Archive for the ‘religion’ Category

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WORLD AIDS DAY PRAYER BREAKFAST

Faith leaders will gather tomorrow to discuss how they can educate congregations about the disease

Posted by Natalie Hope McDonald on 11/30/2011 at 8:58AM | No Comments

More than 100 faith leaders in Philadelphia will gather tomorrow (December 1) at 8 a.m. at the Doubletree Hotel for a World AIDS Day Prayer Breakfast sponsored by Philadelphia FIGHT. The event will remember those who have died of AIDS and encourage the religious community to include messages about HIV prevention in their work.

“We believe that the slowing of the spread of HIV requires the education of the general public,” says Jane Shull, executive director of Philadelphia FIGHT, “and that faith leaders have the ability to use their voices to ensure that people living with AIDS get treatment, and that those not exposed to the virus stay healthy.”

The World AIDS Day Prayer Breakfast got started two years ago as an effort to open the dialogue about HIV/AIDS, and to explore how the religious community can help educate congregations about facts surrounding the disease. This year, leaders from more than 100 houses of worship will address the disease’s impact in the African-American community, sharing what they learn at the event in the coming weeks.

Rev. Dr. Kevin Johnson of Bright Hope Baptist Church will deliver the keynote address. Others participating tomorrow include Bishop Ernest McNear, chairman of the FIGHT Faith Advisory Board; Rev. Bonnie Camarda, president of the Hispanic Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity; Imam Asim Abdur-Rashid from the Masjid Mujahideen; Rabbi Nancy Epstein of the Drexel University School of Public Health; and Rev. Terrence Griffith, vice president of the Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity.

World AIDS Day Prayer Breakfast, Dec. 1, 8 a.m., Doubletree Hotel, 237 S. Broad St., 215-985-4448.

 

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SHOULD YOU GIVE TO THE SALVATION ARMY?

It's a serious question facing many LGBT people this season

Posted by Natalie Hope McDonald on 11/28/2011 at 11:18AM | 8 Comments

Photo by Think Stock

If you’ve been anywhere near a shopping mall or commercial sector downtown then you know the bell ringers with their little red buckets are out in full force this year. And for LGBT folks, it begs the question about whether making a donation to the Salvation Army is in one’s best interest.

Many gay rights activists say no way.

While the Salvation Army certainly does good, charitable work in our local communities and around the world, the group does have a very strict rule about homosexuality forbidding any sexual intimacy between members of the same-sex. “The Salvation Army believes, therefore, that Christians whose sexual orientation is primarily or exclusively same-sex are called upon to embrace celibacy as a way of life,” says the organization’s own public statement.

This stance is not unlike that of Catholic Church that recognizes gay people but insists that gay people not do “gay” things.

The Salvation Army also elaborates online: “There is no scriptural support for demeaning or mistreating anyone for reason of his or her sexual orientation.” Like many who discriminate, the group seems to distinguish between wishing that gay people not act upon their sexuality and denying gay people the right to do so, while inherently denying that it’s treating LGBT people as second-class citizens. So even if the occasional LGBT person could benefit from the organization – is that enough to chip in?

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THE PENN STATE SCANDAL ISN’T ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY

After a radio show made a connection between Jerry Sandusky and gay parents, it was time to respond

Posted by Natalie Hope McDonald on 11/15/2011 at 11:12AM | 2 Comments

We here at G Philly didn’t expect we would be discussing the Penn State scandal with any connection to LGBT issues. Like most everyone else over these last two weeks, we’ve been shocked, dismayed and disappointed in the people who may have allowed child abuse to take place in our home state – under the guise, presumably – of preserving a multi-million-dollar sports tradition. To this, our hearts certainly go out to possible victims in the ongoing investigation.

It all seemed like a horrible story about alleged pedophilia and a corrupt system that kept it under wraps – something with which Catholics around the world are all too familiar. But that was until Public Radio International’s “To the Point” host Warren Olney got the not-so-brilliant idea of using the accused child rapist and former Penn State coach Jerry Sandusky as the poster boy for a discussion about gay parenting.

