"Item Id","Item URI","Dublin Core:Title","Dublin Core:Subject","Dublin Core:Description","Dublin Core:Creator","Dublin Core:Source","Dublin Core:Publisher","Dublin Core:Date","Dublin Core:Contributor","Dublin Core:Rights","Dublin Core:Relation","Dublin Core:Format","Dublin Core:Language","Dublin Core:Type","Dublin Core:Identifier","Dublin Core:Coverage","Item Type Metadata:Text","Item Type Metadata:Interviewer","Item Type Metadata:Interviewee","Item Type Metadata:Location","Item Type Metadata:Transcription","Item Type Metadata:Local URL","Item Type Metadata:Original Format","Item Type Metadata:Physical Dimensions","Item Type Metadata:Duration","Item Type Metadata:Compression","Item Type Metadata:Producer","Item Type Metadata:Director","Item Type Metadata:Bit Rate/Frequency","Item Type Metadata:Time Summary","Item Type Metadata:Email Body","Item Type Metadata:Subject Line","Item Type Metadata:From","Item Type Metadata:To","Item Type Metadata:CC","Item Type Metadata:BCC","Item Type Metadata:Number of Attachments","Item Type Metadata:Standards","Item Type Metadata:Objectives","Item Type Metadata:Materials","Item Type Metadata:Lesson Plan Text","Item Type Metadata:URL","Item Type Metadata:Event Type","Item Type Metadata:Participants","Item Type Metadata:Birth Date","Item Type Metadata:Birthplace","Item Type Metadata:Death Date","Item Type Metadata:Occupation","Item Type Metadata:Biographical Text","Item Type Metadata:Bibliography","Item Type Metadata:Embed Code","Item Type Metadata:Volume Number","Item Type Metadata:Issue Number","Item Type Metadata:Publication Year","Item Type Metadata:Publication Date","Item Type Metadata:Table of Contents","Item Type Metadata:Honoree","Item Type Metadata:Stole Text","Item Type Metadata:Contribution Date","Item Type Metadata:Contribution Story","Item Type Metadata:Denomination","Item Type Metadata:YouTube ID","Item Type Metadata:Vimeo ID",tags,file,itemType,collection,public,featured 1091,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1091,"Justice and Joy - Reconciling Ministries Network's Convocation (Solidarity Stole)",,,,,,,,,,,,,1175,"Estes Park, Colorado (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Justice and Joy - Reconciling Ministries Network's Convocation (Solidarity Stole)","Justice and Joy Reconciling Ministries Network’s Convocation Estes Park, CO September 2009 This stole, and hundreds like it, was created by Parents Reconciling Network, an extension ministry of RMN. These stoles are distributed at every gathering of RMN and the wider United Methodist Church as a visible witness in support of ending the denomination’s anti-homosexual stance.   ",2009,,"United Methodist Church",,,"Ally,Colorado,Methodist,Ordination,Reconciling Ministries Network (formerly Reconciling Congregation Program),United Methodist Church",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 1092,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1092,"Faith Hope Love - Reconciling Ministries Network's Convocation (Solidarity Stole)",,,,,,,,,,,,,1176,"Nashville, Tennessee (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Faith Hope Love - Reconciling Ministries Network's Convocation (Solidarity Stole)","Faith Hope Love Reconciling Ministries Network’s Convocation Nashville, TN September 2007 This stole, and hundreds like it, was created by Parents Reconciling Network, an extension ministry of RMN. These stoles are distributed at every gathering of RMN and the wider United Methodist Church as a visible witness in support of ending the denomination’s anti-homosexual stance.  ",2007,,"United Methodist Church",,,"Ally,Methodist,Ordination,Reconciling Ministries Network (formerly Reconciling Congregation Program),Tennessee,United Methodist Church",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 1093,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1093,"Rev. Anita Hill",,,,,,,"Rev. Anita Hill",,,,,,1179,"Saint Paul, Minnesota (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Rev. Anita Hill","Rev. Anita Hill Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Saint Paul, MN This deacon’s stole was worn by Anita from May 1994 when she was installed as Pastoral Minister of St. Paul-Reformation Lutheran Church (Saint Paul, MN), until the date of her “irregular” (read extraordinary) service of ordination on April 28, 2001. The Rev. Anita C. Hill was officially received as a member of the clergy roster of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America on September 18, 2010. Hill played a significant role in the change in policy of the ELCA to allow openly LGBT clergy who are in relationships to serve on the rosters of her denomination. ",,"Click