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Peterson Toscano is a performance artist, activist and practicing Quaker. I first met Peterson in 2011 at the Philadelphia Transhealth Conference. I was intrigued how his subversive use of humor and evangelical background coupled his Quaker sensibilities proved to be a powerful witness in debunking the ex-gay movement and exploring the trangsgressive nature of the Bible.…
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The U.S. Episcopal Church (TEC) made headlines this past summer when they voted overwhelmingly to adopt a provisional liturgy to bless same-sex couples. This measure, put into use on the first Sunday of Advent, allows interested clergy to perform same-sex blessings while the church continues to explore the theology of marriage. In making this move,the…
Read More“The waiting is the hardest part Every day you see one more card You take it on faith, you take it to the heart The waiting is the hardest part” ~ Tom Petty Advent is a season of waiting for the In-Breaking of Peace, waiting for the Incarnation of Love. It is a season for…
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Here’s my personal story: When I came out during my senior year of college, I was the student chaplain at a conservative Christian college in San Diego. Official university policy states: “We view all forms of sexual intimacy that occur outside the covenant of heterosexual marriage, even when consensual, as distortions of the holiness and…
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Any Day Now, a new film about the struggles of a gay couple to adopt, opened in select theaters on Friday, December 14. Winner of 10 Audience Awards at film festivals, Any Day Now is a powerful tale of love, acceptance and family. When a teenager with Down syndrome (Isaac Leyva) is abandoned by his…
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I am writing to express my sincere appreciation for the prayers, advocacy and mission of Believe Out Loud. Their ceaseless work led to a donation of $10,000 to support my congregation’s campaign to save our church. Believe Out Loud’s passionate and committed staff align themselves with just causes, and they have made a profound difference…
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Much of the media buzz after the United Methodist Church’s (UMC) quadrennial General Conference (May 2012) focused on the UMC vote of 39% to 61% against changing long-contested language in the church’s Book of Discipline that calls homosexuality “incompatible with Christian teaching.” In addition, they defeated a petition that would acknowledge that faithful United Methodists…
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Last week, after months of effort, students at Point Loma Nazarene University in Sand Diego, CA were told by the Office of Student Development that, “administration will shut down any club centered around sexual orientation that makes it through the club chartering process.” In 2010, when Director of Spiritual Life, Todd Clayton, came out while in office, the conversation…
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Last night, I attended the ninth anniversary celebration of the National Center for Transgender Equality. The organization gathers each year to celebrate the past year’s progress and honor those who are working to secure full equality for transgender people. The event was my first opportunity to meet fellow LGBTQ activists in Washington, D.C., and I…
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As the executive director of The Gay Christian Network (GCN), I’m often asked for advice on a situation we all face sooner or later—that uncomfortable conversation with a Christian friend or family member whose views on the LGBT community are, shall we say, less than charitable. (You know the type.) Maybe it’s your pastor, your…
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