How do we begin to address the most outlandish conversation we’ve heard about this terrible case? At the expense of giving misinformed bigots even more attention, we consider the motivation behind it all. Ratings? Ignorance? Hate? Probably a combination of each, sadly. We just can’t figure out what a host like Olney, with an important, influential platform, was thinking in making this irresponsible, completely outlandish connection with the gay community.

To begin, it’s not unusual for bigots like Jerry Cox from the Arkansas Family Council (a guest on Olney’s radio show) to cast wide nets to try and “prove” ridiculous points about minority groups – especially since it’s becoming increasingly difficult to do so as more people are enlightened by the reality of these matters. And the truth in this case is that Penn State’s pedophilia scandal has absolutely nothing to do with homosexuality or LGBT issues.

Nothing.

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GAY MARRIAGE: WHAT’S TAKING US SO LONG?

As more Americans say they support marriage equality, the government is dragging its heels

Posted by Natalie Hope McDonald on 11/4/2011 at 10:27AM | 6 Comments

It’s common knowledge that in an election year – and the months leading up to elections – lots and lots of things get done…and lots do not. Same-sex marriage is an example of what’s not on the drawing board right now. And as politicians (and even our president) seem to fear backlash in supporting marriage equality for same-sex couples around the country, what these folks should really be worried about is a backlash from the LGBT community and its allies who are becoming much more vocal about the need for equal rights. In fact, according to a recent Pew Research Center survey released this week, public acceptance of marriage equality is growing – big time.

Almost half of all Americans surveyed admit that they support legalizing marriage for same-sex couples, says the survey, which was conducted during the last two months. And this was before the latest Kim Kardashian hoopla that had Facebook buzzing this week with the image of the unhappy couple calling it quits on their 72-day nuptials – with the tagline, “If you think gay marriage cheapens the institution, two words: Kim Kardashian.”

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CHICK-FIL-A’S ANTI-GAY DONATIONS REVEALED

The restaurant chain's donated millions to organizations that oppose LGBT rights

Posted by Natalie Hope McDonald on 11/3/2011 at 1:28PM | 1 Comment

Chick-Fil-A‘s support of anti-gay organizations has drawn quite a bit of ire in the past few years. But recently, the fast food chain’s tax forms have been released from 2009 (the most recent available), showing that WinShape, the restaurant’s charitable foundation created by Chick-Fil-A Chairman S. Truett Cathy, has been giving plenty of dough to vehemently anti-gay organizations. Many of the groups seek to ban same-sex marriage. And a few of these groups even endorse reparative therapy – or “praying the gay away.”

Chick-Fil-A's endorsement of anti-gay organizations has led activists to spoof ads

If this doesn’t make you want to put down that chicken sandwich, we don’t know what will:

Marriage & Family Legacy Fund: $994, 199

Fellowship of Christian Athletes: $480,000

National Christian Foundation: $240,000

Focus on the Family: $12,500

Eagle Forum: $5,000

Exodus International: $1,000

Family Research Council: $1,000

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SHOULD PROP 8 SUPPORTERS BE WORRIED?

The federal court rules that donor names will be made public in accordance with California law

Posted by Natalie Hope McDonald on 10/27/2011 at 10:04AM | 4 Comments

Photo by Think Stock

A recent federal court ruling has some Prop 8 supporters shaking in their shoes in California this week. After ruling last week that the identities of donors to this anti-LGBT initiative will be made public, not everyone was pleased – and some are even worried that they may experience retaliation, saying they fear activists will come knocking on their doors after they quietly (read: slyly) threw their financial support to defeat same-sex marriage rights in The Golden State.

Focus on Family – a very outspoken group against gay rights – recently posted an article suggesting that anti-gay Christian groups fear “intimidation and harassment from gay activists” and the so-called “homosexual lobby.”

In other words, they’d rather not be forced out of their closets.

