For all too many, and even one would be too many, this time of year reminds people of the power the Church holds in their community, a power too often used for evil and hate when it comes to people of alternate gender identity and sexuality. The number of TG folk who have been abused in the name of religion is staggering.
As an alternative, and to show the loving and accepting side of some Christian denominations, I'd like to share this page with you: http://www.nyym.org/nurture/gender/
Quick background: New York Yearly Meeting is the coordinating body for Quaker Meetings in the greater New York area. In the interest of unity, unlike other Yearly Meetings, it opted to be dual-affiliated with both major Quaker parent organizations, each representing one side of a schism that occurred in the 19th Century between "quietist" and "evangelical" elements in the Religious Society of Friends. Friends United Meeting represents the Orthodox/Evangelical stripe, and Friends General Conference represents the Hicksite/quietist/"liberal" stripe. FUM has restrictions on who can work for them based on sexuality. FGC is emphatic in their insistence on equality for all persons, regardless of gender or sexuality.
This page contain "minutes," which are resolutions adopted in unity by Meetings, on the subject of gender and sexuality. I apologize for the Quaker nomenclature and jargon, but it should be decipherable if you read enough of it. My hope is that reading these minutes will make your heart soar with the acceptance that is not only offered, but demanded by these congregations on behalf of LGBTQ folk.
Comments
Pardon my initial anger
When I first saw this article, my relief valve imedately blew full open!
Happily, as I read, my anger was not appropriate, and I repent of it. Have found a sect of religion that does accept me, and will not be returning to christianity, inshallah. Perhaps, as we move further into the 21st Century, knowlege will continute to flow into the halls of the faithful, and they will be more who will again follow the words of Jesus PBUH.
Merry Christmas to all.
Khadijah Gwen
Thank you, Pippa
Thank you, Pippa, for sharing that. I hold the Quakers in high regard.
Fortunately there are also other churches that welcome us as we are.
Here are a couple of links:
http://www.welcomingchurches.com/
http://theoasis.dioceseofnewark.org/
Unitarian Universalist congregations are often wecoming, as in this example:
http://www.muuf.org/
Many Episcopal churches are also (although others are not). Here is an example of one that is welcoming:
http://www.redeemermorristown.org/
Merry Christmas, and best wishes for all of your year-end religious and secular celebrations,
Kris
Kris
{I leave a trail of Kudos as I browse the site. Be careful where you step!}
Don't forget MCC
Metropolitan Community Churches are in most metro areas and though not specifically LGBT they are made up primarily of LGBT parishioners and clergy. I am no longer a xtian but I have experienced more acceptance, love and joy in an MCC church than any other religous group.