It Gets Better: Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles "True Colors"

It Gets Better: Seattle United Methodist Pastors

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zivxQRJIpFA

Christians and Bullying: Standing with Gays and Lesbians

QUOTE OF THE WEEK “If I didn’t have those people back there, I would never have had anything to write about. That’s where I got all my stories from. My life is from them. … I’m going to do everything to keep up for them, in memory. That is my duty from now until I die.” - Author Ernest J. Gaines explaining why he takes care of an old cemetery on the former plantation where five generations of his ancestors, going back to slavery, are buried. (Source: New York Times) + Sign up to receive "Verse and Voice" - our daily quote and Bible verse e-mail Christians and Bullying: Standing with Gays and Lesbians  Get a free issue of Sojourners Donate to support Sojourners My mother used to give us kids two instructions: 1. If there is a kid on the playground that nobody else is playing with -- you play with them. 2. If there is a bully picking on other kids -- you be the one to stand up to him or her. Those two principles have served me well. And I can almost hear my mother's voice sometimes … like now. On Wednesday, I wore purple. I was speaking at North Park University, an evangelical Christian college, with Tim King, my colleague and a former student there. I was pleased to see them passing out purple ribbons and announcing why just before chapel. So I joined thousands of others across the country who believe that bullying should never be tolerated at any time, at any place, or for any reason. I wore purple to commemorate "Spirit Day," in memory of the many young people who have taken their own lives as a result of harassment and bullying inflicted on them because they are gay. I wore purple because I am a follower of Christ. A bully is a person who habitually intimidates, harasses, or commits violence against those who are smaller, weaker, or more vulnerable because of their "outsider" status. A bully stands in opposition to all of what Christ taught and lived. There is broad opposition within the Christian community to bullying, especially the sort that leads to the deaths we have seen as of late. This sort of harassment is indefensible. And the stories of young kids being so bullied that they take their own lives has been heartbreaking to hear. But, to paraphrase Christ, if you oppose bullying, what reward will you get? Isn't everybody against it? If all you do is say that you shouldn't harass someone until they kill themselves, are you really doing more than others? The fact that bullies target gay and lesbian people should mean that Christians give extra attention to protecting and standing up for them. The fact that any community or group of people is regularly the target of harassment and hate means Christians should be on the front line of defense against any who would attack. But, most bullies don't know that they are bullies. A bully might think that his or her words don't matter that much or affect others that greatly. A bully might think that he or she is being funny or just kidding around. A bully might think that he or she is just saying what everyone is thinking or speaking out about what everyone thinks. There is disagreement within the Christian community when it comes to issues of human sexuality. But, there should be a united front against all who would disrespect, disparage, or denigrate anyone created in the image of God. I hope you will join me in prayer for the family and friends of every young person who has taken their own lives. I hope you will join me in a message of hope for any person who has been teased, harassed, or bullied by another because of his or her sexual orientation. More than that, no matter what your views of homosexuality are, I hope you will join with me in standing in the way between bullies and their victims. At an evangelical Christian college in the Midwest, there was a lot of purple yesterday. And the airline security official who checked my boarding pass saw my purple ribbon and said, "I see you're wearing purple today, that's a good thing." Last week, I was taking my boys to school and raised the issue of the bullying and gay teen suicides to see what they had heard about it. My 12-year-old Luke, of course, knew all about it; while 7-year-old Jack hadn't heard yet. But Jack spoke of a boy on the playground of his school who was sometimes a bully to others. Before I could say a word, Luke said to his little brother, "Now Jack, you need to talk to him. He will respect and listen to you because you are an athlete, a good student, and very popular. Kids who are strong need to be the ones who stand up for those who get bullied. Jack, part of our job is to make sure nobody gets bullied at our school. Understand?" Jack said, "Yes," and I could just feel his grandmother smiling. E-mail this article to friends Share this article on Facebook Comment on this article on the God's Politics Blog

Clergy Against Bullying

Dear friends in the faith in the NE UMC Annual Conference and beyond, Reconciling friends and persons of all faiths:  

 

Please READ and forward this moving Petition by the Human Rights Campaign today to pastors, local church members and friends of all faiths --  so that the cry is loud and clear from our spiritual leadership that bullying is not acceptable in our churches and communities around the world!

 

We need to hear from our pastors as our spiritual leaders at this time of bullying, hate and violence.  As laypersons of faith we also need to speak up and let folks know we want STOP bullying in our neighhorhoods and communities!   We thank all of you! 

