Making Face, Making Soul...
a Chicana feminist homepage
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| "Everything misogynist I learned as a child, I learned from the Catholic church." --Cherrie Moraga, Chicana feminist/activist/playwright/scholar. "God...you are just like every smart Mexican Catholic sinner I
know. You hate the Church and then you get married and baptize
your children in it. Sheep. All sheep." --Arturo
Islas, Migrant Souls Like any good Chicana Catholic, I have a love/hate relationship with the church. I love the tradition, the ritual, and the faith of the Church and its people. Like Cherrie Moraga, I hate the misogyny that pervades a hierarchy of old white men which keeps them from acknowledging that women are capable human beings able to lead the Church as well as make reproductive decisions for themselves. I abhor the history of colonialist complicity that led European Christian explorers to slaughter and convert indigenous populations across the Americas. And I deplore the Christian mindset that condemns same-sex relationships without asking some hard questions about how we define loving relationships between two human beings. Believe it or not there are various types of religious organizations seeking to integrate traditional religious themes with a critical and progressive political vision. Religion does not have to be just about judgement and fear, but about hope and self-acceptance and envisioning a better world. The following are a few starting places for progressive religious groups and websites dedicated to criticizing and/or educating the public about Catholicism in particular, about Christianity in general, and other of the world's religious traditions. It's followed by a more extensive collection of references for gays, lesbians, and bisexuals who are seeking an inclusive Christian community. Whatever your beliefs, political or sexual orientation, I challenge you to re-examine your own faith tradition for the principles that can/will critically evaluate it in its own terms. Christianity is a big part of U.S. history, and I really believe it's up to us to critique and reform it. Jump to Resources in Gay/Lesbian Christian Spirituality
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Resources in Gay & Lesbian Christian SpiritualityThis is a quick list of resources for lesbian/gay/bisexual women and men who are seeking an inclusive Christian discussion of sexuality. For the most part, just avoid Christian bookstores--there's a whole market of deceptive, hurtful Christian books and organizations (i.e. Exodus International) that claim to understand issues around sexuality but actually seek to convert gays and lesbians "back" to heterosexuality.On the other hand, there ARE thoughtful, caring Christian churches out there that are seeking to affirm the wholeness of gay and lesbian sexuality and spirituality. Here, I just want to list some books and organizations that are available. Couple of caveats: most books in the field are written by men, often in pretty academic terms (i.e. former priests), but still worth checking out.... Finally, these books and organizations are mostly geared to/from the experience of white Americans...if anyone can let me know about additional resources for gays and lesbians of color, or bilingual Spanish resources, I'd appreciate it. Jump to OrganizationsBooksTroy Perry, The Lord is My Shepherd and He Knows I'm Gay. Troy is the founder of the Metropolitan Community Church, the largest gay-positive nondenom. church in the country. A Pentecostal minister, the book is very easy to read, even a bit rambling. He can be pretty sexist, but the book is definitely worthwhile, especially for those coming from a Pentecostal or Holiness tradition.Troy Perry, Don't Be Afraid Anymore. Troy Perry discusses issues of sexuality and the Metro Community Church (MCC) Virginia Ramey Mollenkott & Letha Dawson Scanzoni, Is the Homosexual My Neighbor? Co-written by a lesbian and a straight woman theologian, both identifying issues around homophobia in the evangelical church, dealing with 'scriptural' concerns in a straightforward manner, issues of stigma and stereotyping, scientific 'proof', and finally proposing a 'homosexual Christian ethic'. Virginia R. Mollenkott, Sensuous Spirituality: Out From Fundamentalism. Lesbian Christian dedicates the book to her partner of fourteen yeras, and discusses biblical interpretation, spiritual practices, and interpretive communities. Alison Webster, Found Wanting: Women, Christianity and Sexuality. Published in Britain by Cassell (1995). A lesbian and feminist perspective of christianity and sexuality. She uses a lot of stories of women in her book with examples of how they reconcile themselves with their spiritual beliefs. (L.Waldal.) Leroy Aarons, Prayers for Bobby is the story