A Call for Resources

by Mayra David

Jan 08, 2009 8:10 AM

I’m so excited for what SFNYC is going to bring in 2009. I can feel the energy and anticipation grow even as we discuss and prepare our next equality-seeking action. At our last meeting, the group came up with a great idea: let’s pool our resources and put together new Soulforce NYC literature for hand outs, training, etc. This will be useful as we begin to reach out to folks who still think being queer is sick and sinful.

For hand outs I think we need an attractive pamphlet that gives an overview of what SFNYC does and where can people find us on the web. More importantly we need to get our mission and method across. And since we’re so specific about working on erradicating homophobia based on religious rhetoric I think the literature needs to give an example of that…like a demo. Just something short that’ll get people to visit the website and read more.

Maybe take one of the more famous “clobber passages” in the bible and put a sound pro-equality argument right next to it…?”
We also mentioned some great books that deal with homosexuality and faith. We decided to create this post so everyone could share their resources and ideas.

Please share your thoughts on what might be helpful or enriching—either for SFNYC in general or specific recommendations for the new literature—in the comment section below. 

Reflections From St. Patrick’s (by Matthew Beams)

by Guest Blogger

Dec 15, 2008 12:27 PM

December 10, 2008 was the 60th anniversary of the U.N.‘s Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). In conjunction with this I stood in a rally, along with members from Dignity/NewYork and DignityUSA outside St. Patrick’s Cathedral to protest the Vatican’s opposition to a European Union resolution being introduced to the UN that would urge all nations to abolish laws that make it illegal to be gay. There are currently 70 nations in the world in which it is illegal simply to be LGBT. In 12 of those countries a person can be executed for being gay. Why would the Vatican oppose this? Oppose! Not even step out of the argument, but to actually speak out in opposition to the rights and lives of human beings is the opposite of the teachings of Jesus Christ.  I grew up Roman Catholic in a town in New Jersey where I actually had a relatively good experience. When I was in 9th grade I went on a retreat with my church youth group during which the pastor came to hear confession. You know how retreats are—they break down barriers—and I somehow felt safe enough to confess my sin of homosexuality to my pastor. Shockingly, he told me that, while he knew the church’s teaching stated that it was a sin to act on homosexuality, he believed that God created us each of as we are and that I should not be afraid or ashamed of being gay. Then we moved on to my more mundane sins. It was liberating and freeing, but of course, The Church told otherwise, so I didn’t feel completely absolved.  Over the course of my life I drifted away from church and didn’t really come back to the fold until a couple of years ago. Now I attend a big Protestant church in NYC that is not just accepting but affirming of LGBT people (http://www.marblechurch.org) and my journey as a follower of Christ has amazed me, strengthened me, confused me, empowered me, and wrecked me. As I feel called to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, I find myself looking at my actions in a whole new light. This is difficult stuff.

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What skills or identities do you have that can be utilized when we do campaigns?

by Taueret Manu

Dec 10, 2008 12:27 PM

So often, we only look at more obvious traits, but I would like everyone to dig deep, think outside of the box, and come up with 5 things about themselves that can help make our actions even better.

 

For example, my 5 would be:

I am a womyn of Color (obvious but helpful)

I am an ally to the Transgender community

I can dialogue about the Bible & Queerness pretty well

My family has roots in the Black Southern Baptist Church

I was an Equality Rider, and thus grasp concepts of non-violent resistance

 

Your turn!

To Be Or Not To Be

by Brian G. Murphy

Dec 06, 2008 11:16 PM

A key component of Soulforce is studying the life and works of Gandhi, King Jr., and other non-violent thinkers and actors. Gandhi famously advised his followers—and the world—to be the change that we wish to see. My friend Shane Claiborne writes that often the saints and world-changers end up relegated to stained glass windows and coffee table books (after they’re executed or assassinated, of course). That we want to venerate them safely from a distance. “Be the change” has a nice ring to it, feels good, and makes for a catchy movie tagline. But what does it mean? Do I really want to be the change? The answer changes everything. If I don’t, that’s fine. I can live a life of detached isolation both from my own problems and the problems around me. There is something to be said for creating a comfortable life and enjoying it with loved ones. I won’t fault anyone for deciding against being the change. I ask myself almost daily, is this the life that I want?

But if I decide to be the change I wish to see in the world—if I truly mean it—then everything must change.

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Get non-violence training before Saturday’s rally!

by Brian G. Murphy

Nov 13, 2008 11:02 AM

As you may have heard, a grassroots movement called Join The Impact has sprung up in the days since the election to organize rallies in every state in the union on Saturday November 15 for the cause of LGBT equality. A gathering in New York City is scheduled for 1:30 PM at City Hall. While this is not a SFNYC organized event, I will be there and I hope to see you there as well! We recognize that marriage is not a city issue, however city halls are traditional gathering places for communities, and it is fitting for us to gather there as others across the country do the same. We are not protesting the city but rather standing up and being counted—that we are passionate about the cause of justice for LGBTQ people, that discrimination in all forms is unbefitting of our society, that gay relationships should be supported equally with straight ones, and also to remind ourselves that the journey for LGBT equality does not begin nor end with marriage.

Non-Violence Training at 11:30

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Welcome To blog:justce!

by Brian G. Murphy

Nov 01, 2008 10:51 AM

Welcome!

blog:justice is the blogging home of SFNYC.  We’ll use this space as a place to communicate and conspire together, a showcase for the work we’re doing, and a resource pool for all to draw upon.  Check back regularly and add your voice every chance you get!