 

maureen vetter and wendy smith, NE Reconciling Minitry Network Contacts, PRN contacts, Main Email Contacts, Local Contacts in NE, www.RMNetwork.org

************************************************************************************************************************************

Dear friends,

We need your help.  HRC has been working in partnership with faith leaders on a  "Clergy Against Bullying " petition and website.  Please sign this important letter for accountability and a time of healing in wake of gay teen suicides and anti-gay violence.  It will only take a minute of your time.

Please forward this email freely.  Below is the press release. 

Thanks and blessings,

Sharon

Dr. Sharon Groves, Deputy Director

HRC Religion and Faith Program

religion@hrc.org

Clergy Against Bullying:
A Faith Alliance to Stop Bullying of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender People

Media Release

October 18, 2010

Media Contact:  Ann Craig, 213-703-1365, craig@glaad.org

Clergy and faith leaders say “No More Bullying!”
In Wake of Gay Teen Suicides and Anti-Gay Violence, Faith Leaders Pledge Peaceful Actions

In a groundbreaking alliance of high level mainline Christian leaders and faith groups that fully include lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, faith leaders released a statement calling on “the Church Universal to join us in working to end the violence and hatred against our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender brothers and sisters.” 

In the wake of a rash of suicides after anti-gay bullying and violent attacks on gay people in New York, top faith leaders signed a pledge “to be LGBT and straight people of faith standing together for the shared values of decency and civility, compassion and care in all interactions.”

National faith leaders signing the Clergy Against Bullying statement include the Rev. Michael Kinnamon, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches, the Rev. Geoffrey Black, President of the United Church of Christ, Elder Cynthia J. Bolbach, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church (USA), the Rev. Gradye Parsons, Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church (USA), Episcopal Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, Bishop Yvette Flunder, Presiding Bishop of The Fellowship and the Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson, Moderator of Metropolitan Community Churches.

The Rev. Michael Kinnamon said, "The member churches of the National Council of Churches are moved by scripture to affirm every person as a valued child of God and to support protection from bullying and discrimination.  Just as we spoke out on behalf of Muslims who were under threat, so we now stand as Clergy Against Bullying of our neighbors, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity. Given the recent outburst of anti-gay rhetoric and action, the Church must not be silent."

Head of The Episcopal Church, Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori said, “The Episcopal Church abhors the persecution of any group of human beings and seeks the just and dignified treatment of all.”

"Bullying for any reason is contradictory to authentic religion,” said Dr. C. Welton Gaddy.  “Religion inspires respect, empathy, compassion and humility--values that prompt healing and condemn hurting."

“We are asking all faith colleagues, LGBT and straight alike, to go online and sign the Clergy Against Bullying statement and to work toward safe space for all God's children in our churches,” said the Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson.  “Too often, young people who are gay, transgender or questioning fear judgmental church people.  This statement by Clergy Against Bullying will help us all tell the story of the One who came not to judge or condemn but to love us.  Today we are saying to every child who is different in any way: ‘You are safe in the arms of God; you are safe with our congregations.’"     

Bishop Yvette Flunder of The Fellowship said, “When our young people hear messages of condemnation from church leaders, they are left alone to wonder if God loves them, if their families will reject them and if their peers will attack them with taunts and bullying.  Today, Clergy Against Bullying are choosing to speak words of humility, love and acceptance.”

Harry Knox of the Human Rights Campaign said, “We rejoice that we are joining our voices with Muslims for Progressive Values and the more than 300 Jewish organizational leaders coordinated by Keshet.  You will be inspired to do more when you read the powerful Keshet and Muslim statements.”

For a full statement of Clergy Against Bullying and to sign on, go to the web site.  All clergy and people of good faith are welcome to sign. Clergy Against Bullying will be building online resources to help congregations create safe spaces and support for all of God’s children, including the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender children.

GI Editorial from Brian (THANKS!)

Need to end violence against gays

I am writing this letter in regard to the illustration in the Oct. 6 Grand Island Independent newspaper. The illustration depicted a person being pushed out a window by several hands that represented cyber bullying. Near the window was a letter. I interpret this as a representation of a person's suicide. Personally I feel sickened by the lack of honor, respect and dignity in this drawing. I have seen The Independent newspaper give generous and respectful coverage of military and accidental deaths, I commend them on this. Since there is no reason given why this person chose to end their life other than cyber bullying, I can safely assume that it is in reference to recent news events regarding several individuals committing suicide due to their attraction to the same gender. I would like to remind people that this is someone's child, sibling or spouse.

Suicide is a major issue facing this country and should not be taken so lightly. The...

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http://www.theindependent.com/articles/2010/10/12/opinions/letters/doc4cb3613bbcdcc350998829.txt