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timmy
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Has no life at all |
Location: UK, in Devon
Registered: February 2003
Messages: 13796
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Please take this paragraph below bounded by horiztontal lines and the link beneath it and circulate it widely, to Jew and non Jew alike: I am linking to it from http://iomfats.org/spirit/
This is a MAJOR launch. We are at a historical point in religious history. Please be part of the launch and pass this as widely as you can. Please do not delay. There is a need for this to be hugely circulated by Monday.
If you post on messageboards, if you Blog, if you chat or use IRC or use newsgroups, please place that paragraph and the link. If you have a mailing list or are part of one, please post it there too. Please do not wait or someone else, but act now. Your own faith, religion or lack thereof is unimportant. What is important is to get this "out there" widely and quickly
____________________________________________________________
Keshet in Hebrew means 'rainbow'. On this site you will find a list of gay-friendly rabbis who are available to help you, advise you or just lend a sympathetic ear. All the rabbis on this site belong to the Conservative denomination in Judaism, which means that they are both traditional and forward-looking at the same time. If you want to discuss something with a Conservative rabbi in absolute privacy just choose a rabbi from the directory and send him or her an e-mail. It's that simple
http://keshetrabbis.org/
____________________________________________________________
Author of Queer Me! Halfway Between Flying and Crying - the true story of life for a gay boy in the Swinging Sixties in a British all male Public School
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timmy
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Has no life at all |
Location: UK, in Devon
Registered: February 2003
Messages: 13796
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just to be clear:
The site is live. But it is being LAUNCHED on Monday.
Author of Queer Me! Halfway Between Flying and Crying - the true story of life for a gay boy in the Swinging Sixties in a British all male Public School
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You know, this makes a very refreshing sight. It's good to see so many men and women "of the cloth" giving their public support to GLBT. Furthermore, when I looked the overwhelming majority of them were American - which certainly makes a change from comments we have been hearing in this forum recently. Way to go, Keshet-Rabbis.
The paradox has often been noted that the United States, founded in secularism, is now the most religiose country in Christendom, while England, with an established church headed by its constitutional monarch, is among the least. (Richard Dawkins, 2006)
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marc
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Needs to get a life! |
Registered: March 2003
Messages: 4729
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Here aqre a couple more accepting places of worship.
International
Inspiritus, gay Christian inspiration for all Inspiritus features jokes, riddles, poems, articles, sermons and more.
MCC Manila MCC MANILA is a new work church of the GLOBAL OUTREACH of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches in the Philippines.
SDA Kinship International, Inc.
World Congress of Gay and Lesbian Jewish Organizations
Canada
Canada's national organization of gay and lesbian Roman Catholics and their friends believes there is no conflict between being gay or lesbian and being Roman Catholic.
Congregation Keshet Shalom A Progressive Congregation Dedicated to Meeting the Needs of the Greater Toronto Lesbian and Gay Jewish Community.
Dignity Canada Dignité
Dignity News Digest an excellent Dignity USA/Canada Update
Dignity Ottawa
Dignity Roman Catholic Gays & Lesbians
Dignity Toronto
Universal Fellowship of MCCs
Great Britain
Christian links (from Prayboy)
U.S.A.
Affirmation: Gay & Lesbian Mormons Affirmation serves the needs of gays, lesbians, bisexual LDS and their supportive family and friends through social and educational activities.
The Apostolic Catholic Church in America (ACCA) A welcoming, inclusive western-orthodox Christian church.
The Association for the Rights of Catholics in the Church (ARCC) affirms that there are fundamental rights which are rooted in the humanity and baptism of all Catholics
The Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists
AXIOS Eastern and Orthodox Gay and Lesbian Christians.
Brethren/Mennonite Council For Lesbian and Gay Concerns
Calendar of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Saints
ChristianGay.com declares "He Loves You No Matter What They Say" ChristianGay.Com - examines the bible to expose the condemnation of gays as a false theory.
Christian Reconciliation Project Promotes reconciliation. Highlights the unity which all believers in Christ already possess in Him, regardless of denomination.
