Tanya Denley

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https://lgbtran.org/Exhibits/Stoles/photos/original/Photo208.jpg
https://lgbtran.org/Exhibits/Stoles/photos/original/Photo206.jpg

Dublin Core

Title

Tanya Denley

Contributor

Tanya Denley

Identifier

700

Coverage

Chicago, Illinois (USA)

Stole Item Type Metadata

Honoree

Tanya Denley

Stole Text

TANYA DENLEY
Seminarian, McCormick Theological Seminary

Candidate for the Ministry of Word and Sacrament, PC(USA)

I was born and bred Presbyterian.  I never questioned the church until I came out as a lesbian.  When I did that, my best friend asked what the church thought about homosexuality.  My answer was the church was okay with it, as long as you didn't want to be a pastor.  When I received my call to ministry the next year, I laughed at God's sense of humor.

This rainbow stole was given to me in my first year at seminary to wear at my ordination.  I donate it with the hope that I may still wear it at my ordination, whenever that will be.  As I prepare for my graduation from seminary, I face the uncertainty of the church.  The church which has been my home all these years does not want me.  I must find a way now to do ministry and stay connected to the church, which has rejected God's call for me.

Contribution Date

2001

Contribution Story

Tanya Denley was active in the leadership of Acts 10:15, the LGBT student organization that hosted a large display of the stoles at McCormick Seminary in 2001.  Acts 10:15 is also a Student Chapter of More Light Presbyterians.

Martha Juillerat
Founder, Shower of Stoles Project
2006

Denomination

Presbyterian Church (USA)

Geolocation