview the curriculum together befor e introducing information to students. "Affirming Persons - Saving Lives" was tested by teenagers, teachers and parents in regional workshops throughout the country. People living with HIV and AIDS also played a critical role in the development of the curriculum. tian community. "As a person who has been living "AIDS education should take place with HIV for a number of years, this <;3ay/lesbian issues arrive on evangelical campuses with · a bang By Religion Watch EV ANGELICAL CAMPUSES across the country are experiencing sharp and - often acrimonious controversy over the moral issue of homosexuality as a legitimate Christian lifestyle. At such leading colleges as Wheaton (Illinois), Cafvin (Michigan), Gordon (Massachusetts), and East ern (Pennsylvania), students, faculty, and administration are coming face to face with the claims by some ·students that their sexual orientation is compatible with conservative Christianity and should be recognized, according to a report in the evangelical Christianity Today magazine. In a situation closely paralleling that of many evangehcal and mainline denominations, the leadership and faculty of schools are VOTES, From Page 6 affirmed that "at any time a group of people finds that [its members] ar c - not welcome, or even hated, Jesus' message of peace and understanding calls us to react · with love and openness." Topliffe further declared, "as an organization that stands for peace and justice within the church and the world DPF should stand for the principle that all of our sisters and brothers, n·o matter what their sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, sex, or nationality are children of God and deserve to participate fully in the life of the churcl1." · The Open and Affirming Ministries Program was created in 1987 to encourage local congregations and ot!1er units of the Christian Church to study in harmony in the view that the gay and lesbian lifestyle is not compatible with traditional moral behavior. But some faculty claim the issue should be debated publicly. Others, including administration, want to close th e debate as quickly as possible . It is not known how many students who are homosexual are remaining silent during the confrontations. What is known is that through public forums, campus newspaper articles, and classroom discussions , the degree of ange_r and dissent is escalating. To date, no evangelical college administration has acknowledged the right of gay /lesbian students to claim pe er approval of their orientation. - Erling Jorstad issues around human sexuality and to publicly declare themselves to be . -welcoming of persons of all sexual orientation into the entire mission and ministry of the · church. Currently 25 congregations, campus ministries, organizations, and regions of the denomination are listed. The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is a moderate to liberal Protestant denomination w:ith over a million members . in North ._ America. Its tenets include a strong ' h~lief in the discernment of the individua(!_n all matters of faith and in the essential unity of the universal church. Head>-, quarters for the denomination are in ·Indianapolis, Indiana . curriculum gives me confidence that my church is doing everything in its pow er to save lives ," said William · Smith , a UCC member in Palm Springs, Calif. "When I began to hear about HIV, the church was practically invisible. It never occurred to me that churches could be places of healing, learning and support. That can change if this .curriculum is widely used." BISHOPS, From Page 1 director of Catholic Advocates . "It is disgusting that some churchmen would risk people's lives to maintain dangerous and arcane teachings about condoms. Dominican Sister Donna Quinn of Chicago Catholic Women said, 'The rate of HIV infection among women is rapidly increasing. Condoms protect women's lives. Condoms are a necessity, not an option. To oppose the use of condoms is immoral and murderous." A June, 1992 Gallup poll of Catholics' attitudes about human sexuality found that ·s3 percent of U. -S. Catholics want the U. S. Catholic bishops to approve the use of condoms to . - "Affirming Persons - Saving Lives" can be used by any Christian church. For information on the curriculum, call the UCC's AIDS Ministry Office, (216)736-3271. The United Church of Christ, with national offices in Cleveland, is the 1957 union of the Congregational Christian Churches and the Evangelical and Reformed Church . speak on important issues ," said .Br. Garcia. 'T hankfully, Catholics are turning a deaf ear to the bishops' antideluvian and dangerous attitudes about condoms. • "Maybe We're • Talking About a Different God" A half-hour documentary on the Rev. Jane Spahr and her call to the Downtown Church in Rochester, protested and brought to trial . Shows how co11Jusio11 and fear ( "What! A woman and a lesbian? No way!") · ca11 be transformed into understanding a11d compassio11. ('The11 I mer_Janie!') VHS Tape & Discussion Guide SEND $32.35 TO: prev ent the spread of AIDS. Ninety- Leonardo's Children, Inc. four percent of Catholics und er 35 26 Newport Bridge Rd. years of age want the bishops to Warwick.NY 10990 change their positio n. · .,,■.._ ____ (,;.9"".1_4)'-9_8_6--'68_88 ___ __,■= 'The hierarchy 's position further erodes our church 's credibility to ■ ■ Let a new light shine for some-- one you love. Second Stone is a gift of love, comfort, inspiration and -· resolution for friends and family who may be in doubt, despair, isolation or suffering illness. Give the special people in your life the gift of Second Stone. We'll take. it from there. FROM, Yes ... MyNamt ...... Please send a gift . . ... ~P---- subscription and card Oty -· · in my name to the Name person(s) listed: Address [ ] Orie gift, $15 aty I J Two gifts, $29 - Zlp [ 1 Three git!$, $42 Sign Gilt Card Add $10 for each Name foreign subscriber. """"' U.S. currency. Clty PAYMENf Stale Zip 8'JQOSED: Slgn Gl~ Card Use additional sheet for more gifts. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 I ■ Second Stone-January/February, .1994 [1-\ l .. ____: Gay Christians lead fight for benefits at Rujgers . . FIVE GAY AND LESBIAN Rutgers employees filed suit in November in Middlesex Superior Court again ~t Rutgers University and the State of New Jersey to obtain the same health coverage that has been routinely given to heterosexual employees for generations. The suit calls for retroactive -benefits from 1981, when Rutgers guaranteed to end discrimination in emrloyment and benefits on the basis o sexual orientation, and for compensatory damages. The plaintiffs include long-time members of the Rutgers community. Several have also been leaders in the lesbian and gay liberation movement, both locally and nationally. In .1984 James D. Anderson was named by the Advocate as one of 400 leading activists in the gay and lesbian movement .in the U.S. Since 1980, he has served as the national communications secretary for Presbyterians for Lesbian and . Gay Concerns. At Rutgers, he chairs the President's Select Committee for Lesbian and Gay Concerns, as well as the Committee to Advance Our Common Purposes, the university-wide initiative for helping the entire university community to celebrate its diversity, its common purposes, and its multicultural communities and to do away with all forms of prejudice, bigotry, discrimination , and harassment. In 1991, President Francis L. Lawrence presented him a university Public Service Award "in recognition for your more than a decade of work to educate and encourage your University and the General Assembly, Presbyterian Church U.S.A., to accord to Lesbian and Gay people the same rights and responsibilities enjoyed by all other citizens ." Another plaintiff, Dr. Louie Crew, has served on the governing boards of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the National Council of Teachers of English . He co-founded the NCTE's Lesbian and Gay Caucus and was the founder of Integrity, the international justice ministry of Jes- Accommodations, AIDS/HIV rasourcu, bars, boakstoru, vartoua ·buslnusas, hNtth care, legal urvlca, organlutlons, publlcatloN:, relglou1 groups, 1wttchboard1, therapist ■, travel agents, & much more, for gay women and men. All J>"IC8S below INCLUDE FIRST CLASS POSTAGE t> USA, C8nada & Mexico, In sealed, disaeet envelopes. MIiiing lists a,e s~ictiy ccnl\dendaJ. Order, ~om ouslde USA (including C8nada & Mexia,): J!!IYfflent must De In US Funds payable en a US bank, a by Pest Offlce a American ExJ>"esS money adtr. (We suggest you~ a local bookst>re firs~ ID avoid pos~ble Custans J>"oblemsQ US/CANADA. Conada ard USA l:)r women & men. City by dty lnformalion ro, all US Slates, Conadian PIOl!nces, ard the US Vi'gin Islands, plus netlonwlde reSOll'ces Including headqua,ters cl national ~P:~nf°"' ard caucuses; plblicadais: mall adef ccmpanies, Ille. $12.00; CM111tde N. America $17 NEW YORK/HEW JERSEY. NY & NJ; separate Wc:men's Section; Manhattan bar notes by Jerry FitzpaD'ick. $5.00; outside N. America $8 (alrmatij · SOllTHERN/SoUlhom Midwest. 64 pages. AL, IJ., AR, FL, GA, KS, I((, LA, MS, P.«:l, NM, NC, OK . PR, SC. TN, TX, US Virgin 1s1'"1ds, VA. $5.00; outside N. ~ca $8 (alrmal) NORTHEAST. ci. DE, DC, t,1E, MA, NH, OH, PA, RI, VT, Wo/, $5.00; oustde N. America $8 (airmail) RENAISSANCE HOUSE, BOX 533-SS VILLAGE STATION, NEW YORK, NY 10014-0292 (212)674-0120 [[] Second Stone-January/February, 1994 bian and gay Anglicans. The Diocese of Newark elected. him to co-chair its deputation to General ·convention, the governing body of the Episcopal Church. Crew has addressed lesbian and gay· issues at dozens of venues in Britain, Canada, China, Costa Rica; Hong Kong, and the Uiuted States. Joining the suit as plaintiff is the Rutgers Council of the American Association of University Professors, which represents all faculty members and teaching assistants at the university. The American Civil Liberties Union is providing counsel. The President's Select Committee for Lesbian and Gay Concerns of Rutgers University has urged the university to .provide the same benefits to lesbian and gay employees as are provided to heterosexual employees since 1988. The university has begun to provide bereavement leave, access to athletic facilities, library borrowing privileges for the "bona fide sole ·domestic partners" of le_sbian and gay employees, and it is planning to open family housing to gay and lesbian graduate students, b\lt it has rejectecf effo_rts to extend the single most i~portant benefit of all - health insurance and health care· - to the life partners of lesbian and gay employees. · Lesbian bookstore exhibits · at. church convention AT THE 1993 Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, the Different Drummer Bookstore, a gay and lesbian bookstore, sponsored a booth in the exhibit hall where the store's books on coming out, feminism, and gay theology stood next to chalices, vestments, and communion wafers. The presence of the bookstore had been requested by Integrity/ Southland, a chapter of the national gay and lesbian organization within the Episcopal Church. "We just could not provide enough space for books within our exhibit and after attending for three years thought we should invite Different A Symbol of Today's Reality and Tomorrow's Hope Wearing this red and pink ribbon pin shows you care about those who are HIV+ or have Bread Cancer. AED=AIOS 1 IN 2!'0PEOPLEAAE HIV+ INTHE USA. ATTHECURRENT RATE, THE STATISTIC Will BE 1 IN 4 BY THE YEAR201n PINK= BREAST CANCER 1 IN 8 WOMEN (1 IN 3 lESBIANS) \\ILL BE DIAGNOSED WITH BREAST CAt-1:ER. FOR ADDITIONAL PINS, CONTACTt MCC LOUISVILLE P. 0. BOX 32474 • LOUISVILLE, KY 4D232 502 77!xl636 ~.....::: >--- ~1;- , /• .~ ,-.:;;~~ . • ) .;t ~.~I.I v---- '\\: AJM t i .. ,,~-. ~ :1' ~-.~,-:·_. ~-j. '1L 71ffl•j. -~ ~~-.~~ , ;,.:.:. • . P!' _ACE \ \ . -~·.---:.~ . .., --~r-·-·\· ~ ... . ' l- . .. Loretta Staub of Different Drummer: her bookstore broke a church barrier in Los Angeles. Photo:· Paul Courry Drummer to join us,"· sai d Kent Steinbrenner, a member of Integrity. Loretta Staub, one of the owners of Different Drummer in Laguna ·Beach, said that it was entert_aining to watch how people approached _the table, some genuinely interested; some curious and some furtively approaclling -. the table, pretending they were interested in the table next door. "All in all I was well received and plan to retum next year," Staub said. Kent said that the bookstore's presence was a "valuable educational experience for the church ." Bulk Copies Availabl~ • • • • • • • • • • • • • OF THIS ISSUE OF SECOND STONE For church/group distribution, conferences, bar ministry, etc 10 copies• $13.50 • 25 copies - $29.50 • 50 copies· $45.00 100 copies - $67 .50 includes postage and handling Limited quantity of back issues available FREE; add $5 00 postage for every 50 copies Send,your pre-paid order to Second Stone, P.O. Box 834n. New Orleans, LA 70182 ilibalikymimr 1ym111r mmti111m111_,g ~of Secolild S!oRB. ,'/tiJewant to lk~}'Glll 1imter.ested iinnmr{PW!iilicalrGADli!Jli>etter 5eliVe yrurrmiems. 'We w.arnt'm iimQi,roe fflae ri~l !Qlllality'Df'Secorild Simme. !Rleasemlreaifew miliU!lteS ;to il",espz;)lilGJtci)IOJllr 51/JJVey. Ymi!r answer:sareii~lltali\tto JllSmlG we ~ieciate,Y.C!}.l!lr~- T:1ilalill<Y!l)i:!. iP:lease m:nv,Jeteeacb question_, placing mi"'r iin'.\be~:bwtor wrifil\D yaur answer iin tbe:s,pace provided. . . 1Hlmw aomg iliia11e :yt!)l'.I imel"I :a Sl!ibscriiber? irn 1 year [] 2year.. , [ .U 3 Y,ealS !OT ffllilfle !How mwclil m eaclil iissl!Je.llio' woo ,read? [Il .A1l1ll>rmeaf,!yall i] Aillo.111t :lila1f [ Il O llily ,aili.ttle lfillil:w rmamy Dlliler ;pmpie ream yt!).l!IT iiSSIJIB ml Seoo:radB!GTiie? rn 1 [ j 2 U . 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US ABOUT YOU. : 1malil: ,tre you: _,,, ~ n Male I ; _; _-,. 1 Areyoo : I ~ - -<iY ~ IJ LesbiaA \ COVBR \FEATililR£ u n n If':! ,,.._ , moM T HEEI111JiOR n n b '•11 ~~, l '0:0:MIMBffAIR Y B U J] [] ~ ! ~!JrtfNES H B H ~-==:s:tmol u :fanale ' MEWS S iTORIIES if} 1ll U U SBmemllege ffi7J °\lJJRE ARirmLES [1 D [Il n ~gramale Vt!DEO iRE~~EWS B [] .[1 U ~degree ,BOOK IRE'VEWS n H n ' iJ H Il A_ge: ~~'!,_~ ,,, [_1 ,·ir·~ rn U lllder 1!8 H .4li)-aW . ii.. , \11\V.u;rn ~.ill llT ~ JI 1JI n 18-2-4 n ,45-49 ' !RESO.l!JRC:£ Gl.llIDE [] II] [] IJ 25--29 1r_;i -50-59 : PIJEillfi!Y . fj H ifil SU-:34 iii tiOoroe r , CL~SS !flEJJS H H [J H 35-39 u • '[i)l') y.ti)l!lifimt!ltrneitmllowimg <illSefulDTl!iDI: .useful: \Vlftilidl1l 'best .mescribesfli)urwoo<? , , $, I] ~ . .. ~ .~~ff/' n Managemem . ~ -~ ll Socialseniices: 'C.A'LENDAiR . rJ I] .c.- . ~ESOUJRGE GUIDE I] :n H ~~ : = !FOl.m (!!)lfimitilllmwimgm·yooenjoy - · B = -ph>yelil=---~------ ' COYER r:EAif!fflES [j U . 1Re!tired .!FROM l'diE !EDlTOH [Il .· lPolal ~incoote : , COMMfEN'if AIR V {~ , [] 'Under$SO,OOO ' LHIBRS U . U $3D,DDD - $49,999 . !NEWS !LINES D H $,000 - $74,999 INIEWS S7HDRIES l[jJ• U $75,lilOO-$100,000 . fff ff \l!JHE AfU ICIBS . H Over $100,DOO i VIDEO RE VilEWS H . BOOK lREVIIEWS. U ; CA!!..BND.AR D iDoynu: u fteRt n o.m , ·NDTEWOHI~ V Ill i HESOJJRCE Gl!lmE IR l1 {)tner, ______ _ . POEJ1RV U Whalmber J!JI~ do ,jDU,read ~ , lGlA'SS ir'IED:S U Wmicb HD.UR ll!Jf the~'.lww~tdoYJi)l!lempy U (lpelilffanrlls H Matctus , ilea.st? ·COVER f'EiATl!JRES ffiOM THEEDTTOO CO'M:MEWif Aifl tt' LEITERS NEWS U NIES IIIIEWS STORIES iREJ\TlJRE ARirfDLES V'IDEO HEViEWS BOOK RB filEWS · OM.END A'R !NOTEWilfil TtilY RESO.tmCE ·GUIDE :POETRY CLA3S1FIED:S n . n Nalinil Qilhdli;: HepNier u .rn lfbeOlher'Sde [1 U ·{BWr!>nd Ill H ~ u ·n ~11en [il n Genre [ ] ' () OagmsoJSarah B n Cb1iis1ian Geliillllry n Qieatcn~ H :H ~ u H H Advmcate U B Ullile\Reader n n Tn U IITl . Newsweek !lmilicate :SimJJ Slil.!1IQ8SliGns or teamresyou . '11IANK YOU again :IGr tlting lhetimeto i \WDl!i!d iliketosee mrd:liled iitil Secolild :stooe: 1 mffl)Jelelhis SUIVef~ P.leasesand Ibis · ____________ pai,e:to : Second Stone, P .. O. Box 8310. New Or:leans, lA 701112. Yau :need not ----------~ -- wmey.aurflBffle'ORtheaurvey or ___________ :mailingenveq,e. «--• , i,, ..,.,.. ~<11 'Stooe-laoumy iF.d:mary .1 994 l / . L::...._:i . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C . . .o. . .v .S .e .t .r .o . .r . .y . . . . . . . . .T . . . . . ..... Lutherans retreat on bold sexuality draft statement From Page 1 released a story about the draft statement on October 20. In some cities the story ran under inaccurate headlines · and many felt the story itself was sensationalist in tone. The toll-free number at ELCA churchwide offices logged 22,000 calls that Wednesday in a five hour period . Security had to be stepped up at the Lutheran Center on Higgins Road in Chicago because of threats of violence. The viciousness has included violent, sexist remarks like, · "We should reinstitute hanging and have Karen Bloomquist in a n0,0se ... No wonder we're in trouble: we have a woman who is in charge of studies." (The Rev. Karen L. Bloomquist is director of studies for the ELCA.) The council left tentative the tiine line and status of the document. Originally scheduled to be adopted by the church in 1993 and delayed until 1995, the council now recomm ends a "possible social statement" at a "future church wide assembly." The wording provides that the future document may not have the status of an official ELCA social statement at such time as it is presented to the church. The article in The Lutheran recounts the negative response to the draft statement by various syriod bishops, local congregations and individuals . No mention of the positive reaction of Lutherans Concerned or gay or lesbian Lutherans is reported. One group of conservative Lutherans went so far as to demand an apology from the clmrch for even considering the document. The Great Commission Network demanded Oct. 28 that the ELCA disband the committee that drafted the statement and "issue a public apology for this gross infraction of our faith and confessions." The .Rev. Walter Sundberg, associate professor of church history at Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary in St. Paul, said the statement misuses scripture and seeks to change basic doctrine. '1t's an unprecedented effort to unsin sin," Sundberg said. "You can't do that and maintain integrity. What the homosexual commun_\ty wants is the unsinning of homosexual activity - gay blessing and all of that." Scriptural interpretation was an area cited by the council as an important concern. The council stated that-it will recommend for assembly action "only such a draft of a social statement on human sexuality that would stand on biblical foundations and the confessional traditions of the church.'" Conservative, non-ELCA Lutheran churches have tried to distance themselves from the ELCA's controversial statement. The Lutheran religion has three major branches; the ELCA, the Missouri Synod and the smaller Wisconsin Synod. A December article in Metro Lutheran by the Mankato, Minn.-based Evangelical Lutheran Synod, a member of the Wisconsin Synod, read: "Because the two church bodies which are not affiliated, have similar names, the regional leaders of the ELS want there to be no misunderstanding on what their synod still teaches." At its 1992 conventiort, ·ELS issued a statement that sa.id, "We confess that scripture condemns homosexuality and extramarital relations (fornication and adultery) as sin." John Pless, a campus pastor for the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod at the University of Minnesota, said that the ELCA statement blurs biblical scriptures relating to homosexuality . "We see homosexuality as a •sin," Pless said. "We see homosexual people also are in need of forgiveness. The goal would be that homosexual people in receiving the forgiveness of sins that is in Jesus Christ, can form a new life of chastity." More supportive of the ELCA's statement are ELCA churches who are members of · the Reconciled in ChristJrogram, publicly op.en an affirming to Gays and Lesbians in the congregation. Pastor Ronald Johnson of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church said the statement has "pretty good" acceptance within his Minneapolis congregation. Also part of the ELCA, St. Paul Reforma- [.IDSe]co ndStone•January/February1,9 94 tion Lutheran Church in St. Paul plans 'to i:liscuss the statement on human sexuality. Pastor Paul Tideman defended the task force that drafted the statement and said the statement allows for diversity in the church. ''My hope is · that there will be continuing dialogue in the church about it. And my fear is that the statement is going to be altered, which will make it more difficult for sexual minority people;" said Tideman . Pastor Galen Hora of Lutheran Campus Ministry said the current draft statement better reflects students' opinions than ever before. "My hunch is that the document we're looking at [(oday] is closer to the realities that students live as young adults, including the homosexual issue." The Rev. Robert L. Isaksen, bishop of the ELCA's New England Synod, wrote to pastors, "Responsible biblical interpretation does not seek simple answers to difficult problems. In the script.ures the faithful Christian sees the work of salvation in every age, as well as a means to evaluate human activity in the present day. The task force is not trying to concoct conclusions, but to help the church with a broad range of issues. The church cannot be he! pful by refusing to talk about difficult questions ." He added, 'These are μifficult issues. It is a great strength of the ELCA that it strives to deal with them in accordance with scripture without resorting to simplistic conclusions." The Rev. Mark R. Ramseth, bishop of the Montana Synod, said in a press release that the draft "is calling the church to become a community of guidance, education, respect, support and healing iri relation to human sexuality. It is an attempt on the part of the ELCA to enter into conversation about the dilemmas of human sexuality which face Christian persons in this time.'' · Nationally, however, the reaction from the pews was immediate and largely negative. ELCA church head Bishop Herbert Chilstrom said he received about 700 letters on both sides of the issue. "Most of the negative letters go directly to the ,issue of homosexuality. It is very clear that is the flash point," Chilstrom said in a statement. "I am convinced that those who look at the full statement and consider it in its entirety will discover it to be very· well balanced and a very sensible word about human sexuality," Chilstrom said. 'This culture needs a word from ·this church about this subject ... We know, cf course, . that all those good people of God are not of one mind on anything and surely not on the subject of human sexuality, so we expect heated arguments and passionate discussions. But out of it will come suggestions and much good sense. This is a time for the people of God in this church to respect differences of opinion and to w01:k . toward a consensus that comes from an open process." Trust in the task force that drafted the statement has been questioned. The Rev. Charles Miller, executive director of the . · ELCA's Division for Churc;h in Society, said, "If members of this cl1urch do not believe the process is trustworthy, then progress in developing a sqciatstat~inen~ on human sexuality will be greatly impaired if not ,pelJllanently poisoned by cynicism, disillusionment , suspicion and sense of betrayal now felt by a significant number of persons." But Minneapolis Pastor Ronald Johnson said suggestions that the task force was untrustworthy were unfounded . "Ithiilk it's the kind of tack that people take when they disagree," said Johnson. Single copies of 'The Church and Human Sexuality: A Lutheran Perspective" are available by mail by calling (312)380-2719. Multiple copies may be ordered from the ELCA Distribution Service (50¢ each) by calling (800)328-4648o, rder code 69-2064 , Response,s to the draft statement may be sent to Hum,v1 Sexuality Study, ELCA-DCS, 8765 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago, IL 60631. Local ELCA churches have until June to respond to the draft. Compiledfr a,μ: The Lutheran, Lutherans Concerned/Fort Worth-AriingtonN ewsletter, AssociatedP ress,E qual Tfme, Lutherans Concerned/Chicago Reconcile Where does the news come from? Second Stone welcomes news from all gay and lesbian Christian organizations . The following national organizations do/do not report news to Second Stone: AFFIRMATIO(MNO RMONS) NO AFFIRMATION(METHODISTS) YES AMERICABNA PTISTCSO NCERNED YES AXIOS NO BRETHREN/MENNOCNOITUEN CIL YES CHRISTIALNE SBIANOSU TT OGETHER NO COMMOBNO ND NO COMMUNICATIMOINN ISTR(YC ATHOLIC) YES CONFERENC.CAET HOLILCE SBIANS YES DAUGHTEROSFS ARAH YES DIGNITY/USA NO ECUMENICCAAL THOLICCH URCH YES EMERGENCINET ERNATIONAL NO EVANGELICNAELT WORK YES EVANGELICACLOSN CERNED YES FRIEND(SQ UAKERS) NO GLADfD ISCIPLEOSF C HRIST) YES HONET Y( SOUTHERBNA PTIST} NO INTEGRITINY,C YES LUTHERANCSO NCERNED/NA NO NATIONAGLA YP ENTACOSTAL YES NEINW AYSM INISTRY YES PLGC(P RESBYTERIAN} YES RECONCILICNOGN GREGATIONS YES SEVENTDHA YA DK INSHIIPN TL NO UNITARIAN/UNIVERSALIST NO UCCC OALITIOUNG C ONCERNS YES UNITEDU GC HRISTIASNC IENTISTS NO UFMCC YES THE STRANGER · IS ... B Y REV. S U SAN B. P. N ORR I S he hospital was being hospitalish, I suppose, but I really can't remember. I recall tan walls, . and carpet,' and yet ano er "expert " in training clergy standing near a VCR in his suit and Ue, waiting to tell the chaplain interns some more about this odd business of being priest's and · pastors. I do recall that I wanted to go home. I was busy; I was tired; and I already knew a great deal more about being a good ·chaplain than I was capable of actually putting into practice . But Sue came in from her ward, and Joe and Chuck finished their meeting, and before 1 could escape through the only door from the chaplaincy service into the ha!! outside and thus to freedom, someone ptlt out the lights, turned on the VCR, and on went the afternoon 's educational film , .. In it, poorly produced color which seems to my memory mostly varied tan and white, there was another "expert." This one was asking the question, "What have . all anthropologists, sociologists, and students of culture around the world found to be the only foundational truth or belief shared by every known society?" Properly, at this point, we turned off the tap e, batte .d the question around, and returned to our "education ," The expert then offered . ideas such as ·we had offered. 'There is a God," "Human life is sacred," "Love. one another," and so on. After reporting that all of these, although widely shared, were not the belief in question, he continued, 'The one foundational belief commot) to every known society is this, The · stranger is the enemy."' The video then continued with ways to "work" a corporation so as to avoid the consequences of this ingrained and unstated belief, and to get what you want. I can't tell you what that part said; because I was so struck by the opening -that I could drum up no interest in their diagnoses or solutions. . 'The stranger is the enemy." I've been thinking about that idea ever since. It's hard to believe that it really is an "always, everywhere and by everyone" and indeed, whether or not you believe that is not the point just at the moment. Whether or npt the sociological proposition is accurate, the power of that idea is supported by much of our life experience. The experience of being the stranger and therefore the enemy is nothing new to the lesbian/ gay community. Anyone wh.o watched Lawrence Pourier come out in the cartoon "For better or for worse" will recognize that his parents' immediate overreactions and temporary rejection come from the shock of confronting in the son they thought they knew so well, a stranger with a different and strange culture and friends. 'The stranger is the enemy" is at the heart of all kinds of rejection, and thus of the pain and tragedy found in QUOTABLE 'I might as well say it now, Ithink that gay people are special. To a friend who also has a gay son, I say, 'Gay people are more creative, spirited and have a ze~t for_ life. ,·she disagrees and says that gay people are JUSt like even1one else: They work, pay taxes and rear children. I agree. But these qualities come from the f~ther's gen_etic material, I'm convinced that my son s leather Jacket with all the political stickers, his earrings and his backwards red baseball cap come from me, that X chromosome only a mother can supply," - P-FLAG member Laura Siegel, quoted in the San Francisco Examiner any newspaper, as well as their inevitable outcomes: prejudice , fear and fighting. Aren't Bosnian Muslims strangers to their Serbian compatriots; · women, strangers to men; black culture, strange to white culture; and Asian culture , strange--to both? Even here, we strange High-Church folk genuflect, swing incense and "sing Mass" to the bewilderm ent of our equally "strange" evangelical kinfolk who "read th e, servi_ce,:' are baffled by incense, and may even sing folk music in place of el.egant Gregorian plainsong . The moral problem, however, is not strangeness but "enemy-ness." We humans . fear that God will not pay attention to u s, protect or nurture us, with that "strange," "queer" rival around. We fear that her very existence is a threat to ours. The problem is my (our) conviction that another's "strangeness " is a personal attack She knew that it never works to set up a new community of "ex-strangers," with a new definition of "enemies," so that we "outcasts" can become the new "in gr0up," and do to "them" as they have done to "us:" upon me, and upon the society which I have learned how to "work" to get my food, my clothing, my shelter and my love and attention. Unsure of ourselves, we humans fear people who differ in any important ways from the pattern we are holding up and attempting to follow =~i--k·.t- !~f -Afi~~--~ ·,..-- ·, ... ~. ' ') -";.~;"', · .. __ ·-·- V ! 'We , . ~{~~t!!/!~~ .. On lOObeautiful acres.with pool, hot tub, skiing and more. Innkeepers Judi.th Hall and Grace Newman invite you lo write or call for a brochure. P. 0. Box 118 SL Bethlehem, NH 03574 (603) 869-3978 . in our own lives. Most of us also know a familiar variation on 'The stranger is the enemy," which runs, 'The stanger is someone to be us ed and then discarded." This one, as most of us know, is frequently about sex. Gay sex, straight sex, any sex at all. It live s in the lives of those of us whose personal identity demands that we "make it" on the gay scene or in the ·swinging singles scene ... those of us who need constantly to be reassured that we are just as young, and charming, and attractive and sexually desirable as anyone going. And as we anxiously worry about what we shall wear, and eat, and how we shall dress, and behave, we also pile up as many conquests as we can put on a string, and then discard before they discard us. After all, if you can use ·something or someone, and then choose to discard them or it, it or they selfevidently can't threaten you ... can they? I say this attitude is frequently about sex and that is its most familiar incarnation, but it is not necessarily about sex at all. It can be about workers - factory or farm workers or spouses, or even students or employees, or even clients . It is about kee ping people in the category of "strangers" or "things" so that we can use them and discard them and thus temporarily assuage our anxiety over whether we will make it in one piece all the way into tomorrow. Yes, th ere is a lot of evidence in our lives for the power of 'The stanger is the enemy." I trust that we do not believe 'that horrible lie. For our God has answered the appalling idea that the stranger is our enemy. SEE STRANGER, Page 15 THE DIRECTORY of Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Publications in the U.S. &: Canada 181 entries from 45 states Only $17.95 Jim Sorrells P. 0. Box 1946 Guemeville, CA 95446 SecondStone•January/Febl'l)&'y, 1~4 [II] man'.!s.hired he'lp,, <0r !fhe:man!s m'fant •!jp~- ~ rui!h:e~ m ~, ·file ibed under :disruss1mi remainsiihell«iiie (~ lbed~. Jf ,bom.osexmility was not the subject Df Pam's cr:mdemnation.. :w.hat-wasl 'The iimeq,riltatioo whim minis fua:t :file m.an'1s p,uiiia iin 1.oe :U :w,as 'his g"!}' ilWfi ;rerejy.e5 ;~;pmf fmm Jihe /ta ·ct tha't Rro.num ;and 'G-reek ig;ay :S0ldiiers weite :eftffl. assig;R~ :dillirult m~ESi. !A11, @p,p.esem te matmieii !5@1- .dier.;,,iitw.as mum '1!asier-fur .lR0man :a!llturi.ms :t@ m,ing 'libei:r p:aii1im .to iharren iaruiis. Anew look at arsenokoitais '1Jliisw,as ilrhe situati@n iin Capemamn :Bl' PA'llJL ,R ]JO.HN50.N . where ~s healed1ile:g;ay lltw.er:0£ ;a ,, rren'tnn.m illliih1eman. The Guspel,s ~.esame ~ ,l'li}~g :flY man :a_;: When meliig,U!JU5 ,JJ<!Opit! LC@ruremn ~ l@v~, they lilften'tum. tu St .. P.au'Ils wmmg_.as ibasis . Bw: P.atrl!s wiiimg in J 'T:imoihy 1.~1!D .and 1 'Cmmtruans-6~ ·t.as ~ ,little i:o ,do with mmiogamoui,, ;s;ime.,.,genaer ilo:ve.1tis~dhofuhomesaual .uu'! ih.eter~ual, wt is dealt wilihm l!hese.mdotherv.erses. 'The Gr.eek ((!@~pound .:term m.semHkditais.ilitera'lly means " 'Ute:male w1w bas manyibeds: ' Thesw:BRl=sen means "'male:, tire acljeotiv,e 10means '?he "' and Jibe .temn.l-oitlzis is aefinea as .:many bciis :" . "'J1lms tire mtiire . wnrase means a male ·wilih::muilti-bed partnets,;apmmisouous:man. Ev.erywttere ·m lhe l;liliie, wlien ·the word itoiiais iis.usediin tihel)lw;a'!, it-.iietmtes ,promisa:li'.ty- Jiow.eY~, -when tihe same 'IWiilr.d .ii5 med iin :the smguhr fuim, JJb.e Bibice gives 1a_1JjlrD¥.a1 m:cause .the iliin,gu];ar a.enotes-mtml!lg- .amy. ' "- " L'- lE\Vell ine ,gr-eat mian oi ,...,,.~, ~~ ~m mm itrouhle with ins 1.p:luial beds" (Genesis 1'6). ·Go,d amfuuled -ta bless this pat man ;and :"'~enhlsh;en~= = ~ ~imrles. · · JC-.ersely, 1he ·~ 'ik,olt(? iis !loo : ,n · , .Goo with:approv,,al {blk-e l 1'airl :refers Eiv.e times 1o-v.m8US fuuns of !the 7koitt. J 'Timothy 1:lD: m.sen1D;Jkoiibii&,, ".a male in ffia1!Y hetis''; hmans :E:B: hliitais, ·.:a per.son m many .b;eds';; Ji C:@rin:truans ,6:,'9; air,sm~ , ~:a :m.ile m:m:any l,eas"'; l<<>mans19;m: i<~ ~ woman·m.i,. ei:'f'';:.and :Hibrew.s "Jlli: mu., ~Jany iildu'lt Jin mieJb:ed : ' N.obiee. :the fiJJSl 1/hree w..erses condemn ili.e ::p<!rs0n heran:se Jhe iis . pmmiswooi, , Jibe hst:lw.o lemns are 9ne1d xcause 'tibe-wmd AS 2n fire '5lllgular ~mm. Exrept .tm: Romans '9:il.l,) :.ill 1nese V£l'Se5 .'.OOlild ,refer i0 eu:her]um11;1sema'Jsminit.erosex>Uals. The !lilite !lDill!liiage iis;a mre Jbed.'Sex.. :a1 wuon. To the .lillmk rofHebrew.>!;, i".auT-s mlihnnlll! ii5 .seen. The iiiie.al "'manaage"' is :de:fiined iby tile use nf ,the w,mr,d i/roi,t.e 7in iille :singular amn~ ~ :er .. W fl;,aite).umiijiled,h.ut 1uihcmemong.e1~ !ll1lil rmi'll'llern-s Gnd will j,ulcge. K!Hdhr:ews 13~'4') "TheTSooknfH~bremam'Ohapter-:13 t .e:alihes trui.t m~e -ts ;a .sexual unt0n ibetween .an¥ two .arlultts and thahwih 1miomis "ihoomabJe iin ;all;" It t:ea:olres that oe¥f!I'f -illmIID,gamous food /f/kriiti) iisihonorable and Wldefiled andthal~SCU0USlbeiisf!kriitllis)are mihe.dthv. {And it .aiB@. '\teadtes ctha:t ~Gad lhas1he lli.i;h't 'to ijud,ge ~ ·\WOO ,do .~ :=any ib:eds sum ,as Daviq, S@h,rrnm.andcAm-aham.) fu ]Jesus' day the ~le !leaders believ.ed that !&eX was milym ib.e used im: :r,;proo.uowm, _, ·they oatlaw;ed males JS!~ing :iGg€l!heI. Jesus msre~ these temple iaws..indtaqglht: · In lfhahJiiffet llihae.shlil!Jbe 'tzDDmen in wne.ib.ei1, itbe ,cme ,'lihrill /be .stileateii 1miH'he Jtifher Ueft (fbike '17::Mi). · hi.Matt. 14 ·wnenjesus was..awaken male-!51av:e, .:s@II nr :cimwamen. If tire y~man weretihe !blood ,son, tihen ire <tl0dld Mt hf a ,sla:vae, il ihe w,ei,e ..a :real sla= fiten ire w.Gllld nm "hE ..a ~-- The @niy -Y fOO> .immumize £bis istmy ·m ;all :furee gas,pdsis tar~ 1bat :tne qAais '\Wll0.5hared ;a Imme w.ilihtis mibte Roman was ~ -• Jesm; pr,ai>led lilns m,bl:e .Roman .and imalre:d nil, , "preriiDwl'' io¥er {bike '7,, .ilfflll ~ and 1Matthew18). .iMany times m ms short iettet- lto lfimD'ff!y,, St. !'.awl , 'ellC@~es ail !Single !Sexu:a'l. "bei:ls ;and mndemns .a'll :Phn.i:I seXtUal ib.ed,s. l Tim . li~: A w.wmm nwst ik-eep 'DD.e ,_a1 Jbed; }I Tim. ,:3:l'.l: .A 1iish@p 'lllus't hep 1one i!eii; TlI'rim. 3:ll: /A Deacon must ikrep one lSenral :.bed; il 'fim. '.!:11:: A .iDearonessmusti<eep-one~ ihed; 1 'Tlim. "1:1!0: /A ,prosli'mte has -many ,i,exnaI i>t?&j; and l 7im. ED: A _pr@.lriisaw.us.m.ile.ihas ~ beds . ToeA~P.aiihmikesit dearlhat itne 'Bingre~ ibed.:n:msl he~ .ana . ._ mte lhas 'lilte•t to degrade wbatDoohasa'llowm. thee:e was -wilh him ";a y.aung =an fSame shrtll ,dq,ar,t fr,am flihe fllith_, w.emng :a linen dolib OV~ his-millled Jowitiimg 'to tmrmy • ., JUW!ln .G:o.i JJms !bo.dy_"' Morlon Smil!b .;€,wlams miuie ;J;r, ib.e TJIDffl!ea mth ithtmks. :(!I Gluiist'.s presence Wiitih this ~ T~MI-4} yo:lith {{See 7JJhe !S,mrd ~el, The , DnmH:m-se~,:lll61tJ?:181). . Serular smra,s pmv.e=se=-il:oililiis ~lkliileireferstoapidatil!m: m!fu.e nteanl :.any ipmmismus :mal~, 'iumlc- 13ible, ,ana ~~ 'S0U);OOS, tileikoi.re .!SeW..il Dr helerosexual 5tandiJw .arm tire i/,;oiUfs :re1emed i'0 the !Sexual ::alone, '1l!i5£1fer.lrtii!uiis diiim>t reveal the bed m ;semii'l~. Theft! ..me miter ,gender X'iI file :sexual pmmei:. lt w.as :Greek, t <emrs ••:sen it°. d:,,s~ ~e :necessatJ in 11be 'GTaik ~es ;as ,sl~ bed m '!he :sick_ ib~ . 1'.1Dtite iit .iis :m · mire English t:,o ,;add "'wilih ·mfetred mle!Y.:m:oopuiatiD1l:m Greel< .tem:ales''1,ir "wiihma1es"'to detemiine as w.ell.asJhe IGlher ~snHhal itihe m:ien:tati@II cl :fm!.illr.,;_ ·a-ikoiitflis. ida..f:. Thisw.d w.n;_~~tmf:°1ihe ihlfffl11m11"1oitaismighlilav:etiisman_y bitin ~e :as.'.C0ifu> (sexual :mwi:,-affa'ii1s·wifu t£male-pmstitutes wiv.es murse}. 'Ilbe'&g'lish w«ds rrJoitusana 'Of ms.mends ;sia:ves l~f ~ ,sex m illoi!fion .arecmooem faims!0fihe ikoite. . s12all~cS- " Ev.en -in St . oo"ke Til::7 lli,ye w,;,Ild r it.&es mt ;a JSeXWrl meaning. Luke ts l,n ancient !GFee.oo, csmntim:es, 'the :.an.attome.Y, :doctorana G~ hi~er- ~~te sex -f.'1~ nf 1ihe azr.smoim wil:w !knew ;the precise defumwns /Jr:oztmsw.asdesmbedm..amlext'.!S@llte; of ~e :and p:aiidii:a. ]n 1\his map'ier., ~ ihe or W. w,as1n0'1 . . .An ~P~ j:esus t.augnt .thab man t,prooabiy ;a :ti:@n l0Jl thefusil 'Ga'l:1; m -:rm.'6saJ<miki 'R'0l'B.an $0ldiel') -w.as iin ;a :sexual bed :realilslll11rtBU1S;m;r,auibii;t115w,mdhmeans w.ith .;a "\ymith " '~plliiliai). The !Greek •:a male -~ ihas ~ with ..a pr>0mi:stmns 1Jllliiiiailllld pms were lhe m0St moos~. }Eusebws mndemns~ <COD'IIllOn ;terms used iin itbe'breeic .tan- 11,r~ ,n tcH Jo.oftais wik0 .has sex ,W:I1ih ig~e il:0 .denate you'qg ih@m0sex,ual females. ,A.111~ fillily Cm,i:slians and Aov.ers. ;p~s alike ,an .ar.s1mo-!koimls (.a male 'There ai:e i br,ee yossib'le iiintei;pre- wJth man~, ib~~) was ,capable m !the :tations T<~ar.din,g the >meaning of au:lwce role with male ;p:anmers ·er 'i71ai/Ua. The itemn Jin iLulce 11 ,either female partner-s. . _ . . ,M.arriii;ge iis i1tonor,ab!e 1in ,al/, =d !the y.efers to 1Jbe mari '.s igay i0v.e, the EI,\glish 1h:ansla'hons 10£ 1 TmuiJthy J..:l(() reli:ec't the j)fflilIIl!Slli@US-male: ifn Ni;w 7Pes:tame,,tt -i!n i.ib£ ll.J,m~e wf T<Oib,y; ' lmen wlho:,sin ,;sexnaHy with ;w;irmre,n 10r 10'liher it!U,z";; the .Stamliiamil !English !Biible: ')a ipmn:iisam.u:s male''; the ~.e,w _JI~et'ffllfa1Jn;i1J ;VfmSi.on:,,~v. em; ,; I[(;in;g fames;and ~ lde@e fusn~l'l'i!S wiitih mumilciid'' .an:d ihe AmetiiGlll:'Standan:fVll!llSiml : "abusers 10£ il!hemselves iwifhimm. "' The New WVmJd !B.i'ble am! :t:he fSO :ralk,d.Wew .Amenwan 5'tanilar,d 'i\!lmion pblishers-rduse'.t0-file,sch-elars - who seiw.ed ;as '.traruilatm;s. 'ThDse wmik-s 1Shmnd ibe mtjerted tar '.tihis reason ;a'lane. On the other !hand, tine RSV '.l!iiitors .ba,v,e )Pl'@mised ito C011rect iliheirtranslalien iin the :uextiedifum. Mm-e .and m0re dellics are irem,g~ 'lha:t m.sem>;ktiihiis iii0es Mh,eJer to gay 1C01!:Ples. Many amseiw.afii\7.e schliihu:s :have ~pea ~ ttmS-etm: koiuiisijust;as filey 1m¥eWfflldlUSirq; the lKm:g James :Boo.@mite pas~es toimd in tile IBimks m ~- :5.udh im'.lii~s ,as Y'"""f F.a'lwell, JEd\W.illld Daw.en and .Grq; K"01111ile ,admit that hse Gre .el< ;and Hllhr.ew ·wm:.ds do 1110tpmve tiha:tga__yn.mples.are~. Tu . . Amho:ay Campdlo, .Amemra' \s leading 'lll!ln'SelW.atiwe re1igitM1S au'ther !5af.Sib:atniinistet'SmustJl10t1Use1these Greek tem:is -w.nnst ihtmmsexuals. Ew.en ·.though Dr . Campo't0 lufuewes tlh:at Jhmnm;e:wal:s ;ane -w.r-<m,g ·he w:mtes: J i1o mot i/;/iink il!he £ciipbu~es ,s'houlil ibc rmlliie tD -~l!llk iin ways 7W'hitih iar.e indt iin ,acnr:,r;d,uiith lhow:iit11.Dll6 iimeriikiI 1to speak in ,orJle:r iio ,ma'/ce ~ !l111Se. ilt is itoD iB11SJI for rtltl]f lef rus !l1Ut .10J im.lerμJe £mdtiion to ;use .5aiip.tur.e iin i naiact llD1IJIS. '.(Twiettfy Hot 'P@la.toes Yilal :CJlnistioans Are .Afraid"Jfo Toucih,;p.1Dl'5? Mamn JLuther .mms'lates tile 1temt ,1111seno-,'koitaismt0 ·fh:e Genmm Bible;as ilmllb1msharuier \Which ·d@esnot adaress m mnaemn mu'tual ~ ilov.f!IS. The Geiman ;edition l11111ne ffEl'.USlllem Uuible ~1:IJ1ner. The <ealilj' Grnisfian iathers lknew llihat lllT.il!MO- illiliifbiis .meanl pmm'iS<JUJty .. They WD.e in g-eaer,a'l ..a;gamst all ikinds<0Iin1m-mpmiiudi¥e sex. 'These :strict «ireru!s •amriemnedwth.ma:med am'l ammamed "!seed \W.asrens." :Sum thedlo.gans.rs ·Oemenlof.Aiexarnma , '.SL lemme .and .&1iher .Peter Dantm- 1searmed tile ism,plmes .and .wig .up m:any !fanciful ~nts ~t.all "inon-i>re.emers. ' Sut:smt '.01\W .did.any m li:iem.referit-01 D@lillilmansin:9 w I Tinmlihy :Jl.:10 to ;adwance <their ai:gamen.ts .awunsl ,same,sex m- 'pervi: er.be,d"' 1n•e.t,er.0.~x\Ual .ar:ticv~. IOl:em~, fur~ J11Ses '113 Greek ;expressmns!t0mnaemn Gay.s\hut:mJt wme w.d .ihe usemtse11rD-i1"oiillllis. Fw ;a .thoosand y,mrs 1n0 dwr.mileaderi:used this Gr.eek it-eim ;against .uiyone wh0 pi;adi:red !SaIDe-iSex love, ilh@ugh IINlSt df :'lihese dmr.ch talih:ers .!lmew i1Dd .. sed iihese,words :forofherJ>UIJPoses. F.irst •aen'tury Cbriismms !knew that /Qrsen~koitais (a male iinmany lb.eds}· w,as :capable rof tbe ,active ll'@1e with <@'f,ner m ·en mrr W@men, lfa1s:ebius ·cond :e.mns a p:mmisarnus male 'SEE ~ENO~Oll'MS,Jf,age 1!8 ·- - --= - -- - --- - --- ---:-- ---- --- -- ------ 1121 :SeoondStoneo.ianuacy/Fdniary:1994 <=-~ I uring the 18th century a young gay man formed a community of men who saw in his gentle ways a connectedn ess with the Holy Spirit. The influ ence of Christian Renatus Graf von Zinze,ndorf; who died at the age of 25, extends to this day to those living and working at 1Christiansbrunn, a religious community of Harmonists located on a 63-acre cloister in the Mahantongo Valley of central Pennsylvania . . The Brothers there lead a selfsufficient life, building with log s, haul/ng water from the spring, plowing with .oxen, raising sheep for wool and flax for linen . They use traditional farming techniques, animal powered machin ery, a11d pre se rv e rate br eeds of animals and plants. The Brothers also . emphasize crafts and education. · ' The· Brotherhood was initially founded on Decemb er 17, 17-49 in honor of Christian Renatus, the son of Moravian Church leader Count Nicholas von Zinzendorf. The cloister, whose name means Christian's Spring in μen :n~J.1, was m;igin<\lly loca,ted,' riear ,Bf!#tlehel]l, Pen.risyJva- . nia, the center of the Moravian mfssionaiy effort, · · , Christian died before he was able to come to America and fulfill his role as leader of the Single Brothers in this couitry. Peach trees, his favorite fruit, had been plant~d so they would bear· in time for an arrival that never came. The Brotherhood's spirit died with Christi,m .and it was disbanded before 1800. · It was reorganiz ed in 1987. The Brothers ;it New Christiansbrunn are Hamoni sts, meaning they seek harmony in all things and to know the111selv es as the Holy Spirit and what that means in their lives . Th ey believe the Holy Spirit is not all Christian Renatus Graf von Zinzendorf Born 1727, died 1752 Gloi~ter f_ounded in 1749 by ··young gay man is reborn · conscious, all knowing or even all good. This mean s that the Holy Spirit creates beauty yet also ugline ss, joy but also pain, life as well as death. The cloister is run without a hierarchy of priests or minister s. The Brothers take per sonal responsibility for their own spiritual development. They follow the Six Fold Path in which they come to know them selves and to follow a life of choice. The Path is a means, not the end . And being on the Path does not mean that they follow it perfectly, but they try. Their choices are to stress beauty and joy, to minimi ze destructio11, waste and hurtful acts. That is why they live a simple life. It is why they sing their own hymns and why .their motto is "to plow is to pray." Music plays a larg e part in the life at th e cloister. The Brothers Work very hard and their days lack the standardized prayer and services of traditional religious orders. The Brothers .consider themselve s living in the post-Christian age, in which their rehgious spirit matur es into adulthood, taking responsiblity for their acts . They believe they are truly one with everything they see, · everything they do, everything they are: They are the violence, they are the peace, they are. the love, they are the hate. All is part of the Holy Spirit which, in saying "I am," contains all that is, was and shall ·be. It also contains the moral question of how we are to live as the Holy Spirit, the Brothers say, because what we say and do does make a difference. We can perpetuat e the mistakes, the pain and suffering or we can ·start to make choices to change them. The Brothers seek lives in which everything a:t the cloister is chosen, wanted and beautiful. They confess they are a long way from that goal, but that it is coming true. The Brothers have extended invitation to those who cannot Jive in community but wish to be a part. Some people become associate members to share a craft, skill or knowledge with the Brothers, such as woodworking, historic gardening or the ability to read the German script of their archival manuscripts. Other s are drawn to the Brothers' care and nurturing of the . earth. For some, associate men,bership is an .intermediate step in considering whether to become a full time memb e r living at the cloister . The Brothers are also planning to begin a handprint ed newsletter. about life at the cloister and their self-sufficient farming. For information on CJ,;istiansbrunn Kloster contac t Brother Johann es Zinzendo1f, RD 1, Box 149, Pihnan, .PA 17964. 'a financial alternative' MAL(HUS Lesbian & Gay Christian Monthly· Celebrafi(.Jg Faith & Spirituality Through Our Diversity 6036 Richmond Hwy., #301 Alexandria, VA 22303 Subscriptions $18.(JOPer Year "' If you are (enninally ill; you may need financial assistance NOW. VAC is liere NOW, to help you access your life insurance P91icy for FINANCIAL FREEDOM. NOW, when you need 1L So you can break away from financial worries and stress, and get back lo the feeling of FREEDOM. VIATICAL ASSISTANCE CORPORATION Please inquire NOW for free and confidential information. 1-800-892-1282 Serond Stone•January/February, 1994 ·U3J The Real War BY REV. SAMUEL KADER Not everyone who calls Je.sus Lord is recognized by Him as His own. In Matthew 7:21-23 Jesus says "Many will say to me in that day, 'Lord, Lord have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name cast out devils, and in thy name done many wonde1ful work?' And I will say to them I never knew you, depart from me you that work iniquity." Jesus says in this passage that only those who do the will of God shall enter into the kingdom. But in the midst of the homophobic controversy raging in the church it's easy for us to draw lines of who is "in" and who is "out" based on political agenda. Homophobia is' not the first issue to polarize the church. Nor is homophobia th e . real issue . It is only a symptom of the real issue, which is spiritual warfare. While much of the church is screaming of · the need for family values, they butcher their Christian family by casting out gay and lesbian members into the outer darkness. They don't realize th~t it is not p_laying video games with our iablings and offspring that secures eternal life: Eternal life is secured by an all out commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord which may necessitate leaving mother, father , brother, sister or children for the sake of _the kingdom m order_ to follow Christ. Elevating the family above Christ is idolatry. Yet the heat of tJ1is issue keeps cranking up several degrees each year, showing the blindness of the church to the real war engulfing her. . _When accused of doing His charitable deeds and miracles by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of the d_ev!ls, Jesus revealed a spiritual principle that currently is at work against the church. He says in Matthew 12:25 that every kingdom divided against itself 1s brought to desolation and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand. The fact that division brings defeat is a well known _rri~ciple to the enemy of God . H1stoncally, Satan has us ed this t:idic again and ap;ain to wage war against the chutch. We think we're fighting the religious right , meaning individual A moving and personal account of an issue that won't go away. A best-seller in Canada and soon t.o be a motion picture. - It will make you think, . it will make you angry, and hopefully, it will broaden your vision of what boih. sexuality and Christianity at their best can be -Telegraph Journal, St. John, New Brunswick James Ferry has given a voice to these voiceless ones and is himself a visible incarnation of their invisible presence. -The Rt. Rev. John S. Spong, · Bishop of Newark, New Jersey Order now from Second Stone Press Quan. □ IN THE COURTS OF THE LORD By.Jam• Ferry, $22.95, hardcover P~lng $2.90 ftn!I boolt, $1.00 •· additional TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED NAME _________________ _ AD DRE....,_ ____ .;__ _____________ _ CITYtSTATE/ZII' ___________ --'- ___ ~ ORDER FROM: SECOND STONE PRESS, P.O. BOX 8340, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70182 [i4] Second Stone•January/February, 1994 preachers, churches, denominations, or para churcl1 organizations. According to Ephesians 6:12 our warfare is not against human beings, no matter how much they ·disagree with us . Our warfare is a spiritual one, and until we treat 1t on that level we will continue to treat symptoms but never cure the disease . · Because of the polarization these issues bring about we tend to think of the kingdom of Go.d as being comprised of only those who politically agree with us. But God's viewpoint is much higher . While Satan brings division, with the expressed desire to kill, steal or destroy, God brings uruty, knowing that love never fails . Satan handed the church a parcel of division when the first century Christians had to wrestle with the question of Gentile eligibility requirements to enter the initially predominately Jewish Body of Christ. The church wrestles with the same question While much of the church is screaming of the need for family values, they butcher their Christian family by casting out gay and lesbian members into the outer darkness. today. Some say Gays and Lesbians are riever qualified . Some say we're qualified if we leave our same-sex spouses and become celibate . Some say only if we are changed into heterosexuals can we be saved . Division! A kingdom divided against · itself can not stand. Matthew 12:26 says if Satan cast out Satan he is divided against himself . How then can his kingdom stand? But the principle applies regardless of who is working it, and Christians are deceived into casting out Christians. Why would Satan be interested in·_this division? Because in the high priestly prayer of Jesus in John 17, it . 1s revealed that when Christians become one in unity, then the world believes that God did send Jesu s. Revival occurs. When the · church walks in unity, it is able to appropriate her full power and authority making Satan a footstool under her feet. Jesus is very serious about the church. An attack on the church is an attack against Him personally. The church is His body, and He doesn't consider that a metaphor, but a reality . In Acts 9:4 Jesus confronts . Saul of Tarsus for his persecution against Christians. But He doesn't ask Saul why he is persecuting His disciples . He doesn't even ask Saul why he is persecuting His church. He asks Saul, "Why are you persecuting me ?" An attack against believers is an attack against Christ Jesus Himself. · The converted Paul later asks the Corinthian church "Is Christ divided?" It is not appropriate to be of Paul or Apollos or Cephas or Falwell or any other · camp. Will we war against Christ? We must war against principalities, powers, spiritual wickedness in high places and the rulers of darkness of this age - all demonic forces hell bent on stopping the Body of Christ from flowing in love. How do we wage this battle? Paul says in I Corinthians 3:3 you are yet carnal, for there is still among you envying and strife and divisions. He also says in II Corinthians 10:4-5 the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. What spiritual'weapons has God given us? And who can deny that the battle of homophobia is a stronghold? First; we have prayer. · The effective, fervent prayer _of the righteous accomplishes much . Take seriously a call to prayer and intercession. Slavery in America was not abolished because· Abral1am Lincoln opposed it: It was abolished because for decades slaves in America slipped away at night, illegally and under penalty of death, to the woods gathering for brush arbor prayer meetings. God answers prayers. Persecuted and imprisoned believers behind the iron curtain saw the wall fall down as a result of prayer . As a spiritual community we must demand of Satan as Moses did of Pharoah to "let our people go that they might worship God!" (Exodus 8:1) Second, we have the cross. Ephesians 2:13-15 relates that by the cross the warfare ceases because through it God put to death divisions, walls and laws that separate . Third, we have the Spirit of God. The spirit intercedes for us as we pray in the spirit. The spirit gives us all access to God and causes us to be built together (Ephesians 2:18-22). The spirit leads us into all truth, and the truth sets us free. Fourth, we have the word of God. It is powerful, able to divide and uncover hidden agendas of the heart. The word of God will expose our own shortcomings to show' us what adjustments we need to make to flow with God's covering. It will also give us SEE REAL WAR, Page 20 NEWS LINES From Pages Rhode Island church firsto affirm Gays llAFTER STUDYING THE issue for more than a )'ear , Newport Congregational Church voted to become the first church in Rhode Island to publicly declare that Gays and Lesbians are _welcome: Interim e~stor Terry Fitzgerald said the blessing of same-sex relationships 1s a possibility at some eoint. At least 115 churches throughout the country have declared themselves Open and Affirming churches. Catholic Charities takes over AIDS residence LIFOLLOWING THE CRUSHING disclosure of financial discrepancies at San Francisco's Shanti Pfoject last spring, the city has transferred operational control of the country's largest .residence for AIDS patients to Catholic Charities, Inc., a division of San Francisco's Catholic Archd10cese. The move comes amid tension between the city's lesbian/gay community and the Archdiocese, which repeatedly opposes any positive movement m the struggle for gay /lesbian rights. Gays "unacceptable" say Virginia Baptists ,; VIRGINIA SOUTHERN BAPTISTS have approved a statement condemning homosexuality as "sinful and ~nacceptable for Christians" a~d discouraging the elevation of Gays and Lesbians to church leadership positi<:>ns. Delegates disagreed with Rev. Henry Langford, a retired pastor from Richmond, who said, "We have no business picking on the homosexuals or anybody else. As Christians we have to question 'What right do I have to try to tell people to think and live and believe and act as I do'?"' (RADICAL RIGHT PREACHERS have a penchant for creating short anti-gay sayings to be used on talk shaws and at demonstration_s . . If !1te f~r right ~an use these political and religious one li_ners to p~omote their indignities, Lesbians and Gays must learn to use one liners to proclaim the truth.) The toxin ... Fundamentalists do not hate Gays and Lesbians The · antidote ... Yes, and the KKK does not hate Blacks! ADOLPH HITLER CLAilVIED he was not anti-Semitic while sending six million Jews to the gas chambers. Jefferson Davis said he did not hate slaves as he defended the evil slave owners. Cotton Mather denied that he hated witches as he burned them alive. Joseph Goebbels had no hate against German homosexuals as he starved a million of them to death in forced labor camps. · If fundamentalists are our friends, who needs enemies? For a thousand years the organized church .hated most minorities while claiming to love them. The clmrch hierarchy twisted the scriptures, reversing the true interpretation in order to : •Condemn the sexual victim instead of the abusive husbands (Matthew 5:32). •Concjemn the rape victims instead of the abusers (John8). •Condemn the slave victims instead of the abusers (Genesis 9). •Condemn homosexual victims instead of the abusers (Genesis 19). Pastor Robert Billings, Executive Director of the Moral Majority must have lov-ed homosexuals when he said: "I k~ow what you and I feel about these queers, these fairies . . We wish we could get in our cars ;md run them down while they march (Record, Fall 1980, p . 4). When religious conservatives claim not to_ hate Gays and Lesbians it reminds us of the cle~cs that did not hate Joan of Arc as they burned her a:t the stake. t' .,; · - Dr. Paul R. Johnson STRANGER From Page 11 Once a stranger even to us, God became one of us in Jesus, who was crucified because he was different, queer, crazy and dangerous. Because he had weird ideas about justice, and forgiveness and wholeness and goodness, which we couldn't use, or manipulate or control, any more than we could manipulate or control him, though we tried that. But God raised him from the grave, sings the great hymn in .Philippians, and "highly exalted him, giving him the name which is above every name, ·so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." And in doing so, God defeated not only death, but strangeness, and gave us . a new way of liv- ; ing with other people. For the stranger is not the enemy, the stranger is the Christ. "Whenever yo~ do it to anyone o( these, you have done it to me.'! The stranger is the Christ. And we also are "not strangers and aliens, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household, the family," the familias or familiars - of God. Ours is a family which is called to break down the dividing wall_ of hostility; a family in which strangers become brothers and sisters, and joint heirs, with Christ, of the promises and bounty of God. We are called to say to the stranger - not "Go away you frighten me," or "How can I use you?" but "Welcome!" Welcome, beloved child of God, to the family for which Christ died . Catherine of Siena knew that. Were she alive today we would find her in an AIDS hospice, o·r a state cancer-care ward, or off in the back reaches of Bellevue; anywhere society cjumps those people who belong to no one and for whom we can find no "use.'' We would find her caring for them as she cared for the lepers and plague-stricken of her day, as many of the lesbian/ gay community have cared for their AIDS-stricken kin, as families care for those suffering from tenninal cancer. But we would also find her running around in · the institutional church somewhere, trying to get things ,ight and to get folks talking again (as indeed she did with the papacy in exile), putting back together this family which our human sin inevitably sets at odds with itself. For Catherine knew that in welcoming the stranger she was welcoming the Christ, as God had welcomed her, and she also knew that she could only do this in unity and communion with . all her brothers and sisters whom Christ had also welcomed. She knew that it never works to set up a new community of "ex-strangers," with a new definition of "enemies," so that we "outcasts" can become the new "in group," and do to "them" as they have done to "us." Catherine knew that along with "neither male or female, slave or free, Jew or Gentile," there was also no "them" and "us" in God's household. For anytime we crucify, shun or use the stranger in our midst, anytime we make a stranger out of a brother or sister, we crucify, shun and make a stranger of the Christ. Being human, we ·will do this anyway, of course. I John 1:5-2:2 makes eloquent the forgiveness and love which await us when we realize what we have done, and choose to turn away from our darkness and into the light of God's love as we have known and experienced it in Jesus the Christ. For Christ is where our other, more powerful, and true experience of life begins and ends. It is He in whom we who were far off were brought near. His is the power to knock down the walls of division between us, and it is the Christ whose resurrection and risen life among us are pledge and promise that neither life nor death, nor even "the stranger is the enemy" can separate us from the freedom, joy, love and forgiveness which are our heritage as brothers and sisters of Christ and members of the household of God . Excerpted from Outlook, the newsletter of Integrity/New York. Second Stone will run your 30 word classified ad in our next 3 issues for the price of 1 ! $10.50 Our classifieds worl<f Meet a new customer -,or your business ... a new friend in a city you'll be visiting soon ... a new pen pal ... the possibilities are exciting! Second Stone classifieds reach readers in eve,y stale and many foreign countries. Use the order form on the classified page and include classification, months to run and billing address. Ads must be pre-paid. 20 word minimum. Each additional word, 35¢. Ads may be faxed to (504)891-7555. Ads billed must be paid prior to publication. Forhelp call (504)899-4014. No sexually explicit ads. We reserve-the right to refuse any ad for any reason. SecondStone-JanuarylFebruary, 1994 [llj ..................................I..n.P. ..r..i.n...t. .......................... A Quaker Mystery Murder Among F_riends By Diane Coleman Chuck Fager, author. Kimo Press, Falls Church, Va. 1993. Friends ,who mourned the finale of Chuck Fager's A Friendly Letter will be delighted to discover that the quintessential Quaker investigator is back in print, this time in fiction. The December 1 release of Murder Among Friends heralds a new chapter in Chuck's ongoing commentary on the state of the Society. With an intriguing plot that hatches out of a confrontation between a-gay Quaker activist and a "family values" evangelist, Chuck has entertainingly turned his The Country's Most Comprehensive Gay Pride Flag & Gift Center Flags•Lapel Pins•Umbrellas Wall Clocks•Tote Bags•Wind Socks Bumper Stickers & More Wholesale & Retail Six (6) Gay'Pride Flag Designs For a Free Catalog: Call 1-800-854-1438 (24 Hrs • 7 Days) FLAG & BANNER COMPANY · 543 Dumaine Street New Orleans, LA 70116 gifts to the genre of murder mystery. The setting is a Quaker conference appropriately convening in the pacific Shenandoah Valley of Virginia . Weighty Friend Lemuel Penn, an erstwhile Middle East peace mediator, has attempted to mend the breach formed by factionalism among Quakers, framed in terms of a dualism between "evangelicals" and "liberals." In the effort to evade rupture, however, he has betrayed his faith in the process of communal discernment. No real mutual encounter has occurred; narrator William Leddra, a straight Quaker "liberal," and his friend Eddie Smith, leader of the Lavender Friends Alliance, arrive together at the conference to discover that Penn has made nonconsensual arrangements in order to avoid a threatened walkout by the evangelicals. The pair are stunned to discover that a homophobic televangelist has been scheduled as the keynote speaker at the conference, and furthermore, the LFA's visible display has been undiplomatically removed . from its enviably visible assigned location and tossed into the corner. Eddie explodes in an unfriendly rage, and a confrontation with the televangelist ensues. · The one predictable element. of the plot unfolds the next day, when of course the televangelist is found fatally bludgeoned in his dormitory room. Eddie is the prime suspect, and as evidence against him mounts, In the 1960's, Civil Rights activists confronted racism head on as they marched in small Southern towns. In the t990's, let's bring our struggle for human rights to the Bible Belt, where homophobia flourishes. JOIN US in C~ARLQTTNEO,R .T CHAROLINA The Queen City for the NORTH CAROLINA PRIDE FESTIVITIES June 3 - 5, 1994 For more information contact: NC Pride . PO Box 32062 . Charlotte, NC 28232 (ffi_ Sec ond Stone•January/February, 1994 militant nonQuaker gay activists descend upon the valley in defense of their brother. Plot aside, the fact of Chuck's move to fiction is perhaps the greatest surprise for the Friendly reader. His primary purpose of entertaining seems sufficient in itself, and he plainly meets the criteria. His decision to anchor his story in a gathering of Friends and to hinge his plot upon unFriendly conflict over gay presence raises lingering questions which ove,shadow the most avid gay or lesbian Quaker murder mystery fan's interest in light entertainment. Viewed against the back. drop of his years of diligent Friendly reporting and of his respectful acknowledgement of the contributions of-gay and lesbian members to the Society of Friends, what is Chuck now saying about who \ye are and what we are about, as a religious society as a whole and as gay and lesbian Friends in particular? Hanging over the plot of thi.s novel is a seeming absence of divine guidait~ e in the cond,uct of community aifairs, with both polarized constituencies affiliated with sleazy political interestg roups. Yet God is not totally abs~nt. The appearance of the divine d0es not occur ill the predictable r.faces-where Friends or others tend to look;' rather God shews up in the least li.kely place, when least expected. Out of Chuck's st0zy emerge hints of a neo-orthodox understanding of the mysterious and unpredictable otherness of God, the Barthian view of divine action in terms of a verticle intersection into the . horizontal pl'i e of mundane human existence. One strength of such a faith lies in its implicit humility, ·prompting a "live and let live" attitude like that of Chuck's narrator, one not uncommon among "liberal" Quakers and certainly in many ways more congenial to gay and lesbian presence than the attitudes fostered by many other strains of Christian thought. But the perennial question of how we are to discern God's plan for our lives hangs largely unanswered. Amidst hard dilemmas where disagreements cannot be mediated through appeal to the transcendent God's guidance, we can know no either basis for action and must either consent to oppression, or else attempt resistance without the help of God, which is our only real source of strength . In contrast the . liberative task of Friends, gay and lesbian Friends in particular, is precisely that of witnessing to the very nearness, the immanent guiding presence of God manifest in loving hum,m relationships, even, especially, those which emerge outside the reifying structures of society proper; certainty about which • lies of the heart of Quaker faith; empowerment through which we are enabled to speak and to act decisively for justice. ''You have been told what is good and what the Lord requires ot you," coun _seled the prophet (Micah 6:8). But the Quaker characters in thfs novel haven't heard , the m.essage :;:.-.IYfay ·. <?'!,KJ ai,thful · f/Frieqd Fagedeach them; ,an_d one day write us another story about ourselves, a prophetic one that is truly both his and ours. Murder Among Friends is available from the FCC Bookstore, 1-800-966-4556 or from Kimo Press, P.O. Box 1361, Falls Church, VA 22041. Excerpted from Friends for Lesbian and Gay Concerns Newsletter I~ Print, briefly ... A LegaGl uidefo r Lesbiaann dG ayC ouples To address the legal ne.eds of the over 20 million Gays and Lesbians now living in the United States, attorneys Hayden Curry, Denis Clifford, and Robin Leonard have written the new 7th edition of this legal guide. - $21.95a t bookstoreosr ·FromN oloP ress(8, 00)992-6656 RubyfruiMt ountain: A Stonewall ·RiotsC ollection Fans of cartoonist Andrea Natalie will appreciatteh is seconde ditioni n the StonewaRll iotsc ollectionK. risK ovick sayst hat Natalieis "likeG aryL arson on estrogen." • From C/eis Press T In Print . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............... ·• ........................... .............. . New edition of landmark book · is The Homosexual My Neighbor:· A Positive Christian View By Andrea L. T. Peterson Contributing Writer Letha Scanzoni and Virginia Mollenkott, authors. HarperCollins SF; 1994. When it was first published back in the late '70s, ls the Homosexual My Neighbor? was one of only a dozen books . produced by evangelical Christian enclaves addressing the subject of homo sex uality and religion . Of that handful, it was the only one that did not present the "damned" and "doomed" theologies so familiar to Gay s and Lesbians - then and now. In Print, briefly ... Contested Closets - The Politics and Ethics of Outing Author Larry Gross presents a landmark exploration of the ethical and political implications of . this controversial practice. 288 pgs, $44.95, hardcover. · - From the University of Minn~sota Press · • Directory of-Gay, Lesbian ., and Bisexual Publications · This directory provides helpful information on 181 gay and lesbian publications in the United States and Canada. $17.95, includes postage and handling. - From Jim Sorrells, P.O. Box 1946, Guemeville, CA 95446 Gender Dysphoria This book is filled with the most up-to-date information on the clinical management of gender identity disorders. It meets the practical needs of clinical sexologists, psychotherapists, counselors, social workers, physicians, sex researchers and other specialists who evaluate and treat gender dysphoria. ·. , From The Haworth Press Barrack Buddies and Soldier Lovers tn an era ot increased public awareness that gay men_ -and _Lesbians serve in,.the U. S. militaiy, kr:iowledge remains scant bt what their social and sex lives are realty like. This book chal/enges-c!~U_mptiprys-.alid stereo- ' types ol gay and straight men m the military through revealing interviews · with 16 American. Gls, .,alt in. their twenties, stationed in·. and around . Franklur,t, Germany duri~g the 1990s. -from The Haworth Press Scanzoni and Mollenkott had subtitled their book: "Anoth er Christian View." In fact, theirs might have been "the only" truly Christian (i.e. loving) view! While it might not have been the definitive text, it was the best comprehensive-overview of what scripture did - and didn't - say about homosexuality. Examining the thoughHo-be relevant scriptural texts • carefully looking at each in its literary and cultural context - and analogizing the Good Samaritan of. the New Testament to the homosexual of today, the authors demonstrated that homose)IU· ality is .indeed compatiable with Christianity. Since the late '70s, dozens of new books haye · appeared on shelves in gay and lesbian bookstores and in mainstream bookstores. As was true Is The Homosexual My Neighbor, updated and revised back then, a disproportionate number of them condemn homosexuals and homosexuality. A good number, howeve r, share the views of Scanzoni and Mollenkott. The addition is more than welcome. In spite of the gay-positive volumes which now .accompany ls T7ie Homosexual My Neighbor on bookstore shelves; Scanzoni and Mollenkott's is still '"THE" text that most gay and lesbian Christians I know recommend to newly out Christians; to Gays and . Lesbia.11s who want to return to the God of their · childhood but cannot erase years of negative church teachings and internalized condemn a tion and homophobia (self-loathing); and to non-gay friends and family members seeking to better understand the · challenges facing Gays and Lesbians forced to choose between their spirituality and their sexuality, between friends and family and lovers. In spite of the fact that their book has not lost a bit of its relevance, Scanzoni and Mollenkott agreed to revise and update it. The result? The 1994 edition: ls I11e Homosexual My Neighbor: A Positive Christian View. Of the book, says co-author Letha Scanzoni, "It's never gone out of print. It shows there is such a nee d out there." 'The best of everything is still there, " she says of the new volume, but she and Mollenkott reviewed the book "sentence by sentence, paragraph by paragraph" providing "more pertinent illustrations," includ- . ing a previously undisclos ·ecl statement about Mollenkott's homosexuality and Scanzoni's response to that disclosure, and exploring contemporary issues like Gays ·in the military and current anti-gay legislation, and how religion is being used against Gays. Scanzoni and Mollenkott have taken advantage of their own experiences dealing with homosexuality · including their dialogue via letters through which Mollenkott shared her fear of Scanzoni's rejection of her once she disclosed her lesbianism and Scanzoni's assurance that her "going white" upon hearing Mollenkott's words was the result of shock • not rejection . The two very candidly share with ead1 other - and with readers · the details of their struggle - Mollenkott's to come out to Scanzoni and Scanzoni's to reconcile what she intellectually knew about homosexuality, what she had always heard preached about it, and what she knew about the Chri s tian friend she loved and admired. They have also taken full advantage of and incorporated the findings and gay-positive theological reflections generated over the last 15 years or so by scholars like John Boswell. Thus internal reference s are contemporary, end notes are very detailed, and their bibliography is considerably more extensive. The extensive overhaul that Scanzoni and Mollenkott have given Is The Homosexual My Neiglibor cannot be understated. The additions to it ... Scanzoni and Mollenkott's is still 'THE" text that most gay and lesbian Christians I know recommend to newly out Christians; to Gays and Lesbians who want to return to the God of their childhood but cannot erase years of negative church teachings and internalized condemnation and homophobia ... have made it considerably more relevant to the particular spiritual, social, and political challenges facing the gay community today, but what they have done, primarily, is secure the place of the book as 'THE" one significant resource for Gays and straights alike - providing a bigger and better fool-proof "answer to the religious right." Second Stone-January/February, 1994 [ill ~Calendar ..................... • .................................................. . Lutheran AIDS Ne work FEBRUARY 3-5, The 1994 co erence of Lutheran AIDS Network, ~eaturing John Fortunato, will be held lt the Miramar Hotel and St. Paul's! Lutheran Church m Santa M ruca, Calif. For information on the conference, themed "Hope l Healing: The Church in the S cond Decade of AIDS, contact Mich el Posiu:, 1165 Seville Dr.; Padf J' a, CA 94044, (415)359-2710. National Black Ga I and Lesbian Conferen<fe FEBRUARY 17-21,National a d LETTERS, From Page 3 The only people who have o fight and give blood in death are the people who have NOT been [ ashed in the blood of Christ. As Christians, we are c lied to express- the fruit of the spirit. (Galations 5:22-26) We sha I know true Christians by thei fruit. (Matthew 7:16) I am thankful to Robert Goss for wanting the best for all people. Christ wanted the same thing and He gave His life to bring it about. There- UFM CC, From Page 1 the church the morning of th~ earthquake to find that the dome < ver the sanctuary had collapsed and trashed onto Washington Boulevard, taking part of the front wall of the l uilding with it. This is the second time in the 25- year history of MCC-Los Ange es that the congregation has lost a b :iilding. In January, 1973 the proper y then owned by the congregation w, s totally lost in a fire of suspicious origin . ARSENOKOITAIS, From Page 12 (arseno-koitais) who engages in sex with many females. If th e government made a law which would not allow cons~ative religious fundamentalists to marry each other, conservatives co d reasonably argue that the sta e was actually encouraging prom )scuity among religious fundamentalists . By prohibiting marriage to any \ group such as Gays, the elderly andT· riests, the church and the state beco e part of the reason for promiscuity . - Military authorities piomote promiscuity by discouragin · marriage of Marines. Some pla talion owners would not allow thei slaves to marry, yet d egraded th~m for being promiscuous . Homoph 9bes do the same to Gays and Lesbian . The 4th century Christians we e not allowed to marry under Rom law. f 18: Second Stone-JanuaryiFeb , 1994 l' ___ , international participants -from as far away as South Africa will meet at the Meadowlands Hilton in Secaucus, New Jersey, for this seventh annual gathering themed "Black Gays and Lesbians: From Silence to Celebration ... Beyond the 28 D;,ys." For information contact the sp,onsor, the Black Gay and Lesbian Leadership Forum, 1219 So. La _Brea Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90019, (213)964-7820. Annual TEN Weekend FEBRUARY 24-27, The Evangelical Network sponsors its annual conference at Casa de Cristo Evang elical Church in Phoeniz, Ariz . fore, there is no need for Goss .to fight. I recommend the reading of books by Joel S. Goldsmith. This author has brought me a deeper understanding of Christ's teaching . In Christ, Paul Ennis Write to Second Stcme.__All"lefters must be original and signed by the writer. Clearly indicate if your name is to be. withheld, We reserve the right to edit. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 or FAX to (504)891-7555. The congregation purchased another property in downtown Loi, AI1geles, which housed the congregation until 1986 when they purchased the present building in Culver City. Rev. Troy Perry, moderator of the UFMCC, stated in a letter to the entire denomination, "This •is the congregation that gave birth to all of us who are a part of the Universal Fellowship." Perry asked that all churches in the UFMCC contribute to rebuild the home of the historical congregation. A s a result even Augustine had to enter a sexual relationship which was illegal. _ Not only does the homophobic church encourage gay promiscuity but they also destroy many peoples' lives by demanding that Gays marry opposite-sex partners. These clerics inflict years of pain on the gay partner, his or her _spouse and their children. Even Christianty Today refers to such "cur es" as religious "quackery," · Other pastors are almost as hurtful when they demand that Gays must be celibate for the rest of their lives . The Bible says that this is impossible in most cases (Matthew 19:12; I Corinthians 7:9). The church is the only army that shoots its own wounded . The theme .is "Arise, shine, for your light has come." For information contact TEN, PO Box 32441, Phoenix , AZ 85064. Institute of the Son FEBRUARY 28-MARCH 4, The Phoenix Eva_ngelical Bible Instjtute . sponors this week long course in theology facilitat ed by Greg Davis, to be held in conjunction with the annual TEN weekend in Phoenix. For information contact PHEBI, 1035 E. Turney, Phoenix, AZ. 85014, (602)265-2831. Presbyterian Church Coming Out Day MARCH 6, "For All The Saints" is the theme of this day, set aside for coming out in/to/for/with the Presbyterian Church as a lesbian, gay, or bisexual ·Christian or as one who supports the full membership of all persons regardless of.sexual .orientation. For information contact . Rev . Lindsay Louise Biddle, 3538 22nd Ave . So., Minneapolis , MN 55407, (612)724-5429. Black Church National Day of Prayer MARCH 6, The Second Annual Black Church National Day _of Prayer f9r the Healing of .AIDS, i,oordinated by The Balm In Gilead, Inc . This · campaign for a spiritual commitment to fight AIDS calls on the over 500,000 black churches in the United States to set aside this day of prayer. For information call (212)281-4887. PLGC Midwinter Midwest Conference MARCH 11-13, Presbyterians for Lesbian/Gay Concerns is planning its midwinter conference and retreat in the Des Moines area. For information contact Eastern Iowa PLGC, P.O . Box 3202, Iowa City, IA 52244. LGCM Annual Conference APRIL 15-17, London's Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement sponsors its annual conference . St . Alban's · Centre, Baldwin's Gardens, London, is the setting . Keynote speaker is Prof. William Countryman, professor of New Testament, The Church Divinity School of the Pacific and author of Dirt, Greed, and Sex: Sexual Ethics in the New Testament and Their Implicationsfor Today. For information contact LGCM, Oxford House, Derbyshire St., London, UK E2 6HG . Conference of Lesbian, Gaymale, Bise xual and Transgender Seminarians APRIL 22-24, "Finding Our Voices" is the theme for this fourth annual conference to -be held at United , Theological Seminary .oft he Twin Cities, NeW"Brighton, Minn': Dr. Christine M. Smith, UTS professor . and author of Weaving _the Sermon: Preaching in a Feminist Perspective and Preaching as Weeping, Confession, and Resistance; Radical Responses to Radical Evil, is the keynote speaker. The conference is ·a time of prayer, play, and the construction of grassrcots gay theology. For information write to L/ G /BIT Caucus, Uruted Theological Seminary, 3000 5th St. NW, New · Brighton, MN 55112 More Light Churches Conference MAY 7-8, The annual More Light .(Presbyterian) Churches Conference, themed "From Dialogu e to Ministry : A Positive and Practical Approach to This Historical Moment," will be held in Minneapolis. For information, cail . St. Luke Presbyterian Church, · · (612)474-7378 or Dick Hasbany, (503)757-8243. . ConnECtian '94 JULY 1-4, Evangelicals Concerned Western Region sponsors its annual gathering to be held this year at Char.man College in Orange County, Cali . For information write to ECWR; P .O. Box 47501 Denver, .CO 802Q4. Lutherans Concerned National Gathering JULY 14-17, The National Assembly of Lutherans Concerned/North America will be held on the campus of the University of North Carolina in Charlotte. For information .contact LCNA, P.O. Box 10461, Chicago, IL 60610-0461. 1994 GLAD Event AUGUST 12-15, The Gay, Lesbian and Affirming Disciples Alliance will meet at Mercy Center, Burlingame, Calif., for its annual gathering. Facilitators are Cynthia WintonHenry and Phil Porter. ·For information on this Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) event contact GLAD, P.O. Box 19223, Indianapolis, IN 46219-0223, (206)324-6231. - LGCM Retreat NOVEMBER 11-12; England 's Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement sponsors a retreat led by Helen Loder, SSM and -Rev. Malcolm Johnson . Th.is is a unique weekend opportunity of meditative reflection in an affirming community; during which there -will be talks, discus s ions, some silence and lots of relaxation. The Royal . Foundation of St. · Katherine in London is the setting . For information contact LGCM, Oxford House, Derbyshire St., London, E2 6HG, UK. IICCpasmr•head!II, stal! dnnli cauitcil; ~ - ~ HO.Atlm <llll' lifle fifawaiii C<inl'IKill of; Onm:lies; . gaveffuall .~vali Od t 2':!Lw tlie s.el'erli<>n of G'e:w.. fcirc. Bwlil1r<!KL as: mliemnr etLe-mti.\!er ~ - 'IIns;. mads; the mt ~ime .t:Irat-m: sta.fec lrl!ltmru 0f ~clres; &adl@sm.m~:w gay ~ -dual m swdirai ~ , andltftec . fll!sJ!:, time . an-MCC deiigw. J.'Ias; m?:l'.di sw.:&: atll 0Le. Bulfm.cl<. iS:~tm -ef Ee &n.rei;me;. Q · Ke: M0nai MCC inr ffinwlul'm. - Kewi,ngjm, Tqu.dir ~ · · AIDSdines wiffi· . . 'Clinfalr . Mllru . 5,'IfElblF R-lEli&Si;, aH 0penli}.? g,a.y d~ wiitli. AliD$, , was r amongai cwzm~le.ufe!si w;Jw midi:~ witm R'resid\mli 'Cfinto:n; amli Vi're Fl!esu.fentt' A1I ~11e. as; t!reo · F.tesidemt ~aired fmr Wo~d AIDS ITaw- Rev,. Ff~ ,, the . onLy ii.wifed! ~ wlia is. HFW0 £W5ili'le,. is; Frefdi Efuecio:ir. 0£ MOS l'ffims.tl)r fw the l!Imv.e!!SiJlj E'ellawsmp <lfMelimJ!mlimm Comnumity; Cmml'ies.;.. 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Angeles in L~ tfre l'.lnny Eillli,,w;smp CTmn:bi m0.vement : seek£ to, .mfum the, digmliy 0:£ }1'.E!DPl'e of-croln in tfre [es&i.m;. gil¥' r bisexual ami: - tiiransgen:~~ cl\ ' ~rmmm.ifie5l ~are~ lielii -m kchapel\ of tlielli•~Onmm at Zimcand::G Slsc,. lillMIL- BlK kw dumbuifdng dedM. illed1 intWi'cmCa .iWI.CHII'.A. I'IUtISE Mffli WT81Smp Ca!teE: ~ .i f.Sfsecmvi.amivtts. my with tfie dmmatiew _0f a; ne.w buifdi'n&;I€!Cllfed'al2al9'E 1Llnrzolnin ~ Kin,sas,- Plaqiamfdlumll ~ as cammunilJ'anter li.Ol'm 000H: MCc;. B'@yds.JRuwfe , ~and,. finishetfcci~ at' a, new mmrm lmirl;liimg that wilE serve as; tlire gay /Iesbialm commw:ufy cente,r f0l'"11£1Feit Montg .omay Cbun ,- fy . Pasi'm.ed:fi¥ Rev.. K'e!'I'.~ the dmmi l'tat!.,52 ~ami acc,mr.. ¢i'med Uteir&uilamg:~ . in five, yeam. lrnf diJlllfi!dfln:hurch M -~GFR ~ y; .mnafed fo fiiICCOmaia;, llk&., tiw@ tots; _. jffllDJlff fltecchmch "s; properly. ll..asl . f'ulF tlie!ccongt:eg,alian cefebllated' their £mt anniv~ in lilieir , ,present: . cbmcb ~ Then;, in the firm daJfs-of August . a, compi'efe strange,, wail:et:l intn the church amt as.Iced. R'ev. ·Mallhe.w ffuwam ii the d'tmm w-1d aECl!pi: t&e ~ · ofrtfefwo. va£anf.IotS' . - Keepi,,:g. im Yc,cuili, Pcnalagemay,dcile &THE PARSON>AGE;. an E'pi5€0pai minisuy, fo Sim ~s; g;iy aid resmarn caRIIIIUJmY', nta¥' €flilSe'aE:c.:ordmg : t a<. an -ti' fmm the o.ga.iiizaiimkfi!mmon.dmeclms;. wm claim '"senl!Jll&.ffdigue' and- .need fi>ir. fresarttuops,.- A~ Wil5I swd-W: ed m lil~ to d'etemtine- the: fate,,oj_Tfre,Y.usanage . Callfiifpapn: MJR. f~ T: ~ amlt Ur.: Waifei!c!L Wiffiams;haveramwom.:ed a: .:ailli fur fi'llFIS! fm!Ri corrsilli'ereel foir their f~mmg-b00k 0 .Comnatrmg Honmplwlliw :nui£ H'der11serismz: Affiium,· ii,;g: lllig,rifyi amt. Ilive f siityt Tl'Te, hook as.s.embles l'eadin-gc sdro:l.us;, i;wacli:tmners,, amtartivists ' t11 assist pe~ m acvametty oidiiferent :pm"' fessi01Tai/ fiei'ds, and. the- fes.mant' ga.y b&is.exuai. oommlmillj, to d'e.v.~ and impfemem: edmaoonall. pelilKaf. media. mr S0lli:al strat.egresu mcli ma;-. feria:l's_ tfiati_· ha!_· .ve J?fflVefl! erfedive in €001&ating.l'wmop~amhllimung; dm!Sity .c Fm: infmmatfo.111· contact Pi!0L James r 1". Serurs, ITept. of Edu,.. canilll'illil E.ead.eJ!sliliip and • P'aiiries.i, Wani1aw llD,, Uruicersily oi · S'@alh ~ Gll:uml!nai, SC Nltl81, FAX (~-3M& Th,adlme-.£m;propasals, js, Mmft; 1'5, I9IJ4.. Qilmr,paet,y &~t. ~ isrlremg:accef1led fu. the W'es.tem P'tJellry' /'isSEJCia,liforns. 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TF A GAY DIARY 1975-1982 by Donald Vining is the latest in the series of intimate, personal diaries of which critics have said, "Unquestionably the richest histori-cal document of gay male life in the United States" "The fairly detailed look at the day :to-day development of a· 'long,term' gay couple· relationship is only one valuable aspect .of this intriguing chronicle. 11 · · 0 Humo~. narrative sense, interest in the foibles .of others. Deep honesty." · 474 pages. paperback $11.95 I1erd.cover $16.95. Also available A GAY DIARY 1946-1954 $9.95 and $14.95, 19_54-1967 paperback ·only, $9.95, 1967- 1975, $11.95 and $16.95. _The PepyS-Press, 1270 Fifth Avenue, . New York, NY 10029 6194 . _Employment A SMALL NON-DENOMINATIONAL community church in beautiful .East Texas is is need of a pastor to lead its congregation. The church's prj_mary mi))istry is to people .of alternate life styles. The candidate must be of high moral character ; professionally trained,and ordained. For further information please send letter or inquiry to ·saint _ Gabriel Community Church; 13904 CR 19.3; Tyler, TX 75703 or call_ (903)581-6923. 2/94. EXPERIENCED CHRISTIAN Bimale seeks job as Church Sexton, Gardener; Janitor or Maintenance -Ma11._at church, camp, or Other institution. Would prefer Northwestern U.S. · · and Canada. Contact ·Joe Nolan, 1750 Hwy 126-Box 163,' Florence, OR 97439. 4/94 JFrie 'nds/Relationship•s .' EV ANGELICAL CHRISTIAN GWM, 41, seeks friends to share faith and fun; perhaps , relationship. Please write so _we can begin our friendship. Thanks! P.O. Box 68005, Rochester. NY 14618. 2/94. CHRISTIAN GWM, 42, would like to correspond ("pen pal," as it were) with Christian gay and lesbian contemporaries (40 lo 55). James R Bates, 28E. 16 St., #301, ln<lianaohlis, IN 46202 2/94 LONELY PRESBYTERIAN - M/W/Bi/M, 55 yrs., 5'5", 170 lbs .• Gardener-maintenance experienced seeks male and female bisexuals for pen pals and more.· I'm sensitive, virile and crossdresser. 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I'm 5'9", blonde /blue, mustache , financially /emotionally secure, educated, and a Christian minister and an electrical 120Se)co ndS tone•January/February1, 994 (_< _, ------------------7 Classified Order Form Please place my ad in these I issues: [ J Jan/Feb [ J Mar/Apr \ [ J May/Jun [ J Jul/Aug 1 FOR ONLY Name__________ [)Sept/Oct [)Nov/Dec I · Address __________ _ 35¢ per word, mty1st.1zip______ cLASsIFicATioNs : your classified ad will [ J Books, & Publications . i reach readers from AD COPY_________ [ J Business Opportunities I Sitka, Alaska to_ ---- ------- - -------- [ J Employment l Amherst, Maine and _________ , [ l Friends/Relationships I I- everywhere in between. ----------- [ J General Interest I 1 1 Business or personal... --------------------- [] Mail Order ~ ----------- [ J Merchandise I I try a Classifieda d in _ . words X _351 = $ [ J Organizations I 1 our next edition! ------ [ ] Pro"ess,·onal Servi·ces 1 1 ·, 20 word minimum. All classifieds " 1 Mail To: must qe pre-paid. Deadline one month [ J Real Estate I I Second Stone prior to cover date. We wimlla il you a [ l Retreats : 1 Box 8340 copy of the edition(s) in .which your ad [ ]Roommates 1 l New Orleans, LA 70182 appears [ ]Travel I I · . I -------- ------------------------ ~------------- -------- - - engineer. I own a big house -on the RusSian River, but travel nationally. You are probably 25-45, GWM, tall, masculine, drug-free, a "leather/levi. 11 11cowboy," construction worker or blue-collar type looking for love and adventure. Send letter and pi.cture to Mark Shirilau, P.O. Box 32, Villa Grande, CA 95486 6194 General Interest . ·• . . . NEW YORK CITY GAY Spirit-filled Christian group no,v forming for support, fellowship, Bible study, and worship. Ultimate goal is to start new Christ-centered .church. Call Kevin at (718)267-0773 6/94 Mail Order .. · CREM"ATION URNS: - Introducing the Lambda-Pride f.lrn. Celebrate Life with an um that_ reflects personality and style . . Call for free _brochure. Lifestyle Urns 1-800-685-URNS. 8/95. Organizations THE LOVING BROTHERHOOD has served the spiritual gay community since 1977. We do care! TLB, P.O. Box 556ST, Sussex, NJ 07461. 2194. . BE A RELIGIOUS BROTHER /SISTER while remaini~g. at home and choosing your own ministry. Join Our Christian, ecumenical, inclusive network. Write- to ·Mercy _of God Community, Dept. SS, P.O. Box 6502 . Providenc e, RI 02940 4/94 ' \/.ideas · . "MAYBE WE'RE TALKING About a Different God" A half-hour video documentary on Rev. Jane Spahr, and her call to the Downtown Church in Rochester : protested and brought to trial. Shows how confusion and fear can be transformed into understanding and compassion. · VHS tape and discussion guide. Send $32.35 to Leonardo's Children. Inc., 26 . Newport Bridge Rd., Warwick, NY 10990. See the dassified ad SPECIAL OFFER in this issue! REAL WAR, From Page 14 details about how to fight this battle , The word a)so is Jesus, and as our great high priest He makes intercession for us. Stay in the.word. Those who meditate on it day and night prosper. · Fifth, we havefasting . Some kinds .of oppressors only leave by prayer and fasting. The -fast that delights God is not one to stop those "reprobate minded heathens," but one whose purpose is to set the captives free. (Isaiah 58:6-8) Sixth, we have Jove. The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit The love of God casts out all fear. The love of God never fails. Determine to walk in love. Owe no one anything but to love one another. In love the law is fulfilled, Finally, let's set our heart to walk in unity with the body, agreeing on the 'essentials. If our hand of friendship is extended, we're not judged or at fault if it is rejected. Paul said that some of the Corinthians were sick, and some died prematurely because they had a wrong attitude toward the body. Be not overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good, Confound Satan's plans by making God's plans active in your life. We have the name of Jesus, and that name is above any other name Used against us. Let's appropriate the things God gives us and see what victories lie ahead. God bless the body. · Rev. Samuel Kader is tlte Senior Pastor and. co-founder of Community Gospel Church in Dayton, Ohio. He is the founder of Reconciliation MCC in Grand Rapids, Michigan , and pastored other MCC churcltes in Dayton, Ohio and _MelbourneA, ustralia. . ARE YOU · OVING? . The Post Office i,ill not forward· The Second Stone_ You must notify us for uninterrupteds erviceif you move. Please notify us four weeks in advance for uninterrupted delivery. Send bOth Old and new addresses . !f possible attach mailing la_bel in space provided. · PRINT NEW ADDRESS ~·- $ ~ ~ ~ ~ Seiid completed form to: THES ECONDS TONE 8ox8340 NewO rleansL, A 70182 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 Second Stone #32 - Jan/Feb 1994 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/551b8752c4a00b8eafd71756a02c75c7.pdf 6a24110e32dd5cec73f7f2ea67735d67 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 Second Stone Description An account of the resource Issues of the Second Stone publication. Issue An issue of a recurring publication. Issue Number The number of the issue (within a volume) 33 Publication Year The year the issue was published 1994 Publication Date The date the issue was published Mar/Apr 1994 Text Any textual data included in the document OOR SIXTH YEAR MARCtVAPAIL, 1994 ISSUE 133 ~Suicide ends saga of troubled gay Episcopal priest B Y THE VOICE OF INTEGR I TY Early Sunday morning, September 19, 1993, the Rev. Herbert G. McCarriar, Jr., of Coudersport, Penn. jumped to his death from the ninth floor of a hotel in Williamsport, Penn. McCarriar was vicar of Christ Church, Coudersport and a mission in Brookland, Penn. He ·was a pastor with a reputation for "sticking his SEE SUICIDE, Page 16 - ... ~v:" ..,-,:.~""" • ,_~;:,;- · ' _ SUBSCRIBE NOW ONE Trad1\1onal Values Preachers THROWING STONES FROM A GLASS HOUSE FAMILY VALUES or . DIRTY LAUNDRY? BY JOHNN Y TOWNSEND cause : Now, we.'re not . ., .~.,... · . ., •.;' . ; . :' ;.. . :- · _ 1,iarsc l:,uJ if wtdici .~toop ~Qi , their ~tr:ategy,,here's how i . it would go. : Ed Note: For th e benefit of first time readers, S econd Stone is a Christi an newsjourna l that affirms the val ue and digni ty of gay and lesb ian peo• pie. Th is arti cle, written to expose the strategy of the right wing, is satirically written. T he rallying cry of "family v alues" to fight against g ay privilege is far too late in getting started . Families are, after all, the main re ason God ·condemns Gays and Lesbians, because they not only are incapable of the love necessary to strengthen families, but they are also act ively seeking lo destroy other people's families. They divorce their spouses in order to "come out" and live a life of hedonistic pleasur e, ab andoning th e ir spouses and their children . They bre ak their parents' hearts by flagrantly leaving the fold of God and P. 0. Box8340 New Orleans, IA 70182 Address Correction Requested blatantly throwing it in their par ents' faces. And they generally support abortion rights, endorsing the literal killing of millions of unborn children e very yea r . We must stand up against Gays and Lesbians and wake Americ a up · to th e impo rtan ce of family valu es . . Think of the strength and love of Mississippi parents Albert and Helen White, who when their son started hint ing he might be gay, nipped the sin in the bud. "If I had a son who was gay," Helen said, "I hope he'd never tell me ." Albert stood up for the family even more strongly. "I'd rather hear my son was dead than that he was gay," he said. Their son slit his wrists two w eeks later, proving the neces sity of their ha rd line stance. Only Gays would be so anti-family as to try to destroy it through the grave sin of suicide. Gays ancf Lesbians, despite their obvious attempt to gain special rights by denying rights to Christians, are trying to pretend they only want equal rights . Two women in Florida, Clara N. and Deanna S., even went to the expense of adopting a child from Korea in order to pretend to be a family . Cl ara and Deanna, rather than have families of their own, had been living togeth~r in despicable sin for ov er 15 y ears before they de cided to adopt this innocent child . to further th eir political agenda. After two years, they applied at a local zoo for a family pass and were denied. Then SEE COVER STORY,Page 14 BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID NEW ORLEANS, LA PERMIT No. 511 T , From the Editor T ....... . ...................... . Get the words right for those dirty deeds By Jim Bailey An idea occurred to some youth at a gathering of the Southern Baptist Convention a couple of years ago and it has since caught on in some oth er denominations. "True Love Waifs" is a program in which young people make a commitment not to engage in sexual intercourse until they marry. It's unconv entional thinking a_mong adolescents and I admire those who are giVJng this some'!hought. Of course, this is talk show material. People seem genumely surprised that there are teenagers out there who, m spite of a barrage of sexual imagery in the media and entertainment, have not mastered walking orgasm . This one earticular talk show pitted the True Love Waits kids against the back-0f-the-bus crowd. One teenage boy kept glancing rather lustfully at the · TLW girls and said, no, he hadn't signed up for True .Love Waits . He wantea to keep his options open. Very open, as in right after the show, maybe. Then the show got confusing. Words like celibacy, fidelity, monogamy, fornication, and so on, got thrown around and . suddenly no one was speaking a common lijnguage anymore . It was much like being with a . gay /lesoian group when ihose same words pop up. Most of these misused words describe some condition relating to marriage in the traditional sense and cannot really accurately be applied to gay and lesbian relationships. _ Monogamy does not have to do with sex. It literally means "one marriage." It can mean one marriage for a lifetime, in which case even very few heterosexuals could be considered monogamous, or-it can mean one marriage at a time . Monogamy is therefore not the best word to use to describe a relationship (unmarried) involving exclusive sexual partners. Celibacy is the state of not being married or of having made a-vow not to . marry. Only by extension of this definition does it mean abstaining from sexual intercourse (because the celibate person is not married and therefore should not have sex.) Celibacy bests describes a person in relation to marriage, not sex. Fornication also has to do with marriage . It describes sexual intercourse .between people other than a married couple. Fornication is sex outside of marriage. (AIi gay and lesbian sexual intercourse in any country that does not recognize gay marriage is therefore fornication.) Adultery is sexual intercourse with som~ne oth er than the . marriage partner. If a married partner has sexual intercourse with a single person, the married person has committed adultery and the single person may be said to have engaged in fornication. · Most of these words describe some condition relating to marriage , which does not include, in any part of the ·U .S., gay and lesbian committ ed relationships. If a gay man or lesbian is waiting for love before engaging in sexual .intercourse, does the word chaste describe their situtationT It might, but ·only if the individual had not previously engaged in same-genaer sex activity in a state which has laws prohibiting such . Being chaste means being mnocentof unlawful sexual intercourse . . l\ny gay or heterosexual person abstaining from sexual intercourse outside of a commited relationship (or marriage) can be said to be practicing fidelity to that condition . A gay or lesbian person who has sexual intercourse with only the person to whom he or she is committed is also practicing fidelity. (But the act of sexual intercourse would best be aescribeO, in countries wher e ga7 marriage is not legally recognized, as fornication.) Fidelity is the state o being faithful . to something which one is bound by pledge. (Marr ied heterosexuals practicing fidelity may also be said to be mon~amous.) There will be a pop qui z on this later. Thanks for the very i!ood response to our reader survey in this past issue. w •• ,"'."""'°'" ~,,.,,. <2------------~ SECOND STONE Newsjoumal, ISSN No. 1047-3971, is published every other month by Bailey Communications, P. 0 . Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182. Copyright 1994 by Second Stone, a registered trademark. SUBSCRIPTIONS ; U.S.A. $15.00 per year, six issues. Foreign subscribers add $10.00 for postage. All payments U.S. currency only. ADVERTISING, For display advertising information call{504)891-7555 or write to P.O. Box 8340,-New Orleans, LA70182. · EDITORIAL, .send letters, calendar announcements, noteworthy items to (Department title) Second Stone. P.O. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182. Manuscripts to be returned should be accompanied by a stamped, self addressed envelope. Second Stone is otherwise not responsible for the return of any material. SECOND ~TONE, a national ecumenical Christian social justice newsjoumal with a specific out~each to sexual orientation minorities. PUBLISHER/EDITOR: Jim Bailey CONTRIBUTORS FOR THIS ISSUE: Rev . Rich a rd B. Gilbert , Rev . Dr. Buddy Truluck. Johnny Town send ~J Second Stone-March/April, 1994 THE NA flONAL ECUMENICAL CHRISTIAN NEWSJOURNAL FOR LESBIANS, GAYS AND BISEXUALS Contents ......... ... . ..... ~ ....... .. . rn [[] From The Editor You're definitely not monogamous Letters/Commentary When you don't like it, but you can~ leave it !fl Newslines Liu - 1117 .The Last Supper · L!!J The first communion, by Rev. Dr. Buddy Truluck • Communication Ministry / I 7. / A safe place for gay Catholic nuns, ~ brothers and priests - . . Love Will Find a Way · . The door was open for coming out Cover Story The propaganda of "family values" \ 16 \ The Death of Fr. McCarriar In Print Andrew, You Died'Too Soon , · Reviewed by Rev . Richard Gilbert •'181· Calendar L!QJ I 19 I Noteworthy 120 I Classifieds :comment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ................ . • ... Like it or leave it : By Johnny Townsend · Guest Comment N ow that I am out of the Mormon Church (I asked to be excommunicated), why do I still care what the Church believes? A Latter Day Saint friend smugly asked me why, if I was comfortable with my : life, did I feel a need to justify myself : to the Church. He said, "Nobody is forcing you to be affiliated with the . Church," but this is, in fact, my point, : that I am forced into affiliation. How . can I not be affiliated when my parents, sister, grandmother, and two sets of aunts, uncles, and cousins are members? How can the position of : the Church have no effect on me : when not only my family but several : of my friends are also LOS? Besides, Church membership is more than an "affiliation." It is a deeply embedded way of life. One doesn't change one's life overnight : the way one can change clothes or - dye one's hair. Wheri I moved to : Italy for my mission, culture shock : lasted almost a year. When I moved back to America (my homeland, for goodness' sake), it lasted six months as I adjusted all .over again. I would : suggest that changing a physical : environment, while it can cause major : adjustment problems, is not nearly _ the traumatic event that changing one 's internal environment, one'.s belief system and program for life, is. Even today, ten years after my return from Italy, I can't watch a movie sef in that country without feeling a very , deep sense of longing. Simple : watching Greystoke, about an English: man being torn between Africa and : England, · makes me miss Italy : deeply, and I was only in Italy two years, versus fifteen years in the Church. So to claim that I am not forced into affiliation with the Church, when all my family, some of my friends (all of them at one time in my life), and my past and my insides are I am affiliated for life to an unjust organization, and I have a right and a duty. to say so. all deeply connected to the Church, to me is not a sound argument. Further, I feel a strong ki1)ship with other gay Mormons. Even if I'm happy where I am, does this mean I have no obligation to help the many thousands of people who are going z._f;!;.( Pontius' Puddle 0 through the incredible agony I experienced for years? Don't I have a moral obligation to lessen their suffering? "If you don't like the Church, leave it and be done with it." This is in many respects the same argument avplied to anyone who protests any policy of the U.S. government. Because I don't thirik blacks should sit at the back of the bus, rather than say this is wrong or try to do anything about it, I should just move to France or Japan and leave the oppressed blacks in their predicament. Rather than protest the abuse of the environment, I should move to New Zealand and let the Americans destroy the countryside . Leaving without trying to make things better hardly seems like the most noble goal in the world. As long as I'm happy in Hawaii, I can let the people in the Love Canal toxic -waste dump suffer. To try to help them would prove I didn't really like living in Hawaii after all. So, in response to _my friend's YourTum unasked but hinted at question, no, I don't really feel deep inside that I'm· sinning, that the Church really is right after all. I care what the Church - says about Gays because I _ want to make life easier for myself by not being condemned by friends ' and family, or if not condemned, pitied, and to make life easier for other gay Mormons. Of course, life isn't supposed to be easy. Or fair. So I guess then it's okay to refuse women the right to vote. And blacks the right to an education. They're supposed to suffer, aren't they? Certainly, we have to accept that there are injustices in the world, but I'm not convinced God doesn't want · us to do anything about them, for fear we might make life too easy for someone. Let's leave it up to him to decide what problems we need to face. We don't need to create or condone man-made suffering on anyone. I am affiliated 'for life to an unjust organization, and I have a right and a duty to say so. ..._ ............................ ........... " ................................ . Brooklyn, New York Cancel his subscription Dear Second Stone, A few days ago I received the first issue of a gift subscription to Second Stone. I have rarely been so irritated by so many instances of bad grammar, misused words, wrong word breaks and general editorial sloppiness. By the time I had read the first two pages, I had given up. Examples? In the editorial on page one, "But beyond that, and more importantly, conferences ... " What you undoubtedly mean is: ''But, beyond that, and [it is) more important, conferences ... " As to misused words: · "taught hair net." Surely the word is "taut." Word breaks? It is "reli-gion" not "rel-igion," "knowl-edge," not "know-ledge." And on and on and on. And in addition, my name is incorrectly spelled on the mailing label. I do not know why I was sent a gift subscription. However, I do know that I have absolutely no interest in receiving your m~gazine. Sincerely, AMS Albuquerque, New Mexico Editorial appreciated Dear Second Stone, I wanted to take a moment to let you know that the editorial [Weak Faith and Voice From Many Gay and Lesbian Churches and Organizations] in the last issue touched me very much: It was full of tilings that I have said myself and I believe it was right on . I am pastoring a new independent work here in Albuquerque . We have about 30 or 35 who are in some stage of association with us and have found a wonderful building to rent. Much of the ministry that God has done through me in the past has been Bible teaching and leading in praise and worship on worship team~. -We have already assembled a worship team and are working on contemporary Christian music with those wonderful soaring harmonies. We are taping all of the services, and are investigating duplication services so that we can have solid Biblical teaching available for others. We even have space in the building for a bookstore. Church is fun again! Blessings in Christ, Pmnela ·white Write to Second Stone. All letters must be original and signed by the writer. Clearly indicate if your name is to be withheld. We reserve the right to edit. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 or FAX to (504)891-7555. , Seoond s~,";"~M,;,_c_h/_A_p_ri_l,-1-994__._[I] News Lines ·~• . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . · Openly gay Episcopal deacon ordained in Pennsylvania · 6.DESPITE THE PRESENCE of about a dozen ·protestors, the Rev. James B. Robertson, an openly gay man, was ordained to the vocational diacortate at St. Asaph's Episcopal Church in Bala Cynwyd, Penn. Robertson has lived in a committed relationship with another man for over 20 years. Speaking at the point in the service where obj~ctions may be rais ed, the Re v . David Moyer, rector of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Rosemont, Penn., told the ordaining bishop, the Rt. Rev. Allen L. Bartlett, Jr., that "you will hurt the Diocese of Pennsylvania if you do this." Moyer and four laymen who spoke claimed that the ordination was an "illegal act" that would flout the "discipline of the Church." Bartlett respondea that the "compassion of Christ and the compassion of the church encompass both you and what we do here today." - The Vorce of Integrity Gay Lutheran pastor defrocked 6.P ASTOR ROSS MERKEL of St. Pa.ul Church in Oakland, Calif., has been ordered "removed from the ordained ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, effective March 25, 1994" by a church discipline committee. Members of the congregation are expected to defy the committee's order. As a result of publicly commg out to his congregation iriJune of 1993, Bishop Lyle Miller brought formal charges against Merkel on December 15, 1993 citing the constitution of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America: "Practicing homosexual persons are precluded from the ordained ministry of this churcb." As a gay man in a committed relationship, Merkel has been charged with "conduct incompatible with the character of the ministerial office." "I'm not angry and I'm not afraid," said Merkel. "I feel as if my life is more complete and tli.at I have fewer barriers to maintain, because now there is no great secret to protect. All of that energy is freed up for more productive things." - Mvent Gay pro-life group commemorates Roe v. Wade 6.TWELVE MEMBERS of the Pro-Life Alliance of Gays and Lesbians joined 50,000 other pro-life activists on January 21 for the 20th Annual March for Life commemorating the announcement of Roe v. Wade on January 22, 1973. The PLAGAL marcliers, one woman and eleven men, came from Boston, D.C., Philadelphia, . and central Pennsylvania. "I feel like I stick out like a sore thumb in the gay community," said Donna Marie Kearney, a lesbian member bf. PLAGAL, wfien interviewed by Bay Windaws. "So I pretty much stay away from gay events. I just won't get involved with groups that aren't consistent with my views against violence ·in all £.irms. I. won 't stand with fundamentalist ~hnstians who are opposed to gar, rights, and !'won't stand there and support Lesbians who are pro-abortion . ' THe group was joined by a 20-year-old l$ay man who was unaware of PLAGAL. He had prepared a gay-oriented sign a.nd boarded a bus to witness his support as a pro-life gay man, expecting to be the only one. Rally speakers refrained from remarks even . possibly homophobic, a distinct and welcome imfrovement over some past years, according to PLAGAL members. Straigh pro-lifers were generally friendly and encouraging, asking about information on PLAGAL and shaking hands . Concerned Women for America was reported in the D.C. media to the "proud to work with pro-life homosexuals." Janet Parshall, assis tant to the president of CWA, stated, "We would welcome them with open arms. If their singular cause is pro-life, we'd march anytime, anywhere with them." For information on P'CAGAL, contact the group at P.O. Box 33292, Washington, · DC 20033, (202)223-0697. Philippine cardinal condemns condom use 6.CARDINAL JAIME SIN, the Catholic archbishop of Manila and the most ·. influential religious official in the Philippines has declared that health authorities who promote contraception are "evil" and that young people shouldn't believe that condoms can prevent transmission of HIV. "Do not be deceived by those who say that sexually transmitted diseases can be stopped by external devices and gadets," Sin said. "Man-made devices are bouna to fail." - Outlines Accommodations, AfDSJHIV rasourcu, bars, bookstoraa, various bualn...,.., hNhh care, legal =~~=-=~'::Jn':":■:'.::.• nlg&ou. groups, awttchboarda, theraptata, travel agents, & . 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NY 10014-0292 (212)674-0120 [IJ Second Stonc-Marcli/April, 1994 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rev. Phelps to become Gov. Phelps? CiREV. FRED W, PHELPS, SR., who has made a name for himself by picketing the funerals and memorial services of gay men who died of AIDS and berating thei_r families and friends for supporting "fags," said last week that he will decide. w1thm a month whether to launch a full blown campaign for the Dem_ocratic nomination for governor of Kansas in the August primary election. Phelps, an unsuccessful candidate for the Democratic nomination for governor of Kansas in 1990 and U.S. Senator in 1992, filed a statement Jan . 6 with the •commission on Governmental Standards and Conduct naming the treasurer of his candidate committee. Phelps called his fellow nomination candidates "three blind mice, stumbling around out there looking for an issue; they're three peas in a pod on these fag-loving, baby-killing issues." - Southern Vorce No blessings for gay relationships, says N. C. diocese CiNORTH CAROLINA EPISCOPALIANS turned down a proposal to ask the national church to create a blessing ceremony for gay and lesbian relationships. The clergy voted _73-57 against a _resolution asking for such ntes. To be approved, tfie resolution needed a ma1oritv of both the clergy and lay delegate groups at the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina's 178th annual convention. When the reso1ution failed among the clergy, the lay members did not vote. - Associated Press Vatican blasts statements about Pope and HIV t-.VATICAN OFFICIALS have sharply criticized an Italian television personality for suggesting that Pope John Paul may have been infected with HIV as a result of a blood transfusion when he was shot in an assassination attempt in 1981. Mino Damato said during an Italian TV program that the Pope had developed a virus "often associated with HIV and AIDS su fferers." Joaquin Navarro-Valls , the Vatican's chief spokesperson, said it had been reported at the time that Pope John Paul had contracted cytomegalovirus during a 1981 transfusign and that it was hardly news and that the infection is not restricte\i to people with HIV. "It appears to me that to f'resent these facts now as news, whlle talking about another sickness that is clinically ... different, is superficial and forced," said Navarro-Valls. "It is deplorable to formulate, wifh regard . to someone who has the right to b.e respected, diagnostic hypotheses based on presumptions:, especially by.someone who does not have the scientific credentials to do so . - Outlines Chicago p~rish leaves Episcopal Church over gay issues t-.THE REV. WILLIAM BEASLEY, Rector of the Church of the Resurrection in West Chicago,. and his wife Anne, the parish's deacon assista _nt'. asked Bishop Frank Griswold of Chicago to release them from their ordination vows because they could "no longer in good conscience" be in communion with the bishop as the ecclesiastical authority of the diocese. The ·Beasleys said . that they made the request because of Griswold's sympathetic stance on the participation of homosexuals in the life and ministry of the diocese. By allegedJy reducing biblical authority to an advisor[ statu ·s in order ''.to sanction the ordination and sustaining in ministry o priests who practice homosexuality," the bishop and the diocese, they charged, have abandoned the church's historic faith and doctrine. In . a separate letter, Resurrection's vestry announced they would also disassociate themselves from the diocese. - The Vorce of Integrity ELCA sexuality study director may be considered for bishop . 6.DELEGATES TO THE Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's 1994 Sierra Pacific Synod convention will choose from 17 men and women who have agreed to have their names put forward as bish op candidates. Among the names: Karen Bloomquist, who headed up the task force that produced the controversial first draft of the ELCA's statement on sexuality. Bloomquist will probably not be seen as a serious candidate, accordin_g to Advent, but she may end up as a spoiler if she divides the vote of the small but determined group of delegates that has already decided to "vote for a woman, no matter what." Eliminate Gays by genetic engineering, says former religious leader t-.LORD JAKOBOVITS, a former leader of Britain's Orthodox Jews, has called for genetic engineering to eliminate the homosexual orientation ·. "If we could, by some form of genetic en!$ineering, eliminate these trends, we should, as long as it is done for theral?,euhc purpose." He calls Gays "unnatural" and equates homosexuality with 'stealing, adultery and murder.'' Other Jewish leaders have resoundingly condemned Lord )akobovits for his remarks including Rabbi Stephen Howard, head of Britain's Union of Liberal and Pr~ressive Synag~ues. - Cruise QUOTABLE "You have radicals in your group, too. They painted the word 'faggot' all over my house." - Lou Sheldon, when asked about anti-choice extremists who have murdered doctors who perform abortions ·News Lines ~ .................................. . Seminary sponsors ex-gay training t.THE 1RINITY_ SCHOOL for_ Ministry in Ambridge, Penn., the Episcopal Churchs most right-wmg semmary, recently conducted training for-persons "to minister to the sexually broken," including Gays, Lesbians and survivors of sexual abuse. To meet what.it calls "the urgent need" for such training, -Trinity sponsored its '_'Living Waters Leadership School" in January. This 1s beheved to be the first such course at a semmary of any mainstream denomination in North America. Trinity's dean and president, the Rt Rev. William C. Frey, has long been associated with so-called ex-gay n1inistries. The program, called "Living Waters Sexual Redemption in Christ," was devised_oy Andrew Comiskey, 35, a self-proclaimed ex-gay now married with four children, and a pastor of the Vineyard Christian Fellowship in Santa Monica, Calif., an independent evangelical church. - T7ze Voice of Integrity · Gay organist forced to resign from Presbyterian Church t.ROBERT PLIMPTON, an internationally known organist who has played the pipe organ at San Diego's First Presb:,,terian Church for 11 years, has resigned because of recent decisions by church elders. In a Jetter to the 1,100-member congregation, the church's ruling body declared that there is no place at First Presbyterian for employees wno participate in, endorse or support "deviant sexual behavior such as fornicahon and homosexuality." "I was not closeted.," PJimpton said, "but... I also have a very strong conviction that anY.one who claims Christ as their personal Savior has a place in the church . ' - Union-Tribune . Half of wars waged have a religious root . ·t,ABOUT HALF OF the 50 wars waged every year throughout the world . have a religous background, reports a recent survey by the Development and Pea·ce Foundation in Bonn, Germany . . Lutheran World Inf_ormatwn reports · · that the survey shows that most religiously motivated conflicts began m the . 1990s·. The longest lasting are the religiously motivated conflicts in the ·: Middle East and Northern Ireland. Durmg the past year, wars based on ·religion broke out in Afghanistan, Tadzhikistan and India. Religions in the Asian successor states (such as Tadzhikistan) of the former Soviet Union are _particularly "ethno-nationalist" in character . The reseachers state that religious tensions are often related to the "existential conflicts" leading to war. "The meaning of life seems to be threatened, and thus religiously motivated wars are often fought in a more obdurate, unrelenting and brutal \YBY than , 0"1ers." --. B.eligion Wat cit · · Lutheran staffer with AIDS comes out, resigns t,PHIL KNUTSON, an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America staff member at churchwide offices in Chicago, was recently diagnosed with AIDS and .has .resigned his position . At the same time he came out to his co-workers as a gay man. Knutson, was has been HIV positive for seven years, said, "It is , :somewhat of a relief to have the seven years of waiting over and the secret oul But that relief is minor compared to the relief that finally living a lifetime of half-truths about my lifestyle is coming to a close." Knutson sent an open letter via electronic mail to ELCA church headquarters staff, in which he described what he called his dark and lonely journey. "There was no one to talk with about the grief of a broken relationship," he wrote, "there was no daring on my part to risk talking ·back to people who spoke hatefully about my lifestyle m front of me; I dicf not dare to advocate publicly for tli.e equal treatment of gay and lesbian people; I suffered with the predecessor church body statements on sexuality which placed me in the same category with '.murderers and fornicators'; most recently - a few da:,,s after the draft on human sexuality came out- I sat with some bishops and their staffs and had to . listen to them denounce the statement as sometfung that should not even be published, much less studied ." - Advent Domino's head honors Dr. Dobson · tlTOM MONAGHAN, head of Domino's Pizza, recently awarded Dr. James Dobson the Domino's Humanitarian Award. Dobson, president of Focus on the Family based in Colorado Springs, is one of the leading opponents of gay rights and a primary supporter of Colorado's anti-gay ana unconstitutional Amendment 2. • Seattle Gay N= . · Atlanta church boots anti-gay political group MT THE URGING of a number of progressive lobbyists and at least one state legislator, the Central Presbyterian Church, Atlanta, has asked Nancy Schaefer's anti-gay /lesbian Family Concerns group to vacate the office space it had been using in the church, across from tne Georgia Capitol. The group planned to use Central as its base of operations during this year's legislative · session. But church officials informed Schaefer and her supporters that they had to leave and they did. The church's decision came just days after Family Concerns held a strategy session at Central in which the group's members : · were reportedly encouraged to infiltrate the offices of gayllesf>ian friendly · state legislators. -. Southern Voice Gay life for the birds t,. THE ST AATSZEITUNG newspaper, Rotterdam, reports two male flamingos · at Rotterdam Zoo have bonded so closely that they repeatedly tried to steal eggs from nesting females to raise their own baby. Moved by the persistence , oI the. gay birds, zookeepers finally gave them their own fertilized egg which the two liatched and began raising as their own.· Outlines Subscribe Today. AND YOU'LL NEVER A FRIEND JOURNEY. WITHOUT YOUR BE FOR Second Stone The National Gay and Lesbian Christian Newsjournal ····YES 1·······;·············_···················;··· Begin my subscription to SECOND STONE for: [ I One year (6 issues) $15.00 [ ] Two yrs. (12 issues) $25.00 [ ] Three yrs, (18 issues) $36.00 NAME ADDRESS ····························· _ .............................. . CITY/STATE/ZIP CODE CHECK HERE l ] If a plain envelope Is required and add $2,00 per year. Al\9w 6-6 weeks for delivery of your first issue. International subscribers add $ J 0.00 per year, U.S. currency. Mail To: SECOND STONE, Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 THANK YOU for your subscription support! Second Stone•March/April, 1994 ti Two Episcopal dioceses come out for gay rights AT ANNUAL CONVENTIONS, held fanuary 29-30 and February 4-5, 1994 respectively, the Episcopal Dioceses of Washington, D. C. and Newark, New Jersey overwhelmingly reaffirmed their support of _the rights of Lesbians · and Gays both within the Episcopal Church and in society at large and ~alled on the national convention of the Episcopal Church meeting this ,ummer in Indianapolis to do likewise. Both dioceses have ordained ::ipenly lesbian and gay clergy and ooth diocesan bishops have been threatened with censure because of :heir support. ' The Washington Diocese addressed · two issues, calling on the national Episcopal Church to guarantee nondiscrimination based on sexual orientation in the '1ife, worship and governance of this church," and asking the - church to support the addition of sexual orientation to the 1964 Civil Rights Act or similar.federal legislation, Both resolutions were put forward by Integrity /Washington and passed easily. Washington's Bishop, the Rt. Rev , Ronald Haines, was much in the news in 1991 when he ordained the openly lesbian Elizabeth Carl to the priesthood, A move to censure him at the national convention of the J] Second Stone-March/April, 1994 Episcopal Church that summer in Phoenix was defeated. The Diocese of Newark has long been the most "gay-friendly" diocese in the country , Their outspoken bishop, the Rt. Rev. John Spong, is the author of numerous books which · attack anti-gay attitudes in the church and he has on several occasions ordained openly gay and lesbian candidates to the priesthood. The northern New Jersey diocese first expressed its support of Lesbians and Gays in 1987 when a diocesan task force on sexuality and family life presented a 15-page report which · spoke about pre- and post-married heterosexual persons and about homosexual persons. On the latter it said, "Ideally, homosexual couples would find within the community of the congregation the same recognition and affirmation which nurtures and sustains heterosexual couples in their relationship, including, where appropriate, liturgies which recognize and bless such relationships," In 1989, the Diocese established an official ministry with lesbian and gay persons, The Oasis, which has been immensely helpful to the lesbian and gay community and has brought numerous persons into or back into the Episcopal Church, The Newark convention approved six pro-gay resolutions , One, on the federal civil rights act, was identical to that passed in W ashirigton. Another resolution called on the national church to establish educational curricula for youth and their parents to assist them in understanding and accepting their own and their children's sexual orientation. The most controversial of the resolutions to be sent to the national convention was one calling for "proposed supplementary rites and ceremonies for celebrating the com_ mitment of gay and lesbian couples who are members of this church to life together." Essentially the identical resolution was approved in November by the conventions of both the dioceses of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Gay and lesbian Episcopalians hope that a groundswell of support from various parts of the country will lead to national approval of such rites. In the Episcopal Church, major changes such as the ordination of women or changes in the liturgy are considered by several General Conventions before final approval, These SEE GAY RIGHTS, Next Page UFMCC plans Stonewall 25 activities THE UNIVERSAL FELLOWSHIP of Metropolitan Community Churches will sponsor two major events in June in New York City during the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Stonewall riots. "Hands Around the God Box," a mass prayer vigil for ending homophobia in the church, will be held Friday afternoon, June 24, at the lnterchurch Center, unofficially known as 'The God Box," 475 Riverside Drive, which houses national headquarters for numerous religious organizations, including the National Council of Churches and the United States offices of the World Council of Churches , The event will be co-sponsored by the UFMCC and the lesbian/ gay caucuses of many other Christian denominations. "Celebrating Stonewall 25: A Generation of Faith" will be a worship celebration Saturday evening, June 25, at Alice Tully Hall in Lincoln Center. The Rev , Troy Perry, founder and moderator of the UFMCC, will be the main speaker. Fashion Li1'estyles Travel ·Poli~ics lntervle.vs Entertainment •• .. .a Gay version or ~•re or GQ. •• USAT-,, GENRE magazine brings you the latest in men's fashion. exotic travel destinations, exclusive celebrity interviews. advice on grooming. health. fitness and more. co aulHH;rlbe call: :L-BOD-676-9933 l&EnHEI Farrakhan aide's speech bring-s attention to Nation of Islam's gay bashing REMARKS MADE BY Khalid Abdul Mohammad, the former national spokesman of the Nation of Islam, during a speech in New Jersey this past November have focused new attention on the persistent anti-Semitic and anti-gay attacks from the , organization. Nation of Islam leader Rev. Louis Farrakhan dismissed the spokesman under political pressure, saying his remarks were meanspirited but correct in content. Tim Mcfeeley, executive director of the Human Rights Campaign Fund was the first national gay leader to attack' Abdul Mohammad's speech, which had been widely criticized by national Jewish and African American leaders. Early in his remarks, Abdul Mohammad used these words to describe the late Bayard Rustin, an African American gay man who organized the 1963 March on Washington and is generally regarded as one of this country's greatest civil rights leaders: "some boot-licking, butt-licking, butt-dancing, bamboozled, half-baked, half-fried, sissified, punkjfied, pasteurized, homogenized nigger." At another point in his remarks he had this to say about the King James version of the Bible: "King James version. Here's a sissy. Can you name a version of the Bible after a screaming sissy. The she-nay-nay of his day. The wonder of his day. God does not name holy books after homosexuals." Following a long tirade attacking Jews and praising Hitler for his "greatness for evil and wickedness," Abdul Mohammad turned to the subject of South Africa. In his remarks he stated what should be done in that country: "We kill everything white that ain't right. We kill the women, we kill the children. We kill the babies. We kill the blind. We kill the crippled. We kill the faggot. We kill the lesbian. We kill them all." "Why kill the women?" he continued, "Because they lay on their back, they are the military or , the army's manufacturing center. They lay on their back and reinforcements roll out from beneath their legs. So kill the women too." Throughout his speech, Abdul Mohammad made repulsive attacks on Jews, Lesbians, Gays, women, Christians and African Americans who believe in the non-violent struggle for equal rights, including Nelson Mandela, Congressman John Lewis, Spike Lee and former New York Mayor David Dinkins. He made several references to "Gay Edgar Hoover " while speaking about the former Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. At one point in the speech, Abdul Mohammad predicted .what the reac- · tion to his speech will be: "Khalid UCCUGC event unites voices of gay, lesbian, bisexual Christians STARTING SUNDAY EVENING, June 19th the United Church Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Concerns will sponsor an ecumenical "choir camp" for gay, lesbian, and .bisexual Christians. The choir camp will proceed the UCCL/GC 14th Annual National Gathering on the Rutgers campus in Newark, N.J. The camp will culminate with a major concert on June 23 at 8:00 p.m. at a nationally known church in Manhattan. The first Annual Ecumenical GAY RIGHTS, From Previous Page resolutions will at least assure that the issue of same-sex commitment ceremonies will begin the count-down to approval at the 1994 convention. The three resolutions in Newark were submitted by Integrity members. The diocese's Task Force on Children and Youth proposed two additional resolutions, one calling for diocesan youth and camp programs "to enable teenagers of every sexual orientation to interact with positive teen and adult gay and lesbian role models," and the other calling on the Institute of Sacred Choral Music for Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Christians will unite the voices of 200 gay, lesbian and bisexual Christians as part of Gay Pride Week in New York Citf this coming June. "Finding our voices as gay, lesbian, and bisexual Christians takes on new meaning when we gather to sing the music of our fai.th in the fullness of who we are," said a spokesperson for the UCCL/GC. (See Calendar.) diocese to establish a "family life education curriculum.. . to include, among others, ... same sex relationships, AIDS." Both were overwhelmingly approved. Of the six pro-gay resolutions, the one which was most narrowly approved called on all parishes in the diocese which sponsor or house Boy .Scout troops to dialogue with them about the Scouts' anti-gay positions. Although no specific mandates were given; parishes were required to file a report of such meetings by June 1. This resolution was submitted by a special committee of the Diocesan Council. · Mohammad came on our campus and insulted the Jews and the whites and their homosexuals. Well, you all be go (sic) in the same group together. I didn't come here to take no prisoners." Mcfeeley, in a letter to Elsa Gomez, president of Kean College, site of Abdul Mohammad's speech, noted that the speech was cheered by several hundred students and faculty memb ers of the college. He called the reaction "a sad and tragic reflection on the rising level of intolerance that has gripped too much of Ameri'can society." "Free speech is a right, but civil discourse is a responsibility," Mcfeely continued . "Mr. Mohaminad's grotesque speech is a reminder of how ignorance can turn to hatred, and how hatred can tum to violence." He urged Kean College to begin a process of education on the importance of diversity, tolerance and understanding to a civilized society. "One way to do this," Mcfeely wrote, "is to challenge ,hate speech with more speech. I w.ould suggest that the College bring a ,wide variety of people to speak on campus, including people who have been the object of Khalid Mohammad's hatred, such ·as Holocaust survivors , African American civil rights workers, and lesbian and gay America .ns who are fighting for an end to discrimination." Seminary reconsiders discriminatory housing policy By The Voice of Integrity THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES of the General Theological Seminary in New York City has agreed to reconsider the seminary's current housing policy that prohibits domestic partner households. The decision follows a long controversy after a tenured faculty member charged GTS with discrimination on the basis of marital status and sexual orientation. _ Last June ; Dr . Deirdre Good, . professor of New Testament at GTS and a member of Integrity/New York, filed a complaint with the New York City Commission on Huma~ Rights when the seminary requested that her female companion vacate their shared apartment. The seminary's housing policy stated that couples must be married "as understood by the Episcopal Churcl1." At the board meeting, Trustees consulted a variety of legal opinions, including that of David Beers, Chancellor to the Presiding Bishop. This was followed by a report from Prof. Thomas Breidenthal, chair of the Dean's Advisory Committee on Seminary Housing . Prof. Breidenthal outlined areas of committee consensus which included the need to preserve the Seminary's residential character and to respect the authority of the Episcopal Church House of Bishops and General Convention. He also discussed areas in which it had not been possible to reach a consensus. These included proposals to suspend or review the present policy and the suggestion that students must have the written permission of their Bishop or ecclesiastical authority before l10using at GTS. Bishop Anderson spoke following the presentations and suggested the possibility that God might be using the seminary to help the greater church find a way to face these matters squarely. He reiterated a determination to end what he termed a "conspiracy of silence around this issue." To promote further discussion, the Trustees then formed smaller groups to explore a set of questions formulated by Bishop Anderson in an attempt to help bring a theological and moral focus to the deliberations. Trustees later received a number of reports and petitions, including a report from the GTS faculty, a letter signed by faculty members of the Union Theological Seminary in New York and a draft statement signed by nearly 50 GTS students and spouses - all three calling for a change in the current housing policy . Bishop Craig Anderson, dean and president of GTS, shared with the Trustees his own position on a number of the topics discussed. He acknowledged he had felt the need to withhold his own thoughts on the subject in the interest of keeping conversation open and providing consultative support to the Trustees and others. His intention, he said, was to take a stand without taking sides. On the central underlying question of the nature of homosexuality, he outlined a number of differing perspectives and said he was certain that many of these viewpoints were represented by the Trustees, point to not only a discontinuity of practice but of opinion. He admitted his own struggle with the issues, but said that he had himself come to accept the validity of sexual orientation that does no harm and res_ults in relationships marked by commitment and love, and that he supported the · ordination of gar- and lesbian petsons . The ultimate goal of the seminary, he said, must be to develop a way of living together that promotes honesty and justice. "I am convinced of the. SEE HOUSING, Page 19 Second Stone-March/April. 1994 [1] Catholics respond to -pope's encyclical By Dignity/USA GAY, LESBIAN AND BISEXUAL Catholics will respond to the latest declaration from the Vatican with anger, sadness and disappointment, according to Marianne Duddy , president of Dignity /USA. In a statement coinciding with the release of Pope Jolm Paul !I's encyclical Veritatis Splendor, Duddy said that the papal document "indicates that the Vatican is totally out of touch with the possibilities for the dmrch in the modern world. This document is one of fear and backsliding, rather than an embrace of the new oppor. tunites before us." The new encyclical was developed by the pope over a period of six years. Addressed to the world's . Catholic bishops, it criticizes recent developments in Catholic moral theology and holds that natural law, as traditionally .understood by the church's magisterium, is the basis for a moral law which transcends history and culture and absolutely forbids certain actions, including "contraception, direct sterilization, autoeroticism, premarital sexual relations, homosexual relations and artificial insemination." Further, the pope condemns dissent from moral teachings, ·and instructs bishops to take disciplinary actions against theologians and . institutions. The pope asserts that true human freedom must not be opposed_ to nature, but. b e subject to · the objective truth which is found in both natural law and in revelation. "Dissent, in the form of carefully orchestrated protests and polemics carried on in the media, is opposed to ecclesial communion and to a correct understanding of the hierarchical constitution of the people of God," the pope writes. "Opposition to the teaching of the church 's pastors cannot be seen as a legitimate expression either of Christian freedom or of the diversity of the Spirit's gifts." By ruling out the possibiHty for dissent and discussion, Veritatis Splendor minimizes the role of conscience and demands absolute adher- . ence to the church's moral teacl1ings, according to Duddy. 'The continued rejection out of hand of our forthright and honest critique of homophobic church policies is of particular concern to lesbian and gay Catholics. We have long struggled with how to integrate our sexuality with spirituality, and how to remain faithful to a church whicl1 condemns our sexuality as 'intrinsically evil."' "Until now, there has always been the opportunity for dialogue among theologians and people in ministry," add ed Duddy. "Our greatest fear is that ·the pope and bishops will start punishing people who act out of the very compassion which Jesus d emonstrated throughout his life." "Unfortunately, it will further undermine the credibility of the church." Rather than quelling dissention, the encyclical seems to have encouraged controversy even in its drafting. According to Catholic News Service, the text went through several drafts, with a rumored section on papal infallibility remov e d before final publication. At the Vatican pr ess conference releasing the encyclical on October 5, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, prefect of the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, made a slip of the tongue, saying the encyclical had profited from "contestations" with theologians. He had meant to say "consultations" but after correcting himself added with a laugh that "contestations" also was accurate. Ratzinger denied that the pope had wanted to extend papal infallibility in the encyclical. A persistent rumor in Vatican corridors now is that Veritatis Splendor is the first of two related texts; another ,.. would apply this encyclical's principles to specific moral issues. Ratzinger confirmed that such a document is a working hypothesis. Duddy predict ed that Veritatis Splendor and any related encyclical would receive a chilly response from American Catholics. "We believe that most U.S. Catholics will see this as irrelevant teaching . Unfortunately, it will further undermine the credibility of the clmrch." Pope: Gay marriage is a threat POPE JOHN PAUL II chastised gay unions as "a serious threat to the future of the family and society" in a 100-page letter on family values addressed to the world's Catholics, according to a report in the New York Times. The pope said that gay unions could not be "recognized and ratifie\i as a marriage in society" and warned Catholics to refrain from supporting the notion of gay or lesbian marriage . The document was issued two weeks after the European Parliament in Strasbourg offered support for the idea of Gays and Lesbians marrying and adopting children. -■ i: t;1: 1 :l'(•X113 l-t·l: 1 ·l?l (·l: 11 ;JJ;1 •l 2 ;fJ ■ SUICIDE MACHINE!!! WE HAVE DISCOVERED WHY DR. DEATH 'S IDEAS ARE BECOMING SO POPULAR! Last month's positive review of our book By The Pool Of Bethesda has generated much interest. ------------------------This ad is running in most major HIV publications. If you have a publication that advertises book reviews, please contact us. -------------------------1'v,,., i1 ?z,: i • In the beginning of the book is a survey for those afflicted, PLEASE FILL OUT THE SURVEY AND GIVE IT TO YOUR CHURCH Hold your Church accountable for Ministry in this area. [[] _ Second Srone-March/April , 1994 · Great Gift for the friend, you don't know what to say to ! ! GOD WHY ME? WHY AM I SICK? What does God's word say to those afflicted? This book is an excellent study guide for groups. Al the end of each chapter are questions arid exercises lor group discussions. In lhe beginning ol the book is a health survey, please fill ii oul and give it to your church pastor. Hold your church accountable tor · · · term illness. TO ORDER: Send Check or Money Order for $9.00 (includes shipping). Florida Residents Add6% Sales Tax TO: Genesis One:26 1000 N.E. 26 Ave. Pompano, FL 33062 ALSO AVAILABLE AT WALDENIOOKS BY SPECIAL ORDER - fSBNI 0.9636064·0·9 R R :I HOlO YOUR CHURCH ACCOUNTABlE R R R I I I FOR MINISTRY IN THIS AREA' I I I DDD DDD s s s SEND A BOOK TO YOUR PASTOR s s s Montreal murder leaves legacy By The Voice of Integrity Toronto, November 15, 1993. It was the funeral of another gay Anglican priest. Almost 900 people filled St. James Cathedral to standing room only. Bishop Terence Finlay was in attendance. The service lasted over two hours. The priest was murdered in an anti-gay attack. What was extraordinary about this funeral service was that the preacher, the Rev. Canon Glenn Pritchard, acknowledged the priest's sexuality, saying, "'Being gay is no reason to be murdered. This death is ' nonsense because it makes no sense." The Rev . Warren Eling, found slain in his rectory on November 10, 1993 was a victim of "the forces of hatred and fear," Pritchard continued. "We arc all victims of thc~c dark realities." Eling, 53, wa .q found strang led and bound lo a headboard in the rectory of downtown Montreal's St. James the Apostle Church, where he had served for two years. He had served as a curate at the Cathedral in Toronto from 1964 to 1973 and then as rector of various Toronto parishes . before moving to Montreal. In his eulogy, Pritchard praised the "devotion, energy, creativity, decency and order Eling brought to the Anglican church and its parishioners." Police say that Eling, unmarried, frequented gay bars in Montreal's west end. The killer stole his wall et, computer, sound system and hi~ car. The car was found abandoned on the Toronto waterfront on November 12. Roger Leclerc, spokesman for Montreal's Committee of Gays and Lesbians Against Violence, told the press that Eling was the 14th gay man slain in a little more than three years in that city and that he is fed up with police inaction about the slayings. "How many bodies will it take before police realize that a problem exists?" he asked. Leclerc said there are too many simi lar ities in many of the killings not to suspect that someone is stalking Gays in bars, accompanying them home and killing them . 'The manner in which they met their deaths is chillingly similar." In addition to the service in Toronto, there was another equally affirming memorial service for Eling at his parish church in Montreal on Novemher 12. The preacher was The Ven Peter Hannen, Archdeacon o Montreal. People may never know whethe1 Eling's killing was a case of violenci against homosexuals. Hannen tolt 900 mourners, "but in terms of whJ we're here, it doesn't matter. Sud speculations don't change our revul sion at Warren's death, neither shoul, they make any difference to ou affirmation of his life. "If this outrages you enough," h continued, "then there's somethin . you can do. You 'may want to mak common cause with those who wi appear before the Quebec Huma Rights Commission early next wee to demand that something be don SEE MURDER, Page 1; Dignity/LA responds to archdiocese's "outreach" RESPONDING TO A recent announcement by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles of the formation of an advisory board as part of the Church'.s "outreach to ·homosexuals," Keith Kimball, President of Dignity/Lo s Angeles, said that such efforts ·continue to be based in hypocrisy. Gay men and Lesbians "will not find true welcome and acceptance in the Catholic Church as long as the hierarchy condemns us for acting on our innate sexual .nature," : Kfmball said at a me.eting of Dignity leaders. Rev. Peter Liuzzi, director of the archdiocese's Pastoral Ministry to the Lesbian and Gay Community, said that providing an environment where Gays and Lesbians feel welcome may eventually .lead them to "choose the good." He was further quoted in a Los A,ngeles Times article as saying that the ultimate aim of the group would be to help · Gays and Lesbians remain celibate. 'This is a delicate ministry because it involves moral issues," he said. Dignity /Lo s Angeles, the founding chapter of Dignity/USA, with 84 chapters throughout the U. S., has been serving tfte lesbian/ gay community in southern California for more than 24 years. United Church gathering coincides with international gay/lesbian events "HEARING . OUR VOICES" is the -theme for the 14th National Gathering of the United Church Coalition for Lesbian/Gay Concerns scheduled to meet on the Rutgers University campus in Newark, New Jersey June 21-24. The New York City area was chosen to be the site for this year's gathering in order to be in proximity · to several international gay /lesbian/ . bisexual events happening in the city: Gay Games IV and Cultural Festival and Stonewall 25. Phil Porter, program coordinator for the UCCL/ GC, said, 'The focus of the gathering will be sharing our stories and experiences with each other, with specific focus on the similarities and differences experienced by men and women within the Coalition, the church, the gay community, and in society... Additional opportunities for fellowship and reflection include gathering for sing ing, prayer, worship, entertainment, and Coaliti on business .. Gay Games IV, an international Olympic-style athletic and cultural festival open to all, is scheduled for June 18-25. Stonewall 25 is a collection of events commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots which occurred in Greenwich Village, New York City in late June of 1969. This event is considered the birth of · the modern lesbian/ gay movement. On June 26, 1994 the International March on the United Nations to Affirm the Human Rights of Lesbian and Gay People will be the highlight of Stonewall 25. A rally in Central Park will follow the march. The Riverside Church in New York City will host a number of Coalition related events, including an ecumenical choir concert on June 23 and a Gay Pride breakfast prior to worship on June 26. Persons of any denominational affiliation may participate in this · event. The registration deadline is May 14. For more information contact Samuel E. Loliger, 333 Argonne Dr., Buffalo, NY 14217, (716)877-()459 or Rev. Craig Hoffman, 1453A Lexington Ave., New York, NY 10128-2506, (212)289-3016. Speaking for an organization which provides a wide array of services to the gay/ lesbian community, Kimball said that gay and lesbian people are the first and easiest target for the church. "But anyone," he warned, "who practices sex outside of marriage is in the same boat as we." Kimball emphasized that the members of Dignity love their faith and their church, which he said is simply the worshiping people of God according to \latican II. But he continued by saying, "We refuse to surrender them to a hierar chy which seems to speak out of both sides of its mouth." At its1987 national convention i~ · Bal Harbour, Fla., Dignity/ USA issued a statement declaring that the group believes "that we can express our sexuality physically in a unitive manner that is loving and lifeaHirming... we believe that all sexuality should be exercised in an ethically responsible and unselfish way." That statement got Dignity /LA ousted from the Los Angeles City College Newman Center, where it had been meeting for more than 15 years. The Newman Center is a facil- • ity owned and operated by the Catholic archdiocese . The chapte met for two years in borrowed non-Catholic sanctuaries, until i purchased the Dignity Center ii Highland Park. The chapter contin . ues to celebrate Mass every Sunday a 5:30 p.m., and hosts educationa discussion groups, Bible studieE HIV/ AIDS support groups . and soci.; activities for the gay and lesbia 1 community . iiJ --,_,·.rf.lt:~~~ ,r ., ·--~, ', ' ') . ~\:._, -- .. - . V , ~ ;, . ~{a!~:a~! .. 0n"1oobeautiful acres with pool, hot tub. skiipg and more . Innkeepers Judith Hall and Crace Newman invite you to write or call for a brochur~. MALCHUS _Lesbian & Gay Christian Monthly Celebrating Faith & Spirituality Through Our Diversity 6036 Richmond Hwy., #301 Alexandria, VA 22303 Subscriptions $18.00 Pe,r Year ~ ......... _______ _;_ _____________________________ ___: _______ S_eoo_n_d_S_\_on_eo_M_ar_c_b/_A_pn ___ l,-1-994---,[[ Catholi,cs endorse ·gay rights bill A NATIONAL CATHOLIC gay rights bigotry at worst They should be or encourage a particular lifestyle any priests, brothers and nuns and a organization that is funded and sup- ashamed," more than laws banning religious number of Catholic bishops support ported by more than sixty religious . While the Catholic bishops of the discrimination endorses or promotes a gay and lesbian rights. "We do this . orders of priests, brothers and nuns, state of Washington stated that they particular denomination or faith. not because we waver in our faith or has issued a blistering criticism of the "oppose unjust discrimination" against 'The bishops' stated opposition to in our commitment to our Church, Washington Catholic bishops' opposi- gay persons they nonetheless oppose unjust discrimination rings empty but precisely because of that cointion to t?e state gay rights bill, . the state's proposed gay rights bill and false when they refuse to support mitment," Garcia said, "It JS repugnant that Catholic because "this issue is not only about necessary legislation to protect the 'The denial of a person's basic civil bishops seek to deny the basic civil discrimination but about . societal basic civil rights of gay . and lesbian rights is contrary to the Gospel and is rights of gay and lesbian citizens," acceptance and public endorsement of persons , The bishops' duplicity -and immoral. We call upon the bishops to sai\i ,Br. Rick Garcia, director of homosexuality," hypocrisy are an embarrassment to have a conversion of heart and to Cat,holic Advocates. 'The bishops' Catholic Advocates challenged the right thinking Catholics," Garcia said. view gay and Iesbian (,persorts not as opp,osition is !'Ot based on Catholic bishops '. position noting that laws Catholic Advocafet, noted that .all the enemy to be battered down but to Church . teaching but is based on banning discrimination on the basis major Protestant denominations, the view them as· our sisters and_:b, rothers ignorance at best and meanspirited of sexual orientation no more endorse national organizations of 'Catholic entitled to justice," he said. Washingtonp roposala ttacksg ay and lesbianp arentingf,a milies;: THE CITIZENS ALLIANCE of Washington state is forcing parents and children apart, and going to new extremes in pursuit of its anti-gay political agenda, say gay and lesbian parents. On January 10, two anti-gay initiatives were filed with the Washington secretary of state, setting off petition drives to get the measures on the November, 1994 ballot. One of the two measures, filed by the Citizens Alliance of Washington, targets lesbian and gay parents and their families with unprecedented vigor, ' INtfrf tOURTS ~:OF TIIE Lonn :,--···, "· ~ At prohibiting Gays and Lesbians from becoming foster parents, adopting · children, or gaining ,child custody in a divorce. The measure also bars "minority status based on homosexuality," prohibits schools from presenting homosexuality as positive behavior, and bans same-gender marriage. 'The radical right has tried before to deny Lesbians and Gays from becoming foster parents and adopting children who need good homes," said Tim Fisher, Executive Director of the Gay and Lesbian Parents Coalition A moving and personal account of an issue that won't go away. A best-seller in Canada and soon to be a motion picture. It will make you think, it will make you angry, -and hopefulli it will broaden your vision of what both • sexuality and Christian'ity at their best can be -Telegraph Journal, St. John, New Brunswick James Ferry has given a voice to these voiceless ones and is himself a visible incarnation of their invisible pr.esence. -The Rt. Rev. John S. Spong, Bishop of Newark, New Jersey Order no\~ from.Second Stone Press Quan, □ INT HEC OURTOS FT HEL ORD ByJ amllF erryS,2 2.95h, ardcover P~ng $2.11111b1o1o $k1,, 00a lddl1ionll TOTAAL IIOUNETN CLOSED NAME_ __________________ _ AOORFSS_,__ _____ .__ ________ _ CITYISTATE/ZIP_;_., ... -'--'------------ORDEFRR OMS: ECONSDT ONPER ESS, P.OB. OX8 340N, EWO RLEANLSA, 7 0182 · LfJ SecondS toneoMarc!Atfp ril, 1994 .. International. "But this is their first .-attempt to enact legislation which . prohibits Lesbians and Gays from retaining custody of their own ·children in a divorce, They would deny us the right to raise our own children. How is that a 'special right?"' said Fisher, referring to the right's claim that Gays want "special rights." 'The best interests of children" are irrelevant in the religious right's antigay crusade, according to GLPCI. Buried in the fine print of the proposition, the initiative states that upon dissolution of a marriage where one of the parents is gay or lesbian, · the other parent will receive custody. Where both parents are gay, custody will be awarded to the nearest · non-gay relative. If no such person exists, children will be taken from their parents and put in foster care or put up for adoption. Children of lesbian and gay parents around the country are reacting to the news from Washington state . with disbelief, 'They say they're 'pro-family,' then they force families apart," comments Stefan Lynch of COLAGE, Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere, the only national organization run by and for the daughters and sons of Lesbians and Gays. "When my parents split up," continues Lynch, a college All-American, "they both came out as gay and stayed friends and great parents . And I know a lot of kids in the same situation. If it were up to those people in Washington state, I would have been taken from my home and family, and placed with strangers." "If I was ever taken away from my dad,"says Kate Ransort-W alsh, a 13-year-old whose parents split up five years ago, "I don't know what I would do. It's not fair. He didn't do anything to me or anyone else. And he's the best dad in the world." If this initiative passes, thousands of families in Washington state would be placed in jeopardy. "Parents here are scared," says Gloria Stancich of the South _Pμget Sound Lesbian and Gay Pai-ertts,S'upport Group in Tacoma; Washlf\gton, "particularly those , dealing 'with custody issues. · Washington state is a state that's been very fair to_ i_t~ gay and lesbian citizens, but -We .c,af\not afford to be complacent:" ·' ·" ''Listening to the news on the radio, I was nauseated," says Pat Justis of Olympia, Washington, mother of a toddler and active in Out on a LIMB, Lesbians in Maternity and Beyond. "I was expecting it, but I am still shell-shocked." 'The radical right perpetuates the myths that · Lesb'ians · and- qays are unfit to be parents, urtfit tq.'.be near children," s·aid• Fisher. 'The 'truth is there are over three dozen reputable, scientific studies showing thai.-our kids are no different from kids raised in non-gay households, except: ours are a little more tolerant of human differences." 'The right needs a scapegoat to coalesce its power base, and -we're it," explains psychologist April Martin, author of The Lesbian a1fd 'Gay Parenting Handbook: "We'rethe ·basis upon which they get people ·to fork over their money." As the radical right increasingly targets Lesbians and Gays in general, and moms and dads in particular, parents have increased their activi:sm. "Having a child puts , fire in your belly," says Pat Justis . 'This is not a battle where I can sit back. There's too much at stake for my son·. I'm writing a letter about this initiative and mailing it to every straight person in my address book." Public opinion polls show that "coming out' ' is the most effective and persuasive · tactic foi'': Lesbians ,i'nd Gays. · 'The more out we are;"· agrees Stancich, "the more they know us ·-as human beings, -as normal everyday working people and parents. · • ' ·, . applied to life . The death of Jesus, however, is explained at great length _,.,,-in many places in the Bible. Hebrews is devoted almost entirely to explaining the death of Jesus and says that suffering made Jesus complete (2:10) and equipped Jesus to help others (2:18). Jesus and ·.-.:.:.· =~r~it • Supper BY REV. DR. BUDDY TRULUCK Throughout the history of the The four Gospels have been called <;hurch, the Last Supper has "pas~ion :;iarrati".~s w!th l~ng intro- '·"'. . ,undergone .a tortuous hi11toiy · duchons. The passion" 1s a term of use an<;l.mis_use. It became t.iken from Acts 1:3: 'To the .disciples ·<!-source .of great political power in the Jesus also presented himself alive, . middle ages and a source of division after his suffering (Greek pathein; . and conflict in more modem times. pathos comes from it.)." It is based on . . I -was in Jerusalem in the summer of the word pascha, which is the word . 1958' with a group from the Southern passover. The term passicm is used to Baptist Seminary in Louisville, -Ken- speak of the last two days of the life of . , lucky. One Sunday several of us Jesus, including the Last Supper, · went by . invitation to an _Armenian Gethsemane, the arrest, trials, ·cruci, Brethren Church service in a house fixion, death and burial. (Th.is same beside the Garden Tomb, which is word for passion is the one used in the the place tradition says was the burial hotly controversial statement used · . place of Jesus. About 30 people were against Gays and Lesbians in Romans there . Many different countries, Ian- 1:26.) guages, races ·and religious traditions were represented. The communion . ser.vice was the most meaningful one I have ever experienced. The feeling of unity with Christ and with the _entire church throughout the world -was wonderful. .. Commun.ion gives expression to the inclusive gospel. This is truly "good news", to those .of us who often feel ex, c;lu.ded and cast aside by the church. You can _imagine that I was dismayed ;when I told .qne of the older pastors about my c<>mmuniori at the Arme- ' nian church and he responded that he , . would never have taken part in . it. . He viewed the communion table as . exclusive for not only Baptists but also limited to the local church of which one is a . member. He believed strongly in closed communion, which means that only members of a particular denomination or even of a certain local church can participate in the share.cl meal of Christ together. Suffering with Jesus as part of discipleship is indicated in the invitation to "take up the cross and follow" Jesus. Paul identified with the suffering of Jesus in Galatians 2:20: "I have been crucified with Christ; and · it is no longer I who live, but Christ · lives in me ... " and also in Colossians 1:24, where Paul makes the remarkable claim: "Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of Christ's body (which is the church) in . filling up that which is lacking in Christ's· afflictions." . Two very important needs are met in Matthew 26 and 27, ·and also in the concluding sections of Mark, Luke and John. The church needed to explain the cross and also needed to re-interpret the Old Testament by Jesus rather than by the rabbinic tradition. The resurrection is never explained but is simply prodaimed and often The Last Supper is the high point of the New Testament explanation of the death of Jesus. One of the most important things that Jesus said in the Last Supper was spoken .by his careful preparation ahead of time for this momentous event. In fact, what Jesus did thoughout the meal said more than words can adequately convey. Jesus had made a practice of setting up dramatic and forceful events to convey his = purpose and Il)ission to people. · His baptism in the · Jordan River at the hands of John the · Baptist was a carefully staged dramatic beginning for his public ministry. Other crucial events especially in the last week of his life were planned in advance by Jesus. The riding of the donkey down the slope of the Mount of Olives before the great crowds gathered for the Passover and the cleansing of the Temple were carefully arranged fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. · The resurrection is never explained but is simply proclaimed and often applied to life. The death of _ Jesus, however, is explained at great length in many places in the Bible. Jesus said "My time (chairos) is at hand ." (Matthew 26:18). This word for time speaks of a moment filled with special meaning. The word chron os was used for the simple passage of time. Eveiything in the life of Jesus had led up to these final hours. The followers of Jesus needed to be perfectly clear in their understanding and grasp of these events. A planned time and place were arranged for maximum effect in the proclamation through the prophetic event of the Last Supper. Far too often we take on the mission of Jesus in the church with little or no preparation. Every time we · observe communion we are reminded -of the . importance of careful preparation. Jesus prepared the setting of the upper room and the disciples set up the meal. Even 'the seating arrangement was carefully planned, with the ·beloved disciple on Jesus' right and Judas on the left. Accepting the call of Jesus to follow him in discipleship is the call to accept the discipline and commitment of lime to prepare in every way possible to let Jesus use your life as his instrument of communicating his life to the world. Matthew's orderly telling of the story of Jesus reflects the orderly and purposeful approach to life that Jesus demonstrated in everything that he did, Do our lives reveal this dimension of order, planning and purpose? Does our church appear to be orderly, well planned and purposeful in the gay and lesbian community or to the straight world? Matthew 26:17-19; Mark 14:12-16 and Luke 22:7-13 tell of the detailed preparation of the setting for the Last Supper. Mark and Luke include reference to the disciples following a man carrying a pitcher of water. This pre-arranged signal would be clear because men never carried water pots in public. Only ·women did that, a small indication of the totally sexist society at that time. The "upper room" provided safety and uninterrupted time for this great event. Most houses were one story, so the upper room was special. Notice that they "reclined" at the table. A low table in the center held the food . Jesus · and the twelve reclined on mats or cushions in a circle around the table. Each person faced the table and could reach the food. This brought the disciples and Jesus face to face in as close physical contact as would be possible to share food and to talk. Though John does not give the words of the Last_ Supper, the setting is given in John 13 where John tells of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples and teaching by this dramatic act that true greatness is being an effective sl,ive . The words of Jesus are brief, as Matthew 26:26-29 gives them: And while they were eating, Jes-:,s took some bread, and after blessing it, he broke and gave it to the disciples, and said 'Take, eat; this is my body ." And he took a cup arid ga;,e thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "'Drink from it, all of you; For this is my blood of the covenant, which. is shed on behalf of many for forgiveness of sins. But I say to you, I wifl not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink {t new with you in my Father's kingdom ." . The account in Mark 14:22-25 .is almost identical with Matthew but . omits "for forgiveness of sins." Luke 22:17-20 gives some variation of the words: And having taken a cup, when he had given thanks, Jesus said, 'Take this and share it among yourselves; for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from :now on until the kingdom of God comes." And having taken some bread, when he had ·-given thanks, Jesus broke it; and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body which is given for you; do this is remembrance of me." And in the same way he took the cup after they had eaten, SEE LAST SUPPER, Page 20 Sea>nd Stone-March/April, 1994 [IJ (d•l®1®11•~•1941•J•l~-1•11•~•~1•;r-1sa For Catholic lesbian nuns and gay priests . and brothers, a safe place to gather 'Il struggle for gay and Jes- late~night subway from a gay libera- friend to start the newsletter, which they are bold enough to hope that an Christians to sit in the tion meeting twenty years ago, I had would be called simply Communica- they ,might "assist the people of God urch pews as welcomed never · felt so alone in my life," says tion. to develop and live a whole, credible and affirmed individuals Bro. Paul. "My reflection looked back "We planned a dialogue on the and life-giving sexual-spiritual thepales in comparison to the lonely from the window at me: 'So this is• relationship of personal sexuality, ology." struggle for those gay and lesbian you, Paul, your whole life ahead, and · spirituality and ministry for the pur- Communication's readers are diverse people who stand behind the pulpit there is no one in the Church you can pose of building community among in the challenges they face. Of ,or otherwise offer their lives to the speak to, no one who would under- lesbian and . gay clergy and reli- course, the Roman Catholic Chimh's church. For lesbian nuns and gay stand."' gious," says Bro. Paul. "For me, its brothers and priests in the Roman . Feeling he had no models, no peers primary motivating force was the Catholic Church, the journey is even to help him discern where he was · desire not to be alone in my journey, more difficult, given the Church's going, no one near at hand with ·a and the parallel desire not to have periodic outbursts against homosex- simifar journey against whom h ; others suffer such aloneness in theirs ·uality and the slim chance that justice could measure his life, he began a as I had in mine. We began to write will replace such condemnation any- perilous journey that'year. He began about the joy and pain of our journey time soon . searching for such peers, trying to get as homosexual priests and religious, Fifteen years ago, a newsletter was other rriests and religious like weaving a conversation each month started for Catholic lesbian nuns and himsel together for a day of out of any letters which readers sent gay brothers and priests who wanted recollection or a weekend retreat. in. In writing and rereading our to communicate with each other and A few years after this, Bro. Paul's unfolding story, many of us discovered ourselves communicating with God about areas we had always managed to hide." Lonely late-night subway trip gave life to ministry offer one another support. During those years, Commumcution's readers have shared their stories for the purpose of furthering their sexual/ spiritual integration. At the same time, this essentially private and anonymous dialogue has served to build up a sense of community among its participants, a unique and hidden segment of the Body of Christ. In the spring of 1973, Bro. Paul came out as a gay man to his family. He was in his early thirties then, and had been a Roman Catholic priest for seven years. Having been a successful teacher of theology at the university level, he was well thought of by many friends and colleagues. His forte was a course on religious experience. Corning out as a gay priest was to be a religous experience which would forever afterward put blood in those words for him - the blood of a wound and the blood of life. "Riding home by myself on a mother died suddenly, tearing him from a womb he says he discovered he had never quite left. He spent the whole summer writing ab_out his trauma and trying to discover its meaning for him. Writing, he found, enabled him to talk with God about his pain and it became a way for God to speak to him . "By the fall of 1977, a fellow priest and I were ready to lead a workshop for gay priests and religious at the national convention of Dignity," says Bro. Paul. "We had gathered from allover the country, and had only ninety minutes in which to share our struggles and visions. We would not meet again for two more years." Wanting to continue the dialogue in the form of a newsletter, Bro. Paul asked for names and addresses. In spite of the risk, sixty people signed the list. After Bro. Paul got home, he · worked out plans with a woman A sense of community developed among Communication readers, although most of them would never meet each other and would only communicate anonymously through the pages of the newsletter. Something even more profound began to happen, according to Bro. Paul. "In the vulnerability of sharing our stories with one another and with God, we began hearing God speaking a word back to us," he says. "As each of us fits in a piece of our corporate puzzle, we have begun to sense that God is speaking to us not simply as individuals saved out of a multitude of others but as persons being drawn together into a body, a body that is Christ's." Communication newsletter is part of a broader ministry sponsored by Communication Ministry, Inc . ., which is has a three-level outreach. The first level, the written dialogue among members, is represented by the bimonthly newsletter and updates. Normally, the newsletter includes a commentary based on the letters the organization receives, reflective essays, poetry, reviews of relevarit books and films, and notices of upcoming events. The second level is the face-to-face dialogue fostered by CMI's retreat series and by linking with readers through correspondence or support groups in various parts of the country. The third level is represented by CMI's endeavor to turn their conversation outward toward the broader Catholic Church. The Journal, published periodically on a theme of topical interest, is part of the outreach. CMI wants Church leaders and others to hear of their journey in a way that will challenge. In turn, they open themselves to whatever response they receive, trust _ing that Jesus Christ is best served when his people break open the bread of their lives to one another. And · with Christ's Spirit view of homosexuality is the overwhelming burden but readers ·also deal with such issues as celibacy and the question of when one awakims to one's sexual orientation in relation to the making of the promise of celibacy. Communication readers share remarkable stories of courage, battle and resolution. "Even though I had known for a long time that my sexual orientation was different, it wasn't until I was nineteen years · old that I came out into the gay community;· says a lesbian sister. "Simultaneously, I also felt called to religious life. So I did what every good, traditional Catholic woman would do. I went to · confession. After twenty minutes with the friendly parish priest I felt like I had been pushed out of an airplane · from forty thousand feet, without a parachute. Between the guilt, the fear, the sense of hopelessness, and the 'knowledge' that God must indeed hate me I decided I did not have a religious vocation ... "I went the usual way of bars, drugs, and multiple lovers, until I discovered, with the help of therapy, that growth could come from pain, and that my sexual orientation would not go away by annihilating my senses. I also learned that God loves me and wants me to be the best possible gay person I can be. Nine years later I entered religious life ... I therefore told the president of my community that I was lesbian . With much listening, understanding, and continuous dialogue, we have resolved, over the past five years, many of the myths of individual sexual orientation." After 15 years and volumes ol Communication, Bro. Paul says he and readers · of the newsletter experience themselves no longer alone. "No longer are we simply accepting our SEE CMI, Page 19 !12] Second Stone-Mar~b/-;-A:-pn~--1-, :-:1994~----------------~...:.._------------------~------'---- Love will find a way BY MARCUS STRINGER Little did I know what growth and opportunity would await me one Monday morning at work. Going through the motions of logging in and checking messages, I noticed there was a prayer request from someone on the . Christian "alias" (electronic mail clearinghouse). Just a few days earlier there was a prayer request from a woman bemoaning a progressive decision made by a competing computer software company in favor of same-sex spousal benefits. The first woman's pompous righteousness angered me to the point that I wanted to discontinue my membership . However, as I read the rest of the request, she asked for suggestions on the "correct Christian response we should take" if Gays were to pull such a stunt in our company. So I responded with what I · .. thought would help her out of her . · confusion. ' ' Howev~r, the tone of.the request I was now reading seemed more open to true guidance. The woman, Sue, and her husband were in a dilemma, ' ._They believed in pro-life and were impressed to walk in a local f,)ndraiser for the fight against AIDS. Sue was seeking assurance from fellow CJrristians that tl,ey would 110! ·condemn them as "condoning homosexuality," She also was concerned that \hey might be surrounded by angry, militant people, and Wanted their pro-life actions to be a witness to both militant Gays and Christians alike, "Oh this is just a confused woman . She's been used to having religious . teachers think for her. Don't bother with her." I want ed to shrug her off and forget about it; yet at the sam e time I wanted to d1eck her out - to see how she really felt. What would she do with a self proclaimed gay Christian? I e-mailed Sue in return, affirming the decision she and her husband made - standing for pro-life. A friend of mine had already gotten me to make a donation in his name; however, I wanted to leave Sue with tangible evidence of my affirmation - and "put my money wh e re my mouth was." The next day Sue replied that her step-brother is gay and that some of her friends now have AIDS and others have already passed away . l n•alizt•d. that .tlw issm' , wa.s · closer to home to her than I'd have ever imagined. Quickly , I made a date so we could meet. What a great opportunity to share the good news of the gospel with one "bogged down" under the red tape of legalism . What opportunities of joy, peace, and freedom do we miss by withdrawing, giving up on complete kinship with ' others. Fortunately, I hung around long enough to find that the door was open . I could actually touch this person's life. My experience with Sue was very peaceful, seeing that she was willing to listen and acknowledge that she did not have all of the answers. We were free to love first, letting whatever else happen later . Christ, if he The next day Sue replied that her step brother is gay and that some of her friends now have AIDS and others have already passed away. I realized that the issue was closer to home to her than I'd have ever imagined. were still on earth today, would teach love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matt 5:44). Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse (Rom. 12:14). A new commandment I give you: Love one another as I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my discipl ,es, if you love one another 0ohn 'l:4-5). Not every expe rieqce will be as the, one I had with Sue. What do we do with the outspok en oppressor , or the mere dangerous destroyer who lurks undercover? Can this sort of thing make sense when your brother/ ,enemy gloats over the fact that you are not given the same human protections as h e enjoys under the law: to marry, ·10 serv e in the military, to adopt children? · What about when your sister/ enemy bears false witness against you and other lesbian-gay family by muddling the truth about homosexuality . How can I love my fellow Christian who will destroy the minds and spirits of gay people through "change ministries? " Since God asks us not to take revenge into our own hands (Rom. 12:19), isn't at least some heavenly discipline in order for these souls? Where does righteous indignation end and destructive revenge, anger and hatred begin? Just because we have resolved most conflicts between our sexuality and spirituality does not make us self-sufficient from the transforming power of Christ on our characters. That's right - standing as gay Christians is not synonymous with perfection, We are still in great need of a Savior. As we ask Christ to open our spiritual eyes, our conscience, and heart, he will show us the distance between his and our own . The one who taught "love your enemy" is the same one who had his body unceremoniously "pinned" to a cross - a masterfully created torture machine. And if the story about this one is supposed to be true, he didn't call fire down upon his enemies, or bash them in return for the bashing he was receiving. Does th is seem like an impossible act to follow? It is. Disconrnicted from the source of love (1 John 4:7), yea even love itself (1 John 4:16), we have no power to control hate or indiference. So the next ti,;rui you are persecuted for espousi n g sexual responsibility and commitment, the next time you stand for pro-life; or when you're ridiculed for deciding to believe in the Sabbath after years of rejection - know this: Love can, must, will find a way! Reprinted from the Seventh-day Adventist Kinship International Kinship Connection. A Symbol of Today's 11teality and Tomorrow's Hi~pe Wearing this red and pink ribbon pin 1itows you care about those who art HIV+ or have Br.east Cancer. RED=AIDS 1 IN 2fO PEOPLE ARE HIV+ IN THE USA. A TTHE CURRENT RATE, IBESTATfSTICWILLBE1 JN4BYIBEYEAR201Q PINK= BREAST CANCER . 1 IN 8 WOMEN (1 IN 3 LESBIANS) WILL BE lllAGNOSED WITH BREAST CA~ER. FOR ADDITIONAL PINS, CONTAC T: MCC LOUISVILLE P. 0, BOX 32474 • LOUISVILLE, KY 40232 50277~ RIVER OF LIFE MINISTRIES A Spirit-Filled Christian Outreach To The Gay And Lesbian Community of Albuquerque Offering: 134 Quincy NE Albuquerque Weekly Worship Services: Sundays, 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, 7:00 p.m. •Contemporary Christian Praise & Worship Music •Weekly Healing Services •A Positive Community Atmosphere of Faith and Love Rev . Pamela White, Pastor Call (505)260-2882 for other information. Second Stone-March/April, 1994 '[a] T. Cover Story T I• I a I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I ♦ I I I I I• I• I I I I I I I I I~ I I I I I.~ I I I I I I I• -~ I I I I I I I I I I Dirty laundry: Showing the right how wrong they can be Froin Page 1 they had the gall to waste taxpayer money to bring the issue to. court. They didn't want a '.'family" pass; they wanted public endorsement of homosexuality. The former Mormon president Spender Kimball, leading a Church which has long championed families, correctly pointed out the fickle nature of the supposed "love" Gays and Lesbians feel. 'Think for yourself what would these persons do for you should you suddenly fall victim to an incurable disease. Suppose your body shrivelled; suppose you could no longer satisfy sexually; suppose · you could no longer be 'used.' How long would the alleged friendship and this distorted so-called 'love' last?" [n the notorious case of Sharon Kowalski, severely injured and brain damaged in a car accident in Minnesota, her "lover," Karen Thompson, petitioned for years to have the .legal right to care for her "spouse ." The gay and lesbian community tried to pretend that her devotion was out of love, but it is clear that the real motive was to destroy Sharon's family, to frivolously waste $200,000 it1· legal fees to deny her parents the right to make decisions about their own daughter. · Gays across the nation are taking care of their lovers dying from AlDS, but is this a sign of love or is it a sign instead of desperation? God is naturally trying to eliminat .e Gays ,ince we as his "followers" are not spiritually dedicated enough to do :>ur part, and Gays, realizing their sex partners are dying off, are throwing all of their energy into preserving the ou tie ts for their sin. What more do we need to know? [sn't it clear that the situation is :ritical? Perhaps what is clear is the way .1omophobic zealots pretending to follow God, but more concerned with ~enerating money for their coffers by :reating a false enemy, can slant any 1ction they want and fit it to their )Wn agenda. They take the more ,izarre and rebellious Gays and Lesbians and set them up as the ,verage Gay or Lesbian to create fear' ul images around which followers :an rally. But I wonder if we-looked Jbjectively at the issue, if we could 'ind any problems with the hetero- • ;exual community we hold as the ,tandard, and with their family values. In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 34-year-oJd William Jerome Terry III ·aped and slashed a former girlfriend Nith a razor, leaving her for dead in l piece of rolled up carpet. Of course, :hey_ weren't married, so this doesn't }1] Second Stone-March/April, 1994 really show the heterosexual view toward family values. · But 9nce heterosexuals get married, sometimes the values do not seem to change much . In Hammond, Louisiana, Larry Huls, gaining the help of his current female lover, Kathleen Mapes, strangled and shot his exwife, Anne Erdey after kidnapping her from her workplace . Larry killed her because he didn't want to pay $5,900 in back child support which he owed her to help care for their 6-year-old son, who had cerebral palsy. Joe Meling of Seattle poisoned and killed two strangers in order to cover the attempted murder of his wife. He had wanted to get out of a failing marriage, but since divorce is promoting the break up of families, he figured his plan was more respectable. Besides, the death of his wife would also bring him $700,000 in life insurance benefits . Despite the religious right's attempt to make AIDS a gay issue, it has been a fact from the start of the epidemic that it is a primarily heterosexual disease. It has been "gay" in the United States for a dozen years, but heterosexuals here are quickly catching up with heterosexuals the world over who through their promiscuity and selfish disregard for others are spreading this painful, deadly disease. Some heterosexuals even spread it quite deliberately, as the French officials did to thousands of hemophiliac children, while knowing the blood they were using was contaminated. Heterosexuals just care more about money than they do children. Of course, some care more about spite and revenge, as we've already seen, and so with AIDS, we get many cases such as that of Terry Boatwright of Pensacola, Florida, who kidnapped and raped an ex-girlfriend, but then just to make sure she became infected with HIV, he injected her with his own contaminated blood as well. Twenty-eight-year-old Alberto Gonzalez in Portland, Oregon, was much nicer, not raping his 17-year-old girlfriend, but repeatedly having sex with her without condoms while knowing he was HIV positive. The girl so far still tests negative, but two former sex partners have tested positive. These cases should not be surprising, though, when we understand the lie that heterosexuals are capable of deeply loving each other is only a clever bit of propaganda dreamt ur to futher the heterosexual agenda o promoting their desire for a multitude of sexual outlets for themselves. The U. S. Navy, caught with its pants down in Las Vegas at the- Tailhook convention, also ~pologized for the sexual harassment of women. There was the fondling and grabbing, of course, but the sexual acts also included men exposing themselves in the hotel lobby and men engaging publicly in oral sex with women (a military crime even if consensual). Further, the Navy admits it had known of the sexual harassment for years, but heterosexual leaders, promoting the family value of inferiority of women, failed to do anything until forced by public scandal. Serb leaders in Bosnia who endorse the rape of Muslim women, however, are not committing the rapes as an act of violence against women, forcing ·these victims to bear childr en .they do not want . It is for the values of Christianity that they commit these rapes against non-believing women . Christian heterosexuals, we must remember , are particularly adept at bizarre forms of rationalization . It doesn't take much real thought to see through their "justification," but heterosexuals as a group are much more concerned with furthering their position of power than with honestly advocating justice. A great part of the justification comes through the sanctifying image of church authority, but most heterosexuals only use the church as a cover for their own evil desires. But people whci truly care about family values will see how dangerous heterosexual religious leaders really are. Rev. Virgil Carpenter in Ontario, Oregon, was convicted of sexually molesting a 9-year-old girl over a year and a half. A Roman Catholic priest, Robert Mayer, was convicted in Chicago cf sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl. Another heterosexual Catholic priest, James Porter, accused of molesting dozens of children in Massachusetts, Minnesota, and New Mexico, has been convicted in the first of the cases brought against him, molesting a 15-year-old female babysitter . It's not as if he was overly clever in hiding his abuse that his molestation was able to continue for so many years. Court documents proved that the Church had numerous reports of his abuse. 13ut as we know, most churches, which are run by heterosexuals, are . not terribly concerned with protecting children. They shout loudly about removing the "gay menace," but it is all a front so they can ensure their-own sexual access to children. Naturally, it is not only for sex that heterosexual religious people abuse children. Sometimes, it Is for the simple motive of greed. When the Canadian government in 1955 offered \o pay 75¢ a day for oq,hans and $2.75 a day for mentally retarded children, the spiritual leaders at the Mount Providence orphanage in Montreal decided to have a "change of vocation," changing their institu~ tion officially from an orphanage to a mental institution. What they didn't bother to do was find a home for their orphans or to seek out mentally retarded children. They simply relabelled the children already under their care. Institutional heterosexual abuse of children goes even further. .Lee Stokes of Covington, Louisiana, who ran a counseling service, was booked with molesting 15-year-old and 16- year-old patients. In our school systems, by far the majority of teachers who molest children are heterosexual, anywhere from 95 to 98 percent, depending on the reports. Neither education nor the government, nor heterosexual parents, have seen fit to insist on a plan that will track down these abusers. If a heterosexual teacher is fired in one state for sexual abuse, all he or she needs t0 do is move to another state, be recertified with no background check on the abuse, and he or she is ready to prey on more children. And when children do report the abuse, it is often ignored, even if the abuse comes from outside the school. When a 9-year-old girl in New York wrote in an essay for class that her 1 father, who was dying of AIDS, had raped her, school officials did nothing, even destroying the essay. Only .when the girl finally told her grandmother was the abuse brought to light. Our school boards, which are being infiltrated by members of the religious right, put on a superficial show of concern for children by claiming the need to get rid of gay teachers, but it is clear that the concern is ncit .really for the sexual well-being of children at all but is only for the power to control others' lives, which is also - what rape and molestation are all about · In Jacksonville, Florida, a 9-year-old girl was diagnosed in 1992 with AIDS. State social workers were aware of her sexual abuse as early as 1988, because she had come in at various times with other sexually transmitted diseases, but they failed to take any action to protect her. Their reason was pure enough. They didn't want to break up the family. This case is similar with the institutional neglect of children by the Boy Scouts of America. Claiming the need to protect children's values, they reject gay scout leaders with no history of sexual abuse yet they allow heterosexuals who do abuse children to join. Butthere is another kind of SEE COVER STORY, Next Page COVER STORY From Page 14 abuse involved here, too. The Boy Scouts also reject gay scouts themselves. While pretending to encourage boys to .become "morally straight," they expel gay children, who in their own words are in great need of moral direction . If they were truly concerned about the children, would they so actively refuse to help? Institutional heterosexual abuse and neglect is so dominant in heterosexual culture that it cannot help but seep down to the very last refuge, the heterosexual family unit. We've already had just a taste of the abuse among heterosexual couples, but the abuse of children is even more predominant. In Salt Lake City, Michael Kojima was arrested for failing to pay $100,000 in child support to his former wife . The amount seems high · until we realize that it had been increasing slowly over eight years, as he refused to pay $350 a month for each of two daughters, aged 4 and 5 at the time of the divorce. The neglect is perhaps more obvious when we realize that Michael managed to donate $500,000 at a Republican fundraiser, at an event where "family values" has become the latest buzz word, shortly before his arrest. . Regina Simpson of Baton Rouge was found guilty of abandoning her_ two children, aged 1 and 2, m a filthy apartment while she went out drinking . One of the children was found eating roaches . The apartment had no running water, and the floor was covered with feces and urine. The children were taken into protective custody for a while but were then returned to the mother, who has shown her dedication to the family by giving birth to a third child. Extended family members receive the abuse, too. A 16-year-old Columbus, Mississippi, teenager was caught after raping his 6-year-old niece. Because of easy access, most heterosexuals sexually abuse direct family members. A 46-year-old Harahan, Louisiana, man was ·convicted of raping his 7-year-old daughter. The father had a friend who didn't have as e/ilsy access to children, so he Jet his friend take part in the ·rape, too. But · heterosexual abuse, unfortunately, does not end with neglect or molestation. Tan:imie Guthie of Baton Rouge was convicted of allowing her 15-month-old daughter to drown while she paid a 16-year-old boy $50 and had sex with him. In Kentucky, 26-year -old Mary Fletcher confessed that she murdered her 3-year-old daughter by poisoning and tried to poison her 4-year-old son as well, in order to collect $5,000 in burial insurance and "try to end marital strife" with her husband. The girl had also been sexually abused. Mark James Bender of Seattle hacked his wife and two children, llll=MY;l•Ji·@•i¢1•t·M•JMl·S~•,11WK'l·Sl111-14 aged 8 and 15, to death with an axe and stored their bodies in a rented locker for 12 years. But his behavior is completely justifiable when we realize his wife was planning to take · the kids and leave him. Mark couldn't allow the sin of divorce to destroy America's moral system. In non Christian areas, such as India, heterosexuality leads to the murder of over 20,000 wives a year, who are usually burned to death in "kitchen accidents," and to the aborting of millions of female fetuses . In China, heterosexual parents commonly kill female babies. In America, we're more civilized, but even here, when Christian fundamentalism is added to the mixture of heterosexual values, we cannot help but end up with men such as Jim · Jones and David Koresh, who sexually molest children and intimidate and kill adults in the name of God. But because these sick heterosexuals need to somehcw justify their actions to themselves, they find a scapegoat on which to project their guilt. Gays and Lesbians are the current choice . When Lynn Johnson, acclaimed writer of the comic strip, "For Better or For Worse," which is about promoting true family values, dared to include a segment about a teenage friend of the family being kicked out of his house by his parents for being gay, right wing fanatics across the nation leaped to censor the panels from their newspapers. Censorship, it appears, is a family value . · Accepting a gay child, even though experiencing initial hostile feelings, is anti-family. Wishing a gay son would commit suicide is also the embodiment of family values. If heterosexuals are offended by their protrayal here, we neecl_ to remember that all of these accounts are on public record, and any major newspaper any day of the week will show more and more of the same . Arn I picking out just the most public, most negative images? Perhaps. But isn 't that what Falwell, Dobson, · Robertson and Helms do in showing video clips from gay rights parades? "Oh, my God! Those people are wearing leather and chains on that float! Those men are wearing dresses! And those men are imitating sexual acts! Oh, my God!" Most of these people are deliberately trying to shock middle America. It is all an act for the camera . It may b e inappropriate, perhaps disgusting, even sinful, but it in no way compares to even one of the heterosexual atrocities mentioned here, which occur continually. But fear-mongering generates money, and that is apparently the important point. If some heterosexuals claim, ''But we don't approve of any of the actions in this article," they need to realize that Gays and Lesbians don't either. . Can any Christian honestly claim that finding (or inventing) sordid stories and then generalizing them isn't the exact tactic of ministers who preach hate? Sordid Gays do exist, but they no more represent all of homosexuality than these accounts represent all of heterosexuality . While heterosexuals may not as a group really be as bad as portrayed here, even the "model" families have their problems, not the least of which is homosexuality. Ask Phyllis Schlafly, whose son in gay, or General Colin Powell, whose daughter is lesbian . There are very few Cleaver families in America, or Nelsons, or Bradys, or Huxtables. Even aspiring to be like them may not be a possibility. If we are honestly seeking to promote families, we will simply have to accept that families come in a variety of types, and that this is not necessarily bad. Throughout history, what has been regarded as "the fami_ly" has changed drastically, even in our Jud~oChristian tradition. Menstruating ~omen had to be isolated, foreskins had to be cut, wives could not speak in church, men had to marry their sisters-in-law if their brothers died. Divorce was allowed, or wasn't allowed depending on the era. And let:s not forget the BibHcal and even more recent times when concubines were acceptable, and polygamy. The Catholic Church at one time accepted abortion, then condemned it, then accepted it, and then condemned it again . Throughout Christian Europe, child abandonment was deemed perfectly acceptable at various times. Not every family variety is wonderful, but with Christianity as variable as it is (with hundreds of varieties at the present), just because a preacher condemns one kind of family doesn't necessarily make 1t bad, especially when there 1s no abuse taking place. What God 1s concerned about is that we treat each other with love and respect. "We love the sinner but hate the sin" is a superficial excuse to justify oppression, and God is not the only one who knows it. Any thinking, feeling person knows that when someone takes images and stories out of context in order to create a biased, negative portrait of someone, this is not an act of love but of dedicated hatred, often performed to deny one's own failings . Jesus never said a word against homosexuality, but he did say not to judge others. And he did say we should love one another without condemning . For heterosexuals convinced that Gays and Lesbians are sinners, I suppose this means they must not ask their children to commit suicide, they must not disinherit them or refuse to let them fully take part in family holidays. It means that heterosexuals need to accept their gay and lesbian children, their gay and lesbian siblings and parents and cousins, and love them. Loving one's family members can, with a little stretch of . faith, be. considered as ·promoting family values, if heterosexuals try hard enough. For Lesbians and Gays, loving sinners means they have to be willing to love the fundamentalists who are condemning them daily, a harder task, to be sure, but then Christ did say, "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.'' By pro .mating true love, acceptance, and family values, Gays and Lesbians are condemned by the Christians who don't really know Christ. But because love and truth will prevail, it is the hypocritical hetero.sexual sinners who are the ones really to be pitied, and Gays and Lesbians, they will find, will have enough love to offer even to them. Perhaps this can best be exemplified by a woman who, because of her religion, di<;! believe homosexuality was wrong, but who also believed strongly in family love. Dorothy Hajdys' son, Allen Schindler, was murdered by gay bashers, beaten so -badly she could only identify his body by a tattoo on his arm. She attended the trial for one of his confessed killers. When the sailor was sentenced to life in prison, she was glad, telling both the murderer and his mother she didn't want him put to death because she didn't want any other mother to go through what she was going through. "At least she call tell you that she loves you and can visit you," Dorothy told the murderer . This is the meaning of family values, love, not religious propagan° da. We can only hope that the majority of heterosexuals haven't been led so far astray that they can no longer recognize the truth, that they will desist from picking the worst or strangest elements of the gay community and generalizing them to all Gays and Lesbians, and that they will learn that not'only physically are we members . of their family, but spiritually we are, too, and decent families don't gossip and slander their relatives . We need to stop promoting hate and division and instead promote the highest family values of all, love, understanding, and unity. "Blessed are the peacemakers," said Christ. ''Blessed are the merciful," he said. "Blessed are the meek ." Is this the way Christians are behaving toward their gay brothers and sisters? It is in the same chapter where Christ warns us not to judge one ··another that he warns against following false leaders and false prophets. Perhaps those who so strongly persecute Lesbians and Gays should study the scriptures more · carefully, should fast and pray until they are sure they are following God's will and not the will of some hate-filled, egocentric man, the "wolf in sheep 's clothing," out to infiltrate and destroy the flock of God's children . Only by embodying the family value of love, not hate, can we . truly say we are serving and following our God. Second Stone-March/April, 1994 [I[ Priest's troubles end in suicide · From Page 1 neck out" on social justice issues. He had a tenure of more than seven years in the Diocese of Central J?ennsylvania, during which time his Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Charlie McNutt, Jr., described their relationship as positive, and Mc'Carriar as a person who accompiished much for his congregation and the diocese. Members of his congregation and friends described McCarriar as "eccentric" and "blustery" but agree that he had many good points and accomplished much in his ministry. Yet, something drove him to despair so great that he could no longer face life. In the spring of 1993, Fr. McCarriar began to show signs of the stress which would lead to tragedy. In May he circulated a document pertaining to corporal punishment of adolescent males by their fathers. His exact intent is unclear, but -in at least one case he appeared to recommend actions which our current society would consider abusive and psychologically dangerous . Unsu re of the import of his actions, congregation members first approached McCarriar with their concerns and later approached Bishop McNutt when they~ felt unsatisfied with McCarriar's response. The Bishop said that he did not feel the Advertise in Second Stone! 1/l 6th Page Ad FOR A FULL YEAR as low as $15. 