here for a biographic profile of Rev. Anita Hill, in the LGBTQ Religious Archives Network's Profile Gallery.","Evangelical Lutheran Church in America",,,"Clergy Activist,Evangelical Lutherans of America (ELCA),Hill, Anita,Lutheran,Minnesota,Ordination,St. Paul,Women and Religion",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 1094,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1094," Imam Daayiee Abdullah",,,,,,,"Imam Daayiee Abdullah",,,,,,1180,"Washington, District of Columbia (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Imam Daayiee Abdullah","Imam Daayiee Abdullah Inclusive Liberation Theological Progressive Muslim Washington, DC I am a Sunni Muslim by training, but have evolved into an Inclusive Liberation Theological Progressive Muslim, which involves revival and reform of the current orthodox views to make them more inclusive for women and LGBTQ Muslims and other denominations of Muslims and interfaith communities. I obtained the stole back in 2004 when I went with a number of LGBTQ activists to Lynchburg, Virginia and rallied at Liberty University to protest Jerry Falwell’s stance on LGBTQ rights. I have used that stole on many occasions throughout my career as Imam within the LGBTQ Muslim community as well as in the general religious community worldwide. ",2015,"This stole - the very first Muslim piece to be added to the collection - was formally presented on February 6, 2015 during the National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change. A video of the presentation can be found here.

Click here to read the LGBTQ Religious Archives Network's biographic profile of Imam Daaiyee Abdullah. You can also check out the LGBTQ-RAN's oral history with Imam Daaiyee Abdullah here. 
David Lohman 
Faith Work Manager
",,,,"Abdullah, Daayiee,Clergy Activist,Feminism,International Human Rights,Islam,Progressive Islam,Sunni Islam,Theology,Washington, D.C.","https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/cb71c6961e4cc06fa5cff16ff9f16bac.jpg,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/176b7818ab6cb54bc6d96b05e443658a.jpg",Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 1095,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1095,"Rabbi Arnie Sleutelberg",,,,,,,"Rabbi Arnie Sleutelberg",,,,,,1181,"Troy, Michigan (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Rabbi Arnie Sleutelberg","Rabbi Arnie Sleutelberg Reform Judaism Congregation Shir Tikvah Troy, Michigan In 1981 when I began rabbinic school, I wasn’t yet out even to myself. I came out during my seminary years but had to keep closeted for fear I would not be ordained were I discovered to be gay. Just a few years after my ordination, the Reform Jewish movement officially opened my alma mater’s doors to gay students, while out LGBT rabbis were officially accepted in Reform Jewish congregations. My generation has been witness to the greatest revolution of public opinion of all time. From abject rejection and government-sponsored violent subjugation here in American to widespread LBGTQIQ inclusion, our relationships honored, recognized and celebrated, the last 40 years have swept mainstream America into a new era of acceptance and understanding. We have a long way to go, but I am immensely grateful to have lived during this time of transformation. Future generations, thankfully, will be able to take inclusion for granted. Each of us together and apart has paved the way, simply by living our lives with integrity.",,,"Reform Judaism",,,"Gay Liberation Movement,Jewish,Judaism - Reform,Michigan,Ordination,Sleutelberg, Arnie,Theology","https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/d5f668214d4aa6971c45f4b394ba24f6.jpg,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/files/original/5c4f22d206299f94ffad4ad7855d4b2e.jpg",Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 1096,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1096,"Edward R. Smith",,,,,,,"Edward R. Smith",,,,,,1190,"California (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Edward R. Smith","(former) Brother Edward R. Smith, CSC Roman Catholic California As a brother of the Holy Cross for nearly ten years, I hold this era of my life as life-affirming and very formative. Being a nurse, health-minister within a vowed men’s community whose focus is primarily education was challenging, yet liberating. Being a brother for me also included a bit of an anti-clerical stripe. Hanging this stole more like a choir or academic hood is more in keeping with my own worldview as a lay minister. To be honest, in the early 1970’s, we as brothers rarely every wore “the habit.” Our symbol of profession of vows