1 20 5 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/1d5647b402f6ca8c307b893a31c034fa.jpg bddb708128844e22cfd0579d901f62d6 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/b5c24c982ab3af2bebc0840823928a47.jpg 0d285871ffe868db0a5f74721d89a66a https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/31f9063e4752c2a487785816781f5822.jpg 1dae5d37b66682243527c982afb7545c Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Shower of Stoles Description An account of the resource Items (stoles) for the Shower of Stoles exhibit Stole A stole in the Shower of Stoles exhibit Honoree The person honored by the creation of thestole. Maire Hart Stole Text MAIRE HART COMMUNITY OF CHRIST Faaa, Tahiti My name is Maire Hart. I am a professional singer from Tahiti. I discovered my homosexuality as a child, but I really experienced it at the age of 18, when I tried to be with men, but my orientation was really that of loving women. When the public (my fans) found out about my sexuality, my popularity decline and I was deeply hurt in my heart. As a result, I became totally withdrawn and quite singing for a period of 15 years. Fifteen years of my life sacrificed. I abandoned my passion, my mission, what I loved most in the world, because of the accusing looks. But most of all, I was not strong enough to fight against this shame that was killing me little by little. I was falling then so easily into drugs, by pure shame, and telling myself that I was not “normal.” It is never easy for an artist to live with being a celebrity, but with a label that always brings mockery, insults and discrimination, and fear of the unknown. But I found the strength to overcome these problems, thanks to God and the prayers addressed to him, with a true, fervent desire to pull out of it. He was always there but I was so weak and blinded by the drugs that I was wandering in total darkness. But one day I had enough of this shadowy world, understanding at last that I alone was ruining and wasting my life. I came across a verse that said, “One does not put a lamp under the table but on the table, so that it shines on everyone.” I felt like God had lifted me up. I got up all the courage I could muster, then I did everything I had to, to appear before you this evening, and I started singing again. I joined a prayer group. Today, my primary gratitude will always be to God, for having never left me and for being my best father, friend, Savior, and captain of the ship. Thank you, Lord. Thank you too, my Angels. Denomination Community of Christ (formerly RLDS) Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 1025 Title A name given to the resource Maire Hart Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Faaa, Tahiti, (French Polynesia) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Maire Hart Community of Christ Hart, Maire Tahiti Theology Women and Religion Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Shower of Stoles Description An account of the resource Items (stoles) for the Shower of Stoles exhibit Stole A stole in the Shower of Stoles exhibit Honoree The person honored by the creation of thestole. Brian Sadler Stole Text Brian Sadler Community of Christ They say that I am unique and that mine is an important story that needs to be told. That it would be simple to put it into writing. That has not been my experience as I have struggled with this request. What makes it extra hard for me is knowing that I am not unique or euphonious. It is a story that has, sad to say, been repeated by many others before, much more eloquently. It is easy to pass as fitting-in, being part of a church, crowd, or groups, but being out and being the “other” in the society at large is an eye-opening experience that somehow transcends words. Becoming aware of how different and unimportant I am to the church, suddenly I feel invisible. I find myself becoming “hetero-phobic” (irrationally fearful of heterosexuals). It hurts so deep that I am not sure I can get beyond it. Brian was called to the office of Teach in the Community of Christ in 1989 and served in his home congregation until he stopped attending. Denomination Community of Christ (formerly RLDS) Contribution Date 2008 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 1122 Title A name given to the resource Brian Sadler Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Unknown, (USA) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Meredith Bischoff Bischoff, Meredith Community of Christ Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Sadler, Brian United States Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Shower of Stoles Description An account of the resource Items (stoles) for the Shower of Stoles exhibit Stole A stole in the Shower of Stoles exhibit Honoree The person honored by the creation of thestole. Allen Hose Stole Text Allen Hose Community of Christ Long Beach, CA Now that I am 57 years old, I have come to a realization about life in general. I used to think that people had to think, act, and even in some ways look the same, and that even one church was preferred over another. But in the reality of life, and what I now believe, we are not the same nor should we be the same. For it is in those differences that makes each one of us unique; whether straight or gay, male or female, black or white, Christian or Muslim, rich or poor, or any other label that humanity tries to put on us, we are all important to the human link of (and yes, even animal) existence. If whatever Deity (or not) one believes in, what matters most is how we treat each other, and that is why there are so many differences in humankind. If it were not so, we would all be sheep! While a member of the Mormon Church, Allen was called to the office of elder and served faithfully in his ward and at the Los Angeles Temple until he was excommunicated for