Towards a Welcoming and Inclusive Church
IWR News
July 13, 2008
- 1) Human Rights Campaign Releases Study Guide to Accompany "For the Bible Tells Me So" Documentary on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender People and Faith
- 2) Newly developed resource guide offers support to parents of trans youth
- 3) For Such a Time As This: A Transgender Pre-Event
- 4) The Zuni Man-Woman (by Will Roscoe)
- 5) Putting Faith in All Families
- 6) South Asian students sample U.S. religions
- 7) Gay Man Sues Bible Publishers
- 8) California United Methodists make strong pro gay rights statements
- 9) Atlanta police officer shares story of being intersex
- 10) Episcopal Leader To Explain Gay Stance To World Anglicans
- 11) Links to more news from Welcoming Church Programs
1) Human Rights Campaign Releases Study Guide to Accompany "For the Bible Tells Me So" Documentary on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender People and Faith
Washington, Human Rights Campaign, July 7, 2008
The Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender civil rights group, has published a study guide as a supplement for the film For the Bible Tells Me So, a documentary that explores the intersection of religion and the GLBT experience. The film, a 2008 GLAAD Media Award recipient and 2007 Sundance Film Festival nominee for the Grand Jury Prize, spotlights the stories of GLBT people of faith and their families in the United States, including New Hampshire Episcopal Bishop Reverend Gene Robinson and his parents. HRC's user-friendly guide, written by celebrated GLBT activist Rev. Christopher Glaser and edited by Dr. Sharon Groves of the HRC Foundation's Religion & Faith Program, strives to empower audiences to create communities of acceptance and advocacy.
2) Newly developed resource guide offers support to parents of trans youth
Toronto, News Canada, July 3, 2008
"Families in TRANSition: A Resource Guide for Parents of Trans Youth," written and published by Central Toronto Youth Services, provides comprehensive information, advice and words of support for parents of teens and young adults who have come out as trans.
~ To download a free copy of the guide in PDF format (28Mb)
click here.
~ To purchase a hard-copy of the guide via paypal for $10.00 -
click here.
3) For Such a Time As This: A Transgender Pre-Event
New Orleans, Transfaith Online, July 2008
On Sept. 19, 2004, 14-year-old Rebecca gave a startling letter to her mother, Betsy.
For Such a Time as This presents an opportunity for personal networking, community collaboration, and movement building. In these historic times, transgender people and our concerns are becoming more and more visible in both secular and religious communities. Yet, too often, we remain an isolated "minority within a minority." For Such a Time as This will gather transgender people of faith, our loved ones and allies for discussions about practical topics relating to life in religious communities, including:
4) The Zuni Man-Woman (by Will Roscoe)
Intersex Society of North America
This book, winner of the 1991 Margaret Mead Award in anthropology, focuses on the life of We'wha, perhaps the most famous berdache (a person who combined the work and traits of both men and women) in American history. Through We'wha's exceptional life, historian Will Roscoe creates a vivid picture of an alternative gender role whose history has been hiddent and almost forgotten.
5) Putting Faith in All Families
Huffington Post, July 11, 2008
. . . it was with welcome relief for many gay Americans and their loved ones that Senator Barack Obama clarified his position on the issue earlier today, confirming that his faith-based initiative plan would not allow for funding of reparative therapy or anti-gay proselytizing. . . but would make funds available to churches, organizations and congregations that do immensely important work that directly impacts the LGBT community.
6) South Asian students sample U.S. religions
Burlington, Vermont, Burlington Free Press, July 11, 2008
Then there were the guides. The first clergy whom the tour group encountered were three female Protestant ministers -- two of them former nuns -- and a gay male rabbi. . . . One difference between the pluralism here and there, said Ummul Khair, a Muslim from South India, is that homosexuality is not generally accepted there.
7) Gay Man Sues Bible Publishers
New York City, 365Gay.com, July 10, 2008
Fowler, who is representing himself, said that the Biblical references have made him an outcast from his family and have contributed to physical discomfort, "demoralization, chaos and bewilderment."
8) California United Methodists make strong pro gay rights statements
Redlands, Calif., Dallas Morning News, July 9, 2008
In a move likely to fuel controversy within the broader denomination, one United Methodist Church legislative body in California has gone on record supporting those who enter into same-sex marriage and another has commended pastors who agree to perform same-sex marriage ceremonies.
9) Atlanta police officer shares story of being intersex
Atlanta, Southern Voice, July 4, 2008
Being intersex, Harris explained, is when "your body is in direct contradiction to what your insides say. You may have a female body, but inside you are male, or you may have a male body, but inside you are female." For Harris, who has identified as female her entire life, finding out she is a male genetically felt like a burden lifted after growing up feeling so different than everyone else, even sometimes within the queer community.
10) Episcopal Leader To Explain Gay Stance To World Anglicans
New York City, 365Gay.com, July 9, 2008
Episcopal Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori was installed as head of the U.S. church less than two years ago, inheriting a mess not of her own making. . . . Starting next Wednesday, she will be explaining the church's actions in her broadest venue yet: the Lambeth Conference, a once-a-decade meeting of Anglican bishops from around the world. Jefferts Schori said she's looking forward to the ``face-to-face conversation'' at the event.
11) Links to more news from Welcoming Church Programs
- Associational - The Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists
- Consensus - Affirm United/S'affirmer Ensemble
- Crossbeams - Open and Affirming Ministries of the Gay, Lesbian & Affirming Disciples (GLAD)
- FlashNet - Reconciling Ministeries Network
- LC/NA News and Events - Lutherans Concerned/North America
- More Light News - More Light Presbyterians
- Outspoken - Brethren-Mennonite Council for LGBT Concerns
- Room for All News and Events - Room for All
- WAVES - Open and Affirming Program of the United Church of Christ Coalition for LGBT Concerns (ONA)
- WCNnewsletter - Welcoming Community Network
Additional News
News Selections offers news from around the world related to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersexual, and ally efforts to make the world more accepting and welcoming to everyone of every sexual orientation and every gender identity. It is gathered by Sara Boesser, author of Silent Lives: How High a Price ~ For Personal Reflections and Group Discussions about Sexual Orientation, published by Hamilton Books, an imprint of University Press of America, Inc. Silent Lives provides a valuable resource for individuals, study groups, civic groups, congregations, spiritual groups, and other groups discussing issues of sexuality. It is helpful for personal journaling and sharing with relatives and friends, and is also very useful as a college text, therapy supplement, or a catalyst for group discussions. www.SilentLives.com