75 per month! Your ad here. CREA T FOR GUEST HOUSES, BOOK STORES AND PUBLISHERS! Reach Second Stone readers 'in every state for a full year at this great sixtime rate! An excellent opportunity for advertisers to direct their message . to our precisely defined target market incident itself was serious, But he worried that · McCarriar, when approached, seemed unable to understand the concerns of his congregation and their reasons for objecting to his actions. The tensions in Coudersport continued. After more complaints from the wardens and vestry of Christ Church, the Bishop called a meeting with McCarriar, including two wardens, a mental health worker from Coudersport and a counselor from the diocese. Recommendations from that meeting involved getting counseling and working for a time with the Rev. Canon Dr. Andrew France, President of the Diocesan Standing Committee, in a mentor relationship. At about this time, friends started noticing changes in Fr. McCarriar's behavior and began to communicate their concern about his mental state . Several urged him to get counseling. Others attempted to get him to talk to them, to be open about what was causing him so much turmoil. None were successful. McCarriar also refused to take the Bishop's recommendation of counseling, although he did start meeting regularly with Canon France. At one point in early July, Fr. McCarriar was taken to a state hospital by concerned friends for involunta~y commitment. They be- - lieved he might be a danger to himself and possibly to. others. The psychologist at the hospital did not find sufficient grounds for involuntary commitment, but did communicate to Bishop McNutt that McCarriar felt he was under tremendous pressure. Anything which could be done to relieve that pressure would be helpful. Because he seemed deeply troubled by the recommendation for counseling, the Bishop told McCarriar that he would not require that if he continued meeting with Canon France and could show improvement in the situation at Coudersport. The Bishop believed this would reduce the pressure and • "Maybe We're • Talking About a Different God" A half-hour documentary on the Rev. Jane Spahr and her call to the Downtown Church in Rochester, protested and brought to trial. Shows how conf11sion and fear ('What! A woman and a lesbian? No way!") can be transformed into understandins and compassion. ("Then I met _Janie!") VHS Tape & Discussion Guide SEND $32.35 TO: allow McCarriar the space to work out his problems . . But it was not to be. Shortly after this, McCarriar wrote to "selected friends" the following about his situation: . " ... it has caused me times of anger, rage, or heartbroken despair, as I feel that I was an undeserving victim of betrayal, treachery, and sabotage, by a few people who are not supportive of my ministry or pastoral judgment. These reactions are only normal and temporary, and are entirely due to the unnatural stress perpetrated upon me by Bishop McNutt. If he would cease and desist, all would be well, I promise you, if you keep faith with me." "He was terribly injured, but wouldn't let anybody in. Even in good times, there was never any connection." After this, t.he Bishop saw the situation worsen and found himself compelled to take action to resolve the conflict in McCarriar's congregations. The Rev. Canon John McDowell went to Coudersport to meet with the vestries and to hand deliver a letter to ' Fr. McCarriar from the Bishop, again requiring that he get counseling and that he continue to meet with Canon France as a mentor. Bishop McNutt was to be in Coudersport on Sunday, September 19th, for his annual visitation. He was scheduled to meet with the vestry after the morning service. It seems likely that McCarriar, who had MURDER, From Page 9 about the apparent concerted gaybashing in our community. "We regard it as monstrous that people should be murdered because they're the wrong religion in Ireland, or the wrong tribe in Africa, or the wrong race somewhere else. So here in Montreal, it is equally monstrous that anyone, be it a beloved colleague Leonardo's Children, Inc. and a friend, or even a total stranger, 26 Newport Bridge Rd. should be done to death, possibly Call( 504)899-440 F1AX( 504)891-7555 Warwick, NY 10990 ■ because of his or _her actual or alleged L._$;_1_89_.ooy_,_e,p_ea~_rr6 o__bri lli_,n$g3,___1s. soo__ef a_c_h._.■~,., .___ ___. 9_.1_,4._.e9c8)(_6_-6__8_88 ____ = sexual orientation." •1 6I Second Stone•Marcb/April, 1994 l!.!!J been encouraged by Canon France in their sessions to consider relocating and starting over, believed that he would be removed from his position at this time . In any case, Fr. McCarriar did not show up at either the morning service or the meeting thereafter. In fact, he had gone to Williamsport the previous evening and on Sunday morning jumped to his death. Bishop McNutt was with the congregation when they were told of their Vicar's death. Canon France was with them the following two Sundays both to preach and to be available for the people in whatever way he could to promote healing. The Bishop is appointing a new vicar, to save the missions from conducting a search during their grief and healing process. In the interim the pulpit has been filled on Sundays by two priests from the diocese. Healing seems to be coming to the congregations at last. A good friend of his said, "Herb could have been helped. No one behaved inappropriately, but it just didn 't happen." One theme which repeated continuously was McCarriar's fear of psychiatrists, psychologists and all forms of counse]ing. Against all assurances, he believed his counselors were spies for the Bishop, reporting all they .heard in supposed confidence. A friend also said "there was much denial in Herb. He was terribly injurel:!, but wouldn't let anybody in, Even in . good .-titnes, there was never any connectiori:" It seems Fr. McCarriar was adept at helping others, but simply could . not ask for or receive help himself. It may never be known what fears kept him shut off from all those whose true desire was to help and heal. He created a place which was a true anomaly; a rural congregation cl1aracterized by inclusiveness, welcoming to Gays and Lesbians, committed to justice. McCarriar often claimed the Coudersport congregation had the first openly gay couple in the nation to stand as godparents at a baptism. Yet, he who accomplished so much and helped so many was ultimately neither able to help himself nor to receive from others the care which he so freely gave. - Ann Carlson The Rt. Rev. Andrew Hutchinson, Bishop of Montreal, said, ''This is a threat to the well-being of our community and a terror to a large segment of the population in partiClllar, namely, the gay community. Regardless of what may have been Father Eling's sexual orientation, he was a good and caring man. His whole life was lived out in profound commitment to challenging the bigotry of a violent world." -Kim Byham In Print . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ . ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ' Andrew, You Died Too Soon By Re\i. Richard B. Gilbert Contributing Writer The Rev. Corinne Chilstrom, author. Minneapolis: Augsburg Press, 1993. I first met Corinne Chilstrom five years ago when I brought her to Bur.lington, Iowa, to participate in our annual conference on grief. As a light approach to a heavy subject, I introduced her as "the first lady of the EL(;A." The crowd chuckled with delight. Rev. Chilstrom is the wife of Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Bishop Herbert Chilstrom. ' She is also one of a very few "first ladies" of grief counseling, for she grabbed hold of the 250 people there as they have never been grabbed before, wrung us through, yet gently sootned us, ·shoved us · forcefully beyond previous understanding of grief, yet welcomed us into her home and story in a way that made us feel like family. She introduced .,us to Andrew, her adopted ' soi:i, who committed suicide as a young adult. Corinne's magnetic style, her charm, her might, her pastoral pres~ In Print, briefly ... Womeant W orship: Interpretatioonfs N orth AmericaDn iversity This book is a collection of essays which probe the meaning and the manys hapeso f contemporarfye minist worship. Suggestionasr e offered for revitalizing traditional liturgical expressionsin relation t.o women's experiences. Authors are Majorie Procter-Smiathn dJ anetR . Walton -FromW estminster/JoKhnno xP ress OutingS: hatterintgh e Conspiracoyf Silence Thisi s the mostc ompletbeo okt o date on outing. Authors Warren Johansson and William Percy analyze the subjectf rom the perspectiveo f the shifting religious attitudes toward homosexuaelx pressio.n. -FromH affingtonP arkP ress Journeyo f theS oul Author Ruth H. Lang has written this little booklet'1 o inspiret he readert o take hope and reach out for a measure of life which has not as yet been realized." -FromW omaPnr ints1, 18W esSt parks St.,G alenKa S6 6739 ence have carried over into this book, a book that must be read · by all bereaved families and those dealing with grief due to a suicide. It is also a book that will be a gift to caregivers and those in need of caregiving, as happened that day in Burlington, when the 20 (out of 250) who I personally invited because they shared a similar story, were shouting through their posture, their gestures, their reactions, "Right on, sister... you understand!" Read how, yes, a pastor could lash out at God in helpless rage, yet feel closer to him at the same time. This is not another ''how-to" book on grief. There are too many of those already. I know. I have read them. Like the great teacher and storyteller Darcie Sims,. Corrine is doing this as it is said on the streets, about matters related to grief, "She's saying, What it is!" Andrew, You Died Too Soon is a collection of short vignettes. Even the three teaching sections (adoption, suicide, anger, plus a helpful look at the Psalms on our relationship with God in all of this), come across as story, and with a grand permission to be ourselves and to claim our own story. Read the book straight through, skip around, read sections at a time ... but read it! Read about how she doesn't buy pears anymore, because they were Artdrew's favorite fruit. Some things are never the same again. Read how they strung lights in the hallway because they needed something of the holiday. Read how, yes, a pastor, could lash out at God in helpless rage, yet feel clos,erto him at the same time. Read about the importance of ritual (familial and religious), when the rituals may be the only pathway you 'have to pull people together. The section on adoption is especially important, for not enough has been written about the "absence · _ of connectedness," which is what adoption may feel like. It is an important subject that needs more discussion. Adoption may be the best choice in a difficult situation, but it carries its weight in scars. The book's purpose is to help you to affirm your grief, find your pathway to healing, and to meet the loving God (in the theology of the cross) who is with us in our suffedng, understands our suffering, and is the one expression of "sensibility" (i.e., covenant) in those moments and chapters when there i.s only pain. 1 As a grief counselor and teacher, as well as chaplain, it is both my prayer and my commitment to get Andrew, You Died Too Soon into the hands of bereaved parents and families, pastors, church members, seminarians, counselors, people who want to care, and those many countless folks who mean well, but often say and do the things that hurt. The_bereaved have enough pairt on their own. For every person who reads this book there are countless folks who will be touched, understood more empathetically, cared for along the way, drawn closer to a caring God who might otherwise seem to have abandoned them (another death). Then one might hope that the church might begin to carry out in her ministries, her programs and her liturgies what Jesus has not only promised in himself, but demanded of us as that task which sets us apart from others. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." Thank you, Corinne, for sharing your pain, your story, your son. Thank you Andrew, for helping me with my own adoption issues. Through the author and the son, I have gained two friends and .also a renewed strength to seek the hope I need on my own grief journey. The goal was peacemaking between evangelicals and liberals: But then there was· a muttlet: .. and a gay Quaker i:tctivist is the prime suspect. "I never suspected a Quaker mystery could be such a page turner. Great fun." -Mark Hulbert, Publisher Hulbert Financial Digest " ... an intoxicating witches' brew of sexual politics and unFriendly intrigue ... Prophetic and scary!" -Alan Pell Crawford, author Thunder On the Right Order now from Second Stone Press Quan. □ MURDER AMONG FRIENDS ByC huckF ager$, 13.95 Postage/Handlin$g2 .90f irst book,$ 1.00e a. additional ____ _ TOTALAMOUNETN CLOSED_ __ _ NAME_ _________________ _ ADOR.. .E.. ,___ _______________ _ CITY/STATE/Z_IP_·_ __________ _ ORDEFRR OMS: ECONSDT ONEP RESS, P.O.B OX8 340N, EWO RLEANSL,A 70182 SecondS tone-March/April1, 99.4[ jzj Calendar ......... . ~ ........................................... . Presbyterian Church Coming Out Day MARCH 6, "For All The Saints" is the theme of this day, set aside for coming out in/to/for/with the Presbyterian Church as a lesbian, gay, or bisexual Christian or. as one who supports the full membership of all persons regardless of sexual orientation. For information contact Rev. Lindsay Louise Biddle, 3538 22nd Ave. So., Minneapolis, MN 55407, (612)724-5429. Black Church National Day of Prayer MARCH 6, The Second Annual Black Church National Day of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS, coordinated by The Balm In Gilead, Inc. This campaign for a spiritual commitment to fight AIDS calls on the over 500,000 black churches in the United States to set aside this day of prayer. For information call (212)281-4887. PLGC Midwinter Midwest Conference MARCH 11-13, Presbyterians for Lesbian/Gay Concerns is planning its midwinter conference and retreat in the Des Moines area. For information contact Eastern Iowa PLGC, P.O. Box 3202, Iowa City, IA 52244. American Society on Aging ,Conference MARCH 18-22, Special educational events, including "Gay and Lesbian Aging Issues" will punctuate the ASA's 40t_h Aimual Meeting at the San Francisco Hilton Hotel. Sessions · will include topics on AIDS and elders and overcoming barriers to health and social services for Gays and Lesbians. ASA's lfask Force on Lesbian and Gay Aging Is~ues will present three days of programming designed to help service providers understand the special concerns of gay and lesbian elders. For information call 1-800-537-9728 or TT /TrY /TDD 1-800-735-2929 or FAX (415)974-0300. Conference of Lesbian, Gaymale, Bisexual and Transgender Seminarians APRIL 22-24, ''Finding Our Voices" is the theme fpr this fourth annual conference to be held at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, New Brighton; Minn. Dr. Christine M; Smith, UTS professor and author of Weaving the Serman: Preaching in a Feminist Perspective and Preaching as Weeping, Canfessian, and Resistance: Radical Respanses to Radical Evil, is the keynote speaker. The conference is a lime of prayer, play, and the construction of grassrcots gay, theology . For information write to r-· -- . . . L18;, SecondStone-M~ch/Aprii, 1994 L/G/B/T Caucus , United Theological Seminary, 3000 5th St. NW, New Brighton, MN 55112 LGCM Annual Conference APRIL 15-17, London's Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement sponsors its annual conference. St. Alban's Centre, Baldwin's Gardens, London, is the setting. Keynote speaker is Prof. William Countryman, professor of New Testament, The Church Divinity School of the Pacific and author of Dirt, Greed, and Sex: Sexual Ethics in the New Testament and Their Implications for Today. For information contact LGCM, Oxford House, Derbyshire St., London, UK E2 6HG . More Light Churches Conference MAY 7-8, This gathering of members of Presbyterian congregations who welcome and affirm gay and lesbian members has met annually since 1985 for worship, fellowship, education, sharing of resources and models of ministry, and planning for evangelism and outreach. St. Luke Presbyterian Church, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn., is the host. The theme of the conference is "From Dialogue to Ministry: A Positive and Practical Approach to This Historical Moment." For information , call St. Luke Presbyterian Church, (612)474-7378 or Dick Hasbany, (503)757-8243. CMI Retreats MAY 20-22, Communication Ministry, Inc., a organization of Catholic lesbian nuns and gay brothers and priests sponsors the Gentle Warrior Retreat (men only). For information write to Steven Botkin, Men's Resource Center, 30 Boltwood Walk, Amherst, MA 01002. JUNE 20-24, Emmaus House, Perth Amboy, N.J., is the setting for this retreat held in conjunction with the celebrations of Stonewall 25 in New York City. JUNE 27-JULY 1,CMI hosts a retreat at the Marianist Center in Cupertino, Calif. For information write to Communication Ministry, P.O. Box 60125, Chicago, IL 60660-0125. Spiritfest '94 . MAY 27-30, This annual gathering of gay and lesbian Pentecostals features worship, music, prayer and ·workshops . The <Zoriference will be held in Arkansas . . For information contact Linda Harris, (817)520-7919. Mercy of God Community Retreat JUNE 3-5, The Mercy of God Community sponsors its Third Annual Religious Life Weekend and Retreat at the LaSalette Shrine and Retreat Center in Attleboro, Mass. The gathering offers an opportunity to explore religious vocation and enrich one's prayer life . For information contact Br. Ron Francis Creapeau-Cross, MGC, Mercy of God Community, P.O. Box 41055, Providence, RI 02940-1055. Ecumenical Institute of Sacred Choral Music , JUNE 19-21, The United Church Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Concerns sponsors an ecumenical choir camp for gay, lesbian and bisexual Christians. The camp will proceed the UCCL/GC 14th Annual National Gathering on the Rutgers campus in Newark, N.J. and will culminate with a major concert on June 23rd at a nationally known church. The event will unite the voices of 200 gay, lesbian, and bisexual Christians as part of Gay Pride Week m New York City. For information contact Rev. Christine · Leslie, (908)598-0862, 125 Summit Ave., #4, Summit, NJ 07901. Eighth Annual Golden Threads JUNE 24-26, Lesbian women from all over the United States, and some from other countries, will gather at the .Provincetown Itm in Provincetown, Mass., to celebrate what they are and their age, whatever it is. Entertainment will be provided by Heather Bishop. Golden Threads is a worldwide social network of lesbian women over 50, and women who are interested in older women. For reservation information write to Christine Burton, Golden Threads, P.O. Box 60475, Northampton, MA 01060-0475. American Baptists Concerned National Retreat JUNE 27-30, Madison A venue Baptist Church in New York City will host this retreat, themed "A Celebration of Stonewall and Our Wholeness" in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of Stonewall. Attendees will have the opportunity of participating in the many activities of New York's Gay Pride Week. Retreat leader is Dr. William R. Stayton. For information contact American Baptists Concerned, 872 Erie St., Oak1and, CA 94610, (510)465-8652. ConnECtion '94 JULY 1-4, Evangelicals Concerned Western Region sponsors its annual gathering to be held this year at Chapman College in Orange County, Calif. For information write to ECWR, P.O. Box 4750, Denver, CO 80204. Lutherans Concerned National Gathering JULY 14-17, The National Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . of Lutherans Concerned/North America will be held on the campus of the Uruvers1ty of North Carolina in Charlotte. For information contact LCNA, P.O. Box 10461, Chicago IL 60610-0461. ' National Association of Black and White Men Together JULY 16-24, Over 200 people are expected to attend this organization's 14th Annual Convention to be held at the Sheraton National Hotel in Arlington, Va. The theme ''Breaking the Chains of ISMS" will be addressed via workshops, guest speakers, and cultural/ social events. NABWMT was formed in 1980 as a "gay, multi-racial, multi-cultural organization committed to fostering supportive environments · wherein racial and cultural barriers can be overcome and the goal of human equality realized." For information contact NABWMT, 1747 • . Connecticut Ave. N.W ., 3rd Floor, Washington, DC 20009-1108, (202)462-3599, (800)NA4-BWMT. 1994 GLAD Event AUGUST 12-15, The Gay, Lesbian and Affirming Disciples Alliance will me':t at Mercy Center, Burlingame, Cal!f.-, for its annual gathering. Faahtators are Cynthia WintonHenry and Phil Porter. For information on this Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) event contact GLAD, P.O. Box 19223, Indianapolis, IN 46219-0223, (206)324-6231. . Conference for Catholic parents of Gays, Lesbians . SEPTEMBER 30-0CTOBER 2, 'Turning the Key," the first national retreat for Catholic parents of gay and lesbian children which will support parents in their key roles of promoting understanding and empathy in the church, will be held at the LaSalette Center for Christian Living m Attleboro, Mass. Facilitators will be Sr. Jeannine Gramick, SSND, and Fr. Robert Nugent. The weekend will involve story-telling, presentations, film, discussions, communal prayer, qmet hme, worship and . socializing. For information contact Fr. Robert Nugent, 637 Dover St., Baltimore, MD 21230, (301)864-8954. LGCM Retreat N0':13MBER 11-12, England's Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement sponsors a retreat led by Helen Loder, SSM and Rev. Malcolm Johnson. This is a unique weekend opportunity of meditative reflection in an affirming c?mmunity, during which there will be talks, discussions some silence and lots of relaxation. ' The Royal Foundation of St. Katherine in London is the setting. For information contact LGCM, Oxford House, Derbyshire St., London, E2 6HG, UK. Noteworthy T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . UFMCC leader celebrates 10th anniversary t.MR. RA VI VERMA celebrated his 10th year as Direct or of Adminstration at the UFMCC church headquarters in 1993. Rev. Troy Perry praised Verma for his "professionalism, creativity, intelligence and devotion." American Baptists Concerned adds chapters t.THE GROUNDWORK was laid for thr ee new American Baptists Concerned chapters at the regional retreat of ABConcerned/New England. Retreat participants decided that the New England chapter would be diyided into three groups: ABConcerned/ Massachusetts, ABConcerned/ Connecticut and ABConcerned/Rhode Island. For information about the Connecticut group call (203)267-2456; Massachusetts cafl (617)625-3121. For · information about the national organization for gay and lesbian Baptists contact American Baptists Concern ed, 872 prie St., Oakland, CA 94610, (510)465-8652. MCC Nashville in the news, growing . t.AS A RESULT of interviews with new pastor · Rev: 'Dr: ·Buddy Truluck in a Nashville daily newspaper and HOUSING, From Page 7 need for time and spa ce to continue dialogue," he said. Regarding the City of New York, Bishop Anderson reiterated his conviction that the seminary not concede to outside pressure, but continue to work within the structures and teachings of the Church. In suggesting a future policy, he said he supported an approach involving shared responsibility between the seminary and diocesan bishops regarding housing at GTS and .that the church's bishops nee!=! to be more explicit about their CMI, From Page 12 homosexuality, an immense achievement itself, but we · are hearing ourselves called ii:i-our gay and lesbian identities," he says . "We are members of Christ's Body, and this is our salvation. As gay and lesbian people we have special gifts and . a purpose in the Church and world. In this is .our sanctification. How wonderful, then, that God could make a people out of those who were 'no-people."' The Board 0f Directors of CMI, like their subscribers, represents a · spectrum of religious communities of on three local radio stations, MCC Nashville reports membership more than doubling. The Board of Direcs tors has increased the pastor's position from part time to enough to meet the UFMCC requirement for full time . pastor and open the way for the church to apply to regain its UFMCC charter. In the spring, the church is planning to move to a larger location and greatly expand the opportunities for church groups and community meetings. For information on MCC/ Nashville, call (615)251-9057. Raleigh church buys new building t.ST. JOHN'S MCC, Raleigh, North Carolina, has closed on the purchase of a $425,000 building, reports Rev. Wayne Lindsay, pastor. The building has a sanctuary that seats 228. The church reported an $18,000 offering on Sunday, Dec. 5. Small church realizes big dream t.OPEN DOOR MCC, a UFMCC commissioned church with 63 members in Boyds, Maryland, recently achieved something few churches of its size have ever done. Open Door built its own $285,000 church building from the ground up. "We are proud and we hope other churches will say, expectations for the students from their individual dioceses. At its convention last fall, just after the GTS Trustees met, the Diocese of New York called for the Episcopal Church to end unequal treatment of its employees. A direct outgrowth of the GTS controversy, the resolution was introduced by St. Clement's Church, Manhattan, and was overwhelmingly approved. The resolution calls for its introduction at General Convention later this year. - Bruce Parker and Episcopal News Service women and men and diocesan clergy. The editors of Communication newsletter and CMl Board of Directors are all volunteers. The funding for the ministry comes from newsletter subscriptions, retreat fees and the contributions of friends of the CMI network. Subscriptions to CMl newsletter are $25.00 per year in the U.S., $30.00 per year in Canada and Mexico, $35.00 elsewhere. The mailing list is confidential and -the newsletter arrives in a sealed envelope. For information write to Communication Ministry, Inc ., P .O. Box . 60125, Chicago, IL 60660-0125. 'Hey,.if that little church can do it, we can, too!"' said Rev. Ke·n Ehrke, pastor. While most new MCC buildings are constructed in urban areas, Open Door MCC is unique because the new church was built in a rural area. -Rev. Kittredge Cherry Rural Gays, Lesbians connect on computer HHE RURAL ALLIANCE Network has gone on line with interactive services for Gays and Lesbians living in rural. and suburban areas of the country. The network plans to provide information and entertainment and aims to "put an end to the dominant urban gay /lesbian/bisexual stereotype." Services are now available 24 hours a day by phoning (805)287-0010 with your computer modem. United In Spirit takes a higher profile llUNITED IN SPIRIT, a San Franciscobased coalition of gay- and lesbianpositive religious organizations, has recently increased its visibility in the community. The group was formed in response to .a meeting called by Rev . Lou Sheldon of the Traditional Values Coalition held at Hamilton Square Baptist Church in San Francisco on March 4, 1993. The name United In Spirit was chosen as an attempt to be as broadly inclusive _of religious traditions as possible. The desire of the group is to join with other groups who actively oppose the politics of the religious right and to be proactive in proclaiming the loving, inclusive · reign of God. For information contact United In Spirit, Rev. Mickey Williamson, First Congregational Church, 432 Mason St., San Francisco, CA 94102, (415)392-7461. Cloister begins publication ll'THE HARMONIST," the only handset and hand printed periodical in the country, is being published by the members of Christiansbrunn Brotherhood. The Brotherhood is a community of gay men who are Harmonists . The 63-acre cloister is located in the Mahantongo Valley nf central Pennsylvania. The newsletter features a column on what is happening at the cloister, how the animals and crops are doing, and what events are coming up. It also features a monthly article on the Pennsylvania Dutch culture of the Mahantongo Valley, focluding . interviews, German recipes, farming techniques, and more. The cost if $15 annually and includes associate membership. For a complimentary copy write to Bro. Johannes, Christiansbrunn Kloster, RDl, Box 149, Pitman, PA 17964. 20th anniversary for Integrity founder llLOUIE CREW, founder of Integrity, Inc. and professor at Rutgers University, and Ernest Clay celebrated the 20th anniversary of their commitment ceremony on February 2, 1994, 12 days before Valentine's Day. "Rev. Dee Dale Day" MS PART OF the celebration of Rev. Dee Dale's 10th anniversary as pastor of MCC Louisville, Ky., the county judge executive proclaimed Dec. 10 as "Rev. Dee Dale Day" in Jefferson County, Kentucky. Cathedral of Hope offers bond issue llCATHEDRAL OF HOPE MCC, Dallas, one of the fastest growing churches in America, is selling bonds in order to refinance current bonds at a lower rate. The · previous issue came three years ago whei:i banks refused to finance the construction of the congregation's new facility which now .stands as the world's largest lesbian and gay church. The new issue will allow: the church to add parking and construct new" classrooms. For information .on the investment bonds call (214)351-1901. Dignity/Maui chapter folds llDIGNITY /MAUI has discontinued its meetings, according to chapter organizer Ron Drum. Bulk Copies Available OF THIS ISSUE OF SECOND STONE For church/group distribution, conferences, bar ministry, etc 10 copies - $13 50 • 25 copies· $29.50 · 50 copies - $45 00 100 copies - $67 .50 inc ludes postage and handling L i mited q uantit y of back issues available f-flEE. add $5.00 postage for every 50 copies Send your pre -paid order to Second Stone, P . O. Box 834/J. New Orleans , LA 70182 Second Stone•March/April, 1994 · :/ 19 / Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ----- ------------. Books & Publications 'WONDERFUL DIVERSITY," "Heartily recommended," "Philosophically intrig- . uing," "Excellent." Why do reviewers highly esteem CHRISTIAN*NEW AGE QUARTERLY? Great articles and .lively Classified Order Form Please place my ad in .these issues: [] Jan/Feb [] Mar/Apr [] May/Jun [] Jul/Aug [ J Sept'Oct · [ J Nov/Dec i I I -columns make this bridge of ·dialogue between Christians and New Agers as entertaining as it is· substantive. Subscribe for only $12.50/yr. Or sample us for $3 .50. CHRISTIAN*NEW AGE QUARTERLY, P.O, Box 276, Clifton, NJ 07011-0276. TF FOR ONLY 35¢ per word, your classified ad will reach readers from Sitka, Alaska to Amherst, Maine and everywhere in between. Business or personal. .. try a classified ad in our next edition! MailTo: Second Stone Box 8340 New Orleans, I.A 70f82 Name, ____________ _ Addre11 _________ _ City/St./Zip, _______ _ AD COPY _______ _ ----------·------- __ words X .35= $, ____ _ 20 word minimum. All classifieds must be pre-paid. Deadline one month prior to cover date. We.will mail you a copy of the edition(s) in which your ad appears -CLASSIFICATIONS I l Books & Publications [ ] Business Opportunities [ ] Employment [ ] Friends/Relationships [ J General Interest [ J Mail Order [ J Merchandise [] Organizations [] Professional Services [ ] Real Estate [] Retreats [ ] Roommates [ ]Travel . I I :1 $ I 'I ,I I .I I I I A GAY DIARY 1975-1982 by Donald Vining is the latest in the-series of intimate, personal diaries of which critics have said, ' Unquestionably the nchest h1stoncal document of gay male life in the United States" "The fairly' detailed look at the day-to-day . · development of a 'long-term' gay couple · relationship is only one valuable aspect of this intriguing chronicle." "Humor, narrative sense, interest in the foibles of others. Deep honesty." 474 pages. paperback $11.95 hardcover $16.95. Also available A GAY DIARY 1946-1954 $9.95 and $14.95, 1954-1967 paperback only, $9.95, 1967- 1975, $11.95 and $!~.95. The Pepys Press, 1270 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10029 6/94 --- ---------------------------------- ---------------------- _Employment EXPERIENCED CHRISTIAN Bimale seeks job as Church Sexton, Gardener, Janitor-or - Maintenance Man at church, camp, or other institution . Would prefer Northwestern U.S. and Canada. 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Eastern Maine AIDS Network, P.O .. Box 2038, Bangor, ME 04402. B Leonardo's Children, Inc., 26 Newport . ~ridge Rd ., Warwick, NY 10990. . EARN MORE IN .A DAY . lHAN MOST PEOPLE EARN IN A WEEK · GUARANfEED INCOME -CALL NOW l-!I00-618-8554 See the class~d ad SPECIAL OFFER! LAST SUPPER, From Page 11 saying 'This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood." Direct reference to the Last Supper as a 'frequent worship experience in the early church is in I Corinthia11s 10:14-33 and 11:17-34. In both of these passages, Paul gives stress to the theme of inclusiveness and unity that the communion meal expressed:- Jesus applied the Old Testament and the Passover traditions to himself. He focused it all on his own person and mission. 'This is my body. This is my blood ." Jesus was very selective in his interpretation of passover traditions. The passover meal incjuded many items that Jesus could have used as symbols of himself: the slain lamb, the bitter herbs, salt, etc. He used the most simple of all. The host at the Passover had the responsibility of explaining the items used in the meal. Jesus took the common elements of every meal, bread and drink, and transformed them by his · use into vehicles for revealing the glory of God. This freedom of Jesus in seeing all things in his own personal and individual way is one of God's gifts to you and me through Christ. We also come to the communion meal with our personal needs and problems and experiences that make each of us unique and . unlike every other person in the world. In Communion you are invited to experience God through Jesus Christ in the way that fits you and with which you feel most comfortable and the least distracted. You are not only free to understand the bread and cup in your own individual way; you are encouraged and invited to do so. . ARE YOU _MOVING? The Post Office will not forward The Second Stone. You must notify us for uninterrupted service if you move. Please nolify us four weeks In a(:lvance fO:r uninterrupted delivery . Send both old and new addresses . If possible altach mailing la.bel in space provided . · PRINT NEW ADDRESS ; g ~a. z - '< ~ ~ i -~ N -c· Cl ~ Send completed form to: THE SECOND STONE Box8340 Nsw Or/sans, LA 70182 g> " "O -<" 2. a. [ Q ~ 0. ii , ~ " ~ ~ , __ ..:._.....,.......,.,.... __ ..,...:..:.......,.,. ........ ___ _:_ _____ --:-_-..,,------'---------------:----------~ !j) Second S.torie-March/April, 1994 l !. 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 Second Stone #33 - Mar/Apr 1994 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/2574563a737e1d378e6ff162ded965b9.pdf c4261b866a1a65f02a94fda2f56f82db 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 Second Stone Description An account of the resource Issues of the Second Stone publication. Issue An issue of a recurring publication. Issue Number The number of the issue (within a volume) 34 Publication Year The year the issue was published 1994 Publication Date The date the issue was published May/June 1994 Text Any textual data included in the document OUR SIXTH YEAR MAY/JUNE, 1994 · ISSUE #34 Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like ·an everflowing stream. - Amos 5:24 RO AD T° R IP In Latin America: Seeking the "other sheep" John Doner and Pepe Hernandez, life partners for over a dozen years, have just completed a 14-count:ry bus tour of Latin America. Their purpose was to encourage the formation of new Christian groups to minister to the gay and lesbian _ community. There are forty million Gays and Lesbians in Latin America. Specialists in missiology, church . growth and urban evangelism continue to pretend that this large minority does not even exist, says the l eader of an organization dedicated to changing ministry to Gays an d Lesbians in Latin America. Dr. Tom Hanks, a Bible scholar and theologian in Latin America since 1963 and executiv e director of Other Sheep ministries recognized this mission field and has made Latin America a priority for his ministry . His organization recently sponsored a 14-country Latin American tour by two missionaries, John Doner and Pepe Hernandez. "We help sexual minorities and those who work with them to realize their dreams," says Hanks, summing up th e work of Other Sheep. "So many dreams have been smas h ed: of getting 'cured,' of happy traditional marriages, of getting ordained to serve God openly as a gay man or lesbian , of defeating AIDS. Any human organization inevitably smashes some dreams as incompatible with its goals and procedures, even those that work to support sexua l minority concerns ... I long to see people realize in their lives the dreams God has given them.,, Other Sheep, also known as Multicultural Ministries with Sexual Minorities, is into its third year of . evangelistic outreach, pasto ral care, and educational programs with both sexual minorities and homophobic individuals and institutions in the Americas, Europe and Africa. In 1993, the une xpected opening of networking and evangelistic outreach in South Africa and the establi shment of a new center for ministry in San Jose, Costa Rica were important steps for the organization . There are 57 cities in Latirt America with populations of more than half a million, but only in ten of those cities do Christian ministries to Gays and Lesbians exist, although one city in Latin America has 102 gay bars. The few gay and lesbian Christian groups that do exist are isolated from each other by hundreds or even thousands of miles. They are separated econom ically by extremely limited telephone and travel budgets, linguistically by the Spanish-English-Portuguese barriers and theologically by the historic Catholic-Protestant split _still common in Latin America. SEE COVER STORY, Page 10 P. 0 . Box 8340 John Doner, left, and Jose (Pepe) Hernandez . ,,. ·, ; ' . •J ii; Whe_n h:isL0ry ls beilif1€J/ i;,;,ia,,te;,, b'tii it Christian chuFch or sic·u/a,t:, :r-airely ape -:the crowds Hned-t:i;p Jm:d a:ppl'i1iiJ1d- J11g.. EspeciaJ;ly i!; t,h-at true :w:n~n tbe hunible hist0,:y-rn:ak,ens a,re. dedkc.a,ted rep re.sen ta'.five~, ·0f:gJ1.a,y:a·ntJ:-l~;$/bifm · - · •sce:x11:J1a!h-,mii1[,J/@'fiiiit;ies·1 -" . · _· · · \ • .. -· ~~-~-~;iJ-if :·<ff ~•Li{:~ · :--\F._-· .. , New Orleans, lA 70182 Address Correction Requested SUBSCRIBE NOW - ONE YEAR ONLY $15.00!• BOX 8340 • NEW ORLEANS, LA 70182 BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PA ID NEW ORLEANS, LA PERMIT No. 511 From the Editor ................................... Unity between evangelicals, Catholics not rooted in compassion c:nd faith By Jim Bailey I ecall sitting am.ong the congregation of a Southern Baptist Convention church, of which I was a member during my high school days, and hearing from the pulpit that no one was farther rom the gate of heaven than a Roman Catholic. A decade later, I was teaching Sunday School in the even more conservative Baptist Missionary Association and, much to the chagrin of my pastor, working for the "hell-bound" Romans as an assistant administrator of an Associated Catholic Charities program. The closest this pastor ever came to acknowledging any value at all of Catholicism was that "the Catholics do build beautiful churches." The disdain that Baptists and evangelicals have long held toward the Roman Catholic church is well known. But now, all that's changing. The Catholic church is seeming a bit more Christian to evangelicals these days. The church's steadfast stand against abortion, civil rights for Gays and Lesbians, the teaching of safe sex to teenagers and other "social ills" has not gone unnoticed by Baptists and evangelicals, who are now apparently willing to award Roman Catholics with some heavenly credit. Catholic and evangelical leaders gathered in March to sign a document entitled "Evangelicals and Catholics Together: The Christian. Mission in the Third Millennium." The document, signed near the end of March by about 40 church leaders, urged Catholics and evangelicals to put centuries of theological differences behind them and recognize each other's ·central beliefs in the resurrection and divinity of Christ. Among those signing the document: the heads of the Southern Baptist Convention's Christian Life Commission and Home Mission Board, Bill Bright of Campus Crusade for Christ, Pat Robertson and San Francisco's Archbishop Carlos Sevilla. Odd bedfellows indeed. Of course we've always known that politics makes odd bedfellows and that's what this is ca powerful political action that has little to do with bringing Christian people together in unity. The document states that the new alliance is coming together to deal with the "restoration of religion-based moral values ... " And who might be in for a little overhaul in this restoration process? We inust pray for real unity among Christian people . And that comes not when · we agree politically but when we agree on a faith that recognizes the worthiness, dignity and sanctity of all people in a radically 'inclusive way as Christ did. The signers of "Evangelicals and Catholics Together" have not demonstrated this depth of compassion. · SECOND STONE Newsjoumal, ISSN No. 1047-3971, is published every other month by Bailey Communications, P. 0. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182. Copyright 1994 by Second Stone, a registered trademark. SUBSCRIPTIONS, U.S.A. $15.00\l'er year, six issues. Foreign subscribers add $10.00 for postage. All payments U.S. currency only. ADVERTISING, For displa:, advertising information ca11{504)891-7555 or write to P.O. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182. EDITORIAL, send letters, .calendar announcements, noteworthy items to (Department title) Second Stone, P.O. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182. Manuscripts to be . returned ~hould be accompanied . by a stamped, self addressed envelope. Second Stone 1s otherwise not responsible for the return of any material. · SECOND STONE, a national ecumenical Christian ·social justice newsjoumal With a specific outreach to sexual orientation minorities. • PUBLISHER/EDITOR: Jim Bailey CONTRIBUTORS FOR THIS ISSUE: Andrea L. T. Peterson, Brian Mayeda, Rev. Janis K. Doleschal, Tom W. Kelly. Amy Adams Strongheart rn Second Stone•May/June, 1994 THE NATIONAL ECUMENICAL CHRISTIAN NEWSJOURNAL FOR LESBIANS, GAYS AND BISEXUALS Contents ......... ........ " ....... .. . rn []] [I] [NJ From The Editor. "Unity" between evangelicals, Catholics Commentary On same-gender marriage News Lines Cover Story On the road to ministry in Lalin America 1191 The Second Loss @) . A lesbian pastor survives an ouster vote ' What Makes a Family? [HJ I It's not Ward, June, Beaver and Wally anymore . r.-~ In Print ! 15 I In the Courts of the Lord l I • I I Reviewed bY. Andrea L T. Peterso,.; ~ What the Bible Really Says About Homosexuality Reviewed by Tom W. Kelly . I 181 Calendar I 19 I Noteworthy · 120 I Classifl~s Comment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A proposal of marriage By Maggie Tanis Guest Comment W . en his lover of 18 years ad a heart attack and was aken to the local hospital, a ay man was told by .the hospital staff that because he was "not family" they w o uld not give him any informati on about his lov er's condition . They wouldn't even t ell him if his life partner was dead or aliv e. Only after he went hom e and · got their pow er of attorney papers, which were carefully examined by the hospital administrators, was he told that his lov er was going to survive. If the religious se rvice that they had had y e ars befo re had b ee n recognized by the civil authorities as a lega l marriag e, then the pain and fear they suff ere d would not ha ve. bee n compounded by having to prove their status as. family to an uncaring hospital bureauacracy. . A lesbian couple in Honolulu who have thr ee children worry that if one of them was to die, th e children could be taken away from the remaining parent and lose the only famil y th ey had ever known . This couple married seven years ago, befor e having children , so that their kids would be born "in wedlock." But the state refuses to recognize th eir marria ge. We can gain vital civil rights through th e legali zation of sa me gender marriag e, rights that we curr entl y hold only through piec emeal, and often ineffectual , legal protection s. Dom estic partner s hip , in the few places that r ecognize it, often carri es more symbolic than legal value. The struggle for marriage rights is principally a struggle for civil rights . Yet some Gays and Les bian s continue to think that this issu e is not imp ortant to our community . Some charge that the mov ement for s_ame gender marri age is merel y copying heterosexual values and is a goal inconsistent with the pursuit of civil rights for gay people . Th e m ove ment for same gender marriage fundamentally seeks to ensure that all peop le hav e equal access · to the rights granted in our society. I believe that our s is a radical movement that will str ike a s ignificant blo w to th e fo rces of our oppr ess ion by br ea kin g down th e basti on of h e tero sex u al pri vilege : marriag e. Society rewards peop le for enterin g into het erosex u a l marriag e, by granting l egally sa nct ion ed rights and bene fits. Granting these rights t o other mod e ls of family remo ves the adv anta ge curr en tly enjoyed o nly by h eterosex uals and the ir families. The que stion of whether states ought lo grant couples benefits not given to singles is a diff erent question than whether same gender coupl es should be treated as equal to opposite gender couples. By n o t pursuing the right to marry , we are saying in effect that i I is acceptable to treat gay and lesbian couples differently than hetero sexual couples . That is not acceptable to me . Same gender couple s de serve bett er than se cond cla ss citizenship. All p eople are entitled to equal tr eatinent, and that is why we are pursuing the legal right to marry in Hawa ii. Legali ze d marriag es would give gay and lesbian relation ships full legal and· social l egitimacy for the first time in history . Gay and lesbian couples would be entitled to all legal benefits that automatically accrue to married couples, including child custody, employment, inherit a nce and survivor benefits. Gay and lesbian couples would also receive all economic b enefits of ma rria ge, including ta x exem ption , fee wa iver s, dea th ben efits and comm e rcial discounts . Even those who have no int erest in "Big Three" perpetuate homophobia By The Ecumenical Catholic Church Guest Comment T hree unrelat ed rece nt acts ha ve reinforced th e hom ophobia of the Roman Catholic, Lutheran , and Episcopal churches. The trag edy is eve n furth er troubl esome in that it represents acts of worldw ide, national, and local agents. · · In responding to le.aders of the European Community moving toward acceptance of gay mar riage and Stonewall 25 By Nick Dowen Guest Comment S ince 1969 a whole new generation ha s grown up to whom the Stonewall uprising ma y seem as remote as the War of 1812 . But I am old enough to remember it as a cont emporary event. In 1969 I already lived in New York, as l had long wanted to do. On the day after Stonewall when . I read about ii in the new s paper s l underst oo d in a flash what it was all about: an oppre ssed group's struggl_e for self-realization and self-determination. This is not an original. them e. It is as old as th e Bible and as ne,w as tomorrow's newspapers. From the adoption of children by same-sex couples, Pope John Paul cautioned them against taking such a s tand. The bish op of Rome, ther efore, is continuing to try to force his own outd ated moral position through the legal system. · • Th e Evangelical Luth era n C hur ch in A merica has expe lled o ne of its· pastors in Oak land, Calif ., because he acknowledges that he is an activ e hom osex ual. We know that th e clergy of nearly e very church body hav e active homo sexual s among their Pilgrims at Plimo uth Ro ck in 1620 onwards it is a central th eme in American history . · Since 1969 I have n't changed my .mind one bit about Stonewall. What s urpris es m e is that not all Am erican s hav e this unde rs tandin g of it. My . und erstanding comes from my first grade t eac he r, Miss Darlen e Lansbury . She taught us about the dehumani zing ins tituti on of s lavery . She told u s about a black man standing up in th e str eet to b e sold like a stove, a thing , and I hav e that frightening imag e ind elibly record ed in my brain, pow erfully vivid and pr esent to me this very day. The central teaching of th e Christian religion is that God becam e ranks. The Lutheran mess ag e is clea r: "Don't be honest about who you are if yo u want to continue to be a good pas tor." Obviously th e churches ar e as goo d as the U.S. military when it co mes to promoting dishonestly. The rector of th e local Ep iscopa l Church at the Russian River, in a surprising and tremendously disappointing move, h as put up a roa dbl ock to our church s haring the facilities that the Epi scopali ans lease fr om th e Pr esbyte rian Church by a human being. Af ter Jesu s Chri st, we · believe, God can never be less th an human . But Christians, to our shame, have so metim es failed to live . up to that id ea l, and hav e often tr ea ted other human beings in a d ehumani zing way. From the ea rly church until today it hasn't been easy to mak e the tran sition from beli eving that Jes us is God to the more important task, perhaps, of following . Jesus' teachings. Since 1969 the story of the lesbian and gay community is largely about growth: the growth of a tremendous number of different organizations. Our so ciety highl y prizes individual initiativ e and achievem e nt, but organized groups are stronger than .............. ..... marri age will benefit from a v ictory in this case becaus e it will represent t he end of second class status and the beginning of full eq ual citizenship for Lesbians and Gays. · Same gender ma rriag e also is a grave threat to the conservative antigay movem ent. Those who oppos e civil rights for Lesbians and gay men rely h eavily on the stereotypes of promiscuou s, leering men who pre y upon young boys and hav e hundred s o f sex partners ea ch yea r and of Lesbians who parade naked down Main Street. We are portrayed as the bear ers of diseas e and thr e at s to morality and the "traditional family." Yet, o ur very d esire for marriag e shatters th ese images. We ha ve found in Hawaii that those who opp ose same gender ma rriage ·argue against hom osexua lity itse lf, rath er than against gay m arr iag e because it doe s not fit into their stereotypes. After all, marriage conv eys the ideas o f lov e, of commitment , of monogamy, the o pposit es of what they portray us to be. Some h ave arg ued that we will never · have marriage rights b ecaus e they are too controversial. Th e SEE PROPOSAL, Page 17 obje cting to the p ossibility of gay weddings. This action demon st rat es that even as nati ona l bodi es m ove to deal positiv ely with sexual issues, the cancer of homophobia mu st b e erad icated a t each and every local level as well. It is exactly becau se of un°Christian actions such as th ese that the Ecumenical Catholi c and Sarum Episcopal churches exist, carrying God"s messa ge of all-inclusiv e love without the sin of human bigo try and prejudice. any individual. Our lesbian and gay groups supply uur best prot ection against bein g dehumani ze d .. Excerpted fram Outlook, the newsletter of Int eg,·ity /Ne w York, P.O. Box 5202, New York, NY 10185-0043. We welcome your letters and opinions Write to Second Stone. All letters must be original and signed by the writer. Clearly indicate if your na!ne is to be witltlteld. We reserve tlte rigl,t to edit . Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 or FAX to (504)891-7555. Second si~ne•M -ay-/-Ju_n_e_, -199_4_.[IJ NewLsin es • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Ill •· • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Ministerdse nouncseig nv andals M GROUP OF ALABAMA ministers has come out in support of the Auburn Gay and Lesbian Association's battle to maintain its anti-litter sign. The Auburn Mi.nisterial Association has condemned vandalism of the Adopt-a-Mile highway sign, which has been defaced repeatedly since it was first erected in . January. "There was a strong .consensus that there was something we could and should say as representatives of fart of the religious community," said the Rev. Howard W. Roberts, pastor o the. First Baptist Church, who signed the statement. He said regardless of whether people approve of homosexuality, :·what we need to try to do is to respond to all people with love," · - AssociatedP ress Lutheragnr oups upportesx pellegda yp astor LlLEADERS OF LUTHERANS CONCERNED/North America are publicly denouncing the defrocking of the Rev. Ross Merkel, pastorofSt. Paul's Lutheran Church in Oakland, Calif. on March 25. "We deplore the actions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America for causing another talented gay pastor to be removed from the clergy roster," said .Lynn Mickelson, co-chair of Lutherans Concerned. "Both Pastor Merkel and the congregation of St. Paul's have shown remarkable courage dunng this trying time. We pledge our continuing support for Pastor Merkel and ·St. Paul's Church," .MicRelson said. The ELCA hef<f a hearing and ruled thatRev. Merkel was to be removed from the clergy roster for being in a relationship with another man. Pastowr hol icensegda ym inistetro leaveB aptisct hurch llTHE SENIOR PASTOR of Olin T. Binkley Baptist Church in Chapel Hill, North Carolina has decided to resign almost two years after a decision to license a gay minister split the church and drew national attention. In a letter mailed to the congregation, Linda Jordan, the church's first woman minister, announced she would step down Aug. 31 from the post she has held more than four years, reported The News & Obseruer of Raleigl,. During her tenure al the church, the congregation voted to license John Blevins, a gay Duke University divinity student, a decision that led to the church's expulsion from the Southern Baptist Convention. The vote led seven of Binkley s 20 deacons to resign in protest and caused many longtime members of the church to leave. -Associated Press MCCp astodr ismissed LlAFTER SERVING THE Metropolitan Community Church of Baltimore as pastor for only slightly more tfian a year, the Rev. Joseph Totten-Reid has resigned at the request of the church's lay leadership. Totten-Reid's unexpected departure, announced in early March, comes amid declining membership for the 21-year-old congregation. He was the fourth pastor to serve the Baltimore congregation in as many years. There has been a growing decline in a number of lesbian and gay religious organizations in Baltimore. 0The Altemative Episcopaglr oupc ondemngsa ys tudentcso habitating !:,A DEOSION BY THE General Theological Seminary, one of the country's oldest and largest Episcopal seminaries, to allow gay and lesbian students to live together in on-canifus housing has drawn a rebul<e from the nation's largest traditionalist Episcopa group. Hie Rev. Samuel L. Edwards, executive director of the Episcopal Synod of America, issued a statement blasting the new policy as disgraceful. "The Episcopal Synod of America sees this new devek,pment as further evidence of the moral decadence within the institutional Episcopal Church," Edwards said. Clergyg roups upportgsa yr ightsb ill LlSAY ING SUPPORTF OR gay rights is consistent with their religious teachings, 14 ministers from across Rliode fsland gathered at the Statehouse on March 16 to voice their support for a gay rights bill, making its 10th appearance in the state's legislature. "The time is overdue," said the Rev, H. Daehler Hayes, a minister with the Rhode Island Conference of the United Church of Christ. ''The time is now for passage of this legislation guaranteeing basic civil rights." Last year, the gay rights biil passed the Senate before being voted down in the House Judiciary Committee. - Southern Voice ThreCe atholcicle rabva cka nti-discriminbatililo n llTHE PASTOR OF one oTWashington state's largest parishes and two Seattle nuns bucked the state's Roman Catholic leadersrup and urged that the legislature ]>ass a gay anti-discrimination bill, At a March 13 rally at St. James Cathedral, the Rev. Michael Ryan, F'astor of the cathedral parish, and Sisters Eileen Delong and Andrea Nenzel pledged lo SU£porl the legislation next year. The bill died in the state Senate after passing the House. Right~winCgh ristiangso t o" booct amp" t:,TJ-OLl AT.ESTA DDffiON to the influx of far-right fundamentalist l!roups that continue to build up in Colorado Springs is_promising to open a boot-camp training school" for what maJ well be real Christian soldiers in the religious right's war on the gay and lesbian community. The Coalition on Reviva1 has been around in Nortliern California for about a decade and adheres to not only 59~e of the _n_,ose!~ tremist vi.ews in the fundamentalist ~ight but also adopts a distinctly m1htaristic structure and language. An unpublished COR "Manifesto" calls on evangelical ministers to organize their CO!)gregations into small "home cell groups" with parishioners (known as "sheep" m COR) agreeing to make a "commitment to the other members of the group to the point of sacrifice." Among the tenets COR espouses are replacing the court system with tribunals overseen [jJS econdS tone-May/June1, 994 by church elders, abolishing the eublic school system, reinstating "indentured servitude" (slavery), and establishing the death penalty for a wide array of "sins"·ranging from adultery to homosexuality to blasphemy. - Outlines Baptiscth urchg, ayp rideo fficialws orko utd ifferences t:,THE FIRST BAPTIST Church of Charlotte, North Carolina, came out in opposition lo the. scheduled June 5 lesbian and gay J>ride parade. and celebration because the church campus is in the same block as Marshall Park, the rally site and start/end point for the parade, which r,rompled one Charlotte City Council member to remark that the event must be' targeting the church." The gay pride steering committee offered to provide mom tors during the parade to 'keep participants off church property and also to move activities back one hour. The minister of the church, acknowledging the positive actions taken by the steering committee, said he would not s~aK against the event. Said Sue Henry, co-chair of the pride committee, " ... it's much better to address a possible area of contention right away so that it can be kept within reasonable parameters," -Q Notes Oslob ishopw on'ot rdaing ayp riest llTHE BISHOP OF Oslo, Norway, has refused to accept Niels Jordan Riedl's application for a vacant position as vicar with the Paulus congregation in Oslo. The bishop, Andreas Aarflot, returned the application on the grounds that Rev. Riedl lives with another man and that they have registered _ their partnership, Riedl, who completed his theological studies last srring, must be ordained to work as a _Priest i!" the State Church of N(?rway. Al Norwegian bishops refuse to ordam 'practicing homosexuals." - Out/mes Mormontask ea standa gainssta me-gendmera rriages t.ENDING ITS SILENCE on any number of gay and lesbian issues, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has issue<l a public position on a gay rights issue. In mid-February the First Presidency, the nighest ruling body of the church, issued a statement against recognition of same-gender relationships. "The principles of the gospe1 and the sacred responsibilities given us require that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Samts oppose any efforts to give legal authorization to marriages between persons of the same gender," the statement said. "We encourage members to appeal to legislators, judges, and other government officials lo preserve the purposes and sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman ... " The managing news editor of the Mormon church-owned CBS affiliate in Sall Lake City, Utan, killed the story for that day's broadcast because he thought it would embarrass the church. - Diversity Re-Imagininbga cklashhi tsc hurchw omen llRECENT ALERTS BY the conservative wing within al least three denominational bodies - the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Presbyterian Church USA, and United Methodist Church - call for disciplinary action, including possible dismissal, of national staff persons who attended Re-Imagining, an evenfof the World Council of Churches' Decade in Solidaritv with Women, held last November in Minneapolis, Minnesota. James V. Heidinger ll, a conservative Methodist writing an editorial in Good News, refers to the conference as "without question ... the most theologically aberrant I have ever read about." Another conservative, United Methodist Bishop Earl G. Hunt said of certain as)Jecls of the conference, "No comparable heresy has appeared in the church in the last 15 centuries." In response to these statements, participants at the 1994 Executive Staff Conference, an annual event sponsored by Cnurch Women United, issued their own statement affirming "the absolute right of women to develop theological understandings rooted in their own realities and experiences." Patricia J. Rumer, general director of Church Women United, described criticism of the c6nference as "the kind of response that emerges whenever women attempt to create their own theology," adding that "women's voices cannot be silenced." - Waves P-FLAGm eetingisn terruptebdy f undamentalists t:,TWO MEN WHO were members of an Assemblies of God congregation disrupted a Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays meeting in the rural town of Ephrata, Washington, and two women with ties to a right-wing group disrupted a meeting in a · suburb of Portland, Oregon . With the understanding that the two men were interested in the support P-FLAG offers, they were warmly welcomed into .the home of Kay ancfErnie Swartout, the organizers of the Grant County, Washington, chapter. After announcing their affiliation with the church, the two men liegan arguing with P-FLAG members about their salvation, equating the children of tlie P-FLAG parents that were present to "AIDS carriers and spreaders of disease ." The intruders remained for about 30 minutes. Ernie Swartout then closed the meeting and asked everyone to leave. A year ago, the Swartout home was spray-painted with a swastika ~pparently in response to their active stan~ for justice for Gays and Lesbians. In Poi'tland, the two right-wing women were ejected from the meeting when P-FLAG members recognized them as Brenda Saunders, county sponsor of an anti-gay ballot measure, and Ellen Brandt, a "recovering lesbian" and member of Help One Person Escape [HOPE). "We're not going to stop speaking just because they're trying lo harass us," said Mitzi Henderson, National P-FLA'G president. - Seattle Gay News, Diversity Gayra diost atiorne sumebsro adcaasfte r beings hutd ownb yF CC LlPRIDE RADIO 102.5 FM, a community service of St. Aelred's Parish, San Bernardino, Calif. was shut down on January 7 by the Federal Communications Commission for <J19rating above power. On February 2, the FCC issued a "notice of apparent liability," recommeni:ling a fine of $8,00(}. The parish ape-,aled the fine, which was wa1Ved, and was scheduled to resume broadcasting m March. NewLsin esT f' • • e II II e II e • e II II • II II t • • II II • II II II • II II II e II II II • II Rallyc hallenge"sR eclaiminAgm ericac"o nference t.ABOUT 1,000 ACTIVISTS rallied against the conservative, anti-gay "Reclaiming America" conference held at Dr. James Kennedy's Coral Springs Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Said Rev. Grant Lynn Ford, senior pastor of Sunshine Cathedral MCC, "The people inside would have you believe America was founded by people who tliink as they do." In realil)r, he Eointed out, "they were fleeing religious intolerance." Former Vice President Dan Quayle was the conference's featured speaker." Southern Voice Amnestsya ysG aysL, esbianvsu lnerabtloe rightsa buse t.AMNESTY INTERN_ATIONAL has announced a six-month campaign to combat rights abuses against Gays and Lesbians in the United States. The announcement by Amnesty International USA, the U.S. branch of the London-based human nghts organization, coincided with the release of a 24-nation survey on the treatment of Gays and Lesbians. Amnesty called the survey a groundbreaking report placing "government repression of gay men and_ Lesbians squarely on the international human rights agenda." Mistreatment ofGaysand Lesbians by police is frequently alleged in Britain and Northern Ireland, · the report said. In Columbia, there are reports of G~;ys and Lesbians, val?rant children and petty cnmmals bemg rounded up as social undesirables· and gunned down by police-supported "death squads," the survey found. -Equal Time Gayl,e sbianIt aliansu eP opefo rd efamation t. THE LEAGUE FOR Sexual Rights of the Person, an Italian gay/ lesbian_ organization, has filed suit in Rome against Pope John Paul II charging the pontiff with defamation and calumny against homosexuals. The suit came in reaction to the Pope's attack against the European Parliament for its recent passage of a non-binding resolution urging European countries to abolish anti-gar, laws and legalize gay /lesbian marriage and adoption. The Pope said, 'With this resolutio~ of the European .Parliament one i~ asked tp legitin1ize a moral disorder. - S_eattle Gay News Librarpyu tsa nti-gay/lesbbiaono kso ns helves t.FAIRFAX COUNTY, Virgjnia libraries have purchased more than 100 copies of 11 books critical of Gays and Lesbians after complaints by the religious right that the library system's collection promotes a "gay /lesbian agenda." Julie Pringle, coordinator of collection management for !he libraries, said the system recently purchased the additional titles with names such as "You Don't Have to Be Gay," and "Overcoming Homosexuality." Karen Jo Gounaud, leader of a group of parents and conservative Christian activists · who tried unsuccessfully last year to prevent the Washington Blade from being distributed in the county's 22 libraries, asked the library to.buy books from her list of anti-gay /lesbian htles. - Associated Press · CatholiBc ishopssp litc hurchc ounciol ng ayr ightsb ill t.THE CATHOLIC CHURCH in Washington state is part of the Washington Church Council, but the two organizations took opposite sides on a bill to add sexual orientation to the state's anti-discrimination protection clause. The WCC offered testimony in strong support of gay /lesbian civil rights, but the Catholic Church sent a letter directly to senators announcing their opposition to the bill. "We do not support unjust discrimination of homosexual ina1viduals," the letter stated. "However, this issue is not only about discrimination, but about societal acceptance and public endorsement of homosexuality. We cannot lend support to that effort." SupP.orters of the bill had expected the Catholic Church to remain neutral on the bill as it has in the past; Fernando Macias, president of Dignity Seattle, said that i,ay and lesbian Catholics are extremefy distressed by the Church's attack. We were completely surprised," he said. "We were never contacted and our views were never sought. We've been trying to meet with the Archbishop [Thomas Murphy]-for two years ... We knew the Archbishop's views on the bill but we never expected him to actively oppose it.- Seattle Gay News SayN Ot o DomiNOpi zza t.A SAN DIEGO group called the DomiNO Pizza Theory has officially asked the . entire gay and [esbian community to boxcott and picket Domino's Pizza, including all 5,000-)lus U.S. locations, any of the company's holdings or foreign investments, and al of.the company's locations in some 23 countries worldwide. Chief executive Tom Monaghan made the pizza company's position quite clear when he awarded their Humanitarian Award to James Dobson, president of Focus on the Family, which disseminates a large volume of anti-gay and ex-gay propaganda across the nation. - Seattle Gay News Hard-linefrlse eC hurcho f Englat:1d t.SINCE THE GENERAL Synod of the Church of England voted in November 1992 to ordain women, ovet three dozen Anglican clergymen and several hundred lay people have quit in protest. The Church officially_ ordained the first women priests at Bristol cathedral on March 12. Many of those fleeing the Church of England have sought comfort in the Roman Catholic Church. Gaym enw elcomsea, ysle adeor f PromisKee epercsh apter t.PROMISE KEEPERS, a group of Christian men. who seek to strengthen fathers and encourage duty to God, with chapters all over the country ana a reputation for being anti-gay, may be a bit more inclusive than expected. Richard Froshiesfiar, leader of Promise Keepers of Idaho said that "If several hundred gay men decided to attend our next conference,they would be welcome ... We believe that God judges ,1nen, not that men should judge each other." Bill McCartney, founder of the parent organization bf Promise Keepers in Boulder, Colorado, is on record as saying that Fiomosexuality is an abomination against God. - Diversity Subscribe Today. AND . YO U1 LL NEVER A FRIEND JOURNEY. WITHOUT YOUR BE FOR SecoSntdo ne The National Gay and · Lesbian Christian Newsjournal ···YES!···.··.· ·.·.· · ·····.·.;·..· . ·.· ····· Begin my subscription io SECONDS TONEfo r: [ ] One year (6 issues) $15.00 [ ] Two yrs. (12 issues) $25.Ci0 [ ] Three yrs. {18 issues) $36.00 NAME ADDRESS. CITY/ STATE/ZIPC ODE CHECK HERE [· ] if a plain .envelope is required and cidd $2.00 per year. -Ailow 6-8 weeks for delivery of your first issue. International subscribers add $10.00 per year, U.S. currency. · · · · Mail To: SECOND STONE, Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 701 B2 THANK YOU for your subscription support! SecondS tone•May/Jm1e1,9 94_ l}j River City MCC loses building to fire By The Latest Issue AFTER THE EVENING service on Palm Sunday, several members of Sacramento's River City MCC began moving the church's belongings out of the sanctuary in preparation for the move to their new church at Mather Field in Sacramento. Re.becca Dezzi, board member Kris Refsell, Rhonda Poteet, Stedney Phillips and Viki Delgado worked late into the evening moving vestments,'books and other accoutrements of the faith to the social hall and activities center down the block where they would be stored for transport to the new church. At 11:30 p.m., Dezzi noticed smoke rising from the center of the social building, and she notified other occupants of buildings on the block, which are connected. The fire department responded quickly, but the fire in the social building spread rapidly. By 11:58 p.rn. it was a three alarm fire. Flames roared from the roof and out of second story windows. As some of the congregation gathered, neighbors from surrounding houses began offering blankets and coffee. By morning, the fire was out though the building was virtually gutted. Other buildings in the row were saved by a fire wall. Inspectors began rummaging through the ashes L!J Second Stone-May/June, 1994 trying to find the cause of the fire. gut feeling is that it wasn't an Many in the crowd wondered aloud if accident," Sherriff said. He also said this was another in the string of hate that earlier in the day a car had been crimes that has plagued Sacramento broken into and among the things in the past year. taken w /IS a set of keys to the Rev. Ed Sherri££ spoke of past building. minor hate crimes against MCC. "My Rev. Freda Smith spoke of the rapid Gay, lesbian Mormons to meet AFFIRMATION, THE INTERNAtional organization for gay and lesbian Mormons and their families and friends, has announced that it will hold its annual conference September 16-18, 1994 in Las Vegas, Nevada. .From its founding in 1977, the association has grown to become the largest support and resource group for gay and lesbian Mormons around the globe, with chapters worldwide. The conference will be hosted at the Alexis Park Hotel, an upscale, nongaming resort near the Las Vegas Strip. The keynote speakers at the conference are Dr. and Ms . Ron Schow. Dr. Schow, one of the editors of the 1991 best selling volume Peculiar People: Mormons and Same Sex Orientation, is a professor of audiology at Idaho State University . Having confronted homosexuality through the experiences of a family member, the Sd1ows have seen the struggles that Gays and Lesbians face in a conservative religious tradition. Dr. Ron Schow, professor and author, will speak at Mormon conference Fashion Li.,estyles Travel spread of the fire and also speculated that it had been set. She mused about the swastika"s that had been painted on the church a few weeks earlier. In the end, investigators from SEE RIVER CITY, Page 17 Among the workshop topics fo be addressed is the focused attention on involvement of Lesbians and women's issues. Heading the forum for women"s concerns is Ms. Jennifer Hatch, the 1993 conference chairperson. "I want to make certain that Lesbians feel comfortable in attending," says Hatch. "I would .Jike to dispel the myth that Affirmation is a men's organization. The theme of the conference, "O, Say What ls Truth?" was selected to encourage insight, discussion and examination of the tough questions of how one. reconciles issues of homosexuality, doctrine and spirituality. "For many people, dealing with same sex feelings and . being a Mormon generates great stress," said Greg Stephenson, public relations chairperson. "Fear and hesitancy . SEE MORMONS, Page 17 Politics lntervleM's Entertain,nent .... .a Gay version or Esquire or GQ. •• I/SAY-,, GENRE magazine brings you the latest in men's fashion. exotic travel destinations. exclusive celebrity interviews. advice on grooming. health. fitness and more. to..,,._,,,_ call: :L-BD0-576-9933 Demo.nstrators to demand justice for lesbian/gay Chri.stians at lnterchurch Center --~. AT NOON ON FRIDAY, June 24, 1994, hundreds of gay and lesbian Christians and their friends will gather at New York City's Interchurch Center for "Hands Around the GodBox," a peaceful demonstration to condemn the continuing exclusion of lesbian and gay people from full ' participation in the life of the nation's churches. Sponsored by the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches and nine denominational lesbian and gay organizations representing the full range of Christian 'traditions, Protestant, Roman Catholic, and Eastern Orthodox, the gathering will begin with a short worship service outside the Interchurch Center 's main entrance at 475 · Riverside Drive, four blocks north of Columbia University in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of Manhattan. The Rev. Nancy Wilson, Chief Ecumenical Officer of the UFMCC, will deliver a brief sermon. After prayer, music, and a call to action, participants will form a human chain around the building, commonly nicknamed the "God-Box" because of its harshly angular shape and occupancy by religious organizations. Demonstrators, linked by a "rainbow rope" will fall into silent prayer once the building has been completely encircled. Entrances to the building will not be blocked. After the formal protest ends at 1:00 p .m., smaller groups of demonstrators will attempt to meet with representatives of church-affiliated agencies housed in the building to express their demand for justice for le sbian/ gay p eople within individual denominations and ec\Jmenical organizations. The God-Box is home to the main offices of the National Council qf Churches of Christ, the U.S. office of the World Council of Churches, the New York City Council of Churches, and a host of offices representing major American Christian denominations, almost all of which continue to exclude gay men and Lesbians from the ordained ministry and officially to prohibit commitment ceremonies for same-sex couples. The National Council of Churches has consistently rejected the UFMCC's application for membership or observer s tatus despite the UFMCC's having all stipu- Lutheran gathering will feature Rev. Barbara Lundblad, Lt. Dirk Selland LUTHERANS CONCERNED/North America has named two speakers for a major international conference to be held in Charlotte, N.C. from July 14 - 17. The Rev . Barbara Lundblad, heard by millions of people as a preacher on the Protestant Hour Radio Network for ten years, will be the keynote speaker for the entire event, which proclaims the theme "God's Own People. " Lt. Dirk Selland, who testifiec\ at the U.S. Senate hearing s to lift the ban on Gays and Lesbians in the military, will be the special guest speaker at the closing banquet. As a cum laude graduate of Yale Divinity School, Pastor Lundblad has become one of the most sought after speakers on justice for lesbian, gay and bisexual people in the Lutheran church. She is currently pastor of Our Savior's Atonement Lutheran Church in New York City . During one of her · many speaking engagements across North America, Pastor Lundblad delivered a visionary sermon at a special Lutheran-spon sored worship service after the March on Washington. During the upcoming assembly in Charlotte, Lundblad will center her messages of hope and challenges for the future around the scriptural declaration of all believers as "God's Own People." The banquet speaker, Dirk Se\land, Rev. Barbara Lundblad, keynoter for Lutheran gathering is a U.S. submarine officer who came out to his Navy chaplain as a res ult of President Clinton's promis e to lift the ban on Gays and Lesbians in the military . He is one of only two openly gay members of the armed services to testify at the U.S. Senate hearings last spring . As a lifelong Lutheran, Selland and hi s partn er joined a Lutheran congregation in Virginia Beach, Va. last May. SeHand will be telling the story of his congre- SEE LUTHERANS, Page 17 lated qualifications for membership . versalists for. Lesbian/Bi/Gay /Transgender Concerns); Int egrity (Episcopalian) ; Luth er ans Concerned/North America and Presbyt erians for Lesbian and Gay Concerns, Besides the UFMCC, the "Hand s Around the God-Box" demonstration 's co-sponsors include American Baptists Concern ed for Lesbian , Gay and Bisexual People; Axios: Eastern and Orthodox Christian Gay Men and Women; CLOUT (Christian Les),ians OUT Together); the Conf erence for Catholic Lesbians; Dignity (Roman Catholic): Interweave (Unitarian Uni- "Hands · Around the God-.Box" is being held in conjunction with Stonewall 25: The International March on The United Nations to Affirm the Human Rights of Lesbian and Gay Peopl e. Rev. Troy Perry to celebrate lesbian/gay faith and freedom at Lincoln Center "CELEBRATING STONEWALL 25: A rights revolution in America," said Perry . "Celebrat ing Stonewall 25" is being held in conjunction with Stonewall 25: The International March on the United Nations to Affirm the Human Rights of ,Lesbian and Gay People. Gener ation of Faith and Freedom," a worship service featuring gay activist Rev. Troy Perry, will be held at 7 :30 p.m. on Saturda y, June 25 in Lincoln Center' s Alice Tully Hall in New York City. Rev. Perry is the founder and moderator of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches, a Christian denomination which has grown to nearly 300 churches and which has a primary outreach to the gay and lesbian community. "This is the UFMCC's way of honoring the 25th anniversary of th e Stonewall Riots, whicl1 we view as the start of the gay and les bian civil Participants in the program will include Lesbians and gay men from around the world, as well as representatives of numerous lesbian and gay Christian organizations such as Dignity/USA and th e Unity Fellowship Movement. Admission is free, and seats are availabl e on a firstcome, first-served basis . A moving and personal account of an issue that won't go away James Fwy 1-------, In the Courts of the Lord l ~ Tl! 11 rnnrrs OF TIIE LOIW ...,., , ' ,n Brother&. I.over Aelr1:d of Rievaulx i.{it!I ~1 l~l f:i . ,;~ ii/ ,, 8RlAN PATRICK McGUIRE At bookstores or call 1:800-937-5557 A Gay Priest's Story Foreword by the Rt Rev. John S. Spong T he story is a fami liar one. Gay members of the c lergy come out of the closet and almost immediately either lose their jobs or are de nied new ones. This is the story of one such pr iest, James Ferry·of the Anglican Church of Canada, whose case made international headl ines in 1992 wh en he was tried in a church court for disobeying his bishop's order to leave a gay relationship. "James Ferry tells his story gently and cogently .. . . It is both profound and moving , honest and loving ... . He stands as a beacon of light, asking the Church to live out what the Church says ii believes." -THE AT. REV. JOHN S. SPONG. Bishop of Newark, New Jersey "Poignant revelations of Mr. Ferry's spiritual senslbitlty ... One comes away from t his tale of sexual and religious intrigue with a certain admiration for the author's resilience-and his virtue." - New York Times Book Review $22.95 A charming study of one of the most attractive figures of the twelfth century Brian Patrick McGuire Brother and Lover Aelred of_Rievaulx Aelred of Rievaul~ has been called the "patron saint of lriendship ." His belief in the pooer and possibilit ies of human love distinguish him from almost all his medieval predecessors. In a per iod of anarchy, not too unlike our own , Aelred believed in love. As a brother and lover. he reaches out to us across the centuries. $22.50 CROSSROAD 370 Lexington Avenue , New York, NY 10017 Second Stone•May/June, 1994 [ f j Foundation awards grants, plans to "raise the rainbow" THE ST ADTLANDERS FOU NDAti on HIV/ AIDS Community Grant Fund has announced the names of 43 AIDS service organizations which will receive support for HIV/ AIDS treatment information and nutrition programs. In all, the foundation awarded a total of $100,000. 26 as part of th e Stonewall 25 celebration, with march ers making a contributi on of $50 each to take part in the historic event and rece ive a 30 foot wide comm em orative strip of the flag following the event. Because all costs for the flag are under written by Stadtlanders Pharm acy, every dollar donated by marchers will go directly to the Stadtlanders Foundation HIV/ AIDS Communit y Grai1t fund, to be awarded in grants to many more AIDS service organizations this fall. The orga nizations that ha ve already received grant s come from all across the nation and reflect th e many faces of AIDS today, their service projects ranging from meal delivery for homebound PWAs to nutrition counseling, treatm ent newsl etters , and educational workshops . Over $1 million in grant app lications from nearly 200 organi za tions were received by the newly-formed foundation, stressing tl\e desperate nee d for AIDS funding at the grass root s level. For information on the Stadtlanders Foundation and the Raise Th e Rainbow project, call 1-800-NYC-1994. To further help meet the dramatic ne eds of and provid e still greater support to the HIV/ AIDS community, the Stadtlanders Foundation has launched the "Raise The Rainbow" fundraising project. A mile-long rainbow flag will be carried up 5th A venue in New York City this June New musical: Gays, Lesbians find "Home" • "Maybe We're ■ Talking About a Different God" "HOME: A PARABLE of Beatrice and . Neal," an original musical d'rama , will play in churches in 15 midwestern cities this June in a gala premiere tour. "HOME" dramatically portrays the power of love to reconcile Christian discord about homosexuality. The tour is being produced ·by the Reconciling Congregation Program in celebration of its 10th anniversary. A half-hour documentary on the Rev. Jane Spahr and her call to·the Downtown Church in Rochester, protested and brought to trial. Composer I director Timothy McGinley explores the idea of the church as "home " in this show. Stirring music punctuates the stories of six very different persons in need, who are all seeking something ·more from life. As these disparate characters' lives intersect, they share their struggles with each other and discover a basis for communion together. Shows how confusion and fear ("What! A woman and a lesbian? No way!") can be transformed into understanding and compassion. ("Then I met Janie!") VHS Tape & Discussion Guide ■ SEND $32.35 TO: Leonardo's Children, Inc. 26 Newport Bridge Rd. Warwick, NY 10990 . (914)986-6888 ■ Recent finding by top biblical scholars offer a radical new view on the Bible and homosexuality. What13ible the Really Says About }loroosexuality . I• r\e\minia\<., Ph .D· oan1e ,..,, Daniel A Helminiak, Ph .D., respected theologian and Roman Catholic priest, explains in a clear fashion fascinating new insights . " ... will help any reasonably open and attentive reader see that the Bible says some thin g qu ite different on this subj ect from what is often clai~ed . 11 -L. William Countryman, Author of Dirt, Greed and Sex 11 ••• the most thoughtful, lucid and acces sible summary I know of current biblical scholarship relating to homosexual iss ues ... eminently useful... 11 -James B. Nelson, Author and Theology Professor Order now from Second Stone Press Quan. □ WHAT THE BIBLE REALLY SA VS ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY By Daniel A. Helminiak, $9.95, paperbk Postage/Handling $2.90 first book, $1.00 ea. additional -----TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED ----- NAME _____________________ _ ADDRESS _____________________ _ CITY/STATE/ZIP ___________________ _ ORDER FROM: SECOND STONE PRESS, P.O. BOX 8340, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70182 [[} Second Stone-May /~une, 1994 McGinley notes three key attribut es of a home: "a place where one is welcomed by others, wher .e one has some sense of ownership, and where one can be honest about oneself. " McGinley cont ends that church es have generally not been home for gay and lesbian persons. "Churches have said to Gays and Lesbians: 'You are not welcome here,' or 'You can sit in our pews but not speak,' or 'You can come if you hide who you are.' That's not what I believe God intends the church to be." · McGinley anticipates the show will help heterosexual Christians reconsider some of their traditional beliefs and stereotypes of Gays and Lesbians . On the other hand , his messa ge to Gays and Lesbians is to not be discouraged by the words of inhospitality they 've heard from churches. 'Tm trying to convey a glimmer of hope that church es can rise above judgmental exclusiveness and embrace loving inclusiveness - that the Body of Christ can truly become a 'home' for a diversity of persons." The Reconciling Congregati on Program, which is producing the show and tour, is a national netwo rk of Unit ed Methodist churches and organizations that publicly welcome Gays and Lesbians. Over the past decade, 73 congregations, four campus ministri es, four reg ional conferences, and numerous oth er gro ups hav e joined this ever -expanding mov ement. 'This gala tour is both a celebration of the success of the Reconciling Congregation mov ement over the past ten years and a proclamation of our ess ential message to the wider church and so ciety ," said program coordinator Mark Bowman. "Reconciling Congregations are a vivid illu s tration of cl\Urches that have become a home for Gays and · Lesbians and many other so-called 'outcasts.' We are delighted by this unique opportunity to inspire thousands of persons with the passion and drama of McGinley's "HOME." Tour schdule: Preview, June 9: First UMC, Chicago; Premiere, June 10: Broadway UMC, Indianapolis; June 12: Edgehill UMC, Nashville; June 13: Louisville; June 14: East Liberty Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh; June 16: Church of the Rede emer, Cleveland; June 17: Broadway Christian Parish, South Bend; June 18: Central UMC, Toledo; June 19: Third Avenue Community Church, Columbus ; June 21: Trinity UMC, Springfield, II.; June 22: Centenary UMC, St. Louis; June 23: Faith UMC, Cedar Rapids; June 24: Minneapolis; June 25: University UMC, Madiso n. Gay, lesbian alumni of . Wheaton College plan reunion A REUN ION, to coincid e witl1 the Stonewa ll 25 celebration in New York City, has been planned for gay and A Symbol of Today's Reality and Tomorrow's Hope Wearing thlf rtd anJ pink ribbon pin shows you care about those uiho are HIV+ or have Breast Cancer. RED=AIDS 1 IN 2:,0 PEOPIEARE HIV+ IN THE USA ATTHE CURRENT RATE, THE STATISTIC Will BE1 IN 4BYTHEYEAR2010. PINK = BREAST CANCER 1 IN 6 WOMEN (1 IN 3 LESBIANS) Will llE DIAGNOSED WITH BREAST CANCER. FOR ADDITIONAL PINS, CONTACT: MCC LOUISVILLE P. 0 . BOX 32474 • LOUISVILLE, KY 40232 50'2 775-6636 lesbian alumni of Whea ton College, a leading Evangelical Christian college based in Wheaton, Illinoi s. The reu nion, planned for Jun e 25, is intended to create a friend ly, pro-gay environment, and a network of support for gay and lesbian alumni and students of the colleg e, which does not formally recognize the existence of Gays and Lesbians among it s alumni. The event's planners, including the group 's found er, Paul Phillips (of Romanovsky & Phillips) expect the meeting to attract hunc/reds of gay and lesbian alumni. The reunion will be held at St. Clement's Episcopal Church, a gay-friendly environment in New York's theater district . For information, Wheaton gay and les bian alumni may call (212)807-5577. The gay and lesbian group and its events are not endorsed by Wheaton College. ·c. INFACT: Get rid of Joe Camel THE ACTIVIST organization INF ACT recently announced the next step in its Tobacco Industry Campaign, kicking off two new tactics to challenge the industry's aggressive promotion of tobacco addiction around the world, especially to children and young · people. On April 19, INFACT called on consumers to boycott industry leader Philip Morris' food products, including Kraft, Oscar Mayer, and Post, and called on retailers not to display RJR Nabisco's Joe Camel cartoon character in their stores. "For years the tobacco industry has been blasted for its powerful role in promoting its deadly and addictive product," said INFACT's executive director Elaine Lamy. "Every day we learn more about just how far this industry goes to protect its profits - manipulating levels of nicotine in . cigarettes to keep people addicted, adding dangerous chemical substances during the manufacturing process, suing the reporters, researchers and health officials who expose these abuses. It's time for people around the world to take action and hold companies like RJR Nabisco and Philip Morris directly accountable." INFACT's purpose is to stop life -threatening abuses of transnational corporations and increase their accountability to people around the . world. The organization is widely known for its Nestle boycott, the campaign that in 1984 won sig- . ■ nific~t reforms in Nestle's marketing of infant formula, and the General Electric boycott, which last year pushed industry leader GE out of the nuclear weapons business. The target marketing of tobacco products to women is a global problem, said Deborah L. Mclellan of the International Network of Women Against Tobacco. "In many countries it has caused unacceptably high rates of tobacco use. One of the biggest challenges we face is to maintain the low rates of tobacco use by women and girls in much of Africa, Asia and Latin America, while transnational tobacco companies aggressively target women and girls in these areas." The targeting of the gay and lesbian · community is also a significant pro],lem. Organizers of gay and lesbian events frequently seek tobacco indus try dollars for sponsorship and often such sppnsorship is hailed as the "mainstreaming" of the gay and lesbian community into the corporate marketing mix: • Every year, 3 million people around the world die from tobaccorelated diseases. In the United States, smoking is the leading preventable cause of death, killing 419,000 people in 1991. In spite of overwhelming evidence demonstrating tobacco's deadly effects, the tobacco industry will spend over $4 billion this year to advertise and promote its products around the world. ■ Let a new light shine for son1e·- one you love. Second Stone is a gift of love, comfort, inspiration antJ .· resolution for friends and family who may be in doubt, despair, isolation or suffering illness: Give the special people in your lite the gift of Second Stone. We'll take it from there. FROM: Yes ... MyNamt Ple.ise send a gift -. subscription and card ao ... ., in my name to the Name persOn(s) listed: Address [ I One gift, $'15 a,, I ] Two gifts, $29. Sl>le Zip [ I Three gifts, $42 SlgnGikCan! Add $10 for each N,me foreign subscriber. hldress U.S. currency. City PAYM!Nf ENCIDSED: swe Lp Sign Gift Card \Jse additional sheet for more gifts. _Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 ■ - U.S. Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders has pointed to Philip Morris ' Marlboro Man as a classic example · of youth marketing, playing on the themes of risk-taking and independence. The cowboy image has also been an incredibly effective tool for Philip Morris to expand its reach into new markets internationally . The powerful global appeal of this sophisticated advertising is reflected in Philip Morris' sales figures: Marlboro is the numi)er one cigarette preferred by children in the United States and the number one selling cigarette around the world . · RJR Nabisco's Joe Camel character has also had a devastating effect on youth. !~;Jt '!,~:_-.,,,:: •'cf~ We WiJ1t~!~!~;r pool, hot tub, skiing and more. Innkeep:rs Judith Hall and Grace Newman invite you to write or ca11 for a brochur e. P. 0 . Box 118 SL Bethle.hem, NH 03S74 (603) 869-3978 RIVER OF LIFE MINISTRIES A Spirit-Filled Christian Outreach To ·The Gay And Lesbian Community of Albuquerque Offering: Weekly Worship Services: Sundays, 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, 7:00 p.m. 134 Quincy NE Albuquerque •Contemporary Christian Praise & Worship Music •Weekly Healing Seroices •A Positive Community Atmosphere of Faith and Love . Rev. Pamela White, Pastor Call (505)260-2882 for other information. Bulk Copies Available • • • • • • • • • • • • • OF THIS ISSUE OF SECOND STONE For church/group distribution, conferences, bar ministry, etc 10 copies· $13 50 • 25 copies - $29.50 • 50 copies - $45 .00 100 copies - $67. 50 includes postage and handling Limited quantity of back issues available FREE; add $5.00 postage for every 50 copies. Send ,your pre-paid order to Second Stone, P.O. Box 834(), ·New Orleans, LA 70182 Second Stone•May/June, 1994 T Cover Story T . .......... . .................... . ....... .... ............. . ......... .. .. ... Seeking the other sheep in Latin America From Pag e 1 "Why now this trip?" asks Hanks. "Here in a larg ely Roman Catholic contin ent with a burgeoning pentecostal charismatic movement, not just Gays and Lesbians, but Christian Gays and Lesbians are indeed to be found everywhere, even in many remote tribe s, where women Bible translators, often lesbian, courageously .assume a Jife1',tyte an<l ,wo;k that very few men, of any sexual orientation , feel up to. Hence, what is most urgently needed are not 'missionari es ' in the traditional sense, but the sharing of ' a vision; improved . networking , pastoral encouragement, basic libraries, documentation centers, and human rights work," said Hanks. One gay pastor said the La tin American tour was "crazy" according to Hanks. "When history is being mad e," Hanks said, "be it Christian church or secular, rarely are the crowds lined up . and applaud.ing. Especially is that tr).ie when the humble history-m;,_ker;.s are dedicated representatives of gay and lesbian sexual minorities. Jose (Pepe) Hernandez and John Doner have been life partners since Atlantic side, returning again they m et in Pepe·s native Mexico City through Central America. The two in 1982. Hernandez has been month trip started in early March and involved in a v ariety of gay /lesbian was scheduled to be concluded in activities and has traveled in Mexico, early May. the USA and . Guatemala . Doner ha s Preparation for the South American served as a Peace Corps volunteer in trip took much longer than anticiPeru and is a lay pioneer in Christian pated and included delays such as ministry to Lesbians and Gays in tim e r equjred for visits to eight Mexico, Costa Rica .and Guatemala . different embassies to obtain visas. Doner left a well-paying job in the Hernandez also developed · a serious United States to establish the first eye infection and experienced some Metropolitan Community Church in family problems. Mexico City, for which he received a special award from the UFMCC. He is "We have all along sensed our · 11 f c I d d dependence on God," said Doner, origma y rom o ora o an >yent• to ... Mexico City in 1981 in response to ''•"be.t as the time for departure God's call and has lived there since approached we were made keenly then. He recently returned to the aware of the importance of the task United States to Dallas, Texas with before us and of our own limitations. Hernand ez for a study sabbatical. One of my dear mother's favorite sayings was 'Man's [sic) extremities The missionaries set out to visit are God opportunities,' and God every country in Lati11 Ameriq) by certainly has many opportunities in bu s to encourage the 1ormation of this situation!" new groups to minister to the gay Prior to de parture, Doner learn ed of and lesbian community and to visit two examples of the injustice that existing ministries . The trip started in rages toward Gays and Lesbians in Dallas and took them through Central Latin America. He received a letter America, down the Pacific side of from a gay priest in Cochabamba, South America and back up the · Bolivia, one of the poorest and most A moving and personal account of an issue that won't go away. A best-seller in Canada and soon to be a motion picture. It will make you think, it will make you angry, and hopefully, it will broaden your vision of what both sexuality and Christianity at their best can be -Telegraph Journal, .St. John, New Brunswick James Ferry has given a voice to these voiceless ones and is himself a visible incarnation of their invisible presence. -The Rt. Rev . John S. Spong, Bishop of Newark, New Jersey conservative countries in Latin America. The priest had been involved in a "very nasty" extortion case. "A friend of mine was robbed," he wrote. Order now from Second Stone Press 'The young robber took some pictures of a party at my friend's house . Innocent stuff. But when caught this young man ... used these pictures to placat e the police, who then used them, mixing their own incriminating pictures of some other group into the pile, to extort a large sum of money from my friend who comes from a prominent family and has a prominent position in the city. When it became clear that the police ... were holding onto the pictures to extort even more money, my friend called me in to help ." The priest convinced him to fight and the man finally decided it was better to come out of the closet than to allow further extortion . When ·the victim in this case defend e d . himself, the police then tried to bring a charge ofdedophilia, but their efforts failed an the police thems e lves ended up being punished. Quan. □ IN THE COURTS OF THE LORD · By James Ferry, $22.95, hardcover POl1lgetiandllng S2.91l ftrll book, $1.00 N. addltional TOTAL AIIOUNT ENCLOSED NAME ____________________ _ ADD RE.....,_ _________________ _ CITY/STATE/ZIP ________________ _ ORDER FROM: SECOND STONE PRESS, P .0. BOX 8340, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70182 lmJ Second Stone•May/June, 1994 Doner received a letter from Columbia from two gay men, Pedro and Humberto, who had both achieved a high level of leadership in their large evangelical church, with Pedro becoming a successful pastor . "We are two homosexual Christians," they wrote, "and we have Jived the difficult reality of being 'different,' struggling all .the time ... We met Jesus Christ about 11 years ago and we have lived all this time with the hope that someday God would change us... and we have done e verything the church and society offer to ·heal' us and nothing changes, down deep everything stays the same." Eventua lly Humberto basically went into the closet, married and now tries to give the impression he is no longer gay, and is miserable . Pedro, however , was terminated ·from his pa s torate several months ago because he would not testify to a "change." "One of my dear mother's favorite sayings was 'Man's [sic] extremities are God's opportunities,' and God certain! y has many opportu:rtites in this situation!" In every one of the first five countries they visited, Doner and Hernandez met, or learned of, potential leaders for a Christian outreach to the lesbian/gay community . Through a gay Catholic friend in Guatemala, Miguel Angel, the missionaries met a former youth leader of a large Pentecostal church who is no longer active in ministry because of his gayness. Now in his 40's, Luis still feels God has a ministry for him, though he doesn't have any idea when, where, or how this might be . So Doner and Hernandez left Guatemala praying that Luis would be called to develop a ministry for Gays and Lesbians in that country and also praying for Miguel Angel, who is about to finish his ·Catholic seminary studies and is seeking God's guidance concerning his future ministry. In El Salvador, the two men learn ed about Juan Antonio Diaz, who had recently returned to his native San Salvador, in part to begin work on a church for Gays and Lesbians. A former Assemblies of God pastor and founder of two churches, Diaz went to the United States when he was 23 years old and soon after began dealing with his sexual orientation. Now settling back into life in San Salvador, Diaz and his North American partner are building a house with a rather large meeting area to use when the SEE COVER STORY, Next Page Cover Story • • • • o • a • • e.• • • • • • • • o • • • • • • • • • • • • • From Page 10 planned church becomes a reality. Diaz currently works as a volunteer in the count r y's only non-governmental agency concerned with AIDS and gay/ lesbian issues . The agency is at this tim e evolving into a gay/ lesbian community center. When Doner and Hernandez visited Honduras, they were told by the straight medical director of Tegucigalpa's only AIDS clinic of a former evangelical leader who is gay and might be able to help start a gay/ lesbian ministry. The doctor, apparently an evangelical Christian but affirming of Gays to at least some extent, took information from the missionaries and promised to try to . set up a meeting with this man as Doner and Hernandez returned through Tegucigalpa on their way back. The missionaries also met Jose ~tonio and Eddie Alberto, members of a newly developed gay /lesbian human rights group, AHHCOS. The two men are both Catholic and expressed much interest in the idea of , a church for Gays and Lesbians and provid ed nam es of two other potential leaders for such an effort. ... the current political crisis, provoked by religious fundamentalists, has made sexual minorities and sympathetic religious communities in the United States more open to Biblical and theological insights from Latin America and other third world perspectives ... ln Nicaragua, Doner and Hernandez spent a day with Mario Gutierrez, pastor of MCC/Managua. The MCC is a very small group of about a dozen people which is in part severely impacted by the poverty and economic crisis in Nicaragua .. Unemployment is estimated at ne.ar 70 percent. Gutierrez, an architect, is himself long-term unemployed and some members of his church do n·ot even hav e the money for bus fare to get to church. Several efforts have been made in the past to develop a Christian ministry to Gays and Lesbians in Costa Rica. For a time, from 1987 to 1989, a relatively strong church was developing, but problems split the group, and neither offshoot survived. But now some members of these former groups are interested in beginning 11new, starting with a weekly Bible study involving both Catholics and Protestai:its. The leader, Fadrique Meza, is an ordained minister with a fundamentalist background. The missionaries' further itinerary included slops in Panama City, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argen tia. Providentially, the shoestring funding for the trip, about $5,000, was contributed just in time to encourage Latin American participation in the Stonewall celebration , March to th e United Nations and Int ernational Lesbian and Gay Association meetings June 24 through July 3 in New York City . Recent translation into Spanish of materials from Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays has been another encouragement for pastoral help to desp erate families, mostly traditional Roman Catholic and Protestant, who could -not share their confusion and pain in most churches . At the same time the current political crisis, provoked by religious fundamentalists, has made sexual _minorities and sympathetic religious communities in the United States more open to Biblical and theological insights from Latin America and other third world perspectives, where oppression, poverty and authentic freedom have long been fundamental concerns, according to Hanks. ''The Americas network tour represents a significant step toward enabling the USA to find a better theological framework than its popular but outmoded fundamentalisms, and encouraging Latin American religious leaders to apply their liberating Biblical and theological insights to the continent's 40 million sexual minori- . ti~s," said Hanks. Hanks said there were urgent requests for more literature from many countries in Latin America. There is almost a total lack of books in Spanish concerning Christianity and homosexuality. Donations as small as $5 to $10 help cover mailing costs to s ·outh America or other ministries around the world. Donations of $100 enables Other Sheep to publish 1000 new folders in Spanish . For infonnation write to: Other Sheep - Multicultural Ministries with Sexual Minorities, 319 N. 4th St., Ste. 902, St. Louis, MO 63102. (314)241-2400, FAX (314)241-2403. THE MOST VALUABLE N ·URTURING_ READABLE RESOURCE YET New! Expanded 5th Edition CHRISTIANS AND HOMOSEXUALITY Since 1978, The Other Side has been speaking to folks with clarity and compassion about questions of homosexuality and Scripture. Due to many requests for copies of some of our earlier articles, we've put a group of them together in booklet form. Included in this updated and expanded _64- page booklet are articles on whether or not sexual orientations can be "changed," what Scripture does and does not say about homosexuality, reading Scripture through gay eyes, gay and lesbian roles in the church, and more . Equally ideal for group discussions or personal reflection. Satisfaction guaranteed . Order yours today! ♦ Single copy, $5 postpaid ♦ 10 or more , $4 each, postpaid ♦ 50 or more, $3 each, postpaid Number requested _ _ _ Total enclosed: $ __ _ For tax, PA residents add 6%, Philadelphia res. 7% Name _ __ _________ _ Address, __ _ __ ___ __ _ City, State, Zil-'---------Bonus offer: Check here O and enclose an ext-ra $1 for a sample copy o/The Other Side magazine P0833A Second Stone-May/June, 1994 l1I] '' We're at a historic juncture. In a pluralist democracy,. there's a moment when a minority obtains legitimacy and its rights are taken seriously by the other minorities that together make up the majority. That's happening . now for Gays and Lesbians. We're winning and that gives things a certain electricity." - Tony Kushner, Tony award-winning playwright, as quoted inTime magazine, May 17, 1993 Inspiring words spoken by Tony Kushner, one of the foremost playwrights in America today, and author of "Angels in America: Millennium Approaches," the gay-themed play that captured four Tony awards in 1993, including best play. Yet while these words are · becoming true for Gays and Lesbians in society at large (the "Don 't Ask, Don't Tell" military compromise notwithstanding), they still remain a dream for Gays and Lesbians in the church. Unfortunately, that the church lags behind the rest of society on civil liberties issues is nothing new . In fact, this phenomenon raises the larger question of why the church - that entity that in its inception "turned the world upside down" (Acts 17:6) - is not only remiss in providing leadership to society, but, in the case of gay and lesbian rights, is actually opposed to it. One reason: ignorance· and fear have kept the majority of Biblebelieving Christians bound to an inflexible interpretation of the scriptures that concern homosexuality . Most of these believers do not know the alternative interpretations of the -controversial scriptures, interpretations which take into account the cultural and social contexts in which these verses were . written. Rather than presenting this historic backdrop to believers, against which they can make their own decisions concerning these verses and their relationship to homosexuality, conservative evangelicalism dismisses these alternative interpretations as "gross misinterpretation" or as "moving away from a high view of Scripture" (Stanton L. Jones writing in Christianity Today, July 19, 1993). Since when has biblical exegesis that explains scripture in the context /12l Second Stone•Ma; 1iune, 1994 · I .. -~ ON BECOMING LEGITIMATE AS GAY AND LESBIAN CHRISTIANS BY BRIAN MAYEDA in which it was written been considered "gross misinterpretation?" And concerning the miscasting of pro-gay theology as ''moving away from a high view of Scripture," it would be more correct to say that pro-gay theology moves away from evangelicalism's unwitting tendency to worship the written word itself, and to demand that every situation in scripture be considered relevant to today's society. · Conformity and control are two other standards of conservative evangelicalism. lndependeni thinking is not encouraged in the church. On the contrary, evangelicalism thrives by controlling people through uniformity of thought and doctrine. This rigidity of thought stifles change, particularly change brought about by new discoveries that may discredit traditional interpretation of portions of the Bible. A reactionary thinker's only recourse is to . trivialize, dismiss or suppress knowledge. Such behavior never serves the church well. This point is well proven by the condemnation by the church (albeit not Protestant) of the Italian astronomer Galileo in 1633 for declaring that the sun, not the earth, was the center of the solar system . Not until 1992 did the church finally exonerate Galileo for his "heretical" stance - and this after an exhaustive, 13-year investigation! Now the church faces mounting scientific evidence that points toward biological and/ or genetic causes of homosexuality . And what is the church's response? In a July 26, 1993 Time magazine article entitled "Born Gay?," which reported . on recent studies by the National Cancer Institute indicating a genetic basis for male homosexuality, the Rev. Louis Sheldon, chairman of the Traditional Values Coalition, stated: 'The fact that homosexuality may be genetically based will not make much difference for us from a public policy perspective." If the Christian community follows Sheldon's line of thinking, then the church will not have changed much since its condemnation of Galileo. In view of the scriptural admonition that "people are destroyed -for lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6), it is a horrible irony that church leaders such as Sheldon refuse to rethink their theology in light of scientific discovery. But where does this iack of positive and reinforcing leadership in the church leave gay and lesbian Christians? The answer is clear, if not unsettling: To find a way on our own. Whether or not we admit it, as gay and. lesbian Christians our concepts of faith and sexuality are informed and influenced by both the religious right and the gay civil rights movement. Whether or not we admit it, as gay and lesbian Christians our concepts of faith and sexuality are informed and influenced by both the religious right and the gay civil rights movement. With the polarization of these two groups, it becomes increasingly difficult to remain in a neutral position between them. With the polarization of these two groups, it becomes increasingly difficult to remain in a neutral position between them. And because the religious right's theological stand on homose xuality is increasingly viewed as archiac and irrelevant by much of society, we as gay and lesbian Christians have the heretofore undreamed of possibility of demonstrating to society that our spiritual and sexual natures not only exist side by side, but can be celebrated as that which God deems good. How can this most effectively be done? By living as people who are fully integrated - spiritually, sexually, intellectually, emotionally - in all areas of our Ii ves. For most of us, the process of becoming integrated as people is not an easy one - it requires that certain steps be taken, steps which carry with them challenging responsibilites. You cannot make a persuasive argument for the viability of being a gay or lesbian Christian if you don't know the basis for your belief. This includes developing a well-researched, well-understood theology. Additionally, because -the question of the immutability of homosexuality is going to play a large part in the debate over gay civil rights in the 1990's, it is undoubtedly in our interest to find out what recent studies on this topic have to say. A t ecent U.S. News and World Report poi! found that 46 percent of Americans still believe that homosexuality is a chosen lifestyle and not an inborn characteristic. The process of educating others, however, presupposes t_hat you are out to them . The act of coming out to one's family, friends and coworkers is itself one of the most myth-dispelling ways to counter homophobia. Indeed, Andrew Sullivan, editor of 77ze New Republic, noted in his May 10, 1993 article on 'The Politics of Homosexuality:" Far more subversive than media-grabbing demonstrations on the evening news has been the slow effect of individual; private Americans becoming more open about their sexuality... Likewise, the greatest public debate about homosexuality yet - the military debate - took place not because radicals besieged the Pentagon, but because of the ordinary and once-anonymous Americans within the military who simply ·· refused to acquiesce in their own humiliation any longer. Their courage was illustrated not in taking to the streets in rage but in facing their families and col leagues with integrity. For Lesbians and Gays in the church, educating straight Christians becomes all the more urgent in the light of such inaccurate and propa- SEE LEGITIMATE, Page 17 The Second Loss BY REV. JAN .IS K. DOLESCHAL fritz was a good dog, a cute little . miniature schnauzer who loved people and loved life. But on that cold November 10th we made the final visit to the vet to have him .put to sleep because of kidney .failure. We brought him home to bury him and the loss was almost too much to bear. With no children, he filled a void for companionship and love and had always been a devoted companion. Little did I know on that. day that Fritz wasn't going to be the only thing that I would lose that November. Two days later I sat in my church office facing the president of the church council. For the past eight and a half years, I had been the pastor of Brown Deer United Church of Christ, near Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I had known the man sitting across from me and his wife for at least 15 years. He asked how I was doing, then hesitated for a moment. He recou1Hed that he had heard on at least two different occasions that we were the "church with the gay minister." He asked me if it was true. In those split seconds of time, I knew that the answer I was about to give would radically change the course of my life. I chose the truth. I said, "Yes." And with that answer I also began to lose my privacy and lose friends, both inside and outside the church, that I thought I could always count on for support, no matter what. I knew that the path I was choosing would probably be one of the toughest experiences of my life, but I also knew that I had no desire to continue to be forced into living a double life by people who knew very many of the myths of homosexuality and very few of the facts. . I was sick of listening to those aude and · cruel comments perpetuated in our society about Gays and Lesbians when I knew them to be false. I was sick of the stereotypes that were being fueled by ignorance, hate, and a sense of self-righteousness. I was sick of being lumped into a category of "all homos are child molesters." I was sick of the.lie that this is a choice, and the ridiculous Bible thumping, literal interpretation of the fundamentalists that leads people to believe that all homosexuals are sinners damned to eternal fire unless they "change" or abstain. I was sick of those ridiculous requests for celibacy that no sane individual would make of a heterosexual, but wl~ich seem perfectly acceptable to make of those who have been born with a sexual orientation that leans more toward members of their own sex than the opposite sex. In the months that followed, it was confirmed for me time and again that even in this supposedly enlightened age, people are stiU extremely frightened of anything or anyone that is different from them or from their accepted norm. Some members of the church would have been happy if I had simply faded away into the mists so that they could go on living as if this had never happened. In some cases, members of the church families were on totally opposite sides of the issue. Some members invented performance issues that had never before surfaced until the issue of my sexual orientation arose. The pastoral relations committee miraculously grew from five members to twelve members and shot-gunned through a request that I be asked to resign . That request, by our constitution, held no weight at all, but did serve as a recommendation strong enough to force a congregational vote the following April to decide whether lo retain me as the pastor or not - a vote that was to be decided in my favor 46-37. · In effect what happened was that I became th e issue, when the real issue was whether or not the church and its peopl e were ready to deal with the issue .of homosexuahty within a Christian context, given the contemporary society we live in during these closing years of the 20th century. · What I found was actually better than I expected. What I found also bore out some of my worst nightmares. Members of the church were a constant surprise. On the days following my announcement, letters poured in stating their support. On the other hand, as sad as it seems and as ofte n happens, there were people who immediately changed their opinion of me as a person. Suddenly, I no longer had the skills I possessed before the announcement or new interpretations were placed on situations or sermons. The issue of sexuality began to color issues and to affect the way in which I was treated by people who professed to be Christian. The issue didn't hit the papers until March when a member of the church sent an anonymous letter to the local newspaper explaining what was occurring. Because of my position with the Milwaukee public schools as commissioner of athletics, it not only made front page headlines, but the issue of my sexual orientation and the upcoming vote were subsequently highlighted in domestic and international editions of USA Today. After the first article in the paper, individuals with whom I worked in the Milwaukee public schools were very supportive. Several prominent .politicians sent letters of support, and my association minister strongly supported me. My mother and most of my relatives immediately rallied to support my partner and me and readily accepted both of us into the family circle, On the other hand, some church members .who had always been supportive actively campaigned for my dismissal. Some of my lesbian friends retreated .and never even called to ' lend support. In the case of my l es bian friends, I believe they may have felt that it would have been "guilt by association " and jealously guarded their own lives and their own relationships. In the case of the church members, perhaps some of them were afraid, some just chose to support my' opposition, and some felt that they were genuinely correct in actively seeking my dismissal. I chose .to stay at Brown Deer UCC, and four years later our congregation is thriving and growing. To say that is was not a struggle would be a lie. It was a struggle . But for me there was no other choice. I firmly believe that the church must take a stand on sexuality issues. In my case, I felt that we needed to try to rebuild with new members and a new direction that would involve the church much more actively in community issues, mission activities, and a theology that would accurately reflect the changing society in which we liv e as we approach the 21st century. We live .in a sodety that is still ruled by fear and ignorance - fear of the unknown, and ignorance of those who are different from us. Yet the world is populated with diversity, and what sets people · apart is their uniqueness . We have too long lived with lies and need to start living with the truth. People with homosexual orientation are unique creations intended to be treated with _no less respect or dignity than those who have a heterosexual orientation. We are your friends, your children, your doctors, your lawyers, your teachers, your judges, your politicians, your parents, and, . yes, your pastors. Because we have so often been hurt, we bring to our jobs and our interactions with others a deep understanding of the fragile nature of human relationships and a sensitivity for the hurts of others. We bring to this society a deep spirituality, for many of us have been forced out of the churches and have had to develop our own personal and abiding relationships with God as we know God to be, not as others would have us believe God to be. The fact that many of us are in long term relationships without the benefits of legal marriage contracts or partnership laws attests to our devotion and deeply abiding love and commitment. · I may have lost a l,ot during that November of 1990, but I like to think I gained more than I lost. If I had it to do over again, I would make the same decision, because I truly believe that unless we are challenged to change, we remain stagnant. The church needs to effect change in this area. And we, as people, need to learn to include others, not exclude any who have the slightest difference from us. We, as a people, can on longer afford to discount the contributions that homosexual people can offer the world . We can no · longer afford to force them to live a life of lies simply because we do not want to be challenged to accept someone whose diversity and uniqueness happens to be different from outs. And if change will come, as come it must, it must come .with all of us walking cooperatively into the future, or the future will drag us into it kicking and screaming against change when change is a function of all of our lives - gay or straight. . Excerpted with permisson from Waves, the newsletter of the United Church Coalition for Lesbian/G"!f Concerns. Rev. Janis K. Dolescha/ is a lesbian minister in the United Church of Christ. Size continues to serve lter call at Brown Deer UCC, Brown Deer, Wisconsin. Second Stone-May/June, 1994 :[I[] Families 0 .................... . .. .................................... . • ......... . The true meaning of family By Amy Adams Strongheart ContributingWriter L ast summer, a circuit court judge in Richmond, Virginia ruled to deny Sharon Bottoms custody of her 2-year-old son Tyler. Ms. Bottoms was refused custody rights because she is a lesbian living openly in a committed relationship with her partner, and because she had the audacity to admit to this in court. Stable lesbian and gay parents, like Bottoms, and well-adjusted children of lesbian and gay co-parents, like Tyler, threaten the meticulously preserved fallacy that only two married people of the opposite sex and 2.2 children who share their DNA can comprise a "real" family . Of course this type of family unit, though perfectly lovely, in actuality accounts for but a small percentage of American families. Creating a family provides not only a nurturing environment but also standing in society. It isn't the single people without children who get the tax breaks, entitlements, and special religious ceremonies that celebrate their lives. It's the people who marry and have children that warrant socie) y's recognition . Heterosexists don't want gay people to be recognized by society. Witness the rash of anti-gay amendment initiatives being proposed in several s.tates. These amendments will preclude Lesbians, Gays and bisexuals (just to make sure they get everyone) from having equal access to housing and employment, and from seeking legal redress for discrimination. Fire a lesbi"an from her job, refuse to rent her an apartment, remand custody of her child, refuse to legally recognize her relationship, make her private sexual relations with a consenting adult a crime, and then deny her any means to challenge these injustices, and you have very effectively destroyed her ability to either create or care for a family. Dismantling people's lives in this manner speaks contrary to profamily rhetoric of the theocratic right .. Removing a child from her or his mother's care for no reason other than unabashed bigotry does not reinforce the value or importance of the family CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE: CAUGHT C~ilans IN. '_"•.lpin.g m. E HtmJOSP.iiality nm: EditPdlw Sall\ B.Geis & l )onald E. i\!esser Helping Christians Debate Homosexualtiy Few .other issues divide the Christian community more sharply than homosexuality . In this new volume, writers with divergent points of view deal with questions at the center of the debate between pro-gay and anti-gay believers. Edited by Sally 8. Geis, director, Iliff Institute, Lay a11d Clergy Education. The Iliff School of Theology. Denver. a11d Do11ald E. Messer, president , The Iliff School of Theology . Order now from Second Stone Press Quan. □ CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE By Geis/Messer, $12.95, paperbk ___ _ Postage/Handling $2.90 first book, $1.00 ea. additional ------ TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED ----- NAME ______________________ _ ADDRESS _____________________ _ CITY/STATE/ZIP ___________________ _ ORDER FROM: SECOND STONE PRESS, P.O. BOX 8340, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70182 [14] Second Stone-May/June, 1994 in society. The religious right is not all wrong, however. Its assertion that families are the backbone of our social structure is absolutely correct . Good families are places where we learn to love ourselves, communicate honestly and openly with others, and resolve conflicts in mutually beneficial ways. Rejection has taught us how to create family and how to be family . It has shown us how to open our minds and our hearts. A family models for us how to have nurturing relationships. We can then take this knowledge with us out into the world and use it to become compassionate and productive citizens who know how to and are willing to help our neighbors. When AIDS began to ravage our people, we looked to our families for the strength and support to endure this painful and perplexing plague . Sadly, though, for far too many of us, the biological connection proved to be an inadequate definition of family. Many of our families, upon learning of our sexual orientation and/ or HIV status, turned their backs on us. So we became family for each other, banding together to care for one another . We became buddies . We fed and bathed one another . We gave injections and inserted catheters. We prayed for and wept with one another . We went to the funerals' of those who died, when their own relatives would not. It hasn't just been AIDS that has taught us what family means. The discrimination and rejection that sexual minorities have long endured have also been our unwitting teachers. When my life partner married me, her parents promptly disowned her. Like all marginalized peoples, we Lesbians and Gays must use our ingenuity if we are to survive. So my life partner chose two people from our church to be her "chosen" parents. She calls my mother her "mother-inlove," and she calls me her "life partner." (Of course, she also calls me a lot of really cute pet names, too, but for the sake of my dignity, I'll just mention "life partner" here .) She understands how vital families are and has exercised her prerogative to define and create her own. Rejection has taught us how to create family and how to be family. It has shown us how to open our minds and our hearts . We have learn ed how to love one another without reservation or judgment. We now understand that families are those people who will love you unconditionally through prosperity and adversity. True family has no color, gender, class, or sexual orientation because love cannot be bound by· any of these things. We must challenge any laws, policies, and court decisions that deny this simple but profound truth. ■ Amy Adams Squire Strongheart is a freelance writer whose ·com men ts on gay/ lesbian issues appe~r regularly ,n the St. Louis PostDispatch and gay/lesbian newspapers across thecountry. MALCHUS Lesbian & Gay Christian Monthly Celebrating Faith & Spirituality Through our Diversity 6036 Richmond Hwy., #301 Alexandria, VA 22303 Subscriptions $18.00 Per Year In Print y ............... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • .. ~ A Gay Priest's Story In the Courts of the Lord By Andrea L. T. Peterson ContributingW riter James Ferry, author. Crossroad; 1994; HB; 256 pp.; $22.95 ''I have written about my early life," says James Ferry in the preface to his new book, In the Courts of the Lord, "not because I think it unusual or interesting, but precisely because it is not." Ferry's story is not un_usual. He is correct when he says that his story "is typical of many millions of Gays and Lesbians around the world . We 'are born into ordinary families, and lead normal lives, except in one respect: as we grow up we discover we are gay, not straight." In the Courts of the Lord is the author's story of how he came to realize and to accept his sexuality, and how the church eventually came to reject him for being honest about his sexuality. It's a classic coming out story of a young man who did everything in his power, including entering a disastrous marriage, to try to cl1ange his sexual orientation. The young priest threw himself into his work and served his people faithfully for 11 years as he moved discreetly toward self-acceptance. The book is also a gripping courtroom drama with widespread implications. As Ferry's lawyer said at the trial, 'Th.is case is not only about Jim Ferry. He provides the human face but the fundamental issue is the role of Gays and Lesbians as lay people and clergy." If there is one thread that runs through In the Courts of the Lord , aside from Ferry's refusal to choose between the two loves of his life - the church and his male companion, Ahmad - it would be the realization that our modern society more often punishes honesty and integrity and rewards lies, secrecy, and misrepresentation. Ferry's presentation of both his personal struggle to remain an ordained priest in the Anglican Church of Toronto and that church's struggle to find a way to lovingly accept gay men and Lesbians while still clinging to the belief that homosexual acts. are sinful is moving and insightful. Ferry had served as a priest long before the question of his private life became an international media event. In fact, many of his colleagues - including his bishop - and many of the parishioners. to whom he ministered knew he was gay. Among his parishioners, however, was one woman who would prove to be the thorn in Ferry's flesh, and the instrumental player in his being "inhibited" [ essentially stripped of his priestly duties] by the Bishop of Toronto. · Fearing the potential of one homophobic congregant, Ferry went to his bishop, aware that the unspoken rule within the church was, as Ferry says, essentially "Don't ask, Don't tell, Don't pursue. Just like Gays in the military in the U.S." More concerned about scandal within his church, and confident that his bishop . would exercise his right to interpret Anglican Canon Law in Ferry's favor, Ferry came out to Bishop Finlay. Finlay had, after all, just a few years earlier at a memorial service for a man who had died from AIDS, read the passage in scripture where Paul writes, "there is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female" and offered his conviction that today "Paul would no doubt have added to that list 'there is no longer straight or gay.' For all of you are one in Christ Jesus." Ferry had every reason to hope in Bishop Finlay, and every reason to be both shocked and dismayed when Finlay responded to his revelation by firing him! The convoluted series of events leading up to Ferry's appeal in the Diocese of Toronto's Bishop's Court is · too complex to recount here, .though Ferry does a good job in his book. Suffice it to say that the very occasion of the court was referred to by the New York Times as "an ecclesiastical tribunal, ... an archaic forum used by Anglicans to hunt down heretics and other miscreants since the time of King Henry VIII." This event, the first of its kind in more than 40 years, proved to be grueling and exhausting. Interestingly, the charge against Ferry was wilful disobedience, in that he would not give up his relationship with the man he loved, Ahmad, to preserve his ordination. In fact, Finlay had never "ordered" Ferry to give up Ahmad. But it seemed that the process the church would put Ferry through would cost him his relationship and his vocation. It's hard to imagine Ferry not being bitter. But sadness, more than anytlung else, seems to characterize how he feels about the whole thing. 'The book," says Ferry, more than a year after completing the manuscript, "ends on a rather down note . I don't have any debt now," he says, referring to the more than $20,000 he ·owed his lawyer at the end of the Bishop's Court . "She [his lawyer] had a really good year and was able to write it off," he adds. And not only had the weight of indebtedness been lifted, the pain of having lost the man he truly loved was also alleviated. He and Ahmad have managed to get back together. Readers will discover that cultural differences and a strong fear of 'disgracing' his family by having his sexuality discovered forced Ferry and Ahmad to terminate their relationship when Ferry's case became so public. With time, it seems, Ahmad has in a series of gay murders in Montreal, says Ferry. What is significant here is that "Eling was the first priest to phone after I was fired. One reason he moved to Montreal," Ferry explains, "was that Toronto was no longer a safe place to be. The church in Toronto [where Eling had ministered for 25 years] was no longer safe for him." ' The Bishop, by virtue of their determination in Ferry's case, maintains Ferry, "declared it open season on gays." And, he adds, ''Now [gay] : clergy know this bishop will turf them out . The previous bishop, Bishop Garnsworthy, pretty much protected gay clergy. 'The big difference [is that] now gay clergy know where they stand. They'll be offered up to the wolves if they are honest." After Eling's murder, Finlay - of all people - remarked at the church's annual synod that some suggest this murder is the result of the secrecy around Gays and Lesbians [laity and clergy, says Ferry] in the church. If this is the case, Finlay continues, I call on each one of us to end the charade. Let's make the church a safe place. Although this is Ferry's paraphrase of the bishop's remarks, even a hint at such a statement is astounding, considering the fact it comes from the same man who fired Ferry, not once, Finlay ... read the passage ... "there is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female" and offered his convlction that today "Paul would no doubt have added to that list 'there is no longer straight or gay ... "' Ferry had every reason to hope in Bishop Finlay, and every reason to be both shocked and dismayed when Finlay responded to his revelation by firing him! managed not to come out himself, but to "be willing to live with" Ferry's being out. The two have been together for about a year now • happily . Not too much significant has happened to Ferry since the Bishop's Court pronounced its verdict. "One significant event a lot of people have made a connection with ... is the murder of Warren Eling, -a gay man who was an .Anglican priest." Eling's murder was the 14th but twice. Finlay is obviously ambivalent, unlike Ferry, who knows what he wants and what he must do. He is currently a bit more committed to his relationship with Ahmad, because of ■ SEE COURTS, Page 20 Andrea L. T. Peterson is a freelance writer from Woodbridge, Virginia. She is a frequent contributotro Second Stone. Second Stone-May/June, 1994 In Print ~ • • • •••• • • • • 8 • ••• • •• •• ••••• • . •••• • •••• • ••••••••••• , • • • •• • •••••••••••• •• ••• Homosexuality and the Bible By Tom W. Kelly ~ - ContributingW riter What the Bible Really Says About Homosexuality . by Daniel A. Helminiak, Ph.D., Alamo Square Press, 1994, 12B pages, $9.95, paperback. w~B;:ible At last, a pro-gay, intelligent · and easy-to-read interpretation of the Bible's references to homosexuality is now available. Respected theologian and Roman Catholic priest, Daniel A. Helminiak, Ph.D., keeps the language simple, the concepts organized, and the mood upbeat in his new book What the Bible Really Says About Homosexuality published by Alamo Square Press. His purpose in writing this book is clear: Really Says Recenl f i11digns by top s:l1o!ars offera radcialn w 1i1ew 'This information needs to be shared. Lesbian and gay people, condemned on the basis of Bible quotes, need to be able to respond intelligently, knowing they are not rejecting God's word. People raised in a strict Bible tradition, struggling with the literal text, need to be able, in good conscience, to find compassionate teaching on homosexuality in the Bible." [p. 13] Danie\ A. Helminiak, Ph.D. Foreword by Johns. Spong The author takes a stand in favor of love and, what may surprise some, sex. As he offers: "Sexuality is part and parcel of the human capacity for love. For we are not just intellectual beings, making calculated decisions to cherish somebody; we are emotional and physical, too. All this is what it means to be a human being, and all this comes into play when human love is on the scene." [p.18] Helminiak asserts that for a volume the size of the Bible, it says very little about homosexuality in the first place. Perhaps it was not of much concern to those drafting a book dealing with more vital issues. .,.. - He explains that the Bible may be interpreted using two very different methods with amazingly disparate results: the -literal reading (used by fundamentalists) and the historicalcritical reading (endorsed by the author). The latter approaches Biblical passages from the viewpoint of "whatever it meant to the people who wrote it. long ago." With thoroughness and simplicity, he examines each reference to homosexuality, analyzing the use of words that could be translated in several different ways, and Accommodations,A IDS/HIVre sourcu , bars, books101N1 vartoua buslnusas , health care, logat Hr'Vlcal . organizations, publlcatlonl, n• gtous groups, awttchboarda, thtraplst 11 travel agents, & much mo,. , tor gay woman and men . All pricesb elow INCLUDEF IRST CLASS POSTAGEr , USA, Canada & Mexico,I n sa,Joo, ciscreet envelopes. Mllling lists are s1rictlyo onftdentlal. orders ~om ousldo USA( lncjudlngc anada & Mexico):p aymentm ust be In US Fundsp ayableo n a us bank, « by PostOfflceor American Exi;ress money crda'. (We suggestyou-..y alocal bookst>re first. to avoid passtbleC ustansp roblemsQ ' USICANADA.Canadam USAtor women & men. Cltyl!ydtylnlonnatlon tor all USS!atos,canadlan PR>/lnMC, 1M lhe us Vrgln Islandsp, lusr e1lol'IW1rdeeS OU'c:Iensc ludingh eallqU&'lS!cst national (IC: i)s Md caucuses; ~lfons; ~I ader mmpanles, ate .. $12.00; CHAs lcle N. America $11 NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY. NY & NJ; separate Wtmen's Secliai; Mlnhattan bar notes by Jerry Fitzpatrick. $5.00; oulll dl N. America $8 (almlal~ . SOIITHERN/Soulhom Midwest. 64 pages. Al, AZ.AFRL,.G A, KS, I«, LA, MS. MO,N M,N C, OK, PR, SC, TN, TX, US Virgin Islands, VA. $5.00; outside N .• AIMrlca $8 (airmail) NORTHEAST. CT, DE, DC, l',lE, MA, NH, OH, PA, RI, VT, WV. $5.00; ouslde N. America $8 (airmail) RENAISSANCE'HOBUOSEX5, 33-SSV ILLAGSET ATIONN;E WY ORKN, Y1 0014-02.(9 2212)674-0120 Second Stone•May/June, 1994 consequently arriving at extremely different interpr etations. If the same word appears more clearly elsewhere in the text, he applies that meaning to the ambiguous phras:es. And not too surprisingly, each time the issue at stake shifts away from a condemnation of Gays and Lesbians. Instead "across the board in sexual matters; the_ Bible calls for mutual respect, carmg and responsible sharing - in a loaded word, love." [p.99] To many readers, this underE;tanding of the Bible will parallel . the themes of acceptance and compassion of Jesus Christ himself. Point by point, reference by reference, H~lminiak eliminates any veshges of B1bhcal homophobia. The overall sin of Sodom was inhospitality, "hardheartedness and abuse ... male-male rape, not male-male sex." The "abomination" of lying with a man as with a woman described in Leviticus calls for death . Yet Leviticus is filled with man y, mariy stringent admonitions to follow then~timely social conventions which have_ since changed as people hav e applied to their lives and lifestyles "openness, intellig ence, reasoned judgment, and good will..." Paul's letter to the Romans, the longest treatment of the matter, "suggests that, in themselves, homogenital acts have no ethical significance whatsoever ." By, examining the sexual references in the context of the letter as a whole, he constructs an argument that Paul was using irony in his supposed acceptance of bigotry based on purity issues, only to theri attack prejudice and smugness by the document's end. And finally, Helminiak qualifies 1 Corinthians and 1 Timothy as generally admonishing against abusive forms of male-male sex and of male-female sex. He summarizes with "So the Bible takes no direct stand on the morality of homogenital acts as such nor on the morality of gay and lesbian relationships ." [p.112) Point by point, reference by reference, Helminiak eliminates any vestiges of Biblical homop hobia. As a delightful bonus Helminiak includes an all-too-short section titled "Biblical Endorsement of Homosexual Relationships ." These admittedly vague but possibly pro-gay and lesbian texts include the examination of the relationships between Jonathan and David (First Book of Samuel), Ruth and Naomi (Book of Ruth), and Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar's chief eunuch (Book of Daniel). The more scholarly reader will appreciate Helminiak's research base of well-respected and published historians and/ or theologians. He relied most heavily on the work of John Boswell, Professor of History at Yale University, and L. William Countryman, Professor of New Testament at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific. The author 's viewpoin t and goals are clearly realized throughout his book, but perhaps most simply stated in his own words: "If people would still seek to know outright if gay or lesbian sex in itself is good or evil, if homogenital acts per se are right or wrong, they will have to look somewh ere else for an answer. For the fact of the matt er is simple enough. The Bible never addresses the question. More than that, the Bible seems deliberately unconcerned about it." Tom W. Kelly is. a freelance wrifrr and playwright livmg 111 San Francisco. His work hos aT7Peareind Lambda Book Report, Geme and RFD. RIVER CITY, From Pa~e 6 the city, the state fire marshall's office - - and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms were unable to establish the cause of the fire . One bystander, however, had little doubt about the cause. "It's about time that hell-hole burned down," said Abdullah Fard Muhammad, who had just come from a nearby food closet with his wife and child. "I feel that God came and did what he had to do. How could God have a pastor and a reverend who participates in LEGITIMATE, From Page 12 gandistic media tools as The Gay Agenda, an anti-gay video produced by the religious right. Ignorance breeds irrational fears. Hostility plays upon the se fears to the point where reason flies out the window, and · reasonable dialogue becomes an all but impossible endeavor. The antidote for this ignorance and hostility is not, however, to engage in the same tactics. Rather, the most effective countermeasure is to declare the truth in love and with a firm sense of conviction . As straight Christians see the reality of our love for God, as well as the integrity in which we walk, it will free them to understand that the majority of Gays and Lesbians cannot be caricatured as media stereotypes. Consider the impact your life has on others: In view of the hostility of much of the evangelical church toward Gays and -Lesbians, and in light of the failure of "ex-gay" min istries to "cure" them, we may be the only viable witnesses to the nonbelieving in our community. In marked contrast to the antagonistic spokespersons of the religious right, we have the enormous potential ,to demonstrate the love and graciousness of Jesus Christ towards those alienated by the church. The question remains. In the absence of leadership from the church, - will we as gay and lesbian Christians take the steps necessary to - PROPOSAL, From Page 3 Hawaii Supreme Court has proven that impression wrong. Because of Hawaii's long tradition of civil rights and tolerance of cultural diversity, we have a unique opportunity to expand the civil rights of gay and lesbian Americans. We can turn back the tide of anti-gay sentiment and broaden the scope of the gay and lesbian civil rights movement. On the eve of the 25th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, I believe that we stand at an equally critical moment. When we are granted the homosexual activity? I'm glad God burned down that gay hell-hole." Others in the Oak Park community were less glad . Many had benefitted from the programs there, such as free meals, AA meetings and support groups and social activities. The building had been used seven days a week for years. The damage was estimated to be between $400,000 and $600,000. On Easter _Sunday, however, the message in the Cathedral of Promise, the former Chapel One of Mather Air Force Base and River City MCC's new home, was of renewal, rebirth and legitimize ourselves as part ·of the larger community of believers and as part of society as a whole? In contrast to the secular gay and lesbian community, the gay and lesbian Christian community only now is taking on form and substance . We have much catching up to do. Our task will be even more challenging as we face not only institutionalized homophobia in the church - homophobia sanctioned by centuries of traditional, inflexible interpretation of the Bible. Don't be discouraged. Thirty years ago, in the midst of another minority's struggle for equality, the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. proclaimed: "The deep rumbling of discontent that we hear today is the thunder of disinherited masses, rising from dungeons of oppression to the bright hills of freedom, in one majestic chorus the rising masses singing, in the words of our freedom song, 'Ain-'t gonna let nobody turn us around.'" Excerpted witlt permission from The Cable, the newsletter of Evangelicals Concerned/Western Region. i Brian Mayeda attended conservative evangelical churches for 17 years and w~s. illvolved in an ex-gay mmtSlry_ for four of tliose rear§! I-le is a member of Evangelicals Concerned and oJ All Sairits Episcop_al Church ill Pasadena, Calif. right to marry and our intimate and loving relationships are treated equally to all others, the barriers which stand between us and our full and equal participation in society will fall. We invite you to join us in making that happen. Maggie Tanis is the pastor of Ho~oluiu's Metropolitan Community Church and a member of the Steering Committee of the Hawaii Equal Rights Marriage Project, 1820 University Ave., #208, Honolulu, H/96822. resurrection. Light painted pastel by stained glass joined the spring colors of flowers and clothing as River City MCC settled into its new sanctuary . The children were invited into a side hall for an Easter party. Despite the fire, there was an atmosphere of hope and celebration in the church. Mark Hoffman spoke of being excited to be a part of MCC's new growth and subsequent move into the new -church. Connie, a --LUTHERANS, From Page 7 gation's reactions and their eventual renewal. Another special part of the conference will be a concert by One Voice, the Charlotte-based mixed chorus serving the lesbian and gay community . The selection of Charlotte, called the "Queen City," marks the first time the biennial assembly has MORMONS, From Page 6 keep many individuals from investigating and attending events likes Affirmation conferences. Discretion, trust and anonymity can be assured to all interested parties." For information on the conference, secretary at the church mentioned -that insurance would cover the material losses of the fire and added, "And our office furniture will match now!" The church's mail and phone contact in the aftermath of the fire is P .O. Box 245125, Sacramento, CA 95824, (916)558-0209. been held in the deep South. Assembly '94 will also feature a celebration of the 20th anniversary of Lutherans Concerned/North America. Other program events include workshops, six worship services, discussions on new ministry opportunities and adopting of policy statements for the future. See calendar. readers may call (702)228-0121 or write 8949 Clairton Court, Las Vegas, NV 89117. A specific telephone number has been dedicated for inquiries by women, (619)283-8810. The goal was peacemaking between evangelicals and liberals. But then there was a murder ... and a gay Quaker activist is the prime suspect. "I never suspected a Quaker mystery could be such a page turner. Great fun." -Mark Hulbert, Publisher Hulbert Financial Digest " . .. an intoxicating witches' brew of sexual politics and unFriendly inlrigue ... Prophetic and scary!" -A.Ian Pell Crawford, author Thunder On the Right Order now from Second Stone Press Quan. □ MURDER AMONG FRIENDS By Chuck Fager, $13.95 P~ling $2.90 fillt book, $1.00 ea. additional ___ _ TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED ___ _ NAME ________________ _ ADORE • ...._ __________________ _ CITYISTATE/ZJP-______________ _ ORDER FROM: SECOND STONE PRESS, P.O. BOX 8340, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70182 Sc0ond ~May/June, 1994 !ill --------- - -----------~-- - - - --- - --- ------ • Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............ . More Light Churches Conference MAY 7-8, This gathering of members of Presbyterian congregations who welcome and affirm gay and lesb ian members has met annual ly since 1985 for worship , fellowship, educat ion, sharing of resources and models of ministry, and planning for evange- . !ism and outreach. St. Luke Presbyterian Church, Minneapolis-St. Paul; Minn., is the host. The theme of the conference is "From Dialogue to Ministry: A Positive and Practi cal Approach to This Historical Moment." For information, call St. Luke Presb yterian Church, (612)474-7378 or Dick Hasbany, (503)757-8243. Turning the Century MAY 13-15, A conference of communication, coalition, and change in an environment increasingly hostile to Lesbians, Gays and bisexuals, to be held on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. Keynote speakers include Torie Osborn, Tom Stoddard, Carmen Vazquez and Phil Wilson. Workshops includ e 'Th e Religious Right and the Gay Rights Movement." For information contact the ACLU of Utah, Exchange Pl., Boston Bldg., #715, Salt Lak e City, UT 84111-2850, (801)521-9862. CMI Retreats MAY 20-22, Communication Ministry, Inc., a organization of_ Catholic lesbian nuns and gay brothers and priests sponsors the Gentle Warrior Retreat (men only) . For information write to Steven Botkin, Men's Resource Center, 30 Boltwood Walk, Amherst, MA 01002. JUNE 20-24,Emmaus House, Perth Amboy, N.J., is the setting for this retreat held in conjunction with the celebrations of Stonewall 25 in New YorkCity. JUNE27-JULY1,CMI hosts a retreat at the Marian ist Center in Cupertino, Calif. For information write to Communication Ministry, P.O. Box 60125, Chicago, IL 60660-0125. Spiritfest '94 . · ·MAY 27-30, This annualgathering of gay and le.sbian Pentecostals features worship, music, prayer and workshops. The conference will be held in Arkansas . For information contact Linda Harris, (817)520-7919. Mercy of God ' Community Retreat JUNE 3-5, The Mercy of God Community sponsors its Third Annua!,Religious Life Weekend and Retreat at the LaSalette Shrine and Retreat Center in Attleboro, Mass. The gathering offers an opportunity to explore religious vocation and enrich one's prayer life. For information contact Br. Ron Francis ,---·--, 118:. Second Stone-May/Jnne, 1994 I..:! ... . . . . . -- -- --- ---~ -- - - - Creapeau-Cross, MGC, Mercy of God Com mun ity, P.O. Box 41055, Providence, RI 02940-1055. 14th Annual EC East Conference JUNE 3-5, Kirkridge retreat facility in eastern Pennsylvania is the setting for the 14th annual eastern summer conference of Evangelicals Concerned. Keynoters include pl1ilosopher Hendrik Hart and EC founder Ralph Blair. Contralto Pamela WarrickSmith will give a special recital. For information contact Dr. Ralph Blair, 311 East 72nd St., New York, NY 10021. Gay/Lesbian and Christian: Our Journey in Truth JUNE 9-12, This 18th annual event for Lesbians, gay men, and •bisexuals of all colors, their families and friends, continues t o exp lore issue s of sexuality in the context of Christian faith and practic e. The process includes daily worship, prese ntations, small group sharing, workshops, play and celebration. Leaders are Mary Hunt, John McNeill, Herbert Evans, Jane Spahr and Coni Staff. Cost is $295. For information contact Kirkridge Retreat and Stucjy Center, Bangor, PA 18013, (610)588-1793. Western Regional ACTS Weekend JUNE 10-12, Aptos, Calif., just outside of San Jose, is the setting for this con ference, themed 'T he Fullness of the Spirit." Cost, which includes all meals , lodging and material s, is $70. For information contact Pastor Paul Doyle, Christ Chapel of the Desert, 940 Vella Rd., Palm Springs, CA 92264, (619)327-2795. Ecumenical Institute of · Sacred Choral Music JUNE 19s21, Th e United Church Coalition for Lesbian and Gay Concerns sponsors a11 ecumenical choir camp for gay, lesbian and _bisexual Christians. The camp will precede the UCCL/GC 14th Annual N<itional Gathering on the Rutgers campus in Newark, N.J. and will culminate with a major concert on June 23rd at a nationally known church. The event will unite the voices of 200 gay, lesbian, and bisexual Christians as part of Gay Pride Week in New York City. For information contact Rev . Christine Leslie, (908)598-0862, 125 Summit Ave., #4, Summit, NJ 07901. Eighth Annual Golden Threads JUNE 24-26, Lesb\al) women from all over the United States, and some from other countries, will gather at the -Provincetown Inn in Provincetown, Mass., to celebrate what they are and their age, whatever it is . Entertainment will be provided by Heather Bishop. Golden Threads is a worldwide social network of lesbian women over 50, and women who are interested in older woinen .' For reservation information write to Christine Burton, Golden Threads, · P.O. Box 60475, Northampton, MA 01060-0475. American Baptists Concerned National Retreat JUNE 27-30, Madison Avenue Baptist Church in New York City will host this retreat, themed "A Celebration of Stonewall and Our Wholeness" in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of Stonewall. Attendees will have the opportunity of participating in the many activities of New York's Gay Pride Week. Retreat leader is Dr. William R. Stayton. For information contact American Baptists Concerned, 872 Erie St., Oak1and, CA 94610, (510)465-8652. connECtion '94 JULY 1-4, "Speaking the Truth in Love" is the theme of Evangelicals Concerned Western Region's annual gathering to be held on the campus of Chapman University in Orange, Calif. Speakers include Dr. Mel White, author of Stranger at tlte Gate, and recently featured on 60 Minutes, Peggy Campolo, a Christian gay rights advocate and wife of Christian author Tony Campolo, and Dr . Ralph Blair, founder of Evangelicals Concerned. For information contact ECWR, P.O . Box 66906, Phoenix, AZ 85082-6906. Lutherans Concerned 20th Anniversary Gathering JULY 14-17, "God's Own People" is the theme of Luth erans Concerned/ North America's 20th anniversary conference, which will be held on the campus of the University of North Carolina in Charlotte. Rev. Barbara Lundblad, pastor of Our Savior 's Atonement Lutheran Church in New York City , ahd a regular speake r on the Protestant Hour radio program, will be the keynote speaker. For information contact LC/NA, P.O. Box 10461, Chicago, IL 60610-0461. National Association of Black and White Men Together cultural/social events. NABWMT was formed in 1980 as a "gay, multi-racial, , multi-cultural organization committed to fostering supportive environments wherein racial and cultural barriers can be overcome and the goal of human equality realized." For information contact NABWMT, 1747 Connecticut Ave. N.W., 3rd Floor, Washington, DC 20009-1108, (202)462-3599, (800)NA4-BWMT. Evangelical & Ecumenical Women's Caucus JULY 21-24, "Wind and Fire, Spirituality in Action" is the theme of the EEWC Biennial Conference to be held at North Park College in Chicago. The group celebrates 20 years of Christian feminist ministry with presentations by Virginia Ramey Mollenkott, Miriam Therese Winter, Nancy Hardesty and others. For information contact the EEWC Conference Office, 6124 N. Byron, Rosemont, IL 60018. Gay Pentecostal District Conference AUGUST 4-7, The Northeastern District of the National Gay Pentecostal Alliance holds its first district conference at the Holiday Inn Holidome and Meeting Center in downtown Schenectady, New York. Pastor Sandy Lewis of Casa de la Paloma Church in Tucson, Ariz. is guest preacher. The conference is being _sponsored by the Lighthouse Apostolic Church of Schenectady. For information contact NGPA, P.O . Box 1391, Schenectday, NY 12301:1391, (518)372-o00l. JULY 16-24, Over 200 people are expected to attend this organization's 14th Annua l Convention to be held at the Sheraton National Hotel in Arlington, Va. The theme ''Breaking the ·Chains of ISMS" will be a<ldressed via workshops, guest speakers, and UFMCC conferences AUGUST 2-4, Church Leadership, AUGUST 5-7, People of Color Conference. New worship styles that reflect the emerging traditions of women in leadership will b e featured at the lea dership confer.ence, which will feature Dr. Mary Hunt. "Con necting, Celebrating and Commun icating" is the theme of the People.of Color conference, which aims to stimulate and inspire people of colors and white people with a variety of activities which include a presentation by Dr . Elias Farajaje-Jones, associate prof essor at Howard University School of Divinity in Washing ton, D.C., and Ms. Letticia Gomez of the Latino Lesbian and Gay Organization . Both conferences will be held in Dallas, Texas . For information contact the UFMCC, 5300 Santa Monica Blvd., #304, Los Angeles, CA 90029, (213)464-5100. 1994 GLAD Event AUGUST 12-15, 'The Wisdom of the Body" is the theme of the 1994 gath- SEE CALENDAR, Next Page Noteworthy ........................................................................ Goss named co-chair of American Academy of Religion study group LI.ROBERT GOSS, of St. Louis, Missouri, has been appointed co-chair of the gay men's religious issues group of The American Academy of Religion. Dr. Goss is the author of Jesus Acted Up: A Gay and Lesbian Manifesto. The purpose of the committee is to solicit papers and develop a program on the issues facing gay men in religion . Goss was ordained a Jesuit priest in 1976, and received his Doctorate of Theology in comparative religion from Harvard University in 1993. He is the co-founder of Food Outreach, St. Louis, a food service organization which provides meals and nutritional supplements to persons with HIV and AIDS. The American Academy of Religion is a professional association of teachers and researchers in religion and religious studies, with over 7,000 members across the country. 100th Lutheran Church adopts welcome to lesbian and gay members · flTHE NUMBER OF active Lutheran worshipping communities that have been designated as "Reconciled in CALENDAR, From Preceding Page ering of the Gay, Lesbian and Affirming Disciples Alliance to be held at Mercy Center in Burlingame, Calif., near the San Francisco airport. Facilitators are Cynthia WintonHenry and Phil Porter. For information on this Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) event contact GLAD, P.O. Box 19223, Indianapolis, IN 46219-0223, (206)324-6231. Second International TEN Conference SEPTEMBER 2-4, The. Evangelical Network will meet in Vancouver, Canada on Labor Day weekend. The focus of the conference, themed 'Together - We Belong," is on interpersonal relationships. For information contact Liberty Community Church, #201 _ - 6380 Clarendon St., Vancouver, B.C., Canada VSS 2J9, (604)321-4633. Conference for Catholic parents of Gays, Lesbians SEPTEMBER 30-0CTOBER 2, 'Turning the Key," the first national retreat for Catholic parents of gay and lesbian children which will support Christ" has now topped the 100 mark; according to officials of Lutherans Concerned/North America. To be recognized as Reconciled in Christ, Lutheran congregations adopt a formal affirmation of welcome to gay and lesbian Christians. 'This is a real landmark in the movement for justice within the Lutheran church," said Brian Knittel of Oakland, Calif., director of the Reconciled in Christ program. 'The best part is the trend is accelerating." According to Bob Gibeling of Atlanta, program executive for Lutheran Concerned/North America, the timing of reaching the 100 mark is• significant, especially in light of the ongoing discussion about the Sexuality Statement of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America . "At last people are talking about issues of human sexuality in many Lutheran congregations," Gibeling said. Stephenson new pastor for Montgomery church llTHE MEfROPOLITAN COMMUNIty Church of Montgomery has elected Beverly M. Stephenson of San Antonio, Texas as its new pastor . Stephenson recently completed her student clergy training. and the 12-year-old Montgomery MCC is her first pastorate. She was installed as parents in their _key roles of promotmg understandmg and empathy ih the church, will be held at the LaSalette Center for Christian Living m Attleboro, Mass. Facilitators will be Sr. Jeannine Gramick, SSND, and Fr. Robert Nugent . The weekend will involve story-telling, presentations, filJ:l, discussions, ~ommunal prayer, quiet time, worslup and socializing. For information contact Fr. Robert Nugent, 637 Dover St., Baltimore, MD 21230, (301)864-8954. LGCM Retreat NOVEMBER 11-12, England's Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement sponsors a retreat led by Helen Loder, SSM and Rev. Malcolm Johnson. This is a unique weekend opportunity of meditative reflection in , an affirming community, during which there will be talks, discussions, some silence and lots of relaxation . The Royal Foundation of St. Katherine in London is the setting. For information contact LGCM, Oxford House, Derbyshire St., London, E2 6HG, UK. Announcements of interest to gay, lesbian and bisexual Christians are welcome and will be included free of charge, Send to Second Stone, P.O. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 vr FAX to (504)891-7555. pastor during a ceremony and worship service on March 6.' . Bohache to serve MCC NOVA llREV. THOMAS BOHACHE was appointed by unan imous vote to serve MCC Northern Virginia as assistant pastor . Bohache previously served as pastor of MCC of the Blue Ridge in Roanoke, Virginia. He was born in Los Angeles in 1955, raised Roman Catholic and attended Catholic schools. He left the church after high. schoo.l and did not return until 1981, when he began to attend MCC of the Pomona Valley. MCC lay leader nominated for service award LI.DARLENE HARRYMAN, a lay minister for MCC/Boise, Idaho, was nominated for an Elm Award by the gay and lesbian community of Boise as the "Lesbian who did the most" for the community . Harryman says the focus of her work as a spiritual leader and administrator of the -MCC is to help "provide a sense of religious community for the people of greater Boise." Rev. Troy Perry receives board appointment LI.REV. ELDER TROY PERRY, UFMCC founder and moderator, is a member of the advisory board of Christianity for the Third Millenium, Inc., a new non-profit .organization formed to produce videos presenting competent Bible scholarship, under the direction of Episcopal Bishop John Spong. Cathedral of Hope breaks ground for new counseling center llHAVING MOVED INTO their new $3.2 million facility only a little over a year ago, the Cathedral of Hope Metropolitan Community Church in Dallas, Texas has embarked on a second phase of construction with a groundbreaking ceremony for a multi-faceted counseling center. The facility will consist of four staff offices, six counse ling rooms, a therapist work room, two meeting rooms and a reception area. The ·church already offers a variety of counseling services including individual, group, couples, adolescent, HIV and crisis counsefing. 13th anniversary for Birmingham church !1COVENANT METROPOLITAN Community Church of Birmingham, Alabama, celebrated its 13th anniversary earlier this year. The church was once known as "the church of the moving door" because of difficulty finding meeting places but is now known throughout the Gulf Lower Atlantic District for its powerful music ministry and children's ministries . Cliff Morrison serves as Senior Pastor and the Rev. Marge Ragona is Associate Pastor. Huntsville church a Welcoming Congregation l1THE UNIT ARIAN UNIVERSALIST Church of Huntsville, Ala. has been recognized by the Unitarian Universalist Association as a Welcoming Congregation, havi11g made a public commitment to welcome gay men, Lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered persons into the fellowship of the church and to affirm the validity of their personal relationships. North Carolina church buys new building LI.ST. JOHN 'S MCC, Raleigh, No. Carolin,1, has purchased a worship facility valued at more than half a million dollars. Says pastor Wayne Lindsey, 'This place will stand as a concrete, visible beacon of hope to those who hide in invisibility and fear." The new sanctuary will seat over 200. Dignity/Baton Rouge reactivates !!.DIGNITY /BATON ROUGE, Louisiana is meeting again beginning with a feminist spirituality discussion series, which has been challenging and renewing, according to acting chapter president Joe McCarty . The renewal comes after "a long period of discouragment and inactivity," says McCarty. Books for gay and lesbian families llJOINED BY LOVE, a catalog a b0oks for lesbian and gay_ families, features more than 30 publications on a host of topics of interest to lesbian and gay parents and their children. For gay and lesbian households with children, and for Gays and Lesbians considering parenting, Joined By Love offers a storehouse of informative titles. The catalog is available for $1.00 from Tapestry Books, P.O. Box 359, Ringoes, NJ 08551, (800)765-2367. Sweeting installed as pastor !!.REV. TYRONE SWEEfING has been installed as pastor of MCC/ Boise, Idaho. Prior to this call, Sweeting was an assistant pastor at Key West MCC and founder of Lafayette MCC. "I am a fundamentalist," said Sweeting. "I believe in the fundamental love of God for everyone." Send noteworthy items to Second Stone, P.O. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182, or FAX to (504)891-7555. Second Stone-May/June, 1994 [I[l . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .............C....l.a...s.si.f.i..e..d...s ·T···· ···· ·• •it••···· -----------------L7 "WONDERFUL DIVERSITY," "Heartily Classified Order Form Please place my ad in these issues: [] Jan/Feb [] Mar/Apr [ J May/Jun [ J jul/Aug [ ] Sept/Oct [] Nov/Dec recommended, 11 11Philosophicall)' intrig - uing,1 1 11Ex<;ellent1.1 Why do reviewers highly esteem CHRISTIAN*NEW AGE QUARTERLY? Great articles and lively columns make this bridge of dialogue between Christians and New Agers as entertaining as it is substantive. Subscribe for only $12.50/yr. Or sample us for $3.50. CHRlSTIAN*NEW AGE QUARTERLY, P.O. Box. 276. Clifton,' NJ 07011-0276. TF FOR ONLY 35¢ per word, your classified ad will reach readers from Sitka, Alaska to Amherst, Maine and everywhere in between. Business .or personal ... try a classified ad in our next edition! Mail To: Second Stone Box 8340 New Orleans, LA 70182 .Name _____________ _ Address __________ _ Citr/St./Zip _______ _ AD COPY _______ _ ------------------------------------------ -------------------- __ words X .35= $ ____ _ 20 wotd minimum. All classifieds must be pre-paid. Deadline one month prior to cover date. We will mail you a copy of the edition(s) in which your ad appears CLASSIFICATIONS [ ] Books & Publications [ J Business Opportunities [ ] Employment [ J Friends/Relationships [ l General Interest [ ] Mail Order [ l Merchandise [ J Organizations [ J Professional Services [ J Real Estate [] Retreats [ ] Roommates [ ]Travel A GAY DIARY 1975-1982 by Donald Vining is the latest in the series of intimate, personal diaries of which critics have said, 11Unquestionably the richest historical document of gay male life in the United States" "The fairly detailed look at the day-to-day development of a 'long-term' gay couple relationship is only one valuable aspect' of this intriguing chronicle. 11 "Humor, narrative sense, interest in the foibles of others. Deep honesty." 474 pages. paperback $11.95 hardcover $16.95. Also available A GAY DIARY 1946-1954 $9.95 and $14.95, 1954-1967' paperback only, $9.95, 1967- 1975, $11.95 and $16.95. The Pepys Press. 1270 Fifth Avenue. New York, NY 10029 6/94 ----------- --------------- - --------------------------------- OPEN HANDS, an ecumenical quarterly magazine on ministries with gays. lesbians and bisexuals. $16/year. Free sample. 3801 N. Keeler Avenue, Chicago, IL 60641. 312/736-5526. FAX-312/736-5475. 10/95 l®~TI~!"l®1~~~~?n~~l LEARN HOW TO resolve conflicts in a conciliatory manner for only $19.95. Order "Mediation: The Book" by Leonard. The hottest Christian-based career of the 1990s. A must! Call 1-800-594-5190. 10/94 28 years old. I am looking for a lasting relationship with an older sincere gentleman. I graduated vocational auto body and I am presently working on my Associate Degree. I love all animals. outdoors. and quiet times at home. I w_ill be released Feb .. l 99~. Danny Meredith #83982 D-1, Northpoint Training Center. P.O. Box 479, Burgin, KY 40310. 6/94 NEW YORK CITY GAY Spirit-filled Christian group now forming for support, fellowship, Bible study, and worship. Ultimate goal is to start new Christ-centered church. Call Kevin at (718)267-0773 6/94 Ira.. f tr.1~>!f~111\Jll\'ill\~rts:Ar,:,b,e:,w.J ''AIDS AWARENESS" stamp pins. $3.50. 'llf.ij~~~ -\~.ll.l~~\/).IU~-~j Quality made of solid brass. Proceeds benefit · ,.,., PWAs. Volume discounts. Eastern Maine WARNING REGARDING PRISON COR- AIDS Network PO Box 2038 Bangor ME RESPONDENCE: While most prisoners 04402. 8/94 ' . . ' ' seeking correspondence are genuine m ~h,;~~ioi~~el"·t: 0 ;:ot~~~ ~~~m~:r:ee;s /::n H@nrt1l@p '.~1¥• "~' '. ' ,·: · scams: 1. Do nol send checks or money orders to prisoners and do not cash checks or money orders from prisoners. Persons cashing altered checks or money orders are responsible for the difference between the issue amount and the altered amount. 2. Do not reveal personal informalion about yourself that would be harmful to you if passed on to employer. family or others. ACTIVE CATHOLIC-(Orthodox, Anglican, or Roman Catholic) male wanted. Serious but jovial and sensual anP masculine! .. .in the Southwest or San Diego. Weight in proportion to height. Music and animal lover. Around my age range: 53. No smoke or dope, moderate drink! Frank B .. P.O. Box 62, Blue Springs, MO 64013 6/94 GWM SEEKING NEW PARTNER 37, honest, loving "healthy, wealth¥, ~nd wise," and recently lost my partner of 11 years to AIDS. I'm 5'9". blonde/blue, mustache. financially/emotionally secure, educated, and a Christian minister and an electrical engineer. I own a big house on. the Russian River, but travel nationally. You are probably 25-45. GWM. tall, masculine, drug-free, a 11leather/levi," "cowboy," construction worker or blue-collar type looking for love and adventure. Send letter and picture to Mark Shirilau, P.O. Box 32, Villa Grande, CA 95486 6194 LONELY. incarcerated GWM. straight acting, blonde hair, blue eyes, 5'8, 150 lbs., 12(Se}coln d Stone•May/June1, 994 I_~ CREMATION URNS: Introducing the Lambda Pride Urn. Celebrate Life with an um that reflects personality and style. Call for free brochure. LifeStyle Urns 1-800-685-URNS. 8/95. GAY PRIDE FLAGS, Banners, Lapel Pins, Wall Clocks, Tote Bags. Bumper Stickers, Wind Socks & More. Free Catalog. 1-800-854-1438. (24 hrs. - 7 days .) Retail & Wholesale. B PIANO FOR SALE. Responsible party wanted to take on low monthly payments on beautiful console piano. No down payment needed. Call 1-800-782-0943. 10/94 LIVE OPERA performances on audio /video casette. Incredible selection since 1930 1s, world-wide. Over 7400 items. Magnificent free computerized catalogue. Live Opera, P.O. Box 3141, Steinway Station, Long Island City. NY 11103. 12/95 PSYCHOTHERAPIST with long term experience _working with gay and lesbian individuals and couples. (603)431-1900. Con- 1'.':1_P~~n. Ju!ith Pal~, MS_':': BCD. 1019<!_ REV. N. A. LLOYD, C.M .• spiritual medium and advisor. Spiritual counseling. Call (516)736-1058. 12/94. CARIBBEAN VA CATION. Spend a week at the only gay owned beach resort in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Perfect place for lovers. One low price includes room, car and ·$100 bar credit. Low air also. Call for details. 800-524-2018. 10/94 ''MAYBE WE'RE TALKING About a Different God" A half-hour video documentary on Rev. Jane Spahr, and her call to the Downtown Church in Rochester, protested and · brought to trial. Shows how confusion and fear can be transformed into understanding and compassiori. VHS tape and discussion guide. Send $32 . .35 to Leonardo's Children, Inc., 26 Newport Bridge Rd., Warwick, NY 10990. COURTS, From ·Page 15 the unique demands their present circumstances put on them, than being reinstated in the church. But he is certain with time things in the church will change. Meanwhile, he is an AIDS educator with the AIDS Committee of Toronto where he presents workshops to organizations and associations that provide services to persons with AIDS. His faith, he says, has been "refined" as a result to this particular fire he has been put through. As Bishop Garnsworthy has been heard to say, Ferry believes that "the older I get the fewer things I believe, but I believe them more deeply." In the Courts of the Lord may not prove to be where justice is served, but it should prove to be a valuable resource for those exploring the issues surrounding Gays and Lesbians in the church - as laity and as clergy. ARE YOU MOVING? The Post Office will not forward The Second Stone. You must notify us for uninterrupted service if you move. Please notify us four weeks. in advance for uninterrupted delivery. Send both old and new addresses. If possible attach mailing la_beiln space provided. PRINT NEW ADDRESS N "O 0 0 :;- Send completed form to: THES ECONDS TONE Box8340 New Orleans,L A 70182 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 Second Stone #34 - May/June 1994 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/ed92c90711d3e0fa1baed69edc78129c.pdf 5b53707ff2b1e0ef8152641c6260c23c 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 Second Stone Description An account of the resource Issues of the Second Stone publication. Issue An issue of a recurring publication. Issue Number The number of the issue (within a volume) 35 Publication Year The year the issue was published 1994 Publication Date The date the issue was published July/Aug 1994 Text Any textual data included in the document OUR SIXTH YEAR JULY/AUGUST, 1994 ISSUE #35 Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like.an everflowing stream. - Amos 5:24 H O L Y C R O S S M C C , P E N S A C O L A, F L A Artist's skilled hands bring dream and vision to reality BY JIM BAILEY A s a thunderstorm associated with the remnants of tropical storm Alberto passes over Holy Cross Metropolitan Community Church in Pensacola, Florida1 church member Ralph Cahall reclines at the end of one of the wooden pews of the church. Towering above his head and alternately dully and dramatically illuminated by a cloudy sky and bolts of lightning is one of six magnificent stained glass windows Cahall created for the church. Almost ten years ago, Holy Cross MCC found itself outgrowing its sanctuary on the west side of town and in 1985 the congregation purchased an old church, much larger than its previous building but badly in need of repairs. A hurricane had blown out some windows and the remaining windows had been painted over. To Ralph Cahall, an accomplished artist, the three large openings on each side of the church _ building were opportunities for artistic expression . Over the next seven years Cahall donated his time and talent to create 66 stained glass panels for the six side windows and 18 panels for a huge altar piece. Cahall's art is well known, particularly in his home state of Florida. His sculpture has won top honors from the Florida Department of Education and his work has been shown SEE COVER SfORY, Page 10 BEGINNING ANEW Church brings inclusiveness to Catholic tradition BY JIM BAILEY A t the dose of the past decade, an African American Catholic · priest set about correcting the problem he saw of the Roman Catholic Church not meeting the needs of African Americans. Knowing and experiencing the unchanging ways of the church, George Stallings . did what he thought he needed lo do. He started a new church, the Imani Temple of the African American Catholic Congregation, a church outside the jurisdiction of the Vatican. P. 0. Box 8340 New Orleans, LA 70182 Address Correction Requested At about the same time the Imani Temple came into being, two gay men in California were working on a vision of a Catholic church that would meet the spiritual needs of Gays, Lesbians and others who feel outcast by the church. "We saw the need for Catholicoriented ministry to the gay community," says · Mark Shirilau, Bishop of the Ecumenical Catholic Church . SEE UPSTART CHURCH, Page 11 ' SUBSCRIBE NOW - ONE YEAR ONLY $15.00!• BOX 8340 • NEW ORLEANS, LA 70182 BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PA ID NEW ORLEANS, LA PERMIT No. 511 T ·F ormtehE ditorT • • " • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • -· • • • • 0 • • • Who pays the bills? By Jim Bailey I N THE PAST Second Stone has gone to press on the strength of good circulation figures or, in a few rare cases, some good ad pages. I believe this is the first time we've gone to press on the strength of prayer alone. I appreciate the response from so many readers to the letter I sent out shortly after we printed the May /June issue. The letter explained that we had had a circulation slump for several months and, at the time, our traditionally slow summer months were still ahead of us. Not a pretty picture. You've been incredibly supportive of Second Stone! I have J;teard of requests for prayer coming up during worship services at churches across the country. And your response with renewals and the purchase of gift subscriptions )las jammed our post office box more than a few times this month. Very empowering for us. You are aware, of course, that Second Stone is different in content from other gay and lesbian publications. What many readers do not realize is that we're very different administratively as well. "I don't understand why I can pick up a copy of a local gay newspaper twice the size of Second Stone - and get it FREE and have to pay for Second Stone," says one of our readers. The answer is simple. Almost all gay publications that are distributed free are profitable through paid advertising. Readers do not have to pay for a subscription or single copy because advertisers have paid the publisher for readers to receive it free. Second Stone carries very little advertising other than our house ads. This is an unfortunate situation created by the fact that most gay and lesbian businesses will not advertise with us because we are a Christian publication. (Not politically correct.) And Christian advertisers will not advertise with us because we are a gay publication. (Not politically correct.) So who pays for Second Stone to be printed and mailed? Our readers do. Which explains why we are extremely sensitive to circulation figures. As an example, say all but 50 or so readers who come up for renewal this month do indeed renew . With a circulation in the thousands, that might look like a good renewal rate, but if that trend continues for six months, our loss comes to over $5000. I hope this makes very clear just how important to us each individual reader is - and how your support is vital if we are to continue to bring a powerful message of affirmation to the gay and lesbian community. Thank you for your prayers and support. I appreciate it. SECOND STONE Newsjoumal, ISSN No. 1047-3971, is published every other month by Bailey Communications, P. 0. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182. Copyright 1994 by Second Stone, a registered trademark. SUBSCRIPTIONS, U.S.A. $15.00fer year, six issues. Foreign subscribers add $10.00 for postage. All payments U.S. currency only. ADVERTISING, For display advertising information call{504)891-7555 or write to P.O. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182. ; EDITORIAL, send letters, calendar announcements, noteworthy items to (Department title) Second Stone, P.O. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182. Manuscripts to be (etumed should be accompanied by a stamped, self addressed envelope. Second Stone 1s otherwise not responsible for the return of any material. SECOND STONE, a national ecumenical Christian social justice newsjoumal wt.th a specific outreach to sexual orientation minorities. PUBLISHER/EDITOR: Jim Bailey CONTRIBlITORS FOR THIS ISSUE: Keith A. Miller, Bill Day, Kenny Dayton, Andrea L. T. Peterson W' Second Stone-July/August, 1994 THE NATIONAL ECUMENICAL CHRISTIAN NEWSJOURNAL FOR LESBIANS, GAYS AND BISEXUALS Cotenns t ............ ..... " ....... .. . W From The Editor .1w -9 1Co mmentary How one can be pro-life and pro-choice W Newsun .. m One Who Was Saved l_!!_j Gay teen's life almost ended in suicide ,1[1ii0ll C over Story Artist's stained glass inspiration 1117 . The Upstart Ecumenical l!!J Catholic Church - 11'l7. LC. raps ~ Christian music never sounded like this before [1 3I'E xiled, free and home ·. The Gospel of John has a special meaning for · gay and lesbian people T :Comment • • • t ••••••••••• . ••••••••••••••• . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • .. ......... Give me a minute to explain I'm pro-choice and I'm pro-life By P. D. Sterling Guest Comment I 'm turning 12!'.Q.· I've been an amateur advocate of numerous causes, not the least of which is proper grammar, diction, elocution and word choice. I've been almost driven to a nervous twitch over redefining of words or terms in our language . So I've decided to tum I!ffi, Unfortunately, I'm uncertain if I will be 12.[Q.fessional or simply, J2!_Q. (Latin, for). As an optimistic, positive person, I am I1ffi many issues. To my surprise, I found out I was not prolife, according to some people's revised definition. Strangely, they had appropriated this term and redefined it to mean "anti-abortion." Stupidly, I had thought I was pro-life. With countiess others, I have been battling AIDS in our community for nearly 15 years. I've had low spots, where I was despondent over the loss of life, and have assisted countless people in many ways . I have dealt with numerous people, living with AIDS, who were apologetic for needing help and who were concerned for my mental and physical health. Quite humbling. Why do we b·attle on? It is because we are pro-life. We affirm life, and want to continue living until we reach agreement with our Creator that we will accept other orders. I feel it is incumbent on all members of the gay community to view themselves as pro-life ( old definition). When I was a good deal more naive, I was given only two options for a certain political position, prochoice or pro-life. When told the second option meant government or society dictating policy on abortion, I quickly said, 'Tm pro-choice." I got involved with like-minded people who told me, "It's pro-choice or no-choice." Busy with other things, I never thought this through . Lately, I did put considerable meditation into choices, and became quite upset at the notion that many people put forth: "Agree with me, or you are a bad person." As a quintessential semanticist, I kept flopping "choice" over and over, like a piece of french toast on a griddle. Suddenly, after hearing Arby's commercial for the umpteenth time, came the dawn, and I cried, "Choices are good; choices are our friends." We are best served by making responsible choices. We want the right to choose where we live, where we socialize, what we wear . If we choose what others call an alternate lifestyle, that's okay. And I decided it is incumbent on all members of the gay commμnity to view themselves as pro-choice ( old definition). This makes great demagoguery, until you notice I didn't resolve the political position on abortion. I noticed that, too , for quite a while, until a messenger was sent to me. This messenger told me that our opposing views on this subject were Integrity member on anti-Catholic bias No place for prejudice By Nick Dowen Guest Comment T he deaths of both Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis and Richard M. Nixon have stirred the memories and emotions of many Americans. Something I remember from the 1960 Kennedy-Nixon presidential campaign is the strong anti-Catholic bias it aroused. In the small town where I grew up a very prominent Democrat, long active in local, state, and national -politics (and a pillar of the First Presbyterian Church), organized a "Democrats for Nixon" campaign solely because the I<ennedys were Roman Catholics . Anti-Catholic bias still exists in our . -~ [,~ Pontius' Puddle HOW CAN 6-Ot> O;>E"c.T l)S TC fOLLOW \J,IS CO~tJ\At-l0S Wl-lEN THE i18LE USES WO~bS T\-\~T \W,'E" ~\..L \NT LOST THEI~ M£AN1Ntr IN TOI)~'(~ WOR\.0? country, and there is also a good deal of anti-religious feeling in the lesbian and gay community. While I think all gay men, bisexuals and Lesbians ought to deplore the Roman Catholic Church's official teaching about us, · we also need to recognize that a very broad range of opinion exists in that church, whether its leaders acknowledge it or not. The task for us as Episcopalians is less to criticize a church from whom we have been separated for centuries than to ask · whether our own church is really so very much better and to do whatever we can to improve it. Relations between the Roman Catholic Church and the Anglican Church .used to appear warmer than they do today. Pope Paul VI once gave the Archbishop of Canterbury his episcopal ring, and referred to the Anglican Communion as "our everbeloved sister." That would not happen today, but as Integrity members we are pleased to acknowledge the several joint chapters of Dignity and Integrity that exist, including Dignity /Integrity Mid-Hudson, meeting at Christ Church, Poughkeepsie, in the Episcopal Diocese of New York. Homophobia exists in the Episcopal Church. Church periodicals regularly publish homophobic letters. I wonder, would they publish racist or antiSemitic letters? In February the Wall Street Journal published a homophobic article bearing the name, among WORt>S l.ll<E Tl-\00 1 '{E 1 SHAL"'r, AND i\.\ER'EO~~ NO, Lll<.E. M.Eelt.Y, J"U5'TIC.E1 PE~CE 1 C.Ofo\~ASSION, 1-\l)('#I.\Ll'i"Y, SERVICE··· endangering our relationship. Some pillow talk! Pained, I told this friend that I thought our minds were as one, that we couldn't be in disagreement on this issue, and it took three to four hours of non-stop dialogue to reach a monumental conclusion: One's position on abortion and one's position on choice ( old definition) are separate issues, ones that have been clouded by demagogues and revisionists. It is possible to be pro-choice ( old defini- . lion) and anti-abortion! It that's hard to follow, read on. I now introduce myself as pro-choice 'and anti-abortion. This means : I will never have an abortion, and I will never decide if another person will or will not hav:e an abortion. In retrospect, it seems so simple. How to implement this new credo? When someone asks if you are prochoice or pro-life, you answer, "Yes!" Also, light a candle for me while I start explain ing this to the Republicans. others, of the Dean of Berkeley Divinity School at Yale, an Episcopal theological seminary. A number of Episcopal churches around the country welcome lesbian and gay individuals and couples, and provide meeting space for a wide variety of lesbian, bisexual, gay and AIDS related _events and organizations. That is significant in our church, with it strong parochial or congregational emphasis. To the lesbian and gay community we say that the secular world can be just as homophobic as the religious world. Rejection of religion is not a cure for homophobia. Lesbians, bisexuals, and gay men, like everybody else, have the capacity and the right to take part in the marketplace of ideas that is the American religious scene. Excerpted from Outlook, the newsletter of Integrity/New York. We welcome your letters and opinions Write to Second Stane. All letters must be original and signed by the writer . . Clearly indicate if your na'.'le is to ~e . withheld. We reserve the right to edit. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 or FAX to (504)891-7555. S~nd Sto~~JuiytAugust, 1994:[[] T NewLsin es •••• " ••• .••• ••••••••••••••••• !9. •••••• Christialena derosp posaen ti-gainy itiatives - MPPROXIMATELY 75 CHRISTIAN leaders who support civil rights for Gays and Lesbians are working against anti-gay initiatives in Washington State. They are members of People of Faith for Fairness, a task force of the Church Council of Seattle, and Simple Justice, a statewide network of Christians. Michael Spencer, Simple Justice co-<:hair, said the organization concentrates only on civil rights and has no position on internal church issues such as ordination of Gays and Lesbians. "We take our lead from denominational statements that are already in place by the six maior mainline Protestant denominations. They all have very strong statements supporting avil nghts for all people regardless of sexual orientation. We concentrate on the points oI agreement." - Seattle Gay News Ministerpsr oclaismu ppofrot rC obbC ountya'sn ti-garye solution M GROUP OF LARGELY Baptist and Methodist ministers stood before television cameras to supl;'ort the Cobb County, Georgia anti-gay resolution and ask the media to drop the issue. It is time for the church and clergy in Cobb County to proudly proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ," said the Rev. Father David Monroe of the Church oHhe Holy Trinity to the applause of the 200 supporters gathered just off Marietta Square. The ministers read a statement, signed by some 150 Cobb County nurusters, supporting the Cobb Commissions condemnation of the "gay lifestyle." The statement came m response to another statement, urging that the Commission rescind the resolution,_s igned by 37 clergY,· Not everyone in attendance at the press conference were supportive of the miruster s statement. John Edwards, a member of First Baptist Church ofMarietta, said that he was saddened by the latest round. "It's dividing people, that's what going on," he said. "Now it's minister against minister." - Southern Votce NewP resbyterlieaand ewr il"l avoiedx tremes" t.FORT WORTH PASTOR Robert W. Bohl was elected moderator of the 2.7 million-member Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) during the 206th Presbyterian General Assembly meeting in Wichita, Kansas. "What I represent is the center position of the church," said Rev. Dr. Bohl,-56, head of the pastoral staff at First Presbyterian Church in Fort Worth, Texas and moderator for the Grace Presbytery, which includes churches from 52 Texas counties. The communications director for Presbyterians for Lesbian and Gay Concerns said he got a sense from gay and lesbian leaders that they had a good relationshiJ? with Bohl. ''He seems to be interested in accomodating groups in the church as part of 1:iise fforts to get the church back together," said JimA nderson . But same-gender umons and -ordination of non-celibate Gays and Lesbians will not be on the agenda during Bohl's term. '1 think that for the peace, purity, and unity of the church, it cannot be. We just can't do it right now," Bohl saia. "What may happen in 50 years - even God may be surprised." - Dallas Morning News CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE: Helping Christians Debate Homosexualtiy Few other issues divide the Christian community more sharply than homosexuality. In this new volume, writers with divergent points of view deal with questions at the center of the debate between pro-gay and anti-gay believers. Edited by Sally B. Geis, director. Iliff Institute, Lay and Clergy Education, The Iliff School of Theology, Denver, and Donald E. Messer, president, The Iliff School of Theology. · Order now from Second Stone Press Quan. □ CAUGHTIN THEC ROSSFIRE By Geis/Messer$, 12.95,p aperbk ____ _ Postage/Handlin$g2 .90f irst book,$ 1.00e a.a dditional -----TOTALA MOUNTE NCLOSED-- --- NAME_ ____________________ _ ADDRES_S_ _______________ _ CITY/STATE_/ZIP_ ______________ _ ORDERFR OMS:E CONSDT ONEP RESSP,. O.B OX8 340N, EWO RLEANLSA, 7 0182 ,(I] Second Stone-July/August, 1994 . ............................ . Episcopaliarnesje cPt helpsm' essagoef h ate - t.THE PARISHIONERS OF St. David's Episcopal Church, Topeka, Kansas, have drawn the line against a brotherhood of hate that comes to visit them every weekend. Each Saturday evening and Sunday morning, according to the Rev. Robert P. Layne, rector, picketers surround St. David's, holdin~ up their hateful signs and shouting expletives at anyone entering the church. "Faggot," 'sodomite," and "whore" (aimed at any woman with short hair) are among the hateful words they shout. After enduring this for more than a year, members of the parish now take to the sidewalks. Up to SO each week sign the St. David's Mission Statement Against Hate, station themselves on the perimeter of the church property, and confront the hate pickets with signs saying that God is-a "God of Love." The anti-gay pickets are led by Fred Phelps, a disbarred lawyer and a self-styled cleric who organized the Westboro Baptist Church in ToJ?eka 38 years ago. The church has about SO members, most of them related to Phelps. "This cult has stated it is committed to the condemnation of all who will not SUJ?port its position," Layne said. "Their hatred is that for which they live. Their hatred 1s what gives them energy, and sadly, their hatred has both silent and vocal adherents." - EpiscopLali fe Pastoraclo unseldoer nieedn dorsemebnyBt aptisbto ard t.THE COMMITTEE ON Chaplaincy and Pastoral Counselors of the American Baptist Churches/U.S.A. has rejected \:he application of the Rev. Mark Crosby ofReading, Mass. for ecclesiastical endorsement. Crosby, who is eminently qualified, was rejected because he is an oeenly gay man. Ecclesiastical endorsement is a requirement for membership in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors. His rejection is seen as fall-out from an anti-gay resolution passed by the denomination's General Board in 1992. Crosby is an active member of Old Cambridge Baptist Church and of American Baptists Concerned. - Voice of the Turtle GermaLnu theracnh urcohf fersg ayu nionb lessings M LUTHERAN PARISH in the Rhineland has offered to bless unions of gay and lesbian couples, according to Magnus Szene. Although a poll showed 80 percent of Lutherans in the area are opposed to the plan, the press secretary for the regional church said the action is long overdue as a dialogue to correct stereotypical views toward Lesbians and Gays . - Outlines Lutheranfosr mg ayo rdinatiocno mmittee t.A _NATIONAL COMMITTEE of Lutherans has formed to provide _an alternative to ordination and m1rustenal service for gay and lesbian ordination candidates reiected by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The Extraordinary Candidacy Committee will review the credentials of gay and lesbian candidates, and present their qualifications to congregations that want to hire them as pastors. - Outlines Churcdhe leaatecsa lfl org ay/lesbicainv irl ightsp rotection M RESOLUTION SUPPORTING the Sexual Orientation Anti-Discrimination Bill being considered by the New York Senate. won overwhelming approval by delegates of the New York Conference of the United Church of Christ. Delegates from tne 300 UCC congregations from across New York gathered June 3-5 in Buffalo. The Rev. Craig Hottman, presenter of the resolution, stated that "the overwhelming level of support for this resolution sends a clear message to the New York State legislature that many Christians view discrimination against gay, lesbian and bisexual persons · as intolerable." The resolution itself reaffirmed tlie Christian concern for justice and civil liberties, drawn from the Biblical tradition and from actions of previous General Synods of the United Church of Christ, the national decision-making body of the church. The resolution also affirmed the worth and dignity of every individual as a child of God and emphasized that "Denial and violation of the civil liberties of the individual and her or his right of equal protection under the law defames that worth and dignity and is, therefore, morally wrong." Campaighno petso g etU .N.p olicaym ended t.THE U. N. POStCARD Campaign is petitioning the General Assembly of the United Nations to demand e_qual rights for all lesbian, g_ay and bisexual people. The campaign's goal is to have the U.N. amend Article II of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to include the words "sexual orientation." The group hopes to deliver 1,000,000 petition postcards to the U.N. General Assembly during its fall session. For information on this campaign and to obtain postcards to distribute to community members contact the campaign at 245 Eighth Ave., Ste. 217, New York, NY 10011, (212)966-5876. Boycotct,o mplainstsq ueezinLgim baug·h t.RlJSH LIMBAUGH may not be promoting Florida orange juice for much longer, if recent signals from the Florida Citrus Commission are any sign. Stagnant sales anil a national boycott have put the squeeze on the ultra-right-win& radio personality, hired for $1 million to promote Floriila orange juice last February. 'I have not seen any outstanding results from Mr. Limbaugh's promotion," said William E. Owens, a citrus comm1ss10ner who said he would not vote to renew Limbaugh's contract. The "Flush Rush" boycott campaign is being led by the National Organization for Women and supported by many groups including the NAACP. - Empty Closet Maaazinfoer l esbiaann dg ayp arents t.THE FAMILY NEXT DOOR, a national publication for lesbian and gay parents and their friends, provides a wealth of information for gay and lesbian families. The most recent issue includes the personal story of a young woman who finds her birth mother? camping adventures for children, national resources available to gay and lesbian youth, and a new column about cooking for kids and adults. A regular column by Dr. Tamar Gershon, behavioral/ developmental pediatrician of the Rambow Health Clinic in San Francisco, discusses the pros and cons of books on child rearing, and in their column "Let's Talk About It," psychotherapists Valory Mitchell, Ph.D., ana Diane Wilson, Ph.D., continue their informative discussion on considering parenthood. For information on subscribing to the Family Next Door, contact the publication at P.O. Box 21580, Oakland, CA 94620, (510)482-5778. ·.N...e..w.L..s.i .n. es Dignity/USsAu pportFsr .N ugenSt,r .G ramick M CATHOLIC PRIEST and nun being investigated by a special commission of the Vatican's Congregation for .Religious and Secular Institutes has received support from Dignity /USA. The gay-affirming writings of Fr. Robert Nugent and Sr. Jeannine Gramick are being · looked into by church authorities. "The commission's establishment and operation seem to be extraprdinary a_nd sinful wastes of Church time and resources," leaders of Dignity said in a prepared statement. "AdditionallY.t, he commission's invasive activities are disrupting a mmistry that has been incredibly effective in improving relationships between gay, lesbian, and bisexual Catholics and other members of our Church. Surely the work of these two religious is in the best tradition of pastoral service." . The national organization of gay and lesbian Catholics says it strongly supports the work of New Ways Ministry, its founders and staff, and are grateful for the confributions they have made in the ministry's 17 years of service. "Their workshops, publications, and one-on-one support have assisted countlessJeople struggling with issues of sexuality and ethics," the statement said. "We are prou to consider New Ways Ministry a partner in our mission." TacomCa atholcich urcshh elteerv ictsg avf amily LITHE EVICTION OF A gay couple from a Catholic she1ter for the homeless in Tacoma, Washington has left the Tacoma Christian community divided and seething with anger. St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Tacoma operates the homeless shelter that evicted the gay couple and their three children. The gay family consists of Abraham Valenica, his partner (whose name has been withheld in published reports), and Valencia's three children. The eviction occurred in January, out the subseguent battle only recently boiled over into the public spotlight. According to the News TribuneG, ail Craft, coordinator of the shelter program at St. Charles, objected to the gay family because they defied "the teachings of our church." Father Patrick Ritter, pastor of St. Charles Borromeo, said the gay couple was evicted because they didn't fit tlie definition of an "intact family." Associated Ministries of Tacoma-Pierce County, of which the St. Charles shelter is a member, is currently preparing a formal policy that is expected to be inclusive of Gays and Lesbians. - Seattle Gay News Rev. TroyP erreyn dorseasn ti-CobCbo unteyf fort LITHE FOUNDER OF the Universal Fellowship of Metrorolitan Community Churches says the nation's largest predominantly gay /lesbian relig10us group supports the drive to get Olympic events moved from Cobb County, Georgia. Rev. Troy Perry called on Gays and Lesbians to spend no monei in Cobb County until commissioners there rescind their resolution denouncing the gay 'lifestyle." Perry said he was concerned about the safety of gay and lesbian Olympic athletes who venture into Cobb County. "It's a life-or-death issue," he said, adding that he sincerely fears the possibility of violence at the Cobb County site. The news that Cobb County would host the volfeyball tnals was met with shock across the county, Perry said. "Why would the city of Atlanta agree to share the games with a county (that promotes bigotry)?" Perry said. He said he was particularly disturbed that.the resolution was adopted and supported in the name of Christianity. - Southern Vozce NewL ifeM CCc aser emanded L'.NEW LIFE MCC, Matthews, North Carolina continues a battle with neighbors who don't want the church in their community. At the church's request, the Matthews Zoning Board of Adjustments has consented to revoke the variance they allowed for the church in September of 1993. In a statement presented to the judi,e in the case, the zoning board ad1TI1ttetdh ey did not follow their own procedures in notitying adjacent property owners due to outdated tax records and, therefore, a zoning variance allowed for New (ife MCC was invalid. The church's attorneys suggested this course of action in order to prevent a judgment which would preclude the church from ever being allowed to use the property they have purchased in Matthews. The church board was scheduled to meet to decide whether to immediately repeat their request for a variance or wait for some time to pass to let neighborhood tensions die down. Rev. Bob Darst continues to lead the church's · services at the Unitarian Universalist Church. During the course of the turmoil, the church's membership has increased. -Q Notes .G ay-supportiBvaep tiscth urchb urns LITHE NEW HOPE Baptist Church in Seattle's Central District burned down on May 17 in a fire investigators say was sparked by wiring. The Rev. Dr. Robert Jeffrey, senior pastor of New Hope, has been very active in social issues, building coalitions between !:he African-American community, the Jewish community-and the gay71esbian community. In the recent JJast New Hope has been vandalized, and Jeffrey has received death threats for the church's activism, leading many people to express suspicion about the fire. Hundreds of people, including a large number of Gays and Lesbians, turned out for a candlelightvigil supporting the rastor and his congregation. Jeffrey told the gathering that his congregation wou£d not be deterred from working together with Les5ians and Gays and others against bigotry and intolerance. Donations to held rebuild the church may be sent to Pride Founcfation/New Hope Fund, 2820 E. Madison, Seattle, WA 98112. - Seattle Gay News Two" riversw" on'ftl owi nA lbuquerque t!.THERE ARE·TWO "River of Life" churches in Albuquerque, both described as charismatic (Holy Spirit-filled) Christian churches. But Garry and Denise Martinez, co-pastors of River of Life Church for about two years, do not want their church confused with the gay /lesbian-affirming River of Life Ministries, a new work started by former UFMCC pastor Pamela White. The Martinezes say the name "River of Life" came to them in answer to prayer and they have contacted an attorney about exclusive use of the name. When asked' what the other church should do about their name, Denise Martinez said "They need to change it." Pastor White's River of Life Ministries meets at 10:30 a.m. on Sundals and 7:00 p.m. on Wednesdays at 134 Quincy NE in Albuquerque. -AlbuquerquJeo urna Subscribe Today. AND YOU'LL NEVER A FRIEND JOURNEY. WITHOUT YOUR BE FOR SecoSntdo ne The National Gay and Lesbian Christian Newsjournal ····YESf···· ··································;··· Begin my subscription to SECOND STONE for: [ ] One year (6 issues) $15.00 [ ] Two yrs. (12 issues) $25.00 [ ] Three yrs. (18 issues) $36.00 ••••••••••••••••• .. ••••••••••••u .,,.,.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,O.,,,,,,, NAME ADDRESS CITY/STATE/ZIP CODE CHECKH EREI ] If a plain envelopeI s requireda nd add $2.00p er year. Allow 6-8 weeksf or de/Iveryo f yourf irstI ssueI.n ternationasl ubscriberas dd $10.00p er year, U.Sc. urrency. Mail To: SECONDS TONEB, ox 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 THANKY OU for your subscription support! SecondS tone-July/Augus1t,9 94 [[j "Out of The Box and Into The Street" Protestors demonstrate at lnterChurch Center FOUR HUNDRED PEOPLE joined hands around the InterChurch Center in New York City to pray for the end of religious homophobia. The June 24 demonstration was part of the activities celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Stonewall rebellion. 