New Help in South Carolina Battle

The following is a press release from UU Spartanburg reprinted in it's entirety

The congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Spartanburg has voted to take a public stand against the proposed South Carolina constitutional amendment (XVII) on marriage. We as Unitarian-Universalists affirm the inherent worth and dignity of all people. We affirm justice, equity, and compassion in all human relations. In accordance with these principles, we oppose any public efforts to limit or diminish civil rights, justice, and equity for South Carolinians.

The By-Laws of the church were changed last year to allow the church to take a public stand on an issue. The By-Law change requires a quorum of church members with 95% of those present voting “yes” for any resolution to be adopted. This is the first time that the UU Church of Spartanburg has taken a public stand on an issue affecting our community and state.

The approved congregational resolution opposes the proposed SC Constitutional amendment concerning marriage, civil unions and marital benefits because it expands discrimination against our fellow citizens and will adversely impact on the health, finances and welfare of individuals, children, and families in South Carolina.

The full church resolution can be seen on the church website: www.uucs.org.

The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) was among the first religious organizations in the United States to adopt an affirmative position on the recognition of the rights and responsibilities of members who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender. The UUA has officially opposed discrimination against gay, lesbian and bisexual and transgender people since 1970, and the organization has called for full, legal marriage equality for same-sex couples since 1996.

filed under South Carolina and under Faith Watch

Support From the Dalai Lama

Participants at the World Conference of the International Lesbian and Gay Association received a special message of support from His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The statement expresses the Dalai Lama's concern at "reports of violence and discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people" and "urges respect, tolerance and the full recognition of human rights for all."

"We are deeply grateful for the support expressed by His Holiness the Dalai Lama for human rights based on sexual orientation and gender identity", said Rosanna Flamer-Caldera and Philip Braun, Co-Secretaries-General of ILGA.

"In a world where the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are regularly violated, His Holiness' message of support is a beacon of hope and respect. We urge other world religious leaders to join with His Holiness the Dalai Lama in opposing violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and demonstrate a similar commitment to respect for the human rights."

The statement is welcome news for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Buddhists in the United States. It does not however, represent the views of all Buddhists. Roger Corless, a scholar of Buddhism and Professor of Religion Emeritus at Duke University, stated "I think it's important to understand that whatever His Holiness the Dalai Lama has to say carries great weight and is to be treated with respect but it is not to be understand as the exclusive Buddhist position or necessarily reflect the belief of the majority of Buddhists."

Corless cites many Buddhist traditions, including some that have been welcoming to LGBT Buddhists for many years. Buddhist texts do not specifically address the matter of same-sex relationships, and beliefs vary among the various schools and sects.

Tibetan Buddhism is the best known school in the United States however, and the Dalai Lama their best known leader. Tibetan Buddhists believe the Dalai Lama to be the present incarnation of Avalokitesvara, the bodhisattva of compassion.

The announcement from the Dalai Lama is a departure from earlier statements. In a 1997 press conference the Dalia Lama stated “from a Buddhist point of view [lesbian and gay sex] is generally considered sexual misconduct.” This prompted a meeting with representatives of the LGBT community, in which the Dalai Lama is said to have expressed an interest in the current research and clinical understanding of sexual orientation.

The Dalai Lama's position appears to have changed and evolved over time, which Corless states is an essential aspect of Buddhism: "There is no single Buddhist creed with a list of doctrines to which one must adhere, Buddhism is more like a set of tools that can be used and adapted over time in many different cultures and communities. Embracing change is an essential aspect of Buddhist thought."

Standing Against Proposed Minnesota Amendment

Once the State Constitution is used to limit freedom, what minority group will be next?

Amanda Tempel, Vic Rosenthal and Elaine Aron have written a wonderful op-ed which was published recently in the Minneapolis - St. Paul Star Tribune:

In a few weeks, Jews will celebrate the holiday of Passover, which commemorates the liberation of the Children of Israel from servitude and oppression in Egypt. This Passover, we are especially concerned about the proposed amendment to the Minnesota Constitution that would permanently bar the state from recognizing same-sex marriages or civil unions. We view this amendment not only as a threat to the freedom of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered Minnesotans, but also a threat to the freedom of all Minnesotans.

God Is Still Speaking: TV Networks Not Listening

The United Church of Christ will be launching their latest 'God is Still Speaking' tv ad in April. I just posted an article about it at OUTjourney.org. [ Read the whole article here ]. It's a brilliant ad, which shows this gay couple, and others being 'ejected' from a conservative church. Unfortunately, the ad has already been turned down by all the major network - CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox and WB.