But in California, anyone contributing more than $100 to a cause is considered public record. And the Prop 8 supporters are no exception. That inspired both ProtectMarriage.com and the National Organization for Marriage – two of the most vehemently anti-gay opposition groups in the country – to file a lawsuit nearly three years ago, suggesting that backers of Prop 8 were being harassed and threatened by – gasp – angry homosexuals. And they say that’s why the donor identities should be kept private.

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BLACK, GAY AND CHRISTIAN

A new book discusses the intersection of spirituality and sexuality

Posted by Natalie Hope McDonald on 10/20/2011 at 10:16AM | No Comments

In his book Sunday Morning: A Testimony of Life, Richard Brown shares his personal experiences in life as a gay African-American Christian. Not only does the author shed light on the somewhat hidden world of gay Christians and the struggles they face from organizations and churches that have challenged the notion of whether a believer can have faith if he’s gay, but he calls for change. It’s something, he says, that’s inherent to Biblical teachings of acceptance and forgiveness.

Eight years ago, Brown founded Positive Gay Black Men of New Jersey which provides support for gay men of color interested in exploring Christianity. Similarly, in the new book, the author takes a somewhat controversial approach to Christian teachings, standing in contrast to public condemnations of homosexuality. He says he hopes to inspire a more accepting, welcoming environment for all Christians – regardless of sexual orientation.

“After I look at what God has done for me, I now have to testify as to his power and love, and how he accepts me for me,” Brown says. “I believe my message will be better served by suggesting and supporting that every individual has the ability to hear from God on their own through study, fasting and prayer.”

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WAS JESUS GAY?

Michael Moore's recent joke has some believers in a tailspin

Posted by Natalie Hope McDonald on 10/4/2011 at 9:13AM | 2 Comments

During a recent event at Georgetown University in Washington D.C., Michael Moore made a crack about Jesus being gay. “You know those 12 men Jesus was always hanging out with? Mhm.” is reportedly what the documentarian said, according to conservative website The Blaze.

That wasn’t the only thing the website called Moore out for – apparently they weren’t too pleased with his language either – namely his frequent dropping of the “F” bomb on the Christian campus.

The comments, however “jokey,” and the language, however crass, may have been a stretch for the Jesuit school and at least some audience members who listened to Moore speak last week. But Moore, as we all know, seems to thrive on controversy wherever he goes. Does that make his Jesus jab more or less of an issue? Haven’t we come to expect this sort of thing from the guy who made Bowling for Columbine?

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HOMOPHOBIA IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

A choir director leaves after priest suggests anti-gay therapy

Posted by Natalie Hope McDonald on 9/16/2011 at 10:37AM | 5 Comments

As the Catholic church faces scrutiny around the country over its horrific mishandling of child abuse and sexual assault, at a church in New Jersey, the gay choir director is the one being treated like a criminal. Robert Russell has been the music director for 22 years at St. Joseph’s Parish in East Rutherford. That was until the pastor Joseph Astarita showed up spewing anti-gay remarks from the pulpit that was previously held by a liberal sect of the Franciscans.

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HUMP DAY HEADLINES

All the LGBT news that's fit to blog

Posted by Natalie Hope McDonald on 9/7/2011 at 10:37AM | No Comments

Three men are hanged in Iran for being gay. And it’s not the first time. 

Is monogamy on the rise among gays and straights?

The U.S. Department of the Interior makes an “It Gets Better” video.

Tammy Baldwin announces bid for U.S. Senate. She’s the only out lesbian in Congress today.

Maryland governor is on board with LGBT rights group Equality Maryland.

Anti-gay megachurch moves into Portland.

California governor signs equality benefits into law, making it illegal for employers to discriminate against same-sex couples.

Gloria Allred wants to dance with transgendered folks after criticism of Dancing With the Stars‘ contestant Chaz Bono.

We love this rapper who stood up for LGBT rights recently. “Be gay and proud,” says Rapper the Game.


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