Posts by pwsbuilder
Michigan Pastor Opposes Discrimination Against LGBT People
I know a fair amount about religion and discrimination. And I know they shouldn’t mix. I’m supporting updating Michigan’s landmark Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to include protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals—because discrimination is wrong, and religious beliefs shouldn’t foster discrimination. It’s shocking that in Michigan today, it’s legal to fire someone or…
Read MoreAriana Grande Is (Another) Wake Up Call For Faith Leaders
Dear religious leaders: When you tell people that God doesn’t love them as they are, they believe you. And then they act accordingly. Namely, leaving your faith community. In an interview with The Telegraph, pop superstar Ariana Grande shared that she left the Roman Catholic Church after her gay brother shared with her that God didn’t love…
Read MoreJudicial Council Rules In Favor Of Rev. Frank Schaefer
In 2013, Rev. Frank Schaefer was found “guilty” by the United Methodist Church for officiating the wedding of his son, Tim, to his same-sex partner. Today’s news comes from the Judicial Council, the denomination’s highest court. I bring you great news: the Judicial Council has affirmed the reinstatement of Rev. Frank Schaefer to ordained ministry in The United…
Read MoreConfronting Echoes Of The AIDS Hysteria As We Battle Ebola
Exactly a decade ago this month I received an email flagged as urgent from Monrovia, Liberia. It was from Lee Johnson, then coordinator of “Liberian Youths Against HIV/AIDS.” “Presently, the HIV/AIDS scourge is deeply eating into the fabric of our society and there is little being done to bring this to a halt. Therefore, some…
Read MoreGod’s Children Include Our LGBT Sisters & Brothers
We were sitting in Arby’s when it happened—a song played through the speakers that deeply touched my mother. She dropped her fork, closed her eyes, and began to sway back and forth. I had never before seen her behave this way. I dropped my fork and stared. At some point, still rocking in meditation, my…
Read MoreAmidst Reformation: Our Chance To Change The Church
As an immigrant, a woman, and a person of color, I know what a public show of solidarity can mean in the face of adversity. Ashamedly, there have been times when I did not offer such solidarity to others. When I first became a Christian, I failed to be a public ally to LGBT people…
Read MoreVatican’s Final Report Disappoints; Discussion Indicates Progress
After signs of progress from the mid-term report of the Extraordinary Synod on Marriage and Family, the Vatican’s final report significantly backtracks on LGBT issues from the promising draft. Despite this disappointment, the synod’s process and openness to discussion provide hope for further development down the road, particularly at next year’s synod, where the make-up of the…
Read MoreBelieve Out Loud Welcomes New Program Associate
Believe Out Loud is delighted to announce the hiring of Timothy DuWhite, Jr. as our new program associate. In this role, DuWhite will manage online engagement across Believe Out Loud’s social networks and provide support across program areas. DuWhite is the former program coordinator and office manager for Urban Word NYC, New York’s premier non-profit organization…
Read MoreThe Struggle Of Rebirth: A Catholic Coming Out
In reflecting over my ongoing sojourn with faith and sexuality, I realize that who I am and the area I seek to evolve is one that both disturbs and is disturbed, changes and is changed. As I look back at my life in an effort to re-remember my re-membering as I wrestle with church teaching,…
Read MoreSpirit Day 2014: How We Can Prevent Bullying
Four years ago, beginning in October of 2010, we in the United States saw a rash of gay teenager suicides—Asher Brown, age 13, in Houston; Seth Walsh, also 13, in California; Billy Lucas and Justin Aaberg, both 15, from Indiana and Minnesota; and Tyler Clementi, age 18, a freshman just beginning his studies at Rutgers…
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