is a silver medal of our patron Saint Joseph, or a simple band on the left finger. I have no cowl or cincture to offer. I do carry a profound love of silence, prayer, compassion, peace and justice. I respect my own sense of poverty, chastity (celibacy), and obedience to the Gospel while being a fully human, sexual being. My talents for healing health, and creating a healing environment, are all acts of personal prayer for me. I would like to think this was also true for those entrusted to my care. Being gay within a vowed life was a bit of a “double-closet.” Not wanting to have “outsiders” know that I was a brother who is gay, while selectively letting other brothers know that I was a gay brother. It was all too confusing and I spent enormous amounts of energy maintaining my own closet of isolation. Being “called” away from vowed life for many of the same reasons I originally had been called to enter the life was an insight to me. Having to reconcile myself as a gay human within an unjust system was painful, yet toxic to my own ideas of integrity and my sense of self. Seeking a new altered set of goals, and dreams is the stuff we are all called to be; an evolving self before God. As a gay man who is spiritual and a closet practicing Catholic, I have learned to adapt to the Roman Church without leaving my God, my beliefs, my faith, my identity, my integrity, and my baptismal birthright. At times this includes the need to transcend the earthly (human) Church in being an honest member of the Body of Christ. Many other eras have come my way. Together, I become. Might my wholesome needs be blessed in my holistic union of self. DignityUSA has been a refuge for me in ongoing development, a test ground for the intersection of experience and theory, and a call to balance amidst the need of justice for all. ",2013,"This stole was donated to the collection during an exhibit of the collection at Dignity USA's convention in Minneapolis, MN in July, 2013. David Lohman Faith Work Manager","Roman Catholic Church",,,"California,Catholic,Dignity,Roman Catholic,Smith, Edward R.,Theology",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 1097,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1097,"Rev. Dan Adolphson",,,,,,,"Rev. Dan Adolphson",,,,,,1182,"Minneapolis, Minnesota (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Rev. Dan Adolphson","Rev. Dan Adolphson Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Minneapolis, Minnesota The call to ordained ministry.  As I look back, it was a call that has been on my life since I first said “yes” to God as a freshman in high school.  I just kept saying no for a variety of reasons.  One of those reasons was that a gay man couldn’t be a minister, according to my conservative bible college professors and pastors during that period of my life. In 2004, God got really serious, or maybe I started listening better.  The first time was around the communion table at Lake Harriet Christian Church, where I heard the message of extravagant welcome, that all are welcome around the table, period, end of sentence.  God accepted me as I was, and, in fact, loved me because of it.  In that sacred moment, I heard God’s call to return to ministry, that God wasn’t done with me yet.  On October 15, 2008, a crisp fall day at West Des Moines Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the people of the Upper Midwest Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) overwhelmingly voted to allow ordination of all of God’s children, lifted a 20+ year ban on such ordinations.  That day, God tapped me on the shoulder and reminded me of the call, and in 2010, I started my seminary education. February 28, 2015 marks an important day in our region’s history, and for our wider church.  I will be the first openly GLBTQ person ordained since the ban was lifted.  The beauty of extravagant welcome, of “All Means All” will be on display for the church and all to see, and we will dance in the grace and delight of God. Rev. Dan Adolphson Associate Pastor, First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Minneapolis, MN Vice-Moderator, GLAD Alliance, The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) About the stole This stole was the first stole I ever purchased, when I entered into the Licensed Ministry Program of the Upper Midwest Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 2005.   ",2015,"Rev. Adolphson's ordination included an exhibit of the Shower of Stoles Project and the donation of his stole.
David Lohman
Faith Work Manager

Click here to read Rev. Daniel Adolphson's biographic profile in the LGBTQ Religious Archives Network's Profiles Gallery. 
","Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)",,,"Adolphson, Dan,Christian Church (Disciples of Christ),Clergy Activist,Minneapolis",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 1098,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1098,"Rev. Dr. Linda Patrick",,,,,,,"Rev. Dr. Linda Patrick",,,,,,1183,"Indiana (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Rev. Dr. Linda Patrick","Rev. Dr. Linda Patrick Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Indiana As a Closeted Lesbian, I served as a senior pastor of a mid-sized congregation and worked as a teaching pastor in the Indianapolis area. I had just received my Doctor of Ministry degree from Christian Theological Seminary when I came OUT in 2000. Later that year, my judicatory “lost” my personal file, including my contact information and all documentation that I had ever attended seminary, been ordained, or served the church as a pastor. For years, I heard nothing from our Region. I had been in Search and Call, hoping to be called to a new parish, but communications quit coming. I gave up seeking a church as I had to make a living, and returned to my previous vocation as a registered nurse. Finally, in 2010, it came to my attention that I no longer had standing in Indiana. When I made this discovery and petitioned our Region for reinstatement, I was told that, now that I was OUT, I was not eligible for be re-instated as Clergy with Standing and, hence, barred from serving as clergy in any of our churches. Three O&A congregations, along with previous professors and pastors petitioned on my behalf for my reinstatement. Finally, in 2013, when the Church in Indiana dropped the ban, ordaining LGBT persons, my standing was reinstated. Even though I had been effectively silenced for thirteen years at the height of my ministry, I have returned to church life. I am actively serving as a retired pastor, volunteering to lead a ministry team at Central Christian Church, where my wife and I are members. We are also active members of the GLAD Alliance. ",2015,,"Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)",,,"Christian Church (Disciples of Christ),GLAD Alliance,Indiana,Ordination,Patrick, Linda,Women and Religion",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 1099,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1099," Mary Z. Longstreth Longknight",,,,,,,"Mary Z. Longstreth Longknight",,,,,,1184,"Indiana (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Mary Z. Longstreth Longknight","Mary Z. Longstreth Longknight United Methodist Indiana Born into a Missouri Methodist pastor’s family, I’ve served God through vocational Social Work settings outside of congregations, with diverse human populations. As a Deaconess and Diaconal Minister, in professional lay ministries commissioned by the Board of Global Ministries, and Conference Consecrated, I’ve served under United Methodist Church episcopal appointments nationwide. During 40+ active mission service years I could have faced ministry denial or church trial had I not been a closeted lesbian. UMC, forsake your spiritually abusive practices and polity! During the 2011 Indiana Conference session, I retired with my Covenanted life-mate of 27 years and state-married spouse (2009) by my side. We continue sharing in Love, Justice, and Service ministries. Retirement liberated me to fully exit a closeted identity in the institutional church. This 2013 stole updates one anonymously placed in the Shower of Stoles Project. Thanks be to God! ",2013,,"United Methodist Church",,,"Indiana,Longknight, MaryZ. Longstreth,Methodist,Ordination,Theology,United Methodist Church,Women and Religion",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 1100,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1100,"Michael Gene Harmon",,,,,,,"Kent Fischer",,,,,,1185,"Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Michael Gene Harmon","Michael Gene Harmon Roman Catholic United Church of Christ Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Michael had been married twenty-five years and raised his family of two sons before he fully accepted his sexuality as a gay man. Michael has been raised as a Catholic and raise his family in the Catholic Church, too. During the late 70’s through the 80’s until his coming out in 1990, Michael had continued his Catholic education and faith traditions, studying and eventually became an ordained deacon in the Catholic Church. He ministered at several churches in Oklahoma and Louisiana. He was working at Mount St. Mary’s High School in Oklahoma City when he came out. When he was later outed at the school, he was told that his services were no longer needed. His position on the board of Catholic Charities Oklahoma City was also terminated. Michael divorced, became homeless for a couple of months, and had to find a new job. Michael met his life partner, Kent Fischer, in 1991. They were together 23 years, building a happy and adventurous life together. In 2014, Michael and Kent went to Palm Springs, CA to get legally married on their anniversary. However, Michael died of a heart attack the morning before they were to be married. Kent says, “I didn’t realize how important the piece of paper saying that I was married was to me. I was already married to Michael in my heart. But several weeks after Michael’s death, I feel I was cheated out of my marriage.” ",2015,,"Roman Catholic Church^^United Church of Christ",,,"Catholic,Church Trials,Fischer, Kent,Harmon, Michael Gene,Marriage Equality,Oklahoma,Roman Catholic,Theology,United