'Today, 475 Riverside Drive [the InterChurch Center, known as the God Box] is our Stonewall Inn," said Rev. Nancy Wilson, Chief Ecumenical Officer of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches . "We need to tum the tables on the religious 'police' of our day, and fight back." Wilson said it was time to call the church to repentance and conversion. "Not the repentance that sounds like an abusive spouse that keeps saying, 'I'm sorry• while continuing to repeat abuse," said Wilson. "Tm sorry' isn't going to cut it anymore. Change is the only meaningful currency of repentance . ., Wilson charged the church and other religious institutions with being giant closets of shame, repression, exclusion and rejection. "For 26 years, MCC, and so many other religious movements have lovingly confronted, educated, loved, and prayed for the religious establishment," said Wilson. 'We've been dialogued with, debated about, been the objects of endless studies, and many broken promises. We've held their hands, cajoled, pushed, and the results are allto o often a continued silence." Leaders hold first meeting of national religious AIDS networks THE FIRST MEETING of the Council of National Religious AIDS Netwo rks was held in Washington, D.C., May 23-25. The purpose of the meeting was to increase cooperation and collaboration among religious AIDS networks and to suppo rt communitybased AIDS ministries. The meeting resulted in the establishment of the Council of National Religious AIDS Networks. AIDS Network, "and we have long needed a better method of talking and planning among those of us involved in religious-based AIDS work. With ANIN's establishment of the Council, community-based AIDS ministries can be more confident that their views will be heard, not only by the public but by religious leadership as wen:· The three-day meeting focused on developing strategies for expanding AIDS pastoral care, social services, education and prevention programs serving the ever-increasing number Hands Around The God-Box: Demonstrators encircle the InterChurch Center in New York City Photo by Bill Tom/UFMCC 'The faith community has been involved in providing compassionate services to individuals with HIV and AIDS since the beginning of the epidemic," said the Rev. Charles Carnahan of the United Methodist SEE AIDS NETWORKS, Next Page · [][] Second Stone-Jnly/Angust. 1994 Fashion Li-re~les Travel Poll.,lcs ln~ervietNs En~er~ain,nen~ ••. . .a Gay version or Esquire or GQ." ""'- GENREm agazineb ringsy out he latest in men'sf ashione. xotict raveld estinations. exclusivec elebrityin terviewsa. dviceo n groomingh. ealth.f itnessa nd more. t-o subscribe call: 1-BOD-57~9 9 33 The pre,n/e,e national gay n,en •.s n,agazlne .. Discussion of ordination of women forbidden Dignity USA responds to Pope's letter unimportant or tainted in some way." many on which he has taken an unbending position and refused to listen to differing perspectives. Our church should be fostering dialogue on issues which are of fundamental importance to how people of faith live out their lives. Instead, this Pope seems determined to create a church in which a tiny group of Stepford wives submissively obey the· allknowing leader. This kind of action discourages the commitment of anyone who dares to question. I am very afraid for our future." DIGNITY /USA, an organization of gay, lesbian and bisexual Catholics and their families and friends, is "extremely distressed" by the recent apostolic letter of Pope John Paul II, according to a statement issued by the organization. In a move that Dignity/ USA believes will drive more Catho. lies of conscious away from the ' church, the Pope ordered an end to all debate on the subject of the ordination of women. 'This document certainly seems to have been motivated by political rather than piously religious concerns," the statement said. "Clearly, the ordination of wo.men represents no threat to the power of God, but it could offer a serious threat to the monopoly on temporal power enjoyed by the current male hierarchy." Leaders of Dignity /USA said that the current Pope has established a new standard of authoritarianism and that only an organization AIDS NETWORKS, From Previous Page of persons both affected by and infected with HIV. 'The interfaith declaration on HIV and AIDS renews our commitment to continuing to speak with one voice as people of faith in the presence of AIDS, said Rev. Kenneth South, executive director of the AIDS National Interfaith Network, sponsor of the gathering. 'The support of this declaration by America's worshipping community will be a constant reminder to us of how AIDS demands that we work together, even though we come to this work with differences in histories and theologies. The interfaith declaration on HIV and AIDS will be signed at a ceremony at the United Nations on World AIDS Day, December 1, 1994. The Council is a project of the AIDS National Interfaith Network. ANIN is a private, non-profit national association of AIDS ministries founded in 1988 to insure that people with HIV and AIDS receive compassionate , non-judgment al care, sup port and assistance. Meeting attendees included representatives from Lutheran AIDS Netw ork , Union of American H ebrew Congregations/Central Conference of American Rabbis Joint Committee on AIDS, Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Chur ches AIDS Ministry, The Balm in Gilead, Inc., National Episcopal AIDS Coalition, United Church AIDS Network, National Catholic AIDS Network, AIDS Advocacy in African American Churches, Unitarian Universalist Association AIDS Resources Network, United Methodist AIDS Netwo rk, AIDS Ministry Network/Ch ristian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the Presbyterian AIDS Network. · afraid of the truth would attempt to stifle discussion among its members. "Both the content and the tone of this pronouncement are very disturbing," said Marianne Duddy, president of Dignity /USA. 'Through this denial of the possibility of ordaining women, the Pope claims to have a lock on the truth. He is denying one of the fundamental principles of the Gospel - that the Spirit of God moves as She will, speaking through the powerless and through people who are seen by those in authority as Dignity/ USA has long been a supporter of the Women's Ordination Conference, and stands in solidarity with all who are working to open the official ministry of the Catholic church. The organization believes that women and men, gay and straight, are called to ordination and that through baptism all share in the Priesthood of Christ. 'The Pope's attempt to cut off debate is of deep concern," said Duddy. 'This issue is only one of FOR LESBIGAY CHRISTIANS AND THEIR FRIENDS EACH YEAR BEFORE NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY. We haue organized . .. We haue marched . . We haue lobbied ... On October 10th , we encourage you and your group to be praying for: * A FRESH TOUCH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT'S POWER ON YOUR CHURCH. * CHRIST'S TOUCH ON THE LESBIGAY COMMUNITY IN YOUR CITY AND ACROSS THE NATION. * HEALING OF OUR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES FROM THE WOUNDS OF HOMOPHOBIA. If your group would like to participate, and would like posters and teaching materials, please contact us: Pastor Pamela White River Of Life Healing Ministries 134 Quincy NE Albuquerque , NM 87108 (505) 256-1891 (Donation For Materials Appreciated But Not Required) Second Stone-July/August, 1994 (_Z.J Work begins on second draft Lutherans reject first draft of sexuality statement not become the basis for judging a person's overall character ." THE JUNE 30, 1994 deadline for Evangelical Lutheran Church in America clergy, members and congregations to respond to the church's first draft of a social statement on human sexuality passed rather quietly compared to the uproar that accompanied the release of the document last October, when the toll-free phone number at ELCA headquarters logged 22,000 calls in a five hour period after a story about the draft social statement w as released by Associated Press. The writing team was scheduled to meet in mid-July to begin writing the second draft. The church council of the ELCA has asked the writing team to devise a means to gather opinions of the church's youth on the sexuality draft statement. As of Jun e 22, 1994 the tally of responses was 13,905, including 5,758 responses from congregations, church member s and clergy, and 3,363 signatures supporting the anti-gay Lutheran Commentator survey, and 4,784 signatures affirming the document authored by Professors Koester, Forde, and Burtness of Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary. · RESPONSES TO LUTHERAN SEXUALITY STATEMENT The reason most frequently stated for support of the document is that it is time for the ELCA to officially speak on the issue of human sexuality and to take p ositions represented in the first draft. The reason most frequently given for objection to the document is that the draft statement, especially Section III regarding homosexuality, is contrary to the teaching of Scripture . Only 3.2 percent of the church's clergy responded to the statement. Less that one quarter of one percent of the church's members responded. Among clergy and church members, negative responses increased as time went by. The highest category of responses, over 8 percent, came from. church congregations. In this category, responses tended to become more positive as time went by, although negative responses still outnumbered positive and mixed responses by about 10 percent. The draft statement, 'The Church and Human Sexuality: A Lutheran Perspective," urges church members to challenge_ traditional_ condemnation of homosexuality. "A church called to love the neighbor . begms with pastoral concern for what gay arid lesbian persons experience," reads the document, under a section entitled "Gay and . Lesbian Persons ." 'This is not an abstract issue but an embodied human reality in our midst. Sexual orientation should Total rostered ELCA clergy: Clergy responding to the draft: Positive responses: Mixed responses: Negative responses : Total lay confirmed/communing/ contributing adults: Laity responding to first draft: Positive responses : Mixed responses : Negative responses: Total ELCA congregations: Congregations responding: Positive responses : Mixed responses: Negative responses: 17,466 564 164 173 227 2,629,054 4287 638 882 2767 11,055 907 64 341 502 T-SHIRTS FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY #,,, # 117 E1'4~"U Choose Equal!!Y NJ~~~! "EQUAL RIGHTS" "CHOOSE EQUALITY" A DULT-WHITE 100 % COTTON T-SHIRT ADULT-WHITE.ASH 100 % CO TTO N T-SHIRT ., ML.XL $10 .0 0 M,L,XL $10 .00 XXL XXL ---- - ------------------------------------ - ----------- --------------- ORD•Rl6DJSY: NAME_ SHll'TOt NAME A DD RESS A DDRESS CITY STATE --2 1P CITY STATE --.Z IP PHONE# PHONE# OTY ITEM# ITEM NAME COLOR/SIZE PRICE TOTAL jeach/ TOSS UP1NC. PLEASE ALLOW 4-6 SUB TOTAL WEEKS FOR DELIVERY IN WA ADD !'AlES TN< 1111 E. MADISON SUITE 113 IF THE ITEM IS OU T (8.2%) SEATTLE, WA 98122 OF STOCK WE WILL SHIPPING , PACKJNG $3.00 INFORM YOU OF THE & HANDLING 206-439-8000 EXPECTED DELAY TOTAL ENCLOSED (CHECK OR MONEY OROER) [BJ Second Stone-July /August, 1994 3.2% 29 .1% 30.7% 40.2% 0.16% 14.9% 20.6% 64.4% 8.2% 7.1 % 37.6% 55.3% The police report of the accident would have read something like this: "Victim's pickup truck left the highway at a high rate of speed striking a 40 ft. tree head-on. Due to absence of skid marks, actual speed was difficult to ascertain, but is estimated to be in excess of 75 miles per hour at impact. Sixteen year old victim was the only occupant in vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene." The report from the medical examiner would have probably been something like: "No trace of alcohol or drugs in deceased. No trauma indicated prior to accident." With that finding, the police would have closed the investigation with an official determination of "Accident due to unknown circumstances and excessive speed." It would be written off as one more teenager driving beyond his capabilities and experience. The life of a handsome young man, an excellent student, a talented musician, and a loving son who knew God would have come to an end four weeks before his 17th birthday . His dreams, his hopes, his aspirations, and his Jove would have ceased to exist, along with the secret he had kept hidden deep inside himself. There would have been no more guilt, no shame, no pain, no hate ... just peace. He would never have to be "one of those queers" he had heard about from his family, friends, and co-workers. He would finally be at peace with himself. Robert was one of the summer workers our company had hired to help in the warehouse during our busiest months. The other men he worked with ranged in age from 19 to 52. He listened to their stories, their jokes and their opinions and he tried to fit in. One prejudice that was overwhelmingly present was a familiar one ... one he had heard too many times at home and from his friends ... "damn faggots." The more he heard the unjustified hate, the more guilt he experienced as he tried to cope with the ever stronger feelings he was experiencing as he grew into manhood. Robert didn't feel abnormal. He didn't think anything was wrong with him. He just wanted to be himself and to find peace from the battle that was raging within him. · It was mid-summer of 1993. It had only been a few short months since the March on Washington. The flack over Gays in the military was at a crescendo pitch. The subject of homosexuality was a constant topic, especially in our warehouse where almost everyone had served in the military. Compounding the problem for Robert Gay teens and suicide: was the religious co-workers who mimicked the hatred that was spewing from so many pulpits at the time. He had always had a strong faith in God, but now he was hearing that God couldn't love him ... not if he was gay. It was more than he could take. ONE WHO WAS SAVED In his early teens Robert was active in the youth group of a Baptist Church and l1e sang in the choir. At 16, he was considering kj}Jing himself. by Kenny Dayton The condemnation kept coming at him. Unknowingly, Robert's family and co-workers were pushing him closer and closer to taking his own life. It wasn't intentional. No one knew what was going on inside him. The more he tried to fight the battle within himself, the more homophobia came at him, and the more difficult it became to fight the battle alone. Robert had no role models. There seemed to be no place to turn ... and no one to tum to. And now he was being told that even God didn't care. Secretly Robert had laid out a plan to end his life and he felt it was time to put the plan into action - the plan to crash his pickup into a 40 ft. tree close to the road near his home. One of the reasons Robert had heard so much at work about Gays was because it had been assumed for some time that I was gay. It was a topic of discussion among the warehouse crew on a regular basis. Within his first week of working for us Robert had heard several times concerning me, "He's queer." Nothing was ever said directly to me but little innuendos and hinting comments had become a norm around me. I had finally learned to just ignore them and do my job. Regardless of how "accepting" my co-workers were to my face, Robert was hearing the real thoughts and bigotry. 'This is my future too," he thought. This was actually a mixed blessing though, because the comments that had pushed him to the edge also gave him the courage to approach me ... and hope the rumors were true! Fortunately for Robert, his thought of suicide ended in the planning stage. He didn't carry it through. Not that he didn't want to. Not because he "chickened out" or came to his senses. A suicide hot line didn't stop him. His plans were altered because he took a chance and reached out to me, and I took a chance and gave him a hand and a hope to hold onto . God had intervened in both of our lives. The Friday night that he had planned to end his life, he chose to take one last risk. He asked me if we could talk. In a matter of hours, he was pouring out his heart and soul about his most closely held secrets, his deepest feelings, and darkest fears ... everything but the plan to run SEE SAVED, Page 17 Second Stone-July/ August, 1994 [[] Cover Story T . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ . . ........................... ..... ........... ...... From broken windows to work of art From Page 1 at the Capitol Rotunda in Tallahassee. Cahall, 58, was born in Tampa, Florida. After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps he ended up in New Orleans where he finished his business education and graduated in the second graduating class of .the University of New Orleans, then Louisiana State University in New Orleans, where he met his life partner, Floyd. The two have now been together for 34 years. On the ring finger of his left hand, Cahall wears Floyd's mother's wedding band, remounted in a man's shank. After a successful business career in the Pensacola area, Cahall retired in order to devote his full time and energy to his art . His work includes sculpture, oil paintings · and smaller stained glass pieces such as Tiffanystyle lamps. The first window Cal1all installed at Holy Cross, known as the "Holy Spirit" window, includes a 7-foot tall center panel that was actually created about two years before the church building was purchased. Cahall had created the piece for his home. Mysteriously, he changed his plans concerning the size of the work, downsizing from eight feet to seven feet. After Cahall got the idea to create stained glass windows for the church, the "Holy Spirit" panel was the first installed. Amazingly, it fit perfectly into one of the windows blown out by the hurricane. Each of the six windows consists of 11 panels. Across the bottom of each window is a foundation of three crosses made of beveled glass and across the top are panels containing a "Crowrl of Glory." One of the windows was created in honor of Edith Allen Perry, mother of the . founder of the UFMCC, Rev. Troy Perry. Rev. Perry dedicated the Win" dow in 1987 when he was in Pensacola to consecrate the new · church facility. Another window, the "AIDS Memorial Window" recalls those who have lost their lives to the disease. A seventh window, a 12 ft. by 12 ft. work depictjng the ascension of Christ from Mt. Olivet, hangs behind the altar and is illuminated artificially. The piece, entitled "Ascending Christ" was created from photographs of an original 19th Century window housed in the first property ever collectively owned by lesbian and gay Christians, the Metropolitan . Community Church of Los Angeles, which was destroyed by an arson fire in 1973. Considering he came of age during the pre-Stonewall days, Callall's closet tfilJ Second StoneoJuly/August, 1994 • A 12 ft. by 12 fl work depicting the ascension of Christ hangs behind the altar of Holy Cross MCC. It was created from photographs of an original 19th Cen• tury window housed in the mother church of the UFMCC, MCC Los Angeles, which was destroyed by an arson fire in 1973. days were remarkably short. By the age of 19, he was on the fast track in the U.S. Marine Corp, eventually rising to the rank of sergeant. But his military days came to an abrupt halt when he was outed by another enlisted man. Even though authorities were not able to cite a case of sexual activity, Cahall was given a dishonorable discharge from the Marines. (He waited for 24 years for the Marines to upgrade his discharge to honorable, which they finally did in 1980.) Cahall, who was raised by Methodist parents, did not have to wait long after experiencing unfairness in the military to encounter the Cahall, his friend, and the Baptist pastor's son, who was also gay, were all thrown out of the church • from the pulpit and in front of the congregation. It was 20 years before Cahall attended church again. same in the church. After his,,,discharge from the Marines, he recalls going to a Baptist church with a friend. Cahall, his friend, and the Baptist pastor's son, who was also gay, were all thrown out of the church - from the pulpit and in front of the congregation. It was 20 years before Cahall attended church again. In 1978, he joined Holy Cross MCC, where, in addition to his stained glass labor of love, he served as treasurer for 12 years. "It's a different world now than it was then," says Cahall. "'Back then, you simply came out to yourself. We were mainly concerned with protecting ourselves from violence." Cahall acknowledged his sexuality at the age of 13 in a family environment where the topic of sex was never discussed. "'I did not have girlfriends," says Calla!! "and my family should have realized that something was amiss." Only when Cahall returned home with his pink discharge papers did his family acknowledge his homosexuality and they did so by banishing him from \he family home, to which he did not return for ten years, except for a few holiday visits. Both of his parents are deceased now, as is his bisexual brother, who was killed in Viet Nam. He describes his remaining sister as the "closest, most endearing supportive person I know." During the time Cahall was working on his stained glass windows, he began to volunteer his time with Escambia AIDS Services and Education: His good work received attention and in 1989 he was hired by EASE to work in minority outreach AIDS educati9n. In March, 1992 Cahall collapsed at work and friends rushed him to a clinic. He soon became aware that he himself was HIV positive. He retired later that SEE COVER STORY, Page 18 Upstart Catholic church offers inclusiveness, tradition From Page 1 Shirilau and his life partner, Jeffery Shirilau, founded the ECC based upon their shared vision. tMark Shirey and Jeffery Lau became life partners in late 1984 and in 1985 legally took a common surname. Jeffery passed away in 1993.) The Ecumenical Catholic Church maintains itself within the mainstream of historical Christianity, both in theology and liturgy. The theology is firmly creedal, with the Nicene Creed being accepted as the definition of Christianity. The seven traditional sacraments are observed, and baptism and the Eucharist are celebrated as the primary means by which God's saving grace is received. The liturgy is consistent -with the modern liturgies of the Roman · Catholic, Episcopal and Lutheran churches . Tl'l anyone who doubts they say, "Ask a member of the Orthodox Church if it is necessary to be subject to Rome in order to be Catholic. " The ECC was formed as a direct result of the failure of the mainline liturgical churches to deal promptly and fairly with their homophobia and sexual discrimination. At the time of the founding of their church, the Shirilaus felt that what was missing in the Christian spectrum was a gaysupportive church that maintained a liturgical setting and held no orthodox theology. The Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches had developed since its founding in 1968 as distinctly Protestant in liturgy and polity and Christians who came from backgrounds with more traditional liturgies did not quite fit in, according to Mark Shirilau. The ECC was created to fill this niche. In fact, when someone has not heard about the ECC or its ministry, it is often described as "the Catholic equivalent of the MCC." The canon law of the Ecumenical Catholic Church defines the organization as "a constituent member of Christ's one, holy, catholic and apostolic church which unites all Christians throughout the world · and throughout history," But can a Catholic church independent of Rome and not subject to the authority of the Pope really be Catholic? Yes, say leaders of the ECC, who say they are not Roman Catholics, but still Catholics none the less. To anyone who doubts they say, "Ask . a member of the Orthodox Church if it is necessary to be subject.to Rome in order to · be Catholic ." The ECC traces the apostolic succession of its priesthood through both Roman Catholic and Russian Orthodox lineage. Mark Shirilau was raised Lutheran and. converted to the Episcopal Church. Both Mark and Jeffery were active in the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches and the Episcopal Church. Both men passed the UFMCC clergy credentialing." We never felt like MCC was liturgical enough and we we did not feel that the Episcopal Church was sufficiently gay supportive, so we started wrestling with the idea of starting something new." The ECC moved beyond meeting in the Shirilaus' home to getting in · touch with independent Catholic churches who were interested in a ministry with the direct support of the gay community. Currently the ECC has 12 churches in eight states. The church grows as new clergy come in, says Shriliau. ''We get clergy without parishes and they go out a form one." Some of the ECC's clergy are former Roman Catholic clergy. There are 30 candidates for the priesthood, including a woman candidate from Connecticut. The ECC believes in cooperation among Christians and therefore recognizes the Bishop of Rome, the Pope, as an important figure in the life of the universal church. They do not, however, recognize any sort of infallibility of the Pope. No formal relationship exists between the Ecumenical Catholic Church and Dignity/ USA, the nation al organization of gay and lesbian Roman Catholics . The organizations have two different missions, according to Shirilau. 'Dignity functions for people who want to remain within the Roman Catholic Church," he says. 'The ECC is for those who are ready to leave the Roman Catholic Church." And he says it is his personal opinion that it is time for gay and lesbian Catholics to do just that. Although a few members have come over from Dignity chapters, sheep -stealing won't be a necessity or . practice of the 'ECC. The ministry of the ECC is directed to a large extent to Gays, Lesbians and others who are not currently involved in ,church or church groups. The Ecumenical Catholic Church considers matters of both gender and sexuality essentially irrelevant to religious faith. As such, it provides the sacrament of ordination without regard to gender, celibacy or sexual orientation. Likewise, marriage is viewed as a commitment between Christians, not something exclusively heterosexual in nature. Because sexism and homophobia are removed from both the church's official doctrines and its day to day eractices, it is able to directly minister to the Mark Shirilau, founder and Bishop of the Ecumenical Catholic Church gay community as well as to others who have been disenfranchised from other churches because of their gender, marital status or sexuality. The ECC is therefore a divergent body of baptised persons. Some members are gay; some are straight. Some are women; some are men. Some of them have been divorced and remarried; some are single . Some are transgendered; some are not even certain of their ultimate sexuality. The bottom line, according to Shirilau, is that thei.r Christianity is a matter of their faith, beliefs and baptism, not their sexuality or its outward expression. So is the ECC a "gay" church or not? '1t is a gay church, a straight church, a female church, a male church, a black church, a white church, and the list goes on and on," says Fr. Michael Frost, who has written on the subject of the ECC being a gay church. "We have never stated that we are a 'gay' church yet, in our prejudiced society, to state that we are affirming and accepting of Gays, Lesbians, bisexuals, makes us, in the minds of some people, a 'gay' church. No church should be an exclusionist club that accepts only those with whom we happen to agree. And no church can be such if it is truly part of the Church of Jesus Christ." But the ECC does feel a certain responsibility to people who are most often rejected by others. "We welcome those who society and other churches have rejected," says Frost. "By doing so they have failed to live up to Christ's command to love others. Christ Himself is the perfect example -0£ acceptance and inclusiveness." Shirilau wants to include much more than the gay and lesbian community in the Ecumenical Catholic Church and is now considering how the ECC might move into ministry to all who are disenfranchised with the church. "In five years we can be a 'gay' church with 2000 people," he says, "or we can fill this vast, growing need of p·eople who are fed up wit& conservative churches and have 200,000." So far the Ecumenical Catholic Church arid grown steadily, slowly and quietly and has been largely ignored by the Roman Catholic Church. That may change soon when the little church that can does somethinl;i that the big church that won't cant. The ECC will be ordaining its first woman priest in the near future. . Second Stone-July/August, 1994, '{Ii] L. C. raps Street-wise Christian brings a new style and sound to the message of love and faith by Jim Balley bout two decades ago, a young African American lesbian Jiving in New York City was ready to end the misery of her life, one way or another. She had been a victim of racism, homophobia, a rejecting church, incest, child abuse and even an attempted rape. She had Jost two 18 year old brothers as a result of heroin use. An aunt had died of complications due to AIDS, another aunt had been murdered and her biological mother, a substance abuser, had died of cancer. As a teenager, she got involved with drugs. Then she attempted suicide. But in 1985, Christian rapper, singer and songwriter L.C. (Lesbian Christian) had what she described as a "sincere little talk with Jesus." Since then, the street-wise Christian has . been evangelizing through her music in schools, churches and prisons all across America. 'The victory, the peace, the real love which we all search for, at some point in our lives, is inside of us and has been since the beginning of time," says L.C. "All we have to do is activate it, push that button in us called 'faith' and believe in Jesus, the Christ, and God will give us big time support, direction and confidence in ourselves to move mountains in our lives that may seem unmovable." L.C. says her life was changed forever as a result of her "little talk" and she has been drug, alcohol, cigarette and racist free for almost ten years. "Positive or negative we all reap what we sow, get back what we put out, get out of something what we put into it," she says. "What goes around does come around, bad or good." LC. 's Inner City World Ministries is based in Huntsville, Alabama. Her performances this year have included gigs at MCC Los Angeles, MCC Long Beach, MCC Huntsville, Atlanta Gay Pride and Southern Voice's SoVo awards banquet in Atlanta . L.C. says the larger gay and lesbian community responds well to her music, although the many Gays and Lesbians .who are not Christian sometimes feel a little uncomfortable. "You can't rm Second Sto~e-July/August, 1994 please everybody and you can't'reach everybody," she says, 'The most I can do is respect everybody and do what I gotta do. I know what I gotta do." She does, however, sometimes feel unsupported by the gay and lesbian community. 'There's still a feeling in the gay community that you cannot be gay and Christian because so many of us have been hurt by the Christian community,"she says. L.C. closely identifies with the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community churches, is a member of MCC Huntsville, and describes the Rev. Troy Perry as the one individual who has most influenced her spiritual life. '1 am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, nor am I ashamed of who I am in the presence of the Holy Spirit," says L.C. In her song, 'This is ; My Short Story," she raps "More gay I Christians need to take a stand so others will know they're in God's plan." This song is from L.C.'s debut ministry cassette, which she · released on her own independent label called Positive Message Music, which she says is "doing fine" but needs to be a wider outreach. L.C. says she couldn't sit around and wait for an established record company or distributor to decide whether they want to take on a hype but yet controversial product. '1 don't have time to sit by as gay youth and adults commit suicide," she gives as the reason for "jump-starting" her own label. Many people respond to Christian rap with the same skepticism as they do Christian rock, according to L.C. Even though there is more airplay for rock than rap, L.C. wants to continue promoting Christian rap and feels no temptation to ·drift toward secular music. Actually her style does sound secular, but the message is unmistakably Christian. Soon L.C. will be moving to Atlanta, where she was headed when she said the Holy Spirit settled her in Huntsville, where she's been for the past eight months. She sees a greater opportunity for outreach in Atlanta, a city she describes as "productive." . 'That's where I need to be," she says. 1Christian rapper, singer and songwriter L.C. (Lesbian Christian) L.C. considers herself living testimony of what God can do and she describes herself as "on fire for Jesus and on a mission for all God's children." 'The religious right has created dysfunctional, rebellious, bitter attitudes in many of us towards God," she says. 'Talk about a hate crime that should be against the law! As a witness to what God can, will and has done in my life, all I have to say to those who condemn gay people and specifically homosexuals that want to serve God is 'Ain't no future in you frontin!" L.C. holds Michael Jackson up as her hero in music, along with the Winans. She repects Jackson for his accomplishments in reaching out to the world. The charges last year that Jackson molested a young boy did not diminish his work and what he's represented over the years, L.C. believes. ''Besides," she says, "you're innocent until proven guilty and that didn't happen." L.C. says she believes that if you strengthen your faith with strong belief in God, strengthen your heart with unconditional love and strengthen your mind with diverse education, most battles can be won without violent confrontation. "We're all sisters and brothers in God's sight," she says "so let those who can get -wit- this understand it's not a black thang, nor is it a white thang, it's a Jesus thang!" 'Tm proud to be down with J.C. and glad Jesus lives in all who believe," raps L.C." 'There's another soldier on the battle field," she says. "I have not been keeping silent nor do I intend to ... God does not discriminate!" Inner C:ity World Ministries may be contacted at 9401 Roberts Dr., Ste. 7-K, Dunwoody, GA 30350, (404) 897-1288. . l e lesbian and gay community has pleaded and bargained with churches for too ong, waiting patiently for the magical lime when the right commission or the right study would accept and affirm Gays and Lesbians. There isn't a mainline protestant denomination that hasn't created two major biblical studies in the last 20 years on the subject of homosexuality. These studies arrived at the same answer: there is no biblical basis for continued discrimin"ation. Yet, they continue to exclude and we continue to play the victim's role, putting our hopes and faith in our institutional church, feeling guilty that we haven't been able to make it all right somehow. There is a model in the Bible for the · lesbian, gay, bi, and transgender community of a people who knew open rejection and exclusion from their religious institution. This community faced a number of insurmountable problems with an enthusiasm that evolved not out of faith in their tradition, but faith in God . This What to do when the radical right comes to town •FORM A GROUP to study and research the groups and activists in your area. Find out where they stand on the issues, and be sure to look for their national connections. •Build a coalition with other groups with whom you can work. Although you may disagree on some points, 1tnite to oppose the radical right. •Slrare your findings with the media. Give themfacts, not emotional opinions. •Start a newsletter to keep members of the community informed. Excellent articles are available to reprint from The Freedom Writer, P.O. Box 589, Great Barrington, MA 01230. •Encourage voter registration and help get voters to the polls. Low voter turnout is the radical right's greatest strength. •Run for an office for which you are qualified. Find and support other qualified candidates. •Place advertising in local papers about candidates whom you know have extreme positions . Stick to facts. -The Freedom Writer ree an home The similarity between the people who wrote the Gospel of John and the lesbian, gay and bisexual community today in their mutual exclusions from their respective religious institutions is stri'/dng. BY KEITH A. MILLER God enabled them to see their mission, not in avoiding conflict and brokenness, but in facing these issues · and being responsible for their resolution. God would be there in their presence precisely when they were engaged in making lives new and whole. This people can be found in the community who told the story of Jesus · the fourth time, the Gospel of John . There is a difference in -the storytelling of the four Gospels. Not that any one of them was more · correct. Each were honed and given validity in the experiences of the people telling what Jesus' life meant to them in their time, just as · we must do today. It was widely accepted that this Gospel was composed in the seaport town of Ephesus: an area known for its diversity in race, culture and religion. The community behind this Gospel, written some 100 yearsA.D., knew that the return of Jesus was no longer as imminent as they had assumed. They came to terms with living out their faith in the world, not out on a mountain top. There were welcome there because -of what they believed and what they were about. (16:2) " ... they will expel you ... and indeed the hour is coming when anyone who kills· you will think he is doing a holy duty for God." Today it is difficult for Christian churches to express a minimum of hospitality toward Gays and Lesbians, ''You are welcome within our congregations." The few who do offer the invitation are uneasy if not unable to bless our faithful rPlationships and won't accept us as their priests or ministers unless we remain celibate. The similarity between the people who wrote the Gospel of John and the lesbian, gay and bisexual community today in their mutual exclusions from their respective religious institutions is apparent. What is more helpful though is to look at what the Johanine Community focused on: not its exclusion, but its purpose and mission as seen in how and what they chose to tell of Jesus and his work. One of the primary concerns that this people living within the multicultural, multiethnic city of Ephesus had was to recall the events of Jesus' · life that showed how inclusive he was . In the first chapter of John it is noted (and only in this Gospel) that he crossed Samaria in order to go to Judea. To cross into that land where the most hated and unwekomed peoples of that day lived was a strong statement on inclusivity . Unless it was an emergency there were other routes to be taken if Jesus were to remain faithful and not cause offense. As if that action were not radical enough, he broke several other serious religious paradigms by engaging - a woman in conversation, a Samaritan SEE EXILED, Page 14 Advertise in Second Stone! 1/16th Page Ad FOR A FULL YEAR as low as $15. 75 per month! Your ad here. GREAT FOR GUEST HOUSES, BOOK STORES AND PUBLISHERS! Reach Second Stone readers in every state for a full year at this great sixtime rate! An excellent opportunity for advertisers to direct their message to our precisely defined target market I;,., no eyewitnesses left of the events surrounding the life of Jesus. There were growing divisions among the followers, some believing that Jesus had only appeared to be a man. ._, They were no longer welcome in the religious institution that had given them birth. These were some of the difficulties the Johanine Community faced. Bulk Copies Available In the first chapter of John the commentator says, "He came to his own domain and his own people did . not accept him ." In three references (9:22, 12 :42, 16:2) this community speaks of being "banned from the synagogue," that they were no longer • • • • • • • • • • • • • OF THIS ISSUE OF SECOND STONE For church/group distribution, conferences, bar ministry, etc. 10 copies - $13.50 • 25 copies· $29.50 • 50 copies - $45 .00 100 copies - $67.50 includes postage and handling Limited quantity of back issues available FREE; add $5.00 postage tor every 50 copies . Send your pre-paid order to Second Stone, P.O. Box 8340. New Orleans, LA 70182 -- ... m Exiled, free and_ home From Page13 woman who was of questionable character. This person he made His messenger, "Come and see a man who has told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?" Didn't God show a seem in gly perverse sense of direction and purpose, humor mayb e, by choosing those who are excluded to reveal her purpose and what she is about? Th e imagery and symbols of the Gospel of John also give us an insight into how this people viewed their relationship with Jesus and how 1t influenced them in their task of relating to their community and times. They described His mission in words of action and empowerment: Bread of Life, Living Waters, the Way, the Truth , Light - a life-giver, but not a miracle worker . These were not static terms but words that s howed process, nourishment, _and growth. His miracles were not signs of majes ty and power as m the other . Gospels when people stood around in,. astonishment and awe. Rath er Jesus · actions encouraged the faith of his followers when they saw someone crippled walk, someone blind see, peopl e becoming whole . . When the ch.urch authorities saw that He did these things on the Sabbath , they were blinded to the new quality of life exhibited .by those who were touched by Him and His good work and would only d,efensively quote the rules. (9:16) Tl11S man cannot be from God, he does not keep the Sabbath." Jesus sai d, "Why are you angry with me for making one who le or complete on the Sabbath." (7:23) There are too many stories told and too much research already .done for the church to deny the unspeakable horror and pain tha t has been caused when Les bians and Gays are encouraged to deny their sexuality, att empt to live their lives within the confines of a heterosexual marriage , or deny themselves any intimacy within committed relationships. The destructive messag e of the church has contributed to the isolation teenag~rs feel as they face their homosexuality. Tho se who comm.it suicide for thi s reason are a terrible indictment on• churches who choose not to lift up mod e ls for them so that they can know whol eness in their diversity . Inst ead of attempting to understand our orientation as a mirror of .the wonderous spectrum of diversity that is pa rt of God 's creatio n, what has the church sa id to those who have survived those fragile years? The church's judgment has contributed to their low self esteem, hop eless n ess, and despair. This has prompted many Gays and Lesbians in the pa st to tum to alcohol, drugs and risky sex which in reality is nothing more than Bl I w1· sh _ ____.____~_ (You know who) could see newspaper. this II Ir Second Stone is just what somebody _you kno~ ~eeds to see, make it happen for them - with a g_ift subscr.ipuon complete with a card in your name. They II appreciate_you ..-- for it! (Over 55 percent of all gift recipients renew their subscription.) You DO know somebody who would love Second Stone, so what's stopping you? Order you know who a gift subscription today! Yes ... Please send a gift subscription an d card in my name to the person(s) listed: C J One gift, $ ·15 [ 1 two gifts, $29 [ J Three gifts, $42 Add $10 for each foreign subscriber. FROM, My _ ______________ _ """"--------------- "" _____ ., Name ___________ _ = ------------- Oty ____________ _ Swe _______ Zlp __ _ Sign Gllt_C2nl Nam, _____________ _ l.dl!ress ____________ _ a1y _____________ _ another form of suicide. Shou ld we blame the victim? One of the conflicts facing the Johanin e Communit y was th e denial of some that Jesus was really human . The length that the Gospel goes to to establish that Jesus did become human and did understand the brokenness exhibited in that community is worth noting. They mentioned that "the word became flesh" . (1:14); he was part of a family (2 :12; 7:3,5); he tired in Samaria (4:6); he wept over the death of his friend, Lazarus (11:35); and that he really died on the cross (19:34). This knowledge that he was truly human and would not tolerate religious rules and traditions to detour him as he encouraged people to increase in faith and become whole is indeed Good Ne ws . Jesus' followers were encouraged to have that faith that would enable them to have the same quality life, life that had such value that it would contribute on forever and that would enable them to do the san1e works as their Lord. Jesus' followers we re encouraged to have that faith that would ena ble them to have the same quality life, life that had s uch va lu e that it wo uld contribut e on foreve r and that wo uld enab le them to do the same works as their Lord . (3:16) " ... everyo ne who believes in him may not be los t but may h ave et erna l life." He did not make empty promises but assured them, "I tell yo u m ost sol em nly , wh oever believes in me will perform the sa m e works as I do myse lf, he will peform eve n greater works." The Johanine Community itself was to become a lif e-give r, crea ting ho pe, wholeness, and life where ther e was despair, brokenness and death . V. S. currency. PAYMENf . 8'/CJ.DSED. St,Je ________ Zlp ___ _ SignG~ Card · ·iJ~e ~dditional sheet for more gifts. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 Can we wait for the church to see and und ers tand what it means for us , to be whole, what it means for us to have life? Will they eve r see the quality of life, th e whol en ess exhib- .[HJ Second Stone-July/August, 1994 ited by those in our co mmunity who have been touched by Christ, who have known self-acceptance in his acceptance? Will th ey continue to hang back defensively, having faith in traditions that are time locked and have no pr esent mea ning, which can cripple us and even cause our death? Will they not stop worrying about th e Sabbath? (7:24) ''Do not k ee p judging according to app ea rances ; let your judgement be according to what is right ." We grieve for tho se clergy and laity who do understand but are afraid of the consequences of their actions and voices. They capture the fear of thos e in the Gospel of John, who had faith but could not act for their fears (12:42) " ... of being expelled from the syn ag ogu e: they put honor from men before the honor that com es from God." SEE EXILED, Page 17 Keith Miller was ordained a Lutheran minister in 1972 b11t was asked to resign in 1976 when his sexual .orientation became known. Miller and his partner of I 4 years, Morris Meador, are members of St. Mattliews Lutheran Church in Fort Worth, Texas, a Reconciled in Christ congregation. Meat eating and global hunger NUMBER OF PEOPLE who could be fed using the land, water, and energy that would be freed up if Americans reduced theu mtake of meat by 10%: 10,000,000 Number of people who will die as a result of starvation this year: 20,000,000 Amount of total U.S. grain production consumed by livestock: 70% Number of children who die as a result of starvation every day-: 38,000 Ratio of livestock to people on Earth: Three to one Amount of Earth's land mass grazed by livestock: One half Amount of U.S. cropland producing livestock feed: 64% Amount of U.S. cropland producing fruits and vegetables: 2% Pounds of edible product producible on an acre of prime land: Tomatoes • 50,000 Potatoes • 40,000 Apples - 20,000 Green beans - 10,000 Beef· 250 -Daughters of Sarah T lnPrint T . . . . . . . -· ............. . ......... ·• -• ........................... ~ ........... . Birthings and Blessings II opportunities to see what impact leaving her homeland,_ turned back By Andrea L. T. Peterson scripture and the realities behind it f,or one last lo_ok and, srn~.ture tells us Contributing Writer might have had m their own contexts became a pillar of salt, 1s v:1ewed our experience of this?, with whom in this passage can I relate?, what might this mean now for us?, what is the message and how are we called to respond?, or by shedding new light and discovering entirely new meaning Birthings and Blessings II makes it possible for many women to reclaim their spiritual heritag e a nd the traditional tex ts that go with it. Gail Anderson Ricciuti and Rosemary Catalano Mitchell, authors. Crossroad Publishing; 1993; PB; 190 pp., $13.95 Going a step beyond the current trend of preparing worship servic es that are inclusive of women, Gail Anderson Ricciuti and Rosemary Catalano Mitch ell have added to their earlier volume 24 "mor e libera ting worship services for the inclusive church" that focus on women. Ricciuti and Mitchell look not only ill how women may or may not relate to or interpret scripture, but in several instance s at how things might have been different · if the actors in scripture had been women instead of men. For many this is a new perspective on familiar passages which offers new and in ours today. Likewise , it under an entirely unorthodox hght. provides women the opportunity to In ord er to understand why God see how the gender of those given might have punished Lot's wife for ... Birthings and Blessings II makes it possible for many women to reclaim their spiritual heritage and the traditional texts that go with it. prominent roles in both the old anct' new testaments might influence women's response to those passages. One traditional story in particular, that of Lot's wife who when, upon looking back, which is how th.is event has always been understood, the authors come to the conclusion that "the text does not say that God punished her ... Rather, · ... she became a pillar of s alt."' Exploration into why she might have b ecome a pillar of salt led th e two to consider the depth of sorrow she might feel to say "goodbye to a town that... had always been home" and nev er "look back." It became understandable that such a woman could "w eep so strongly that sh e became her salty tears." Transforming th.is story, then , into a · metaphor of compassion, redeems it from a tale of disobedience and punishment, liberating women to interpret it in a way that enables them to both relate to and be edified by it. A Symbol of Today's Reality and Tomorrow's Hope Wearing this r,d and pink ribbon pin ,nows you care about those who are HIV+ or have Breast Cancer. RED=AIDS 1 IN 2fO PEOPLE ARE HIV+ IN THE USA. AT THE CURRENT RATE, THESTATISTICWl11BE1 IN 4BYTHEYEAR 2010. PINK= BREAST CANCER 1 IN 8 WOMEN ~l~J ~~~~~t DIAGNOSED Book explores straight spouses with gay/lesbian partners Enabling women to both relate to and be e difi ed by is Ricciuti and Mitchell's goal and their accomplishment. Whether·by asking "what is FOR ADDITIONAL PINS, CONTACT: MCC LOUISVILLE P. 0. BOX 32474 • LOUISVILLE, KY 40232 50277~ AUTHOR AMITY PIERCE BUXTON has revised and expanded The Other Side of the Closet: The Coming Out Crisis for Straight Spouses, first pub- In Print, briefly ... Critical Essays Gay and Lesbian Writers of Color This pioneering work is the first book to systematically explore the literature of gay .and lesbian writers of color in the United States. Critical Essays simultaneously defies ethnic and mainstream homophobia as well as straight and gay/lesbian racism. These thought-provoking chapters disrupt the comRlacent notio~ of a unified gay/lesbian com~ury1ty_ . by questioning the presumed s1m1lanlies of persons who share sexual identity. -From Harrington Parl< Press If A Partner Has AIDS This powerful book is an immersion into the experience of AIDS, loss, and the impact of HIV on the mourning process. It presents a reconst~ction of the general range of experiences of well and surviving partners of AIDS diagnosed men from the y.,ell partner's first susp1c1on that his partner has AIDS, to caring for him, and through mourning his loss. -From The Hawotth Press lished in 1991. Based on eight years of research and self reports from over 1,000 individuals across the country, informal counseling and support group work, interviews with children and therapists, and her own personal experience, .the updated Coming Out Crisis includes more information and advice on issues concerning the entire family, not just the spouse. Families facing such a corning .out crisis can be found in every neighbor- · hood, church or temple, school and workplace. This book is the first to present a longitudinal, naturalistic picture of the coming m1~ crisis for straight spous es and farruhes, including the impact of AIDS. It is also the first book to look at husbands of Lesbians as well as wives of gay men, and explores a variety of family arrangements couples devise. To present a balanced viewpoint of this issue, interviews were conducted with gay, lesbian and bisexual partners as well as straight spouses and their children . Also included in the new edition is a story told by a wife still married to a bisexual man, because although most couples divorce when a partner comes out, about 15 percent decide to stay together. Amity Pierce Buxton conducts support groups and counsels spouses and former spouses of gay, _bisexual and lesbian mates, and chairs the International Straight Spouse Network of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG). J. C ~ Y ill i II l S l I It ' \ 1 t O I Y A moving and personal account of an issue that won't go away. A best-seller in Canada and soon to be a motion picture. It will mak e you think, it will make you angry , and hopefully, it will broaden your vision of what bolh sexuality _ and Christianity at their best can be -Telegraph Journal, St. John, New Brunswick James Ferry has given a voice to these voiceless ones and is himself a visible incarnation of their invisible presence. .I .I \I I·: \ F E H H Y -The Rt. Rev. John S. Spong, Bishop of Newark, New Jersey Order now from Second Stone Press Quan. □ IN THE COURTS OF T1'lE LORD By Jamea Fa,y, $22.95, hardcover P~lng $2.90111'11 boot<, S1.00 N. l<fdjtional TOTAL AIIOUNT ENCLOSED NAME __________________ _ ADDRESS.__ _____ ...;.,. __________ _ CITY/STATE/ZIPc._ ______________ _ ORDER FROM: SECOND STONE PRESS, P.O. BOX 8340, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70182 Second Stone-July/August ,.1994 ]ii] • lnPrinf • • • -· ••••• ~-·· ~ .~- ~ • .••• . • -· •••• ·- !--.• ... • --~~....: - • . ............. , ...... .... ... ..... ·• ... . Scholars seek to uncover what he really said Researching the historical Jesus By Bill Day Contrtbuting Wrtter The Search for the Authentic Words of Jesus, Macmillan Publishing Co., New York, 1993, 553 pages, $30.00 Wh.at did Jesus really say? For. some time, scholars have known that the first gospels .. .· _ ~•~ere 1:oti set fdow.kn: on p·~· - !~-:·,.~. ;-;,, ~"-'5~S~-,-·, '.< -·.,V / :- . · l ·'1. '@'e i j ;, I GJlifJ ~h'ff t~i:r;:f I ' pool, hot tub, skiing and more. until 30 years or more after the crucifixion and increasingly they have been testing the authenticity of the words attributed to Jesus. They take into account the times in which Jesus lived, what is known about how words and phrases change when they are passed on orally, and how the gospels agree with each other. A notable effort of this kind is a collaboration of more than 70 distinguished academics who call- themselves the Jesus Seminar. They have . been meeting periodically at the Westar Institute, Sonoma, California, and after study and discussion have been balloting on the ·authenticity of the sayings in the four canonical Gospels: Mark, the oldest gospel, Matthew, Luke, and John, plus the lost Thomas gospel. This last, written in Coptic (the language of the early Innkeepers Judith Hall and Egyptian Christian Church) was Grace Newman invite you to write or call for a brochure . . i I rediscovered half a century ago. ! P. 0. Box 118 SL Bethle,hem,. NH 03574_ (603) 869-3978 . A new translation of these five gospels, written by members of the Recent finding by top biblical scholars off er a radical new view on the Bible and homosexuality. V']nat-U:i_ble the lJ Really Says A.bout floll'-osexuality . 1 • 1-\elminia\\><n.,. Ooan, e ,.,_ Daniel A Helminiak, Ph.D., respected theologian and Roman Catholic priest, explains in a clear fashion fascinating new insights. " ... will help any reasonably open and attentive reader see that the Bible says something quite different on this subject from what is often claimed. 11 -L. William Countryman, Author of Dirt, Greed and Sex .the most thoughtful, lucid and accessible summary I know of current biblical scholarship relating to homosexual issues ... eminently useful ... 11 -James B. Nelson, Author and Theology Professor Quan. □ WHATT HEB IBLER EALLYS AYS ABOUHT OMOSEXUALITY ByD anieAl . Helminia$k9, .95p, aperbk PostageA-landli$n2g. 90f irst book,$ 1.00e a. additional ----TOTALA MOUNTE NCLOSED-- --- NAM_E_ ____________________ _ ADDRE_S_S_ ________________ _ CIT/YSTATE/ZIP_ _______________ _ ORDERF ROMS:E CONSDT ONPER ESSP,. OB. OX8 340N, EWO RLEANLSA, 7 0182 'lli) SecondS tone-July/August,1 994 group and showing the scholars' ratings of the authenticity of the sayings and commentary thereon, appears in The Five Gospels: The Search for the Authentic Words of Jesus. The sayings that a proponderant majority of the scholars considered authentic are shown in red ink, those with a lesser majority in pink, others, still less accepted, in gray and those not accepted in black. For example, the highest rating is given to the saying, "turn the other cheek" (Matt. 5:39 and Luke 6:29). But the scholars conclude example, large segments of the believers seem to set more store on "natural law'" (whatever that isl) or on the Jewish Scripture than they do on the teachings of Jesus. Jesus said not a word about homosexuality, yet most church leaders take their cue from Leviticus or Paul and consider same-sex love to be sinful; refuse to bless same-sex unions, and reject the ordination of Gays or Lesbians to the clergy. The Five Gospels is a treasure of information about how the gospels vVilliam Tyndale, an early translator of the Bible into English, was executed by strangulation for trying to give ordinary people what the church at that time did not want them to have. that Jesus never said four-fifths of the words attributed to him. How is th is going to affect believers? William Tyndale, an early translator of the Bible into English, was executed by strangulation for trying to give ordinary people what the church at that time did not want them to have. Such an outcome is unthinkable today, o{ course. But how will the devout react? Hard to tell, since many Christians don't seem to take his words seriously. For came to be written. Into its553 pages are packed a translation (494 pages), color coded as to authenticity, a roster of the scholars with their credentials, a mention of earlier iconoclastic studies and events, e.g. the Scopes trial and the Darwin uproar, suggestions for futher study ( in effect, a brief bibliography), and cameo tables, such as Figure 9, p.128, that show stages in the development of early Christian tradition giving range of dates for the writing of the gospels. Uncommon Heroes honors 131 Gays and Lesbians UNCOMMON HEROES, the offidal publication of the Stonewall 25 celebration, is a tribute to 131 gay and lesbian contemporary role models. The photo-essay anthology of gay men and lesbian women honors political and religious leaders as well as artists, entertainers, teachers and others from almost every walk of life. Included is Dr. Mel White, the dean of the Cathedral of Hope MCC in Dallas, Texas. "Jerry Falwell and I had just flown into San Jose, California," White is quoted. "We were driving in our limousine to a church when we were cut off by a huge demonstration of gay people. They were angry because Jerry had said that AIDS was God's punishment on gays. As we went through the crowd, Jerry said, 'Thank God for these gay demonstrators, If I didn't have them to draw a crowd, I'd have to hire "em. They give me all the attention I need.' I wanted to be outside demonstrating and there I was sitting inside that car. That was my point of shame." Uncommon Heroes is the composite work of well known writers and photographers from across the country. Each profile in this coffee table publication has been written by an author familiar with the honoree and is accompanied by a compelling photograph of the subject. Exiled, free and home From Pase 14 Are we, the lesbian arid gay community , now at the same place where that community was who was responsible for the Gospel of John? Shouldn't we also stop looking back to our institutional churches for our validity and let our focus turn to mission - those who are eager to hear the Gosp el? If we have learned nothing else, we must not believe the lies that the church has told us, that we cannot minister. For the depth of our spirituality and our faith ha s grown directly in proportion to the thousands and thousands of those martyred for whom we have cared. If our churche s cannot provide the full Gospel to our communities, do we not have that mission? And is that service not enough affirmation for us? Ther e are other interesting . characteristics in that Johanine Community. It exercised a great deal of freedom as it went about its work . It lifted up the r elationship of tho se gath ered at the last meal rath er than a prescrib ed set formula for a culhc rite that required a pr esid er. This gathering was offset like none of th e SAVED, From Page 9 his truck into the tree. (It was a few weeks later before he told me he had int ended to commit suicide that night.) "You were my last hope," he said. At that point, his faith was so shaken by being told from the pulpit that nobody loved him - not even God - how was he supposed to love himself? He was still to learn what Romans 8:33-39 really means. Most of u s who are ga y eventually deal with our insecurities and learn to love ourselves. We quit letting other people heap on undeserved guilt. We find pride in who we are . We find that God does love us. Most of us learn to cope with ignorance, stereotyping and lack of acceptance. We get on with our lived and find happiness no matter what is said to or about us . We learn to mature into being gay and part of that maturation is accepting that bigotry do es exist. Some of us are brave enough to totally accept ourselves and to try to help others understand. Unfortunately, many Gays, especially teens, deal with their fears like Robert had planned ... by taking their own life. How many overdose deaths are the result of "hoping to find peace?" How many "missing" young people could be found at th e bottom of a secluded lake? How many more auto fatalities do we write off as "accidents?" This is the true price of homophobia - the loss of the young men and women who never got th,e chance to other Gospels with two stori es of service , the feeding of the five thousand and the washing of feet. . Further evidence of this freedom can be seen in their structure . Peter was not given as prominent a role in the Gospel. For example, he is the second disciple to reach the tomb . In fact it was a woman who saw the tomb empty, who bore the message to Peter and it was the same woman to whom Jesus made his first appearance. With no set formula at the Eucharist, no specialized ministry is emphasized and other developed offices are not mentioned. Authority and mission are only manifest ed in the quality of service to others, people given the opportunity to become whole . A far cry from institutions today who are so uptight that they are given to strengthening the authority of the hierarchy to protect tradition at the expense of creating life and wholeness . What do we have for a vision and model for ministry from the Gospel of John? Some of its characteristics are: 1. Identity with and ministry to those who are in any way broken and searching for greater wholeness, find th emsel ves . The ones who ended it all before they found they could trust themselves and God. The ones whose lives were taken from them by words and deeds . Homophobia carries many price tags : lost jobs and ruined careers, addictions, fear, evictions, separation from family, and loneliness . But the most expen sive price is when it costs a life ... a life that God hasn't had the chance to totally mold yet. · Robert made it through a very traumatic year.. H e survived being outed to his family at Christmas . He surviv ed hatr e d, ignoranc e, and lack of compassion or understanding . He lived through the "pulpit bigotry" to find his faith in God again . He paid many prices from homophobia this past year, bu t with God watching over him, he didn't have to pay the ultimate price of his life ... in this world or the next. If as many people knew John 3:17 as well as they have memorized the verse immediately in front of it, the world would be a much better place for us all... gay and s traight. If Christ was not sent to the earth to condemn, what right does anyone have to even hint at condemnation? We were told by our savior in Matthew 22:3640 to love God and love thy neighbor and that all other laws hang on those two commands. Why do we insist on making it so difficult? Jame s 2:10 tells us all... no matt er what "cross we bear" ... how it really is! When will we learn? Hopefully , before the price of homophobia gets any higher. The true price we are paying in lost lives i s already far too expensive. 2. Structur e with authority that is validated in how effectively it serv es and offers "life," 3. Vision that seeks quality of life over death and brokenn ess, 4. Sees conflict as an opportunity for growth and healing, action and reflection, which is hop e not denial, and 5. Rituals that sp eak of the celebration of action s of healing and making whole. Indeed the Johanine Community rejected th e stiff legalism of its parent tradition and opted for the Spirit which is such a prnminent theme within this Gospel. (16:12-13) "I still hav e man y thing s to s ay to you but they would be too much for you now . But when the Spirit of truth comes he will lead you to the complete truth ... " This people ex perienc ed this process wh en they refuse d to b e hemmed in by legalism and were freed to create meanings out of the hardships and conflicts they faced. Tradition and s tructure w ere not treat ed as sacred icons which provided all th e right answers, but rather as resource s. Their present day experience of conflict, death, and brokenness provid ed the Johanine Church the opportunity to work toward new life and hope that gave testimony to and a foretaste of e ternal life. Barbara Lundblad, a campu s pas tor, spoke at a gathering at th e end of the March on Washington a year ago. She recalled how that community through their mission and faith had already come to know a taste of the Kingdom of God. This direction toward wholeness is what we as Les bian s and Gays, bisexual and transgender people are affirming for ourselves and wish to offer back to others as a gift. Lundblad declared that the ; ·;· and lesbian community underst ood the "already " but the church was stuck in the "not yet." • "Maybe We're • Talking About a Different God" A half-hour documentary 011 the Rev. Jane Spahr and her call to the Downtown Church in Rochester, protested and brought to trial. Slwws how co1tfusio1t and fear ("What! A woman and a lesbian ? No wayl ") can be transformed into understanding and compassion. ("Then I met Janie! ") VHS Tape & Discussion Guide ■ SEND $32.35 TO: Leonardo's Children, Inc. 26 Newport Bridge Rd. Warwick.NY 10990 (914)986-6888 The goal was peacemaking between evangelicals and liberals. But then there was a murder ... and a gay Quaker activist is the prime suspect. "I never suspected a Quaker mystery could be such a page turner. Great fun. 11 -Mark Hulbert, Publisher Hulbert Financial Digest " .. . an intoxic a ting witche s' brew of sexual politics and unfriendl y intrigue ... Prophetic and scary!" -Alan Pell Crawford, author Thunder On the Right ■ Order now from Second Stone Press Quan. □ MURDER AMONG FRIENDS By Chuck Fager, $13.95 Postage/Handling $2.90 first book, $1.00 ea. additional TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED ___ _ NAME ___________________ _ ADDRESS~----------------- CITY/STATEIZIP ___ --"------------ ORDER FROM: SECOND STONE PRESS, P.O. BOX 8340, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70182 Second Stone-July/August, 1994 UzJ Calendar • • • ... , •. • •.i.• -!....! .. ~ •••••• . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ' ~ Lutherans Concerned 20th Anniversary Gathering JULY 14-17, "God's Own People" is the theme of Lutherans Concemed/ North America's 20th anniversary conference, which will be held on the .campus of the University of North Carolina in Charlotte. Rev. Barbara Lundblad, pastor of Our Savior's Atonement Lutheran Church in New York City, ru1d a regular speaker on the Protestant Hour radio program, will be the keynote speaker . For information contact LC/NA, P.O. Box 10461, Chicago, IL 60610-0461. National Association · of Black and White Men Together JULY 16-24, Over 200 people are expected to attend this organization's COVER STORY, From Page 10 year and in early 1993 was diagnosed with full blown AIDS. Cahall attended last year's March on Washington and marched with the UFMCC. "I am not a radical activist," says Cahall. "I was living here [in Pensacola] in 1969 and didn't even hear about Stonewall at the time." But Cahall praises the activism and accomplishments of the generation since Stonewall and comments on the growing rights and freedom that the younger generation of Gays and Lesbians enjoy. 'The older generation had no institutions, no role models, no churches to look up to," he says . "We had no guidelines." When Cahall does write the occasional letter to the editor, it probably won't deal with the religious right. '1 don't think it's productive to try to change their minds," he says. ''Matching Bible-thumping with them is not productive. I think that most people are really interested in what kind of person you are, not what you do in bed." Cahall says the turning point in his . own personal liberationcamewhen he joined the church. As to why more Gays and Lesbians do not see the church as a source of liberation Cahall says, "Everybody has to come to the well when they're ready to drink." The slight-framed Cahall projects an image of one who is content with his accomplishment and contribution . He takes long walks for exercise and is feeHng good. And hardly a Sunday passes at Holy Cross MCC when a member or visitor does not look up toward the stained glass windows and marvel for at least a few 'moments . Cahall will take their ad, mi ration and compliments modestly. 'To God be the glory," he says, "not me." [Is]; Second Stone-July/August, 1994 . 14th Annual Convention to be held ai the Sheraton National Hotel in Arlington, Va. The theme ''Breaking the Chains of ISMS" will be addressed via workshops, guest speakers, and cultural/ social events. NABWMT was formed in 1980 as a "gay, multi -racial, multi-cultural organization committed to fostering supportive environments wherein racial and cultural barriers can be overcome and the goal of human equality realized," For information contact NABWMT, 1747 Connecticut Ave. N.W., 3rd Floor, Washington , DC 20009-1108, (202)462-3599, (800)NA4-BWMT. Evangelical & Ecumenical Women's Caucus JULY 21-24, ~'Wind =d Fire, Spirituality in Action" is the theme of the EEWC Biennial Conference to be held at North Park College in Chicago. The group celebrates 20 years of Christian feminist ministry with presentations by Virginia Ramey Mollenkott, Miriam Therese Winter, Nancy Hardesty and others. For information contact the EEWC Conference Office, 6124 N. Byron, Rosemont, IL 60018. Wichita Campmeeting '94 JULY 29-31, Wichita Praise and Worship Center sponsors a retreat at the Tabemacle, Camp Hiawatha, Wichita, Kansas. For information write to P.O. Box 11347, Wichita, KS 67211 or call (316)651-0500 or (316)267-6270. UFMCC conferences AUGUST 2-4, Church Leadership, AUGUST 5-7, People of Color Conference. New worship styles that reflect the emerging traditions of women in leadership will be featured at the leadership conference, which will feature Dr . Mary Hunt. "Connecting, Celebrating and Communicating" is the theme of the People of Color conference, which aims to stimulate and inspire people of colors and white people with a variety of activities which include a presentation by Dr. Elias Farajaje-Jones, associate professor at Howard University School of Divinity in Washington, D.C., and Ms. Letticia Gomez of the Latino Lesbian 311d Gay OrgaJ1ization. Both conferences will be held in Dallas, Texas . For information contact the UFMCC, 5300 Santa Monica Blvd., #304, Los Angeles, CA 90029, (213)464-5100. Gay Pentecostal District Conference /AUGUST 4-7, The Northeastern District of the National Gay Pentecostal Alliance holds its first district . . . . . . . . . . . :, ..... . conference at the Holiday Inn Holidome and Meeting Center in downtown Schenectady, New York. Pastor Sandy Lewis of Casa de la Paloma Church in Tucson, Ariz. is guest preacher . The conference is being sponsored by the Lighthouse Apostolic Church of Schenectady. For information contact NGP A, P .0. Box 1391, Schenectday, NY 12301-1391, (518)372-6001. 1994 GLAD Event AUGUST 12-15, 'The Wisdom of the Body" is the theme of the 1994 gathering of the Gay, Lesbian and Affirming Disciples Alliance to be held at Mercy Center in Burlingame, Calif., near the Srut Francisco airport. Facilitators are Cynthia Winton-Henry and Phil Porter . For information on this Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) event contact GLAD, P.O. Box 19223, Indianapolis, IN 46219-0223, (206)324-6231. Second International TEN Conference SEYfEMBER 2-4, The Evangelical Network will meet in Vancouver, Canada on Labor Day weekend . The focus of the conference, themed 'Together - We Belong," is on interpersonal relationships. Presenters include Sharon Busch, Rada Schaff, · Elizabeth Storbo, Pastor Ronnie Pigg, Bill Byrd, Ken Whatham, David Trudeau and Pastor Fred Pattison. For information contact Liberty Community Church, #201 - 6380 Clarendon St., VaJ1couver, B.C., Canada VSS 2J9, (604)321-4633. I Morning Star MCC Freedom Weekend SEPTEMBER 9-11, In celebration of 20 years of ministry Morning Star MCC, the oldest gay and lesbian organization in Worcester County, Mass. sponsors Freedom Weekend · featuring Rev : Elder Troy Perry, David Mixner; Karen Add Edwards, Lynn Lavner and Heartsong. Mechanics Hall, a prestigious concert hall listed as a National Historic Landmark, is the setting for the banquet and rally. For information contact Morning Star MCC, 231 Main St., Cherry Valley, MA 01611, (508)892-4320. Conference for Catholic parents of Gays, Lesbians SEYfEMBER 30-OCTOBER 2, 'Turning the Key," the first national retreat for Catholic parents of gay and lesbian children which will support parents in their key roles of promoting understanding and empathy in the church, will be held at the LaSalette Center for Christi _= · Living in Attleboro, Mass. Facilitators will · be Sr. Je annine Gramick, SSND, and • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Fr. Robert Nugent. The weekend will involve story-telling, presentations, film, discussions, communal _prayer, quiet time, worship =d socializing . For information contact Fr. Robert Nugent, 637 Dover St., Baltimore, MD 21230, (301)864-8954. Brethren/Mennonite Conference SEPI'EMBER JO-OCTOBER 3, "Celebrating Ourselves" is the theme for this gathering of the Brethren/ Mennonite Council for Lesbian and Gay Concems to be held in Indianapolis, Indiana. The featured speaker will be writer/ poet Emma LaRocque, a professor in the Department of Native Studies at the University of M311itoba. There will be a showing of the reGently released · video Body of Dissent: Lesbian and Gay Mennonites Continue the Journey. For · more information, write BMC, Box 6300, Minneapolis, MN 55406-0333 or call (612)870-1501. Unity Fellowship National Gathering OCTOBER 3-10, The Unity Fellowship Movement sponsors its first national spiritual fellowship in Los Angeles. "Free to Move in the Right Direction" is the theme . For information write to Freda Lanoix-Owens, 5149 W. Jefferson Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90016 or call (213)936-4948. Affirmation National Gathering OCTOBER 7-9, Affirmation: United Methodists for Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Concerns meets in Los Angeles. The theme is "Outing the Bible" with Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson, pastor of MCC Los Angeles, as featured speaker. The Hyatt Hotel on Sunset Strip is the setting. For information contact Affirmation, P.O. Box 691283, West Hollywood, CA 90069-9283. LGCM Retreat NOVEMBER 11-12, England's Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement sponsors a retreat led by Helen Loder, SSM and Rev. Malcolm Johnson . This is a unique weekend opportunity of meditative reflection in an affirming community, during which there will be talks, discussions, some silence and lots of relaxation. The Royal Foundation of St. Katherine in London is the setting . For information contact LGCM, Oxford House, Derby shire St., London, E2 6HG, UK. Annau~cements of interest to gay, lesbian and bisexual Christians are welcome and will be included free of charge.• Send to Second Stone, P.O. Box 8340, New Or/ems, LA 70182 or FAX to - (504)891-7555. Noteworthy • • • e • e • • 8 8 8 It II 8 e 8 0 8 • 8 • • 8 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Integrity chapter forms in Birmingham t.INTEGRITY, the lesbian and gay ministry of the Episcopal Church, is forming a new chapter in Alabama. Integrity's goal is "to be the Churd1 in the lesbian and gay community and to be the lesbian and gay community in the Church." Chapters sponsor worship, educational programs, fellowship and service for the community and witness to and dialogue with the Church. The Alabama chapter is meeting at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church on Birmingham's Southside. For information call Frank (205)871-1815 or John (205)592-3150. Covenant MCC moves to new building · L'.COVENANT MCC, Birmingham, Alabama began worshipping in its new facilities June 26. The new sanctuary holds up to 300 people .. CMCC is leasing the space but maintains a building fund in hopes of one day owning church property. Cliff Morrison, longtime pastor of CMCC, has recently earned his ordination. The new church facility is at 5117 1st Ave. N. in Birmingham. Anita Hill installed at St. Paul-Reformation Church l\AFI'ER FIVE MONTHS and a nation wide search, Anita C. Hill has been installed as pastoral minister by St. Paul-Reformation Church in St. Paul, Minn. Hill had previously served St. Paul-Reformation from 1983 to 1990 as an openly lesbian ministry associate for Wingspan Ministry, an outreach to the gay and lesbian community. Hill is also co-convener of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Task Force on Human Sexuality. Jeanne Knepper honored ii.JEANNE KNEPPER, convenor of Affirmation's Witness Committee and co-director of Shalom Ministries in Portland, Ore., has been honored by the Methodist Federation for Social Action as one of six recipients of the Lee and Mae Ball Award. Lesbian/Gay alumni of Notre Dame organize Ii.MORE THAN 50 alumni of the University of Notre Dame and St. Mary's College gathered in South Bend, Indiana, over the weekend of June 10. Participants met to found Gay and Lesbian Alumni of the University of Notre Dame/St. Mary's College, an organization whose purpose will be to promote solidarity and friendship among gay, lesbian and bisexual graduates, former students and ' friends of Notre Dame and St. Mary's College. In less than a year, the organization has grown from approximately 60 members to over 350 members and is still reaching out toward gay and lesbian alumni of the two schools. Samaritan/CTS starts dual program Ii.SAMARITAN COLLEGE has approved the implementation of .a dual enrollment program with Chicago Theological Seminary beginning in late 1994. The program was developed . by the academic dean of Samaritan, Dr. Mona West, who expects the program to become a model of joint education between Samaritan and other seminaries across the country. Oasiseeks director L'.THE OASIS, a mission and ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark with gay and lesbian people, their family and friends, is seeking a gay . . . ny on April 6. Construction of a 3200 square foot building and adjacent parking lot began on April 7. The church has counted on volunteer labor pledged by many members of the Huntsville community to create their new worship facility. MCCH hopes to occupy the building, 3015 Sparkman Dr., by the first of August . For information on MCCH call (205)533-6220 Rev. Terry Enloe passes t.REV. TERRY ENLOE, pastor of Grace Fellowship, New Orleans, died on June 15, 1994 of complications due to AIDS. A memorial service was held at Holy Trinity Chu rch on June 18. Rev. Enloe was remembered for his vision of "reaching the gay community, their families and friends, with the Good News of Jesus Christ ." or lesbian Episcopal priest to serve as St J h th A ti MCC its dire.ctor and chief missioner. In · 0 n e pos e addition to the rastoral care of some appoints Rev. Shawver 350 members o the Oasis, the direc- L'.ST. JOHN THE APOSTLE MCC, tor will also serve as ·an advocate and Fort Myers, Florida has announced resource person to the larger gay and the appointment of Rev. Renne L. lesbian community. Resumes and Shawver as pastor. Shawver previinquiri es may be sent to Ms. Dale ously served as an associate pastor of Gruner, Deployment Officer, Diocese King of Peace MCC in St. Petersburg, of Newark, 24 Rector St., Newark, NJ Florida; She replaces Rev. James M. 07102. Lynch who was called to Springfield, Illinois last year. The voting mem- Rev. Lincoln bership of St. John's was unanimous celebrates anniversary i in electing Shawver, who is accom- AREV. GILBERT LINCOLN of Colurn- panied to Fort Myers by her partner, bia, S.C., retired, has celebrated the Donna Clark. 40th anniversary of his ordination by the Enid Presbyt ery of the Presbyterian Church (USA). The church knew at the lime of his ordination that he is gay. He was ordained in the UFMCC in 1977. AIDS claims Chuck Vickers t.CHUCK VICKERS, former music director at River City MCC and First MCC, Wichita, Kan ., and former member of HeartSong, died May 25 of complications related to AIDS. Pentecostal church opens in Birmingham L'.THE NATIONAL GAY Pentecostal Alliance has announced the opening of its newest church, Open Arms Apostolic Worship Center i.n Birmingham, Alabama. The church is pastored by the Rev. Gerald Adams, who is licensed as a minister by the Southeastern District of NGPA. For information on this ministry contact Bro. Adams, (205)939-3804, P.O. Box 59408, Birmingham, AL 35259. Huntsville church breaks ground for new building AAFTER THREE YEARS of preparation, fundraising and planning, MCC Huntsville 's dream of building its own church is becoming a reality. On April 5, the Alabama church purchased almost four acres of land and held a ground-breaking ceremo- Ralph Masek dies L'.RALPH MASEK, former public relations director at Cathedral of Hope MCC in Dallas, died May 21 due to AIDS-related complications. Chicago congregations to merge L'.THE CONGREGATIONS of Christ the Redeemer MCC, Evanston, Ill., and Good Shepherd Parish MCC, Chicago, voted with near unanimity to unite in order to strengthen their ministry to the lesbian/ gay community in Chicago. Atlanta MCCs join church council t.THE THREE ATLANTA MCCs have been accepted into membership with the Christian Council of Metropolitan Atlanta. They are All Saints MCC, First MCC and Christ Covenant MCC. 'Connecting Families' retreat held L'.CONNECTING FAMJLIES, a retreat planned by and for the Church of the Brethren and Mennonite parents of Lesbians, Gays, and bisexuals was held at Laurelville Mennonite Church in early April. This effort, now in its fifth year, was attended by 60 parti- ................. cipants representing 27 families. The facilitator was Deanna Brown, campus pastor for Manchester College, North Manchester, Indiana. A sixth Connecting Families retreat is planned for March 31 - April 2, 1995 at Laurelville. For information contact Brethren/ Mennonite Parents, P.O. Box 1708, Lima, OH 45802 or Laurelville Mennonite Church Center, Rt. 5, Mt. Pleasant, PA 15666, Pastor installed at All Saints L'.REV. PAUL TURNER was installed as pastor of All Saints MCC, Grant Par~ Georgia on April 10. Rev. Troy Perry presided. MCC Las Vegas elects pastor, considers move t.REV. B. J. ''BEAU" McDANIELS began her pastoral service at the Metropolitan Community Church in Las Vegas on April 1, 1994. McDaniels has been a member of the UFMCC clergy for 24 years, including holding simultaneous pastorships in Indianapolis, Indiana and Cincinnati, Ohio, a 127-mile commute between services. Plans are being made for the churdl to share a worship facility with Wesley United Methodist Church. Rev . McDaniels' spouse, Gloria Ann Weiss, is completing school work in Oklahoma City. Welcoming and Affirming Baptists adds congregation t.SAN LEANDRO COMMUNITY Church in San Leandro, California has become the 21st congregation to join the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists . Said spokesperson Chris Boisvert, "As the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists continμes to grow as a voice of inclusiveness and justice within the denomination, I hope that the term 'Welcoming and Affirming' will become synonymous with many Baptist churches across the nation. " The association may be contacted at P.O. Box 2596, Attleboro Falls, MA 02763. R. David Smith appointed at MCC Baltimore _L'.R. DA V1D SMITH has been appointed as lay pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church of Baltimore. Rev. Arlene J. Ackerman, District Coordinator of the Mid-Atlantic District of the UFMCC, appointed Smith in consultation with the Board of Advisors of the local dlurch. Smith, currently a resident of Arlington, SEE NOTEWORTHY, Page 20 -~ -- - -· __ _________ ___ _ _ ___ _ _______ S_eco_n_d_Sto_n_e-_J_ul_y_/A-.u-gus_t,_1994-.... ,lfi]-I~D T Classifieds T ........................................................................ ------------------7 "WONDERFUL DIVERSITY," "Heartily . recommended, 11 "Philosophically inlrig• uing, 11 "ExcelJent." Why do rev.iewers highly esteem CHRISTIAN*NEW AGE QUARTERLY? Great articles and lively columns make this bridge of dialogue between Christians and New Agers as entertaining as it is substantive. Subscribe for only $12.50/yr. Or sample us for $3.50. CHRISTIAN*NEW AGEQUARTERLY,P.O. Box 276. Clifton, NJ 07011-0276 . TF Classified Order Form Please place my ad in these issues: [ l Jan/Feb [] Mar/Apr A GAY DIARY 1975-1982 by Donald Vining is the latest in the series of intimate, I persona) diaries of which critics have said, I 0 Unquestionably the richest historical docu- I ·ment of gay male life in the United States"· I "The fairly detailed look at the day-to-day 1 development of a 'long-term' gay couple ·i relationship is only one valuable aspect of I this intriguing chronicle." "Humor, nar- I FOR ONLY 35¢ per word, your classified ad will reach readers from Sitka. Alaska to Amherst, Maine and everywhere in between. Business or personal ... try a classified ad in our next edition! Mano: Second Stone Box 8340 New Orleans, LA 70182 Name ___________ _ Address __________ _ City/St./Zip _______ _ AD COPY ________ _ --------------------------------------------- words X .35~ $ ____ _ 20 word minimum . All classifieds · must be pre-paid. Deadline one month prior to cover date . We will mail you a copy of the edition(s) in which your ad appears [] May/Jun [] Jul/Aug [] Sept/Oct [] Nov/Dec · CLASSIFICATIONS . [ ] Books & Publications [ l Business Opportwiities [ l Employment [] Friends/Relationships [ l General Interest [ ] Mail Order [ l Merchandise [ l Organizations [ l Professional Services ( ] Real Estate [ l Retreats [ ] Roommates [ ]Travel rative sense, interest in the foibles of others. 1 Deep honesty. 0 474 pages. paperback I $11.95 hardcover $16.95. Also available A ------------------------------------------------------------- GAY DIARY 1946-1954 $9.95 and $14.95, 1954-1967' paperback only, $9.95, 1967- 1975, $11.95 and $16.95. The Pepys Press, 1270 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10029 LEARN HOW TO resolve conflicts in a conciliatory manner for only $19.95. Order "Mediation: The Book" by Leonard. The hottest Christian-based career of the 1990s. A must! Call l-800-594-5190. 10194 and recently lost my partner of 11 years to AIDS. I'm 5'9", blonde/blue, mustache, financiaUy/emotionally secure, educated, and a Christian minister and an electrical el1g1neer." i own· cl big ·house oil the RllSsian River, but travel nationally. You are probably 25-45, GWM, tall, masculine, drug-free, a "leather/levi, 11 "cowboy," construction worker or blue-collar type looking for love and adventure. Send letter and picture to Mark Shirilau, P.O. Box 32, Villa Grande, ·CA 95486 "AIDS AWARENESS" stamp pins. $3.50. Quality made of solid brass. Proceeds benefit PW As. Volume discounts. Eastern Maine AIDS Network, P.O. Box 2038 , Bangor, ME GWF, 44, professional, feminine, well . 0440.,,,...,_2_. _81_9_4 ___ -,--~~~--- ~ducated, kindly humorous, t_alkative, ·• .NEW YORK CITY GA y Spi;it:filled Chrisfrnanc, ally s_table, no drugs/smokmg, httle · tian group now forming for support, fellowdnnkmg, faithful. Presby_tenan, hberal m ship Bible . study and worship. Ultim t outlook, conservahve rn hfestyle. ISO truly a ·. ' . a e similar lady living within 2.3 hou . GWF go I 1s to start new Chnst-centered church. . . . . rs. . ' Call Kevm at (718)267-0773 good listener, femmme, 39-49, interested m commitment vs. casual relationships. Write: · Sarah. P.O. Box 14163, Augusta, GA 30919. 6/95. CREMATION URNS: Introducing the Lambda Pride Um. Celebrate Life with an um that reflects personality and style. Call . for free brochure. LifeStyle Urns 1-800-685-URNS. 8/95. CHICAGO GWM, 41, 155 lbs., 5'10", looking for a soul mate. I am emotionally, . spiritually, and financially secure and seek . the same in my mate. Open with my sexuality, masculine, not flamboyant, HIV-, involved in the Episcopal Church, and · dedicated to my friends. You have similar qualities, do not abuse alcohol or drugs, and love life. Write with recent photo: B.R. , 4422 N. 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Box 62, Blue Springs, MO 64013 GWM SEEKING NEW PARTNER 37, honest, loving "healthy , wealthy, and wise;" ~ Second Stone-July /A ugust, 1994 LIVE OPERA performances on audio/video casette. Incredible selection since 1930's, world-wide. Over 7400 items . Magnificent free computerized catalogue. Live Opera, P.O. Box 3141, Steinway Station, Long Island City. NY 11103. 12/95 REACH OUT! Support group - gay, lesbian ex-Jehovah's Witnesses. FYI, Box 1173, Clack, OR 97015. 10/94 PSYCHOTHERAPIST with long-term experience working with gay/lesbian individuals and couples. (603)431-1900. Contact person , Judith Palais, MSW, BCD. 10/94 REV. N. A. LLOYD, C.M., spiritual medium • and advisor. Spiritual counseling. _ CaU (516)736-1058. 12/94. CARIBBEAN VACATION. Spend a week at the only gay owned beach resort in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Perfect place for lovers. One low price includes room, car and $100 bar credit. Low air also . Call for details. 800-524-2018. 10/94 ''MAYBE WE'RE TALKING About a Different God" A half-hour video documentary on Rev. Jane Spahr, and her call lo the Downtown Church in Rochester, pro' lested and brought to trial. Shows how confusion and fear can be transformed into understanding and compassion. VHS tape 2nd discllssion guide. Send $32.35 to· Leonardo's Children, Inc., 26 Newport Bridge Rd., Warwick, NY 10990. NOTEWORTHY, From Page 19 Virginia, until his appointment was student clergy and Coordinator of Ministry Support at the 300-member MCC of Washington, D.C. He is completing a Masters degree in Theological Studies at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington and plans to be licensed as UFMCC clergy at the denomination's 1995 Biennial Confer- _,. ence in Atlanta, Georgia, his hom e town. Raised a Southern Baptist, Smith has been active in the UFMCC since 1985. MCC Baltimore worships at Waverly Chapel at 3401 Old York Road at 3:00 p.m. on Sundays. Send noteworthy items to Second S,tone, P.O. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182, or FAX to (504)891-7555. ARE YOU MOVING? The -Post Office will not forward The Second Stone. You must notify us for uninterrupted service if you move. Please notify us four weeks in advance for uninterrupted delivery . Send both Old and new addresses. If possible attach malling la.be/ in space provided . PRINT NEW ADDRESS so 0. ~ l ~ "< C. 3 w i ro Send completed form to : THE SECOND STONE Box 8340 New Orleans, LA 70182 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 Second Stone #35 - July/Aug 1994 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/e34d40daf01c053c4abb4b5e0687408b.pdf f5e2989d89ceb0a28d574c50db3af1d9 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 Second Stone Description An account of the resource Issues of the Second Stone publication. Issue An issue of a recurring publication. Issue Number The number of the issue (within a volume) 36 Publication Year The year the issue was published 1994 Publication Date The date the issue was published Sept/Oct 1994 Text Any textual data included in the document '• • OUR SIXTH YEAR SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER, 1994 ISSUE #36 Episcopal Church General Convention GAY, LESBIAN GROUP GOT MUCH OF WHAT THEY WANTED Ordination canon bars discrimination based on sexual orientation Episcopal Church begins study of union blessings BY K-I<rvf BYHAM Bishops and deputies at the General Convention of the . Episcopal Church held in I114ianapolis August . 24 , - September 2-·approved a remarkable number of gay-friendly resolutions, including a guarantee of non-discrimination in access to the church's ordination process and a major study of blessing lesbian and gay relationships. Integrity, the Episcopal lesbian and gay justice ministry, was represented by over 32 volunteers. In addition, about 2,5 openly lesbian and _ gay deputies were among the 850 lay and -cll!rical members of the House of Deputies. There is also one openly gay member of the House of Bishops, the Rt. Rev. E. Otis Charles, formerly Bishop of Utah, who is also the first openly gay bishop in any major denomination. Distinctly unwelcome guests at the convention were the Rev. Fred Phelps of Topeka, Kansas, the country's most outspoken religious homophobe, and his followers , Their -.~;-:l~~it- '·· P.O. 8t"IC 8340 New Orteans, LA 70182 ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUE;S,T-~ extremist behavior made many friends for Integrity. Deputies and v.isifors to the convention .center were ., m1Jazed to/ leru:n ~hat Gays and 'Lese . •bians actually face such: blatant hatred in the name of God, and were appalled that y·oung children were carrying placards that read "Fag ,. Tutu." Archbishop Desmund Tutu of South Africa was one of the co;wention speakers. In a press conference, when pressed on sexuality issues he was amazingly forthright and spoke in favor of gay rights. Two significant resolutions were approved by the House of Depu ties · on the final day of convention ; having been earlier approved · by the House of Bishops. A resolution entitled "Develop Forms of Blessing Same-Sex Couples" calls for the church's Standing Liturgical Commission and the Bishops' Theology Committee to prepare a report for the next General Convention in 1997 on "the SEE COVER STORY, Page 10 Bll.K RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID NEW ORLEANS, LA PERMIT No. 511 //////1////1///////I//// TIME DATED MATERIAL • DO NOT DELAY IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII/I/III Bishop Otis Charles, left, the first openly gay bishop, and Dr. Louie Crew, Integrity's founder, at a service celebrating the 20th anniversary of IntegrityPhoto: James Solheim, Episcopal News Service SUBSCRIBE NOW • ONE YEAR ONLY $15.00! BOX 8340 • NEW ORLEANS, LA 70182 ._ '- THE NATIONAL ECUMENICAL CHRISTIAN NEWSJOURNAL FOR LESBIANS, GAYS AND BISEXUALS Contents ••••••••••••••••• 1' ••••••••• From the editor IIJ Handle religious right as spiritually impoverished [[1 Commentary · __ ,I· On knowing a murder victim of a -~ religious right fanatic w News Lines [-·r -Out of the mouth of a mule _;J __ _ , j How the story of Balaam applies to us I: 10 ·1 Cover story Pilgrim's progress: Gay and lesbian Episcopalians at General Convention 1117 Revolutionary kisses l!.!_J Coming out inspiration by Lisa Larges r- :::-:::7 ! 13 i Handling sexual behavior [ __ _.: __ j Do we have any rul~s? By Rev_ Dr. Buddy Truluck 1"1· 5--·7 In Print - , , Same-Sex Unions in Premodern Europe L!:!!J Reviewed by Dr. Robert Goss i--171-~~v~dn:~ane 1-10187 Videos L!Q_J Body of Dissent ~-, 1191 Calendar [2ft] Noteworthy 1'211 · Second Stone's resource guide [i Everybody we know anywhere r-- ·-1 124 I Classifieds SECOND STONE • W From the Editor W ......................... The religious right as a mission·-field By Jim Bailey . .... HOW DO GAY and lesbian Christians respond to the religious right? Many Second Stone readers do not even like to see stories about the religious right in our publication. (Such stories have generated almost as many subscription cancellations as our New Age debate three years ago.) But those of us who want to deny that such hate and anger can come forth from fellow Christians, and want to avoid dealing with the issue, miss the valuable opportunity in ministry that gay and lesbian Christians in particular are called to . In January of this year I was elected to church council by my Lutheran congregation and given the responsibility of social ministry. This is a great opportunity to become aware of the human needs in our local community and to pull together resources as best we can to fill those needs. "What is our mission field?" we asked ourselves. Our congregation has supported a shelter for families in transition, a food bank, a children's home, and other service ·agencies in our neighborhoods . The people who come into need and seek assistance from the programs most often have experienced at the hands of our society some form of injustice, abuse, oppression, or perhaps even violence. The stories of wife-battering and neglect and abuse of children are difficult to bear, and angering. Yet they must be heard and responded to if we are to follow Christ's teaching. The situation is the same with the religious right. Their sin against gay and lesbian people is frustrating and angering, but they are a group of people seriously in need of a Christian reality check and we must respond in Christ's way. The religious right is spiritually impoverished, totally disconnected from the gospel and consumed by their agenda. They have forgotten to "fear not." They are afraid of what they do not understand and they are spreading their · fear to others. They have forgotten not to "bear false witness." The misinformation they disseminate about Gays and Lesbians is simply not the truth. And they know that . They are greedy, pumping millions of dollars into their anti-gay rights campaigns - money which could be used for clothing, feeding and sheltering. "Comfort the sick," we hear Christ say, yet the religious right would burden AIDS sufferers . And lastly, as you will read on the facing page, individuals in their ranks have turned to murder. A speaker at the recent secret meetings of the religious right declared that unsupportive Chri stians were "extraordinarily damaging " to their movement. Why? Because the "unsupportive Chris tians" and gay and lesbian Christians bear the truth that - if we will only speak it loud enough - will dissolve this giant machine of hatred. The religious right is a mission field. A few gay and lesbian Christians - not many - have appropriately and correctly identified thern as such. We have been so angered by the injustice that they inflict on the gay and lesbian community that we fail to see this group of fallen Christians desparately in need of being set free from the fear and hate that consumes them . I like the term used during the recent "Fast for Understanding." The protest was not a confrontation; it was a "care-frontation." We care about the religious . right. They are our neighbors. What a day of revelation and freedom it will be for them when they see the image of Christ in our faces that they do not see in the mirror . I \ SECOND STONE Newsjoumal , ISSN No. 1047-3971, is published-·every other month by Bailey Communications, P. 0. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182. Copyright 1994 by Second Stone, a registered trademark. SUBSCRIPTIONS, U.S.A. $15.00f>er year , six issues. Foreign subscribers add $10.00 for postage . All payments U.S. currency only. ADVERTISING, For display advertising infonnation call(504)891-7555 or write to P.O. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182. · EDITORIAL, se nd letters, calendar announcements, noteworthy items to (Department title) Second Stone, P.O. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182. Manuscripts to be returned should be accompanied by a stamped, se\f addressed envelope. Second Stone is otherwise not responsible for the return or any material. SECOND STONE, a national ecumenical Christian social justice newsjoumal with a specific outreach to sex ual orientation minorities. PUBLISHER/EDITOR: Jim Bailey . CONTRIBlITORS FOR THIS ISSUE : Kim Byham, Ken ny Dayton. Lisa Larges. Rev. Dr. Buddy Truluck. Dr. Robert Goss SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1994 , • • Comment ........................................................................ Thou shalt not kill Murder of Pensacola doctor, escort hits home By Kenny Dayton Guest Comment T he subjects of abortion and homosexuality have seesawed back and forth as the top moral issue facing our country for some time now . During any week, you can tum on any news show and find something being said about either theme. Unfortunately, the rhetoric can get extremely hateful at times, usually in the name of "Christianity ." On Friday, July 29, all of these issues collided and the domestic terrorism promoted by some anti-choice activists became all too real to me and many .other Gays and Lesbians in the Florida panhandle. That morning, a doctor who performed abortions was shot to death in the parking lot of a Pensacola women's clinic. The doctor was not the only one to lose his life. His elderly escort was also killed, and the escort's wife wounded. The murderer was a former minister. When I heard the first news broadcast only a few SECOND STONE minutes after the shootings occurred, I was upset that someone could actually think that God would sanction two murders. Later that day, when a friend told me the names of the escorts, I became livid. Suddenly, there were faces attached to the news. These were friends of mine! Jim and June Barrett were P-FLAG parents. I first met Jim and June at a reception prior to a presentation at the University of West Florida on Gays in the military. They were the type of wonderful people you immediately fell in love with . Jim was a former Air Force career man, who could shake your hand with a strong grip or give you a loving bear hug ... whichever you needed at the time. June is that type of woman who adopts you on the spot and lives the unconditional love. that Christ taught. They were the perfect people to be P-FLAG parents . · They were always th ere if you needed them . They 'were prepared to talk to any gay man or lesbian ... or their families . Jim and June were straight, but they were "family." Whelher it was counseling a gay teen or cooking meals for AIDS patients or talking to a parent on the phone or just letting you know you were loved, Jim and June had gotten involv ed . They gave more to the gay community that many Gays do. And now June was laying wounded in a hospital room after seeing her husband murdered . She is a strong woman . She will recover from her wounds and go on ·being the loving, involved person she was before. It's just unfair that because of someone else's twisted beliefs, that she will be carrying on alone . Regardless . of your personal position on abortion, the Bible is very specific about an act such as committed against the doctor and the Barretts: 'Thou shalt not kill." No one has the right, legally or morally, to take the law into their own hands and shoot unarmed ·people who are not making a direct threat to ybu personally . Christ taught us to solve our differences with love, understanding, and faith. Not once did he advocate or use violence. Where does a so-called man of God find justification .for: murder without per:verting the intent of the gospel? Where does this type of insanity stop? Keep in mind that this wasn't a random act of violence, but rather a direct attack from the radical right. No, Jerry Falwell didn't pull the trigger. Jim Kennedy wasn't there when it happened. Pat Robertson didn't load the shotgun. But anyone who spews hatred is as guilty as the former minister who committed the murders. The act was fueled by SEE COMMENT, Page 14 We welcome your letters and opinons Write to Second Stone. All letters must be original and signed by the writer. Clearly indicate if your name is to be withheld . . We reserve the rigltt to edit. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 or FAX to (504)891-7555. Fashion Li.,estyles Travel • Politics lntervieW"s Entertain1nent •• .. .a Gay version m" Esquire or GQ. •• . UM1- GENR£ magazine brings you the latest in men's fashion. exotic travel destinations. exclusive celebrity interviews. advice on grooming. health. fitness and more. C-o subscribe call: 1-BOD-576-9933 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1994 - - . - . - - . - . - - - . . . - .. ~ - . - - - - . - - ' .... - . - ....... · ··-··--·- - ·-••-- -- - · - -- -- -- -- ------------ ·- -·-- ··----· - - - - ·- - -·-------- ------- - -- -- -- -- - - -- ---- -- -- • ~ C ' , ' • • c ,• t ll .. ~~;♦:-• -'. .-, I Subscribe, Today·. AND YO U1 LL NEV ER A FRIEND JOURNEY. WITHOUT YOUR BE FOR SecoSntdo ne The National Gay and Lesbian Christian Newsjournal ···YES!·························· Begin my subscription to SECONDS TONEfo r: [ ] One year (6 issues) $15.00 [ ] Two yrs. (12 issues) $25.00 [ ] Three yrs. (lB issues) $36.00 NAME ADDRESS CITY/S TATE/ZICPO DE CHECK HERE [ ] if a plain envelope Is required and add $2.00 per year. Allow 6-6 weeks for delivery of your first issue. International subscribers add $10 .00 per year, U.S. currency. MailT o: SECOND STONE, Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 THANK YOU for your subscription support! -SECOND STONE - NewLsin es Italiansp rotesPt opea ndn eo-af scists · t>.THE UNITED PRESS International reported that 10,000 protesters marched through the streets of Rome on July 2 to demand legal recognition of gay and lesbian couples, and denounce anh-gay statements by Pope John Paul II and neo-fascists in the Italian government. "We are protesting the absolute indifference of Italy's new right-wing government,. and against the Catholic hierarchy which is against homosexuals," said Franco_Gnllmm, chau of the gay C1v1In ghts group Arc1gay. Piero Buscaroli, the neo-fac1st National Alhance Party candidate, said Gays should be sent to concentration camps. On July 3, Pope John Paul II repeated his opposition to gay /lesbian families saying, "Children are tli.e fruit of love of only one man and one woman.' ItalianB aptist'sle aders upportssa me-genduern oi ns t>.THE PRESIDENT OF THE Union of Christian Baptist Churches in Italy, Rev. Franco Scaramuccia, was among 65 Italian protestant church leaders who recently approved a resolution by the European Parliament in Strasbourg which recommends the sanctioning of same-gender relationships on a basis equal to those of heterosexuals. Althougn approval of the resolution did not reflect an ecclesiastical endorsement by any of the denominations, but rather an expression of personal conscience by the leaders, it has still been controversial. The Italian Baptist -leader explained that in Italy, and possibly elsewhere in Europe , there are many couples not legally married, both heterpsexual and homose xual. He said that these coupl es often have stable relationships and even raise children. "This is the real state of alfairs in our country," stated Scaramuccia. He also underlined that the declaration insists that the word "marriage" or "matrimony" should be avoided in the legislation. "We did not want marriage to be confused with homosexual un ion," he said. The decision of the head of the UCBC in Italy to support sanctioning of same-gend er relationships has been controversial both in Europe and in the United States. In a letter of support for Rev. Scararnuccia, Ken Sehested, Executive Director of the Baptis t Peace Fellowship of North America, wrote, " .. .I am writing to congratulate you for your courage and encourage you in the midst of the controversy this action has pro voked." -Voiceo f the Turtle/EuropeanB aptistP ress Sernice California-Pacific United Methodists define homose xuality MN AN APPARENT ATTEMPT to stave off "witch hunts," as well as to adhere to a denominational ban on homose xual clergy, United Methodists in the California-Pacific region have agreed to define homose xuals as "people who publicly admit to having sex with others of the same gender ." Statements made in private or "under duress" are not considered avowals, the statement of definition said, and "practicing" -does not include having same-sex roommates, or socializing with or supporting the rignts of homosexuals. The statement , approved by nearly 1000 voting members of the de.nomination's California-Pacific Annual Conference, was called "a landmark achievement" by Bishop Roy I. Sano of Los Angeles. Developers of-the statement said they purposely focused on rublic declarations and behavior in consideration of the church's stated prohibition of self-avowed , practicing homosexuals" as clergy. - UNMS/Affirmation Falwetllr iedf orc uto f Gay Games t>.NOT ONLY DID New York City make money off the Gay Garnes and Stonewall Celebration, Rev. Jerry Falwell tried for some bucks as well. He sent his followers a fundraising letter warning of_ "thousands and thousands of militant AIDS i~fected homose xua1 activists." He added that the welfare of every Amencan.1s at nsk Just so these homosexuals can hold an Olympic Garnes for gays and lesbians and transvestites and bisexuals and pedophiles and sodomites and exbibitionists and cross dressers and every other sexual aeviant on !he planet with perverted proclivities." He then asked for donations. - Diversity Welcomin&g AffirminBg aptisct hurchecsh allegned t>.SEVERAL AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCH pastors ; upset that four California congregations have joined the Association of We1corning and Affirmtng Baptists, are attempting to force all American Baptist churches in the California/Nevada region to adopt an unfriendly position toward Gays and Lesbians. First Baptist Church in Berkeley, Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church in Oakland . and New Community of Faith in San Jose along with Dolores Street Baetist Church in San Francisco were all charter members of the Association. Subsequently, San Leandro Community Church also joined. Because the San Leandro Church is a new church start, it is dependent on the denomination for some of its funding. Regional leadership has decided to withhold the congregation:s allotment of new church money from the region Several pastors have tried to orgaruze a movement m the regmn to urge the Welcommg and -Affirmmg churches to repent their_joining.of and resign their membership in the Association. - Voice of the Turtle · Seventh-dayA dventistms eet forn ationaclo nference t>.SIXTY-FIVE GAY AND LESBIAN Seventh-day Adventists met for a week-long convention in rural New York about-70 miles nortn of New York City. The conference, held July 24-31, was sponsored by Seventh-day Adventist Kinship International, a support network for gay men and Lesbians who are current or former members of the SDA church. Several speakers attended from various Seventh-day Adventist colleges and universities and churches around the country , despite the church's strong anti-gay stance. "Our meetings were productive and inspiring,' said organizer John Sam. "The group emerged from the week with a new vision for outreach to gay and lesbian Seventh-day Adventists, including students at the church's nine colleges and universities in North America who may be in turmoil over their sexual orientation." Kinship president Darin Olson of St. Paul, Minn., said he was most impressed by the recent surge of Kinship's membership in Canada. From an active membership of just half a dozen last year , the _group has grown to 30 members, centered mostly in the area of Toronto, Ontario. Next year's conference will be held at the Menucha Conference Center on the outskirts of Portland, Oregon. For information on the group or the upcoming conference, contact SDA Kinship, P.O. Box 7320, Laguna Niguel, CA '92677, ('714)248-1299. S E P T E M B E R / 0 C T O 8- E-R - l -9 9- 4 w News Lines w ................................ ... •· ................ . "Change" minister convicted of manslaughter LIREV. T. C. MORELAND, pastor <>f Suburban Baptist Church, an independent congregation in Glendale, Ca., was convicted in Los Angeles County Superior Court June 22 of involuntary manslaughter for the death of Michael Larkin, who died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound last February. Larkin had been under pastora l counseling from Rev. Moreland for several months prior to his suicide. Notes and diaries found in Larkin's room and testimony from his friends and family revealed that Rev. Moreland had attempted unsuccessfully to change Larkin's homosexual orientation. According to Reinzi Page, Los Angeles County Assistant District Attorney, this counseling caused Larkin to fall into a deep depression and was the direct, materia l cause of his taking his own life. - Seattle Gay News Kentucky's first Ooen and Affirming UCC draws fire L\MEMBERS OF THE ziON United Church of Christ, Henderson, Ky., thought they were worshipping as their beliefs dictate and the Constitution allows when fhey vot ed to accept Gays and Lesbians as memb ers. But their decision to become an Open and Affirming congregation has started a clash between protestant denominations that has become part of daily life in Henderson and filled the opinion pages of the local newspaper with angry and impassioned letters. "I've had a couple of threatening phone calls and some anonymous letters that have been very upsetting, very degrading," said the Rev. J. Bennett Guess, pastor of the outspokenly liberal UCC congregation in this conservative Bible Belt town. He estimates his congregation to be about 15 percent openly l<>sbian and gay. The ch_urch voted without dissent on M~,l:'. 22 to join 135 other UCC congregal!ons who have smce 1985 declared themselves as Open and Affirming Congregations." - Southern Voice Gay riahts movement a "problem" say members of Salvation Army LITHREil'HUNDRED MEMBE~ of the Salvation Army meeting in Chicago stated that the pressure of the gay rights movement is a problem which needs to be addressed. The Salvation Army does not allow "practicing" homosexuals to be soldiers (members) of the Salvation Army and does not allow them to serve in the church. At the same time, the group declared that sexuality is a gift from God. Regarding homosexuality, those present at the meeting suggested to Salvation Army leaders that a method of "service delivery" be developed, and tl\at ex-gay seminars and institutes be approved for its' pastoral staff. Ministers unite against hate and intolerance LIA GROUP OF LIBERAL, social minded clergy interested in maintaining democracy and freedom for all has iomed forces m Southern Nevada. At present m the group 1s a rabbi, a number of protestant ministers, a Catholic priest, and some lay members who are working in the religious community. One of the goa ls of Metro Ministries is to bring the message to the community that all are entitled to equal rights. The group plans to support existing grassroots coalitions and help organize new ones. - The Bugle Church of Scotland keeps anti-gay position LICONSERV ATIVE ELEMENTS in the Church of Scotland convinced the denomination's general assembly to reject two rel'orts that had called for greater tolerance of Gays and same-sex marnages . Instead the church body endorsed a resolution that says homosexuals are "living in sin" and that homosexuality is contrary to the laws of God. Although the assembly says bias against Gays and Lesbians _is wrong, it refused to change the official Church of Scotland condemnation of homosexuality as "contrary to God's will for humankind." British Gays protest Catholic catechism LIACTJVISTS WITH THE BRITISH group OutRage briefly disrupted consecration services at Wesl!ninster Cathedral, protesting that the Cathohc Church 's new catechism degrades same-sex love. More than a dozen demonstrators confrof\ted Cardinal Basil Hume, Catholic pre late in Britain, over the new catechism, but left after about ten minutes. The catechism, which gives guidelines to Catholics on their persona l behavior, calls homosexuality a "grave depravity." A spokesperson for OutRage said , "The catechism denigrates gay love and gives theological legitimacy to anti-gay prejudice. Bishop criticizes Uganda's AIDS program · LIROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP Edward Baharagate criticized the Uganda government's AIDS programs, saying that promoting condom use would encourage immoral behavior and cause more deaths. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni , whose government has been passing out millions of free condoms, said however that condom use 1s the most inexpensive and most effective means of battling HIV in the central African nation , which has one of the world's highest rates of the disease. The Catholic Church re1ects condom us e, as it does any device that would prevent pregnancy. - Ch,cago Out/mes A different "Focus on the Family" , LITHE 1994 WORLD AIDS DAY theme, "Focus on the Family," embraces a definition of family distinct from that used by various "pro-family" groups that oppose Gays around the world. The World Health Organization, which sponsors the December 1 world-wide observance .of AIDS, stated, "(Our) concept of family is not limited to relationship by blood, marriage, sexual partnership , or adoption. It extends to a broad range of groups whose bonds are based on feelings of trust, mutual support and a shared destiny." Vaticanewspaper comments on pregnant lesbian LIA GYNECOLOGIST WHO helped a lesbian couple get pregnant has raised · a controversy in Catholic Italy. Giuseppe Ambrassa admittea the women to his program after psychological evaluations showed the women would make able parents . "Homosexuals nave as much love to give to children as heterosexuals," Ambrassa told Reuters. The Vatican criticized the situation in an editorial in its newspaper entitled, "The Aberrant Case of Two Homosexual Women Determined to Satisfy their Desires for Maternity" saying "The condition of homosexuality cannot be considered 'normal' in a person. One must make every effort to eliminate or correct it. - Diversity SECOND STONE - ·.·~·· .· .. ,. . ,. , . Minister: Apology due from Virginia's governor . LITHE REV._). DWAYNE JOHNSON, senior pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church of_Richmond, Va., has called upon Gov. George Allen to extend a public apology to the lesbian and gay community, especially gay parents, for his radio comments calling homosexuals "unnatural" and "illegal" Allen made his remarks on June 28 during his monthly call-in radio show , "Ask Governor Allen," in response to questions about the Sharon Bottoms' custod}'. case. Sharon Bottoms and her lover; April Wade, frequent!,; attend services at MCC Richmond. Among his remarks about homosexuals, Allen said,' I don't think this is acceptable behavior ... and I don't think we should condone that sort of behavior. Homosexual acts are illegal, and I think they sould stay illegal." In calling on the governor to apologize, Pastor Johnson said, "I am sadden ed that the governor , who is elected to represent all of our citizens, so easily denigrated an entire segment of our socie(;'." Johnson said that members of his congregation were especially pained by Gov. Allens disparaging remarks about gay parents. "We work with many gay parents who have provided stable home lives, showered their children with love, been excellent role models and taught their children to respect others and love God." The Richmond-based minister also invited Allen to attend worship services at the church. Christians bump gay group from festival LIA CHRISTIAN GAY and lesbian group was evicted from a booth at a religious music festival after an organizer disapproved of its sign. Members of Evangelicals Concerned said they applied for the booth using the group name but without a thorough description of their organization for fear that the festival wouldn't have allowed them to participate . George Jerome , an organizer of Summer Praise '94, said August 12 he kicked the group out after arguing with group leaders over its sign which read "Christian Gays and Lesbians for Jushce." r{e said he tore the sign down. Jerome said he took the actions because the men in the booth "combatively denied that anybody, including me, had authority to deal with them." David Perona, who was at the booth with two other men, said the group had paid the $450 booth fee and should have been allowed to stay. He said memoers finally left to avoid badgering from festival attendees. Paul Hammack, production manager for the festival, said the group's sign would have misled many young people attending the festival. "We're trying to put God back into this country, out some people would rather come out of the closet rather than dean it," he said. - Associated Press Rev. Wildmon attacks Disney_Company L\REV. DONALD WILDMON'S American Family Associ_ation has criticized the Walt ' - Disney Company for being one of the leading advertisers on shows that consistentlr, deliver "homosexua l propaganda pieces." Shows cited include "Beverly Hills 90210,' "Birdland," "Roseanne," "Roe," "Northern Exposure," and "Melrose Place." - Diversity Homose1uali'1 in the Churcli -he Debate • • ■ J r I I, • I • " • Rid,n..d ■, H"'Y• (0-r,l:,.,.1 Jeseph Rahinqc, Vilto, ,. • .,J 1 .. rni•h foNU II. Hcbcn fohn J. M,Ncill lice Sowle Cd,}U $faltton l . I•••' .tto» C. Wotlcn1an Joe Onllns Virglaiq ... ,..,.., Mollt=nkolt Chondler !luu c1,,.;~ Glol-er Joule. 11:ogon JeUrey S. 1iliN•, edi!a • CHURCH & SOCIETY Homosexuality in the Church Both Sides of the Debate Jeffrey S. Siker, editor Paper $14.99 Out standing authoriti es on scriptur e, tradition, reason, biolo gy, ethic s, and gendered experience discuss one of the most divisive debat es in th e church 1 today: the pl ace of h omosexu als in the commμnity of faith. Each p erspectiv e is expl ored by two write rs, on e I mo re conserva~ive, th e oth er more liberal. · The balance d treatm ent of the issues and th e : cotltr asting insights o f the essays mak e this a va luable resour ce for reflecti on individually or in groups. Study ! questio ns at th e end of each chapter will provoke discussion in congregatio ns, study groups, or ethics and social just ice classes . An appendix provid es for reference th e statem ents on h ol_llosex uality of several Chri stian deno mina tions. C11ntributors includ e Richard B. Hayes, Vi,:tor Paul Furnish , Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, John J. McNeil!, Stanton L. Jones, Don E. Workman , Chandler Burr , Joe Dallas, Virginia Ramey Mollenkott, Chris Glaser, Lisa Sowle Cahill, James B. Nelson , Jack Rogers, and Jeffrey S. Siker. am WESTMINSTER Jf ttf I JOHN KNOX PRESS At your bookstore, or call toll-free l-800-227-2872 j 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, KY 40202-1396 1 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 9 9 4 , . • · , ... _ .. _ .. _ .. _ ... _ .. _ ._., •·-· --- ~_ ., - · --• _._ .. -~ - · .... -- • A .. _ ... - _ .. ,, - ... - .. • .. -.._ .., _ •- • ..... _-_ • - • - --- .. • . • - - - •_r_- 0 • • • • ... • • • O • _ ., _ __ .. _. IMtMl•irWIOl•l•rltifilll•ll§M Care-fronting the religious right "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!" ~as the direct message calling on the religous right to stop their attacks on Gays and Lesbians. Dr. Mel White and other members of the gay and lesbian Christian community held a sevenday "Fast for Understanding" in July, confronting the religous right and gathering support from lesbian/ gay rights activists. The protest was billed as a "care-frontation," according to Rev. J. Dwayne Johnson, pastor of MCC of Richmond, Virginia. White fasted from July 11-17 in front of the world headquarters of Dr. James Dobson's Focus on the Family in Colorado Springs, Co. Dobson is ·president of Focus on the . Family ministry and host of the most listened to Christian radio program in America. The site was chosen because in May Focus on the Family co-hosted religious right strategy meetings to formalize· plans for national attacks on gay and lesbian rights. The secret meetings were documented in a May 19 article in the conservative newspaper, The Washington Times. Over 40 religious right leaders attended the meetings May 16-18. Attendees set the elimination of gay and lesbian civil rights as its main goal as part of a "moral mandate" on America. With this fast, Dr. White called for an end to the attacks against gay and lesbian people by the religious right. c;,J@-y 'L/ :i ,fiJ. :rJ FOR LESBIGAY CHRISTIANS AND THEIR FRIENDS EACH YEAR BEFORE NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY. We haue organized .. . We haue marched . . . We haue lobbied .. . on October 10th, we encourage you and your group to be praying for: * A FRESH TOUCH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT'S POWER ON YOUR CHURCH. * CHRIST'S TOUCH ON THE LESBIGA Y COMMUNITY IN YOUR CITY AND ACROSS THE NATION. * HEALING OF OUR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES FROM THE WOUNDS OF HOMOPHOBIA. If your group would like to participate, and would like posters and teaching materials, please contact us: Pastor Pamela White River Of · Life Healing Ministries 134 Quincy NE Albuquerque, NM 87108 (505) 256-1891 (Donation For Materials Appreciated But Not Required) "James Dobson may speak of love and reconciliation but the endless flow of misinformation about homosexuality that flows from Focus on the Family and its allies pollutes the national enviroment and leads directly to ruined lives, broken families, intolerance, suffering and deat_h," said Dr. White. White, a former ghostwriter for prominent members of the religious right including Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson, became dean of Cathedral of Hope MCC, Dallas, in 1993 after corning out as a gay man. According to Dr. White, Dobson has become the primary spokesman of the religous right. Focus employs over 1,200 workers, has an annual "James Dobson may speak of love and reconciliation but the endless flow of misinformation about homosexuality that flows from Focus on the Family and its allies pollutes the national environment and leads directly to ruined lives, broken families, intolerance, suffering and death." budget of $96,000,000, and owns a vast media empire with daily and weekly radio broadcasts, along with 2,000,000 volunteers in all SO states. Focus on the Family reacted quickly and strongly to the protest. The organization bought full page ads in Colorado newspapers, issued press releases and faxes disputing the charges of White . Instead of responding directly to issues raised by White, Focus on the Family sent out page after page of information about homosexual sex. It mentioned anal intercourse, anal masturbation, fisting and rimming, then went on to mention oral sex, child molestation, the North American Man/Boy Love Association, high numbers of sexual partners, and that homosexuals are bearers of dangerous diseases. The release described AIDS, anal cancer, hepatitis A, gonorrhea of the throat, syphilis, and something called "gay bowel syndrome." 'Their press release proves my point," said White. "Instead of condemning homosexual people, I've challenged Focus on the Family to look at the ways in which they contribute to the suffering of our gay brothers and lesbian sisters. They won't answer that charge." White said, "I hope more people SEE FAST, Page 7 SECOND STONE - SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1994 "Secret's" out IM1Wl•lr■1111•11Fltl+IOl•ll@N Elimination of gay rights a paramount objective of radical right By Diversity THIRTY-NINE REPRESENTATIVES from many radical religious right . organizations met secretly May 16-18 in Colorado Springs, Co., the home of Colorado for Family Values, the organization which developed and promoted Amendment 2, the anti-gay civil rights initiative that Colorado voters approved in November, 1992. CFV, which hosted the secret meetings, exports anti-gay strategies, and funds anti-gay initiatives in other states. Colorado Springs is also the home of Focus on the Family, the largest of the religious right organizations, and long a supporter and promoter of anti-gay initiatives and material. Three representatives from Focus attended, all of whom spoke. · The Institute of First Amendment Studies obtained tape recordings of the meeting. The tapes demonstrate that participants plan an assault on gay rights and are willing to employ aggressive tactics - such as computer banks of enemy lists - to achieve their goal. Participants designed a high-tech, sophisticated agenda with a strategy emphasizing pressure on the media, politicians, businesses, and human rights activists. They plan to win policy changes through lawsuits, scientific debate, public education and legislation. Other major organizations with big annual budgets represented at the secret meeting include Christian Co- FAST, From Page 6 will begi_n to realize that J a~es Dobson and· his allies on the radical right are a threat not just to Lesbians and Gays, but to all Americans who cherish freedom and justice." On July 16, solidarity vigils were held at religious right headquarters in over 20 cities nationwide, including one co-sponsored by Evangelicals Concerned and MCC Los Angeles, at the headquarters of Rev . Lou Sheldon's Traditional Values Coalition in Anaheim. alition, Concerned Women for America, American Family Association, Accuracy in Media, Family Defense Council, and Family Research Council. Participants developed a . twopronged strategy, one focused on media and the other focused on legislative and legal means. The media blitz will include: The offices of the Idaho Family Forum in Boise was the -site of a gathering of over 35 people. "We ·are gathered in peace ... to call upon those who have declared war upon us to stop," said the Rev. Tyrone Sweeting of the Boise MCC. "Fear about lesbian and gay people is the instrument they have chosen to use for raising money and mobilizing volunteers to further their political power. The radical religious right is attempting to frighten Americans with absurd propaganda and misinformation." In response to the Boise demonstration, the leader of the Idaho Family Forum called a press conference two days later to criticize the ·peace vigil. As part of his presentation, Dennis •Create a national data base of gay and pro-gay officeholders, • Create a national data base of gay activists, • Monitor businesses thar advertise in gay publications and sponsor gay events, •Track people who speak up for gay SEE SECRET MEETING; P~ge 8 Mansfield continuously played 'The Gay Agenda," an inflammatory antigay video ·tape that paints all Gays and Lesbians as child molesting villians. Upon hearing about the Family Forum's response, Rev . Sweeting said, 'This proves my point." · Others participating in the Colorado Springs demonstration included Michael Bussee, director of the film, "One Nation Under God," and Jose Zuniga, a former "Soldier of the Year." The fast concluded with an interfaith service led by Rev. Nori Rost, pastor of Pike 's Peak MCC, Colorado Srings. -Keeping in Touch, Robert Shaffer, Diversity T-SHIRTS FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY # 111 # 117 E1~~Me · Choose Equal!.!Y N/4~~! 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TOTAL ENCLOSED (CHEC1C OR MONEY ORDER) SECOND STONE SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 9 9 4 Secret meeting Religious right plots anti-gay strategy From Page 7 issues in the media, • Promote the idea that organized crime funds the gay civil rights movement, • Monitor crimes committed by Gays, and •Educate th e public about the homosexual lifestyle as one of addiction, violence, and economic impact The legal and legislative agenda includes: •Keep laws on the books that criminalize sodomy, • Repeal all gay civil rights laws, Selectio11s for your library available from Secoud Stone Press ... DEFECTING IN PLACE: Women Claiming Responsibility for Their Own Spiritual Lives By Miriam Therese Wimer, Adair Lummis, and Allison Stokes Based on a nationwide survey of mor e than 7,000 women, this book explores women's attitudes towards the institu tional church . $22.95, hardcover. SHE WHO IS : The_ Mystery of God in Feminist Theological Discourse By Elizabet h A. Johnson Library Journal says "perhaps the best book of feminist. theology to date ... g rounded in classical Christian though t: root ed in women's experience ... $15.95, paper. WOMEN AT WORSHIP: Interpretation s of North American Diversity Edil ed by Mar Jorie Procter-Smith and Janet R. Walton A remarkable collection of essays which probe the meaning and the many shapes of contemporary feminisl worship . $15.95, paper . SEASONS OF THE FEMININE DIVINE: Christian Feminist Prayers for the Liturgical Cycle By Mary Kalhl een Speegle Schmitt Graceful prayers written by the first woman deacon ordained in the Anglican Diocese of Quebec. $ 11.95, paper. SEXUALITY AND THE SACRED: Sources for Theological Reflection By James B. Nelson and Sandra P. Longf ellow A comprehensive resource addressing human sexuali ty ·as a critical parl of di vine revelation . $14.99, paper. THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO LESBIAN AND GAY WEDDINGS By T.ess Ayers and Paul Brown Vows, invitations, what ·to wear ... everything you need to know about planning a same-gende r servic e. $16.00, paper. MURDER AMONG FRIENDS By Chuck Fager A prophetic and scary murder mystery about a gay Quaker activist. . $13.9S, papu. Place your order today! Quan. Title Price Total □--------- □----- Postage/Handling $2.90 first book, $1.00 ea. additional TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED NAME _________ _ ADDRESS ________ _ CITY/STATE/ZIP _______ _ ORDER FROM: SECOND STONE PRESS P.O. BOX 8340, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70182 SECOND STONE • Establish reporting requirements for HIV infection, •Pass the Hancock Amendment banning federal funds for public schools which support gay students, • Pass a federal law guaranteeing free speech and association on college campuses, •Stiffen penalties against unfounded threats and hate crime charges against pro-family/ pro-life groups, • Re-introduce the sodomy laws in the District of Columbia, and •Support preference for heterosexuals in child custody cases. The group · plans to campaign and educate Americans that "homosexuality, pornography and organized crime are one and the same." They will promote the theory that organized crime contro ls pornography . Organized crime then takes these profits and funnels them to gay civil rights for organizations, according to their theory. "Our ministers don't know anything and most of them are wimps." The participants agreed to estab lish comp ut er banks and link tog ether through a computer bulletin board. Various members will have different responsibilities in tracking the 11 different categories. They will develop ·a central clearinghouse through the computer network. They will also track their successes and failures. Other media strategies include: • Identify educators favorable to their ~, .. · ·'· , J~·:J~~f r · ~!,.< ~~-- G· . " We Gf/51!?1~<$::~~~- r pool, hot tub, skiing and more . Innk eepers Judith Hall and Grace Newman invite you to write o r call for a brochure . P. 0 . Box 118 SL Bethlehem, NH 03574 (603) 869-3978 • viewpoint and get them to write letters to publications and appear on talk shows, •Create the catch words "heterop h obia," "Christian-phobia,"" and "Christian- bashing" to describe people who disagree with them, •Track scientific lit erature and influen ce research towards finding that homosexuality is not inborn, • Attack the Kinsey stud ies, and • Develop long-term advertising goals to mold public opinion. They have developed a plan to pressure the media to cover issues the way they want. They plan to syn chronize all pro-family public policy and action groups to send th eir individual press releases to media outlets . on the same topic .and at the same time to force coverage of their perspective. Legislative, legal and political strat egies include: •Enact legislation rewarding conventional fami lies with tax rewards, •Develop a long-t erm litigation plan reminiscent of that used by the NAACP in their fight against discrimination and segregation. Working with political, constitutional and publi c relations experts, they plan to formulate the best case to take to the U.S. Supreme Court to deny gay civil rights . • Identify and recall judg es who disagre e with them, •Continue voter guides, precinct-byprecinct organizing and attempt to influence voters, candidates and schoolboards,and •Create friend/ enemy lists of elected officials. To fund these strategies, they plan massive fundraising efforts that included selling anti-gay videos and using direct mail campaigns. Unsupportive Christians were characterized as "extraordinarily damaging to · our movement, " by John Eldredge from Focus on the Family. He described the church as a "house divided." Ministers who want their churches to be a "support community" for "nonpracticing " homosexuals were also criticized . "Our ministers don"! know anything and most of them are wimps;· said Robert Skolrood, head of the National Legal Foundation. Conference participants noted that ideals held by mainstream Americans are often at odds with anti-gay legislation. It is nec ess ary that th ey package their message in terms more accep tabl e to the broad er public . Polls show that a large majority of Americans support the values of individualism an d autonomy. Focus' John Eldredge explajn ed, "This is still a country that embraces the pioneering spirit... Radi cal individual autonomy is an American value:· Acknowledging that individualism is a ··tradtional" value, Eldredge explained that commitment to this value has "tilted the field, if you will, in favor of th e militant gay agenda." Winning on this field means carefully controlling one·s image. 'To the extent we can control our public image, we must never appear to be bigoted or mean-spirited. And you noticed the qualification - to th e extent The group plans to campaign and educate Americans that "homo sexuality, pornography and organized crime are one and the same. we can control our public image. We must never appear to be attempting to rob anyone of their rights, of their const ituti onal rights, " explained Eldredge . Among the speakers at the secret conference were: • Will Perkins, co-founder and current leader of Colorado for Family Values, • Robert Skolrood, head of the National Legal Foundation and host of the daily program, "Minuteman Alert, " • John Eldredge, Frank York and Phil Butler, all from Focus on Family, • Paul Cameron, head of the Family Research Institutem, discredited expert witness, expelled from the American Psychological Association for violating its code of ethics, •Peter LaBarb e ra, editor of the _anti-gay Lambda Report whic h is published by the producers of 'The Gay Agenda" video, • Judith Reism an, a self-proclaimed sexologist who works for the American Family Association, •Rev . Raymond Kwong, Chinese Family Allianc e in San Francisco, reportedly the only person of color to attend. He was featured in the anti -gay video, "Gay Rights, Special Rights." • Doug Burman, Chair of the Wash ington Public Affairs Council which sponsored on the two anti-gay initiatives in Washington, and • [ore\ta Neet, communications director for Lon Mabon's Oregon Citizens Alliance. - Dallas Clzase SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1994 T here is a story recorded in the Book of Numbers, .chapters 22-24 that has intrigued me since I became a Christian. ,The story hasn't changed, but over the years, the richness in this story has changed me. It's the story of Balaam and his talking donkey. The first few times I read the story I laughed unceasingly at the great sense of humor God displays, in causing the donkey to speak. · It seems even funnier that Balaam carries on a discussion with his donkey, expressing his anger, totally unaware he is talking to a donkey - not talking at his donkey, but adually engaged in dialogue. Balaam doesn't even realize this is a rather unusual scenario. Balaam's anger overshadows his ability to see anything else. Later in my Christian walk, though, I saw another application foal began to change the way I relate to people and events in my life journey. As the story unfolds we discover several things . Balaam is well established as a credible minister of the word of God. The Bible mentions Moab and Midian as ambassadors of the enemy camp. We know Balaam is a minister in God's word as well as do these ambassadors, because in Numbers 22:6 they say "We know whom you curse is cursed and whom you bless is blessed ." God fulfills the word of this prophet. We also notice that Balaam is not a part of Israel, the nation . This is significant because at this juncture in history, God's current move of the Spirit is with the nation of Israel as they are on a journey and adventure with God through the wilderness. This says to me, that since Balaam is already famous and well known as a person of God, and since he is not now flowing in the things God is doing in Israel, that Balaam represents a part of a former move of God. Historically it can be shown that every former move of God tends to persecute every current move of God. Balaam was being paid to come curse this new thing God is doing in the earth. And the ambassadors of evil wasted no time in telling Balaam what was in it for him. Big bucks! We're talking mega bucks! Books, TV, promotions, maybe a mini series. Not to mention movie rights to 'The Balaam Story." So Balaam asks God if it's okay tog<.> curse·the current move of God in the earth. God says no. . The evil ambassadors return. "Listen, prophet, maybe you didn't hear us! We'll sweeten the deal. Royalties, an adoring public,. political aspirations - millions generated from hate campaigns against these fun_ny folks in the wilderness." Not unhke today . God is doing a .new thing in the earth. Some members of a former move of God are tempted to make big money selling their videos on the SECOND STONE ra-----·- 1 How does the story of Balaam and his talking donkey speak to Christians who attack their gay and lesbian Christian brothers and sisters? BY SAMUEL KADER agenda of this new move - as well as ions, besid es the evil · ambassadors their books, tapes, and not so hidden (Numbers 22:21-22). Two decent political aspirations. I don't know human beings, and a jack ass. In how many times I've gotten a letter life's journey, have you ever felt that from some Christian organization or way? Everyone you worked with another that, as a former move of was fine except this one stubborn God, was once doing a good work but mule no one could budge . Maybe are now bent on cashing in on the mule was a member of your homophobia. board, maybe someone else, who you These temptations from the enemy had to deal with on your journey. are no new trick of Satan. Read While Balaam is traveling, the don- Matthew 4:8-9. Satan promised Jesus key takes a detour . It slows up our all the kingdoms of the earth as well travel. It is aggravating. Balaam hits as the glory of them if Jesus would the donkey. Sometimes we verbally just bow down and worship him. "Say abuse others to get them back on the what I want you to say, curse these path with the rest of us. people," was Balak's plea to Balaam. And you've seen their books in "Listen, you donkey, thisis the way Christian bookstores. The titles are we're going!" endless. "Why?" .,. "Because I said so!" Balaam asked God a second time if Former moves of God have no God had had a change of mind and monopoly on getting off track with maybe Balaam might go ahead and God's best for our lives. We all do it. curse this thing. Just this once. God We all miss the mark. We all in sist had already spoken. Period. But if on our own way, thinking God wor't we insist on sin God will let us go, notice. And we are all reaping what though we suffer the consequences. we have sown. God is not mocked . Whatever we The donkey thru st herself against sow, that shall we reap . The prodigal the wall and crushed Balaam's foot. child of Luke 15 was allowed to go He hit her again. Yes they crushed starve and live in the pig pin because you . Yes it hurt. But what happened of insistence . It.is not required that to turning the other cheek? What the former move of God always happend to love? Love is patient , persecute the current move of God. love is kind, love bears all things, We are commanded instead to love . endures all things, keeps no record of And we are given the ministry of wrongs, love never fails. reconciliation (II Cor . 5:18), not the The donkey fell down. According to ministry of alienation. Balaam's account, she mocked him. Now here's an interesting part. They slow us down, they hinder our Balaam had three traveling compan- success, they criticize us, they hurt us, 8 SEPT EM and they don't even know it! The donkey asks, "What did I do?" (Num. 22:28) "What did you do? Don't you even know? You crushed my foot, you hurt _ me, you mocked me in front of these important people, you've slowed my progress, and I could just kill you, you mule!" · "But the donkey saved your life," the angel announces. Is it possible God puts donkeys on our journey? Mules, stubborn people, who keep us from accomplishing everything we want to, as fast as we want to, to keep us in prayer, to ke.ep us from pride, which goes before destruction? Maybe mules that talk back are a gift. They teach us many things. They teach us about our ministry. Every believer has a ministry of reconcilias lion. How can you ever know what is is to be reconciled if you've never been separated? They teach us about unconditional love. God's kind of love. Balaam was a prophet. He was used to speaking the oracles of God. But along comes a donkey to show us God can use anyone to speak those oracles. It we don't praise God, we can be replaced by a stone that will. Are we listening to what the donkey is saying? Or are we just so angry we don't even notice this mule · is speaking to me - and it's profound? We all have encountered folks we don't like . We all have behaved like Balaam from time to time. Our old nature has count~d it more profitable to do our own thing rather than obey God. And we have missed the blessing of God speaking to us, because it sounded like the voice of a braying donkey. God has lots of surprises for us. And yes, God does have a great sense of humor! You never know who God is going to speak through next. Balaam refused to catch the point. Yes, he spoke blessing over Israel, but soon after he was back for the big bucks, teaching Balak how to seduce God's people into sin. When our Savior was tempted in like manner in the widemess, He told Satan to get lost. Balak was killed in the end . So was Jesus, but he rose from the dead. I'd rather follow the example of Jesus, telling the ambassador of ·evil to get lost, than follow for a way just to see if it's true. I'd rather die in order to live, and I would love to hear whatever God wants to say to me or my community, even if those words have to come through the mouth of a mule. Sam Kader is tlze senior pastor and cof_ ounder of Community Gospel C/zurclz in Dnyton, Olzio. He pastored MCCs in Dayton, O/zio, Melbourne, Australia, and was tlze founding pastor of MCC in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Kader lzas been a conference speaker in the gay/lesbian community and has written in tfie gay press since .1975. BER/OCTOBER 9 9 4 CovSetro ry ...................................................... Integrity successful at Episcopal General Convention From Page 1 theological foundations and pastoral considerations involved in the development of rites honoring love and commitment between persons of the same sex." The other resolution approved on September 2, which had been submitted by former Integrity Northeast regional vie~ president and deputy from the Diocese of Western Massachusetts, Dr. Elizabeth Hess, amends the canons [governing law of the church] to assure equal access to the ordination process, providing that · one may not be denied access for a variety of reasons, including one's sexual orientation. Two other Integrity-written resolutions, submitted by the Dioceses of Washington (DC) and Newark (NJ), respectively, were approved. A resolution entitled "Add Sexual Orientation Protection to Federal Civil Rights Act" reaffirmed the church's 1976 position supporting · civil rights and called on the church's Washington office to work on behalf of pending and future legislation. The other resolution, entitled "Educational Materials for Lesbian and Gay Youth and Families," provides for the church to spend $15,000 to develop SeconSdt onew illr uny our3 0 wordc lassifieadd i no urn ext 3 issues for the price of 1 ! $10.50 Ourc lassifiedws orldM eeta n ewc ustomer fory ourb usines..s. a newf riendin a city you'llb e visitings oon.. . a newp enp a.l .. Iha possibilitieasr ee xcitingS! econdS tone classifiedrse achr eadersin eve,ys tatea nd manyf oreignc ountriesU. set heo rderf orm on thec lassifiepda gea ndi ncludec lassification, m onthsto runa ndb illinga ddressA. ds mustb e pre-paid2. 0wordm inimumE.a ch additionawl ord3, 5¢. Adsm ayb ef axedto ( 504)891-75. 55 Adsb illedm ustb e paidp riort o publication. Forh elpc all( 504)899-4014. No sexually explicit ads. Wer eseiveth er ight o refusea nya df ora nyr eason. SECOND STONE new educational materials to help youth and their parents "understand their sexuality." Earlier in the convention, the deputies and bishops had agreed to expand the already substantial dialog effort on human sexuality. During debate on this resolution, the House of Deputies rejected by a 2/3 margin an amendment which would have imposed a three year moratorium on lesbian/ gay ordinations and the blessings of same-sex unions. Two deputies from the ultra-conservative Diocese of Fort Worth reportedly resigned their seats as a result of that vote. The House of Bishops similarly disposed of seven resolutions submitted by three of its conservative members which would have made clergy who were themselves or who ordained persons "known... to be engaging in genital sexual relations outside of the bonds of lawful marriage" or who "purport[ed] to marry or bless or affirm sexual unions between members of the same sex" subject to the disciplinary provisions of the canons. There were only two negative aspects of the convention for the lesbian/gay community. One came on the first day of convention, August 24, when the bishops modified their "Pastoral Teaching" on human sexuality. They made what had been a very well written document slightly less gay-friendly and changed its designation to a "Pastoral Study Document." The document still contains a generally positive approach, including the comment that "[T]here is no convincing evidence that homosexuals who are 5 and 6 on the Kinsey scale can be truly reoriented." The Rev. Jane Garrett, openly lesbian deputy from the Diocese of Vermont, served as one of six non-bishops on the drafting committee of the pastoral. The most negative action the bishops took . was appending to the Pastoral Study Document a very conservative statement prepared by the Bishop of Dallas. However, an.. alternative positive statement was offered the following day by the Rt. Rev. John S. Spong, Bishop of . Newark, which was signed by over 60 other bishops. It was subsequently proposed to distribute it with the Study Document as well. As a compromise, the bishops decided not to circulate either statement with the Pastoral Study Document. It is noteworthy that most press coverage of the convention ended on the first day and thus reported a far more conservative outcome than ·ultimately concluded. The other disappointment for Integrity was the very narrow defeat of a resolution that would have authorized the medical insurance division of the Church Pension Fund to offer coverage for domestic partners. Ironically, in a previously approved resolution, the convention had called on all civil authorities to offer coverage and protections for domestic partnerships. The defeated resolution had been submitted by Integrity's founder and deputy from the Diocese of Newark, Dr. Louie Crew. During the convention, Integrity sponsored three major events. On August 26, a standing-room only crowd overflowed Christ Church Cathedral in downtown Indianapolis for a Spirit-filled Eucharist in celebration of the 20th anniversary of Integrity. The singing shook the foundations and Dr. Crew preached the Word in a strikingly .evangelical manner. The chief celebrant was the Rt. Rev. Bennett J. Sims, retired Bishop of Atlanta, who in 1974, when Dr. Crew founded Integrity in his diocese, It is noteworthy that most press coverage of the convention ended on the first day and thus reported a far more conservative outcome than ultimately concluded . summoned him "for discipline." Later, in 1977, Bishop Sims issued a stinging anti-gay "Pastoral Statement" calling for Gays and Lesbians to seek the church's help in becoming heterosexual. In 1991, however, Bishop Sims issued another, much more pastoral document, entitled "Revisiting a 1977 Point of View: Time Makes Ancient Good Uncouth ... " His remarks at the service described his remarkable journey from homophobia to love. Bishop Sims was joined at the altar · by a number of other notable bishops of the Episcopal Church including Bishop Spong, Bishop Charles, the Rt. Rev. Mary Adelia McLeod, the first woman diocesan bishop in the Episcopal Church, Bishop of Vermont, the Rt. Rev. Chester Talton, the first bishop to march in a gay pride celebration, Suffragan Bishop of Los Angeles, and the Rt. Rev. Robert G. Tharp, one of SEPTEM the leading moderates of the church, Bishop of East Tennessee. Integrity presented Richard !say, M.D., professor of Psychotherapy at Cornell University Medical School and previously Chair of the Committee on Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Issues of the American Psychiatric Association, for an extremely well received lecture on August 27 entitled, "Overcoming Reparative Therapy: Personal . Reflections of a Gay Psychotherapist." Dr. !say, who is the author of the book, Being Homosexual: Gay Men and Their Development, was quoted in the bishop's Pastoral Study Document. On August 31, Integrity hosted a luncheon featuring the Rev. Jane Spahr. Spahr is a Presbyterian minister called to a church in Rochester, New York, but" denied her position by the national church hierarchy because she is lesbian. The church in Rochester has never rescinded its call and Spahr is now a self-described "Lesbyterian Evangelist" who travels the country. Part Southern preacher and part stand-up comic, Spahr told of story after story and letter after letter from Gays and Lesbians who have been able to come to terms with their homosexuality and their spirituality due to her gospel preaehing and example. The most important aspect of this convention was not the legislation, however, but the wonderful spirit present in Indianapolis. This was in sharp contrast with the 1991 convention in Phoenix where right-wing church groups attempted to exorcise demons from the exhibit area and several deputations wore black arm bands to mourn "the death of morality." Unlike in Indianapolis, no pro-gay legislation was· approved in Phoenix. Nevertheless, the rancor virtually disapp eared. Lesbian and gay Christians were almost universally accepted as fully part of the church - and the far right further isolated . itself from the mainstream of the Episcopal Church. In an action exemplifying the spirit of the convention, Dr. Crew, on the final day, joined the most outspoken anti-gay deputy at the convention, Mrs. Judy Mayo of the Diocese of Ft. Worth, in doing a . tribute to · their committee chair, the Very Rev. J. Earl ' Cavanaugh, of Kansas City. Both emphasized how much they had enjoyed working with each other on the Human Sexuality Subcommittee even though they had disagreed· on virtually everything. Kim Byham was Chafr of Integrity's Presence at General Convention and First Alternate Lay Deputy from the Diocese of Newark. BER/OCTOBER 1994 I have an old photo cif me and John at our prom. John and I dated in high school. John's gay - about as gay as I'm lesbian - but such facts hadn't yet bubbled to the surface. After high school, John and I went our separate ways, though we've remained good friends. So it happened one summer's evening when I was home from college, John and I met for dinner and, well, you know, John came out to me, and I came out to him , and we laughed and laughed. Later on we marched over to his mother's house and announced to her that I was a lesbian, and she was delighted . That night, John told me that he had fallen in love with Kleid. (They're still together 11 years later .) He told me all about Kleid, and after we were through laughing and dishing, John said, "Lis, there's something more I need to say." He said, "Lis, the other night Kleid kissed me. I mean, he didn't just kiss me. He kissed my face. He kissed At the end of Ntozake Shange's play "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide, When the Rainbow Isn't Enough, " there is a line: "I found God in me, and I loved her fiercely! And I loved her fiercely!" That's coming out. Coming out is a revolutionary act. my mouth, my nose, he kissed my eyes, my cheeks, he kissed my hair. And there was something so tender in the way he kissed me, that I couldn't bear it. I had to leave the room. I got up, and I went out, and I sat in the living room by myself in the dark, and I cried. I cried like a baby. No one had ever loved me like that before. I had never let anyone ever love me like that before." Coming out is a revolutionary act. It changes the world. For gay and lesbian people in our culture, coming out can be, and most often is, extraordinarily painful. Sometimes it costs too much. Even so, I imagine that many of you know, as I do, that point in your own coming out story when you were, as well, confronted by that almost unbearable love of God. SECOND STONE ilMll lll♦M•INll§IM 11 1■ ••!+•H◄l•ltllr■il lives. People ar e yearning simply to h~ve acknowledged that the cognitive dissonance in their heads is related to the tension in their shoulders, and the tightness in their stomachs is linked - to the conflict in their soul. To put it m the positive, peopl e are yearning Coming out begins in that place within ourselves where love and justice, in the words of the Psalmist, kiss each other. to have acknowledged what they've exp enenced as true: that what they know of God is something they feel m their chests, in their gut, in the atoms of their cells. People are yearning to have acknowledged what they've alrea,;ly discovered: that sexuality 1s sacred, and that our spirituality and our physicality are deeply mtertwmed. The trouble with "selfavowed, practicing nonrepentant homosexuals" is that they insist on being addressed as whole persons; BY LISA LARGES Maybe it was when she kissed you; maybe it was when he held you; maybe it was on a particular afternoon when you were sitting alone in your office; or maybe it was in the middle of a particular night when you were lying awake in the glow of the clock radio and you suddenly knew, in the core of your being, that your emancipation had begun. At the end of Ntozake Shange's play "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide, When the Rainbow Isn't Enough," there is a line: ''I found God in me, and I loved her fiercely! And I loved her fiercely!" That's coming out. Coming out is a revolutionary act. Anita Bryant once said, "Orange juice isn't just for breakfast any more." I say: "Coming out isn't just for gay people any more!" Nothing moves me more deeply than standing with the many, many straight people who have risked so much for the cause of justice in the church. 1 can't know what inner conviction drives them, but I suspect that they must have their own coming out story. They, as well, must have been- confronted by that almost unbearable love of God . They, as well, must have tasted the sweetness of their own emancipation. It is that fierce love, that almost unbearable tenderness, that burning memory of revolution, that brings us together as a great coalition of lavender people. And now we walk together in the work of calling the church to embrace an embodied theology. Too often, we have heard the shrill warning that if we "pander to the homosexuals" then that great mulititude of bread-and-butter Christians will beat a path "straight" out the narthex door. I say that the exodus has already begun, it's been going on for some time now, and it's not my fault! If we are to assess blame, then I believe the fault lies with our failure to address those who come as whole persons. The diagnosis of the most recent human sexuality studies and reports is that we have inadequately promoted a theology which "keeps body . and soul together ." As a faith community, we must reaffirm the connection between our head and our heart, and the inseparability of our spiritual and physical SEE KISSES, Page 12 l'M NOT A STRAIGHT PERSON, BUT I PLAY 0 NE . 0 N TV• And that's just where acting belongs-on television or in the movies. Not in real life. That's why I stopped acting and came out . I told people I'm a lesbian. More and more gay men and lesbians are finding out how great it feels lo tell someone they care about. National Coming Out Day is October II Let's stop acting. Toke the step that's right for you. -~ For more inFonnotion about Notional Coming Out Doy, to receive The Guide to Coming Out: living Powerfully ond Tn,thfully, or to order official Keitt, Haring Notional Coming Out Doy merchondise, coll 1-800· 866·NCOD. ill+lll•lflfM•iillliM•i 11M•#l'M•Hi i:ilr■ II Revolutionary kisses From Page 11 and if it can happen for them - then sooner or later; those self-avowed, . practicing ·and nonrepentant heterosexuals are going to start demanding the same thing! Our work of calling the church to affirm an embodied spirituality . is crucial. Indeed the life and well-being of the church depends on it. But, as with the question of ordaining Gays and Lesbians to the clergy, this too is not yet at the heart of the prophetic mission that brings us together. We have named the center of this prophetic work as that of challenging the church to reclaim the Biblical link between Jove and justice. In his keynote address to last year's Presbyterians for Lesbian and Gay Concerns More Light conference, Robert MacAfee Brown noted that in Biblical parlance, Jove and justice are always connected. By this standard it is astonishing to regard the way in which our culture has driven a wedge between them . I know a woman in San Francisco who is a single mother with a sixyear- old son. If you met this woman, the first thing you'd know about her is how much she loves her son . Two weeks ago, child protective services put her son in a foster home. For this woman, the terrible burden of her past, and all the pressures of her life, conspire to drive her to rage. In that rage she does what she vowed she wou ld never do - she hits this small child whom she adores above all else. No one could deny that this woman loves her son. There is love there, but there is no justice. Her story is played out all the time, in all kinds of families, in all kinds of relationships. We know this too well. Love without justice is violence. Many Christian churches have adopted policies dealing with Gays and Lesbians that are certainly studies in contradiction, if not obfuscation - policies that deny our right to serve as clergy and policies that refuse to recognize in a public way the sacredness of our relationships. Yet many of these same churches call on parishioners to work to protect the civil rights of Gays and Lesbians, welcome homosexuals · into their congregations, and strive to eradicate homophobia. They cling to the false hope that they might offer love, without justice. Love without justice is violence. We want love without justice, and we want justice without love. As a T-wo absorbing accounts of teenagers struggling with sexual orientation issues ... Two Teenagers in Twenty Death by Denial: Studies of suicide in gay and lesbian teenagers Twelve years ago Ann Heron edited One Teenager in Te11. Essays from gay and lesbian Generation X in Heron's new book reveal a sense of isolation and despair every bit as deep as -a decade ago. An in-depth examination of the third leading killer of youth, accounting for 14 percent of all deaths among teenagers. Edited by Gary Remafedi. llllr.E•--0 DEATH BY DENIAL, paperbk, $9.95 □ TWO TEENAGERS IN TWENTY, cloth, $17.95 Postage/Handling $2.90 first book, $1.00 ea. additional -----TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED NAME ____________________ _ ADDRESS ______________________ _ CITYISTATE/Zl,c;.... ___________________ _ ORDER FROM: SECOND STONE PRESS, P.O. BOX 8340, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70182 culture, we have bought into the notion of justice as dispassionate. A year ago, in Orlando, there was a trial that garnered a lot of press. William Lezano, a police officer from Miami, was acquitted of a manslaughter charge in the death of an African-American man whom Lezano had shot while on duty in Miami 's Overtown neighborhood. Certainly that trial, like the trial of the four police officers in Los Angeles, merits some attention. But it is far more Certainly, coming out has to do with that internal, spiritual revolution of coming to trust that the love we know in our whole being is a sacred gift from God. Understanding this leads us to know that this love demands justice. important that our attention be drawn to the injustices perpetrated everyday in Overtown and in South Central L.A. It is far more important that justice be done in the communities, to vindicate the ':l'imes_ of poverty and neglect committed m the name of racism. It is far more imμortant that we learn to claim a kind of justice which enhances life rather than one which simply metes -out punishment. This kind of justice is passionate justice, justice made fierce by love. As we turn to what Paul has to say about love and justice there are a few things we ought to consider concerning this too familiar text from I Corinthians. First, it is worth remembering that Paul didn't pen this ode to love because there wasn't yet a suitable text in the cannon for heterosexuals to- read at their wedding services . What Paul had in mind as he wrote was not a couple, but a community - a community struggling with issues of identity, a community struggling to balance growth and security, and a community struggling with questions of whom to include, and whom to leave out. Sounds a bit too familiar, doesn't it? Second, it must be said that any feminist worth his or her salt, would immediately recognize this text as a sure-fire recipe for codependency. "Love hopes all things, bears all things, believes all things, endures all things ... " Hey Paul, I don't think so! Don't tell a woman, battered by her spouse, "Love bears all things." Don't tell a gay man, rejected by his family, "Love endures all things.'' Don't tell the folk in South Central Los Angeles, or Miami's Overtown, betrayed by their government, "Love hopes all things." Don't tell a community brutalized by the dogma of the church, "Love believes all things." In a culture where love is split off from justice, a text like this becomes an agent of violence. But finally, it has to be said about Paul that he was always a good Jew. In his bones he knew the Torah and the words of the prophets. Paul never .said . "Jove" without meaning within it "justice.'' If we are to continue to endure, to struggle to believe, and even to hope, then we must turn to that place within ourselves where love and justice, in the words of the Psalmist, kiss each other . The work of calling the church to reunite Jove and justice is most central because after all, we are talking about nothing Jess than grace. By the most orthodox understanding, grace is the meeting J'lace between God's fierce love, an God's passionate justice . . For the church; ·Paul is the theologian of grace, and he is so bec;mse he never let go of the Hebrew union of love and justice. For Paul, and for us, this love, this •justice, this grace of God were embodied for us in the person of the Christ. At the outset I said that coming out was a revolutionary act. Certainly, coming out has to do with that internal, spiritual revolution of coming to trust that the love we know.in our whole being is a sacred gift from God. Understanding this leads us to know that this love demands justice . When that love is silenced, or buried, or treated as a psychological, or spiritual dysfunction, then that Jove is dishonored with injustice. By our particular experience, we as lavender people have a responsibility to the church to name what we know of the union of God's fierce love and God's passionate justice. - At the end of Matthew's Gospel, Jesus gathers with his disciples one last time. In the short time he has been with them "he has embodied grace for them. Now he hands over that work of embodying · grace to those disciples and to us. There at the end of Matthew, Jesus quotes Janie Spahr and says to his disciples, and to us: "Just go out there, and do it!" Lisa Larges is a leader of Presbyterians for Lesbian and Gay Concerns. She works as a massage therapist in San Fra,icisco. Excerpted with permission from More Light Update. SECOND STONE m SEPTEMB ER/OCTOBER 9 9 4 W en 'The Last Temptation f Christ" premiered sever] years ago, there were demonstrations all across the country against the film. The Atlanta Constitution printed a large front page photo of a protest sign that said, "Christ did not have any sexual temptations or any sin in his life!" That claim overlooked the message of Hebrews .4 :15: "For we have a high priest who can sympathize with our weakness: one who has been tempted in all things as we are." Gays, Lesbians, bisexuals and many others face and try to cope with a vast range of problems related to relationships and physical attraction. What help does the Bible give? Little direct reference is made to sexuality and sexual activity in the Bible. The Old Testament deals with the relationship between men and women primarily in regard to the continuation of the life of the couple, family, tribe or nation through their offspring . Specific sexual practices are never discussed as such. The only Old Testament references to se~ual practices are in the context of talking about pagan religious ri.tuals or the obligation of people to continue the life of the family through having children. A few incidents of violence and rape are also described. But the Old Testament stories never spell out the details of sexuality. The New Testament assumes the validity of the Old Testament attitudes and never deals with specific sexual practices. Homosexuals are never discussed in the Bible in clear and explicit descriptions. Frequently, however, the Bible gives us a glimpse of love between people of the same gender and sometimes implies the expression of affection and attraction. This is true in the relationship of David and Jonathan and Ruth and Naomi. Problems in physical relationships are given special attention in the Bible stories about Samson and David. Every one of the great feats of strength performed by Samson were the direct result of his erotic attraction to various women. (Judges 13-16) David's life was dominated by his . many loves. He was called "a man after God' s · own heart" in I Samuel 13:14. He had compassion for and from his followers (I Sam . 30:21-25; II Sam. 23:15-17). He loved Jonathan as described in I Sam. 18:1-5; 20:1-42; II Sam. 1:17-27. David also loved Saul (I Sam. 24; II Sam. 1:1-27; 4:4; 9:12). David loved Bathsheba (II Sam. 11:1-27; 12:1-31) and also the child. (See also Psalm 51 and 32.) David SECOND STONE HOW TO HANDLE SEXUAL BEHAVIOR IN THE "CULTURE OF DESIRE" BY REV. DR. BUDDY TRULUCK loved his son Absolom and almost lost the kingship because of it. (II Sam. 18:31-33; 19:1-8) David 's whole life was characterized by deep feelings and compassion for people. His life demonstrates both dismal failure and glorious success in handling these feelings . Relationships were not easy for David to handle and they are often quite difficult for you and me also. The word eros, from which we get the word "erotic," is the most common Greek word for love in the ancient world. Eros is not used even once in the Greek New Testament! The words for "love" in the New Testament are agape, pilileo and storge, which mean "unselfish outgoing love, brotherly love, and family love." No word for sensuous or romantic love is used in the New Testament. One word that is used in porneia. It is the first word in Paul's list of the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19. It is translated as "fornication, immorality, sexual vice, sexual immorality," etc., in various versions . According to William Barclay in Flesh and Spirit: An Examination of Galatians 5:19-23, the word "porneia" "is here used as a quite general word for unlawful and immoral sexual intercourse and relationships." (p.24) The word comes from the verb pernumi meaning "to sell ." Porneia, then, "is the love which is bought and sold - which is not love at all. The great and basic error of this is th at the person with whom such love is gratified is not really considered as a person at all, but as a thing . He or she is a mere instrument through which the demands of lust and passion are satisfied. True love is the total union of two personalities So that they become one person, and so that each finds its own fulfillment in union with the other. Porneia describes the relationship in which one of the parties can be purchased as a thing is purchased and discarded as a thing is discarded and where there is neither union of, nor respect for, personality." (Barclay, p.24) The · -great Bible corrective to misunderstood and distorted love is• I Corinthians 13:4-8: Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own way, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all Our self understanding and lifestyle are so caught up in our sexual orientation that all of life is involved in handling sexual relationships. things, hopes all things, love never fails. In the gay/ lesbian community we cannot deal with relationships which involve sexual activity without also coming to grips with AIDS, safe sex, judgmental attitudes, superficial labels on people, acceptance, meaning in suffering, grief, death, guilt, abandonment, suicide, dependency, fear, forgiveness, anger, pain, prayer, legalistic- religion, confusion, hope, courage, love and life. Our self understanding and lifestyle are so caught up in our sexual orientation that all of life is involved in handling sexual relationships. There are several types of relating that have erotic dimensions. Suspicion finds some of its most extreme expression in lover relationships regarding unfaithfulness and sexual behavior. Jealousy frequently develops from the attention one's partner might receive from past or potential sex partners. Hostility can be expressed erotically when you punish or reward your lover by withholding or giving sex. Sexual intercourse is probably the only .human experience that can be an expression of profound love, tenderness, affection and deep commitment and also can be the expression of violence, anger and revenge! Manipulative relationships are often cloeye]y related to erotic behavior. Sexual urges can blind us to other realities in a person. When sexual satisfaction is your only or main reason for being with a person, that peFson rightly feels that the rela ·tionship is one dimensional and that he or she is being treated as a thing and not as a person . ln depression, some people lose their sex drive and others become promiscuous (llld take risks, Dependen.cy can result from giving sexual relations in place of paying rent for a place to stay. Handling all difficult relationships can be complicated and made more increasingly unmanagable by the erotic dimension. As gay and lesbian Christians, we believe that our sexual orientation is a gift from God. We did l)ot select homosexuality as our essential sexual . nature . It selected us. Our being gay or lesbian is a given. Since Jesus is Lord of all, Jesus is Lord of our sexuality. Our responsible exercise of our erotic drives is part of our calling to follow Jesus Christ as disciples. .To do unto others as you would have them do unto you is also the golden rule cif handling physical relatedness. Sins:e we have no de- SEE BEHAVIOR, Page 18 • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1994 New books available from Second Stone! Is the Homosexual My Neighbor? Revised and Updated, by Letha Dawson Scanzoni and Virginia Ramey Mollenkott, $11.00,paper' The Word Is Out The Bible Reclaimed for Lesbians and Gay Men, by Chris Glaser. $12.00, paper Jesus Acted Up A Gay and Lesbian Manifesto, by Robert Goss $14.00, paper Family A Portrait of Gay and Lesbian America, by photographer Nancy Andrews, $25.00, paper Order now from Second Stone Press Quan. Titie □ Postage/Handling $2.90 first book, $1.00 ea. additional ----- TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED----- NAME _______ _ ___ _ _ __ _____ _ ADDRESS ____________________ _ CITY/STATE/ZIP ________________ __ _ _ ORDER FROM: SECOND STONE PRESS, P.O. BOX 8340, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70182 The first time they'll thank you is at Christmas. What other Christmas present can you give that, well ... gives again? Friends to whom you-give a gift subscription to Second Stone will be thanking you around Valentine's Day and Easter, about Gay Prid:di time ... on Independence Day, and around National Coming Out Day. Second Stone ... a Christmas gift that's not just for Christmas. FROM, Yes ... ~yName Please send a gift -"""" subscription and card Oty ... in my name to lhe N,me person(s) listed: Add= I ) One gift, $'15 City I ) Two gifts, $29 Slate I ) Three gifts, $42 Sign Gilt c.td _ _______ Zip __ _ Add $10 for each Name foreign subscriber. Add= U.S. currency. City PAYMENI' Slate ENO.DSED: _______ _ Zip __ _ Sign Gille.id Use additional sheet for more gifts. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 SECOND STONE COMMENT, From Page 3 · religiou s leaders who were quick to distance themselves from the results of their oratory - the same type of rhetoric that is used when they discuss homosexuality. We could be the next battleground with the same type of results. Those of us who are old enough .remember the "Kill A Queer For Christ" bumper stickers on cars in the church parking lot! It can happen ... it has before. Don't wait for a friend or spouse to become a victim before you stand up and speak out. Christ wouldn't be setting on the sidelines like many of us have been . Jim and June Barrett were victims. Those of us who know them cried on July 29. Jim will be missed by many people who loved him. Lots of prayers have been said for June, and she has countless friends to lean on. They were a part of our family in Pensacola, just like every P-FLAG parent elsewhere. When I think back to that viol ent morning , I have to beli eve that John 11:35, the shortest verse in the Bible, was repeated that day ... "Jesus wept." If your church doesn't like you because you're gay Maybe they should just un-baptise you BY GARNETT E. PHIBBS LAST SUMMER, the denomin .ation in which I was originally ordained 50 years ago opted to reject its own study commission and to reassert instead its old 1982 statement of the unacceptability of Gays and Lesbians as Christians . Since one of the last pastoral ceremonies I performed was to baptise my (as yet unknowing) gay son into that church nearly 25 years ago, the thought has been bugging me lately as to how I might contritely undo my damage to the Kingdom, hence this suggestion for a supplemental leaf for the Pastors' Manual . Ceremony to un-baptise "unacceptable" gay members PREPARATIONS: If necessary, borrow a Baptist baptistry, even if yours is a non-irnmersionist denomination, as a guarantee of quality control. Fill it to overflowing with ice water, preferably with cubes floating visibly, to a minimum of six feet. Then drain out half the water and, in order to correct the pH factor, refill it with concentrated chlorine, to protect the "acceptables" nearby from "second-hand" contamination. Pastor herself or himself needs to stand on the two -foot-from-bottom platform, wearing a rubber diving wet suit with snorkel, immersing each non -penitent gay candidate for un-baptism six times (twice the Trinitarian baptismal formula), for at least four minutes each, in rapid succession. Loud pastoral prayers are chanted antiphonally between verses of congregational exorcist condemnation and refrain: '1 thank thee , Lord, that I am not as other men .'' All youths who have even confided having had a "homosexual thought" to pastor or teachers are ushered in to the front pews, as a marvelous motivational lesson to prevent this epidemically contagious chosen sin of "deviant behavior ." _ And be sure to advertise the event widely in the public media, fore and aft , so that, like the city on a hill, the whole world may know that we are one church that really believes in both the Bible and social action! PROCEDURES: While the all-straight (?) choir wails with much gusto, 'Just As I Am ... But You Ain't ,"_pastor reads alternately 'Whosoever believes in me ... Call no thing 'unclean' which the Lord hath made ... Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of the least of these, my brethren, ye did it unto me ... " and 1 Cor . 13. Appropriate sermonic materials available in graphic XXXX video cassette re The Gay Agenda, for your "donation" of $666 sent to Moral -Minority, Christian Discollusion, 600 Club, or Dobson's Out-of-Focus on the Family . Just · dial 1-900-GET-GAYS. All calls $5.00 per minute . Closing hymn: "Out of My Bondage, Into the Light" SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER . 1994 In Print . • -• ..................................... . John Boswell Unearthing the history of Christian same-sex union rituals By Robert Goss Contributing Writer John Boswell, author . Same-Sex Unions in Premodern Europe, New York, Villard Books, 1994, Hardback, $25.00 Many Catholic priests have quietly celebrated and blessed same-sex unions for the last two decades in rectories, churches, and homes. Some Catholic clergy with irregular relations ·with bishops or with · religious congregations have openly blessed same-sex unions . Last month the bishops of the Episcopal Church considered the question of blessing samesex unions while particular dioceses and churches have pioneered the practice for the last several years. The Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches has blessed such unions for a quarter of a century. What has been thought as innovative Christian sacramental practice and recognition of same-sex unions in the gay/lesbian communities has, in fact, been not a radical innovation but a restoration of an earlier Christian practice of recognizing and blessing same-sex unions. Detail from 7th-century icon showing Sts. Serge and Bacchus joined by Christ in the traditional Roman position of "pronubus" (''best man"). monies? Or were they actually Christian marriage rites? Boswell deals with these questions in detail, examining all the possible alternatives. Monks, according to Boswell, we re prohibited from entering into any rite blessing a same-sex union as well as prohibited from contracting opposite-sex marriage. Boswell traces the roots of Christian same-sex unions back to Greco-Roman practices, paralleling the roots of Christian notions of marriage. These same-sex unions, however, are embedded in the language of friendship and brotherhood. Boswell analyzes the language of friendship and brotherhood in his opening chapters, noting that ''brother" was a Greco-Roman term to denote a permanent partner in a same-sex relationship. Opposite-sex marriage in Greco-Roman culture and even in later Christian culture was generally unequal, reflecting property and power arrangements. GrecoRoman practice between the same sex used the language of brotherhood and friendship because neither male Yale historian John Boswell has again equalled his scholarly achievement in Christianity, Social Tolerance and Homosexuality (1977) with his latest book, Same-Sex Unions in Pretaking place, to an admission that such unions were localized to a particular geographic region but were not universal Catholic practice. John Boswell, however, has discovered Christian rites which bless same-sex unions . He has amassed manuscript collections from all over Christian premodern Europe, and these collections of manuscripts reproduced in the Boswell's work also reclaims and restores to Christianity a rich cultural, theological, and historical diversity that is frequently glossed over for particular political agendas. For the majority of its history, Christianity did not single out those Christians attracted to their own gender for persecution but held them up as models for fidelity, love, and friendship. modern Europe . His recent work is written with the same meticulousness and scholarly erudition as his earlier work, delighting historians and the educated reader with a host of substantive and fascinating footnotes. Gary Trudeau's treatment of the Boswell book in the Doonesbury comic prior to its publication produced a Catholic counter-reaction to the comic strip. It ranged from "boycott" (meaning "stop reading Doonesbury") to denial of such Christian practices ever SECOND STONE Appendices date from the earliest extant manuscript in the eighth century through the sixteenth century. The eighth century manuscript reflects the Christian practice of blessing same-sex unions of centuries earlier. Boswell's discovery shatters a modem cultural prejudice that Christian marriage rites have been a singular social heterosexual phenomenon. The reader is immediately confronted with several apparent but crucial questions. Were these Chrisa, tian rites a ceremony for entering the monastery or were they perhaps friendship or blood brother cere- SEE UNIONS, Page 16 CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE: Editedbv Helping Christians Debate Homosexualtiy Few other issues divide the Christian community more sharply than homosexuality . In this new volume, writers · with divergent points of view deal with questions at the center of the debate between pro-gay and anti -gay believers. Sallv 13.C;eis & Donald E. fvlesser Edited by Sally B. Geis, direc tor, Iliff Institute . Lay and Clergy Education, The Iliff Sc hool of Theology, Denver, and Donald E. Messe r, presid ent , The Iliff School of Theology. Order now from Second §tone Press Quan. □ CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE By Geis/Messer, $12.95, paperbk __ _ Postage/Handling $2.90 first book, $1.00 ea. additional -----TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED----- NAME _____________________ _ ADDRESS ___________________ _ CITY/STATE/ZIP ___________________ _ ORDER FROM: SECOND STONE PRESS, P.O. BOX 8340, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70182 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1994 In Print .................................................... Speaking of nuptials ... New book covers same-sex ceremony practices M ove over Emily Post - here comes the first ever planner for same-sex weddings: The Essential Guide to Lesbian and Gay Weddings by Tess Ayers and Paul Brown. The authors have considered every eventuality and present warm, witty, and complete answers about the florist, the caterer, the invitations, what to wear, how lo avoid receiving six blenders, and what to tell your mother when she asks, "Why would you want to do that?" Tess Ayers is a former television producer who now owns her own business. She decided to write the book when she and Jane Anderson, her partner of ten years, decided to get married and found no guidebooks for lesbian weddings. Paul Brown has worked extensively in theater artd television, and planning special events and celebrations. Among bits of information contained in this new book: How to firid a minister or rabbi who will perform a same-sex ceremony, how to deal with the curiosity of the straight world, which newspapers will announce gay and lesbian weddings in their "brides" section, and how to make a toast to the bride and the bride or the . groom and the groom. Even though there are absolutely no legal ramifications (yet), gay marriage is on the rise and the time for a guide book to gay weddings is UNIONS, From Page 15 became the property of the other. Christians attracted to their same gender solemnizing their same-sex unions reflected more egalitarian relationships. Boswell allows for the fact that many premodern Christians may have understood same-sex unions as expressions of non-erotic friendship while those solemnizing their relationship with a ritual blessing may have understood them in a more personal way. Opposite-sex unions were already idealized as spiritual Recent finding by top biblical scholars offer a radical new view on the Bible and homosexuality. Whatn1·b~e the l.J Daniel A. Helminiak, Ph.D., respected theologian and Roman Catholic priest, explains in a clear fashion . fascinating new insights. Really Says About Bornosexuality " ... will help any reasonably open and attentive reader see that the Bible says something quite different on this subject from what is often claimed. 11 -L. William Countryman, Author of Dirt, Greed and Sex Quan. □ ·" ... the most thoughtful, lucid and acces sible summary I know of current biblica l scholarship relating to homose xual issues ... eminently useful ... " · -James B. Nelson, Author and Theology Professor Order now from Second Stone Press WHAT THE BIBLE REALLY SA VS ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY By Daniel A. Helminiak, $9.95, paperbk Postage/Handling $2.90 first book, $1.00 ea. additional ----- TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED ----- NAME---------------------- ADDRESS _____________________ _ CITY/STATE/ZIP __________________ _ ORDER FROM: SECOND STONE PRESS, P.O. BOX 8340, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70182 definitely here, according to Harper San Francisco; publisher of The Essential Guide to Lesbian and Gay Weddings. They point to the volume of same-sex couples registering at mainstream department stores, which has prompted some stores to change the name from bridal registry to gift registry . Also, dozens of mainstream newspapers around the country now list same-sex and non-erotic in theological writings and sermons, yet Christians continued to produce children. • Theological and ·actual marital practice were .not necessarily identical. Nonetheless, Boswell is careful to remind us not to read the modern distinction between friendship and love into the notion of friendship understood and practiced by premodern Christians. Early surviving liturgical manuscripts and sacramentaries indicate that opposite-sex marriage required the presence of a priest in Greek Christian practice whereas in the Latin or western Christian practice the presence of a priest was required only for blessing the unions of priests and same-sex couples . The rites of most opposite-sex couples were generally performed outside of the church and not at the altar where same-sex unions were blessed. It was only i_n 1215 that opposite-sex maμiage was declared a sacrament, thus requiring an ecclestical presence in western Christianity. . John Boswell carefully and persuasively argues that Christian same-sex unions were comparable to the structural elements of the rites of opposite-sex marriage: standing together at the altar with right hands joined, a priest's blessing, a kiss signifying union, the wearing of the crowns (preserved in contemporary · eastern Catholic and orthodox Christian marriage rites), sharing communion, and the holding of a feast for friends and family. The difference between the two rites is reflected in the liturgical prayers which focus on the models for same-sex unions: Jesus and John the beloved disciple, Sts . Serge and Bacchus; and Sis. Perpetua and Felicitas. Most of the surviving texts reflect predominantly male archetypes, but Boswell in his introduction notes that women formed permanent same-sex unions as well but that textual evidence of the predominance of male archetypes indicates the general domination of women in premodern Christian unions just the · same as they list heterosexual marriage s. In keeping with the trend toward gay marriage, which was recently featured as a cover story in the New Yorker, Barney 's Department Store in New York City will be prominently displaying The Essential Guide to Lesbian and Gay Weddings in their bridal department this fall. society. Perhaps a strong indication · that these same-sex unions were Christian rites of marriage and perceived as su ch is the evidence of the ecclesial attempt to stamp out these Christian same -sex rites in the fourteenth century. This reflected an earlier shift in the late middle ages I<;> demonize and stigmatize those ·attracted and engaged in homoerotic activity . Boswell had documented this shift in his earlier work. Boswell's discovery of Christian rites blessing same-sex unions is an important piece of historical reconstruction of Christian social practices. It deconstructs the uncritical notions of marriage of modern Christians who advocate a rhetoric of Christian family values and us e the procreative privilege of marriage to fight domestic partner legislation or to deny gay/ lesbian Christians equal rites within their clmrches. Boswell's work also reclaims and restores to Christianity a rich cultural, theological, and historical diversity that is frequently glossed over for particular political agendas . For the majority of its history, Christianity did not single out those Christians attracted to their own .gender for persecution but held them up as models for fidelity, .love, and friendship. Boswell provides gay/ lesbian scholars, theologians, and Christians with the tools necessary to deconstruct the homophobia of the Christian churches and re-educate the churches to an appreciation of the grace-filled dimensions of Christian same-sex unions. It gives impetus to gay/ lesbian Christians who claim that their unions are sacramental rites equal to the rites blessing heterosexual unions. Robert Goss is the author of Jesus Acted Up: A Gay and Lesbian Manifesto. He has a doctorate in Comparative Religion from Harvard lin1vers1ty and a master of divinity degree from the Weston Sc1wol of Theology. He is an AIDS activist, a member of ACT11P/St. Louis. SECOND STONE S E P T E M B E R / 0 C T O B E _R 1 9 9 4 --- ···~ - - -- - - --- -- -- - - - - -----~ - -- --- -- - -- -- - - - - -· - -- - -- -- - - Sounds .................................................... ·• .................. . David & Jane Duo brings upbeat mood, good harmony to debut cassette T he many people who were impressed with the performance of Jane Syftestad and David Heid at the UFMCC Service of Celebration at Lincoln Center during the Stonewall 25 Celebration will be delighted to know that the duo has released a new cassette. "Not Ashamed" is the title of the debut album of David & Jane, who are describ ed by the Rev. Troy Perry as "gifted young musicians who bring the Jove of God alive." They are indeed two of the busiest gay Christian artists, si nging between 60 and 70 concerts per year . They provided music for the religious demonstration against homophobia in the church, also part of the Stonewall 25 Celebration, at the headquarters for the National Council of Churches in New Heid 's outstanding vocal quality is particularly highlighted in 'Te ll Him So," a slow-moving inspirational entry. Syftestad almost sings a solo in the bouncing traditional gospel song "My God is Real," perhaps th e best cut on the cassette, with a vocal contribution by Heid near the end of the tune. In "Bless it Back" the duo speaks a clear message to the gay and lesbian Christian community: "Stand up to say that I'm God's child just th e way I · am ... I love this community; yo u are my family." The final cut on the cassette, "He's That Kind of Friend" is anoth er _ swaying, traditional gospel song that mak es good · us e of this duo's very good sound . _ Jane Syftestad received her formal mu sic training at UCLA and the The duo's voices blend smoothly in "Not Ashamed of the Gospel," the upbeat title entry of the ten-cut cassette. From the swinging song of praise, "Glorify the Lord" to the good harmony of "Standing on the Promises," the quality of the music in "Not Ashamed" is consistently good. York. David & Jane are acclaimed for their powerfully spiritual and energetic participation in worship services, concerts and rallies all across the United States and Canada. In the last two years alone , David & Jane have performed in 28 states. Their music was broadcast internationally on the BBC and Irish National Television. "Not Ashamed" draws from the artists' diverse backgrounds in traditional gospel music and contemporary Christian music and was recorded by one of New York's lead ing engineers, Darryl Kojak. The result is a uniqu e ministry and sound - a sound known for its musical diversity and complexity. David & Jane are vanguards in the use of inclusive langua ge, a testimony to their belief in God's love for everyone . The duo's voices blend smoothly in "No t Ashamed of th e <:;ospel," the upbeat title entry of the ten-cut cassette . From the swinging song of praise, "Glorify the Lord" to the good harmony of "Standing on the Promises," the quality of the music in "Not Ashamed" is consistently good. SECOND STONE prestigious Manhattan School of Music. She has taught music in the public schools of New York and Los Angeles and continues to teach privately . She is currently director of music at the Metropolitan Community Church of Los Angeles, and has been guest conductor for both the Christopher Street West Interfaith Service and the World AIDS Day of Rememb rance Interfaith Servic e in Los Angeles. David Heid graduated from the Fredonia School of Music with a degree in piano performance. He was formerly on staff of the renowned Julliard School. He serves as music director for the Metropolitan Community Church of New York and will serve as mu sic director for the upcoming Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches General Conference in Atlanta. This past June, Heid directed the music at the UFMCC service of celebration at Lincoln Center. In addition to his work on "David & Jane ... Not Ashamed," he can be heard as the pianist for Randa McNamara's debut album, "Reaching for the Freedom David Heid and Jane Syftestad: Not Ashamed of the Gospel Inside ." David & Jane have lectured at SUNY Fredonia School of Music on self-manag ement for young artists. They conduct choral workshops around th e country designed to instruct while energ izing music programs at the local church level. As two of the UFMCC's leading musical evangelists, David & Jane have appeared at General and District Conferences and have ministered at spirit ual renewals with many leadin g UFMCC pastors. "Jane and David fill our ears, hearts and sou ls with God's inclusive song," says Rev. Pat Bumgardner. 'T hese two are truly heroes of the faith." Of their performanc e at the UFMCC 1991 General Conf erence, Rev. Perry said, 'They tore the house down!" As part of the duo's Christian music ministry, David & Jane formed Heifer Publishing in 1992 to provide special services to church communities, such as custom music arrangement for choirs. The duo's original music is available in sheet music form through Heifer Publishing . Although their primary work is within the UFMCC, David & Jane minister frequently through other major denominations and independent churches. "David & Jane ... Not Asha med" is availabl e on cassette tape ($11) from Gospel Music Ministries, 304 E. 38th Street, Suite 2C, New York, NY 10016. Booking information is available by calling (212)922-2856 or (818)795-2708. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1994 Videos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ................................ Taking radical discipleship seriously Brethren/Mennonite video a call to the truth "BODY OF DISSENT: Lesbian and Gay Mennonites and Brethren Continue the Journey" is a new video which encapsules - in a very effective way - the struggle of gay and lesbian · Christians . The video was put together by a collective of two Mennonites with extensive experience in the gay and lesbian and church communities and two non -Mennonites with extensive video and film experience. The . nons are Holly Nattall, whose works includ .e "Can You See Me Now," a video documentary on five women artists, and Gordon Bowness, a pro ducer at TVOntario, and a columnist for Xtra!, Toronto's gay and lesbian bi-weekJy·magazine. The Mennonites who worked on the video are Cate Friesen and Greg Lichti. Friesen, an organizer for the Bre\hren/ Mennonite Council for Lesbian and Gay Concerns, is a singer / songwriter whose music lends a wonderful quality to "Body of Dissent." She has just released her first CD, "Tightrope Waltz." -Lichti is another organizer for the BMC, a former editor of Dialogue, an international publication for gay and lesbian Mennonites and Brethren, and pastor at Warden Woods .I .\ \1 E \ F E II B Y Mennonite Church in Toronto. "We wrote, directed and produced the video as a collective, decisions were made by consensus, and somehow, we managed to avoid killing each other," said a spokesperson for Bridge Video Productions. Through interviews, archival materials, original and choral music, and footage from community events, the stories of gay and lesbian Brethren and Mennonites emerge as a mirror to the broader church community. They are propelled by faith, a call to the truth, a passion for social justice, and a vital sense of community - all profoundly Mennonite and Brethren traditions . The producers hope the video will be used as a catalyst for discussion and change within communities and congregations _throughout North America. David Weaver, one of several Mennonites . and Brethren interviewed in the video, told of his story of going away to seminary and wanting to return to his home congregation and .talk openly about his sexual orientation. "I could have slipped away . quietly and not said anything," · A moving and personal account of an issue that won't go away. A best-seller in Canada and soon to be a motion picture. It will make you think, ii will make you angry, and hopefully, it will broaden your vision of what both sexuality and Christianity at their best can be . -Telegraph Journal, St. John, New Brunswick James Ferry has given a voice to these voiceless ones and is himself a visible incarnation of their invisible presence. -The Rt Rev. John S. Spong, Bishop of Newark, New Jersey Order now from Second Stone Press Quan. □ IN THE COURTS OF THE LORD By Jama Ferry, $22.95, hardcover POlllga1ilncllng $2.IIO ftrtl book, S,.00 a additional TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED NAME_.,.....-~......,,--------------- ADDRE . ......._ _________________ _ CITY/STATE/ZIP _______________ _ ORDER FROM: SECOND STONE PRESS, P.O. BOX 8340, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70182 SECON D STONE • Weaver said, 'but I had a very active role in the congregation and I didn't think that would be very honest... They held me accountable before, and I, in a way, wanted to hold them accountable for their experience of me and how that changed, how that support evaporated after they found out I was gay." Nattall and Bowness, the two non°Mennonites on the production team kept asking the Mennonites, "Why bother? Why keep setting yourselves up to be rebuked and put down by Church leaders?" The video, in many ways, represents some of the answers to those questions . The documentary frames a passionate desire to maintain links to their history and their community - a desire expressed by everyone interviewed in the video. 'The ties of community,'' producers say, "that's what holds this project together." Eva O'Diam, a Brethren who shared her story in the video, says she feels called to ministry by becoming a pastor, something that her church won't let her do. "If I take the radical discipleship of Jesus Christ seriously,'' she says, "then I can't be any.thing other than who I am. And ths1t includes being lesbian." Of her call to ministry she says, sobbing , "It hurts that the Church of the Brethren BEHAVIOR, From Page 17 tailed instructions from the Bible concerning erotic behavior, we tend to justify to ourselves anything we want to do in our most intimate relationships with another person. Are any clear guidelines available to Christian Gays and Lesbians who want to exercise responsible stewardship to God in their expressions of sex? Dr. Robert Hatcher of Emory University's School of Medicine wrote the 12 rules of "sexual etiquette." "We have rules for how to behave when we eat and about how to be polite,'' says Hatcher. "It seems to me we have a lot of problems with sex because we don't have rules ." Dr. Hatcher boils it down to three basic tenents: never hurt anyone; people should take responsibility for their sexual actions together; and when it comes to sex, never assume anything. Here are Dr. Hatcher's 12 rules of sexual eti9uette: 1. Never, 1ust never, use force. 