One of the most puzzling and frustrating battles for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender equality is not marriage equality. Rather, it’s the fight for the most basic rights that every person in America enjoys — employment, housing, and other common sense non-discrimination laws. Yet, for some bizarre reason, this is controversial.
As usual, the most ardent and outspoken opponents to these basic rights are Christian leaders, ministers, and pastors. The rank and file within the Churches also tend to lean toward opposition as well. I know full well that I can’t judge the hearts of people who oppose LGBT equality, but it’s very easy to go with the flow when you know the numbers are on your side.
We must defend the family! The radical homosexual activists are out to destroy the family! They want to tear apart the very fabric of society! The sky is falling! The radical homosexual activists are out to destroy the sky! We must protect the family from the … okay, you get the idea.
In the long quest toward reconciliation between LGBT Christians and the Church at large, we must be clear about reality. This is no easy task. Quite frankly, there are plenty of people who are convinced that it’s not even remotely possible. If I weren’t a man of faith, I might even agree with that assessment. This crazy idea might just be impossible.
However difficult or even impossible the task might be, I’m reminded of several things. First, I am a man of faith. My faith isn’t in myself, or even my abilities. It certainly isn’t in my fellow man or in the Church. The object and focus of my faith is in Jesus Christ Himself — who was very clear about what we considered to be impossible. After all, He said all things are possible.
All things.
All.
Who then can be saved? Anyone. Who then can be healed? Anyone. Who then can be restored? Anyone. Who then can be brought together? Any one.
No exceptions. No disclaimers. No asterisks.
In what is probably the most important news regarding the failure of the Ex-Gay movement, Dr. Robert Spitzer has now formally apologized for his often-distorted study from 2001. The study, which concluded that some “highly-motivated” people could change their sexual orientation has been held up by ex-gay ministries and organizations as a major boost for their cause.
If there’s anything that “religious right” groups have in common, it’s their unilateral hatred toward the idea that gays deserve to be treated as complete equals in society. They’ve claimed that they’re being lambasted for “merely disagreeing” with the “homosexual lifestyle.” They whine because they’re being blasted for “being Christian” or “upholding biblical values.” As such, at least one group is going over the top in their anti-gay propaganda.
Day of Silence, a project of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), remains one of the most powerful messages against the kind of bullying that is directed at LGBT kids across the country. Its message is simple: Be silent to end the silence that bullied kids get from school administration and community leaders regarding their plight. The event has garnered significant opposition over the past 16 years, including psudo-religious groups who are particularly miffed over “politicizing” our schools.
The right wing generally has three major targets in their “culture war.” Gays, women, and President Obama. Of course, for those of us who have been watching wingnut antics over the last few years, this is not a surprise. Not even a little. We’ve known for years that the far right hates gays, wants women to go back to being barefoot, pregnant, and in the kitchen, and would love for the President to go to work in a cotton field.
What is new, and what is surprising is just how brazen these people have gotten in recent years.
One of the great “debates” of this election cycle has swirled around the question of whether a person can use “religious beliefs” as a legitimate reason to discriminate against gays and lesbians. This same argument is also being employed for a renewed assault on women’s rights.
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