Church of Christ",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 1101,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1101,"First United Methodist Church (Solidarity Stole)",,,,,,,"First United Methodist Church",,,,,,1186,"Appleton, Wisconsin (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"First United Methodist Church (Solidarity Stole)","First United Methodist Church Appleton, WI We are the people called United Methodists in the downtown of Appleton, Wisconsin, a community of approximately 78,000 in the Fox Valley in the north-eastern part of the state. As of this writing I am serving as the Senior Pastor, and it was our honor to host the Shower of Stoles Project at our church the last week of Lent and culminating on Palm Sunday. I am sure I do not speak for all, but do speak for many in saying that these dates are quite appropriate as we do our own repentance of categorical exclusion of persons who are called to ministry. We join the many who pray for a new day moving forward. May there be a day when all are welcomed to the Table, all whom are called of God. – Pastor Doyle Blanton and the FUMC Concern and Action Committee",2015,,"United Methodist Church",,,"Ally,Blanton, Doyle,Clergy Activist,Methodist,Ordination,Theology,United Methodist Church,Wisconsin",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 1102,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1102,"Cathedral of Hope (Solidarity Stole)",,,,,,,"Cathedral of Hope",,,,,,1187,"Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Cathedral of Hope (Solidarity Stole)","Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ Oklahoma City, Oklahoma This stole is contributed by the people of Cathedral of Hope. Our mission is to practice a Christian faith of extravagant grace, radical inclusion, and relentless compassion. We are united in faith and welcome all people, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. We have come from many different faith traditions and experiences, with many of us personally experiencing rejection within those traditions. It is with gratitude that we have found a home within the United Church of Christ. This stole is a visible sign of our prayer for the healing of God’s LGBTQI children who have been injured by their exclusion from the Body of Christ. May we all be one. ",2015,,"United Church of Christ",,,"Ally,Ecumenical,Oklahoma,United Church of Christ",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 1103,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1103," Congregational United Church of Christ (Solidarity Stole)",,,,,,,"Congregational United Church of Christ",,,,,,1188,"St. Charles/Campton Hills, Illinois (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Congregational United Church of Christ (Solidarity Stole)","Congregational United Church of Christ St. Charles/Campton Hills, IL In 2014 we hosted the Shower of Stoles Project in our art gallery, and inspired our confirmation class to add a stole to the collection. This stole, made out of duct tape, represents the voice and energy of our young people who have grown up within the spirit of welcoming, embracing and celebrating differences in God’s people. May the work of their hands and openness of hearts inspire us all. In 2008, after a number of years of conversation, study, reflection and prayer, the CUCC voted to become Open and Affirming and adopted the following welcoming statement: Striving to increase our love for God and neighbor, we welcome persons of every age, health condition, race, marital status, economic status, sexual orientation and religious background. We encourage you to become an active member of our church, sharing your God-given gifts in all areas of church life: worship, education, mission, and ministry.",2009,,"United Church of Christ",,,"Ally,Illinois,Open and Affirming in the UCC (ONA),United Church of Christ",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 1104,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1104,"Father Rich Rasi",,,,,,,"Paul Keaveney",,,,,,1189,"Massachusetts (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Father Rich Rasi","Father Rich Rasi Catholic Massachusetts In 1997, I traveled from Ohio to my hometown in Massachusetts to attend my first DignityUSA Convention. Every attendee was given a stole, and each of us was asked to vest and be vested by another attendee. I was standing next to an imposing stranger who vested me. That stranger turned out to be Father Rich Rasi, a well-known figure in the Dignity community. I felt honored when I learned that Rich had been a presider for Dignity/Boston liturgies for twenty years, and was a co-founder of Dignity/Provincetown. Unfortunately, Rich died in 2002, but he left behind many whom he had inspired to live ""passionate and honest lives"".  – Paul Keaveney ",2013,,"Roman Catholic Church",,,"Catholic,Clergy Activist,Dignity,Keaveney, Paul,Massachusetts,Rasi, Rich,Roman Catholic",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 1105,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1105,"Fr. Bernard Lynch",,,,,,,"Fr. Bernard Lynch",,,,,,1191,"London, (England)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Fr. Bernard Lynch","Fr. Bernard Lynch Roman Catholic London, England 1982 Founded first pastoral AIDS Ministry in the city with Dignity New York. 1986 Testified before NYC council for successful passage of Intro 2, protecting LGBTQ people in jobs and housing. 1987 Exiled to the Vatican. 