2. Respect the right of another person to say "no." . 3. Be sensitive about sexuality. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. 4. Recognize that public expression would close the doors on that. But I also know that if I am going to be true to God, I have to follow that call. If that means moving beyond the Church of the Brethren, then I'll do that." Work on ''Body of Dissent" began two years ago, and has gone through many transfigurations, according to . the producers . Its evolution, in part, emerged from the exchange of ideas and perspectives among the video's creators. An intitial gulf of misunder standing had be to overcome as the collective worked to establish honesty, trust, and channels· of communication. The producers say they hope that audiences, especially an older generation of Mennonites and Brethren, will respond to these qualities and join the discussion , The video is directed to those folks as well as parents and families and the people in the pews - as a challenge, and an embrace. The 39-minute video includes a discussion guide designed to assist in exploring the issues raised. ''Body of Dissent: Lesbian and Gay Mennonite and Brethren Continue the Journey" may be ordered from the Brethren/ Mennonite Council, Box 6300, Minneapolis, MN 55406. The video sells for $30.00, which includes shipping and handling. · of intimacy may -embarrass or offend others. 5. Use discretion when talking about sexual relationships. (It is almost never appropriate to discuss sexual relations with a third party.) 6. Respect others' need for privacy with regard to what they are doing sexually . . 7. Be prepared to accept responsibility for your sexual activities; 8. Share the financial costs of protecting your sexuality. 9. It is appropriate to inquire about" and discuss the infections a potential partner might have at the present or in the past. · 10. Communicate openly about safe sex prior to intercourse. 11. Communicate to a partner what one prefers to do or have done. 12. Sexual harassment is not a joke. (It is intrusive and insensitive and, in ·many cases, against the law.) Rev. Dr. Buddy Truluck is the author ofinvitation to Freedom: gible Studies in Personal Evangelism and The Bible As Your Friend: A Guide for Lesbians and Gays." He is pastor of MCC/Nashville. Truluck was ordained in a Southern Baptistchurch in 1953 . S E P T E M B E R / 0 C T O B E R. l 9 9 4 ·-- - ~ -.-; - ............ . ... Second International TEN Conference SEPTEMBER 2-4, The Evangelical Network will meet in Vancouver, Canada on Labor Day weekend. The focus of the conference, themed 'Together - We Belong," is on interpersonal relationships. Presenters include Sharon Busch, Rada Schaff, Elizabeth Storbo, Pastor Ronnie Pigg, Bill Byrd, Ken Whatham, David Trudeau and Pastor Fred Pattison. For information contact Liberty Community Church, #201 - 6380 Clarendon St., Vancouver, B.C., Canada V5S 2J9, (604)321-4633. 13th Annual P-FLAG Convention SEPTEMBER 2s5, "Bridges to Equality" is the theme of the annual meeting of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays to be held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel at the Embarcadero in San Francisco. For information contact P-FLAG, 1012 14th St., NW, Ste. 700, Washington, DC 20005, (202)638-4200. Morning Star MCC Freedom Weekend SEPTEMBER 9-11, In celebration of 20 years of ministry Morning Star MCC, the oldest gay and lesbian organization in Worcester County, Mass., sponsors Freedom Weekend . featuring Rev. Elder Troy Perry, David Mixner, Karen Add Edwards, Lynn Lavner and Heartsong. Mechanics Hall, a prestigious concert hall listed as a National Historic Landmark, is the setting for the banquet and rally. For information contact Morning Star MCC, 231 Main St., Cherry Valley, MA 01611, (508)892-4320. Dignity/Brooklyn SEPfEMBER 17, Chapter opens its . 94-95 season with a picnic at St. Ann and Holy Trinity Church, 2:00 p.m., service at 6:30p.m. (718)769-3447. Conference for Catholic parents of Gays, Lesbians SEPTEMBER 30-OCTOBER 2, 'Turning the Key," the first national retreat for Catholic parents of gay and lesbian children which will support parents in their key roles of promoting understanding and empathy in the church, will be held at the LaSalette Center for Christian Living in Attleboro, Mass. Facilitators will be Sr. Jeannine Gramick, SSND, and Fr. Robert Nugent. The "l\'.eekend will involve story-telling, presentations, film, discussions, communal prayer, quiet time, worship and socializing. For information contact Fr. Robert Nugent, .637 Dover St., Baltimore, MD 21230, (301)864-8954. SECOND STONE Calendar . ................................. . ............... . The Oasis' Second Annual Retreat SEPTEMBER 30-OCTOBER 2,Rev. Margaret Gunther, author of Holy Listening will serve as facilitator for this retreat to be held at Kirkridge Retreat Center in Bangor, Penn . Fee is $150. For information contact The Oasis, Cathedral House, 24 Rector St., Newark, NJ 07102, (201)621-8151. Brethren/Mennonite Conference SEPTEMBER 30-0CTOBER 3, "Celebrating Ourselves" is the theme for this gathering of the Brethren/ Mennonite Council for Lesbian and Gay Concerns to be held in Indianapolis, Indiana. The featured speaker will be writer/ poet Emma,_ LaRocque, a professor in the Department of Native Studies at the University of Manitoba. There will be a showing of the recently released video Body of Dissent: Lesbian and Gay Mennonites Continue the Journey. For more information, write BMC, Box 6300, Minneapolis, MN 55406-0333 or call (612)870-1501. Unity Fellowship National Gathering OCTOBER 3-10, The Unity Fellowship Movement sponsors its first national spiritual fellowship in Los Angeles. "Free to Move in the Right Direction" is the theme. Workshops offered on spirituality, children, health, music and AIDS. Cost is $150. For information write to Freda Lanoix-Owens, 5149 W. Jefferson Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90016 or call (213)936-4949. Affirmation National Gathering OCTOBER 7-9, Affirmation: United Methodists for Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Concerns meets in Los Angeles . The theme is "Outing the Bible" with Rev . Elder Nancy Wilson, pastor of MCC Los Angeles, as featured speaker. The Hyatt Hotel on Sunset Strip is the setting. For information contact Affirmation, P.O . Box 691283, West Hollywood, CA 90069-9283. National Day of Prayer, Fasting and Spiritual Renewal OCTOBER 10, This day is set aside for lesbian, gay and bisexual Christians and their friends to rediscover the power of effective intercessory prayer - on the day before National Coming Out Day . For materials contact Rev. Pamela White, River of Life Healing Ministries, 134 Quincy NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108, (505)256-1891. Take Your Next Step OCTOBER 11, National Coming Out Day I "' 2 "' cl go ... ... 0 I 0 - Advance '94 OCTOBER 17-23, Advance Christian Ministries sponsors its annual gath ering to be held this year in New Caney, Texas . "Go into all the world and preach ... to all creation" is the theme . The conference is divided into four programs: Pastor's and Minister's Fellowship (Oct. 17-19), School of the Prophets training classes (Oct. 19-21), the Advance Weekend (Oct. 21-23), and offered for the first time this year, Children's Ministry (Oct. 21-23). For information contact Advance Christian Ministries, 4001-C Maple Ave ., Dallas, TX 75219, (214)522-1520. Conference on Aging OCTOBER 17,A groundbreaking conference on issues of concern to aging Lesbians and gay men will be held in New York at the City University of New York Graduate Center in Manhattan. Sponsors are the Lesbian and Gay Aging Issues Network of the American Society on Aging, Senior Action in a Gay Environment (SAGE), and the Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies, CUNY . Featured speakers are Martin Duberman, historian and author of Stonewall and Joan Nestle, founder of the Lesbian Herstory Archives. For information contact the American Society on Aging, 833 Market St., Ste . 511, San Francisco, CA 94103, (415)974-9600. National Skills Building Conference OCTOBER 29-NOVEMBER 1, ''Yesterday 's Dream, Tomorrow's Vision" is the theme of this conference to be held at the Hilton & Towers in Atlanta. Keynote speakers are Johnnetta B. Cole, Ph.D., president of Spelman College and U.S. Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders . .Sponsored by the AIDS National Interfaith Network, the National Association of People With AIDS and the National Minority AIDS Council. An interfaith healing service will be held. For information contact the National Skills Building Conference, 300 Eye St., NE, Ste. 400, Washington, DC 20002-4389, (202)546-6119. The Word Is Out NOVEMBER 3-6, A retreat for Lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, families and friends led by Lisa Bove and Chris Glaser. Ghost Ranch, New Mexico is the setting. Fee is $100 plus $120 room and board. Contact Ghost Ranch, HC 77, Box 11, Abiquiu, NM 87510-9601, (505)685-4333. Call To Action National Conference NOVEMBER 4-6, "We Are The Church: What If We Mean What We Said?" is the theme of this conference to be held at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare in Chicago. The CT A annual conference is evolving into a national congress of persons, communities and organizations working to "reinvent the Church." Catholic Organizations for Renewal is a network of over 30 reform-minded national and regional groups founded by CT A. Sponsors include Catholics Speak Out, Dignity/ USA, New Ways Ministry and others. For information contact Call To Action, 4419 N . Kedzie, Chicago, IL 60625, (312)604-0400. LGCM Retreat NOVEMBER 11-12, England's Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement sponsors a retreat led by Helen Loder, SSM and Rev. Malcolm Johnson. This is a unique weekend opportunity of meditative reflection in an affirming community, during which there will be talks, discussions, some silence and lots of relaxation. The Royal Foundation of St. Katherine in London is the setting. For information contact LGCM, Oxford House, Derbyshire St., London, E2 6HG, UK. Week of Prayer for Christian Unity JANUARY 18-25, 1995, For material and information contact Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute, Garrison, NY, (914)424-3458. Announcements of interest to gay, lesbian and bisexual Christians are welcome and will be included free of charge. Send to Second Stone, P.O. Box 8340, New Or.leans, LA.70182 or FAX to (504)891-7555. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER l 9 9 4 W Noteworthy W ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 0 •••••••••••••••••••• Religious order offers work retreats i'.CHRISTIANSBRUNN KLOSTER, the oldest gay religious order in the country, is offering work retreats in which participants spend a week or more at the cloister's community in the farming country of the Mahantongo Valley of central Pennsylvania, 55 miles north of Harrisburg. The Brotherhood's work retreats offer the opportunity to do constructive, satisfying work while learning about traditional log and timber-frame construction. Participants live as lay brothers during their retreat, following the daily routines of the order. There is no fee and food and rooms (and robes) are provided free of charge. Participants will have plenty of time for personal solitude and meditation, or simply to relax and enjoy the 63- acre cloister with its variety of woodlands, fields and streams. Information on the work retreats may be obtained from Christiansbrunn Kloster, RD 1, Box 149, Pitman, PA 17964. Open Arms MCC celebrates 13th i'.OPENS ARMS MCC, Rochester, New York celebrated 13 years of ministry in late August with special services featuring Rev. Shelia Rawls, Northeast District coordinator of the UFMCC. Rev. Cathey Elliott is pastor . ET turns 15 i'.EV ANGELICALS TOGETHER celebrated 15 years of ministry to the gay and lesbian community of Southern California on August 18' NATIONAL RESOURCES. From Page 21 RECONCILING CONGAEGA TION PROGRAM, 3801 N. Keeler /We., Chicag,, IL 60041. (312)736-5526. FX (312)736-5475. PtJ:jicalion: Open Hands AEFO~MED CHURCH IN AMERICA GAY CAUCUS, P.O. Box 8174, Pl'iladeli:11~. PA 19101-8174 RELIGION WATCH, P.O. Box 652, North Bell.,,re, NY 11710. A !l'i,wsJi~"!fi~1 ~~~~~ii~7J~•~~[~~~1205 No. SpalJclngAve., 'M,s1 Hol~ CA 90046. (213)851-2256. ST. TABITHA'S AIDS APOSTOLA TE, Christian AIDS Nel'Mlrk of the Merican Orthooox Catholic Church ot St Greg,rios, P.O. Box 1543, Mcxlerey, CA93940. (408)899--0731. SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISTS KINSHIP INTERNATIONAL, Box 3840,lC6Arg,les, CA90076-3840. (617)436-5950. (213)876-2076. Publication: Connection SILENT HARVEST MINISTRIES, PO Box 190511, Dallas, TX 7521&0511. (214)5206655. SOVEREIGNTY (Jehovah's 1Mtnesses) Box 27242, Santa Ana, CA92799 SUPPORTIVE CONGREGATIONS NETVIOAK, Mennonite and Brethre~ PO Box 479241, Cl'icag,,IL 60647,9241.. UNITARIAN UNIVEASALIST OFFICE FOR LESBIAN/GAY CONCERNS, 25 Beacon St .. Bosio~ MA C/2100. 161n742-2100. Ragona named pastor of Alabama church L'. VOTES ARE EASY to count when they are all the same according to a board member of Covenant Metropolitan Community Church of Birmingham. The reference was to the unanimous vote at a July 24 election where the congregation called the Rev. Marge Ragona as its new pastor. Ragona has served as pastor of MCCs in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Florida and California. She founded MCCMobile . Pentecostals license, ordainew ministers t.ON THE FINAL day of its Northeastern District Conference the National Gay Pentecostal Alliance ordained Sr. Michelle M . Thomas of Essex Junction, Vermont to the ministry. Three clergy were licensed: Br. Bruce Roller-Pletcher and Br. Phil Roller-Pletcher, pastors of Bethel Christian Assembly, Grand Rapids, Mich., and Br. Thomas Curley of East Dundee, Ill. Welcoming Congregation in Jones County, Mississippi i'.OUR HOME UNIT ARIAN Universalist Church is a Welcoming Congregation church in Jones County, Miss., sight of the Camp Sister Spirit controversy. Pastor Deanne Aime calls her small congregation one "of great integrity, attempting to live in spirit in oppressive Jones County." The UNITED CHURCH COALITION FOR LtSBIAN / GAY CONCERNS, 18 N. College, Athens, OH 45701, (614) 593-7301. Ptblicalion: Waves UNITED LESBIAN AND GAY CHRISTIAN SCIENTISTS· Box 2171, 256 So. Robertson Blvd, Beverty Hills, CA 90213. (818)700-0827. UNITED LESBIAN AND GAY CHRISTIAN SCIENTISTS, Box 2171, Bevertvrllo, CA 90213-2171. (213)850-8258 UNIVERSA( FELLO\ISHIP OF METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCHES 5300 Santa Monica Bwd. #304, Los Angeles, CA 90020, (213)464-5100. PLl>ication: Ke,pingin Toi.Ch THE 1'11TNESS, PLl>ished by the Episcopal Church Pwtisting Co., 1249 Washirgon Bwd, Ste. 3115, Detroit, Ml 48226-1868. (W~~WANCE FOR THEOLOGY, ETHCS AND RITUAL, ;~~'.~l~ '. ~rat\;f;,~~Alf~/0 (301)589-2509, FAX \\OMENS ORDINATION CONFERENCE, P.O. Box 2693, Fairtax, VA22031-0000. (700)352-11Xll. THE \\OMENS PROJECT, 2224 Main St., Little Rock, AA 72206. (501)372-5113. Workshops on women's issues, social justice, racism and homophobia. V\00DS\\OMEN • A<>1enture travel !or women, 25 W. Diamond Lake Ad, MinneaJX)lis, MN 55419, (800)279-0555, (612)822-3809, FAX(612)822-3814 Bulk Copies Available • • • • • • • • • • • • • OF THIS ISSUE OF SECOND STONE For church/group distribution, conferences, bar ministry, etc. 1 0 copies - $13 50 • 25 copies - $29.50 • 50 copies · $45.00 100 copies - $67.50 includes postage and handling Limited quantity of back issues available FREE; add $5 00 postage for every 50 copies. Send,your pre-paid order to Second Stone, P.O. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 ,,-, . .,, .. i.,, ''. ' "' ,,., , _, ·: . . - - .... - - .. ,._·: ...;, ~ ~... ~ UUA Welcoming Congregation program is affirming of Gays and Lesbians with participating churches making a public commitment to welcome Gays and Lesbians into the worship community. Aime says that such a program is "unique in that neck of the woods." Fund established in memory of Parsonage co-founder t.THE REV. JOHN WILLIAMS, co-founder of the Parsonage, a ministry in San Francisco which serves gay and lesbian Episcopalians, passed away earlier this year . His memory is being honored with the establishment of a fund to provide workshops and conferences at the Parsonage . "John was one of those men who stand up for what they consider to be right, and who do so with a quite gentlenes .s which the more volatile of us envy and try to emulate," says Bernard Mayes, the other co-founder of the Parsonage. "I was lucky to have known him, to have worked with him, and to have accompanied his mission on behalf of gay and lesbian Christians." Information about the Parsonage or the John Williams Fund may be obtained by writing 584 Castro St., Ste. 344, San Francisco, CA 94114-2500. Dr. Crew receives award i'.THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH Publishing Company h .as honored Dr. Louie Crew with the Vida Scudder Award. Crew, founder of Integrity was honored for his work within the church, through all available chan nels, to open it to the ministry and presence of gay and lesbian Christians. Raleigh church dedicates new facility i'.ST. JOHN'S MCC, Raleigh, N.C., dedicated its new church building during c.eremonies held June 10-12. Present at the ceremonies were found ing pastor Willie White, former pastor June Norris and present pastor W. Wayne Lindsey. St. John's MCC developed from a Bible study group which began meeting in 1976. The congregation numbers about 100 members . The new facility is located at 805 Glenwood Avenue. Las Vegas MCC gets new meeting space i'.THE ANCHOR OF HOPE at Wesley United Methodist Church in North Las Vegas has become the new home of MCC Las Vegas. The move has been long anticipated and was finalized when both congregations voted to form Anchor of Hope and begin worshipping in the same facility. While the decision was unanimous at MCC, it was hotly contested at Wesley. Rev. B.J. "Beau" McDaniels serves as pastor of MCC Las Vegas and Rev. Sarah Shirley serves as pastor of Wesley UMC. The Anchor of Hope/Wesley building is located at 2727 Civic Center Drive . Jay McCarty, RCP board member, passes i'.JA Y McCARTY, long-time Reconciling Congregations Program activist and board member, died on July 3. McCarty was instrumental in his congregation, Kairos UMC, Kansas City, becoming an RC in 1987. He served on the RCP Advisory Committee and on the Board of Directors since 1990. Hundreds of friends and colleagues gathered for a memorial service at Trinity UMC on July 6. New pastor for New Orleans MCC i'.DEXTER BRECHT was installed as pastor of the Vieux Carre MCC of New Orleans on August 27. Presiders included Rev. Kay Thomas, Fr. Rodney Scheidel, Rev . Nancy Horvath and UFMCC District Coordinator Clarke Friesen. MCC Nashville moves i'.MCC NASHVILLE has moved to a new facility. The church started meeting at First Unitarian Church on August 7. "God has blessed us is bringing new people to our church during this summer," said Rev. Dr. Buddy Truluck, pastor. The church meets for Sunday worship at 7:00 p.m . at 1808 Woodmont Blvd. New ministry in Phoenix MBUNDANT LIFE BIBLE Church, a Bible-based, Christ-centered, non-denomination, independent church has begun ministry in the Phoenix area. Sharon Busch, pastor, and Greg Davis, intern, are providing leader ship. The church meets at Gentle Shepherd MCC, 3425 E. Mountain View Road in Phoenix . Pentecostals open two new churches i'.THE NATIONAL GAY Pentecostal Alliance has announced the opening _ of two new churches: Mt. Calvery Lighthouse in Smyrna, Ga ., pastored by Br. Paul Johnson, and Hop e Apostolic Church , Little Rock, Ar., pastored by Br. James Virgilio. (Addresses are P.O. Box 2454, · Smyrna, GA 30081; P.O. Box 4563, Little Rock, AR 72214.) New Orleans chruch celebrates 15th i'.GRACE FELLOWSHIP CHURCH of New Orleans celebrated its 15th anniversary with a special worship service on September 4. Rev . Kay Thomas is pastor. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1994 Resource Guide .................................. ....... ~ ....... •.• ..................... . Listings in the Resource Guide are free to churches, organizations, publications and community services. Send information to Second Stone, Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 or FAX to (504)891-7555. National AFFIRMATION: Gey & Lesbian Mormons, P.O. Box 46022, Los ~les, CA 00046. (213~55-7251 or(415)255-0000. Alfirify PO ~~~~1on, t=sJ~~ii'.~esl>an Concerns, AIDS NA TIONALINTERFAITH NET'AOAK, 300 I St, NE, Ste. «xi, ~~~1o~~•l~~ra~%~ (800)288,9619, FAX (202)546-5103. AMERICAN BAPTISTS CONCERNED, 872 Ene St., Oaklarxl, CA 94610. (415)4tP-8652 Voice of the Ttrl/e AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION, Gay/Lesbian Rights ~~~\·c1~ ~~:og ~E~~c~~im; (Quaker) 2249 E BLmSide,Sl, Portlae<l OR 97214. (503)23().9427. AXIOS: Easlern and Orthooox Chrislians, 328 W. 171h St. #4-F, NewYork, NY 10011. (212)989-6211. · ~Yci)4~=ne, Box 83912, Los Angeles, GA 90083·0912. BRETHREN/ MENNONITE COUNCIL FOR LESBIAN AND GAY CONCERNS, Box 6300, Minneapolis, MN 55406-0300. g~i~5 66:LI1i~i~~ft~'rc:v1L RIGHTS, Box 1985, New York, NY 10159. (718)629-2927. GENTER FOR HOMOPHOBIA EDUCATION, Box 1985, New York, NY 10159. (301)8646954. CHI RHO PRESS - A special work ol the UFMGG Mid-Allanlic District. Pullisher of religous OOOks and materials. P.O. Box ~t~irl1i~i1~~~~t 13r°d~~~~. Sel~e Barry, PO Box 460808, San Frarcisco, CA94146-0808. COMMON BOND (former Jehovah's,\\llnesses, Mo1111ons) Box 405, EIOIO()(j PA 16117. (412)758-0704. COMMUNICATION MINISTRY, INC.- Dialogue and surcrt K,0xu~f;s~a6hf~~~t~~~~i~~~-c~~g{C:~in~eg~::l/niC~: tion . CONFERENCE FOR CATHOLIC LESBIANS, P.O. Box 436 PlaretanumStn., New York, NY 10024. (607)432-9295. DAUGHTERS OF SARAH • The magazine for Christian b~~~~~;.~s~i~'ii.~1:~:~1~~r::,3:.,9 11. Washington, DC 20005. (800)877-8797. Gay and lesbian Catholics and their fnends. ECUMENICAL CATHOLIC CHURCH, P.O. Box 32, Villa Grande, GA. 95486-0032. Holy Spirt Church, Easl Moline, IL, (309)792-6188. St. Michael's Church, Russian River, CA, (707) 865-0119. PitJicafion: The Tab/el. EMERGENCE International: A Community of Christian Scientists ~m\i~~m:ri~l~(~~~~~,;;} San Rafael, EVANGELICALS CONCERNED, c/o Dr. Ralph Blair, 311 Easf 72nd St., New York, NY 10021. (212)517-3171. Ptblicalions: Review and Record. TtEEVANGELIGALN:IWJRK, Box 32441, Pmerix,AZ85064. FEDERATION OF PARENTS AND FRIENDS OF LESBIANS AND GAYS, INC. P.O. Box 27605, Washingon, DC 20038. Send $3.00 ~~1WJ~ 1 ?b~'rfu~~/~~ AND GAY CONCERNS (Quakers) Box 222, Surrre,1C>Ml, PA 18084. (215)234-8424. GAY AND LESBIAN PARENTS COALITION INTERNATIONAL, P.O. Box 50360, Washington, DC20091. (202)583-8029. Publicalion: Ne/work GAY, LESBIAN AND AFFIRMING DISCIPLES AWANCE, P.O. :xm/!~ 3 0/"r~!nal't:ii~li~~ ~~~~~%is(~11!~!1 62 5~ri;8' Publication: Crossbeams. GAYELLOWPAGES - P.O. Box 292, Village Stn., New York, NY 10014. (212)674-0120. HONESTY: Southern Baptist Advocates for Equal Rigits, P.O. Box 7331, LoLiS'.il~. KY 40257. (502)893-0783. . INDEPENDENT CHURCH OF RELIGIOUS SCIENCE, 4102 East 1/AWil~: ~~c11Bo~1~:~~20006-0561, (201)868-2485. Pttllicatiorr T~ Voice of lnlegity INTERNATIONAL FREE CATHOLICOMMUNION, P.O. Box 51158, R,verside, CA 92517-2158 (909)781-7391 PitJication: The Free Catholic Communicant . INTERNATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN ARCHIVES, The Natalie gr~~~~~~~~\e~ti:: ~ti:~ 38100, Holr,'WOOd, UVlNG PENS, PO Box 254, Avoca, AR 72711-0254. Pen pals for HIV/AIDS indM<iJals. LIVING STREAMS, P.O. Box 178, Goncorc\ GA 94522-0178. E/im~l\'¼G'~~~NED I !\ORTH AMERICA, Box 10461, Fort Dearborn 51alion, Chicago, IL 60610-0461. PitJication: The Concord METHODIST FEDERATION FOR SOCIAL ACTION, a ~X~"\~R,1~~1 1~\1,~13-~~::ki>Jll~:~~~~~ea.!ft: Bulletin. · MERCY OF GOD COMMUNITY, PO Box 6502, Providence, RI 02940. Christian, ecumenical and inclusive. Brothers and sisters live al home and choose own ministries. MORE LIGHT CHURCHES NETW'.JRK, 600 W. Fullerton Pkwy., Ghicag,, IL 60614-2690, (312)338-0452. Resource packet, $12. Publication: More Light Churches Nei-k Newslelter NATIONAL GENTER FOR LESBIAN RIGHTS· 1663 Mission St 5th Fir., San Frarcisco, CA 94103. ' NATIONAL CONGRESS FOR LESBIAN CHRISTIANS, P., Box 814, ¼iito~. CA 95010 (800)861-NCLC. NATIONAL COALITION OF BLACK LESBIANS AND GAYS PO Box 19248, Washingon, DC 20036. ' · · -S- E C- E} N· 0 S T O N E NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES, 475 Riverside Dr., New Presbyterians for Lest:ian & Gay Concerns, 3900 Harrison St., York, NY 10115. AIDS Task Force, Room 572, (212)870-2421. Oaklae<l 94611. 653-2134. Human Sexuality Office, Room 708, (212)870-2151. FRESNO (209) NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES, Washirgon Office, 110 · MGGcttte VIOO)'arel POBox5511, 93755-5511. 441-0105. Marvtard Ave., t,E, l/lllshirao~ DC 20002. (202)544-2350. LANCASTER (905) NA ilONAL ECUME1'1CAL COALITION, 1953 Colurrbia Pike #24, Sunrise MCC of the Hi Desert, PO Box 886, 93584-0886. 942-7076. Ar1iWcOI\ VA22204-4569. (703)553-8l!l1. . LONG BEACH (31~ NA TONAL GAY AND LESBIAN TASK FORCE, 1734 14111 St., WI, Diaitv, PO Box 92375, 90809-2375. 984-8400. l/lllsl'iltjOf\ DC 20009-4309. (202)332-6483. FAX (202)332-0207. MCc: 1231 Locu,;j Ave., 90813-3114. 432-3641. NATIONAL GAY PENTECOSTAL ALLIAt..CE (also Pentecostal LOS ANGELES AREA (213) Bible lnstttute !Ministerial lrainingl) P.O. Box 1391, Schenectaclf, Affirmation (United Melhodsts), PO Box 46022, West Hollywoo<l NY 12301-1391. (518)372-0001. Pu:Jical~n: Too ,'postoiic Voice. !XX!iS. (818)900-4664 ~ts:E.~~O~S~ , Lz 05 ineAngefor f"esY, nGeAsbi 9002 'an 8 M_ ormons, 6520 Christ the Shepherd Lutheran Church, 185 W. Alladena Dr., Alladena; 91001. (818)794-7011. NEW WAYS MINISTRY, 4012 291h St., Ml. Rainier, MD 20712, Crescenl Heighls UMC, 7866 W. Founlain Ave., West f30Jl~7-5674. A !f.Y•~11::.irw orga8izatii°n bri~ng the ttilly,,ood, 90046. 656-5336. tRE~sWM~NSuFCJ~ LESBIAN K~Y cb~i~~cp O Box IJig"ily, PO Box 42040, 90042-<Xl40 3440064. ~d~(: Brunsv,;ck, NJ 08903-0038. Publicalion: More Light gra~;6 ~_abnel Valley, 502 Mesa Cir., Monro~a. 91016-1638. SEE NATIONAL RESOURCES, Page 20 Alabama BIRMINGHAM (205) Al1ioama Fonxn, PO Box 55894, 35255-5694. 328-9228 Birmingham Communify Church, PO Box 130221, 35213. 008505 . . Covenanl MCC, PO Box 101473, 35210. 599-3363. Sun., 11a.m., ~i~ 1~.:.li1 n~(d~kers), 592-0570. lntegily, 871-1815. · Pilgrim Congegational Church, 879-~624. St. Araews Episcopal Church, 251-7898. Unitanan Universalist Gongegalion, 879-5150. UmvGhurch, 251-3713 HU!ITsVIUE (206) MCC ol Hunt,.,;11e, PO Box 10021, 35801. 851-6914. MJBILE(206) MCC ol Mobile, PO Box 6311, 36660-6311. 476-4621. Sunday, 7p.m. MJNTGO1,£RV (206) MCC, PO Box 003, 36101-0603. 264-7887. &ooly, 5:30p.m. at 5260 Vaughn Rd. Arizona Divine Redeemer MCC, 346 Riverdsle Dr., Glendale, 91204. (818)500-7124. Sunday, 10:45a.m., Wed, Fn .. 7:30p.m. Rev. Stan Harris Evangelicals Togelher, 7985 Santa Monica Blvd, #109, Box 16, 90046. 656-8570. ET NJv.s Free Spint MCC, 5208 Hartwick St., 90041-1515. 464-5100. ~~~•n:/l'o;,f~~i ~g~;,l PO Box 42964, 90042. 384-5422. 3323 W. Baverly Blvd ln1egity, 7985 Santa Monica Blvd., #109-113, Wesl Holr,'WOOd, 90046002-6301. Larr!Jda Ghnstian Fellowship, PO Box 1967, Hal'.lhome, 90251. Lalin Church ol Chrtslian Fellowship, 3323 W. B.everly Blvd, 90004 433-2047. [~:_'m]d'. #~~. l;~~~~ligious Goalilion, 7985 Sanla Lutherans Concerned, 11225 Magnolia Blvd., Box 290, No. Hollvv,ood, 91601. 665-LGNA MCC in lhe Valley, 5730 Cahuenga Blvd, No. Holly,,ood, 91601. (818)762-1133 MCC ot Silvertake, 3621 Bn.nsv,ick Ave., 90039-1727. 665-8818. ~;)~t,'s~rt:: ~~r~'ai~Ha~~j lv!n Nuys, 91408. PrestJ{leriaos for Leiian & Gay Concerns, 3373 Descanso Dr., #1, 90026 262-aJ19. ~=~~ttintisl Kinship International, PO Box 3840, St. John's Episcopal Church, 514 W. Adams Blvc\ 90007. 74/.f!M,, PHOENIX(602) . St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, 11031 Camarillo SI., No. Affirf!'ation (Mo1111ons), PO Box 26601, Tempe, 85285-6601. ttllly,,ood, 91002 (818)762-2909. 433-•321. United LeslliarJGay Chnslian Scenlisls, PO Box 2171, Beverly ~~e Grislo Evangelical Church, 1029 E. Turney, 85014. ~~1iyi~~i~~i~3~~; 49 W Jefferson Blvd., 90016_ Dignfynntegity, PO Box 21091, 85036. 258-2556. 936-4'48. Gentle Shepherd MCC, 3425 E. Mountain View, 85028. 996-7644. . MOO ESTO (209) =i=s Minislries,.225 W. University Dr., #105, Terrpe, ~J..';?or:300'2, 95353-3092 578-3694. 6~tr~'&~~..,: ~~~0-3611 ~~rc~ne,m1.,i3~ "11lage Pk\\y., 94558. 255-6917. ~ylerians for Lesbian & Gay Concerns, PO Box 61162, ~Jl~~~G , 720 N. Spurgeon SI., Sanla Ana, TUCSON (602) Evangelicals Concerned South Coast, PO Box 4308, Costa Casa De Le Paloma Apostolic .Church, PO Box 14003, Mesa, 92628-4308. 222-4933. Bible stuclf, fellowship meetings, 85732-4003. 323-6855. 1122 N. Jones Blvd. Rev. Margaret ~zrn f Pli~~~1~J°'livtties. ~~l~~~.ra:Iip, 2902 N. Geronimo, 85705. 622-4626. Ch . I Cha I I the Des r\ 9381/, I~ Rd 92264 327 2795 1/s. , 4f:'1-e 0 E. Palmeca~on Der., Box'149, 92264. . ·341-0·555. Sunday, 9a.m., 10:30a.m., Wednesday, 6p.m. Rada Schaff, eg-ity .. , pastor MCC of the Desert, PO Box 920, Gathectal City, 92235-0901. lnlegniy, c/o Grace St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 2331 E. Adsms 322-0000. Sl, 85719. 791-7<00. REDWOOD CITY (415) MCC, 3269 N. Mountain Ave., 85719. 292-9151. Calvary MCC, PO Box 70, 94064-0007. 368-0188. 2124 E\re',IGlerSI. EUREKA SPRINGS (501) MCC ct the Wng SJrings, PO Box 365, 72632 253-9337. 17 Elk FAYETTEVUE (501) · MCC ct the Ozarls, PO Box 92 72702-0092 443-4278. LrntE ROCK (501) Bocl{ of ctr~\ PO Box 1364, 72203. 37 4-1693. MCC of !tie Rock, PO Box 1964, ·72203-1964. 753-7075. 2017 Chander, I\O. Little Rock Spirit Sorg MCC; PO Box 586, 72203. 223-2828. Sunday, 2p.m. at 1818 Reservoir Rd · Unilartan Universalist Church, 1818 Reservoir Rock Rei 72207. 225-1500. Cal1forn1a APPLEVALLEY(61!11 Light of the Desert Church, PO Box 247, 92307. 247-2572. tto~J~~hE (a>S) · St. Brendan Free Catholic Church Aposlolale, 258 Aspen St., #11, 934al. 473-2510. . BLYTl£(61!il Gods Garden Gro'Mh Center, 283 N. Solano. 922-0947. Bro. Michael W. Tucker, pasfor. CONCORD (510) Free Gatholic Aposlolale of the Redeemer, 1440 Delroil Ave., #3, 94520 798-5281. i!1~1~A61~:! (~/%aklanc\ Outreach to Gay and Lesbian Communities and Their Families. Rev. Jim Schexnayder, 834-5657, ext 3114. Diablo Valley MCC, 2253 Concord Blvd., Concord, 94520. 827-2960. SL.rday, 10ant, 7p.nt - Free catholic Aposlolate of the Redeemer, 3849 Mayl)elle Ave., NB, 94619. 530-7055. Gay, Lesbian, and Aflirming Disciples, Univ. Christian Church, Barkeley. Third Sun.; 4p. m. New Life MCC, 1823 91h St., Barkeley, 94710. 843-9355. Sunday, 12:SCp.m. ~~!:1J~(~6hnsf the Ltte Giver, PO Box 51158, 92517. 781-7391. RUSSIAN RIVER (707) MCC, Box 1055, Guerne~lle, 95446. 887-7622. 869-0552. 14520 ~~~~r=~1: Digity, PO Box 161765, 95816. Koinoia Ghrislian Fellowship, PO Box 169444, 95818. 452-5736. Tom Rossi, pa.slor. . Thel11tes/lssue, PO Box 160584, 95816-737-1088 RiveratyMCC, PO Box 245125, 95824. 454-4762 2741341hSl SALINAS (408) ln1egrtty, c/o Church of the Good Shepherd, 301 Corral de T8rra, 93908. 294-2026. SAN ANDREAS (209) lnteg-;ty, PO Box 110, 95249. 478-3515. SANANSELMO (415) Spec1rur11 1000Sir Frarcis0Droke BM!, #12, 94960. 457-1115. SAN BERNARDtlOIRIVERSIDEIPOMONA (909) Affi1111ation (Methodsls), 1325 N. Claremont, Box 302, Clareroort, 91711.624-2159. SAN DIEGO AREA (61!11 Alfinration (Mormons), PO Box 86469, 92138-6469. 489-6002 Archor Mini<lnes, 3441 Uriversity Ave., 92104. 284-8654 ~~PO Box 33367, 92163. Dignity Genier, 4561 Park Blvd. ~t~ Ft;; ~~~3:1=1n:O\~. 92105. 282-8488. Sunday, 6p.m., 1600 Buena Vista Dr. MCC, PO Box 33291, 92163-3291. 280-4333. 4333 Xlh St. SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA (415) Dg;ty, 1329 71h Ave., 94122. 255-9244. Surday, 5:30p.m. Dolores Street Baplist Church, 474 Valercia St, #160, 94103. 861-1434. Surday, 108.m. Lutherans Concerned, 566 Vallejo 51., #25, 94133-4033. 956-2069. Advent MCC, 150 Eureka St., 94114-2492. 863-4434. Sunday, 9, 11a.m .. ?11emParsonage, 584 Gaslro St., Ste. 344, 94114-2500. Parsonag3 News Trtnity Episcopal GllJrch, 1668 Bl.Sh St., 94109. 775-1117. ~mi~;~iax~~,Nf 7tf~n. 94109. 731-3915. SAN JOSE (408) Dig,itv, PO Box 2177, Santa Clara, 95055. 977-4218. First Chrts1ian Church, 80 S. 5th 51., 95112. 294-2944. Richard K .. Miller, pastor. Gay, Lesbian, and Affirming Disciples, c/o First Christian Chcrcll, 80 Sc. 511151., 95112. 294-2944. Hosanna GllJrchof Praise, 24N 51hSl, 95112 293-0708. MCC, PO Box 2288, 95109-2288. 279-2711. 65 S. 7th St. Sunday, 6:30p.m., Wad, 7:30p.m. ~~t~bi~~,(~ Darryl Dr, Garf'!h,11, 95008. 379-0740. MCC of the Central Coast, PO Box 1117, Grover Cfy, 93483-1117. 481-9376. Sunday, 10:30a.m. Rev. Raro/ A. Lesler, paslor. SANT A BARBARA/VENTURA COUNTY AREA (905) MCC, 230 Ug,thouse Rd, Sarta Barbara, 93109-1905. 569-1615. MCC, PO Box 25610, Ventura, 93002. 643-0502. Sunday, 6:2(p.m. al 4949 Foothill Rd SANTA CRUZ (408) Lavender Road MCC, PO Box 1764, 95061. 335-0466. SANTA ROSA (707) NewHope MCC, PO Box 11278, 95406-1278. 526-HOPE. Sunday, noon at 3632 Airway Dr. STOCKTON (20!11 CmstianScierce Leroians, Box 7104, 95267-7104. 473-2129. Dela Harve<IMCC, 116 W. 'MllcmSI., 95202-1045. 477-1440. WHITTER(31~ Good Samaritan MCC, 11931 Washington Blvd., 90606-2607. 600-8213. . Colorado BOULDER (303) ~~ ~~%;~ s&:'~Jk Thomas Aquinas University COLORADO SPRINGS (719) Pikes Peak MCC, 730 N. 'rejo~ 80903. 634-3771. DENVER (303) Axios: Easlern OrthoOOx Christians, 11635 E. Cedar Ave., Aurora, 80012, 343-9997. Evangelicals Reconciled, PO Box 200111, 80220. 331-2839. Goloraoo &lrings, (719)488-3158. Ltiherans Corcerned, PO Box 300343, 80203. 422-3176. MCC ct the Rockie~ 960Glarkson St., 80218. 860-1819. St Paurs UMC, 1615 Ogian St, 80218.1132-4929. PUEBLO(719) MCC, PO Box 1918, 81002 543-6400. Connecticut HARTFORD (203) ~tc~1~ l/:o~•:.1 ~1~7~4605 Sunday, 1030a.m. Meets at the Community Center. Rev. David F. Jarvis, pastor. NEW HAVEN (203) MCC, 34 HaITison St., 06515. 389-6750. TOI.LAND (203) ~~uW ~~"' IJ\ 00084 872-6537. lntegnty, c/o St. John's Churcll, 16 Church St., 06702 482-4239. District of Columbia DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA (202) Affil1118t~n (Methoclsts), PO Box 23636, 20026. 667-0008. Affi1111aUon (Mo11110ns) PO Box 77504, 20013-7504. 828-3096. Chrtst UMC, ~h& I Sis. SW, 20024. 544-9117. Digity, PO Box 53001, 20000. 387-4516. Duntiarton UMC, 3133 DUIT'IJarton Ave. WI, 20007. 333-7212. Failh T erme. 1313 New York Ave., 20005. 544-2766. ln1egily, PO Box 19561, 20036-0561. (301)953-9421. Gay.ping Kinsh¢,DA, 1«xl 20lh Sl, WIN007, 20036. 296-2441. Lutherans Concerned, 212 E. Capitol SI., SE, 20001-1036. (703)486-3567. MCC of the Disciμes, 1638 R St., NW N1, 20009. 387-5230. MCC, 474 Ricl,e St., NW, 20001. 638-7373. Sunday 9, 11a.m., 7p.m. PLGG, c/o Westminster Prestr;terian Church, 400 I St., SW, 20024 667-'2ffl9. . Washingon Fnencl, (Quakers), 2111 Fiona, Ave .. NW 20008. 483-3310 . Florida . BOCA RATON (407) Church of Our Savior MCC, 4770-G NW 2nd Ave., 33431. 998-0454. Sundsy, 10:30a.m., 7:30p.m. Rev. John F. Jacobs, ~~RWATER (813) Free Gatholic Church of lhe Resurreclion, PO Box 3454, 34615. 442-3867. 300 N. Myrtle Ave. COCOA(407) &~~~:~~• PO Box 1585, 32923. 631-4524 Hope MCC, PO Box 15151, 32115. 254-0093. FORT LAUDERDALE (305l Chllch of the HolySpint MCc, 330 SW 27th St., 33315. 462-2004. DiW'tv, PO Box 22884, 33335. 463-4528. FORT MYERS (8131 St. John the Apostle MCC, PO Box 2107, 33902-2107. 278-5181. 2209 Unity at lhe corner of Broadway. Sunday, 10,.m., 7p.m. Rev. Renne Shaw,.,er. GAINESVILLE (904) United Church, 1624 NW 5th Ave., 32603. JACKSONVILLE (904) St. Luke's MCC, 126 E. 7th St., 32206-4510. 358-6747. Sunda'f, 9a.m., 11a.m., 7p.m. Rev. Frankye A. Wiite, pastor. KEY WEST (306) MCC, 1215 Petronia 51 .. ~- 1;84-6912. Sunday, 9:30, 11a.m., \Ned, 7p.m. Rev. Steven M. Torrence, pastor. 1 - (005) . ChnstMCC, 7701 SN76111Ave., 33143. 284-1040. • -- SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1994 Resource Guide ............................................. Grace MCC, 1CXl90NE2ndAvo.,33181-1021.945-<1622 OCALA(904I House of Victory Church, PO Box 2841, 32678-2841. 368-6014. 3820 E. Silver Spfing; Blvd ORLAll)O (407) lri8!1ilY, PO Box 500001, 32853--0001. 332-2743. ,i:1/ W:C, PO Box lXl4, 3~-:ro4. 894-1081. 2351 S. Fem:reek PENSACOLA (904) Holy Cross MCC, 415 N. Alcaniz St., 32501. 433-8528. SUnday, 11a.rn, Wed, 7p.m. SAIIT PETERSBURG (813) Dig,i!y, PO Box 1337, PirEllas Park, 34664-1337. 238-2868. Kirgot Peace MCC, 3150 5th Ave. N, 33713. 323-5857. SUnday, 1oa.m., 7:3~.m: Rev. Dr. Frede. WIiiams, Sr., pastor. SARASOTA (813) Church of the Tnntty MCC, 7225 N. Lockwood Ridgl Rd., 34243-4526. 355-0647. Sunday, 11la.rn Integrity, c/o St. Bonnace Church, 5615 Midnig,I Pass Rd, 34242-1721. 349-5616. TAMPA(813) MCC, 2904 C<n:orda Ave., 33629. 839-5939. WESTPALMBEACH(407) Diglily, POBox 30H Teq,esta, 33469. 744-1591.641-9944. lriegity, PC Box 14583, J>b. Palm Beac~ 33408 627-1409. MCC of tne Palm Beaches, 3500 45th St., 12A, 33409. 687-3943. Surday, 9:15, 11a.m. Seriices also in Ft. P~rce, 687-3943.and Pt. St LlCie,340--0421. Georgia ATLANTA(~ Digi\y, POllox14342, 30324.@0200. First MCC, PO Box 8356, 30306-0356. 872-2246. 800 N. Hig,land Ave. !IE. lriegity, PO Box 1:Jrol, 3032~ . 642-3183. L\JneransConcerned, PO Box 13673, 30324. 636-7109. All Sairis MCC, PO 8<,( 13968, 30324. 62'2-1154. PLGC, PO Box 8362, :JO:J06. 373-5830. SoutremVoice, PO Box18215, 30316. 876-1819. WLGC, 1911 m Valley~ . 30329. 634-5134. AUGUSTA (706) MCC, 609 Shartom Dr., 30907-4715. 733-5560. Sunday, 7:30p.rn, 3042 Eage Dr. Hawaii MAUl(808) New Liberation MCC, PO Box 347, Puunene, 96784. 879-6193. OAHU(80111 Aflirmation (Mormons), PO Box 75131, Honolulu, 96836-0131. ~ - Dg-ify, PO Box 3956, HonoltAJ, 96812-3956. 536-5536 Ke Anuenue O Ke Aloha MCC, PO Box 23334, Honolulu, 96823-3334. 942-1027. Sunday, 11am, Dole GanrerySq, 7p.rn, 1212 Unive~ Ave. li:/~ .s Scronce, 520 Makapuu Ave., Honolulu, 96816. UULGC, 2500 Pali t-w,,., Honolulu, 96817. 623-4726. Idaho ~~~ x 1959, 83702. 342,6764. Illinois URBANA/CHAMPAIGN (217) lntegity, 1011 S. Wig,! St., Charrpaigl, 61820. 344-1924. PLGC, 800 S. 5th St., Champai!Jl, 61820. CIICAGO (312) Cticag, lriertailh Coraess, PO Box 60039, 60660. 784-2635. Chica/1) Ouffines, 305§ N. Souttc,or1, 60057. 871-7610. Chnst tne Redeemer MCC, PO Box 6146, Evanston, 60204-6146. (708)262-0009. 933 Cticag, Ave. Church of the Resurreclion ·MCC, 5540 S. 'M>odlawn, 60637. 288-1535. Dig,ity, 9ll W. Belmori Ave., l205: 60657-4408. 296-0780. Emerg,r<:e, PO Box 2547, 60690. Good Shephard Parish MCC, 615 W. Wellington Ave., 00657-5:JOS. 427-8708. SUrd!y, 7p.rn Holy Covenant MCC, 17 W. Maple, Hinsdale, 60521-3495. (708)325-8468. SUnday, 6p.rn lnlegi!/, PO Box 2516, 60690. 349-6362. Joy of Lila MCC, PO Box 1161, No. Chicago, 60064. (708)578-5022. 2031 DLQ:la~ Rd . . LllharansConcerned PO Box 10197, 60610. 342-1647. PLGC, c/o Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church, 600 W. Fullerton Pkwf.,60314-2600. 784-2635. Shammah Christian Fellov.sh1>, PO Box 5427, Evanston, 60204. 561-5624. UULGG, c/o Second Unitarian Church, 656 W: Barry Ave., 60057, S<M!!I) . UCCLGC, 6171 N. Sheridan Rd, 12701, 60660-2858. 338-0452 . PEORIA(30111 Spnt c1 Life MCC, PO Box 1614, 61656. 697-3330. 1209 N. Rora. QUINCY(217) MCC, 1241f< N. SlhSt,62301. 224-2!1JO. ROCK ISLAND (309) MCCQUldCn~. 1001181hAva.,61204-6132 786-56SS. SPRINGFIELD(217) Fatth Bernal MCC, PO Box 4824, 62708-4824. 525-9597. Indiana BLOOWlGTON (812) . lriegil/, PO Box 3232, 47 402-3232 339-0426. FORTWAYNE (219' lliglly, PO Box 11988, 46862. NewWxldChl>'ch, PO Box 11553, 46859. 456-6570. 222 E.Letth St. Open Door Chapel, 3426 Broa<INay, 46807. 744-1199. Task Force, Fm Presbytenan Chtxch, :JOO W. Weyne st., 46802. 67421 . . INIIIANAPOLIS (317) HOLDEN(508) A!l,mation (Mollxxlsis), 33 E. 32ndSt, 46205. 925-0043. llig'ity, PO Bo< 431, 46200. 251-0680. · L.Ca,GC, PO Box 403,-01520. 856-9316. Jesus MCC, PO Box 441551, 46244-1551. 357-9687. Iowa BETTEIIIORF (319' Lutnerans Concenned Box m, 52722-0773. CEDARAPIDS (319) All Fah MCC, PO Box 412, 52406. 396-9207. CORALVLLE (319) lnt8!1ilY, PO Box 5225, 52241. 351,9263. DAVENPORT (319) GLAD All~nce. 2626 Western Ave., 52803-1473. 324-6231. DES MOINES(515) Church of 1ne Holy Spirtt MCC, 3500 Kirgman Blvd, 50311. 277-3362. Sunday, 6p.m. IOWA crrv (319) PLGC, PO Box 3202, 52244. NASHUA(515) UCClXiC, c/o Garmen-Liooa Conklin, RR2, 50658. 435-5068. SIOUX CITY (712) MCC, PO 8<,( 361, 51102-0361. 255-8005. WAlERLOO (319' Cht1ch of Newfnpe MCC, PO Box 34, 50704. 234-1981. Meets at 3912 Cealr Hts., Cedar Falls. Kansas TOPEKA(913) MCC, PO Box 4776, 66004-0776. 232-6196. SE lrdana Ava at 25th WICHITA(316) Firs1 MCC, 156 S. Kansas Ava., 6721. 267-1852. 'Mchila Praise and Worship Center, PO Box 11347, 67202. 651-(003. Kentucky LEXINGTON (606) lrierweave, 3564Clays_MAI Rd, 40503. 223-1448 LOlJSVUE (502) A!lirrnatioo (Me!loosts), PO 8<,( 7892, 40257-0692 635-1402. All!Qo, POBox4034, «Y204. 581-1829. Cenlral Presbyteriaf\ 318 W. Kentucky Ava., 40203. 587-6935. ~::;:~h~:1~1hedral , 421 S: 2ndSt., 40202. 587-1354. Conterence-for catholic Lestians, PO Box 4778, 40204-0778. 895-Cll:JO. llig'ity, PO Ile>< 4778, «Y204. 581-1841. =-~t Georg,'s Episcopal Church, 1202 S. 261h St., L\Jhernns Concerned, PO Box 7692, 40257-0692. 897-5719. MCC, PO Box 32474, «>232. 775-6636. 4222 Bank St Phoe~x Rising PO Box 19897, 40259-0697. 966-8357. PLGC, POB<,(7692,=1-W/2. 897-5719. Third Lutheran Church, 1864 Frankfort Ave., 40206. 896-6383. Sunday, 10:45a.m. PADUCAH (502) MCC, PO 8<,( 176, West Pad.cah 42086. 441-2307. Louisiana BATON ROUGE (504) i~ ~~~~/lo ro:=.,~ 383-0450. PLGC, 2285 Cedarclale, 70008. UULGC, c/o Unttarian Church, 8470 Gooct,,ood Blvd, 70806. !r.!5-2291. LAFAYETTE (318) MCC, PO Box 92682, 70509. 232-0546. 211 Garfield LAKE CHARLES (318) MCC, PO 8<,( 384, 70602. 439-9869. 510 Broad St NEW ORLEANS (504) Grace Fettov,on~· , PO Box 70SSS, 70172. 944-9836. UCCl/GC, 944 St, Marrero, 70072-2306. 341-4608. Vieux Garre M , 1128 St. Roch Ave., 70117-7716. 945-5390. Sunday, 1oa.m. Mame , BANGOR (201) ~~~~i)03 , North SUll~an, 04664-0103. lligtn>/, PO Box 8113, 04104. WALOOBORO (201) lriegily, PO 8<,( 25, 04572 Maryland BAI. TIMORE (410) TheA/tematl;e, PO Box2351, 21203. (301)235-3«l1. Archdocesan Gay,test;an Outreach, 2034 Park Ave., 21217. 728-~ . llig"ity, PO Box 1243, 21203-1243. 325-1519. First New Covenant Fellowship Church, S W. Fort Ave., 21230-4407. 523-7789. Sunday, 2:1Sp.m. at Dor!1Jih UMC, 527 Scott St. ~$~: clo Emmanuel Church, 811 Calhectal St., 21201. LlAneransCoocemed, Box 23271, 21203-5271. 225-0563. MCC, 3«l1 Old York Rd, 21218. 889-63&l. BEnlESDA (301) Open Door MCC, PO Box 127, Boyoo, 20841-0127. 601-9112. Sunday, 10:30a.m., 7p.m. at 15817 Barne"111e Rd Massachusetts BOSTON(617) ~,r.:trJ,910~t.8~a~G':; 6 ~~~~!2fci':era), S Longellow Park, Garrtridgl, 02138. 876-6883. S,wort Grol.l', Church of the Covenant, 67 NeM,.iry St., 02116. 28,,7400, lntegnty, c/o Chns1 Churc~ 12 Quincy Ava., Quincy, 02169. 773-0310. MCC, PO Box 15590, Kenmore Sin., 02215. 288-8029. ·Sunday, 7p.m at 131 Gambidge St., Beacon till . SPRINGFIELD (413) lrt8!1ilY, PO B<,(5051, 01101-5051. 737-4186. WALIBAM(617) Lutnerans Cor,:emed, c/o Randall Rice, 108 1/2 Chestnut St., 02154-0«:6. 8J3.2783. WORCESTER (508) Mornirg Star MCC, 231 Main St, Cnerry Valley, 01611. 892-4320. Plb: Morning star Wtness Unitarian Uri1veraalists for Bi!Gay/1.esbian Concerns, PO Box 592, \\estsiCES!n, 01602. 755-00JS. . Michigan ANN ARBOR (313) Huron Valley Communtty Church, 1001 Green Rd, 48105-2896. 741-1174. Sunday, 2p.m. at Glacier WayUMC. Tree c1 Life MCC, PO Box 2500, 48106. 485-3922 665-6163. Meets at First Congregational Church, 218 N. Adams, Ypsilanti. Sunday, 6p.m. DETROIT (313) · C , 19136 Wooo.,ard N., 48203. 369-1901. 874, 48232. 563-0892. 459-7319. uel Episcopal Church, 18320 John R St., Men of Color 9roup meets Tuesdays at 7p.m. at St. Matthews and st. Josephs Epjscopal Church, 8850 \\bodM!rd 871-4750. New Generation Youth Grol.l', PO Box 11499, 48211, meets Wed, Sp.m. at 3026 East Grand Blvd, 872-2424. Flllf (313) Dig,ily, PO Box 585, 46501. Redeemer MCC, 1665 N. Cnevrolet Ave., 46504-3164. 238-6700. Suooay, 6p.m. Rev. Liooa J. SloMr, pastor. Plb: Sounri1 of Redeemer. GRAND RAPIDS (616) . Betnel Chnstian Asserrt,ty, PO Box 6935, 49516. 459-8262. Rev. Bruce Roller-Pletcner, pastor. Plb: Bethel Beacon. Dig'ity, PO Box 1373, 49501. 454-9779. Recoocil~lon MCC, PO 8<,( 1258, 49501. 364-7633. KALAMAZOO (616) Phoenix Communn>/ Church, PO Box 2222, 49003-2222. 381-3222, Sunday, 6p.m at Onlted Church of Chnst. LANSING (517) ~~~ i::i ,:Ot;~• ~:~b\:;'t'liu:~ 6 200 W. Grand River. Sunday, 7:~ .m. tntegnty, c/o All Saints Church, 800 Attxltt Rd, East Lansirg, <ll&l. WYAN>OTTE (313) Mariavite Old Catholic Church, 2803 10th St., 48192-4994. 281-Minnesota ~ MARSHALL (507) Lutherans Concerned/Integrity, PO Box 3013, 55258. (OCll;elS-3700. MIINEAl'OLISIST. PAUL (612) Affirmation (Mormons), PO Box 3878, Minneapolis, 55403. 753-3345. Aflirmalion (United Methodsls), 101 E. Gran! SI., Minneapolis, SS,lJ3. 874$13, 871-3585. All Gods Chilcten MCC, 3100 Park Ave. S., MinMapolis, 55407. 824-2673. Plb: The Disciple Catholic Pastoral Committee, 1118 Farringon St., SI. Paul, 55117-4802 3«).0018. OiglO(, PO Box 3565, Mi~ is, 55403. 827-3103. lntegnty, c/o Univeraity Episcopal Center, 317 17th Ave SE, Mimeap!llis, 55414. 82!>2301. Spirit ol the Lakes Community Church, (UCC), 2930 13th Ave. S., Mirreapolrs, 55407. 724-2313. Sundav, 10a.m., Wed., 7p.m. Lutnerans Concerned, 100 N. Oxtord st., st. Paul, 55104-6540. - · ~~~•J~~. f~ ~~~r~~~u~04 224-3371. Mississippi JACKSON (601) Gay and Lesbian Task Force, PO Box 7737, 39284-7737. 373-8310. Phoenix Coalition, Inc., PO Box 7737, 39284-7737. 373-8610,939-7181. ColllS8iirg services. ~2ll1~~n•~J-~i1it ~r;:~~\~t~\,r~ a~ 0 0niia~~~ Church, 4872 N. State St M1ssoun COLUMBIA (314) Ct, ist the King Agape Church, 515 Hickman Ave., 65201. 443{1316. UnledCovenanl Mission Church, PO Box 7152, 65205. 449-7194. KANSAS CITY AREA (816) Affirmation (United Methoclsts), 5709 Virgnia Ave., 64110-2855. 363-6892. GLAD Oiscifles olctrist, PO Box414711, 64141. 432-6139. lriegity, PO Box 414164, 64141-4164. 281-0099: Lutnerans Concerned, PO Box 413702, 64141. MCC, PO 8<,( 10067, 64111-00!7. 931-0750. 3001 W,,an:xite. MCC Johnson Courty, 12510 W. 62nd Terr., 1106, Shawnee Missio~ 66216. (913)631-1184. New Jerusalem Fellowship Ministnes, PO Box 10496, 64111. 76!-3134. • ST. LOlJS AREA (314) ~ Cluch, 2026 Lafayette Ave., 63104. 664-3588. Di;Jitv, P0Box23a!l, 63156. 863-6'.Xl2. MCG,"PO Box7226, 63177-7226. 231-9100. 1120 Dolman St Montana BUtlGS(GI Farrily ol God MCC, 645 Howard, 59101. 245-7066. Sunday, 11a.rn, Wed, 7p.m BOZEMAN (406) Affirmation (United Methodsts), 1000 N. 17th Ave., 129, 59715. 586,7438. GREATFAI.LS (406) Shepnerdof lne Plains MCC, PO Box 2162, 594'.13. 771-1070. 1505 17th Ave., SW, 59404. Nebraska OMAHA(402) MCC, PO Box 3173, 68103. 345-2563. 819S. 22nd St. PLGC, c/o Evans, 381013th St., 122, 68107. 733-1300. Nevada LAS VEGAS (702) MCC, 1119S.MainSt.,.89104-1026. 384-2325. RfN0(702) MCC cj tne Sierr~ PO Box 21192, 89515-1192. 829-8802. New Hampshire MANCHESTER (603) P-FLAG, PO Box 386, 03105. 623-6023. Mnthly meetings in Concord, Nashua, Stratham, Monadnock. NASHUA (603) lntegity, PO Box 412, 03061. 882-5352 PORTsMOllTH (603) Judith A. Palais, MSW, BCD, psychotherapist. Gaynestian col!)lesandvi<ilals. 431-1900. New Jersey ASBURY PARK (908) Diqily, POB<,(901,07712. 774-4031. MAPlEWOOD (201) Di!J]ily, St. George's Church, 550 Ridgev.ood Rd., 07040. 761-7321. NEWARK (201) Tne Oasis, Cathad:al House, 24 Rector St., 07102. 621-8151. NEW BRUNSWICK (908) IJK:Jjty, PO 8<,( 10781, 08906-0781. 819-0668. MCC "Christ lne l.iJerator, PO Box, 10494, 08906. 846-8227. PLGC, PO Box 38, 08903-0038. Plb: More Ugl LjJd,le. SUSSEX (201) Tne Lovirg Brotherhood, PO Box 556, 07461. 875-4710. New Mexico ALBUQUERQUE (505) Dig;ty, PO Box 27294, 87125. 898-33,tl. Kirohrp, Severih Day Ac!,,antists, PO Box 26012, 87125. MCC, 2«>4 San Mateo Pt., NE, 87110. 681-9088. Plb: MCC Alive River of Life Healirg Ministnes, 134 Quincy, NE, 87108. SANTA FE (505) The Calsby Connection, 551 W. Coroova, Ste. 0/E, 87501. 966-1794. New York ALBANY/CAPITAL AREA (51111 Community ol St. John Chnstian Orthooox Church, PO Box 9073, 12209. 346-0207. Fr. Herman. Plb: M~aooia Digjly, PO Box 11204, Loucl>rMUe, 12211-0204 436,8546. lnt8!J]ty, c/o Grace & Holy Innocents, 498 Clinton Ave., 12206. 465-1112 Lighthouse Apostolic Church, PO Box 1391, Schenectady, 12301-1391. 372-6001. Rev. Wlliam H. Carey, pastor. MCC, 275 State St, 12210. 785-7941. BUFFALO (716) PO Box 75 Ell~ctt Sta, 14205. 833-8995. I , c/o Church of tne Ascension, 16 Lin\\OOd Ave., 14209. Pink Triargle Chnslian Fellowship, PO Box 722 Ellicott Sin., 1420!>0722. 845-6971. Plb: Spirii'Mlrks. GENEVA(315) PLGC, POBox 278, Dresden, 14441-0278. 536-7753. ~JRK:i:ig~, 14211-2411. 877-0459. Bronx(718) . St Arris Church 295 st. !>M's Ave., 10454. 585-6325. Brooklyn (718) llig"ity, POBox021313, 11202-1313. 769-3447. First Unitarian Church, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Concerns Commmee, 50 Monroe Pl., 11201. 624-5466. Long Island (516) ~'1~A IDS Care, Inc., PO Box 2859, Huntirgon stn., 11746. Circle of More Lig,t, Box 203, Brookhaven, 11719-0203. 286-0542. Digjtv, POBox 48, East Meacb.v, 11554. 781-6225. Gay & Lesbian Unitarian Universalists, c/o UUF of stony Brook, PO Box 602, Stony Broo~ 11790. 399-4967. International Free Catholic Church/Good Shepherd Church, PO Box 436, Central Islip, 11722. 723-0348. Rev. Msg-. Robert J. Allmen, pastor. · Mrlnhlttan/New York City 1r• (212) Axios: Eastern & Orthodox Chnstians, PO Box 756, Villag, Sin., 10014. 989-6211. Second Fnday, 8p.rn, Community Center, 208 W. 13thS1 . Chnstian Science GroL!l, c/o 444 3rd Ave., 14, 10016. 532-8379. Digntty, PO Box 1028 OldCnelsea stn., 10011. 818-1309. Plb: OtA/aok lli!Jlity, PO 8<,( 1554FOO Sin., 10150. 866-8047. Evangalicals Concerned, 311 E. 72nd St., 11G c/o Dr. Ralph Bl~r, 10021. 517-3171. Plb: Recorq Review Gay &Leslfan Qwkera, 15 RllnerlordPI., 10003-3971. 475-0195, 979-0170, f~Lt'.:' xtian 0 ~A!'i,';"J~a-~~pl2~:\~nce, c/o Allen Harris, lntegity, ~ 5202 1018!>0043. (718)720-3054 Plb: C\J//ook. Les6ian and Gay Communn>/ SeNices Center, lr<:.1 208 W. 13th St., 10011. 620-7310, N>: Center stagr, Center Vo1co. ~~~!h&ur:~~t!rs1: 0~~~~/~-~cerns, cfo MCC, 206 W.13thSt, 10011. 242-1212. Sunday, 1oa.m at2al W. ~!lcNf~'~l;;,~~ifu 866-35&:J. Paluc~ c/o Allen V. t-lmi~ 1010 Park Ava., 10028-0991. 288-3246. Fourth FndaY., 7p.m. SECOND STONE • S E P T E MB ER/OCTOBER 1994 . ' , " . ·"~. -·' ;..,- .: .. - -~ •• •_,; ~ ~ ·.:, . J • Resource Guide ................................ . ' ,. .......... ~ .. •- ........................ . Rutgers Prest,;tenan Church, 236 W. 73rd St., 10023. 877-8227. Sunday, 11a.m. More Light church. Seventh-Day Adventist l<inship International, PO Box 20595, 11rei. (718)662-!1656. LCCL,1'.JC, c/o Craig Hoffman, 1453A Lexirg1on Ave., 10128. 2(1l.l)16. . Unily Fellowship Church, PO Box 2708, 10008·2708. (718)636-564a Waroirqon Sq,are I.MC, 135 W. 41hSI., 10012 m-2528. West Park Pre,t,;terian Church, 165 W. 861hSl, 10024. 362-4890. Qu..,1(7181 Queens lesbian & Gay Christians, PO Box 4154, College Point, 11356, 353-3941. Plb: The Goo:l Shepherd Unitarian Universalisl Church, Lesbian, Bisexual & Gay Concerns Commillee, 147-54 Ash. Ave., Flushing, 11355. 353-llllJ. WN!choctor (914) \nlegily, PO Box 2038, \\!me Plains, 10602-2038. 949-4367. Plb: The Grapevine. PLATTSBURGH (518) St. Mary's Ecumenical Calholic Church, PO Box 159, Chazy, 12921. 566-7745. Rev. Fr. Michael Frost POUGll<EEPSE (914) Dignilynnlegrity, PO Box 356, Lagrangeville, 12540-0356. 724-3200. ROCHESTER (716) Og,!ynntegily, 17 S. Filzhl.ql SI., 14614. 262-2170. The Errp)f.;loset, 179 Atfanlic Ave., 14607-1255. New York Stat~•~ Mil.'t;~tn~~ 271-8478. ~C, cb Carter, ·111 Mi tun SI., 14607-2918. 271-7849. SYRACUSE (315) May Memorial Unttarian Universalists for Lesbian & Gay Concerns, 3800 E. GenesseeSI., 13214. 424-7628. Ray of H<pe MCC, PO BoK 6955, 13217. 471-6618. SlJ1d3y, Sp.m. at 819 Madson St. l/T1CA(315} Di!Tilv, PO 8oK 352, 13500. 738-0599. WANTAGH (516) Digily,POBoK2&:Xl, 11793. 781-5942 North Carolina ASHEVLLE (71>4) · Communify Connections, PO Box 18088, 28814. 258-3260. Newspaper for lhe Soulhern Appalachian gaynesbian W\~~%. 25278, 28813. 259-ll55. CHARLOTTE (704) Lutherans Concerned, PO Box 9562, 28299. 334-2367. Plb: The Clarion • • - MCC, lfJ37 E. I~ Blvd, 1726, 28205-7375. 563-5810. Melrolina SY.ilclt>oar<I PO Bo, 11144, 28220. 535-6277. Newli\eMCC, POBo,221«J4, 28222. 343-9070. GREENSBORO (910) St. Ma,Ys MCC, PO Box 5808, 27435-0808. 272-1606. Meels at Unitanan Church, 3001 Montery Dr., Sun., 4p.m., 7p.m,, Mon., 8P.m., 'Mad, 7:30p.m. Rev. Chrisline Oscar, paslor. HICKORY(704) MCC, c/oUn!enanCl>Jrch, 109111hAve., NW, 28601.324-1900. TRIANGLE AREA (919) Aflirmalion (United Methodsts), PO Box 5961, Raleigh, 27650. 850-!!lOO. Dig,ly, PO 8oK 51129, Durham, 27717-1129. 493-8269. :~~2itf ,cs~,'.;~: lhe Good Shep!lerd, PO Bo, 28024, Lutherans Concerned, PO Bo, 665, Ape,, 27502. 387-0824. Meets in Raleigh. :ei 1 ~~~~Ne 7 ~~~r Gay and Lesbian Eq.,alily, PO St. John's MCC, PO BoK 5626, Raleigh, 27650. w4-2611. SlJ1d3y, 7:15p.m., 814 Dix~ Trail. Tnan9e Lesbian & Gay Concerns, c/o Unitarian Fellowship, 3313 W,a, Ave, Aalfflgh, 27607. 834-3302 WLMNGTON (91~ GROW Commuiity Ser.ice Corp., PO Bo, 4535, 28400. 675-9222. Youth outreach: AU'vl, for filY, lesbian, bisa,ual youth. St. Jude's MCC, 507 Ca~le SI., 28401. 657-9222. Sun., 6p,m,, Wed., 7p.m. Kalhi Beall and Budcly Vess, minislers. W\NSTON-sALEM (910) Lesbian & Gay Corx:ems Task Force, Unitarian Universalisl Fellowstip, 2873 Aobinhoo:l Ad., 27106. 723-7633. ~'tr,'~, ~j)~~{~(:i~~fY and Lesbian Eq.,alily, PO Ohio AKRON(216l MCC, 1215 Kenmore Blvd., 44314. 745-5757, Plb: Beacon of Lighl. Cascaw Community Church, 1190/1196 Inman SI., 44306. 773-5298. Sunday, 2p.m Plb: Cascade Newsletter. Lutherans Concerned PO Box 67114, Cuyahofjl Falls, 44222. 928-ffi<ll. ATl£NS (614) UCCL,1'.JC, 18 N. Colklge SI., 45701. 593-7ll1. CANTON(216) · Emmanuel Fellowship Church, PO Bo, 35604, 44735-5804. 376-8725. CINCINNATI (513) - Cig-il)', PO 8oK 983, 45202. (606)581-9014. lntegily, 4905 Cha~! Dr., #11, 45217•1445. 242-7297. NewSprtt MCC, 65 E. t'dli~er SI., 45219. 241-8216. Plb: V,sioos. Cl.EIIELAMl (216) A Common Bond PO Bo, 91853, 44101. Jehovah's l'.ltnessas. Digily, PO Box 91697, 44101. 531-4469. Emmanuel MCC, 10004 Lorain Ave., 44111-5429. 651-0129. Sunday, 10:45a.m. Plb : Good News Pl.Ge, 841 ~'™Xld. 44121. 382-0507. COLUMBUS 614) Christ Untte Evangelical Churc~ PO Box 141264, 4J214. 297-&317. ·Evangelicals Concerned PO Box 360491, 43236. 235-GA YS. SECOND STONE First Unilarian Universali~ Church, 93 W, Weisheimer, 43214. 267-4946. &inday, 11am Fnends for Lesbian & Gay Concema (Quakers), 488·2096. Gay Men's Support Group, c/o Newman Center, 64 W. Lane Ave., 43201. 291-4674. MCC, PO Box 10009, 43201-0509, 294·3026. 1253 N. High St. Sunday, 10:30a.m. Plb: The Beacon News Spirit of the Rivers Commu~ly Church, PO Box 10333, 43201. $1774 . stonelWJll Union Reporl~ Box 10814, 43201-7814. 299-7764. UCCLGC, 294-9970, 488-2006, DAYTON(513) CommunltV Gospel Church, PO Box 1634, 45401. 252-8855. Sunday, 16a.m. al 546 Xenia Ave. Samuel Kaoor, paslor. ~~Pb°~~.~i',~~ 1630E. f;hSl OBERl~(216l Int~. PO BoK397, 44074-0087. 775-3341. SPRINGFIELD (513) Com""n!yCrurch of TnJh, PO Bo, 3005, 45501·ll05. 325-7691. TOLEDO (419) Digily, POBoK 1388, 43603. 242-9057. ~'!i,1~. c/o St. Mark's Church, 2272 Collingwood Blvd., 43620. MCC, Good Samanlan Pansh, 720 W. Delaware Ave., 43620. 244-2124. &inday, 11am. Oklahoma OKLAHOMA CITY (406) . ChnstlheKi~MCC. P08ox 12457, 73157-2457. 949-0335. Church of Ctrist locGays, PO 8oK 75461, 73147. 528-8417. Qilril):~nlegnly, PO Box 25473, 73125, 755-9175. ~\~ileetmg (Quakers), 312 SE 25th SI., 73129. 632-7574, Holy Tnnily Ecumenical Catholic Churc~ PO Box 25425, 73125. ~~/ 91~. Marty Martin, pastor. 2328 N. MacArthur. OigityArtegity, PO 8oK 1271, 74101-1271. 298-4648. MCC;POaa,-4187, 74159. 838-1715.1623N M""8V,ood Oregon EUGENE (!03) ~I~ t-o ~/1~~~ ~g~i: w.,:;y~ 1 ~~1 Firsl Con~efjllional Church, Condon Chapel, 23rd & Harris Sis. Plb: Con,non Ground Rev. Marg,ente Scrogge, pastor. PORTLAMl (503) Affirmation (Vriled Melhodsts), PO 8oK 12673, 97212. 234-8854. American Friends Service Committee, Gay & Lesbian Progam, 2249 E. BtmSioo, 97214. 230-9430. Contact Dan. \Jig'ily, PO 8oK 6700, 97228-6700. 295-4888. Evangelicals Concerned, PO 8oK 40741, 97240-0741. 232-7451. ~~fJ'.; i~:.sc, f49 E. Bumsioo, 97214. 774-1064. Pub: st. Me\anoia Peace ~mmuntty UMC, 2116 NE 18th Ave., 97212· 4!00. 281•31!l7. MCO, 1644NE2411\97232281-8868. Reach Outl (Forflll Jehovah's 'Mlnessas), PO Box 1173, Clackamas, 97015. SisterSpiril, PO Box 9246, 97207, 294-0645. Plb: Spirited l'\omen ROSEB!JlG (503) MCC, BoK2125, 97470-0449. 440-1496. SALEM(503) Digily, PO 8ox 532, 97308. 363-0006. SWea\ Spiri MCC, PO Box 13969, 97309, 363-6618.141012th St., SE. Pennsylvani a ALTOONA (814) ~~L;:~i ~~~~~!\!~ Fellowship, 1805 8th Ave, ERIE(814) lrtegily, PO BoK 1782, 16507-0782 774-I.11JJ. HAl.t.lN(717) Di!Tilv, PO 8oK 379, 18427. 829-1341. HARRISBURG (717) Dig,ily, PO Box 297 Federal Sq,are Sin., 17108. MCC of \he Spin!, PO Box 11543, 17108. 236-7387. Pub: Spirit ~~HVALLEY(61~ . Grace Covenant Fellowship, 247 N. 10th SI., Allentovm, 18102. 740-0247. Surday, 10:45a.m. Bryon Rowe, pa~or. Thom Amer, music minister. ~~~ ~ ~t~~~:~~~~ L80g;1.i~ 1?n=. 10102. 439-8755. Sunday, 7p.m. at Unttanan Crurch, 701 LechallM!~ Ave., Belhlehem. Plb: Valley Siar. PIILADELPHIA (215) . Oi[Jlily, PO Box 53348, 19105. 546-2093. Plb: The lnd,per,ct,nce. lnle~ily, c/o Holy Trinity Church, 1904 Walnut St, 19103. 382-0794. MCC, POBoK8174, 19101-8174. 563-6001. SlJ1d3y, 7p.m al2125 ~~~:it.1;"~:n'2L1247 Unitarian Universalist Church, Stenton Ave. & Gorgas Ln., 19150. 247-2561. PITMAN(717) Christiartlrum Klosler, AD 1, Box 146, 17964. Gay harmornsls. PITTSBURGH (412) Affirmation tnedMelhodsts), BoK 10104, 15232-0104.683-5526. ~~%8ox~i:mo~~,-a747 Ltiherars Concerned PO Box 81866, 15217-0866. 521-7746. I/CC, 4836 Ellsv,orth Ave., 15213. 683-2994. PLGC,POBoK9J22, 15224-0022. Rhode Island • South Carolina CHARLESTON (803) MCC, 2010 Hav.lhome Dr., #10, 29418. 747-6736. Mary M. Moore, paslor. COLUMBIA(II03) Lutherans Concerned, PO Box 8828, 29202·8828. 738-1899. Meels at 728 Pickens SI. on USC carJ'!)U5. GREENVILLE (803) MCC, PO Box 6322, 29606-6322. 233-0919. Sun., 7p.m. al 37 E. Hillcrest. Rev. Mick Hinson, pastor. South Dakota LAKE PRESTON (605l UCCL,l'.lC, Al. 1, Box 76, 57249. 847-4623. SIOUX FALLS (605! St Frarcis & St C~re MCC, PO Box 266, 57101-0266. 332·3966. Tennessee CHATTANOOGA (615) lnlegity, PO BoK 4956, 37 405. 756-8225. MCC, PC 8oK 80183, 37 411. 892-2138. S11t, 7p.rn. at 3224 Navajo JOttlSON CITY (615) MCColtheTnCilies, PC8ox161~ 37&:JS-1612 926-4393. KNOXVILLE (615) MCC, PO BoK 2343,-37901-2343. 521-6546. l,£l,IPIIS (901) =_ c/o Calvary Episcopal Church, 102 N. 2nd St., 38103. NASHVILLE (615l !;ff.;tng Fellowship, 120-B S. 11th St., Box 68073, 37206. lrte;Jily, PO 8oK 121172 37212-1172 383-6600. MCC, PO 8oK 60406, 37206-0400. 262·0922. Sun, 11a.m., 7p.m., 1021 AlllS811 St Texas ABLEHE(915} ExodJs I/CC, PC BoK2473, 79004. 872-7922 904 Walnut SI. AMARLLO (806) MCC, POBoK1276, 79105.372-4557. 2123S. Polk SI. AUSTIN(512) Al1irmalion (Untted Methodsts), 7403 Shoal Creek Blvd, 78757. 451-2329. Digily, P08ox2666, 78768. 467-7908. j'!."'f ~iit~i4II~ i:J:~z :~~: 7 ~rouse Meacllw Ln , 7875SID48. 835-7354. . CORPUS CHRISTI (512) MCC, 1315 Craig St., 78404-3330. 882-8225. Sun., 10..m, \\lld , 7:30pm Utah LOGAN(801) MX, PO Box 4285, 84321. 753-3135. SALT l.Al(E CITY (801) Sacred Liltrt of Ctrisl MCC, 823 S. &:Xl E, 84102 596-0052 Vermont BURLtlGlON (1102) . MCC, PO Box 2010, 05407. 899-4442 Unitarian Universalists for Gay & Lesbian Concerns, 152 Pearl SI., 05401, 862-5630. ESSEX JCT Resurrection Apostolic Ministries, PO Box 162, 05452. Sr. Michelle M. Thomas, pastor. l.llNTPELER(II02) lntegily, c/o Chnst Episcopal Church, 64 State St., 05602-2933. Virginia ALEXAMlRIA (703) Affinration (Mormons), PO Box 10034, 22320-9334. 828-3006. St. Cyril's Eastern Christian Fellowship, 6008 R~hmilnd Hwy., #:Xl1, 22300. 329-7896. ByzanlineChn~rancommunly. ARLtlGlON (703) ?t/Ys ~:l"iil:WW7· 22210. 912-1662. Alfinration (Mormonsf.io 8oK 10034, 22320-9334. 828-3006. MCC, 7245 Lee Hwy., 22046. 532-0992. Sun., 6p,m. at Fairtax Unttanan, 2709 Hunler Mill Ad, Oaklon. T e\os Ministries (~isls) , PO Box 3390, 22043. 500-2680. NORFOLK (804) Digily, PO 8oK 434, 23501. 625-5337. New Lile MCC, PO Bo, 1026, 23501-1028. 855-8450. Sun, 10:30arn., 8:JOp.m., l'llld, 7:30p.m al 1530 Johrslors Ad. Unttarlan Universalists for Lesbian & Gay Concerns, 739 YarrnoulhSI., 23510. 627-5371. RIC\NlND (804) Affirmalion (lJntted Melhodsls), PO BOK 25615, 23260-5815. 746-7279. 700W,Frari<finSI. Ci[Jlilynn\eqily, PO BoK 5207, 23220. 228-8140. MCC, 2501 Park Ave., 23220. 353-9477. ROANOKE(703) 8111' Riebe Latrbda Press, PO BoK 237, 24002. 890-3184. Lesbian 1 Gay Catholics & Episcopalians, PO Bo, 4163, 24015. 774-<XX!l. MCC ol lhe Blue AidQe, PO Bo, 20495, 24018. 368-0839. Sun., 3p.m. at Unitarian Church, 2015 Grandin Ad SW. PLb: Blue Ridg, Banner. VllG~IA BEACH (804) · All Gods Chilcten Community Church, 465 S. lndepenoonce Blvd, #108, 23452. 499-7008. ~t~~~%:::™M~\I~f!,W Bo, 48382, Wataufil, MOUNTVERNON(206) 76148-0082 (81~ . MCC, PO 8oK 20577, Seatt~, 98102. 325-6775. Affirmation (United Melhodsts), PO BoK 225831, Dallas, 75222. 0l Yl.l'IAi206l Wa h' 98501 2-4313, Eternal Li I MCC, 207 N. s rrgon, . Washington Agape MCC, PO Bo, 15247, Fort Worth, 76119-0247. R\CHLAN (509) (817)535-5002 4615 SELoop 820 Sun 9a m 11a m Agape River of UfeMCC, POBoK 1678, 99352-0059. 544-9689. News. · · ' · ·· · · Shalom UCC, 505 McMurray, 99352. 943-3927. Open and ~ 1 t~al of H<pe MCC, 5910 Cedar Spring; Ad, Dallas, 75235. ~f~'W& (~ Sun, 9a.m, 11am. AHmialion (Monnons), PO 8oK 23223, 98102. 820-5729. PLb: The Dig-ily, POBoK 190133, Dal~s. 75219-0133. 218-4101. QJen Closet. · Dg,!y, 4500 Bricg, Ad, Fort \\Mh, 76103. (817)283-8588. Alfirmalion (United Mejhodsls), 2115 N. 42nd 96103. Holy Trinily Commu~ty Church, 4402 Roseland Ave., Dallas, \Jig'ily, Box 20325, 96102·1325, 325-7314. 75204 827•5088 Rev Frederick V\tigj pas1or Evangelicals Concerned PO 8oK 20189, 96102-1189. 932-3401. lntegn~, PO 8oK i90351, Dallas, 75219-0351. 52>-0012 Grace Gospel Chapel, 2052 NW641h St.,. 98107. 784-8495. Sun, Silent ~rvest Mirislries, PO 8ox 190511, 75219-0511. 520-6655. 11a.m., 7p,m., \\lld, 7:30p.m. Jeny Lachrna, pastor. \\lite Rock Communly Church, PO BoK 1SOOEO, 75218, 285-2831. Int~. PO 8ox 20663. 96102 525-4668. 327-9157 Sui 10~m JenyCook paslor MCT;,2101141hAve.S.,96144.325-2421. DENTON.(8fij' · · · ' · overtake MCC, PO Box 6612, Bellevue, 98008. 885-0414. 12700 ~t~~MCCrn 5900 S, Slemmons, 76205. 497-4020. Sun., ~~News. 704E.Plke, 96122_324-4297_ HOUSTON %3) UCCLGC, 317_ 181h Ave. E. #4, 96112-5132 329-:W. Community Gospel Church, 501 E. 18th al Colurmia. 880-9235. Untar~n Lesbiars & Ga)', 6556 351h Ave. NE, 96115. 483-0345. Sun., 11a.m.ChnsChil~~•f'~~~ SPOKANE(509) h St Che 04 DawnolFeithMCC, 100~~!\Jr .,77089-2017.991-8766. AH1rmal~n (Unrled Methods1s), 3 N. 91 ., ney, 990 . ~~HPO BoK8682l, 7 · 880-2872· Sal, 7:~.m at 1ll? Fm~ual MCC, PO Bo, 769, 99210. 838-0085. Sun., 10:30a.m., First Unttarian Universa\is1 Church, Gay/Lesbian Task Force, 7p.m at307W 4th Ave. 5200 Farrin St., 77004-5899. 526-5200. Urilarian Crurch, 321 W. 811\ 99204. 624-48Ul Houston Mission Church, PO Box 1633 Marshall, 77006. TACOMA(206) 529-8225. Sun., 10:30a.m. Rev. Robert L Carter, pastor. Hillside Com..,nily Church, 2506 S. 39th SI., 98409. 475-2388/ lntegity, PO Box 66008, 77266-6008. 432-0414. PLb: Margnal ~~ii ~rmanAve., 98405-3438. 272-2382 ~¢,m Community Church, 614 E. 19th St., 77008. 862-7533. MCC olthe Gentle Sh<μ>,r<I PO Bo, 5094, 98668, 253-8401. 748-6251, sun, 11am MCC of the Aesurreci~n, 1919 Decalur, 77007-7636. 861-9149. West Virginia Rev. John Gill, pastor. Plb: The Good News l.llRGAHTOWN (304) LONGVIEW (903) Freed>m Fell011Shp, PO 8oK 155Z 26505. 292-7784. Church 'M\h A Vision MCC, PO Box 1287, 75008-1287. 753-1501. Sun., 1oa.m al 420 E. Cotton St. LUBBOCK (806) MCC, 5501 34th SI., 79407. 792-5562. Sun., 11a.m., 7p.m. Rev. Renae Plillips, pastor. Plb: Vision Lesbiar/Gay Allrance, Inc. PO Box 64746, 79464-4746. 791·4499. Plb: Larrbda Times . MDLAND(915} Holy Tnnly Community Churc~ 1607 S. Main, 79701. 570-4822. Rev. Glenn E. Hammell, pastor. SAN ANTONIO (210) MCC, 1136W, Wooda'/,1\ 78201. 734-0048. River Cly l.Mng Churc~ 202 Holland, 78212. 734-0077, TYLER(903) St. Gabnel Commun tty Church,_ 13904 Counly Rd 193, 75703. 58Hll23. WACO(817) MCC, PO 8c>< 22043, 76712 752-5331. WICIITA FALLS (817) MCC, PO Box~. 7/JYJ7. 696-2688 . Wisconsin FOX VALLEY (414) Angel of Hq,e MCC, PO 8oK 672, Green Bay, 54305. 496-8688. MADISON(608! . lntegily,lligiity, PO Bo, 730, 53701, 838-8886. 1001 Universily Ave. . (1 Alike Mind POBoK6021, 53716-&!11. 255-5002. MI.WAUKEE(414) ~J::l'ra:' ~i:~~:.4;~~. 53211. 481-11003. MAPScint~Care, PO Box 92505, 53202 273-1991. MCC, POBoK 1421, 53201-1421. 332-999~ International LONDON • Le_sbian and Gay Cl1rislian Movement, Oxford House, Dert,;shrre St., London E2 6HG, U<, 071-739-1249. CANADA· lnlertaith Assn. on AIDS, clo #201, 11456 Jasper Ave., Edmonton. Alberta T5K OM1 • SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1994 -, ' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BIBLICAL "CONDEMNATION" of gays examined by Columbia University graduate with a decade of UFMCC membership. $3.95 for 26 page booklet. H& S/SS, POB 221841, Charlotte NC 28222. 10/94 MAGAZINE FOR HOMESTEADERS! Our 17th year! Sample, 4 First Class stamps. Farming Uncle, c/o Toro, 780 E. 185th St., #3DG82 Bronx NY 10460-1004. 10/94 "WONDERFUL DIVERSITY," "Heartily recommended," "Philosophically intriguing.' 1 "Excellent. 11 Why do reviewer s highly esteem CHRISTIAN*NEW AGE QUARTERLY? Great articles and lively columns make this bridge of dialogue between Christians and New Agers as entertaining ~s it is substantive. Subscribe for only $12.50/yr. Or sample us for $3.50. CHRISTIAN*NEW AGE QUARTERLY, P.O. Box 276 , Clifton, NJ 07011-0276. TF . A GAY DIARY 1975-1982 by Donald Vining is the latest in the series of intimate, personal diaries of which critics have said, "Unq.uestionablythe richest historical document of gay male life in the United States" "The fairly detailed look at the day-to -day development of a 'long-term' gay couple relationship is only one valuable aspect of this intriguing chronicle." "Humor, narrative sense, interest in the foil51es of others. Deep honesty." 474 pages .. paperback $11.95 hardcover $16.95. Also available A GAY DIARY 1946-1954 $9.95 and $14.95, 1954- 1967' paperback onl y, $9.95, I 967- 1975, $11.95 and $16.95. The Pepys Press, 1270 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10029 OPEN HANDS , an ecumenical quarterly magazine on ministries with gays, lesbians and bisexuals. $16/year. Free sample. 3801 N. Keeler Avenue, Chicago, IL 60641. 312/736-5526. FAX-312/736-5475. 10/95 l~~Wi-~J LEARN HOW TO resolve conflicts in a conciliatory manner for only $19.95. Order "Mediation: The Book" by Leonard. The hottest Christian-based career of the 1990s. A must! Call 1-800-594-5190. 10/94 PASTOR NEEDED. A small, but growing non-denominational • commumty church in beautiful East Texas is in need of a pastor to lead its congregation. The church's primary ministry is to people of alternate life styles. The candidate must be of high moral character, professionally trained, ordained, or eligible for ordination. For further information please send letter o( inquiry of Saint Gabriel Community Church, 13904 CR 193, Tyler, TX 75703 or call (903) 581-6923. 10/94 . SEEKING PASTOR for small independent liturgical church in Dallas, Texas. Present pastor retiring January, 1995. Mainline church background and seminary graduate preferred . Contact: Pulpit Committee, Fr. Frederick Wright, c/o Holy Trinity Community Church, 4402 Roseland Avenue, Dallas, TX 75204. Telephone : (H)(214) 821-0418, (0)(214)827-5088. 12/94 ~:ri •~hds/Relationships . ' CHICAGO GWM, 41, 155 lbs., 5'10", looking for a soul mate. I am emotionally, spiritually, and financially secure and seek the same in my mate. Open with my sexuality, masculine, not flambo ·yant, HIV-, involved in the Episcopal Church, and dedicated to my friends. You have similar qualities, do not abuse alcohol or drugs , and love life. Write with recent photo: B.R., ii~ N . Greenview, 2E, Chicago, IL 60640. SECOND STONE Classifieds . ................... •' ............ . Classified Order Form FOR ONLY 35¢ per word, your classified ad will reach readers from Sitka, Alaska to Amherst, Mafne and everywhere in between. Business or personal ... try a classified ad in our next edition! Mail To: Second Stone Box 8340 Name Address __________ _ City/St./Zip _______ _ AD COPY _______ -'-- --------------------- __ words X .35= $ ____ _ 20 word minimum. All classifieds must be pre-paid. Deadline one month prior to cover date . We will mail you a copy of the edition(s) in which your ad ------------------7 Please place my ad in these issues: [] Jan/Feb [ J Mar/Apr [ l May/Jun [] Jul/Aug [ l Sept/Oct [ J Nov/Dec ' CLASSIFICATIONS [ l Books & Publications [ l Business Opportunities [ J Employment [ l Friends/Relationships [ l General Interest [ l Mail Order [ l Merchandise [ l Organizations [ ] Professional Services [ J Real Estate [ l Retreats [ l Roommates [ ]Travel I I I I ! I -: I I I I I I I New Orleans, LA 70182 ------------------------------------------ I -------------------' appears GWF, 44, professional, feminine, well educated, kindly humorous, talkative financially stable, no drugs /smoking, littl~ dnnkmg , faithful Presbyterian, liberal in outlook, conservative in lifestyle. ISO truly similar lady living within 2-3 hours : GWF, good listener, feminine, 39-49 , interested in commitment Vs. casual relationships . \Vrite: Sarah, ·P.O. Box 14163, Augusta, GA 30919. 6195. ACTIVE CATHOLIC (Orthodox, A nglican, or Roman Catholic) male wanted. Serious but jovial and se nsual and niasculine! ... in the ·southwest or San Diego. Weight in proportion to height. Music and animal lover. Around my age range: 53. No smoke or dope, moderate drink! Frank B., P.O. Box 62, Blue Springs, MO 64013 GWM, Christian, professional, educated, 35, 6'2", 160 lbs., blue/brown (balding) no facial hair, hirsute. ISO a non-smoking, drug-free lifemate, monogamous relationship. Interests: music, theatre, outdoors, travel, quiet evenings, cards, volleyball, dancing . P.O. Box 59, Hummels Wharf, PA 17831-0059. 12/94 l'M ATTRACTED TO WV, TN, OK, TX, AR, VA, KY Southern boys. Like them Christian or other beliefs who are very romantic, loving, gentle, caring, masculine, straightacting, nice personality. Honesty counts. Must be very loving, sexual. I like slender types 24-40's, long haired , dark, redhead , blondes. Little Teddy Bear wants a country boy . I'm 37, 57, 155 lbs., hairy, HIV-. No drugs, games, bar types. Photo to M. Barrett, 6244 Corson Ave. So., Seattle, WA 981<l!-3442. 10/94 VERY INTERESTING, attractive, athletic loving, sincere, and open 24 yr. old blonde/blue WM who is incarcerated with winter release would love to meet older male for special friendship. Metz, 276527, Box 120 3Cl35, Lebanon. OH 45036. 10/94 ~-,-"AIDS AWARENESS" stamp pins. $3.50. Quality made of solid brass. Proceeds benefit PWAs. Volume discounts . Eastern Maine AIDS Network, P.O. Box 2038, Bangor, ME 04402. 12/94 _,_ CREMATION URNS: Introducing the Lambda Pride Um. Celebrate Life with an um that reflects personality and style . Call for free brochure. Lifestyle Urns . 1-800-685-URNS. 8/95. GAY PRIDE FLAGS, Banners, Lapel Pins, Wall Clocks, Tote Bags, Bumper Stickers Wind Socks & More. Free Catalog'. 1-800-854-1438. (24 hrs. - 7 days.) Retail & Wholesale. 2/95 PIANO FOR SALE . 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RETREATS FOR GAY monks focusing on coping techniques in repressive communities at _Saint Benedict Monastery . Information wnte: Dan, 1012 Monastery Rd., Snowmass, CO 81654. 6/95 CARIBBEAN VACATION. Spend a week at the only gay owned beach resort in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Perfect place for lovers. One low price includes room, car and $100 bar credit. Low air also . Call for details. 800-524-2018. 10/94 ARE YOU MOVING? The Post Office will not forward The Second Stone. You must notify us for uninterrupted service if you move. Please notify us four weeks in advance for uninterrupted delivery. Send both old and new addresses. II possible attach mailing label in space provided . · PRINT NEW ADDRESS ~Jo.~ tf - - ~ ~ ~ -~ Send completed form to: THE SECOND S1ONE Box8340 New Orleans, LA 70182 WARNING REGARDING PRISON CORRESPONDENCE: While most prisoners seeking correspondence are genuine in their intent, some are not. Readers are cautioned to protect themselves from .. _______________ _. 5Cams. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1994 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 Second Stone #36 - Sept/Oct 1994 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/e934cbed6b8669beaf61492992d8164c.pdf 0661ed9bdc6fe6744331fe086f205b2d 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 Second Stone Description An account of the resource Issues of the Second Stone publication. Issue An issue of a recurring publication. Issue Number The number of the issue (within a volume) 37 Publication Year The year the issue was published 1994 Publication Date The date the issue was published Nov/Dec 1994 Text Any textual data included in the document FIRST ISSUE OF YEAR NUMBER SEVEN NOVEMBER/DECEMBER, 1994 ISSUE #37 2.95 -Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an everflowing ·stream. - Amos 5:24 General Secretary attends forum sponsored by gay and lesbian Christian ministries National Council of Churches General Board meets; receives · report on homosexuality FROM STAFF AND NCC REPORTS MIDTERM ELECTIONS, antiimmigrant backlash and the wntinuing c~nflict in Bosma- Herzegovina were among topics of deliberation high on the agenda of the National Council of Churches' annual General Board meeting, held in New Orleans Nov . 10-12, New policy on evang elization and on human rights also were items of business and the Council considered a committee report on homosexuality and ecumenism. The 271-member board includes delegates from the NCC's .32 Protestant, Orthodox and Anglican member churches, whose memberships in tum total nearly 49 million. Leaders from many of the gay and lesbian Christian ministries attended a panel discussion on Nov . 12 on religious communities confronting the radical religious right. Mel White, UFMCC National Minister of Justice delivered the keynote address. White charged the NCC with sacrificing Gays and Lesbians for a greater good, as he said President Clinton did with his broken promise to lift the military gay ban. "I will - P.O. Box 8340 New Orteans, LA 70182 ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED never step into an NCC .meeting for another word of dialogue, " White said, almost in tears. "Gays and Lesbians don't have any more time to waste with it;" NCC General Secretary Joan Brown· ,Campbell responded by denying that · the N<:::C has sacrificed justice for Gays and Lesbians for some greater good. "There is a way to work together," Campbell said, praising the graciousness of the UFMCC after "all these years" (of having its membership application denied .) In his presentation, White warned of the elements of the radical right's world view: working toward theocracy instead of democracy, doing away with separation of church and state, and a changing view of first amendment rights. White told the gather ing that the religious right was made up of "just good folks" .wJ10 clump together in fear under powerful religious leaders like Focus on the Family director Jim Dobson, who White described as "the SEE COVER STORY, Page 10 !)U.K RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID NEW ORLEANS, LA PERMIT No. 511 lllll!IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII TIME DATED MATERIAL - DO NOT DELAY /III/IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII I 11 I I I ; Den om ination~identified gay :~nd · lesbian Christian organi~atigras,: · · When bad hews. tot Gays and Lesbi&ris co.111es from cfiW'ch . headquarters, how do denominatibn-Jctentified g,:o,ups,f~re1. . . Lutherans•Concerned/North America ,ProgramExecμtiv;~ ·.· .• Bob GibeUng discusses a new direction for LC.;; PAGE 11 · IN YOUR MAILBOX FOR A WHOLE YEAR JUST $17 001 Box 8340 • New Orleans, LA 70182 THE NATIONAL ECUMENICAL CHRISTIAN NEWSJOURNAL FOR LESBIANS, GAYS AND B.ISEXUALS • 'J . ;, . ' ~ :, . \._ (. I ( .•· ' ..... ·"! • ·-> Contents · · ·•• . ti:f'•"·· .. • ... [1] .·· ... . . . From the editor . . · . . • A Mississippi High Sheriff and· his Bible []J Commentary . . · . Some Gays and Lesbians are. throwing. the baby out with the bath·water [II ~~~ters.to the ed;tqr · [5 I NewsUnes 1 10· ·1 Cover story · · · I 111 I Our God Too: Radical right challenged ~ by NCC forum . 111· I What•s·a•ea• for denomination- . ·1· . · based gay arid lesbian organiz~tions . · ' ' . · Bob Gilieiirig, PiCJgr~m Exeputive:f<t :, . . · • Lutherans Concerned, discusses ,. · the•\:,ast'ahd future · r1·. !)) My._B~seball .Hat . : . · L _,_J!.J Julia M_ueller traces. ~er: ~oats [ill ~:; :·!-- . Hii} ~~r~t~~;'s lasf b'oo~i an/ : · <. .' · · L!!!J: )he 2~1h. anniversary of Perry•~ Jahdm8:rk book .... ... . ,., r• ! • : --. ;y · --.. - W From the Editor W . . . . ............................ . Keeping the g·ood Lord happy in Mississippi By Jim Bailey M EMBERS OF OUR community all across the nation were shocked, saddened and angered by the execution -style killings of two gay men in rural Mississippi. Even more angering was the lackluster response to the killings from local law enforcement officials. Each victim in this particular case ·died of a gunshot wound to the head . A few church~going folks across our land would say the men got what they had coming . After all, haven't you read the booklet "Death Penalty for Homosexuals Prescribed by the Bible," published and distributed by a fairly well known fundamentalist preacher? · I wonder if Maurice Hooks has read that little booklet. Hooks is the sheriff (known as sheriffs are in most parts of Mississippi as the High Sheriff) of Jones County, where the two gay men were killed. He is .a former state trooper who has been sheriff for 13 years. When Brenda and Wanda Henson opened Camp Sister Spirit in Hooks' territory almost two years ago and began receiving harassment, there was some feeling that Hooks was not doing enough to protect the women and the camp. Now, with the killing of these two men on the outskirts of Laurel, there is the feeling that it is open season . on Gays and Lesbians in Jones County and that the High Sheriff isn't too worried about it. Could it be that Hooks believes the Bible prescribes the death penalty for· homosexuals? There is a Bible on Hooks' desk. There is a picture of Jesus Christ on the wall of his office and directly under the picture, a sign reading 'The High Sheriff." When asked by a reporter about complaints about the way the murders of the two men and the harassment of Camp SisterSpirit has been handled, Sheriff Hooks pointed to the picture of Christ and said, 'There's the high sheriff. As long as I please the good Lord I don't have to worry about . pleasing anyone else." Considering his lack of compassion, many would say that the sheriff's desk was an unlikely ,place to fin:d a .Bible . . But really, Bibles do show up just abqut , .. everyw!iere. It's the most published book in history .. Bibles ar~ often dutclied /: in one hand while Ku Klux K\an members ignite crosses with the'·other , Km'\• , there was almost certainly a Bible in the hotel room where Rev. Jimmy Swaggert met his downfall. Having a Bible in one's possession does not make one an avid reader. Gay rights and civil. rights groups are probably not the only ones unhappy with the way the sheriff has mish,indled obvious acts of bigotry and violations against life and basic rights in his part of a state whieh has a long history'uf intolerance. Sheriff Hooks should pick that Bible up off of his desk. I think he would discover that the ·real "high sheriff," "the good Lord," isn't as pleased with his job performance as Hooks thinks He is . Year seven for Second Stone As we begin our seventh year of publication, I thank each and _every one of you ·for enabling and empowering Second Ston·e .to reach out to members of our ·community. I don't think that'a week has gone by during the past six years that I haven'treceived a letter from someone just to say ."thanks." And that word of thanks always needs to be passed on to you, the folks who make this publication possible. Many blessings to you and yours during this holiday season! ·1 ~ ' / , .. J .~ .. .....:... '""-"--~,...,___,_--'--____ ( ~!!? . SECOND STONE Newsjoumal, ISSN No. 1047-3971, is published every other month by Bailey Communications, P. O.' Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182. Copyright 1994 by Second Stone, a regi~tered trademark. SUBSCRIPTIONS; U.S.,;. ·$17.00 per.Year, six i~sues. For.eign subscribers add $10.00 ror·postage:' /\11 paynieptsU ,S. currency only . . · , ADVERTISING,, 'For·display advertising infonnation call (504)891-7555 or write to P.o.: Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182. · EDITORIAL, send letters, calendar announcements, ' note\vorthy items<to (Department. (ille) Second Stone, P.O: ·Box .. ~349; New Orlea~s . LA 70182. Ma!lllscripts to be returned should:be accompanied by a stamped, self addr~sed env~lope._ Second Stone is otherwise not r~ponsible for the .reluf\J of any materiat · · .. S.E:COND STONE, a . national ecumenical Christian socia l justice riewsjoumal ~ .:,,~ ,~tfi a specific o~treach to sexual orien~tion mi~orities. , PUBLISHER/EQITOR: Jim Bailey , ·., . CONTRIBUTORS FORTHfS ISSUE: William A.' Percy, Rev. Samuel Kader, "" :-.. , Robyn Brown,_~ulia Mueller, Richard L. palton , Jerry Lail . . . 1. NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 9 9 4 Comment . .. ~ , - . V : -. ....... .............. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fatal dishonesty in "committed" relationships By Richard L. Dalton Guest Comment I . know of individuals who are living and dying with HIV and AIDS because they decided to forego safe sex while involved in committed relationships. In 1989 I had the privilege of traveling and ministering with Rev. · Sylvia Pennington across the United States and Canada. In the Pacific Northwest we stayed with a wonderful young Christian man. He had been in a committed relationship that had ended due to a nightmarish situation that I have since discovered has impacted other lives and relationships. Due to this couple being in a committed relationship and having discussed that they were both HIV negative, they agreed to have sex without condoms. One day while they were preparing dinner my friend's partner told him that he was HIV-positive and that by now both of them probably were. Pause and think about this reality. As it.turned out, my friend's partner knew before they were together that he was HIV-· positive, and he knowingly partici " pated in unsafe sex and infected my friend. I hoped and prayed then that this would be an isolated reality. Two years ago I met a new friend at ConnECtion, the annual conference of Evangelicals Concerned Western Region. The next year my friend shared that he was fiIV-positive. We talked about life,. our foves, Jesus and ministry. He shared with me that he had been in a relationship of trust, love, mutual respect. His partner had told him that he was HIV-negative and today my friend is HIV-positive because he too trusted his partner, having unsafe sex with the man he loved. This is my second friend raped of life by the very man he loved. What is wrong with us guys? Come on! Wake up! I am angry that someone could do this to yet another wonderful man of God . My heart cries for my brothers. Yesterday I shared wonderful conversation with someone I recenily met about ministering in the churches we have been a part of through the : · years. In the course of the conversa,. tion he shared how he recently left a relationship because the man he was with lied to him about his HIV status, stating the was HIV-negative. In fact; his former partner is HIV-positive and . they had unprotected sex during their relationship. It turns out that his partner also lied to him about being faithful. Fortunately, this third friend has tested HIV-negative. My friends shared important'truths . about responsibility. The respo nsibility for your life belongs to you, not your partner! Here our brothers are coming to terms with being Christian Don't throw the baby out with the bath water By Jerry Lail Guest Comment M any Gays and Lesbians, as well as other disenfranchised peoples, have already done just that. M. Scott Peck, psy~ chiatrist and best-selling author, discusses this phenomenon in his book, Further Along tlze Road .Less Traveled. Dr. Peck often uses the phrase "throwing the baby out with the bath water" to refer to the Freudian defense mechanism known as reaction formation. When ·people throw the baby out with the bath water it typically involves going from one extreme to another. As a result of conservative Christianity's oppression and judgment of homosexuals, large numbers of Lesbians and Gays have left the Christian church to join less judg. mental religions such as Buddhism, Native American religions, and New. Age groups, while others have become atheis.ts and agnostics. One of those who left Christianity wrote a lette_r to Genre ,magazine in . ; reSl?,Of.l~e.'.to , an a.rticle I wrote on the .,~;, i,u~ie'd pf Gays and rehg10n. His response is a very :common one when this subject is dealt with in a positive way in lesbian and gay publications : The basic argument is that Judeo- Christian -religions. aren't in the least pro-gay ~d . our•_lives would be much healthier 1f we iust forgot God and became atheists, agnostics,·or humanists. . lions of Scripture has been one of condemnation for relatively the same length of time. Most certainly there is a great deal -of pain .and anger in our ·community. The anger is completely justified and the pain bitterly real. However, just as I am sure there are homophobic ath eists, there are and ,have always been Christia .ns who reject this negative treatment of Gays and Lesbians and who are supportive of us, sometimes at great personal costs. Many times those who say we don't · need God and/ or religion also ask "Why would any gay person in their right mind subject themselves to further pain by clinging to such destructive religious belief systems?" This is a very valid question and it would benefit all of us to ask it cf . ourselves. · For some, especially those whg remain in fundamentalist churches, .it may be a case .of religious abus_e. and addiction, and/ or a fear of hell if they question the church'.s literid,. inerrant interpretation of Scripture. Many · have bought into the lie that we are .. scum of the earth ; God could not possibly love us if we are gay. Their distorted view of God is ·still one of rigid legalism, "judgmentalism: · and hatred. Donald E. Sloat, Ph.D., discμsses how our view of God is 'Shaped by our childhood in his provocative and healing book, The Dangers of Growing_ Up in a Christian Home. "Since both our feelings . and our faith operate through the same personality equipment, we're g·oing to have trouble seeing God clearly if that equipment is malfunctioning or contains emotional distortions." Dr. David A. Seamand (author, · professor, counselor, Methodist minister and missionary) also. addresses this subject i~ 'his best-selling book, ~t&_ Pontius' Puddl~· · and gay, in a relationship that unbeknownst to them is not honest, and now two of the:three are·HIV-positive. Orie friend and I -both use the word rape . ta des~ibe what happened. I believe this is an act of violence. We must take responsiblity in our relationships to be honest, . tell the truth; value our life and the life of our · · partner by always practicing safe sex. Jesus' example for us is to always love ourself as we love. our neighbor. · Loving ourself mearis taking the time to be responsible in this era of AIDS. It ·is horrible eriough to lose many friends to AIDS. It is even more horrible that some are acquiring HIV from their partners. Trust is a precious gift. Let-us use it to save· our lives and the lives of our friends. Richard Dalton is a member of the board of directors 'of Evangelical~ Con ·cerned Western Region anc[ a Masters of Divinity student at Pacific School of Religion, Berkeley, Calif Healin,gfor Damaged Emotions. "Many years ago I was :driven to the con- : . dμsign t.hat tM two major causes of : most eiriotiorial · problems among . evangelical Christians are these: the failure to understand, ·receive, and live out . God's unconditional love, · · grace-and forgiveness; and the failure fo give ·out that unconditional love, forgiveness, and grace to other people." A growing :number of Christians are ·coming to: 'the same or similar conclusions. Dr. Scott Peck states that the problem with Christianity is not . its doctrine, but- that it is seldom practiced,. More and more Christians, as well as ·entire:churches and denominations are shedding . the negative, destructive views Of God. , This has l:!rought about a redefining of Gocl'through .the life and teachings SEE COMMENT, Next Page . I don't buy that. True, the church has been very -hurtful to Gays and Lesbians for the past seven to eight hundre\f . years, . ar.id the interpreta- . . SE c o N D sf o N E N o v EM BE RI 6 E c E MB ER l 9 9 4 '•• .................. ·• ............ ..Y...o...u...r..T...u...m.... ................... . Bloemfontein, South Africa South Africa needs our prayers Dear Second Stone, Greetings to. all from South Africa, a country in transition. Thes·e times have not been easy ·on us emotionally and economically. However, things are changing - but with more freedom comes other things which are not ·so ·good. We are soon to have abortion on demand, legalized prostitution (thinking that this will curb the • AIDS epidemic) and a flood of pornographic material is also coming into the country. After the incredibly violent past four years - the frantic sweeping political changes and the unbelievable chaotic election - the sudden cheerful· atmo- · sphere of reconciliation did not last long. This past month has been most violent. Many policemen have been murdered :. Racial tensions among the different tribes have not abated and are as furious as befor.e. Strikes are busy crippling this country economically. Please do remember us as we face these changing times. Sincerely,_ Rev. Brian Sterley Tucson, Arizona Letter from jail · Dear Second Stone, I am a 30-year-old gay male in search of Christ, fellowsh,ip and answers. I am writing this letter from COMMENT, From Page 3 of Christ, by focusing on the consistent theme of the Holy Scriptures, which is God's love for all ·humankind and God's efforts to demonstrate that love. Robert Goss, Ph.D. surnmarizes this redefinition in the chapter "From Christ the oppressor to Jesus the liberator" in his empowering book, Jesus Acted Up: A Gay and Lesbian Manifesto. Dr. Goss points out the numerous times in the Gospels that Christ is criticized for His association with "sinners," the outcasts, "tax collectors and prostitutes." In the time of Christ when He told the parable of the good Samaritan, "the term 'good Samaritan' was as shocking as the term 'queer Christian' is to fundamentalist Christians." Dr. Goss also says in regards to the resurrection: "For queer Christians, the risen Jesus stands in solidarity with oppressed gay men and lesbians. The risen Jesus is the hope for justice." It is this hope for justice, love ,and equality combined with a longing for completion or wholeness that has SECOND STONE my jail cell where I'm waiting to g·o to prison. My search for God and Christ has been a difficult one. I have found myself facing many stone walls built by Christians to keep me and others like me out. In my search I have found hatred, persecution, contempt and a lack of concern that has left me hurt and discouraged. I believe it's only by the power of God that I have come this far. All of my life I believed that being gay was a sin. The kind of gay lifestyle I was living sure was. I had no religious background or upbringing so I'm not sure where my beliefs come from. But I've always felt there's a God and He doesn't want me. The church here in jail reinforced that belief thoroughly. One day while visiting my attorney I told her about the church here and some of the things being said. She asked if I had ever thought about becoming a Christian. My answer was "Hell no. I'm gay and I can't change that." It was at her suggestion that I wrote letters to gay-friendly churches. I sent out ten letters. I received one reply .. It ·was from Cornerstone Fellowship. Not only did I receive a letter from them, they also sent me my first Christi;m friend. Later I heard from the Task Force on Homosexuality and the Church, First Presbyterian Church of Fort Wayne, Indiana. They are responsible for me being able. to enjoy my first issue of Second Stone, along with other great reading material and for this I am thankful. Such literature has made me aware of a whole drawn many of us to or back to church. The church, when it functions in the spirit of Christ, is a type of community. A community -that is open, safe and affirming. A place to ask life's important questions and search for meaning with others. If you are not part of a community or are part ~f one which is negative different type of gay /lesbian community; a Christian community which has given me hope and determination. As jails and prisons are nothing new to me, doing time will just be old hat. However, doing time as a Christian will be a whole new ball game. If you know of any Christians who might correspond with me, please give them my name. The power of fellowship is great. Sincerely, Clayton Sanders (Readers may write to Clayton Sanders 187204, 2-A-36, Box 951, Tucson, AZ 85702) Menasha, Wisconsin Second Stone is getting better Dear Second Stone, My impression in reading your current issue is that your publication has improved greatly since the last issue I saw. Keep up the good work. . Sincerely, BRR Ennis, Texas Dear Second Stone, I'm so impressed with Second Stone. You are maturing, growing, changing. We all are grateful for your creativity and for your commitment to our community. Keep up the good work! Blessings to you and yours, Mel v\/hite intimate group of friends. I believe that wherever one goes for community it's still a quest for the same thing. Wholeness. Regardless of your religious background, atheist, Buddhist, Christian, Jewish, etc.; regardless of your understanding of God, a supreme being, an energy force, the sum of " ... the two major causes of most en1otional problems among evangelical Christians are these: the failure to understand, receive, and live out God's unconditional love, grace and forgiveness; and the failure to give out that unconditional love, forgiveness, and grace to other people." and destructive, then now is a good time to reclaim your right to share in a community that is life affirming. Some may find community in a camping club,· a women's or men's group; . others may find it in an everything good that exists, Creator; I encourage you to open yourself to the wonderful adventure of experiendng God in community. A growing number of professionals in the fields of psychology and Akron, Ohio Dear Second Stone, Really enjoy your publication. Thanks a lot. Keep up the great work! Sincerely, JD Florence, Oregon The other side of the closet Dear Second Stone, Summer before last I gave my wife a copy of The Other Side of the Closet thinking it an excellent choice for a bisexual husband to give to his straight, fundamentalist wife. She did read it out of curiosity. It ruined her summer. Her response was that she wasn't like the wives mentioned in the text. She said this is just a sick phase I'm going through as a sinner condemned to hell and as a good and faithful wife she will stick it out with me. We have been married 30 years SEE LETTERS, Page 17' We welcome your. letters and opinons Write to Second Stone. All letters must be original and signed by the writer. Clearly indicate if your name is to be withheld. We reserve the right to edit. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 or FAX to (504)891-7555. psychiatry believe that whether we know it or not we are desperately searching for God to fill some void in us. Dr. Scott Peck says that there is a subconscious yearning in each of us for a relationship with God; and that God aggressively pursues us just as a lover pursues the object of his/ her affections. He believes this universal subconscious craving for God extends even to atheists. Dr. Peck says this is illustrated in sex, which "is the closest to a spiritual experience many people ever come. It is a spiritual experience, that is why some pursue it [sex] to the point of obsession." We are all spiritual beings; that is what is meant by "Created in the image of God." There are many mysteries to this process we call life. For example, from where did we come and where are we going? What is God? Where is He/She? I don't have the answers; and I am happy to have found a church - a community - that can honestly admit they don't either. It is a safe, loving, caring place to be while in this experience we call life. I believe. it is in and through community that we find God. • N O V E M B E R / · D E C E MB E R 1 9 9 4 ·, News Lines . . . . . . . . ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........ No welcome wagon for Huntsville's new MCC 6THE PASTOR OF A Metropolitan Community Church in Alabama said her congregation doesn't want any trouble in its new northwest Huntsville neighborhood. After outgrowing its old quartets, the MCC built a new $140,000 worshlr, hall last summer . 'We jusf want to be good neighbors and help out in any way we carr,' said Rev. Janet Suess-Pierce. "We just want to be accessible to a1l and inclusive of everyone. We're not for any one group." Pastor Suess-Pierce has entered into a dialog with the pastor of a neighboring church concerning the teachings of the Bible and Christ. Neighbors say the church .is endorsing a lifestyle incompatible with Christianity. "Almost every book in the Bible will tell you that homosexuality is a sin," said Edith Wharton, who lives across the street. "I've just been beside myself ever since I found out what kind of church they were r,utting there." Wharton said she planned to make her feelings knownto the parishioners. I'11 be out there in my rocking cliair with my sign .that says, 'I don't like homosexuals,"' she said . "I will say one thing, they won't liave a minute's peace as long as I'm living. That's a promise to God.'' The church had r,lanned to hold its first services July 24 in its new building, but had to postpone the dedication until July 30 because a technicality delayed the certificate of occupancy. -Associated Press, Alabama Forum · More dioceses plan to leave Episcopal Church t.SIX DIOCESES HA VE now announced their intention to join the Diocese of Florida severing the principal of intercommunion within the Episcopal Church. The bishops of San Joaquin, Cenfral Flordia, Florida, 'Qu incy, Dallas , West Missouri and the Rio Grande joined 43 other Episcopahans in for_ming a n.ew org.anization_ aimed at pressuring the church to adopt ultra-con"':rvative positions or/ace decreased fi.nanc1a_l supp~rt. fo a covenant adopted at the mihal meeting of Ep1scopahans m Apostolic Mission m Atlanta, signatories criticized. "tendencies · within the wider Episcopal Church toda y contrary to official Anglican ethical standards," even if they are authorized by General Convention. The memoers further agreed that "we will not conform ourselves to [such actions], we will not directly financially support them, nor will we permit those .who engage in them to minister regularly within our congregational and/ or diocesanhf e." Members of EAM called for protection of life "from conception to natural death" and the limitation of "sexual intimacy and intercourse" to "heterosexual, monogamous, life-long marriage." The covenant describes divorce as "always sinful and rarely appropriate." - Voice of Integrity · Veto of domestic partnershiD denounced · t.BY VETOING DOMESTIC partners legislation, Governor Pete Wilson denied religious freedom of California's citizens, said a .leader of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches . "For the .Governor of Califor.nia to give selective preference to one religious viewpoint is to deny the religious freedom of others," said Rev. Don Eastman, UFMCC treasurer and second vice moderator. 'The opposition to domestic partnership is !:,aged primarily on religious objections to homosexuality. But many religious leaders disagree with sucli ob/ections and affirm loving, responsible homosexual relations.'' The domestic partners law would have allowed unmarried couples, heterosexual or ·homosexual, to register with the state to gain certain rights afforded married couples, including hospitarvisitation and the bequeathing of prorerty . Rev. Eastman descrioed the Governor's denial of these basic rights as "mean-spin led," recalling the "horror storie&" he has heard of fa.milies forbidding long-term partners from visiting the hospital bed ot attending the funeral of their partner. "Governor Wilson has chosen to appease the radical right which OJ?poses domestic partners legislation rather than to honor the rich diversity of. Ca!ifornia s citizens," Eastrnan said . . Presbyterian pastor commits suicide · M PRESBYTERIAN PASTOR who quietly acknowledged his homosexuality to a gay minister last year has committed suicide. Friends whowent to their Presbxterian Church of America-affiliated churc. h in St. Louis for their weekly early morning Bible study were horrified to learn of the death of Egon Middleman. The German-born Middleman studied at Covenant Seminary in St. Louis and went on to pastor an inner-city church, Grace .and Peace, which developed a ministry to inner-city poor, people of color, persons with AIDS and sexual minorities. Middleman's last sermons bore eloquent testimony to-his vision of a truly tolerant church, firmly anchored in Jesus' example and teaching, where gay men and Lesbians would not have to live a life of subterfuge in the closet. - Other Slteep Study: Gay workers earn less than non-gay peoole in same jobs t.AN INDEPENDENT STUDY at the University of Maryland at College Park on th!! impact of anti-gay job discrimination has found that gay men and Lesbians earn less than their non-gay counterparts with similar education, trainint and occupations. Th e findings refute the stereotype of gay people as an "affluent elite unworthy of equal rights under the law. The study, "Economic Evidence of Sexual Orientation Discrimination ," marks the first scientific economic research conduc ted on the problem of job discrimi nation on the basis of sexual orientation. Falwell gets too oolitical for Florida television station 6TELEVISION STATION WTLV in Jacksonville has threaten ed to pull Jerry Falw ell's "Old Time Gosp el Hour" off ihe air for a month for focusing more on rolitics.than on religion. Viewers pick eted the station after Falwell spent a good dea of time on the show's August 14 oroadcast in what protesters called criticism of President Clinton that involved "sexually exp licit" language by the televangelist. A spokesperson for the station said WTLV wo uld air reruns of the program until the political content of th e program ends. - Gayuet · Not gay, says new Anglican bishoo 6 THE NEW BISHOP of Durham, England, the fourth ranking prelate in the Anglican Church; said Sept. 27 that he is not gay, and apologized for an indecency conviction in the 1960s. The Rt. Rev. Michael Turnbull was convicted in 1968 of an act of indecency with another man in a public bathr oom. He \'leaded guilty at the time and was released on condition he did not offend ai;ain within 2 months. "ft so happens that I am not and never have been a homosexual,' Turnbull said in a state.,ment to a British news agency. Gay rights advocates accused Turnbull of hypocrisy. SECOND STONE - i ' I Subscribe Today. AND YO U1 LL ·NEVER WITHOUT A FRIEND Y 0 U R J 0 U R N E Y. BE FO 'R Second Stone The National Gay and Lesbian Christian Newsjournal ···YES f.: ... '. .................................. ; .. . · ~Begin my subscription to SECOND STONE for: . [ ] One year .(6 Issues) $17.00 [ ]Two years (12 issues) $28.00 [ ] Three years (18 issues) $39.00 NAME ADDRESS CITY /STATE/ZIP CODE CHECK HERE [ ] if a pldin en v elope is required and add $2.00 per year. A llow 6-8 weeks for delivery of your first Issue. international subscribers add $10.00 per year, U.S. currency. Mail To: SECOND STONE, Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 THANK YOU for your subscription support ! NOVEMBER/DECEMBERl 994 -.~ . v·- News Lines ................................ ........ ............... •- • ................ . Tips on how to get straight, according to CWA · MN A RECENT ISSUE of their.monthly magazine, Family Voice, the Concerned Women of America, which claims to be the largest women's organization in America, offered tips on "How to Overcome Homosexuality ." The tips include "accept Jesus as Savior and I:ord," "present your bcxly formally to Goo," "awid homosexual hangouts,',' and "learn to control your mind ." - Diversity · · Anti-gay activist has AIDS' · · ·· · · · · · ··· t.THE BEST KNOWN C_anadian religious dght crusader against homose xuality has AIDS. Frank Shears had led the assau1t against the ·199() Gay Games m Vancouver and had appeared on national media to.denoun~e "the 'h6mosexu~l lifestyle" and gay civil . rights . He pushed the "ex-gay" movements promise of healm~ . The preadier from Burnaby, (British Columbia) Christian Fellowship confided hls 'slip" into homose xual behavior to a fellow pastor who ruled that he would have to confess to the entire congregation. He was then given four hours to clear out his desk and leave. Shears had strugg[ed with his homosexuality for 30 years ; once even going to bed with a Bible strapped over his genitals, hoping for divine healing . He now attends a gay evangelical congregation and _regularlyworsbips with •people ne once tried .to "cure' through the exilay movement. -funch<re German church disapproves blessinas t.THE CHURCJ:i OFFICE of the Evangelical Lutlleran Church of Hanover expressed its disapproval of the blessing of a homosexual couple by a pastor who had been suspended from duty . "Church blessings of homophiles are unkriown in this church,'' a spokesperson for the church said in response to an inquiry by the German Protestant news agency EPD . Pastor Hans-Jurgen fyfeyer, who was suspended from duty because he lives in a . homosexua!-partner'ship,nad blessed the partnership of two men during a church service :m the town of Laatzen . The church leadership "with astorushment" took note that the blessing was similar to a marriage ceremony , the church office said in an initial . statement. The church office stressed th_at Meyer had already been suspended from the exercise of any ·church functions. However, Meyer told EPD that the -blessing had not been a marriage ceremonx , He saw no reason to refuse a \>lessing Hif ~o people who love one another ask for one. The blessing ' took _place during one of the . reg_1flar worship services for which the ecumenical fellowship HomosexueUe und I<irche [Homosexuals and Church] meets in a church in Laatzen. - Lutheran World lnfonnatio11 Idaho pastors supportanti-gay initiative : t.EJGHI' CEN:rRAL IDAHO past~ gathered in Rmgins to declare their love for gay men and Lesbians but their opposition to -homosexualliehaviof . The eight were the visib le· representatives of 5Tministers who signed a public statement in support of Proposition One, the Idaho Citizens Alliance's anti-gay initiative. The Rev . Jack Hoekstra of Community Christian Church in Cascade .told the group that his daughter is a lesbian and he knows the "hell she has gone through because of it" and that she is going to hell because of it.·-. Sb11tliern Voice · You can be g•v a11dChristian in Kentucky . t.THE BLlJEGRASS STATE found that while a majority of Kentuckians surveyed oppose Gays ho1i:!jrigreligious leadership positions, nearly half said homose xual s can be "true" 'C;hristi_an.s::Sixty-rune percent were opposed to gay /lesb ian der~y but 49 percent said Gays ·can be "genuine" Christians ; 37 percent said they couldn t. A ll}Jljority of Catholics and mainstream Protestants - but only 42 percent of Southern Baptists - said their churches should accept Lesbians and Gays as members . - Diversity Catholics Dian di~san ministries for Lesbians, Gays t.TWENTY-EIGHT LAITY, RELIGIOUS and clergy from 13 Roman Catholic dioceses met in Chicago July 29-31 to discuss ministries to gay and lesbian Catholics and their families. l'articipants, in~luding parents of _gay and lesbian people, acknowledged the many challenges that lesbian and gay Catholics and those who m1ruster with them face m the church. The Catlfolic Church believes that Gays and Lesbians "have a right to respect, friendship and-justice," "should have an active role in the Christian community " and "must be ·accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity ." The Church also expects Gays and Lesbians to practice abstinence from sexual activity. Those gathered in Chicago founded the National Association of Catholic Dioce san Lesbian and Gay Ministries . For information on this organization contact Rev. Jim Schexnayder , 433 Jefferson Street, Oakland, CA 94607. . UCC national church offices adopt workDlace HIV/AIDS education t.EMPLOYEES IN THE national offices of the United Church of Christ soon will receive HIV/ AIDS education in the workplace - the first such program in 'the national offices of any religious denomination. The program will be phasecfin over the riext two years in nationafUCC offices in Cleveland, New York City, and Washington, D.C. It is designed to provide employees with ongoing education about HIV/ AIDS and create a supportive workplace for any employee who may be HIV-positive . Unanimous approval for the program came Oct. 5 from the Council of Instrumentality Executives, composed of the denomination 's national officers and the heads of its national agencies. Since 1991, the personnel policies of the UCCs executive offices in Geveland have included protections for employees or prospective emeloyees with HIV/ AIDS, including a nile against AIDS testing as a pre-employment condition. FBI reports religious motivations in many hate crimes . t.EIGHTEEN PERCENT of some 7,600 hate crime s reported to the FBI in 1993 were motivated by religion, reports the federal agency . The Chicago Sun-Times r eports that the number s of such crimes are probably much higher since they come from agencies covering only 56 p ercent of the country . Anti-Jewi s h crime rated the highest with 1, 189 incidenc es; anti-Catholic crimes: 30; a nti -Prot e stant: 25; anti-Islamic: 11; anti-other religion s: 55; anti-multi-religious groups :11; anti-atheism-agnosticism: 3. Other hate crimes were motivated by race (62 percent ), s.,xual orientation (12 p ercent) and the rest SECOND STONE - by ethnicity/ national origin . Intimidation was the single most frequently reported hate crime at 35 percent. - Religion Watch · ' Idaho university bans church services in homophobic move t.TWO WEEKS AFI'ER agreeing to allow MCC Boise to meet at an historic church at Boise State University, officials l,anned all church services there. "Sounds su spiciously like homophobia to me,'' said Rev. Tyronne Sweeting, pastor of the MCC. Robert Koontz, a memb~r of the board of dir~ctors that governs the chapel, said the decision had nothing to do with the gay nature ol the MCC. He said he was una ware that any church was holding services in the chapel until he rearl an article about MCC in the daily newspap er. Two churches are affected by the board's de cision, MCC and the Christian Revival Center, a United Pentecostal Church that has met there since November of last year . - Diversity Gay ordination draws one protester LlRODERICKJ. THOMPSON is believed to be the first openly gay pr iest ordained by the Episcopal Church in Oregon . A letter asking Ep iscopalians to picket his ordination drew .one protester. Pat Robertson attacks Gay Games sponsor t.P AT ROBERTSON has recently charged his one million followers to protest Visa credit cards for supporting the Gay Games . Large depositors are also threatening Visa with withdrawing their money from b_anks that issue Visa cards. · INFACT expands tobacco industry boycott AfNFACT, THE NATIONAL consumer activist organization, has added R)R Nabisco to its tobacco industry boycott to stop the tobacco industry's marketing assault on children · around the world'. INF ACT launched a boycott of Philip Morris at that company's shareholder meeting earlier this year . At the same time, INFACT announced a drive to organize retailers to stop participating in Joe Camel promotions. "Joe Camel is the most · blatant example of the industry's to&acco marketing to children," said Elaine Lamy , executive director of INF ACT. Former minister an alleged closet case M FORMER METHODIST minister who initia ted the successful legal challenge to the state video lottery resigned two years ago when church officials received allegations he h ad been involved in homosexual activity . But Dick Ward of Aberdeen, Soufh Dakota , who served 31 years in the ministry denied that. he is gay. United Methodist Church District Superintendent Boyd Blumer said that the alfegation of homosexual activity came from the mother of a Rapid City man. "Blumer got some letters to the 26- or 28-year-old man I had written in Rapid City,'.' Ward said . "In .those letters, I revealed to him that rd had some homose xual experiences . I don 't remember writing them,.but it's my handwriting. " Ward said he was on the prescription drug Halcion at the time the lette rs were written . - Associated Press Catholics condemn iudge's decision on murderer of a gav man · . M NATIONAL CATHOLlCorganization , which .is funded and supported 6y over sixty religious orders of nuns, condemned District Judge David Young's ruling to reduce charges against the murderer of a gay man and for sentencing the killer to on1y six years . "Judge Young's reduction of charge s is obscen e,'' said Bro. Rick Garcia, director of the Chicago-based Catholic Advocates for Lesbian and Gay Rights . "Young's ruling and lax sentence demeans and diminishes not only gay and lesbian fives but the Judicial !?'stem as well . He should be ashamed ." Bro. Garcia charged that Young's ruling was "infested" with 'anti-gay bias. "This type of ruling would merely be unfortunate if if was not~ common in the judicial system ... We pray that justice-minded citizens remove such pathetic judges from the bench." Church triumphs CNer bigotry ~ .LIFE MCC, Matthews, North Carolina ,.has won a major victory after months of being assailed b:,r neighbors at its recently purchased prope _rtv. The town of Matthew s had 6een demanding Th.at the church comply with a laundry lisf of reqwrements designed to keep the congregation from occupying the new sanctuary . Among other things , the church was told to provide documentafion showing that the building can witnstand earthquakes and excessive loads of snow. The attorney for New Lire wrote to the County Attorney of Mecklinberg County, asking whether others had to meet the same requirements. The official response was that they didn't and neither does New Li~e MCC. All that the church need do is what any other church mu st do, which ts demonstrate that the building is up to ccxle. - Keeping in Touch Gays an "ianoble stain," says Cardinal 6Tl-ffi LEADffi OF the Roman Catholic Church in Argentina a1>ologized Aug. 23 for televised comments in which he called Gays "an ignoble stain [on) the face of society" and urged the creation of "a large area for Gay s -and I:esbians to live in, with their own laws, their own media ... and even their own constitution . "It was a joke, something that just crossed my mind ," Cardinal Antonio Quarracino explained. '1 apologize if r offended anyone , ifl hurt someone's sensitivities. I thought peop1e had a bettef sense of humor. " Lutheran bishop meets with UFMCC leaders t.BISHOP SHERMAN HICKS met ·in Los An ge les w ith the Board of Elder s of the Uni versal Fellowship of Metropolitan Commuruty Churches . Hicks , a s ynod bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Churcn in Am erica said ihat bo th denominations face d th e same challeng es, especially the need for outreach to peo ple of color and oth er langu age communiti es. This meeting with th e bisho p of th e Metropolitan Chicago synod wa_s only the second ecumenical meeting at that level ever for eld ers of the UFMCC. Th e first w as in 1989 wh en they met with the Rev . Melvin Whea tley, a bishop of the United Method ist Church. - Keeping in Touch NOVEMBER / DECEMBERl 99 4 News Lines ................................... Church of Canada picks pro-gay leader t.MARION BEST, chair of a United Church of Canada committee that in 1988 recommended ordaining Gays and Lesbians, has been chosen the new leader of the church, Canada's largest. The 1988 recommendation created deep divisions in the church that have not yet hea1ed, according to Gaezette, a gay magazine in Nova Scotia. - Outlines Spahr meeting canceled by church . . t.A TOP CHURGH EXECUTIVE canceled two events at the headquarters -of. the -. Presbyterian Church (USA) that wer.e to feature the Rev. Jane Spahr, a lesbian minister at the center of the church's ongoing debate over homosexuality . . Spahr was scheduled to lead a daily prayer 'service and attend a reception at church headquarters in Louisville, Ky. The Rev. James Brown, executive director of the church's General Assembly Council, ordered the events canceled, saying they would "give the appearance that positions were being advocated" contrary to policies of the church. Vatican denounces gender-neutral Bible t.THE VATICAN has ordered US. Catholic churches not to use an ecumenical edition of the Bible in public worship because of its gender-neutral language. The New Revised Standard Version, approved by U.S. bishops in 1991, is consi<;leredby many mainstream Protestant and Catholic scholars to be the most authoritative translation, said the Rev. Arthur Van Eck, director for Bible translation and utilization for the National Council of Churches. Cardinal William Keeler of Baltimore, president of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops , said U.S. bishops, who favor more inclusive and gender-neutral language, had thought they still were negotiating with the Vatican over the issue when the ruling came down .. - Times-Picayune · Church bars gay chorus from facility t.A LUTHERAN MINISTER refused to allow a traveling chorus of gay singers to perform a concert in h_is church. The Rev . Gordon Ross, pastor of St. Matthew's Church , York, Penn., said the Harrisburg Men 's Chorus adds a political undertone to its concerts by a_dvei;(isi~g its se~~al orientation. "We're not trying to be tough on homosexuals or lesbians, said Ross. But what they want 1s contrary to the teachings of our church." The group, which has performed at Carnegie Hall, has never been refused use of a facility in its eight-year history. - Associated Press Shots fired at Florida church t.FOUR SHOTS were fired into King of Peace MCC, St. Petersburg, Fla., on Sept. 22. Nobody was injured, but bullet holes . were left in the church's thick glass ,windows. Teena Carpenter , pastoral assistant and student clergy, said she was helping people get food from the food pantry when she heard the shots and saw a gunman snooting from the roof of a _buil,9ing across the street. No, ~o~ye fo,r the shooting h;,s be,n e_stablished. . . . . It's fuido stay at the YMCA t.FQUR MEMBERS OF St: Luke's MCC, Jacksonville, Fla., are trying to get a "family membership" at the local YMCA The church is collecting signatu·res on a petition asking the YMCA to change its policy, which allows only peoP.le who are legally married and have a marriage license to o&tain the discounted family m;,mbersh1ps. The case has received local media coverage. Those confronting the YMCA are Rev. Frankye White, pastor, and her partner Lon Sinnett, and Vickie Buchanan and Barbara Scifres. Some YMCAs in other cities have more liberal .policies because local boards of directors define "family" as they choose. "We would like to challenge other .MCCs to confront the YMCAs . in their cities,' said Elizabeth Forbell, St. Luke's administrator . - Keeping in Touc/z Catholics wage condom battle 6.A ROMAN CATHOLIC GROUP began a poster campaign Sept. 23 opposing condom distribution in schools. The Boston chapter of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights arranged fQr 200 posters · to 6e displayed in the city's subway system. "We view advocacy of condoms by government agencies as a deplorable policy, an attack on the family and a gross violation of First Amendment religioos freedom ·rights;' ' said C. J. Doyl_e, In~ group 's national director. "Government is taking sides on a mora_l and rehg1ous issue." But AlDS Action Comnuttee spokesman Thomas McNaught said the Catholic League should make up its mind if it's pro-life or not. "If it is,"McNau&ht said, "it should stop blocking health efforts to prevent the world's most deadly .disease. - Associated Press Nuns threatened over art t.A SAN ANTONIO art gallery run by Roman Catholic nu·ns has moved a provocati ve ·exhibit on sex and AIDS after receiving threats of violence. The Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word shut down the -exhi&it on Sept. 13, just days after it opened, after · hundreds called to complain and Archbishop Patrick F. Flores declared he was "highly offended, insulted and hurt." "In light of threats to the gallery, the move is being made lo ensure the safety of the sisters who Jive on the premises," said artist Donell Hill . Sister Alice Holden, the gallery's director, said she prayed before the exhibit went up' and decided it should be shown because "sexuality is a tremendous gift from God." - Baltimore Alternative , Information souaht on anti-gay violence in the workplace - · t.THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND Health Administration, with the U.S. Department of Labor, is considering creating a new standard that d_eals with violence in the workplace. At a recent presentation , Joe Dear, the :Asststant Secretary of OSHA, was asked if there would be a provision in the prop?sed standard that would deal with hat e crimes that occur in the workplace, such as anh-gay v10lence and v10lence that 1s based on race or gender. Dear said ne learn~d something from the quest/on and.that he wanted information about it. Gay and lesbian people who have experienced v10lence m the workplace solely because of sexual orientation are being asked to document such acts. Information is being collected by Doug Young, 131 Hartford-St., Apt. C, San Francisco, CA 94114. SECOND STONE & THE MOST VALUA :B:·t ·E· . ' NURTURI .. NG;b. READ.ABLE ' ' . , . ' RE-sou ·Rc.E: YET New! Expanded 5th .· Edition ::,, . . . ·1 ··. ' ·· : •,' CHRISTIANS AND HOMOSEXUALITY Since 1978, The Other SideJ1as: been -speaking t'o' ,' . . folks with clarity and compassion about questions of ·. · homosexuality and Scripttrre: :-.. ' ':' ,: ,_·,:: :. ··.,, . . Due to _many requests for _cop{es· ofsome of our .. earlier articles, we've· put a group .pf ~hem together. in . ;· booklet form. Included . in ;this ·updated :and expand~d ::64; page booklet are articles on whether or 'ii.ot se:x:Ltal . ' . . orientations can bt ".change.d;:'•;what:Scr.ipture :.does ano· ,;,-;, does not say about \10mosexi:.1all~y,: F~idin:g ,:scripture .,,' . '. through gay eyes; gay and lesbi~fl roles •in the church ;-ancl more . Equally ,deal for groi.1p dis2ii~slo n( or personal . . reflecti0 m :Sa:tisfo.ctiqn guarant~~d. _ · -, · · · Order yours today! ♦ Single copy, $5 postpaid , ♦ . 1.O,,or ,m0re, $.4 ~ad~. postpaid · ♦ 50 ·or ~o~e, i3 eac~·. postpaid Number requested - Total enclosed: $ · For tax, PA ,~sidents add 6%, Philadel phia res. 7% , Name Address City, State, Zip Bonus offer: Check here □ and enclose an extra $1 for a sample copy of The Other Side magazille .P0833A hia PA l9144 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER1994 Gay youth_saved fro.m change ministry By Chicago Outlines A GAY 15-YEAR-OLD Michigan boy, who was turned over by his parents to an ex-gay program in Chicago, has be en returned home ·safely after an extensive search by the Michiganbased Triangle Foundation and members of Parents, Friends and Families of Lesbians and Gays. In late July, the teena ger, who lives in Gladwin, Mich., came out to his devoutly religious parents. They responded by consulting with their . pastor, who recommended an ex-gay ministry. Taking his advice, tire parents contacted the ministry and delivered their son to a parking lot in Chicago, where two men, who claimed to be officials of the ministry, asked the parents to sign a "release form." The boy's parents signed the document. The two men reclaimed the document and then informed the parents that -. they would not be told the whereabouts of their son. The last the parents saw of their son, he was restrained in a straight jacket in the back of a van being driven away. When the parents returned home to Gladwin, they had second thoughts · and contacted a gay man .who lives in their - area, telling him the whol e story. H~, in turn , got in. touch with the Triangle Foundation, . a lesbian and gay rights group in Michigan, and acted as an intermediary between them and the boy's parents. 'This has been the most frustrating, aggravating, just sad two weeks we've ever had in this organization," said Triangle Foundation president Jeffrey Montgomery . Triangle, along with P-FLAG, sought legal advice for the parents in CMcago and began their search for the boy. Meanwhile, the parents returned to Chicago twice, driving around the city looking for their son, eventually tracking down the change ministry and returning with their son to Gladwin. Vatican investigative commission prep~ring finding on Nugent, Gramick THE VATICAN COMMISSION appointed to hear and examine the theological · views and teachings on homosexuality of Fr. Robert Nugent, SDS, and Sr. Jeannine Gramick, SSND, has met for a third time and is now formulating its findings in writing. · · · Fr. Nl.lgent and Sr. Gramick provide an affirming ministry to -the lesbian and gay community. The Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and for Societies of Apostolic .Life, a Curial department of the Vatican , established the commission to examine the theological views and writings of ·Fr. · Nugent and Sr. Gramick because of some concerns that their ministry, along with selected teachings and writings, may have created an ambiguity which has caused confusion in the minds of some people. . · · The most recent meeting of the - New books available from Second Stone} ls the Homosexual My Neighbot-? Revised and Updated, by . Letha Dawson Scanzoni and Virginia Ramey Mollenkott, $11.00,.JJ<!per . , The Word Is Out The Bible Reclaimed for Lesbians and Gay Men, by Chris Glaser, $12.00, paper , JesU!h\:cted up A Gay and Lesbian Manifesto, by Robert.Goss $14.00, paper _Family A Pottrai t of Gay and Lesbian America, by photographer Nancy _Andrews, $25.00, paper · . . Order now from Second Stone Press Quan: Tide □ Postage/Handling $2.90 first book, $1.00 ea. additional TOTALAMOUNTENCLOSED----- NAME ______ .....;.. ______________ _ ADDRESS ______________________ _ CITY/STATE/ZIP ___________________ _ ORDER FROM: SECOND STONE PRESS, P.O. BOX 8340, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70182 SECOND STONE - comm1ss10n, held in Detroit, was attended by Nugent and Gramick's religio"s provincials, Sr. Christine Mulcahy, SSND, Fr. Dennis Thiessen, SDS, the newly elected provincial of the Salvatorian Fathers, and Fr. Paul Portland, SDS, former provincial. Sr. Gramick and Fr. Nugent were joined - by their canonical, theological and pastoral consultants, Bishop John Snyder, Bishop of St. Augustine, Fla., Msgr. Leonard Scott, Judicial _Vicar of the Diocese of Camden, Rev. Bruce Williams, O.P., a. moral theologian and currently pastor of Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Valhalla, New York, and Dr. James Hanigan, chair of the theology department of Duqu esne University; Fr. N"gent, Sr. Gramick and their religious provincials cooperated fully with the work of the commission. The commission received written testimony about the pastoral nature of Fr. Nugent and Sr. Gramick's ministry from more than . 250 individuals including parents, bishops; religious and priests, as well · as some national Catholic organizations. Archbishop Adam J. Maida of Detroit is chairperson of the commission. Also serving on the commission are Msgr. James J. Mulligan, a moral 'The family is now in counseling," Montgomery said. 'The boy was not harmed physically, but only time will tell what the emotional effects will be. The parents are now coming to terms with who their son is. It looks like there might just be a happy ending to this terrible story." The Triangle Foundation is continuing its investigation into what action can be taken against the minis~ try . "They have to be exposed," Montgomery said. "And that's what we're working on now." The ministry is believed to be based in Champaign/ Urbana, Illinois. -Sukie de Ia Croix theologian, pastor and director of the Priestly Life and Ministry Office in the Diocese of Allentown, Penn., and Dr. Janet Smith, associate professor of the department of philosophy, University of Dallas, a recognized expert in human life issues and moral teaching in the area of human sexuality. . In its formal hearings, the commission utilized a process modeled along the lines of the "Doctrinal Responsibilities," a document approved by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops in 1989. In addition to some canonical issues, most of the Detroit meeting consisted of a discussion between Sr. Gramick and Fr._ Nugent and the commission members abo"t their written .responses to presubmitted questions posed by the • commission, and about selected passages from their book, Building Bridges: Gay and Lesbian Reality and the Catholic Church. The commission's final findings will be presented to Fr. Nugent, Sr . Gramick and their respective religious superiors for their responses. The commission will then formulate its recommendations to the Vatican Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and for Societies of Apostolic Life: r UFMCC. encounters discrimination-in 'Argentina UFMCC'S CHURCH IN Buenos Aires is leading protests of a recent decision by the Argentine government to deny the church's longstanding request for legal recognition. On August 2 the Ministry of the Exterior and Religion rejected a request for legal recognition by . Iglesia · de la Comunidad Metropolitana (ICM) · Buenos Aires. The official reasons given were because the church has "an affinity for public demonstration, including marches and methods of defense promoting not only homosexuals but also homosexuality as a whole" and because the church blesses same-sex couples in Holy Unions, which "devalues the Argentine community" and goes against Christian traditions. "It is dear from the government action that such basic human rights as freedom of religion, freedom of speech and freedom of assembly are not being fully extended to all Argentine citizens," said Rev. Elder Don Eastman, UFMCC second vice moderator. · Based at the UFMCC international headquarters in Los Angeles, Eastman has been in frequent communication with Rev. Roberto Gonzalez, pastor of ICM Buenos Aires, about these events. ICM Buenos Aires filed an appeal of the government .decision on August 31. Meanwhile, UFMCC is in the process of mobilizing international support and communication to urge the Argentine government to recognize the church. ICM Buenos Aires and ten other lesbian/ gay organizations participated in a demonstration in Buenos Aires in late August. Its slogan was "Against discrimination to homosexuals and Lesbians by (Roman _Catholic Archbishop of Buenos Aires) Quarracino and the government. Give. legal status to ICM!" Among Network forming for gay monks A GAY MONK is putting out a call to other gay Catholic monks who feel the need to communicate in ·order to help maintain and strengthen their consciousness of their sexuality as an integral factor in developing their own human and spiritual maturity. Dan Kelliher is a Cistercian (Trappist) monk of several years who says he experiences a poignant isolation for want of communication with other gay monks due to the restrictions of cloister discipline . "Being a social minority, we do not enjoy a comfortable, friendly environment where we can be ourselves and express our personal opinions with the same freedom that our heterosexual brethren can," says Kelliher. "Since monks share common spiritual values, as well as certain inhibitions about disclosing their sexual orientation to their confreres, I feel that it is imperative for us to form a network whereby we can discuss our anxieties and fears, our wounds and scars suffered in a predominantly heterosexual society." The network that Kelliher envisions would afford monks the opportunity to discuss such issues by personal .correspondence and/ or personal or group retreats and meetings held periodically in their respective monasteries. Contacts of this nature could afford monks companionship, mutu·al guidance and affirmation of their sexual identity which otherwise could deteriorate . from benign neglect or repression leaving them :With a sense of unworthiness regarding their monastic calling, according to Kelliher . · Kelliher says St. Bernard advises monks to practice patience in their daily encounters with trials and vicis- SECOND STONE situdes, but he also encourages them to show impatience when confronted with obstacles to spiritual growth . . Kelliher quotes from The Undivided Heart: "Patience is a great virtue," [but] " ... on occasion it is most praiseworthy t<;> be impatient. That patience is not good which allows you to become a slave when you could have been free." Says Kelliher, "Whenever we allow others' homophobia to silence us on issues as personal as our sexual orientation, we forfeit the freedom Christ wishes us to enjoy and need for our spiritual maturity. It is iny experience that . monastic communities, while not in any sense aggressively homophobic, do maintain an atmosphere of polite homophobia by .not allowing us to surface sufficiently our affectionate needs and desires, whereas our heterosexual confreres are quite uninhibited in expressing their own legitimate needs in that area. Such an atmosphere of polite homophobia subtly generates in us a sense of alienation from these same confreres thus deepening our personal isolation that has an effect of crippling the joy and peace ordinarily available in the monastic calling." .. Kelliher· is appealing to other monks feeling a need for affirmation of their identity as gay men who are as worthy as anyone else to follow God's call into the "school of God's service," as is written in the Prologue of the Rule of St. Benedict. Any monk of the Benedictin e or Cistercian orders interested in this proposed network should contact Dan Kelliher at 1012 .Monastery Road, Snowmass, ·CO 81654. - the .participants was Mary Hunt, recent speaker at the UFMCC leader' ship conference and co-founder of Women's Alliance for Theology, Ethics and Ritual . . On .June 28, ICM Buenos Aires .joined about 300 Lesbians arrd Gays in the city's third annual .dignity march. Leading the way were giant puppets of Archbishop Quarracino and Argentine President . Carlos Menem - both dressed as brides ,, The m.arch began as the crowds blocked traffic in front of the Catholic Cathe- The demonstration also protested comments made on Argentine national ctelevision · by ·Cardinal Antonio Quarracino, who called for a designated zone where all Gays and Lesbians could live as a "separate species" in order to "remove •a terrible stain from the .face .of society." Shortly . thereafter ·he issued a public apology, but continued. to maintain that homosexuals are "vicious." Reportedly 95 percent . of Argentine's population is Roman Catholic. . drat of Buenos Aires and received a · blessing by Rev . Gonzalez. Signs and banners proclaimed in Spanish, "Christ died for my sins, not my sexuality" and 'Th~· Bible says love .and justice are synonyms." Both demonstrations received extensive media coverage in Argen- · .tina. - Keeping in Touch WJK TITLES . . . S O C I A L . I ·s S U E S I I Clothed with the Sun Biblical Women, Social Justice and Us Joyce Hollyday Paper $12.99 In So v_igne;tes, activi5t and writM Joyce Hollyday introduces the reader to the often neglected worn en in the Bible. Their 1toriu come alive as thty .are interwoven with the 1~orie1 and lives of modern women who have faced ,imil~r itrugglea, indnding econo~ic vulnerabllhy, exploitation, sexual harraument, and 1uual violence. These •igneltea are de1igned to be rud and u1ed throughout the year. Question, for group an:d individual reflection are included. Homosexuality in the Church Both Sides of the Debate Jeffrey S. Siker, Editor Paper $14.99 Outstandinc authorities oo -scriphm:, tradition, reason, bioloi:y, ethics, a~d e:endered experience discuu tht place of homosexuats·in the comm.unity of faith. ContribUtou inclu.d~ Richard 8. Hayea, Victor Paul Furnish, Cudin11l Joseph Ratzincer, John J. McNeill, Stanton L. Jonea, Don E. Workman, Chandler Burr, Joe D_allat, Vircinia Ramey Mollenkoll, Chri1 Glaser, Lita Sowle Cahill,.Jaml!I B. Nelson, Jack Roc:ers, and Jeffrey S. Siker. This book will provoke di reunion in conc:reptions, st•dy groups, and ethics and social justice claneL That Godless Court! Supreme Court Decisions on Church-State Relationships Ronald B. Flowers Papet $15.99 In thi1 ckarly-writteo·introduction to church-stale questions, Ronald Flowers disc:uue1 such controver~ issues u covernment aid to church-related sthool,, prayer in public schools, church property and workplace issues, and laxation, Survivor Prayers Talking with God about Childhood Sexual Abuse · Catherine J, Foote Paper $8.99 ~Prayers and,meditatioo1 in this powerfal book addren the spiritual iS1ues faced hy 111rvivon of abuse, especially survivors of childhood su :ual abuse. I WESTMINSTER JOHN KNOX PRESS At your bookstore, or call toll-free 1-800-227-2872 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, KY 40202-1396 Bulk Copies Available • • • • • • • • • • • • • OF THIS ISSUE OF SECOND STONE For church/group distribution, conferences, bar ministry, etc. 10 copies· $13.50 • 25 copies - $29 50 • 50 copies - $45.00 100 copies - $67.50 includes postage and handling Limited quantity of back issues available FREE; add $5.00 postage for every 50 copies. Send ,your pre-paid order to Second Stone, P.O. Bpx 834n. New Orleans, LA 70182 ... , I Cover Story ........................... .... ..................................... Our God too: Radical right challenged at NCC forum From Page 1 . most powerful man in Christendom." The radical right is enjoying great , success in turning their numbers power into political power, according to . White. "What they couldn't do through revival meetings they are attempting to do through Congress and the court-s," White said . 'They can save the nation through political action · after they've failed in the pews." That growing power, coupled wfrh the radical right's "urge to purge," defines the threat for America's gay and lesbian community. 'The right's 'urge to purge' the nation - of ills, including getting rid . of Gays because they somehow · devalue the family, can be compared to a fundamentalist Muslim blowing up a bus in Tel Aviv or a fundamentalist Christian shooting an abortion doctor," White said. 'The rhetoric of purgation leads to the organization of purgation which finally leads to some action to purge Gays from society." White issued a warning about · organizations like Promise Keepers, a national men's organization that recently drew 75,000 men to a meeting in Dallas. "It offers those men a wonderful experience;"' White said, "but [Promise Keepers founder] Coach Bill Mc:Gartney hates Gays. What are they going to do with all that power when they face something they don't agree. with?" · . Commenting on the radical right, Campbell said "If I could do what I want in the NCC, I would work in the smartest way we could to exr,ose the radical right's world view. T 1e NCC cannot be part of that." White distributed copies of a news release from Fred · Phelps, pastor of Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas. "WBC will picket fag Rev. Mel White and his pagan fag churcll in Dallas," the release proclaimed, referring to Cathedral of Hope MCC. Phelps challenged White to a debate on the Bible on Nov. 12 and threatened to picket the Dallas church on Nov. 11 and 12. "White and his fag friends are damning souls and dooming America by their pernicious sodomite lies," Phelps said . "[Their] mouths must be stopped by faithful doctrinal preaching and debate," he Recent finding by top biblical scholars offer a radical new view on the Bible and homosexuality. WhatUible the ).J · . Really Says About .. · B.oro.osexuality . 1 • 1-1e1111inial<. Pn.Ooan1e ,-,. Daniel A. Helminiak, Ph.D., . re ·spected theologian -ahd Roman Catholic priest, explains in a clear fashion fascinating new insights. " ... will help any reasonably open and attentive reader see that the Bible says something quite different on this subject from what is orten cl~imed. 11 , · -L. William Countryman, Author of Dirt, Greed und Sex " ... the most ihoughtful. lucid and accessible summary I know of current biblical scholarship relating -to homosexual issues .. , eminently useful ... " -James B. Nelson, Author and Theology Professor Order now from Second Stone Press Quan. □ WHAT THE BIBLE REALLY SAYS ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY By Daniel A. Helminiak, $9.95, paperbk Postage/Handling $2.90 first book, $1.00 ea. additional -----TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED ----- NAME _____________________ _ ADDRESS-~--------'------------- CITY/STATE/ZIP _________ -'------------ ORDER FROM: SECOND STONE PRESS, f>.O. BOX 8340, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70182 SECOND STONE said, quoting Titus 1:9-13. White said he would probably not respond to Phelps and certainly would not debate him. "Phelps is an extension of Jerry Falwell," White said . "He's Jerry Falwell gone nuts." Present as a witness to the NCC General Board were representatives of the organizations that sponsored the discussion on the religious righ_t: UFMCC, Affirmation (United Methodists), American Baptists Concerned, Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists, Axios, Bre thren/ _Menthe other churches' position as being ground e d in concerns both of justice and of faith and order" and that ways must be provided "for the member ·communions and the Council itself to hear and receive the witness of gay and lesbian Christians. Silence or confrontation cannot be the only option provided Christians who are gay or lesbian." The report said that the right of each NCC member communion "to make judgments for itself on these issues and to make its own witness both in ecumenical and Commenting on the radical right, NCC General Secretary Joan Brown Campbell said, "If I could do what l want in the NCC, I would work in the smartest way we could to expose the radical right's world view. The NCC cannot be part of that." nonite Council for Lesbian/Gay Con ·cerns, Integrity, Interweave, ·Lutherans - Concerned, Presbyterians for Lesbian/Gay Concerns and the United Church Coalition for Lesbian/Gay Concerns . The. inability or unwillingness of NCC member communions to talk with one another about questions related to homosexuality '"will not help .us preserve unity,'" a special ongoing counseling committee on issues of homosexuality and ecumenical relationships asserted. '"In the long run it will lead to a diminished koinonia,. to alienation. Our choice is not between dialogue and no dialogue. It is between dialogue and further confrontation and this confrontation will come from among the member communions as well as from those outside the Council." Acknowledging that '"the way forward is not clear" and . that anger and confrontation characterize the present moment, the .committee said the NCC:'s member communions must find a way to re-open a dialogue including · churches with differing beliefs on questions related to homosexuality. The counseling committee, with John Thomas of the United Church of Christ bringing the report, said that dialogue '"needs to encourage each church to understand in public settings" must be affirmed. "Each member church must be assured that its participation in the life of the Council will be valued, and its voice respected regardless of the position it takes on these particular matters ." Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Edmond Browning proposed that the General Board as a whole '"talk with the presence of gay people who can tell us of the pain of their exclusion from the life of this body. You can never understand an issue without talking with people who feel oppression and pain of exclusion.,O The General Board unanimously adopted "action points" of a human rights policy that was referred back_ to committee for editing after several board members said they felt it was difficult to read and use for educa. tional purposes. The action points adopted by the Board include a call for repentance "wherein the church by acts of omission or commission has contributed to the violation of human rights of individuals or groups ." Also adopted : Support for efforts in the United States and worldwide '"to end the practices of prejudice and discrimination and intentional violence based on religion, race, class, caste, age, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and physical limitations." NOVEMBER/DECEMBERl 994 ,. ' It " :; ,· i q , ! I :1 '! . Denomination-based gay and lesbian ministries: What does the future hold?, Lutherans Concerned shifts focus from political activity to ministry as it looks ahead BY JIM BAILEY D enomination-identified gay and lesbian Christian or- . ganizations fare no better or worse when church headquarters become the center of antigay controversy or circumstances, according to Bob Gibeling, program executive of Lutherans Concerned/ North America, Inc. Of the three largest denornination- identified gay and lesbian Christian organizations , only Integrity has had recent notable success in moving church policy toward greater acceptance of Gays and Lesbians . •· The third largest organization, Lutherans Concerned, has just spent a year mulling over mostly negative responses to America's largest Lutheran church body's draft of a proposed soda[ statement on human sexuality which included a remarkably affirming position toward Gays and Lesbians. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has released the second draft of that statement, with much of the affirmation of Gays and Lesbians gone, dashing the hopes of many Gays and Lesbians that the ELCA might make some movement at its 1995 churchwide gathering toward greater acceptance of sexual ·orientation minorities. The largest denomination- identified organization, Dignity/ USA, gay and lesbian Roman Catholics, has little to hope for from the Vatican. But Gibeling does not predict the exodus that one might expect of Gays and Lesbians from the Roman Catholic or Lutheran churches as a result of denominational misunderstanding of Gays and Lesbians. In fact, organizations like Dignity/USA and Lutherans Concerned might actually be strengthened in outlook and numbers by such disenchantment with church headquarters, according to Gibeling. "People spmetimes do blame gay and lesbian church groups when national church bodies do something negative," says Gibeling. "But organizations like Lutherans Concerned and Dignity are independent of the church and fill needs that are not being met by the church . It is self-defeating if people I.eave these organizations, which are a source of SECOND STONE hope . The correct response is to support gay and lesbian groups in the face of the failure of national church bodies ." · · · Gibeling predicts that ministry · to gay and lesbian Christians will continue in the pattern that has· developed over the past 25-years. While some will continue to seek out ministries with specific outreach to Gays and Lesbians, others will continue to remain in mainstream denominations and seek the support of gay and lesbian organizations identified with their particular denomination. Thus a pattern of growth will likely continue for all involved: gay -and lesbian ministries like the UFMCC, organizations like Lutherans Concerned and mainstream congregations who are welcoming of Gays and Lesbians. Not · often discussed is the financial impact attitudes toward Gays and Lesbians have on local and national church bodies. "Power follows the money," said Gibeling . ''.Frequently there is a fear that if Gays and Lesbians are w-elcomed, many people might leave the church and take their financial support with them. National church bodies are living with smaller budgets, while many local congregations are increasing their budgets. · In many cases policy making is also shifting from .national . church bodies to local congregations. So programs like Reconciled in Christ [ congregations that publicly commit to welcoming Gays and Lesbians] take on greater significance. And it's up to denomination suppqrt groups like Lutherans Concerned to get those congregations involved in programs like RIC" According to Gibeling, another way for denomination-identified groups to enhance their outreach to Gays and Lesbians and overcome negative projection from church headquarters is to make the shift · 'that Lutherans Concerned has made - away from political activity in the church and toward a ministry orientation. "I hate to hear gay and lesbian ministry groups referred to as · a caucus," says Gibeling. "It positions Christian SEE FUTURE, Page 13 Bob Gibeling, program executive for Lutherans Concerned/North America Life-long Lutheran st_ruggled with sexual orientation for-a decade - ByJim Bailey Edttor L utherans Concerned program executive Bob · qibeling, , 44, a life-long . Luthetan, ·says ·he came out to his parents before he ·came out to himself. When he was 16, he told his parents he felt something was wrong · with him. His parents reacted with concern and support. Gibeling entered counseling with the hope and intention of changing his emerging sexual orientation. "After a year of · counseling, I felt that it was not making any difference in my sexual , orientation," says Gibeling. "It was a positive experience to have someone to talk to but it was not changing my sexual orientation. " For a good part of the next decade Gibeling prayed that God would change him. "I was in great stress that I was having this feeling that the church_ was saying was wrong," says Gibeling. "It was tearing me up inside . I didn't see how I could continue." Gibeling continued his involvement in the Lutheran Church. His long process of reconciliation began with a sermon he heard one, Sunday: During his message that day the pastor tofd the congregation there is nothing one can do that is so bad . that God will abandon you. It was a message of acceptance that Gibeling says kept him going at that moment. Eventually Gibeling received an answer to his prayers . "It was not what I wanted to hear," he s1.ys. It came in the form of a piece of scripture that God placed in his heart: "My grace is sufficient for you ... " {II Cor , 12:9). 'That told me God had made me the way I am for,,a reason and He loves me the way I ain." · . So in 1975, ten years after telling his parents he thought he might be a homosexu _al, Gibeling finally came out to himself. And now, almost two decades later, he says that his corning out story has just recently come to a conclusion. "When Lutherans Concerned asked me to become their full time program executive I realized that I would not be just taking a position; it was more like a calling," SEE GIBELING, Page 13 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER1994 .. ' • I was fortunate as a chHd to grow up in the sticks of the Midwest. From town to home, we passed fields of corn and soybeans. The ·road began to wind with hills and timber until we reached the brown house in . the country. I fished in the lake all summer long . Sometimes when .I swam, the fish would nip at me. In the winter, I ice skated and played . hockey. My sled came tumbling down the hill and across the ice. From my bedroom window, _ I listened to the frogs singing in the night If I climbed up on my dresser, I could look out the window to the timber behind that went on and on. I would scurry with my dog Markey across the dam of the lake and down into the woods. Playing stepping stones ac;ross the creeks were my play toys. It was one eventful Sunday morning that my mother was combing and braiding my hair for Sunday School that a wood tick was discovered on the back of my neck. The wood tick had grown to the size of a kernel of corn. My parents tried to soak ii off with alcohol. Then my dad tried to burn it off with a giant cigar. My parents panicked so off I went to a doctor who was foreign to me. Probably for the best, because my usual doctor would still remember my kicking and screaming with the last stitches I had. Ole Doc Joe cut that nasty appendage off and put it in a jar for me to keep. After that, When J romped in the woods or generally outside the door of the brown house, I was checked for wood ticks, everytime. To a sevenyear- old, this became quite a nuisance. My parents were becoming tired of rummaging through my hair. There was chatter about getting a hair . cut. I suppose I showed too much excitement at the prospect, for my mother began to cry. No more cute little braids with bows. Oh, what a loss. So they kept rummaging through my hair. Children are clever little beings and I had to figure out a. solution to this constant rummaging through my h ead. And suddenly it stmck me. If I had a hat on when I went out in the wood s, and a mean wood tick fell on me, th e hat would protect those pr ecious curly locks. And I wanted a baseball hat anyway. My parents bought the idea . My dad and I SECOND STONE My :Baseball Hat BY JULIA MUELLER proceeded to the wonderful store with the wonderful plain, blue, felt baseball hat. I wore it to l>ed that night. I broke in the ·brim real good with nice creases down the middle and sides. Rummaging through my hair was no longer a priority . I loved my hat and wore it and wore it. And Grandfather would sit under the shade tree, asleep, listening to the Saturday afternoon Cub's game. And I would throw a rubber ball against the house. I would take my precious hat on and off, just like the big league pitchers did on the television . I was about.12 when it did not seem to fit anymore. ay then we had moved to town . The braids were long gone . I was a swimmer now and.short hair was acceptable. And if you had real short hair, you did not have to wear a swim .cap during swim practice and meets. Yes, I can definitely trace my roots. I do not remember wearing a baseball hat in high school or college. I did, however, have other hats of d istinction. Then one day when I was 21, someone gave me a _baseball hat. And I broke in the brim real good. I am now 42 years old . And still wearing baseball hats. I have two New York Yankee hats and two Notre Dame hats : Those are my teams. I have a pink one that I painted a pink triangle on before you could buy such hats in the stores. I have one that says March on Washington with a rainbow flag. People still give me baseball hats . At times, ! ·have given some away. Size snid yes I know wlznt tlze fish menns but size could not sny tlze ·words. I took tlze cnp off n11d trnced the outline of t/ze fislz n11d told lzer I nm n ClzristinH. Size snid i;cs size knew. ' . And I have this one particular blue baseball hat. The Christian symbol of the fish is embroidered on the hat in the rainbow colors. I got it for Christmas from my spouse. A very special hat. I wear my hats during all the seasons of time. I am liable to wear my hats almost anywhere I go. I have ·enough hats to fit my mood or to match the outfit I have on. I especially like wearing my fish hat. A while ago, I was at an open house for a couple who had built a beautiful log cabin in the woods near a lake. There were many Christians there. There were many people who were not. I had a wonderful encounter with a very nice lady. She was retired from the Navy. And we talked and jabber- ed and we then talked about my baseball hat. She said yes I know what the fish means but she .could not say the words. I took the cap off and traced the outline of the fish and told her I am a Christian. She said yes she knew . And I pray for thee and I pray for me . I had not realized how important that hat was to me. · I had not realized how often I had worn that hat to places where the hat m'ight' not always · be welcome. I had not realized that by wearing that hat in those places, I was witnessing my faith. We Christians rejoice in our redemption and we pray that others might come to know the inner peace of salvation. And now I am old and grey with my childhood far away. Yet, what I learned in Sunday School carries me through my life today . I have cherished and . grown into the faith and the blessings of the Trinity . And I must admit, that when I was a child, wood ticks were an awful-part of my world. Yet without them, maybe I would not be wearing a baseball hat today. And when I walk into a place where Christians might not always be welcome, l make sur e I am wearing my fish hat in witnes s. For the ways that we can witness are so many. And to my Navy friend, I pray for thee and I pray for me. Julia Mueller attends Jesus MCC in Indianapolis, Indiana. Her family includes Oscar the rabbit, Zia tlze dog and tlze special woman Mueller says site is blessed to lzave as her mate, Claudia, wlto is student clergy ofUFMCC. . "• • Evangelical Lutheran Church in America: . . No action on sexuality statement until 1997 assembly THE EV ANGELICAL LUTHERAN Church in America will proceed with work on a possible social statement on human sexuality. However, an extended time line for study means the ELCA Division for Church in Society will not present it for action at the denomination's next churchwide assembly, to be held in 1995. The division's board decided to distribute about 30,000 copies of a working draft after receiving advice from the church's Conference of Bishops and Church Council. The church has distributed the do-cument to the ELCA's 17,000 clergy, 1,300 associates in ministry and 11,000 congregations. The Division for Church in Society was planning to receive responses to the draft statement until January 31, 1995, and to revise the document for action as a social statement on human sexuality by the ELCA churchwide assembly in August 1995. The churchwide assembly - the church's chief legislative body - meets for one week every other year. The Conference of Bishops - the ELCA's 65 synod bishops - voted in October to recommend "that the time line for response be extended to June 30, 1995," and "that the 1995 churchwide assembly take no action on the working draft." The executive committee of the · ELCA Church Cciuncil voted by conference call October 6, urging the Division for Church in Society to "extend the time line to June 30, 1995, for responses to this working draft" and to "present a progress report to the 1995 churchwide assembly." . The division's board released the working draft with the direction that responses would be received until June 30. It will report on the document's progr ess to the churchwide assembly . As its Sept. 30 meeting the board GIBELING From Page 11 he says. Gibeling prayed about becoming program executive of the organization and he says the answer was another piece of scripture: "My strength is made perfect in weakness ." "I understood that to mean great things are possible even in the face of insurmountable odds . And I looked to see where that scripture came from," he says. It is the second part of II Corinthians 12:9, the same verse that had influepced his life years earlier. · "I took that answer to mean yes, you should take the job,"' says Gibeling. On July 1, 1993, he left his freelance advertising work to become program executive of Lutherans Concerned, a job he says he loves. SECOND STONE heard the advice of an 11-member consulting panel set up by the ELCA Church Council that the church take more · time before it tries adopting a social statement on human sexuality. "We recommend that the document, after significant work, form the basis for a report to the churchwide assembly in 1995. H this report were well received it could become the basis for a futur; sociai statement," said the panel. Around the Jime the ELCA formed in 1988 several synods pass.ed resolutions asking the church to study and develop social statements on various aspects of human sexuaHty . T_he Division for Church in Society studies social issues and prepares social statements for the ELCA's consideration and action. . · The division appointed a task force that began meeting in 1989. The task · force coordinated study across the church and helped develop study materials and a first draft of a possible social statement on human sexuality. · Study materials were first distributed in December 1991 and the first draft in October 1993. The first draft drew a large volume of responses, mostly negative, from across the church through the end of June 1994. "We believe that the first two documents were looked at carefully by church theologians and members of the ELCA. We believe that this next draft will be 'looked at perhaps even more closely," said the Rev. Melissa M. Maxwell-Doherty, consulting panel chair and pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church, Grand Forks, North Dakota. · If a social statement were to be ready for consideration by the 1995 assembly, responses to a draft statement would need to be received by The greatest challenge now facing Lutherans Concerned is to spread the ministry vision, according to Gibeling. The greatest ohstacle facing , the organization - and all other . denomination-identified gay and lesbian Christian organizations - is. the Jack of awareness that they even exist. Contrary to the belief that many have that denomination-identified groups are giving up their numbers to more gay-friendly denominations and independent churches, Gibelmg says there is. a great deal of hope for the future of such organizations. For inspiration, Gibeling needs only recall a verse of scripture - and the answered prayers of a troubled teenaged Lutheran. · the end of January - allowing the church three months for study. "We think that process of deliberation within our churches and among our academic theologians is important. We are not convinced that the time line allows for adequate time for the church to engage in that continued process of deliberation," Maxwell-Doherty said. The division hired a writing team of two seminary faculty members and a parish pastor to condense and revise earlier documents and to consider all the responses those documents generated. The team was appointed during spring 1994 and wrote the current draft from July through September. Catholic group denounces antigay appeals court ruling A NOVEMBER 22 ruling by a federal appeals court upholding the military's ban on openly gay and lesbian personnel was harshly criticized by Catholic Advocates for Lesbian and Gay Rights . 'The court's ruling upholding discrimination is immoral and unjust," said Br. Rick Garcia, BFCC, director of the group. "Justice Silberman's suggestion that homosexual practice would follow announcement . of a homosexual orientation is especially offensive to Catholics, particularly gay priests and FUTURE From Page 11 groups as. political in-stead of a ministry. We seek to lead the church by example. We cannot wait for everyone in the church to understand how acute the need is . Through our understanding of the Gospel, . we believe that reaching out first and helping others help each of us grow in ·our faith and understanding of God 's grace:" Coalition-building is another way denomination-identified gay and lesbian Christian groups can empower themselves in the absence of support from churchwide offices. According to Gibeling, dismssion is already taking place among such groups and there is consensus to unite with one voice to gettwo messages across: that the radical right does not speak for all people of faith - and that there are gay and lesbian Christians in many congregations who welcome them, in spite of official clmrch policy. · 'Leaders of Integrity and Lutherans Concerned have taken the lead in such discussion . Boards of both 1 groups have agreed in principle to have joint board meetings and work toward a joint assembly. The larger Episcopal and Lutheran churches are working toward full communion. The ministry vs. political focus of Lutherans · .Concerned moves the organization back to direct service to individual Gays and Lesbians who are suffering and feel isolated in the church. "We_ have to make efforts to NOVEMB lesbian nuns who have vowed celibacy. Just because one is gay does not mean one will necessarily engage in homogenital behavior. Not that that should be a factor in one's military service." Garcia said that the court should be ashamed of the decision . 'The justices have based their ruling on ignorance and fear at best and bigotry and hatefulness at worst," .he said. break through the barriers to get to closeted folks in the pews in the back of the church," Gibeling says : "We . need to work through pastors and position ourselves as a resource to pastors. We need to connect people and create awareness." But to go so, the organization must return to the political battlefield, like . it. or not. The Evangelical Lutheran · Church in America has thwarted the visibility of Lutherans Concerned by not allowing them advertising space in · The Lutheran magazine or the presence _of a booth at the ELCA chur'ch'Yide assembly. .. - Gibeling downplay s any negative impact " that response to the ELCA's draft statement on human sexuality may have had on his organization. 'The response from clergy and seminaries was rather positive," Gibeling says. 'The large negative response came from individuals and local congregations who were reacting to early press accounts which doomed ·the statement from the beginning. But it created a great deal of discussion thaf would not have taken place otherwise, and ' ii may lead many congregations to becoming RIC. So I see some real progress as a result of these discussions." Lutherans Concerned celebrated its 20th anniversary at its gathering in Charlotte this past summer. Gibeling says one speaker recalled discussions about choosing a name for the organization 20 years ago. "The original idea was 'Reformation' inst ea d of 'Lutherans Concerned' - and today the idea of Lutherans Concerned as a refor~ organization is right on target," he says. ER/DECEMBERl 994 ., I It•./ v•U.t , ❖ •• \\/ •. ,.,. <>.:<vf , ... ,.\Lt• GN{HJGf.lEBJGROU:ND :ReflUlons•••orFAffiiaifclr~g4c·'.:':''.''··.·::•·•:·.•············.·:·•·r·w 63 c ·hristian leaders affected by flood· By Rev. Samuel Kader of great excitement at seeing so many New Caney. Guard was coming. We thought helidear friends, and meeting new ones, The 40 still on the campground had copters would soon hover overhead. Contrib,utin,g Writer . THE ANNUAL NATIONAL conference of . Advance Christian Min\s. fries • was of being affirmed as Christians, and a worship service once we were all We did what we knew to do. We rejoicing with each other aswe caught gathered in the same cabin . . But as b.egan to worship. It must have up on each other's news. soon as . the service ended it was sounded to any creatures outside the scheduled for Oct. 17-23 __ It was stilt'raining . _ with 'at least 180 confirmed registra- . While w e were _eatingfonch in the tions ·received. Some people arrived · .cafeteria on Monday, the lazy littl e early' arid began to help prepare · for creek oh either side of the only road all those arrivals to Houston ·airports . in or out .0 f the• campground swelled The conference was scheduled to take , over its banks and over the dip in the place on a rented campground fo , · road. Within a short time those on New Caney, Texas. Sleeping ar- the one side - of the creek near the rangements were dormitory style in .entrance to the campground had one bunk . beds ,- each cabin having ·a building -to -themselves .. The water men' ·s side, a women's side ·and a -separated us (rom _them and vice comrriori living room are'a\vith snack · · versa. We had the rest of the campbar and 'kitchenette . · '" .. ·, , ground; with no way out. . For a time . The rain began Friday, Oct. 14, we still had phone communication, before most of us arrived. -It was a -but that was soon lo end. heavy torrential downpour that let up for only moments at a time, then started up .again . It was .still raining on Sunday; when most of -the early arrivals .W:ere picking out. cabins._ .. Monday was an exciting day ·of anticipat,ion,- . That evening was the kickoff service for the co_nference, Rented vans were . busy making <1.ir-, port runs and with each new arrival ther {l were old and new. C)lrisliil-11 friends to greet and help get settled · onto the campground. It was .a . time People in the cabins nearest the · .creek were instru.cted to join everyone _ else in one des ignated cabin. There . were 40 people ·on . the campground with no way out. The water became too deep to dri ve through for those who had cars .. There were 23 others Two absorbing accounts of teenagers struggling ~with _ $exuat orientation issues ... . . stranded near the entrance to the ,campground . They quickly gathered what they could in six cars and started out of the area to the Red Cross shelter, a school building in q,·-,, 1\ij~'\ , ,~~t . if~_,.,,h ~1~a1>1<>-"v, ~ to~ gav ·"J!O.. }I \ · "f"' 11:, •• ri ~by A'~ ; ,. edW': ·• , . Two ~Teenagers in Twenty . Tweive years ·ago Ann Heron edited One Teenage; in Ten. . Essays from gay and lesbian · Generation X:in Heron's new book reveal a .sense of 'isolation and -despair ev~ry bit as deep as a decade ago : a~~-'-b Deiltal s,udws of suicide in gay and lesbian ______ teenagers _ ~: !l , Death by Denial: Studies · of suicide in gay and lesbian teenagers An in-depth examination of the third · leading killer of youth, accounting for 14 percent of all deaths among teenagers . Edited by Gary Remafedi . ~-=m-uan. .· 0 DEATH BY DENIAL, paperbk, $9.95 0 TWO TEENAGERS IN TWENTY, cloth; $17.95 Postage/Handling $2.90 first book, $1.00 ea. additional --~-TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED NAME---------------------- ADDRESS _ _____________________ _ CITY/STATEIZl"'-------------~-----ORDER FROM: SECOND STONE PRESS, P.O. BOX 8340, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70182 SECOND STONE obvious the creek was still rising. It way it did to the Philippian prisoners was still i;aining. We were instructed as Paul and Silas worshipped iri. to take one .change of clothes, our prison at midnight. toiletries, and our bedding and head to the cabin further yet from the creek, and on slightly higher ground. Those is our midst who had cars took us and our backpacks, pillows, suitcases, briefcases, hairdryers and mousse to our next refuge station. Rain, rain, rain. - While it was still -night, there were no overhead helicopters, only rain clouds pouring out more rain. But, yes, there was something else. Angels. They were everywhere. We couldn't see them, but it was obvious we were being cared for. During our At 4 a.m. they came running into each side of the sleeping quarters, turned on the lights and told all of us to get up because the river had now reached our cabin. No sooner did they say this than trater started rushing _in under the / doors from outside. · · This was getting serious . One building was already flooded. It was dark outside. We were damp . As soon as ev eryone got settled in our new cabin, we worshipped again, then many went lo sleep for the night. . A · handful of night owls stayed up all night watching the rain and talking on the front covered porch. At 4 a.m. they came running into each side of the sleeping quarters, turned on the lights and told all of us to get up because the river had now · reached our cabin. No sooner did they say this than the wat er started rushing in under the doors from outside. My flannel top sheet was partly dragging on the floor, and by the time I jumped out of bed, it was already soaking up river water from the flood. Meanwhile, put on the road, of. the six cars that drove out of the campground toward the shelter, only three mi'lde it. The other three got to a point where the water had risen over the road and they could go no further. As they tried to head the other way another river swallowed up the road behind them. They spent the night driving forward from the river behind them then backing up from the river in front of them, as the amount of roadway they had kep.t shrinking. It too~ the occupants of this nomadic caravan until Tuesday to reach the shelter. At 4 a .m. all the residents of the cabin were out of bed, and gathered in the living room to get further instructions . We thought boats were early predawn worship, we )lad an exhortatiqn -from the Won:l,;of-,God, from Isaiah 43:1-2: But not-thus saith the Lord that created thee, 0 Jacob, and he that formed thee, 0 Israel,· Fear not; for I have redeemed thee, l have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee, and through the rivers, they shall not overfl<YUi thee. _ · The Lord said He would redeem us. After dawn, and sometime near mid-morning a helicopter flew overhead. We wondered how we were going to get up to it. It didn't stay . It couldn't land. By this time water in the cabin was mid calf to knee deep. It was still raining. Twenty-six inches of rain fell on Monday alone. Around noon, we heard the motor boat. Two Christians, Stan and Dan, Baptists from Peachcreek Baptist Church, arrived at the cabin in a boat one of them owned. The Lord said he would redeem us. These guys were not -with the government, but were private citizens, serving God, using the fish and loaves at their disposal to serve the Lord, as did the young child in the Gospels who gave what he had to Jesus to feed the multitudes . The boat they had co~Jd only hold four of us at a time. The boat ride round trip, to come and get the next load of passengers, took over an hour . Dan and Stan labored as Christians for over 12 hours, well into the night on Tuesday to see that all of us were coming. We thought the National SEE FLOOD, Next Page NOVEMBER/DECEMBER1994 .. ' l>"'wc;n; ,::;r£.;;nrnz:aL,L:E;.1;vKfoiAs;a;;:;0Na/11GHERLGRDUNDhk&f1em1•;,ornAQvancad14l@w1m1t a/: ,,_ , ,,. : :\':' ,., ·., : · · · · ;;.>L,1iA@11 Advance '94 brings· showers of blessings . By Robyn Brown Contributing Writer t this year's Advance conferen~ e, we found _ourselves runmng an emergency shelter and ministering . among ourselves and to others who had lost their homes, possessions and family treasures to the Houston flood. There were 23 of us to assist with a shelter to 250 people . Truly a chance for the ten percent to minister to the ninety . Bishop Stephanie Williams reminded us of Psalm 4:1, "Hear me when i call, 0 God of my righteousness: Thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress ... " God enlarged m, in our distress! Not one person had gone untouched by this flood experience. We had planned in our human wisdom to enlarge our minds on the subjects of discipleship, and preaching and teaching all creation and all nations. But God had given us a workshop for a hands-on application of our faith as we reached out to the suffering community around us - a community with which we would not have normally have had contact. God had enlarged us beyond our fears and comfort zones. He had pushed us to our limits and He had provided the _strength to survive and grow. By Thursday the waters had receded from the campgrounds . There was a tearful goodbye from Karen, the Red Cross director, as the buses loaded. We had been her FLOOD, From Previous Page rescued. The dry ground they took us to was a partially submerged roadway where several more Baptists in their vans were waiting to get us up to Peachcreel, Baptist Church . We slept in the hallways and Sunday School rooms of their fellows hip hall. They fed us, gave us clothing, bedding, and Jots of love. We-said grace with them, and joined all our voices together as spontaneous worship broke out in our midst. But the Advance attendees weren't the only guests to spend the night. People whose homes and all worldly .belongings were under water were also with us, including a widow who had lost everything. It wasn't long before gay pastors and Christian s in our midst were ministering to her and other hurting folks among us . What fellowship, what a flow of the spirit of God. Meanwhile, back at the Red Cross s helter, the oth er p a rt of our group was doing the sa me thing. Th ey were feeding the elderly. The shelter SECO ND S T O NE volunteers and her new foun·d "family" to whom she had come out. After we gathered our belongings into the Magnolia cabin that had not been flooded and the Sunset cabin we gathered to thank the Lord for our · survival without loss of life. Pastor Tom Hirsch mused, 'How many of us, if asked by God to pay money to come to Texas and struggle through a flood and help with the cleanup, would have said 'Send me! Send me!'?" · We spent the next day and a half assisting Richard and Priscilla by cleaning _the camp. We cleaned the cafeteria and kitchen, washed hundreds of dishes arid cleaned out freezers and pantries. We. moved furniture and mattresses out of the cabins into the open air to dry. We cleaned the chapel and washed hundreds of folding chairs. The work that SO-something workers did in a day and a half would have taken Richard and Priscilla's crew of seven several months to complete. Following a previous smaller flood no one from the church that Richard and Priscilla had been attending offered to help with the cleaning. . However, they did want to know if the grounds wou l d be cleaned in time for their picnic. Richard and Priscilla are not attending that church anymore . While they were gone to a wedding on Saturday we provided them an additional · gift. We cleaned their personal home from top to bottom and washed all of their clothing. This is the church as God had intended! A church in action ministering to the community around it. A church reaching outside its four walls to a community that is dying at the very corners of its magnificent edifices. We cannot wait for our community to come to us. We have to go to them and minister to their needs before they will seek the higher things of God. Pastor Tom Hirsch mused, "How many of us, if asked by God to pay money to come to Texas and struggle through a flood and help with the cleanup, would have said 'Send me! The last time that I saw my spouse Bill on Monday, he was standing on the far side of the newly formed pond holding an umbrella as I waded through waist-deep water _rescuing luggage. During our two days apart I had to face my materialism . I finally came to a place where I did not care what of our "things" were . saved as long as Bill was okay. God had enlarge d me at my weakest point. As we quietly sat together on Thursday God sent us a sign of encouragement. Between the Goldenrod and the Rainbow cabins there is a magnolia tree. Magnolias Send me!'?" at the school had around 300 homeless flood victims. The Christians from Advance jumped in to help the Red Ctoss, so much so that the head of the Red Cross at our shelter told them to stop sending her volunteers, she had all she could use from the "victims." Out people were unloading the trucks as they came in, helping to serve the food, staffing the phones throughout the night so the Red Cross staff could get some rest, and ministering in countless other ways. On Tuesday the Red Cross sent a school bus to the Peachcreek Baptist Church, and reunited our conference. They gave tl.s our own room in the school so we could all be together . The Advance conference continued right there in the school. Some of the people staying at the school shelter joined us for worship . And we kept on serving. The theme for the 1994 Advance was "Go Into All the World." God had a plan ·to give us practical application of the theme. We were not able to stay cloistered and hidden and just read about the great commi ssion and discus s it. We were foC1=ed to do it! After .the flood wat ers re ceded we were able to · go back to the campground to salvage our belongings left behind in the first cabin we had stayed in, th e things left in the original sanctuary, or in the registration area, or administration buildings. Thursday the buses rolled onto the campgrounds . · Many of us, the vast majority .in fact, stayed until the scheduled end of the conference. We had learned the lessons well. -are a spring blooming tree, but there, following the flood, sat a tree crowned by · two large White blossoms. The trees were rejoicing. us could -ever be the-same: It -was -life changing, as well as a ministry changing conference. . And there were her oes and heroines · in out midst, too many to mention. There was great humot and fellowship also. As one sister said at the Red Cross shelter, "It's hard tocop an attitude when you're wearing someone else's underwear!" The greatest thing I will remember was the ministry. The Baptists to us. We to others . Going into all the world. And the worship. Hearts just filled with gratitude for a new lease on life cailnot take God for granted. I thank God for the attitude adjustments I received, and the things I learned. Some people heard Advance was canceled this year . Not so. It was probably the most profound one yet! · May we learn the lessons tha t were taught, and give them out as we go into all the world. There were losses. Advance Chris-· tian Ministries had all its sound equipment, tape decks, keyboard and other electron ic equipment submerged in flood . waters, including a · laser printer . The people with cars who had shuttled us to the higher ground cabin all had their cars submerged to the windshields. But even these Christians kept saying, 'These are only material things." When the group was separated, somE! of that separation took place in households, with one spouse on one Samuel Kader is Sr. Pastor and side of the river and the other still on co-founder of Community Gospel Churc/1 the campground. Losing luggage in Dayton, Ohio. Advance Christian and clothing and ev en a personal Ministries is located· in Dallas, Texas. computer or two paled by comparison Gifts to offset the losses of Advance may to having reassurance y ou~ loved one be sent to Rev. Thomas Hirsch, Director, w as all right . Life took on a new Advance Christian Ministries, 4001-C · p erspective, and I do n't think any of Maple A venue, Dallas, TX 75219. N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R l 9 9 4 ................... ............. ..·..I·.n...P. ..r..i. nt Last work of "dean of the homophiles" By William A. Percy Contributing Writer Homophfle Studies in Theory and Practice, written and edited by W. Dorr Legg, assoc. eds . Da_vi_d G. Cameron and Walter L. Williams: GLB Publishers, San Francisco, 464 pp., 1994. Homophile Studies in Thwry and Practice may be this year's best book and is certainly a fitting tribute lo One Institute and to Dorr Legg who died in July of this year. It reiterates his .continuing insistance .. on the necessity of homophile sluqies which has blossomed from One Institute to many of the finer institutions of higher education and is now traveling to the high school level. A registered Republican, 90 years of age al his death, Dorr. Legg, founder, director, and from 1981 to 1994, dean of One Institute, modestly excerpts from the papers delivered at its convening and articles published by One Magazine to produce not only a guide for gay arid lesbian studies but a history of our oldest ongoing homophile institution. He has skillfully Woven together documents from over 40 years and demonstrated in passing that scholars .there and elsewhere gradually turned the tide in the disciplines theretofore dominated by homophobia. Haying edited the pioneer Homosexuals Today in 1956, he taught innovative courses at One, achieving the unofficial status of "dean of the homophiles." In the wake of World War II homosocialism, the Kinsey's Sexual Behavior in the Human Male in 1948 and Sexual Behavior of the Human Female in 1953 challenged the homophobic stereotypes of American Freudians, physicians, jurists, clerics, and academics in demeaning homosexuals as sick, untrustworthy, <:riminal, and sinful. One Institute went from crisis to crisis in its early years challenging the all ·pervasive (hegemonic) homophobia of the 1950's and 60's while others were hiding or partying. It resisted ignorance, intolerance, and injustice and attempts to treat and "cure" us. Before and after the Mattachine Society collapsed in . the early 70's, it's founder, Harry Hay, and fellow ex-communist Jim Kepn~r along with Don Slater worked with One. Legg and his associates resumed the work begun by Magnus Hirschfeld whose institute Hitler destroyed in 1933 along with the whole German homosexual emancipation movement. Christopher Isherwood frequented One as did Rudy Gengrich, who had become Harry Hay's lover. One Institute even had Henry Gerber speak, the World War I veteran, who, inspired by the German movement, organized the first American homosexual group in Chicago in 1924. Perhaps most effective was the married, straight psychologist Evelyn Hooker . With assistance from One regarded us, enhancing our emancipation, toleration, and acceptance, In i953 the Supreme Court of the United States, in the first case it ever considered involving homosexuality, overturned the postal authorities' . prohibition on One Magazine which lower . courts had defined as pornography. Vern Bullough, the "dean" of gay historians, was long associated w.ith One; John Money, Professor of Medicine at Johns Hopkins who formulated pro-gay biological theories and with Richard Green wrote The Transsexual Syndrome in Homosexual Males in 1974; and the Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association which studied transsexuals; were, also, involved in the institutes's work. One Instilute's first Ph.D., Paul Hardman, published his thesis, HamoaffectionalismM: ale BondingF ram Gilgamesh To The Present (1993). Board member, Professor Walter Williams of the University of Southern California studied berdasche and further undermined the homophobic stereotypes of anthropologists assailed so ably by Yale Professors Clellan Steams Ford and Frank A. Beach in Patternso f Sexual Behavior(1 951), John DeCecco's Journal of Homosexuality, our most scholarly publication, has cooperated with One Institute for over two decades. · Whether · working behind the scenes for legal reform such as those in the Mattachine Society of )"'hich Arthur Warner was the leading lawyer, or the first to demonstrate as Frank Kameny did, or writing like the Kinsey Institute associate, C. A. Tripp, The Homosexual Matrix (1975), they assailed and undermined . the old homophobic theories. The efforts of lawyers and the intellectual elite had other beneficial results such as Sir John Wolfenden, head of England's parliamentary committee, advocating decriminalization of sodomy in 1957. The new model penal code of the American Bar Association (1961) also did so, although only Illinois adopted it before Stonewall. .- 1 Homophile Studies in Theo1y and Practice details the woncierful achievements of a group of unsung and very dedicated individuals and organiza. tions. · It is a wonderful and fascinating description of the homosexual movement before Stonewall that is unknown to most. It is a must read for those wishing to understand our movement and a fitting tribute to Dorr Legg who devoted.50 rnurh of his life .and energy to that movement. William A. Percy is a Professor of History at the University of Massachusetts at Bos/cm, He is an Associate Editor of the Encyclopedia of Homosexuality (Garland, 1990) and the author of Pederasty and Pedagogy in Archaic Greece (University of Illinois Press, forthcoming). ---------------. , she proved that on Rorschach tests k-1t he spiriot f 5t. Fratci5a nc5:lt . and in other accepted measures of . Clarew, ere~ .~ l,uilt;b-a anc:~l IM(8l'6 tojoumey'with · ooi i the foot6t.epo5 f Jee;usC hrist. mental .health and ability most homosexuals were as normal, productive, and conscientious as straights, in fact, indistinguishable from them. This assertion flew in the face of theories based on examinations of troubled or institutionalized homosexuals about our degeneration or immaturity. The Word Is Out ·ud/JO We are an ecumenical, inclusive, non-clerical Qi>,. community of baptize? men CV and women from various Chris.tian traditions who ,.0 chose to worship and live in ~ • . a faith-sharing spirit. You may become an · ~ Associate or enter the program leading to the profession of vows a.s a ~ .t:!!2 religious Brother or Sister. Ask to receive our newsletter, "Footsteps." We work in ministries of love,. care and reconciliation nationwide .. For more information, please_write to: MERCOYF G ODC OMMUNITY Att: Vocation Director P. 0. Box 41055 Providence, RI 0 29 40 -10 55 SECOND STONE By scholarship, education, and outreach One fostered steady improvement in the way society !~~' ~<~,~r . Tiie , . ~{~~1t!~~ On 100 beautiful acres with pool, hot tub, skiing and more. Jnnkeapers Judith Hall and Grace Newman invite you to write or ca1\ for a brochure. P. 0. Box 118 SL Bethle_hem, NH 03574 (603) 869-3978 . . CHRIS GLASER'S unique meditation book, The Word Is Out, is a resource for gay men and Lesbians interested in redaiming the affirmation often denied them by many religious traditions . Glaser shows how coming out and living in a predominantly heterosexual world is affirmed .by the Bible's call to lamentation, liberation, and community. To reflect this universality, each month's meditations are centered on issues corresponding lo · both the Christian and the gay and lesbian calendars. For June, Gay Pride month, Glaser illumines the Bible's encouraging words of liberation and victorious celebration. In keeping with the Christian period of mourning and lamentation throughout February and March, Glaser affirms the anger and pain of dealing with AIDS, gay bashing, and discrimination, By interrelating the goals, failures, and victories of many liberation movements, The Word Is Out speaks not oiuy to Gays and Lesbians, but also to other groups who have long been excluded. by the churc:h's struggle with racism, sexism, and classism. "Liberation changes the very form of this world!," writes Glaser . "Whether deliverance from Chris Glaser oppression, salvation from sin, or freedom from legalism, liberation transforms our experience of God's realm." Chris Glaser is a graduate of Yale Divinity who reconciled his spirituality with his homosexual orientation despite the limited support from his religious community. · NOVEMBER/DECEMBERl 994 ' • I ...................................l.n...P...r..i.n...t.. ....................... 25th anniversary reprinting of Rev. Perry's book THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD and He Knows I'm Gay is the frank and revealing portrait of Rev. Troy Perry, gay rights pioneer and founder of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches. It was. the first book ever written by an openly gay Christian when jt was originally published in 1972. · The 25th anniversary edition describes the dramatic events leading to the creation of the UFMCC in 1968, and the-heroic struggles of the church in its early years. Preaching a simple message of God's love for Gays and Lesbians, Rev. Perry has guided his denomination to tremendous growth. There are now nearly 300 Metropolitan Community Churches in 16 countries. The Lord is My Shepherd and He K_nowsI 'm Gay is Rev. Perry's autob10graphy, beginning with his childhood in Florida and Georgia. He reveals the development of his sexual identity, from his first sexual explora- In Print, briefly ... Confessioonfsa JewisWh agnerite Thisn ewb ookb y LawrencDe . Mass is subtitledB eingG aya ndJ ewishin America. Says Michaelangelo Signorile",a s penetratinagn dp rofounda s It is stylisha nde ntertaining. It takesa journeya crossa breathtakingw orlds catterewd itht he horrorso ( AIDS,h omophobisae, lf-loathing, hatreda nda nti-Semitistmo a place of meaninga nd purpose.' OneT eacheinr T en:G ay andL esbiaEnd ucators TellT heiSr tories Gaya ndl esbiante achersh ave traditionalldyw elti n the deepesot f closetsf,e aringfo r theirc areers. Butt oday,a n increasirin~u mber of young. peoplea re beingt aught by teachersw hoa reo ut andp roud. In this book,e ducatortsa lka bout theirs truggleas ndv ictoriesin the classroom. KevinJ enningse,d itoor f OneT eacehr in Ten •FromA lysonP ublications SECOND STONE Rev, Troy Perry lions to the passionate romances of a proud gay man. He describes his struggle to follow God's . call, even when his Penecostal ministry and his LETTERS, From Page4 now. What she doesn't understand it that all of her preaching won't change me. I still love her but I have other needs as well - and down deep is the desire · to be loved. At present our Presbyteri.an church is having dialogue sessions on homosexuality. This. could be a great eye opener for my bride if only she would try one session, but her mind is made up. She is the one who convinced me that I was different even before we married each other. For better or worse? Enlightened, foe Nolan West Hollywood, California Problems with UMC's definition of llpracticing homosexual" · Dear Second Stone, I read with interest your brief notation on page four of the Sept/Oct, 1994 issue telling of the attempt of the California-Pacific Annual Conference · of the United Methodist Church to come up with a definition of the disciplinary phrase "self-avowed practicing homosexual." As a member of that Annual Conference, I would agree that the definition adopted by the CaliforniaPacific Annual Conference is •excellent at trying to "stave off witch hunts" by heterosexual marriage were destroyed by officials who condemned his sexual orientation. Throughout the book, he provides readable explanations of the Bible, including texts that have been misused to condemn homosexuality. The result is a lively and empowering book for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people, as well as anyone interested in civil rights or spirituality. Reading The Lord is My Shepherd and He Knows I'm Gay is like sitting carefully delineating that which is, and is not, "self-avowal." However, there remain some serious problems with the part of the definition which delineates "practicing homosexual." · These problems led another pastor, the Rev. Richard R. Bentley, Jr., and myself, tci request an Episcopal Ruling on whether the definition adopted meets the requirements of the United Methodist Book of Discipline. Bishop Roy I. Sano ruled that the definition does comply with the Book of Discipline. However, in accordance with the rules of the United Methodist Church, all Episcopal _Rulings are reviewed and affirmed, modified or overturned by the Judicial Council of the denomination. The Judicial Council will be reviewing this ruling at an upcoming meeting. Sincerely, I11omaHs . Griffith,P astor Crescent Heights United Methodist Church Woodland, California On owning stock in homophobic companies Dear Second Stone, Three years ago I read a letter to the editor in Second Stone that caught my attention. The writer said that if , you want to make a statement against the homophobic policies of Carls Jr. and Crack!!r Barrel restaurants, you should buy their stock! Just one share! What a concept! I bought one share of Cracker Barrel at 34-1/2 and three shares of Karcher at 9. Those transactions totaled $61.50. The cost of the trades brought the total to $117.50. Each of these stocks pays a quarterly dividend, and every three months I get a check from Cracker Barrel for one cent and a check from Karcher Enterprises (now CKE Restaurants) for six cents. I don't bother cashing them; it's more fun giving ·them away as souvenirs and thinking down for an initmate chat with Rev. Perry, to laugh and cry with him as he tells in his own words of the adventures he has lived. It is a story of pain and struggle, a story of 'triumph over homophobia and bigotry, an authentic slice of an inspiring life. The 25th anniversary edition of The Lord is My Shepherda nd He KnowsI 'm Gay includes a new introduction written by Rev. Perry, as well as the· introduction for the original 1972 edition. how much it costs the companies just to process them. Last year Cracker Barrel split three for two. Since I didn't have two shares to split, the company had to reissue me a stock certificate for one share and send a check for $14.53 for the fractional share I was due. I cashed it. Every six months each company sends me a financial report. At the end of the fiscal year I receive a beautiful slick magazine in full color extolling each company's virtues. Each also sends me a thick notice of the annual shareholders' meeting along with my ballot to vote for directors and any pending issues. I dutifully mark the ballot and return it in the post-paid envelope. This way I know what they are doing. All in all, I feel good about costing Carls Jr. and Cracker Barrel so much money. I wonder how many other people responded to that letter and bought just one share. '1/clPts of people did, maybe the homophobes would get the message and get it right some day. If any Second Stone readers want to . become involved in this unique oneperson/ one~shate activist project, they may contact any stock broker: Be sure to tell the broker to have the stock certificate serit to you. You can frame it and use.'it'for a dart board. (Actually, since you . might want to sell the share some day, it's better to make copies . for dart boards. Back them with cork, frame them, and ·use them for gifts.) Sincerely, Betty Hornbostel (Readersw ho want additionailn formation may contact Ms. Hornbostel at (916) 662-8970.) VO Alb~ o(i~ ~ ,/ ' \i"!t ~ ,· 5./ • ~ {I. /~ ,jg - -~~~ bfc Et-J\'Q NOVEMBER/DECE MBER1994 I • • Calendar . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . A Reforming Church: Gift and Task NOVEMBER 17-19, Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis is the setting for this conference for pastors and lay people. This gathering is designed to lift up the reforming spirit · of the Lutheran movement, affirm the Lutheran perspective on God's Word as a dynll!llic living word and provide a forum for ELCA people who see that human sexuality is one of the area s needing theological work. Cost is $75 per person . For information contact Allison Bondy, Central Lutheran Church, (612)870-4416. Week of Prayer for Christian Unity JANUARY 18-25, 1995, For material and information contact Grayrnoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute, Garrison , NY, (914)424-3458. Healing the Wounds of Heterosexism FEBRUARY 10-12, 1995, "Creating a Home in the? Church: Healing the Wounds of Heterosexism," with Presbyterian evangelist Janie Spahr, . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ . . . will be a weekend of worship, workshops and frivolity focused on helping congregations become more welcoming of lesbian, gay and bisexual Christians . To be held in various St. Louis metropolitan area chur~hes, the event is sponsored by Other Sheep, an international and ecumenical ministry activP\y pro- -claiming God 's love for au people . For more information, contact Other Sheep at 319 North Fourth St., Ste. 902, St. Louis, MO 63102, (314)822-3297, (314)776-4483. 11th Annual Interweave Convocation FEBRUARY 17-19, 1995, Interweave, Unitarian Universa:lists for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender · Concerns sponsors its annual gathering in Raleigh, North Carolina . Over 200 participants are expected for three days of celebration, worship, ·program s, worksh pps, and more. Included is a workshop on ecumenical organizing presented by Rev. Morris Hudgins, a Unitarian Universalist pastor, and Rev. Jimmy Creech, a United Methodist pastor and staff CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE: Helping Christians Debate Homosexualtiy Few other issues divide the Christian community more sharply than homosexuality. In this new volume, wri~rs with divergent poi.pts of view _ . deal with questions at the center of the debate between pro-gay and anti-gay believers. Edited by Sally B. Geis, director, Iliff Institute, Lay and Clergy· Education, The llijf School of Theology, Denver , and Donald E . Messer, president, The llifj School of Theology. Order now from Second Stone Press Quan. □ . -CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE By Geis/Messer, $12.95, paperbk ----,--,- P01tag&'Handling"$2.90 first book, $1.00 ea. additional --~-TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED ------'-- NAME---~-----------,---------- ADDRESS ____________________ _ CITY/STATE/ZIP ____ --- ____________ _ ORDER FROPif; SECOND STONEPRESS, P.O. BOX 8340, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70182 _ SECOND STONE 4D ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . member of the North Carolina Council of Churches. For information contact Bonnie Blue Crouse, 2001 Boone Ave ., Winston-Salem, NC 27103, (910)722-0421. - Communication Ministry Convocation APRIL 27-30, 1995, Convocation is a national gathering of Catholic -priests, brothers and nuns. Last year, just over 100 gay and bisexual priests and brothers and lesbian sisters, and friends, met in Orlando to explore 'The Goodness of Being Gay." For many participants, it was the first time they had ever been able to be so open about their sexuality and to experience an empowering atmosphere of acceptance. The theme of -this year's gathering is -"New Expressions of Being Gay or Lesbian in the Catholic Church: Our Myths and Our Stories," For information on this conference write to CMI, P.O. Box 60125, Chicago, IL 60660-0125. Announcements of interest to gay, lesbian and bisexual Christians are welcome and will be .included free of charge. Send to Second Stone, P.O. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 or FAX to (504)891-7555. - ry"our '13roRg.n :J{eart (joif wif! tafJ your lieart tfiat's 6rofJn, 'But tlie pieces must 6e tliere. 'Every lieartaclie, every failure, 'Every 6ittenuss anif care. ;J{e's. tlie (joif of tliings once sfiattereif Jllntf now, cruslieif unto ifespair, Jllntf ;J{e'{{ tafJ antf recreate it, 'But tlie pieces mwt 6e tliere. '.)'ou cannot witfilioft{ a portion, Or some unforgiven ifeea! ;J{e must fiave eac/i. part antf cfumwer, If ;J{e is to meet your neetl. '.)'ou cannot witfifwft{ your sorrow !{or tlie UYilea one, torn away; Or your fears a6out to,norrow J1l fttr trials <if toaay . Jll{[ tlie years "6y fccust eaten, " ;J{e'{{ restore, antf {ijt tlie fcaa 'l1i.at for so fclttJ, you've carrieif '[)_own a aarftantf {one[y r~aa! ;J{e's tlie (joif of uves once sfiatterelf Yl.na. now, tfwuglit 6eyontf repair ... Jllntf ;J{e'{{_ f:aK! your lie.an tfiat's 6rol@n, 'But tlic~ej ieas =t 6e. tlierel . Jl(Jt.tfiryn 'Vivian ~atilttJ '"Bfesseif are :t!iey tfiat ,no urn ... for tliey sfial[ 6e wmforntl." - !Mattliew 5:4 NOVE · MBER/DECEMBERl 994 ··:ff· ·. W NoteworWth y .... ~ ~ ........ ~. ~ ~, .. ~ ......... ~ ~. LutheranCso ncerncerde ates ministfroyr p arents 4LUTHERANS CONCERNED/North America has announced the introduction of a new ministry specifically designed to meet the spiritual needs of parents, families and friends of lesbian, gay and bisexual people. The venture · is part of the organization's effort to serve people in ministry areas that the institutional church is reluctant to face, and "to lead the church by example." "Our research has shown that parents and family members often experience their own special pain, alienation and rejection, sometimes even within the church," said Bob Gibeling, program executive for Lutherans Concerned . 'They also become very powerful advocates for change once they have come to a new understanding of their faith and scripture." Further commenting on the new outreach, Gibeling said, "Other organizations who sponsor parents and family support groups aren't designed to address sexual orientation issues in a specific religious context. So Lutherans Concerned is filling a spiritual qiche that is unique." Horvatshn apsh ortte nure streaka tB atonR ougceh urch A}OIE DE VIVRE MCC of Baton ;ouge, Louisiana, celebrated Rev. Nancy Horvath's third anniversary as its pastor with a reception in her honor on October 2. The third an_niversary is particularly significant irt the almost 11-year history of the Baton Rouge church because Rev. Horvath is the first pastor to stay beyond a two-year tenure. "We knew we were accepting God's call when we came to Baton Rouge, and we continue to know that is true," said Horvath. "A lot of great things have happened here during the past tjlree years, and I'm happy to have ~een a part of them and to have the chance to be a part of the great things that are yet to come." lesbian Christian groups in Durban are working strongly, according to Wakeford; and having to split to accommodate the growth. Rev. George Irvine of the Methodist Church has come out strongly on behalf of the gay Christian community and over 250 were• invited to -hear , him l!peak on gay and lesbian· faith issues. Desert Streams, an ex-gay ministry, is also at work in Durban. Newo utreacphe rsofno rR CP 4JAMES PRESTON has begun :working in the Reconciling Congregations Program national office as its new outreach staff person. Preston is an elder in the Northwest Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church and has been serving as associate pastor of St. John's UMC in Lubbock, Texas. Preston was raised in a Baptist family and became a Methodist during college. He earned his M.Div. at the Perkins School of Theology. Gayl,e sbiaPn entecostals . getn ewc hurches 4THE NATIONAL GAY PENTEcostal Alliance · has announced the beginning of two new churches. The Apostolic Church of Jesus Christ, pastored by Bro. Tommy Curley, is opening in Rochester, New York, and Abundant Life Worship Center, pas• tored by Bro, David Farrell, is in the planning stages in Charlotte, North Carolina. The National Gay Pentecostal Alliance operates churches in New York, Michigan, Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina, Alabama, and Arkansas. For information about this organization or its churches contact NGPA, P.O. Box 1391, Schenectady, NY 12301-1391. QUOTABLE ' "ESA [Evangelicals for Social WesleyaHno linesNse twork Acti01i] cannot be silent while 4THE WESLEYAN HOLINESS Gay evangelicals are being tempted and Lesbian Network has been into hysterfr:al animosity started by a gay Christian, Kent against Gays an.d Lesbians. Schwob, and two straight Church of . And those of (ts· who issued the tbe Nazarene ministers, Michael J; · · Chicago Declaration II ought · Christensen and Brya_n Stone. to have used this occasion to ,. Christensen is the author of C. S. I;ewis on ScriptiJre.a nd. T/Je Samaritan call the church to repentance imperative, both published by Abing- for its homophobia. We should qon I'ress. Readers may contact The have condemned the ' y,Jesleyan Holiness Network in care of ' . ' difci'_ii'n_i nation _against Gays $,chwob at 3540 North Pennsylvania r .. •· . , ,,. ~treet, #F, Indianapolis, IN 46205. and Lesbians that the church. Wakeforcdo ntinuemsi nistry inS outhA frica iREV JOAN WAKEFORD continues aj. minstry to reach gay and lesbian Chri~H!!n~) 11,so_μth Africa. .Gay,. aJJd SECOND STONE has steadily ignored. " -Evangelical Christian author Tony Campolo , ,.,,'.;_.