Religion and a Personal Matter
Many people in our community feel ostracized from their churches and it is important to remember that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people struggle with issues of faith every day of their lives. This issue rang true for me just recently when my niece asked me to be her confirmation sponsor. In Catholicism the third sacrament of initiation is confirmation. I was so honored that she asked me to be her special and significant witness. There were a couple of problems for me however. One problem was that I had not yet been confirmed myself. When I was a child my father died the year I was to be confirmed, my family was in chaos and as a result, I never did receive the sacrament, which in Catholicism is necessary for future sponsorship opportunities. After thinking long and hard about the whole experience and how the church treats homosexuals, I made the choice that my niece was the most important issue here. I decided to go ahead and walk the path and reach out to the church one more time. I did not have much hope that this would be a good experience, to be honest. As a lesbian I am well aware of the church’s teachings with regards to homosexuality. As the Executive Director of Stonewall Columbus, however it was imperative that I was “out” as I walked along this path. After some very honest interviews with a priest and a long religious retreat, I could be confirmed and in good conscience accept the sacrament of confirmation. I am thrilled that I was also able to be with my niece on that very special day. So many people in our community have not had my same positive experience with their churches and it is up to us to change the perceptions of these institutions. This is why Stonewall Columbus has made the Faith Initiative at the Center on High a core value for our organization. A committee driven by the leadership of our board of trustees is working diligently to put together several forums this year to address the issues of faith in Columbus. Also our Lavender Listings will have a special section devoted to affirming churches so that our intake and referral desk can make sure that new and current residents of our city know what churches are open and accepting of our LGBT families. When asked Stonewall Columbus welcomes the opportunity to partner with our faith community in order to bring about some healing. Please stay connected to our website for upcoming information about our panel discussions around faith and feel free to comment and add suggestions to our blogspot. We welcome healthy dialogue from the community. Open dialogue is a crucial tool to use to make changes both in the ways that we perceive our faith and ourselves.
- February 1st
I am pleased to see that some people, like Karla, are having better experiences with their churches. However, as this was pointed out to me recently, I'd like to remind everyone at Stonewall that religion and Christianity are not co-terminous; and there are many people of other faiths who feel shut-out not only from their religious communities, but also from the LGBTQ communities, which tend to host “religious” or “spiritual” events that are almost if not entirely exclusive of all other faith systems. I hope that as Stonewall embarks on a new journey with religious faiths it can be more proactively inclusive than have other movements in other times. Aloha, Holly
I am pleased to see that some people, like Karla, are having better experiences with their churches. However, as this was pointed out to me recently, I’d like to remind everyone at Stonewall that religion and Christianity are not co-terminous; and there are many people of other faiths who feel shut-out not only from their religious communities, but also from the LGBTQ communities, which tend to host “religious” or “spiritual” events that are almost if not entirely exclusive of all other faith systems. I hope that as Stonewall embarks on a new journey with religious faiths it can be more proactively inclusive than have other movements in other times. Aloha, Holly
Yes, religion and the gay community at times does not meet, but there are groups that do feel that everyone is the same in Christ. And is loved by everyone. I am glad that Karla is trying to help our community to feel that love. I hope that everyone will give this a try and to help the rest of our society in general to see that love throughout.
Yes, religion and the gay community at times does not meet, but there are groups that do feel that everyone is the same in Christ. And is loved by everyone. I am glad that Karla is trying to help our community to feel that love. I hope that everyone will give this a try and to help the rest of our society in general to see that love throughout.
Karla regardless of “it beign your job be out” when you decided to take this journey for your neice, what a brave and courageous act. Congratulations on your choice and it is thrilling to hear that the outcome was so well received. Really means alot to hear a positive story with regard to 'church and gays' Thanks so much for sharing your personal journey and for seeing the 'stonewall' faith initiative' thru!!
Karla regardless of “it beign your job be out” when you decided to take this journey for your neice, what a brave and courageous act. Congratulations on your choice and it is thrilling to hear that the outcome was so well received. Really means alot to hear a positive story with regard to ‘church and gays’ Thanks so much for sharing your personal journey and for seeing the ’stonewall’ faith initiative’ thru!!