1988 Former student manipulated by Archdiocese of New York and the FBI to falsely accuse me of abuse. Went to trial in the Bronx Supreme Court and was found not guilty and innocent of all charges by Judge Burton Roberts on April 21, 1989. 1992 Moved to London, England, continuing work with LGBTQ people, especially those with HIV/AIDS. Met life partner Billy Desmond. 2011 Pope visits the UK. Outside Number 10 Downing Street, I respectfully asked Pope Benedict to apologize to LGBTQ people for harm done by Catholic teaching. 2012 Suspended from SMA Order after 47 years as priest.  Deo Gratias.",2013,"Click here for Fr. Bernard Lynch's biographic profile in the LGBTQ Religious Archives Network's Profiles Gallery.","Roman Catholic Church",,,"AIDS,Catholic,Church Trials,Clergy Activist,Dignity,England,London,Lynch, Bernard,Roman Catholic",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 1106,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1106,"The Downtown Presbyterian Church (Solidarity Stole)",,,,,,,"The Downtown Presbyterian Church",,,,,,1192,"Nashville, Tennessee (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"The Downtown Presbyterian Church (Solidarity Stole)","The Downtown Presbyterian Church Presbyterian Church (USA) Nashville, Tennessee This stole was created and crafted by hand by the children of The Downtown Presbyterian Church as allies of the Shower of Stoles Project. Our children joyfully signed this stole in honor of not only those LGBTQ Elders and staff serving our congregation, but also all congregations. It was presented to our congregation during the worship service which concluded our weekend dedicated to hosting the Shower of Stoles. This weekend included an exhibition of 143 of the Stoles, with a soundscape provided by Aaron Doenges, a DPC artist, entitled “Adagio (for River and People),” a concert by Nashville in Harmony (Nashville’s LGBTQ Chorus), as well as a worship service. ",2015,,"Presbyterian Church (USA)",,,"Ally,Doenges, Aaron,Ordination,Presbyterian,Presbyterian Church (USA),Tennessee",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 1107,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1107,"J. Thomas George",,,,,,,"J. Thomas George",,,,,,1195,"St. Paul, Minnesota (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"J. Thomas George","I knew I was different long ago, but I didn’t want to be gay. Following graduation from college, I had my first sexual experience with a man. It was wonderful, but filled with guilt. According to my Lutheran tradition, sex before marriage was a “sin,” but if you enjoyed it, it was a SIN! A clergy friend of my family had encouraged me to consider seminary after college, but I had resisted. However, the guilt from this first encounter was so great, I made a bargain with God: if God would forgive me, I would go to seminary. The challenge of four years of seminary supported my denial. I got married determined to have a normal family life. I froze my emotions, except my sexual feelings, hoping to transfer them to my marriage relationship. A child born during my senior year locked the closet door. Denial prevailed. But soon marriage counseling began. I became a workaholic, trying to prove to myself through my career, hiding my orientation, avoiding a difficult marriage. I had frozen my emotions at age 25, and now at 46, I was seeking liberation. I began attending men’s conferences. I met people who accepted me and validated my feelings of grief and loss. I told my wife I was gay. Later I told our children of my struggle accepting being gay. We shared our decision to divorce and my decision to resign from the parish, as well as ministry. The painful process of grieving began in earnest. Today, I attend St. Paul-Reformation Lutheran Church, St. Paul, where my tradition offers me ritual and a caring community. It is in the openness of this congregation, gathered around the table, that I find my spiritual needs nurtured and the Gospel proclaimed that I am saved by grace through faith! Finally, I am accepted. I have a home. I continue to do ministry without my collar!",2015,"Originally a part of the collection of stoles housed by ReconcilingWorks (formerly known as Lutherans Concerned), this stole was donated by them to the Shower of Stoles Project in 2015.","Evangelical Lutheran Church in America",,,"Evangelical Lutherans of America (ELCA),George, J. Thomas,Lutheran,Minnesota,Reconciling Works (formerly Lutherans Concerned),St. Paul,Theology",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 1108,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1108,"Anita C. Hill",,,,,,,Anonymous,,,,,,1196,Unknown,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Anita C. Hill","This stole was made by a Palestinian woman trying to support her family while her husband was fighting in the war. I offer it to this collection in support of Anita and for the end of the conflict Anita has been fighting with the Lutheran Church for many years over her sense of ""call"" to ordained ministry and the church's policies regarding openly lesbian and gay persons and ordination. I offer this purple stole to honor and recognize the grace filled ministry she has provided to me and countless others these years and continues to do so in her role as Pastoral Minister of St. Paul-Reformation Lutheran Church. Anita has been model and mentor for GLBT and heterosexual Lutheran Christians as she has spoken the truth and Gospel. ",2015,"Originally a part of the collection of stoles housed by ReconcilingWorks (formerly known as Lutherans Concerned), this stole was donated by them to the Shower of Stoles Project in 2015.