· -· The .first tim.e · they'll -thank you. is at Christmas. What other Chri.stmas prese~t can you give that, well .. , gives again?°Friends,to whom you give a gift su~scription to Second. Stone willbe_th_a n.k. ·in g. y. o·,I! around Valentme'.s Day and Easter, about Gay Prid~ . · time ... on Independence Day, and around National Coming Out Day. Second Stone ... a Christmas · gift that's not just for Christmas. · Yes ... Please send a gift subscription and card in my name to the person(s) listed: ] One gift, $17 I Two gifts, $29 I Three ~ifts, $42 Add $10 for each foreign subscriber. U.S. currency. PAYMENr ENQDSED: FROM, •Y-------------~..,,,,,_~---------'---- acy Nam_e_ __ ~-------- .Add_re_s_s_ _______ _ Ofy ____________ _ sw,, _______ Zlp_ __ _ Sign Gift c.rd Name ___________ _ Address-----------,,--- , Oty ____________ ___, --~------ Zip ___ _ SignG iftc .rd Use additional sheet for more gifts. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 ,_}·,·"\~'· IN)tnttourrs ,- V, FT IIE L onn ... i Jt A moving and personal account of an issue that won't go· away. A · best-seller in Canada:: and soon to be a mcition . picture . . ·. · · ' . ;, · .. ~ -~~ , _;_,:; ._,u:,t.:~: }'L , ,. It will ni\11,e you thiQk, it ~U ~~ke ,';, ;fi_ you angry . and hopefullJ, 1I w,11 ;:!c,; •· , · ' broadenyQitr ..v isio.n-0fwha! ,'1<>t,h • · ., , · .. sexuality and Christial)ity at ·lh,l'ir · best can ,.be • ·· . :-' ""'~ t -ielegr:aph~J,o urntlt-,: >ff St,.J Q,lf;1"l1'J~w•B. r'i4nsl<(ic. l/c James Fi;~·h-;~-~1J;a~ ~g;;\~;rr these .. · and ·is·hiniself' · ~;!~in ~r (h~_i¼r~~~ ~ Order now from Second Stone Press · ,;:.:' -.0J;,~ ;t~. I'N~?T H:-EC.\ ?OftU {R TOtS:F.T }Hj~LE):O} R.t'D !'t .:.,. J ~;/~tiL :ttJ.1;\~_:J/~ ;~fi:~~ ~ .,. ~,.,. -. " -.-- '. - . ~--,, .~ ·" ByJ a111~11 ~~ -~ove, ; /,·"i".:, ...,. _, _,,. . . P~i'!91i2.JO~lioot/S1 /00~iddlllo1\1;1i:=/' '=.:~· ,·, __ ,,,,,,WJA~~r. l~~ -, ; .. , .;,._. ' '!y"'.' NAME--..,.,,-,,,..- ~-,-,,, ........, .,,_.. ....... ,....,..-------- ,~~ .... _ ·,'.i ~ (:· :; ,: ;\:f. _:;,. ' ADDRE.~----------------- CITY/STATE/Z_I_P_ ____________ ..,-: ,_.,~, ORDERF ROMS: ECONDS TONEP RESS, - ·P.O.B OX8 340N, EWO RLEANSL, A 70182 · N' 0 V E M B E RI D E ¢ ,E M B E ~ l9 9 fl . -Classifieds .................. . .... . • ................................. . ........ ..... . I®@®~© &:l lPQQ~O~~~n~oo© . I BIBLI CAL "CO NDEMNATION" of gays examined by Columbia University graduate with a decade of UFMCC membership. $3.95 for 26 page booklet. H& S/SS, POB 221841, Charlotte NC 28222. MAGAZIN E FOR HOMESTEADERS! Our I 7th year! Sample, 4 Fir s t Class stamps . Farming Uncle , c/o Toro, 780 E. 185th St., #3DG 82. Bronx NY 10460-1004. "WO N DER FUL DIVERSITY," ' "Heartil y recomm ended , 11 "Philo s ophically intriguing , 11 "E xcellent. 11 Why do reviewers highly -esteem CHRlSTlAN *NEW AGE QUARTERLY ? Great articles and lively columns make this bridge of dialogue between Chri stians and- New Agers as entertaining as it is substantive. Subscribe for only $12.50/yr. Or sample us for $3.-50. CHRISTl AN*NEW AGE QUARTERLY, P.O. Box 276 , Clifton, NJ 07011-0276. TF A GAY D.IA"RY ·1975-1982 by Donald Vining is the latest in the series of intimate, personal diarie s of which critics have said, "Unquestionabl y the richest historical .document of gay mal e lif e in the United States" "The fairly de taile d look at the da y-to-day de velopment o f a 'long-term' gay couple relationship is only one valuable aspect of thi s intriguing · chronicle. 11 11Humor, .narrative sense, interest in the foibles of others. Deep lionesly ." 474 pages. paperback $11.95 .hardcover $16.95. Also available A GAY DIARY )946-1954 $,9.95 and $14.95, !954-196r paperback _only, $9,95, 1-967- 1975, $11-.95 and $16.95. The Pepys Press, 1270 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10029 OPEN HANDS, an ecumenical quarterly maga zine on ministries · with gays, lesbians _and bisexuals. $16/year. Free sample. 3801 N . Ke ele r Av enue, Chicago, IL 60641. 312/736-5526. FAX-312/736-5475. 10/9-5 ~lij]~~WWil PASTOR NEEDED. A small, but growing non-denominational community church in beautiful East Tex.as is in· need .of a pastor to lead its congregation. The . church's primary ministry is to people of alternate life styles. The candidate must be of high moral . character, professionally trained, ordained, or eligible for ordination. For further information please send letter of inquiry of Saint Gabriel Community Church, 13904 CR 193, T)iler. TX 75703 or call (903t 581-6923. SEEKING PASTOR for small independent liturgical church in Dallas, Texas . . Present pastor retiring January, 199§. Mainline church background and seminary · graduate preferred. Coniact: . Pulpit Committee, Fr. Frederick Wright, c/o Holy Trinity Community Church, 4402 Roselancj Avenue, Dallas, TX 75204 . Telephone: (H)(214) 821-0418. (0)(214)827-5088 . 12/94 GAY EPISCOPAL PRIEST seeks church position with loving, inclusive community that respects the dignity of all: Write to 431 Gravier St. #300, New Orleans, LA 70130 MWBM, Christian, 52 years old, 5"5", 165 lbs., HIV-, non-smoker seeks other Christian bisexuals, gay men for casual relationShip. Come to · Oregon Central Coast. J. Nolan, Box 2263. Florence OR 97439. 4195 CHICAGO GWM, 41, 155 lbs., 5'10", looking for a soul mate. I am emotionally, spiritually, and financially secure and seek the same in my mate. Open with ~y sexu- . ality, masculine, not flamboyant, HIV-, involved in the Episcopal Church, and dedicated to my friends. You have similar qualities , do not abuse alcohol or drugs, and love life. Write with recent photo:- B.R., 4422 N. Greenview , ZE, Chicago, IL 60640. 12/94 SECOND STONE ------ .-----------7 Classified Order Form Please place my ad in these · _issues: [ l Jan/Feb [] Mar/Apr FOR ONLY 35¢ per word, your classified ad will reach readers from Sitka, Alaska to Amherst. Maine and everywhere in between. Business or personal..: try a classified ad in our next edition! MailTo: Second Stone Box 8340 New Orleans, LA 70182 Name _________________ _ Address _________ _ City/St./ZiP~ --------- AD COPY _______ _ ----------------------------------------------- ------------------------ __ words X .35= $, _____ _ 20 word minimum, All classifieds must be pre-paid. Deadline one month prior to cover date. We will mail you a copy of the edition(s). in which your ad appears [ J May/Jun [J Jul/Aug [] SeptiOct [] Nov/Dec ' CLASSIFICATIONS [ l Books & Publications [ l Business Opportunities [ l Employment [ l Friends/Relationships [ l General Interest [ l Mail Order [ l Merchandise [ l Organizations · [ ] Professional Services [ l Real Estate [] Retreats [ l Roommates [ ]Travel ------------------~------------------------------------------1 GWF, 44, profes s ional , feminine, well educated, kindly humorous, talkative , financially stable, no drugs /smoking, little drinking, faithful Presbyterian, liberal in outlook, conservative in lifestyle. ISO truly similar lady living within 2-3 hours: G WF, good listene,, feminine, 39-49, interested in commitment \Is. casual relationships. Write: Sarah, P.O. Box 14163, Augusta, GA 30919. 6/95. . ACTIVE CATHOLIC (Orthodox, Anglican, or Roman Catholic) male wanted. Seriou s but jovial and sensual and -masculine! ... in the · Southwest or San Diego. Weight in proportion 10· height. Music and animal lover-, : Around my age range: 53. N o smoke or dope, moderate drink! Frank B,, P.O. Box 62, Blue Springs, MO 64013 GWM, Christian, professional, educated, 35 , 6'2 ", 160 lbs., blue /brown (balding) no facial hair, hirsute. ISO a non-smoking, drug-free lifemate, --monogamous relationship. Interests: music, theatre, outdoors, travel, quiet evenings, cards, volleyball; dancing. P.O. Box 59, Hummels Wharf, PA 17831-0059. 12/94 I"M ATTRACTED TO WV, TN, OK, TX, AR, VA, KY Southern boys. Like them Christian or_ other beliefs who are _very romantic, loving, gentle, caring, masculine , straightacting. nice personality. Hones~y counts . Must be very loving, sexual. I like slender types 24-40's , long haired, dark; redhead , blondes . Little Teddy Bear wants a country boy . I'm 37, 57 , 155 lbs. , hairy, HIV-. -No drugs , games, bar types .. Photo to M. Barrett, 6244 Corson Ave. So., Seattle, WA 98108-3442. VERY INTERESTING , attractive , athletic , loving, sincere, and open 24 yr . old blonde /blue WM who is incarcerated with winter re lease would love to meet older male for special friendship. Metz, 276527, Box 120 3Cl35. Lebanon. OH 45036 .. lffll ~~@l4mt~ • · :· I "AIDS AWARENESS" stamp pins. $3.50. Quality made of solid· brass. Proceeds benefit PW As . Volume discounts. Eastern Maine AIDS Network, P.O. Box 2038, Bangor, ME 04402. 12/94 CREMATION URNS: Introducing the Lambda Pride Um. Celebrate Life with an um that reflects personality and style. Call for free brochure. LifeStyle Urns 1-800-685-URNS. 8/95. GAY PRIDE FLAGS, Banners , Lapel Pins, W~II Clock s, Tote Bags, Bumper Stickers, Wrnd Socks & More. Free Catalog. 1-800-854-1438. (24 hrs. - 7 days.) Retail & Wholesale. 2/95 LIVE OPERA performances ·on audio/video casette . .Incredible selection since 1930's, world~wide. Over 7400 items. Magnificent free computerized catalogue. .Live Opera, P.O. Box 3-141, Steinway Station, Long Island City. NY 11103. 12/95 IIN~@i~ff@J®* ~:" I REV. N. A. LL OYD, C.M., spiritual medium and advisor. Spiritual counseling . Call (516)736-1058. 12/94. · ATTENTIO N CHRISTIAN songwriters: I will typeset your manuscript music. $20 first page, $2 each additional -stave . For info write :. Eric Bicknell, 23244 Almira , Southfield. Ml 48034. 4 /95 RETREATS FOR GAY monks focusing on coping .techniques in repressive communities at Saint Benedict Monastery. Information write: Dan, 1012 Monastery Rd., Snowmass, co 81654. 6/95 "WHAT THE BIBLE Says and Doesn't Say About Homosexuality" by Rev. Nancy Horvath . Professionally produced, studio qualit y videotape or audiocassettes in attractive package . Well researched, uplifting -perspective from UFMCC minister . Excellent addition to personal library. Wonde rful gift. Video: $34 .95. Audio: $24.95. Plus $3.95 P&H per order . Credit card orders: 800-370- 7483. Or mail payment to H&B Video, JDVMCC, P.O. Box 64996 Baton Rouge LA 708% . 12/94 WARNING REGARDING PRISON CORRESPONDENCE: While most prisoners seeking correspondence are genuine in their. intent, some ar~ not. Readers are cautioned to protect themselves from scams: 1. Do not send checks or mon ey orders to prisoners and do 1101 cash checks or money orders from prisoners. Persons cashing altered checks or money orders are responsible for the difference between the issue amount and the altered amount . 2. Do not reveal personal information about yourself ·that would be harmful to you if passed on to employer, family or others. ARE YOU MOVING? The Post Office will not forward The Second Stone. You must notify us for uninterrupted service if you move. Please notify us four weeks in advance for uninterrupted delivery. Send both old and new :i:~:sg~~~i~e~~ssible attach malling la_bel in . PRINT NEW ADDRESS ~ 9 ~ f ; ~ (b Send completed form to: THE SECOND STONE Box8340 New Orleans, LA 70182 NOVEMBER/DECEMBFRl 994 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 Second Stone #37 - Nov/Dec 1994 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/8eff9f6cd9b43e1ed7e2b49798b64aa5.pdf fe0569d39f6a56e82ab6e7dd60fff854 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 Second Stone Description An account of the resource Issues of the Second Stone publication. Issue An issue of a recurring publication. Issue Number The number of the issue (within a volume) 38 Publication Year The year the issue was published 1995 Publication Date The date the issue was published Jan/Feb 1995 Text Any textual data included in the document OUR SEVENTH YEAR JANUARY/FEBRUARY, 1995 ISSUE #38 Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an everflowing·stream. - Amos 5:24 DESTINATION. OVETT, MISSISSIPPI Gay and lesbian Freedom Riders to hit the road across America will ride to complete their dream of building a G ays and Lesbians from . all _.own hands so that the camp . -can the aid of a lesbian family feminist lesbian folk school (an eduand their besieged property cational and cultural retreat center outside Ovett, Mississippi on Memo- that makes available an opportunity rial Day weekend, May 26-30. for learning non-oppressive lifeways) Since November, 1993, lesbian and having food and clothing availp art ners Wanda and Brenda Henson , able to addres s the realities of po verty along with numerous volunteets, in the area. . have defended their 120.acre "Camp Robin Tyler, a prominent lesbi an Sister Spirit" folk school from an activist who originally called for and ongoing, religiou s right inspired emceed the first March on Washingcampaign of violence, harassment, Ion for Lesb ian and Gay Rights, and intimidation and death threats. There subsequently produced the main have been over 60 inddeats to date, • stage for the - second . and third including telephone · de-ath th feats, 'matches, a'n'd Rev. Troy Perty, founmail bomb thr eats, explosives found der of the Universal Fellows hip of at their gate and a d ead dog tied to . Metropolita11 Community Church es, their mailbox. The Mississippi Fam- · the largest organization of Gays and ily Values org.anization was created lesbians in the world, announced on for the purpose of finding ways to Jan. 9 that an interfaith coalition of oust Sister Spirit from their land. The Gays and Lesbians involved in th e clim a te of hatred that has been religious community will go to Camp spawned in the s urr..rnnding com- Sister Spirit over _ Memorial Day munities is palpable and deadly . weekend. The climate of aggression briefly - Perry said that World Community attracted the attention of Attorney Builders, a group of women and men General Janel Reno who sent Justice who contribute their time and talent Department representatives to Ovett to flying to countries outside the U.S. to investigate the situation last year. to build homes and churches, a The Justice Department conduded division of the UFMCC World Church that the Federal government could Extension, will be involved in helpnot help because Gays and lesbians ing with the remodeling of five are not covered under the current existing barns on the property. civil rights laws. In addition to help i ng build the With no help from the government property, money will be raised to in sight, veteran gay and lesbian help Camp Sister Spirit pay for exactivists have d_ecided to take the defense of Camp Sister Spirit in their P.O. Box 8340 _ New Orleans, LA 70182 ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED SEE FREEDOM RIDE, Page 9 Bll..K RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID NEW ORLEANS, LA PERMIT Nci. 511 /////////////////1////// TIME DATED MATERIAL - DO NOT DELAY//////////////////////// Those p>e()Jl)l,e At That Church The folks dt St. Francis Lutheran Church in · San Francisco are ·pretty good at cooking up controversy in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. · They can also cook up a mean batch of Berlinerkranswer. SEE '1N PRINT," Page n Photos from the_ cover o f "Tho se People At That Church" by Joyce Oudkerk Pool You can e-mail Second Stone through America Online at: SEC STONE or through other services at secstone@aol.com. IN YOUR MAILBOX FOR A WHOLE . YEAR JUST $17.00! .~ Box 8340 • New Orleans, LA 7018_? " THE NATIONAL ECUMENICAL CHRISTIAN NEWSJOURNAL FOR LESBIANS, GAYS AND BISEXUALS Contents .................... ., ..... [I] From the editor AMA takes steam out of ex-gay movement, reparative therapy . [I I Commentary J 1994 was a good year for us. [I] Letters to the editor _ r-~5 l_ill News Lines l--s·--1 Loneliness I It affects us all. Dr. William Howland 1 • suggests spiritual ways to cope. L ___ __ _ , . I Videos 00] ' 10 Queer Son, Vickie Seitchik's new video. [II] 1fl lf! _ In Print Bound By Diversity , Mark Thompson's Gay Soul and The St. Francis Cookbook Calendar r ·-:i 115 I Noteworthy [6 ~I Classifieds SECOND STONE - W From the Editor W . . . ........................... . Religious right can't afford new AMA policy By Jim Bailey The American Medical Association's policy change made in Dece mber regarding sexual orientation should - be the deathblow · for the so-called . "ex-gay" ministries - counseling services offered by some churches and religious organizations who claim to be able to change one's sexual orientation from homosexual _to heterosexual. Until Dece mber the AMA officially supported the position that one's sexual orientation could be changed. The AMA did away with that policy last month when the organization adopted a report caJling for "nonjudgmental recognition of sexual orientation." This report officially reduces the counseling services of ex-gay ministries to what they have really amounted to all along - quackery - and it greatly increases the liability counselors face from what may be the results of .the misguided services they provide . One "change minister" from Glendale, Calif., has already been convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the case. of a man who died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after receiving counseling to change his sexual orientation. The more truthful ex-gay counselors have been known to tell their clients in privat e what they will not acknowledge in public: that they indeed . cannot change a gay or lesbian person's attraction to a same-gender partner. In the wake of the AMA report, perhaps it is time for them to publicly admit the - only thing th ey really can do, which is to teach a gay man or lesbian how. to fake a heterosexual lifestyle. But that won't happen. And the AMA change in policy regarding reparative therapy might not be the deathblow for ex-gay services after all._ Look for an amazing amount of support for ex-gay ministries in the months to come from large, well-funded religious right" organizations. -The concept of the "chosen lifestyl e" is a-necessary and vital element of the religio_us .right's strategy in attacking the gay and lesbian community. If unabl e to continue to promote th e idea that heterosexuals evolve into their sexuality . but that homosexuals "choose" theirs, the religious right will lose the cornerstone of it's anti 0gay political agenda. (Gays and Lesbians might even start looking like a bona fide minority, deserving of equal rights prot ections .) After the "choice" theory is scientifically debunked beyond question, and most believ e it soon will be, the religious right will be confronted with the uncomfortable reality that God made gay and lesbian people .to be who they are. Then the "choice" will be their s. As Christians, they ·can welco_me their gay brother s and lesbian si"sters to sit in their pews, to stand behind their pulpits and to stand hand-in-hand in front of their altars - or, as hypocrites, they can continue to reject gay and lesbian people for the same reason they'v e. had all along, which is hatred. Bob Davies, ihe executive director of Exodus International, a network of ex-gay ministries, was quoted this week as. saying the change in the AMA policy was a "giant step backward into ignorance," That will be loudly echoed during the next months by leaders of the religious righ~. They can't afford for one of their mainstay programs -to slip into quackery. ( --1:-; 7l-n1v--,, -- SECOND STONE Newsjournal, ISSN No. 1047-3971 , is published every other month by Bailey Communications, P. 0. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182. Copyright 1995 by Second Stone, a registered trademark. SUBSCRIPTIONS, U.S.A. $17.00 per year. six issues . Foreign subscribers add $10.00 for postage. All payments U.8- currency only. _ , ADVERTISING, For display advertising infonnation call (504)891-7555 or wnte to P.O. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182. EDITORIAL, send letters, calendar announcements, noteworthy items to (Department title) Second Stone, P.O . Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182. Manuscripts to be returned should be accompanied by a stamped , self address~d envelope. Second Stone is othe,wise not responsible for the ·return of any material. SECOND STONE, a national ecumenical Christian socia l justice newsjournal with a specific outreach to sexual orientation minorities. PUBLISHER/EDITOR: Jim Bailey - CONTRIBUTORS FOR THIS ISSUE: Dr. William Howland , Johnny Townsend, Edouard Fontenot, Tim McFeeley JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 . ' ~ Comment ....... -• .................................... ~ .................. . 1994 a good year for our community By Tim McFeeley Guest Comment C . onsidering the progress we've made in the past 12 . months, 1994 may go down in history as one the the most productive years since the beginning of the modern movement for lesbian and gay equal rights . Despite some setbacks and disappointments, 1994 produced many more victories than defeats for the lesbian and gay community on the · national political scene . Along the way/we hav1f shown ourselves to be more · sophisticated and effective · in educating the general public about our issues and building support for equal rights. We had some major victories in 1994. We kept anti-gay initiatives off ·ballots in eight states, and defeated those that appeared in Idaho and Oregon. We · were . instrumental in denying .Oliver North a seat in the jJ.S. Senate. In Congress, we beat anti-gay legislation introduced by Sen: 'Jesse ·Helms (R-N.C.) that targeted gay youth for discrimination in schools and restricted ·access to condoms in •high school health clinics. We also shot down an attempt by anti-gay extremist Rep·. Bob Dornan (R-Calif.) to summarily dismiss HIVpositive service members from · the military. · We made progress toward equal rights. The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), a new federal bill to prohibit anti-gay job discrimination, gathered more cosponsors i•n · four months than the Gay Civil Rights Bill did in the previous 15 years. ·ENDA put on track. the long:term · strategy that will bring about . equality under federal law. The Senate hell:I its first ·hearing ever on legislation that would extend any form of civil rights protections to lesbian and gay people. We earned a place at the table of the civil rights movement. Mrs. Coretta Scott King spoke at th.e introduction of ENDA, calling the bill a priority for the civil rights movement. The Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, which is the nation's largest and oldest civil rights coalition , invited the Human Rights Campaign Fund, the largest national lesbian · and . gay equal rights organization, to serve on its executive committee. In 199 4, we received broader s upport among non-gay Americans. In 1994, we received broader support among non-gay Americans. A series of polls on public attitudes showed consistent, bipartisan support for equal rights and against discrimination on the basis of seJ<cual orientation. Majorities of Republicans, Democrats and Independents polled this year said that no one should be singled out for discrimination, particularly in the workplace, merely for being gay, lesbian or bisexual. Retired Sen. Barry Goldwater (R-Ariz .) and Gov . Barbara Roberts (D-Ore.) co-chaired HRCF's Americans Against Discrimination program to defeat anti-gay ballot initiatives . We realized achievements from the Executive Branch. President Clinton issued a letter condemning discriminatory · statewide ballot measures, signed the Hate Crimes Sentencing Enhancement Act into law, thereby strengthening federal penalties for bias-motivated crimes, including gay QUOT ABLE A matter of be!:,towed identity ... "As for the wrenching issue of homosexuality, I myself have ·undergone a shift in conviction. When I called for a ministry of homosexual healing and re-orientati .on 14 years ago as Bishop of. Atlanta, the only response from the gay community in the diocese was wounded silence, punctuated by overt expressions of disappointment in their bishop. Not rejection; but patient disagreement - with an invitation to sustained dialogue. Since then I have come to know a large number of homosexual men and women, many of them priests .. !no longer believe, as I did in 1977, that homosexu:31ity is primarily an amenabl.e dysfunction, a stubbol"I) but changeable dev1ahort from created .norms. In my view it is a matter of bestowed identity, not a self-chosen orientation an.d behavior pattern ... When I wrote that Pastoral Statement Ill 1977 I ·knew only one homosexual person up close. He scared me to death with his penetrating chall~nge that he was as complete a human being as_ l was - actually more complete, because in order to be openly honest about his identity he had 1o face wide public contempt and the narrower .scorn of his own church." · -The Rt. Rev. Bennett J. Sims, retired Episcopal Bishop SECOND STONE - bashing, and appointed Deborah Batts as the first openly lesbian or gay federal judge . The Justice Department issued a temporary waiver of the HIV immigration ban for athletes attending the 1994 Gay Games in New York. There was unprecedented visibility of the gay community. More than 250 National Coming Out Day events were held in all 50 states, generating •an unprecedented level of media coverage. To lobby at the federal level, HR<::F enlisted more than 4,000 local activists in all 50 states through a new Federal Advocacy Network. A travelling computer generated 60,000 personal letters to Congress, · and messages sent by participants in our Speak Out program topped the 1.2 million mark. Gay and lesbian organizations cooperated on a national scale. The five largest gay, lesbian and g<1y-supportive organizations in the country pooled their resources for the first time ever and raised funds nationally to defeat state anti-gay initiatives . A people of color summit held at HE.CF brought together more than a dozen groups representing African-Americans, · Latinos and Latinas, Asians, Pacific Islanders and N alive Americans to discuss strategies for countering the radical right. More than two dozen lesbian health profes- . sionals gathered in Washington for the first-ever "Lesbian Health Roundtable," bringing formidable expertise and knowledge to bear on lesbian health issues. The list goes on .. Taking stock of our accomplishments is not about taking credit and feeling good. As we enter a new era of unprecedented challenges, we need to know exactly where we . stand. An assessment of 1994 shows that we can face adversity and win, find new allies for our cause, and build the groundwork necessary lo advance from a position of strength . As I leave my position as the head of the largest national lesbian and · gay equal rights organization, I see a future full of hope and confidence for our · movement and our community. Tim Mcfeeley has served as director of the Human Rights Campaign Fund since 1989. He retired from that post in January. CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE: Editedbv Helping -Christians Debate· Homosexualtiy Few other issues divide the Christian community more sharply than homosexuality. In this new volume, writers with divergent points of view deal with questions at the center of the debate between p1;0-gay and anti-gay believers. Sallv B. c;eis & Donald E. MessPr Edited by Sally 8. Geis. director. Iliff Institute. Lay and Clergy Education, The Iliff School of Theology. Denver. a11d Donald E. Messer. preside111. The Iliff School of Theology. Order now from Second Stone Press Quan. □ CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE By Geis/Messer, $12.95, paperbk ___ _ Postage/Handling $3 first book, $1 each additional ___ _ TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED----- NAME _____________________ _ ADDRESS ____ .:._ ___ _,.. __________ _ CITY/STATE/ZIP __ ~---------------ORDER FROM,: SECOND STONE PRESS, P.O. BOX 8340, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70182 JANUARY/FEBRUAR . Y 1995 ...... .......... ....... .........Y...o...u..r...T. .u..r..n.. ...................... Bossier City, Louisiana Appreciating our early leaders Dear Second Stone, Your review by William Percy of the Dorr Legg book Homophile Studies in Theory and Practice was the best review I have seen. Many people in our movement have not even heard of Dorr. Having been there when Dorr was planning and giving his classes, I feel that people today don't really understand and appreciate the work done by our early leaders, nor do they yet understand the need to support our movement libraries and archives. We must get publishers, authors and everyoi:ie to save and preserve all our material. And that is where fine publications like Second Stone help, because you have news and views that years from now will help future homosexuals and leaders and educators know what we did and thought during these early days. It is exciting being here in the days when homosexuals, and our families QUOTABLE "Always be sure that you struggle with Christian methods and Christian weapons. Never succumb to the temptation of becoming bitter. As you press 011 for justice, be sitre fo move with dignihJ and discipline, using only the. weapon of-love. Let 110 man pull you so low as to hate him. Always avoid violence. If you succumb to the temptation of using violence in your struggle,. unborn generations will be the ricipients of a long and desolate night of bitterness; and your chief legacy to the future will be an endless reign of meaningless chaos. In your struggle for justice, let your oppressor know that you .are not attempting to defeat or humiliate him, or even to pay him back for injustices that he has heaped upon you. Let him know that you are merely · seeking justice for him as well as yourself. -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. SECOND STONE and friends and neighbors are working to bring equal treatment to our part of the American dream as set forth by the founders . Keep up the good work. Sincerely, Bill Glover, HomosexuaIl nformationC enter Daly City, California "News Line" article unloving end outdated Dear Second Stone, I wanted to write you and tell you what a blessing and education your newspaper has been to my family and I. I am a Christian gay man and my parents struggled many years to understand that they had a gay son. Praise God! It has now been several years that my parents are entering a new facet of their life. They are beginning to work with : and counsel parents who are finding out about their gay children. My parents' love for me is and has always been unconditional. I realize how lucky I am because I'm involved in ministry in San Francisco . and see the many people who have been kicked out of their churches and family for being themselves. I have to tell you I'm concerned about a few items that appeared in the Nov /Dec issue. On page 6. an article ran titled, "Anti-gay activist has AIDS." First, whoever wrote this article wrote it in a spirit of anything but love. There is an obvious overtone d cynicism by the writer. Second, I have to object to Second Stone -being used as a method of "outing" people. We get enough abuse from our mainline Christian brothers and sisters . Why must gay and lesbian Christians stoop to that same level? At some point someone has to represent Christ, and He had compassion on all: Third, I happened to have known Frank Shears. Frank very likely was involved in the ex-gay movement at once, but that had to have been sometime ago as I met him in February 1993 and he was not involved in ex-gay then. He was involved with the church you mentioned in your article. Lastly, Frank has been healed from AIDS for almost a year now, when he went home to be with the Lord. · In ·closing I • would again like to stress that I'm very concerned about the timeliness ·-of your information and the validity of your information. Obviously, this information is very old and I have to wonder about the rest of the information that is in here. God bless you all as you continue to serve and share Christ with our community. Sincerely, Todd Ferrell - West Hollywood, California Update on Methodist' judicial procedures Dear Second Stone, I am writing to update your story on the United Methodist Church's attempt to clearly define exactly what a "self-avowed pradicing homosexual" is in relation to clergy policy. In the fall of 1993, the UMC's Judicial Council ruled that, for implementation of the Book of Discipline's rule that bars "self-avowed practicing homosexuals" from candidacy, ordination, and appointment as clergy, the phrase has to be defined. · In response to this ruling, the Council of Bishops developed ·what they considered to be a model definition. A few Annual Conferences, including the West Virginia Annual Confers ence, adopted tl).is definition . The California-Pacific Annual Conference developed and adopted its own definition. Requests for rulings regarding the legality of these definitions were made in both Annual Conferences. In both cases, the Bishops involved ruled that the definitions passed were legal within the framework of the UMC Book of Discipline. Meeting in · late October, 1994, the Judicial Council officially overturned both of those rulings. In the case of the d€finition drafted by the Council of Bishops and adopted in the West Virginia .Annual Conference, the Judicial Council ruled that since the definition included the possibility that a minister .could be declared a practicing homosexual on the basis of testimony from a third-party witness, such could -not constitute "selfavowal." The Judicial Council went on to say that any defipition which is adopted must be based on the personal avowal of the clergypetson that he/she is a "practicing homosexual" and that the definition must make clear to whom the "self-avowal" may or may not be made to be considered valid. In the case of the defintion adopted by the California-Pacific Annual Conference, the definition was thrown out because it included in its definition of "practicing homosexual" sexual acts with a person of the same gender which a clergyperson admits he/she has engaged in, or intends to engage in. The Judicial Council ruled that the legislation in the Book of Discipline only contemplates acts which have occurred . or ·are occurring;- and that the rule does not include future . possibili_ tiesw hich may or may not occur. The result of these decisions is that most of the definitions which have been officially approved by UMC Annual Conferences have been -invalidated. In practice, there are a numJ,er of UMC clergypersons who are homo0 sexual. Many of them, in the words of one such clergyperson, "live in glass closets with mylar doors." The fact that these clergy are gay or lesbian often is known, even by the denominational hierarchy, but few Annual Conferences are seriously taking any action against these clergy, as long as they "officially" keep quiet about their orientation and/ or discreet in their practice, The reality is that most Annual Conferences have adopted a UMC version of a 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. Sincerely, Thomas H. Griffith We welcome your ·letters and _opihons Write to SecondS tone. All le'ttersl nust be original and sign.ed by: the writer. Clearly indicate if your n_ameis to be withheld. We reserve the right to edit. Box 8340, New Orleans, LAl0182 or FAX to (504)891-7555. . ~eH_LilrIdsM yS heph;rtl eKnowsI'mc . ay , ' I ..............N....e..w.L..s.i.n ..·.e ..s..... NewE LCAs ynodb ishopa gayr ightsa dvocate LITHE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA-West Synod of the Evangelical Lu.theran Church in ' America elected a new bishop, the Rev. Paul Egertson on Nov. 6. He is a North Hollywood pastor and university professor who advocates opening the ministry to Gays and Lesbians. Egertson said he was "surprised" when he was elected bishop of tne synod's 152 congregations. "My identification with a minority position in the midst of the nationwide controversy made me think that a majority of de[egates would not vote for [me]," Egertson said. Egertson won the six-year term as bishop on the seventh ballot, 222-201. Egertson, 59, has been well-known to Southern California Lutherans for his continuing education work at Cal Lutheran University, .but he also has been a part-time pastor for two years at St. Matthew's parish in North Hollywood, which has welcomed gay and lesbian congregants since 1985. The new bishop is the father of an openly gay son. Greg.Egertson was one of several gay seminarians who came out in the late 1980s. A graduate of Pacific Lutheran Seminary in Berkeley, he is now an adminstrator at Golden Gate University in San Francisco. - Los Angeles Times, Reconcile Activistcsh alleng"ec urec" onference - LITHE BRIGHTONPRESBYTERIAN Church in Rochester, New York was the host of a conference on "curing 0 gay and lesbian people on Nov. 8-12. The Gay Alliance of the Genesee Valley responded at a press conference on Nov. 12. During the press conference, GAGV repre .sentatives and others challenged the idea that gay and lesbian people can or need to be cured. They pointed out that you can change a person's behavior, but not their sexual orientation. The conference was a project of Malachi, a ministry of. the Brighton Presbyterian Church which encourages gay men and Lesbians to "leave the homosexual lifestyle.'' GAGV members who openly attended the conference said .that conference pa,ticipants . not only condemned,lwmosexuality, but claimed that the many local churches of different denominations which welcome Lesbians and Gays are "not true Christian people." Conference participants blamed. parents for "making their childre.n homosexual" through neglect and abuse. The orgaruzers stated that one of therr goals is to reach the larger community and try to spreaa their ideolog)' beyond "those few who are inspired to-have such a ministry." The GAGV, Parents, Friends and Families of Lesbians and Ga)IS and other gay community groups fear that ministries like Malachi will use what the P-FLAG newsletter called "coercive methods on vulnerable or isolated individuals.'' Many n1embers of supportive churches were present at the GAGV press conference, including representatives from the United Church of Christ, St. Mary's Downtown (Catholic), Unitarian Universalists, Downtown United Presbyterian Church, and other More Light Presbyterian churches. - T1zeE mpty Closet Anti-gapyr ofessoartt ackgsa y-friendlcyo lleague LIACCORDING TO A story in the Raleigh, N.C. News & Observer, professor of Old Testament and United Methodist minister Lloyd R. Bailey has attaci<ed Presbyterian feminist professor Mary McClintock Fulkerson for her views on the Bible and its appropriate interpretation and for her participation in a "public homosexu .al rights event. Both are faculty members at Duke University's Divmity School. Bailey sent a 40-page packet to United Methodist leaders all over North Carolina, claimin& that his evidence "should prohibit Fulkerson from getting tenure ... at Duke.'' Bailey also 'used the opportunity to sound an alarm overfocreased support for gays and· lesbians on campus, including a.movement to expand insurance ana other benefits to domestic partners of homosexual employees.'' - Mor_e Light Update SmalWl estV irgnicah urchca llso penllye sbiapna stor LICHERYL BURKE _was cal.led .this past fall to pastor First Congregational Church of Huntington, West Virginia, by a 97 percent vote of the 100-member congregation. At least five other lesbian and gay people -were already members of First Congregational when Burke applied for the pastorate, and she herself .had worshipped tfiere a few times. According to former pastor R<1ymond Woodruff, the congregation has a high level of social concern and involvement in a variety of arenas. When Burke was introduced to the congregation at a potluck dinner, she spoke open!)' about her life and how she came to that i:,lace. No·one voiced opposition to her call. Burkehad felt called to rriinis(ry while still'ln ·high school, but resisted because of the barriers she percieved to women in minisl:\Y. - Waves GermaLnu theranusrg edto ·recognizgea yl,e sbiapna stors LIGERMAN LUTHERAN BISHOP Maria Jepsen has urged the church and congregations to:, ecognize .male and female homosexual pastors . Jepsen, who is bishop of Hamburg, said one should be pleased that women and men who are not heterosexual can at last exe~cise profes~ions in the church without fear , . Addressing the synod ?f the North El.bian Evangelical Lutheran Church; held m Rendsburg Sept. 23, J. epsen said the church must not only orient itself by "traditional. dogmatic statemenfs and forms." The church has to take care of that whichfa .old;but also needs a keen, creative interest in that which is new, she said. - Lutheran World Information Newspap.reerP.Ortthsa tF ECis i nvestigatiCnhar istiaCno alition LITHEST ATE_,a C olumbia, S.C.l½'wspaper, has rerorted that, acting OO•a complaint from the ·Democ_rahc National Committee, the Federa Election Commission is investigating televan. g ehst Pat Robertson's Christian Coalition chapters in 35 states. The · paper reported that three members of the Coalition's South Carolina chapter ha\ie been called to a federal court to explai11 how the arch-conservative group operates and that Roberta Combs; the South Carolina ch~pter's state director, has been asi<ed by the FEC to give the feder~l watchdog agency copies of financ ial records and wntten correspondence with . political ca~didates. _Officials with the Coalition's headquarters in Chespeake, Va., ~efused h, discuss the iss,ue and FEC off1crnls·say they do not comment or even confirm .mformation about pendmg matters. The Democrats .charge that.the Coalition raises tax-exempt funds as a non-partisan orgaruzation l,ut backs only Republican candidates. Th<J De_mocrats say R?bertson:s Christian Coalition should be forced to register as a political action comnuttee, which would severely restrict the group's .fundraising ·and spending activities. - Outlines · SECOND STONE - Subscribe Today. AND YOU'LL NEVER A FRIEND JOURNEY. WITHOUT YOUR BE FOR SecoSntdo ne The National Gay and Lesbian Christian Newsjournal ···YES!·········~··········;···················;··· Begin my subscription to SECONDS TONEfo r: [ ] One year (6 issues) $17.00 [ ] Two years (12 issues) $28.00 [ ] Three years (18 issues) $39.00 NAM~ ADDRESS CITY/ STATE/ZIPC ODE CHECK HERE [ ) if a plain envelope is required and add $2.00 per year. Allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of your first issue. International subscrtbers add $10.00 per year, U.S. currency . Mail To: SECOND STONE, Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 THANl{YOU for your subscription support! JANUARY/FE.BRUA ,RY 1995 News Lines ......... ....... , ..... ........ . Gay pastor cut from ministerial association tlTHE SNOQUALMIE VALLEY Ministerial Association, an ecumenical group in western Washington , voted to redraw its boundaries to delibe rately exclude one single church, Tolt Congregational United Church of Christ in Carnation, Washington. The 8-2 vote .means that Jeff Spencer, Tait's Of,enly gay pastor, will no longer be allowed to attend association meetings. The church's youth liasketball team will not be allowed to participate in the ministerial association's leag ue without special permission . Spencer and others believe that the church was gerrymandered out of the association because he is gay. Three of the pastors who voted for exclusion were quoted in the -area's newspaper as being opposed to homosexuality. Spencer began his ministry at Tolt in September, 1993. The church celebrated its centennial in October, 1994. - Waves Bishop halts same-sex union M SAME-SEX MARRIAGE, which would have taken place at St. Mark's Cathedral in Seattle, was cancelled after objecfions from Episcopal Bishop Vincent Warner, head of the Diocese of Olympia for Western Washington. The couple , Dr.James A. Black, M.D., who has served as president of the board of the Northwest AIDS Foundation, and Thomas W. Monnahan, political activist and former aid to Seattle Mayor Norm Rice, cancelled their ceremony three days prior to the event. The ceremony would have celebrated their long-terin commitment before 450 guests, including local and state offici.als and people from throughout the U.S. and· from overseas. Warner , who has opposed local churches performing same-sex unions on their own, told The Seattle Times tliat it was "painful'fpr me to be in a place where I can't be more supportixe" of lesbian and gay marriages . In contrast, the Very Rev. Frederick Northup, dean of St. Mark's, statea that refusing to bless the lifelong commitments of gay and lesbian couples denies those couples the full pastoral care allowed.them by resolutions of the Episcopal Church at both the national and local levels. - Seattle Gay _News · Residents rally against change ministry . MBOUT 40 RESIDENTS of Oak Park in Chicago attended a press conference on Nov. 12 to protest a planned conference on ex-gay ministries at C;,lvary Memorial Church in Oak Park. Representatives from the MCC, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, Oak Park Lesbian and Gay Alliance and local Episcopal and Methodist churches spoke against efforts to "stra ighten" Gays and called for religious acceptance of Gays. "It's a victory that the conference was cancelled, and we'll be certain to respond to every future attempt to define what people should be," said MCC pastor Rev. Bradley New books available from Second Stone! Is the Homosexual My Neighbor? Revised and Updated, by Letha Dawson Scam.oni and Virginia Ramey Mollenkott, $11.00, paper The Word Is Out The Bible Reclaimed.for Lesbians and Gay Meμ, by Chris Glaser, $12.00, paper Jesus Acted Up A Gay and Lesbian Manifesto, by Robert Goss $14.00, paper Family A Portrait of Gay and Lesbian America, by . J?hotographer Nancy Andrews, $25.00, paper Order now from Second Stone Press Quan. Tide □ Postage/Handling $3 first book, $1 each additional ____ _ TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED-~--- NAME ________________________ _ ADDRESS _____________________ _ CITY/STATE/ZIP ___________________ _ ORDER FROM: SECOND STONE PRESS, P.O. BOX 8340, NEW ORLEANS, LA io1s2 SECOND STONE - i Michelson of Oak Park. "We're in a rage that they use the word 'Christian' to push intolerance. They need to learn that diversity is th e intent of a God of love." The conterenc e_ was scheduled to feature keynote speaker Dr. Bill Consiglio, director of HOPE Ministries of Connecticut, a board member of Exodus International and author of Homosexual No More. The change conference was cancelled, allegedl y becaus e of low registrati on. Church leader calls for harsher anti-gay laws t,.ROMANlA'S ORTHODOX PATRIARCH Teoctist has called on the parliament to reverse itself and bring back the nahon:s harsher Communist-era anti-gay laws, with 5-year prison sentences. Teochst said m a written request for reinstatement of the country's older anti-gay laws · that Romania's forefathers "knew how to distinguish between sin and v irtue, natural and unnatural , normal and abnormal." Con1ested bishop calls for new policy on Gays llM ICHAEL TURNBULL, the newly enthroned Anglican Bishop of Durham who was ' convicted i n 1968 of "gross indecency" for having sex with another man in a public ; restroom, has called upon the church to re-evaluate its.ban on gay priests. The gay rights · group ·Outrage protested Tur-nbull's enthronement. Prior to the-revelation of the sex charge, T~rnbull had said that homosexuality was incompatible with th e Church of England.' I know some homosexual clergy who are among the most committed and loving m the Church," Turnbull said. "The last thing I want is for them to feel marginalized or put in a ghetto." - Outlines Pastor's removal from commission okay, judge says llA PASTOR'S REMARKS that homosexuality was an "abomination to God" and his refusal to disavow violence against Gays and Lesbians were grounds to fire him from the San Francisco Human Rights Commission, a federal judge has ruled. Because Rev. Eugene Lumpkin's comments could reas onably be interpr eted· as obstructing the goals of the commi ssion, his firing by Mayor Frani< Jordan did not violate his rights of free speech and religion, said U.S.District Judg e Fern Smith. The ruling dismissed Lumpkin's lawsuit over his August 1993 remo val. · Group forms to counter Rev. Phelps llFAITH IN FREE SPEECH is being put to the test among members of a coalition who believe Rev. Fred Phelps has stretclied the limits with his verbal attacks on ~ay men and Lesbians. "The message of love will be stronger than the message of hate, .said Ginger Ashmore, one of the coalition leaders who met Nov. 26 to discuss ways to reply to Phelps, whose small Baptist congregation consists mainly of family members. The catalyst for the meeting was Phelps' verbal attad ; on poet Maya Angelou,. who is known for her civil rights work, which has included standing up for gay rights. Angelou, whose car was surrounded by Phelps supporters after an appearance m Topeka recently, canceled a speech at Emporia State University after she was shouted at by the group. The coalition claims more than 70 groups as members. Their first action was to send an open letter to Angelou, urging her to come back to Kansas. Quaker group supports same-sex marriage . t,.A CONGREGATION OF Quakers in Vermont is calling on state lawmak ers "to open th e institution of legal marriage to all couples, same sex and opposite sex, who apply for a state marriage license." The word .came in an open letter the Quakers of Ifie Putney Friends Meeting has sent to legislators and local re1igious groups, decrying "the injustice of Vermont law which does not allow a same-sex couple to obtain a marriage license ." The Quakers said they may. start refusing to sign the sfate •license of any marriages they perform . The Putney Friends Meeting does perform marriages for same-sex couples. - Southern Vorce Chicago Theological Seminary and Samaritan share resources t,.CHJCAGO THEOL(X;!CAL SEMINARY and Samaritan College, th,:, educational arm of the UFMCC, formalized a dual enrollment program on Nov.· 18. The program is tl1e first of its kind in which openly gay and lesbian people who are training for the ministry have access to non-homopbobic theological education through Samaritan and also access to an accredited Master of Divinity program through Chicago Tneological Seminary. Samaritan, founded in 1970, is the only institution in the world dedicated solely to gay arid lesbian theological education. Cathedral of Hope picketed · · t,.CATHEDRAL OF HOPE MCC, Dallas, Texas, was _picketed Nov. 11-12 by Rev. Fred Phelps, a fanatical minister from Topeka, Kansas, who preaches a message of hat.red for Gays and Lesbians. Rev. Phelps lecf about 15 other protestors in picketing a funeral and a holy union at the church with signs such as "God hates fags" and "God's hate is great." He has gotten national media attention for picketing funerals of individuals who have died of AIDS. "Our strategy was ·that we would siml;'lY look like the normal Christian people we are and allow the contrast to speak for itself," said Rev. Michael Piazza, pastor. "People ·could see women and men inside worshipping God and women and men outside hating people, and draw their own conclusions.' He noted that neighbors and public officia[s ralhed to support the church. "We got very good support from the city and the police department, and he got a great deal of ridicule," Piazza said. He added that the protest did not hurt church attendance. More than 1,450 people attended Sunday morning worship on Nov . 13, when Phelps was expected to picket agairi, but failed to show : Because the church is situated far from the road, it was difficult for the protesters to get .near the church building, and they ended up looking like they were picketing a nearby gas station and steakhouse. "Some people mistook them for anti-beef activists," said Randy Sparberry , Cathedral of. Hope director of administration ."We had gone to great lengfhs to educate the congregaton and we were prepared for a really ·unpleasant situation, and then it ended up being a comedy of sorts. They didn't achieve what they wanted, which was to provoke us." - Keeping in Touch JANUARY/FEBRUA ,RY 1995 Gay, .lesbian issues escape religion writers' top news picks MEMBERS OF THE Religion News writers Association did not select any news stories with specific gay /lesbian themes as their top stories of 1994, according to a national poll conducted by Willmar Thorkelson. The RNA selected the role of the religious right in the November Republican victories as its top story of the year and named Pope John Paul JI newsmaker of the year, citing, among other things, his silencing discussion of the ordination of women priests. The most votes for the association's "Into the Darkness" award, give.n for attempting to conceal information from the pub lic, went to the Episcopal Church's House of Bishops for its efforts to keep secret its draft state ment on human sexuality. Backlash to the "Re-Imagining" conference held in 1993 was the number three story according to the poll. . The conference provided an opportunity for women to rethink their concepts of God and drew criticism from church conservatives. Also making the list of top stories was the ordination of women to the priesthood in the Church of England . The action ended a long struggle for activists supporting ordination of female priests and prompted some conservative church members to convert to Catholicism. Gay Catholic group welcomes retirement of Cardinal O'Connor THE LEADER OF Catholic Advocates for Lesbian and Gay Rights says his organization welcomes the retirement of New York Cardinal John J. O'Connor. "We hope the Vatican accepts his resignation and replaces. him in a timely manner," said Br. Rick Garcia, director of Catholic Advocates, a national pro-gay Catholic group that is funded by 70 religious orders of nuns and priests. Cardinal O'Connor has vocally He's a familiar face, but .. opposed gay civil rights legislation and has clashed repeatedly with .gay rights and AIDS activists . O'Connor has also expelled gay Catholic groups from church property. "O'Connor's antagonism and lack of pastoral concern toward the lesbian and gay community will not be missed," said Garcia. "We look forward to the. day when his bigotry and insensitivity no longer occupy the See of New York." Due to a production error at our printer, a cutline was omitted from the cover of our last issue. Pictured was Dr. Mel White, UFMCC National Minister of Justice, delivering the keynote address during a forum on religious communities confronting the radical religious right, held in conjunction with the National Council of Churches General Board meeting in New Orleans. QUOTABLE "For me, revolution was never an interim 'thing to do' before settling down: it was no fashionable club with newly minted jargon or a new kind of social life - mage thrilling by risk and confrontation, made glamoro us by costume. Revolution is a serious thing, the most serious thing about a revolutionary's life. When one commits oneself to the.struggle, it must be for a lifetime ." -Angela Davis Bulk Copies Available • • • • • • • • • • • • • OF THIS ISSUE OF SECOND STONE For church/group distribution, conferences, bar ministry, etc. 10 copies• $13.50 • 25 copies· $29.50 • 50 copies· $45.00 100 copies - $67.50 includes postage and handling Limited quantity of back issues available FREE; add $5.00 postage for every 50 copies. Send ,your pre-paid ord.er to Second Stone, P.O.Box 8340, ·New Orleans, LA 70182 THE MOST· VALUABLE NURTURING READABL,E RESOURCE YET New! Expanded 5th Edition CHRISTIANS AND HOMOSEXUALITY , Since 1978, The Other Side has _been speaking to folks with clarity and compassion about questions of homosexuality and Scripture. Due to many requests for copies of some of our earlier articles, we've put a group of them together in booklet form. Included in this updated and expanded 64- page booklet are articles on whether or not sexual orientations can be "changed," what Scripture does and does not say about homosexuality, reading Scripture through gay eyes, gay and lesbian roles in the church, and more. Equally ideal for group discussions or personal reflection. Satisfaction guaranteed. Order yours today! . ♦ Single cop y, $5 postpaid ♦ 10 or more, $4 each, postpaid ♦ 50 or more , $3 eac h, postpaid Number requested Total enclosed: '$ For tax, PA residents add 6%, Philadelphi a res. 7% Name Address City, State, Zip Bonus offer: Check bere □ and el!c/ose an extra $1 for a sample copy q{ Tbe Other Side magazille P0833A It .•. JANUARY/ FE BRUARY 1995 -, We fear it more than death ... LONELINESS BY DR. WILLIAM HOWLAND Among all of the trauma and the torments, the hurts, pains, and problems facmg us md1- vid uall y and corporately, there is one which we need to recognize and acknowledge in order to help one another seek ways to cope. The Wall Street Journal recently reported what I thought was an unexpected series of results of a survey taken in which the question asked was, "What is it you fear most?" Surprisingly, death was a distant third in the responses to that question. Fear of failure was the number one answer and fear of loneliness·was number two. Fear of loneliness is related to fear of failure, for if we do-fail we fear the risk of ridicule and rejection by others and the temptation to withdraw into ourselves out of a kind of embarrassment and shame. · Fear of loneliness is also related to fear of death. We don't know absolutely what the experience of death involves. We do know that nobody can take our hand :1n-d accompany us in death. Ultimately we do die alone. . Loneliness is a longing for that sense of fulfillment that is so satisfying, so enduring, so sustaining that it never departs from us. We do not want to feel that ache and pain, that discomfort that comes from being alone. Describe it as you will, define it as you may, none of us are totally immune from the experience of loneliness. Loneliness may arrive at any moment, sometimes for no reason that we can identify, and other times for reasons which we can logically and rationally explain. For many of us, in our society, loneliness is a debilitating, agonizing, hurtful condition which hounds us and haunts us often with emotions whose full meaning we are reluctant to admit to ourselves. 'And we are hesitant to acknowledge such emotions to any other person Tallulaho n high mass.. . because they are so deep and so painful. What an irony, what a paradox, that in a time of instant communication, when we know what's happening almost in seconds in every corner of the globe, the technology that links our lives together in such formidable ways gives us little real understanding of ourselves and others. In a time when we are i1o longer isolated by geography, but literally crowded together by a burgeoning population, a shrinking globe, and a universe which is not totally devoid of some understanding in the face of all of this, in our moment of history, we are lonely. One has written, "Loneliness - like pollution - is a problem which has crept upon industrial society until it now plagues the whole spectrum of life trom the cradle to the grave. Industrial society unwittingly managed to create a lonely world and nowhere is it lonelier than in advanced countries , People lack !he familiar and spiritual ties which would alleviate the unwanted loneliness and aloneness in which people find themselves." There are degrees of loneliness. We do not all experience loneliness in the same way. For some of us loneliness comes and goes. But for some of us, loneliness seems to take up residence within us and remain with us no matter what we try to do. There are wavs of loneliness with a multipiicity of causes and factors which are unique to us and whom we are, and what our life experiences have been. And those experiences can cause a loneliness that is so intimate we find it hard even to articulate. On a somewhat superficial level, Wade Hewey, professor at Columbia Seminary, has compiled this list of what he says it is to be lonely. "Loneliness is a six-year-old who does not know the name of any other first grader. Loneliness is hearing the It was said that Tallulah Bankheai:1, the fog-horned voiced actress of a generation or so ago, once went to a Catholic cathedral for a high mass in New Orleans, though she herself was not" a Catholic, and therefore could not understand either the symbolism or the ritual . Toward the end of the service the archbishop wearing his fanciest vestments swept grandly up the .center aisle waving that censor on a chain that was emitting billows of incense smoke. As he swept past the pew where Bankhead was seated, she was heard to say to him, "Dahling, your gown is divine, but your purse in on fire." -Tell Us SECOND STONE - umpire call 'Strike three, _you.'re out' when the winning run in on third base. Loneliness is a mother whose children are all away at school. Loneliness is a conscientious objector who is called a 'draft dodger .. .' Loneliness is watching a TV commercial of a fully-stocked refrigerator while serving your children crumbs and scraps. Loneltness is lying in a hospital bed looking at the ceiling and asking, 'how long, how long? .. .' Loneliness is realizing in some ways you can never go home again." In a time when we are no longer isolated by geography, but literally crowded together by a burgeoning population, a shrinking globe, and a uni verse which is not totally devoid of some understanding in the face of all this, in our mon1ent in history, we are lonely. But that iist only tells part of the story, doesn't it? It doesn't tell your story or my story. The Christian Science Monitor printed a story not so long ago that said "Loneliness has been observed as the one thing that falls through the state social welfare net. There are ·cues, application forms, coupons and cash for almost every human need. But the clerk behind the desk, the social worker who visits the home, cannot by official servic.es or practiced technique fill the emptiness in the heart." Friendship, even at the lowest level of acquaintance is beyond the power of all requisitions. Yet. a growing body of self-help literature treats loneliness as a- matter that can be cured by the approach of cruise directors, instant communities and plastic name badges. And if all else fails, lose weight and change your hair-style. But to be lonely is deeper business than a Saturday night with no place to go. To be lonely is to be without strings because nobody needs the other end of your string. To be lonely is a state that requires the scrutiny of more than the psychologist and the sociologist. Not even to mention cruise directors. No single solutions, no quick and ready answers, rio easy escapes. The parable Jesus tells in John 15:1 c 11 speaks about the vine and the vine dresser and the necessity of being in relationship, that life is a gift given by oi1e who loves, and that life if it is to be fulfilled has to be lived in relationship and cannot be lived isolated, cut off, and alone. There's ·danger in disconnectedness. That life and health is dependent on being centered on the God of creation, who nurtures and loves, and that ultimately as hard as this may be for us, even in those moments of desperation, we are not alone, dependent on our own resources, but at the center of creation, the center of life, the center of history. There is a power, a God, a Divine Companion, who seeks to be present to us, for us, around us, and within us. Fortunately we are not like one young boy who I read about recently. According to Max Eastman, who was a teacher and an assistant at Columbia University in pre-World War I years, the philosopher John Dewey .on one occasion left the campus and was walking with ·a colleague. And as he was walking along, a young lad rushed up to him and asked for a nickel. John Dewey was incensed. He gave the boy a coin and then walking away, wondered out loud in a kind of hostile voice and angry posture, what the world was coming to that children could go about begging in the streets. "John," replied the colleague, "that was your son." The Divine Parent of ·us does not forget us. The Divine Parent of us knows our name ... knows who we are ... knows our hurts, our longings, our hopes, our dreams, our successes, our joys, and shares in our life experience with us moment by moment, hour by hour, day by day, week by week. And it is in that affirmation of trust and hope that the ultimate answer may come for our loneliness. · But the God who knows us calls us to do more than simply acknowledge that there is a God who .knows us and loves us . That God through the parable and the whole gospel impact SEE LONELY, Next Page J A N U A R Y I F E B R U A .R Y 1 9 9 5 LONELY From Page 8 of its message says that if we are really to discover God, to know God, we do it in our love of self and love of one another as God loves us . The way to fill the voids and the empty places and to bring solace and comfort is to be available and present to ourselves in ·love, and to be availabl e and present to one another in love . · The New York Times. tells about a small boy who was riding in a cross-town bus, and as the bus moved along, the little boy kept inching closer and closer to a woman in a grey suit sitting beside him on the seat. Other riders thought that because he was so close to the woman that he must b·elong to her. And when he was completely snuggled up n ex t to her with his feet upon the ·seat, his shoes began to rub the dress of th e woman on the other . side of him. She leaned forward and said to the woman in the grey suit, "Pardon me, but would you please ask your little boy to take his feet off the seat. His . shoes are getting my dress dirty." The woman in the grey suit just gave the little boy a gentle shove and said, "He's not my boy, I never saw him before ." The boy squirmed uneasily. He was so small that his legs. dangled ov er the edge of the seal. He lowered his eyes and tried desperately to hold back some ~obs. 'Tm sorry !got your dress dirty," he said to the woman. "l didn't mean to." "Oh, that' s all right," she answer ed, a little embarra sse d. And then, since his eyes were still fashioned upon her , she asked him , "Are you going somewhere alone?" "Yes," he nodded. "I always go alone. There isn'.t anyon e to go with me. I don't have a mommy or a daddy. They're both dead. I live with Aunt Clara and she says that Aunt Mildred ought to take care of me part of the time, so when . she gets tired of me, and wants me to go some place, she sends me over to stay with Aunt Mildred." "Oh, " said the woman, "you 're on your way to Aunt Mildred's now? " , "Yes," the boy continued, "but sometimes Aunt Mildred isn't home. I sure hope she's there today, because · it looks like it's going to rain, and I don't want to have to stand out in the street when it rains ." The woman, with a lump in h er throat, said, "You're a very little boy to be shuffled around like that." "Oh I ·don't mind," he ·said. "I never get lost, but I get lonesome sometimes. So when I see someone I think I would · like to belong to, I sit close and snuggle up and pretend that I belong to that person. I was pretending that. I belonged to that other lady when I got your dres s dirty. I forgot about my feet." Le t us by God's grace be bold enough symbolically to snuggle a bit, and · receptive enough to respond enough when someone snuggles. Then that God in us an<;! among us may help us with our lostn ess and our loneliness. Excerpted witlz pennission from Tell Us, the newsletter of Telos Ministries for Baptists, P.O. Box 3390, Falls Church, VA 22043. Dr. Bill Howland is sponsoring pastor of Telos. . FREEDOM RIDE From Page 1 pens es for a Federal lawsuit to be filed under the anti-Klan act for the harassment they have recieved. Because of the escalating violence against Lesbians and Gays all over tl1e world, an international lesbian/ gay version of the Clothesline Project will occur during this time at the camp. The purpose of the Clothesline Project is to bear witness to the survivors and victims of the war against women, both the casualties of the war, and the wounded. This display will show the extent of the problem with a visual impact similar to the AIDS quilt. Another purpose of the Clothesline is to help with the healing process for people who have lost a loved one or who are survivors of violence. The Destination : Ovett/Gay Freedom Riders Coalition will contact gay and lesbian groups all over the world to send in tee shirts bearing the nam es of Gays, Lesbians and others who have suffered violence or death. These will be displayed at .camp Sister Spirit. SECOND STONE Perry ·stated that -for him and other religious people this should be a matter of really living what the religious life should be for four days . "Instead of just praying for these women, we are putting legs on our prayers and inviting people to join us in Mississippi." Robin Tyler, Gay Freedom Ride coordinator, who is Jewish, says that the Jewish community has always been on the forefront of civil rights, and once . again, this will be their opportunity to confront injustice. Tyler states that the action also sends a message that Gays and.Lesbians are prepared to defend themselves. "For decades Mississippi has been th e battle ground for civil rights," says Tyler . "Following the tradition of the 1960's, the community of faith must rise once again. And we need to let , gay bashers and h.omophobes know that when they attack isolated Gays and Lesbians, they aren't.just taking on one or two p.eople, they are taking on the entire gay and lesbian movement." - EQUAL RI IE ~ lesbian and Goy Worship. NEW TITLES Equal Rites Lesbian and Gay Worship, Ceremonies, and Celebrations Kittredge Cherry and Zalmon Sherwood, editors Paper $14.99 January Equal Rites is a much-needed collection of worship services, ceremonies, and celebrations that is attuned to the unique needs of sexual minorities. The selections, written primarily by lesbians and gay men, include rites of spiritual beginnings, healing, blessings, holy communion, and pride and empowerment. Also included are funeral and memorial services, seasonal and holiday rites, and covenant rites for couples. More than a collection, Equal Rites can also serve as a referenc~ book for creating unique and meaningful worship services that address significant aspects of lesbian and gay spirituality. Contributors include Malcolm Boyd, Chris Glaser, Carter Heyward, Diann L. Neu, and Troy D. Perry. Ceremonies, and Cel ebrolions Killredge Cherry & Zolman Sherwood, edilors "It is time and past time for Equal Rites. This remarkable collection ol liturgies demonstrates the spiritual courage, liturgical creativity, and rich diversity the churches are denying themselves in denying lesbian and gay Christians a voice. What a gift!" - Marjorie Proctor-Smitlt, Perki//S School of T/reology Know My Name A Gay Liberation Theology Richard Cleaver Paper $15.99 April The place of gay men and women in the community of faith has become one of.the most divisive debates in the church today. Roman Catholic writer and activist Rich;ud Cleaver takes a fresh approach to this issue by examining the struggles of gay men and lesbians in the church, specifically the Roman Catholic Church, through the lens of liberation theology. He offers not simply a "gay" reading of scripture, however, but one that is spiritually challenging. Coming Out to God Prayers for Lesbians and Gay Men, Their Families and Friends Chris Glaser Paper $9.99 Now available "A. wonderful collection of compassionate prayers." - Tire Other Side "Here is a collection of prayers through which bisexual, lesbian and gay persons, as well as their loved ones, may voice their questions and issues to God." -Friends Jounral . "Chris Glaser, in his exquisite little devotional book Comi"g Out to God, gives us the tools we need to learn to talk to God on levels that go beyond the mundane ... Comi//g Out to God is a book that every person who celebrates spirituality, and every person who /ears spirituality, needs to meet." - Lambda Book R~port 'The intimacy we seek. with the divine is made even more possible by means of compelling devotional books such as Coming Out to God." - 17re Disciple Ill WESTMINSTER ttltt1 JOHN KNOX PRESS Will At your bool<store, or call toll-free 1-800-672-1789 100 Witherspoon Street, Louisville, KY 40202-1396 JANUARY/FEBRUA~Y 1995. Videos ......................................................... ........ . ...... Queer Son: Family Journeys To Understanding And Love W ith the family experience of holiday gatherin .gs still a fresh memory, now might be a good time for many Gays and Lesbians to sit down with their parents and watch Queer Son: Family Journeys To Understanding And Love. This new documentary video by Vickie Seitchik, the mother of a gay son, shows through interviews with parents of Gays and Lesbians how they were able to move from doubt and fear to understanding and unconditional love of their children. Queer Son gives the viewer an intimate glimpse into the homes and lives of families from diverse ·racial, ethnic and social backgrounds. In its 48 minutes, the video moves from every parent's first halting question, "Are you sure?" to show families who are indeed sure - sure of one another's love arid acceptance. The parents talk candidly from their hearts. Seitchik herself appears in the video along with her son, his lover and other family members. Dinner table conversations between Seitchik and her son reveal years of worry, concern and struggle - and resolution. One of the other parents interviewed says that many parents are afraid of what the neighbors and family will think. "You have a gay child?," Dorothy Beam says neighbors will ask. "Whatever happened in your life?" She recalls a mother claiming her daughter went to a "lesbian college" and became a les- In the epirit of 5t. Frlillci5 atJ St;, Clare, wdre ~ ~ builders atJ peac:e nmrs to jourrey with w h the foot6t.q,e of Jeoos Christ. ~~ We are an ecumenical, · · · inclusive; non-clerical · · •. •~ ccmmunit'fof-baptized men , . ~ and. women from various, · Christian tracfltioris who • chose to worship and live in ,./!.O f 'th- h . . . . ~ ~v· aA:~o~~~:;~ a:n;;~~ an program leading to the profession of vows as a ~ ,lf!!2 religious Brother or Sister. Ask to receive ournewsletter, "Footsteps." We work in ministries of love, care and reconciliation nationwide. For more information, please write to: MERCY OF Goo COMMUNITY Att: Vocation Director P. 0. 6ox 41055 Providence RI 02940-1055 SECOND STONE bian. 'The daughter was a lesbian before she left home," says Beam, "but when she got there [to college] she could be herself." Beam says the issue of homosexuality seldom came up in her Baptist church and when it did, it was discussed as sin. Beam knows that nothing she could have done would have changed the sexual orientation of her son, activist Joseph Beam, who died several years ago of complications due to AIDS.. She says she is taking up the torch so · that her son will not have died in vain . "I am going to let the world know that being gay is good," she says. Another parent interviewed, Paul Yee, says the part that hurts most is when rejection and condemnation come from the community that is supposed to share God 's love, the Christian community. "On the one hand they preach God is all love," says Yee, "but action indicates that their God loves conditionally . . They won't admit that, but that's how they feel." Yee's eyes well up as he proudly talks about raising a beautiful boy. "My son's gay," he says. ''Does that make him less a person? I have two other kids, but because they're heterosexual , they are . going to have . a much easier life." Yee knows that his gay son is. not gay by choice. Says Yee, "Why would he choose that whert life is so much more difficult being a gay person?" Also interviewed are David and Claudia von Savage . They are the parents of a small baby girl, who they hope, they say, with the proper raising, will turn out to be heterosexual. "I'rri a Christian," says Claudia von Savage. 'The Bible says train up a child in the way he shall go and he will not depart ·from it." She says she does not think she could have a gay child;;although she knows there are. Christian families with homosexual children. Claudia believes that if she raises her child with ! ~~ "<~ :~~ 'f£i'e , . ~{'!~~t!'!~ On 100 ~ autiful acres with - pool, hot tub, skiing and more. lnnkeep~rs Judith Hall and Grace Newman invite you to write or call for a brcx:hure. P. 0. Box 118 SL Bethle hem, NH 03574 (603) 869-3978 . values, standards and guidelines, homosexuality will not be part of her thinking. 'Tm not sure what actually goes into a person's decision to be homosexual, but there seems to my mind it must be something that w~nt wrong in the family life," she says. But Dorothy Beam wou ld disagree with that. She says her son was gay from the time he came into the world and she couldn 't change that any more than she could change the color of her skin. "You cannot change what is to be." And then there's Mary Griffith's deeply moving story. As a child, her son Bobby liked to do what she described as quiet, gentle things - read and color. ·But Bobby's grandmother warned Griffith, "If you don't do something with Bobby, he's going to be a sissy." She quietly talks about how, during his teens, Bobby was filled with self hate and worried that he was going to go to hell. Her tormented son eventually . killed himself by jumping into traffic from a freeway overpass . During the tim e of Bobby's anguish, she was not able to help him because s 11e too felt that one couldn't be homosexual and go to heaven. Says Griffith, "When Bobby was alive my beliefs formed my reality and now reality forms my beliefs." Griffith says that her son 's suicide started her on a journey that brought her to a decision that God could accept Bobby the way he was. · Amy Ashworth felt ashamed and guilty about her gay son, Tucker. She didn't know how she could tell her family and worried that she had done something wrong in raising him. She says her son knew for sure he was gay at age 13 and he su spected at age seven or eight. She recalls asking Tucker why he had not told his parents earlier. "He said he was 99 percent sure they would accept him," says Ashworth, "but there was that one percent he couldn't risk b~cause home was his only safe place. . Beam, Ashworth and Griffith now have only memories of their sons . Another parent interviewed for the videosums it up this way: 'To me it's . about love." "I Jove you," she says, as she hugs her son. · As for the von Savages, they believe that the line has to be drawn somewhere. They believe that homosexuality is destructive to society and leads to the breakdown of the family and should therefore "be discour- . aged ." There's a good chance - most would say nine out of ten - that their baby girl will grow up to be heterosexual. But if she doesn't, the von Savages have ahead of them one of Go<;l's greatest lessons of love. Queer Son can be purchased from Vickie Seitcliik, 19 Jackson St., Cape May , NJ 08204, (212)929-4199 , FAX (609)884-0264. $19.94, plus $3.95 shipping. JANUARY/FEBRUARY 199 .5 w ' \! In Print · ····"·• • e1e>•••• ' ••···· ...... . ................. . ...... ................ . ... St. Francis Lutheran Church cooks Those People At That Church 0 n the verge of getting expelled from the Evangelical · Lutheran Church in America for violating church policy regarding the ordination of noncelibate Gays and Lesbians, the folks at St. Francis Lutheran Church in San Franciso have done what any creative, radical church would be expected to do. They've published a cookbook. The cookbook's title, I11oseE eopleA t That Church, comes from a comment overheard at the time St. ·Francis, along with First United Lutheran, ordained an openly gay man and lesbian couple in January 1990, thereby challenging the ELCA policy of not ordaining openly homosexual candidates to become certified pastors in the 5 million-member denomination. Vwse People At That Church contains In Print, briefly ... TheL ambdDa irectoroyf Religioann dS pirituality BrianC ranfordh ase ditedt hisb ook, subtitled"S ourceosf SpirituaSl upport for GayM ena ndL esbiansS."a ys Cranford",I thinkt heb ests erviceth is providesis creatingg reatera warenesso f thew ider angeo f support available.T" heb ooki s a thorough guidet hroughth e gaya ndl esbian Christianc ommunity. -FromP ryamiPd ress,1 3237M ontfortD r.,S te.8 10,D allasT, X7 5240$.9 . Clergya ndR eligiouasn d theA IDSE pidemic ByJ esuitF atheJr onF ul)ert,h is updateto an earllerr esourcein cludes· twop er:spectivoens t hei ssueo f testing for HIV. -FromN FPC1, 337W .O hioS t., ChicagoIL, 6 0622-64$970 . Thes eculaSr queez·e JohnA lexandern'se wb ooks hows howW esterncu ltureg o)to thep oint of beings hallowe, mptya, ndf lat and presenths is argumentht att he only .effectivere sponsies refillinge verydayl ifew itht hee xcitemenatn d mysteryth, ep aina ndl oveo f Jesus' story. -Fromln tervarsitPy ress With' Magazine ''Them agazinfeo r radicaCl hristian youth"is an excellenrte sourcfeo r youth,a lthoughth eyseemre luctant to dealw iths exualitiys sues. -FromM ennoniteP ublishingH ouse, 616W alnuAt ve.,S cottdale, PA1 5683-19$9198. 95yr. SECOND STONE over 200 recipes from members of the congregation, their families and friends, as well as many contributions from San Francisco Bay Area chefs, restaurants and food professionals . The 256-page, paperback has a full color jacket incorporating numerous snapshots of members of the diverse congregation. In additiona to featuring recipes like Caribbean Corn Cakes with Shrimp/ Avocado Salsa, Breakfast Pasta, Aunt Jane's . Fiesta Mexicali Corn Salad, and Anise Seed Cookies, Those People At Th~t Church includes reflections and anecdotes frqm the members of the congregation as well as dcscriptiol)S of the ministries of this extremely active church. Woven throughout the book is The Prayer of St. Francis of.Assisi, along with. contemporary .prayers written by congregation members, reflecting on their lives and iss:ues. · St. Francis Lutheran is· a small, red~brick neighborhood church which sits in the heart of San Francisco, four subway stops from the city's financial district and three blocks from Castro Street. The church was dedicated by Danish immigrants just 12 days before the 1906 earthquake and was honored as San Francisco Historical Landmark No. 39 in 1971. The congregation of 150 people is committed to caring for their neighborhood and its people. In. 1990, St. Francis Lutheran ordained an openly lesbian couple, Ruth Frost and Phyllis Zillhart, and another San Francisco congregation, First United Lutheran, ordained Jeff Johnson; an openly gay man. That summer the congregations were put on ecclesiastical trial artd subsequently suspended by the ELCA. The churches may be expelled at the end of 1995 if the ELCA does not change its policy regarding the ordination of openly gay and lesbian pastors or if St. Francis does not rescind the calls to Pastors Frost · and Zill hart. On August 28, 1994, the congregation voted unanimously to extend a permanent full-time call to Zillhart and a permanent part-time call to Frost. Wayne A. Strei, editor of Those People At That Church, has been the food and/ or entertairi.ment critic on numerous San Francisco Bay Area television and radio shows . . Ten years ago, Strei began to feel the tragedy of HIV and AIDS, and has lost many friends, including two ct the most important people in his life, John David Hanson and Bradley Scott DeWinde. It was John's funeral that brought him to St. Francis Lutheran Church for the first time in 1987, and although it took him two years to return, it now exists as the most impo.rtant community in his life, Those People At That Church is available at bookstores or directly from St. Francis Lutheran Church, 1-800-779-7179. Profits from the sale of the cookbook go toward ministries of the church both in the congregation and in the .community. To order by mail, send check or money order for $18.95 per book, plus California sales tax, if applicable, and $4.75 shipping for each address, to Those People .At That Church, St. Francis Lutheran Church, 152 Church St., San Francisco, CA 94114~1111. QUOTABLE "You can become a Christian by going to church just about as easily as you can become an automobile by sleeping in a garage." -Garrison Keillor JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 In Print •• •• • • ••••••••••• 0 •• • •••••• • .-, • • ••• - • ••••••• . ••••• • •• • • . .• ·• ••••• ••••• • • •• . • ••• Soul Gazing By Edouard Fontenot ContributingW riter Gay Soul: Finding the Heart of Gay Spirit and Nature with Sixteen Writers, Healers, Teachers and Visionaries, Mark Thompson, author. HarperSanFrancisco, 1994. I . n his latest book, Gay Soul, Finding the Heart of Gay Spirit · and Nature with Sixteen Writers, Healers, Teachersa nd Visionaries,a uthor; jour- Selectio~zs for your library available from Second Sto11e Press. :. DEFECTING IN PLACE: Women Claiming Responsibility for Their Own Spiritual Lives By Miriam Therese Winter, Adair Lummis, and Allison Stokes Based on a nationwide survey of more than 7,000 women, this book explores women's attitudes towards the institutional church $22.95, hardcover. SHE WHO IS: The Mystery of God in Feminist Theological Discourse By Eliz.abeth A. Johnso11 _ . Library Journal says •perhaps the best book of femuust theol.ogy to date ... grounded in cla~cal Christian thought.. rooted in women's experience ... $15.95, piper. WOMEN AT WORSHIP: Interpretations of North American Diversity Edited by Marjori e Procter-Smith and Janet R. Walton A remarkable collection of eSSllysw hich probe the meaning and the many shapes of contempomy feminist worship. · $15.95, paper. SEASONS OF THE FEMININE DIVINE: Christian Feminist Prayers for the Liturgical Cycle By Mary Kathlten Speeg1e Schmilt Graceful prayers written by the·first y,,oman deacon ordained in the Anglican-Diocese of Quebec. $11.9.5, paper. SEXUALITY AND THE SACRED: Sources foTrh eological Reffection By Janus B. Ntlson Md Sandra P. Lon&fellow A comprehel1Sivrees ourcea ddressing human sexuality as a critical.part of.divine rev~lation. $2,.99, paper. IN THE COURTS OF THE LORD By Jim Ferry · A gay priest is put on trial by the Episcopal Church $22.95, hardcover, MURDER AMONG.FRIENDS By Chuck Fager 1 A prophetic and scary murder mystery about a gay Quaker activist. $13.95, paper. Place your order today! Quan. -Titte Price Total □--------- □--- Postage/Handli$n3gf irst book, $1 each additional TOTALA MOUUET NCLOSED NAME__ _______ _ ADDRES_S, _____ _ CITY/STATE/_Z_IP_ __ _ ORDERF ROMS: ECONSDT ONEP RESS P.OB. OX8 340N, EWO RLEANLSA, 7 0182 SECOND STONE nalist and former Advocate editor Mark Thompson has assembled a collection of interviews which ciy out at the marriage of convenience between the gay rights movement and a scientific positivism which largely abjures a spiritual dimension. Gay Soul recalls gay, "two-spirited" people to their historic spiritual role described alternately as trickster, shaman; poet, catalyst, stoiyteller and always as Other. The publication of Thompson's collection reflects a renewed cultural · willingness to entertain the idea that human beings inay be more than the sum of their biochemical parts, perhaps a response to the · corning millennium. It also recalls the fact that gay and lesbian people - though perhaps not elites - have always been a church, temple and mosque-going people, indeed .leaders in the sacred sphere, possibly, as Thompson's subjects suggest, because gay and lesbian people, in the absence of socially sanctioned roles, must constantly contemplate their personhood and reinvent themselves as they move through lives for which scripts are not provided. The renewed. interest in existential questions · has created a new stratum in gay and lesbian literature, one concerned with the elements of gazing ·at the entirety of homosexual selves and beyond. Gay Soul is a stellar example of how gay people have ,begun the constructive Dpiritual work which will finally · - or again - art,iculate our vitality, purpose and worth . · In the debate between social constructionism and essentialisrn, Thompson's subjects would .be considered essentialists; Thompson acknowledges . the liberating impact of Foucault's radical social constructionisrn, but argues -in his, short introduction . that this perspective has largely exhausted itself as .a philosophy to power the gay and lesbian movement forward into the next , centuiy. The new fuel is not political · activism, but the interior journey. Thompson's subjects include a Native America scholar, a Jungian therapist, a novelist, a Christian priest, a Taoist, a poet, an astrologer and a Freudian analyst. Many of his subjects, activists Hariy Hay and Malcolm .Boyd for example, are gay icons. Though Thompson's subjects come from different starting points and reveal a variety of emotional perspectives, some joyful, others melancholic, others determined, several striking themes emerge across the conversations. The principle theme is a quality of personhood unique to gay men (and, as many imply but most do not develop, Lesbians) out of which rises a singular spiritual perspective. This quality, perhaps biological and certainly environmental, is reflected in the idea of "otherness" or "neitherness." There exist, according to these theorists, not two, but three, four or more genders. Because gay men constitute a third gender, they experience the suffocating effects of truncated identities and insufficiently diverse categories. Thompson's subjec~s are clearly not seeking any existing "place at the table ." They issue a common call to rearrange the chairs. Thompson's subjects are clearly not seeking any existing "place at the table." They issue a common call to rearrange the chairs. Poet James Broughton is a delight to read. His words sing from the page and his joy is palpable and infectious. He exhibits a "gaiety of soul" and an amazing amusement about life where "everything is going nowhere, beautifully." As with all of his subjects, Thompson is interested here in the poet's understanding of soul, which, for Broughton, is "Wherever I hurt, wherever I tingle, whenever I weep, whenever I guffaw, my soul is humming. It flexes With my desires and responses, . my longing and my ailing. It operates in my heart, my deep guts, my genitals ." The importance and celebration of physical eroticism is another important theme, articulated not only by Broughton, but also by Joseph Kramer, the founder of the Body Electric School, who reveals a fascinating Jesuit heritage and, influence; and 5-M theorist and practitioner Guy Baldwin, whose reflections on S-M as "burning away of impurities" in which the "self becomes stripped of all its external trappings" recall nothing so much as the mystical Christian desert Fathers and Mothers, and Thompson's interview with Buddhist teacher Ram Dass. The formative role of gay suffering is ecl1oed by Episcopal priest Malcolm Boyd's identification of the gay experience "as a wounded, broken person with the wounded, broken person of Jesus." Any discussion of meaning at the end of the millennium must acknowledge the forbidding presence of AIDS. This third pervasive theme peeks around the edges of eveiy exchange about purpose and possibility. Says Paul Monette, who has AIDS, "One of the ways in which AIDS has purified so many of us-is in how much it tells us that this is not a dress rehearsal. We are being tested by something as deep in ourselves as we could ever be." Many of Thompson's subjects reflect this understanding of AIDS as a fire which has tested and tempered the steel of gay men who, having come through it, live purposefully but with the "flagrant joy" of self-awareness. · These thinkers celebrate the reclamation of the history of a "gay tribe," a communal remembering of history which recalls a past of spiritual leadership by · gendervariant people. In an especially compelling reflection, gay scholar Will Roscoe discusses the crippling cultural assumption that gay Reople are without social purpose. Roscoe's purpose has been to unearth the profoundly important -social role gender variant people have played historically in order to restore their power and self-esteem. Lament ing "all these [gay people] running around sharnanizing and berdacl1izing, and wanting to be nothing so much as as average person," he calls for gay people to reclaim thei r spiritual roles. Teacher, storyteller and writer 'Andrew Ramey believes ' SEE SOUL, Next Page In Print, briefly ... The_H omophobHieca ler Dr. Sandra St. John's book discusses the fears commonlyh eld by the gen· eral populationa bout homosexuality as well as the fears held by Gays and Lesbiansw hicht end to keep themi n the closet. She offers ideas and. techniquesf or-both groups. -FromT heG oddesEs xpress, 6860G ulfpoBrl lvd.S :, #920S, t.P ete,sburgF, L3 3707$.1 0.45,$ 11.1i8n R a. Substancaeb usree source guidfeo rG aysL, esbians The Center for Substance Abuse Preventionh as releaseda new guide called" AlcohoTl, obaccoa, nd Other DrugP reventionR esourceG uide on LesbiansG, ay Mena nd Bisexuals." The 50-page guide identifies availablep reventionm aterials. -FromN CADI1, ·800-729-66F8r6e.e . J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A ,R Y 1 9 9 5 .. In Print ..................... . .... . ... •·• ....... . Divisively Bound By Diversity By Johnny Townsend Contributing Writer B ound by Diversity (Sebastian Press, 1994) is an odd title for editor James· T. Sears' collection of essays by members of the lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgender· communities because if anything, the variety of viewpoints expressed show that these groups are far from being unified, and· it is doubtful that these essays, as good as most of them are, will succeed in binding those groups, together. In fact, Sears himself in his essay calls the groups "tribes," each mistaking "self-interest for the common interest." Sears unleashes the tribespeople to have their say in this anthology. .·. The book is divided into sections on family, HIV, politics, the arts, adolescence, teaching, and two sections on dialogue between opposing groups. This was the section which seemed most disturbing because despite an introduction claiming that the book "embraces dialogue and debate in the interest of creating a community strengthened by our differences," what happens too often is · that the various authors are so convinced that they are right and others are wrong that, notwithstanding the "dialogue," no one is really listening to anyone else. SOUL,. From Page 12 th.e "gay tribe" to be "biologically separate from the child rearing pool," separated by nature to "do soul work" and· act , as a mirror for the larger culture. Harry Hay echoes this und~rstanding in his discussion of the "spirit children" - 'poetry, art, teaching - · that he and his partner, gay "specialists of the spirit," have created. The idea of non-biological procreativity is shot · through these ' interviews. Thompson's interview with Hay, the unapologetic and irascible Dean, or perhaps Queen, of the gay rights movement, is enough to justify the price of the book. · Still filled with an adolescent enthusiasm for Marxist theory, Hay is perhaps the most ardent advocate of gay social purpose beyond consumption and biological procreation. · His gay mythos can run a bit thick at times; and even those inclined towards concepts of the ''.natural" and the "intrinsic" may find themselves exasperated by Hays pedantic certainty. Thompson clearly has his own ideas about gay soul, which he tries to sketch out in the introduction and in short reflections at the beginning of SECOND STONE This was partly evident in a discussion of pedophilia but even more striking . in an almost violent debate between feminist Amanda UdisKessler and men's rights advocate Frederic Hayward. Hayward puts forth an interesting argument of how women are to blame for homophobia because it keeps straight men dependent on them for emotional c'ontact, but ultimately he seems to deliberately distort almostall the statistical evidence he uses for his various claims. Udis-Kessler does a little misrepresentation herself in responding, . but she is dearly the one. who is at least attempting to legitimately communicate. Hayward .absolutely refuses to allow her to, however, and the ''.dialogue" of 25 pages does anything but create the sef\se of unity the book is after. It all but makes unity appear impossible. However, most of the rest of the essays are much less hostile and do show sincere attempts both to express a point of view in a way that others can understand, and also to attempt to understand other points of view. The long section of adolescents and teachers is perhaps most promising. Essays by deaf .Gays, women prison. ers, African-Americans, Hispanics, white males ( even a couple of straight ones) border on tokenism, but a·work each interview. The reader is left wishing that he had developed these ideas more completely, perhaps in a final epilogic chapter. Thompson provides his own black and white photographs of his subjects which are in turn delightful, powerful, humorous, and soulful. Gay Soul will challenge and infuriate ardent social constructionists and hearten those who have longed for authentication of a uniquely gay spiritual awakening. Gay Soul is the type of book we will see more of as we advance into the 21st century. It urges us past reductionist positivism and issues an invitation to spiritual journeying informed by a history of religious oppression and the paradox of existence . Says Paul Monette, "I've been furious and blunt... in my impatience and rage with churches and religions. But I have refined that rage ... In the midst of this nightmare and calamity of AIDS, I have seen such eloquent work done by people who are part of the clergy or part of a religious commitment or calling. Here I am close to the end of my life, and I somehow think that I am an atheist, who is,. for better or worse, still an Episcopalian." about diversity almost inevitably faces that criticism. Unfortunately, many of the "tokens" exhibit loo much hostility for any unity to emerge. Robert Vasquez, for example, of Puerto Rican descent, refuses to "sleep with the enemy," meaning any white person . All whiles are his oppressors, even the ones who pretend to be nice. They are just voyeurs out for adventure. If whites aren't interested in him, they're prejudiced, and if they are int,erested, they just want to use him. He leaves no room for any white person to be a decent human being. · Similarly, Aaron T.aub argues against chants such as "We're your family, not your enemy; someone you· love is queer" and "Gay, straight, black,white; same struggle; same fight." He doesn't want us to be friendly with "the enemy" or try to find common ground . He also talks of the "glorious" burning in effigy of Cardinal O'Connor, surely a divisive action. Even authors who attempt to talk of unity often do so in bizarre ways, such as when Walter _Williams sug - gests that one of the things that will help heterosexuals overcome their prejudice and finally find a warm place in their hearts for us is by our teaching them about safer sex. I just find that verv hard to believe. He also sugg e ~ ,hat many women may soon "choose" lesbianism to avoid HIV from straight male partners, which again sounds unlikely. Certainly, many of the essays were interesting and well-written , though numerous irritating typos plagued the book; but it seems that if. Sears were truly trying to create unity, 'including so many negative views of people who felt it was hopeless may not have been the best choice. Of course, he isn't just trying to show a "nice" face but is attempting to show the reality of the divisions which do exist, and I suppose that no real progress can be made unless we face up to those unplea~ant realities. Bound By Diversity then isn't the answer to the problem but perhaps helps us see things from enough different perspectives that we can start trying out our own ideas on how to bring unity to a truly diverse group. Now available from Second Stone! The Word Is Out 365 DAILY MEDITATIONS FOR LESBIANS AND GAY MEN Author Chris Glaser fearlessly liberates the Bible from those who would bold it hostage to an anti-gay agenda. In this inspiring collection of ~65 daily meditations, theBible's good news "comes out" to meet all of us with love, justice, meaning, and hope. Chris Glaser is the author of Uncommon Calling and Coming Out to God. He is a graduate of Yale Divinity School. The Word Is Out, $12, paperback. Order now from Second Stone Press Quan. Titie □ Postage/Handlirg $3.00 first book, $1.00 ea. additional -------"'-'- TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED----- NAME ________________ ...,;_ ____ _ ADDRESS _________________ _;_ __ CITY/STATE/ZIP ___________________ _ ORDER FROM: SECOND STONE PRESS, P.O. BOX 8340, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70182 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 ;. Calendar-........................................................................ Healing the Wounds of Heterosexism FEBRUARY 10-12, "Creating a Home in the Church: Healing · the Wounds of Heterosexism," with Presbyterian evangelist Janie Spahr, will be a weekend of worship, workshops and . frivolity focused on helping congregations become more welcoming of lesbian, gay and b_isexual Christians. To be held in various St. Louis metropolitan area churches, the event is sponsored by Other Sheep, an international and ecumenical ministry actively proclaiming God's love for all people. For more information, contact Other Sheep at 319 North Fourth St., Ste. 902, St. Louis, MO 63102, (314)822-3297, (314)776-4483. 11th Annual Interweave Convocation FEBRUARY 17-19, Interweave, Unitarian Universalists for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Concerns sponsors its annual gathering in Raleigh, North .Carolina. Over 200 participants are expected for three days of celebration, worship, pro- · grams, workshops, and more. Included is a workshop on ecumenical organizing presented by Rev . Morris Hudgins, a Unitarian Universalist pastor, and Rev. Jimmy Creech, a United Methodist pastor and staff member of the North Carolina Council of Churches. For information contact Bonnie Blue Crouse, 2001 Boone Ave., Winston-Salem, NC 27103, (910)722-0421. 8th Annual T-E-N Weekend FEBRUARY 24-26, The Evangelical Network has announced an intense three days of workshops and activities for this year's gathering. The call is to "Come Alive in '95!" and the theme is 'Thanksgiving, Praise & Worship." Cost for the weekend which includes materials and meals is $40 per individual, $70 per couple. For infomation contact The Evangelical Network, P.O. Box 16104, Phoenix, AZ 85011-6104, (602)265-2831, FAX (602)265-2918. Building Bridges for an Inclusive Church FEBRUARY 25, A workshop for persons of all sexual orientations, sponsored by American . Friends 1service Committee, Detroit Presbytery Metropolitan Mission and PLGC/Detroit. Keynote discussion led by Chuck Collins on how sexism, heterosexism and homophobia affect us all. Westminster Presbyterian Church in Detroit is the location . For information call Ken (313)886-6486. Annual Institute of the Son FEBRUARY 27-MARCH 3, An SECOND STONE extension of the T-E-N weekend, the Phoenix Evangelical Bible Institute will feature the course, "Christian Gay and Lesbian Ministry," which was developed by Pastor Fred L. Pattison. The fee for the entire week is $50. For information write to PHEBI, Pastor Fred Pattison, 1035 E. Tumey, Phoenix, AZ 85014. Brothers Together vacation MARCH 4-11, Brothers Together sponsors its second annual Brothers in Paradise vacation/ retreat for gay men on St. John in the Virgin Islands. This organization was started in 1991 by a group of friends who felt their gay community was lacking something personal and . spiritual and that it too often left people feeling alone and unfulfilled. Since then, over 500 men have attended the group's events. · Single cost for this event is $1,299. For information contact Brothers Together, 115 Newbury St., #304, Boston, MA 02116-2935 ot call 1-800-462-9962. Rural AIDS Conference MARCH 10-13, "Sowing Knowledge, Harvesting Care " is the theme of this national conference on rural Americans living with _AIDS/HIV. St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, Minn. is the setting. For information call (612)255-3082. Midwest PLGC Conference MARCH 10-12, Presbyterians for Lesbians and Gay Concerns sponsors its mid-winter midwest gathering at Stronghold Conference Center near Oregon, .Illinois. For information call Sue Jones, (608)244-4820. Clergy, Women . andMen Religious and the HIV/AIDS Pandemic MARCH 24-28, The National Catholic AIDS Network sponsors ihis conference for religious personnel on HIV/ AIDS at 'the Kenrick Conference Center in St. Louis, Missouri. The mission of the network includes a call to assist Catholic leaders and congregations in responding to the impact of HIV/ AIDS as well as to support theological reflection and dialogue relating to the pandemic. For information contact the National Catholic AIDS Network, P.O. Box 422984, San Francisco, CA 94142-2984, (707)874-3031, FAX (707)874-1433. Affirmation· National Gathering APRIL 21-23, Affirmation: United . Methodists promises a challenging keynote, workshops, mutual support and sharing, festival worship and a Texas-style banquet at its 20th anniversary gathering to be held in Dallas. For information contact Affirmation, P.O. Box 1021, Evanston, IL60204. Communication Ministry Convocation APRIL 27-30, Convocation is a national gathering of Catholic priests, brothers and nuns, Last year, just over 100 gay and bisexual priests and brothers and lesbian sisters, and friends, met in Orlando to explore 'The Goodness of Being Gay." For many participants, it was the first time they had ever been able to be so open about their sexuality and to experience an empowering atmosphere of acceptance. The theme of this year's gathering is "New Expressions of Being Gay or Lesbian in the Catholic Church: Our Myths and Our Stories." Presenters include Patricia O'Donnell and Richard Woods. The convocation will be held at the Radisson Inn at the Greater CincinnatiNorthern Kentucky International Airport. For information on this conference write to CMI, P.O . Box 60125, Chicago, IL 60660-0125. National More Light Churches Conference APRIL 28-30, The 11th Annual More Light Churches Network Conference will be held in Baltimore, Maryland at First and Franklin Street Presbyterian Church. For information contact Presbyterians for Lesbian and Gay Concerns, P.O. Box 38, New Brunswick, NJ 08903-0038. Retreat for HIV-positive religious and clergy MAY 8-12, The Marianist Center in Cupertino, California, is the setting for a five day retreat for religious and clergy who are HIV-positive. For information contact John McGrann, Kairos Support for Caregivers, 114 Douglass, San Francisco, CA 94114, (415)861-0877. Religious Life Weekend JUNE 1-4, The Mercy of God Community sponsors its fourth annual Religious Life Weekend for those considering religious life. The LaSalette Center for Christian Living, Attleboro, Mass ., is the setting. For information contact the Mercy of God Community, P.O. Box 41055, Providence, RI 02940-1055. American Baptists Concerned National Retreat JUNE 24-27, The annual retreat of · ABC will be held at Thomfield Retreat Center in Syracu_se, New _ York. Cost is $175. For information contact ABC, 872 Erie St., Oakland, CA 94610-2268, (510)465-8652. J A N U A CMI Retreat JUNE 27-30, Communication Ministry sponsors a retreat for Catholic lesbian ' nuns and gay priests and brothers. The Serra Retreat House, Malibu, Calif., is the setting . For information contact CMI, P.O. Box 60125, Chicago, IL 60660-0125. . Gay and Lesbian Parents Coalition Conference JUNE 30-JULY 3, Gay and lesbian parenting groups from Southern California will host the 16th Annual Gay and Lesbian Parents Coalition International Conference at the University of California at · Los Angeles. Part of the conference will focus on issues of relevance to ·those who are currently parents, those who function in a parenting role, or those who wish to become parents. Two other subconferences will examine topics of · importance to the children of lesbian or gay parents. Conference fees include all meals and three nights lodging at UCLA's Sunset Village. For information write to GLPCI '95, 7985 Santa Monica Blvd., Box 109-346, West Hollywood, CA 90046 or call (213)654-0307, FAX (310)652-7584. Convocation of Reconciling Congregations JULY 13-16, ''Bound for the Promised Land" is the theme for the fourth national gathering of Reconciling Congregations, to be held in Minneapolis. A youth and ·student rally and a special gathering of.the Reconciling Pastors' Action Network is planned . Individual fee is $165, $85 for children ' and youth. For information contact the Reconciling Congregations Program, 3801 N. Keeler Ave., Chicago, IL 60641, (312)736-5526. The UFMCC General Conference JULY 23-30, the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches will gather at .the Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel in Atlanta for its 17th conference. "All Things Are Possible :· is the theme for this conference which offers a discounted rate of $180 for non-delegates. A special gathering will be held at the Martin Luther King, Jr . Center for Non-Violent Social Change: For information, contact UFMCC GCXVII, 5300 Santa Monica Blvd., #304, Los Angeles, CA 90029, (213)464-5100. . Announcements of interest to gay, lesbian and bisexual Christians are welcome and will be included free of charge. Send to Second Stone, P.O. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 or FAX to (504)891-7555. RY/FEBRUARY 1995 ••••••••••••• ~ ••••• I:' • Noteworthy W &Q•a1o,;,~c;c;i-:::'='~•'!'•t1"••••••••••••c•••••••• ..... . ...... John Boswell passes tiJOHN BOSWELL, Yale University professor and author of- two books about religion and homosexuality that rocked the church establishment, died of complications from AJDS Dec. 24 in New Haven. He was 47 years old. In 1980 Boswell gained attention with the publication of Christianity, Social Tolerance, and Homosexuality: Gay People in Western Europe. From the Beginning of the Christian Era to the Fourteenth Century. Last June, he published the long-awaited follow-up to his first book, Same-Sex Unions in Premodern Europe, based on his research of more than 60 manuscripts from the 8th to the 16t h century. He is survived by his life partner, Jerome Hart, his parents, Col. Henry Boswell, Jr. and Catharine, a sister, Patricia, and two brothers, Wray and Henry Ill. Catholic organization receives award tiDIGNITY /USA, the world's largest gay, lesbian and bisexual Catholic organization received the 1994 Call To Action Award. Call To Action, a national organization of Catholics committed to church reform in the spirit of the Second Vatican Council, presented the award to -Dignity on Nov . 4 during its annual conference in Chicago. Marianne -Duddy, presi- dent of Dignity /USA said the award comes at a time when gay Catholics are increasingly under attack - from Pope John Paul II's criticism of the European Parliament for protecting gay rights and his denouncing lesbian- headed families, to the fact that more than 40 Dignity chapters have been expelled from Catholic church facilities since 1986. Reconciling Congregation Program adds churches tiSIX CHURCHES declared them-selves Reconciling Congregations near the end of 1994. They are St. Paul's Ul\c1C, San Jose, Calif., Broadway UMC, Chicago, Centenary UMC, St. Louis, Clinton-Camanche Subgroup of Iowa MFSA, Clinton, Iowa, Trinty UMC, Kansas City, and Chenango Street UMC, Binghamton, New York, making a total of 83 Reconciling Congregations and 5 Reconciling Campus Ministries. West Hollywood church "bar hops" on Christmas eve tiTHE PASTOR, MEMBERS and friends of Crescent Heights United Methodist Church of West Hollywood went out to the bars and restaurants of Santa Monica Boulevard to round up people for their midnight Christmas Eve service. 'This -is no t a community which has traditionally supported churches," said Pastor Tom Griffith. "It is, though, a' community SECOND STONE which is heavily populated by singie persons, many of whom are homosexual. Many of them, gay or straight, do not have families whom they can easily visit, or who will even let them visit, at Christmas." So for the sixth consecutive year, a group from the church passed out "complimentary tickets" in the bars for their Christmas Eve service. MCC pastor becomes columnist tiREV. TYRONNE SWEETING, pastor of MCC at Boise, Idaho, has been selected by the Idaho Statesman to be one of the featured columnists on the paper's religion page. After being ousted from its home on the campus of Boise State University, MCC at Boise relocated in October to a church building owned by the R~organized Church of the Latter-Day Saints. Ft. Worth church calls first pastor ti WHITE ROCK CHURCH WEST, Ft. Worth, Texas has called its first pastor, Rev. William R. Prickett . Prickett comes ·to Ft. Worth from Orange County, Calif., where he was actively involved with the leadership of Evangelicals Concerned in Laguna Beach. Prior to that, he was a Southern Baptist pastor in his hometown of Birmingham, Ala., for 11 years, where he led the congregation from a membership of 100 to more than 700. Prickett was installed on Dec. 11. White Rock West is a mission work of the White . Rock Church in Dallas. Late last year the church organized as a separate congregation from the founding Dallas church. In the future, the congregation will change its name to reflect an identity with and commitment to Ft. Worth, according to a church spokesperson. For information on this ministry call (817)451-7880. New ministry in Louisiana tiABUNDANT GRACE Christian Fellowship, a Bible-based, spirit filled, non-denominational church has begun meeting in Covington, Louisiana. Pastors Lee Thompson and Yolande Yaeger, formerly of Grace Fellowship in New Orleans, are providing spiritual leadership for the fledging church. For information on this ministry call (504)893-9098. Kentucky church becomes RIC tiTHIRD LUTHERAN CHURCH, Louisville, Kentucky has become a "Reconciled in Christ" congregation, one of more than 100 congregations and ministries in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America which affirms and welcomes Lesbians, gay men and bisexual persons into its parish life. Third Lutheran is the third congregation of any denomination in _ the Commonwealth of Kentucky to make such a declaration, following Central Presbyterian, Louisville, 1983, and Zion United Church of Christ, Henderson, 1994. It is the first congregation in the KentuckyIndiana Synod of the ELCA to become RIC. (The Lutheran Campus Ministry in Bloomington, I11diana, is also a Reconciled in Christ ministry.) The decision to become RIC was reached at Third Lutheran's monthly council meeting on Nov. 10, 1994. Newsletter for pastor's spouses tiP.S., YOU'RE NOT FORGOTTEN is a newsletter for spouses of pastors. The newsletter began as a result of a course called "Spouses in Ministry" at the 1993 Advance Christian Ministries conference. Robyn Brown, coordinator of the support letter, said "I have been a pastor's spouse for 13 years of my 16 year relationship . . There were times that I needed a confidant." Brown is the spouse of Rev. William Memmott, pastor of · Agape Church in St. Louis. For information on the newsletter, write to Brown at 2706 A Armand Pl., St. Louis, MO 63104-2214. Agape installs assistant pastor a pastor and installed as assistanf pastor of the Agape Church of St. Louis. Part of Gaile's work will be in Christian outreach to people in the St. Louis area who are HIV-positive. And from our Christmas card newswire ... tiAUTHOR CHRIS GLASER and his mate Mark King had a commitment ceremony on Oct. 30. The couple have bought a new home in Atlanta. Glaser has published his fourth book, The . .Word Is Out, and .King has begun consulting ' on HIV f AIDS in the workplace. tiJOE GALLE IV has been licensed as Chris Glaser, standing, and Mark King Recent finding by top biblical scholars offer a radical 'new view on the Bible and homosexuality. WhatUible the LJ Really Says About 1-lornosexuality . I• \-le\minial<., Ph.D. oame ,..,. Daniel A Helminiak, Ph.D., respected theologian and Roman Catholic priest, explains in a clear fashion fascinating new insights. " ... will help any reasonably open and attentive reader see that the Bible says something quite different on this subject from what is often claimed.'' -L. William Countryman, Author of Dirt, Gre.ed and Sex " ... the most thoughtful, lucid and accessible summary I know of current bibli' cal scholarship relating to homosexual issues ... eminently useful..." -James B. Nelson, Author and Theology Professor Order now from Second Stone Press Quan. □ WHAT THE BIBLE REALLY SA VS ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY By Daniel A. Helminiak, $9.95, paperbk Postage/Handling $3 first book, $1 each additional ____ _ TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED ----- NAME-----------------~---- ADDRESS ______ ....,... _____________ _ CITY/STATE/ZIP ___________________ _ ORDER FROM: SECOND STONE PRESS, P.O. BOX 8340, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70182 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1995 .. ....• ... . Classifieds .,, ...... ., .......................................................... . 1¢~~@i,~m~~{§){@ ' I J~ BIBLICAL "CONDEMNATION" of gays eKamined by Columbia University graduate I with a decade of UFMCC membership. $3.95 I for 26 page booklet. H& SISS, POB 221841, I Charlotte NC 28222. I "WONDERFUL DIVERSITY," "Heartily I recomme~ded, 11 11Philosophically in trig- I uing," "Excellent." Why do reviewers · 1 highly esteem CHRISTIAN*NEW AGE QUARTERLY? Great articles and lively columns make this bridge of dialogue between Christians and New Agers as entertaining as it is substantive. Subscribe for only $12.50/yr. Or sample us ro( $3.50. CHRISTIAN*NEW AGE QUARTERLY, P.O. Box 276, Clifton, NJ 07011-0276. TF OPEN HANDS, an ecume11ical quarterly maga~ine on ministries · with gays, lesbians and bisexuals. $16/year. Free sample. 3801 N. Keeler Avenue, Chicago, IL. 60641. · 312/736-5526. FAX,312/736-5475. 10/95 HOMOSEXUAL? The Lambda Directory of Religion and Spirituality with over 400 sources. of spiritual support for Gays, Lesbians and their advocates , books, groups, periodicals, etc. Send $7 plus $2 S&H to: Pyramid Press, 13237 Montfort; Ste. 810J , Dallas. TX 75240. 9195 SEEKING PASTOR for small independent' liturgical church in Dallas, Texas. Present pastor retiring ' January, . 1995. Mainline ' · church backgrourd and seminary graduate preferred. Contact: Pulpit Committee, Fr. Frederick Wright, c/o Holy Trinity Community Church, 4402 Roseland Avenue, Dallas. TX 75204. Telephone: (H)(214) 821-0418, (0)(214)827-5088. GAY EPISCOPAL PRIEST seeks church position with loving, inclusive Community that respects the dignity of all: Write to 431 Gravier St. #300, New Orleans, LA 70130 'I MWBM, Christian, 52 years old, 5'5", 165 lbs., HIV-, non-smoker seeks other Christian . bisexuals, gay men for casual relationship. Come to Oregon Ce.ntral Coast. J .. Nolan, Box 2263 Florence OR 97439. 4195 ClilCAGO GWM, 41, 155 lbs., 5'10", ICJ<?~mfgo r a so~l mate. I am emotionally, spmtually, and fmancially secure and seek the sa~e in my rriate. Open with my sexuality, masculine, not riamboyant, HIV-, mvolved in the Episcopal Church, and dedicated lo my friends. You have similar qualities, do no_t abuse alcohol or drugs, and love . hie. Wnte with recent photo: B.R., 4422 N. Greenview, 2E, Chicago, IL 60640. GWF, 44, professional, feminine , well e_ducated, kindly humorous, talkative, fmanc,ally s_table, no drugs/smoking, little dnnk111g, faithful Presbyterian, liberal in o.utl_ook, conservative in lifestyle. ISO truly s,m1lar lady living within 2-3 hours: GWF good listener, feminine, 3~-49, interested it;_ commitment \'.S, casual relationships. Write: Sarah. P.O. Box 14163, Augus1a. GA 30919. 6/95. GWM, Christian, professional educated 35 6'2", 160 lbs., blue/brown (balding) no f;ciru' ~atr, lursute . ISO a non-smoking, drug-free hfemate, monogamous relationship. Inter- SECOND STONE ----- ------------, Classified Order Form Please place my ad in these issues : [] Jan/Feb [] Mar/Apr FOR ONLY 35¢ per word, your classified ad will reach readers from Sitka, Alaska to Amherst, Maine and everywhere in between .. Business or personal ... try a classified ad in our next edition! MailT'1: Second· Stone Box 8340 Name · ___ _ Addre~~------------City/ St./Zip_::-------- AD COPY ------------------------- __ · words X .35= $.------ 20 word minimum. All classifieds must be pre0 paid. Deadline one month prior to cover date. We will mail you a copy of the edition(s) in which your ad ' [ l May/Jun [] Jul/Aug [ l Sept/Oct [] Nov/Dec ' .CLASSIFICATIONS [ l Books & Publications [ ] Business Opportunities [ l Employment [ l Friends/Relationships [ l General Interest [ l Mail Order [ l Merchandise [ l Organizations [ ] Professional Services [ ] Real Estate [ l Retreats [] Roommates [ ]Travel I I I I ! I I I I I I I I I New Orleans, LA 70182 I ---------------------- -----------------------------------' I appears ·l ests:. music, t.heatre, outdoors, travel, quiet evenings , cards, volleyball, dancing. P.O. Box 59, Hummels Wharf, PA 17831-0059. ACTIVE CATHOLIC (Orthodox, Anglican, or Roman Catholic) male wanted. Serious but jovial and sensual and masculine"! ... in the ·s01.1thwest or: San Diego. Weight in proportion to height. Music and animal lover. Around my age range: 53. No smoke or dope, moderate drink! Frank B., P.O. Box 62. Blue Srrings. MO 64013 I'M ATfRAGTEDTO WV, TN, OK, TX. AR. VA, KY Southern boys. Like them Christian .or _other beliefs who are very romantic, lov!ng, - g~ntle, cari•ng, masculine, straightacting, 111c.e, personality. Honesty counts. Must be very loving, sexua l. I like slender types 24-40's, long haired, dark, redhead, blondes. Little Teddy Bear wants a country boy. I'm 37, 5'7, 155 lbs ., hairy, HIV-. No drugs, games, bar types. Photo to M. Barrett , 6244 Corson Ave. So., Seattle WA 98108-3442. ' BUYING FOREIGN/USA stamp collections / accumulations. Professional appraisal /offer; excellentreferences; Rob Gesell, Box 8248, Ann Arbor MI 48107. (313)662-5460. 2/95 IS. Y_OUR CHURCH welcoming and affirmmg to lesbians and gay men? _ I'd like to know. l 1m compiling a national list. Please write to Ken Lewis, Box 1452, Laguna Beach. CA 92651. 4/95 "AIDS AWARENESS" stamp pins. $3.50. Quality made of solid brass. Proceeds benefit PWAs. Volume discounts. Eastern Maine AIDS Network, P.O. Box 2038, Bangor, ME 04402. . CREMATION URNS: Int,roducing the Lambda Pride .Um. Celebrate Life with an um that reflects personality and style. Call for free brochure. LifeStyle Urns 1-800-685-URNS. 8/95. . GAY PRIDE FLAGS, Banners, Lapel Pins, Wall Clocks, Tote Bags, Bumper Stickers Wind Socks & More. Free Catalog: tfi~f;te:"i~3s8 (24 hrs. - 7 days.) Retail & LIVE OPERA performances on audio /video casette. lncredibl.e selec tion s ince 1930's, world-wide. (?ver 7400 items . Magnifi~ent free computenzed catalogue. Live Opera, P.O. Box 3141, Steinway Station, Long Island City.NY IH03. 12/95 PIANO FOR SALE. Wanted: a responsible person to take on a low monthly payment on a beautiful console piano, no money down. Call toll free: 1-800-533-7953 . 6195 REV. N. A. LLOY_D, C.M., spiritu al medium and ad visor. Sp1ntual counsel ino. Call ( 5 I 6)736-1058 . P ATTENTION CHRISTIAN songwriters: I will typeset your manuscript music. $20 first page, $2 each additional stave. For info write: Eric Bicknell, 23244 Almira, Southfield. Ml 48034. 4195 RETREATS FOR GAY monks focusing on copmg techniques in repressive communities at. Saint Benedict _Monastery. Information wnte: Dan, 1012 Monastery Rd., Snowmass, co 81654. 6/95 IWf@l@l @)© "WHAT THE BIBLE Says and .Doesn't Say About H~mosei~ality 11 by Rev. Nancy Hor~ath. ~rofess10nally produced, studio quality videotape or audiocassettes in attractive package. Well researched, uplifhng perspective from UFMCC minister. Excellent ad_dition -. to · personal library. Wonderful gift. Video: ,$34.95. Audio: $24.95. Plus $3.95 P&H per order. Credit card orders: 800-370-7483. Or mail payment to H&B Video, JDVMCC, P.O. Box . 64996 Baton Rouge LA 70896. WARNING REGARDING PRISON CORRESPONDENCE: While most priso11ers seekrng correspondence are genuine in their intent, some are not. Readers are ·cautioned to protect themselves from scams: 1. Do not . send· checks or money orders to prisoners and do not cash checks or money ord~rs from prisoners. PersOns · cashing altefed checks or money orders are respo11sible for the difjere11ce betwee11 the issue amount and the altered amount. 2. Do not reveal pe rsonal information about you rself that would be hannful to you if passed on to employer, family or others. ARE YOU MOVING? The Post Office will not forward The Second Stone. You must notify us for uninterrupted service if you move. Please notify us four weeks in advance for uninterrupted deliyery . Send both old and new addre_sses. H possible attach mailing label in space provided PRINT .NEW ADDRESS u, n ~ z p· ~ ~ Send completed form to: THES ECONDS TONE Box8340 NewO rleansL, A 70182 JANU A RY/FEBRUARY 1995 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 Second Stone #38 - Jan/Feb 1995 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/6219e3c0fc5a6cdaf3f2f22788ac8a88.pdf d57e5c721f4758a488ef746e48dc4a0f 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 Second Stone Description An account of the resource Issues of the Second Stone publication. Issue An issue of a recurring publication. Issue Number The number of the issue (within a volume) 39 Publication Year The year the issue was published 1995 Publication Date The date the issue was published Mar/Apr 1995 Text Any textual data included in the document . • • THE NATIONAL NEWSPAPER FOR GAY/LESBIAN/BISEXUAL CHRISTIANS 2.95 SUBS CRIBE NOW • ONE YEAR ONLY $17 • Box 8340 . New Orleans . LA 70182 P.O.Box 8340 New Orleans, LA 70182 ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED TIME DA TED MATERIAL DONOTDELAY BULK RATE U.S.POSTAGE PAID NEW ORLEANS, LA PERMIT No. 511 Paul Delph HE'S PUTTING HIS FAITH IN 'A GOD THAT CAN DANCE.' HIS NEW CD CHRONICLES HIS OWN ODYSSEY THROUGH AIDS. Mary Fishe r THE ONLY TIME THE WORD 'GAY' WAS MENTIONED . IN AN AFFIRMING WAY AT THE 1992 REPUBLICAN CONV ENTION, SHE SPOKE IT. SHE'S A WOMAN WITH A MESSAGE. David Shull & Peter Ilgenfritz SELDOM HAS A NEW JOB STIRRED THAT M UCH ATTENTION! NOW EVERYTHING'S 'SUPER' FOR THIS GA Y COUPLE. Remembering Kevin Calegari AIDS C LAIMS FORMER DIGNITY /USA PRESIDENT Henry Finch GAY BAPTIST PASTOR DIDN'T KEEP SECRETS Calendar· ..... .................. , ............. . Brothers Together vacation MARCH 4-11, Brothers Together sponsors its second annual Brothers in Paradise vacation/retreat for gay men on St. John in the Virgin Islands. This organization was started in 1991 by a group of friends who felt their gay community was lacking something personal and spiritual and that it too often left people feeling alone and unfulfilled . Since then, over 500 men have attended the group's events. Single cost for this event is $1,299. For information contact Brothers Together, 115 Newbury St., #304, Boston, MA 02116-2935 or call 1-800-462-9962. . . Midwest PLGC Conference MARCH 10-12, Presbyterians for Lesbians and Gay Concerns sponsors its mid-winter midwest gathering at Stronghold Conference Center near Oregon, Illinois. For information call Sue Jones, (608)244-4820. · Spirituality Retreat for People Living With HIV/AIDS MARCH 10-12, St. Camillus AIDS Ministry presents "Embracing the Mystery: HIV/AIDS and the Spiritual Life." This retreat experience has been designed to help participants to .re-frame their often negative experiences of living with HIV . For information contact Bro. Stephen Braddock, (414)481-3696. Clergy, Women and Men Religious and HIV/AIDS MARCH 24-28, The National Catholic AIDS Network sponsors this conference for religious personnel on HIV/AIDS at the Kenrick Conference Center in St. Louis, Missouri. The mission of the network includes a call to assist Catholic _ leaders and congregations in responding to the impact of HIV/AIDS as well as to support theological reflection and dialogue relating to the pandemic. For information contact the National Catholic AIDS Network, P.O. Box 422984, San Francisco, CA 94142-2984, (707)874-3031, FAX (707)874-1433. Joie de Vivre MCC Health Fair APRIL 1, Joie de Vivre MCC in Baton Rouge, La., sponsors a free community health fair at the Uniting Car:npus Ministry building in Baton Rouge. Rfteen seminars .and over 25 exhibits are offered. For information call (504)383-0450. Affirmation National Gathering .. APRIL 21-23, Affirmation: United Methodists promises a challenging keynote, workshops, mutual support and sharing, festival worship anl! a Texas-st:;de banquet alits 20th anniversary gathering to be held in Dallas. For information contact .Affirmation, P.O. Box 1021, Evanston, IL 60204. Communication Ministry Convocation APRIL 27-30, Convocation is a national gathering of Catholic priests, brothers and nuns. Last year, just over 100 gay and bisexual priests and brothers and lesbian sisters, and friends, met in . Orlando to explore "The Goodness of Being Gay." For many participants, it was the first time they had ever been able to be so open about their sexuality and to experience an empowering atmosphere of acceptance : The .theme of this year's gathering is "New Expressions of Being Gay or Lesbian in the Catholic Church : Our Myths and Our Stories.• Presenters include Patricia O'Donnell and Richard Woods. The convocation will be held at the Radisson Inn at the Greater Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport. For information on this conference write to CMI, P.O. Box 60125, Chicago, IL 60660-0125. . National More Light Churches Conf ere nee APRIL _ 28-30, The 11th Annual More Light Churches Network Conference will be held in Baltimore, Maryland at Rrst and Franklin Street Presbyterian Church. For information contact Presbyterians for Lesbian and Gay Concerns, P.O . Box 38, New Brunswick, NJ 08903-0038. . .. Retreat for HIV-positive religious and clergy MAY 8-12, The Marianist Center in Cupertino, California, is the setting for a five day retreat for religious and clergy who are HIV-positive . For information con· tact John McGtann, Kairos Support for Caregivers, 114 Douglass, San Francisco, CA 94114, (415)861-0877. Spiritfest '95 MAY 26-29, DeGray Lake Resort and State Park in Arkansas is the setting for this annual spirit-filled gathering. For information contact Linda Harris, 5029 Lemmon Ave., Dallas, TX 75209, (214)528-2811. Religious life Weekend JUNE 1-4, The Mercy of God Community sponsors its fourth annual Religious Life Weekend for those considering religious life. The LaSalette Center for Christian Living, Attleboro, Mass., is the setting . For information contact the Mercy of God Community, P.O. Box 41055, Providence, RI 02940-1055. · SEE CALENDAR, Page 17 SECOND STONE - THE NATIONAL ECUMENICAL CHRISTIAN NEWSJOURNAL FOR LESBIANS , GAYS AND BISEXUALS Contents W Calendar Opportunities for connectedness across the country []}•w• 1 ,.-6 ··1 An interview with Mary Fisher On her mission to educate about AIDS ~ -J 1 1 7~ Remembering Kevin Calegari .. ___ i AIDS claims former Dignity/USA president 1.·fl I 8 Pastors David Shull & Peter llgenfritz New UCC job is going 'super' for gay couple I I L _ _ _ !II ]0 l Where can you find angels in America? Essay by American Baptists Concerned leader Rick Mixon . [II] Gay Baptist pastor didn't keep secrets It wasn't Henry Rnch's style . . . 112 ! A pioneer: Rev. Sarah Flynn I I 7' I Transsexual minister has home ~ in both UMC arid ECC ! ~ I Eve's Daughers: stories of , 1:--:::-7Videos · . l .. -~ triumph and resurrection [HJ In Print Reviewed in this issue: The Word is Out, by Chris Glaser and . Homosexuality in the Church, edited by Jeffrey Siker il[fil Music Paul Delph puts his faith in a God that can dance 1·:17] ~oteworthy ~-18 I Commentary i Vatic11n abuses its authority I t 91 From the edttor j· 20 I Classifieds MARCH/APRIL 1995 News ••••••••••••••••••••••••• 8 ••••••••• Mel White arrested, fasts in prison REV. MEL-WHITE WAS arrested Feb. 15 at .the Christian Broadcasting Network's headquarters in Virginia Beach, Vir., while asking CBN to condemn hate crimes against gay and lesbian· Americans. He was charged with trespassing at an institution of higher learning, and arraignment was set for March 28. White is now fasting in prision while awaiting CBN founder Pat Robertson's agreement to take a stand against the suffering of innocent Americans who are targeted in hate crimes. · White is Natio nal Minister of Justice for the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches. Before coming out as a gay man, White was a ghost writer for many leaders in the radical religious right , including Robertson, for whom he wrote America's Date with Destiny. On Feb. JS CBN spokesperson Gene Kapp accepted a letter from White to Robertson, which said, "Let me summ .arize our simple request. First acknowledge the · growing number of hate crimes against gay and lesbian Americans. Second, condemn those hate crimes and , the people who incite or commit them." Robertson has ignored · White's request for a meeting for 20 months. Kapp then requested that White leave with his interdenomination delegation of a dozen community and Christian leaders. White replied, "As an act of civil disobedience in the 'name of Christ I choose to stay."· He was then arrested, placed in handcuffs ancl removed from the property by police. · Rev. Troy Perry, founder and moderator of the Universal Fellow ship of Metropolitan Community Churches, expressed strong support for Rev. White. "It is a shame that the head of the fifth-largest television network in America has refused to condemn violence against Americans who, only because of their sexual orientation, are murdered, fired from their jobs, abandoned by their families, and deprived of the rights guaranteed to them by the Constitu tion," Perry said. Supporters continue to return to the CBN property daily for prayer vigils. Lutheran bishop gives nod to gay pastor A BISHOP OF THE Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has decided to let parishioners at St. Paul Lutheran Church in ·Oakland , Calif. ke.ep th eir pastor, who is gay. The congregation, which had defied a previous order to fire Ross D. Merkel, learned of the decision Jan. 15. "We're very glad J1e's staying and sμpporrhim in whatever he does," said Donna Noel, 46, who had been attending the Oakland parish for 35 years. Noel said the congregation had lost some people because of the controversy, but most have stayed. In February, the Sierra Pacific Synod of the ELCA defrocked Merkel. A disciplinary body ruled he was if1volved in a relationship with another man. The church allows gay and lesbian clergy, but only so long as they are not sexually active. The synod's most recent ruling stops Merkel from appointing people to any vacancies at 18 ·churches in Alameda and Oakland, but left him in charge of the Oakland congregati'pn. : In a letter sent to 220 congregations . in . northern California and m;irthern SECOND STONE Nevada, Bishop Robert Mattheis wrote that his options were to either remove the congregation from church rolls or reverse the defrocking. But he said he chose neither because he recognized that "truth is not captive to any ideological position, but is discovered as people of faith come together in prayer and mutual affirmation to seek the path of faithfulness." Said Lutherans Concerned Program . Executive Bob Gibeling, "I say give him a cheer for good stewardship and wise administration . He has obviously worked hard at coming up with a solution that keeps the ELCA from getting more .· involved, lets Ross Merkel stay and doesn't violate any ELCA rules." According to Gibeling, there are members of the ELCA who . are not happy about the move <!nd will introduce a constitutional amendment at the churchwide assembly in Minneapolis this summer to prohibit such a move in the future. - Associated Press and staff i·eports • EQUAL RI I E ~ tesD1on and Goy Woiship. NEW TITLES Equal Rites Lesbian and Gay Worship, Ceremonies, and Celebrations Kittredge Cherry and Zalmon Sherwood, editors Paper $14.99 January EqUAI Rites is a much-needed collection of worship services, ceremonies, and celebrations that is attuned to the unigue needs of sexual minorities. The selections, written primarily by lesbians and · gay men, include rites of spiritual beginnings, healing, blessings, holy communion, and pride and empowerment. Also included are funeral and memorial services, seasonal and holiday rites, and covenant rites for couples. More than a collection, Equal Rites can also serve as a reference book for creating unique and meaningful worship services that address significant aspects of lesbian and gay spirituality. Contributors include Malcolm Boyd, Chris Glaser, Carter Heyward, Diann L. Neu, and Troy 0. Perry. Ceremo111es and Ce!eb1ct1ofls K1llredgeOeroyl Zolman She1wood e<11lors "It is time and past time for Equal Rites. This remarkable collection of liturgies demonstrates the spiritual courage, liturgical creativity, and rich diversity the churches are denying themselves in denying lesbian and gay Christians a voice. What a gift!" - Marjorie PIOctor-Smithl'erkins .SC/rool of Thenlog,; Know My Name A Gay Liberation. Theology Richard Cleaver Paper $15.99 April The place of gay men and women in the community of faith has become one·of the most divisive debates in the church today. Roman Catholic writer and activist Richard Cleaver takes a fresh approach to this issue by examining the struggles of gay men and lesbians in the church, specifically the Roman Catholic Church, through the lens of liberation theology. He offers not simply a "gay" reading of scripture, however, but one that is spiritually challenging. Coming Out to God Prayers for Lesbians and Gay Men, Their Families and Friends · Chris Glaser Paper $9.99 Now available "A wonderful collection of compassionate prayers." - The Other Side "Here is a collection of prayers through which bisexual, lesbian and gay persons, as well as their !o,·ed ones, may voice their questions and issues to God." - Friends fonri,al "Chris Glaser, in his exquisite little devotional book Coming Out to God, gil'es us the tools we need to learn to talk to God on !e,1e!s that go beyond the mundane ... Co111i11g 011! lo God is a book that e,·ery person who celebrates spirituality, and e,·ery person who fears spirituality, needs to meet." - Lambda Book Report "The intimacy we seek with the di\'ine is made even more possible.by means of compelling de\'Otional books such as Coming 011! lo God .. " - Tlte Disciple mml WESTMINSTER mm J~t~~!f£~ !!~t~ltee I-800-672-178 100 Witherspoon Streer, Louisville, KY 40202-1396 MARCH/APRIL 1 995 Subscribe Today. AN D Y O U1 L L N E V E R WITHOUT A FRIEND YOUR JOURNEY. BE FOR Second Stone T h e N a t i o n a I G a y a n d L e s b i a n· Chr i stian Newsjournal .···:YES·t·········~·························;···· Begin my subscription to SECOND STONE for: [ :1 One year (6 Issues) $17.00 [ ] Two years (12 Issues) $28.00 [ ] Three years (18 Issues) $39.00 NAME ADDRESS CITY/STATE/ZIP CODE CHECK HERE ( J If a plain envelope Is required and add $2.00 per year . Allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of you r first Issue. International subscribers add $10.00 per yea r, U.S. currency. Mail To: SECOND STONE, Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 THANK YOU for your subscriptio n support! SECOND STONE V News ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••c~ , Congress may hold hearings on "gay agenda" · AT A RECENT TOWN meeting in Kennesaw, Georgia, Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich confirmed to Cathy Woolard, Human Rights Campaign Fund Deputy Director of Public Policy, that he has indeed promised radical right leader Lou Sheldon that he will probably hold hearings on "the gay agenda" and gay-related school curricula sometime in August, once the budget proceeds through Congress. The radical right agenda on the hearings is being pressed by Rev. Lou Sheldon, who is known for advocating the confinement of HIV-positive people . in concentration camps. He has mobilized boycotts and campaigns against any positive portrayals of Lesbians and Gays in the media. He was also behind legislation that sought to impose federal control on schools with programs that address lesbian and gay concerns, According to the HRCF, the radical right may use these hearings to promote negative images of gay, lesbian and bisex .ual Americans, and to advance legislation that will single out gay youth for discrimination in public schools, where they already face intolerance and harassment. The HRCF encourages all concerned to write to Gingrich and "encourage him to advocate for tolerance, not persecution, and not lo be swayed from that stance by extremists on the right who intend to distract Congress from America's real concerns." The address is: The Honorable Newt Gingrich, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC 20515. Expanding Alabama MCC faces bad neighbors THE METRO POLIT AN Community Church of Huntsville, Ala. is small, with an average Sunday attendance of about 30 . No one paid any attention during its first seven years as members met in a rustic lodge and a downtown office building . But the church has been subjected to scattered protests since "it opened its $140,000 worship center behind the public library about five months ago. The minister of a nearby congregation erected a sign stating "Homo- . sexuality is a sin," and several neighbors scrawled derisive messages on posters. · · A small group of antagonists confronted several members recently following a holy union ceremony. 'They came over here and were saying things like, 'We'd better go ahead and sell because our property values are going to drop,"' said church member Mancil Self, 37. Pastor Daniel Whitworth, who put up the anti-gay sign outside his Fanning Heights Church of Christ, said the MCC is guilty of blasphemy for teaching homosexuality is not a sin . 'Tam firmly convinced that the Bible teaches that homosexuality is wrong. If it's not, then God owes the .people of Sodom and Gomorrah an apology," Whitworth said. The Huntsville church had few problems until members decided to put their faith into action by launching a building program. For years, Self said, members met in a mountain lodge. More recently they gathered weekly in a downtown building where several rooms had been converted into a church. Now that the new building is finished, things are looking up despite the protests . One local company even donated a flag bearing a cross and a colorful rainbow. "It's made us feel really good," said Self. - Associated Press Lesbian Avengers 'bug' office of Exodus International SAN RAFAEL, Calif - A dozen lesbian activists "bugged" the offices of Exodus International on Feb. 8 - using real bugs . Members, of the Lesbian Avengers released hundreds of live crickets in the ministry's front office, chanted slogans condemning Exodus International, and held up signs urging God lo send a plague on the ministry. Bob Davies, executive director of Exodus International, said, 'This incident is another confirmation that many Gays . are not interested in tolerance and diversity." Davies warned that the incident was "a foretaste of things to come for all members of the conservative church. The Jines lll'e being drawn. Those who condemn sin will experience increasing hostility in the days ahead." Exodus International is a ministry which teaches that homosexuals can find freedom from the gay lifestyle. -EP MARC H / APR I L 9 9 5 W News W ................................... Did gay weddings, says new ELCA bishop LOS ANGELES - A Lutheran minister recently installed as bishop of 150 congregations said he performed three gay weddings despite the denomination's edict against such ceremonies. Paul Egertson, 59, said the same-gender rites he held at a North Hollywood church "were done with dignity and reverence, not as publicity stunts to change peoples' minds." Egertson added that ten other Lutheran pastors and four bishops in Southern California conduct weddinglike rites for Gays and Lesbians. But he acknowledged that the services violate the official position of the Chicago-based Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Historic church picks lesbian pastor NEWPORT, R.I. - Progressive p·olitics are a 300-year tradition at the Newport Congregational Church, home of one of the first ministers to denounce slaver.y and a parishioner who signed the Declaration of Independence. , Nonetheless, church leaders hesitated last year when deciding whether to hire an openly lesbian pastor. The question came with the Rev. Lark d'Helen, a 43-year-old Californian chosen last fall as the favorite among 59 candidates to lead the church. But the church's 57 members ultimately decided to live up to the church's stated policy "to be open and affirming to all people regardless of ~heir sexual orientation," said Carl Beckman, a member of the selection committee. d 'Helen is thought to be the first openly gay minister in the state. -Dallas Voice New Life MCC 'se.lls troubled property MATTHEWS, N.C. - Members of New Life MCC have voted to sell the building that made them the target of a neighborhood's anti-gay crusade over a year and a half ago. · At a special congregational meeting held late last year, it was decided that the -church's best interest would be served by selling its facility to the adjoining property owner for $75,000. Darst said that the Board of IJirector's decision to support the sale was a difficult one to make. Some were concerned that selling would be akin to "giving,._in" to the campaign of hate or that Charlotte's gay community would misconstrue the move as a retreat. "We didn't know how people would take it; we didn't · want to be _seen as having sold out to the bigots." Because of the upheaval and hatred the church had been subjected to, attendance was in the midst of a dedine when the purchase offer came in. Spirits were raised considerably when the initial bid was revealed to be $72,000, because the building had been bought for $55,000. · At the special congregational meeting, members voted to ask for $74,000. A board representative then re-negotiated with the proposed purchaser and was eventually able to wrangle an even better price of $75,000. · When all the costs for acquiring the property were tabulated, New Life had invested approximately $67,000 in its space. New Life's building fund now stands at almost $44,000 and Rev. Darst says that the church will continue looking for a home of its own. - Q Notes, David Stout Latvian church excommunicates Gays LATVIA'S EV ANGELICAL Lutheran Church, the nation's largest, has excommunicated all sexually active Gays, reports the International Lesbian and .Gay Association Bulletin. The governing body ruled: "Persons who deliberately practice -homosexuality and have chosen it as their way of life shall not be allowed to fulfill any responsibilities during parish services or within the church hierarchy. They shall also be separated SECOND STONE from the Eucharistic community while the Evangelical principle 'Repent your sins and bring forth the fruits of your repentance' remains unfulfilled." Gays responded with a protest outside church headquarters, organized by the Latvian Association for Sexual Equality. The demonstration was well-received by passers-by and reported on televison. - Chicago Outlines - HOMOSEXUAtITYIN THE CHURCH: Both Sides of the Debate Homosexuali'1 in the Church Outstanding authorities on scripture, tradition, reason, biology, ethics, and gendered experience discuss the place of Gays and Lesbians in the community of faith. This Quan. ,,H, ,ys S,~••,• •Ma, book will provoke discussion in congregations, study groups, and ethics and social justice issues. Edited by Jeffrey S, Siker. Associate Professor of New Testament at Loyola Marymoullt University, Los Angeles. Order now from Second Stone Press □ HOMOSEXUALITY IN THE CHURCH . Edit!MI by Jeffrey S. Siker, $14.99, paperbk ___ _ Postage/Handling $3.00 first book, $1.00 ea. additional ----- TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED --~-- NAME _______________________ _ ADDRESS ____________________ _ CITY/STATE/ZIP ___________________ _ ORDER FROM: SECOND STONE PRESS, P.O. BOX 8340, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70182 New books available from Second Stone! Is the Homosexual My Neighbor? Revised and Updated, by Letha Dawson Scanzoni and Virginia Ramey Mollenkott, $11.00, paper The Word Is Out The Bible Reclaimed for Lesbians and Gay Men, by Chris Glaser, $12.00, paper Jesus Acted Up A Gay and Lesbian Manifesto, by Robert Goss $14 .00, paper Family A Portrait of Gay and Lesbian America, by photographer Nancy Andrews, $25.00, paper Order now from Second Stone Press Quan. Titte 'D Postage/Handling $3 first book, $1 each additional ____ _ TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED----- NAME _____________________ _ ADDRESS---'-------------------- CITY/STATE/ZIP ___________________ _ ORDER FROM: SECOND STONE PRESS, P.O. BOX 8340. NEW ORLEANS, LA 70182 MARCH/APRIL 1995 Thi, peti>e blood, womm wi<h a delightful demeanor and open smile seems like an unlikely candidate to bring the reality of HIV- home to millions of Americans who thought they could never be touched by the disease - but . that is exactly what Mary Fisher did. On August 19, 1992, Mary addressed the Republican National Convention, speaking to thousands of delegates in Houston and millions of viewers across the country. In her 13-minute speech, Mary eloquently sounded a wake-up· call which could not be silenced . "I represent the AIDS community ... Though I am female; and contracted this disease in marrfage, and enjoy the warm support of my family, I am one with the lonely gay man sheltering a flickering candle from the cold wind of his family's rejection. To all within the sound of my voice, I appeal: Learn with me the lesson of history and of grace, so my children will not be afraid to say the word AIDS when I am gone." The famous · speech was only a beginning for Mary Fisher. Since that time she has traveled -across the country, pleading· for compassion for people living with HIV and alerting the untouched to the eminent danger of the disease: She has also published a compilation of her speeches, Sleep Willi tlze Angels: A Motlier Challenges AIDS (Moyer-Bell, 1994) and started the Family AIDS Network, a nonprofit organization based in Washington, DC which is dedicated to increasing awareness, comp,ission and resources with which to fight the HIV/ AIDS epic!emic in America. Mary granted this interview when she was in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to give a series of speeches, before she returned home to her two boys, Max, six, and Zachary, four. Cheryl Johnston: In your book you wrote that from April, 1992 to June, 1993 you visited more than 50 communities to increase awareness of AIDS. Has you pace continued this past year? Mary Fisher: The amount I've traveled has varied with my ability to fulfill the requests. And this past year, between my husband passing away, and moving- from Florida to the Washington, DC area, I have definitely needed some personal time. I'd say I've visited about 50 cities again, which might mean 100 or 150 different speeches. rm giving four while I'm here in Pittsburgh . S E C O N D s· T O N · E A Messenger An interview with Mary Fisher BY CHERYL JOHNSTON CJ: Why do you do it? MF: My mission is to go around the country and raise awareness, to create bridges bet~een communities within a city, whether it be the medical community or the political community, corporate community or the AIDS community . It's to broaclen the base of this epidemic to includ_e those who have not been_personally touched. CJ: You've said in many of your speeches that you're a messenger - not a victim of AIDS. How can others living with HIV, many of whom have recently been diagnosed, keep themselves from being victims? MF: That's a good question, because I believe very strongly that a good spiritual base can help one from becoming a victim . Being a mes- 0 senger is not for everyone and I understand that. I encouragi people to speak out if they feel comfortable. But one of the reasons I travel around the country is to try to help communities become compassionate enough to open their arms to make it safe for people to talk. I believe that people who are newly diagnosed need to .give themselves a break .. They need to ask for help, get support. And I don't think that the support, in the beginning, always comes from the places where it has come in the past. I think that the people who love us very much go through their own process of grief about this disease so sometimes they can't give us the support we want. We need to ask for and seek that support outside of our normal circle until our loved ones can catch up in the process. And so, instead of feeling abandoned, we c an turn to others in the AIDS community who are willing to be ·there when .others need them. Being with people like that, with giving hearts who want to help, is a good place to be in the beginning because those people understand. They have been there before, they may be facing it themselves. After we ask for help, we can find the support that will take us to the next level. I think we have to come to acceptance somewhere down the line to gain the ability lo cope with this disease. For me, I have my children. They give me streng .th . I go on and they .are my day-to-day reminders that life is regular and life is normal. I also find that doing what I do keeps me very active and feeling productive. I don't know if I can tell others how not to be a victim . To me, victims are · helpless . I'm not helpless. I'm not hopeless. And so, I am able to take care of myself and my children. That takes me out of the vidiin category. CJ:· Are you ever able · to leave the reality of HIV behind you? MF: If I can think of the bigger picture, I don't dwell on_H1V. Again, my boys help me with that. They · don't understand HIV. What's important to them is what movie to watch, what they want to eat. It's very important- for me to be where they are and that keeps me grounded in today. . CJ: Some people in the AIDS community <1:riticized you 'when you spoke at the Republican convention. They said that the Federal government had not done enough for the AIDS cause and that you were gi_ving the Bush administration an endorsement by giving the speech. What was your response? . · MF: I think the AIDS community reacted one way before I spoke and one way after I spoke, which is fine. I never thought of the speech as a political issue but President Bush wanted m~ to speak at the Convention. Give me an audience of that many millions of people to talk about this disease and I don't care where it is. I try to speak to the people who don't think that AIDS is their problem, who don't understand the necessity of r_esponding. CJ: Do you feel that any administra- SEE MESSENGER, Page 17 MARCH/APRIL 1995 Kevin J. Calegari Former president of ·Dignity/' USA dies of AIDS-related complications Kevin J. Calegari, 36, a former , president of Dignity /USA, the nation's largest group of gay, lesbian, and bisexual Roman Catholics, died in San Francisco of AIDS-related complications on February 12. Calegari lived in San Francisco with Tom Kaun, his partner of 11 years . . Calegari, who served · as president of Dignity from 1991 to 1993; was the subject of extensive press coverage in 1992 when he traveled to Rome and nailed a Vatican document on homosexuality to the door of the Vatican office that issued the document. The . event was widely covered in the mainstream press and in gay publications in the United States, as well as in the Italian press. Calegari also participated in a 1993 White House meeting .with senior aides to President . Clinton, along with the leaders of other progressive Catholic organizations. • Under Calegari's leadership, Dignity increased its level of interaction with the other major Catholic reform organizations in the United States and abroad. During Calegari's term of office, Dignity joined the Leadership Conference for Catholic Laity, and became a founding member of the Catholic Organizations for Renewal . . In November of 1994," Calegari, along with current Dignity/ USA president Marianne Duddy, accepted the leadership award of Call to Action, the largest and most broadbased Catholic reform group in the United States. At the time pf his death, Calegari was pursuing a Ph.D . in theology at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. A native of San Francisco, he was educated at Catholic schools and graduated from Stanford University in 1980 with a bachelor's degree in classics. He was a Coro Foundation fellow in public affairs, pursuing graduate studies at · Claremont Graduate . School. As a boy, he sang in . the San Francisco Boys Chorus, and later served as a member of its board of directors. He was a director as well of the Dolores Street Community Services Center in San Francisco. · Calegari worked professionally as a development officer, serving as the associate director for development at the Univ ers ity of San Francisco, as well as executive director of the Community Counseling Service Center in San Francisco and Honolulu. Prior to assuming office as president of Dignity, Calegari wrote, "I share .the concern of Yves Congar, who noted 'the inconsistency between what was expected of . the Church (namely, the gospel) and what was concretely · to be fo4nd when one examfoed the same Church.' I hope that whatever gifts I have might be applied to articulating resolutions, or at least, positive means of sustaining the tensions, between the various parts of the Body of Christ. I hope to look at the ways the Church has defined itself, its membership and leadership, and the means it has used to identify and encounter God's revelation in the world. I hope to be "No longer frightened or ashamed, I am learning to confide in God's love and the love of my fellow wrestlers. And after the match is over, I look forward to walking humbly with n1y God, even if it is with a limp." "Under Kevin's leadership, Dignity took on a more active role in the international Church, a role we are continuing to develop," said Dignity/ USA president Marianne Duddy . "His willingness to take a public prophetic stance against Vatican discrimination towards ga)!' people was a real turning point in our movement. As a person, he was totally engaged in life, a passionate and compassionate individual, someone who intuitively understood the connections among various issues. We will miss him deeply." SECOND STONE of service to the Church by demonstrating from its experience creative models both of confrontation and dialogue, as the Church contends with both the 'already' and the 'not yet' of its character.'' In a recent issue of the National Catholic Reporter, Calegari wrote, "My spirituality as a gay man, a Christian and a person living with AIDS for the last seven years has been marked by both conflict and intimacy, filled with passion and ambivalence, anger and inexpressible joy and, above all, driven by a desire for abundant life ... - Kevin Calegari, president of Dignity/USA from 1991 to 1993, returns an antigay document issued by the Vatican by nailing it to the door of a Vatican office in a 1992 protest. "I have wrestled with God, with God's ostensible representatives, with sisters and brothers - often in sweaty, straining, forceful embrace that calls me and those with whom I contend to new identities and new relationships ·. The fight becomes an act of love . This kind of spirituality is not clean and neat, obviously ... "It's a sad commentary on the state · of our Church when the courage and willingness to go to the floor on the issues that count, to speak the truth when it hurts, is. cause for oppression and contempt (see the [Vatican] Congregation for the Doctrine of the . Faith's two -recent documents on homosexuality, 1986 and 1992.) What continues to amaze me is that God's . powerful grace is so palpable precisely where the hierarchy denies it can be. I call it 'the sacrament of irony.' "In all those times of wrestling with the tough issues, with church leaders, with each other, with dis .ease, I have been pinned down and squeezed, touched, massaged, embraced, cuddled and, yes, pleasured by a challenging and ever-loving God. I have been transformed and reconciled. No longer frightened or ashamed, I am learning to confide -in God's love and the love of my fellow wrestlers. And after the match is over, I look forward to walking humbly with my God, even if it is with a limp.'' Kevin is survived by his partner, Tom Kaun; his parents, George and Lorayne Calegari of San Anselmo, California; his sister, Joan Harrington; her husband, Tim, and two nieces and a nephew, all 'of Sonoma, California; and by Janet Cerni, dear friend and confidant, of San Francisco, as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins in the San Francisco Bay area and Tom's parents, brother, and sisters. h th., epirit of 5t. Fraici5 im 5t. Clare, wdre ~ m:tge liuildera aid ~ maker6 to journey with ua ii the footet.eps of Jee;ua Ovist. ~ .;l!f) We are an ecumenical, · inclusive, non-clerical 0!l!o. community of baptized men ~ and women from various · Christian traditions who . ,rl!.O chose to worship and live in li a faith-sharing spirit. -~~ - You may become an Associate or enter the program leading to th.a profession of vows as a ~ religious Brother or Sister. Ask to receive our newsletter, "Foatstsps." t We work in ministries of love, care and reconciliation nationwide. · For more information, please write to: MERCY OF Goo COMMUNITY Att: Vocation Director P. 0. !}ox 41055 Providence RI 02940-1055 MARCH/APR.IL 1995 After the media frenzy New call going 'super' for gay couple BY JIM BAILEY D avid Shull, 35, and Peter Ilgenfritz, 32, were sur, prised with the media attention the gay couple received when they were called last summer to share an associate pastor position at University Congregational United Church of Christ, a 1,200- member Open and Affirming congregation in Seattle, Washington, Now that the dust has settled, Shull says that everything is going "super ." Shull and Ilgenfritz found the job that they had longed for after two years of searching and more than 100 rejection letters. 'This is an extraordinary church and people have been open and welcoming," says Shull. 'There is a real sense that people are interested in getting to know us. It is a very nice time, with lots of excitement and enthusiasm." The new member classes are getting bigger, according to Shull, and there is a larger number of gay and lesbian people coming to church. The church has also called a new senior past9r, Do\1ald MacKenzie,, Jr., who is supportive of the gay couple's call. The response from others in the church community to the gay couple's hiring has been overwhemlingly positive, although one church in a rural part of Washington did remove itself from the United Church of Christ because of the call and other issues. Out from the darkness Paul Sherry, the top official of the United Church of Christ, wrote a letter of support prior to the congregational vote on the call and Rev. Bill Johnson, the first openly gay pastor ordained in the United Church of Christ, was very active in support of the call. The publicity surrounding the hi ring of Shull and Ilgenfritz reached deeply .into many dark closets around the country, and they have been contacted by phone by many ministers who must keep their sexual orienta tion a closely guarded secret. "Closeted gay clergy who are isolated where they are have felt heartened by our experience," says Shull. "It is heartbreaking to see the number of people who are isolated and who feel called to parish ministry. It's good to be in a position where they can contact us . We tell closeted clergy they are not alone and that it's important that they take care of themselves and not be put . in situations where they have to deny who they are." Shull says that he and Ilgenfritz have grown in this experience ,and that they enjoy working together. 'There was the strain on our relationship that would come from any major . transition," he says. "We looked to each other to satisfy all of our needs which had been met by our friends back in Chicago. " The-couple works ·much ·more than their half-time job calls for, says Shull, David Shull, left, and Peter II gen fritz, associate pastors of Unhrersity Congre0 gational United Church of Christ in Seattle. not complaining. They are also involved in the local chapter of the United Church Coalition for Lesbian/ Gay ·concerns and plan to be involved as the Washington/Norths em Idaho conference of the UCC deals with a bill before the Washington State Legislature that would ban gay and lesbian foster and adoptive parents. UCC job ended long search for Shull, llgenfritz David Shull and Peter Ilgenfritz met at Yale Divinity School, graduated in 1987, but remained closeted throughout their schooling and for a time thereafter. As a Presbyterian, Shull knew he could not be ordained if he was open about his sexuality. Ilgenfritz, a member of the UCC, could become ordained but knew his chances of finding a call would be narrowed if he came out. Both found churches - 300 miles apart. Ilgeruritz •Served a United Church of Christ parish in Ithaca, N.Y., and Shull served a Pres_l:,yterian church . in Katlanning, Penn. Soon the distance and the strain of the closet became too oppressive. The couple moved to Chicago, where Shull enrolled in the University of Chicago social work program and Ilgenfritz became founding executive director of Better Existence with HIV. Parish ministry, however, SECOND STONE continued to draw them. Soon they Were applying for positions throughout the United States and in Canada, as a gay couple interested in sharing a pastoral position. · Their search led · them to Seattle, where the search committee, chaired by Julie Davis, had found the couple to be the best qualified applicants among the 50 applications that the 12- member panel reviewed. After nearly a week of meeting hundreds of parishioners and answering a myriad of questions about their philosophy of the church, their calling to the ministry, and , of course, their homosexuality, Ilgenfritz and Shull presented their candidating sermon to a standing-room-only crowd of 800 worshippers on June 12. In the sermon, Ilgenfritz reminded the congregation that fear need not be the final word when a group faces change. Shull completed the sermon, saying that the word should be - "trust." He recalled how St. John of the Cross, a 16th century Spanish monk, was preparing for a journey and asked a man at the gate for a hght to show him the path. The man replied, "Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God . That shall be a better light, and safer than a known way." Although there was strong support for the couple, the vote was not a foregone conclusion. Some members objected to filling the associate pastor position while the church's senior pastorate was empty . Others clearly stated their opposition lo hiring homosexuals. After preaching Ilgenfritz and Shull headed to a friend's home three blocks away, "biting our nails" the whole time, while the congregation debated their fate. "We did not know when we walked out of the church what the vote was going to be," said Shull. But an hour and a half later, the word came. The couple had been hired. Mary Dougherty, a member of the congregation and coordinator of the Washington-North Idaho Chapter of United Church Coalition for Lesbian/ Gay Concerns, was present ·at the vote and described the afternoon . "Six hundred and twenty three people were present - usually less than 200 would come for a meeting. The fears were aired and the praise was heaped. I was so scared." To assuage some parishioners' fears of losing members, and their contributions, a married man in his 40s with children walked up to the associate pastor and handed her a check for $10,000. At one point during the ·open mike discussion, an unassuming 73-year 0old woman walked up to the front of the sanctuary, looked out over the congrega- SEE GAY PASTORS, Next Page MARCH/ AP81L l 9 9 5 GAY PASTORS, FromPage8 tion, and proceeded to come out as a lesbian . David Bivins voted against hiring the couple. "I'm not a born-again Christian," Bivins said , "but from what I've been brought up to believe, the Bible says it's wrong." Charlotte Taylor also voted against.the two. 0'The change is too radical," she said. But Ilgenfritz and Shull had support in high places. Paul Sherry, president of church headquarters in Cleveland, sent a letter pronouncing the couple "outstanding candidates." Ministers of 18 Seattle-area' UCCs sent letters reminding the church of its "heritage of leadership in ·opening new doors." Minister Emeritus Dale Turner also urged the church to hire the two. 'The eyes of not only Christians, but of society as a whole are waiting to see what we will do. I feel that the integrity of our church is at stake." UnivNsity Congregational Church member Shirley Morrision agreed. She said she had not been active in recent years because she didn't feel the church took strong enough stands. But she said Ilgenfritz and Shull are just what the church needs. "I think they're the most outstanding human beings I've met for some time," she said. · "Almost two hours later we got the tally," said · Dougherty. "'-'Over 75 percent affirming their call. Peter and David came lo-spej1k, so excited, so gracious, so eager to help those 24 percent who couldn't vote yes.- The Coalition folks got together to hug and err, and tell how hard it had been ... . When Ilgenfritz and Shull walked back to the sanctuary that afteroon, the congregation was standing, applauding their .new ministers. · But for two ordained pastors who chose to leave . their parishes rather than remain in the closet, many people felt it was the members of the church who deserved the standing ·ovation. "It was the most incredible experience I'd ever had in my life," Shull said. And Ilgenfritz: "It was an utterly holy moment." To Rev. Bob Fitzgerald, assistant minister of University UCC, the pair "rose to the top' 1 out of the 50 applicants from across the country. "From the beginning, Peter and Dave in their profile; in their letters and in conversations with people here were openly gay,' '. said Fitzgerald . "All · issues were on the table from the very beginning." Although the congregation voted several years ago; by more than 80 percent, to become an Open and Affirming Church, hiring an openly gay couple to be their associate pas. tors was a different step altogether. "Welcoming Gays and . Lesbians in the pews is one thing, asking them to preach from the pulpit is quite another," Ilgenfritz said. "For a prominent chureh in a large city in the country to say we will ... stand up and say that Christianity embraces homosexuality as part of God's plan is amazing," Shull said . . "And we will not only say that on paper, but give a foundation to that by calling [openly gay) clergy." Shull and Ilgenfritz admitted !hat they were . overwhelmed at the call becoming a reality. They had ·prepared themselves for the real possibility that it may very well not happen in their lifetime. But the rage and pain of all the letters of rejection are behind th,em, and all the Reople who told ·them they'd never get a church have been proven wrong . "Certainly 24 percent . of the church didn't think it was a good idea,'' Ilgenftitz said. "But there was such energy ... this is the kind of church we want to belong to." · On July 23, just before their move to Seattle, Shull , and Ilgenfritz were united in holy union at St. Paul's United Church of Christ on Chicago's North Side by the Rev . Randy Deckwerth, associate minister. Compiled from Waves, Seattle Times, Bay Area Reporter, Windy City Times, and tire Seattle Post4ntelligence~ . QUOTABLE "Homosexuals will go before us to tlie kingdom of God." -Dismissed Catholic bishop Jacques Gaillot, . -in a 1989 interview in Gai Pied SECOND STONE - 'Ecumenica{ Catfio{ic Cfiurcfi welcomes men and women, married, single, gay or straight to the priesthood or religious life. Nicene Creed theology, Vatican II liturgy, apostolic succession, socially liberal. Growing national church represented in 17 states also needs lay leaders and donations to spread Christ's inclusive message. For more infonnation, contact Fr. Denis Martel 3824 Eastview Drive Harvey, LA 70058 (504)341-1880 (voice) (504)341-2208 (fax) CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE: Helping Christians Debate Homosexuality Few .other issues divide the Christian community more sharply than homosexuality. In this hew volume, writers with divergent points of view deal with questions at the . center of the debate between pro-gay and anti-gay believers. Edited by Sally B. Geis, director, Iliff Institute, Lay a11d Clergy Educatio11; The Iliff School of Theology, De11ver, and · Do11ald E. Messer , presideltl;-'Phe -Ilijf-'- ~ School of Theology. Order now from Second Stone Press Quan. □ CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE By Geis/Messef, $12.95, paperbk -~-- Postage/Handling $3 first book, $1 each additional ____ _ TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED ----- NAME--------~~------------ ADDRESS ____________________ _ CITY/STATE/ZIP _____ ~-----~-------- ORDER FROM: SECOND STONE PRESS, P.O. BOX 8340, NEW ORLEANS, LA70182 MARCH / AP R I.L 1 9 9 5 . \ ,, I I .went into a bookstore the other day in search of a copy of the play, "Angels in America" and was surprised to find a number of new books on angels. I did not expect angels to be such a popular subject. Such an interest might be indicative of a loss of spiritual connection in our times. There might actually be people among us hungry for spiritual food and eager for angelic visitations. In Genesis 19:1-11, the city of Sodom received such a visit. If the people of Sodom had known what these angels were up to, I wonder if . they would have behaved differently. This section of scripture is really only part of the story. To begin with, Yahweh appears to Abraham at 75 years of age, calling him to leave his happy home to journey to a distant, unknown land with the promise that "I will make of you a great nation, and , will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing" (Gen 12:2). Abraham, in an amazing act of faithfulness, answers God's call. With his wife, Sarah and his nephew, Lot, and their families and belongings, they jourJtey off in search of a promised land. . Yahweh proves equally faithful and they find this promised land. After a while, though, we find Abraham and Lot wrangling over the · tand for it · "could not support both of them living together, for their possessions were so great ... " (Gen 13:6). The herds of livestock were too large and there was strife among the herders. They decided to split up . . Abraham, being a generous person, gave Lot first choice. After looking around, Lot, being just slightly greedy, "saw that the plain of the Jordan was well watered everywhere" (Genl3:10), and scurried off to pitch his tent near Sodom in the middle of the plain. Some time goes by and Abraham is sitting in front of his tent in the heat of the day when three strangers happen along. · Abral1am does what any decent person would do. He · offers them his hospitality. The strangers turn out to be Yahweh and two angels on their way to Sodom. The people of Sodom had a reputation for wickedness and word had gotten back to Yahweh that they were, in fact, "great sinners against [Yahweh]" (Gen. 13:13). If this is so, Yahweh has some unpleasant consequences in store for them - like total destruction of the city, and its wicked neighbor, Gomorrah, as well. Yahweh, acting SECOND STONE Where can you find ANGELSin AMERICA? BY RICK MIXON perhaps too generously, lets Abraham in on his mission, and before Yahweh knows what has hit him, Abraham has drawn him into lengthy negotiations over the salvation of the cities. Eventually, Yahweh and Abraham agree, if ten righteous folk can be found in the city, it will be spared (Gen 18:16-33). In .the mean time the two angels, weary of the wrangling, decide to journey on ' to survey the scene at Sodom. Now in spite of his greedy streak, Lot's a decent fellow, and when the strangers appear in Sodom, he also offers hospitality. (It is important to remember that hospitality · meant life in theseJ'arts in this time. Both the desert an · its people could be deadly hostile to strangers). The folk of Sodom, the men anyway, prove equal to their reputation. Before you know it, they are at Lot's door demanding 'he tum the strangers over to them. Lot refuses, and offers his virgin daughters . instead, demonstrating the cruel difference in the value of men and women in this time and. place. It seems that what the men have in mind is phallic aggression. Their intent is not as much sexual as it is macho. · That is, their intent · is to establish themselves as masters of the strangers through rape . Kenneth Dover, in his book Greek Homosexuality, reminds us that ''human societies at many times and in many regions have subjected strangers, newcomers and , trespassers to homosexual anal Violation as a way of reminding them of their subordinate status ." Only these strangers were in no way subordinate to the men of Sodolll, They were messengers from Yahweh, angels in the midst of the city, and their message was not good news . God was going to destroy the city, not because the men and boys were all gay, but because of their inl10spitality, their arrogant pride in which they were unwilling to share their wealth with the needy, their threat of violence to angelic visitors. One commentator notes that "the 'outcry' against Sodom [which has brought Yahweh onto the scene] is expre&sed [in the text] by a technical legal term ... signifying 'the cry for help which one who suffers great injustice screams.' This is the ·outcry against violence ... voiced by the prophet Jeremiah on behalf of the poor (Jeremiah 22:13-17) and on his own behalf in the oppression he experiences by taking up the cause of the oppressed (Jeremiah 20:8): This recurrent prophetic outcry against violent injustice done by the rich to the poor is based not only · in remembrance of Israel's own bondage/ deliv. erance (Exodus 3) but also in its role as alien and wanderer (Deuteronomy 26:5)." This commentator, Geo.rge Edwards, in his book Gay/Lesbian Liberation: A Biblical Perspective, goes on to argue: 'The reader must put aside pious heterosexual anathemas on private, voluntary, same-sex acts by homosexually predisposed adults. The key [to the Sodom story] is the violent, aggressive abuse of power that had already brought on the city the outcry of 'foul play' (hamas) long before the advent of the divine emissaries in Genesis 19." Another commentator, Old Testament scholar Darrell Lance, in an article in American Baptist Quarterly, entitled 'The Bible and Homosexuality," writes of the prophet Ezekiel's perspectiv.e on Sod9m (Ezekiel 16:48-50: 'The prophet sees between the people of his own time and the men of Sodom as pride, gluttony, conspicuous economic consumption, and failure to aid the poor and the needy." Sodom was a city in deep trouble because it had lost its spiritual connection to the God of all creation They had wandered so far from the reality of their religious need that they were unable to recognize God's _angels when they were standing in the midst of the city. Somehow they had come to think that they ruled the world; that theirwealth entitled them to act like God, deciding who would be in and who would be humiliated, who would live and who would die, without bringing any judgement on their own heads. They were wrong . Whether God destroyed the city or they destroyed it themselves in their wickedness, Sodom was laid waste. There are consequences for violating the -laws of love. And what of us living ·in· our contemporary worlds in 1995. Author and filmmaker Michael Tolkin, who wrote 'The Player" and directed 'The New Age," speaking of Los Angeles says, "I see people grabbing for something to hofd on to. But the spiritual life of the city is so empty, and offers so little, that the help people look for is often as thin as the fortune cookie paper on which the answer to their problems is written." And Vaclav Havel, playwright <).nd president of the new Czech Republic, said in a speech at Stanford that if democracy is to survive the clash of .cultures that has replaced the Cold War as a major threat to peace, it will have to rediscover its own "spiritual dimension.' ' Where are there angels in our midst? Do they visit any more bringing messages of ·doom and destruction, of peace and good will, of teve and. justice? Are they all around and are we just toci blind to see, like the hapless men of Sodom who had become so sure of their ability to run the world that they had lost their spiritual connections? Have we become so alienated from our own spiritual center that we have been left to our own destruction? In his Pulitzer . prize winning play, "Angels in America," Tony Kushner offers powerful images of spiritual connection. The central character of the two . plays which comprise the work is Prior Walter, . a gay man living with AIDS. The obvious angel in the plays descends on wires and proceeds to pontificate obscurely. It tells Prior that he is to be a prophet. But once it has .lured him to heaven, it is revealed that God has run off to San Francisco, that the world is in chaos, and somehow Prior is to be involved in working with the angels to restore order. The hitch is that this order sounds very much like stasis and smells very much like death . Prior bravely refuses the prophetic role and insists on being allowed to live. There is something infinitely precious in saying yes to life with all its messiness. In an ironic, and perhaps unintentional twist of the drama, the character who comes .closest to being an angel, at least in terms of doing the SEE ANGELS, Page 13 MARCH/APRIL 1995 Tl ' Henry Finch Baptist pastor kept n O seer et S :::~,;•.t~!;~::!,.The ntiaSle, Finch's coming out and his death, he kept -in contact with his many friends in the Baptist clturches. "Henry was outgoing," Patrick says. "He never met a stranger. All of his friends, including his straight Baptist friends, were always supportive.'' B_Y JIM BAILEY W ien Henry Finch passed away at age 58 on June 26, 1994, he could have taken • - - some secrets with him : - He could ha:ve been silent about being a gay . pastor in a denomination that preaches vehemently against homosexuality . He could have hidden that he had AIDS from _ people he knew who still believed that AIDS was a punishment from God. But dishonesty wasn't something "that Finch could. tolerate. '. -Finch· was once th!! pastor--0f First Baptist Church of Charleston, Soufh Carolina, the oldest Southern ·Baptist church in Charleston. He studied to be a pastor at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina. He received his first call in 1962 from Salisbury First Baptist Church and from there went on to pastor Baptist diurches in oiher areas of:· North · Carolina; Asheville, Hartsville, and Rock Hill, . where Finclt pastored from 1974 to 1982 at the _ l,500smember Oakland Baptist Churclt. · . ·- "Henry always had a strong faith .... . At times, that's about all he had left." Finch married his wife, Judy, in 1965. The two had met .during his time at Salisbury Baptist Church. Their son Tommy was born in 1966. · Finch was a respected pastor on the fast track in the Southern Baptist Convention. But he was hiding the secret that he .was gay. The dishonesty took a physcial toll. Finch even began having stomach problems. In 1985, while pastoring the First Bapti,st Church in Chadeston, _he gathered up the courage to tell the deacons that he was a gay man. '1n everything · else, I was out front, in the open," Finch said in an Associated Press interview shortly before he died. "But here's one piece of my life that wasn't at all. That'll kill you. You SECOND STONE can -deny something that is a basic part of you only so long." Although telling the truth was a relief - for Finch, his career in the Southern Baptist Convention was crushed . He resigned his pastorship al the Charleston church and entered into a psychiatric hospital for a11 extended period of time. Finch was well liked by his congregation and, although shocked, most church members reacted with understanding and they continued to support him through his ordeal. Members of one of his former congregations were not so supportive. When news of finch's coming out reached Oakland Baptist Church in Rock Hill, some ·members talked about removing his name from the Henry T. Fincl1 Jr. Family Life Building. , H.enry kept hts faith in God through these times, according to his companion for the last .three years of his life, Patrick ·Smith, 24, who still lives in Charlotte. "Henry always had a strong faith," says Patrick. "At times, that's about all he had left." Finch found that he still had friends in the Baptist Church. Upon release from the hospital, - Finch moved to Charlotte, where his friends Bettie Bibrell and Gene Owens helped him get a job. Owens was the pastor of a very liberal church, Myers _ Park Baptist Church, where Finch eventually taught an adult Sunday School ch1ss. Although Owens offered Finch a deaconship at the churclt, he did not accept it, perhaps an indication that Finch never fully reconciled his sexuality with his spirituality. Owens said he didn't care if Finch was gay and he, along with Bibrell, . helped him get a job at the Randolph Clinic in Charlotte, where Finch counseled alcoholics and drug addicts . Finch also became a · leader in the fight · against AIDS. Henry met. Ratrick at a· theatre in Atlanta after a perfot.mance of "Phantom of the Opera.' '. Patrick was just · coming out at the _. ·lime and had, himself, experienced - a confusing ordeal during his late teens. "We hit it off and were together from then on," says Patrick. _ By the time he met Henry, Patrick had lost all respect for religion and the church. He was raised in the Church of God and lived with his church pastor during his last three · For his own reasons Henry was reluctant to tell Patrick when they first met that he was a pastor. Finally he told Patrick he had something he needed to tell him . Patrick laughs as - he recalls Henry's revelation that he was a pastor . "For some reason, that doesn:t surprise me," Patrick told Henry . Patrick later went back to visit his old Church of God pastor to let him know that he had reached a place of reconciliation in his life. Instead of being able to share Patrick's peace,. the deeply closeted pastor could not get beyond his fright · that Patrick would tell others what had happened between them. In Marclt; 1993; Finch found o'ut for sure what he had long suspected . He was HIV-positive. "We had assumed that he was positive ever since we were together," Patrick says. "It scared me. I loved Henry more than _ life itself. It was very difficult." Finch continued to work at the clinic until December, 1993. Puring the nine years between Finclt's wife, however, would have nothing to do with him after his coming out. She was very bitter, according to Patrick, and the two were unable to maintain any relationship at all. It was much the same with Finch's son. But in January of last year, Finch got a call from Tommy, then 27, after nine years of not hearing from him. Tommy visited Finclt in the hospital shorty before he died, when they hugged for the first time .since Tommy was 17. "Henry helped me get my life back on track," Patrick says. 'This first year without him has -been a lonely time for me. To be · 24 and to have been through this has been very difficult. I miss him alot." Patrick and Tommy sat on the front row during Finch's funeral service. Tommy's mother did not attend . - Some informaticm from Associated Press Recent finding by top biblical scholars offer a radical new view on the Bible and homosexuality. I WhatU1•~1e the l.J LlJ Really Says About B.otrtosexuality .. I< p\10 - . 1 • 1-1e\m1n1a , · oan1e ,-.. Daniel A Helminiak, Ph.D., respect.ed theologian and Roman Catholic priest, explains in a clear fashion fascinating new insights. " ... will help any reasonably open and attentive reader see that the Bible says something quite different on this subject from what is often claimed:" -L. William Countryman, Author of Dirt, Greed and Sex " .. .the most thoughtful, lucid and accessible summary I know of cunent biblical scholarship relating to homosexual issues ... eminently uSeful... u -James B. Nelson, Author and Theology Professor Quan. □ WHAT THE BIBLE REALLY SA VS ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY By Daniel A. Helminiak, $9.95, paperbk Postage/Handling $3 first book, $1 each additional ____ _ TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED ----- NAME ______________________ _ ADDRESS _____________________ _ CITY/STATE/ZIP __________________ _ ORDER FROM: SECOND STONE PRESS, P.O. BOX 8340, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70182 MARCH/ APRIL 1 9 9 5, ,, • Transsexual Methodist minister finds second home in Ecumenical Catholic Church BY THE REV. SARAH J. FLYNN, 0. S. L. Althoug h wanting to remain loyal to my United Methodist heritage I have felt an in. creasing need to be in ministry to sexual minority people . I doubted how effectively this could be done as a United .Methodist pastor representing a church with a homophobic policy. Increasingly, I have become aware of the need for a church that is unapologetically supportive of ·gay /lesbian people and proactive -in supporting ~hem in the face of social pressures, political exploitation am;\ religious prejudice. The Ecumenical Catholic Church represents this alternative to me; conserving essentials of the Christian tradition while rightly discerning the .dignity and worth of women and gay flesbian/bisexual/ t:r:anssex~al/ transgendered people as equal partners in the Gosp~l.of Christ. ''You are a pioneer" is how United Methodist Bishop William Boyd Grove characterized my decision to apply for a dual affiliation with the ECC. The remark referred to more than this application, but. was appropriate to the situation since as a UMC pastor I was applying to be received as a priest of the Ecumenical Catholic Church. If approved, I would be both Protestant pastor and Catholic priest. I was an unusual Methodist pastor long before applying to the ECC. In 1978 I completed therapy for a lifelong pi;oblem of transsexualism. Having served for a period of 12 years as a United Methodist pastor, I left parish work after my surgery and began a care er in higher education . To my amazement and relief Bishop Ralph Ward, my bishop at the time, arranged to re-issue my ordination papers, and, while unable Jo assign me to a parish, in time placed me in a special appointment category so thafI remained a United Methodist Elder in good standing. Then, eight years ago, through an unexpected series of events, I began to serve as a part time pastor of a small United Methodist church in Connecticut. I became, therefore, the first United Methodist transsexual clergyperson to serve a parish, and possibly the first in any denomination to do so, (but I am not the only such person now; there is at least one other transsexual minister under parish appointment.) SECOND STONE I have felt a great sense of gratitude to the bishops and district superintendents (especially to the Rev. Frank Kaiser) who "went out on a limb" to continue my status as an ordained minister in the UMC and appoint me to the small part time parish that I am still serving. During the intervening years the issue of homosexuality has surfaced in the United Methodist Church as it has in several mainline denominations . The hysterical reaction that followed resulted in a prohibition against the ordination or appointment of "self avowed practicing homosexuals." In spite of determined efforts to ·change the legislation at three successive UMC General Conferences the antigay statement stands as they church's official policy. Although transsexuals were ··overlooked by-the legislation there is little doubt that if a bishop ·were so minded being a transsexual could be used to terminate one .as being unfit for ministry. That is why I am proud of the bishops and district superintendents who were willing to trust me enough to let me continue to serve in spite of the prevailing climate of homophobia in th e UMC. By serving I felt that I was establishing a track record that by being !,exually different I was not emotionally unstable or professionally incompetent. I have reason to believe that the point has been satisfactorily made during · these years . This ·past year has been a time of re-examination of my life and priorities. In the process I made the decision to be more of an advocate for gay /lesbian/ bisexual/ transgendered people. I have initiated a support group for students on the campus where I work as a registrar. Together we held the first National Coming Out Day celebration o_n October 11, 1994 and I "came out" publically at work and at the small parish where I have been serving. At the same time I had been discussing the ECC with several friends from Dignity . They encouraged me to apply. Some may wonder how a United Methodist could agree theologically with Catholicism. The theological gap between the UMC and the ECC is not nearly so great as might be imagined . The Methodist tradition has its roots in the teachings of John and Charles · Wesley, both of whom were "high church" evangelicals in the Church of England. John Wesley's theology was a synthesis of Protestant and classical Catholic teachings. Some United Methodists still value that "high church" tradition in liturgy, and many more are in agreement with Wesley's ProtestantCatholi( synthesis of the main doctrines of the church. Likewise, the ECC is not a reprint of the Roman Catholic Church, minus its repressive teachings on human sexuality. Not only is the ECC more liberal on social issues, but the definition of "Catholic" is much . broader than "Roman" Catholicism . As the name "Ecumenical" implies, the ECC accepts the "catholicity" of Anglicans, . Lutherans, and now, United .Methodists, as well as Orthodox and independent Catholic national churches not subject to Roman obedience. Having served for a period of 12 years as a United Methodist pastor, I left parish work after my surgery and began . a career in higher education. To my am<,1Zement and relief Bishop Ralph Ward ... arranged to re-issue my ordination papers ... A third and final reason why I find little difficulty in this dual affiliation is that for many years I have been .a member of the Order of Saint Luke, a largely United Methodist religious order dedicated to liturgical scholarship, education and practice. This Rev. Sarah J. Flynn Order has been involved with the liturgical renewal movement that has influenced all the mainline denominations since Vatican II. Since this movement has been based on common liturgical scholarship concerning the lituriges used in the early centuries of the church and how these were subsequently elaborated, there has . been a convergence regarding basic liturgical principles, . which gives · the rtewer rites a su_rprising degree of similarity, something \\'hich lay people are only now discovering. The distance, therefore, between a United Methodist Servke of the Word and Table and an Ecumenical Catholic celebration of the .Eucharist is not far, and with sufficient educational background, it is possible to make the journey with a tl1inimum of theolog1" cal hear\burn or liturgical blunders. The several aspects . of my hE!ritage, namely its liberal leadership, its Wesleyan "Catholic "' tradition, its renewed liturgical life .and spirituality explains my continued loyalty to this tradition, in spite of the official policy regarding homosexual people, whicl1 is judgmental, patronizing and hypocritical, and the result of widespread fear and ignorance concerning human sexuality in the churches . The ECC is committed to the ministry of reconciliation, bringing all people, including straight and gay into one holy communion with the Risen Christ. · In conversations with Bishop Mark Shirilau, the primate of the ECC, I became convinced that this church could be the community of faith I was looking · for that wo uld provide the kind of proactive ministry I believe to be needed. If only a way could be found whereby I might be able to serve within it without dishonoring t_he tradition from whence I have come . It is to Bishop Shirilau's credit that he found such a way in receiving me SEE SECOND HOME, Page 20 MARCH/APR!~ 1995 Videos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .... .. " ....... .. ..... .. ... ... . ...... .. .. ..... . Eve's Daughter s T rium ph for w o men of co urage By Jim Bailey Editor A nne Macksoud and John Ankele have directed and produced "Eve's Daughters," a half-hour documentary pro filing five lesbian women who have struggled with the church's traditional condemnation of homosexuality. Their stories are of triumph and resurrection and coming to a realization that they do not have to be victims. The video features moving art and poetry born of the struggle. This is the same production company that did such an excellent job two years ago with "Maybe We're Talking About A Different God," the video about Rev. Janie Spahr 's battle with the Presbyterian Church. "Eve's Daughters" is in some ways both a continuation of and conclusion to the Spahr video . Again we s ee the struggle to come in from exile and ''Eve's Daughters" features-the paintings and sculptures of. artist Nancy Chinn, including this sculpture entitled "Lot's Wife," inspired by the story in Genesis. SECOND STONE take a rightful place at the table. But "Eve's Daughters" takes us a bit further as we are able to expe rience the resolution and triumph that these women have found in their lives and experiences . In warning us to 'bewar e of Eve, the temptress in any woman, even in a wif e and a mother" th e church fathers declar ed all women to be descendants of the original "unsealer of that forbidden tree," and th erefore guilty. They are "the devil's gateway, ... destroyers of the image of God in man. On account of them, the Son of God had to die ." To be a woman and a homosexual is, in the official church view, nothing less than "an intrinsic moral evil." These daughters of Eve are the subjects of this documentary . Coni Staff, hoping to r egain the love of parents who no longer believe that she will be joining them in heav en, recalls her bargaining with God. She remembe.rs asking, "God, I want to hear from you whether I'm alright the way I am or whether !'in not." "I was raised to be honest," says Staff . " If anything, I was raised to be honest in my family. And I was .. And look what's happened . This isn't at all what I hoped it would be." Although she prays that God Will give her her family back, to this day her family feels that homosexuality is a sin and goes against God. Katherine · Poethig recalls the split . existence of herself as a person who had fallen in love with .a woman and a person who was deeply involved in -her Pentecostal religious community. "I felt that I was constantly pleading with God," says Poethig. "In that experience of becoming a Pentecostal I gave everything over for the pursuit of God in the world and then I fell in love with a woman and I kept thinking, 'Am I off track?"' When Poethig finally came out to her religious commun ity she was asked to leave the church. Lisa Larges' whole life was a path of preparation for the Christian ministry but, like Staff and Poethig, she was unwilling to live what she thought would be a dishonest life in the closet. Homophobia in the Presbyterian Church cut off her path toward ordination. The message from church leaders was that there was no room for unrepentant homosexuals in the family of God . Even the pastor of her parent s ' home church spoke against her ordination . Larges' church says there will be no ordination until she repents of homosexuality but she tells her church there will be no ordinat ion until her church repent s of its homophobia . Penaliti es like these inflict tremendous injury and yet the women we meet in Eve's Daughters have moved beyond the damage into freedom and affirmation. Nancy Chinn knows that not everyone is as lucky as herself. "I am blessed by a wonderful, wonderful relationship in which I can grow and change and grow old and grow spiritually ," says Chinn. "It's a real gift." Although Chinn was married to a man and had children, she says she never felt c!)nnected. When Nancy came out after 25 years of faithfully serving as a pastor's wife, "it was like coming hom e, it was where I should and gay men ... then I won't think much ... of me," deliv ers Rue. In spit e of the institu tional abus e, these women have gained self-knowledge and strength . In spite of the anguish of love withh eld, they have learned compassion. They return t o us as refugees from spiritual exile, refusing to be victims any longer and witnessing, through art and poetry and service, to the freedom that arises from the fusion of body and soul. They call the church not only "to repent of its homophobia," but also "to celebrate the deep spiritual gifts" they have because they are Lesbians. Clips of .Nancy Ch1 nn:s paintings "I am blessed by a wonderful, wonderful relationship in which I can grow and change and grow old and grow spiritually," says Chinn. When she came out after 25 years of faithfully serving as a pastor's wife, "it was like coming home, it- \.Vas where I should have been all my life." have been all of my life." Chinn is an amazingly talented artist who says she doesn't have the words to name what's inside her .- But her ·joy· and pain take form in her striking paintings and sculpture, which sometime depict the abuse and undervaluing of women. Victoria Rue, after leaving the convent, "knew in that moment of kissing another woman that things suddenly fell into place." Rue is an actress and adds a dramatic poetry reading to the video. "If no one thinks much of Lesbians and gay men ... then, I won 't think much of Lesbians ANGELS, From Page 10 right thing, is a flamboyant African American drag queen named Belize. For all his outrageousness, Belize is the tender nurs e, faithful friend, truth teller and angel of mercy . In choosing life and tendering mercy, Kushn er 1 shows us that there are indeed angels in America, if we know where and how to look, if we have not lost our spiritual connections. But the wh ere and th e how of our looking may take u s beyond the safety of · our supposedly sacred places . We may find that angels are lo dging with the aliens in our midst, that Jesus is dining with tax collectors and prostitut es, th,at God is urgently and sculpture brings a pleasing and calming, yet motivating, quality to those few minutes of the video. Musician and composer · Lois Anderson adds a delightful soundtrack. Ultimately the womens' stories of exile, triumph and resurrection pro, vide the viewer with the realization that the power to not be a victim is within reach of every lesbian woman and gay man. Eve's Daughters is available for $32.25 from Leonardo's Children, 26 Newport Bridge Rd., Warwick, NY 10990, (914) 986-6888. seeking the health of the city, that the Holy Spirit blows where it wills and we have simply gott en ourselves out of Her currents. We cannot risk the sins of Sodom - pride, wealth, -inhospitality , inju s tice, power, abu se - without risking the destruction inherent in losing our spiritual center, our .rela tionship to the God who has mad e us, the Chri st who has redeem ed us, and the ·Spirit wh o empowers us. Essayist, author · and journalist Richard Rodriquez, in his addres s to the opening convocation of th e SEE ANGELS, Page 19 MARCH/APRIL 1995 In Print •••••••••••••••• 0 •••••••••••••• . ........................ .. .......... . The book of gay days By Edouard Fontenot Contributing Writer The Word is Out: The Bible Reclaimed for Lesbians and Gay Men; Chris Glaser, author. HarperSanFrancisco, 1994. F or many people, one of the most frustrating dev elopments within the gay and lesbian community at the end of the mille,mium is the fragmentation of what has been a more or Selectio11s for your library l1Vl1ila l,le from Second Stone Press ... DEFECTING IN PLACE: Women Claiming Responsibility for Their Qwn Spiritual Lives By Miriam Therese Winter. Adair Lummis, and Allison Stokes Based on a nationwide survey of more than 1,000 women, this book explores women's attirudes towards the institutional church . $22.95, hardcover. SHE WHO IS: The Mystery of God in Feminist Theological Discourse By Elilabeth A. Johnson Library. Jourrial says •perhaps the best book of feminist theology to date ... grounded in classical Christian thought. rooted in women's experience ... $15.95, paper. WOMEN AT WORSHIP: Interpretations of North American Diversity EdiJed by Marjorie· Procter-Smilh and Jana R. Walton A remarkable collection of essays which probe the meaning and the many shapes of conttmporal)' feminist worship. $15,95, paper. SEASONS OF THE FEMININE DIVINE: Christian Feminist Prayers for the Liturgical Cycle By Mary Kathlun Speegle Schm!ll Oraceful prayers written by the first·woman deacon ordained in the Anglican Diocese of Quebec. $11,95, paper. SEXUALITY AND THE SACRED: Sources for Theological Reflection By Jo.nus B. Nelson and Sandra P. Long/t!llow A comprehensive resource addressing l:).uman sexuality as a critical part of divine revelation IN THE COURTS OF THE LORD By Jim Ferry ' A gay ppest is put on trial by the Episcopal Church · $22.95, hardcover . MURDER AMONG FRIENDS By Chuck Faser A prophetic and scary murder mystery about a gay Quaker activist. . $13.95, paper. Place your order today! Quan. Titte Price Total □-,--------- □--- Postage/Handling $3 first · book, $1 each additional TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED NAME----------1 ADDRESS _________ , ctTY/STATE/ZIP _______ I ORDER FROM: SECOND STONE PRESS P.O. BOX 8340, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70182 SECOND STONE less united fronti This diversification of voices came first from Lesbians who did not hear their perspective articulated by organizations controlled by men, African Americans too spoke up to witness to a different gay and lesbian perspective. Ethnic, linguistic, religious and, most recently, political differences have dismayed many who rally gay men and Lesbians to unity in the primary cause of liberation. The irony is that the very success of the gay and lesbian movement in establishing a political and social bulkhead in the larger culture has facilitated this diversification. These small but significant inroads have made room for the airing of differences when issues seem significant enough. Previously unthinkable variations of gay and lesbian identity - gay and lesbian Catholics, Republicans, Wall Street bankers, farmers, union shop stewards, anti-abortion activists - are no longer unusual. This trend is _reflected in gay and .lesbian literature, perhaps most interestingly in works on gay and lesbian religious experience. The continuing, .even increasing, . phenomenon of books about Gays, Lesbians and religion perplexes many, and is itself reflective of both the fragmentation of gay and lesbian identities as primarily political and the establishment of gay and lesbian voices in virtually every part of society. While gay and lesbian people - though perhaps not elites - have always been a church, synagogue, temple and mosque- . going people, indeed leaders in the sacred sphere, the theme of books on religion sympathetic to gay and lesbian people over the last half century, had been legitimization. Works like John J. McNeil's The Church and the Homosexual, Letha Scanzoni"s and Virginia Mollenkott's Is the Homosexual My Neighbor and William Countryman's Dirt, Greed and Sex have spoken primarily about theological justification. Scholars John Bos- WHAT you need to know. WHEN you .need to know it. ACTION you can take . Second Stone's RESPONSEF AX.Letter COMING THIS JUNE. FAX or e-mail us for information . . (504)$91-7555 / secstone@aol.com. well, Randy Connor, Will Roscoe and Bernadette Brooten have unearthed or reconstructed the historical account of gay and lesbian reople in religions. This foundationa work has prepared the ground for the normalization of gay and lesbian religious experience increasingly reflected in new types of gay and lesbian religious literature. Author and religious activist Chris Glaser"s-latest book, 77ze Word is Out, is an excellent example of the normalization/ fragmentation trend. The Word is Out represents one of the most pervasive forms of gener-ic religious literature, -a sure sign that a religion, sect or movement is around to stay, the prayerbook . And yet both th e prayerbook and those to whom it is directed might appear anomalous to many both inside and out of religion. Staddling heretofore exclusive categories, Glaser ' s book presumes a gay and lesbian (and bisexual and transgendered) Christian- identified readership with a continuing connection, . even if peripheral, to the large r Christian tradition. The Word is Out assumes I.he legitimacy of the gay and lesbian religious experience, focusing on the spiritual nurturance of gay and lesbian people, rather than justification of their existence. Glaser's task is to . provide a "devotional book that helps God's Word to emerge from the closets of the Bible's ancient stories and theological language ." His motivation is the Bible's. inaccessibility to his own partner . He refracts the Bible though a gay lens, drawing upon his spiritual journeying as a springboard, in a process akin to midrash, the "applied exegesis" through which traditional Judaism, presupposing the divinely revealed truth contained in scripture, nevertheless struggles to mine the Torah through study, reflection and rearticulation. Glaser outlines a conventional theological basis for his work. He understands The Word, Logos, of his. title as the self-communicating divine presence, God's creative activity and the essence of the Christian good news. The Word which Glaser wants to get Out transcends the mere verbal communication, even that of Jesus, contained in biblical accounts. Word is communicated, sometimes obscurely, through the biblical narrative which Glaser understands as a vehicle for encounter with God, thus avoiding the idolatry of the fundamentalist/ literalist exegetical error. His perspective is as theologically orthodox as his call for the observance of the tithe. As a devotional manual, The Word is Out reflects the biblical themes of lamentation, liberation and cornmunity. Glaser has structured his prayerbook al ong the lines of the Christian liturgical calendar, though he begins with the solar year on January 1, rather than the Christian year on December 1. While this may simply be an effort to minimize confusion for the liturgically inexperienced; it has the regrettable result of hacking off the preparatory season of Advent, or what Glaser calls Nativity, appending it to the end of the year and disrupting the traditional narrative flow embodied in the liturgical year. Tile Word is Out begins with · Epiphanytide where Glaser explores the themes of revelation and manifestation, drawing especially upon the imagery of coming out. . The coming out act is likened to the divine manifestation in creation, recounted in Genesis and recapitulated in the Psalms, and in the incarnation. Glaser draws the biblical account and the spiritual joys and pains of the gay and lesbian experience close together, . making parallel gay and lesbian coming out into a fullness of identity and the restoration · of the corporeal fullness anticipated at the Parousia. The-likening of coming out to resurrection is ;m incredibly powerful image for gay and lesbian people who often experience homosexual identity as a vehicle for sin and SEE GAY DAYS, Page 19 In Print, briefly ... Same-Gender Covenants Pullen Baptist Church has published the church's task force report on ''Celebration of Same-Gender Covenants." -From Pullen Baptist Church, 1801 Hillsborough St., Raleigh, NC 27605, $7. And the Flag Was Still There In this new book author Lois Shawver substantiates a heretofore unexamined rationale-the "etiquette of disregard" • for lifting the ban against Gays in the military. ·From Harrington Park Press Rattling Those Dry Bones A new anthology on women and religion. June Steffenson Hagen has brought together 22 women of faith to share their personal views and experi· · ences of what holds them in the church. Included are Madeleine L'Engle, Susan Cole, Elisabeth MlotmannWendel, Virginia Ramey Mollenkptt, Rosemary Haughton and Nancy' Hardesty. · -From Luramedia, 1·800-367-5872, $16.95. . MARCH APRIL l 9 9 5 In Print .................. . ............................................. ~ .... . \ Homosexuality in the Church Book explores both sides of the enduring debate By Allen Smalling Contributing Writer A hundred years ago, Oscar Wilde called homosexuality "the love that dare not speak its name." More recently, some have remarked that it just won't shut up. Among the plethora of gay-themed books in the past several years are quite a few that deal with pure theology, practical theology, congregational studies and anthologies. With such a glut of books on the market, Homosexuality in the Church: Both Sides of the Debate may go under-appreciated. That would be a pity. Homosexuality in the Church is tailored for a specific audience: middle- of-the-road Christians, all "main- ... . ,. ,. ... ,. ,. ,. ,. ,. . ... ,. ,. ... ,. .................. ,. ,. ... ,. ................ ,. ....... ,. ... ' A A ,. ... A ;. ...... A ,. A .,_ ... ,. .................... ,. ..... . A A 4 A ,_ ,_ ... ,., ... A A "' ,- A A . A A . A ... A A A A A , ~~ ~ ~~ ~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~: JI~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~= ~Il~lII~li~IIIl= line" if we include Roman Catholics in that designation. The book's 13 · essays break •into six chapters or "reflections" on scripture, tradition, moral reasoning, scientific reasoning, experience and decision -making. In other words, the old Charles Wesley quadrilateral has been freshened up a bit by breaking "reason" into philosophical and empirical components; the final section on decision-making offers a kind of "where do we go now?" summation . As the b.ook's title suggests, most chapters are set up in point-counterpoint fashion of two essays apiece; t he exception being the chapter on experience, with one very con and two highly pro entries. . The most innovative of all the articles is Chandler Burr's cover piece from the March 1993 At lantic Monthly, "Homosexuality and Biology," here reprinted in its entirety. Although not specifically written for church people, the article offers compelling, if SECOND STONE not fully convincing , arguments that homosexuality is more likely to be biologically determined than socially constructed and certainly is not "chosen" as a lifestyle. (This is important precisely because so many rightwing arguments hinge on a view of homosexuality as a perverse and wrong-headed "choice.") Probably the most thoughtful essay of the lot is Lisa Sowell Cahill's "Homosexuality: A Case Study in Moral Argument," in which Cahill, a Catholic theologian, analyzes the acceptability of open homosexual ity in the church in terms of scripture, tradition, descriptive experience and normative experience. (These days, one need not be a Methodist to find the quadrilateral an irresistible frame- A A ,_ ,. ,_ A ,. A ,. A A ,_ , ,.,,.,.,_,.,_AAAAA ... ...... ,.#, ...... ,.,,. ............ , A A A A A A A A A h A r. .................................. , A A ... ,. A ... A ... A "' "' ,_ ...... ,. ............... ,. ...... ,. , ........................ ,. ...... ... ",.,. ,. .... ,.,.,.,. , .. ,. ,. ... ,. .... ,. ... ,. ... ,. ,. ,. ...... ,. ,. ,. ,. ,. ,. ,. , ,. ,. ,. " ,. ,. ,. ,. ,. ... ,. ,. ... ,. ..... ,. ...... ,. ,. ... ,. , ... ,. ........................... ... ... ,. ......... ",.,.,. ...... , .................................... ... ... ,. "',.,.,. ......... "', ... "' ,. ... ,. ............... ... ... ,., ........ ,. ,. ,. ... ,. ,. , ,. ,. ",.,.,.,.,.,.,.,. ,. .......... ,. ,. ...... ,. .. , ,. ........ ,. ,. ,. ,. ,. .. ,. ...... ,. ............ ,. ,. ,. , ,. ,. ...... ,. ,. ,. ... ,. ,. ... ... .. ... ,. ........ ·"' ......... , ,. .......................... ,. ............... ,. ,. ......... , .................... "' .. ,. ... ... ... .. ... ... ... ... ... ... .. , ............. ,. ...... ,. ,. ,. ....... ,. ... ,. ,. ........ , ,. ... ,. ..................... .. A ,. A .. A A A A A A , ......... ,. ...... ,. ,. ,. ... ,. .. ,. ,. ,. ...... ,. ... ,. ,. , ...... ,. ,. ,. ,. ...... ,. ,. ,. ,. ... ,. ,. .......... ,. , ... ,. ... ,. ......... ,. ...... .............................. , ,. ,. ,. ... ,. ,. ........ ... .. ... ... ... ... ... ,. ... .,. ,. , ,. ............ ,. ......... ,. ,. .. ,. ,. ,. ,. ... ,. ... , ,. ,. ...... ,. ...... ,;. ... " .. ..... ,. ...... ,. ,. ... , ... ,. ..................... .. ....................... , ,. ..................... ,. .. ............... ,. ,. ... , ,. ,. ............ ,. ...... ,. ........... ,. .. ,. ... ,. , . :: : : : :: :: : : : :: : : : : 1 ................. ·1 ,. ......... ,. ,. ...... ,. ......... ,. ..... ,. ,. .. ,. .. ,. ,. ,. ......... ... ... ... ... ,. ...... ,. ,. ,. ..... -,. ,. ,. ,. ,. ,. " ,. ... ,. ,. ........ ,. .. : ,. ...... ,. ............ .. ,. ... ,. .......... ...... ,. ; ... ,. ... ,. ,. ......... ,. ...... ,. ... , work.) Cahill concludes that there aren't any firm and fast conclusions; she finds the church's need to be inclusive and nurturing somewhat counterweighted by the normative dominance of heterosexuality. Not that the book as a whole lad..s firm opinions. 'The Love That Dare Not Pray Its Name" is a short piece by Presbyterian Chris Glaser . about the considerable institutional resistance Gays and Lesbians face . Glas.er's piece will enlighten the unenlightened as to why gay ordination is such a hot-bottom issue: at this time, only Unitarians, the United Church of Christ, the Reform wing of Judaism and the predominantly gay Metropolitan Community Church will ordain open Gays and Lesbians. Unfor-· lunately, the slangy, almost rabblerousing style of Glaser's article, which appears to have come straight from a West Coast magazine, is far from his best work. · Of the roughly half of all articles that come down against gay and lesbian ordination (or, much the same thing, that insist on treating openly gay or "unrepentant" homosexuals as sinners), most depend on Pauline writings or the natural-law argument. The latter theory, a staple in church discussions of this type since the late Middle Ages, argues that God made male and female for procreative reasons; thus, same-sex unions, being sterile, are not "natural." For sheer rhetorical sleaze, however, our vote goes to the book's first article, Richard Hays' "Awaiting the Redemption of Our Bodies." Whether homosexuality is a chosen or a given is irrelevant to Hays: "(I]t cannot be maintained that a homosexual orientation is morally neutral because it is involuntary ." Editor Jeffery Siker gives himself the concluding essay, "Homosexual Christians, the Bible and Gentile Inclusion: Confessions of a Repenting Hetero .. sexist." Siker, a Presbyterian who teaches at Loyola Marymount University, sums up the arguments that have been running through Homosexuality in the C}mrc/1 and comes down on the side of inclusion. Specif. ically he draws on the metaphor of inclusion that look place in the first century, when the church absorbed the uncircumcised Gentiles as well as Jews. "Heterosexuality may be the dominant form of sexuality," writes Siker, "but it does not follow that it is the only form ·of appropriate sexu ality." While not perfect, HCll!tosexuality in the Church is better than most of its kind . It belongs on every pastor's shelf, in contemporary ethics classes, and would form the centerpiece of an interesting congregational study. When people ask, "Why are Christian churches so obsessed with homosexuality?" . this book gives some answers . Allen Smalling is a writer and reviewer based·in Chicago. Excerpted with permission from the Dallas Voice . Recommended Reading For Everyone ... l~BN 0-9644123-0-6 PASTOR, I AM GAY by The Reverend H. Howard Bess · An extraordinary book. PASTOR, I AM GAY .. . is a prophetic witness to the . church. It is compelling in its intensity, compassionate in its identifications, and courageous in its call to sharing humanity without dualifications . A reader will not be able to put it own. James B. Ashbrook, Professor Emeritus and Senior Scholar in Religion and Personality Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary Northwestern Unive rsity PASTOR, I AM GAY is a superb entry into the difficult and pa inful subject of homosexuality that faces us in the church and society today. Both pastor and lay person will find this book readable and informative as we seek more insight into the lives of homosexual friends inside and outside the church. Donald Pars~ns . Bishop, Alaska Synod Evangelical Lutheran Church in America PASTOR, I AM GAY offers wise counsel on the forms and directions our caring needs to take .. .is_ a pastoral look at our gay brothers and lesbian sisters, the most despised and rejected of God's children . Peggy Campolo, Wife , Mother Evangelical Leader Order PASTOR, I AM Gay directly from PALMER PUBIJSIDNG COMPANY , PO· Box 3938, Palmer, Alaska 99645-3938, FAX (907)745-6292. Enclose $14.95 plus $3.00 shipping and handling for each copy ordered. I prefer: __ VlSA _ __ MASTER CARD __ PERSONAL CHECK (enclosed) Card Number: _______________ _ Exp Date: _ _ _ Name: __ _ ____ _ _ _ ___ Signature: _____ __ _ Address: _ _ ____ ____ _ _ _____ __ _ ____ _ - POBox3938 ~ J bs' Palmer, Alaska 99645 Palmer Pu.blishln& Compan:r . . . FAX (907) 745-6292 AOISSPIAG MARCH APR I L l 9 9 5 w Sounds w Paul Delph Putting his faith in 'A God That Can Dance' ByA.J. Kelly Contributing Writer Paul Delph's new . release chronicles a musician's odys. · sey through the AIDS epidemic from a very personal perspective. Paul Delph has AIDS. Delph has worked with major artists like Roberta Flack and Bernie Taupin as session musician, co-writer, producer, and programmer for well over a decade: He brings that expertise to this solo CD in a way that's unique, heartfelt, and important. There's not a dud among any of the 14 tracks. Delph has assembled a superb backup group, and the production is slick, modern, and engaging. But what drives the collection is Delph's laser beam focus on a struggle to survive. The result is a missive for anyone who happens to be alive in the latter part of this century. . The first track, "Mad at God," oegins with Delph's voice in a monklike drone chanting about the failure of organized religio n ·to answer fundamental questions of life and death. It drops into a solid, wellcrafted rocker, in which he sings: 'Tm mad at God / I'm just figuring out / Time is slipping away ... slipping away." And: "When I get up to that big door / And face the awesome light / I'm gonna ask more than a few questions / About what's wrong and right." Delph follows with '.The Good Days Are Better (But The Bad Days AreWorse)," a terse, boom-shacka-lacka groove that offers some guidance through the mine-field. Next is "Mamma Don't Cry." I cried anyway. This poignant ballad is one of the kindest gifts a child could give a parent: "I need a little smile / When my name flies past / To heal the hurt / And Jet the good times last / . Marnma don't cry· / Sing to the stars / As the last light dies / Your son is rising inside." Delph addresses the next generation of AIDS victims in "Stumbling in the Dark." One of the strongest dance cuts on the CD, it juxtaposes an upbeat, dance club feel with a stark warning: ''You can play all night, but are you running with the fear? / Out in the killing fields / You better Now available from Second Stone! The Word Is Out 365 DAILY MEDITATIONS FOR LESBIANS AND GAY MEN Author Chris Glaser fearlessly liberates the Bible from those who would hold it hostage t.o an anti-gay agenda. In this inspiring collection of 365 , daily meditations, the Bible's good news 11comes out" to meet all of us with love, justice, meaning, and hope. Chris Glaser is the author of Uncommon Calling and Coming Out to God. He is a graduate of Yale Divinity School. The Word Is Out, $12, paperback. Order now from Second Stone Press Quan. TiUe · □ Postage/Handling $3.00 first book, $1.00 ea. additional ----- TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED----- NAME _____________________ _ ADORES$ ____________________ _ CITY/STATE/ZIP ___________________ _ ORDER FROM: SEOOND STONE PRESS, P.O. BOX 6340, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70182 SECOND STONE • watch your step / ·Because you're stumbling in the dark." 'Tm Gonna Save My Dreams Until Tomorrow" is a ska-styled dance cut with an optimistic message: 'Tm g<;>nna save my dreams until tomorrow / Sooner or later this world is gonna be so inclined / They're gonna give up on the pain and the sorrow that plague us / And get into what keeps us all alive." The arrangement is joyful, fun, and unaffected - an example of the emotional range that Delph is capable of.You'll want to dance. • I ,I ~ , . bland§ CJnn · A Lesbian Pa1-adise. .. On 100 beautiful acres .with pool, hot tub, skiing and more. Innkeepers Judith Hall and Grace Newman invite you to write or call for a brochure. P. 0 . Box 118 SL Bethle.hem, NH 03574 (603) 869-3978 The CD ends with two otherworldly sound collages that segway together in a . dignified, haunting good-bye . "Breath of Life" begins with a gospel r.rea ·cher intoning the message, 'Breathe in the breath of life - and let it out. Whatever you came here with today, Jet go, and let God." Over this, Delph layers harps and strings, then weaves in his trembling falsetto ,. He dreams in stream-of-consciousness hope, Iove, sadness, and the bittersweet irony of making peace with creat.ion as his own life wanes. He also offers a hand to everyone else on the same path as he whispers, "If yol! need help, just call." 'The Dance at the End of Time" follows. Here, Delph reads a poem by friend, lover,' and fellow musician Jimmie Spheeris • whose life was cut short in an auto accident in 1984. "We move with such grace / To a love of som~ kind / Gel drunk and ·embrace / In the dance al the end of time ... " From anger and denial to acceptance (or maybe a detached, calm resignation) Delph invites you along on his personal saga. It's a brave piece of work - a wonderful gift to his family and his species. This CD is a must for every collection. "A God That Can Dance" is available from Magic Records, 303 Klotter Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45219 by sending check or money order for $15.00. MARCH/ APRIL 199 5 MESSENGER, From Page6 lion - Republican or Democrat - has made an impact in the fight against AIDS? MF: I agree with many that the response from the Federal government was slow under the previous administration. It's still slow. It's no different now than it was under Bush. Yes, we have a little bit more inoney every year. I think that what .we haven't been able to achieve yet is to · get leadership in the country - Federally, statewide and locally - to say, ''This is a priority. This is an epidemic." That's what I want to hear. CJ: What do you perceive to be the greatest need in the HIV community right now? MF: Taking care of each other. That's one of the reasons that at Family CALENDAR, From Page 2 AIDS Network we're so intent on recognizing the caregivers. The epidemic isn't over yet and it doesn't look like it's going to be over soon. I very strongly feel that we have to keep our heads above water, stay hopeful and we have to encourage more people to come into the caregiving side of this epidemic. We need them. Outside of the HIV community, the greatest need is education . That's our only -cure right now. CJ: You're also well recognized as an artist. Has HIV made an impact in your work? MF: My work has always changed over the years because I'm changing and growing. I hope it continues to do that. I don't come from a place of Golden Threads 9th celebration JUNE 23-25, Lesbian women from all over the United States and from many foreign countries will meet at the Provincetown Inn in Provincetown, Mass. Golden Threads is a worldwide social network of lesbian women over 50 and their friends. For information contact Christine Burton, Golden Threads , P.O. Box 60475, Northampton, MA 01060-0475. 15th National Gathering of the UCCUGC JUNE 26-29, The United Church Coalition for Lesbian/Gay Concerns meets in Berkeley on the campus of the University of California. "Hurtling Toward The Millenium: Political Upheaval, Gay Power , and Our Dreams for the Church" is thlj.,.theme. _Jhe. .meeting ,: precedes . the United . Church ~of Christ General Synod. F\>r infon:nation call (614)593-7301 or write to UCCUGC , 18 N. College -St., Athens, OH 45701 . CMI Retreat JUNE 27-30, Communication Ministry sponsors a retreat for Catholic lesbian nuns and gay priests .and brothers. The Serra Retreat House, Malibu, Calif., is the setting. For information contact CMI, P.O. Box 60125, Chicago, IL 00600-0125. American Baptists Concerned National Retreat JUNE 24-27, The annual retreat of ABC will be held at Thornfield Retreat Center in Syracuse, New York. Cost is $175. For information contact ABC, 872 Erie St., Oakland, CA 94610-2268, (510)465-8652. Gay and Lesbian Parents Coalition Conference JUNE 30-JUL Y 3, Gay and lesbian parenting groups from Southern California will host the 16th Annual Gay and Lesbian Parents Coalition International Conference at the University of California at Los Angeles. Part of the conference will fQ.CUS on issues of relevance to those who are currently parents, those who function in a parenting role, or those who wish to become parents. Two other sub-conferences will examine topics of importance to the children of lesbian or gay parents. Conference fees include all meals and three nights lodging at , UCLA's Sunset Village. For information write to GLPCI '95, 7985 Santa Monica Blvd., Box 109-346, West Hollywood, CA 90046 or call (213)654-0307, FAX (310)652-7584. Convocation of Beconciling Congregations JULY 13-16, '"Bound·tor the Promised Land" is the theme for the fourth national gathering of Recdnciling Congregations, to be held in Minneapolis. A youth and student rally anij a special gathering of the Reconciling Pastors' Action Network is planned :; Individual fee is $165, $85 for children and youth. For information contact the Reconciling Congregations Program, 3801 N. Keeler Ave . , Chicago, IL 60641,,(312)736-5526. The UFMCC General Conference JULY 23-30, the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Communtty Churches will gather at the Westin. Peachtree Plaza Hotel in Atlanta for its 17th conference. "All Things Are Possible" is.the theme for this conference which offers a discounted rate 61 $180 for non-delegates. A special gathering will be held at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Non-Violent Social Change . For information, contact UFMCC GCXVII, 5300 Santa Monica Blvd., #304, Los Angeles, CA 90029, (213)464-5100. SECOND ST-ONE ' ·~ ·- HIV. I think the only change, the only shift, in my life, is more of a sense of urgency than I already had . I want to do more, maybe take more risks in my art. CJ: You are asymptomatic. Do you take an active role in your health to stay healthy? MF: I can 't say that it's one of the things I do best for myself, so I'm certainly not a rnle model in that area. But I don't smoke and I don't drink. I take my mother's advice and take extra vitamin C. I think sleep is important, but with having two small children and traveling a lot, I don't always get enough. Relieving stress is important and I have found regular meditation to be helpful for me. It allows me to be centered so that I can do what I do. My art is also a form of meditation for me. My art is a soul-opening, creative place for me. It connects me with an energy that is very strong and I don't know where it comes from . Anytime we can spend laughing, enjoying and helping others is good for us. Certainly we should eat well and cut down on our fat, but .I was already doing that. Exercise is impor• tant but I don't always do it. I'll admit it: I'm human and not a perfect person. Many areas of health are important, but there isn 't a set formula I can prescribe . I don't think anyone · has an answer here. I think people have to listen to their heart and do what they feel is best, in partnership with their doctors. Communication surrounding this disease is important. It helps people to connect with others who have HIV, to find out what has been beneficial for them. CJ: You know that women are an increasing segment of our population being infected with HIV. What can be done to help the unique needs of mothers with HIV? MF: I think the biggest thing is to know that a mom will take care of her children before she will take care of herself. If there is a · way to alleviate some of the pressure and stress that revolves aro ,·;id children, then maybe mom can go and take care of her own needs, like going to the doctor. She needs support. Medically, there are a whole different set of issues regarding women with HIV. There are a whole set of things, gynecologically and physically, that happen •::, women, but don't happen to men. More women - and even doctors - need to be aware of that. I have a strong plan to reach OB-GYNs because I don't think they pay enough attention to the problem of women and HIV. I think doctors in general have felt that they can judge people by what they look like, to say if they have HIV or not. Women can change that by talking to their own doctors, forcing their health professionals to give them a test. Education, one on one, can make a difference. Cheryl J ohnstan is editor of Lifetimes2 magazine, a publication of Stadlanders pharmacy, a company specializing in medications delivery for people witl, AIDS. For infonnatian about Stadlanders, or to get a sample copy of Lifetimes2, readers may call 1-800-238-7828. Excerpted with permission from Lifetimes 2. Noteworthy W . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bettendorf consecrated t.THE REV. MSGR. CRAIG 5. Bettendorf was consecrated for the Episcopacy of the Evangelical Anglican Church on Dec. 4, 1994. The consecration took place during the celebration of the Holy Eucharist at All Saints Parish, Los Angeles, Calif. Particpating clergy included Rev. Mother Kathleen Stowell, co-rector of All Saints, Rev. Fr. Anthony Morello, vicar of St. Stephens Philippine Independent <:;atholic Church in Fontana, Calif ., and Rev. Fr. James Barlow, also from St. Stephens. Ecumenical Catholic Church buys property t.THE ECUMENICAL CATHOLIC Church became a property owner on Dec. 20, 1994 . St. Maximilian ECC bought the former Ebenezer Methodisl Church in Jacksonville, Ill. The church was originally built in 1835, on land donated by Dr. Peter Akers, a Kentucky lawyer who moved to Illinois to get away from slave owners. The present-day building was built in 1866. Don McRae t.THE REV. DON McRAE, pasfor and founder of the Metropolitan Community Church of Windsor, Ontario died on Jan.2, 1995 of complications associated with AIDS. McRae and his partner, Tony Dias, moved to Windsor in 1988 and founded the church. "His life was, and will continue to be a living challenge to society's assulI)ption that one cannot be gay and Christian at the same ,time," said longtime friend John Shellhorn. MARCH/APRIL 1995 ........... ............. .· . .......C...o...m....m....e..n...t. .................... . The ouster of Bishop Jacques Gaillot Vaticanl osesc redibilityw hen it abusesa uthority By The National Catholic Reporter Guest Comment The Vatican significantly raised the stakes in the ecclesial debate on the use • and abuse • of authority when it sacked the popular French bishop, Jacques Gaillot of Evreux. The move took him and most of the rest of the French hierarchy by surprise . It came when Gaillot was in Rome discussing his future with Cardinal Bernardin Gantin, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops. Gantin at first asked Gaillot to resign, sources · said. When he refused, Gantin told the bishop not only that he was out • but that he was out the next day, Jan.13. When Gaillot balked again, Gantin handed him a note signed by Pope John Paul II, then traveling in the Philippines, confirming the deed. There had been no official judicial hearing and no known consultation with the French episcopal conference. The reason Gantin gave for the action was that Gaillot was not in communion with the church. French Catholics and others were asking: Who was not in communion with the church? · According to church Canon 194, the removal of a bishop from office requires "grave reasons" and can come only after a bishop has "publicly defected from the church or from the communion of the church." A number of French bishops and theologians said the Vatican had acted without justification. As news of the action spread, protests erupted throughout the na- QUOTABLE "I think the CatholicC hurch's stando n homosexualitiys horriblye vil. .. It just enrages me to see them take that position. We can debate about Jesus as a historical figure, but when I think of Jesus, I think of someone who is truly about love. I don't think he'd get along toow ell with the Pope". -Cybill Shepherd SECOND STONE lion. By Jan. 15 he had received more than 1,000 telegrams and faxes expressing support. In the city of Metz, parish priests refused to preach at Sunday Mass in protest. He has never disputed official Catholic doctrine. His apparent offense · apparent because it . was not spelled out by the Vatican - stems from his independent-minded ways and his outspokenness on non-infallible matters of morality, especially sexual morality. He has been an advocate of compassion for Gays and Lesbians and has said, for example, that the AIDS virus can be battled by the use of condoms. . . This is a case in which fidelity to the Vatican, as defined by the Vatican, has become the litmus test of rthodoxy. This, then; is a church in · which fidelity to Rome has become more important than obedience, as an ordained bishop interprets it, to the demands of the gospel and conscience. Woe to those Christians called to place institutional fidelity over compassion. Almost within hours, Gaillot's removal was taking its toll on the church of France. He is an articulate television figure, a cleric who has spoken on behalf-of the poor and the marginalized of France. The French bishops are divided on the sacking, with several calling for a gathering of the episcopal conference to consider its implications. Only Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger of Paris was known to actively support the move, which may have already backfired. · 'They can't muzzle someone," Gaillot said. 'Now that I have become an outsider of sorts, perhaps my determination will be even more vigorous than before. 'The church certainly wants to marginalize me, to lessen the weight of my voice. But I will not keep silent." r.,tfj:_P_o_ ntius'P uddle From the vast outpouring of commentary in the French media on Gaillot's dismissal one common theme emerged · a widening gap between the Vatican .and a substantial number of French Catholics. 'There are many who consider the pope's decision totalitarian," said an editorial in Le Dauphine Libre, a Grenoble daily. 'The image of the church has been tarnished. How many men and women will break away?" Le Mol'.lde, in a front-page article, said the church was "distancing itself from society." "I regret this decision," said_ the archbishop of Cambrai, Jacques Delaporte . "For out church, it is a wound. For dialogue, it is a failure. For the poor and those seeking a direction who put their confidence in him, it is a source of incomprehension . ... "If mission and communion do not go together, we are moving sooner or later toward a clash," he said. Bishop Jean Vilnet of Lille said the Vatican's decision was "extremely grave." It is thanks to Gaillot that "the poor, the marginals, the excluded, those seeking hope, felt understood, supported, recognized," he said. Said the president of the French bishops' conference, Archbishop Joseph Duval of Rouen: "I am sad. I never ceased to hope that we would not be faced with such a situation. I am sad for Bishop Gaillot, for the diocese of Evreux. I am sad for the church." Duval said he asked Gaillot last April "to place less distance between himself and the bishops, between himself and Rome . . I explained to him, in_ the presence of several bishops, that I had written this letter so that Rome did not have to intervene." "Gaillot paid no heed to my appeal. I pleaded with Rome to have patience," he said. After being forced out, Gaillot wrote a letter to be read in his diocese that said: 'The important thing is to follow Christ, to welcome his word, to continue to be the church to proclaim the Good News of salvation to everyone." Nine German theologians, including Hans Kung, released a "telegram of solidarity" sent to Gaillot, demanding his reinstatement. "We protest resolutely against this arbitrary action by the papacy. It involves a bishop who, following Jesus in discipleship and motivated by pastoral responsibility, exercised his office as the gospel demands with extraordinary openness and readiness to enter into dialogue." In taking such demeaning action against thinkers and pastoral leaders, it is the Vatican that is actually demeaned. Each exercise of brute authority only diminishes its authority and further erodes its credibility. The pope earlier sent out the message to theologians - toe the line - subjecting some of the most creative to trials and silence. Vatican officials also have gone after bishops, and the ranks of those who dare to question are thinning. It doesn't sound much like the Christianity we long for. Excerpted witlt permission from tlte National Catholic Reporter, Kansas City, Missouri. We welcome your letters and opinons Write to Second Stone. All letters must be · original and signed by the writer. Clearly indicate if your name is to be withheld. We reserve the right to edit. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 or FAX to (504)891-7555. ·nut~J ESOSS AID,"SOffE'~ "'\1-\El. .\'("'fl.-E" CI-\IL\)~E'.N-r o SE"S EPfa..~a._tft~oM . 'f\-1.E\~ WOQ..1"1-\LW.EESLSi= '~~ MOTI-IERSP .l\lt)S EN"t" 1)~C.KU-l-f:rro S '.'l'"A'fE-St:'ONS0~O£Rt,~ \.\A.W~r :rE'S." 'BEtrn~E DEI/OT\ONS \•HWEN'i 6E"£1'l T~E SP..11\$E1 1-iC.EN E"W'T6"- ING-RI~" (;OT fK~ ~OOK l)E.AL-rO ~~l'f"E i"'E ~l~l..E. MARCH APRIL l 9 9 5 W From the Editor W • • • - • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • e ~ • Louganis worth more than gold By Jim Bailey WITH NOTHING LEFT to lose, Greg Louganis has told his secrets. He waited a long time, too long say many in the lesbian/gay community, to finally come out. The 35-year-old four time Olympic diving champion had been not-so-secretly involved with men for over ten years before he officially came out at last summer's Gay Games in New York. And now comes the revelation that Louganis knew he was HIV-positive when he competed in the 1988 Olympics and he didn't share the information with officials. It is "regrettable" and "not morally right" said an outraged Park Seh-jik, chief organizer of the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Louganis said he was too scared to reveal his HIV status to the doctor who stitched a cut suffered when he hit his head on the diving board in the Seoul games. After all the secrets are out, is Louganis, holder of 47 national titles, five world championships and five Olympic medals, still the champion we thought he was? · During his school years, Louganis was taunted, called "retard" because of his dyslexia, "nigger" because of his dark skin, and "sissy." He grew up in an adoptive home that included a father who paid little attention to him until Greg found out what he was good at - diving - and he beg·an getting recognition. His father once beat him with a belt across his butt and legs until he got a dive right. . · · As a young gay man, he ended up in a relationship that started out wjth his raging -lover raping him after attacking him with a knife. Instead of terminating the relationship, Louganis allowed this lover to move into his home and help him spend his money. The two stayed together for six years. Louganis' story is different from the stories of many other gay men only in that he disco_vered something early on that he could commit to, work hard at, and excel in - something that would bring him fame. Otherwise he was a scared, depressed youth who knew he "was different." He was afraid to name the difference and even if he had ·he would have still had no role models. When he ven.tured out to explore his· sexuality, he did not find a tender, genuine love; he found greed and abuse. "I thought it was the best I could do," he replied when asked by Barbara Walters why he stayed in the relationship. - -- -- - · Even as he stood with Olympic medals around his neck, Louganis somehow felt incomplete and undeserving. .Our task is to learn the true value of. ourselves, as children of God, and to equip oμrselves to help others understand their worthiness. We are partners with World Community Builders Second Stone has become a partner in ministry with World Community · Builders, an organization we reported on a couple of years ago. It's a group of folks who travel to foreign countries to help build and repair - ministry buildings. The highlight of our partnership will be our activities at the UFMCC General Conference this summer. We will be covering the activities of World Community Builders and will donate to WCB a percentage of subscription sales generated by our partnership. Watch for .mor-e details in the next few issues. SECOND STONE Newsjoumal, ISSN No. 1047-3971, is published every other month by Bailey Communications, P. 0. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182. Copyright 1995 by Second Stone. a registered trademark. SUBSCRIPTIONS, U.S.A. $17.00 per year, six issues. Foreign subscribers add $! 0.00 for postage. All payments U.S. currency only. ADVERTISING, For display advertising information call (504)891-7555 or write to P.O. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182. EDITORIAL, send· letters, calendar announcements, noteworthy items to (Departmentitle) Second Stone, P.O. Box. 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182. Manuscripts to be returned should be accompanied by a stamped, self addressed envelope. Second Stone is otherwise not responsible for the return of any material. SECOND. STONE, ·a national ecumenical Christian social justice newsjoumal with a specific outreach to sexual orientation minorities. PUBLISHER/EDITOR: Jim Bailey CONTRIBUTORS FOR THIS ISSUE: Rick Mixon, Edouard Fontenot, A. J. Kelly, Rev. Sarah J: Flynn, Cheryl Johnston, Allen Smalling. SECOND STONE ANGELS, From-Page 13 Graduate Theological Union last fall, put it this way: churches need to practice our faith ori new frontiers; ·mainstream churches have to serve people where unmet spiritual needs exist - at the border, in secular urban milieus, in AIDS wards. Rodriquez, a gay, Latino, Catholic addressing seminary faculty, administrators, students and trustees, all purported religious leaders, chided: "We are not mainline churches anymore, not i)l 1994, not in secular America, not in yuppy San Francisco, not anymore. We .are on the edge . The world does not listen to . you. America is moving away from established churches ... We have to become eccentrics. We have to meet (people) where -they are. Religion does not begin with theology. It begins ... in a cappucino bar, on a deathbed . It is all around us. Ancient Sodom's angelic visitors came from the edge. They came from the edge of political reality, social convention and religious need. They came because Yahweh heard the outcry of the oppressed. They came to see if the people had strayed so far from right living that they were beyond hope . The story says they found the city worse than they expected and they had no choice but to destroy it. Later, Jesus sat and wept over Jerusalem, another great city that had lost its spiritual connections. He stood in the midst of the GAY DAYS, From Page 14 death. The format of the 365 daily meditations Glaser offers follows a simple pattern. The season sets the general theme: - A passage from scripture, either Hebrew Bible or the New Testament, is the context for a short meditation followed by a two or three line concluding prayer. Generally, Glaser does a good job of developing his twelve seasonal themes, though the reflections flow from the text in a loose stream of consciousness and the connection can be obscure. During the season of Lamentation (February), he confronts issues · such as unbelief, .suffering, grief, resistance, 'internal- . ized homophobia; AIDS. Passion (March) brings consideration of eroticism, carnality, sexual expression, nakedness, and justice and the season of Liberation (June) focuses on the misuse of religious power to condemn alternative sexual identity and the joy of overcoming this condemnation. Glaser makes a valiant effort at the slippery task of inclusiveness, addressing such pressing issues as internalized homophobia, transgendered people, aversion to aging, sexism and misogyny, abusive relationships, religious . arrogance and patriarchal church hierarchy. When he is able to tie together well these issues with thinking about God, Glaser is very effective. Unfortunately some of his city offering a new life, but so many, especially the wealthy and the reli_ gious leaders, could not grasp what he was offering because they were so caught up in defending 'their own way of life. They had it all figured · out; no need of God or God's messenger . Only this time the messen- · ger was . not so lucky or powerful as the angels of Sodom. This messenger they hung on a cross. How are our "cities" like Sodom, and how are we like Sodomites? Are there angels in our midst, come to see how we respond to our neighbors in need? Do we have a word of hope, a cup of cold water, a comforting touch, a challengihg word to .offer? Do we offer what we have, or do we hold back? Can we say no to the sin of security and yes to life that takes us from sacred walls to the very edge of our "cities?" If we accept the notion that the world outside our comfortable environments is hostile and, therefore, evil, and so settle for security and stasis, we run the risk of forfeiting not only our own lives but God's creation, for which we have been made responsible. If we work together, we may move mountain ·s and the fate of Sodom will never be the fate of the "cities" we love. IJ Rick Mixon is director of American Baptists Concerned. This article first appeared in Voice of the Turtle, the newsletter of ABC. gender inclusive retranslations of biblical text are , distracting, with an overdrawn, mechanical feel. As is often the case, simply excising pronouns can produce an excessively awkward text, "For God so loved the world that [God] gave [God's] only begotten son ... " Something deeply personal has .. been lost in this trimsition. In the absence of a more thoroughgoing retranslation, it would have been preferable simply to .alternate between masculine and feminine pronouns for the divine name as the meditations progressed .. This critique is not Glaser's alone to be borne; as .a culture we have yet to become nimble at the task of inclusion . These observations aside, one could not read The Word is Out without feeling a certain humility before the authenticity of Glaser's spiritual journey. At times his· eloquence is deafening. The reader, theist or no, will from . time to tin,e simply set aside the book and wonder at the unexplored possibilities, which is, I suppose, Glaser's goal. Glaser has begun the hard, constructive work of building up the gay and lesbian religious community, a community often assaulted from all sides. He is to be congratulated for this work. MARCH/APRIL 1995 ' ' • Classifieds ... , . ~ .............. ........................................ . BIBLICAL "CONDEMNATION" of gays examined by Columbia University graduate with a decade of UFMCC membership. $3.95 for 26 page booklet H& S/SS. FOB 221841 . . Charlotte NC 28222. "WONDERFUL DIVERSITY," "Heartily recommended," · ·"Philosophically intriguing," ,.,Excellent.-" Why' do revieWers highly esteem CHRISTIAN*NEW AGE QUARTERLY? Great articles and lively columns make this bridge of dial _ogue between Christians and New Agers as entertaining as it is substantive. Subscribe for only $12.50 / yr. Or sample us for $3.50 . CHRISTIAN*NEW AGE QUARTERLY . P.O. Box 276, Clifton, NJ 07011-0276. TF OPEN HANDS. an ecumenical quarterly magazine on ministries -with gays, lesbians and bisexuals. $16/year. Free sample . 3801 N. Keeler Avenue, Chicago, IL 60641. 312n36-5526. FAX-312/736-5475. 10/95 HOMOSEXUAL? The Lambda Directory of Religion and Spirituality with over 400 . sources . of spiritual s'Uppcirt for Gays, Lesbians and their advocates - books. groups. periodical s. etc. Send $7 plus $2 S&H to: Pyramid Press, 13237 Montfort, Ste. 8J0J, Dallas, TX 75240. 10/95 · WHAT'S IN cosmetics? ·Learn how to understand product label contents and find out yourself. FREE cassette and information. George Battelle, P.O. Box 461423-S, West Hollywood, CA 90046-9423. Voice/FAX (213)851-2372 . 6/95 TWO CHRISTIAN WOMEN seeking investors for development of private RV resort in central Arizona. For details call 520- 797-1626, fax 520-544-9649, or write 7920 N. Patrick Henry Place , Tucson, AZ 85741. 6195 ·- ~; GAY EPISCOPAL PRIEST seeks church position with loving, inclusive community that respects the dignity of all: Write to 431 Gravier St. #300, New Orleans , LA 70130 6/95 . MWBM; Chrlsti;n, 52 years old, 5'5", 165 lbs . . 'HIV-. non-smoker seeks other Christian bisexuals, gay men for casual relationship. Come to Oregon Central Coast. J. Nolan. Box 2263 Aotence OR 97439 . 4/95 GWF, 44, professional, feminine, well educateo, · kindly humorous, talkative, financially stable, no drugs /smoking , little drinking, faithful Presbyterian, liberal in outlook, conservative in lifestyle. ISO truly similar' lady living within 2-3 hours: GWF. good listener, feminine, 39-49, interested in commitment vs. Casual relationships. Write: Sarah, P.O. Box 14163, Augusta, GA 30919. 6195 t~Wi-BUYING FOREIGN/USA stamp collections/ accumulations. Professional ·appraisal/offer; excellent references; Rob Gesell, Box 8248, Ann Arbor Ml 48107. (313)662-5460. 6/95 IS YOUR CHURCH welcoming and affirming to lesbians and gay men? I'd like to know. I'm compiling a national list. Please write to Ken Lewis. Box 1452, Laguna Beach. CA 92651. 4/95 PRIVATE RV RESORT ·park for women being developed in central Arizona . For details, call 520-797 -1626, fax 520- 544-9649 , or write The Point, 7920 N. Patrick Henry Place Tucson AZ 85741. 6/95 S E C O N D S T. 0 N E -------- ---------, Classified Order Form I : FOR ONLY Name ___________ _ : 35¢ per word, I your classified ad will Address __________ _ City/St./Zip_~-~---- 1 reach readers from 1 1 . Sitka, Alaska to AD COPY _______ _ : Amherst, lylaine and 1 everywhere in between .. I Business or personal. I try a classified ad in 1 our next edition! __ words X .35= $ ___ _ : .... -------.-- 20 word minimum. All classifieds I /Jail To: must be pre-paid. Deadline one month ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Second Stone prior to cover date. We will mail you a 1 . Box 8340 copy of the edition(s)·in which your ad Please place my ad in these l issues: [ l Jan/Feb [ l Mar/Apr . [ J May/Jun [ J Jul/Aug ! [ J Sept/Oct [ J Nov/Dec · ! CLASSIFICATIONS [ J Books & Publications [ l Business Opportunities [ l Employment [ l Friends/Relationships [ ] General Interest [ l Mail Order [ l Merchandise [ l Organizations [ ] Professional Services [ l Real Estate [ ]Retreats [ l Roommates [ ]Travel I New Orleans, LA 70182 appears I . 1 ---------------------------------------------------------- __ , CREMATION URNS: Introducing the Lambda Pride Um. Celebrate Life with an um that reflects personality and style. Call for free brochure : LifeStyle .Urns 1-800-685-URNS . 8/95. GAY PRIDE FLAGS, Banners, Lapel Pins, Wall Clocks, Tote Bags , Bumper Stickers , Wind Socks & More. Free Catalog . J'-800-854-1438. (24 hrs. - 7 days.) Retail & Wholesale. B LIVE OPERA performance s' on audio / video casette. Incredible selection since 1930's. world-wide. Over 7400 . items. Magnificent free computerized catalogue. Live Opera , P.O. Box 3141, Steinway Station , · Long Island City NY 11103. 12/95 PIANO FOR SALE. Wanted: a responsible person to take on a low monthly payment on a beautiful console piano, no money down. Call !oil.free: 1-800-533-7953 . 6 /95 ·· == = n FREE! UFMCC Resource .Catalog. The Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches is offering the new RESOURCE CENTER CATALOG, featuring new books . by MCC authors; materials for Gay and Lesbian Christians! Contact: U~MCC Catalog, 5300 Santa Monica Blvd ., Smte 304, Los Angeles, CA 90029, fax 213-464-2123 . 4/95 ATTENTION CHRISTIAN songwriters: I will typeset your manuscript music . $20 first pa11e, $2 each . additional stav e. For ·info wnte : Eric Bicknell , 23244 Almira, Southfield. MI 48034. 4/95 "WHAT THE BIBL E Says and Doesn't Say About Homosexuality" by Rev. Nancy Horvath. Professionally · produc e d, studio quality videotape or ~udiocassettes in attractive package. Excellent ·addition to personal library ._ Wonderful gift. Video: $34.95 . Audio: $24.95. Plus $3.95 P&H per order. Credit card orders: . 800 -370-74!!3. Or mail payment to H&B Video, JDVMCC, P.O. Box 64996. Baton Rouge , LA 708% . SECOND HOME, From Page 12 into the ECC as a priest, while recognizing the validity of my United Methodist ordination. He developed a Rite of Reception in which my . United Methodist ordination was duly acknowledged and recognized as valid, while at the same time I was to be welcomed into the ECC with the laying on of hands and a blessing. This proposed rite of reception was shared with my United Methodist bishop, William B. Grove, who _ enthusiastically approved it and saw in the proposed rite of reception a possible solution to larger problems concerning the mutual recognition of ministries between the . United Methodist Church and other churches having the .historic episcopate. On January 11, at a service of St. Francis and St. Clare parish in Hartford, Connecticut, after making the appropriate affirmations of faith and loyalty to the ECC, I was .received by Bishop Mark Shirilau as a priest of the ECC. While it was not my original intent to be a pioneer in either the first or second sense of the word a~ used by Bishop Grove, that seems to be what has happened. So God works in .strange ways to break down the dividing walls of suspicion and division, not only between gay and straight, but'between Christian communites as well. It is my hope that what God has begun in an indirect or "lefthanded" manner in my life my flourish 'in the ministry of the ECC, and in ways I cannot now begin lo see or understand. ARE YOU MOVING? . The Post Office will not forward The Second Stone. You must notify us for uninterrupted service if you move. Please notify us four weeks in a9vance for uninterrupted delivery. Send both oid and new addresses. If possible attach mailing la.be! in space provided. PRINT NEW ADDRESS ~ ·E ~ f ~ ~ Send co mpleted form to : THE SECOND STONE· Box8340 · New Orleans, LA 70182 M A. R C H / A P R I L l 9 9 5 ,. 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 Second Stone #39 - Mar/Apr 1995 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/54660cc332a5e0e690e54cbe276742b7.pdf be5ccf9416a5d1739f43bea5bf18462f 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 Second Stone Description An account of the resource Issues of the Second Stone publication. Issue An issue of a recurring publication. Issue Number The number of the issue (within a volume) 40 Publication Year The year the issue was published 1995 Publication Date The date the issue was published May/June 1995 Text Any textual data included in the document THE NATIONAL NEWSPAPER FOR GAY/LESBIAN/BISEXUAL CHRISTIANS 2.95 SUBSCRIBE NOW· ONE YEAR ONLY $17 • Box 8340 . New Orleans , LA 70182 P.O.Box 8340 New Orleans, LA 70182 ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED BU..K RATE U.S.POSTAGE PAID "Priest" HOOPLA! MOVIE ABOUT A GAY CATHOLIC PRIEST OPENS WITH HYPE. PROTEST AND PRAISE The Oklahoma City bombing JLTIMATE ACT OF VIOLE, CE IS A WAKE UP CA TO HATE N AMERICA .Stephen Braddock A DECADE AGO, HE WAS ON THE FAST TRACK IN NEW YORK. NOW HE RUNS AN AIDS MINISTRY FOR THE ORDER OF ST. CAMILLUS The little people A CRACK BABY AND A TODDLER WITH AIDS J3RING RESURRECTION AND NEW EANI G TO LIVES THEY TOUCH Feeling a little disconnected? OUR NATIONAL CALENDAR IS JAMMED WITH NEW FRIENDS YOU CAN MAKE THIS SUMMER TIME DATED MATERIAL DONOTDELAY NEW ORLEANS, LA PERMIT No. 511 I pftqatt 11ianar;sr411, «t'sij.~i•n:e®:ij~~~a;m*I w Calendar w . . . . . . . . . Retreat for HIV-positive religious and clergy MAY 8-12, The Marianist Center in Cupertino, California, is the setting for a five day retreat for religious and clergy who are HIV-positive. For information contact John McGrann, Kairos Support for Caregivers, 114 Douglass, San Francis.co, CA 94114, (415)861-0877: Peace and Justice for All Festival MAY 12-14, Rrst Congregational United Church of Christ sponsors this gathering, themed "An Agenda for New Century Christians" Rev. Mel White is featured speaker. Musician Ken Medema will perform. All events will take place at the church, 464 East Walnut Street, Pasadena, Calif. For information on the festival, call (818)795-0696. Spiritfest '95 MAY 26-29, DeGray Lake Resort and State Park in Arkansas is the setting for this annual spirit-filled gathering. For information contact Linda Harris, 5029 Lemmon Ave., Dallas, TX 75209, (214)528-2811. Religious Life Weekend JUNE 1·4, The Mercy of God Community sponsors its fourth annual. Religious Lile Weekend for those considerin~ religious life. The LaSalette Center for Christian Living, Attleboro, Mass., 1s the setting'. For information contact the Mercy of God Community, P.O. Box 41055, Providence, RI 02940-1055: Gay, Lesbian & Christian: Celebrating Our Challenges JUNE 8·11, This retreat features John McNeil!, Virginia Mollenkott , Lisa Anderson and Chris Glaser . For inlomation contact Kirkridge, R.R. 3, Box 3402, Bangor, PA 18013. Cost is $295. ·. Retreat for Catholic parents of gay and lesbian children JUNE 9-11, The Catholic Parents Network sponsors "Turning the Key," a weekend of story-telling, presentations, film, discussions, communal prayer, quiet time, worship and socializing. Facilitators are Mary Ellen Lopata, the Catholic mother of a gay son who came out ,in 1983 when he was 19, and Robert Nugent, SDS, a Catholic priest who has written extensively on homosexuality . For information contact Fr. Robert Nugent, 637 Dover St., Baltimore , MD 21230, (301)927-8766. Spirituality Retreat for People Living With HIV/AIDS. JUNE 16-17, St. Camillus AIDS Ministry presents "Embracing the Mystery: HIV/AIDS and the Spiritual Lile." This retreat experience has been designed to help participants re-frame their often negative experiences of living with HIV disease. Guided meditation, reframing of emotional resistance, group sharing, trance journeying, body work, music and ritual are woven into holistic exploration of tools for healing which participants can integrate into· their daily lives. There is no fee, but enrollment is limited. For information about location and registration contact Bro. Stephen Braddock, (414)481-3696. Golden Threads 9th celebration JUNE 23·25, Lesbian women from all over the United States and from many foreign countries will meet at the_ Provincetown Inn in Provincetown, Mass. , Golden Threads is a worldwide social network of lesbian women over 50 and their friends . For information contact Christine Burton, Golden Threads, P.O. Box 60475, Northampton, MA 01060-0475. American Baptists Concerned National Retreat JUNE 24-27, The annual retreat of ABC will be held at Thornfield Retreat Center in Syracuse, New York. Cost is $175. For·information contact ABC, 872 Erie St., Oakland, CA 94610-2268, (510)465-8652. · Womaen's Caucus & BMC Celebration JUNE 25-26, The Church of the Brethren Womaen's Caucus and the Brethren/Mennonite Council for Lesbian and Gay Concerns sponsors "Dancing at the Wall: Re-Imagining the Church." The event will be held at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Charlotte, N.G. · It precedes the Church of the Brethren Annual Conference . For information ·contact BMC, Box 6300, Minneapolis, MN 55406-0300, (612)870-1501, mennojim@aol.com. 15th National Gathering of the UCCUGC JUNE 26-29, The United Church Coalition for Lesbian/Gay Concerns meets in Berkeley on the campus of the University of California. "Hurtling Toward The Millenium: Political Upheaval, Gay Power, and Our Dreams for the Church" is the theme. The meeting precedes the United Church of Christ General . Synod . For information call (614)593-7301 or write to UCCL/GC, 18 N. College St., Athens, OH 45701. SEE CALENDAR, Page 17 SECOND STONE . - THE NATIONAL E C UMENICAL CHRISTIAN NEWSJOURNAL FOR LESBIANS, GAYS AND BISEXUALS Contents ........ ... ~ ....... •· ~ ... • ·•· . [I] Calendar Opportunities for connectedness across the country []}•ws .r---;;::7 -~-. Oklahoma City bombing I I motivated by hate · I A wake-up call for a country ···-- too tolerant of hate crimes · St. · Camillus AIDS Ministry · Bro. Stephen Braddock finds a: call at the end of the last lane [j_] Gay priest with AIDS Fr. Jimmy Tabler just won't slow down; . founds new Ecumenical Catholic Church 112 : The Little People . ·. I Superkids make go.od teachers 113 j Videos · l . ~ To Tell The Truth Television: , . . · Cathedral of Hope MCC . L _ · offers videos for cable access television In Print · Reviewed in this issue : Pastor, I Am Gay; · A gay journey by a straight pastor [I 6-\ _ Noteworthy !-18 I Commentary . . l - Mainstream media overlooked · · Mel White's mission 11· 9· -~ From the editor · _ · Oklahoma City bombing brings . scrutiny to those who hate [20] Classifieds MAY/JUNE l 9 9 5 :m v News . ............................................. •· ......................... . Lutheran bishops confront same-sex union debate LUTHERAN BISHOPS IN Denmark and Sweden have taken actions that chip away at their traditional opposi. tion to same-sex unions. Denmark "s bishops set up a committee to deal with, am,mg other things, issues related to gay and lesbian partnerships. In Sweden, same-sex couples may ask for a prayer of intercession for their partnership. Denmark was the first country worldwide to legalize gay unions, while Sweden is the latest to do so. The bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark have decided to deal with issues concerning the blessing of same-sex relationships. In addition to set.ting .up a committee to address issues concem. ing the family and society, including gay and lesbian partnerships, bishops · have been asked "to come forward with a referendum" later this year . Gays and Lesbians may still neither marry nor have their partnership blessed in church. The bishop of Copenhagen recently reprimanded a pastor in his diocese who gave a church blessing to a lesbian couple following the civil registration of their partnership. "It is not acceptable that pastors take the law into their own hands," Bishop Erik Norman Svendsen told the Danish churEh newspaper Kristeligt Dagblad. And a group of 25 pastors in the Danish church have given notice that they will protest any moves toward permitting the blessing of gay partnerships in church. In neighboring Sweden, gay couples may ask for a prayer of intercession following the civil registration of their partnership . The Church of Sweden bishops' conference sent a proposal for a prayer text to parish pastors in every ·diocese. One of the arguments in support of the proposal was that each sexual relationship should be based on fidelity and responsibility. While intercessory prayer for a gay couple should be considered an unofficial act and pastoral in nature, it may be performed in church at the pastor's discretion. The Swedish bishops' move came in the wake of a new law that gives gay couples the same legal and social Danes elect their first woman bishop THE EV ANGELICAL LUTHERAN Church in Denmark has elected its first woman bishop. Parish pastor Lise-Lotte Rebel was installed as· the new bishop of the Helsingoer diocese on April 2. In a January 25 interview with the Danish newspaper Kristelight Dagblad, Rebel cited her 15 years of service as a·parish pastor in the diocese .as. the main reason for her election. "People QUOTABLE Go Ahead, Make My Values. "Homosexuals should not be portrayed at all on television. If young men need to identify with someone, they should identify with Clint Eastwood." -Lou Sheldon of the · Traditional Values Coalition, Los Angeles Times, Nov. 3, 1994 S :E: C O N :D S T O N E who voted for me knew that I had this experience, but a certain 'local pride' probably also played a role." Rebel said that she does not think the fact that she is a woman was decisive in the election. Neither does she expect her gender to cause her problems as a bishop. "I have served in a number of ordinations in Helsingoer Cathedral and have never had it happen to me that a colleague would not give me his hand." (Male ordinands have been known to refuse to shake hands with female pastors at their ordination.) Rebel, 44, has served as a pastor in . the cathedral parish of Helsingoer since 1987. She will be the fourth woman worldwide to s·erve as a Lutheran bishop, following Maria Jepson in Hamburg, Germany; April Ulring. Larson in the La Crosse Area Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; and Rosemarie Koehn in Hamar, Norway. Rebel may soon be joined by a second woman bishop in the Danish church - three women are aμiong the candidates for bishop of the Fyn diocese. That election is due to take place later this year. - Lutheran World Information - rights as married heterosexual couples, making Sweden the third country to legalize same-sex unions. The new law, which came into force on New Year's Day, does not allow Gays and Lesbians to marry in church, nor to adopt . or foster children, and Lesbians will not be able to have articifial insemination. The Church of Sweden strongly condemned the law, which was put forward by liberal and leftist parties . Swedish archbishop Gunnar Weman advised pastors not to take part in civil registration ceremonies. - Lutheran World Information Retired Anglican bishop says he's gay THE RT REVD DEREK Rawcliffe, the current affairs program . former ·Anglican Bishop of Glasgow Bishop Rawdiffe 's statement came and Galloway in England told a BBC after Cardinal Basil Hume, the leader television program that he was of Roman Catholics in England and homosexual and called for a church Wales, condemned •homophobia and blessing for gay couples. discrimination against homosexuals Bishop Rawcliffe, who served in but restated his support for a Vatican Glasgow and Galloway from .1981 to statement which described homosexu- 1991 and is now retired, is believed to · al genital acts as "objectively disorbe the highest ranking Anglican cler- . dered" and "morally wrong". ic in Britain to state publicly that he is Bishop Rawcliffe said that he was gay• only able to accept his homosexuality "I think that it is both false and after he had turned the age of 50, cruel to say we are gay but are not during his time in the Pacific, where allowed to exercise that. If God were he spent 30 years. Towards the end of really saying · that, that would be his time in the Pacific he got married cruel. We don't say to heterosexual and thought he was no longer gay. people that God has ... given you this But he said that he realised after his sexuality but you are not to use it," wife died, and about the time when Bishop Rawcliffe told the Newsnight he retired, that he was still gay. -ENI Recent finding by top biblical scholars offer a radical new view on the Bible and homosexuality. What13ible -the Really Says About Homosexuality . I• 1-\e\~iniak, f'h.D· oan1e "· Daniel A. Helminiak, Ph.D., respected theologian and Roman Catholic priest, explains in a clear fashion fascinating new insights. " ... will help any reasonably open and attentive reader see that the Bible says something quite different on this subject from what is often claimed." -L. William Countryman, Author of Dirt, Greed and Sex ": .. the most thoughtful, lucid and accessible summary I know of current biblica l scholarship relating to homosexual issues ... eminently useful..." -James B. Nelson, Author and Theology Professor Order now from Second Stone Press Quan. □ WHAT THE BIBLE REA LL V SAVS ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY By Daniel A. Helminiak, $9.95, paperbk Postage/Handling $3 first book, $1 each additional ____ _ TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED ---~~ NAME _____________________ _ ADDRESS ____________________ _ CITY/STATE/ZIP ___________________ _ ORDER FROM: SECOND STONE PRESS, P.O. BOX 8340, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70182 MAY/JUNE l 9 9 5 Subscribe Today. AND YOU'LL NEVER A FRIEND ·JOURNEY. WITHOUT YOUR BE FOR SecoSntdo ne The National Gay and Lesbia _n Christian Newsjournal ;··YES·t ·········································;··· Begin my subscription to ,SECONDS TONEfo r: [ ] One year (6 Issues) $17.00 ( ] Two years (12 issues) $28.00 [ ] Three years (18 issues) $39.00 NAME . ADDRESS CITY/STATE/ZICP ODE CHECK HERE [ ] If a plain envelope Is required and add $2.00 per year. Allow 6-6 weeks for delivery of your first issue. international subscribers add $10.00 per year, U.S.c urrency. ·· Mail To: SECOND STONE, Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 THANK YOU for your subscription support! SECOND STONE • News ••e• • • cs•o •a•••••••• o cs o o o ee ee11 ooo cci Q Gay couple -fasts to protest blocked union blessing TWO MEN, WHOSE plan for a service to bless their union -was blocked, conducted a 10-day fast in a chapel of St. Mark's Cathedral in Seattle to protest what they called the Episcopal Churd1's injustice to homosexuals. The fast, which concluded March 8, coincided with the House of Bishops meeting at Kanuga Conference Center near Hendersonville, North Carolina. Bishop Vincent Warner of the Diocese of Olympia forbade the December service that would have blessed the union of James A. Black, MD, and Thomas W. Monnahan, both members of the cathedral congregation. While citing his own support for their cause, Bishop Warner said that he could not permit the service until the church as a whole arrives at a consensus on the issue. He said that the two undertook the fast "with no expectations," recognizing that the bishops' meeting was not a legislative session that could change church policy. He added that they still hoped that the bishops would find a way to grant each other "some wiggle room" in which congregations supportive of same-sex unions could choose to bless them. They also hoped that the highly publicized event would raise con° sciousness about the · place of homosexuals in the churcl1, he said. In an open letter to the bishops, Monnahan and Black explained the motivation of their fast, saying, "We pray that our two voices speaking with one heart, from -amidst those millions of us outside the walls of our church, may appeal to the hearts and conscience of the . mighty within -the episcopate of .the church. As the members of the House of Bishops break . bread together may they remember, through our small offering of ourselves, all of i:mr sisters and ,brothers who yearn to come the table and join with ·them in the, feast · of Christ." , A 1990 survey ' by Integrity, a gay/ lesbian Episcopal group, found gay/ lesbian comrriitmerit ceremonies were conducted in all 100 Episcopal dioceses in the United States. In some dioceses the bishop participated in the ceremonies, while in other dioceses the ceremonies were conducted in secret. - Seattle Gay News & EpiscapaNl ews Service Reconciling Congregations speak out on lesbian coach's firing EARLY REPORTS OF the firing of coach Diana Chalfant by a United Methodist college ·included a statement by its president that homosexuality was unacceptable. Chalfant had publicly challenged her firing by Lindsey Wilson College in Columbia, Kentucky in December. She was fired because she is a lesbian. After weeks of protests by Lindsey Wilson students, negative publicity in an area newspaper and a flurry of letters from Reconciling Congregations and pastors around the country, the president publicly denied that Chalfant was fired for being a lesbian. However, an area United Methodist pastor and school trustee was reported by local press to have said "practicing hoR1osexuals may not hold leadership positions in the church, and Chalfant's coaching position was considered a leadership position." The Reconciling Congregations Program said that once again United Methodists have communicated a message of inhospitality to lesbian, gay and bisexual persons, a message they say hinde.rs the ministry-of RCs and other welcoming congregations. Staff ~embers of the Reconciling Congregation Program connected Chalfant with Edgehill United Methodist Church -in Nashville. which has provided a supportive community for her. - RCP News Episcopalians support monogamous Gays THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE of Washington, D.C., at its annual convention• in February, adopted a controversial statement on homosexuality in defiance of the church's official stance. Delegates voted 134-32 to adopt the Koinonia Statement, which says that sexual orientation is "morally neutral" and calls for the church to affirm monogamous same-sex relationships. The statement, introduced at the church's national convention in August by pro-gay Newark Bishop John Spong, has been signed by about 70 bishops, but the D;C: · diocese is the first to adopt it at its convention. . The statement reads, in part, 'Those who know themselves ·to be -gay or lesbian persons, and who iio · not choose to live alone, J,ut forge relationships with partners of !_heir: choice that are faithful, momogamous, committed, life-giving and holy are to be honored."- Chicago Outlines MAY/JUNE 199 5 News ........................................................................ Woman says Catholic school fired her because she's lesbian LOS ANGELES (AP) -A woman who claims she was fired from her teaching job at a Roman Catholic high school because she is a lesbian says she feels betrayed by the church. 'The reason I'm coming forward is that they need to be held accountable and I am hoping that this will not happen to anyone else," said Susan Ford, who was fired from St. Joseph High School in Santa Maria. "For me, this is getting the church to deal with the homophobia." · Ford was fired in March 1994 for undisclosed incompetence. She claims she lost her job days after she revealed her sexual orientation, and filed a Superior Court lawsuit. "I think at this point, because of the publicity around this and because I wasn't (openly gay) before, I can't see that I would really go back to my old job," Ford said in a telephone interview. "It's been very, very, traumatic for me, not just professionally but personally and spiritually," she said. " I feel very betrayed by the Catholic Church." The lawsuit, filed in March, accused St. Joseph High School of violating public policy, invasion of privacy and wrongful termination. The suit also said Ford missed work due to depression and anxiety over the firing . She seeks lost wages and benefits, compensation for mental and emotional distress, punitive damages and attorney's fees. Officials for the school al).d the Roman Catholic Church have declined to comment on the suit. " ·When we have a case in court, we respond in court;" said church spokesman Father Gregory Coiro . Ford, who is represented by Mary Ann Tardiff of Santa Barbara, now teaches at a public middle school in the Los Angeles area. Her lawsuit has won support from organizations including . Dignity-USA, a national organization of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered Roman Catholics. "What is hidden behind the spurious charge of incompetence is the underlying issue of sexuality," the Lompoc Valley chapter of the National Organization for Women said in a statement Tuesday . " Homosexuality is in itself insufficient reason to dismiss a valuable person from their job." Church appeals right to intervene in same-sex marriage suit HONOLULU (AP) - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has appealed a state court ruling that denied it the right to. intervene in a same-sex marriage case. Church leaders in Hawaii are seeking to intervene in the case in which three homosexual couples have sued the state for denying them marriage licenses. . · · " We are urging the court to support Hawaii's families and not undermine them by radically redefining the institution of marriage," said Don Hallstrom, the church's legal repre- to trial Sept. 25. same-sex marriages should not be sentative for Hawaii. State Judge Herbert Shimabukuro legal in Hawaii. The Hawaii church has the full denied that petition March 30. Dan Foley, attorney for the couples, support 'of Mormon leaders in Salt said the Mormon church's motion to Lake City, he said. A The case against the state was filed intervene was filed too· late and has church news release in Salt Lake City in 1991 and appealed to the state no legal standing. said so, too. Supreme Court in 1993. The Mormon Church has 70,000 The justices sent the case back to members in Hawaii. In its original petition filed in February, the church said it could offer Attorney General Margery Bronster extra legal manpower, expert witness and research results as she prepares for the case, which goes state court, saying the state must show a compelling interest why Church of England's first lesbian priest out CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE: Helping Christians LONDON - The Church of England, mired in controversy over homosexuality among its clergy, now has its first acknowledged lesbian priest. The Sunday Times newspaper said the Reverend Ros Hunt, from the university town of Cambridge, had decided to reveal publicly that she is a lesbian. "(Her) move will be seen as a further challenge to the Church of England's bar on vicars practicing or being openly homosexuaJ,"·the paper said . Traditionalists in the Anglican church are still coming to terms with its divisive decision to ordain the first women priests in its history last year, and are likely to be uncomfortable with the idea of lesbian priests, . a church spokeswoman said . Some leading clergy have called for the Church of England, which allows priests to marry , to reexamine its attitude to homosexuality inside and outside the church. · Bishop David Hope, the church's third most senior figure, said recently he was celibate but his own sexuality was ambiguous and a grey area after a gay activist group had threatened to "out" him as a homosexual. A national debate on the church and homosexuality has intensified since March when a 74-year-old retired Anglican bishop revealed he was gay. Cardinal Basil Hume, the lead er of Britain's Roman Catholics, has condemned discrimination against homosexuals while sticking to the Vatican line that gay sex .is immoral. -Reuter Recognize same-sex unions, says Norway church committee THE HOMOSEXUALITY WORK group of the Lutheran Church in Norway issued a paper February 15 urging that the church recognize same-sex partnerships and perform gay and lesbian union . ceremonies, reported the Oslo newspaper Aftenposten. The work group rejected allowing Gays and Lesbians to adopt childr en $ECO . ND STONE or access artificial insemination because, they said , children should be raised in as "normal" an environment as possible. Norway is one of three countries that offer an equivalent to matrimony for Gays and Lesbians. ·i :.e gay marriage law it self does not allow for adoption or a rtificial .insemination . - Baltimore Alternative - Edited by Sallv B. Geb & Debate Homosexuality Few other issues divide the Christian community more sharply than homosexuality. In this new volume, writers with divergent ppints of view deal with questions at the center of the debate between pro-gay and anti-gay believers. l )onafcl E. Messer Edited by Sally 8. Geis, director, lliff Institute, Lay and Clergy Education, The lliff School of Theology, Denver, and Donald E. Messer, president, The Iliff School of Theology. Order now from Second Stone Press Quan. □ CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE By Geis/Messer, $12.95, paperbk ___ _ Postage/Handling $3 first book, $1 each additional ____ _ TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED ----- NAME ______________________ _ ADDRESS _____________________ _ CITY/STATE/ZIP ___________________ _ ORDER FROM: SECOND STONE PRESS, P.O. BOX 8340, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70182 MAY/JUNE 1 9 9 5 w News w ........................................................ . ........... . Church of England struggles with sexuality issues AT A PRIVATE, week-long meeting on the grounds of Windsor Castle outside of London, the primates of. the Anglican Communion wrestled with issues of leadership, evangelism, human r ights and sexuality--and discussed plans for the 1998 Lambeth · Conference of bishops . "Our being together has strengthened our vision in Christ and renewed our desire to improve our structures, leadership and communication," the leaders said in a pastoral letter released March 16. The pastoral letter said that the primates were "conscious that within the church itself there are those whose pat.tern of sexual expression is at variance with the received Christian moral tradition but whose lives in other respects demonstrate the marks of genuine Christian character." While acknowledging that the issues are "deep and complex," the primates urged careful reflection on sexuality issues "in the light of the Scriptures and the Christian moral tradition," but with "honesty and integrity, avoiding unnecessary confrontation and polarization, in a spirit of faithful seeking to understand more clearly the will of God for our lives as Christians." During the .meeting, an organization called Outrage! attempted . to pressure the bishop of London, David Hope, into admitting that he is a homosexual. In the face of the implied threats, the bishop called a news conference and said he had "from the beginnin~ chosen to lead a single, celibate life' and that he .was "not a sexually active person," although confessing some "ambiguity" about his sexual orientation . The primates issued a letter of support, expressing their "solidarity in deploring this reprehensible intrusion into your private life. We assure you as a body that we stand against this kind of provocation." "We reject homophobia in any form," Carey said at a closing press conference. "Homosexuals must be treated as people made in the image and likeness of God," he said, adding that sexuality issues must take into account human experience as well as biblical teaching. Archbishop Keith Rayner of Australia said that the church is "finding there are people whose lives show all the marks of Christian character and yet in some way are not . conforming" to the traditional understanding of Christian sexuality. He said that scientific study and human experience had to be taken into account, "just as the church has had to modify its views on marriage and divorce in the light of human experience." Presiding Bishop Edmond Browning added, "Before we can wrestle with the issue of practicing homosexuals, we have to wrestle with the issue of same-sex unions." By addressing the possibility that two people could live in a life-long committed relationship, "that would say something about how we saw that lifestyle and about the holiness of that lifestyle." Browning said in an interview that there was "a great sense of anger" among the primates over the treatment of the bishop of London. But he added that he was impressed with the quality and depth of discussions around sexuality issues," including issues that have made some primates uncomfortable at previous meetings . "For too long we have either dodged the issues or been unwilling to face up to them," he said. -James Solheim, Episcopal News Service Bishop targeted for outing appointed Archbishop of York A CHURCH OF ENGLAND bishop recently targeted by a homosexual "outing" campaign has been appointed as archbishop of York, the church's second-highest post. A leader of the traditionalist Anglo-Catholic wing of the church, Hope was a prominent opponent of the ordination of women, which began last year . He has permitted them to be ordained in his diocese but has declined to participate personally . At York, Hope will succeed the Most Rev. John Habgood, who retires Aug. 31. Prime Minister John Major chose Hope from two candidates nominated by the church. Hope told a news conference Tuesday that he had received hun- . dreds of letters of support after he spoke out about his sexuality last month . "Many of them were from homosexual people themselves and one or two were extremely moving letters," he said . He said he hoped to promote discussion of the issue within the church. " At the present time I am just a little concerned that the debate is causing rather more heat than light," he said. "I think it's immensely important that we remain in touch and keep linked with, as I have attempted to do, a whole range of groups." Christina Rees, spokeswoman for the Ministry of Women, a group which lobbied for women priests, said it would have been more encouraging to see an ally appointed archbishop. "But David Hope is a man of · integrity and I believe he is bigger SECOND STONE than his own points of view," she said. Hope was ordained in 1966, appointed bishop of Wakefield in 1985 and then bishop of London in 1991. Bishop Hope's family came from Yorkshire where his father ran a small building firm and, as a young boy David Hope won a scholarship as a chorister at Wakefield Cathedral. Speaking of the relationship between York and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Bishop David said that he had already worked very closely with Archbishop Carey. 'My own background and tradition is of course somewhat different from his and for example in the matter of the ordina tion of women, I have taken and continue to take a different view. This simply reflects however a wider, reality within the Church of England. There are many more fundamental matters on which we entirely agree. One is the perception that there is a spiritual hunger and thirst for faith in our nation. I share with Archbishop Carey his vision for encouraging the Church of England in spiritual growth in its witness and mission' . The Archbishop of Canterbury warmly welcomed the appointment by H er Majesty of Bishop David Hope and said 'He is well-known for his scholarship and spirituality and has proved to be a shrewd and strong leader in the Diocese of London where I know he will be sadly missed.' The Archbishop said 'We compliment each other in churchmanship and in opinions on a wider range of issues but we are single-minded in our concern for the Church of .England and its - mission to the nation and through the wider Anglican Communion to the world.' The Most Revd John Habgood, Archbishop of York, said that he was delighted to hear of the appointment of Bishop David Hope as his successor. Speaking of Bishop Hope he said 'He combines a clear theological mind with deep spirituality, firmness of purpose and gentleness of touch.' Bishop Hope said his appointment was 'A signal to the Anglo-Catholics that there is still a space in the C of E for them.' Responding to questions on homosexuality, the Archbishop Designate referred to homosexuals as 'human persons' and . that serious, careful and reflective discussion need to be taken on the House of Bishops' Statement on Sexuality. He also stated that 'Sexuality is not my main concern' "and that he appreciated the ministry of homosexual priests as·well as heterosexual priests in the church. Bishop Hope said that he had fought against stereotyping throughout his life: "After all the words that have been written and spoken about this issue in recent weeks and days I personally felt it was right to inform you of the way in which Outrage have been pursuing this matter with regard to myself. It has been brought to my attention that many people, both inside the church and out of it, both within the gay community and outside it - find this approach wholly unacceptable . Indeed, many believe, as I do myself, that it could do untold damage to a better understanding of homosexuality and homosexual people. -AP, ENI, Episcopal News Service OutRage! threatens to out more bishops LONDON - A gay activist who has become the scourge of the Church of England by exposing Anglican clergy he claims are secretly gay said in March he had three more bishops in his sights . The church's third-ranking clergyman, Bishop of London Dr Davie! Hope, has already stated his sexuality was ambiguous and a grey area, although he was celibate, but complained that Peter Tatchell's gay campaign group OutRage! had intimidated him . Tatchell's tactics, which he justifies by saying he is rooting out hypocrisy, have unleashed a national debate about the ethics of what he does and about the church's stance on sex. The Church of England does not condemn homosexuality like the Roman ,Catholic Church but does not accept practicing homosexuals as priests . "This small success in getting the Bishop of London to come out and getting the church hierarchy to back him is just a tiny move in a much bigger game plan," Tatchell said on television . "OutRage! is privately attempting to persuade three other Anglican bishops to come out of their own free will," he later told Britain's Press Association news agency. OutRage! named 10 bishops last year, alleging they were gay. MAY/JUNE 199 5 li~l=IH ■il1~t,11=1;t,li=iit;ll1'1l=i The Oklahoma City bombing: Hate groups suspected from the first OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Experts who track hate groups and paramilitary organizations suspected from the first that these might be linked to the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. Now these authorities are repeating calls for a crackdown. "Americans are dying, and it's time to seriously investigate these movements," said Rick Eaton, a researcher The origin of hate: at the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles. Another monitoring group, the Southern Poverty Law Center, urged Attorney General Janet Reno in a letter last October -to investigate unauthorized "militias," contending some of these paramilitary organizations were mixing with white supremacists in a "recipe for disaster." The organizations monitored by the Southern Poverty Law Center's Klanwatch network vary widely in philosophy - from Ku Klux Klan-style white supremacy to simply advocating staunchly the right to bear arms and be free of government interference. "We don't believe in violent means or violent acts," said Samuel Sherwood, director of the U.S. Militia Association, based in Blackfoot, Idaho, with chapters in 10 states. He denounced more militant groups as "gangs of.guys with guns." A neo-Nazi group, the American National Socialist Workers' Party, denied that it knew about or participated in the Oklahoma bombing and urged any members with information to help investigators. The group's official statement added it believed "members of the Movement" were involved. Supremacists use declining economies to anger the uneducated STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - To many, the hundreds of decaying factories around Pennsylvania . indicate economic decline. To white supremacists, the empty plants represent op- . portunity. And, rights activists say, .supremacists have wasted no time in taking advantage of the opportunity. The Pennsylvania Human Relations Coinmission reports that 64 white supremacist groups were active in the state in 1994, up from 40 the previous year. Pennsylvania has more neoNazi groups than any state except California, according to the 1994 Klanwatch Intelligence Report. Many uneducated young whites, once guaranteed jobs at the steel mills where their -parents worked, are stuck with _unemployment or low-paying service jobs today. Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, Jews, Gays and Lesbians are easy targets for their angst. '1t's difficult to tell a young person to have confidence in a society that glorifies an AIDS-carrying degenerate like Greg Louganis and calls. him a hero when he knows the real hero is his father, who has worked all his life HOMOSEXUALITY IN THE CHURCH: Quan. Both Sides of the Debate Outstanding authorities on scripture, tradition, reason, biology, ethics, and gendered experience discuss the place of Gays and Lesbians in the community of faith. This book will provoke discussion in congregations, study groups, and ethics and social justice issues. Edited by Jeffrey S. Siker, Associate Professor of New Testament at Loyola Ma·rymount University, Los Angeles. Order now from Second Stone Press □ HOMOSEXUALITY IN THE CHURCH Edited by Jeffrey S. Siker, $14.99, paperbk ___ _ Postage/Handling $3.00 first book, $1.00 ea. additional ----- TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED ----- NAME---------------------- ADDRESS ___________________ _ CITYISTATE/ZIP· _______________ -'----- ORDER FROM: SECOND STONE PRESS, P.O. BOX 8340, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70182 SECOND STONE - at a factory and is then tossed out and replaced by a minority," said Richard Barrett, the leader of the Nationalist Movement and the Nationalist Skinhead Corps in Learned, Miss. The organization will not release exact membership figures, but Barrett said Pennsylvarua has more members of the Nationalist Movement than all but four states - California, Texas, Massachusetts and New York. Why would white supremacist groups thrive in Pennsylvania, with its peaceful, Quaker roots and its quaint Amish villages? The answer, most experts say, is the decline of industry and the lack of opportunity. "Hatred is a unifying agent," said the Rev. Larry Trachte, who teaches a class on cults and hate groups at Wartburg College in Waverly, fowa. "Hatred often grows out of self-contempt, when a young person feels that he is a failure ." "People who have worked their whole lives are losing jobs to Japan and Mexico," Reading Klansman Roy Frankhouser said. 'There's a tremen- Thought he was gay, attacker says dous frustration when they see foreigners come in and get a smallbusiness loan. They feel anger and outrage." Ann Van Dyke of the Human Relations Commission said hate groups usually start in all-white, all-Christian towns that are losing their industrial base. Rabbi Kenneth Cohen noticed the increase in skinheads around York ·County about two years ago. He didn't worry about the groups, even · after skinheads moved into a house down the street from Ohev Sholom Synagogue. On Feb. 18, congregants found a bloody pig's head hanging on the synagogue door. A month later, police arrested two people with ties to the Eastern Hammer Skinheads. Andrea Arnold, 18, and Mason Aldrich, 22, face ethnic intimidation, institutional vandalism, desecration of venerated objects, ha0 rassment and criminal conspiracy charges. "I think we're concerned," Cohen SEE HATE, Page 17 Hate crime charged in assault of mentally handicapped man LOGAN, Utah (AP) - Cache County prosecutors are contemplating charging a man suspected of beating a mentally handicapped cyclist under the state's hate crime law. Cache County Attorney Scott Wyatt said the 27-year-old suspect apparently punched and kicked the victim during an assault in a store parking lot April 13 because he thought the man had made a sexual advance toward him. The victim, 46-year-old Brent Carpenter, is a familiar site in Logan, where he rides his mountain bike as many as 50 miles every day, waving at passersby. Carpenter is mentally handicapped and has worked 18 years at the Junction, a Utah State University cafeteria. Carpenter suffered cuts and bruises. "His only motivation was he thought this guy was .gay and was trying to hit on him," said Collins. The suspect was arrested at the Logan department store where he works after a witness to the assault recognized him and called security. Logan Police Detective Eric Collins said the suspect admitted to the assault and said he hit Carpenter becuase he thought he was gay and was making a pass at him. He has been released on $5,000 bail. Utah's hate crime statute increases the severity of crimes committed with "the intent to intimidate or terrorize an individual" because of their race, religion or beliefs. MAY/JUNE 199 5 Being gay, says Fr. Greg, made me a better PRIEST A movie featuring a gay priest as its main character opened in theaters across the country on April 19 amidst condemnation from Roman Catholic Church officials and organizations and much less noticed praise from many in the church who say the movie is an accurate portrayal of human issues facing the Roman Catholic Church and the inability of the institution to respond to those issues. Devoted to his work, faithful to his beliefs and true to his word the main character of "Priest", Father Greg Pilkington (Linus Roache), finds his religious ideals quickly called into question upon his arrival at a poor and tough Liverpool parish. -Fellow priest Matthew Thomas (Tom Wilkinson) is carrying on an intimate relationship with Maria Kerrigan (Cathy Tyson), the presbytery's housekeeper. Fourteen-year-old Lisa Unsworth (Christine Tremarco) confesses to him that .she is suffering sexual abuse at the hands of her own father. Forced by the situation to choose between his faith and exposing the truth, Greg's world becomes one of lies and betrayal as he begins to question the ways of the church while confrontin,g his own hidden demons. · Upon first meeting, Father Greg Pilkington and Father Matthew Thomas quickly come to philosophical blows - Matthew preaches tolerance and understanding often going against the teachings of the church while Greg believes the church's doctrines must be closely adhered to. Greg begins to grapple with his own sense of right and wrong as he considers how to end Lisa's suffeing - something he knows he must do. He also knows that the secrets of the confessional are sacred and that church law does not allow him to reveal the secret he knows. · Seeking an escape from the pressure he is under Greg ventures out to a club one evening where he enjoys the company of Graham (Robert Carlyle). A few days later Graham attends mass and attempts to take communion from him; Greg ignores his own sense of human compassion refusing to absolve him. Greg's feelings of remorse and guilt now become extreme. He ceases to function either as a priest or as a man. When Mrs. Unsworth (Lesley Sharp) discovers her husband with Lisa one afternoon she confronts Greg in a bitter rage. He is unable to respond to her anger and is quietly devastated · by his own impotence in the situation. As Greg gradually realizes that the church doesn't always provide all of the . answers, and as his own truth comes more sharply into focus he slowly com:es to terms with himself • and with those around him. Ultimately the story of "Priest". is one of tolerance and intolerance, . belief and compassion, about one man's struggle with a pow·er much larger than himself - that of desire . Through the pain of a teenage girl Father Greg is able to recognize his own pain and finally embrace his own truth. Writer Jimmy McGovern first wrote "Priest" as a four-part BBC television series in 1992. Many drafts and some CardinalO 'Connorj oins criticismo f "Priest" NEW YORK CARDINAL John O'Connor joined the criticism of the movie "Priest", calling it "viciously anti-Catholic", although he hasn't seen the film. The 20,.000-member Catholic League and the mostly Catholic antiabortion group American Life League last week started boycotts of the Walt . Disney Co, parent company of Miramax Films. More than 20 other groups, including the politicallyinfluential Christian Coalition, joined the boycott. "No doubt whatsoever. The movie 'Priest' has to be as vicious!/ antiCatholic as anything that has ever rotted on the silver screen" the i:_:::ardinwalr ote in the weekly Catholic New York. He said he formed his opinions from reading reviews in newspapers and magazines on SECOND STONE "Priest". "Five out" of five priests in "Priest" are twisted, each in his own way, thoroughly unsavory character, with fewer redeeming features than a black beetle in a bowl of black bear soup," the Archbishop of New York wrote in the article. "For every nasty caricature of a 'Priest' kind of priest, I have met a hundred, a thousand, God knows how many, celibate, loyal, self-sacrificing men of Christ." O'Connor said he was disappointed with Disney and Miramax, writing that "your movie is little more than the kind of thing kids used to take delight in scrawling on the walls in men's rooms· ... what you have done is cheap and onerous." -Reuter/Variety - Linus Roache as Father Greg Pilkington years later the BBC told him _that the project would be a go as a feature film. He quickly pared 200 pages town to 65, and the script was sent to director Antonia Bird who immediately fell in love with it. · Both McGovern and Bird took the telling of this story seriously. They wanted to tell a story about a -poor, common Catholic parish in Liverpool - a place where often the people have very few choices in their day to day lives and must accept what is dished out to them. They also wanted to show the courage and hope that keeps these people strong in the face of adversity . McGovern is from Liverpool. He is known as a writer who will say the unmention?ble. He frequently writes about the hidden aspects of peoples' lives - what they present to the world versus what they really do and believe in their inner most, hidden thoughts and emotions. In the case of "Priest" he does it again - the film deals with subjects people may ,be aware of, what people may experience but do not like to talk about. 'The subjects I choose to write about are · usually controversial but I don't write about them simply for the shock value. I like to make comments on people's motives, to find elements of selfishness in their action," said McGovern. Being raised and schooled as a Catholic, McGovern had always planned to write the story of a priest who hears a confession of incest. "It's just been my mission in life to get something writteri about a priest," he says. "In the final scene you've got a priest who thinks he's a sinner and a girl who's been sinned against horribly," says McGovern. "She comes up and absolves him . That's what the Eucharist is about, ifs about a man who is broke, bleeding and dying, naked on the cross . It's about common humanity and compassion." And that is ultimately what the film "Priest" is about - everyday understanding, common humanity and compassion. Critically acclaimed director Antonia Bird has alr~ady won several awards for her work in film and television. "Priest", her second feature film, won the Audience Prize at the Toronto International Film Festival, the Michael Powell Award for Best British Film at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, the FIPRESCI International Critics Prize at the 1995 Berlin International Film Festival, and has been nominated by the British Academy for a 1995 Alexander Korda Award for Best British Feature Film. MAY/JUNE 1995 Miramax bowed to pressure to change Good Friday theatrical release date THE NATIONWIDE release of "Priest," which opened March 31 in New York and Los Angeles, was changed to April . 19, from Good Friday, April 14, because of protests from Catholic groups. The secular Catholic League, saying the film "insults" the church and its mem• bers, had threatened a boycott of Walt Disney Co., parent of Miramax, if the film opened on Good Friday. Miramax is autonomous, a spokesperson said, and Disney was not involved in the decision to change the release. Miramax has made films such as "Pulp Fiction" and "The Crying Game." Disney officials declined comment. William Donohue, president of the Catholic League, said he welcomed the change in the release date but still wanted Disney to disassociate itself from the movie. Donohue also said he was angry about a statement Miramax released by the movie's director; Antonia Bird. In her statement, Bird defended the fllm and said she had "gained· a huge respect and sympathy for Catholicism and the priesthood as a result of researching and making the film." But she lambasted the Catholic League for what she called "transparent attempts at moral blackmail" and "the blinkered, indeed totalitarian, view that the rest of us should share its assumptions." The head of the Catholic group said Miramax's decision to release the director's statement "shows they want lo continue the war ." the "movie is designed to stick it to the Catholic Church.'-' Bird said she does not believe "that an organization as powerful and influential as the Cathoin the way African-Americans have been depicted in movies over the years.'' lic Church should be immune "If you're going to be a pro- .from observation and o;:,mment vider of smut, you cannot be a from non-members." The Cath- trusted provider of entertainolic League, she continued, ment for children,'' said Judie "suffers from the blinkered, Brown, president of the antiindeed totalitarian, view that abortion American Life League, the rest of us should share its based in Stafford, Va. assumptions." Saying the movie insults Her reference to "moral black- Catholics, both the Life League mail" ·came in response to and the secular Catholic League Donohue's analogy that similar- said they plan to boycott all ly harsh movies about Jews, Disney f.roducts, the Disney blacks and gays, "in the un- Channe, Disney World and likely event" they were made, Disneyland.They also plan to would draw outcries from civil wage a letter campaign. rights groups. The Life League wants Responding that the analogy Disney to fire chairman and was "beyond contempt," Bird chief executive Michael Eisner, said Donohue "clearly has little remove the movie from distriknowledge of and scant interest bution in theaters and onvideo _,_,.,....,..._,.,.. and "apologize to every Christian in the country." Mark Gill, marketing president for Miramax, said "We believe in this movie and believe it is a portrait of real life" He said the response from many Catholics who have seen the movie has been mostly favorable. The head of the Life League said ·its 300,000 members, 80 percent of whom are Catholic, object to the film's "attack" on and inaccurate portrayal of priests, "the people at the forefront of the pro-life movement.'' The League also plans to air nationwide advertisements on programs such as "The Rush Limbaugh Show," and the Catholic League said it would jam Disney's ·phones with complaints. -Reuter/Variety . The New York-based Catholic League for Religious & Civil Rights issued an 11-page condemnation of the movie, saying, among other things, that Linus Roache, Tom Wilkinson and Cathy Tyson in Antonia Bird's "Priest'' Movie treats audiences like voyeurs, says French monsignor PARIS (Reuter) - The movie "Priest" is painful to Catholics and treats audiences like voyeurs, the head of the French bishops' conference said i.n a. letter published April 18. Monsignor Joseph Duval, in a letter sent to French bishops April 17 and printed by the daily Le Figaro, highlighted "recent media events which have been a source of suffering for many Catholics in this country." SECOND STONE He criticized the "complacent" release of the film in the middle of Easter Holy Week. "Saying that celibacy is difficult is self-evident .. Who wouldn't believe that there are some failures?" Duval wrote. ''But betting on the commercial success of a film on this question means treating the audience like voyeurs.'' - The French church has not known any of the incidents involving sexual activity that have involved priests in the United States, Canada and Britain in past years . But France's oncepowerful, but now sharply reduced, Father Jean-Michel di Falco, secretary and spokesman of the bishops' conference, had branded the timing of the release a provocation. militant anti-clerical movement, once gleefully highlighted cases of priests found to be involved in heterosexual liaisons. The church suffered acute embarassement in 1974 when Cardinal Jean Danielou died suddenly in.a . prostitute's flat in a Paris red-light district. The church insisted she was distraught and he was bringing her moral comfort. MAY/JUNE l 9 9 5 Vowing to help others ... BY MARIE ROHDE A decade ago, Stephen Braddock was a man on the fast track. He lived and worked in New York, providing security and private investigation work for the rich and famous. Frank Sinatra, Sean Connery and Jennifer O'Neill were among his clients. At 21, he seemed to be a boy wonder who had it all - money, friends, a golden touch in business, an exciting job. - Now he is a Roman Catholic brother with the Order of St. Camillus in St. Francis, Wisconsin. He has taken a vow of poverty, chastity, obedience and serviee"to ·-t-he sick and dying. He lives with two.other brothers and a. novice in a former convent, running an AIDS program. What brought about the dramatic change in the direction of his life was a sudden illness that struck him on March 19, 1985. It seemed like a flu but it took a violent swing, and by the time Braddock arrived in a hospital emergency room, he couldn't even speak. "I was in and out of. consciousness, and I remember all these doctors and nurses in hospital gowns and gloves standing around me asking if I did drugs or had sex with men," he recalled. "Nobody knew much about AIDS then, and they kept asking me if I could have AIOS. 'There was so much fear then." Braddock continued. "Peo.ple who were a big part of my life were afraid to come to see me." Braddock nearly died, but he did not and does not have AIDS. He had contracted bacterial meningitis, a lifethreatening but curable illness. One lasting effect was that he lost some of his hearing. Another lasting effect was that he took on a profoundly different way of looking at life. · "It made me re-evaluate my life and look at my priorities,'' he said. "I had cars and boats and was buying gas stations and had a cleaning business. Enough was never enough. But it was all very empty and meaningless to me." Braddock came from a :Strongly SECOND STONE Catholic family that supported him through the good times and the bad. Although he drifted from the church, he returned as he searched for meaning in his life. He entered the 400- year-old Order of _St. Camillus, an order dedicated to working with the sick and dying. The order is devoted to health care and is committed to supporting a fuiltime ministry for people with AIDS and HIV. In October 1993, Braddock was named director of an AIDS ministry considered a priority of the order. He and three other men live in St. Francis in what was .once a convent in a building attached to Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church. The others are Nels Deloria, a nurse with a vibrant sense of humor who entered the order 21 years ago; Louis Lussier, a medical doctor who now edits the Journal of Christian Healing for the order; and Mario Crivello, a former teacher. Lussier and DeLoria have taken their final vows as brothers of the order. Crivello is a novice, one who is preparing to take the vows. · The house is huge, with 22 small bedrooms. The furnishings are homey, intentionally not looking like a rectory or a hospice. A picture of Jesus, head thrown back in laughter, is on one wall. A poster of the crucified Christ looking down on people representing all humanity is on another. And then there's Braddock's collection of whimsical monk figurines - a favorite being three hooded monks in a line with hymnals (look closely, because the last holds a miniature copy of Playboy). These are earthy men who radiate spirit1.1ality without preaching, say those who know them, many of whom have been alienated from the church. Braddock and the others say simply that they are trying to live the Christian Gospel. It's a welcoming place for those with AIDS and HIV and their families, the site of frequent retreats as well as formal and informal counseling sessions. 'The Gospel is very clear," Braddock says. "The only appropriate response is one of unconditional love and caring. That is what we try to provide." Those who have come for retreats have ranged in age from 18 to 61, but Braddock and the others say they have counseled people in their 70s as well as children who have AIDS. Statistics, he says, destroy the myth that AIDS is an affliction of young gay men. 'The reality is that women and children are the fastest growing group among those with AIDS," Braddock said. Brother Stephen Braddock Theresa is one of those women who felt sure she was in a monogamous relationship. She was visiting the former convent recently and agreed to talk to a reporter if her real name was not used. She has a grown son who knows that she has tested positive for HIV. The 45-year-old accountant doesn't use drugs and has never been promiscuous; she's worked hard to raise her son and is a Catholic who misses the days when the Mass was said in Latin. She met and fell deeply in love with a businessman who .seemed to be like her. If he had any faults, it was that he was a workaholic, she says. He died 18 months ago, uncertain how he contracted AIDS and deeply sorry that he passed the disease on to Theresa, a woman he planned to marry. She is neither bitter nor angry with her late lover. Each night she plays a taped recording he made for her. What does she get from being with the brothers? 'They are really good people and so different from.most of the religious people I grew up with," she said, explaining she met one of the men at a seminar on grieving that he was leading. "I was invited here for Christmas and other times. It's a place where I can explore who lam." Joe Zopp, 39, has been active in Milwaukee's gay community and with the gay and lesbian Catholic group Dignity . He is open about having AIDS. Unlike Theresa, he had told his family and has been bolstered by their support. He also is a frequent visitor of the former convent and has been a guest for several retreats. Zopp, who learned he had HIV seven years ago, said he struggled with his sexuality for years before he accepted it as a gift, much as he has accepted the sexuality of his brothers and sisters who have married. "AIDS is also a gift," Zopp said. "You can let it get you down or you can let it help you understand yourself and others. It's helped me clear the clutter out of my life, helped me to understand sexism and racism." Zopp says he can no longer work because of his . illness. These days he has no long-term goals, but he continues to practice what his .religion has taught him: to celebrate life, to love God with all his heart and love his neighbors as himself. Glenn Nash, 41, is a Baptist who has Ii ved all of his life in Chicago. He spent much of his life behind bars for crimes he committed -in order to sup0 port his drug habit. It was while he was incarcerated that he learned that he was HIV-positive. "I lived to use . and used to live," Nash said. 'The only time I was :clear was when I was locked up. My family shunned me and I was homeless." The diagnosis changed Nash's life. At a treatment center, he learned of Braddock and the retreats. He now is a full-time volunteer, working to help others cope with AIDS and to help others learn from his mistakes. And he comes to Milwaukee for retreats with Braddock and the others as often as he can. The brothers do more than run retreats. Braddock has .. organized a series of lectures - some for those infected,. some for caregivers. He also works with a pastoral team at Children's Hospital in Milwaukee as. part of a clinical-pastoral training program. Often, Braddock and the others just visit the homes of those who are ill or offer a much-needed break to caregivers. "Some of the best pastoral care happens when you're doing the most mundane things - giving someone a bath or helping them with their shopping," Braddock said. January and February were difficult months, Braddock said. Thirteen of those he was seeing died, and he officiated at the funerals for many of them. "I have no idea how many of them were Catholics," Braddock said. "It really doesn't matter." Marie Rohde is a religion reporter for The Milwaukee Journal, from which this article was excerpted. MAY/JUNE l 9 .9 5 LIMA, Ohio (AP) For Father Jimmy Tabler, church is a two-story, weathered hous ·e in South Lima. A chesthigh ledg e draped with a cloth is his pulpit. His altar: an antique table in front of an entertainment center. On Sundays, his living room .is a sanctuaiy. He preaches to those who sit in the makeshift pews formed by three rows of folding chairs. Tabler, 48, is an ordained Catholic priest. H e 's also gay with HIV - the virus that causes AIDS. "I feel like gay people really need the church . People that struggle in their morality ought to be the most welcome in the church,'' he said . "Jesus says love doesn't mean anything until you love the people who are hard to love:" And so, after turning away from religion when he acknowledged he was gay, he came back after finding a church that accepted gays and lesbians - and even encouraged them to take leadership roles. In November, Tabler formed the Most Holy Redeemer Ecumenical Catholic Church, a month after he . was ordained a Catholic priest in Oklahoma City. The church is an arm of the Ecumenical Catholic Church of ··•Villa Grande, Calif .;' and has no ties to the Roman Catholic Church. His parishioners, often a handful or fewer, worship in Tabler's old, white house . The crux of his ·weekly message: Christian love should be tolerant of-all people. "To hate people and to discriminate is not really the gospel. That's not being faithful to the gospel of Jesus Christ," he said. "I don't think the church can be healthy until it includes its gay sons and daughters ." Tabler first chased ,.his dream of becoming a minister in 1981; enrolling at the Episcopal Theological Semilll\ry of the Southwest in Austin, Texas; after firi.;hing graduate school at Texas A&M. He dropped out three years later, pressured by bishops who had learned · of his lifestyle and told him to keep it quiet, he says. Tabler spent 10 years trying to reconcile his sexual orientation with his spiritual one. He was troubied that many religious people he knew believed it's a sin to b.e gay. "I still love the church; but I don't know why they make it- impossible for anyone who wants to be open and honest," he said. Monsignor . Donald Heintschel, spokesman for the Diocese of Toledo, doesn't believe the Ecumenical church is backed by the Roman Catholic Church. "We don't name ou·r churches 'Ecumenical,"' he said . " But if he has a church where homosexuals are SECOND STONE welcome, I have no problem with that. "Still, I think there are ways of ministering to people who have AIDS other than founding a church . I believe there are a. lot of hospices · around, for example." After seminaiy, Tabler moved to Dallas · and painted houses for the next seven years. He also .met Ruben · Perez, and the two began attending a large inner-city Roman Catholic . Church. I was there that AIDS began to ·' touch his life . Before then, it was somethin ·g they thought .was confined to cities like Los Angeles, New York . and San Francisco. "We were buiying two, three; four young men a week," he said . " It was like getting 200 or so friends together and every week seeing one or two of them die." l i Tabler and Perez chose to leave 'fhii' i daily sorrow in . search of a peaceful ' life together in Lima. Tabler was born . , in St. Marys and spent most of his · early years in rural Gomer . Father Jimmy Tabler, right, founder of the Most Holy Redeemer Ecumenical Catholic Church in Lima, Ohio. . •· They . talked about how nice it would be to escape to a place without AIDS. "Ruben's family had disowned him . They did it when they found out he was gay,'' Tabler said . ' '.My family was different. So we decided to live around them." Tabler continued to paint houses. Ruben managed a local restaurant. "We were very happy together, very happy ." But within months, Perez got sick. Six weeks later, on Christmas Day, he died of AIDS at St. Rita's Medical Center at age 29. "Neither of us knew. Neither of us had been tested,' ' Tabler said . "But looking back, I .realize that the skin condition Ruben had was a precursor ." Tabler knew .he must be HIVpositive, too. Tabler believes he got the disease 12 years ago after a bad car accident. At the time, many people were infected from tainted blood . · Tabler smiles . in the face of death. He believes death will bring him life - forever. And so he's not worried. And he refuses to look at his illness · as a death sentence. Instead he fights it by teaching others - including stu. dents, church congregations and prisoners. He now serves on the board of the AIDS Task Force Regional Cooperative. His congregation during a recent Sunday service was his roommate . She follows the ceremony religiously, turning the pages of the handmade hymnal that's bound by yarn . Tabler belts out the songs in deep voice, then delivers a sermon from the Book of Genesis. He predicts a new beginning for gays in the church. Bulk Copies Available OF T'HIS ISSUE OF SECOND STONE 10 copies· $13.50 • 25 copies - $29 .50 • 50 copies· $45 .00 100 copies · $67. 50 includes postage and handling. Send your pre-paid order to Second Stone, PO. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 "The whole New Testament message is one of greater and gnfa.ter inclusion. It's only been the last 700 years that gays were excluded from the church,'' he said . " It'll turn around again sometime. I believe it's i11 the gospel." h th!: epirit of 5t. Fraici6 a:tJ 51;; Clare, wt!re 6et3kite l,ridgt,_ bulilra a:tJ ~ makers to jourmy with 115 ii the foot61:tipa of JtlEiua Ori;t. IT ol!SJ. We are an ecumenical, · inclusive, non-clerical · O'\l,, community of baptized men V and women from various · Christian traditions who 0 chose to worship and live in C? o'1! a faith-sharing spirit. You may become an ~ Associat.e or enter the program leading to the profession of vows as a ~~ religious Brother or Sister . Ask to receive our newsletter, "Footsteps." t We work in ministries of love, care and reconciliation nationwide. For more information, please write to: MERCY OF Goo COMMUNITY Att: Vocation Director P. 0. ~ox 41055 Providence RI 02940-1055 MAY/JUN , E 199 5 I awakened to the sound of myself crying. I had just dreamt of another hospital room, another IV bag dripping into another vein, another occasion to say goodbye, another desperate . prayer for . healing, another death, another loss, another funeral. Another and another. I had said goodbye to too many people who had died of AIDS. My grief was even in my dreams. I needed a miracle. That afternoon I went to babysit for a friend . She had just had her first child, and, after six months, she and her husband were desperate to get out of the house. I walked in the door, and she put Gerald in my arms. They were late for the movie and rushed to the theater. There I stood with a smiling baby in my arms. It was then the miracle began: I was flooded with hope. With each coo and smile, I felt life returning to my grief-worn soul. Tears streamed down my face. ..Who are you? .. , I said to the baby. ..Who are you to work better than my support groups, and all those finely crafted memorial services? Who are you?" No, the baby didn't talk back - I wasn't that far gone! But I did hear words in my heart: "I'm your reminder. In the midst of the real loss, life continues, hope continues. For everyone who has abandoned you, there is another one born to be a companion on the journey. Whenever love exits, it appears again, reborn in the newly born, newly needy, newly smiling . Incarnation. Crucifixion. Resurrection. They repeat themselves. over and over again." Following my experience with Gerald, my "little healer," I made sure to visit the nursery after visiting anyone with AIDS. A part of me felt foolish. A part of me didn't care. I knew who the true healers were. And I knew · where to find them. They were my little medicine men and women, my little shamans, my wise companions . I hoped some day to give back to them a part of what they had given me. · I _didn't have long to wait for that day. Golden Gate Church of the Nazarene in San Francisco had started a program called The Bridge. It was designed to provide respite care to families who had HIV infected moms, · dads, or children. That is how I first met Laurie Greer, a nurse, who had two foster children, Cornelio and Patrick. • Cornelio is a crack baby and Patrick has AIDS. They were both less than a year old when I met them. Today, they are both five. Laurie acquired Cornelio first. He had scars on his face from a very difficult birth. The first time she held SEC O ND STONE BY JACK PANTALEO him Laurie said, "I'm going to kiss away all his marks." I stared at his scars and shook my head. I was sure only plastic surgery could correct them. Two months later, the scars were gone. Laurie· was no ordinary mom. A few months later, Patrick came to live with Laurie Greer. He was a baby with AIDS, recovering from pneumocystis pneumonia. His motμ- · er had already died. He was an orphan with large, dark eyes, and satiny bronzed-black skin, desperate for someone to Jove him . My first night babysitting both Cornelio and Patrick was terrifying. Cornelio had a greater need for attention than the average child because of . his drug exposure, and Patrick had AIDS! I didn't know whom to hold first. I stared at Cornelio, wondering how to give him all the attention he really needed, and I stared at Patrick, wondering what kind of short life he . could possibly have. Patrick was in pain. He had tubes in his ·arm and belly. He had diarrhea. He was listless,- sweaty, and barely had the strength to cry. "Not again!", I thoughtto myself. · "Not another sick one. I can't deal with another one dying. Aduits were bad enough . How could I watch a baby die of AIDS?" That was before I learned that the many loves that had exited my life would be incarnated in that tiny shaman. · Inspired by Laurie's tenacity and dedication, I made it through that night and many others. I watched Patrick and Cornelio once a week for over two years. I watched Cornelio grow in confidence and · height, boosted by Laurie's affirmation and love. I watched Patrick remain the ~ame size - his body too busy survivmg to worry about luxuries like growth. There were many moments of laughter, and many nights of agony watching Cornelio work through his abnormally severe abandonment_ f ears and watching Patrick endure mfection after infection. Several of those nights were spent in the hospital. . As · his nurse and mother, Laurie spent many long nights in the hospital holding Patrick in her arms. I have watched as the nurses entered his room. Patrick would lift ·his head from Laurie's shoulder, reach out his arm, _cu~ the nurses' chin in the palm of his little hand and give them a kiss . Their eyes would well up with tears, and they would fall in love instantly. Patrick is a lover, and the hospital staff is cast under his spell every hme he is hospitalized . Like Laurie, they become his advocates, demandmg the best care possible. About two years ago, Patrick developed another bout of pneumocyshs pneumonia . Having the pneum? ma diagnosis was synonymous with a death sentence because Patrick had become allergic to all known pneumocystis medications. We prepared for his death - but not Patrick or the hospital staff. AIDS specialist~ at UC San Francisco Medical Center called specialists all over the world looking for a medication that might retard the spread of the pneumonia. After a couple of days, Laurie was told that a drug used for malaria was the only hope. I looked at Patrick in that hospital room and saw him smile. He was undaunted . All he .wanted was the ball to throw . He would Ielus worry. His job was to play. The medicine worked. And Patrick remained infections free for many months until he developed pancreatitis. ' I arrived home late one night to find a tearful message from Laurie. She was at the hosptial with Patrick, and he wasn't expected to make it through the night. I arrived to find Patrick lying in Laurie's arms, hooked up to monitors recording his vital signs. He was in severe pain. His blood pressure was falling and his pulse was rising. He was in and out of a coma. Laurie was sobbing. Our little medicine man was leaving us - or so we thought. We decided to lay hands on Patrick. I was uncomfortable praying aloud with all the hospital staff in the room. Finally, I let go of my fear and prayed that Jesus would either heal him now or tenderly Jet him pass from Laurie's arms into Jesus' arms. I watched as his blood pressure continued to fall and his pulse rate rise; Suddenly, the door opened. To our surprise, Patrick . lifted his head and watched the nurse enter the room. I looked at the monitors and saw that all his vital signs were holding steady. A few minutes later, we watched as his blood pressure rose and .his pulse rate decreased: At 4:00 a.m., I left to go home. Patrick had stabilized. The next day his amylase level, which measures the severity of the pancreatitis , was less than half what it was the previous day . Within a couple of days, he was out, of danger . Within two weeks, he was home. He has not had a serious infection since. Was it our prayers? I'm sure they helped. But I am also sure that our tiny shaman had more work to do here. He continues to cast his spells with his Jove, cupping an unsuspecting visitor's chin in the palm of his hands, !l,elivering God's kisses. Once Patrick kisses you, life can never be the same. In his smile, life's pain is forgotten. In his giggle and sparkling, dark eyes, hope returns to melt the bitter grief of the loss of so many loved ones. · "What about the future?" .. Will Patrick live much longer?" He was never expected to live a full year . "But what about tomorrow?" we ask again. But Patrick teaches us that's the wrong question. He, like us, was ~nly given today. And today it's hme to throw the ball. Leave the worrying for another time. Now it's time to play. Now is here. Now is now. I don't see Cornelio and Patrick as often. My life has changed now that I am a social worker taking care of abused and abandoned children. But children remain my healers, always calling me out of myself, reminding me that in the midst of loss, life continues, hope continues. Love is SEE LITTLE PEOPLE, Page 15 MAY/JUNE 1995 Videos .............................. . • .. . • ..................................... . Lesbian/gay Christian· programming . available for national cable distribution ··we are now ·in several cities across the . c9untry and have had many inquiries from all over," says Valda Lewis, producer of 'To Tell The Truth Television." "I am trying to solicit sponsors initially in Texas, but our aim is ·to reach the more remote areas nationwide." The television program places lesbian and gay Christian programming right along side programs produced by the religious right, which dominate many local cable channels. Using a Christian perspective, the program is intended to challenge the lies perpetrated by these other programs which attempt to deny the lesbian and gay community the freedom to be Christian. The Cathedral of Hope is the largest church congregation in the world with a -gay and lesbian outreach. With an average weekly attendance of more than 1600, the Cathedral of Hope ranks in the top one percent of all churches in America. The television program features sermons by Senior Pastor Michael Piazza . 'To Tell The Truth TV" hopes to reach a goal of one hundred different stations. Target areas include small rural towns where bigotry and hatred toward Gays and Lesbians is most common. CATHEDRAL OF HOPE Metropolitan Community Church of Dallas is building a national cable television program on Public Access stations. The 30 minute program of the Sunday morning worship service is already being seen in Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Milwaukee, Minneapolis and several other locations. The show is specifically designed to counter the views and opinions of the religious far right and to bring a message of hope to lesbian and gay Christians across the nation. "Coming Out Under Fire" profiles military's anti-gay history SECOND "COMING OUT UNDER FIRE," a critically hailed and compelling documentary going to the heart of the issue of Gays and Lesbians .in the military, premieres on public television in June. Authur Dong's hourlong program examines the little known military policy that is the precursor .to the Congressionally mandated 1993 ruling known as "don't ask, don't tell," by presenting the true stories of those who found themselves fighting two battles: one for their country and another for their right to. serve ·. Gay and lesbian Christians, who often note the resemblance of the military's policy to many "don't ask, don't tell" church policies, will be able to identify with the men and women featured in "Coming Out Under Fire." Dong uncovers. the history of the military's anti:gay policy that labeled homosexuals as mentally ill and sought their expulsion as "undesirables ." Service men and women merely suspected of being gay or Phyllis Abry (Radio Technician, Women's Army Corps), and her lover, Mildred in vintage World War II photo lesbian were the targets of an armed services-wide witch·hunt consisting of dehumanizing interrogations, medical examinations, lljld incarceration in· "queer stockades" or hospitals for the criminally insane. Based on Allan Berube's groundbreaking book, Coming Out Under Fire: The History of Gay Men and Women in World War Two; probes the questionable origins of the military's anti-gay policy and demonstrates how pseudo-psychiatry, erroneous medical theory, and misplaced ethics masked a procedure based on bigotry. "Coming Out Under Fire" combines first person, on-camera .interviews with vintage declassified documents, photographs, and rare archival footage of medical examinations, psychiatric sessions, boot camp training, sex education lectures, and "drag" troop entertainment. Gay and lesbian youth speak for themselves "SPEAKING FOR OURSELVES: Portraits of Gay and Lesbian Youth" is a half-hour documentary profiling the lives of five gay and lesbian young people who represent a wide crosssection of cultures and backgrounds. Through interviews, the young people share the stories of their lives - their challenges and joys. Each story associates a name and face with a Five lesbian and gay youth featured in "Speaking For Ourselves" • spectrum of issues including substance abuse, suicide, HIV/ AIDS, homelessness, survival prostitution, malicious harassment, family acceptance, and youth activism. "Speaking Fot Ourselves" also focuses on the difficu lties gay and lesbian youth face in school. In an environment where students are dealing with their own body changes and sexuality, this process can become even more complicated when they are also asking the question, "Am I straight?, or "Am I gay?". Through these articulate young peole, this program examines the challenges facing gay and lesbian youth, as well as the concerns expressed by their family and friends . The goal of this video, produced by Interrnedia, is to help gay and lesbian youth deal . with the many issues facing them, and to educate and create a discussion tool for others to understand better the issues facing young gay people. For information on this • video contact Intermedia, 800-553-8336 . MAY/JUN~ l 9 9 5 In Print ................................................................ A gay journey with a straight pastor P astor, I Am Gay is the story of a straight male pastor's journey from his first fumbling encounter with a troubled gay parishioner - to a remarkable understanding of the dignity and sanctity of gay and lesbian people and, in his own words, . his "deliverance from further participation in one of the church's ugliest sins and one of the clergy's worst neglects." Author Howard H. Bess is an American Baptist minister who now lives in retirement in the Matanuska Valley in south central Alaska. Pastor Bess has written a unique book, from the caring perspective of a local church pastor, that deals with the issues of participation of Gays and Lesbians in the life of the church. Bess writes with the firm conviction that if gay and non-gay parishioners take time to become truly acquainted, the facing of such issues will be much easier. For pastors and parishioners struggling to understand the real issue of homosexuality - the value of the lives of people who are gay and the people around them - this book is an excellent place to begin. The book issues an indictment of seminaries where the word "homosexual" is not even mentioned, am;! their education of pastors and church leaders who are ill-prepared to deal with the faces behind the issue of homosexuality. The author was a 30-year-old Baptist minister with college and seminary degrees before he was aware of serious discussion of homosexuality. Pastor's embarrassingly limited knowledge of homosexuality and his mishandling of counseling of his first gay parisioner led him .to learn more ' about gay and lesbian people, which Now available from Second Stone! The Word Is Out 365 DAILY MEDITATIONS FOR LESBIANS AND GAY MEN Author Chris Glaser fearlessly liberates the Bible from those who would hold it hostage to an anti-gay agenda, In this inspiring collection of 365 daily meditations, the Bible's good news "comes out" to meet all of us with love, justice, meaning, and hope, Chris Glaser is the author of Uncommon Calling and Coming Out to God. He is a graduate of Yale Divinity School. The Word Is Out, $12, paperback. Order now from Second Stone Press Quan. TiUe □ Postage/Handling $3,00 first book, $1,00 ea. adaitional ----- TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED----- NAME ______________________ _ ADDRESS--------------~------ CITY/STATE/ZIP ____________________ _ ORDER FROM: SECONO STONE PRESS, P.O. BOX 8340, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70182 SECOND STONE he did over the years by meeting them one individual at a time. The book thoroughly explores the division between most Christian churches and the gay /lesbian community. It is filled with personality profiles of gay and lesbian . people · and tells how they have struggled just to be themselves - the people God wants them to be. Very simply, the book is about what it means to be a gay man or lesbian woman in church and society today. It offers disturbing information on the dilemma faced by gay youth and good suggestions on how to become an advocate. Bess grew up in Fairbury, Illinois, a small farm community southwest of Chicago. He served in the U.S. Army in Korea and then attended Wheaton College from which he recieved his Bachelor of Arts degree. His graduate work took him first to Northern Baptist Seminary in Chicago and then to Garrett Theological Seminary at Northwestern University where he received his Master of Divinity degree. Following completion of seminary training, Bess served American Baptist churches in Southern California for 22 years. In 1980 he was called to pastor First American Baptist Church in Anchorage, Alaska, where he served for seven years. In retirement he nows gives his pastoral talents to Church of the Covenant, a small American Baptist congregation in the Matanuska Valley. .,. For the past six years, Bess has been a regular columnist for the Frontiersman, the twice -weekly newspaper in the Valley. Bess and his wife Darlene have five children, three of whom make their home in Alaska. · Christian feminist author wins book award ELISABETH SCHUSSLER FIORENZA has been named the first recipient of the Continuum Book Award for her new ,Publication Jesus: Miriam's Child, Sophia's Prophet: Critical Issues in Feminist Christology. The award was presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Religion/Society of Biblical Literature in Chicago. Jesus: Miriam's Child, Sophia's Prophet is the long-awaited sequel to the author's best-selling scholarly work of a decade ago, In Memory of Her: A Feminist Reconstruction of Christian Origins. Translated into eight languages, In Memory of Her is recognized as the best known work by a feminist biblical scholar throughout the world . In her new book, Fiorenza charts the rise and fall into "historical amnesia" of the liberating movement gathered around Jesus as the prophet and messenger of Sophia, the all-powerful female figure in early Jewish Scriptures and theology. While teachings about Woman Wisdom premeate the texture of the New Testament, they were quickly clothed in what the author calls kyriocentric (ruling-male) language. Continuum's Publishing Director, Frank Oveis, who has been the author's long-term editor, says that "Jesus: Miriam's Child, Sophia's Prophet is not simply a work of historical reconstruction, but a work of constructive feminist theology, showing how the historically unrealized possibilities of Woman Wisdom can offer the vision of a different world and a different church." In announcing the first Continuum Book Award for Jesus: Miriam's Child, Sophia's Prophet, Werner Mark Linz, Chairman and Publisher of The Continuum Publishing Group, praised · the book for "its scholarly depth, interdisciplinary breadth, and humanistic vision. Fiorenza is the Krister Stendahl Professor of Scripture and Interpretation ·at Harvard University Divinity School. She is the author of In Memory of Her, Bread Not Stone, But She Said, and Discipleship of Equals. She is co-founder and co-editor of the Journal of Feminist Studies in Religion and editor of Searching the Scriptures: A Feminist Introduction and Commentary, In Print, briefly ... Out, Loud, & Laughing A collection of gay and lesbian humor edited by Charles Flowers, Featured are 15 of today's funniest gay and lesbian humorists and stand-up comics. Net royalties are donated to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Al DS, -From Anchor Books, $12,95 A Singing Something: Womanist Reflections on Anna Julia Cooper This book asks what we can learn from Coope~s thought and life of faith as we continue the struggle for full human tights. Karen Baker· Fletcher, Ph.D., author, -From Crossroad Now Dare Everything This book, written by Steven Dansky, equips people with stronger skills for helping HIV-affected persons confront a wide range of physical and mental h~lath challenges. -From Harrington Park Press MAY/JUNE l 9 9 5 . • • Accept AIDS victims, says former Baptist leader CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -The former president of the Southern Baptist Convention is opening his arms to victims of AIDS. At the same time he's lamenting the fact that many' ministers areclosing their doors to AIDS sufferers. Skip, who is gay, has also tested HIV positive. Allen, 67, is writing a book about his family's experience. He .also travels frequently from his home outside Atlanta to Dallas so he and Matthew can enjoy their regular "just us guys" outings . Toting his grandson's wheelchair and oxygen tank, the two took . in an Arby's lunch and movie one · sweet afternoon last week. Allen shared his family's pain with Charlotte churchgoers this weekend, imploring worshipers to accept death as a gift from God. "We need to quit saying 'If I die' and say, 'When I die,' " he preached. At Myers Park Presbyterian, where 50 members are already ministering to AIDS patients, Allen said a congregation's worth can be partly . measured by how far they extend the hand of mercy. Christians are caring · 'The draw is my love for the churches and my sorrow over their .missing the mission," the Rev. Jimmy Allen said April 23 at Myers Park Presbyterian Church in Charlotte . "Families of faith across this nation are dysfunctional. They fail to realize that what we need to be is compassionate . "If we fail, we fail to be what God wants," said Allen, his voice cracking frequently through an emotional weekend of sermons and speeches. 'The challenge is to be what God calls us to be."· AIDS prevention programs missing smaller communities Perhaps no religious leader in America is more qualified to speak about AIDS than Allen, who has had four family members stricken by the virus, The Charlotte Observer reported . An infected blood transfusion led to the death of his daughter-in-law, Lydia, in 1993 at age 37. The transfusion also led to both her sons - Allen's grandsons - being stricken by acquired immune deficiency syn · drome. Eight-month-old Bryan died in 1985 from the virus he contracted in his mother's womb. Twelve-yearold Matthew is in the final stages at home in Dallas . Allen's middle son, 41-year-old LITTLE PEOPLE, From Page 12 always reborn in the newly born. The miracle of life repeats itself. The little medicine men and women raise their medicine sticks - their rattles - and chant their magic incantation - the coo. Then they administer the magic medicine - the smile. And the miracle begins. Shaman Patrick casts my pain and grief into the fire, and hope floods my soul. Such is the way of the sfiaman . Such is the way of the little people. SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Researchers warned that AIDS prevention programs are missing small communities where the rate of HIV infection among intravenous drug users is on the rise. In the small town of East Palo Alto, one in thrP.e intravenous drug users was infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) when tested last year, said John Watters of the University of California, San Francis- . co. Watters said the figure is the highest rate of infection of any heterosexual population west of Chicago. Substantial HIV prevention programs have focused mainly on major cities and smaller communities WHAT you need to know . WHEN you need to k,ww it. ACTION you can take. Second Stone's RESPONSEFAXLetter COMING THIS JUNE. FAX or e-mail us for information. (504)891-7555 / secstone@aol.com. ITIGAYELLOW PAGES TM INFORMING THE LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL &[TI 1:9.! TRANSGENDER COMMUNIIY SINCE 1973 1:9.! Complete gay-friendly resources and businesses: accommodations, bars, bookstores, dentists, doctors, lawyers, therapists, travel services, printers, Organizations, Media, Religious groups, Help lines & AJ.D.SJ H.I.V. resources. Listings broken down by State & City. Index & fast access phone list. UPDATED ANNUALLY. For an application to be listed (no charge), or for details of current editions and prices, or Information about malling labels, please send a sell-addressed stamped envelope to Renaissance House, PO Box 533-55, VIiiage Station, New York, NY 10014 (212) 674-0120 You can order directly from the address above, or you can find us your local gay-friendly bookstores. If you wish to order by phone with a credit card, please call A DIFFERENT LIGHT 1-800-343-4002; FAX (212) 989-2158; outside USA and Canada call 1-212-989-4850. (A Different Light has stores in New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. They are not involved with production or publication of Gayellow Pages, so please don't call them except lo order.) "I wish afl my readers had a copy of this very useful volume. If you live in Nowheresvifle, U.S.A., and haven't a clue about how to find other gay folks, this book is indispens~ble. There's no way to remain isolated.if you make use of the information contained in the Gayeflow Pages.• Pat Califla, The Advocate Advisor · "By far the most comprehensive and up-to-date gay guide .. . Ga yellow Pages .. . includes the standard entries for bars and restaurants . . . But the Gayel/ow Pages excels thanks to its additional alphabetized listings by city for AIDS and HIV services, legal resources, organizations (categorized by purpose or interest), religious groups, publications, businesses and more. In short, if an entity welcomes gay, lesbian and bisexual peopl!', no matter how unlikely the service or remote the town, it's probably listed in the Gayel/ow Pages . . . . Hardly a week goes by that it is not consulted in the Out offices.• Reviewed by Jeff Howells, OUT (Pittsburgh, PA), December 1994 "For over 12 years Gayel/ow Pages t,as been our most-used resource book. We recommend it to eve,y-performer, author, producer, business person, communitY., organizer, activist, and educator we come in contact with. It's the perfect coming out gift/" Romanovsky & Phi/lips, Fresh Fruit Records, March 1995 SECOND STONE near them have not benefited, Watters wrote in the latest issue of the Journal of the American Medication Association. The smaller cities "lacked the fiscal and human resources to mount adequate prevention, drug treatment and surveillance efforts on their own,'' he said . Until recently, East Palo Alto, a town of 23,000 people, was ignored . by San Mateo County when it came to funding AIDS prevention , said Sharifa Wilson, East Palo Alto's vice mayor. Second Stone will run your 30 word classified ad in our next· 3 issues for the price of 1 ! $10.50 Our classifieds work! Meet a new customer for your business ... a new friend in a city you'll be visiting soon ... a new pen pal ... tha possibilities are exciting! Second Stone classifieds reach readers in every slate and many foreign countries. Use the order form on the classified page and include classification, months to run and billing address. Ads must be pre-paid. 20 word minimum. Each additional word, 35¢. Ads may be faxed to (504)891-7555. Ads billed must be paid prior to publication. For help call (504)899-4014. No sexually explicit ads. We reserve the right lo refuse any ad for any reas for AIDS patients more than before, he said, but they're still not caring enough. 'The stigma (over AIDS) has not diminished in the minds of a lot of churches," said Allen, who believes some pastors avoid the issue because it scares off prospective·members. Other churches simply don't want to touch an issue that strikes so close to home. 'There's a romance to distant need,'' said Allen, who . describe s himself as· the last of the moderate Southern Baptist Convention presidents . "We like our catastrophes to be in distant places that we can come back from." Selectio11s for your library available from Scco11d Sto11c Press ... DEFECTING IN PLACE: Women Claiming Responsibility for Their Own Spiritual Lives By Miriam Thertse Winter. Adair Lummis, and Allison. Slobs Based on a nationwide survey of more than 7,000 women, this book explores women's attitudes towards the institutional church. $22.95, hudcovu . WOMEN AT WORSHIP: Interpretation s of North American Diversity Ediled by Marjorie Procter-Smith and Janet R. Walton A remarkable collection of essays which probe th e meaning and the many shapes of contemporary feminist worship. $15.95, paper. SEASONS OF THE FEMININE DIVINE: Christian Feminist Prayers for the Liturgical Cycle By Mary Ka1hlun Speegle Schmill Graceful pra ye rs written by the first woman deacon ordained in the Anglican Diocese of Quebec. $11.95, paper . SEXUALITY AND THE SACRED: Sources for Theological ReRection By Janus B. Nelson and Sandra P. Leng/Wow A comprehensive RSOurce addressing human sexuality as a critical part of divine revelation. $14.99, paper. MURDER AMONG FRIENDS By Chuck Fager A prophetic and scary murder mystery about a gay Quaker activist . $13:95, paper. THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO LESBIAN AND GAY WEDDINGS By Tess Ayers am1 Paul Brown - Vows, invitations, what to wear ... everything you need to alow about planning a same-gcndtr service. $16,00, paper . A SINGING SOMETHING: Womanist Retlections on Anna Julia Cooper By Kantt Baler-Fletchu, .PhD. A study of Cooper's thought and life of faith in the struggle for ·buman rights . $19.95, hardcover. IN THE COURTS OF THE WRD By Jim Ferry A gay priest is put on bial by the F.piscopal Church $22.95, hardcover. Place your order today! Quan. Tide Price Total □--------- □----Postage/ Handling $3 firsl book, $1 each additional TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED NAME __________ , ADDRESS ________ _ CITY/STATE/ZIP ______ _ ORDER FROM: SECOND STONE PRESS P " · BOX 8340, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70182 MAY/JUNE 199 5 ' ,. "I.: Presbyterian Church cancels gay activity QENVER (AP)~ 0ffici~~ of a I:.afontain!! said she beli!!ves Denver church say they have some members of tht> church canceled a contract with a gay were nervous that the Voices of support grouf1 because the Faith meeting .,might "ttl'.fn into group didn't ~1,1brrμhp,ecjfic another Reimaginirtg Conference." , plans for a worshlp service at · · She referred to a controversial the' chu:r'ch, • · · . meeting in Minneapolis two years But,thegrpup claims Central ago at w):ri,ch feminist theologx Presbyterian Qhurch i~afraid to : aJ)d god'dess-worsfilp were disbiJ. host for a .gay S1'01!R because pissed. of criticism fro!ll some church · The 'Rev, Mark Ramsey, senior members. · pastor of Central ,PNSbytE)ri,m said · 'Central Pi:esbyterian •Church the dispute over Voices ofFaith has agreed .~v .eral monfus ru;o-to :nothirig to db with ideology • .He . allow Voices of Faith to:Use the . acknowledged that it had been a site £1:9~ May 4 through 6, but '.'tough thing" for the church . to . decided this week fo'cancel l!lie agree to .the meeting "but theses- .. ''contract"because 'it never got. ·sion came to terms with it." · explicit irifom)ation abeut the "I feel terrible about it, but we plalll'\.ed worsmysero,ce May-5;' · ,have ,idmiri~trative deadlines and The , Rev:. la~ne ~ontaine, . ·· the session (church board} agreed to dfr.ector of Voice~, which is a host .the meeting 1f we gqt the inforbranch. of E olorad(), mation ab.out the worship;' Ramsey ljisputjld . on, a . s\jid. •: ' , : , . . · Presby:teriarimuu , Lafontaine How~v.er, Ramsey conel!ded' that said; she was surprised by-the. . if a more traditional church had church's aclion 'becau~ltspon- . asked to US!) Cenfral Presbyterian, · s9red a Worl'd XIDS Day semte . he w.ou'ldn't have asked: for detaifs . last year anti spe Ii~ preached abouO~e ~orship service. ~~ taught classes there .. . ' New books available from Second Stone! Is the Homosexual My Neighbor? Revised and Updated, by Letha Dawson Scanzoni and Virginia Ramey Mollenkott, $1 LOO, paper The Wor~ Is Out The Bible Reclaimed for Lesbians and Gay Men, by Chris Glaser, $12.00, paper Jesus Acted Up A Gay and Lesbian Manifesto, by Robert Goss $14.00, paper Family A Portrait of Gay and Lesbian America, by photographer Nancy Andrews, $25.00, paper · Order now from Second Stone Press Quan. TiUe □ Postage/Handling $3 first book, $1 each additional ____ _ TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED----- NAME _____________________ _ ADDRESS ____________________ _ CITY/STATE/ZIP __________________ _ ORDER FROM: SECOND STONE PRESS, P.O. BOX 8340, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70182 SEC5°ND STONE 4D W Noteworthy W .................................... Evangelical group develops national plan . 6.EV ANGELICA LS CONCERNED Western Region plans to expand its ministry beyond the western states to every part of the country. The dec1s10n to go national was reached at the organization's winter board meeting in Laguna Hills January 29. According to ECWR, the group has been approached by several groups m other parts of the United States inquiring about membership. ECWR is solicting input on their plans to become a national organization. Comments may be sent to P.O. Box 66906, Phoenix, AZ85082-6906 Gay Pentecostals announce appointments 6.THE NATIONAL GAY Pentecostal Alliance has appointed Rev. James Virgilio of Little Rock, Arkansas as Elder of the South Central District of the NGPA. Virgilio is pastor of Hope Apostolic Church in Little Rock. Rev . Rebecca D. Boyd is also working out oi the the South Central District. She is Director of Prison Ministries, a division of NGPA's Home Missions Department. ECC ordains John French a}OHN FRENCH was ordained into the priesthood of the Ecumenical Catholic Church on March 25, 1995. French is an adminstrator and professor at Cape Cod Community College. Before seeking ordination with the ECC, French spent many years as a ~enedictine monk in New Jersey. He 1s currently the newly appointed pastor of St. Luke ECC in Dennis, Mass. J COULDN'f GO from this garden spot. I wouldn't go. Even if thet carriage would pull up along by the way, and all your heart's desire a beckonin' within to join 'em, the( door open, and inside YOf' could see Hope and ~atience all dressed in rosy silks, and creamy white ~onmtsadorne1 of small roses beneath the trim, nestled in the finest veil of lace. And each a wavin' to come on, and Frank, my Frank, a ho/din' the door, his prime Jigger all in black, tall and p_roud, a lookin' stiddy on. I jest couldn't do it, jest couldn't move from this spot where I stand. Thet blue velvet seat a shinin' so in the beams of sunlight, set off by gold braid all round. ,:ind Patience a ho/din' up my blue silk dress, fresh as it wuz when new, and glistenin' like a pale summer sky. I jest stand, like there weren't no way to 'em. No way to thet rest and friendship, thet end to trial and sorrow. Even if I could, there's somethin' heavy a p~ssin' down on my inner sides. Somethin' old fate must a wished upon me at my christenin', some long path thet needed a ·travelm ', and only I could a done it. It jest wouldn't a got done should I stray to easy times, jest far wan~ a. comfort; far a understandin' hand to rest gentle like in my own. It wouldn't still thet drivin' desire thet don't know where ar what it will lead to, but needs to be free, to be given its own head, so thet it may find home in its own way. You wouldn't know I wuz a travelin' gal, a settin' here these long years. You wouldn't see me a t' all lest you could close your eyes, and look with a different kind a sight. There hain 't nothin' hard to it. Them shinin' stars git down close at night, and the silence seems filled, filled with them that's come and gone, lives spe~t unknown, but left a clear, wide path of faith in theirselves alone. Thet they wuz part of somethin' thet made everythin' whole, and they had a job to do though it ware heavy and long, they led on. ' . And_ I ,wait here, thet seems the hardest job of all, a reachm out though my hands are still._ Longin' to be home, to see them lights a blazin' within, to hear them laughin' voices, and know they're a waiting for me. -Sister Mary Jqne Noder Christiansbrnnn Kloster Newsletter MAY/JUNE 199 5 Gays, Lesbians, other minorities targets of supremacist hate From Page 7 said. "I don 't think we're afraid yet. We're not sitting here quaking in mortal dread waiting for something to happen to us." Also in February, two skinheads in Allentown were .charged with killing their parents and 11-year-old brother. Bryan and David Freeman, who sport neo-N azi tattoos, were scheduled for a preliminary hearing on April 26. During a March recruiting trip to York, Lancaster and Reading, Barrett distanced hlmself from the Freemans, Arnold and Aldrich. He said members of his organization don't wear tattoos or break the law, although he understands the frustration that leads to violence. CALEND AR, From Pa&e 2 CMI Retreat "We condemn violence, but we also condemn the desperate conditions that drive desperate men to desperate acts," Barrett said. 'The causes of violence in Pennsylvania and throughout the country are favors for minorities, illegal immigration, the implication of unjust affirmative action and forced busing." Anger over affirmative action is a prime recruiting tool used by the white supremacists. "A lot of whit.es are upset about affirmative action," Penn State sociology professor Glenn Firebaugh said. ''It's probably more acute now than it was in the past. Most whites had jobs then." Thornhill Cosby, president of the Philadelphia branch of the National JUNE 27-30, Communication Ministry sponsors a retreat for Catholic lesbian nuns and gay priests and brothers. The Serra Retreat House, Malibu, Calif., is the setting. For information contact CMI, P.O. Box 60125, Chicago, IL 60660-0125. Gay and Lesbian Parents Coalition Conference JUNE 30-JUL Y 3, Gay and lesbian parenting groups from Southern California will host the 16th Annual Gay and Lesbian Parents Coalition International Conference at the University of California at Los Angeles. Part of the conference will focus on issues of relevance to those . who are currently parents, those who function in a parenting role, or those who wish to -become parents. Two other sub-conferences will examine topics bf import~nce to the children of lesbian or gay parents. Conference fees include all meals and three nights lodging at UCLA's Sunset Village. For information write to GLPCI '95, 7985 Santa Monica Blvd., Box 109-346, West Hollywood, CA 90046 or call (213)654-0307, FAX (310)652-7584. Evangelicals Concerned ConnECtion '95 JULY 1-4, This conference is an opportunity to gather with 200 other Christian Gays and Lesbians in a supportive atmosphere of acceptance and celebration. Keynote speakers are author Michael J. Christensen and EC founder Dr. Ralph Blair. This year's conferen.ce returns to the San Franciso Bay Area and the campus of Mills College. For information contact ECWR, P.O. Box 66906, Phoenix, Al.85082-6906, (602)893-6952. Convocation of Reconciling Congregations · JULY 13-16, "Bound for the Promised Land" is the theme for the fourth national gathering of Reconciling C<?ngregati~ns, to be held i~. Minneapolis. ':, youth and stud.ant rally and a special gathering of the Reconciling Pastors' ·Action Network is planned. Individualf ee is $165, $85 for children and youth. For information contact the Reconciling Congregations Program, 3801 N. Keeler Ave., Chicago, IL60641, (312)736-5526. The UFMCC General Conference JULY 23-30, the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches will ~ather at the Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel in Atlanta for its 17th ·conference. 'All Things Are Possible" is the theme for this conference which offers a discounted rate of $180 for non-delegates. A special gathering will be held at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Non-Violent Social Change. For information, contact UFMCC GCXVll, 5300 Santa Monica Blvd., #304, Los Angeles, CA 90029, (213)464-5100. · Conference of the National Gay Pentecostal Alliance JULY 28-30 NGPA holds its General Conference in Schenectady, New York, on dates coi~ciding with the 15th anniversary of the founding of the _or~anization. A variety of speakers ~ill be fea~ured an~ the ~nference will m~lude teaching workshops and evening worship. For mformat1on on NGPA write to P.O. Box 1391, Schenectady, NY 12301-1391. Announcements of interest to gay, lesbian and bisexual Christians are welcome and will be included free of charge. Send to Second Stone, P. 0. Box 8340, New Orleans,L A 70182,F AX to (504)891-7555o r e-mailt o secstone@aol.com. SECOND STONE $ Association for the Advancement of Colored Peopl e, said white men unfairly blame minorities for lost jobs. 'The white woman has benefited from affirmative action more than any minority," he said. 'The white man is afraid of becoming a minority in the work force. He's desperate to protect his position of power." The state Human Relations Commission reported 417 crimes of ethnic intimidation in 1993, up from 181 in 1988, the first year the statistics were compiled. "I thlrik at least some of the increase is due to increased reporting to the police arid recording by police," Penn State Criminal Justice professor Thomas Bernard said. Trachte said the more troubling aspect of hate groups is not that they are committing more crimes, but the crimes they are committing are more violent. "You no longer have Klansmen threatening with shotguns, you have young skinheads firing Uzis and they are organiz ing on a national level," he said. Because many whites in rural Pennsylvania know few minorities, the potential for violence is even greater, Trachte said. "As long as you can live in your own isolation and can feed the myth that these people are not real persons, it doesn't matter what you do to them," he said. ''You can kill them or you can blow them up because they are not real to you." Religious conservatives . praise custody denial decision RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Gay-rights advocates assailed a Virginia Supreme Court decision denying a lesbian custody of her son, whlle conservative groups hailed it as a victory for decency. In a 4-3 decision April 21, the court said Sharon Bottoms is an unfit mother and 3-year-old Tyler Doustou should remain in the custody of his maternal grandmother. "Common sense tells us a parent's sexual practices have a strong influence on a child," said Kristi Hamrick, spokeswoman for the Washingtonbased Family Research Council, a group she described as a pro-family public policy organization . "One of the messages of lesbianism is that men are not necessary, that men and women are interchangeable puzzle pieces." Mike Russell, spokesman for Pat Robertson's Christian Coalition, said the ruling "is iri keeping with what we think is mainstream Middle America's ·wishes." He said the 1.5 million-member coalition believes courts "should do all they can to strengthen the traditional family." Elizabeth Birch, executive director • of . the Washington-based Human Rights Campaign Fund, had a different view. · "Anyone who truly cares about families should be morally outraged that the government has taken a child from his own loving mother because of other people's prejudices," she said. Kate Kendall, legal director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights in San Francisco, said Virginia is one of a half-dozen states whose hlghest courts appear to have taken the position that homosexuality alone makes a parent unfit. She said the others are Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota and Oklahoma. But Kay Bottoms, who retained custody of Tyler while the case was appealed, said the court recognized there were factors .other than homosexuality that made her daughter a bad mother. 'Thank God they proved her unfit besides just being a lesbian," she told radio station WFLS in Fredericksburg. "She neglected thls baby a lot. I didn't fight her just because she turned lesbian." Kay Bottoms accused the American Civil Liberties Uniori and the media of turning the case into a homosexualrights issu,e. Sharon-Bottoms ~as advised not to talk to reporters for a couple of days, said one of her lawyers, Player Michelson. Michelson said her client "was floored" bythe ruling. In the ruling, the Supreme Court said lesbianism was one of many factors that made Sharon :Bottoms an unfit mother. Sharon Bottoms testified two years ago that she and Ms. Wade have oral sex, a felony in Virginia for heterosexuals as well as homosexuals. Other factors cited in the court.'s decision included her history of moving from place to place, relying on others for support arid "difficulty controlling her temper," the justices said. · In a dissenting opinion, Justice Barbara M. Keenan wrote that the intermediate . appeals court properly ruled that ''adverse effects of a parent's homosexuality on a child cannot be assumed without specific proof." Sharon Bottoms' lead attorney, Donald K. Butler, said he would ask the court to reconsider its decision. Ms. Bottoms, 25, and the child's father were divorced before she met Ms. Wade. The father, who has not been involved in the chlld's upbringing, has said the child should live with Ms. Bottoms. MAY/JUNE 199 5 Comment . ....................................................................... Even in Mississippi Freedom to live where we want to By Rev. Jan Griesinger Guest comment Wiy would you want to live in rural Mississippi anyhow?" If Brenda and Wanda Henson rom Ovett, Miss., hear this one more time they .may scream. They have been traveling around the country to speak about the harassment they have faced from local folks, Southern Baptist ministers, and Mississippi for Family Values at their lesbian and feminist education center. If it is not safe for them in rural Mississippi, is it safe for us in Athens, Ohio or South Bristol, Maine, or San Francisco, or Northampton? As they have traveled, people have told them of a~sault, murder, bashing or harassment in every city they have visited. People acknowledge that these actions are more than likely not reported to law enforcement officials. You may recall that poet Audre Lorde warned us that our silence will not protect us. Even our density does not protect us. But we all like to believe that by 1995 we have created safe zones. Clearly most of us do seem safe - either by staying closeted, choosing urban neighborhoods, or being selective about who knows much detail about our lives. The Hensons have chosen the road farthest away from silence - high visibility. They have had many years of experience as spokespersons in Mississippi on feminist anti-racist and progressive issues and are very media savvy. They have appeared on television talk shows and communicate regularly with media in their area. But they are tired of being blamed by members of our gay /lesbian/bisexual communities for wanting to live in an area where the civil rights movement lost many battles and many lives and where the distinctions between the KKK and local law enforcement officials are not always clear. It's hard to hear "blaming the victim" from our own. Mississippi is Jewish community gets apology fmm Robertson; Gays get silence their home. They found inexpensive rural land to realize their dream of safe educational space. They happen to believe that Lesbians and women everywhere deserve a feminist education and land to learn new skills. I traveled to Camp Sister Spirit with three students during _ spring break from my work as campus minister at Ohio University. We helped build, clear land for camp sites, answer the phones, . put out a bulk . mailing, transcribe the depositions from critics/ attackers who have filed a nuisance law suit against the Hensons claiming their project creates too much noise and traffic. We had a wonderful time, working with students from Kutztown University, Goucher Colege and Smith College. The women at the camp will host a Freedom Ride to the camp over Memorial Day weekend. It is co-sponsored by Robin Tyler, women's music producer, and the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches. UFMCC founder Rev. Troy Perry urged people to come to Camp Sister Spirit "to serve notice to the reactionary forces in this country that these sisters have the right to purchase and establish their camp anywhere in America." What the Hensons are doing benefits all of us. Once the nuisance suit is thrown out of court they plan to pursue a legal rights case that will stop at nothing less than civil rights protection for gay /lesbian/bisexual people everywhere. And they will continue their front line resistance against the assault of the so-called Christian Right. These sisters deserve your support. Go there with a group for a work project . Send a letter of support or a contribution to Camp Sister Spirit, P.O. Box 12, Ovett, MS 39464, (601)344-1411. Jan Griesinger is a national coardinatar for the United Church Coalition far Lesbian/ Gay Concerns and campus minister at Ohio University. Mainstream media ignored Mel White's mission at CBN By Paula Xanthoooulou Guest Comment I n a year of political obsession, a drama recently unfolded in Virginia Beach that had major · political significance. Yet most people did not hear about it, or if they did, they saw precious little in-d epth reporting on the issues . Mel White, Minister of Justice for the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches and former Pat Robertson speechwriter, went to the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) on Valentine's Day to seek a meeting with Robertson. He wanted to talk about homophobic rhetoric emanating from the 700 Club, et al, and its -.relation to growing violence against Lesbians and Gays aU across America. He wanted to seek Robertson's help in stopping the rhetoric and the violence. He had tried for months to get a meeting and went in person as a last resort. He was turned away. When he returned the next day he was arrested for trespassing. White believed that since his parents, 1grandmother and many others have contributed to Robertson's projects as a matter of faith, the CBN belongs to God and not to Robertson. He refused to admit guilt by posting a bond or paying a fine, and fasted in jail for 23 days in his commitment -to having that meeting and stopping the violence. Every day, a group of local community and religious leaders, "Bearing Witness," visited the CBN to ask for the meeting. On March 8, SECOND STONE Robertson visited White in jail, in a meeting reportedly arranged by the Sheriff. Robertson said he would respond shortly to White's request about the violence and to hear the stories of P-FLAG members. He then dropped the charges against White. End of Round One. Here's what Pat's People had been saying before the meeting: 1) There would be no meeting, because such a meeting would give credibility to the . lesbian and gay rights movement; 2) Robertson has repeatedly condemned violence on the air (although not specifically anti-gay violence); and 3) Mel White was staging a publicityseeking stunt to promote a book he wrote entitled Stranger at the Gate: To Be Gay and Christian in America. r,f!!]__ Pontius' Puddle I-IE'/, 'FO~TIOS, I'I/E: G-OT A t,IEIJ OEFEt-lSI: fO~ VOO 0~ JOt>(r!I\EN'f"Ol\/. Did Robertson actually have a change of heart? On March 2, a piece by Frank Rich in The New York Times mentioned some recently published articles which had discussed various · antiSemitic citations in Pat Robertson's four-year-old book, The New World Order. Rich talked about the extremist views held by Robertson and the efforts to gloss over them with the cunning lobbying of Ralph Reed of the Christian Coalition. He called it "bait and switch." Rich aiso took the press to task for not challenging Robertson and Reed enough or looking deeper into all that is the foundation of the Christian Coalition and its powerful political base. Those lingering questions about Robertson's book prompted the AntiDefamation League to seek immedi-ate clarification. In 24 hours, they had it - a 500-word explanation / apology from Robertson faxed to the Times. The lesbian and gay community has had no such response . Mel White was in jail for three weeks! In Robertson's eyes, offending the Jewish community is a big political problem. Gay men and Lesbians not only don't count, but efforts to demonize and disempower them is the staff of religious right life! On page 227 of The New World Order, Robertson had this to say: 'There will never be world peace until God's house and God's people are given their rightful ' sEE COMMENT, Next Page . Fllt.S:f !'LL STALL WIT~ f1t.EQOE~~ £11>£8"~!., 1"HEIJ I'LL G-() fOR. A ~UM6-JOlt.V ~/1,-H 1'"'£ A.R~f,\El'l'f .,-"",- .Sl~CE '(OU NE.VER. S'ftJt>V TI-\E Gl&LE, VOOR OML.'I I KNOWLEOG-f 0~ .SIN \S Stto\9L'/ ~E~RS~V · T"'E ~11.~'fo(S ~EEtl ~",.-~"OlGv, JA.'f .,..00 t,l\\)Ct,\ c.ooR,.-,-v, W FrotmhEe ditWor • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • e ~ • • • We'll pay more attention to hate now By Jim Bailey WHETNHE FIRST shocking imag~s of the smoldering Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City were transmitted to television screens across our nation, we wanted to think that some dreadful accident - perhaps a gas explosion - had ripped the building apart. Then the crater was discovered and we reluctantly accepted the horrible reality: Somebody did this. For as long as we could, we suspected some foreign enemy. But little Baylee Almon and all the others who died in this tragedy were not killed by terrorists from the Middle East. The photo of Baylee being passed from Police Sgt. John Avera to firefighter Chris Fields will be remembered as a symbol of the devastation that followed the bombing. And the photo of bombing suspect Thomas James McVeigh, face locked in a piercing, remorseless expression, being led away by federal authorities, will be remembered as a symbol of the day that many Americans learned what a hate crime is. In the hulk of the Murrah Federal Building, African-Americans, Jews, Gays and Lesbians and other minorities who have long been the victims of hate crimes could see vandalized synagogs and burned-out homes and churches. We have stared, often with fear, into the faces of many McVeighs and we have become experts in our knowledge of hate. - Now we are called to be teachers. When Magic Johnson announced that he was HIV-positive and thus sounded the wake up call for mainstream America that AIDS was everybody's pain and sorrow, we compassionately and unselfishly . shared oui know!eage and experience. The Oklahoma City bombing is another wake up call for mainstream America. Hate is everybody's pain and sorrow. During the week following the bombing, there has been an unprecedented backlash against organized hate groups, including a condemnation from an outraged President Clinton, who criticized the most common practice of hate - hate talk and its outlets including talk radio shows. Hate groups, who are chronically rather paranoid, have become even more defensive. ''We don't believe in violence," say the cowards, as they sit on arsenals of weapons. If we are able now to go out and teach the lessons of love and respect for each life that God creates on earth and speak against those who have no such i:espect for human life, we can recall the lives of the many who perished at the hangs of McVeigh and his accomplices with even more fullness. My prayers are with those in Oklahoma City whose lives have been taken away or forever changed by this senseless act. . -··--;~ .~---Cr~ SECOND STONE Newsjoumal, ISSN No. 1047-3971, is published every other month by Bailey Communications, P. 0. Box 8340; New Orleans, LA-70182. Copyright 1995 by Second Stone, a registered trademark. SUBSCRIPTIONS, U.S.A. $17.00 per year, six issues. Foreign subscribers add $10.00 for postage. All payments U.S. currency only. ADVERTISING, For display advertising information call (504)891-7555 or write to P.O. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182. EDITORIAL, send letters, calendar announcements, noteworthy items to (Department title) Second Stone, P.O. Box 8340; New Orleans, LA 70182. Manuscripts to l>e returned should be accompanied by a stamped, self addressed envelope. Second Stone is otherwise not responsible for the return of any material. SECOND STONE, a national ecumenical Christian social justice newsjoumal with a specific outreach to sexual orientation minorities. PUBLISHER/EDITOR Jim Bailey CONTRIBUTORS FOR THIS ISSUE: Jack Pantaleo, Marie Rohde, Paula Xanthopoulou, Rev. Jan Griesinger SECOND STONE COMMENT · From Pr~vious Page place of leadership at the top of the world . How can there be peace when drunkards, drug dealers, communists, atheists, New Age worshippers of Satan, secular · humanist[, oppressive dictators, greedy moneychangers, revoluntionary assassins, adulterers, and homosexuals are on top? Under their leadership the world will never, I repeat never, experience lasting peace." Will he explain this in a few days? This insidious and dangerous "homophobia+" has been validated by the scant press coverage of White's mission and related issues. Why? In his statement to the Times, Robertson said: " ... only someone who is desperately attempting to cause mischief would make the unfounded allegations about me and or my book that have recently appeared in The New York Times." Mischief? Can we really allow Pat Robertson to be a political force in our democracy and. also the harbinger of discrimination against those who don't fit into the Christian Coalition Master Plan? Is he so powerful that we can just forget or gloss over what took Mel White to Virginia Beach? Has the press (wittingly or unwittingly?) become part of this clever cover-up? Who will join in the imperative task of holding Pat Robertson's feet to the fire as long as he insists on mixing religion and politics ... and building what amounts to an empire? Paula Xanthopoulou is editor of c.c. watch, an independentn ewsletterm onitoring the religious right, 3741 N.E. 163rd St., Ste. 311, Sunny Isles, FL 33160-4104W, atch97@aol.com. YourTum ·-........ ~ .......... . Weymouth, Massachusetts Publicize malpractice of ex-gay counselors Dear Second Stone, The "ex-gay" ministries, including such misdirected groups as Homosexuals Anonymous - whose goal is to change one's sexual orientation from homosexual to heterosexual - represent an extremely violent abuse of Christianity and must be stopped. One powerful tactic in shutting down these alleged "ministries" is publicizing cases such as the "change minister" from Glendale, Calif., who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter after one of his clients killed himself (Second Stone, Jan/Feb, 1995). Indeed, these very dangerous people need to know that there are not only emotional, spiritual and physical consequences of their dirty work, but legal ramifications as well. Thank you for spreading the true Good News! Sincerely, Sean L. Avery Riverside, California Second Stone not responsible for "outing" Dear Second Stone, Thank you for the excellent work you are doing. We must comment on a, well, strange missive from Todd Ferrell. (Letters, Jan/Feb '95). Mr. Ferrell shared a heart-warming story of his parents struggling through to acceptance of his gayness. But then his letter goes astray. He objects to your article "Anti-gay activist has AIDS" (News Lines, Nov/Dec '94). First, he claims that you wrote it in an unloving spirit of cynicism. We believe that any such spirit is in Mr. Ferrell's mind; it was not in your article. Second, he objects to Second Stone thus "stooping" to "out" someone. The man in question had already acknowledged his.homosexuality and been publicly (and unfairly) ousted for it. Because you only reported this, certainly you are not the one guilty of the outing itself. Mr. Ferrell seems like a nice, wellmeaning fellow, whose heart is the the right place, but whose logic is sadly lacking. We would like to express one concern about · your news articles. Occasionally the news items are just too brief to clarify questions they raise in the reader's mind. Indeed, a little more inofrmation, including dates, would be helpful. We can think of no better . closing than Ferrell's: "God bless you all as you con.tinue to serve and share Christ.." In our Lord's service, Gwen and Bob Bergh We welcome your letters and opinons Write to Second Stone. All letters must be original and signed by the writer. Clearly indicate if your name is to be withheld. We reserve the right to edit. Bai 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 or FAX to (504)891-7555. MAY/JUNE l 9 9 5 c1·assifieds w •.....•.......• 1.' •....•... ~ • . ••...••..••••••..•.•.••.•••... . , ...••.•..... 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Write: Sarah, P.O. Box 14163, Augusta, GA 30919. 6195 Second Stone classifieds bring results! SECOND STONE -------- ---------, Classified Order Form FOR ONLY 35¢ per word, your classified ad will reach readers from - Sitka, Alaska to Amherst, Maine and everywhere il'I between .. Business or personal. .. , try a classified ad in our next edition! tlail To: Second Stone Box 8340 New Orleans, LA 70182 Name ___________ _ AddreH, _________ _ •city/St./Zip _______ _ AD COPY _______ ~ ·--------------------- _ · _words X .35= $. _____ _ 20 word minimum. All classifieds must be pre•paid. Deadline one month prior to .cover date. We will mail you a copy of the edition(s) in which your ad appears .Please place my ad in these i issues: [ J Jan/Feb [] Mar/Apr I . [] May/Jun [] juVAug i [ J Sept/Oct [ ] Nov/Dec -' CLASSIFICATIONS l l Books & Publications [ l Business Opportunities [ l Employment [ l Friends/Relationships [ J General Interest [ l Mail Order [ ] Merchandise [ l Organizations [ ] Professional Services [ l Real Estate [ l Retreats [] Roommates [ ]Travel ------------------------------------------ BUYING FOREIGN/USA stamp collections/ accumulations. Professional appraisal/offer; excellent references; Rob Gesell, Box ·8248, Ann Arbor Ml 48107. (313)662-5460. 6195 IS YOUR CHURCH welcoming and affirming to lesbians and gay men? I'd like to know . I'm compiling a national list. Please write to Ken Lewis, Box 1452, Laguna Beach, CA 92651. PRIVATE RV RESORT park for women being developed irt central Arizona. For details, call 520-797-1626, fax 520- 544-9649, or write The Point, 7920 N. Patrick Henry Place Tucson, AZ 85741. 6195 CREMATION URNS: Introducing the Lambda Pride Um . Celebrate Life with an um that reflects personality and style. · Call for free brochure. LifeStyle Urns 1-800-685-URNS. 8195. GAY PRIDE FLAGS , Banners, Lapel Pins, Wall Clocks, Tote Bags, Bumper Stickers, Wind Socks & More. -Free Catalog . 1-800-854-1438, (24 hrs. - 7 days,) Retail & Wholesale. B - LIVE OPERA-P.erformanc_es on_ audio /video casette . Incredible selecllon smce 1930's, world-wide. Over 7400 items. Magnificent free. computerized catalogue. Live Opera , P.O. Box 3141, Steinway Station , Long Island City, NY 11103. 12195 PIANO FOR SALE. Wanted: a responsible person to take on a low monthly payment on a beautiful console piano, no money down. Call toll ft~ _;_J,800-533-7953. 10/95 FREE! UFMCC Resource Catalog .. The Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches is offeri .ng the new RESOURCE CENTER CATALOG, featuring new books by MCC authors; materials for ·· Gay . and Lesbian Christians! Contact: UFMCC Catalog, 5300 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 304, Los Angeles, CA 90029, fax 213-464-2123, 4/95 BECOME A PRIEST - Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual persons, serve God and Co_mmu~ity as a Pries~ External program leads to valid ordination. An incardination process is· available for those already in Orders. Those interested in this program for personal fulfillment without interest in ordination may also reply. EACA Vocations , · 2301 Artesia Blvd., # 12-213, Redondo Beach, CA 90278 8195 CONFERENCE FOR CATHOLIC LESbians (CCL) is a national organization for lesbians of Catholic heritage. Quarterly newsletter. Supporti ve network. Advocates for lesbian issues in political and Church forums. For membership information please contact CCL-SS, P.O. Box 436, Planetan\Jm Station, New York, NY 10024 , (212) 663-2%3. FAX /212)268-7032 . 12/95 INDEPENDENT CATHOLIC religious order. Men/women, . lay/clerical, _ gay/non-gay. Optional celibacy, non-residential, ecumenical. Ordination possible. - Father . Abbot, -Order of St. John the Divine, 166· Jay St., Albany, NY 12210. 10195 - - ATTENTION CHRISTIAN songwriters : I will typeset your manuscript music : $20 first page, $2 each additional stave, For info write: Eric 'Bicknell , 23244 Almira, Southfield. Ml 48034. RETREATS FOR GAY monks focusing on • coping techniques in repressive communities at Saint Benedict Monastery. lnformat i0n write: Dan, 1012 Monastery Rd., Snowmass, co 81654, 6195 "W}IAT THE BIBLE Says and Doesn't Say About Homosexuality" by Rev. Nancy Hocvath. Professionally produced , studio · quality videotape or audiocassettes in attractive package. Excellent addition to personal library. Wonderful gift. Video: $34.95 .- Audio: $24.95 . Plus $3.95 P&H per order. Credit card orders: 800-370-7483. Or mail payment to H&B Video, JDVMCC', P.O. Box -64996:Baton Rouge, LA 708%. WARNING REGARDING PRISON COR- , RESPONDENCE: -While mosl prisoners seeking cqrrespondence are genuine in. their intent, some are not. Readers are . -cautioned lo prolecl themselves from scams: -1. Do nol send checks or money · orders lo prisoners and do· nor cash checks or money orders from prisone •rs. Person$ cashing altered checks or money orders .are responsible for lhe difference between lhe issue amounl and lhe allered amount. 2. -Do 1101 reveal personal information ·aboul yourself /hill would be harmful lo you if passed ~on to employer, family or others. ARE YOU MOVING? The -Post Office will nQt forward The Second Stone. You must notify us for uninterrupted service if you move. Please notify us four- weeks in ajjvance for uninterrupted delivery. Send both old and new addre{,ses. II possible attach mailing la.bel in space provided. PRINT NEW ADDRESS ? 2 ~· :f co '< .... ~ N - 'O (') ~ ~ Send completed form · Jo: THE SECOND STONE · Box8340 New Orleans, LA 70182 MAY/JUNE 1995 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 Second Stone #40 - May/June 1995 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/f3c0d10061ed82249d1d6cff9ddcd7da.pdf f37fa8d6722d747551bd7d91b68e6d3e 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 Second Stone Description An account of the resource Issues of the Second Stone publication. Issue An issue of a recurring publication. Issue Number The number of the issue (within a volume) 41 Publication Year The year the issue was published 1995 Publication Date The date the issue was published July/Aug 1995 Text Any textual data included in the document THE NATIONAL NEWSPAPER FOR GAY/LESBIAN/BISEXUAL CHRISTIANS 2.95 I OUR SEVENTH YEAR Offering Hope Bob Ivancic, administrator of Hope House in Dallas, Texas Runaway, throwaway _gay and lesbian youth find help and hope at church-run shelter STORY AND PHOTOS BY GIP PLASTER HOMELESS GAY AND lesbian youth in the Dallas area · are finding safety and help through Hope House, a program that offers housing and other services to runaway and throw~way youth. . Hope House is a service to youth SEE HOPE HOUSE, Page 9 SUBSCRIBE NOW• ONE YEAR ONLY $17 • Box 8340, New Orleans , LA 70182 P.O.Box 8340 New Orleans, LA 70182 ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED TIME DATED MATERIAL DONOTDELAY BU.K RATE U.S.POSTAGE PAID NEW ORLEANS, LA PERMIT No. 511 ISSUE #41 I Religious .groups in battle over amendment DENVER (AP) - Battle lines have been drawn by 17 religious groups and indi viduals · in the U.S. Supreme Court case over Colorado's Amendment 2. Eleven groups have joined together to file two friend-of-the-court briefs against the anti-gay rights amendment, and six groups sent one brief in support of Amendment 2. , The two sides disagree about whether the amendment, passed .by Colorado voters in 1992, protects relig10us freedom or forces homosexuals into secondclass citizenship. Amendment 2 seeks to ban laws that protect Gays _ from discrimination, and would · nullify ordinances already in place in Denver, Boulder and Aspen. The Colorado Supreme Court declared the amendment unconstitutional earlier this year, and the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to take up the case this fall. A ruling could come by early next year . The pro-Amendment 2 brief, supported Colorado Springs-based Focus on the Family and others, states .. that gay-rights laws will force churches to admit Gays, which is an abridgement of freedom bf religion. SEE BATTLE, Page 11 Gay Christians respond to Coalition 'contract' LOS ANGELES - The Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches has issued a response to the Christian Coalition's "Contract with the American Family." Ralph Reed, executive director of the Christian Coalition unveil~ d the long awaited document the last week of May. ''In the entire Contract, there was not one specific reference to Gays and Lesbians," said the Rev. Troy Perry, founder of the UFMCC. "It is good news that the Coalition didn't use this occasion to bash us with their usual false charges. Still, given Pat Robertson's long range goal 'to eli minate homosexuality,' this sudden silence is too dangerous to celebrate." According to Mel White, UFMCC's national Minister of Justice, that the Christian Coalition didn't use the occasion to bash Gays is a change of tactic, not a change of heart. "We are convinced," said White, " that silencin g temporarily the Coalition's stream of anti -gay rhetoric is Ralph's attempt to mainstream the Christian Coalition movement and to help quiet the growing national protest against the false and inflammatory rhetoric they have us ed to condemn innocent Lesbians and Gays. In fact, the Coalition is neither mainstream nor pro-gay." SEE RESPONSE, Page 11 w Calendar w Announcements in this section are provided free of charge as a service to Christian organizations. To have an event listed, send a p~~ to Second Stone, P.O. Box 8340, New Orleans, IA 70182, FAX to (504)891-7555 or·e-mail to secstone@aol.com. Near Fourth of July Weekend Seminar JUNE 30-JUL Y 2, Faith Tabernacle in Aberdeen, Washington hosts this ministry weekend themed "Faith That Works." Past0r Thomas Hirsch of Advance Christian Ministries will be the presenter. Registration is $30 per person or $40 per couple. For information contact Naomi or Elaine, (206)249-3055. Evangelicals Concerned ConnECtion '95 JULY 1-4, This conference is an opportunity to gather with 200 other Christian Gays and Lesbians in a supportive atmosphere of acceptance and celebration. Keynote speakers are author Michael J. Christensen and EC founder Dr. Ralph Blair. This year's conference returns to the San Franciso Bay Area and the campus of Mills College. For information contact ECWR, P.O. Box 66906, Phoenix, AZ 85082-6906, (602)893-6952. Ecumenical Catholic Church Clergy Conference JULY 4-7, The Ecumenical Catholic Church conducts its annual clergy conference at the bishop's residence in Monte Rio, California. Clergy and laity from throughout the United States are invited to attend. For information, contact Fr. Denis Martel, (504)341-1880. Convocation of Reconciling Congregations JULY 13-16, "Bound for the Promised Land" is the theme for the fourth national gathering of Reconciling Congregations, to be held in Minneapolis . A youth and student rally and a special gathering of the Reconciling Pastors' Action Network is planned. Individual fee is $165, $85 for children and youth. For information contact the Reconciling Congregations Program, 3801 N. Keeler Ave ., Chicago, IL 60641, (312)736-5526. A.C.T.S. Central Weekend . JULY 14-16, "Many Parts, One Body" is the theme of this weekend, sponsored by Advance Christian Ministries. Camp Hiawatha, Wichita, Kansas, is the setting. Brother Thomas Hirsch is facilitator. For information contact Advance Christian Ministries, 4001-C Maple Ave., Dallas, TX 75219, (214)522-1520. The UFMCC General Conference JULY 23-30, the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches will gather at the Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel in Atlanta for its 17th conference. "All Things Are Possible" is the theme for this conference which offers a discounted rate of $180 for non-delegates. A special gathering will be held at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Non-Violent Social Change. For information, contact UFMCC GCXVII, 5300 Santa Monica Blvd., #304, Los Angeles, CA 90029, (213)464-5100. . Conference of the National Gay Pentecostal Alliance JULY 28-30, NGPA holds its General Conference in Schenectady, New York, on dates coinciding with the 15th anniversary of the founding of the organization. A variety of speakers will be featurect and the conference will include teaching workshops and evening worship. For information on NGPA write to P.O. Box 1391, Schenectady, NY 12301-1391. Christian Lesbians Out T oqether AUGUST 10-13, CLOUT will hold its third national gathering at SUNY Brockport, 16 miles west of Rochester, New York. The theme is "CLOUT Our One Foundation: Celebrating Our Herstory , Diversity and Ritual." The gathering will feature ritual, workshops, lesbian Christian video documentaries and more. For information call (415)487-5427 or write to CLOUT, P..O. Box 460808, San Francisco, CA 94146. Third International TEN Conference SEPTEMBER 1-3, Liberty Community Church, Vancouver, Canada, hosts "How Shall We Then Live," the third international gathering of The Evangelical Network. Workshops will focus on stress management, coping with crisis, coupling concerns, being single, burn-out and other issues. For information contact Pastor Rick Morcombe, Liberty Community Church, #402-2388 Triumph Street, Vancouver, B.C., Canada VSL 1 LS. Conference tor Catholic Diocesan Leaders SEPTEMBER 8-10, The National Association of Catholic Diocesan Lesbian and Gay Ministries sponsors a weekend conference entitled "The Challenge of Leadership in Diocesan Lesbian and Gay Ministries" The Meany Tower Hotel in Seattle is the setting. Richard Sparks, C.S.P., will be the keynote speaker and there will be opportunities for sharing program expe~ience and resources, social time and liturgies . For information contact Rev. Jim Schexnayder, 433 Jefferson St., Oakland, CA 94607, (510)763-3101. SEE CALENDAR, Page 17 SECOND STONE - THE NATIONAL ECUMENICAL CHRISTIAN NE SJOURNAL FOR LESBIANS, GA VS AND BISEXUALS Contents •••••••• . • •••••••••• l'I •••••• fi~J [6J Calendar Opportunities for connectedness across the country Cover Story Hope for runaway, throwaway teehs . Legacy Author Emily Edwards remembers a grandpa who knew unconditional love In Print Don Bell reviews Equal Rites . ' . . . . . . Noteworthy I 19-l From the editor America Online is for us! [20] Classifieds Plus 12 pages of news JULY/AUGUST 199 5 News ............................................. •· ......................... . Low numbers force postponement of Mississippi protest THE MEMORIAL DAY weekend Freedom Ride to Ovett, Mississippi was postponed because of an insufficient number of persons planning to participate . Rev . Troy Perry, moderator of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches, and Robin Tyler, a prominent lesbiilll activist, had planned the Freedom Ride as an attempt to come to the · assistance of Wanda and Brenda Henson in their efforts to keep Camp Sister Spirit alive and well .in the face of terrorist-type threats and vilification. 1 Planners hope to reschedule the event next spring, ·as a "Sprir:ig Break" happening. The Memorial Day weekend Freedom Ride conflicted with the South's major gay and lesbian party gathering on Pensacola Beach. The Hensons are the developers of Camp Sister Spirit, .120 acres of woodland outside Hattiesburg,Mississippi, designed to provide a safe space for Lesbians. The lesbian couple's dream has become the focus of ongoing harassment and · death threats by people in the area. "It saddens me that we have been unable to respond, now, to this critical need," said Perry in announcing the postpor:iement. "It is our intention for this project to succeed and for that to happen we need more time. We are asking everyone to rally to this important cause and plan to be present in Mississippi when this event happens next spring." Presbyterians oppose Amendment 2 DENVER (AP) - The Presbyterian Church has filed a friend-of-the-court brief backing opponents of Amendment 2, Colorado's anti-gay rights amendment. The church, which has a membership of 2.7 million across the country, filed the brief June 19. The Rev. James Andrews, the stated clerk for the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, said the church felt it was important to make its stance public. "We are advising the U.S. Supreme Court on th e Presbyterran Church's (stand) on the issue of sexuality, particularly about the protection of the civil and human rights of homosexuals," he said. Amendment 2, approved by voters in 1992, prohibits governments from passing laws protecting homosexuals. The amendment has been on hold pending appeals. After being struck down by the Colorado Supreme Court, the U.S. Supreme Court earlier this year agreed to hear the case. The brief stemmed from a request from the Denver church two years ago. 'They did not ask for us to take any position, but wanted to know what the church said about this," Andrews said. Presbyterian philosophy holds that Storm blows roof off 'miracle Sunday' church ARLINGTON, TX - A major storm ripped the roof off the building of Trinity Metropolitan Community Church on May 5, just days after members of the church contributed over $30,000 on a single Sunday towards the building of a new church. The church offices sustained heavy wind and water damage . The congregation is meeting at a local hotel, and has stored church property until a determination can be made as to whether the building can be rebuilt. Trinity's 102 members exceeded their six-week $24,000 "Miracle Sunday" campaign drive and netted $33,600 ,in their offering that culminated on Easter morning . On the kickoff Sunday six weeks before Easter, Rev. Jo Crisco asked each person in attendance to give $100 b eyond their usual tithes to what she designated "Miracle Sunday" on Easter morning. She told th e congregation that a $24,000 safety net was the only obstacle standing between Trinity and the opportunity to launch a bond sales campaign to build a new church home. Crisco acknowledged her own anxious moments during the six week c.ampaign. 'There were points when my heart would stop beating, and I'd imagine how it would be if we didn't make the goal. I'd ask God to surely not let me make that big a fool of myself! ·The consensus from my colleagues from other churches was that I was either incredibly stupid or a person of great faith, and Easter Sunday would ·tell the tale," Rev. Crisco chuckled . Long time charter member Naomi Coleman said, 'This is no more of a miracle than God moving on the hearts of a small group of Gays and Lesbians 11 years ago to form Trinity MCC, and it further proves what we've known all along. God not only owns the cattle on a thousand hills, but God owns the gold under those hills . The only restriction that we have in accessing God's riches is the limitation of our own faith." - Keeping in Touclt Kansas passes funeral picketing law THE CONSERVATIVE KANSAS State House made a step towards curbing the activities of the Rev. Fred Phelps by passing a revised law against funeral picketing . Phelps, head of the family-owned and managed Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, will SECOND STONE be allowed to . picket but not be around to harass mourners an hour before and after the actual funeral service. Phelps and his followers have become known for picketing the funerals of people who die AIDS related deaths. • homosexuality is a sin, and in 1991, the General Assembly decided that Gays and Lesbians cannot be ordained as church officials or deacons. However, in 1978, the General Assembly established a policy that "vig ilance mus.t be exercised to oppose federal, state and local legislation that discriminates against persons on the ·basis of sexual orientation." Gay religious groups file Supreme Court brief GAY AND LESBIAN Christian organizations have joined to file an arnicus (friend of the court) brief in support of the unconstitutionality of Amendment 2 to the Colorado State Constitution . This amendm.;nt prohibits local governments from passing laws which would protect the civil rights of gay, lesbian and bisexual people. The case will be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court.. The results of this decision will have major impact on all civil rights laws across the country for many years to come. Two lawyers in Atlanta have donated their time to write the brief. The organizations supporting the brief are Lutherans Concerned, Affirmation: United Methodists, Integrity, Presbyteria ns for Lesbian and Gay Concerns and Dignity/ USA. Recent finding by top biblical scholars offer a radical new view on the Bible and homosexuality. What Bible the Really Says About Homosexuality . 1 , \-\elrninial<, pt,.D. Dame,... Daniel A. Helminiak, Ph.D., respected theologian and Roman Catholic priest, explains in a clear fashion fascinating new insights. " ... will help any reasonab ly open and attentive reader see that the Bible says something quit e different on this subject from what is often claimed." -L. William Countryman, Author of Dirt, Greed and Sex " ... the most thoughtful , lucid and accessib le summary I know of current biblical scho larship relating to homosexual issues . .. eminently useful ... 11 -James B. Nelson, Author and Theology Professor Order now from Second Stone Press Quan. □ WHAT THE BIBLE REALLY SA VS ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY By Daniel A. Helminiak, $9.95, paperbk Postage/Handling $3 first book, $1 each additional TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED ----- NAME _____________________ _ ADDRESS ____________________ _ CITY/STATE/ZIP ___________________ _ ORDER FROM: SECOND STONE PRESS, P.O. BOX 8340, NEW ORLEANS, LA 79182 JULY/AUGUST l 9 9 5 Subscribe Today. AND Y O U1 L L N E V E R WITHOUT YOUR A FRIEND JOURNEY. BE FOR SceonSdt one The National Gay and Lesbian Christian Newsjournal ···YES ·t·····-··················· Begin my subscription to SECOND STONE for: I I One year (6 Issues) $17.00 [ ] Two years (12 issues) $28.00 [ ) Three years (18 issues) $39.00 NAME ADDRESS CITY/STATE/ZIPC ODE CHECK HERE [ ] if a plain envelope Is required and add $2 .00 per year . Allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of your first issue. international subscribers add $10.00 per year, U.S.c urrency. Mail To: SECOND STONE, Box 8340, New Orleans , LA 70182 THANI{ YOU for your subscription support! SECOND STONE • News • • • • • • • • • • • • • e • • • • • • • • • e • e • e e e e e C Q IJ Wisconsin Synod dumped over men-only leadership rule WEST ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - A congregation disagreed so strongly with the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod's teachings that it decided to leave the fold rather than fire its pastors as ordered. For three years, pastors of St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church have openly grappled with a policy that women cannot teach men and that "only men will do work that involves authority over men." Synod leaders removed them from the church in May. Given a choice between firing their pastors or being removed from the synod, the congregation voted 118-3 June 11 to leave the synod. "Some people think we're heroes ... Some people out there use the word 'heretic," said St. James's pastor, the Rev. Richard Stadler. That 's because "in a conservative, Bible-believing church body, there is a reluctance to buck tradition," he continued. The Wisconsin synod is considered the most conservative branch of the major Lutheran denominations. Women aren't allowed to vote in church elections or become ordained ministers . "I remember a number of congregations leaving our synod over a doctrinal issue some 30 years ago," said the Rev. Ronald Uhlhorn, vice president of the Minnesota District of the synod . "Since then, I don't recall anyone leaving over doctrinal issues in our district at all." St. James members question ed the teachings more than three years ago, Stadler said. In correspondence with the synod, they asked where the Bible specifically says that "man must be the head and the woman must be submissive to man." They unsuccessfully sponsored resolutions al synod conventions, asking that the document be re-examined, Stadler said. Synod leaders held a series of meetings at St. James last fall to explain their view that these statements come from passages in the New Testament books of Timothy and Corinthians. But many church members insisted the Bible makes no direct statements that only men have authority and that women must submit. Stadler sees his church's saga as a sign of the times. "Fifty years ago, people just assumed that what came down from the church body was a correct interpretation" of the Bible, he said. "Now, more and more churches are willing . to challenge the pronouncements ... to make sure that they are really derived . from the Scriptures - not simply human notions imposed on the Scriptures ." Abilene Christian president fires play director over his sexuality ABILENE, Texas (AP)- Robert Neblett planned to return to his alma maier Abilene Christian this summer to direct a campus production of 'The Merchant of Venice." Then school president Royce· Money learned that Neblett was gay and the 1993 graduate was told he wasn't right for the job. "Although our religious convictions preclude persons espousing a lifestyle of homosexuality from serving in a position of leadership, we care deeply for Mr. Neblett," ACU President Royce Money said. "We appreciate his tremendous talent and find it unfortunate that his choice of lifestyle has resulted in this situation." Neblett, a Snyder native now studying at Washington University, said he was asked whether he was gay a week before rehearsals were lo begin. "When I said yes, (the school) informed me that I was unfit to represent the university because of its moral code," Neblett said. Neblett, 23, said he's crushed by the incident, which has forced him to tell his family of his sexuality sooner than he had planned. · "I feel that Abilene Christian University has outed me and pushed me out of the closet in a public way," he told the Abilene Reporter-News. 