being gay in 1979. Allen is now a member of Basileia: An Open Door Community of Christ. Denomination Community of Christ (formerly RLDS) Contribution Date 2008 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 1121 Title A name given to the resource Allen Hose Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Long Beach, California (United States) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Meredith Bischoff California Church Trials Community of Christ Hose, Allen Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Theology Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Shower of Stoles Description An account of the resource Items (stoles) for the Shower of Stoles exhibit Stole A stole in the Shower of Stoles exhibit Honoree The person honored by the creation of thestole. Meredith Bischoff Stole Text Meredith Bischoff Community of Christ Chino Hills, CA I was born and raised in the church, and have always been active, when called to the priesthood I was glad to serve. I am now a co-pastor of a welcoming and affirming Community of Christ congregation and an activist in the Welcoming Church Movement. It is my answer to God’s call to serve. Most people in my congregation know I am bisexual, some still do not. Most church members I know outside my congregation are unaware. When we include sexual orientation and gender identity in our liturgy, I feel included and loved by God. Denomination Community of Christ (formerly RLDS) Contribution Date 2008 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 1120 Title A name given to the resource Meredith Bischoff Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Chino Hills, California (USA) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Meredith Bischoff Bischoff, Meredith Bisexual activism California Community of Christ Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Theology Women and Religion https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/a84450e0e77a263a3190f2bd26b37b06.jpg c6861e7ff2fcde784ad602d52bd940d1 https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/fb675861049fc8b3ce5f03d7d0f76383.jpg 35338dc6e84f5165441fed4346bcb95c https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/10d3dd1555f0b7e1be647d1f313f394c.jpg 1fed5a1fe82aac0bad1a76e057447d0a Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Shower of Stoles Description An account of the resource Items (stoles) for the Shower of Stoles exhibit Stole A stole in the Shower of Stoles exhibit Honoree The person honored by the creation of thestole. Don Streeter Stole Text Don Streeter Community of Christ Salem, Oregon I knew that I viewed boys and girls differently from the time puberty struck but didn't realize that what I felt was defined as homosexuality. I had always promised God, myself, and my wife that I would be faithful to our marriage covenant and I am proud that I did, even though my head would often turn at the sight of other men. Shortly after our divorce, my inner being begged to be recognized and dealt with. I found a support group and upon my first visit was able to come to grips with my sexuality and came to embrace it as part of who I was instead of enduring the self-loathing and contempt that I had experienced before. For the first time in my life I was able to look in the mirror and love the person I saw instead of seeing him with disgust and derision. I was called to the office of Teacher in 1971 and several years later to Priest. I loved those offices dearly! When I came out in November 1993, I naively expected the support of my church family (not the congregation I attend now) but instead found myself very much alone. My pastor and district president were unsupportive and seemed more concerned with expediency than honor. I was silenced on the grounds that I had "disrupted a worship service" (I read a coming out statement during a 9:45 a.m. early morning worship) and for "betraying the trust of the congregation." My lines of appeal were not available as the district president had already supported the pastor, our regional administrator was dealing with his own divorce proceedings, and an apostle had not yet been reassigned to our area. I gave up hope. Denomination Community of Christ (formerly RLDS) Contribution Date 2002 Contribution Story Don Streeter's stole is quite the fabulous creation. Made of wildly colored bunched fabric with paper flowers and strings of colored beads, it was once voted the "gayest stole in the collection" by a small group of LGBT United Methodists. But this bright, festive stole holds an immensely painful story. Don served his church well and loved that work with all his heart. He expected his church to return this love when he came out. Instead he was "silenced," a ritual in Latter Day Saint traditions (no longer practiced in the Community of Christ) which effectively isolates a member from family, friends and church, while cutting off the member's ability to speak on their own behalf. In a tradition that places a high value on family and community, the impact of silencing on LGBT folk like Don is devastating. There is no "good news" at the end of this story. Don ends it simply, "I gave up hope." It is remarkable that, out of this horrendous experience, Don still was able to produce that exudes the positive strength he has gained from his faith in God, and even acknowledges his call to serve -- a pamphlet describing RLDS Priesthood is attached to the stole. Martha Juillerat Founder, Shower of Stoles Project 2006 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 862 Title A name given to the resource Don Streeter Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Salem, Oregon (USA) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Don Streeter Clergy Activist Community of Christ Oregon Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Streeter, Don Theology