Click here to read Rev. Anita Hill's biographic profile in the LGBTQ Religious Archives Network's Profile Gallery.","Evangelical Lutheran Church in America",,,"Clergy Activist,Evangelical Lutherans of America (ELCA),Hill, Anita,Lutheran,Ordination,Palestine,Reconciling Works (formerly Lutherans Concerned),United States,Women and Religion",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 1109,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1109,"Rebecca J. Hostetler",,,,,,,"Rebecca J. Hostetler",,,,,,1197,"Unknown, (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"Rebecca J. Hostetler","Second career pastor; small town public librarian prior to entering seminary in 1979. Became Lutheran as an adult in the American Lutheran Church. Ordained November 23, 1986. Resigned from the ELCA clergy roster on Reformation Day, October 31, 1995. To stay in ordained ministry and to live two lives, leaving part of myself outside the church door, became unhealthy for me; I needed to reign to integrate all of me. Most of my ministry was spent as an Intentional Interim Pastor serving congregations in crisis. ",2015,"Originally a part of the collection of stoles housed by ReconcilingWorks (formerly known as Lutherans Concerned), this stole was donated by them to the Shower of Stoles Project in 2015. ","Evangelical Lutheran Church in America",,,"Evangelical Lutherans of America (ELCA),Hostetler, Rebecca J.,Lutheran,Ordination,Reconciling Works (formerly Lutherans Concerned),United States,Women and Religion",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0 1110,https://exhibits.lgbtran.org/items/show/1110,"James Bischoff",,,,,,,"James Bischoff",,,,,,1198,"Unknown, (USA)",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"James Bischoff","Advent and the color blue are very much centered on hope. Hope is what I have for the ELCA. Hope that the Spirit of God will be at work to bring an end to a policy that discriminates and is harmful to both clergy (including prospective clergy) and congregations. I know first-hand about those hurts. After twenty-three years of ordained ministry in the ALC and the ELCA I have been dismissed. My ministry gifts were reaffirmed and recognized but since I was in violation of the policy my participation, as a pastor, was no longer needed. How simple to end a life-long journey of prayer, study, commitment, and love. How simple it was for the church that has been a part of me since conception and played a major role in my development to say “Thanks, but no thanks. All of a sudden, you’re not acceptable. You’re outside of the policy.” All of this from a church that claims to be built on God’s grace, mercy, and justification. All this from a church whose history is built on throwing church policies aside. All of this from a church that claims to be welcoming and inclusive except… I still have hope. I still have hope that no other pastor, deacon, associate-in-ministry, or seminarian will ever have to live in fear that the church will reject them because they dare to live life as God created them.",2015,"Originally a part of the collection of stoles housed by ReconcilingWorks (formerly known as Lutherans Concerned), this stole was donated by them to the Shower of Stoles Project in 2015.","Evangelical Lutheran Church in America",,,"Bischoff, James,Church Trials,Clergy Activist,Evangelical Lutherans of America (ELCA),Lutheran,Ordination,Reconciling Works (formerly Lutherans Concerned),Theology,United States",,Stole,"Shower of Stoles",1,0