'They have forced me into certain circumstances by doing this." Money said that Neblett, a former student, should've known the university's stance toward homosexuality . 'They act like I made a choice and chose for this to happen . No one would choose to be treated the way Gays are in this homophobic society," said Neblett, adding that he is considering legal options. JULY/AUGUST l 9 9 5 r, I News ............................ ~ ........................... . Religious leaders challenge radical right claim on morality FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) - The radical religious right is a threat to churches and the American political system, some religious leaders say. "We are not willing for the radical religious right - with its demagogues, rabble rousers, opportunists and business entrepreneurs masquerading as .Christian evangelists - to go unchallenged in their claim to be the only rightful occupants of the high ground of Christian morality," church-stat e separation advocates wrote in a statement. The advocates include some prominent Southern Baptist moderates. Last month, the politically powerful Christian Coalition issued its "Contract with the American Family." The coalition's contract includes calls to return prayer to public schools, to further restrict abortion, and to revamp public ·schools . . It was embraced by some Republican lead ers who had their "Contract With America" agenda in Congress this year. After a colloquium May 30 spon sored by the Dalla s-based Center for Christian Ethics, several religious leaders drew up a statement to counter the coalition's contract. The radical religious right, the statement says, threatens personal liberties by advocating government intrusion into the most intimate religious experiences and health decisions and by . "distorting the Gospel by identifying the cause of Jesus · Christ with their own narrow political agenda." The statement accuses religious conservatives of unethical tactics, such as concealing their leanings while . running for school boards and other public offices. It also criticizes religious political conservatives for the "shameless identification of Christianity with one extremist wing of a single political party ." Dick Weinhold of Bedford, state Phelps grandson refused school credit for picketing TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) -The Topeka School District refused on June 7 to give community service credit for anti-gay picketing by a grandson of the Rev. Fred W. Phelps Sr. Sam Phelps-Roper, a junior al Topeka West High School, was refused the credit eight months after he asked for it. He is the grandson of the senior Phelps, who has taken his virulent anti-gay picketing across the country . The pickets are mostly members of the Phelps family . The school district last year began including community service work on transcripts. The hours don't co4nl for academic credit, but they may impress a future employer or college. The district did not have a policy for what constituted community service work when Phelps applied for the credit. Th e situation caused the district to develop such a policy. Picketing was not included in the guidelines. UCC ordains openly gay pastor OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - A campus minister who says he has been openly gay since 1980 has been ordained as a United Church of Christ pastor. Phil Owen, 43, is believed to be the denomination's first acknowledged gay pas tor to be ordained in Nebraska. "We knew this would be a ground breaker," said the Rev. Lee Milligan, president of the Omaha Association, the ordaining body comprised of 10 area United Church of Christ congregations. "He will make a very good pastor," Milligan said. "I am proud to have him as a colleague ." Owen, a Lincoln native, is pastor at United Christian Ministries in Higher Education, a ministry that serves students and faculty at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and NU's Medical Center. The ministry is supported by Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), United Methodist and Presbyterian churches and the United Church of Christ. Owen is divorced and has an 18-year-old daughter who lives with him and his mal e partner of four SECOND STONE years. Milligan, pastor al Arlington Community Church, said Owen's ordination is consistent with Scripture and denominational guidelines. The church's General Synod in 1983 said that sexual orientation is not a moral issue and should not be grounds for denying requests for ordination. "Having that recommendation from the synod, and finding no evidence of promiscuity, we voted to ordain Phil," Milligan sa id last week. "I believe God has called him to ministry. " Owen said he felt called to the ministry in the late 1980s. He entered the United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities in Minnesota in 1989 and graduated in 1992. He is a former Russian lingui st for the Air Force and a former slate Department of Social Services caseworker and office ser vices manager in Omaha . Owen holds a master's degree in education from · the University of Southern California. His bachelor's . degree in French language and literature is from l'JU's Lincoln campus . - chairman of the Christian Coalition, said the group does not purport to represent all Christians. . • "We do believe we represent the mainstream of conservative Christian thoughtin America today," Weinhold said. "What we are proposing . is a modest, mainstream agenda for change that protects reljgious liberty and enhances the role that families have in the life of our nation ." The Dallas colloquium held May 30 was named . for the late T.B. Maston, former professor at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth and a pioneer in race relations and Christian ethics for his denomination. UCC executive will address gay/ · lesbian Christian gathering DR. PAUL SHERRY, President of the · United Church of Christ, will address an international gathering of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Christians in Atlanta on Friday, July 28 . The Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches will hold its biennial General Conference at the Altanta Westin Peachtree Hotel July 23-30. Sherry is the Chief Executive Officer of the United Church of Christ, a protestant denomination emerging from a union, in 1957, of the former Congregational Church and the Evangelical and Reformed Churches . The Metropolitan New York Conference of the UCC ordained a gay minister, for the first time, in 1972 and the denomination has supported the inclusion of gay clergy within its own ranks as well as ecumenical agencies such . as the National and World Councils of Churches . Other speakers scheduled to address those gathered for the UFMCC conference include . Chris Glaser, lecturer and author of The Word is Out, Elizabeth Stuart, editor of Daring To Speak Love's Name and Randall Bailey, Associate Pr_ofessor of Old Testament and Hebrew at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta. See Calendar. CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE: Edited bv Sally B.(~eis & Donakl E. \lesser Helping Christians Debate Homosexuality Few other issues divide the Christian community more sharply than homosexuality. In this new volume, writers with divergent points of view deal with questions at the center of the debate between pro-gay and anti-gay believers. Edited by Sally B. Geis, director, Iliff illslilule, Lay and Clergy Education, The Iliff School of Theology. Denver, and Donald E. Messer, president, The Iliff School of Theology. Order now from Second Stone Press Quan. □ CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE By Geis/Messer, $12.95, paperbk ___ _ Postage/Handling $3 first book, $1 each additional ----- TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED----~ NAME _____________________ _ ADDRESS ___________________ _ CITY/STATE/ZIP• ___________________ _ ORDER FROM: SECOND STONE PRESS, P.O. BOX 8340, NEW ORLEANS, LA ?0182 J _ULYJf::,UGU ~_T _ 1 _9 _9 _5 News ..................................... -• ................................. . Episcopal priest relieved of duties after officiating at same-sex ceremony EASTON, Md. (AP) - The way he sees it, the Rev. John K. Mount was just praying for strength and comfort for two gay men dying of AIDS when he blessed them at a ceremony in May. .But according to the Episcopal church, the 85-year-old priest · was leading a gay marriage ceremony, thereby violating church law, and should no longer be allowed to preach or perform the sacraments. "While such a relationship might be loving and faithful, it cannot be considered a marriage and you have no authority to bless it as such," Bishop Martin G. Townsend wrote Mount in a letter telling him his right to preach had been revoked. Since .1992, Episcopal priests in Maryland have been under orders to not take part in same-sex weddings as the church reviews the issue national- 1 y. Out of respect for Bishop Townsend he will not disobey his order not to preach, Fath,er Mount said. But Mount said he strongly disagrees with the bishop's interpreta tion of church law and of what happened at the ceremony he led in front of 70 guests at a waterfront home on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay. "I feel the church has been waffling · Methodists reject resolution on gay civil rights FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) - United Methodists from throughout the Rocky Mountain region closed their annual meeting June 5 without acting on several resolutions, including one that would have supported civil rights laws for Gays and Lesbians. However, delegates at the Rocky Mountain Annual Conference, meeting at Colorado State University, did approve a proposal condemning abortion- clinic violence. Among the resolutions that failed was one that would have supported deleting the church's longtime stand that the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching. It didn't gain enough suppo1t in committee to be considered by the more than 800 delegates. Delegates also killed a proposal asking the national church to end its ban on giving any money to gay United Methodist groups. The issue has divided the 9 millionmember church for decades. The successful resolution condemning abortion-clinic violence and asking people "to repent of violence" will be forwarded for consideration to the national convention of the church - the General Conference - which will meet next April in Denver . The resolution called murder and other attacks at abortion clinics "domestic terrorism." Delegates also passed a measure urging individual churches to study a church-produced book on homosexuality. A proposal calling on the General Confer ence to discourage the entertainment industry from using graphic depiction of violence failed. Resolutions not considered by the full conference will be sent to the national convention, but won't have the endorsement of the regional church members . The Rocky Mountain Conference includes almost 80,000 Methodist s in Colorado, Utah and a section of Wyomins., · MCC members meet online MCC MEMBERS HAVE been meeting and greeting each other via computer every Thursday evening for about a year now. The '.'MCC Chat Room" is accessible to anyone who is a member of America Online. · The chat room was started by Bill Dailey, a lay delegate of MCC of the Vineyard in Fresno, California and Don Clothier, director of music ministries at New Horizons MCC, Oklahoma City, after they met via on online discussion for gay Christians. It recently reached the status of an official America Online forum. The MCC Chat Room is open from 7:30 to 9 p.m . Eastern time every Thursday . To reach it, go to the Gay SECOND STONE and Lesbian Community Forum and click on the Lambda Lounge icon. The room holds 48 people . It is currently moderated by Clothier, whose online address is DonC448@aol.com. After 9 p.m., discussion continues in a member room. · 'The room has come to mean a great deal to a lot of people," said Clothier. "For example, we've had a 15-year-old boy who says that the chat room is the only place he's gotten any kind of support. He 's in a small town, with parents who do not understand him and a fundamentalist church that preaches hate and discrimination. - for years on this question, " the priest said. "Somebody has to break the ice. Some day, I think people will say, 'Father Mount was on the cutting edge on this."' Mount, who was also removed as an honorary officer of Trinity Cathedral in Easton, also disagrees that the ceremony he took part in was a wedding . It . may have looked like a "fuH-scale, formal wedding," Mount said. But nevertheless he made it clear to all of the people present that he was not officiating at an Episcopal wedding "in the church's point of view" but was "simply asking God to bless ·two men who made vows to each other ." Bishop Townsend disagrees . ''By acting as you did; unilaterally and out of communion with both the bishop where you are canonically resident in Baltimore and the bishop where you performed this rite on the Eastern Shore, you misled the two men whose union you blessed," the bishop told Father Mount. The Episcopal Book of Common Prayer sets forth no rite for a blessing of a ·same-sex union, Townsend said. Had Mount simply blessed the home of the couple in accordance with an established rite, there would have been no violation of church law, he said. In so doing, Townsend was in agreement with retired Maryland Bishop A. Theodore Eastman. In 1992, he argued the same thing in imposing the moratorium on blessing same-sex unions. His decision came after an intense controversy over . a ceremony in a Baltimore church that many Episcopalians insisted was a "lesbian wedding." Lesbian settles suit against religious broadcaster A WISCONSIN RELIGIOUS broadcaster has agreed to pay a $255,000 settlement to former United Press International reporter Julia Brienza, but the Rev. Vic Eliason still disputes claims that his nationwide radio campaign prompted the wire service to fire Brienza because she is a lesbian. Eliason began his broadcast campaign aga inst Brienza in 1990 after she telephoned him while researching a freelance story for the Washington Blade. UPI fired the reporter, claiming she violated company policy by working for another media outlet. Brienza sued both Eliason and UPI. In - the UPI suit, a judge ruled April 13 that UPI had illegally fired Brienza for being a lesbian. Group kicks out church that embraces Gays and Lesbians COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - The censure of a church that accepts homosexuals_ will not prevent Gays and Lesbians from expressfng their faith, the associate pastor said. 'They are going to be more committed to our community than ever," said the Rev. Gail Clark Adams of First Baptist Church in Granville . The Columbus Baptist Association voted 101-34 June 6 to kick out the church because it accepts Gays and Lesbians. _"What we just experienced is what the gay and lesbian community has always experienced," said George Williamson, the pastor of First Baptist. Williamson and his congregation sang hymns outside the association's meeting after the vote. Even some.who opposed First Baptist said the vote was not a victory. Gary Boggs, pastor of Granville's Second Baptist Church, said First Baptist was affirming gay lifestyles in opposition to the Bible. "If they rescind their policy, we should welcome them back," he said. Six ministers wrote a letter to the association in April seeking action against First Baptist. But Jack H. Warwick, a deacon at American Baptist Church of suburban Westerville, said Williamson and his church "are leading us. I think what they are doing is great.". He and other First Baptist supporters . said the vote was contrary to an Amerieun Baptist tenet of allowing each church-to interpret Scripture. JULY/AUGUST l 9 9 5 News .................................. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Theologian challenges heterosexuals to break free from 'straight and narrow limitations' Grace Janzten, Reader in the Philosophy of Religion at Kings College, London delivering the keynote adress at the 19th annual conference of the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement on April 29 made a strong plea for a. new shape to Christian the9logy 1f 1t 1s to be of value to lesbian and gay people . Addressing an audience of 150 in Central London she said "Only as we face the multiple ways in which the straight God has been part of the project of the straight and narrow mind, and how much of that we have internalized to our cost, will we be in any position to explore transgressive alternatives . Even some of those who Operation Rescue founder calls for Commandments as civil law DENVER (AP) - Operation Rescue founder Randall Terry on May 5 announced the startup of a nationwide radio call-in show called Randall Terry Live that he said will make Oliver North look "moderate" and Rush Limbaugh "liberal". 'We will have people listening just to see why they want to hate me," said Terry, who last month was released from a federal prison in Allenwood, Pa., where he served a five-month term for contempt of court. Terry said he was jailed after a judge found out that his group planned to show then-presidential candidate Bill Clinton an aborted baby. But Terry's mes s age on May 5 was aimed at neither abortion nor radio call-in shows. Knights sell Disney stock in movie protest NEW HAVEN , Conn. (AP)-To protest the movie "Priest," The Knights of Columbus has sold all of its nearly $3 million worth of stock in the Walt Disney Co. The Catholic lay organization also said it has canceled a trip to Disney World 0to protest the movie, r~leased by Miramax, which is~owncd by Disney. The movie portrays several clergymen in England, including a gay priest and a priest who has a love affair with his female housekeeper . "It presents a distorted, negative and fundamentally unfair picture of Catholic priests;" Supreme Knight Virgil C. Dechant said in a statement. Dechant urged the more than 1.5 million Knights and their families to voice their concerns about the film to Disney. Pressure from Catholic groups prompted Miramax to change the national opening of the movie from Good Friday to the following week. SECOND STONE "We must seek to rebuild America on the Ten Commandments," he said. "Because once you depart from the -Ten Commandments as the founda tion of civic law and cultural law, you are in a moral freefall." Terry warned that without the Ten Commandments -as moral absolutes in America, it will be an "anything goes" society. 'The arguments used in favor of homosexuality today will be used next week in favor of pedophilia," he said . He said proponents of gay rights say "if a modern child wants to have a relationship, express their love this way, they should have the freedom of choice to express that." "If you depart from Biblical Christianity, you cannot condemn pedo' philia," h e said. He said America's future depends on an inflexible moral foundation. . "We're not talking about the slate being ruled by the church. We're talking about faith, and leaders acknowledging they are under God ." On other topics: -Terry said the days of the Republican Party are numbered and it soon will follow its predecessor, the Whigs, into oblivion. 'The Whigs refused to deal with slavery. The Republicans are refusing to -deal with homosexuality and .abortion." -If Timothy McVeigh is guilty of the Oklahoma City bombing, his actions are "the substance of the idealogy of the left. It tells me McVeigh's actions are the fruit of moral anarchy." -Militias are not the fearsome threat to America some believe. "You will remember that the Minutemen were militia . Patrick Henry's 'Give Me Liberty or Give me Death' speech was given to raise militias." 'They (Founding Fathers) knew the greatest potential for the oppression of the citizens was to have a huge centralized federal government that was armed and a citizenry that was disarmed," he said. -Homosexuality is a behavior, not a dght. "Homosexuality is the stuff collapsed civilizations are made of, whether it's Sodom and Gomorrah or the Roman Empire." - are calling for a new consideration of sexuality in the churches seem less than eager really to engage with lesbian and gay perspectives. Yet this is by no means true of all. The straight mind as it is socially constructed in the west is after all also a straight jacket, a confinement to a way that many heterosexual people themselves reject as too narrow." "As we· discover ways to transgress," she continued "to 'play in the fields of the Lord' we will surely find ourselves with many delightful compamons, some of them unexpected. And it will be - a ·great day, not only for us but for our churches, when th e question is not, 'how far should sexual diversity be tolerated ' but ' how can we learn from sexual diversity , and celebrate together?'" Meeting at the same time as the Archbishop of Ca.nterbury was speaking to the An 5 1ican Evangelical Assembly in Hertfordshire, LGCM's members passed an emergency motion on hearing of his speech in which he said that the Church, in relation to sexual practice, "only recognizes two options ... heterosexual · marriage and celibacy." Passed unanimously the motion reads 'This annual conference deplores the remarks of the Archbishop of Canterbury and calls for him to live up to his previously declared ·view, made as recently as last month at the Primates Meeting that 'homophobia in all its forms is not acceptable within the Christian Church.' Lesbian and gay Christians are not made to feel welcome in the Church by the imposition upon them of unreasonable demands - and celibacy is not necessarily a sign of wholeness and integrity." Commenting of the Archbishop 's inconsistency Rev. Richard Kirker, General Secretary of LGCM said, "Our members will once again feel shocked and dismayed that George Carey has made remarks that display obvious confusion and no respect for loving same-sex relationships. The Church is being deluded and cruel the longer it delays affirming gay love." HOMOSEXUALITY IN THE CHURCH: Both Sides of the Debate Homosexuali'1 in the Church Outstanding authorities on scripture, tradition, reason, biology, ethics, and gendered experience discuss the place of Gays and Lesbians in the community offaith. This book will provoke discussion Quan. l~tttt, S ~ , h,. r d,1 0, . in congregations, study groups, and ethics and social justice issues. Edited by Jeffrey S. Siker.. Associate Professor of New Testament at Loyola Marymount University, Los A11geles. Order now from Second Stone Press □ HOMOSEXUALITY IN THE CHURCH Edited by Jeffrey S. Siker, $14.99, paperbk ___ _ Postage'Handling $3.00 first book, $1.00 ea. additional ------ TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED ----- NAME ___________________ _ ADDRESS-~------------------- CITY/STATE/ZIP _ _____ _ ____________ _ ORDER FROM: SECOND STONE PRESS, P.O. BOX 8340, NEW ORLEANS, LA70182 JU LY/AUGUST 9 9 5 w News w ......................................................................... Gay school board candidate triggers religious war DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - While presidential candidates pay attention to Iowa's leadoff precinct caucuses, many political activists are preoccupied with a school board race that's likely to pit religious conservatives against gay rights advocates. It's school board .politics with a vengeance, and some say it can be used to gauge the growing clout of the religious right. 'This is all being pretty well orchestrated to generate money and to help organizationally in anticipation of the upcoming caucuses," said Jonathan Wilson, a veteran member of the Des Moines school board who last year triggered an uproar by announcing he's gay. Iowa's precinct caucuses are the first stop on the trail of primaries and caucuse s that produce presidential nominees. The major Republican candidates all -have set up shop in the state. Religious conservatives are a growing force in Iowa's Republican Party. They've taken aim at Wilson in the September school board elections. Wilson blames "the radical right" out to flex its political muscle, but those opposed to his re-election say they're just trying to protect children. 'They are gathering up names, addresses, phone numbers, contributors. They are soliciting national money for the effort," Wilson said. 'T hey're planning on making Des Moines an example for the nation ." Bill Horn is an organizer for The Report, an anti-gay rights group with roots in fundamentalist churches. He dismisses that argument. Hom says Wilson himself raised the issue by making public his sexua l preference and traveling the country speaking to gay rights groups . "How come he's out speaking across the country raising money?" Horn said . "I think the thing about Jonathan Wilson that people are discouraged about is the whole homosexual agenda." "He keeps referring to the radical right, and I don't know who he is talking about," Jerry Erickson, minister at Union Park Bap~ist Church, said . "I don't consider myself radical right in any sense of the word. I've probably voted for as many Democrats as Republicans." GOP presidential candidates watch the fight with interest because religious groups such as the Christian Coalition can make a big difference in next February's precinct caucuses. "I am with them all the way in that - cause," former television commentator Pat Buchanan said. Both sides have been rallying their forces and raising money. 'This is a controversial, hot-button issue," Horn said. 'This will get national attention." Wilson has been a force on the school board for 12 years, including a stint as its president. Some had urged him not to run again, but he's seeking another term. Vatican newspaper calls condom-in-hotel-room idea 'squalid' VATICAN CITY (AP) - The Vatican newspaper on May 30 denounced as "squalid" an antiAIDS camRaign to put condoms, along ,with soap and 'toothpaste, in seaside resort hotel rooms. Backed by an Italian gay rights group, businessman Franco Albanesi, who owns part of a chain of seven hotels along the Adriatic, came up with the idea to distribute condoms as part of the complimentary toiletries left for guests. The condom packages carry the writing "Safe love is good for life." Backing the initiative was Italy's leading anti-AIDS researcher, immunologist, Fernando Aiuti. But the president of an association of hotels along the Riminiarea seacoast called the condom promotion "stuff for madmen." Hoteliers fear that families arriving for summer vacation SECOND STONE will get the idea that the resorts are more suitable for love affairs instead of family vacations, the Italian news agency ANSA reported from Rimini, the coast's biggest resort town. "Alarming the hoteliers is the legitimate fear that the distribution of condoms will frighten the families who crowd the hotels from June to September," the Vatican newspaper L 'Osservatore-Romano wrote. In a scathing attack on Aiuti, the Vatican newspaper said: "Perhaps he thinks that the hierarchy of countervalues, based on libertinism and hedonism, is more defused" than "normal family" values. The scientist and the Vatican have been at odds for years. Aiuti contends that government anti-AIDS education programs have been stymied by the Vatican's traditional influence on Rome politics. - His critics say they are unconcerned about Wilson's sexual preferences, and Wilson himself labels it a "peripheral issue ." 'Tm focused on quality education," he said. But religious leaders have sought and failed to deflect attention to other pressing issues facing the city's schools. 'There is every danger that the one and only issue that attracts people's attention will be this issue of sexual orientation," David Ruhe, senior minister at Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ, said. "I ha ve suspected quietly to myself that it's certainly possible for cynical people to manipulate the intense feelings and emotions around the issue." Rich Eychaner, a prominent Republican businessman, has some experience in the fight. Eychaner, who is gay, sought a Republican con- SEE CANDIDATE, Page 19 Church panel urges tolerance of unmarried couples LONDON (AP) - The Church of England has been advised by its own experts to welcome sexually active couples, regardless of whether they are married or are of the same sex. "Everyone, whether single, married, separated or cohabiting, heterosexual or homosexual, should find a place of welcome in the church," the Board of Social Responsibility said in its first report on family life in 20 years . The report is expected to be debated in November by the church's governing General Synod. Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey, head of the church, welcomed the report as part of debate and soul-searching, but said, "It is not, and does not purport to be, the chμrch's authoritative teaching." The board, a synod department that advises on social issues, estimated that by the year 2000, four out of five couples will live together before they _ marry. The church should resist the temptation to look back to a "golden age of the family" and instead support families in all their diversity and help people build strong, committed, faithful relationships, the report said. While marriage is central to the Christian family, the church has been too "censorious" of people living together outside wedlock, it said. The report also said gay couples are capable of enduring and faithful relationships and should not be excluded from the church. Singapore clergy opposes Church of England on 'living in sin' SINGAPORE (AP) ~ The head of the Anglican Church in Singapore has opposed a Church of England panel's recommendation that the phrase "living in sin" be abandoned, a newspaper reported June 10. Right Reverend Moses Tay told the Straits Times newspaper that the recommendation will never be adopted in Singapore, where the Church will continue to uphold the biblical standards of morality. "All sexual behavior, apart from that between a man and a woman in the context of marriage covenant is sin," Tay was quoted as saying by the Times. "Adultery, fornication and homosexuality are wrong. We have to call a spade a spade. A sin is a sin," he said. Earlier in the week, the Church of England's Board for Social Responsibility urged Britain's state church to continue to "affirm the centrality" of traditional marriage. But it also suggested that the phrase "living in sin" be dropped and that unmarried couples, heterosexual and homosexual, be more readily welcomed into Anglican congregations. While commenting on the recommendation , Singapore's patriarch, Lee Kuan Yew, said his city-state_ will insist on certain standards and moral values if it is to preserve the strength of its society. Reverend Tay said the church also was "firmly of the same view" as Senior Minister Lee, who gave his views while on a trip to London. The "living in sin" report has contributed to a growing debate in the British church on issues such as family, sexuality and gender. JULV/AUGU _ST l 9 9 5 Hope House lifts gay teens from despair From Page 1 who have no family or whose family has abandoned them . Th e Hope House program serves te ens and young adults up to age 21. It can provide a temporary living environment and services lo help mov e young Gays, Lesbians and others from hop e lessness to independence. At Hope House, youth who once had no place to go now find a home and some help. The program is a part of Cathedral of Hope Metropolitan Community Church, the largest predominately gay and lesbi an church in the . world. The ne ed for the program became clear when two teenage boys came to the church a couple of years ago looking for help. They had .run away from home and ended up in Dallas with 110 hom e and no money. The church helped these teens, but soon realized that runaway teens and young adults were a large problem and the resources to help them were yery limited. Then Rev .. Paul Tucker, a pastor at Cathedral of Hope, decided it was the church's job to help. "We knew we had to do something," Tuck er said, "Nobody else seemed equipped to handle them." K In April 1994, the Hope Ho~s·e program was created. By October, the papers were signed on Hope House, a transitional living facility for young people with no other place to go. said Luke, a Hope House resident. "He makes sure I'm on the right track and watches over me." Luke came lo Dallas when he was rejected by his East Texas family after coming out. When he told them he is gay, they cut him off financially and began to wash his clothes and dishes separate ly , making him feel like an outcast. . 'T hey said I might as well quit high school and live on the streets," Luke said . 'They said they hope I get sho t in the head." Then he found Bob Ivancic, Hope House's administrator. "I told him about the program and I asked him what he wanted," Ivancic said. Ivancic matched him with a mentor and got him involved in a s upport group, then helped him enter Hope House's residential program. "It allowed me to get back on my feet," Luke sa id. "I can begin to think about being gay and having to deal with all the stresses the world puts on us." There .are no other programs in North Texas and few in the nation that are designed to meet the unique n eeds of gay and lesbian youth. Ivancic said the church wants to help establish youth programs in other cities as a part of Cathedral of Hope's mission to become a national resource in the lesbian and gay community. 'The straight community take s care of its children," Ivancic said. 'There's nothing for youth in our "The straight community takes care of its children," Ivancic said. "There's nothing for youth in our comn1unity." Now, a case manager, an administrator and a full time live-in home supervisor assist in running the program that Tucker and others created. Hope House provides its clients a variety of services to prepare them for life on their own . The program offers access to medical, dental and psychological eva luation and treatment. It also offers opportunities for education, socia l and life skills training and drug arid alcohol services, if needed. Up to 18 months of residential care in Hope House and two years of follow up after leaving the residence ~re also offered. Hope House also provides a mL•ntor program for residents and nonresidents . Each youtl1 in the program is mat ched with a carefully scn•,•1wd and trained mentor, a gay m ~n or ll•sbian woman who functillns as a role model to help • put the tl'L'll on the road to a healthy adult life. ''The mentor provides a big brother-- someone I can look up tn," SECOND STONE community." Tucker explained that Dallas has teen shelters and a variety of services for adult gay men and lesbian women. Adult gay and lesbian services, though, are often unwilling to help children and teenagers. These agencies are afraid of perpetuating the belief that gay and lesbian organizations recruit young people. In ·some shelters for youth, Tucker said, gay and lesbian runaways are the target of. abuse and violence. A large, short-term youth shelter for gay and lesbian teens is need ed in the Metroplex, Ivancic said, but he ex·plained that they · are moving one step at a time and trying to help as many young people as possible along the way. Ivancic and Tucker have dozens of storil's about yout h in trouble. "[One girl] was from west T,•xas," Tucker said. "Her mother found out about her sexual orienta-- Hope House administrator Bob Ivancic, left, plays Scrabble with Luke, a resident who was rejected by his East Texas family after coming out. lion. She put her daughter on ·a bus with a one-way ticket to Dallas." Tucker remembers meeting one 17 year old boy who was at a local ho spital's ' psychiatric emergency room because of a drug overdose. ''This young man had been living on the streets since he was 14 when his parents found out he was gay and kicked him out," Tucker sai d. "He used selling sex and selling drugs as a mea ns of survival but in th e proces s got hooked on cocaine." Alcohol and drug use is prominent in runaways and throwaways, and many turn to prostitution. Others turn to suicide . Sixty-eight percent of all ga1· male ·adolescents report alcohol use, and almost half say they hal' e used drugs, according to an unpublish ed study in 1987. The numbers .ue higher among lesbian teens. S,1me also report selling their body ,rnd ,1 large number say they h aYc> c,,nsidered or even attempted suicide. Until recently, ther e was no place in Dallas for troubled gay and lesbian youth to find help . . Some of these youtH in trouble go to Dallas' gay and lesbian area near the corner of Oak Lawn A venue and Cedar Springs Road. This make s the church 's location in Oak Lawn important. "Many of them end up in the Oak Lawn area of Dallas trying to survive on the streets," Tucker said. Luke said Hope House saved him from that. "I would have probably ended up on the streets or in some homel ess shelter," Luke said. But help for Luke was al'ailable fwm a house and a church named H,,pe. If you can benefit from th e services of Hope House or would like to help in its ministry , call Cathedral of Hop e at 800-501-HOPE. Integrity wraps up national convention WORSHIPERS LINED THE walls of Atlanta's All Saints Episwpal Church during the closing Eucharist ,,f the Integrity National C,mvenlion on June 10. The circle of over 200 people, which included . the celebrant, Atlanta's Bishop Frank Allen, and two other bishops , was intended to i.llustrate till' nature' of the Holy Trinity. Tl w S<•rm,in on th e eve of Trinity Sunday was given by Rev. Canon Linda Strohmier, Evangelism Coordinator for the Episcopal Church. • Delegates to the n1nvention heard the Rev. Canon Rowan Smith, chief assistant of Archbi sh op Desmund Tutu speak on the gay liberation struggle in South . .\frica ,rnd the church's role. Mark Graham of Atl,rnta. c,1-dean of the convention, receiH th e Louie Crew Award for .outst.rndin~ contributions to Int egrity. · ' Most of Integrity 's Stl chapters hav e fewer than 50 memb,•rs ,111d man y Integrity memb,•rs d,,,d h,n ·e ,1 local chapter to altL'nd.' ~ 1Jny (L'nventi('lleers come fn.1m un~uppL , rtiv t:" dioceses, so tht' ronvt•ntiL, n pnwide:,; an . important opp,1rtunity to <'~p<'rit' nce fellowship ,1nd rl'tww,11. JULY/AUGUST 9 9 5 B orn in 1898, my grandpa was one of ten children. The family name was a heritage. Although all his sisters and brothers were members of the church, grandpa was not. I never asked him why. I always figured that it had to do with the gal that he married . A refined woman from upstate. I was three months old when she died . Grandpa spent the next 26 years being chased by the best and worst of them. Being one of the best {egacy BY EMILY EDWARDS SECOND STONE catches around, we would . laugh when their intentions were quite obvious. No one ever caught him. I have always been sad that I never knew my grandmother. He would never · talk of her. I learned from · asking their best friends. One of her ma_ny legacies is that I was raised in her church . In this town of 2,000, all my relations were raised in the church of 800. They were a loving, hard working, and kind people. They took care of their elderly and infirm . The y took care of each other. They were also a God fearing people. So the church had many traditions. All th e women who were members wore a black lace cover on their heads , When Great Aunt Ida was so sick, for a while we were not allowed to see her , Bouts of senility were allowing her to reveal the family secrets. One time when I was visiting, she lapsed before my ears. She told me how the Elder had paid a surprise visit one day, and she barely had time to get the black lace cover on her head before he walked in the door . After a time, the women members were only expected. to wear them in church, Automobiles, trucks, tractors and radios were definitely allowed. They were necessary for commerce . T elevisions were not. My cousins and friends loved to visit. We would watch TV. By the time Great Aunt Mary was 82, she realized that she had lived a life worthy of the call from God , She did not care if anyon e saw the small TV in her kitchen. And no one in the church dared to say anything. Great Aunt Mary told me once that many men had asked for her hand . The men went to the Elders and then the Elders went to the women. She kept turning them down and was never sorry for her choice of remaining single. She told me that this one woman never treated her too nicely through the years. Her husband was quite wealthy, Inside Great Aunt Mary laughed at this woman's haughtiness. For this man was one of the many suitors she had sent away. When Great Aunt Barb passed away, there were a few compacts with face powder. That was allowed . She had watches and pins that were also allowed . Somehow the word got out though. My cousin Jim told me that someone confronted him. Did she really have 250 pins and 22 watches? He reminded them of the Christian woman, his grandmother that they were asking about. And no one dared to say anything more. Yes, the church is rich in many traditions. The people are loving, hardworking and kind, and alway s take care of their own. They built a nursing home and a home for disabled. You have to be on a waiting list for some of the volunteer positions . They built a social hall. When the first bricks of each were laid, they had already been paid for. My grandpa was a successful and respected man in his own right. And when I was born, the birth listings in the papers said granddaughter of. When he passed on, 1700 people came through the funeral home. I knew most of them, but not all their name s. Everybody always knew that I was the granddaughter of. Growing up, I was cool. I stayed out of trouble . I got my name and picture in the paper for first class scout, band and chorus awards, stuff like that. So pretty much, I did not dishonor the heritage of the family name. Except the part that I was gay from the time I was 16. So after college, wanting to live freely and not bring dishonor, I moved far away from the little town and its hassles and lived free , I would fly home and be with grandpa. I always brought a dress with me, for I knew I would be attending the church with him. Congregational seating _ was also part of the tradition. Women sat on one side, men sat on the other. A portion of the pews in the back rows were reserved where both could sit together. That one Sunday, we climbed the stairs and grandpa did not stop in the back rows . He· kept marching down the long aisle. I grabbed his suit coat so hard that it stopped him and said in his ear, where are we going. We need to sit in the back row, He said come on and took off again and I followed him like I always had. We suddenly sat on the men's side in the front second pew. As I was shaking, I received a tap on my shoulder. I painfully and slowly turned to hear and see Tom and Joe. Old schoolmates saying hello. I sang tenor that day with the congregation - who had never known what it was like to sing with a piano or organ. Yes, like singing tenor on the men's side would not make me stick out. When we left church, 1 was furious with my grandpa. Why did you do that . What are you doing . And all he would do was laugh and laugh . Everytime I brought it up through the remaining years, he would laugh and laugh and say nothing. When grandpa passed on, 1 was the only one who did not pass by his casket in the foyer of the church . 1 don't know why. When Jane came up to me at the meal after the funeral service, I noticed that she had a black lace cover on her head . She had ·become a member. She was very excited. Wasn't your grandpa's funeral . great . They put him in heaven with Jesus. The next day it finally computed in my weary mind . There were three When we left church, I was furious with my grandpa. Why did you do that. What are you doing. And all he would do was laugh and laugh. types of funerals in the church. In my youth I had heard about this one type. The Elder pointed to the family in the front row and declared, and how ·do you feel knowing your husband and father is burning in hell. Seriously, if you were not asked to leave, as some were, you ran the risk. There was the type of funeral for people who attended the church and then there was the type of funeral for members of the church. My grandpa, being placed in heaven with Jesus, had been given the funeral of a member. Yes; the church is indeed still rich in many of these traditions. They are a loving, hardworking, and kind people of God. All· this came back to me today when I ran across my grandpa's derby. He had worn it when he courted my grandmother. And remembering all of this, I finally accepted that grandpa knew that I was gay. He might not have understood it all, or even have wanted to, yet he indeed knew and loved me still the same. And in all these years, I have wondered why he marched me down the aisle that Sunday to sit with the men. And today maybe I finally realized why. That no one had better dare say anything . . JULY/AUGUST 1- 9 9 5 Pro-gay bishop elected in New York Episcopal diocese. · _1 NEW YORK- At its 219th convention, Bishops meeting during the 1994 January. The resolution_ Was spon- Assembly, but has never mad~ it to held on June 10, the Episcopal Dio- General Convention in Indianapoli_~, sored br the three Integnty c~apter:- the floor of the Repubhcan-dommated cese of New York strong ly supported the diocese put itself on record m m_the Diocese of Ne~ ~ork with Phil State Senate. the full inclusion of Lesbians and support of blessing same -sex umons Nic~olson,_ Integrity s NortheaS t Bishop-elect Roskam was ordained Gays in the church . Elected as Bishop and opening the_ ordination process to Regional Vi~e President an? a dele- to the priesthood in 1984 at Manhat- Suffragan was longtime Integrity Gays and Lesbians, whether or not 9ate to the diocesan convention, lead- tan's Church of the Holy Apostles, member, the Rev. Catherine S. they are celibate. mg th e effort. joining the New York City chapter of Roskam. Bishop-elect Roskam is cur- The resolution was .tpproved by Integrity shortly thereafter. She mainrently Missioner of the Di_ocese of over two-thirds of the delegates in .a The convention also passed tained her membership in Integrity/ California and is a gay-positive het- voice vote. New York became the a resolution urging the New .York even after moving to San erosexual. second Episcopal diocese to endorse Francisco several years ago. While. The diocese also approved three Spong's "Statement of Koinonia," New York State legislature looking for a job in the Diocese of pro-gay resolutions. By endorsing a which was signed by 71 bishops. The to outlaw discrimination California, she experienced discrimistatement that Newark Bishop John Diocese of Washington (D .C.) had . nation due to her membership in -Spong introduced at the House of approved it at their convention in based on sexual orientation. Integrity and her expressed desire to BATTLE, From Page-1 The pro-Amendment 2 br ,ief was filed by the Southern BaJ?tist Convention, Catholic Legal Society, Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, Focus on the Family, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and the National Association of Evangelicals. The anti-gay rights groups contend Amendment 2 protects the religious rights of groups that believe homosexuality is a sin. The 11 groups filing against Amendment 2, which include several Jewish groups, Protestants, the Quak, ers and the head of the Episcopal . Church, argue the amendment vio. !ates the state constitution by setting aside one group for discrimination. The groups state the amendment subjects Gays to "second -class citizenship." One anti-Amendment 2 brief was filed by the American Friends Service Committee (Quakers), American Jew- RESPONSE, From Page 1 Flanked by Republican leaders from across the nation including House Speaker Newt Gingrich, and presidgntial hopeful Phil Gramm, Ralph Reed announced his 10 point moral agenda for the second 100 days of the 104th Congress. "We are com~ mitted," said Gingr .ich, "to imple' menting the Contract with the Fami- 1 " Y;,If the Christian Coalition's Contact is implemented," said Nancy Wilson, a UFMCC elder and pastor of the Los Angeles congregation, ''.it is possible that gay and lesbian Americans will suffer a whole new reign of terror and intolerance in the land." "Just below the surface," claims White, "Ralph Reed's Contract with the American Family is just one more attempt by leaders of the radical right to reshape traditional American values in their own narrow, fundamentalist image. The Contract is far more than the sum of its parts . It is in fact, a dangerous threat to all Americans who believe in tolerance and freedom." SECOND STONE ish Committee, Anti-Defamation ,. League, Reconstructionist Congregations, Interfaith Impact for Justice and Peace, Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association, . Unitarian Universalist Association, United Church of Christ, United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism and Bishop Edmond Browning, head of the Episcopal Church .. The stated clerk of the national Presbyterian Church filed his own brief against Amendment 2. Also approved by the convention was a resolution introduced by the diocesan Economic Justice Commis-· , sion directing the trustees of the diocese to formally request each company in their investment portfolio to prohibit employment discrimination based on marital status and sexual orientation. The convention also passed a resolution urging the New York State legislature to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation. This measure has been passed year after year by the New York State Presidential hopeful urges tougher stand on moral issues KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Conservatives have helped create a moral disaster by not taking a clear stand against abortion, unwed motherhood and homosexuality, says 19% Republican presidential candidate Alan L. Keyes. · Keyes, a Maryland radio talk show host, spoke to about 300 people May 25 at a luncheon sponsored by The Freedom Foundation, a conservative organization. "We must take a clear stand on putting the emphasis back on supporting the marriagebased family," he said. On May 23 in Topeka, Kan., Keyes had a rally on the south steps of the Statehouse and attended a $100-a-plate fundraising dinner. His Kansas visit was sponsored by the Topeka chapter of Kansans for Life, the state's largest anti-abortion group, the Family Action Network and the 2nd Congressional District Republican Party. Keyes served in the State Department under former President Ronald Reagan and as ambassador to the United Nations Economic and Social Organizations . He is the first black candidate for the Republican nomination for president. He entered the race in March after two unsuccessful campaigns for a Maryland state senate seat in 1988 and 1992. Bulk Copies Available OF THIS ISSUE OF SECOND STONE 10 copies - $13.50 • 25 copies - $29 .50 • 50 copies - $45 .00 100 copies - $67.50 includes postage and handling. Send your pre-paid order to Second Stone. PO . Box 8340. New Orleans. LA 70182 minister to persons with AIDS. If, as expected, her election is confirmed by a majority of diocesan Standing Committees and Diocesan Bishops, she will become the fourth woman in the Episcopal Church's House of Bishops. Her consecration is expected to take place in December at the earliest. In another notable election, Dr. Deirdre J. Good was elected a deputy to the Episcopal Church's national governing body, the General Convention. Good is expected to be one of at least six openly lesbian deputies at the 1997 convention. She is a professor of New Testament at the General Theological Seminary in New York City . Her corning out as a lesbian with a life partner led to a change in the seminary's housing policy, following a struggle that included the mediation of the New York City Commission on Human Rights. Her election as deputy came as something of a surprise since she had never · before run for diocesan office. Two other Integrity members were among the eight elected as G_eneral Convention deputies . h the spirit of St. Frtl'lcir:; .im St. Clare, wdre aeelci,g ~ bulder6 .im pear::e IM(8l'S to journey with 119 i1 t;h6 fOC>t61:ep5 of Jee;us Christ. C? d!'SJ We are an ecumenical, inclusive, non-clerical 0.._ community of baptize~ men ~ and women from various Christian traditions who ./!.O chose to worship and live in ~ a faith-sharing ~pirit. You may become an ~ Associate or enter the program leading to the profession of vows as a ~~ religious Brother or Sister. Ask to receive our newsletter, "Footsteps." t We work in ministries of love, care and reconciliation nationwide. For more information, please write to: MERCY OF Goo COMMUNITY Att: Vocation Director P. 0. Box 41055 Providence RI 02940-1055 J U L Y / A U G U .s'T , l 9 9 5 Pastor calls ruling against lesbian mom 'act of terror' RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - A gay clergyman drew comparisons April 29 between the Oklahoma City bombing and a Virginia Suprem e Court decision, calling a rufing that a lesbian was an unfit parent "another act of terror." While acknowledging that.the ideas behind the bombing and the court's ruling in the case of lesbian couple Sharon Bottoms and April Wade are widely separated, the Rev. Mel White contended they are on the same spectrum. · "To put a jurist, a wonderful, committed jurist on the Supreme Court of Virginia on the same scale with the bombers would be a travesty," White told reporters at a news conference. "But to say that there are ideas that link the bomber and the jurist is very important." White added: 'The ideas are wrong. They need to be attacked . And the terrorist that takes away a child from Sharon and April is that same kind of idea that says that we ne ed to explode away, do away, purge the nation." The Virginia Supreme Court ruled 4-3 on April 21 in favor of Ms. Bottoms' mother, who had sought custody of 3-year-old Tyler Doustou. The court said lesbianism was one of . several factors that made Ms. Bottoms unfit. 'The only issue, really, is they are lesbians. And the court has decided in this case that lesbians can't be good parents," he said . "And we will fight that across this nation in every court where it raises its head . And we will chain ourselves to the Supreme Court and fast until we die if this comes to the Supreme Court and they decide to take away our children." White, 54, of Dallas, was the keynote speaker for a district conference of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches. The organization's mid-Atlantic district includes 15 churches with an estimat ed 2,000 parishioners in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and the District of Columbia. The UFMCC called for .a national day of prayer on May 14, Mother's Day, in support of Ms. Bottoms and other gay and lesbian parents fighting for custody of their children . "Pray on Mother's Day that this injustice will be righted,"White said. "And pray too that these terrible sodomy laws, which say that our love for each other is a felony, will be struck down ." The couple's pastor, Dwayne Johnson of the MCC Church of Richmond, said the women felt a deep "Your Brother Doesn't Have to be Speaker for You to Make a Diff ere nee in America." Candace is the lesbian s iste r of Newt Gingrich. Speaker of the Ho~se nf Represenratives - Candace Gingrich. Na~ianal Coming Out Projec t Spokesperson M,, people who know someone gay or lesbian are far more supportive of gay issues. Coming out shows the true diversity of the gay communiry. But, you don't have co be related to someone famous to take your next step. For more information about coming out, or upcoming National Coming Our Day events, please call 1-800-866-6263. Come Out. Get Involved. It Truly Makes a Difference. National Coming Out Project is an education and ou1reach program ol lhe SECOND STONE Fffil ~ personal loss because of the court ruling. "Removing a child from a mother is akin to death," Johnson said. 'That is the emotion they are feeling at this time." Before publicly acknowledging his homosexuality in 1991, White was a ghostwriter for religious broadcasters Pat Robertson and the Rev . Jerry Falwell. He was arrested in February for trespassing at the Virginia Beach headquarters of Robertson's Christian Broadcasting Network while seeking a meeting with Robertson. He fasted for 22 days in the Virginia Beach jail until March 8. The charge against him was dropped less than an hour after Robertson met with him in jail. A Robertson spokesman said the visit was out of compassion for White's parents. "I think Pat Robertson is so misinformed that his soul is at stake," White said. "I hope I'll have all of eternity to show him where he's wrong." Boy ~hinks Jesus took him from his mother RICHMOND (AP) - When 3-year-old Tyler Doustou visited his lesbian mother recently, he told her that his grandmother says "Jesus took him away from me," Sharon Bottoms told a radio audience. Ms. Bottoms said April 27 she told Ty !er that Jesus gave him to her, and that it was his maternal grandmother, Kay Bottoms, who took him away. But Tyler didn't believe her, she said. The Virginia Supreme Court ruled 4-3 in late April that Sharon Bottoms was an unfit mother and that Tyler should remain in the custody of Kay Bottoms. Sharon Bottoms and her live-in lover, April Wade, appeared on a WRY A-AM call-in show hosted by former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder. The couple, their lawyer and Wilder crowded around a studio table as television photographers prowled around them. Asked by Wilder how she felt about the ruling, Sharon Bottoms hesitated, then said, ·"I know how I feel, but I don't know how to explain it." After even longer pause, she said, "I think it's sad." Most callers were supportive. Antoinette from Richmond urged Ms. Bottoms to "Get out there and fight for your baby!" Ca ssandra from Henrico County and Chris from Gloucester County both told the lesbian couple they support ed them "100 percent." Three of. the 11 callers confronted the couple about homosexuality. Ms. Bottoms' lawyer, Player Michaelson, said she will ask the Virginia Supreme Court to rehear the case. She said she will argue that the judges ruled on a case record that included inaccurate allegations, such as that Ms. Wade hit Tyler, that Kay Bottoms was motivated to seek custody of the boy after learning about Sharon Bottoms' homosexuality, and that Sharon Bottoms and Ms. Wade taught the boy to call Ms. Wade 'Da"da ." In its ruling, the Supreme Court said lesbianism was one of many factors that made Ms. Bottoms an unfit mother. Other factors cited included her history of moving from place to place, relying oh others ' for support and "difficulty controlling her temper," the justices said. After the radio interview, Ms. Bottoms told reporters that Kay Bottoms called her this week to tell her she could not have Tyler. for his court-ordered weekly visit of one night. "She said they were going out of town," Ms. Bottoms said . Richard R. Ryder, Kay Bottoms' lawyer, said she told Sharon Bottoms in advance that she and Tyler · were going on vacation. 'They'll make up the visit when they get back," he said. Not trying to take over GOP, says Ralph Reed PENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) - The Christian Coalition is not on a crusade to take over U.S. politics, or even the Republican Party; all it wants is a "place at the table," says Ralph Reed Jr., the group's executive director. "It's not right for us to select t.he next Republican presidential candidate," said Reed, who heads the nation's largest Christian group that has deep inroads into the Republican Party. · But only the party that values "the sanctity of life" will get th" group 's backing, Recd told th,, Panhandl e Tiger Bay Club May 19. In its "Contract With the American Family," the 1.6 million- member group calls for an end to late-term abortions and permission for states to refuse .Paying tax funds for abortions, among other things. "What we want is not in the form of a demand," Recd said, · 'The contract is 10 suggestions." 'This (contract) is a very ambitious agr,nda, a hold ag,•nda. It won't happr,n ov,·rnight. W,· wi ll kr:<:p at it," l<•·•·d add,•d . "Our rr,I,. i '-> tr, h,· a rwrm ;uv·nl fixturr : <,nth,, pr1l1tir al J;111d <.,< ap1•. W,, rir.>W li :1v1· ;1 pl;ic ,. ;II thr· tahl,- ... I I J I I I /. IJ (, 'J ·, I, I ') 'I !, Evangelist at Promise Keepers rally criticizes Gays PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) - A Dalla s evangelis t at a rally for Christian men urged blacks and whites to come together to reverse what he said was "immorality in the name of hell" brought on by homosexuality. ''Black and white Christians can get together and bring the kingdom of God in the name of heaven," Tony Evans told 72,000 men at the Silverdome for the Promise Keepers conference held the last weekend in April. Founded five years ago by thenUniversity of Colorado football Coach Bill McCartney, the international group bills itself as a Christ-centered ministry dedicated to helping men become better husbands, fathers and community leaders. The group has packed arenas across Middle America. Last year, the group drew more than 250,000 men to seven stadium rallies. This year, it says 500,000 will attend 13 such events. The event at the Silverdome was the first. Evans' comments did not surprise the critics who say the Promise Keepers movement is anti-homosexual and anti-women. Jeff Montgomery, president of the gay advocate Triangle Foundation of Detroit, said comments such as Evans' frighten Gays. "With that rhetoric, we feel threatened," Montgomery said, leading a protest outside the Silverdome. Women's activists also protested outside the Silverdome, saying the Promise Keepers' true agenda calls for men to dominate their wives and children. Anti-gay initiatives attacked at regional Methodist gathering TACOMA, Wash. (AP) - Two anti-gay initiatives have been rejected by the Pacific Northwest Conference of the United. Methodist Church. About 900 clergy and lay representatives from Washington and northern Idaho. voted to oppose Jnitiative 166, which would bar schools from portraying homosexuality as an acceptable lifestyle, and Initiative 167, which would bar Gays and Lesbians from adopting children or becoming foster parents. "It's a civil rights issue," said Tricia Schug, communications director for the conference at the University of Puget Sound. 'The United Methodist Church tries to be proactive in social justice issues." Conference 'members also voted to ask the church's national board to change the Book of Discipline, a set of guiding principles which describe the practice of homosexuality as incompatible with Christian teaching. SECOND STONE Although those attending the Promise Keepers did not approach the protesters, members of a local fundamentalist group, the Voice of Thunder, confronted them. The two sides shouted slogans at each other. Voice of Thunder member Roger Pettibone of Pontiac also criticized the Promise Keepers, saying the group would be more effective preaching in the streets, rather than in stadiums . But many attending the rally felt otherwise. Nathan Schuck, a Michigan State University chemist from Mason, was AIDS memorial service prompts protest ALBUQUERQUE (AP) - Protesters missed the point of an AIDS candlelight memorial at the Roman Catholic church on Old Town Plaza, said an organizer of the memorial. "For someone in the city to feel they should boycott because it's being held at a church, it's very sad," said Peter Counterman, executive director of New Mexico People Living With AIDS. . "It takes away the whole feeling behind the memorial and mobilization," he said . The memorial at S<Ul Felipe de Neri Church drew about 400 people. "It's very comforting to be in a house of God - what better place to have a service and a memorial?" said Don Alan Croll,.a Jewish cantor who is gay. His partner, Jan Gartenberg, said he could detect no particular religious slant to the service. He said he listened 9osely. 'The issue is about AIDS more than where it's held," Gartenberg said. Outside, however, another group boycotted . "As long as the church as an institution continues to preach that homosexuality itself is sinful, it encourages the spread of AIDS," said Neil Isbin, a gay rights advocate who helped organize the boycott. . Using a church hadn't been the group's first choice but that it turned out to be more affordable and it allowed the use of candles, which not all venues permit, Counterman said. Anyway, a church seemed an appropriate place for remembrance, he said . The Rev. Lambert Luna, pastor of San Felipe de Neri Church, said the church traditionally reaches out to the · sick and dying and that AIDS sufferers deserve the same consideration. "We're not trying to make a political statement," he said. Recommended Reading For Everyone ... PASTOR, I AM GAY by The Reverend H. Howard. Bess An extraordinary book. PASTOR, I AM GAY ... is a prophetic witness to the church. It is compelling in its intensity, compassionate in its identifications, and courageous in its call to sharing humanity without qualifications. A . reader will not be able to put it down · · James B. Ashbrook, Professor Emeritus and Senior Scholar in Religion and Personality Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary Northwestern University PASTOR, I AM GAY is a superb entry into the difficult and painful subject of homosexuality that faces us in the church and society today. Both pastor and lay person will find this book readable and informative as we seek more insight into the lives of homosexual friends inside and outside the church. Donald Parsons, . Bishop, Alaska Synod Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Order now from Second Stone Press Quan. □ PASTOR.I AM GAY by Rev. 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(AP) - Unlike the days of frequent Ku Klux Klan marches, hate groups are scarier these days because people can't tell what they are up to, according to their opponents . The new tactics of hate groups drew attention May 19 as community activists, preachers, state troopers and government officials met in the first of three regional meetings of opponents of hate group such as skinheads, the Klan and the Aryan Nation. "What has me worried is what the hate groups are doing behind the scenes, the infiltrating they are doing in all aspects of society," said one participant, the Rev. Bob Lewis of Calvary United Methodist Church in Erie. Initiative takes aim at 'right-wing fundamentalist Christianity' OLYMPIA (AP) - A Seattle man has filed an initiative that would prevent state agencies from placing children in the custody of anyone "who practices right-wing fundamentalist Christianity." William Humphrey said his measure is in response to Initiative 167, the proposal that would restrict adoptions by Gays and Lesbians. Humphrey's initiative, filed earlier in June with the secretary of state's office, extends the prohibition to anyone "who participates in any political organization or religion . which condones the discrimination of individuals who practice dissimilar beliefs." Humphrey is a reporter for The Stranger, a free, Seattle alternative weekly newspaper. He said he filed the measure as part of a story h_e's working on about' how the initiative process works, Sam Woodard, executive director of the Citizens Alliance of Washington, the organization sponsoring anti-gayadoption Initiative 167, called Humphrey's proposal "a joke." "I think it's hilarious," Woodard said. "It couldn't hold up in any court of law. It is directly against the constitution and freedom of religion." · Humphrey is up against a tight timetable. He has only until July 7 to collect the signatures of 187,000 registered voters to qualify his proposal for the November ballot. Now available from Second Stone! The ·Word ls ·out 365 DAILY MEDITATIONS FOR LESBIANS AND GAY MEN Author Chris Glaser fearlessly liberates the Bible from those who w·ouJd hold it hostage to an anti-gay agenda. In this inspiring collection of 365 daily meditations, the Bible's good news "comes out" to meet all of us with love, justice, meaning, and hope. Chris Glaser is the author of Uncommon Calling and Coming Out to God. He is a graduate of Yale Divinity School. The Word Is Out, $12, paperback. Order now from Second Stone Press Quan. Titte □ Postage/Handling $3.00 first book, $1.00 ea. additional ------ TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED----- NAME ______________________ _ ADDRESS ______________________ _ CITY/STATE/ZIP ___________________ _ ORDER FROM: SECOND STONE PRESS, P.O. BOX 8340, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70182 SECOND STONE About 150 people exchanged ideas for confronting what they say are increasingly sophisticated hate groups in Pennsylvania, particularly white supremacists. The state Human Relations Commission has identified 64 white supremacy organizations in Pennsylvania, second only to Georgia. 'The face of hate is more easy to accept nowadays. They're not wearing hoods, and they're not wrapping themselves in the American flag like they used lo," said Barney Ousler, co-chairman of the Pittsburgh Coalition to Counter Hate Groups. What they_ are doing is infiltrating schools, says a former member of the Aryan Nation who broke ranks three years ago. Floyd Cochran now campaigns against hate groups a_cross the country, carrying with him videotapes of youth recruiting sessions and the "White Will" comic book. "What they do is tell these kids, 'We're family,' and, 'No one loves you? We'll love you,' and a lot of them come from dysfunctional fami. lies in· the first place, with · no father figure, so of course they're going to join," said Cochran, himself a divorced father of two . The watchers of hate groups say anecdotal reports indicate more activity around the slate lately - a baseball bat beating in Jeannette, a skinheads' march in New Hope, synagogue vandalism in York and damage to a Pittsburgh-area car dealership owned by a mixed-race couple. Groups such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the YWCA and church associations across the state are sharing information about groups and organizing a quick-strike task force to be sent to towns where crosses are burned or other hate crimes are committed, Ousler said. The number of hate crimes in Pennsylvania more than doubled in the last five years, Attorney - General Ernie Preate Jr. said recently. Communities tainted by hate crime - cross burnings, church vandalism, offensive leaflets and the like - typically react wrongly in ignoring the incidents, he said. "Silenc e is the welcome mat for hate,'' said Ann Van Dyke, assistant education director of the state Human Relations Commission. Priest wouldn't allow condoms at health fair SANT A FE (AP) - A Roman Catholic priest would not allow condoms lo be available at a health fair May 13 at his Santa Fe parish hall. One of the groups sponsoring the event, People of Color AIDS Foundation, said earlier it would make condoms available at the fair because of the life-or-death issue involved with AIDS. However, the Rev. Albert Gallegos, priest at Our Lady of . Guadalupe Church, said the group would not bring condoms. "It's not the reason the fair was . called," he said. "It's for information about (medical issues) including AIDS." Jewel Cabeza de Vaca, executive director of People of Color AIDS Foundation, had said earlier it was irresponsible to provide information about the deadly virus without givjng people ac cess to .condoms - an effective way to reduce the risk of infection. The Associated Press attempted to call her for comment at her Santa Fe office, but was told that she was not in . The health fair targeted Spanish speakers, including immigrants ·from Latin America, who lack access to medical care and information about AIDS, Cabeza de Vaca said. The state Department of Health has documented 1,141 AIDS cases in New Mexico since 1981, including 355 Hispanics. At least 673 of those with . AIDS have died. Housewife excommunicated from Mormon Church PROVO, Utah (AP) - A feminist housewife who wrote about a divine mother in heaven and challenged the notion that Jesus would not allow the Mormon Church lo be l ed astray says she has been excommunicated. Janice Allred said the action was taken May 9 after a fivehour hearing before a disciplinary council headed by Bishop Robert Hammond, the lay leader of het congregation. Hammond declined to comment. Spokespersons at church headquarters in Salt Lake City routinely refuse to comment on such cases, saying they arc local matters. Including Allred, at least eight high-profile feminists and academics have been excommunicated in the last two years on grounds of apostasy or public criticism of leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints. Mormons believe their lcadershi p to be divinely inspired. Supporters of the disciplinary act ions contend that failure to sustain and obey church leaders is a repudiation of the church's most basic bL•lil'fs. A lln•d, 48 and the mother of nim •, said slw would appL·al. JULY/AUGUST l 9 9 5 ,, • In Print ........................................................................ Lesbian and gay celebrations Equal Rites By Don Bell Contributing Writer Equal Rites: Lesbian and Gay Worship, Ceremonies, and Celebrations. Kittredge Cherry and Zalmon Sherwood, editors. Westminster John Knox Press E qua! Rites is a very welcome addition to the growing body of worship materials that give voice to the genuine religious faith of many gay and lesbian persons. Indeed, the book is a godse.nd for those longing to acknowledge and express their spirituality in positive, affirming religious celebration and worship. One strength of this important work is the large number of contributors (more than 30), all with unique spiritual experiences and ihsights. The writings respect sexual orientation, yet transcend it to embrace deep ' spiritual truths and convictions shared by people everywhere, regardless of denomination or sexual orientation. The great variety of ritual and ceremony detailed here sho uld enhance the usefulness of the book for Lesbians and gay men everywhere. One aspect I really like is that the authors did not forget major seasons or holidays celebrated by persons of faith around the world. In an effort to be different or set themselves apart from the traditions of others, some gay and lesbian persons tend to ignore or reject holy days celebrated by organized religious groups. After all, they reason, these are the very religious groups that have spread misinformation, misunderstanding and prejudice toward gay persons for so long. Why would a gay person want to observe any traditions held sacred by these hypocritical groups? Yet Equal Rites.does lay claim to these spiritual occasions and includes rites that make these holidays meaningful and relevant for the lesbian and gay person . . The book is designed for those planning or participating in rites, ceremonies, or worship services. However, I believe the book has a much broader use as an excellent meditation and devotional resource, meaningful to persons of faith everywhere, regardless of race, denomination, or sexual orientation. Throughout the book, God is loved, worshipped and honored; respect, caring 'Straight Parents/Gay Children' from former PFLAG editor ... B ob Bernstein, creator and former editor of the PFLAGpole, the newsletter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, tells his personal story and that of PFLAG in Straight ·Parents/Gay Children: Keeping Families Together, just published in June: Bernstein is a newspaper columnist and PFLAG national vice president. Straight Parents/Gay Children is the story of a father's coming to terms with a daughter's homosexuality and discovering that his life was not diminished but enriched through the process, according to the publisher, Thunder's Mouth Press of New York. It is also a story about PFLAG, the organization which helped him achieve a fuller understanding and appreciation of human and sexual diversity. The book recounts dramatic episodes of PFLAG's history, and in- . dudes accounts of numerous individual PFLAG members who have taken the lead in seeking · social equality and justice for their gay loved ones. Straight Parents/Gay Children carries an introduction by Robert MacNeil of the MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour, and a Forward by Beth Winship of the "Ask Beth" -syndicated advice column. MacNeil has been outspoken in support of his gay son Ian, an awardwinning . theater set des igner and Winship is a PFLAG honorary director. The book's cover includes praise from Episcopal Bishop John S. Spong, Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) and Dr. Keith Brodie, President Emeritus of Duke University and of the American Psychiatric Association. "If Bob Bernstein's book were compulsory reading in America, the population of bigots would dwindle at a rapid rate," Frank writes. "His ability to make the case for fairness and decency in our treatment of each other is unsurpassed." Bernstein began his career as a journalist but was also a law professor and government attorney before retiring from the United States Department of Justice in 1989. His articles on various civil rights matters have appeared in more than 50 major metropolitan dailies. ... and gay parents/straight children: 'The Changing Family' l esbian and Gay Families: Redefining Parenting in America, part of publisher Franklin Watts series The Changing Family, explores the growing number of gay and lesbian couples who are parenting. This book, written by Chicagoan Jill S. Pollack, introduces the reader to seven lesbian and gay families who share their stories;J·oys and challenges. Their firsthan testimony becomes a vehicle for exploring the many roads to parenthood including adoption, alternative insemination, foster parenting, surrogacy and previou. s heterosexual relationships. . In America, the number of Gays and Lesbians with children grows dramatically each year. Nevertheless, the rights of these individuals and couples to adopt or retain custody SECOND STONE of children is in constant jeopardy, and their families often experience complete alienation from their communities. The recent court battles of Sharon Bottoms and her struggle to _raise her son have helped bring these issues into the national spotlight. "I am proud to .have played a role in seeing that this very important and timely book reaches bookstores," says E. Russell Primm III, Editorial Director, Grolier Children's Publishing. "Whether the reader is a lesbian or gay parent, the child of a lesbian or gay parent or someone who knows and loves someone in a lesbian or gay family, Jill Polack pointedly shows us the many faces of love and the many kinds of families." Lesbian and Gay Families provides the reader with insight into the facts, theories and history surrounding the political and social biases lesbian and gay parents in America must overcome . Pollack's book explores the often difficult process of corning out, traces the web of legal hurdles gay and lesbian parents must face and provides in-depth information on local and national networks of support. By chronicling the stories of the gay and lesbian families that have come forward in .her book, Pollack establishes that love, not sexual orientation, defines a family. Pollack is a writer and editor · residing in Chicago whose work has appeared in newspapers, magazines, trade periodicals and political journals . She is the author of Shirley Chisholm and is currently writing Women on tlie Hill, a history of women in the U.S. Congress . and genuine love are encouraged for all human life and for animal life and nature itself. The reader of Equal Rites . will particularly notice the many, beautifully written, meaningful prayers included throughout. Relevant, personal prayer is a new experience for many lesbian and gay persons . The written prayers in this book give voice to the real pain, mental and physical suffering, and heartfelt longings, as well as joy, thanksgiving and praise of many individuals . In "Corning Out: Corning Home" by Diann Neu, some readers ·may fail to make the connection between the blessing of the four elements - fire, air, water, earth - and the very personal experience of coming out. Perhaps the theme of this beautiful ceremony is that all of God's creation celebrates when truth and honesty are manifest in the life · of a gay, lesbian, or bisexual person. I believe such a ceremony would provide emotional strength and make the occasion a memorable one for the corning out participant. Persons who have tried gender-frer inclusive hymnbooks arid worship materials and found them unappealing should genuinely appreciate the ceremony "Rediscovering God as Father" by Louis Kavar. Many of the unique chants and songs are well documented, though I wonder what success a reader would have in finding these resources. Other songs and hymns are mentioned by name only, wit ~ no mention of where they may be f9und. Maybe it is assumed that these songs are widely known and availab /e in hymnbooks of organized denominations. Yet to the uninitiated g~y or lesbian person who has long 0been alienated . from these organ i zed groups, the songs and hymns may be unfamiliar, and the person may not know where to locate them. · Equal Rites is an excellent public and personal worship and devotional book. The ceremonies detailed therein are designed to strengthen f 1reiigious faith, bring healing, and provide the participant with a meaningful, sensitive , caring, loving worship experience. This choice book would be a useful addition to <:omprehensive religious collections in church, public, and academic libraries. As a devotional g uide, individuals will want the book on their personal bookshelf. The book should be a real blessing for those churches seeking to be more caring and inclusive in worship experie I ces. ~ULY/AUGUST 19 195 W Noteworthy W ................ . • ............... ' ....................................... . New club for kids aTHE COLAGE KIDS CLUB is the first and only organization for young kids with lesbian and gay parents. It was created by daughters and sons of lesbian and gay parents. 'The most pressing problem facing kids with lesbian and gay . parents is our isolation," says Suzanne Pullen, COLAGE's Adminstrative Assistant and herself the daughter of a lesbian mother. The American Bar Association estimates there are upwards of 8 million daughters and sons of lesbian and gay parents in the U.S. alone, hundreds of thousands of whom are under 10. For information on COLAGE write to 2300 Market St., #165, San Francisco, · CA 94114 or KidsOfGays@aol.com. Ann Arbor church closes MFTER MORE THAN a decade of serving the Ann Arbor, Michigan area the Huron Valley Community Church has ceased operation. The Minister's hunger strike yields antidiscrimination statement from United Methodist bishops AUSTIN (AP) - A Methodist minister ended a 15-day hunger strike on May 6 after receiving a statement from United Methodist bishops that decries discrimination against Gays and Lesbians. The Rev. Charles Moore, pastor of Grace United Methodist Church, said he received a "serious and constructive" reply from the denomination's bishops, who were meeting in Austin. He said while "it's not all we hoped for, it's a positive statement." Moore, 60, had wanted a public statement from the bishops "expressing their concern about the mistreatment of gay people, especially in the church." He points to a statement adopted by the denomination's 1972 general conference that says, "We do not condone the practice of homosexuality and consider this practice incompatible with Christian teaching." Delegates to the last general conference, held in 1992, voted to retain that language, and the statement is again expected to be an issue at the 1996 convention in Denver. 'The issue is wracking every maj.or denomination," Moore said. "It is not an issue that can be ignored. The churches are not going to be able to hide from this." The Austin American-Statesman reported that the bishops responded by drafting a resolution that: - Acknowledges failures "if by our inaction we have contributed to ostracism, stigma, unnecessary suffering, . denial of civil and human rights, torture, persecution and pain inflicted" on homosexuals. - Calls upon all United Methodist congregations to welcome all people into "redemptive fellowship" and to become centers of learning about the nature of homosexuality. - Recognizes the official United Methodist position that calls "the practice of homosexuality" incompatible with Christian teaching. Bishops don't make policy for the Protestant denomination. That responsibility rests with a legislative assembly made up of lay and clergy representatives from around the world. The secretary of the Council of Bishops, Melvin E. Talbert of San Francisco, said the council has the privilege of choosing how to handle pastoral concerns. "In this case, th e council felt it was important to make a pastoral response," he said. Moore, who said he is a heterosexual who for too long ignored the . pain of discrimination felt by Gays and Lesbians, shed 15 . pounds from his 5-foot-10-inch frame since beginning the fast. Phelps' group stages protest in Mississippi JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - A group of Kansas church members held an hour-long anti-gay demonstration in Jackson. The 14-member group from Westboro Baptist Church and Library in Topeka rallied May 30 in the downtown area, some holding signs that proclaimed: "God Hates Fags." The Rev. Fred W, Phelps, the chu!ch's pastor, said his group's ultimate destination was Orlando because "homosexuals are taking over Disney World. We want good, wholesome family entertainment, and homosexuals are. taking it over. Walt Disney is probably turning over in SECOND STONE his grave." He referred to "Share the Vision Weekend '95," an annual national gay event scheduled June 2-4. 'This is a disgrace!" Jackson residentPaula Adkins shouted as she stopped her minivan near the protest. "Who is your God? My God hates no one. He created everyone equal," Adkins shouted at the group. Members of the group said the Jackson protest also was aimed at Brenda and Wanda Henson of Ovett, two lesbians who founded Camp Sister Spirit, a retreat near Ovett in rural Jones County. action came as the result of an informal vote of those members who have been actively attending the church recently. In a formal announcement of the closure of the church leaders stated that "Our attendance has been lagging and we have finally come to the conclusion that God's direction is for us to move elsewhere ." While the announcement of the closure came as a sh0ck it was not unexpected. Over the past two years the church has pleaded on at least three separate occasions with people on the mailing list to get involved in the church's activities. AIDS activist receives Robert Wood Johnson award M SOlITH CAROLINA AIDS advocate has received a $100,000 national health care award for his efforts to expand community services for people with the deadly disease. Peter Lee of Columbia, director of the AIDS Ministry of South Carolina Christian Action Council, recently received the Robert Wood Johnson Community Health Leadership Pr_ogram Award. "Mr. Lee exemplifies the kind of community health leader we aim to honor with this award," said Catherine M. Dunham, Community Health Leadership Program director . "He is tenacious, caring and creative in finding ways to reach those not served by the traditional health care system." Lee's AIDS Ministry oversees AIDS care teams based in church congregations. The teams, in 40 churches with 500 volunteers across nine denominations, provide support services such as food _shopping, transportation and comparuonship. "They fill needs, other than medical, by providing someone to listen, care and help with the business of living," said Lee, who used to work at the Department of Health and Environmental Control's Center for Health Promotion. Lee said he would use the award money to help expand the AIDS Ministry, as well as creating a "healthy communities" foundation to encourage community leaders to assume responsibility for improving health care. Integrity chapter bounces back aTHE PITTSBURGH CHAPTER of Integrity, Inc., the association of gay and lesbian Episcopalians and their friends, has been reorganized and is meeting on a regular schedule the second Wednesday evening of each month. The chapter was originally formed in 1976 and operated on a regular basis for ten years. During this time the chapter established St. Aelred's House as a safe haven for people with HIV and AIDS. Activity has been sporadic for the past few years, but in the fall of 1994 th e chapter was reconstituted and is now in the process of becoming a fully certified chapter . To contact the chapter, write to P.O. Box 3, Verona, PA 15147 or phone (412)734-8409. Pride rally features mass wedding BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) - A St. Johnsbury Unitarian minister performed a mass wedding ceremony at the gay pride rally for anyone who wanted to take part. A similar ceremony at the 1993 Gay pride march in Washington , D.C., drew 2,600 participants. Although the state will not recognize the unions, the Unitarian Universalist Church will, as it has for 11 years. Glover resident Brendait Hadash, an ordained Unitarian Universalist minister, said the fight to get states to legally recognize gay marriage was the new civil rights battle for Gays. A bill introduced in the last legislative session would require Vermont couples who wanted to adopt a child to be legally married, a r~gulation Hadash said wo uld effectively outlaw adoption for gay couples . . "It's a convenient little statement for them to make, " Hadash said. He said the current system also barred Gays from filing joint tax returns, receiving many spousal health insurance benefits, obtaining citizenship through marriage, securing next-of-kin rights, and automatically inheriting property . Hadash said he had lived his life "in the closet with the door open. People can look in if they want, but I don't force it." He said in Vermont he found "the New England attitude of live and let live." But he said . many Gays and Lesbians still faced prejudice. "For example," said Hadash, "here in the Northeast Kingdom there were two men who had been together for more than 40 years, close ted. As he was dying, one of them said to the other, 'You can come to my funeral, but you can't cry at it.' Of course the man did cry, but it' s just not fair." JULY/AUGU~T l 9 9 5 Father Bob Arpin never lost hope for change A t a time when it would have been easier to keep his secrets, the Rev. Bob Arpin chose the path of courage. and spoke his mind - he thought 1t would help others. In an institution that condemns active homosexuality, Father Arpin was proud to be a gay man, a gay priest and so undaunted by personal affliction that he took his homily to a national level. Father Arpin, a native of Chicopee, Mass., was the first Roman Catholic Gay couples unite in prayer during international conference RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AP) - Fourteen homosexual couples were united in prayer at the 17th Annual World Conference of Gays and Lesbians. Reverend RobertoGonzalez, an Argentine protestant, conducted the June 23 ceremony, which was called a "prayer service" because Brazil prohibits homosexual marriages. The ceremony followed a briefing by Brazilian congresswoman Marta Suplicy, who is leading a movement to legalize homosexual marriages in South America's largest country. The conference ended June 25 with a "March for Full Citizenship" down Rio's showcase Copacabana Beach. CALEN1DAR, r_rom Page 2 priest in the country to openly discuss his sexual orientation and his illne~s with AIDS. Eight years after being diagnosed with HIV, eight years after confounding doctors who had given him scant few months to live, Father Arpin died May 23 in San Francisco, his home for 20 years . He was 48. ''Bob was a man with a mission," said Bill Thorne, a friend of Father Arpin for more than two decades. "He wanted to stay within the Catholic Church, to try to cause change from within ." It was becau s e of Father Arpin, Thorne said, that church leaders started a national support group for · priests. And from the priest's candor, others said, countless other clerics drew inspiration. Father Arpin was ordained in his hometown of Chicopee when he was 25. He worked as a chaplain, a parish priest and a counselor, then was assigned 'io the San Francisco Bay area on a long-term loan from his Massachusetts diocese. He became an assistant pastor at Queen of AH Saints Church in Concord and as chaplain at Mount Diablo Hospital, where he launched an interfaith ministry program. . He then began working with the San Francisco Archdiocese, providing grief counseling and housing assistance through Catholic Charities. Father Arpin lived in a San Francisco apartment with a tidy mix of crucifixes and papal blessings, Gay Freedom Day Parade souvenirs and his beloved stuffed teddy bears. Hope and Healing Conference SEPTEMBER 28-OCTOBER 1, More than 500 people are expected to attend this AIDS conference which is jointly planned by the Lutheran, Ep1s~opal and United Methodist .AIDS networks. Three tracks of workshops_ will be offered: Care and Compassion, Prevention and Education, and Calhnf! and Service. - The program is expected to include theolog1~ns such as W1ll1am Countryman and several experts from the Centers for Disease Control. For information call (202)628-6628. ~Unity Fellowship Second Annual Convocation OCTOBER 2-8 The Unity Fellowship Church Movement sponsors "From Fear to Faith," at th~ Ramada Inn in Culver City, Calif. Nightly worship, ~orni _ng praise and prayer service, workshops on self empowerment, music, sp1ntuahty, human rights, family, health, cultural arts, youth, economic empowerment. For information contact Deacon Alfreda Lano1x-Owens, 5149 W. Jellerson Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90016, (213)936-4949. National Day of Prayer, Fasting and Spritual Renewal ·ocTOBER 11 Rediscover the power of effective intercessory prayer for the gay and lesbia~ community on this day of prayer held every year on the day before National Coming Out Day. Support materials available from River of Life Healing Ministries, 134 Quincy, NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108, rolhm@aol.com. · ·christian Responses to Homosexuality . NOVEMBER 10-12, Three days of dialogue with people from across th_e philosophical and theological spectrum, sponsored by t~e Rocky Mount~in Conference of the United Methodist Church. The cost of this conference, which will be held in Denver, is $125. For information contact Elizabeth Pruett, Box 2922, Glenwood Springs, CO 81602-0292, (970)945-7293 SECOND STONE When he was diagnosed as infected with the human immunodeficiency virus, Father Arpin found his greatest ministry - AIDS counseling. He wanted to educate the general public aboμt the disease by showing that even priests can be stricken with it. Father Arpin went public. He talked to reporters, he went on Phil Donahue's talk show. And he wrote his own book, Wonderfully, Fearfully Made, a lesson in hope to those with AIDS. "It was thought that only unsavory people in back alleys got AIDS," he told The Examiner in 1989. "I thought, how more respectable can you get than a Catholic priest? I decided to come out of the closet because AIDS is not a punishment from God." Tirelessly, Father Arpin preached about the fallibility of priests and the Roman Catholic Church's forgiveness. The church 's uncompromising position against homosexuality angered Father Arpin to his final days, but he said the institution was not perfect, and he never wanted to embarrass it. 'The fact that I am able to say things that the church doesn't like and still be a priest in good standing is an incredible sign of hope for me," he said in the 1989 interview . "Father Bob Arpin always lived his life, his priesthood, and faced the challenge of AIDS with optimism and joy," said Deacon Bill · Mitchell, , spokesman for the San Francisco Archdiocese . "He is now at rest and has gone to meet compassionate God ." Father Arpin is surviv ed by his mother, Jeannette Arpin, a resident of Chicopee, Mass., who kept a bedside vigil by her son; and a large group of friends. Characteristically leaving nothing undone, Father Arpin made all the arrangements for his memorial service and burial. He chose a simple inscription for his gravestone . It reads, 'Thank you Jesus." Parent group: Play is 'smut' KINGWOOD, W.Va. (AP) - A high school drama class play involving themes of homosexuality, AIDS and guns has come under fire from a group of parents who called the production "smut." But Preston High School drama teacher Fran Kirk said the production dealt honestly with issues facing teenagers today. "In addition to teaching theater, I hope I am giving them a forum for discussion," Mrs. Kirk said. A group of parents on May 23 asked the Preston County Board of Education to begin reviewing materials presented in the schools. The board did not immediately act on the suggestion. Kirk said the "Vision 2000" play performed May 6 was_ a series of monologues that focused on teen issues. During six weeks of rehearsal, material was changed for any cast member who had a problem with it, Mrs. Kirk said. Poll: Rome's Catholics stray far from Vatican doctrine ROME (AP) - In the shadow of the Vatican, many Romans are true believers - in premarital sex, contraception and other acts at odds with Church doctrine. But they don't call themselves rebels. They say they're Catholics, according to a poll published May 9. The survey, presented to clergymen in the Rome .diocese May 8, found 78 percent of Romans questioned defined themselves as Catholics. They also portrayed themselves as supporters of few restrictions on sex, divorce and opening the priesthood to women. The poll by Franco Garelli, a sociologist at Rome's Catholic University, did not give the number of people queried or the margin of error. But it reflects the sometimes cool rapport between the Vatican and Italians, who identify with Catholicism but often snub its teachings. In 1981, Italians voters upheld the nation's liberal abortion laws despite heavy lobbying by the Vatican. The survey found just 14 percent of the respondents said abortion should be completely outlawed. The study also found only 23 percent of those questioned go to Mass regularly and 42 percent rarely or never attend . About half of the respondents opposed the celibacy rule for priests and 40 percent said women should be allowed into the priesthood, the poll said . On sex, the scales tipped . strongly away from Church doctrine: Nearly 80 percent supported premarital sex, birth control methods and cohabita' lion between unmarried lovers. About the same number saw no moral objections to divorce. JULY/AUGUST . l 9 9 5 Death of professor's son sparked awareness among Mormons SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Brad Schow felt trapped . And he was exhausted . '1 feel so weary. I'm tired of always worrying about morals, God, salvation, myself, girls, guys, Gays, family, school, etc ..... "I need a vacation from myself." Schow wrote those words in 1978 at age 20, some months before telling his parents that no matter how hard he had hoped and prayed to be otherwise, he was gay. Eight turbulent y~ars later, he died of AIDS complications in his hometown of Pocatello, Idaho, his parents at his side in an agony of regret. That was in 1986, and Brad was the contagion 's first reported casualty in the Gem State. T oday, there are many similar stories in the bedrock Mormon culture of Utah and southern Idaho that produced Wayne and Sandra Schow, Brad 's parents. But they remain whispered stories within a patriarchal faith that condemns homosexuality and preaches that "families are forever." Using their son's and their own experience as a guide, Brad's parents have tried to change that. At Sandra's urging, Wayne Schow and his brother, Ron Schow, both professors at Idaho State University, joined co-editor Marybeth Raynes in producing the 1991 book, Peculiar People: Mormons in Same-Sex Orientation. The volume gained a wide audience, especially among hundreds of deeply conflicted Mormon Gays and the parents who had raised them to serve missions and marry in the faith's temples "for time and eternity." Ron Schow was instrumental in forming Family Fellowship, a service organization with several chapters in . Utah and Idaho that seeks to strengthen Mormon families with homosexual members . "It was just a matter of someone daring to say, 'Hey, why don't we do something about this?"' said Mildred Watts, who co-chairs the group with her husband, Gary, a Provo radiologist. "I think we are viewed with some suspicion by some church authorities," Gary Watts said, but the organization's sole aim is to promote love and understanding . "Really, Brad is the genesis of the whole thing." In 1993, Wayne and Sandra Schow were interviewed for "Straight from the Heart, " a short documentary about Gays and Lesbians and their families that was nominated for an Academy Award. "I wish I had had the past 12 years to live over," Wayne Schow told the filmmaker. "If (Brad) were still with us I would be doing what I could to make his way smoother." But as it happened, Brad's coming out declaration to his parents was the biggest shock of his father's life, triggering years of public denial and inner turmoil. The separate struggles of father and son are detailed in a new book by Wayne Schow, Remembering Brad: On the Loss of a Son to AIDS, a deeply personal account that draws on Brad's voluminous journals and the father's letters to his son. "Brad's journals are prett y compelling," Schow said. 'Tm happy to say that in some sense they are the heart of . the book and my writing is something of a gloss on his directly repre senting his dilemma ." Also satisfying to the author is the sense that the two have collaborated on the work, published by Signature Books. The journals Brad began at 15 and added to until his death at times depict a soul impaled on the irreconcilable forces that shaped his life: religion and sexuality. '1 don't want homosexuality to be a part of my life," he wrote in 1977. "I have had urges of that kind for as long as I can remember , but it's something I'm dealing with as well as I can . '1 don't understand where, at which point, it becomes evil, and how and where homosexual drives come into · the plan, but still I don't want it. It's a sterile kind of relationship. One can't have offspring." And yet, after two years of college, he dropped out and embarked on a hedonistic sojourn in the gay cultu r e of West Hollywood. Four / e ars passed before Brad, disillusione with the self-destructive nihilism of his life, broke away to resume work on a degree at Utah State University . Two years after that and starting to suffer, he went home to Pocatello. Eighteen months later he was gone. '1 hav e wondered more than a few times since his death whether the religious upbringing we gave him was, on balance, more help or hindrance to him in his life," Schow writes . "Whatever the answer to this question, that upbringing was a large part of the cross he bore." So, too, for his mother . "When Brad came out to us, the church and much of what I read said it was all our fault," she said. "Parents are so afraid, especially those who are members of the church. They're all in the closet." As Wayne relates in Remembering Brad, the Schows were there too before their eldest son dragged them out. UM plan targets hate crime offenders Pope urges movie-makers to show more responsibility ALBUQUERQUE (AP) - People who commit hate crimes at the Univ~rsity of New Mexico will receive stiffer penalties under a new policy that was prompted by a series of hate-motivated incidents on campus. The UNM regents approved a plan May 12 that will more harshly penalize students or visitors who commit such crimes. - Board president Art Melendres said the sanction policy gives UNM a "hate crimes bill." Gov. Gary Johnson vetoed such a bill in March, making New Mexico one of 11 states without a hate crimes law . UNM's policy was spurred by a series of incidents over the past few years, including racist graffiti and the removal of lesbian material from library shelves. The new policy allows officials to determine whether a crime was moti• vated by factors such as sexism, racism or homophobia and states that I harsher penalties can be imposed under those circumstances. Those penalties could include being expelled from school. The plan passed 6-1, but there was some discussion about whether it is too vague . The policy carries the understanding that guidelines on offenses and their possible penalties be brought back to the board for approval. SECOND STONE "I think there are some constitutional rights concerning what crimes carry what puni shment," said regent Gene Gallegos. 'There's nothing in the code that would put someone on notice as to , what penalties can be expected." . The policy says that in determining puri.ishinent for rule infractions, officials will take into account "whether any harm or injury was targeted against a person or group because of that person or group's race, color, religion, national origin, physical or mental · handicap, age, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, or medical condition." c...$... Pontius' Puddle VATICAN CITY (AP) - As the Cannes film festival prepared to grant its awards, Pope John Paul II urged movie makers to show a greater sense of "authentic values." The pope's comments w ere made May 28 during his regular Sunday address from his window overlooking St. Peter's Square . He said he wanted to mark the Church's International Day for Social Communications. The mass media can be vehicles for "truth, solidarity, authentic love, or the means of manipulation, even violence or the vulgar exploitation of man's basest instincts," John Paul said. Thus, the sense of responsibilty of the "promoters of social communications" should grow, he said, particularly with regard to the cinema on its 100th anniversary. "I hope that it, honoring its best traditions, will become ever more a vehicle of culture and a proposal of authentic values." Awards were presented at the Cannes festival May 28. r RE..AU'Z.E. THIS IS 1HE- a.e's, 8Ui I. STILL THINK CHAN~INCr '/OUR M.A.RRIA&E. VO'v-1S 1'0 RE.AO·· •~ 'TU .. t>AWN 00 OS ~~T, " ISN'T M~KING-~NOl..)6-μ OF A CCMM\iME.ITT. JULY I.AUGUST 1 9 9 5 W FrotmhEe ditWor •••••••••••••••••••••••••• C: - ••• . "Thunder-lizard" computer a good connection By Jim Bailey WHEN I FIRST started publishing Second Stone in 1988 I could tell from the needs expressed in the letters I started receiving that many of our new readers were dealing with isolation and lack of resources more than any conflict between their spirituality and their sexuality. I still get letters from folks who feel like they don't quite fHinto the gay and lesbian community in their area - and they don't quite fit into the church community either. So isolation continues · to be a part of life for many of us. The very best resource that anyone could have imagined for gay and lesbian Christians has come into being over the past few years and continues to develop. (And it is big time competition for Second Stone.) Self described by America Online, it's "one big thunder-lizard computer." Many Seco.nd Stone readers have already signed onto America Online and I recommend it for everyone. All it takes is a Mac or a PC, a modem, which if not built in may be purchased for about $150, a telephone line, and free software which America Online will provide along with 10 hours of free sample time. After you get online, you'll be interested in areas in the "Lifestyles and Interests" department. Go into the "Religion and Ethics Forum" and you'll find a Christian .message board which includes lively debate under the "Religion and Politics" topic. Another area of interest is "Christianity Online" which offers a "Discuss Current Topic" area that included 26,519 messages last time I checked. Under "Christians and Sexuality" there are 26 topics with 1639 postings. There is much discussion in this category concerning gay and lesbian issues. Also in the "Lifestyles and Interests" department: the "Gay and Lesbian Community Forum" which now includes the Lambda Rising Bookstore online. Message boards include very helpful areas like "Support and Recovery" for 12-steppers and others, and a board of major interest to gay and lesbian Christians: "Spirituality" with 50 topics and 4355 postings. Most gay and lesbian Christian organizations provide news about their groups in folders that can be found here. The "Gay and Lesbian Community Forum" also features a "Heart to Heart" personals board, where a message can be posted or answered, and the "Lambda· Lounge" where people are online and waiting for someone to connect with. :;Although this is a great service for everyone; •ir-is especially-valuable foflhose who do not-have good resources in their community or for those who are still in the closet: online communicating is _done under your screen name. America Online provides a generous amount of time each month for $9.95. FOR READERS WHO HA VE been clamoring for hard news, this issue is for you. It's stuff you couldn't find on America Online. So keep those subscriptions coming. SECOND STONE Newsjoumal, ISSN No. 1047-3971, is published every other month by Bailey Communications, P. 0. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182. Copyright 1995 by Second Stone, a registered trademark. SUBSCRIPTIONS, U.S.A. $17.00 per year, six issues. Foreign subscribers add $10.00 for postage. All payments U.S. currency only. ADVERTISING, For display advertising information call (504)891-7555 or write to P.O. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182. EDITORIAL, send letters, calendar announcements, noteworthy items to (Department title) Second Stone, P.O. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182. Manuscripts to be returned should be accompanied by a stamped, self addressed envelope. Second Stone is otherwise not responsible for the return of any material. SECOND STONE, a national ecumenical Christian social justice newsjoumal with a specific outreach to sexual orientation minorities. PUBLISHER/EDITOR: Jim Bailey . . CONTRIBUTORS FOR THIS ISSUE: Emily Edwards, Don Bell, Gtp Plaster SECOND STONE CANDIDATE, From Page 8 gre~sional nomination in 1984 and lost badly. "I do believe it is being used as an organizing tool by the radical right to organize for a variety of purposes,'' Eychaner said. 'They need continued anger and antagonism to raise money." Wilson says religious conservatives are playing on public fears over homosexuality to build their ranks and play a bigger role in the presidential campaign. Horn pointed to a failed effort last year to include in the Des Moines curriculum teaching youngsters about homosexuality as evidence of a broader "gay agenda." "When you start looking back, the evidence is there," Horn said. Erickson dismissed the notion that religious conservatives are looking for a way to energize their forces. 'They are already involved. They don't need any issues to get their people out," he said. Eychaner said ,the fight is too familiar. "It's not hard to incite and inflame people," Eychaner said, "We will: always be here unless they extermi-: nate us. Hopefully, that's not the agenda." Others worry about the city's schools being caught in a larger political debate and polarized for years to come. "In my opinion, no matter who wins, there's the strong potential that it is the children and the youth of the Des Moines public school system who are caught in the crossfire who will lose," said Tony Vis, minister at Meredith Drive Reformed Church. Few doubt the outcome. Ruhe tipped his hat to the organizing skills of conservative Christians. "In liberal churches like ours we have preached about political involvement for a long time," he said. "Much to our chagrin we wake up and see some conservative folks -are better at it than we are. I'm fearful that the liberals in general will be getting a wake-up call." .............Y....o.u..r..T...u. rn Safe sex more reliable than one's health claims Dear Second Stone, The commentary a few issues back on men who had been duped into unsafe sex by their own lovers who lied about their HIV status caught my attention. This happened to a friend of mine. He had the "satisfaction" of being invited to testify at his lover's courtmartial. My friend had assumed his lover's employment in the military confirmed his claim to be HIV-_negative. Not so! The serviceman knew he was HIV-positive and was under orders to tell any prospective sexual partner that he was HIV-positive and also under orders to use a condom. He did not tell his lover he was HIVpositive, nor did he practice safe sex. My friend had survived a decade of the AIDS crisis without becoming infected until his new lover seduced him into unsafe sex. When he discovered he was HIV-positive, he demanded an explanation. Thus, the courtmartial. An MCC student clergy, who was worki.ng on a nursing license, took my lover and me aside one Sunday and said, "If you have sex with someone else, make sure it's safe sex." My first reaction was irritation that he would assume we were not monogamous, but as I thought about it, I realized he really cared about us. Undoubtedly he had seen or counseled friends who had become infected outside their primary relationship. As a gay man in my 40's, I'd like to see during my lifetime a generation of gay men free of AIDS. Relying on other people's health claims is not going to be sufficient to reach that goal. Name withheld Richmond, Virginia Still innocent until proven guilty Dear Second Stone, Second Stone was a gift to my spouse and me on the occasion of our commitment. I relish it's arrival and applaud your efforts. In your recent editorial "We'U pay more attention to hate now,'' (May /June '95) I was troubled by your having tried and pronounced guilty Mr. McVeigh when you wrote: " ... the many who perished at the hands of McVeigh ... " As flawed as it may be we must allow him the priviledge of a fair trial. Sincerely, Bryon H. Knight We welcome your letters and opinons Write to Second Stone. All letters must be original and signed by the writer. Clearly indicate if your name is to be witlilield. We reserve the right to edit. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 or FAX to (504)891-7555. J U,L V / A U G UST l 9 9 5 . . . Classifieds ~ . . . . " . . . . ... , .. ~ . . . . . . . . . . . ...• . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . •. . . . . .................. l~tr.i,~~~~ : .~ "WONDERFUL DIVERSITY," "Heartily recommended," "Philosophically intriguing, 11 11Excellent." Why do reviewers highly esteem CHRISTIAN*NEW AGE QUARTERLY? Great articles and lively columns make this bridge of dialogue between Christians and New Agers as entertaining as it is substantive. Subscribe for only $12.50/yr. Or sample us for $3.50. CHRISTIAN*NEW AGE QUARTERLY, P.O. Box 276, Clifton, NJ 07011-0276. TF OPEN HANDS, an ecumenical quarterly magazine on ministries with gays, lesbians and bisexuals. $16/year. Free sample. 3801 N. Keeler Avenue, Chicago, IL 60641. 312/736-5526. FAX-312/736-5475. 10/95 HOMOSEXUAL? The Lambda o'irectory of Religion and Spirituality with over 400 sources of spiritual support for Gays, Lesbians and their advocates - 1:>ooksg, roups, periodicals, etc. Send $7 plus $2 S&H to: Pyramid Press, 13237 Montfort, Ste. 810J, Dallas TX 75240. 10/95 . NOVELS FOR RELIGIOUS people! The novels of Lammy-winning author Toby Johnson deal positively . with the spiritual significance of gay experience. GETTING LIFE IN PERSPECTIVE is a heart-warming, soul stirring tale of love and religious meaning. Available at gay bookstores nationwide. Or for $11.50 from Peregrine Ventures, P.O. Box 684704, Austin, TX 78768. 12/95 "A POSITIVE LOOK a~ the Bible and Homosexuality 11 tracts, fas ·t reading, excellent for pride events, bar ministry, personal sharing. Economical. $1 and SASE will return sample and order form from: River of Life, 134 Quincy NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108 10195 TIRED OF B.IBLICAL "condemnation" of ·gays? Read 11From Darkness into Light: What the Bible Really Says About Homosexuality" by David Cooper. Do gays have any basis for Holy Unions? Read "Sex, Marriage, and Divorce 11 by Cornerstone Fellowship. Both pamphlets available for $2.00 each from Cornerstone Fellowship, (2902 N. G~eronimo, Tucso-n. AZ 85-705. TWO CHRISTIAN WOMEN seeking investors for development of private RV resort in central Arizona : For details call 520- 797-1626, fax 520-544-9649, or write 7920 N. Patrick Henry Place, Tucson, AZ 85741. HAS GOD CALLED you to the ministry? A growing~ interdenominational congregation seeks pastoral leadership in East Texas. Please send your inquiry to: Pastoral Search Committee C/O R Reno, 5621 Old Bullard Rd. #205 Tyler TX 75703. 10/95 GAY EPISCOPAL PRIEST seeks church position with loving, inclusive community that respects the dignity of all: Write to 431 Gravier St. #300, New Orleans, LA 70130 GAY TEACHER desires a caring, sharing male friend-first. At 50 I enjoy home, travel, restaurants( movies, music, church, and diversity. Your heart's desire? Write tonight! Dave, Box 18122, Rochester, NY 14618. 12195 MEET NEW PEOPLE the fun way today! 1-900-884-7800, Ext. 1890 $2.99 min 18+ Procall Co. (602)954-7420 8/95 GWF, 44, professional, feminine, well educated, kindly humorous, talkative, financially stable, no drugs/smoking, little drinking, faithful Presbyterian, liberal in SECOND STONE --- --- ------------7 Classified Order Form FOR ONLY 35¢ per word, your classified ad will reach readers from Sitka, Alaska to Amherst, Maine and everywhere iri between. Business or personal. .. try a classified ad in our next edition! MailTo: Second Stone Box 8340 New Orleans, LA 70182 Name ___ _ Address __________ _ Ci ty /St./Zip _______ _ AD COPY _______ _ --------------- ----------------- __ words X .35= $ ____ _ 20 word minimum. All classifieds must be pre-paid. Deadline one month prior to cover date. We will mail you a copy of the edition(s) in which your ad appears Please place my ad in these issues: [) Jan/Feb [ ]Mar/Apr . [) May/Jun [) jul/Aug [ ] Sept/Oct [ J Nov/Dec CLASSIFICATIONS [ l Books & Publications [ l Business Opportunities [ l Employment [ l Friends/Relationships [ l General Interest [ l Mail Order [ l Merchandise [ l Organizations [ J Professional Services [ l Real Estate [ l Retreats [ l Roommates [ )Travel I I I I I I I I I I I 1 I I I I -------------------------------------------------------------' outlook, conservative in lifestyle. ISO truly similar lady living within 2-3 hours: GWF, good listener, feminine, 39-49, interested in commitment vs. casual relationships. Write: Sarah, P.O. Box 14163, Augusta, GA 30919. l~~oo~@~'ltmt' 'M ~--~.. PRIVATE RV RESORT park for women being developed in central Arizona. For details, call 520-797-1626, fax 520- 544-9649, or write The Point, 7920 N. Patrick Henry Pl=,_I~Z 85741. WANTED: PATRON(S) Young gay Christian HIV+ writer. Former Fundementalist. Intense. Passionate. Deeply spiritual. Compelling desire to communicate the transforming power of God's universal love. Distracted by tight finances, seeks financial supporters! More details - write JRL, P.O. Box 4914, Irvine, CA 92716-491'!,_Thanks! I CREMATION URNS: Introducing the Lambda Pride Um. Celebrate Life with an urn that reflects personality and style. Call for . free brochure. LifeStyle Urns 1-800-685-URNS. 8/95. GAY PRIDE FLAGS, Banners, Lapel Pins, Wall Clocks, Tote Bags, Bumper Stickers, Wind Socks & More. Free Catalog. 1-800-854-1438. (24 hrs. - 7 days.) Retail & Wholesale. B. LIVE OPERA performances on audio/video casette. Incredible selection since. 1930's, world-wide . Over 7400 items. Magnificent free computerized catalogue. Live Opera, P.O. Box 3141, Steinway Station, Long Island City, NY 11103. 12195 PIANO FOR SALE. Wanted: a responsible person to take on a low monthly payment on a beautiful console piano, no money down. Call toll fr"!'_;J-800-533-7953. 10195 BECOME A PRIEST - Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual persons, serve God and Comr:nunity as a Priest. External program leads to valid ordination. An incardination process is available for those already i:n Orders. Those interested in this program for personal fulfillment without interest in ordination may also reply. EACA Vocations, 2301 Artesia Blvd., #12-213, Redondo Beach, CA 90278 8195 CONFERENCE FOR CATHOLIC LESbians (CCL) is a national organization for lesbians of Catholic heritage. Quarterly newsletter. Supportive network. Advocates for lesbian issues in political · and Church forums. For rriembership information please contact CCL-SS, P.O. Box 436, Planetarium Station, New York, NY 10024, (212) 663-2963 FAX (212)268-7032. 12/95 INDEPENDENT CATHOLIC religious order. Men/women, lay/clerical, gaylnon-g'l)'. Optional celibacy, non-residential, ecumeiiical. Ordination possible. Father Abbot, Order of St. John the Divine, 166 Jay St., Albany, NY 122!0. 10/95 GAY PRINCIPIANS GROUP - Qay, Bi, Lesbian and Straight/Supportive Alumni of Principia College (Elsah, IL) and Upper Schools (St. Louis) Contact: David White #124, 2900 Connecticut Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20008-1404, 202-387-7250, E-mail Mrblanc@aol.com. 12/95 CHRISTIANS IN COMMUNION with Creation. An Organization for "Green Christians." Membership with monthly mailings, $35. Roger Wharton, 1404 Arnold Ave., San Jose. CA 95110. 408-451-9310. 12/95 RETREATS FOR GAY monks focusing on coping techniques in repressive communities at Saint Be·nedict Monastery. Information write: Dan, 1012 Monastery Rd., Snowmass, CO8I654. GAY EROTIC Spiritualities. Mystics, Ministers, Masseurs, Theologians, Teachers, Artists speak in 25 videos wisdom that only comes from the heart. EroSpirit Newsletter. Free. 800-432-3767 12195 THE EROTIC CONTEMPLATIVE. Re0ections on the Spiritual Journey of the Gay/ Lesbian Christian. $199. For contents, call EroSpirit. 800-432-3767 12/95 HOW CAN WE activate our individual and communal visions if nonstop grief has shut us down? An hour video talk by Pastor Jim Mitulski, MCC minister. $24.94. EroSpirit. 800-432-3767. 12195 BOTH LOVER AND PRIEST. In this hour video Ro.bert Goss, author of Jesus Acted Up, discusses liberation theology and how he came to write his bestseller. $24.95. EroSpirit 800-432-3767. 12/95 SecondS tonec lassifiedbsr ingr esults! ARE YOU MOVING? The Post Office will not forward The Second Stone. You must notify us for uninterrupted service if you move. Please notify us four weeks in advance for uninterrupted delivery . Send both old and new addre$ses . If possible attach mailing la.bel in space provided . PRINT NEW ADORESS w E I i, '" Send completed form to : THES ECOND$ .TONE Box8340 NewO rleansL, A 70182 JULY/AUGUST 1 9 9 5 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 Second Stone #41 - July/Aug 1995 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/3cfd7a2ff6a6a3541befba5f1f091079.pdf df5c514927d42ff046592db9b72064e2 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 Second Stone Description An account of the resource Issues of the Second Stone publication. Issue An issue of a recurring publication. Issue Number The number of the issue (within a volume) 42 Publication Year The year the issue was published 1995 Publication Date The date the issue was published Sept/Oct 1995 Text Any textual data included in the document THE NATIONAL NEWSPAPER FOR GAY/LESBIAN/BISEXUAL CHRISTIANS 2.95 SO B{fo~IBE . ['JO\('/ • ONE YEAR ONLY $17 • Box 8340 , New Orleans , LA 7018 2 P.0.Box 8340 New Orleans, LA 70182 ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED TIMEDATEI) MATERIAL . DONO', DElAY BUI..K RATE U.S.POSTAGE PAID NEW ORLEANS, lA PERMIT No. 511 ISSUE #42 i the music &ministry of ]ALLEN RIX celebrated in a new release PAGE 10 NEWS in this issue: .\ Female clergy .hitting a stained-glass ceiling ■ Ril·l#W Alondon: Gay man banned from nephew's christening by Church of England rector -,,., .. AN ew Lutheran bishop's position on gay ordination unknown; Lutherans cave in on sexuality• statement ■ iif•i¥W AGay Episcopal priest sues female bishop for discrimination ■ ¥l·IMW !Catholics in support of gay rights plan "Solidarity Sunday" lii·iWI ■ ! Southern Baptist women join fight against AIDS •· ,.._ =iCWF:Pi::= .U ough-talking woman elected Presbyterian moderator • - f a Calendar Announcements in this sectio11 are provided free of charge as a service to Christian organizatio11s. To have an event listed, send a Pr.ill~ to Second Stone, P.O. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182, FAX to (504)891-7555 or e-mail to secstone@aol.com. Third International TEN Conference SEP T EMBER 1-3 , Liberty Community Church, Vancouver, Canada, hosts "How Shall We Then Live," the third international gathering of The Evangelical Network. Workshops will focus on stress management , coping with crisis , coupling concerns, being single, burn°out and other issues. For information contac t Pastor Rick Morcombe, Liberty Community Church, #402-2388 Triumph Street, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V5L 1L5. • Conference for Cat holic Diocesan Leaders SEPTEM BER 8-10, The National Association of Catholic Diocesan Lesbian and Gay Ministries sponsors a weekend conference ent itled "The Challenge of Leadership in Diocesan Lesbian and Gay Ministries" The Meany To wer Hotel in Seattle is the setting. Richard Sparks, C.S.P., will be the keynote speaker and there will be opportunities for sharing program ex perience and resources , social time and liturgies. For information contact Rev. Jim Schexnayde r, 433 Jefferson St., Oakland, CA 94607, (510)763-3101. PFLAG 1995 National Convent ion SEPTEMBER 28-OCTOBER 1, The Hyatt Regency Indianapolis is the setting for the annual gathering of Parents , Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. Seminars and workshops include HIV/AIDS and re ligious issues, Speakers include Mitzi Henderson, PFLAG national president and Mel White, author of Stranger at the Gate. For information contact PFLAG, 1101 14th St., NW, Ste. 1030, Washington, DC 20005, (202)638-4200. Hope and Healing Confe rence . SEPTEMBER 28-OCTOBER 1, More than 500 people are expected to attend this AIDS conference which is jointly planned by the Lutheran, Episcopal and United Methodist AIDS networks . Three tracks of workshops will be offered '. Care and Compassion, Prevention and Education, and Calling and Service. The program is expected to include theologians such as William Countryman and several experts from the Centers for Disease Control. For information call (202)628-6628. Ur-iity Fellowship Second Annual Convocation OCTOBER 2-8, The Unity Fellowship Church Movement sponsors "From Fear to Faith," at the Ram.ada Inn in Culver City, Calif. Nightly worship, morning praise ·and prayer service, workshops on self empowerment, music , spirituality, . human rights, family, health, cultural arts, youth, economic empowerment. For information contact Deacon Alfreda Lanoix-Owens, 5149 W. Jefferson Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90016, (213)936-4949. Advance'95 OCTOBER 2,8, "Heaven, The Building of God" is the theme for this annual gathering of gay and lesbian Christians for a week of preaching , education , revival and fellowship. The activities include a pastor's and minister's fellowship, School of the Prophets, the Advance Weekend and a children's ministry. For information contact Advance Christian Ministries, 4001-C Maple Ave., Dallas, TX 75219,(214)522-1520. School of the Prophets OCTOBER 4-6, Students select from _ 18 courses established by pastors and ministers through Advance Christian Ministries held as part of Advance '95 in New Caney, Texas. The courses are designed to provide knowledge in . Biblical content and practical training for Christian leadership and ministries. For , information contact Advance Christian Ministries, 4001-C Maple Ave., Dallas, TX 75219, (214)522-1520. Solidarity Sunday · · OCTOBER 8, Gay and lesbian Catholics and their supporters are asked to wear rainbow ribbons to Mass and throughout the day. For information contact Dignity/USA, 1500 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Suite 11, Washington DC 20005, (202)861-0017 or Bruce S. Jarstler, M.D., 2634 Pebble Breeze, San Antonio, TX 78232, (210)545-9097, FAX (210)545-6906, BruceSJ@aol.com. National Day of PrayeL Fasting and Spritual Renewal OCTOBER 10, Rediscover the power of effective intercessory prayer for the gay and lesbian community on this day of prayer held every year on the day before National ·Coming Out Day. Support materials available from .River of Lile Healing Ministries, 134 Quincy, NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108, rolhm@ae>l.com. National Coming Out Day OCTOBER 11, Visibility makes a difference . For information about National Coming Out Day or to . order official Keith Haring NCOD merchandise, call Hl00-866-6263. . SEE CALENDAR, Page 17 SECOND STONE - THE NATIONAL ECUMENICAL CHRISTIAN NEWSJOURNAL FOR LESBIANS, GAYS AND BISEXUALS Contents o • • · • o • • e o • · • e o o o e • \9 e ~ • o o e • o Calendar Opportunities for connectedness across the country [~ . AIDS charities feel pinch of _ft_j competition , compassion fatigue 1:10 l Cover Story · Gay Christian musician Jal/en Rix · . . continues his powerful ministry with new release In Print Two mothers' stories: Prayers For Bobby, Cleaning Closets; Also: Voices of Hope [6 '! Noteworthy [j Sl ~i?ie~:aleh~!teria: Have you felt it yet? . · From the editor . Join Roman Catholics for a day of solidarity 1201 Classifieds Plus 10 pages of news SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 9 9 5 News ......................................................................... Female clergy running into a stained-glass ceiling By David Briggs AP Religion Writer HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - More than two decades after women started stepping into pulpits in significant numbers, they are encountering a stained ·gJass ceiling, a barrier that's keeping the ministry far behind other professions in workplace equality. A study by Hartford Seminary finds that the percentage of female clergy has actually declined over eight years in denominations once at the forefront of women's ordination, such as the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the United Methodist Church and the Episcopal Church. In their survey of 4,900 clergy in 16 Protestant denominations, the most comprehensive ever done on women in ministry, researchers found clergymen in general had stayed close to the career path they envisioned for themselves in seminaries. Women with the same goals, however, had to settle for lower-paying positions as assistants. Women also averaged $5,000 less in annual salary and benefits than men with similar work experience. When men and women ordained at the same time were asked about their • present jobs, 22 percent of men were senior pastors of larger churches, compared to 6 percent of women, according to the study released to The . Associated Press. "Sexism is behind the fact ... the church won't accept women as senior pastors,'' said Adair Lummis, one of the study's authors. "Law and medicine are subject to secular laws, about hiring, about affirmative action." Women are still banned from pastoral positions in some religions, such as Roman Catholicism and Orthodox Judaism. But various Protestant churches have permitted female clergy for more than a century, and women founded others, such as the Christian · Science Church and the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel. It was not until the 1970s that women, powered by the feminist and civil rights movements, began donning religious robes in large numbers, as they also forged into other previously off-limits territory such as law and the military. . But the significant gains made by women in other professions have not been matched in the nation's churches, the study finds. While women now account for 25 percent of lawyers and 21 percent of doctors, only 11 percent of the clergy are female, cfespite a near doubling of female seminary enrollment since 1980. Seventh-day Adventists reject ordination of women UTRECHT, Netherlands (AP) - The Seventh-day Adventist Church h_as rejected the ordination of women, the church announced July 6 during its world congress here. "Women can be ordained to be elders (in church) but not as ministers," said a church spokesman Cees van der Ploeg. The women's ordination request came from the church's North American division, which asked that ordination be allowed specifically in its North American churches. Ordination is not allowed for women in Adventist churches worldwide ; "Gender inclusive ordination, while perhaps not appropriate in some . places, will be helpful in North America," said Alfred C. McClure, · president of the Adventist Church in North America, in a presentation before the vote. 'There is a generation of bright and devout young people coming on the scene - tomorrow's leaders .. . the majority of whom believe it is right, and who will be seriously disillusioned by a negative vote," he said, according to a church press release. In the opposing camp was Dr. SECOND STONE Gerard Damsteegt, associate professor of theology at Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, who suggested that women are "different in functional roles." The Bible does not allow "spiritual headship" of women in the family or in the church, he said in the pre-vote discussion, adding that women ordination runs counter to Adventist interpretation of the Bible. Fewer than one-third of the delegates attending the church's 56th world congress voted in favor of women ordination . Most in favor were from Europe and North America, while the bulk of the opposition came from Central and South America, Africa and Asia. The first request for women's ordination within the Adventist Church came from Finland in 1968. In 1990, the church defeated by more than a two-thirds majority a proposal for women ordination in all Adventist churches. The Adventist denomination numbers abut 8.5 million members, all but about 10 percent of them outside Canada and the United States. The church's world headquarters is located in Silver Spring, Md. - The numbers defy the idea that women would naturally excel in a job that requires counseling and interpersonal skills. Where the theory breaks down with womel'.I clergy is in its failure to consider the longstanding Western Christian tradition of male authority, replete with ubiquitous images of Jesus and the disciples, said Patricia Chang, another Hartford Seminary researcher. 'You'd think that women would fit into that role (ministry) more quickly, but it's the exception that proves the rule," she said. The study was conducted from August 1993 to February 1994 by Lummis, Chang and Barbara Brown Zikmund for the seminary's Center for Social and Religious Research. The researchers found startlingly different experiences for men and women ordained since 1970. The most frequently cited career goal of both men and women was to be sole pastors of churches. But while 43 percent of men achieved their dream, only 19 percent of women did. The first job of more than onethird of women seminary graduates was as an associate or assistant minister . Asked about their present jobs, two-thirds of male clergy were either sole pastors or senior pastors, while just 39 percent of women held such jobs. Nineteen percent of women held assistant positions, more than twice the percentage of men in such jobs. Examining overall clergy figures, the researchers found the percentages of active clergywomen actually fell from 1986 to 1994 in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Episcopal Church, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the United Methodist Church. In some more evangelical churches such as the Wesleyan Churches and the Assemblies of God, the total number of clergywomen remained about the same. One reason researchers give for clergywomen's stalled progress is a declining job market in mainline churches, which have lost millions of members in the last generation. However, even that excuse is related to a basic bias against women in the pulpits in many churches, researchers said. "What's amazing is there are a lot of men out there who are getting jobs. SEE CLERGY, Page 18 Recent finding by top biblical ·scholars offer a radical new view on the Bible and homosexuaiity. WhatUible the l.J Really Says About }lornosexuality . 1 • \-le\minial<.. Pn.D, oan1e ,-. Daniel A. Helminiak, Ph.D., respected theologian and Roman Catholic priest, explains in a clear fashion fascinating new insights. " ... will help any reasonably open and attentive reader see that the Bible says something quite different on this subject from what is often claimed. 11 -L. William Countryman, Author of Dirt, Greed and Sex " ... the most thoughtful, lucid and accessible summary I know of curre~t bibli:cal scholarship relating to homose xual issues .. eminently useful... 0 -James B. Nelson, Author and Theology Professor Order now from Second Stone Press Quan. □ WHAT THE BIBLE REALLY SA VS ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY By Da:iiel A. Helminiak, $9.95, paperbk Postage/Handling $3 first book, $1 each additional ____ _ TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED ----- NAME--------------'---------- ADDRE$S ___________________ _ CITY/STATE/ZIP· __________________ _ ORDER FROM: SECOND STONE PRESS, P.O. BOX 8340, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70182 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER l 9 95 Subscribe Today. AND Y O U1 L L N E V E R WITHOUT YOUR A FRI END JOU R N EY. BE FOR SecoSntdo ne The Natio.nal Gay and L esbian Christian Newsjournal :.. Y. ES:f ....:.. ...... .............;... . . .......... .Begin my subscription to SECONDS TONEfo r: [ I One year (6 Issues) $17.00 [ ) Two years (12 Issues) $28.00 [ J Three years (18 issues) $39.00 NAME ADDRESS CITY/STATE/ZICPO DE CHECK HERE [ ] if a plain envelope is required and add $2.00 per year. Allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of your first Issue. internationa! subscribers add $10.00 per year, U.S. currency. Mail To: SECOND STONE, Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 THANIC YOU . for your subscript ion support! SECOND STONE • News • • o • • o ~ o e e e • e • • e • • e • • o e • • • • • • • Gay man banned from nephew's christening By Ron Kampeas Associated Press LONDON (AP) -.Simon Lawley says he fits Church of England godfather standards to a T: He's monogamous, stands up for his beliefs and has an abiding faith in Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, Lawley is gay, which is why officials at his local parish banned him from the christening of his nephew and godchild, Freddie. . Lawley's sister and brother -in-law took the christening in April to another, more liberal parish, where the godfather was welcomed. But the ban once again opened up the debate on the place of Gays in the church. "No one asked me about my spiritual or moral nature or welfare," Lawley told the British Broadcasting Corp. on August 14. "As a practicing gay man, I was considered to be inappropriate as a godfather - and that I consider to be sheer bigotry." The rector of St. Peter's church in Farnborough, Hampshire - a tweedy town just southwest of London where Lawley owns a restaurant said he had no choice once Freddie's mother, Elizabeth Toms, revealed that her brother was gay. 'The practice of homosexuality, as opposed to homosexual orientation, is not condoned in Scripture," Canon , Alan Beddington said in a statement. · The local curate was "therefore bound to give an opinion based on biblical teaching ." Beddington 's comments reflect Church of England doctrine on gay clerics. In recent years, the church has allowed Gays and Lesbians to take up the cloth, as long as they agree not to have sex. Even senior bishops have been able to acknowledge their "ambiguous" sexuality. There is no clear church ruling on godparents, however, and Lawley may be the first to press the issue. One church official says · church policy on gay and · lesbian clerics should not apply to godparents. Bishop Richard Harris, whoheads the church's working group on sex, says · gay and lesbian godparents need not be celibate. "If you have somebody who is homosexual and in a stable relationship, who is clearly a godly, loving, prayerful person, a sincere follower of Jesus Christ, then I think it would be quite wrong to tell that person that they could no longer be a godparent," Harris said. · "It's quite wrong to have a kind of inquisition of godparents," he said. Conservative clerics strongly disagreed. Rev. David Holloway, of the traditionalist Reform Group, cited the words priests say to parents and godparents during the christening service: ''The children that you have brought for baptism depend chiefly: on you 'for the help and encouragement that they need. Are you willing to give it to them by your prayers by your example and by your teaching?"' Holloway says gay or lesbian godparents, even ones in monogamous relationships, might not be set appropriate examples for children. 'The Bible is clear," he said. "Active SEE CHRISTENING, Page 18 Bishops deny homosexual tendencies VIENNA, Austria (AP) - Four Roman Catholic bishops denied claims August 1 by a gay rights activist that they have homosexual tendencies. Two of the four threatened legal action. The claims by gay rights activist Kurt Krickler were widely condemned by Gays, Catholic church leaders and prominent politicians. In a sharp rebuke, Vatican Radio said the accusations were "without substance and come close to being pathetic." Krickler offered no proof for his claim that the four bishops - Christoph Schoenborn, Andreas Laun, Klaus Kueng and Egon Kapellari - hav:e homosexual tendencies. Laun, a bishop in Salzburg, said he had already instructed his lawyer to take court action against Krickler. 'Td like to tell Mr. Krickler that he cannot produce any witnesses for my alleged tendencies, because they do not exist," Laun told the Austrian Press Agency. Kapellari, bishop in the southern Austrian province of Carinthia, also said he would bring a court action for Krickler's "violation of basic principles on which a democratic society rests." Schoenborn and Kueng also denied Krickler's accusations. Austria's church has been in turmoil since the spring, after Vienna Archbishop HansHermann Greer was accused of sexually abusing minors more than 20 years ago. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER l 9 9 5 News e e e e e O o O O O O O e O O O O O O O O O O O O O O • 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 t t O O O O O O O o O O e e O e e e 0 I Has to "figure out" his position on gay ordination College president elected to lead Lutheran Church By David Briggs Associated Press MINNEAPOLIS (AP) · A moderate college president who called on Lutherans to be active in a world starved on "spiritual junk food" won election August 19th to lead the nation's fifth-largest Protestant denomination. The Rev. H. George Anderson, 63,president of Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, received 698 votes to become only the second presiding bishop in the short history of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Anderson defeated Wisconsin Bishop April Ulring Larson, the denomination's first woman prelate. Larson received 334 votes on the fifth and final ballot at the church 's biennial assembly . "Our only task is to be sure that we are still God's church, and not just dressed up to look like it," Anderson told cheering church delegat es immediately after his election. · Anderson succeeds Bishop H erbert Chilstrom, who has led the 5.2 million- member denomination since its founding in 1988 with the merger of the Lutheran Church in Am erica, American Lutheran Church and the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches. Chilstrom decided not to s·eek re-election. In remarks before the assembly, Anderson sought to be a conciliatory voice in the church, which in recent years has found itself divid ed by sexuality issues and still facing lingering tensions over the merger. He called on church members to set aside divisions and begin a churchwide conversation on issues affecting the denomination . "Friends, it's time for us to recognize we need one another, " he said. On the sexuality issue, Anderson Lutherans cave in on sexuality statement MINNEAPOLIS (AP) · Calling the issues of masturbation and homosexuality divisive, the largest U.S. Lutheran church has put aside a vote on a draft outlining the church's view on sexuality. After the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America issued a draft statement two years ago that said masturbation was normal, that there is biblical evidence supporting homosexual marriages and that teaching teens to use condoms is a moral imperative, the phones rang off the hook at the denominational headquarters in Chicago. Over 10,000 phone calls and 700 l"etters, most of th em hostile, were received and a new task force was appointed and set about revising the first effort. Now, there will be no vote. The new statement was slated for discussion at the biennial church-wide assembly · in August. But the 39 council members voted to postpone the vote on the new statement indefinitely. "We're still a long way from consensus on this," said Kathy Magnus, vice president of the chur .ch and chairwoman of the Church Council. "At this ·point, we will inform the church that the proposed sexuality statement will not be ready by 1997. Until we get some resolution on significant issues, we will not bring it forward." The second draft of the statement is a far cry from the first attempt at putting together a manifesto on the SECOND STONE church's values regarding sexuality. The second draft says nothing about masturbation, urges single people to remain celibate and says "genital sexual activity between persons of the same gender is not in accordance with God 's will." The church council apparently followed the advice of the second draft when it postponed the vote on the second statement indefinitely. The draft says the church "rejects the idea that. it must at this time make a definite legislative decision concerning its teaching on and practice with gay and lesbian persons." "Any such decisions would be divisive for this church," the statement continues, "and would not be made on the basis of the careful study the topic requires and that should characterize the decisions of this church." Rather, the statement says, the ELCA will continue to follow "current policy and· practice in relation to gay and lesbian persons, and will rely for its teaching on the social statements from its predecessor church bodies. This church pledges to pursue with determination continuing study and discussion as it seeks to discern God's will." The statement asks that deliberation on human sexuality be conducted with a faithfulness to church doctrine and "by the will to love one another." Conflict, the draft said, can be either a source of division or renewal depending upon the wisdom and grace of church members. - said he agr eed with a Church Council decision earlier this week to indefinitely postpon e work on a social stat ement on human sexuality. "We still have really some foundational discussion to do as a church on the authority of Scripture as it relates to homosexuality, " Anderson said. He said the church should have "continued deep conversation" about sexual issues, and he invited gay and les bian Lutherans to be part of th e dialogue. At a news conferenc e, Anderson said he still is trying to figure out his own position on issues such as the ordination of homosexuals and whether same-sex relationships are part of God 's plan. At the assembly, however, .he also told U.S. Lutherans they cannot avoid dealing with sexual or other social issues. "Our destiny as a church is to be in th e world, to suffer the pain of the world, so we can be a sign of hope ," he said. People are spiritually hungry, he said. 'The problem of our world is that they 're eating spiritual junk food, including secularism, to s atisfy that hunger. And the trag edy is they'r e still hungry," he said. Twice before, Ander son had b een considered for church leadership posts but declined. At the 1978 Luth era n Church in America 's convention, Anderson was the leading vote-getter on the first ballot for bishop but withdrew his name . He said at the . time he did not feel an inner call. A short time later, it was discovered his first wife had cancer. She died four years later. Anderson said his decision to withdraw from the bishop 's race • which enabled him to devote more time to his wife during her illness • was a sign of God guiding his life. Anderson said he decided his ability to work with different groups of people was a special gift needed by the still-new church. "I think I'm a good hstener," he said. "I think I'm a good consensus builder." CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE: Helping Christians · Debate Homosexuality Few other issues divide the Christian community more sharply than homosexuality. In this new volume, writers with divergent points of view deal with questions at the center of the debate between pro-gay and anti-gay believers. Edited by Sally B. Geis. director, Iliff !11sti tt11e, lp y a11d Clergy Education, The Iliff School of Theology , De11ver, a11d D011a/d E. Messer , presid ent, The Iliff School of Theology. Order now from Second Stone Press Quan. □ CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE By Geis/Messer, $12.95, paperbk _ _ Postage/Handling$3 first book, $1 each additional ____ _ TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED ----- NAME-------------------~-- ADDRESS ______________________ _ CITY/STATE/ZIP ______________ __, ____ _ ORDER FROM: SECOND STONE PRESS, P.O. BOX 8340, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70182 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 199 5 News ............................................... ......................... Episcopal priest sues female bishop for discrimination WOODSTOCK, Vt. (AP) - An Episcopal priest from Woodstock has filed suit against the nation's first female bishop charging she discriminated against him because he is a gay man . The Rev. Richard Lacava is seeking $2.2 million in damages plus legal fees from Vermont Bishop Mary Adelia McLeod for allegedly firing him and replacing him and two assistants with women. The message is "no men need apply," Lacava said. However, members of Integrity say McLeod is and has been for many years a firm supporter of Integrity and of full participation for Gays and Lesbians in the life of the Church. She was one of the first bishops to move forward to sign Bishop John Spong's "Statement of Koinonia" during the 1994 General Convention. Until his firing in April, Lacava, 47, served as vicar of the Church of Our Saviour in Sherburne, which serves Sherburne, Plymouth and Bridgewater. He now lives in Woodstock. An attorney of McLeod said Lacava's firing had nothing to do with his gender or his sexual orientation. There are "very serious concerns among the members of the (church) over his abilities to fulfill his obligations as an Episcopal priest," said Burlington Attorney Thomas Little. He would not be more specific. McLeod was consecrated as the nation's first female bishop in 1993. Lacava filed suit in May in Windsor County Superior Court in Woodstock. Lacava is being treated for depression, but said his therapist and a psychologist retained by the diocese told him he was fit. to return to work. McLeod has been vague when Lacava asked her what he did wrong. He was told in a phone call last October that he didn't "recognize boundaries" and had violated unspecified confidences of parishioners, he said. He also said McLeod reported he was "too outspoken and too angry ... , about gay issues in the church." Lacava said he had called for the church to respect gay priests. That "is totally appropriate. The whole pur- ; pose of Christianity is for the libera- : tion of all people ... I felt it was · important to raise the issues and to be strident about them," he said. , Lacava said he has had an ! non-traditional ministry in which he · spent time in the community meeting a wide variety of people. Lacava said he was initially angry about his firing, but he's gotten over : it. "For me now it's an issue of justice." Religious coalition founded to promote tolerance By Barbara Bracht! Joumal American BELLEVUE, Wash. (AP) - It's no longer considered. good form to hurl racial or ethnic epithets at opponents in public debate. But increasingly, a person's religious beliefs appear to be fair game. Last fall, for example, a member of the audience at a Lake Washington School District board meeting accused one of the board members of being "anti-Christian." No matter that the board member was an active member of her Lutheran congregation. Because he disagreed with her on a matter of school district policy, the man concluded she must be "anti-Christian," and he said. so in no uncertain terms. The increasing numb~r of incidents COME OUT IN STYLE Let others see the diversity of the lesbian ond goy oommunity by weoring your ·own Notio;10l Coming Out ,Doy Official Keith Hering T-Shirt. S T O N E like this concern the founders of The Interfaith Alliance of Washington State. · "It's very apparent that public discourse has sunk to a new low, particularly when it comes to religion," says Rick Morse, pastor at Lake Washington Christian Church and a member of the group's steering committee. Morse and other Interfaith Alliance founders believe groups like the Christian Coalition and Focus on the Family are promoting intolerance by maintaining that their political opinions are the only ones that are morally correct. 'The leaders of the Religious Right do not speak for all people of faith, and _we are here to say they do not," Morse said. Among the 60-some religious persons · who began meeting in Seattle's Eastside suburbs last fall to · form a Washington state affiliate of the National Interfaith Alliance are Catholic,s, Lutherans; Methodists, Disciples of Christ, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Congregationalists, Unitarians, Moslems, Jews and Buddhists. Members of the Alliance say they don't believe separation of church and state means people whose values are rooted in religious faith should sit down and shut up - far from it. But they say they do believe this nation was founded on the notion that more than one religious faith could be valid. "We have to be tolerant and rational about our beliefs towards one another - that is what it is to be an American," says David Serkin-Poole, cantor af Temple B'nai ·Torah on Mercer Island. However, Dave Welch, executive director of the Christian Coalition of Washington, denies that his group has encouraged intolerance or raised the volume of the rhetoric. "We've never claimed to be the • single voice for all Christians," says Welch. "If somebody of Christian faith disagrees with our position, that certainly does not- mean we don't believe they're a Christian." Welch says members of national and state Interfaith Alliances are raising the volume of the rhetoric by accusing conservative Christians of intolerance. In fact, he says, the Christian Coalition got started because "the liberal left" discounted the opinions of those whose values were based on their religious convictions. Why did the Interfaith Alliance effort begin on the Eastside? Primarily, says Barbara Wells of the Woodinville Unitarian Universalist Church, because "it's a statewide organization that had· to start some-· where, and it started on the Eastside . ." But also, says Morse, because the group felt the religious right had been strongest in the suburbs. Thus far, the organization has not taken any political positions in fad, Kirkland Congregational pastor Walter John Boris says, "I couldn't even tell you what members' political positions are." However, this could change. "We do feel if there is an issue that will challenge the religious plurality of our community and our nation, we will take a stand," Wells said. Gay atheist group shuts down AMERICAN GAY AND Lesbian Atheists, Inc., has ceased operation after the death of its director, Don Sanders, who died on May 17. Member files have been transferred to the American Atheist General Headquarters in Austin, Texas. Sanders founded the organization in 1983 and served as its only national director. Jon Murray, president of American Atheists, said that the organization could not survive the death of Sanders and that there would be no further issues of the AGLA newsletter. "I shall be filing dissolution papers for the corporation with the State of Texas," Murray said. Portions of Sanders will indicated that he had at one time provided for the continuation of AGLA but after a conflict between himself and his board of directors, Sanders willed that the organization not be continued. "It grieves me a great deal," wrote Sanders in a stat,oc, ment made part of his will, "lei' know that so little concern has been shown by American Gay Atheists, Inc.'s board of directors that no one of them is willing to take over the helm of the gay and lesbian community's most important movement. Therefore, I want none of my estate or property to be rendered unto anyone associated with American Gay Atheists, Inc. for fear that it will simply be used to enrich individuals and not to further the cause of atheism in the lesbian and gay community." "Mr. Sanders will be missed by us all," stated Murray in a letter to members of AGLA. 'The gay and atheist communities have both lost a spirited combatant for civil liberties.'' SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER l 9 9 5 News . . . . . . . . ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . (Popular priest and author leaves Catholic Church for UFMCC DR. ROBERT GOSS, an unlaicized Catholic priest, a former Jesuit and . author of Jesus Acted Up, has announced his intentions to transfer his dergy credentials from the Roman Catholic Church to the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches. The announcement was made during Samaritan Institute's awards luncheon on July 25, part of the 17th General Conference of the UFMCC in Atlanta. "I have ended my 17 year exile and found a home to learn, collaborate, and leach about the vision of justicelove of God's reign," said Goss. 'The UFMCC is by no means the perfect Christian community. It is growing and struggling with issues of racism, classism, economic oppression, etc. The UFMCC is generations ahead of Catholic Christianity with a vison of Minister offers alternative to Promise Keepers ARVADA, Colo. (AP). - An Arvada minister who believes the evangelical men's group Promise Keepers has a "simplistic philosophy" is offering an alternative: Premise Keepers. Rev. Charles Schuster said his group will examine the bases of belief, faith, ethics and integrity. It will be established at Arvada United Methodist Church, where he is a senior pastor. "We'll explore our doubts, our affirmations, our commitments, our theology and our ultimate destiny as hu' man beings," he wrote in a church newsletter announcing the new group. Schuster was turned off by the hugely popular Promise Keepers, started by University of Colorado football coach Bill McCartney. He ·claimed the group fills a vacuum for many men who don 't know exactly what their roles are. The "me-generation of the '80s left in its wake a self-indulgent macho male, who, in reaction to the liberation of women, felt unsure of his role and incumbered with self doubt," Schuster wrote in the newsletter. Schuster believes Promise Keepers OutRage! outs bishop LONDON'S GAY OutRage! group disruplo,d the retirement service for the Anglican Bishop of St. Albans, Rt. Rev. John Taylor on July 23 lo protest his affiliation with Courage, an exgay organization. · As Taylor began his farewell address, proleslors stormed the altar chanting 'Taylor out, Courage out." Taylor retreated from the pulpit and one of the activists delivered a sermon of his own. · The proteslors left after 10 minutes, blowing whistles and chanting, "Church of hatred, church of fear, stop crucifying queers." "OutRage! has repeatedly tried to get the church hierarchy to address the issue of SEC O ND STONE has a "simplistic philosophy," a narrow view of Jesus and "prejudice against homosexuals." He also worries there may be a "presupposition" of the dominance of the male. Promise Keepers officially believes "homosexuality violates God's creative design," but Gays are welcome at the events, said the group's spokesman, who denied the group promotes male superiority. Promise Keeper~ is holding 13 mega events _ this year in football stadiums around the country . The events, which began in April and run through October, will draw 500,000 evangelical Christians. . While Promise Keepers offers a way for men to go "one on one with Jesus" and learn how to keep promises and put life in balance, Schuster said he is worried about what happens when men leave the stadium events. He said they could "lapse into the same patterns that produced the irresponsibility in the first place." Promise Keepers has set up men's groups in individual congregations and leaders stress the stadium events are only half the picture. ex-gay groups and acknowledge the emotional damage that such groups do to the vulnerabl.e, often young, people that they target," OutRage! said in a press release. 'Today's action sends a message to the Church of England that the lesbian and gay com_ munity will not stand by as the church allows other gay people to be damaged in the name of their religion by fundamentalist bigots . We are seeking an unequivocal condemnation of the actions of the ex-gay groups from the church and will not stop our campaign of disruption until the church acknowledges its moral responsibilities." -Seattle Gay News - justice and compassion ... I recognize that God's spirit is actively present · and transforming the UFMCC into a prophetic change community, posing an alternative vision of justice -love and inclusion to the mainline Christian denominations." Goss called the Catholic Church a "dead institution" and was critical of Dignity /USA, a national organization of gay and lesbian Catholics. "On a local and national level, Dignity has been unable to offer queer Catholics a vision of justice that comprehended homophobia as embedded in misogyny or connected to racism, ageism, classism, etc ... Dignity has faltered from a lack of vision on the national level and a well orchestrated plan to render it useless by the U.S. Catholic bishops ." Goss said that outside of a few folks such as himself and John McMeill, Catholic gay and lesbian voices have. remained silent. "Jeanine Grammick and Robert Nugent have c'aved in to terroristic climate," said Goss. 'They now involve themselves with parents of Gays and Lesbians and lead tours to the Holy Land. Priests, nuns, and theologians have remained silent." Goss is a resident of St. Louis, Missouri. He had, ·oined the Samaritan Institute for Re igious Studies, the educational and theological arm of the UFMCC, as an adjunct faculty member earlier this year. · Canadian church welcomes ,gay ministers TORONTO'S BLOOR Street United Church is the second congregation of Canada's largest denomination to fully welcome Gays;~induding as ministers, the T_~ronto Star reported. "We'v'r made this decision after a lc\ng period of prayer, reflection and study," said Elder Jean Hilliard. "We felt a need to take a stand to involve Gays and Lesbians in every aspect of church life - leading a Sunday School class or leading us in worship, marrying or burying us." -Seattle Gay News \ \, HOMOSEXUALITY IN THE CHURCH: Both Sides of the Debate I Outstanding authorities on scripture, tradition, reason, biology,.ethics, and gendered experience discuss the place of Gays and Lesbians in the community offaith. This book will provoke discussion in congregations, study groups, and ethics and social justice issues. Edited by Jeffrey S. Siker, Associate Professor of New Testament at Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles . · Order now from Second Stone Press Quan. . □ HOMOSEXUALITY IN THE CHURCH Edited by Jeffrey S. Siker, $14.99, paperbk __ _ Poslag&'liandling $3.00 first book, $1.00 ea. additional ----- TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLO~ED ----- NAME-------------------'---- ADDRESS-----------,----------- CITY/STATEIZIP ___________________ _ ORDER FROM: SECOND STONE PRESS, P.O. BOX 8340, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70182 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER l 9 9 5 News ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ~ • If •• Episcopal bishops bring retired colleague to church trial MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Episcopal bishops have voted to bring a retired colleague before a formal church trial because he ordained an openly gay man. Presiding Bishop EdmondBrowning said August 18 that at least 75 bishops have voted to move forward with charges that retired Bishop Walter Righter of Iowa violated church law by ordaining a homosexual deacon in 1990. Righter was assistant bishop of Newark, N.J., at the time. A minimum of one-quarter of the church's 297 bishops had to vote by mid-August to proceed with the trial or the charges would have been dismissed. Church officials .did not release the vote totals. In January, 10 bishops filed charges accusing Righter of violating his ordination vows by ordaining a man openly having a gay relationship . The bishops said Righter was . "teaching a doctrine contrary to that held by this church." Righter has denied the charges, saying church doctrine in this case does not limit a bishop's right to ordain a "canonically qualified candidate." The case will go before a Court for - Episcopal bishop opposes heresy trial DENVER (AP) - Trying retired Iowa Episcopal Bishop Walter Righter for heresy because he ordained a gay man "would be ludicrous" because the church doesn't have clear rules dealing with homosexuality, Colorado's bishop says. "It's a murky situation," Bishop Jerry Winterrowd said. "It would be a waste of the church's time, talent and treasure to proceed with the trial." Winterrowd said he hopes to persuade fellow bishpps at next month's meeting of bishops in Portland, Ore., to put a three-year moratorium on ordaining Gays and blessing same-sex unions. He said the bishops could use the three years to "draw up a definitive statement" on ordinations and samesex marriages. The official Episcopal stance about Gays and Lesbians was approved fa 1979 and says it is "inappropriate" .for the church to ordain practicing Gays or ' heterosexuals who are having · sexual relations outside of marriage. Winterrowd said that stand is too weak to defend. He said about a dozen bishops have ordained practicing Gays and others have blessed same-sex marriages. "What will we do, try all these bishops, one by one?" he asked. Fred Phelps convicted on two counts EMPORIA, Kan. (AP) - Convictions on two misdemeanor counts of disorderly conduct apparently don't bother anti-gay activist the Rev. Fred Phelps. "If you guys knew how little this bothers me, you wouldn't even be asking me questions," Phelps told reporters after the verdict was read on August 11. A Lyon County jury deliberated about 50 minutes before returning the guilty verdicts against Phelps, who was charged with shouting insults at a group of six people going into a Topeka restaurant to celebrate a woman's 86th birthday. 'This is just another little skirmish," said Phelps, pastor of Westboro Baptist Church. Phelps said he plans to challenge the constitutionality of the state's disorderly conduct statute "all the way to the Supreme Court." It was the last of several trials involving six members of the church, all charged with misdemeanors in incidents in Topeka last year and this year. The cases were transferred from Topeka to Emporia on a change of venue. SECOND STONE Defense witnesses, all members of Phelps' church, testified that at no time on July 7, 1994, did Phelps stand in front of the Topeka restaurant and shout offensive names at the six people. Prosecution witnesses testified that . Phelps called them names, including "queer faggot" and "whores" before they entered the restaurant. . Eric Ridenour, the group's limousine driver, said he approached Phelps, wanting "to rip his head off" before being surrounded by picketers. Jonathan Phelps, the defendant's son, said the incident did not involve his father . The younger Phelps said Ridenour told the picketers not to bother the group because it included an elderly woman, Margarite Hanlon, now 87. Jonathan Phelps said he and James Hockenbarger exchanged words with Ridenour and Topeka attorney John Hamilton, culminating in Hamilton telling the 300-pound Jonathan Phelps to "eat a salad, skinny." "Nobody said anything directly to - the Trial of a Bishop, consisting of nine other bishops . Action would be taken by a majority vote and possible penalties include admonishing Righter . However, no sentence could be imposed unless the findings by church courts were approved by a two-thirds vote ·of all the church's bishops. Gay and lesbian Episcopalians respond to vote to try Righter NEW YORK, N. Y. - Integrity, Inc., the lesbian and gay justice ministry of the Episcopal Church, says it is disappointed that sufficient consents have been submitted to bring the Rt. Rev. Walter Righter to trial for heresy for · his ordination to the diaconate of the Rev. Barry Stopfel, an openly gay Integrity member, in 1990. · The outcome of such a trial is virtually a foregone conclusion, according to Integrity, who claims that Bishop Righter will be acquitted - and the homophobia of the Church will be convicted. "A heresy trial at the close of the 20th Century will undoubtedly hold the Episcopal Church up to ridicule, just as the 1992 trial depossing the Rev. James Ferry, an openly gay priest in Toronto, made the Anglican Church of Canada appear overly rigid and out-of-touch," said a statement released by Integrity. · A vote of only 25 percent of the bishops was required to bring Bishop Righter to trial. Over half of the bishops eligible to vote are retired, and any women going in there," the younger Phelps added. Hamilton testified that he did not have any conversation with Jonathan Phelps on July 7. Shawnee County Attorney Joan Hamilton, who is no relation to John given the composition of the 1994 signatory list of the so-called "Affirmation," authored by many of the same bishops who brought the presentment, it is probable that a substantial majority of the signatories are retired bishops. At present, Integrity is aware of at least 117 iJersons who were known to be sexually active gay men or lesbians by their bishops at the time of their ordinations. Such ordinations have occurred in all parts of the country over the last 20 years. Over 35 bishops have performed such ordinations. The claims that other bishops will be similarly charged do not ring true, says Integrity. A change in the canons will become effective on January 1, 1996, which will subject such charg.es to review by a committee appointed by the Presiding Bishop. Such a panel rejected similar charges against the Bishop of Michigan, the Rt. Rev. Stewart Wood, Jr., last year. Hamilton, said the rebuttal witnesses · were the key to winning the conviction. 'This is a good ending in Lyon County," she said. "I hope members of the community will continue to come forward." Phelps' grandson convicted of spitting on man EMPORIA, Kan. (AP) - A grandson of anti-gay activist Fred Phelps was found guilty of battery for spitting on a man during the picketing of a restaurant. The Lyon County District Court jury deliberated about 4 1/ 2 hours July 27 before convicting Benjamin C. Phelps on the misdemeanor. The trial was the fourth of six being held in Emporia on a change of venue for Fred Phelps and five members of his Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka. Charges against them stem from encounters that took place during demonstrations. Testimony in the latest trial ended July 26 when Benjamin Phelps denied spitting on Jerold Berger, the husband of the woman who owns the restaurant. Phelps said he was coming to the defense of James Hockenbarger, whom he said was being charged at by Berger. Phelps said Berger put his hand on him. Berger testified that any contact with Phelps was unintentional and could not have been more than a brush against him. SEPTEMBER/ 0 CT OBER 9 9 5 AIDS CHARITIES FEEL COMPETITION, '"COMPASSION FATIGUE" BY FRED BAYLES Remember the days when a new and terrible killer called AIDS inspired an outpouring of generosity with an optimistic surge of walkathons, glittery award dinners and soaring donations? These are not distant memories for AIDS victims, their friends, families and scientists trying to stop the · disease that has claimed more than 270,000 lives in the United States alone. But for many, the sense of urgency is gone. And AIDS organizations are feeling the pinch. The American Foundation for AIDS Research, the nation's largest nonprofit source of research funds, cut its budget by 20 percent this spring, blaming a drop in donations on an increasingly complacent and resigned public . "A sense of crisis has largely evaporated, " said foundation chairman Mathilde Krim. "People don't make grand gestures. They've learned that $100,000 is not going to make it go away." In Seattle, where donations to an annual AIDS walkathon quadrupled in its first three years, participation in the past few walkathons has remained fiat. "People are getting weary and getting new people to give is getting harder," said Carol Brogmann, direc, tor of development for Northwest AIDS Foundation. Even symbols of support are fading. Red ribbons signifying soli' darity with t~e AIDS cause, ubiquitous at past Academy Awards presentations, were rare this year . Celebrities wore emblems ·of new ·causes from breast cancer to the National Endowment for the Arts. "People are moving on to other issues," said Marcia Levy, a spokeswoman for the Whitman Walker Clinic, a Washington, D.C. AIDS .service group that saw donations drop more than 6 percent last year. "For some people the issue of AIDS is a downer," she said. "People who contribute to cancer hear lots of stories about cures . With AIDS it's an unhappy story ." While there is no central accounting of the money donated to thousands of organizations that offer AIDS programs, a survey by the American Association of Fund Raising Counsel Inc., estimated between $575 million to $850 million went to AIDS causes· in 1992. That compares to $373 million raised by the American Cancer Society alone in 1994. With new AIDS organizations popping up all the time, it is hard to track the flow of contributions. But Ann Kaplan, director of research for AAFRC, said current data show some AIDS charities "are not faring well." "Some smaller, grass-roots organizations are doing well, but our sample of the large national organizations . shows declines or increases below the general increase in charitable giving for 1994," she said. AIDS groups are not alone in their predicament. Philanthropy in general has weakened over the past few years with total giving just barely topping increases in in'flation. Fund-raising experts blame a range of causes: skepticism about waste and fraud in larger charities, uncertainty abo.ut the economy and a "compassion fatigue" that burned · out potential donors . AIDS fund-raisers say this burnout has a new, terrible dimension for them: Many of their strongest advocates and donors in the gay community' have died. Others have given all they can. "We've already lost a generation of leaders . Some of the people who were there leading the charge in the '80s are gone, " said Henry Goldstein, a New York fund-raising consultant. Those supporters who have survived have given all they can. Paula Van Ness, president of the National AIDS Fund, which has distributed $42 million to communitybased AIDS groups, talks of an overreliance on "black tie bake sales," expensive fund-raising · events that used celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor as a dra~. Guest lists, she said, were invariably the same. 'They kept going back to the same people again and again," she said . "When I worked in Los Angeles, it was not uncommon to be invited to an AIDS event every week." Kaplan said her survey found 75 percent of AIDS donations were raised by special events that rely on a specific group of donors. Other charities, she said, draw just 25 percent of donations from special events. The rest come from such broad-based methods such as direct mail and telemarketing. Officials at AIDS charities admit the reliance on a limited group slowed potential growth of donations. · But they said it was hard to branch out in the face of the scorn some attach to a disease that claims a bulk of victims from the gay community and intravenous drug users . "What they are finding, is the stigma is making it very difficult to broaden the appeal," Goldstein said. "No CEO of a major Fortune 100 company is stepping up and saying there's a tremendous financial and social cost associated with this disease." Krim said contributions also have been hurt by a growing feeling that AIDS only affects a limited part of the population, dispelling early public pronouncements the disease would spread to .the general population. "People expected to see an explosion of AIDS in their neighborhood, but that is not the way AIDS spreads," she said. Michael Seltzer, who recently left his post as executive director of Funders Concerned About AIDS, believes the plethora of small 'AIDS -organizations has made it harder donors to find the equivalent of a National Hearl Association to give their money . There are an estimated 18,000 nonprofit groups raising funds for . AIDS programs, ranging from the $16' million American Foundation for AIDS Research to the Atlanta Girl Scouts, which supports an AIDS project. "In the campaign to find a cure for polio, the March of Dimes was anointed as the leader . That's not the case with AIDS," said Seltzer. "My hunch is the average American does not know what organization to send a · check to." "For some people the issue of AIDS is a downer ... People who contribute to cancer hear lots of stories about cures. With AIDS it's an unhappy story." Some groups try to solve that problem by joining forces. In San Francisco, where 200 different organiz ations compete for donations, there are attempts lo unify both fundraising efforts and. the services they provide. "If I go to a corporation and say we are working with two other agencies, that makes the entire program more appealing," said Jane Breyer, director of development for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. Some fund -raisers believe AIDS donations will recover as organizations consolidate and mature in fundraising efforts. They say they were slow to react because of a misplaced optimism that a cure was just around the corner. Van Ness tells of working for a Los Angeles AIDS group · early in the crisis . At that time the group decided there was no reason to sign a long-term lease for a copy machine . "We really thought this might just be a little blip and that if we could just get through this next phase, the crisis would be over," she said. "A lot of us were caught in this hope we , wouldn't have to work on this for too Jong. Now we have to face the fact · that it is going to be here for the long haul." · .S E C O N D ST O N E - SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER l 9 9 5 J all en Rix: The journey takes a new direction FOLKS WHO HAVE developed an appreciation of the deeply personal message of the music of San Franciscobased gay Christian recording artist Jallen Rix are eagerly awaiting the release of his new work due out in October. Rix has_ spent the past six years in full-time music ministry, performing in hundreds of locations across the country. His new recording marks his fourth release and his first on CD. Through his music over the past few years, this remarkably talented artist has invited us along as an intimate companion on his personal journey. We have shared in both his struggles and his triumphs and he has matured before our very ears. If friends and fans of Rix . feel they somehow share in that maturation with .him, it is because they do. "There are times when I write music from experiences of people that are around me," said Rix. 'They've told me their stories and somehow in the telling it has changed my life. It has improved me in some way. And .. those unique moments have been soJnelhing that has been important to me. So I would write about them." Rix is an evangelical Christian who grew up in a home where learning to play piano was a requirement. He developed a fondness of gospel music, while growing up in his church-going family. By the time he graduated from high school, he knew that music was · what he wanted to do. He got a degree in music and has been ._composing and performing ever since. As with most evangelical Christians, the early messages Rix heard from the pulpit regarding sexuality were negative. His spirituality and his sexuality were polarized. What is unique about listening to )alien's music from one recording to the next is that one can actually hear and feel Rix begin to integrate his sexuality and his spirituality. "When I write music/ Rix said, "I lend to be inspired by a variety of experiences . Probably first off is personal experience. Inevitably my life is lived out in my music." Jallen's new recording, 'The Sacred And The Queer," marks a-new direction in his musical career. Not only is this recording fully orchestrated (the past recordings were piano and vocal only), but he is venturing into new subject matter . 'This recording highlights a new way my music reflects my personal journey," said Rix. "In the past, it tended to reflect only my spiritual experience. In doing this I neglected singing about my sexuality. This recording integrates my spirituality and sexuality. This freedom and wholeness feels great!" The wholeness is honestly and poetically dealt with in several of Jallen's songs. 'The Pendulum Swings" is a mainstream, pop song that speaks to the changes and com-. plexities of relationships. "I Hold His Hand Loosely" unfolds a story of knowing the difference between infatuation and· true love, sung in the context of a light Latin sound . Probably most direct is the R&B song ''Down at Stonewall" in which Rix lets two seemingly opposed subjects dive headlong into each other with positive results. The song has Jesus miss a church service to hang out at Stonewall, the gay bar known as the site of the beginning of gay liberation. 'This song started tongue-in-cheek with a friend," said Rix. ''But I realized it actually exemplifies what is happening in my heart. My spirituality and sexuality are integrating. When I relax and let the process happen, I discover that I am more at peace than ever before." J alien's music is not exclusively about the gay experience. Issues of sexuality, injustice, creativity and unconditional love are subjects many people relate to in his music. ; 1'J\,1usic seen1s to cut right to our ein;otions and hit us on more than one 1evel. We can think about the 1 yrics, we can enjoy them and how they're p,ut together, but the music somehow kind of carries it to our hearts ... " "As a composer/lyricist I am challenged by the task lo create music that bridges the gap between an artist's expression and the listener's understanding," said Rix. "Music seems lo cut right to our emotions and hit us on more than one level. We can think about the lyrics, we can enjoy them and how they're put together but the music somehow kind of carries it to our hearts... What's wonderful about music is that it can bring the experience home to us. Issues of our day are not just their issue, but they're our issue." For fans who were afraid that Jallen's new fuller sound would take away from the intimacy of his music, the deeply personal quality is still present. One listener commented, "I feel like I'm eavesdropping on (Jallen's] life - like I really don't know [him) well enough to be hearing some of this. There isn't much music written at this level of openness. It's one of an artist's highest goals, and I think he's attained it." Three songs that have been favorite piano/vocal pieces on past recordings have been orchestrated for this one: "When You Touch Me I Know," "What The Preacher Did To Me," and ''Better Tha11 Before." Rix says he has a special place in his heart for the church. In addition to his music, he leads worship services and offers a variety of workshops and speaking topics to strengthen and support the church. "I believe that the church has potential to create the majority of healing between the lesbian/gay community and the religious community," Rix said. "My goal is to take a group one more step in faith toward the God who loves them . Praise for 'The Sacred And The Queer" comes from some big names in the gay music business. Romanovsky & Phillips said, "Jallen's new recording is a stunning debut album filled with well crafted and brillinat musical gems - but then what would we know about gay music." Will Grega, editor of Out Sounds: The Gay and Lesbian Music Alternative gave Jallen's new release the highest ratings by naming · it America's Best Gay Album. 'The Sacred And The Queer," on CD and cassette, is scheduled to be in record stores and gay /lesbian bookstores in October and is also available from Triam Music Agency, 501 Hayes 1122, San Francisco, CA 94102, triama@aol.com. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER l 9 9 5 Will wear rainbow ribbons to Mass October 8 Catholics in support of gay ri_ghts to celebrate solidarity WASHINGTON, D.C. - Dignit y/ USA, the national' organization for gay and lesbian Catholics, has called on Catholics who disagree with official church teaching on homosexuality to join in a visible protest on Sunday, October 8, 1995. Dignity has named that day, which coincides with a planned papal visit to Baltimore, Maryland, "Solidarity Sunday," and is asking supporters to wear a rainbow ribbon throughout the day. In announcing the eve nt, Dignity/ USA president Marianne Duddy said, "For too long, the Pope and bishops who endorse discrimination against gay people have controlled the Catholic message about homos exuality, when in fact their attitude is not at all representative of what most Catholics think. It's time that people understand that most Catholics are fair and decent, and believe that all people should be treated with respect ." Duddy pointed to numerous studies that indi cate that the majority of American Catholics support gay rights . A 1992 Gallup poll put this support at 78 percent. In contrast, recent Vatican state ments have named homosexuality as 'Philadelphia' screenwriter to speak at Disciples' banquet RON NYSW ANER, screenwriter for the Oscar-award winning movie, "Philadelphia", will be the keynote speaker for the Gay, Lesbian_ and Affirming Disciples (GLAD) Alliance banquet in Pittsburgh, Penn., during the General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), October 20-24. Nyswaner, who grew up as a youth in the First Christian Church of Carmichaels, Penn., served . as a delegate to the General Assembly in Cincinnati, Ohio when he was a teenager. At the October 21 banquet at the Pittsburgh Convention Center he will be sharing his reflections on his journey of self-discovery and how his work with the film motivated him lo be more open and honest ab.out being gay. The screenplay for "Philadelphia", the first major studio film to confront AIDS and homophobia, brought Nyswaner major acclaim and nominations for the Writers' Guild, Golden Globe and Academy Awards. He has . written the screenplays for "Smithereens", "Mrs. Soffel", "Love Hurts", "Gross Anatomy" (coauthor), and wrote and directed 'The Prince of Pennsylvania." His first stage play, "Oblivion Postponed", will be produced this fall Off-Broadway. Nyswaner works and lives in Ulster County, New York, where he is a founding member of a theater company, and volunteers for Angel Food East, an organization which feeds homebound persons with HIV/ AIDS. He speaks lo many groups of people about the rights of gay people with HIV/ AIDS, and has traveled to prisons, schools, conferences and human rights festivals to do so . The banquet is one facet of the Alliance 's progra _m during the General Assembly of the Christian Church. On Friday, October 20, Alliance members and friends will gather at a pre-assembly event. Two "aftersessions" are · plann ed, one for parents, families, and friends on Friday evening and one for Open & Affirming Congregations on Sunday, October 22. GLAD Alliance was formed to provide advocacy, education, and nurture for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and affirming persons within the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), a moderate Protestant denomination founded in th~ early 1800's. (SEE CALENDAR.) Minister fired after performing lesbian marriage NEW YORK (AP) - A Long Island minister was fired by his congregation after he married a lesbian couple, The New Yark Times reported . The Rev. Renwick Jackson was dismissed by a vote of 84 to 67 taken by the members of the Congregational Church of Patchogue on July 31. Jackson performed the wedding Dec. 31. "I tried not to force my views on those who were against the union," he said, "and performed the marriage not in Patchogue but at a Congre- SECOND STONE gational church in Bay Shore. "But passions have run high and tempers at many meetings since then have flared," he said. 'Those against me threw chairs and shouted, 'I want no lesbian in my church,' and stalked out."' The Times said many parishioners who favored dismissing Jackson denied that homopho. bia was the reason. One person sai d the minister was fired because he was causing division within the congregation . • "intrinsically disordered" and · are seen by many as tacitly approving of violence against gay people . Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Director of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, wrote "When civil legislation is introduced to protect [homosexual] behavior .... neither the Church nor society at large should be surprised when ... violent reactions increase." The national coordinator of Solidarity Sunday, Bruce Jarstfer, a retired military surgeon who lives in San Antonio, Texas, said, 'The radical right has targeted our community for abuse, and to drive the fundraising for their ministries. Hate crimes against people perceived to be gay or lesbian increase with every sermon or speech based on gay hatred. It is time to call a halt to such verbal and physical violence." Dignity /USA predicts that as many as 250,000 Catholics will wear rainbow ribbons to Mass on October 8, in the first of what is hoped to become a national event. Solidarity Sunday is also planned to coincide with National Coming Out Day, celebrated on October 11. -Lutheran church offers free condoms to teenagers NEW YORK (AP) - A South Bronx church offered free condoms to teenagers at its basketball tournament, but found few takers - at least, in front of television cameras. Still, All Saints Lutheran Parish marked a legal victory July 9 in St. Mary's Park by offering four brands of condoms along with anti-AIDS literature. The church had won its court fight against the city for the right to hand out condoms in the park. State Appellate Court Justice Israel Rubin ruled July 8 that a ban on distributing condoms on city p r operty was unconstitutional. The Rev. David Kalke, pastor of All Saints, said his church routinely dispenses condoms as part of its AIDS awareness project, including at last inspired "secret policy" that would not survive a full court hearing later this month. 'This ban represents politics at its worst," Siegel said. 'The Giuliani administration pandered to certain conservative elements of our city, whose message is abstinence. "We need to get real on this life-or-death issue," Siegel said. In a statement issued at City Hall, Corporation Counsel Paul Crotty stressed the limitations imposed by Rubin's order. "We are happy that the court · recognizes that there can be reasonable time, place and manner of restrictions on activities that may cause offense to other people," the lawyer said. year's basketball tournament. That's -,------------•-.i why he said he was surprised to find that this year's park-use permit stipulated "no condom distribution." Norman Siegel, head of the New York Civil Liberties Union, contended there was no reason for the city to ban condom distribution when it allows T-shirts, key chains and other items to be dispens ed in its parks. "If Disney and Pocahontas are allowed in the park, and th ey were, surely Rev. Kalke and the All Saints Lutheran parish, and condoms, should be allowe d in the park,'' Siegel told reporters. Kalke was told by Parks Department offi cials that city rules barred such activity. He asked for help from the union, which won an initial court ruling July 7 that blocked · the city from enforcing its policy. In rapid-fire order, the city then won a temporary stay of that ruling, and the .issue was bounced to Rubin. The judge sided with -the lower court, clearing the way for the church to h the epirit of 5t. Fraicia and 5t. Clare, wdre ~ mJge l,uiden; and~ IM(8l"6 tojoum:y with us ii tlJB f~ of J89oo Ori:;!;. C? rl!'f) We are an ecumenical, inclusive. non-clerical 0.,. community of baptize~ men ~ and women from various Christian traditions who ~ chose to worship and live in ~ a faith-sharing spirit . You may become an ~ Associate or enter the program leading to the • profession of vows as a ~~ religious Brother or Sister. Ask to receive our newsletter, "Footsteps." t We work in ministries of love, care and reconciliation nationwide. • · For more information, please write to: proceed - on condition condoms be IIER"_V OF Goo COMMUNITY handed out only during Sunday's Pl ., tournament, and only to youths 16 Att: Vocation Director and older who asked. P. 0. Box 41055 Siegel charged that Mayor Rudolph Providence RI 02940-1055 Giuliani was backing a politically ~amiliiiiiiiiiii,i,iillllilliiiiaiiiil!'liilili•.- SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 199 5 Baptist women take up fight against AIDS By Jim Jones Fort Worth Star-Telegram FORT WORTH, Texas - An organization of Baptist women have decided to move to the forefront in the fight against AIDS. The 1.2 million members of the Woman's Missionary Union are beginning a nationwide AIDS education program. The program, Dare to Care, doesn 't officially begin until October; but churches from Texas to ·Maine are 'We d~n't try to be judgmental in already receiving educational materi- . · any of our materials in the AIDS als on how to help those suffering project," said Trudy Johnson, special from acquired immune deficiency projects director of the Birmingham, syndrome. Ala.,-based Woman's Missionary Some pious religionists have called Union, an independent auxiliary of AIDS a curse from God - punishment the Southern Baptist Convention. for homosexual lifestyles and the But the AIDS education program of promiscuity of heterosexuals. But the women's group does promote most Baptists and other evangelicals traditional morality - including sexual don't go that far. Their faith compels abstinence - as a way of pr eventing them lo assist people in trouble, the disease . Training materials from regardless of their circumstances. the women ' s group and other Baptist son, Scott Allen, was fired from his ministerial position with a Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) congregation in Colorado. Scott Allen returned to Texas where his father was then president of the Baptist Radio and Television Commission in Fort Worth . Acting out of concern for the health of their congregations, leaders of Fort Worth-Dallas churches, both Baptist and those of other denominations, discouraged Scott Allen's family from attending Sunday school or other church functions. American· Baptists divided agencies emphasize that sexual contact and blood transfusions are the major ways of contracting AIDS. Worshipping or praying with a person with AIDS won't give you the diseas e, the materials state. Cards asking for prayers for specific persons who have AIDS also are included. Information is given on setting up care teams and church education programs . One of the source materials offered by the women's group's AIDS program is a video, Valley of the Shadow, distributed by the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission, which tells the story· of the Allen family and includes videos of physicians and others talking about the disease. It also features information on services provided to AIDS patients by Broadway Baptist Church of Fort Worth and First Baptist Church of Arlington. over churches that welcome Gays By Joe Bigham Associated Press Writer SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - The American Baptist Church is divided on whether to accept gay and lesbian members, and four churches in the San Francisco area may be at risk of being pushed out of the fold for doing ·so. ; At least 16 churches have asked the !board of managers of the American · ·· ·Baptist Churches of the West to expel congregations in Oakland, San Jose, • Berkeley and San Li!artdro from the organization. The board, which represents 220 churches in Northern and Central California, deadlocked on the issue earlier in the summer. One side believes homosexuality is wrong. The other accepts Gays and Lesbians as members and claims :autonomy of local churches is at stake. Two San Joaquin Valley pastors are spearheading a drive to oust four San Francisco Bay area churches from a regional Baptist conference unless they quit condoning homosexuality. "Our primary purpose is to ask those churches to renounce and change the direction they're going," the Rev. Harold G. Meers of First Baptist Church in Visalia said. 'They are unwilling to change in any way because they have introduced the affirmation of homosexuality into both .the ordination and lay leadership ." Meers tells his congregation that homosexuals can change their s.exual orientation if they want to, and offers a support group. The Rev. Jim Dunn of Stockton's First Baptist Church called homosexuality "still a sin" no matter whether it's a lifestyle or whether men and women are born homosexual. Homosexuality is condemned in The Bible in an Old Testament list of practices forbidden to the Hebrews. But the Rev. James Hopkins of Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church in Oakland called homosexuality "the . last respectable prejudice of the 20th . century." · Lakeshore Avenue _ belongs .to the Association of Welcoming and Affirm. ing Baptists, along with First Baetist -• SECOND STONE of Berkeley, Community of Faith Church of San Jose and San Leandro Community Church. Hopkins said sexuality is "a gift from God" that should be enjoyed as it is - within a "context of commit. ment." "I will fight this fight a long way to keep that hallmark of Baptist religious freedom . from being taken away," Hopkins said. "American Baptists for centuries have stood strong on social issues and justice issues," said the Rev. Kay Wellington, pastor at San Leandro Community. She said American Baptists are not fundamentalists - believers in the infallibility of scripture - as are many Southern Baptists. Meers said his church and Dunn's "foster love and ministry to people struggling with homosexuality. It is an issue of Biblical authority around the teachings of scripture." The board of managers of the American Baptist Churches of the West, which represents 220 Northern and Central California churches, will . take up the issue this fall. "One of the things that could happen if they continue to hold lo their position is they could be removed from the denomination;" Meers said of the four affirming churches. . But Hopkins hopes the dispute doesn't get to the point of a formal split, called a schism when churches divide over doctrine . "He (Meers) is hoping we would recant our position, which morally I don't think we can do," Hopkins said. "I hope the board of managers of American Baptist Churches West sees this move as patently opposed to Baptist principles." Wellington said the board already voted 30-4 in March against having its executive committee develop a method of dealing with the affirming churches. "We've been battling this issue for almost two years," she said. ''It would have died a number of times, (but) the pastors of First Baptist Stockton and First Baptist Visalia refused to let it die." In February, the Woman's Missionary Union will sponsor a nationwide collection of items needed by AIDS hospices as well as money for services. The money will be donated to an AIDS hospice in Victoria, Brazil. Baptists got a wake-up call about the AIDS pandemic four years ago when the Rev . Jimmy Allen, a former president of the Southern Baptist Convention, revealed the tragedy that had happened to his family. His daughter-in-law, tydia AHen, became infected with human imrnunodeficiency virus through a blood transfusion. She and her youngest son, Bryan, died of AIDS and her oldest son, Matt, now 12, is critically ill with the virus. During the ordeal, Jimmy Allen's Johnson said Jimmy Allen's willingness to share the tragic story of his family has had a "tremendous impact" in convincing Baptist congregations to take up AIDS ministries. For his part, Allen commends the WMU for its efforts, noting that it is a "network of women who historically have been involved in the cutting edge of caring . 'There has been a counter-tide, sort of hardening of the heart of the nation against those who need help,'.' Allen said. "Compassion is evaporating in this country." Ht believes rediscovering compassion in churches will help a great deal. Cooperative Baptist Fellowship to study break from Southern Baptist Convention FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) - The head of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship will name a special committee to study whether the moderate group should split with the Southern Baptist Convention and become a separate denomination. Patrick Anderson, a Florida college professor who was elected moderator of the fellowship, made the announcement at the end of the group's threeday convention. "Our bell has been rung on this issue, and I think it is time a committee make a systematic and careful study of our options," Anderson is quoted as saying in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. The committee will gather information on the problems and advantages of becoming a denomination. But the group won 't be asked to make a recommendation until next year's general assembly meeting in Richmond, Va. "We don't think this is something you can do in a debate on the convention floor with 5,000 people," Anderson said. The fellowship was formed four years ago to protest the conservative takeover of the :15.5 million member Southern Baptist Convention, the nation's largest Protestant group. Conservative leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention say the fellowship already is a separate denomination because it has .its own Atlanta-based headquarters, supports some 80 missionaries and seminaries and other ministries . SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 9 9 5·. Former journalist opposes gay/lesbian ordination ,TQl:Jgh-talking woman elected Presbyterian moderator By Keely Coghlan The Odessa American BIG SPRING, Texas - Marj Carpenter hated her first month of. work as communications director for the Presbyterian Church of the U.S.A. · Now she's just been elected as the church's moderator, the highest non-paying job in the Presbyterian Church. But 17 years ago, Ms. Carpenter wasn't sure she wanted to stay in her new job for more than a year. After 27 years of chasing car wrecks and fires, politicians and football coaches throughout West Texas, Ms. Carpenter awakened to every. shrieking siren in those still Atlanta nights in 1979- and felt left out. · "I would hear sirens, and think I was supposed to go take pictures," Ms. Carpenter said . "All the meetings were boring. I was doing a weekly newsletter and a monthly magazine, and they were filled with stories about meetings." The former Big Spring Herald reporter had been recruited for her experience as a reporter and active church volunteer, but all she did was write about meetings. Until she visited the church's mission in Brazil. "I was in a packing crate village ih . Brazil when they brought the news that a child in our school had died of an abscessed too.th," Ms. Carpenter recalled. Someone asked the mother why she hadn't asked the missionaries for help. "She said we had already done so much, she didn't want to ask," Ms. Carpenter said . "Well, I didn't think we had done so much." So Carpenter decided to see for herself. She traveled to missions in 102 countries on her own funds to write about the church's work. "I found out we were doing a Jot," Ms. Carpenter said,. citing work in building churches, schools and agricultural projects throughout the world, from Cuba to Soviet Russia and Zaire. She retired in January, but Ms. Carpenter, 68, isn't finished with church business. The moderator's job, to which she was elected July 16 at the church's national convention in Cincinnati, is• a one-year term as head of the Presbyterian Church USA, the largest Presbyterian denomination in the United States with more than 3 million members . Moderators set the tone of the church's discussion and focus for the year and are selected by conference Presbyterian Church's rift grows over conservative newspaper LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - A leader of erator's appointees accu-sed the Lay the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has Committee of "subversion" and asked challenged a committee to take a the Cincinnati General Assembly to stand regarding a conservative news- . urge the Lay Committee to "cease and paper that denounces the church's desist its destructive behavior, which leadership as being theologically out · \ harms our beloved church." of touch. · The Layman retorts that it is · The requested review of The standing up for rank-and-file Presby- Presbyterian Layman was made by the terians and for what is right. Rev . Robert Bohl, the church's moder- 'The fact is that a deep division ator, and came as the church pre- already exists," it said in its latest pared for its 207th General Assembly, issue. 