of Mary Griffith dealing with the suicide of her son Bobby (he killed himself because he was gay and he hated being gay). She was ultra-conservative and religious and eventually came to terms with how her beliefs killed her son. (L. Waldal) Sallie McFague. Models of God. Feminist theologian takes apart traditional notions of God, suggseting instead models of God as Friend, and Lover. Mel White, Stranger at the Gate. Mel White spent years working within the fundamentalist Christian industry, ghostwriting speeches for Jerry Falwell, working with Billy Graham, etc. before finally coming out as a gay man, and entering ministry with the MCC. This book is his auto- biography and an open letter to the fundamentalist community to embrace its gay and lesbian members. Boswell, John. Christianity, Social Tolerance, and Homosexuality: Gay people in Europe from the beginning era to the 14th Century. Academic work, pretty self-explanatory. He also has a new book titled Same Sex Unions in Premodern Europe, which explores, well, same-sex marriages in early Europe. John McNeil, The Church and the Homosexual.. A thoughtful discussion of the Scriptural handling of homosexuality by a jesuit priest. John McNeil, Taking a Chance on God: Liberating Theology for Gays, Lesbians, and their Lovers, Families, and Friends. Guidance for the spiritual developmment of gay and lesbian Christians." Robert Goss, Jesus Acted Up: A Gay and Lesbian Manifesto. Gay activist and former Jesuit Priest outlines a celebration of queerness with liberation theology. Karen Jo Torjesen, When Women Were Priests is subtitled Women's Leadership in the Early Church and the Scandal of their Subordination in the Rise of Christianity. This book touches on women's sexuality but is more focused on women in protestant churches from ancient Mediterranean society to present. (L. Waldal) L. William Countryman, Dirt, Greet and Sex: Sexual Ethics in the New Testament and Implications for Today. A good first book for trying to figure out how to talk with radically religious friends about issues of sexuality. It's more about sexuality in general and talks about homosexuality as a part of sexuality and christianity. I think we're still waiting for a flowering of lesbian feminist theology (though you might start with anything by Carter Heyward or Bev Harrison) . If I'm missing something, I hope you'll let me know. These books are at least a starting point, and can be ordered from your local bookstore. FILMS: Organizations:Metropolitan Community Church. The largest, most well-known gay-positive Christian nondenominational church. Size and atmosphere differs by region, but tends to have more men than women. Here's a link to some introductory information from MCC Canada.Dignity. An independent Catholic organization of men and women that identify with the Roman Catholic Church but affirm the wholeness of gay and lesbian sexuality. Also tends to be male-dominant. Mass is celebrated by gay priests or sympathetic het priests. Affirmation, a ministry to gays/lesbians/bisexuals in the Mormon tradition. An independent ministry. GALA means Gay and Lesbian Acceptance. An association of gays, lesbians, bisexuals, their families and friends of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (RLDS) community. The group's purpose is "to affirm the dignity and worth of all persons without regard to gender, race, sexual orientation or religious affiliation; to support and encourage self-actualization in an atmosphere of love, understanding, and confidentiality. We are committed to exploring the issues of spirituality and justice through dialogue, education, and action." American Baptists Concerned (AmBaptists@aol.com) is an advocacy caucus of folks within the American Baptist Churches, USA. The Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists (ABaptists@aol.com) is a network of churches and organizations--largely American Baptist but not exclusively, that are also queer friendly. Believe it or not, there is even a group of LesBiGay Southern Baptists based in Texas called Honesty (BlkAdder@aol.com). You can reach all of them via email. Evangelicals Concerned. 311 E. 72nd Street, New York, NY 10021. Offers links to regional groups, also a pamphlet on gays/lesbians and evangelical christianity. More Queer-Friendly
Religious Links Finally, be sure to pick up your local gay/les/bi newspaper, and search for ads for local gay/les-positive religious services. There are also independent organizations of Lutheran gays and lesbians (I forgot the names, sorry). The Disciples of Christ, Unitarian, and Universalist Protestant denominations all acknowledge gay/lesbian orientation and relationships in theory...but you'll have to check out the dynamics of your local church for yourself...there is always regional variation, I'm afraid. Best wishes! |