See the ad at the God is Still Speaking website

2006: Faith Based Organizing

In our movement for LGBTI Equality, faith-based organizing is taking center stage this year.

The religious right has used their faith to push an agenda of discrimination and bigotry. In the 2004 election, they played a key role in passing mean spirited and divisive same-sex marriage bans in eleven states. This year, however, mainstream religious organizations may be the key to turning the tide in our favor.

Since the very beginning, faith and our struggle for equality have been intertwined; the first Metropolitan Community Church was founded in 1968, one year before the Stonewall Riots. Unfortunately, our movement has not always drawn on the strength of LGBT and LGBT affirming religious communities.

A recent National Gay and Lesbian Task Force report, David vs. Goliath, has called LGBT affirming denominations as "some of the most underused resources in the progressive movement." That may not be the case for long. Just this week The Task Force announced that the Institute for Welcoming Resources (IWR), an umbrella organization 1,300 LGBT affirming religious organizations, will become a permanent project of the Task Force.

Also this month MCC and GLSEN announced a new joint venture to address anti-LGBT bias in schools. The Metropolitan Community Church (MCC), a Christian denomination with a special focus on LGBTI communities, operates in 237 U.S. cities, covering 48 of the 50 states. MCC will partner with GLSEN to host 'Training of Trainers' programs across the country to give LGBT individuals and allies the tools they need work with their local schools.

Another important voice in this movement is Soulforce. Soulforce, which just a few years ago was relatively unknown, has steadily grown and become a powerful voice challenging religious and political oppression through the practice of non-violent resistance. Soulforce volunteers are currently in the middle of a 7 week 'Equality Ride', visiting Christian and Military Colleges and Universities across the country. They are taking the message of equality to the very Christian colleges that train the leaders of the religious right.

Soulforce depends mostly on volunteers and operates on a small budget in comparison to other national LGBT Groups. Still, according to Alexa Ratings, Soulforce has had more web traffic this week than larger, better funded groups, like the Human Rights Campaign. Clearly their strategy of challenging homophobia at it's source is resonating with the public.

Finally, this year the Chicago Theological Seminary launched the Lesbian and Gay Religious Studies Center. Funded in part by the Gill Foundation, this Center is our first 'Think Tank' devoted specifically to counter distorted religion and present sound religious arguments for LGBTI equality.

Time and time again, the far right has used their beliefs to justify bigotry and hate. Regardless of whether you are Christian, Jewish, Muslim or another faith; fundamentalists exist in every religion. Their voices are strong. It's easy to forget that the majority of people of faith stand with us.

In a recent op-ed, Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum writes "What the movement is now learning is that religion per se is not the enemy. Like it or not, America is a profoundly religious society. But the American religious right has totally hijacked the language of religion and spirituality to promote the values of its reactionary political agenda. The enemy is not religion but their bigotry and divisiveness."

Rabbi Kleinbaum continues: "We are learning that if we are going to go on building on our successes so far, and not have to retreat from them, we must learn to confront our right-wing religious opponents on their home ground."

Faith Leaders & Theologians Open Letter on Marriage Equality

This came in to me today from Rev. Debra W. Haffner

Dear Colleagues:

This morning, the Religious Institute released "An Open Letter to Religious Leaders on Marriage Equality."

The Open Letter offers the religious foundations for securing the freedom to marry for same-sex couples. It says, "As religious leaders, we believe that all persons have the right to lead lives that express love, justice, mutuality, commitment, consent, and pleasure, including but not limited to civil and religious marriage." It addresses scripture and tradition as well as religious pluralism.

The Open Letter was developed at a colloquium of theologians sponsored by the Religious Institute. The authors include Rabbi Dr. Rebecca Alpert, Rev. Steve Clapp, Rev. Dr. Marvin Ellison, Rev. Dr. Larry Greenfield, Rev. Debra W. Haffner, Dr. Mary Hunt, Rev. Barbara Lundblad, Rev. Michael Schuenemyer, and Rev. Dr. Traci West.

You can read the Open Letter (and the accompanying press release) at
www.religiousinstitute.org. Click the scrolling banner, the News button, or the Marriage Equality button. Hard copies can be ordered at the site as well.

Please help us get the word out about the Open Letter. Feel free to pass on this message to your colleagues. We want to demonstrate that there is an authentic diverse religious voice that supports marriage equality.

Rev. Debra W. Haffner