'That division is between which was held the week of July 16 in national leadership and staff and the Cincinnati. people of our congregations." 'The Layman has been a destructive instrument to the mission and minis- At the heart of the matter is try of the church," Bohl told The theology and how free-thinking Pres- Courier-Journal in an interview. byterians want to be. Presbyterianism The newspaper has been critical of, traditionally has been an inclusive al'(long other things, efforts to bring faith, encouraging debate and unwilgay and lesbian people into the full ling to draw strict doctrinal lines life of the church. designed to exclude non-believers. 'Though we want them to exist, we The Layman is pushing the idea of a want them to exist in a Jess vitriolic uniform creed, "that there is a truth style. But there's no guarantee, even that can be absolutely defined and if they were struck by lightning from that they know it," said the Rev. God, that they will change." Eugene March, dean of the Louisville J..ast summer the 206th General Presbyterian Theological Seminary Assembly set up a special Reconcilia- and a commissioner, or delegate, to lion Committee to try to determine the General Assembly. . "appropriate boundaries" for the The Lay Committee also is Presbyterian Lay Committee and the concerned about financial accountabilprivate) y ~unded newspaper it pub- ity of church governing bodies and lishes six times a year . what it views as a liberal bent in the But the Reconciliation Committee appointments of ministers and lay coll11J>~e_d this spring when the mod- people to significant committees. SECOND STONE GJ delegates, all of whcim must be either lay elders or ministers. Ms. Carpenter has said she will focus on mission work and church . 1 development . · "Marj is devoted to the mission of proclaiming the gospel to all the world," said the Rev. Flynn Long, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Big Spring, where she is an elder. "She's been involved since · she was a little girl." "All the mainline denominations get so involved in justice issues and · in politics. I want to emphasize mission," Ms. Carpenter said. "I belfeve Marj is correct. People today are interested in the church doing things to help others, not fancy stained-glass worship services," Long said. Presbyterians provide medical and agricultural aid to countries or impoverished areas, often being among the first missionary groups to arrive in previously closed countries. And then they leave . "We get a church going, but we don't stay . We go back if we are asked, but we do not try to change the way they are and we do not · colonize them," Ms. Carpenter said. She also cites the church's tradition- , al three-way budget split between J medical aid, agricultural aid, and , evangelism as one of the strengths of I the mission program. : 'There are people who think we · should only evangelize," Carpenter ' said. "But if you read the New Testament,Jou see that Jesus healed the sick an told parables to educate them. We get into a lot of countries by helping them with an agricultural project. We teach them how to grow food when they are starving." Hospitals and schools are welcome in many Muslim countries where missionaries are prohibited from evangelizing, Ms. Carpenter said, citing a hospital in Pakistan where doctors perform · hundreds of cataract operations. "People walk across the mountains to go to that hospital," Ms. Carpenter ;t:·~1:~Y say, Th~ Christians make . Ms. Carpenter doesn't see herself as' a trailblazer, although her car does sport a buinper sticker, "Press Women Make Headlines," a reference · to her membership in the National Press Women. Seven of the 400 moderators in church history have been women; the i Presbyterian church began ordaining women in the 1950s. ''Being a woman has never stopped me," Carpenter said. 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IN THE COURTS OF THE LORD, goy Epla:cpal p,lo«oo~~•~:"lo:--' WOME\r~!~~w~~: Paper. AND SAY HI TO JOYCE: Amel'fca'II Ara Gay -Coum~~~~w~'.':-- Place your order today! Quan. Title Price Total □---- □------ Postage/Handling $2.90 first book, $1.00 ea. additional TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLQSED NAME _________ _ ADDRESS ________ _ CITY/STATE/ZIP ______ _ ORDER FROM: SEOOND STONE PRESS P.O. BOX 8340, NEW ORLEANS, IA 70182 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 199 5 InP rint ••••••••••••••••••. • •.••••••••••••••••••••••••• •· ••••• -• •••••• f Two mothers' stories M·other's journey begins too late for gay son By William Carey ContributingW riter Prayers For Bobby: A Mother's Coming to Terms With the Suicide ,of Her Gay Son, Leroy Aarons, author; New York HarperCollins;" 1995. 271 pp., $22. ayers for Bobby is a most pro- , ound and moving book. The book tells of a tragedy, and is made all the more tragic by the fact that the story it tells is true. Bobby Griffith was born June 24, 1963 in Oakland, California. The third of four children, Bobby was an intelligent and talented child born to a fundamentalist Christian mother. From an early age, Bobby showed devotion to God and desired to be right with God in everything he did. He, like his brothers and sisters, attended Sunday School through his high school years. They attended church regularly, and his mother taught Bible studies at home. It seemed like Bobby had everything going for him. In his teens, Bobby told his brother Ed that he was gay. Ed, in turn; worried about his brother, told their mother. Although the family loved Bobby, they could not accept him as he was. Over the next few years, Bobby learned to hate himself for being gay. His hatred mingled with anger at his family for preaching to him, at God for not "curing" him, and at himself, for not being able to be anything else but what he was. On the night of August 26, 1983, · 20-year-old Bobby Griffith jumped off a highway overpass into the path of a tractor trailer. He died instantly. Prayers For Bobby chronicles the story of his . life, as well as the realization of his mother that her own ignorance and bigotry had contributed to the death of her son. To compound the tragedy of his death, the realization of what their faith had done to Bobby caused the family to abandon much of the brand of Christianity they knew at the time. This is a painful book to read, contains some strong (but honest) language, and leaves the reader with an intense sadness, not only for Bobby, but also for his family. If there is any message of hope to be drawn from Prayers For Bobby, it is SEE GAY SON, Next Page Overheard comment sends mother on a mission . By Allen V. Harris Contributing Wri~er . Cleaning Closets: A Mother's Story; Beverly Cole, author; St. Louis: Chalice Press, 1995. 163 pp. $13.95 n this age when the art of dialogue seems to be consumed . by fiery rhetoric and blockaded by unbending posturing, treasures of wisdom and reason shine bright. In the fine tradition of other parents of lesbian and gay children who have dared to share their stories in print, Beverly Cole has brought to us her unique perspective and in doing so has provided a needed clearing for a meaningful conversation. CleaningC losets:A Mother's Story is a wonderfully honest account of one Now available from Second Stone! The Word Is Out 365 DAILY MEDITATIONS FOR LESBIANS AND GAY MEN Author Chris Glaser fearlessly liberates the Bible from those who would hold it hostage to an anti-gay agenda. In this inspiring collection of 365 daily meditations, the Bible's oood news "comes out11 to - ~eet all of us witb love, justice, meaning, and hope. Chris Glaser is the autbor of Uncommon Calling and Coming Out to God. He is agn1duate of Yale Divinity School. The Word Is Out, $12, paperback. Order now from Second Stone Press Quan. Tide □ Postage/Hand$lin3g.0 0fi rstb ook$, 1.00e a.a dditiona-l- --- TOTALA MOUNET NCLOSED----- NAME------------------,------ ADDRESS------,---------------- CITY/STATEIZIP_ ________________ _ ORDEFRR OMS:E CONSDT ONPER ESSP,. OB. OX8 340N, EWO RLEANLSA,7 0182 SECOND STONE - woman's journey through her own emotions as she discovers, quite by accident, that her teenage son is gay. While putting the wet laundry into the dryer, Cole happened to overhear one of her son's friends say to him, "You're the only gay person I know who doesn't smoke." That revelation sent this comfortable wife and mother of two, living in Salina, Kansas, on an engaging encounter with the unknown. The book begins with a foreward by Cole's son, Eric, and ends with a postscript, "All in Good Time," that gives good advice to Gays and Lesbians who are thinking about coming out. What makes this volume different · from many such narratives is that in this instance the parent is grounded in a strong Christian tradition. Beverly turns first to her pastor for guidance, and eventually her investi- · gation will help others in her local United Methodist Church to understand the blessings that can indeed come through such surprising means. Early on in her story, once she confirmed the truth of what she had heard with her son, Beverly quickly assured him that God still cared for him. After reflecting upon that instinctive response, she wrote, "I had never even thought about being gay and being Christian at the same time. I would have to wrestle with that question myself. In my heart, I felt that God would be there for him, but there's only one way that feeling can be transferred from one person to another, and that is through love. I couldn't make Eric feel God's love. All I could do was love him myself. I had no control over his other experiences in life. I wondered if those experiences would be any -- different since he was gay?" (p.15) this faithful mother decided to explore many different perspectives in order to more fully understand same-sex attraction and how it relates to spir- . ituality. Particularly helpful is the casual yet extremely effective manner irt which Cole has integrated her findings into her book. She annotated the books and resources she found, putting them within the context of her own search so they become living resources for others to pursue. She quite willingly tackled viewpoints which, in the end, were different from her own. In every case, she took what she needed and what she believed to be true and left the rest behind, confident that God's Spirit was with her in her quest. She urges the reader to do likewise. With a matter of fact style, Cole draws the conclusion that ultimately what matters to God, and to her, is Led by her heart and her mind, SEE MISSION, Next Page S E P T E M B E R / 0 C T O B· E R l 9 9 5 e I I I I I e ·. e I I I I I I I ID I I I I I I I I I I I 1 1 ~ In Print . . . . . . . . . . ............... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . •· New Catholic work on homosexuality THE CENTER FO~ Homop _hobia f~rence of bishops and i_ndividual part of Voices of Hope. Educat10n has_ pubhsh~d Voices of bishops, Roman Congregations, theo- The editors say the new collection Hvpe; A Collectwn of Positive Catholic logians, Catholic social justice groups, updates and expands several similar sciences a respect for the experiences of people, or a willingness to employ methodologies which could lead to a development of magisterial teaching." Wntings about Gay and Lesbian Issues, Catholic newspapers, professional previous collections and represents edited by Jeannine Gramick and Catholic organizations, Catholic par- "the best of the Catholic intellectual Voices of Hope is available from New Ways Ministry, 4012 29th St., Mt. Robert Nugent, a Catholic nun and · ents, lesbian and gay Catholic groups and moral traditions." Many of the pnest team who have specialized in , and representatives from religious , ,documents show "pastoral sensitivity Catholic gay /lesbian ministry since orders of women and men. an openness to new data from th~ the early 70's. Both have authored The three sections of the book • Rainier, MD 20712. and edited several previous works on contain brief statements and resoluhomosexuality and Catholicism. tions, longer documents and pastoral Contributions to Voices of Hope come letters and critical respons.es to a 1992 from the United States, Canada, the Vatican statement on discrimination. Netherlands, New Zealand, Belgium, Gramick and Nugent contribute a France, Ireland, England and the preface, section introductions and a Vatican. conclusion . An author/source index Voices of Hope contains material and an appendix with the full text of from national and state Catholic con- the 1992 Vatican statement are also GAY SON, From Page 14 in the incredible metamorphosis of Bobby's mother from a frightened, ignorant woman, preaching hell-fire and damnation to a son who only wanted to be loved and accepted, to an outspoken advocate for gay and lesbian youth. Upon reading the book, it becomes clear that the work she has done, and continues to do, has saved many other young people from Bobby's fate. I wish that she had been able to find a way to reconcile her fundamentalist Christianity with her new-found acceptance of gay people, and perhaps someday she will. For now, however, the pain and anger of what that type of fundamentalism did to her son, and caused her to do to her son, have prevented that from happening. So, although she and her other children are still living, their current spiritual condition can only be regarded as one more tragic loss caused by the actions. of those who would use. the name of Jesus tii' further the cause of bigotry and hatred. Although Prayers For Bobby can be shocking at times, and certainly doesn't have a "happily ever after" ending, I .still recommend it highly. all of us need an awareness (or _perhaps just a reminder) of what young gay people must endure. For many of us, our own adolesence was so painful that we just try to block it out. But ·now that we've grown up, and have learned the truth of God's love for us, we have a responsibility to the young people just coming to terms with who they are. There have been too many tragic deaths and too many driven from the word of God by ignorance and hatred. And no one of us alone can change all of that. But if we each· do something, we can make a difference. And if even one Bobby Griffith is saved from an untimely death and can be helped to know and believe that God loves him, then anything we do will have been worth it. There's a whole generation of teenage boys and girls out there who need to know that they are not horrible, depraved perverts,. but young men and women made in the image of God, who creates people as . God sees fit. Brother William Carey is pastor of {.,ighthouse Apostolic Church in Schenectady, New York. The library at the church has been named "T11e Bobby Griffith Memorial Library" and aphotograph of Bobby hangs on the wall. Bulk Copies Available OF THIS ISSUE OF SECOND STONE 10 copies - $13.50 • 25 copies - $29.50 • ;i~pies - $45.00 100 copies - $67.50 includes postage and handling. Send your pre-paid order to Second Ston.e. PO . Box 8340, New Orleans . LA 70182 MISSION, From Page 14 that her son is a loved and loving being. Confronting her fears and misconceptions about her son's boyfriends, scriptural mandates, and even the family's childhood pediatrician (who proves to be quite the bigot) Cole gains the confidence she needs to live her refashioned life with integrity. Cole also writes: "It seems to me that we Christians, as a people of faith, are beginning to realize that we need to take a closer look at our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters as an acceptable and vital part of our faith community." For openly lesbian or gay folks who have told their story to others, or to parents who have been involved in the movement for justice for their children, this book may provide few new findings. Even so, the manner in which it is written is .so warm and inviting I would recommend it to even the most seasoned advocate for lesbian and gay persons . For those parents or children who are just coming out of their own closets and anyone, for that matter, who is grappling with the implications for their faith of God's unabashed love for gay men and Lesbians, I would enthusiastically recommend Cleaning Closets: A Mother's Sto:Y· Rev. Allen V. Harris is pastor at Park Avenue Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in New York City. Recommended Reading For Everyone ... PASTOR, I AM GAY by The Reverend H. Howard Bess An extraordinary book. PASTOR, I AM GAY .. .is a pro_pheti~ witness to the church. It is compelling in • its mtens1ty, compassionate in its identifications and · cour~~eo?s in its . call to sharing humanity without duahf1cat1ons. A reader will not be able to put it own. James B. Ashbrook, Professor Emeritus and Senior Scholar in Religion and Personality Garrett Evang e lical Theological Seminaiy No rthwestern University PASTOR, I AM GAY )s a superb entry into the difficult and painful subiect of homosexuality that faces us in the church and society today . Both pastor and lay person will find this book readable and informative as we seek more insight into the lives of homosexual friends inside and outside the church. Donald Parsons, Bishop, Alaska Synod Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Order now from Second Stone Press Quan. □ PASTOR, I AM GAV by Rev. Howard Bess $14.95, paperback. ___ _ Postag&'Handling $3.00 first book, $1.00 ea. additional ____ _ TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED ----- NAME. ________ ____________ _ ADDRESS ____________________ _ CITY/STATE/ZIP._--~--------------ORDER FROM: SECOND STONE PRESS, P.O. BOX 8340, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70182 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1 9 9 5 . . . . .. . . .. . .. . .. Noteworthy ~ •.• .. ........... .................... ' ............... .... . GayC hristnias on televisionin P hoeinx t:,.CASA DE CRISTO Evangelical Church now has a weekly TV program carried on Cox Cable Channel 22 in the Phoenix metro area, 'That Church!" is hosted by Casa's senior pastor Fred L Pattison, The format of the program includes music, an interview, and a short message from Pastor Pattison, The goals of the program are to combat homophobia as it exists among non-gay Chnshans and to reach disenfranchised evangelical Christian Gays and Lesbians. Brethren/Mennoneivteen td raws 90 from across the country !:,.CHARLOTTEN, ORTH CAROLINA was the site for the first jointly sponsored conference for the Church of the Brethren Women's Caucus and the Brethren/Mennonite Council for Lesbian and Gay Concerns. The two day event held June 25 and 26, "Dancing at the Wall: Re-Imagining the Church," drew 90 members of the Church of the Brethren from as far away as California, Colorado, Indiana and Maryland. The group, ranging ' in age from their teens through their 70's, gathered at Mey_ers Park Baptist Church to explore what it means to be excluded by the Church and to build a vision of an inclusive faith community. Integritcyh aptecre lebrate2s0 th t:,.INTEGRITY NEW YORK will be celebrating its 20th anniversary October 19, with a Eucharist celebrated by The Right Rev. Richard F. Grein, Bishop of New York. The preacher will be Louie Crew, founder of Integrity. The service begins at 7:30 at the Church of St. Luke in . the Fields, 487 Hudson Street (just south of Christopher), Pennsyvlania and Ohio mark firsts in Open & Affirming Progr am t:,.THE GLAD ALLIANCE Open & Affirming Ministries Program has annou nced the addition of a new Open & Affirming Congregation and a new Open & Affirming Campus Ministry, both firsts in the program for their respective states. This makes the number of local congregations, campus ministries, regions, and advocacy groups within the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) which have named themselves as "Open & Affirming" now total 30. "I'm not a straight man, but I play one on television." Many gay and lesbian people like Dan Butler thought acting straight was better than being open and honest. They hoped that others did not know, or that they feared friends and family would not accept them, After coming out, the love and support many receive tells them one thing -- that being themselves·; s the best act to follow, National Coming Out Day is O~tober 11 Come Our. It truly makes a difference. Nationa l Coming Out Project is an edUC11tloann do ulr,ach prog,.mo f tM y,t !-- PAIGNFUND Form orei nformniona bou1h owy ouc anm ake a diffi:rtncotn Nnioiul C.OminOgu rD :iy, or 10 ordero fficiilK eithH aringN ationaCl .Oming OurO Jym erchandisael,l 1-800-866-62~3. SECOND STONE Sandra Kelsey, Chairperson of the Task Force on Human Sexuality of the United Christian Church of Levittown, Pennsylvania (Disciples of Christ and Ul)ited Church of Christ) announced that after a 13 month extensive study on the issue of human sexuality, the congregation voted unanimously on June 4 to become Open & Affirming. Jan Griesinger, Director of the United Campus Ministry at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio said that the campus ministry there has also made a public statement of wekome to gay, lesbian, and bisexual people, Ohio Campus Ministry ,made its first public statement in 1978 and has continued since that time to house the student gay, lesbian, and bisexual organization offices. The Open & Affirming Ministries Program was created by the Gay, Lesbian, and Affirming Disciples Alliance to provide resources for stuc;ly and support for local congregations and other church organizations who wish to more fully include lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons in their mission and ministry, paying special attention also to frien ds and family members of persons who are gay. For information on this program contact Allen V. Harris, O&A Ministries Developer, 1010 Park Ave., New York, NY 10028. 25y earsm arkedi nD allas_ !:,.CATHEDRALO F HOPE MCC celebrated its 25th anniversary in July. The church celebrated with several special events, a concert with Christian singer Cynthia .Clawson, and a special message by Rev. Elder Troy Perry. Senior pastor Michael Piazza presented his vision of the church for the next 25 years, entitled "Celebrating Our Future." Lutherans Concerned leader passes t:,.REV. JON NELSON, a former cochair of Lutherans Concerned/North America, died May 14. He is preceded in death by his partner, Michael Gerke and is survived by his family, . including sister Beth, parents Bob and Jane, two nephews and countless friends. "Jon was different from the beginning," said Lynn -Mickelson, co-chair of LC/NA, speaking of her personal relationship with Nelson. "He was a Lutheran clergyman with multiple degrees, not interested in power, control or gender roles ... his label as a "high church . feminist" effectively shut him out of leadership in his synod." celebrating his 18th anniversary as pastor of the church, Pattison became senior pastor of Casa de Cristo on October 2, 1977. In addition to serving as pastor, Pattison founded Cristo Press which has a world-wide literature ministry outreach, Cristo AIDS Ministry, The Evangelical Network, which is a fellowship of independent evangelical churches ministering in the gay and lesbian community, and the Phoenix Evangelical Bible Institute. Pastor Fred and his life partner, Joseph Sombrio, have been together since May, 1973. Casa de Cristo celebrates its 25th anniversary in September. It was formerly affiliated with the UFMCC but is now an independent church. Jesuipt riestta ughat bout AIDSin h isf inald ays t:,.THE REV. TERRY SHEA, former president of Seattle Preparatory School, has died from complications of AIDS. The Jesuit priest was 58. Shea died July 17 in his sleep at a Spokane infirmary . He publicly revealed his illness in May and used publicity generated by his disclosure to teach Seattle Prep students about his disease. Shea was president of Seattle Prep from 1992 until last June, when he stepped down. Local Catholic leaders said Shea's illness gave them the chance to affirm the church's teachings that call for compassion toward peopl{'._Wilh AIDS. The church also teaches respect for the confidentiality of those who are infected. "As Catholics, we need to show out love, our understanding," said the Rev. David Jaeger, who runs the AIDS Ministry for the Seattle Archdiocese. Shea was born in 1937 in Spokane and entered the Jesuit novitiate in Oregon in 1955. In 1968, he was ordained at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Spokane and three years later earned his master's degree in · business administration from New York University. In 1972, Rev. Shea became president of Bellarrnine Preparatory School -in Tacoma, where he remained until 1976. Shea is survived by a mother in Spokane and three brothers and three sisters. Churchd edicates new sanctuary MTLANTA'S OLDEST MCC held its first service in its new sanctuary on July 23. First MCC held its dedication in conjunction with the UFMCC General Conference. Rev. Troy Perry led the dedication, which was attended Pastocr eel brates by almost 500 people. "It's a relief," 18tha nniversaOryfm inistry said Rev. Reid Christensen, First t:,.PA STOR FRED L. PATTISON, MCC's pastor for the past eight years. senior pastor of Casa de Cristo "We have been working on this for :Evangelical Church in Phoenix, is the last year and a half." SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER l 9 9 5 Keyes speaks out for creat ionism, against homosexuality NASHUA, N.H. (AP) - Gays and Lesbians are not entitled to special rights and are open to public judgement, presidential hopeful Alan Keyes said. Keyes, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations' Economic and Social Council, said discrimination against Gays serves to educate the nation's youth. "If I don 't have the right to discriminate against behavior that I don't like, then how am I going to educate my children?" Keyes said. He drew an analogy between homosexuality and adultery . "What about married people who have the sexual preference to sleep with other people than their wives?" he said . ''That's a sexual preference, too. "You go down this road, you're essentially destroying the concept of sexual responsibility," he said. CALENDAR, From Pa&e 2 Keyes, host of a nationally syndicated radio talk show, appearei:I July 5 as a guest on WMVU's Kevin Miller Show. Keyes told listeners that students should be taught creationism to better understand their rights as American citizens. The Declaration of Independence refers to divine creation in explaining how people are endowed with inalienable rights, the conservative Republican said. "What does the Declaration say?" Keyes said . 'That rights come from God . When? At the moment of creation ... So, of course I think that it ought to be possible to teach our children about the idea of creation." The document says "We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are 1 endowed by their Creator with Open and Affirming Churches gathering OCTOBER 13-15, "Gathered in Spirit; Gaining in Strength" is the theme of the national Open and Affirming Exultation to be held in Cleveland, Ohio. Rev. Paul Sherry, president of the United Church of Christ, will speak. The Northcoast Men's Chorus and the Just Peace Players will perform . For information contact ONA-UCCUGC, P.O . Box 403, Holden, MA 01520. Lesbian spirituality retreat . OCTOBER 13-15, "Claiming Our Own Voices: A Retreat About Lesbian Spiritiiality"'will 'be held at Algonkian Center in Fairfax County, Virginia. Leaders are Joan Beilstein, a lesbian priest from the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, D.C., and Rose Hassan, a lesbian priest and chaplain of Integrity/New York. The program includes liturgies, large plenary sessions, small group discussions and social time. For information contact Rose Hassan, (212)989-9363 or Joan Beilstein, (703)440-8405. . · GLAD Alliance meeting · . OCTOBER 20-24, The Gay, Lesbian, and. Affirming Disciples Alliance (G_LAD Alliance) will meet in conjunction with the biennial General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) meeting in Pittsburgh, Penn. The GLAD Alliance will host a Pre-Assembly Event beginning at 11 :30 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 20. On Saturday, Oct. 21 there will be a reception and a banquet featuring Ron Nyswaner, screenwriter for the Academy Award-nominated film, "Philadelphia." Two educational forums are scheduled, one for parents, families, and friends of Gays and Lesbians on Friday night, and the other for Open & Affirming Ministries on Sunday evening, Oct. 22. For information contact GLAD Alliance, P.O. Box 19223, Indianapolis, IN 46219-0223, (816)432-6139. Ghost Ranch gathering NOVEMBER 2-5, Led by Lisa Bove, former HIV/AIDS minister at West Hollywood Presbyterian Church, and Chris Glaser, au_thor ~I The Word /s Out: The Bible Flee/aimed for Lesbians and Gay Men. Reg1strat1on, $100, room a_nd board, $120. For information, contact Ghost Ranch, HG 77, Box 11, Ab1qu1u, NM 87510-9601, (505)685-4333, FAX (505)685-4519. Call to Action National Conference NOVEMBER 8·10, The Hyatt Regency O'Hare in Chicago is the setting for Call to Action's national event. "We Are The Church: What If We Meant What We Said?" is the theme. Cosponsors include Dignity/USA, New Ways Ministry, Catholics Speak Out, Women's Ordination Conference, and others . The CT A annual conference is evolving into a national congress of persons; communities and organizations working to "reinvent the church." For infomation on this -conference contact Call to Action, 4419 N. Kedzie, Chicago, IL 60625, (312)004-0400, FAX (312)604-4719. Christian Responses to Homosexuality NOVEMBER 10·12, Three days of dialogue with people from across the philosophical and theological spectrum, sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Conference of the United Methodist Church. The cost of this conference, which will be held in Denver, is $125. For information contact Elizabeth Pruett, Box 2922, Glenwood Springs, CO 81602-0292, (970)945-7293 SECOND STONE • certain unalienable Rights, among them the· right to Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." Creationism focused national attention on the region in the winter when the Merrimack School Board considered a proposal from a minister to include creationism in the science curriculum. The Rev. Paul Norwalt of Merrimack Baptist Temple withdrew his proposal in February but vowed to reintroduce it later this year. Keyes also commended Gov. Steve Merrill for refusing $9 million in federal Goals 2000 education money. Merrill passed up the money, arguing federal mandates were too restrictive. "Governor Merrill was so right, and I would applaud him 100 times over," Keyes said. He said the program usurps state and local authority to set educational goals for public schools. Another presidential hopeful, former Tennessee Gov : Lamar Alexander, agreed and ; said Goals 2000 has become a "gross intrusion" in state affairs. Reiterating campaign platforms , Keyes decried declining morals and an increase in the illegitimacy rate. He said welfare undermines the family structure and harms the poor by diminishing their self-esteem. Critic of Gays: My religion shouldn't bar me from police board NEW YORK (AP) - A clergyman who denounced the Gay Games asked a City Council committee to judge him by his actions, not his religious beliefs, and reappoint him to a police watchdog panel. The City Council's Rules Committee is holding hearings on the Rev. Ruben Diaz's reappointment to the Civilian Complaint Review Board, which investigates allegations of brutality, verbal abuse or other misconduct by police, The Pentecostal minister told the committee July 13 that his beliefs on homosexuality should not prevent him from continuing as a member of the review board . 'Judge me for my record," he said. Diaz told the Rules Committee he . has supported efforts to hire Gays and Lesbians as investigators on the review board. But some committee members harked back to comments Diaz made last summer, when he said the Gay Games would spread AIDS and teach children that homosexuality is acceptable. When the black and Puerto Rican clergyman related that he had once been beaten up by white soldiers and verbally abused by a lieutenant while in the Army, Councilman Stephen DiBrienza - who opposes Diaz's reappointment - asked ·if he would want that officer to serve on the board. "Jesse Jadson called New York 'Hymietown' and you voted for him . You supported him," Diaz shot back · at the Brooklyn Democrat. When DiBrienza continued to press him on the question, Diaz said he would ba_ck putting the officer on the board "nowadays, in this era." Two gay councilmen split on supporting Diaz. Tom Duane opposed him on grounds his presence discourages complaints by Gays and Lesbians, but Antonio Pagan supported the minister, saying Diaz has been a . "hard-working and responsible" member of the board. ~DD rno1vELLOW PAGES"' INFORMIN& THE LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL &fTI lgj '. TRANSGENDER COMMUNl1Y SINCE ma ~ Complete gay~frfendiy resources and businesses: accommodations, bars, bookstores, dentists, doctors, lawyers, therapists, travel &eJVices, printers, Organ\ul\on1, Media, Religious groups, Help lines & A.I.D.S/ H.l,V, resources. Listings broken down by State & City. Index & fast llCCMS phone list. UPDATED ANNUALLY. For an application to be listed (no charge), or for details of current editions and prices, or Information about mailing labels, please send a aeH•addressed stamped envelope to Renaissance House, PO Box 533-SS, VIiiage Station, New York, NY f 0014 (212) 674-0120 You can order directly from the address above, or you can find us your local gay-friendly bookstores. If you wish to order by phone with a credit card, please call A DIFFERENT LIGHT 1-800-343-4002; FAX (212) 989-2158; outside USA and Canada call 1·212-989-4850. (A Different Light has stores in New York, Los Angeles, ·aod San Francisco. They are not involved with production or publication of · Gayellow Pages, so please cfon't call them except to order.) ·1 wish all my readers had.a copy of this ve,y useful volume. If you live in Nowheresville, U.S.A., and haven't a clue about how to find other gay folks, this book is indispensable. There's no way to remain isolated if you make use of the information contained in thv Gayel/ow Pages.• P•t C.lllla, The Advocate Advisor 'By far lhe most comprohensive and up-to-<iate gay guide ... Gayel/ow Pages . . . includes the standald entries for bars and restaurants . .. But the Gaye/low Pages excels thanks to its additional alphabetized listings by city for AIDS and HIV services, legal _rasources, organizations (ca.tegorized by purpose or interest}, religious groups, publications, businesses and more. In short, if an entity welcomes gay. lesbian and bisexual people, no matter ho~ unlikely the service or remote the town, it's probably listsd ;n the Gaye/lo~ Pages . ... Hardly a week goes by that it is not consulted in the Out offices.• Reviewed by Jeff Howells, OUT (Pittsburgh, PA}, December 1994 . SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 199 5 , ...... ~.•. . . •.~ . .. .... .... . .C. . .o . .m. . . .m. . .• e ...n. . t .. . . . .. . ~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The new millenium: The joining of the secular and the sacred By Dirk deVries ·Guest comment I call it millennial hysteria. Have you felt it? A general sort of digging in - a desire to maintain the status quo, -no matter how dysfunctional it might be, a yearning to turn back the cultural clock to an earlier, safer time, a time that may not, in fact, have ever really existed except in television nostalgia or wishful remembering. Entrenchment. Fear. Doom-saying. Millennial• hysteria finds expression worldwide. We see it in the rise of religious fundamentalism, Christian in our country, and in other faiths elsewhere in the world. People frightened of change seek refuge in easy, black-and-white _ answers, replacing the mystery of God and the evolving uncertainty of faith with inflexible dogma ·· and absolutes, finding reassurance in being told what to believe and how to act. The future may look unnervingly hazy, culture and technology may spin out of control around us, but our faith is 'outlined, conc;lensedi packaged and memorizable. We interpret our holy writings literally. We regard with mistrust anyone outside our little faith circle. We're the right ones with the right knowledge and the right behavior. CLERGY, From Page 3 · They're doing fine and are unaware women are still struggling," Chang said. And while churches opened themselves to W';)men clergy in recent decades, no laws forbid them from discriminating in their hiring. Answering only to themselves, many denominations have cut back or eliminated staff whose job it was to prod congregations to consider and hire female candidates. This surrendered ground to the informal "oldboy networks" that have traditionally been responsible for most clergy placements, the study authors said. Even when churches use computerized employment networks or forbid the exclusion of any · candidate, the reality is that many 1 churches stilllook for men to preach to them, researchers said. "You will have all these liberal-speaking people on the church governing boards who will say, 'Personally, I have no problem (with a woman pastor) ... but what would our older, wealthy patjshioners do?"' Lummis said. R. Douglas Brackenridge, a religion professor at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, said pulpit commit- SECOND STONE Such faith does feel secure, but also sterile and void of the creative tension of doubt and challenge, exploration and questioning. Millennial hysteria breaks out politcally as well. In Germany, the Nazi party gains supporters; in America, legislators strive to undo legislation which for decades has extended Christ-like compassion to society's outcasrs and the downtrodden. Stamp out diversity. Lock the doors. Clamp down. Keep out the strangers. · What is it that frightens us? What fuels this desperation that turns us inward, protecting, closing up and pushing away? Change. At some level we know that change is coming. We are about to take another turn in a predictable historical cycle. In humanity's history, each major temporal milestone, such as the tum of a century and even more so a millennium, · brings with it species-wide angst. We preceive the year 2000 as more than just the beginning of a new year; it's the start of a new epoch, a new era. And each era brings with it new ways of understanding ourselves, our relationship to the world, each other and the divine. This change is happening . For example, in the book Sacred Eyes, Dr. L. Robert Keck identifies major shifts in humankind 's "deep values," those tees in the Presbyterian Church are required to look at resumes from women an<;! minority candidates, but the rule does not have much effect. 'They take a look at the dossier and throw it down - 'We considered it,"' said Brackenridge, co-author of Presbyterian Women in America: Two Centuries of a Quest for Status. He said the Hartford study backs up earlier research. 'There still is a residual resistance to women in the pastoral ministry," Brackenridge said. "It's still there." c,f'fP,ozn tius' Puddle values that underlie and support our cultural structures, including institutions like the church. Ke~k hypoth, esizes that this shift in deep values has been in the works for centuries, some of them embodied in the ministry of Jesus 2,000 years ago. But the speed at which information and technology continues to multiply exponentially is forcing the change quickly. What might such changes entail? For some with their eye on cultural evolution, it's good news: we will see a maturing of spirituality. The importance of spirituality will increase. Spirituality will be far more pervasive, of recognized importance in more areas of life. It' starting. Take a look at contemporary physics; the current big names in the field often sound more like theologians than scientists. Maybe they're both? Two decades ago the medical community scoffed at healing models that taught that the mind was involved in healing; that didn't fit the scientific model. Now the medical community trains it's people to understand the mind-body connection and the power of prayer and faith in healing. In short, the world is coming to recognize that God is, in fact, in and through and with all things. The old division between secular and sacred crumbles. We have a choice: dig in and get left behind, or open up and embrace our future with God. Either throw up the battlements and retreat into "the CHRISTENING, From Page 4 sexual relationships are to be reserved for heterosexual · marriage ... homosexual sex is wrong." A staternent from the Church of England said it welcomed homosexuals in permanent relationships as members, and that that policy would naturally extend to godparents. way it was," or join with those called by God to face the certainty of uncertainty with courage, excitement and openness. The church in the next century may look little like the one we know now. Do you want to be a part of it? In her book Spiritual Fitness, Dorothy Donnelly says, 'Threatened and frightened people will protect all kinds of things: possessions, reputations, status, achievements. But redeemed women and men will count everything as folly except service ,of the Lord." "Watch out; don't be fooled. Don't be afraid when you hear of wars and revolutions," Jesus told his nervous listeners. They had good reason to quake; their way of life was crumbling, coming to an end. But Jesus doesn't tell them to hold on to it; he doesn't urge them to maintain the status quo, religious or otherwise. He agrees, "It's going to · be · a bumpy ride." No easy, comforting answers here. Instead he tells them, "Sounds like a great chance to tell the good news!" He says, "I'll be with you." And that's good enough for me, Go ahead, God, turn it all upside down. What new things do you have to teach us? What new ways to serve you? worship you? experience you? I don't know what you have in mind, but take me along for the ride. Excerpted from the Evangelicals Concernedn ewsletter,T he ECable. 'The simple issue of sexuality should not be relevant to whether someone can become a godparent," said the statement. Harris, while agreeing with that policy, said that implementation was difficult when the church encouraged individual parishes to make their own decisions. A<; I' fM'{'l:Rt>RE-f"fl -IE' $1~E, ACI-\URCI.~1 -\ CALLE'.t>~O N\1Nl$1"~R . -f'o: n-1Ec o.,,.,,,ot-t,TY ~'f SORROOMO1S- r: AS WE LOOK AROONP 0 S, IA/1-\A°of.'i tE 'WAS A RESl"E'c:fA~\...E NE't&I-\B0~l-\()0O11-\M NOW BEC.O(lj\E FACED Wl"ff-\ PO'/E'RTY, CRIME', O!l06'-A8USE', l~NOR.ANCE ,A.Nt> OISEASoEo'.~, C.OORS.E OfAC"tlOtt IS OBVIOUS··· wr:: Mos-r Move: ou'R. CI-IURC.1-\ °10 ( THE. SOBOR<a·S A C,.1-\E-rn>. ~ Your Turn. ~ o o O o O e O O O O O O O O O O O O • . • 8 O O O O • . • O O O O O O O O O O O O .• O O O O O O O O O O O O O . • 0 0 0 O O O O O O O O O O O O O O Tualatin, Oregon Letter to a homophobic 'university president Ed note: This letter was written by a · Second Stone subscriber to Royce Money, president of Abilene Christian University, in response to an article in the July/ August issue about Money firingplay director Robert Neblett because of his homosexuality. Dear Mr. Money, I lived in Texas for the first 28 years of my life, and I still feel like a Texan in many ways . I gradua ted wi th honors from Baylor University in 1954. I am now a retired CPA. I was disappointed to learn that ACU has rescinded Robert Neblett's ·in vitation to direct 'The Merchant of Venice" this summer . And I respect- MODERATOR, From Page 13 cuss not running the pictures with him. And I drove off," Ms. Carpenter said . . She chuckled .. "We ran 'em that ·afternoon. We were not at war. The · Air Force just didn't want to be embarrassed." · Ms. Carpenter also wants to emphasize new church development programs in the United States, an ·area the church has begun to re. emphasize. Referring to statistics that show ma inline churches declining in membership . while fundamental denominations appear to -be booming, Ms. Carpenter cites a difference in the way membership is counted. • "Mormons, Southern Baptists and Catholics leave members on the rolls forever," Ms. Carpenter said. 'They have a deceivingly large count because they include people who have not been to church for 15 years. ;They count people who have been baptized and are back for their burials. "Presbyterians push people out if they are not active," she said. ''I don't know if that's right. I think we should be more encouraging." Ms. Carpenter has handled thorny fully suggest that you are misi~c formed when you describe homosexuality as a "choice of lifestyle." Homosexuality is a sexual orientation. Homosexuality is an intrinsic part of one's identity. Homosexuality is an innate part of one's being. Homosexuality is not a . chosen lifestyle. Consider this evidence: A scientific study at the prestigious Salk Institute found that "the segment of the brain that governs sexua l behavior is half as large in homosexual men as it is in hetero sexual men" (The Sacramento Bee, 9/9/91). A scientific study at Northwestern University "provides some of the strongest suggestions to date that sex ual orientation is -determined · in large part by genetic factors" (Th e. Oregonian, 12/17 / 91). issues with the church's headquarte rs. When the Rev . Benjamin Weir was released from Lebanon in 1985 after being held hostage by Islamic terrorists, Ms. Carpenter arranged and scheduled interviews. She also met with the press when the church issued a paper on homosexuality and reaffirmed that the church ·would not ordain Gays and Lesbians as clergy. But too often mainstream newspapers and television programs gloss over religious news. ''Religion is Dig news. Most of our wars are tied to religion. Terrorism is often tied to religion," Ms. Carpenter said. Ms. Carpenter returned to West Texas and Big Spring because of the people, she said. ''It's not the prettiest place I've been, but I like the people," But Ms. Carpenter has neve:r left' the Presbyterian church; her grandchildren are fift)t generation members of the faith . "We are . a reformed church. We are always changing, but Jesus Christ is the he(ld of the church," Ms. Carpenter said, speaking of her faith. "And I believe in prayer. I really believe in prayer. It works," she said. "Everyone was praying that Benjamin Weir would be released, and he was ."· SECOND STONE Newsjoumal, ISSN No. 1047-3971, is puhlished every other month by Bailey Communications, P. 0: Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182. Copyright 1995 by Second Stone, a registered trademark. SUBSCRIPTIONS. U.S.A. $17.00 per year, six issues. Foreign subscribers add $10.00 for postage. All payments U.S. currency only. ADVERTISING, For display advertising infonnation call (504)891-7555 or write to P.O. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 . EDITORIAL, send letters, calendar announcements, noteworthy items to (Department title) Second Stone, P.O. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182. Manuscripts to be returned should be accompanied by a stamped, self addressed envelope. Second Stone is otherwise not responsible for the return of any material. SECOND STONE, a national . ecumenical Christian social justice news journal with a specific outreach to sexual orientation minorities. PUBLISHER/EDITOR: Jim Bailey SECOND S. T O N E GJ A scientific study at UCLA School of i Medicine "found new anatomical difference in the brain structure of homosexual men and heterosexual ' men" (The Oregonian, 8/1/92). A scientific study at The National Cancer Institutes Laboratory of Biochemistry "makes the most compelling case yet that homosexual orientation is at least partly genetic" (Time Magazine, 7 /26/93). Yes, the evidence from s cientific stu dies is indeed compelling. But those who do not trust scientific st udies . should use th eir common sense. There is no way in the world that youngsters, ·just becoming aware of their sexuality , would "choose" a sexuality that carries with it such a cruel stigma. There is no way in the world that teena gers wou ld "choose" to be the target of the irrationa l hatred and hostility that is so often directed at Gays. And there is no way in the world that they would "choose" to be the focus of the vilification and the condemnation that so often goes with having a gay sexual orientation. Certainly our common sense tells us that teenagers would not "choose" a sexual orientation that will very 1 likely result in their being rejected by: their families, shunned and ridiculed , by their classmates, and condemned by their churches. The irony of all this is that the real "choice" here belongs to those who choose to persecute Gays. They can "choose" to discontinue their persecution any time they w ish. Perhaps someday they will. Sincerely, Martin Matson We welcome your letters and opinions Write to Secone Stone. All letters must be original and s!¥"ed by the writer. Clearly indicate iJ your name is to be withheld. We reserve the right to edit. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182, or e-mail, secstone@aol.com or FAX to (504)891-7555. ·w From the Editof W . . . . . . . . . _ Everyone be Catholic for a day By Jim Bailey • • c: . . • LEADERS OF DIGNITY /USA have designated Sunday, October 8th "Solidarity Sunday" and have called on Catholics and others who disagree with Roman Catholic teaching on homosexuality to join in a visible protest on that day. October 8th coincides with a planned papal visit to Baltimore. Sometimes when I gather with other gay and lesbian Christians, we start . trading war stories on how tough it was to grow up in, come out in, get thrown out of, and so forth, the denomination our parents brought us up in. As a former Southern :Baptist, I used to think I had the toughest stoi:y - or was at least tied with Assembly of God folks. I believe gay and lesbian Christians who have the toughest stories are Roman Catholics. The Catholic Church rejects and condemns its gay and lesbian members more viciously than other denominations - yet gay and lesbian people who are Roman Catholic are the least likely to put aside the "one true church"_in favor of a more accepting faith environment. I have a Catholic friend who is in a loving, faithful and committed relationship. He goes to church and confesses the sin of this relationship. This week I learned that a friend and fellow publisher, a talented musician who has provided his services to a Catholic church for many years, has been fired by the new priest, who thought having a gay man on staff would give the parishioners the wrong idea. Very sad. · In my denomination, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Amerka, and in the Episcopal Church, the Presbyterian Church, the United Church of Christ, and other denominations, there are fighters for equality and justice who have stayed in the church because they can count their small successes. As for our Roman Catholic gay brothers and lesbian sisters, they fight a battle without the benefit of those small victories. They are a remarkable witness to their church hierarchy. So on Sunday, Qctober 8th, which happens to be gay pride weekend here in New Orleans, I'll be Roman for a day and join my gay and lesbian Catholic friends as they tell their church, ''We're still here and we're not going away." · If you would like to participate in Solidarity Sunday, · contact your local Dignity ci,,pt., o, raJI tho Mli""" offioo ~;861-0017. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 9 9 5 Classifieds C11 8 C11 8 O 8 8. ,8 . 8 0 0 0 e CII 8 I .,0 ~ - ,~~,@~~,f@~~~~~~J]J~ ~~~-,, • ~• 0 • • • • • • • e • • • . • • • • • • • o • e • • • •. e G • • • • • • • • • • o e e ~ - • • • • • • ."WONDERFUL DIVERSITY/ "Heartily •recommOnde<l,1' 11Philosophi_cally i1~triguing, 11 "Excelle nt. w \Vhy do·. reviewers highly es teem CHRISTJAN*NEW AGE · QUART ERL, Y? . Great articles and lively · col umns .11Jake this . bridge of -dialogue . be"Lween Christians and New · Agers as e nt~rtaiii.ing, . .'as it is substantive. S1,1bscribe ' for oniy ·$J2.:l9/yr. Or sample.us for $3.50. CHR1'5TIAN*NEW AGE QUARTERLY, P.O. ,Bo,; 2'.76.-Clift~p. NJ 07011·0276. Tf OPEN . HANDS, an ecumen ical quarterly .magazine on m1111stries with gays, lesbians and bisexuals. $16/year. Free sample. 3801 ·N. Ke-eler Ave nue, Chicago, IL 60641. 312/735-5526. FAX-312/736-5475. 10/95 HOMOSEXUAL? ·The Lambda Directory of . Religion and :Sp_irituality with over 400 sources· of -spiritual support for Gays, Lesbians' and their advocates • books, groups, pe_riodi~ s; etc .. Send $7 plus $2 S&H to: . '~- . ~ "~ " '., . , . (Zl~ssifietl :Qrd.~r Fprm ... I -- - ----- ------- --7 Please pl ace my ad in these i is sues: [ J Jan/Feb [ J Mar/Apr ) I I FOR ONLY 35¢ pe1· word, your classified ad w ill reach readers from Name ----- -- ---- -------· . 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We will mail you a I Box 8340 copy of the edition(s) in which your ad CLASSIFICATIONS [ J Books & Publications [ J Busjness Opportunjtjes [ J Employment [ J Friends /Relationships [ J General Interest [ J Mail Orde r [] Merchandise [ l Organizations [ ] Professional Serv:ices [ ] Real Estate [ l Retreats [ J Roommates [ ]Travel Pyramid .'Press, 13237 Montfort, • Ste. 810J, Dallas TX 75240. 10/95 I ~~w Orleans, LA 70182 appears ,_ '---- .- - - '----- - -- -- --- .-------------------- ---- --- ------ --- -- NOVELS FOR RELIGIOUS people! The · nov·els: ·or: · Lammy:winning author Toby Johnson deal pos;tively with the · spiritual significanc e of' gay. experience. GETTING , LI~ IN PERSPECTIVE is a heart-warming, •soul ·. stirri~ ·t.ale of love and religiou s imeaning. · Av.ailable at gay bookstores !nationwide.-·: Or: for $11.50 from Peregrine . Ventures, ·P.O. Box· 684704, Austin, TX 78768. 12/95 . . , ·. · "A POSITIYE LOOK at the Bible and Homosexuality" tracts; f ast reading , excellent for pride ·e.ve11ts, bar ministry, personal sharing. Economical. $1 and SA.SE will return sample an_d . order form from: River of Life, 13.4·Quincy NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108 ·10/95 · · . · . .TIRED OF BI'BLICAL ;,cond~mnation" of gays? Read · "f'rom Darknes~ into Light: · ·what the · Bible Really Says About . Homosexuality" '.by-Da,vid Coqper. Do gays · have any basis for l-!oly Unions? Read "Sex, Marriage, : and ' :-Divorce " by · Cornerstone Fellowship. Both pamphlets , available f,;,r $2.00 each · from Cornerstone Fellowship, 2902 N. Geroniriio. Tucson. AZ 85705. ·.flib)@~•M-ll )iAS GOD CALLED you to the ministry? A growing iriterdenominat!on~i yongregation 'seeks pastoral l~ade rsh1p m East Texas. · Please send your · inquiry to : Pasto_ral Search Committee <;IO R Reno, 5621 Old Bullard 13,d. #205,_Ty!NJ){ 75703. 10/95 GAV TEACHER desires a caring, sharing :.male·friend-first. At 50 I enjoy home, travel, ·restaurants, movies, music. church, and diverSity. Your heart's desire? Write tonight! Dave, .Box 18122, Rochester, NY 14618. ' 12/95 'PROVERBS SAYS "There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother!' GWM, 43, :non-smoker, non-drinker, seeks such a friend 'to share faith, fellowship, and.fun. Life is meant · to be shared. Let's discover what interests · we have in commo n and begi,i building the relationship God has in store for us! Please write: P.O. Box 68005, Rochester NY 14618. 12/95 responsible for the difference between the issue amount and the altered amount. 2. Do not reveal personal information about ' yours elf that would be harmful to you if •passed .on to employer, family or others. l@"<~Dl)©trti)O; D~~©®{l , INVITATION: OPTIMISTIC writers willing : to sham short personal prayers or reflections (biblical or not) with those facing death, loss, terminal illriess, coming out. Information: ·AMDG E,nterprise, Box 12754, San Antonio, TX 782'12. i0/95 · GAY GLOBETROTTER - Dashing 40 year old beauty.specializes in being a travel escort for &eniors and disabled who never get out and . want their own personal travel escort. Write LG., P.O . Box 22007, Seattle, WA 98122. I travel the world at reasonable rates . .: TF.. WANTED: PATRON(S) Young gay Christian HIV+ write;. ·Former Fund.ementalist. Intense. Passionate, Deeply spiritua l. Compelling desire to communicate the transforming power ·.of God's uni versa! love. Distracted by tight fipances, ·seeks financial supporters! More details - write JRL, P.O. 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EACA - Vocations, 2401 Artesia Blvd., Ste. #106-213, Redondo Beach CA 90278. 12/95 CONFERENCE FOR CATHOLIC LESbians~ (CCL) is a national organization . for WARNING- REGARDING PRISON CORRESPONDENCE: While most prisoners seeking correspondence are genuine in _ ·. · their intent, some are not. Readers are · lesbians of Catholic heritage. Quarterl y · cautioned to protect themselves from ·scams; 1. Do not send checks or money orders to prisoners and do not cash checks or money orders from prisoners. Persons cashing altered checks or money orders are SECOND ST O N E newsletter. Supportive network. Advocates for lesbia n issues in political and Church forums. For membership information please contact CCL-SS, P.O. Box 436, Planetarium Station, New York, NY 10024, (212) 663-2963 FAX (212)268-7032. 12/95 INDEPE NDENT CATHOLIC religiou s order. Men/women, lay/clerical, gay/ non-gay. Optional ce libac y, non-residential, ecumenical. O rdin ation possible. Father Abbot, O rder of St. John the Divine, 166 Jay St., Albany, NY 12210. 10/95 GAY PRINCIPIANS GROUP - Gay , Bi, Les- . bian and Straight/Suppo rt i ve Alumni of Principia Co llege (Elsa h, IL) and Upper Schools (St. Louis) Contact: David White #124, 2900 Connecticut Ave., N.W., Washington , DC 20008-1404, 202-387-7250, E-mail Mrblanc@aol.com. 12/ 95 CHRJSTIANS IN COMMUNION with Creation. An Organizat ion for "Green Christians. " Membership wi th monthly mailing s, $35. Roger Wharton, 1404 Arnold Ave., San Jose, CA 95110. 408-451-9310. 12/95 RETREATS FOR GAY monks focusing on coping techniques in repressive communi~ies at Saint Benedict Monastery. Information write: Dan, 1012 Monastery Rd., Snowmass, CO81654. GAY EROTIC Spiritualities. Mystics, Ministers, Masse urs, Theologians, Teachers , Artists speak in 25 videos wisdom that only comes from the heart. EroSpirit Newsletter. Free. 800-432-3767 12/95. THE EROTIC CONTEMPLATIVE. Renee• tions on the Spiritual Journey of the Gay/ Lesbian Christian. $ 199. For contents , call . · EroSpirit. 800-432-3767 12/95 HOW CAN WE activate our individual and communal visions if nonstop grief has shut us down? An hour vid eo talk by Pastor Jim Mitulski, MCC minister. $24.94. EroSpirit. 800-432-3767. 12195 BOTH LOVER AND PRJEST : In this hour , video Robert Goss, author of Jesus Acted Up, discusse s liberation theolog y and how he came to write his bestseller. $24.95. EroSpirit 800-432-3767. 12/95 Second Stone classifieds bring results! ARE YOU MOVING? The Post Office will not forward The Second Stone. You must notify us for uninterrupted service if you move. P lease notify us four weeks in apvance for uninterrupted delivery. Send both old and new :ii~:~;~~~i~~~ssib le attach mailing la.bel in PAINT NE\Y ADDRESS Send completed form to: THE SECOND STONE · 8ox8340 New Orleans, LA 70182 S EPTE MBER/OC TOBER · 1 9 9 5 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 Second Stone #42 - Sept/Oct 1995 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/d1f70c98d6dd9a7021e05e0cc9335aeb.pdf e22f9df9dc42fe1dc13efa448f9d8909 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 Second Stone Description An account of the resource Issues of the Second Stone publication. Issue An issue of a recurring publication. Issue Number The number of the issue (within a volume) 43 Publication Year The year the issue was published 1995 Publication Date The date the issue was published Nov/Dec 1995 Text Any textual data included in the document THE NATIONAL NEWSPAPER FOR GAY/LESBIAN/BISEXUAL CHRISTIANS 2.95 Members of Dignity/USA and others participate in a procession and prayer vigil on the eve of the pope's visit to New York. About 100 people turned out for the event. Photo: Genevieve Hafner Living a lie: [lliJ Burden Of A Gays in Secret: Former opposite-sex 15 Southern Sapmarriage . tis! leader tells · his story ISSUE #43 I THE POPE'S. VISIT Add1t1onal stories pages 4 & 5 Gay Catholics march in peaceful opposition to pope's views GAY AND LESBIAN Catholics were visible in protests in New York and Baltimore during Pope John ~au! H's visit to those cities. About 100 gay and lesbian Catholics turned out for a prayer vigil and a candlelight procession through Greenwich Village on the eve of the pope's visit to the metropolitan area. The march was organized by Dignity /USA. Brendan Fay , who helped organize the event, said its purpose was to provide solidarity to participants, who feel shunned by the church. _ But it was the gay rights .group ACT-UP who staged the most dramatic protest during the pope's visit to New York. Two men emerged onto a ledge on the sixth floor of Saks Fifth Avenue, across from St. Patrick 's Cathedral, and unfurled a three-story-high banner that read: "Condoms Save Lives." A crowd that had gathered as the pope recited the rosary at the cathedral booed. A child said "What's that, Dad?" and the man responded, 'Those are bad people." Police officers came out, dragged the protesters inside and pulled the banner up to cheers from the crowd. Four others also were arrested . All were charged with criminal trespass and reckless endangerm ent. About .SOD gay <!nd ab.ortion rights supporters marched from 42nd Street to 59th .Street at Columbus Circle to hear Gloria Steinem, the editor of Ms. SEE MARCH, Page 4 Heresy trial of retired Episcopal bishop set for January FORMER IOWA EPISCOPAL Bishop Walter Righter, charged with heresy for ordaining a gay man, faces a church trial early next year. The trial is set for Jan. 3-5, 1996, at the Diocese of Chicago office, according to Bishop Edward Jones of Indianapolis. Jones is president of the nine-bishop Court for the Trial of a Bishop. In January, 10 conservative bishops . charged Righter with violating a canon law by "teaching a doctrine contrary · to that held by the church." The charge was put to a vote by the nation's bishops, and it received the 25 percent backing needed to press a trial. Righter, 71, was Iowa's bishop from 1972-88. After he retired, he moved to New Jersey, where he served as an assistant to Newark Bishop John Spong. In 1990, Righter ordained Barry Stopfel, a gay man, as a deacon. Spong later ordained Stopfel to the priesthood . Stopfel now serves as senior pastor of a parish in the diocese of Newark. He lives with his partner - a United Church of Christ minister - in church housing. , SUBSCRIBE NOW • ONE YEAR ONLY $17 • Box 8340, New Orleans , LA 70182 Great idea for Christmas giving ... a gift s1.1bscription to Second Stone .. . see pag e 14 'The church has been ordaining homosexual people for hundreds of years secretly," Righter, who now lives in Alstead, N .H., has said. "What we've done in the last 25 years is getting around to doing it openly, and that aggravates a lot of people ." P .0.Box 8340 New Orleans, LA 70182 ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED TIME DATED MATERIAL DONOTDELAY BULK RATE U.S.POSTAGE PAID NEW ORLEANS, LA PERMIT No. 511 If the church court finds against Righter, sanctions range from a scolding to banishment from the priesthood. If convicted, two-thirds of the entire House of Bishops must agree with the decision to bring punishment . Calendar w . ....... ............... Announcements in this section are provided free of charge as a service tp Christian organizations. To have an event listed, send a PUE~ to Second Stone, P.O. Box 8340, New Orleans, IA 70182, FAX to (504)891-7555 or e-mail to secstone@aol.com. Ghost Ranch gathering NOVEMBER 2-5, Led by Lisa Bove, former HIV/AIDS minister at West Hollywood Presbyterian Church, and Chris Glaser, author of The Word Is Out: The Bible Reclaimed for Lesbians and Gay Men. Registration, $100, room and board, $120. For information, contact Ghost Ranch, HC 77, Box 11, Abiquiu , NM 87510-9601, (505)685-4333, FAX (505)685-4519. Call to Action National Conference NOVEMBER 8-10, The Hyatt Regency O'Hare in Chicago is the setting for Call to Action's national event. "We Are The Church: What If We Meant What We Said?" is the theme. Cosponsors include Dignity/USA, New Ways Ministry, Catholics Speak Out, Women's Ordination Conference, and others. The CTA annual conference is evolving into a national congress of persons, communities and organizations workin9 to "reinvent the church." For infomation on this conference contact Call to Action, 4419 N. Kedzie: Chicago, IL 60625, (312)604-0400, FAX (312)6044719. Christian Responses to Homosexuality NOVEMBER 10-12, Three days of dialogue with people from across the philosophical and theological spectrum, sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Conference of the United Methodist Church. The cost of this conference, which will be held in Denver, is $125. For information contact Elizabeth Pruett, Box 2922, Glenwood Springs, CO 81602-0292, (970)945-7293 London's Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement retreat NOVEMBER 10-12, Rev. Janet-Webber, URC minister, South Wales, and Rev. Bruce Kinsey, chaplain, Downing College, Cambrid~e, will facilitate a retreat at the Royal Foundation of St. Katherine in London. 'God Knows Who I Am: Reflection on Psalm 139" is the theme. For information contact the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement, Oxford House, Derbyshire St., London E2 6HG, 0171-739-1249. . St. Camillus AIDS Ministry retreats NOVEMBER 10-12, "Deeper Into The Mystery: Living and Dying With Hope", . a retreat offered to people who have participated in a previous "Embracing the Mystery" retreat. DECEMBER29-31, "Embracing the Mystery: AIDS and the Spiritual Life", a retreat experience that has been designed to help participants reframe negative experiences of livin!j with HIV. Guided meditation, re-framing of emotional resistance, group sharing, trance journeying, body work, music and ritual are woven into holistic exploration of tools for healing which participants can integrate into their daily lives. fllo fee, but enrollment is limited. For information call (414)481-3696. Jewish Community Center avoids conflict with gay group DENVER (AP) - Orthodox Jews agreed to allow a gay group to participate in a major festival in mid-September, narrowly avoiding a boycott of the event. After three days of negotiation, Tikvat Shalom, formerly a congregation whose name means "Hope of Peace," was allowed to participate in the Jewish Community Festival. The festival was part of the events surrounding the rededication of the newly remodeled Jewish Community Center in Denver . Many involved in the negotiations would not comment, including Rabbi Steven Foster of Temple Emanuel. He is a longtime supporter of gay rights. Rabbi Stanley Wagner, a Traditional/ Orthodox rabbi, said: 'The Jewish community is always unhappy about issues that divide us. I am delighted we found a way to be inclusive rather than exclusive." He said if his congregation had staged a boycott, it would have been only over the event and not a SECOND STONE Tikvat Shalom has been at the center of other controversies in recent years. Th e Intermountain fewish News never listed Tikvat Shalom's r eligious services with those of other con-gregations . Disputes have erupted for the past three years over wheth er Tikvat Shalom could be listed as a participant in the annual Holocaust A w areness Week events. And last year, three Orthodox rabbis left the Rocky Mountain Rabbinical Society over several issues, including the support of gay rights . Tikvat Shalom never was allowed to belong to the association. "We're a political pawn in this thing ," said a member of Tikvat, who didn't want his name used. "Many in the traditional community would be thrilled if we didn't exist, but we're not running away. I wouldn't want them to think they won. " - THE NATIONAL ECUMENICAL CHRISTIAN NEWSJOURNAL FOR LESBIANS, GAYS AND BISEXUALS Contents jj-ri CALENDAR w Opportunities for connectedness []-] Inspired by Righter trial, Episcopal priest emerges from closet 3_ Seventh-day Adventists ordain first female clergy [- Pope's meeting with Robertson angers gay Catholics _li_J Dignity/USA celebrates 25th anniversary [] 7 6 J Baptists dump gay-affirming church _ Be more open about AIDS, says Baptist minister 187 "Odd couple" forms friendship through HIV program AIDS still considerl3d taboo subject L_ -·-- i.n black community 110 I Na~ional AIDS Memorial marks 10th anniversary Dying woman wants to be remembered L:' __ J for her poetry i1-=t7 Discrimination in Zimbabwe - site of 1998 l!!J World Council of Churches assembly · ' 12 1 , Episcopal bishop explains why he supports L heresy trial; Nation's second female _ ~ bishop elected r------i . . I 13 ! LIVING A LIE: Outlook painfu l, for Gays in ! 11 I opposite-sex marriage; Mormon bishop's marriage l.. __ ~ was doomed from the start 1 11--5;] ~u~~No~ a Secret: Baptist leader finds God's suffering in AIDS victiims l1a7 UFMCC elder writes about Our Tribe; reviewed L!!!_J by Dr. Robert Goss [-17] NOTEWORTHY :-18--I COMMENTARY j Refuse to lose: gay and lesbian Christians team up! l 19 I LETTERS/FROM THE EDITOR [2_0] CLASSIFIEDS NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 19 9 5 News ........................................................................ Inspired by bishop, Episcopal priest emerges from closet PATERSON, N.J. (AP) - To show her solidarity with other Gays and Lesbians in the Episcopal Church, the rector of an inner-city Episcopalian congregation in Paterson has an. nounced to her parishioners that she is gay . The Rev. Tracey Lind, rector of St. 1990 when· he knowingly appointed the Rev. Barry L. Stopfel, now rector of St. George's Episcopal Church in Maplewood. Bishop Righter and Stopfel are friends of the Rev. Lind. The 12-member vestry of the church supported Lind's decision. She said it would not be a surprise for most people in the congregation, which she has led since 1989. "We shouldn't have to talk -about our sexuality, but church and society in general are forcing our hand," she said. "It's employers firing you when they find out you're gay, landlords evicting you because you're gay, churches _saying they don't want you as a mm1ster .. There are· real people behind these issues. We are not stereotypes and statistics." "If they're going to pick us off, one by one, then I'm going to stand up for myself," she said. The Rt. Rev. -John S. Spong, the Bishop of Newark, a proponent of gay rights whose diocese includes Paterson, said he backs Lind's action. SEE CLOSET, Page.19 Paul's Episcopal -Church, made the announcement in a letter mailed to her 450-member congregation, the North Jersey Herald & News reported . "I've never want ed to talk about my sexuality from the pulpit," she wrote. "I am doing this because I cannot watch anybody be made into a scapegoat because they are gay or lesbfan." Group calls for ouster of lesbian Her decision to go public, she said, was prompted by the upcoming ecclesiastical trial of the former assistant bishop of the Newark Diocese, who was charged by 76 retired and active bishops with heresy, for knowingly ordaining a practicing homosexual. The action against the Rt. Rev. Walter C. Righter, retired assistant bishop of the Newark Diocese, is apparently the second heresy trial in the Episcopal church's history. The first was in Arkansas in 1924 against a retired bishop who preached communism. The bishops have accused Righter of violating his ordination vows in THE BOARD OF directors of Good News, an evangelical group within the United Methodist Church, has .called for the ouster of a clergy woman who recently revealed publicly that she is a lesbian. A statement in the September/ October issue of Good News magazine declared that the Rev. Jeanne Audrey Powers, an executive with the United Methodist Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns, is "using her position to advocate the acceptance of homosexuality," in violation of the denomination's Book of Discipline. The Good News advisory board called upon the "supervisory personnel" of the commission to reprimand or remove Powers. It also said that the Minnesota Annual Conference, Seventh-day Adventist church ordains first .female clergy A SEVENTH-DAY Adventist Church in Takoma Park, Maryland, has ordained the first female clergy in the history of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The ordination of three women took place Sept. 23, in the Sligo Seventh-day Adventist Church, the second largest Seventh-day Adventist congregation in the United States. The senior pastor of the Sligo Seventh- day Adventist Church officiated, along with the president of Columbia Union College, other ordained members of the pastoral staff, and ordained Seventh-day Adventist ministers from across the United States. The women who were ordained are Kendra Haloviak, an assistant professor of religion at Columbia Union College, Norma Osborn, an associate pastor of Sligo Church, and Penny Shell, the director of pastoral services at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital. The ordination service was well attended and there was a "good feeling" among participants, according to Marianne Scriven of the Sligo Church. "Many people said it was the high point of their spiritual experience and the best worship service they had ever attended," said Scriven. "We stepped out in faith and did what we SECOND S T O N E believe was the right thing." Church leaders probably won't consider the ordinations official, Scriven said The Sligo Church and visiting ordained ministers who participated in the ordination service were hoping that regional jurisdictions of the Seventh- day Adventist denomination would subsequently issue the ordinands the same credentials issued to men who are ordained to the gospel ministry but at press time that had not taken place. Researcher seeks stories on summer camp harassment Bob Brower, a retired school administrator, is researching the current and past experiences of children or adults who have been employed in or who have attended a summer camp and have been harassed, teas ed or discriminated against because of sexual orientation issues. Brower hopes that his research will provide new information about homophobic prejudice in camps to members of the camping profession . Bro,;ver may be contacted by writing to 98 W. Hintz Rd., Wheeling, IL 60090 . • where Powers is a member, has a "supervisory responsiblity" to respond . "If the Rev. Powers' public 'act of resistance to false teachings' goes without appropriate, albeit compassionate, accountability, it will cause more and more United Methodists to wonder whether their church has the will to enforce its own disciplinary standards," the board stated. lh a written response to the Good News board of directors, Bishop William Boyd Grove, commission president, and the Rev. Bruce Robbins, general secretary, commended Powers for her courage. 'This disclosure by her, a respected ecumenist whose love for Christ and the church is evident to so many, should help us to remember that our discussions about this church-dividing issue are always about human beings, our sisters and brothers, our daughters and sons," they said. Grove and Robbins disagreed that the commission is in violation of the discipline which prohibits the use of United Methodist funds to promote acceptance of homosexuality. Her personal statement does not represent the commission, they explained, and as a church employee she is not required to "forfeit her right to disagree with church teaching." -Cruise OVER 1 4 DES I G NS using Gay and Lesbian ICONS and art work (Rainbow. pink & black triangles, Red & Pink Ribbons. pansies, etc. l. Chu1ce of F.ABRICS AND COLORS. Rainbows 1n Luxurious SA TIN or cotton. ALL STOLES COMPLETELY HAND MADE BY US' ,- 3 lengths to choose from Average stoles will hang ·1 approximately 40 inches. Long slo. les will hang approximately 45 inches. ·Vi Extra Long stoles will llang approximalely 52 inches .· \ 3 hood slzes(V neck in back of stole) Average hocx1s tit on shoulders1 and hang about 8 in ches down . nol lor use with a lbs Iha! have hoods 01 ·, them . Medium lloods about 14 mcl1es from top ol sho ulder Monastic Hocxls hang approximately 22 inches from top of shoulder . do not orde r I the lassel will1 lhis size · \ ; f All stoles are available in every liturgical color. Special color orders welcome. Optional fringe and tessels available. NEW ITEMS!! Hand made clay Chalices and Patens with matcl1ing cr uets and serving trays' Simple and beautiful finishes lo cl1oose from. Jewelry: Unique MCC pendant trom England. sterling crosses, ;;:s angels ev.ngels&hAngs 1 !;·;,::::; ""°•,., ' ~ 11 ,, ~,, - 12 SONG WORSHIP TAPE for Gay/Lesbian Christians ·•G od A nd You ·· featu res l he Music Ministry of Ray 01 Hope MCC. Syracuse . New York. Praise and worship songs . and .. The Tl1read Of Lile " a Iheme song ol lhe NAMES Pro1ect AIDS Memorial Quilt : words and music.by Pally Larkin. Also ··over Tl1e Rainbow" and "Hero"& ... 60 minutes of songs for you lo sing and pray wilh . A wonderful evan ehzation ift and enco ura emenl for lhe sick . NOVEMBER/DECEMBER l 9 9 5 Subscribe Today. A N D Y O U' L L N E V E R WITHOUT A FRIEND Y O U R J O U R N E Y. BE FOR Second Stone The National Gay and lesbian Christian Newsjournal ···YES!············································ Begin my subscription to SECOND STONE for: [ ] One year (6 Issues) $17.00 [ ) Two years (12 Issues) $28.00 [ ).Three years (18 Issues) $39.00 NAME ADDRESS CITY/STATE/ZIP CODE CHECK HERE ( ] If a plain envelope Is required and add $2.00 per year. Allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of your first issue. International subscribers add $10.00 per year, U.S. currency. Mail To: SECOND STONE, Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 THANI{ YOU tor your subscription support! SECOND STONE u News ...... .... e • e e e • e • e e e e e • e e • e C Q Poll: Most American Catholics disagree with pope's doctrine N EW YORK (AP) - Most Rom an Catholics in the United States approve of the way Pope John Paul II is leading the church but strongly disagr ee with many of his key t eachings, according to thr ee polls released Sept 30. The polls are the latest to measur e how sharply U .S. Catholics split with papal doctrine on issu es such as divorce, abortion and contraception. They were reported by U.S. News & World Report, Time mag azi ne and CNN, and CBS and The New York Times prior to th e pope's five-day visit to the United Stales. The Time-CNN poll found that 83 percent of American Catholics are satisfied with the pope's leadership, but only 15 percent believe they should always obey his tea chings on such moral issues as birth control and abortion. Seventy-nine percent b e- MARCH, From Pa&e 1 magazine, and others speak. In Baltimore, Dignity /USA president Marianne Duddy was one of about 60 people who gathered on the eve of the pope 's visit to peacefully oppo se some of the church 's most controversial stances. Duddy, 34, was once head of her college's Catholic organization but was thrown out of the group when a campus priest learned s he was a lesbian. "We'd like to talk with the pop e," Ms. Duddy said, as activists congregated at du sk across from th e Basilica of the Assumption. "We'd say we have great beli e f in the fundamental things the church stands for and we 'd like to work to make it a reality." The pope's stand against homosexuality, abortion , divorce, women in the church and married priests have cause .d pain and feelings of isolation for many Catholics, Ms. Duddy said. "I still hear stories about people being denied communion because they 're gay or someone struggling with homosexuality being told in confession that he's committed a sin worse than murder," Ms. Duddy said. The group held a brief service, praying for acceptance of Gays and the end of gay-bashing. They then formed a procession and walked silently for several blocks, past papal banners, balloons and orange plastic barricades lining downtown for the pontiffs · parad e. They carried flickering candles and ended their march with mor e prayers. Fred Ruof, a former priest, was one lieve Catholics can make up their own minds. U.S. News & World Report found a similar split, w ith two-thirds of Catholics say ing abor tion is not mor ally wrong in every case and three ou I of fou r saying the same about divorce and contraception. In the CBS-Times poll, 73 percent said knowing that th e pope had taken a position on a social or moral issue wo uld mak e no difference to them. Seventy-six percent said they think someone who does no t believe in the authority of the pope can still be a good Catholic , while respondents were split over wheth er the church is in touch with the needs of Catholics, the CBS-Times poll said. Catholics are also split on homosexuality, with 50 percent agre eing SEE DOCTRINE, Next Page of the march ers. Still a devout Cath olic, he left the priesthood in 1966 after six years to marry. He attend ed the march to support th e gay and lesbian community and join the chorus of voices asking the Catholic church to improve dialogue with its members. 'The church is involved with a titanic battle right now between tens of millions who want a centralized, authoritarian church, and hundreds of millions . who want a more open, Democratic church," Ruof said. Ruof said that the Catholic church - with its fast dwindling population of pr iests - needs to be more open to change for the sake of preserving the church. To Jim Caskey , president of Dignity's Baltimore chapter, the pope's visit was nothing more than a reminder of what he believes is the d1Urch's haughtiness. 'To me it's sorrowful that a man with such great intelligence and demonstrated personal holiness is not more open to the spirit and relating lo members of the church," Caskey said. Part of the protest mission was outreach, according to Caskey. "We're trying to reach out to the individuals in the pews who are having tremendous guilt feelings in relating to their long term Catholic upbringing and the realities of their own lives," he said . "While there is little hope of changing the teaching s of John Paul and the other current bishops, our witness can help remind their successors of the need for change." Contributors to this story: Samuel Maull; Associated Press writer, Mary Boyle, Associated Press writer, James R. Moody, The Baltimore Alternative NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 199 5 News ••••• 0 • •• • ••• • • • • • •••• • ••• • • • •• ••• •• • • • •• •••• •• ••• • ••••• •• •• • •• • •••••••• Gay Catholics irate Pope meets with Pat Robertson, other non-Catholics DURING HIS VISIT to New York, Pope John Paul II brought together officials of the nation's Christian right and left and met with Muslim leaders. · Gay Catholics were "outraged" at the pope meeting with fundamentalist preacher and former presidential candidate Pat Robertson, according to Marianne Duddy, president of Dignity /USA. Robertson also heads the Christian Coalition, a right-wing group active in grassroots politics. Dignity members were angered that the Pope, who they say purports to speak for all Roman Catholics throughout the world, would meet with a top representative of a movement committed to limiting the rights of gay and lesbian people, and which often uses a particularly vile form of anti-gay rhetoric in fundraising appeals. "For 25 years, gay people who Louganis says Catholic school policy is wrong SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) - Former Olympic diver Greg Louganis has criticized Notre Dame for the university's refusal to recognize a campus gay and lesbian group. Earlier this year, the Catholic university's administration refused to recognize the group, touching off a campus controversy. In an interview with the South Bend Tribune before a campus speech Sept. 19, Louganis said the Notre Dame policy was wrong. 'Tm not political, but (Notre Dame's policy) is a very n;irrow- minded view," Louganis said. He was a double-gold medalist in the 1984 and 1988 Olympics and announced in February he has AIDS. "It's as if they're saying we don't exist. They may not agree or understand, but we exist." Notre Dame officials would not comment. Officials at the scbbol have repeatedly refused ~o recognize the group. In January, the university barred a gay and lesbian student group from meeting on campus. A Notre Dame spokesman said at the time that if the university worked with the group, it would appear it was sanctioning a lifestyle the church opposes. SECOND STONE believe strongly in the fundamental teachings of the Catholic Ch'urch have sought dialogue with Church officials at all levels, from local bishops to the Pope himself," said Duddy. "Most of these efforts have been summarily rebuffed. For the Pope to instead meet with the founder of the Christian Coalition is a real slap in the face'.' The Rev. Joan Campbell, secretary general of the National Council of Churches, said it was the first time that she'd met Pat Robertson, head of the Christian Broadcasting Network, even though the two often disagree vehemently in print. '"Now that rve met you, I'll have more trouble saying those things," Campbell quoted Robertson as saying to her. Cardinal John O'Connor arranged the evening meeting, which included five Muslim leaders and 27 representatives of Episcopal, Eastern Orthodox and Protestant churches. The group spent hours together during the pope's public services, then had a half-hour with John Paul at O'Connor's residence. The pope spoke with each of them individually for a minute or two. He later held a separate meeting with Jewish leaders. Campbell said the pope told her the mingling of the faiths was "intention- ! " a. In a telephone interview with The Associat ed Press, Robertson said he told the pope: "l thought the American people loved him, which is an understatement." He added: "He's got great humility and spirituality; that's what people admire about him."' Several of the older members of the clergy marveled at how communication between the Roman Catholic Church and other faiths had increased in recent years. 'There's been a transformation of DOCTRINE, Froin Previous Page with the church's position that it's morally wrong and 49 percent disagreeing, U.S. News & World Report said . The magazine's poll also found overwhelming support among Catholics for the ordination of women and allowing priests to marry, both contrary .to church policy. Still, more than four in five Catholics in all three polls gave high leadership ratings to the pope, as well relationships," Methodist Bishop James Mathews said. In the old days, he said, "we were more or less not supposed to like Roman Catholics and they weren't supposed to like us either." Campbell, the only woman at the meeting, said she did "'yearn for the day" when women would play a larger role in the Roman Catholic Church. But she said she felt the pope respected her, and that the Vatican had begun to expand - albeit slightly - the roles women may play in the church. -Associated Press and other reports as to their bishops and parish priests. For U.S. News, Market Facts polled 1,000 people, including 493 Catholics, on Sept. 23-24. Results have a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points. For Time and CNN, Yankelovich Partners surveyed 500 Catholics on Sept. 27-28. Sampling error is plus or minus 4.4 percentage points. CBS and the Times polled 1,536 people Sept. 18-22, including 423 Catholics, for whom the sampling error is plus or minus 5 percentage points. Dignity/USA celebrates 25th anniversary DIGNITY I USA, the nation's largest group of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered Catholics, celebrated its 25th anniversary at its recent biennial convention in Los Angeles. The organization has recently took several major steps intended to further its goal of promoting equality for all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation, within both the Catholic Church and society. In addition to calling for a "Solidarity Sunday" in October and the filing of a friend-ofthe- court brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in regard to Colorado's Amendment 2 case, Dignity/USA expressed its support of the "'Marriage Resolution" that has been developed by the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund in response to the pending same-sex marriage cases in Hawaii. Dignity/USA secretary Ben Boerkoel said t.hat Dignity was one of the first groups approached by Lambda for support of the marriage resolution, because Dignity is perceived to have a greal deal of influence within the broader gay and lesbian community. In other convention highlights, Dignity addressed the issue of women's ordination, and set up a task force to examine the role of ministry - by both ordained clergy and lay people within Dignity . The organization reaffirmed its support for the ordination of women by the Roman Catholic Church, and called for a renewal of priestly ministry throughout the Church. A resolution passed by delegates to the convention "finds that the denial of priestly ministry to women has no compelling moral and theological justification, and therefore is a grave injustice to both men and women." Furthermore, the resolution "finds that the present Church structure for selecting, educating and administering the priesthood of the Church often fails to serve the needs of the people of God, or the needs of those who dedicate themselves to lives of service to the people of God." J" ''., :·, ~ Polish premiere of "Priest" prompts:,nvestlgstiori \'V~SAW, ~ol~d (APk Witn cm.eJl:la Kul~11)ndp~y~d :to 'proheavy secunty and praymg.• -' test as theJtlm -was &emirscreened. protesters outside, the British film . · They said the inovie_propagates · "Prie_st" ab?ut a ga)'. clei;gy~_an pornography andJ-iurts ~!l feelliigs •' had ' its Polish premJere10 mJd- of<;athC>lics, who .compnse morll · , . September. . . · · · · than 90 percent of Poland's pop.ula- Th!l Warsawprosecutor's office tion . .-. . : . • . op~ned an investigation after ·· . The movie by llie British director complaints by thousands of Catho- ·Antonia Bird tells,of a Catholic gay lies . · . . priest c,orifrpnted'with moral ·ru1em- . Expert& will view the movie and ' mas in a poorLiverpool p_arish. determine whether the complaints The film is to be shown in nine that ii insults religion are justified. major cities in Poland. If yes, the prosecutor may confiscate Though it iru.pired critical discusthe prints and ban the movie. sion in many European countries, it Some 200 people, mostly elderly was screened without scanda)s, even women with crucifixes and rosaries, in Catholic Italy. picketed in front of the downtown NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 199 5 News Gay-affirming Baptist church disfellowshipped THE BOARD OF the American Baptist Churches of Ohio has made Ohio the first region in the history of the denomination to disfellowship a local church. This they did because the First Baptist Church of Granville, a charter member of ABC Ohio, and his torically one of its leading churches, extends its ministries tolesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people without requiring them to become straight. At its regular meeting on September 21, the Board of Regional Ministries "acknowledged" the action, taken in June by the Columbus Baptist Association, to disfellowship the Granville Church . 'Today the Baptists of Ohio added their supreme insult to the general oppression of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered . people everywhere," said Dr. George Williamson, Senior Pastor of First Baptist, Granville. "The insult was compounded by the fact that Ohio Baptist leadership violated the biblical mandate to justice and the most sacred principles of Baptist tradition in order to do it." Requests by the church that their representatives be allowed to attend the Regional Ministries meeting were denied by the Executive Committee. The First Baptist Board therefore submitted in writing its request that the CBA action be overturned. This they supported with eight reasons. Their reasons, according to Sandy Ellinger and Karen Huff, lay leaders of the church and signatories to the document, are "consistent with the national, regional and association constitutions, with Baptist traditions, and with scripture." ABC Ohio . leaders were asked if any lesbian or gay Baptists, the ones specifically being condemned in the discussion, were invited to be present to speak for themselves. None were. The documents submitted by the church quoted Baptist theologian E.Y. Mullins, who wrote, 'The right of private judgement in religion is a right at the heart of Christian truth. A Baptist should be the last person in the world to question the right of others to the full and free exercise of their private judgement in religion." Dr. William Keucher, former moderator at Granville and past president of ABCUSA, criticized the action because "it seeks a demand for theological conformity on one specific Recent finding by top biblical scholars offer a radical new view on the Bible and homosexuali ty. WhUaitble the lJ Really Says A.bout Homosexuality . A \-le\miniak, pt,.O. oan1el . Daniel A. Helminiak, Ph.D., respected theologian and Roman Catholic priest, explains in a clear fashion fascinating new insights. 11 ••• will help any reasonably open and attentive reader see that the Bible says something quite different on this sub~ ject from what is often claimed ." .L, William Countryman, Author of Dirt, Greed and Sex .. the most thoughtful, lucid and accessible summary I know of current biblical scholarship relating to homose xual issues .. eminently useful... 11 -James B. Nelson, Author and Theology Professor Order now from Second Stone Press Quan. □ WHATT HEB IBLER EALLY SAV S ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY ByD anile A.H elminia$k9, .95, paperbk Postage/Handl$in3g f irstb ook$, 1 eacha dditiona_l ___ _ TOTALA MOUNTE NCLOSED-- --- NAME_ _____________________ _ ADDRES_S_ ___________________ _ CITY/STATE/Z_IP_ ________________ _ ORDERF ROMS: ECONDST ONEP RESSP, .O.B OX8340N, EWO RLEANSL,A 7 0182 SECOND STONE - theological issue which was not part of the original charter's membership requirements." Dr. Keucher, who has written several books on Baptist traditions, argued "it was the dissenting views of Baptists against religious majorities which ultimately led to our nation's guarantees for religious diversity and freedom." According to Ellinger and Huff the church, which has grown in attendance and membership since being disfellowshipped by the CBA, has a 176 year history of just this sort of dissenting action. In the 1830's the church started in its building the first Ohio Baptist College and a decade later the first college for women at a time when most Baptists thought "such things to be of the devil." The church, in violation of federal law and local mores, was a station on the Underground Railroad. The church has sent out over 300 missionaries, more than any other Ohio and nearly any American church, and began doing so when most Baptists believed that "Christians had no place in 'heathen' lands." The church's current active ministry to the rights and spirituality of women , always controversial among Baptists, began in the 1860's. "This church has consistently worked for justice and against war, always against the tide of denominational and public opinion. In the past 15 years the church ordained more people than any church in Ohio and more women than any in the denomination," according to Dr. Lyn Robertson of Denison University. "Obviously," insisted Rev. Gail Adams, Associate Pastor, "the church will continue to be a place where the gay /lesbian community will have a home." "Our ministries are not remarkable," Dr. Williamson said. 'They are certainly not heroic. For followers of Jesus Christ, they are simply the obvious thing to do." He added, 'The Christian spirit which persecutes the gay /lesbian community is the same as that which perpetrated the crusades on the Arab world, which outlawed Copernicus, Galileo, Bacon and Darwin, which justified the enslavement and segregation of African Americans, which kept silence during the Holocaust and silenced women as spokespeople for God. As it always was, this cruel spirit is still in error." Williamson insisted, "If they disfellowship us from the region, from the national denomination, from the ecumenical community, and from the world Christian family, we are not disfellowshipped from God." Baptist minister : Church needs more open attitude toward Al DS COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) - the Bible, a number of Christians feel Many Christians are neglecting their no obligation to be compassionate rel igion by turning a deaf ear to because if you lay down with dogs, AIDS patients, a Baptist minister told you get up with fleas," Pierce said. a conference audience here. 'The issue facing our churches is: The Rev. Juliette Pierce, whose AIDS is here, and there are people in minister husband died of the disease, need. Are you going to help or not?" said fear and misunderstandings are The two-day conference was tying the hands of the church. sponsored by Faith, Hope and Love "Fear has a serious impact on the Community Services, a local, nonprofchurch; it paralyzes people and keeps it nurse-managed outpatient program the church from being what God for people with HIV, the virus that created it to be - a place of uncon- causes AIDS. The conference for naditional love. Fear binds the hands , tional church and.lay leaders explores feet and hearts," Pierce told about 40 how churches can overcome fears and pa rticipants at the second annual lend a hand. Christian Conference on AIDS. Locally, at least 10 churches have Pierce recalled how a hospital had members who are HIV infected, work er asked her husband, Ralph, and at least two pastors' families have how he contracted AIDS. Her hus- been affected by AIDS since 1986, band replied: "Is the treatment any said Christie Hinds, who founded different? Is the dosage of AZ!' less if Faith, Hope and Love. I got it one way or another?" Jerry Price, a graphic artist at Focus Many people, including Christians, on the Family, said he will use the continue to base their compassion for seminar information to help his AIDS patients on how the disease was church establish an AIDS policy and contracted, Pierce said. speak to youth groups around the city And because AIDS initially was about AIDS prevention. dubbed "the gay disease," churches "When the church in America tended to ignore, condemn or ostra- should have been reaching out to cize AIDS patients and their families. those sick with AIDS, regardless of "If a person got AIDS through a sin, they haven't," Price said "But behavior someone doesn't approve of there's hope, and we as Christians or doesn't feel is in accordance with need· to keep trying." NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 199 5 News-~ ............................. .. • ........................................ . Coroner's condemnation of Gays sparks recall movement SPOKANE, Wash. - Coroner Dexter Amend stirred up a hornet's nest this summer when he used the slaying of a 9-year-old girl as an opportunity to disparage gay people. Amend categorized Gays as orgasmic maniacs, and stated that all Gays should be "put down." When asked what he meant by "put down" he reluctantly admiUed he should have said "condemned." His public rantings about "sodomites" spurred the formation of a recall movement. The governor's office has asked the state licensing board to determine whether Amend's conduct was unprofessional. And several bereaved families have come forward with complaints about the coroner's insensitivity, suggesting Spokane County can be a lousy place to lose a loved one. "I think the man's insane. I think he ought to be committed for psychiatric evaluation," said the Rev. Charles Wood, an Episcopal priest and a member of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. "Dexter Amend makes it very embarrassing to live here." Amend, 76, a retired urologist, declined to be interviewed . He did not return telephone calls to his office and his home. The controversy centers on Amend's remarks about the June slaying of Rachel Carver. Her uncle, Jason Wickenhagen, has pleaded innocent to aggravated first-degree murder in her death. In August interviews with KXLY-TV and The Spokesman-Review, Amend said the child had been anally vi.olated for years before her death. He blamed homosexuals for ruining the girl's life. Polish church invades politics THE CATHOLIC CHURCH has become closely involved in Poland's new consititution, reported The New York Times. In the latest developments, the church demanded protections for fetuses and a ban on gay teachers. The general secretary of the Bishops Conference, Tadeusz Pieronek, has objected to draft wording that would prohibit discrimination against Gays. ''Does it mean we will legalize gay and lesbian marriages and th en have to allow them to take important posts and bring up children?" he asked. -Seattle Gay News SECOND STON~ "She'd been sodomized over and over, and sodomy is a homosexual act," Amend said. 'To have everybody thinking homosexuality is OK is a bunch of baloney." The Spokane Human Rights Commission said Amend had confused homosexuality with pedophilia, an abnormal sexual desire for children. Statistics show that 98 percent of child sex-abuse cases involve heterosexual men, the human rights commission said. "I wonder how his comments would have resonated with the community if he had made remarks attacking women or African-Americans or Jews?" asked Craig Peterson, a gay member of the commission. The panel called for Amend's resignation . There have been several complaints about Amend since he took office in January - his second stint at the post, which he held for one term in the mid-1980s. In June, a divorced woman whose brother had died said that when Amend learned she couldn't afford to cremate the body, he told her she need ed to go to church and find a husband . A couple whose ·3-year-old son had cerebral palsy and choked to death said they were shocked by Amend's demeanor at their home. He tripped over the boy's body and gave them a long, too-graphic lecture on organ donation, they said. A former employee, who worked for Amend during his first stint as coroner, recalled a sobbing couple who came to the office to pick up the belongings of their son, dead from a drug overdose. "I don·t know what's bothering you. After all, he lived on the fring e - what did you expect?" the employee recalled Amend saying. "'He's really crude. He has no social skills," the employee said in an interview with The Spokesman-Review, which did not publish the work er's name. In addition to problems related to Amend's per s onal style, there are concerns about the professional standards for his office. Spokane County, with a population of nearly 400,000 people, needs a qualified medical examiner - someone trained in death investigations , said Spokane forensic pathologist George Lindholm, who performs many ofthe autopsies in Eastern Washington and northern Idaho. ··we·ve had a concern about the professionality of the office over the long term," Lindholm said. He was reluctant to criticize Amend p erso nally. But in an earlier interview with Tlze Spokesman-Review he said he had strong reason to believe that there were problems with death certificates coming out of the coroner's office. "'In my opinion, they're not just judgment calls. They're misrepresentation," he said. .For example, Lindholm said, Amend would sometimes jump the gun and assign a cause of death rather than wait for lab work to return. And the cause of death can be critical in criminal investigations or in determining public-health crises, such as an outbreak of mening itis or tainted over-the-counter medications, SEE CORONER, Page 17 Catholic bishops neutral on anti-gay initiatives SEATTLE (AP) - Roman Catholic Archbishop Thomas Murphy and two bishops are not taking sides on two anti-gay-rights initiatives after opposing two comparable propositions last year. · A four-page paper by the church's three prelates in \o\lashington state criticizes Initiatives 166 and 167 as "inadequately crafted," and they have barred signature-gathering for the measures on church grounds, said John McCoy, an archdiocese spokesman "Discrimination and violence towards individuals because of sexual orientation are wrong," said the paper, signed by Murphy of Seattle, Bishop William Skylstad of Spokane and Bishop Francis George of Yakima . At the same time, they did not call the initiatives "morally wrong," as they did with Initiatives 608 and 610 last year. "Initiative 166 ... is similar to an initiative we opposed last year, but the debate that ensued caused confusion and misunderstanding about our teaching and the reason for our position ," the bishops wrote. 'The catechism of the Catholic Church goes on to state: '(Homosexual persons) must be accepted with respect, compassion and se nsitivity . Every sign of unjust discrimination in their r egard should be avoided,"' the bishops said. They also wrote, 'The church d oes not approve of homos exual genital acts ... "Schools should not present homosexual behavior as acceptable, nor should they condemn homosexual persons for who they are." Initiative 166 campaign chairman John Vasko would not comment on the bishops' paper. Initiatives 166 and 167 closely resemble Initiatives 608 and 610, which failed to attract enough signatures to make the ballot last year. Initiative 166 would ban the extension of anti-discrimination laws to cover Gays and Lesbians and prohibit public schools from teaching that homosexuality is an acceptable lifestyle. Initiative 167 would prevent Gays and Lesbians from adopting children, becoming foster parents or getting child custody in divorce cases. The new versions are to the Legislature rather than to the people. That gives backers more time - until Dec. 29 - to get the required 181,667 valid signatures of registered voters and sends the measures to the Legislature if that requirement is met. The Legislature then could enact the initiatives into law, reject them and send them to the ballot or adopt alternatives to go alongside the originals on the balfot. In the latter event, voters could adopt either version or . reject both. fTIGAYELLOW PAGES TM INFORMING THE LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL &fTI !Bl TRANS&ENDER COMMUNlff SINCE 1973 !Bl Complete gay-friendly resources and businesses: accommodations, bars, bookstores, dentists, doctors, lawyers, therapists, travel services, printers, Organizations, Media, Religious groups, Help lines & A.I.D.SJ H.I.V. resources. Listings broken down by State & City. Index & fast access phone 11st. UPDATED ANNUALLY. For an application to be listed (no charge), or for details of current editions and prices, or Information about malllng labels, please send a se~•addressed stamped envelope to Renaissance House, PO Box 533·SS, VIiiage Station, New York, NY 10014 (212) 674-0120 You can order directly from the address above, or you can find us your local gay-friendly bookstores. If you wish to order by phone with a credit card, please call A DIFf'ERENT LIGHT 1-B00-343-4002; FAX (212) 969-215B; outside USA and Canada call 1-212-9B9-4B5J. (A Different Light has stores in New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. They are not involved' with production or publication of GayellowPages, so please don't call them except to order.) :::i~t;! ':'t r,i~~~~::;:/,iffs: t~~;h/:,~:fs Yn5J;~~e~~~~=: it~,~~vi~nw~~r:~;~:!!is¾afej·;, ~~~ t;;:::~:ec::;e the information contained in the Gayel/ow Pages.• Pat Callfia, The Advocate Advisor · •ay far the most comprehensive and up-to-date gay guide ... Gayelfow Pages ... includes the standard entries for bars an d restaurants . .. But the Gayel/ow Pages excels thanks to its additional alphabetized listings by city for AIDS and HIV services, legal resources, organizations (categorized by purpose or interest), religious groups, publications, businesses and more. In short, ii an entity welcomes gay, lesbian and bisexual people, no matter how unlikely the service or remote the town, it's probab ly listed in the Gayeflow Pages . ... Ha.,dfy a week goes by that it is not consulted in the Out offices.• Reviewed by Jeff Howells, OUT (Pittsburgh, PA}, December 1994 •For over 12 years Gayelfow Pages has been our most-used resourc e book . We recommend it to every performer, author. producer, busines s person , communitr., organizer, act ivist, and educator we come in con tact with. It's the .!!!_rfect coming out gifW Romanovsky & Phillips , Fresh Fruit Records, March 1995 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 199 5 "Odd couple" forms friendship through HIV program EUGENE, Ore. - Ruth Norris and Christopher Smith agree they make an unconventional pair. The 72-year-old grandmother and the 28-year-old man say they have found gold in the rubble of destruction caused by his HIV-positive diagnosis. It's a friendship neither would have Book Sale! DEFECTING IN. 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'Tm not the type to 'Sit at home and wonder if the pictures on the walls are really straight and what's going to be on 'Oprah Winfrey' today, or go shopping and get my hair dyed blue," said Norris . AIDS outreach appealed to Norris because she knew from her hospital Smith revealed how self-doubt had so often ruled his life, how his family responded badly to his homosexuality, how his mother once told him she considered it a birth defect. experience how fiercely isolating the AIDS virus can be. Smith sought help through the · companion program during a jarring transition in his life. He was recovering from pneumonia and had just left his circle of friends in Portland. He moved to Eugene in December after declining health forced him to quit his job as a department store manager. Before th eir first meeting, both were nervous . "Mostly, it was feelings of inadequacy, that this was too big a thing I was taking on," Norris said . Before the meeting, she . told Smith over the phone, "If we don't like each other, we'll just break it off right now, OK?" But before the date was over, they ended up spilling out their life stories. Norris described her marriage at age 19 and how it came to an abrupt end after 49 years when her husband died four years ago, plunging her life into chaos. Smith revealed how self-doubt had so often ruled his life, how his family responded badly . to his homosexu- 0 ality, how his mother once told him she considered it a birth defect. The two friends now meet at least once a week, visiting museums and gardens, scrounging for cheap treasure in secondhand stores, but mostly just talking. Smith says Norris filled a void in his life that family; close friends, even his long-term partner couldn't. "She accepts me for who I am, period," said Smith. "I think I have more in common with her than any of my friends my age. "We both love gardening and people. We share a spiritual bent. We both have faced adversity in our lives." Al DS considered taboo subject in many black communities OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - AIDS is a taboo subject in Nebraska's black community, some AIDS educators, victims and service providers said. An AIDS educator in the Nebraska Department of Health, who is black, said the situation is a crisis in the making. "Not only are the people in our community not finding out what their HN status is, they're not protecting themselves," Steve Jackson, a community health educator with the department's HN / AIDS program, told the Omaha World-Herald. 'They're not being diagnosed, and they're not being treated." Blacks represented about 4 percent of the Nebraska population in the 1990 census and made up 16 percent of all AIDS cases reported from Jan. 1, 1983, through June 29, 1995. Of the 639 cases of AIDS reported in Nebraska in that period, 101 involved blacks. The figures do not include unreported cases, cases in Nebraska that were diagnosed elsewhere or people carrying the HIV virus who do not have full-blown AIDS. Many black people infected with the virus are not seeking medical attention or revealing their status to their friends and relatives for fear of rejection, those who work with AIDS victims said. Others said local agencies are not doing enough to reach out to that segment of the population. Tehira Ali, a drug and substa nce abuse counselor at the Greater Omaha Community Action Addiction Center, said many of her black clients consider AIDS a gay disease . She said variety of social services, suppo rt group~ and opportunities for socializing. One man at a recent Harambee meeting at a north Omaha bowling alley told the newspaper that AIDS drives its victims social life because they try to hide it from friends. He spoke on the condition that he not be identified because he fears the stigma attached to AIDS. "We as blacks, the only thing we ever dealt with is drug abuse and alcohol," he said. "We don't deal with sexually transmitted diseases too well." A woman in the Harambee program said she had been a member of a Nebraska AIDS Project support group but did not have much in common with people in those sessions. Many black people infected with the virus are not seeking medical attention or revealing their status · to their friends and relatives for fear of rejection ... they fear being tested and treated because they fear being labeled as "J was an IV drug user, and they homosexual. were gay men," she said. 'There "What I find with African-American wasn't a woman there who could people is primarily, 'If I got it, I really identify with what I was going don't want to know,"' she told the through .... And no blacks ever came World-Herald. "We tend to have so to meetings at NAP." many problems and, being on the The woman spoke to the newspaper lower end of the econqmic scale, this on the condition that her name not be disease is just one more problem. used because her family did not ·want People think, 'If I don't know, I can it known that she has AIDS. just get on with the rest of the things I The Nebraska AIDS Project does not need, like food and shelter."' have any minority case workers, said The Charles Drew Health Center Gary George, the project's former and Nebraska AIDS Project .began a executive director. The project has miprogram last fall to provide mental nority volunteers. Volunteer coordinahealth services to blacks affected by tor Rich Santee said 15 volunteers AIDS. The program called Harambee speak Spanish and 24 are black. serves 26 people. It provides a wide "But we could use more," he said. NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 1995 Part of a $2.5 million gift endowment Vanderbilt Divinity School to study gender, sexuality issues By Ray Waddle The Tennessean NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AF) - Sex and religion. Strange bedfellows. Throw them together and they threaten to tear up denominations, many of which are in turmoil over homosexuality, the ordination of women, the place of divorce, abortion, clergy misconduct, and what to call God (He? She?). Into this climate steps Vanderbilt Divinity School, which has decided to go where no religion school has dared . With a recent gift, the school is putting $1 million into the touchy issues of gender and_ sexuality. As far as they know, no seminary has committed such a sum to such a controversy. School officials say they want to break through the fog of religious anxiety and divisiveness over sex-andreligion issues and help churches think them through with a more solid basis in Scripture and social sciences; 'This whole issue of sexuality so vexes the churches that it's difficult even to get a conversation going," said Joseph Hough, dean of the Divinity School. School officials say they want to break through the fog of religious anxiety and divisiveness over sexand- religion issues and help churches think them through with a more solid basis in Scripture and social sciences. They believe a lot of Christians get confusing signals about sex from pulpit and Bible. Is the sex act good or evil? Is homos exuality wrong? Should women be leaders in church? SECOND STONE The $1. million - part of a $2.S million gift endowment - will fund public conferences, publications and other resources. The gift comes from the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation, which was started by Richmond, Va., businessman Rhodes Carpenter . The remaining $1.5 million of the gift will go to endowing a new senior faculty appointment. · The Rev. Ann Day, Carpenter Foundation president, Leona Carpenter's daughter and a 1978 graduate of Vanderbilt Divinity, said the gift will go a long way toward "stimulating discussion among individuals in faith communities about these difficult, often controversial, but extremely vital issues." The gift makes the Carpenter Foundation the Divinity School's single largest donor. The foundation has given the school some $4 million. Not everyone is -happy that sexuality will be the subject of academic scrutiny by Vanderbilt ministers-intraining. The president of a conservative caucus of the United Methodist Church - Methodists make up about 30 percent of Vanderbilt Divinity's student body - doubts the new program will bear much fruit. 'True, gender and sexuality ha ve the potential to split the mainline churches," said James Heidinger , president of Good News, a caucus based in Wilmore, Ky. "But there are folks who want to put Scripture aside on so many issues and leave Christianity at the mercy of everyone's own personal judgment. "And that's a recipe for chaos. I believe there's more consensus, settled by the dear word of Scripture, than some would have us think. There's a very well-organized vocal minority determined to keep this on the front burner." A look at denominational debates suggests that sexuality is the reason for the most emotional church reactions in a generation: Recently, the nation's largest Lutheran denomination decided to scrap a churchwide statement on sexuality. An earlier draft argued that the Bible supports gay relationships, but it set off a national wave of indignation and protest. After seven years of trying, the Evangelical Lutherans have failed to reach consensus on either the ordination of Gays and Lesbians or the blessing of same-sex unions. A group of bishops in the Episcopal Church voted to place a colleague before a formal church trial on charges he violated church law by ordaining a gay deacon. It's the latest - in a wearying debate over gay rights that has preoccupied the Episcopal Church for a decade. United Methodists and Presbyterians continue to debate the merits of the "Re-Imagining" Conference of 1993, where some female leaders invoked the name of "Sophia" for God during a worship setting. Traditionalists said ii was a perfect example of feminist heresy. Defenders said church conservatives want to smear "Sophia" in hopes of shutting women out of power . What vexes many churchgoers is that the debates are usually about two competing values: Scriptural authority vs. the responsibility to &how compassion for weak or powerless minorities . Is it more faithful to the Bible and Christian faith, for example, to uphold condemnations of homosexuality, or to push the church to open its doors and power to oppressed groups? "In the past, Scripture was used to justify slavery, and people were able to move beyond that," said Sallie McFague, a Vanderbilt theologian . "Yet a lot of people now don't seem able to come to a 20th-century posilion on the role of women, gender justice or homosexuality." Hough said church discomfort about sexuality is nothing new. It's as old as the foundations of the faith. "For instance, there's a long ambivalence about the sex act. The _ church has encouraged large families yet has condemned sex except for procreation ." Hough said he envisions a wide range of conferences that give a hearing to various views supported by respectable scholarship. Examples include sexual ethics, biblical views of women's ·ordination, or the effects of divorce on children. But he said the new program will not be a propaganda mill for any one particular party line. Vanderbilt is known as a liberal divinity school that affirms women's ordination and the rights of gay students and faculty. "Why in the world would we do this now? Because part of the role of the Divinity School is to help bring clarity to issues important to the life of churches," Hough said. "Being a Christian in the world is about living with integrity and believing your Christian faith informs everything you do." Now available from Second Stone! The Word Is Out 365 DAILY MEDITATIONS .FOR LESBIANS AND GAY MEN Author Chris Glaser fearlessly liberates the Bible from those who would hold it hostage to an anti-gay agenda. In this inspiring collection of 365 daily meditations, the Bible's oood news "comes out" to ;;,eet all of ns with love, justice, meaning. and hope. Chris Glaser is the author of Uncommon Calling and Coming Out to God. He is a graduate of Yale Divinity School. The Word Is Out, $12, paperback. Order now from Second Stone Press Quan. TiUe □ Postage/Handling $3.00 first book, $1.00 ea. additional ------ TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED----- NAME---------------------,-- ADDRESS ____________________ _ CITY/STATE/ZIP ___________________ _ ORDER FROM: SECOND STONE PRESS, P.O. BOX 8340, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70182 N O VE M B E RIDE CE MB ER l 9 9 5 National AIDS Memorial marks 10th anniversary NEW YORK - Despite the thousands who have visited it every year for the last decade at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in northern Manhattan, the National AIDS Memorial sometimes seems to be one of the most well-kept secrets of our time. It is the only permanent memorial in the country honoring those who have died as a result of the HIV/ AIDS pandemic. The memorial was the idea of Sister (and now Deacon) Brooke Bushong, a member of the Episcopal Church Army, an evangelical religious order, and at the time, president of Integrity/ New York, the local branch of the lesbian and gay justice ministry of the Episcopal Church. She had attended funeral s of several friends who had died of AIDS. She saw the need for a focal point - one hallowed spot - where those who have lost loved ones could come to mourn and find hope and consolation. When she approached the Rt. Rev. Paul Moore, Jr., then Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New York, he was enthusiastic. He, too, had · felt the need . The Bay of St. Luke, patron saint of physicians, on the south side of the Cathedral's nave, was mad e available as the site of the memorial. Bishop Moore dedicated it on November 9, 1985. The first anniversary of the dedication of the memorial was attended by over 2000 people and the following year the anniversary became a nationwide event when the Most Rev. Edmond L. Browning, Presiding Bishop, declared it to be the Episcopal Church's National Day of Prayer for those affected by HIV/ AIDS. The date has since been moved to October. Since 1985 the memorial has become a symbol of strength in the face of the AIDS epidemic. Over 5000 names have now been inscribed in the Book of Remembrance, and the number grows week by week . initially a joint ministry of the Cathedral and Integrity, the National AIDS Memorial was incorporated as a non-profit corporation in 1992. 'To honor the dead, to serve the living" is the core of the National AIDS Memorial's mission statement. The living are se rved not only through prayer, but by gifts which go to a variety of AIDS service organizations. Although unsolicited, contributions arrived with the first names to be inscribed in the Book of Remembrance. It was immediately c!ecided that only 15 percent of such contributions should be used to maintain the memorial, including inscribing the names, while 85 percent would go to start-up AIDS ministries. NAM makes a real effort to s eek out .and fund small, start-up groups that are filling unmet needs in the AIDS community and to existing AIDS organizations moving into new areas of service. Over $100,000 in grants has been distributed, ranging from $250 to $3,000. NAM funding is nationwide : from the Chattanooga Council on AIDS to Bronx AIDS Servic es. NAM fund s both secular and religious organizations: from the People With AIDS Now in it's tenth year, the National AIDS Memorial at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City is visited by thousands each year. It is the only permanent memorial in the country honoring all who have died as a result of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Coalition of New Jersey to Interfaith AIDS Ministry of Greater Danbury, Connecticut. As NAM appoaches the end of tis first decade, with no cure for AIDS yet in sight, HIV/ AIDS is affecting ever more people, of varied backgrounds, and there remains a need to establish new and specialized programs to deal with that reality. NAM gave Sub-Sahara AIDS Rescue, which serves the immigrant African communities in Staten Island and Brooklyn, their first grant from any source in 1993. In 1994, a second grant for computer equipment allowed them to obtain funding from governmental and foundation sources . These gifts were like the loaves and fishes, enabling the organizations to multiply them many fold. There is no paid staff at the National AIDS Memorial. Those who volunteer on the board raise the money, keep the records, investigate and decide which of the many requests for funding can be honored. A Requiem Eucharist is held at the memorial at 1:00 p.m . the fourth Saturday of every month . As the name implies, the memorial is not limited to New Yorkers, or to Episcopalians. It includes names from all over the world. No contribution is required to have a name inscribed. Anyone wishing to provide the name of a deceased individual for the Book of Remembrance, contribute to the fund, or apply for a grant may write to the National AIDS Memorial, Cathedral of St. John the Divine, P.O. Box 1036, New York, NY 10011. Poetry sustains woman dying of AIDS By Jill Burcum Rochester Post-Bulletin ~e voic e is gravelly and :;JI definitely that of a New York native. Coffee is "cawffee" and car is "cah." It emanates from somewhere within a thick haze of cigarette .smoke. The morning sun streaming in the ancient windows illuminates the smoke cloud, creating a wispy halo around a thin, blond woman's head. "I don't usually smoke this much, but ... you know," says Dara Corey Thaler. 'Tm a master poet, ya know," she says to no one in particular. She stares off to a place far beyond the walls of the second-floor apartment where she lives . In it are Thaler's sole possessions . A battered rocker. A small television. A rickety stand on which a typewriter rests . Dara Corey Thaler has come to Rochester, Minnesota to die . Arid to live. At 38, Thaler has AIDS, lymphoma and systemic tuberculosis. All three are terminal, with the last two perhaps triggered by the first, a disease SECOND STONE she was diagnosed with in 1987. Her condition is the culmination of a life lived in the fast lane · on the streets of New York, Chicago and Rochester. Thaler is clean and sober now, a true believer in 12-step recovery programs. But for much of her life and in each of those cities, Thaler was .J drug addict and a prostitute. In the l.Jte 1980s, Thaler moved to Rochester for reasons that ar e now unclear. In 1988, she was convicted of solicitation for prostitution. The arrest made news around the state . Thaler had AIDS at the time . She was given three years of probation and moved back to Chicago shortly there.Jfter. She returned to Rocl,ester this year for love and the Mayo Clinic. In August, she married .a Rochester man. He sustains her spiritually, she says; Mayo Clinic maintains her body. She is unequivocal about how she wants to be remembered. Throughout her life, Thaler has written poetry. To her, it is not a hobby . It is not fun. It is•simply something she must do, like breathing. Volumes of poems now fill a large bag. During the years of drugs and prostitution, the poems are angry, shocking and taunting. Now, they are reflective, tinged with gentle humor and regret that the voice of the poet herself will soon be stilled. "If I can reach one person and let them know no matter how bad things are, things C.Jn change, then I have made a differenc e. My life will have meaning, " she said. Some days, Thaler jumps out of bed . On other days, she is too weak and must crawl to the bathroom . Still, her reasons to live grow more numerous . Her beloved poetry has not left her . Even through the pain medication, the poems come. Sometimes it's a mental image that arrives first. Sometimes it's just an urge to sit at her typewriter. AIDS has done what her parents, police a ' ublic awareness campaigns did n , said . It woke her from the drug-induced haze and changed her, the kind of change that comes from deep within. "I've had the fortune of a queen (the jewelry in my eyes) the whish of winds blow through my hair - · the branches clatter noise God composed a symphony surrounded with applause Still weakness comes in midst of dance Sometimes instead I crawl." The poem ends, but Thaler's pleasure does not. She smiles and looks up . But her hands are already reaching for the papers spread out on the bed . "One more," she says as the cigarette burns slowly toward the filter. Once more she begins. And once more, Thaler falls under language's spell . The poem ends, its lulling rhythms ebbing into the soft ticks of a clock resting on the window ledge. This time, Thaler is comfortable with the silence. "I have been given a capacity to give and to care," she says. "I want to touch someone that might not have been touched." The voice wavers . "And I don't want to be forgotten." NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 1995 BiJ .•• ■i■fB-•BfllMIJli=ii Zimbabwe's churches support gay ban HARARE, Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe's churches have condemned homosexuality following an international controversy caused by President Robert Mugabe's bitter campaign against Gays and Lesbians. Many church leaders have agreed with President Mugabe's views, though some said the president's "witch-hunt" against Gays and Lesbians was regrettable but understandable. Several church officials also said that it was unfortunate that the issue was getting so much attention when Zimbabwe faced much more serious problems. Government action against homosexuals in Zimbabwe and speeches by President Mugabe on the subject have drawn international press coverage in recent months. Homosexuality has Jong been .repressed in Zimbabwe, but the present campaign by the government began just over a month ·ago when an association called Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ) was making preparations to set up a stall at the Zimbabwe International Book Fair, the theme of which was human rights . A government official, Bornwell Chakaodza, who holds the post of State Director of Information, wrote a letter to the book fair trustees stating the govern,ment'~ strong objection to the presence of GALZ. "Zimbabwean society and government do not accept the public display of homosexual literature, " the government's Jetter said. The book fair trustees were forced to cancel GALZ's permit to set up a stall. Four of the 18 book fair trustees quit their posts in protest at the government's actions. On the opening day of the book · fair, President Mugabe · made a speech describing Gays and Lesbians as social perverts who should not have a place in Zimbabwean society. "I find it extremely outrageous and repugnant to my human conscience that such immoral and revulsive organizations like those of homosexuals who offend both against the Jaw of nature and the morals and religious beliefs espoused by our socie.ty should have any advocates in our midst and even elsewhere in the world," President Mugabe said. "If we accept homosexuality as a right, as is being argued by the association of sodomists and sexual perverts, what moral fibre shall our society ever have to deny organised drug addicts, or even those given to bestiality, the rights they might claim and allege they possess under the rubrics of individual freedom and human rights?" said the president. He said that homosexuality was an "abhorrent" Western import. President Mugabe's views have drawn strong support from the local press, some sections of which have condemned the West as "moral midgets". An editorial in the Chronicle, the newspaper with the second Zimbabwe questioned as site of 1998 wee Assembly GENEVA - World Council of Churches (WCC) Central Committee members are seeking assurances that recent anti-gay statements by Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe will not create problems for the WCC when it holds its Eighth Assembly in Harare in 1998. Mugabe was widely quoted over the summer as saying he believes "homosexuals don't have any rights at all and if they come here, we will throw them in jail." Responding to questions from Central Committee members during a Sept. 18 plenary session, WCC general secretary Konrad Raiser recalled that similar concerns about holding the 1998 Assembly in Zimbabwe were raised at the January 1994 Central Committee meetings after widespread reports of police harassment of Gays and Lesbians in Zimbabwe. Raiser said that at that time he sought and received assurances from the Zimbabwean interior minister that all Assembly participants will be allowed to enter Zimbabwe and that the Assembly will be free to set its own agenda. SECOND STONE But after an exhibit by a Zimbabwean gay organization was shut down at a July book fair in Harare, the country's capital, Raiser said he received numerous letters from WCC member churches questioning whether the Assembly should be held in Zimbabwe. He said that the WCC and the Zimbabwe Council of Churches are developing a detailed list of "essential requirements" for holding the Assembly in Zimbabwe . Raiser said he had "no reason to believe that such an understanding cannot be reached with the Zimbabwe authorities ." Kristine Thompson, one of two Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) representatives on the Central Commit.tee, said she hoped any agreement wou]<;I ensure the right of Assembly partici. pants to express public solidarity "with those in Zimbabwe who are being repressed for homosexuality ." She .i.cknowledged that while WCC member churches have varying attitudes toward homosexuality, "we can agree that no one should be persecuted for it." -Presbyterian Church (USA) News and World Council of Churches News biggest circulation in Zimbabwe, stated that to Africans ih general and Zimbabweans in particular, homosexuality would always be an outrage and an abomination of the most debasing order. Homosexuality is strictly taboo in Zimbabwe where it is often condemned in the strongest possible terms. However, many people see it as an issue which concerns only a few. 'individuals . Zimbabwe's Constitution forbids discrimination of any kind, but it does not specify who should not be discriminated against. As the president's views began to draw attention, he confirmed his rigorous opposition to homosexuality, pointing out that Zimbabwe had a "formidable" set of morals -and taboos which it could not abandon unless society as a whole decided they were no longer needed. "We do not believe they [homosexuals) have any rights at all," President Mugabe told journalists. The president seemed unconcerned a't news of protests held outside Zimbabwean embassies in other parts of the world because of his remarks. 'They can demonstrate, but if they come here, we will throw them [homosexuals] in jail," the president said . The international press - particularly Western newspapers of liberal views - have given extensive coverage to President Mugabe's statements. According to the Guardian newspaper, published in London, the anti-gay crusade is seen 'by members · of Zimbabwe's fledgling civil society, including women's groups, human rights groups and the Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe, as a political ploy to distract popular attention from burgeoning corruption scandals, economic mismanagement and drought". In a front-page article on August 16, Le Monde newspaper in Paris quoted President Mugabe's speeches and pointed out that the multi-ethnic membership of GALZ proved that homosexuality was not, as the president had claimed, a "shameful" Western import. Within Zimbabwe itself churches have expressed various degrees of agreement with President Mugabe. The Sunday Mail newspaper in Harare has reported that some Chris. tian leaders have called on their followers to take part in a march against Gays and Lesbians in Harare. A group of 12 women - all members of the Mother's Union in the Anglican diocese of Central Zimbabwe - visited government offices recently to give President Mugabe a message of solidarity. "Homosexuals violate our understanding of the nature of marriage life ... we pledge to you and to this country our continued support for those home and family values and morals that make for an upright society," part of the message said. President Mugabe told the women that there was no way that Zimbabweans could accept homosexuality as this was 'borrowed culture". Church leaders in Zimbabwe, all expressed strong opposition to homosexuality. They said that homosexuality was incompatible with the biblical values of Christianity and with African culture . -ENI and other reports Zimbabwe church council condemns homosexuality HQMOSEXUALITY IS "totally new and out of step with the Zimbabwean tradition and culture" according to a statement issued by the Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC), which has 20 protestant churches as members, following an increasingly strident campaign directed against Gays and Lesbians by Zimbabwe . President Robert Mugabe. The ZCC's President, Bishop Jonathan Siyachitema, and the organization's General Secretary, Murombedzi Chikanga Kuchera, said that Zimbabweans "should not be coerced into a practice [homosexuality] which is totally alien to them" . President Mugabe's campaign has aroused concern in international church circles because the next assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC) is to take place in 1998 in the Zimbabwean capital of Harare, at the invitation of the ZCC. The issue of homosexuality is a delicate one for the churches. The WCC's General Secretary, Konrad Raiser, has said that there are "deep divisions" between the WCC's 324 member churches on the "theological and ethical issues of human sexuality and sexual orientation". According to the ZCC leaders, "the Church of God finds no basis to support intimate relationships between persons of the same sex." Shortly after the WCC's central committee agreed in January last year to hold the assembly in Harare, the international press reported allegations of harassment of homosexuals by Zimbabwe police. Dr Raiser said that he would seek assurances from the Zimbabwe Government "regarding the entry and safety of all bona fide participants of the assembly" and the "freedom of the assembly in setting its agenda and in expressing its mind". President Mugabe has been quoted as saying: "Let the Gays be Gays in United States and Europe, but they shall be sad people here." -ENI NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 199 5 Ep-iscopal bishops sharpry cUvided over sex·uality issues By Martha Irvine Associated Press Writer PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - It's the most divisive issue facing bishops in the Episcopal Church, but don't expect them to talk about it. The matter of ordaining non-celibate gay priests has been mentioned only in passing as about 200 bishops met during the last week of September. The bishops spent the better part of one session early in the week talking about how to avoid what many are calling an air of mean-spiritedness among church leadership. "If we can't deal with honest disagreement as a house of bishops, who in the world can?" asked Bishop John MacNaughton, of San Antonio, Texas. But beneath the apparent camaraderie lies the frustration of a church leadership that many say is bitterly divided . . "I can see it becoming a bloody brawl," said Walter Righter, a retired bishop of Iowa who says he'd rather be enjoying a life of quiet at his home in Alstead, N.H . Instead, the white-haired 71-yearold is facing heresy charges for ordaining a non-celibate gay priest in 1990. Presiding Bishop Edmond Browning, of New York, has told the bishops that church attorneys have advised them not to discuss the Righter matter at the conference. He said that, if they were to talk about sexuality issues at this conference, 18 of the bishops who may sit in judgment of their peer would have to leave the room. But conversations in private were brutally candid. . Righter said the 10 bishops who brought him up on charges are using him as a scapegoat to boost their own political power. 'These birds are caught between the past and the future .-They'd like to drag everybody kicking and screaming into the past," said Righter, who claims that ordaining openly gay priests is merely dealing with reality. He said there are about 35 bishops who have ordained non-celibate gay. priests. Ironically, some of the bishops who brought the charge against Righter say the conference was - for the most Episcopal bishop explains his decision to support heresy trial FOND DU LAC, Wis. (AP) - Episcopal Bi'shop Russell Jacobus of Fond du Lac said lifestyle preference was not the issue when he joined - other clergy in censuring a bishop for ordaining a homosexual as a deacon, The complaint involves church authority and compliance with its policies, he said. 'The general convention (of the Episcopal Church) said ... it is not appropriate at this time to ordain practicing homosexuals, or ordain heterosexuals in (sexual) relationships outside the marriage bond," Jacobus said. 'Therefore, the bishop who decides on his own that he is not going to abide by resolutions of the general convention ... is not being accountable to the church at large." Jacobus, of the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Paul, said he was one of 76 bishops nationwide who voted for charges that retired Bishop Walter Righter violated . church law for ordaining Barry Stopfel as a deacon in 1990, Righter was then assistant bishop .. of Newark, N.J. He retired in 1988 as bishop of Iowa and · now lives in the small town of Alstead on the New Hampshire-Vermont border. Righter's case will go before a Court for the Trial of a Bishop, consisting of nine other bishops who will act on a majority vote. Possible penalties include admonishing Righter. No sentence could be imposed unless the findings were approved by a two-thirds vote of all SECOND STONE the church's bishops. Ten bishops brought the charge against Righter in January, saying he was "teaching a doctrine contrary to that held by this church." A 1979 resolution states it is inappropriate for "practicing homosexuals" to be ordained, said Bishop James Stanton of Dallas, a spokesman for Righter's accusers. Righter says the Episcopal colleagues who charged him with heresy for ordaining an openly gay Righter say s the Episcopal colleagues who charged him with heresy .. . threaten to "push the church back in to the 19th century ." man threaten to "push the church back into the 19th century." Righter says putting him before a jury of his peers a defining moment in church history. 'The Episcopal Church's whole life is at stake," Righter, 71, said. "Are we going to be an inclusive church like the presiding bishop wants us to be or an exclusive church?" But Stanton said conservative bishops are alarmed also. "Many of us fear it will divide the church," Stanton said. "What we are trying to do is bring the house back to order." part - a waste of time and money because sexuality was not discussed. 'There is a general frustration in the house .of bishops that we're dealing with unimportant issues to avoid dealing with critical issues," said Bishop William Wantland, of Eau Claire, Wis., one of the bishops who filed the heresy charge. He believes the presiding bishop and others have looked the other way as gay priests have continued to be ordained. And that, he said, has left he and his conservative colleagues little choice. "I don't want Walter to go through a trial," Wantland said. ''I don't know any other way to reach the issue." Some say the bishops are so divided that the only resolution may be to split the church in two. "Is there a danger of it? Yes, a very clear danger," Wantland said . 'The underlying issue is a problem of authority and order." The lack of open discussion is disappointing to many. "I ache at the polarity that goes on," said the Rev. Al Miller, a priest in Hermiston. Miller said he came to the bishops' meeting to see first hand if they would resolve some of the tougher issues facing the Episcopal Church. 'The question is, 'How can we move on together, regardless of sexual orientation, gender and race?'" Miller said. 'Tm not sure they can." There are other problems in the church - a troubled pension fund and embezzlement scandal. Some traditional Episcopalians are calling for presiding bishop Browning to step down. And the bishops are trying to decide how to deal with four of their own who refuse to ordain women priests even though the church has allowed such action for nearly 20 years . Still, Browning denies that his church is falling apart. He said it is the Episcopal Church's tradition to face tough issues head on. "Out of that grows tension. But even in that tension there's _ a pride that I have that we're willing to hang in and deal with those issues," Browning said. 'Th e church, as a whole, is very brave." Five-ballot vote elects nation's second female Episcopal bishop PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - A five-ballot vote made the Rev. Geralyn Wolf the second woman chosen tp head an American Episcopal diocese. Wolf, dean of Christ Cathedral in Louisville, Ky., for the last seven years, was elected Sept. 30 after the apparent front-runner, the Rev. Robert Anthony of Christ Church in Westerly, withdrew. Wolf, 48, spoke to lay and clergy delegates before returning to Kentucky to spend Sunday with her congregation . '1 want to say a word of truth. This was not a unanimous decision and I honor that," she said. "We don't have to agree on everything. But we have to agree on one thing: that Jesus Christ is the center of our Jives." A native of New York who at one time lived in an Anglican convent, Wolf was one of four candidates from outside Rhode Island picked by a . search committee to succeed retired Bishop George Hunt. She was praised even by delegates who voted against her as a woman of great spiritual commitment and, before coming to Rhode Island for the vote, spent Wednesday night and Thursday praying with the . Sisters of St. Margaret in a Roxbury, Mass., Anglican convent. "My ministries haven't been perfect or easy, but I hope that everyone will say that I have been faithful," Wolf told delegates . The first female Episcopal bishop in .the United States was chosen in Vermont. Women have been selected as assistant bishops in Massachusetts, the District of Columbia, and New York. A total of nine candidates were in the running to head the Rhode Island diocese - the four picked by the search committee and five from within the state. Anthony, who is popular among Rhode Island clergy, surprised his supporters by announcing his withdrawal before balloting began, saying he had mixed feelings about being bishop. Anthony later went to Wolf and told her he hoped she would be elected bishop. · Wolf's vote totals built steadily as the balloting went on and candidates dropped out and she surpassed the required totals of lay and clergy votes on the fifth ballot. Some of the state's conservative clergy said while they liked Wolf as a person and found her views acceptable, they were opposed in principle to the idea of a female bishop. But she also won the support of some priests formerly against the ordination of women. One, the Rev. James Frink of Trinity Church in Scituate, delivered Wolf's nominating speech . Wolf said she would be glad to meet with clergy members opposed . to a woman bishop. ."I very much want to talk with them and to be with them," she said. "I do not want to work against them." Wolf's election must be approved by a majority of Episcopal standing committees nationally before she can be installed. That process should take several months. NOVEMBER/DECEMBER l 9 9 5 · Living a lie: Outlook painful for Gays · in opposite-sex marriage By Deb Richardson-Moore The Greenville News GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) . - One Christmas Eve, Deirdre's children were scouring the house for mittens and woolen caps before running outside to check on Santa's progress. Trying to help, Deirdre tugged .a cardboard box from a shelf high in her bedroom closet. She peered inside - and saw the end of her 18-year marriage. There in the box was a stack of gay .pornography. She was disbelieving and confused, but deep inside things began to fall dizzyingly into place: professional counselor. In many cases, the marriage that's ending is one of long standing, one that included true affection and friendship between the partners. 'The 20- to 25-year mark,'' said facilitator Pate, "seems to be a real watershed for men who can't hide it anymore." In many ways, the issues provoked in a gay-straight marriage crisis are the same as when one marital partner has a heterosexual affair . The wronged partner feels the same "devastation and the low self-esteem," allows Molly, 30, a Greenvillian who ended her three-year marriage after learning that her husband was having affairs with men. "But the thing that they don't feel that I feel," she said, "is that they are gay . You question your own sexual identity. You ask yourself, 'Why would I attract a person like this? Why did he choose me?"' Molly's discovery made her skittish around men, suspicious that if she'd been fooled once, it could happen again . Of course, while any extramarital affair carries the risk of HIV/ AIDS these days, the odds increase with homosexual encounters. Molly was so paralyzed by fear the she waited nine months before undergoing tests - which turned out negative . The issue of how to tell children also becomes more complicated. Deirdre told her adolescent children only after they had sneaked a look at her diary. Her daughter, now in her early teens, is having trouble accepting it. Molly hasn't yet told her 6-year-old son, and won't until he asks. Emily, a senior citizen who remained in her marriage after her husband told her he was gay decades ago, told her grown children only years later. Recently, Emily's anger has replaced her earlier embarrassment: anger at her husband for using her as camouflage; anger at her family for en£ouraging her to keep quiet; anger at herself for not having the courage to leave; anger at society for putting so much pressure on Gays to live a lie. And therein, say the straight spouses, lies much of the problem. If being gay were more socially acceptable, Gays wouldn't try so hard to fit into a conventional marriage. The time early in her marriage when he was buying Playboys; his low sex drive; his expression of a general unhappiness just months before. "At the time, I didn't know what he was getting at," Deirdre recalled. "I had never suspected anything. But as I looked back, there were pieces of the puzzle that began to come together." Mormon bishop's marriage was doomed from the start She did, however, think they had a warm and loving marriage. He thought so, too. Once she confronted him \Vith her Christmas Eve discovery, he readily agreed to go into counseling. Just months into joint therapy, he admitted to himself and to Deirdre that he was gay. He now lives with a male companion. Deirdre, meanwhile, is shaken to the core. An attractive professional in her early 40s, Deirdre continued to function on the outside. But inside, she felt foolish, sexually unattractive, distrustful of men; in a word, she said, she felt like a "freak." She wasn't. And Carole Lender, for one, knew it. Mrs. Lender is a co-founder of Greenville's PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). In her three years of pulling the organization together, she has seen the human fallout. 'The majority of gay and lesbian people that I've met have fought so hard: They don't want to be gay," she said . 'They don't want to lose .the respect and the love of their family members. They don't want to lose their churches and everything else. "And, so they figure, 'Well, if I get married, maybe it'll kick in,' and they do, and children come out of it. And then they can't do it anymore, and all these innocent people get hurt." It's those "innocent people," the bewildered straight spouses of Gays who are the target of Family Secrets, a new support group in Greenville facilitated by Fran Pate, a licensed SECOND STONE By Hillary Groutage Associated Press Writer SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - For most, it started when people they trusted told them to get married, that being with an opposite-sex partner would help their "problem ." Without exception, the experience ended in heartbreak . Now, they say, opposite-sex marriage and homosexuality - like oil and water - don't mix for long. At a session of the annual Sunstone Symposium on August 11, a panel of gay men shared their experiences chronicled in Decisions of the Soul: The Issues And Diverse Responses To Homosexuality In Heterosexual Marriage. The book was published in April by the Family Fellow ship, a support group for families with gay and lesbian members. The book is a collection of 17 stories of gay people in het erosexual marriages. Steve and Allison Dunn of Logan were the only couple to share their story. They are divorcing, but have undertaken a crusade of sorts to let people know that marriage doesn't cure - or even help homosexuality. But they say it isn't for a lack of trying . They were busy in the early years of their marriage. He was a Mormon bishop, she was president of the primary. "If devotion and effort, if fasting and prayer, if dedicating time and paying tithing could have altered our lives, it would have happened," she wrote in the book. But nothing helped. Allison continually blamed herself for his lack of physical attention and was sure he found her repulsive. Steve thought he was evil. She discover ed he was gay after she found a book, Loving Someone Gay that a friend had given him . They got counseling and kept the news from their families for a time. 'The problem is, you can't even talk about the problem," she said. "You live with this person. You know what kind of toothpaste he likes, you know everything about him . You have this friend you adore and it's like you have to cut off your right arm because you can't have him anymore." During the presentation, the couple He tells of suicidal thoughts, confessions to Mormon bishops and years he felt trapped in a painful marriage. He knew he was gay fron1 the tears. "I just left my sons and I don't get to see them that often," he said. His entry, "No Longer Afraid" tells of suicidal thoughts, confessions to Mormon bishops and years he felt trapped in a painful marriage. He knew he was gay from the time he was 12-years-old, but it came crashing home to him while listening to a talk at church. "I didn't understand what the Bishop was talking about. This masturbation thing . He said that horrible thing led people to homosexuality. I knew he was talking about me," he said. "But I hadn't even done it so how could I be homosexual?" Killian, like the others on the panel, was ctiligent in his church work, served a mission and was counseled to marry. But at one point, he "spied" on gay men in Washington, D.C. because he wanted to know what on e looked like. He eventually fell in love with a man and confessed his feelings to his bishop in the 1970s. "I was promised in a blessing that if I married a daughter of God in the temple, I would be cured,'' he said. Killian approached his marriag e like a business decision. tin1e he was 12 ... "Did I fall in love with her? I was fascinated with her, I am proud of stood side-by-side and detailed their her, I admire her and miss h e r," he 20 years of marriage and struggle. 1 said. He calls her his "personal savior" A 1992 handbook published by the and he remains her best friend. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day "I know there are thousands of Saints says "Marriage should not be other couples in various stages like viewed as a way to resolve homomy wife and I," he said. sexual problems. The lives of others After more than two years, they should not be damaged by entering a feel stronger. They are divorcing, but marriage where such concerns exist." are determined to be effective parents Killian said his wife has a difficult to their four children, ages 13-19. time understanding his homosexu- Rob Killian, a physician from ality and did not attend the presenta- Rochester, N.Y., faced the audience in tion . NOVEMBER/DECEMBER l 9 9 5 Friends believe bishop's "long illness" was- AIDS NEW YORK-On the pope's first trip to New York, he honored America's only black monsignor with a visit. Sixteen years later, John Paul II was back, but Bishop Emerson Moore was dead - a victim, so me say, of the pressures on a black bishop in a mostly white church. Moore was 57 when he died Sept. 14 of what his church described only as "natural causes of unknown origin" after a long illness. But The New Yurk Times reported that Moore had been an alcohol and cocaine abuser, and that many of his friends and colleagues believe he died of AIDS. At least one priest said he had directly confronted the Bishop about whether he had AIDS, and that he had denied it. Church officials said they wou ld not discuss that conclusion, but they wo uld not dispute it, either. Moore was one of two New York area bishops reportedly suffering from AIDS. The pope visited St. Charles Borromeo Church on Oct 2, 1979 during his hectic, two-day visit to New York. Ecclesiastical careers are often advanced by papal visits, and in 1982 Moore was named auxiliary bishop - the first in the archdiocese of New York. Moore headed committees, traveled to Africa on relief missions, got arrested for protesting against apartheid in South Africa. In 1990, he was the only bishop in the country to sign a full-page newspaper advertisement calling for major changes in the Catholic Church. Those changes included ordaining women, pursuing the idea of married priests and rethinking the church teaching on sex uality . Clearly, then, however much Bishop Moore felt the strain of expectations, he also often felt at odds philosophically with · the more conservative Cardinal O'Connor. Asked if he feared repercussions for · signing the 1990 ad, Bishop Moore told a religious news service, "Christ didn't promise us an easy life." Around the same time, friends say, Moore began to miss appointments, to run short of money, lo disappear for long periods whi le he sought treatment for addiction. In 1994, the Times reported, Moore entered the Hazelden clinic in Minnesota. He later moved to a halfway house in Minneapolis, and died at a hospice there. Cardinal O'Connor said: "I am sympathetic to what he endured. If he did anything he shouldn't have, a lot of people might not be sympathetic. We all have to be accountable. But I know he tried his best to lead a responsible life, and I know the church made every effort to help him lead that life. I'm sure his conscience is clear. I feel mine is." -Associated Press, New York Times tind other reports Mormon leaders articulate opposition to same-sex unions· By Vern Anderson Associated Press Writer SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Mormon Church leaders are bringing discussion of homosexuality out of the closet, seeking to explain to distraught parents of Gays and to the general membership why same -sex unions are anathema . In an unprecedented airing of the issue in the October edition of the faith's Ensign magazine, ·a church apostle writes that gender is a premortal characteristic and that Satan is out to "confuse what ii means to be male or female." 'The struggles -of those who are troubled by same-sex attraction are not unique. There are many kinds of temptations, sexual and otherwise. The duty to resist sin applies to all of them," Elder Dallin H. Oaks says in the eight-page article. Until recently, leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have publicly discussed homo- This Christma~ let a new light shine for someone you love. GIVE THE GIFT OF SECOND STONE to a friend.family member, pastor, teacher or library... Your gift recipient will receive a card in your name and be reminded of your thoughtfulness for a full year, each time an issue arrives . . 0 Ple~e send a SECOND STc;>NE gift subscription and card in my name to the person(s)Usted: . · ·1 .Recipient __________ 3. Recipient _____ --, ___ _ Address Addr~ ----------- City, State & Zip City, State& . Zip ---,,------- 2.R~ipieni<---------- 4.Recipit:11:t _________ _ Address Address--~-'---~---~City, State &Zip, _______ _ City, State ~ZiP ------...,-- 1 gift, $17; 2 gifts, $29; 3 gifts, $42; 4 gifts, $54; mailed in plain envelope Name------------~-- · Non-U.S. addresses add $IO per yeru:, lJ S currency Address-- ---'---------- ~~i;~, State &Zip,_________ ~ ~ SECOND STONE• P.O. Box 8340 • New Orleans, LA 70182~ SECOND STONE sexuality mostly in general condemnations of immorality. But in 1994 the church began a vigorous campaign against efforts in Hawaii and elsewhere to legalize same-sex marriages. In the month of September, they have thrice proclaimed their opposition in high-profile forums. And Oaks' article, while disap!'ointing to many Mormon Gays and their parents, is significant for its acknowledgment of scientific research that tends lo show homosexuality has biological underpinnings. Oaks stressed that the subject of sexual orientation is "highly complex" and scientific knowledge about it in its infancy . Firm conclusions to "nature" versus "nurture" arguments over sexuality "must await many additional scientific studies." Nevertheless, he wrote, Mormons should refrain from using the words "homosexual, lesbian and gay" as nouns because to do so would run counter to church doctrine. "It is wrong to use these words to denote a condition, because this implies that a person is consigned by birth to a circumstance in which he or she has nq choice in respect to the critically important matter of sexual behavior," Oaks wrote. He also condemned · those who engage in "gay-bashing" and urged church memb.ers to show compassion toward those infected with the HIVvirus or afflicted with AIDS, "who may or may not have acquired their condition from sexual relations." On other points, the article by the former Utah Su.preme Court justice elaborated on statements made in a Sept. 23 "proclamation" by the church's governing First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles: That only heterosexual relations within marriage are acceptable to God and that men and women since Adam and Eve have been commanded fo "multiply and replenish the earth." discipline can be given for encouraging sin by others." While many other Christian faiths condemn homosexuality, Mormons have unique reasons for doing so. It is a basic tenet of the faith that only men and women married for eternity in a Mormon temple can dwell with God, and their families, after death, . and eventually attain godhood themselves. Oaks' address appears in partial response lo a growing number of Mormon Gays and their parents wounded by their treatment within a church that continues to insist homosexuality is treatable and even preventable. In a letter to President Gordon B. Hinckley on Aug. 27, 40 such parents asked, "How long must we endure the marginalization and vilification of our children?" They took exception to the monthly "First Presidency Message" in the September issue of the Ensign written _by Hinckley's counselor, James E. Faust, who declared the scien tific theory of . an inborn homosexual orientation a "false belief." 'The fruits of mounting scientific evidence, our own experience and our own children tell us otherwise," the parents wrote. They also decried the continued insistence by LDS Social Services on placing a large share of the blame for homosexuality on poor parenting, such an absent or weak father and a dominant mother. The church agency provides sexual re-orientation therapy to Mormon Gays. "If this theory had any vaJ.iqily, we would expect to see an .epidemic of homosexuality in the ghettos where absent fathers are the rule rather than the exception," the parents told Hinckley. A 1995 set of guidelines from LDS Social Services to Mormon counselors and psychotherapists says an "important goal in working with the parents of feminine boys and mascu- Mormons who engage in homo" sexual behavior can expect · to be excommunicated, Oaks said, "And SEE MORMONS, Page 19 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER l 9 9 5 In Print ....................................................... .................. Baptist leader finds God's suffering in AIDS victims Burden of a Secret it with us." By David Briggs Associated Press Religion Writer c)ffhe Rev. Jimmy Allen's friends :;;J' considered him a modern -day Job, the biblical figure who endured tragedy after tragedy as a test of faith. The book, Burden of a Secret, is published by Moorings, in Nashville, , Tenn. The world of the former Southern Baptist president came crashing down a decade ago, when he found out his daughter -in-law and two grandsons had .been infected with the AIDS virus during a blood transfusion she received in her first pregnancy. Lydia and her second child, Bryan, have died, and her other son, Matthew, is in the final stages of the disease. In th.e midst of all the suffering, one of Allen's sons told him he was gay and also had AIDS. Similar to the biblical account of Job, Allen's family found most rejection coming from within the church, with congregation after congregation turning . away his son's family when they discovered some members had AIDS. But unlike Job, Allen has never gotten angry at God. In a new book describing his experience, what Allen says he discovered in his personal journey through Gethsemane - the place Jesus spent the night before his crucifixion - was that God was suffering along with him. "I've been angry at sin and suffering. I've not been angry at God," Allen said in an interview. "God is in Allen said that when he first found out that AIDS had come to his family, he was filled with "why?" questions. 'They come at night, when I am at the edge of consciousness, trying to sleep," Allen writes. "Or in an unguarded moment as I hear a laughing child, the why questions leap across my path to challenge me. Why could it not be Bryan laughing, or Matt, or Lydia? Why did they have to die so young?" As he struggled through the pain of watching his grandson die, the "whys" became irrelevant. And he found God hurting along with him. 'The experience has deepened my\ awareness of the suffering in the heart of God," Allen said in an interview. "God is much bigger than I thought." Grief comes not to destroy people, Allen said, but to draw them closer to God. "Perhaps rather than asking 'why us?' we should ask, 'why not us?' Allen says. "Is not God's strength adequate to carry us through the same trials our fellow human beings encounter? What good is a Gospel that works only when the sun shines and life is easy?" Real faith, Allen said, is loving God Rev. Jimmy Allen, author of "Burden of a Secret," and former Southern Baptist Convention president not .for his solutions to personal struggle, but for himself. "Faith that can take it when God says 'no' adds steel to resolve, peace to the soul, sensitivity to the suffering of a hurting world, and absolute confidence that God will ultimately make things right, " Allen said. If God had healed his family members of AIDS, Allen said .he would have been ecstatic. Guide makes "going to the chapel" easier But that didn't happen, and Allen now must live with the mystery. What gives him strength is the mystery that God enters into his suffering with .him, Allen said. The Complete Gay Union Planner, a new commitment ceremony package developed by Rainbow Marketing, is designed to give those who are planning a commitment ceremony the necessary tools to guide them with confidence through the process of organizing their day of commitment. The central component of the package is a 112-page manual that provides worksheets and schedules to keep even the most frazzled user on track and organized . Covering every aspect of planning the ceremony, the . manual provides guidance on topics from choosing the location and caterer to arranging a more legal status for the union. A resource guide is included which offers a complete list of suppliers of gay union accessories such as rings and caketoppers, gay-friendly religious organizations, travel organizations and tour operators and a list of attorneys who deal with gay issues. A full set of key legal documents is provided to help those who wish to make their legal status more than just roommates. A full color "marriage certificate·· plus camera-ready invitation templates are also included. The Complete Gay Union Planner sells for .$49.97 and is available from Rainbow Marketing, 7501 Creekridge Rd., #107, Charlotte, NC 28212, (704)568-2673, rnbwmrkt@aol.com. "I become most like God when I love and suffer because God is a loving, suffering God," he said. In going public with his family's experience, Allen · hopes to help churcl1es become more responsive to Bulk Copies Available OF THIS ISSUE OF SECOND STONE 10 copies - $13.50 • 25 copies - $29.50 • 50 copies - S45.00 100 copies - $67. 50 includes postage and handling. Send your pre-paid order to Second Stone , P.O. Box 8340 , New Orleans, LA 70182 the AIDS crisis. "For my family, the issue is no longer 'why us?' It is, 'how can we help others avoid the suffering that has c.ome to us?"' These artists all have something in common: Bryan Adams. Jon Anderson. Roy Thomas Baker. Toni Basil. Peabo Bryson. Mike Chapman. Ava Cherry. Alice Cooper. Michael Des Barres. Rhett Davies. Bob Esty. Roberta Flack • . Sam Harri s. Phyllis Hyman. Alfonso Johnson. Johny Mandel. Martin Page. The Pointer Sisters. Suzi Qualro. Robbie • Robertson. Jimm ie Spheeris. Donna Summer. Bernie Taupin. Chester Thomson. Gino vannelli. The Weather Girls . .A.lee Willis. Gary Wright. They worked wilh Ibis UUJ If you'v e lis tene<l to popu lar music· in the latt er part of the 201h Crntury. then you've probably already hrnrd thr work of talen1ed write1; c·omposP1.,_ produc e r; and session mus ici<m Paul Delph: Because 1015 of major ai' t.i~t.-; worked ,vi1h ·him on their projcc1 s. i\ow you can hear wh:11 ht> so111Hls like wlic,n he$ in the dl'in·r ' s .:;rut 0 11 1his powerful: empowering 11rw CD. Positive music for positive people. And all the people who love them. A GOD THAT CAN DA;\CE pa11/ de/pl, . This pr iYntrly rrle.isrd, li111i1rcl Nlition CD is a\'nilable by chrck or mm1t•y order forSl.5.00 10: Magic Records 303 Klotter Street Cincinnati Off 45219 For more info on Paul Delph, and 18 olher world class mdepen dent recording arllSIS, VISII ArllSI Access on lie World Vllde Web· hllp //www.ar11s1acms.com/ cdaud1oiar11s1amss html SECOND STONE NOVEMBER/D E CEMBER l 9 9 5 InP rint • • •••• • ••••••••••••• • ••••••••••••• Q •••••••••••••••• • •••••••••••••••••••• UFMCC elder writes about "Our Tribe" By Dr. Robert E. Goss Contributing Writer Our Tribe: Queer Folks, God, Jesus, and the Bible. Rev Nancy Wilson, author. HarperSanFrancisco, 1995. REV. NANCY WILSON, an elder in the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches, has contributed a major work in lesbian and gay Christian theology . The UFMCC has every reason to be proud of her latest achievement. Our Tribe takes no back seat to any denominational Christian theology but pioneers liberation theology into the next century. Nancy Wilson witnesses to an alternative vision to the postchristian option ·of many gay and lesbian theologians. The strength of the book is its practical focus on the lived experience of lesbian/ gay Christians. Wilson's many anecdotes bring her theology alive and gives us a personal glimpse into a lesbian Christian who genuinely cares about justice and love. There are three major contributions, I believe, that Our Tribe makes to queer theology: 1.) a history of the UFMCC's relationship to the National Council of Churches, 2.) outing the Bible, 3.) and a sexual theology. Nancy Wilson narrates how the UFMCC met the National Council of Churches' requirements of membership and the NCC's continued denial of admission because of ecclesial homophobia. She details the behind the scenes world of ecumenical politics that did not make public press: Though the UFMCC met all the membership requirements of the National Council of Churches, there was strong pressure for the UFMCC to withdraw its application to that body. The NCc; refused to acknowledge the genuine spiritual awakening in the gay /lesbian Christian community. Wilson uses the wonderful metaphor of a loose thread on a coat to explain the threat posed to the NCC by the UFMCC. When you pull the thread, it begins to unravel. In the same fashion, the NCC's inability to deal with homosexuality indicates the impoverishment of its theology of sexuality. When confronted with homosexuality, its whole homophobic/ heterosexist theologies of sexuality come unravelled. Many of the Recommended Reading For Everyone ... PASTOR, I AM GAY by The Reverend H. Howard Bess An extraordinary book. PASTOR, I AM GAY ... is a prophetic witness to the church. It is compelling in its intensity, compassionate in its identifications, and courageous in its call to sharing humanity without ualifications. A reader will not be able to put it own. James B. Ashbrook, Professor Emeritus and Senior Scholar in Religion and Personality Garrett Evangelical Tneological Seminary Northwestern University PASTOR, I AM GAY is a superb entry into the difficult and painful subject of homosexuality that faces us in the church and sodety today. Both pastor and lay person will find this book readable and informative as we seek more insight into the lives of homosexual friends inside and outside the church. Donald Parsons, BishopA, laska Synod Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Order now from Second Stone Press Quan. □ PASTORI A, M GAYb y Rev.H owardB ess $14.95p, aperback. ___ _ P011tage1Han$d3li.n0g0f i rstb ook, $1.00e a. additional- ---- TOTALA MOUNTE NCLOSED-- --- NAME_ _____________________ _ ADDRES_S_ _______________ _ __ _ CITY/STATE/Z_I_P_ ________________ _ ORDERFR OM: SECONSDT ONEP RESSP,. O.B OX8 340N, EWO RLEANLSA, 7 0182 SECOND STONE U!J members of the NCC were not prepared to deal with the challenge to their theologies of sexuality . UFMCC's sexual theology highlights the shortcomings of the theologies of sexuality of the membership of the NCC. Gay and xual Jready ln hurch Wilson outs Gays, Lesbians, and bisexuals from their ancient biblical closets. She sets out to uncover the existence of men and women attracted to the same sex within the Bible beyond Jonathan and David, Ruth and Naomi. Her discussion of the biblical notion of eunuchs and barren women is innovative. Ancients un- ~ derstood, Wilson claims, eunuchs and barren women as gay, lesbian and bisexual antecedents. They were men and women classified because they chose not to have children. She uses Jesus' own categorization of eunuchs for the reign of God to define Wilson outs Gays, Lesbians and bisexuals from their ancient biblical closets. She sets out to uncover the existence of men and women attracted to the same sex within the Bible beyond Jonathan and David, Ruth and Naomi. Rev. Nancy Wilson, second from right, author of Our Tribe, in a protest at a National Council of Churches general board meeting. him and others as eunuchs. Wilson outs the Magi, Mary and Martha, Lazar us, the Roman . Centurion, the missionary woman couples Tryphaema and Tryphosa, Euodia and Syntyche, Paul and Silas, and angelic messengers. Wilson imaginatively ,rereads the story about the destruction of Sodom and Gommorrah as the attempted violent rape of two male angels (who also fall within the biblical definition of eunuch). The true Sodomite is the violent murder of Alan Schindler, ethnic cleansing in Bosnia, and the Tailhook incident. Finally, Nancy Wilson develops a queer sexual theology based on the biblical notions of hospitality and the Sabbath, For Wilson, to share sexually with someone is literally to make room for them in our body. Our bod_y is home, and sexuality is an mv1tat10n of bodily hospitality. Wilson's notion of bodily hospitality provides a basis for the development of a sexual ethic. Coerciv.e sex violates a sense of bodily hospitality. A second point in Wilson's sexual theology is her correlation of human sexuality with a Sabbath theology. fake the Sabbath, human sexuality was intended for our mutual joy and pleasure. Sexuality is about being made in'the image of God who loves fun, joy and pleasure. Wilson boldly paraphrases Jesus Sabbath saying, "Sexuality was made for humanity, not humanity for sexuality." For Wilson, God is a God of sexual pleasure and sexual justice. Imagine what the National Council of Churches could learn from Wilson's sexual theology and how it could transform its fearful theologies to encompass a creation theology of s~xual theology as an original blessmg rather than an origianl sin. I cannot recommend Our Tribe enough to gay and lesbian Christians for their reading, prayer, and practice. NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 9 9 5 ...... . .... .. . .. City of Refuge joins UCC t.CITY OF REFUGE Community Church in San Francisco has joined the United Church of Christ. The church occupies a 28,000 sq. ft. former television station at Van Ness and Greenwich streets. One of the fastest growing churches in the Bay Area, the primarily African-Americanchurch was tounded just four y ears ago by the Rev. Yvette Flunder and 14 original members and has already grown to embrace almost 600 members. Flunder is a third generation pastor, raised in the African-American Pentecostal tradition. Fort Worth church celebrates new name t.A MISSION CHURCH started in Fort Worth, Texas and originally named Whit e Rock West after its founding church has taken a big step in creating its own identity . The newly renamed Celebration Community Church was started in 1993 by Jerry Cook, pastor of White Rock Church in Dallas. Al the time, Cook would commute 35 miles from Dallas to Tarrant County to conduct a 5 p.m. service and then quickly return to Dallas to preach a 7 p.m. service. In November of 1994 the church called it's first pastor, Rev. Bill Prickett, who had been working as coordinator of Evangelicals . Concerned / Laguna CORONER, From Page 7 he said. On Sept. 14, Gov. Mike Lowry wrote to Amend about his postmortem comments in the Carver case. "I am concerned that your statements following her death have been misleading and inaccurate. The murder of Rachel was not committed by a gay person, yet you have used her death to indict the entire gay community," Lowry wrote. "While the abuse or murd .er of a young child is unforgivable, it is simply unfair and unwarranted to single out the gay community following Rachel's death ." The governor's legal counsel, Kent Caputo, asked the state Medical Quality Assurance Commission to investigate Amend. The 19-member panel has the authority to revoke a physician's license, but it is not often used, Director Keith Shafer said. "You are requested to take any and all appropriate action to ensure that the health and well-being of the people of the state are protected from such unprofessional and devastating conduct," Caputo said in a Jetter to Shafer. While the commission could strip Amend of his physician's license, it does not have the power to remove him from the coroner's office. The papers for a recall movement SECOND STONE Noteworthy • • • • • • • • • • • . • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • e • • • • • • • • • • • • • ·• • • • • • • • • Beach, in California. "It was a tedious process finding a name," Prickett said. "We had many people working hard on the transition . Most everyone in the church wanted a new name. It was just a matter of finding one that fit. I like the new name. It communicates a .strong message. We are about celebrating. We celebrate all that God has done in Christ. We celebrate God's acceptance. And ~e celebrate who we are, as God's gay and lesbian Children." Average church attendance has doubled - to about 60 - since the name change. For information on Celebration Community Church, call (817)245-0433. Lutheran ministry produces posters aimed at gay youth t.A LUTHERAN LESBIAN and Gay Ministries partnership grant supporting Wingspan Ministry's Youth and Family Poster Project has made it possible for the organization to print two new posters this year bringing the number of gay-positive posters available to four. Wingspan is a ministry of St. Paul-Reformation Lutheran Church in St. Paul, Minn. The posters are designed for use in school districts, health clinics, AIDS service organizations and youth service organizations . For information on the posters call (612)224-3371 or write to are inching their way through the legal process, but the earliest organizers would be able to get the issue on the ballot would be next year. The next regular election for coroner is 1998. . Says Rev. Wood, "A recall effort will be costly, even with contributed legal efforts. Furthermore there is a noisy and probably deep-pocketed, fundamentalist support group for Dr. Amend who are planning to fight the recall effort all the way." Amend is not without his supporters. About 250 people turned out at an • after-church rally for him in late August. He delivered a rambling speech detailing the particulars of anal sex for the crowd, which included many children. "Sodomy is what I am rejecting," Amend said. "It is inhuman." Michelle Lowell, an anti-gay rights activist who organized the rally, called Amend's remarks courageous and urged his audience to work to restore laws that make sodomy a crime. It is estimated that the recall effort will need $25,000 to cover the costs involved. Donations may be sent to the Recall Amend Committee, 6123 N . Fleming, Spokane, WA 99205. -Associated Press and other reports CD the church at 100 N. Oxford, St. Paul, MN 55104-6540. "Cool, your parents are gay! Why didn't you tell me?'' One of the new posters available from Wingspan. King's House celebrates first anniversary t.THE ,KING'S HOUSE Praise and Worship Center, Campbell, Calif., celebrated its first anniversary with a festival weekend Sept. 8-10. Evangelist Naomi Harvey was the guest speaker. This active ministry for gay and lesbian Christians is located at 1550 S. Winchester Ave., Suite 109 in Campbell, phone (408)288-8584. David Harvey serves as pastor. Integrity/Chicago celebrates 21st anniversary t.lNTEGRITY /CHICAGO was scheduled to celebrate its 21st anniversary on November 4 with a Eucharist in the Cathedral of St. James followed by a banquet featuring an address by Louie Crew, founder of the national organization. All eleven people who first gathered in December of 1974 were invited to return for the celebration. At presstime, the group was hoping to have Bishop Primo as principal celebrant, since he presided at the first Integrity convention Eucharist in November of 1975. l:3aptist Honesty group forms in Dallas iiSOUTHERN BAPTISTS, the largest Protestant denomit\ation in Texas, have long been associated with hostility and indifference towards members of the gay community. A light in this denomination sparked on Monday, October 2, with the creation of a supportive association of gay and lesbian Baptists called "Honesty/ Texas ." The group has no official connection to the' Southern Baptist Convention and therefore considers itself an autonomous, independent voice within the denomination. Unable to find a local Baptist church host, the 20 charter members convened their inaugural meeting at the Northaven United Methodist Church in Dallas. Those who gathered found openness and encouragement to be a positive voice uniting their gay and Baptist identities. Although the group is primarily Baptist, any gay or lesbian Christian without a support system is invited to attend. Honesty/ Texas has two preliminary goals: provide support for gay and lesbian Baptists as they seek to know and follow God's will for their lives, and to educate individuals, local congregations, and the denomination about the complex issues surrounding homosexuality. For information on Honesty, write to P. 0. Box 190869, Dallas, TX 75219 or call (214)521-5342, ext. 233. AIDS ministry gets award t.BRO. STEPHEN E. BRADDOCK, 0.5.C., founder and executive director of AIDS Ministry for the Order of St . Camillus, was honored by the Mid-West Hispanic AIDS Coalition with the 1995 "Ltiz Y -Vida" (Light and Life) Award for outstanding contributions made to the Hispanic Community of Wisconsin. The award was presented August 25th at Milwaukee's United Community . Center. MHAC is a non-profit membership organization of Hispanics and nonHispanics addressing the problem of HIV/ AIDS among Hispanics in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin. :w, Brother Stephen Braddock, right, is presented with the 1995 "Lux Y Vida" award by Jose Avila. Luke "Sissyfag" joins ex-gays FORMER MEMBER OF ACT UP Seattle Luke "Sissyfag" Montgomery has joined the fundamentalist antigay movement. He promotes antigay initiatives and refers to himself as a former homosexual activist. This past summer he appeared on religious radio stations across the country and in an interview with Focus on the Family leader James Dobson, he approved the attacks against the gay community. 'The gay community is . devoid of any moral character ... and it's a totally shallow, disgusting lifestyle," he said. · Montgomery (he's changed his name back) is in Los Angeles, where he 's attempting to become a "shockjock" anti-gay radio talk show host. - Seattle Gay News NOVEMBER/DECEMBER l , 9 9 5 ' . . Comment . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ............. - .................. . Refuse to lose By butchwalks@aol.com Guest Comment r'"'f1his morning all over the papers l ~nd within the sports media is the story of the Mariners and their chance at the championship. · One title caught my eye and made me reflect upon my own spiritual challenges. The sportswriter said everywhere you look .in the Seattle area you can see the "Refuse to Lose" theme boosting the enthusiam and spirit for our home team. God's spirit reflected this theme to my own journey. Here is what I. meditated on, perhaps you can get something out of it as well. 1. The "Refuse to Lose" attitude. If these athletes compete with body, soul, and all of their strength to obtain an earthly crown and recompense for their efforts, how much more should we - the children of God - put our entirety into God's working in our lives? Too often we have a defeatist complex . I have great news my friends, we are winners in Christ! That's not just an attitude, but a reality. "We are more than conquerers through Christ who loved us ... " Halluliah! 2. The news broadcaster also boasted about the attendance. 57,000 plus spectators. If you saw the Mariners last playoff game against New York, you saw the stadium come to life as that winning hit was made. The crowd rose to their feet, shouts were heard for miles around the Kingdome, the fans at home watching via television, the people at work and listening to th(! radio were all in unparalleled rejoicing over their team's achievements. My brothers and sisters in Christ, I have · good news. There is more than any 57,000 plus in our spectators arena. The Scripture tells us that there is a '.'great cloud of witnesses" that Will address areas wh_ere consensus exists watch us in our race upon this earth. Think about that for a second . When we are faced in a two strike, two out inning and it is all upon us and what we do at bat...there are angelic hosts in heaven shouting and praying aloud for us to overcome the obstacles of Satan's temptations. Thank God for our heavenly support. 3. The paper this morning listed an entire page of the Mariners' stats in comparison with the Indians. Amazingly, God records our stats too. Think of our stats like this. Blessed are the peacemakers ... Blessed are the pure in heart...Blessed are the merciful...Blessed are you when people shall persecute you and say all kinds of evil things about you ... So how are our stats? There is a song that says how many are the lost that I have lifted? How many are the chained I've helped to free? I wonder have I done my best for Jesus, when Christ has done so much for me. 4. Then there was the heros of the team ... Ken Griffey, Jr ... Manny Ramirex, Edgar Martinex, Randy Johnson ... AII of these talented and hardworking athletes deserve their due applause and honor. Our team all-star is better than any of these guys. Our team all-star has never struck out, never dropped a catch, never hit a bad pitch. Our team all-star is none other than Christ Jesus our Lord. Many times as gay /lesbian/ transgendered /bi Christians we would rather sit on the bench and wear the team uniform and attend practice ... but we don't like to get out there in the spotlight where we can be seen participating on the team. When all of God's team players play wholeheartedly as the Seattle Mariners then we, the Church of Jesus Christ will also be the victorious, overcoming, and "refusing to lose." Lutherans to produce "message" on human sexuality CHICAGO - The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will produce a "message" on human sexuality before it considers another possible "social statement" on the subject. The ELCA Division for Church in Society (DCS) will "draft a 'message' for consideration by the church council in fall 1996 on those areas for which· there appears to be consensus within this church," according to the council's executive committee. The council may adopt the message or it may distribute the text for comment in the church prior to transmitting it to the 1997 Churchwide Assembly, the executive committee action said. The DCS board received the committee's action at its Sept. 28-30 meeting here. Any prospect of developing a social statement on human sexuality will be reviewed following that assembly, the executive committee said. The assembly could consider the message if the council feels it is setting new policy . It would also "help keep the momentum going in terms of our discussion of the subject," said the Rev. Charles S. Miller, DCS executive director. The division develops social 'statements for action by the church council and the biennial Churchwide Assembly, and it develops messages on social issues for action by the 37-member church council. Social statements usually define church policy, while messages are "persuasive, non-policy communications on timely, urgent social issues." ;•we may have to push the margin a bit," Miller said. A SECOND STONE message on human sexuality may go beyond current definitions "only because some of the material ... is not treated in predecessor church social statements, and the understanding of a message is that it does not ordinarily break new ground in terms of policy for the church."- The message will probably not create new policy, said Miller. 'There are just some places we are going to have to admit this is taking us into territory where the predecessor churches have not been," he said. The ELCA has been studying the topic of human sexuality since 1989 with the hopes of developing a social statement on the subject. Two drafts of a possible statement were met with great interest and largely negative response, but portions of the drafts were praised for clearly stating the church's opposition to abuses of r._« Pontius' Puddle HOW COME'.. T~~ $E:A~c~ COMt-\\TTEE l'ORNE:t> C>OWN "TI-U:. APPL\C~NT FOR -n-\E. PASTO~A.il: °? human sexuality. Miller said the message may "on the one hand deal with practices that violate our sexuality and then on the other hand deal with our witness in public policy regarding matters of sexuality. Those two areas would be the ones most naturally lifted up in the message, because we found in the responses to the first and the second draft relatively little disagreement with that material," he said. The church council's executive committee asked the division to begin work on "a multi-authored volume on how Lutherans do ethics, with a companion document to be prepared for congregational use." DCS will work with Lutheran ethicists, to develop the multiauthored piece probably dealing with more topics than human sexuality. The executive committee also Tl4.AT1S OOTRAGEOU$! WI-IA1 QOIRK or \,IRTI-\ CO<JLD POSS\5L\J CAUS'c. TI-\E CI-\ORC.1-l TO OVERLOOI( T"'E INNER GIFTS ONE IS ASKEO "TO 8RIN&-- TO ,l-\E. MIN\STR\J '? directed DCS staff to undertake "appropriate efforts related to issues of hospitality and justice" with gay and lesbian Lutherans. The possibility of the ELCA ever producing a social statement on human sexuality is unclear. "We'll have to wait until after the 1997 Churchwide Assembly __ to see whether, in light of what w e've produced, the church through the assembly still believes we should continue work on a social statement," said Miller. In other action, the board officially brought "closure to the work of the original task force on human sexuality" assembled in 1989. A letter of appreciation will include recognition of the personal attacks task force members suffered in the course of their work on this controversial topic . -BEINC:r 80RN rEMAL.E. I HOP£ YOU WE.NT RO<.>C::rl-\ ON μER NOVEMBER/DECEMBER l 9 9 5 YourTurn ............................................ ·• .......................... . Louisville, Kentucky Lutheran assembly "best ever" for Gays, Lesbians Dear Second Stone, I felt the September/ October issue of Second Stone had a very negative tone about the ELCA Churchwide Assembly. This is unjustified and incorrect. Our new bishop, George Anderson, is much more supportive and will do a lot to push the church to move forward than your article suggested. . This assembly was the best ever for lesbian/gay people and we are very pleased. Instead of a backlash, which some had · predicted following the sexuality debate going on, we were ·welcomed and our place at the table in this denomination was assured. Sure, we didn't get everything we hoped for ... ordination is still not CLOSET, From Page 3 "I think Tracey Lind is one of the · finest priests I've ever known," he told the Herald & News. 'The fact that Tracey is a lesbian who lives in a committed relationship is of little interest to me." Robert . Briggs, who serves on St. Paul's vestry and runs a homeless shelter for the parish, credited Lind with helping him transform his life. "I was living on the street for two years, MORMONS, From Page 14 line girls is to improve the marital relationship - schisms between the parents are apparent in almost all cases. "Gender confusion is less likely when love and harmony are present in the parents' marriage. Treatment for the parents is aimed at overcoming their distance from each other." Many Mormon Gays and their parents hold out hope that a preponderance of scientific evidence eventually will cause the church affirmed (although as a result of the discussions in the church at large, more and more bishops are ordaining candidates they know to be gay/ lesbian, and encouraging those dergy who come out to stay in the ministry), but significant progress was achieved. I value Second Stone and continue to encourage people to subscribe. Sincerely, Jim Oxyer Lutherans Concerned/Louisville Longview, Texas A Christian before anything else Dear Second Stone, I am a Christian and that is first in my life. To be gay is only a secondary thing. Being gay or straight, male or female; white or of color should be secondary in every Christian's life. Yet many Christians still living in cars, in abandoned buildings," he said. There are inany openly gay priests in the Episcopal Church, several dozen of them in New Jersey. Unlike bishops, who are answerable to the national church leadership, priests can be disciplined only by the bishop for whom they work. St. Paul's, founded in 1812 by Paterson's silk gentry; is one of the more diverse churches in New Jersey. It is 45 percent black, 35 percent white and 10 percent Hispanic . leaders they revere as prophets to look less sternly on same-sex marriages. "As tlw understanding of homosexuality evolves, is the status · quo the best we can hope for?" the parents asked Hinckley, the church's "prophet, seer and revelator." "Is it possible that additional revelation may be forthcoming that might bring some peace and un<;lerstanding to our families? How long must we and the church remain in conflict with ourselves?" SECOND STONE Newsjournal, ISSN No. 1047-3971, is published every other month by Bailey Communications, P. 0 : Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182. Copyright 1995 by Second Stone, a registered trademark . SUBSCRIPTIONS , U.S.A. $17,00 per year, six issues. Foreign subscribers add $10.00 for postage, All payments U.S. currency only. ADVERTISING, For display advertis ing infonnation call (504)891-7555 or write to P.O. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182 . EDITORIAL, send letters, calendar announcements, noteworthy items to (Department title) Second Stone, P.O. Box 8340, New Orleans, LA 70182. Manuscripts to be returned should be accompanied by a stamped, self addressed envelope, Second Stone is otherwise not responsible for the return of any material, SECOND STONE, a national ecumenical Christian social justice newsjoumal with a specific outreach to sexual orientation minorities. PUBLISHER/EDITOR: Jim Bailey SECOND STONE G) see some of these parts of themselves as first in their life. In the Bible when people became changed for the better for God they had a name change. Maybe God is calling .on us as a group of Christians to separate ourselves from the gay world. To change our name, to take a higher calling. In the Bible the higher calling for the word gay is joy. To be gay is of the world, to be joy is of God. To be for Christ is joy . Nehemiah 8:9-10 says non-Christians are under law. We as Christians are ' under grace. Gay people weep and mourn under the change of laws. But we as Christians know, "the joy of the · Lord is our strength . The wake-up call is today . Does anyone hear the gentle voice of God in Christ calling us to a life of joy? Will anyone take the high road from gay to joy? May joy be yours today and for eternity, Paul Ennis W From the Editor W • -, • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • e "Their" organizations offer more than "ours" By Jim Bailey - ... CONTRARY TO WHAT many of us may feel by now, Dr. James Dobson's Focus on the , Family organization was not created to crusade against gay rights and wo~en s nghts. Those were not the issues that expanded Dobson'& orgaru~t10 _n ~rom a small two-roo~ operation into the giant Colorado Springs enterpnse 1t 1s today. Through his earlier therapy practice Dobson began to understand that, yes, the American family was indeed in trouble. About half o/ all married couples were s~litting up and m~ny who were staying together w~re havmg trouble mamta1m1;1-g thetr commitment. In many families where children . were prese,nt, parentmg s~ills were seen as lacking. So Dobson crea_t:d an orgaruzahon to help marned couples stay together and raise their farruhes. T~e need was certainly there, and with Focus on the Family doing a . fairly good JOb of meeting those needs, the organization grew ·exponentially . Focus on the Family is basically a resource center offering books, video tapes , ne_"'.sletters , and . media program~in~ t~~t suppo~s families in trouble. Mismformah~>n about gay and lesbian md1V1dual, family and parenting issues notw1thstandmg, Focus on the Family has made material available that without doubt has been helpful to many, many families . Those appreciative families and many other supportive families are now members of Focus on the Family. When Dr. Dobson inco~ectly id~ntified gay rights as a threat to the family, the vast membership of his orgamzalton gave him a powerful voice to speak against gay and lesbian people. The gay community responded to Focus on the Family and other such organizations by forming political organizations. (True to our weakness of not ?eing able to agree much of time, we formed several splintered organizations mstead of _one powerful one.) We are asked to send money to join. We do. Then we fmd that most of our contact with this group will be in the form of more solicitations and possibly a newsletter or ballot of endorsements . We are asked to do much of the lobbying work ourselves . And send more money. Who gets more out of the ir membership - a member of Focus on the Family - or a member of one of our political groups? Is there any wonder that we just can't match their numbers? · The )argest i:;ay and lesbian "focus" group in America doesn't exist yet. It will come mto bemg when, hke Dr. Dobson, someone provides a balm for the difficul~ies and struggles we face in our lives and our relationships. We will know, hke members of Focus on the Family, that we are affiliated with a group that understands the pain we have felt - and offers solutions, answers and support. Every now and then I see a spark of hope that such a group may come out of one of our gay and lesbian Christian organizations. Then again, maybe not. We continue to let petty differences divide us. In the larger religious commuruty, even evangelicals and Roman Catholics are coming together to work toward common goals. We continue to miss the big harvest because, with help only from People Like Us, we toil the tiny field of familiarity and minor comfort. NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 199 5 "WONDERFUL DIVERSITY," "Heartily recommended," "Philosophically intrigu. ing." "Excellent. u Why do reviewers highly esteem CHRISTIAN*NEW AGE QUARTERLY? Great articles and lively columns make this bridge of dialogue between Christians and New Agers as entertaining as it is substantive. Subscribe for only $12.50/yr. Or sample us for $3.50. CHRISTIAN*NEW AGE QUARTERLY, P.O. Box 276, Clifton, NJ 07011-0276. TF OPEN HANDS an ecumenical quarterly magazine on mi'nistries with gays. lesbians and bisexuals. $16/year. Free sample. 3801 N. Keeler Avenue, Chicago , IL 60641. 3121736-5526. FAX-3121736-5475. HOMOSEXUAL? 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Read "From Darkness into Light: What the Bible Really Says About Homosexuality" by David Cooper. Do gays have any basis for Holy Unions? Read "Sex, Marriage. and Divorce 11 by Cornerstone Fellowship. Both pamphlets available for $2.00 each from Cornerstone Fellowship, 2902 N. Geronimo, Tucson. AZ 85705. GAY TEACHER desires a caring, sharing male friend-first. At 50 I enjoy home, travel, restaurants. movies, music . church, and diversity. Your heart's desire? Write tonight! Dave, Box 18122, Rochester, NY 14618. 12/95 PROVERBS SAYS "There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." GWM, 43, non-smoker. non-drinker, seeks such a friend to share faith, fellowship, and fun. Life is meant to be shared. Let's discover what interests we have in common and begin ... building the relationshi 'p God has in store for us! Please write: P.O. Box 68005, Rochester NY 14618. 12/95 IN LOVE WITH LIFE, compassionate, poetic, age 28, ebon, seeking someone to communicate with (not to), someone unprejudiced and concer~ed about justi<:e, especially as related to pnsons. Please wnte Kenneth Johnson #515059, F-3, Route 2, Box 4400 Gatesville. TX 76597. TF WARNING-REGARDING PRISON CORRESPONDENCE: While most prisoners seekini correspondence are genuine in their intent, some are not. Readers are cautioned to protect themselves from scams: I. Do not send checks or money orders to prisoners and do not cash checks or money orders from prisoners. Persons cashing altered checks ·<Jr money orders are responsible for the difference between the issue amount and the altered amount. 2. Do not reveal personal information about SECOND STONE Cla ssifieds .• ••••. • •• • ••• •••• •••• • • • •••••••• e: •• ••• ----- - ------------7 Classified Order Form FOR ONLY 35¢ per word, your classified ad will reach readers from Sitka. 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External program leads to valid ordination. An incardination process is available for those already in Orders. Those interested in this program for personal fulfillment without interest in ordination may also reply. EACA - Vocations , 2401 Artesia Blvd., Ste. #106-213, Redondo Beach CA 90278. 12/95 . CONFERENCE FOR CATHOLIC LESbians (CCL) is a national organization for lesbians of Catholic heritage . Quarterly newsletter. Supportive network. Advocates for lesbian issues in poli tical and Church forums. For membership information please contact CCL-SS, P.O. Box 436, Planetarium INDEPENDENT CATHOLIC religious order. Men/women, lay/clerical, gay/non-gay. Optional celibacy , non-residential, ecumenical. Ordination pos sible. Father Abbot , Order of St. John the Divine . 166 Jay St., Albany, NY 122!0. 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Please notify us four weeks in advance for uninterrupted delivery. Send both old and new addre?ses. If possible attach mailing la_bel in space provided PRINT NEW ADDRESS Send completed form to: THES ECONDST ONE· Box8340 NewO rleansL, A 70182 . 0. 0. 0 , m m • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 199 5 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 Second Stone #43 - Nov/Dec 1995