CLOUT: Christian Lesbians OUT
Computerized AIDS Ministries
David North & the Gospel Celebration
Dharma Dykes
Dignity/USA
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Friends for Lesbian & Gay Concerns Quakers, Religious Society of Friends
Gay Theological Journal
Gays for God
GLAD Alliance The Gay, Lesbian and Affirming Disciples Alliance, Inc., is a presence working for the full dignity and integrity of gay, lesbian, bisexual and affirming people within the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
GodLovesFags.com
HeartStrong, Inc. The national non-profit organization reaching out to GLBT persons attending conservative religious schools and colleges.
HONESTY Baptist
Interfaith Couples
The Interfaith Working Group
Integrity A witness of the lesbian and gay community in the Episcopal Church and of the Episcopal Church in the lesbian and gay community.
The Leather and Levi scene and being Catholic
The Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Catholic Handbook contains 10 chapters of subjects like discussion of the Bible, Lesbian and Gay Catholics, and Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Catholic Resources.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered Christian Scientists
LesBiGayChristians Information to join a LesBiGay Christian discussion mail list. It is an unmoderated list for people to discuss religious issues in a supportive environment.
Lutherans Concerned/North America A Christian Ministry Affirming God's Love for Lesbian and Gay People.
More Light Presbyterians Presbyterian Church (USA)
New Ways Ministry Provides a gay-positive ministry of advocacy and justice for lesbian and gay Catholics and reconciliation within the larger Christian and civil communities.
Open Hands Open Hands is an ecumenical magazine supporting affirming ministries with GLBT communities.
Q-LIGHT GLBT Quaker Mailing List and Home Page
Queer Entry Point
Queer Jihad The queer Muslim struggle for acceptance.
Rainbow Baptists Our purpose is to provide support, information and advocacy for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Baptists, family and friends.
Reconciling Congregations Program (United Methodist) United Methodist movement supporting full equality of gays and straights in the church.
Rev. Ricky, Unitarian Universalist minister and author Rev. Ricky Hoyt Unitarian Universalist minister and author, sermons, short stories, children's stories, articles, photos.
Spiritual Fruits You don't have to be straight to be saved. ALL believers are precious, and personally chosen by God to be in His beloved family!
Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Churches (UFMCC) World
Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations
Vatican Documents concerning Homosexuals Read about what the Official Church has to say about you !
Witness our Welcome: God's Promise is for You! (WOW 2000) Check out the largest ever diverse assembly of Christian gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons, their allies and their families! Aug 3-6, 2000, DeKalb IL.
Regional U.S.A.
Dignity/Mountain-Plains Region
Dignity/USA Pacific Region
Alabama
Cornerstone MCC - Mobile
Covenant MCC A premier Alabama site for gay and lesbian Christians, providing spiritual and social support for Birmingham.
Huntsville Interweave
Living Waters MCC - Tuscaloosa
MCC Huntsville
NEW HOPE MCC - Montgomery
Unitarian Universalist Church of Huntsville
Alaska
Lamb of God MCC - Anchorage
Arizona
Community Church Of Hope Largest Gay & Lesbian Christian Church in Phoenix, Arizona
Dignity/Integrity Phoenix We provide a welcome and open environment for gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgendered Catholics and Episcopalians, their families and friends.
Evangelicals Concerned
Lutherans Concerned - Tucson
Rainbow Interfaith Community of Tucson We are a group of Tucson interfaith communities united in reaching out to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people.
Water of Life MCC - Tuscon
Arkansas
Spirit Song MCC We are an inclusive fellowship of Christians with a special outreach to Central Arkansas' gay and lesbian community.
California
Christ Chapel MCC
City of Refuge Community Church in San Francisco
Congregation Beth Chayim Chadashim
Congregation Kol Ami West Hollywood's Reform Synagogue.
Congregation Sha'ar Zahav
Dignity/San Diego Serving gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender Catholics, our families and friends in the San Diego Diocese since 1969.
Dignity/Long Beach
Dignity/Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Catholics.
Dignity/San Fernando Valley Community of Gay and Lesbian Catholics and our Friends
Dignity/San Jose
Episcopal Church of St. John the Evangelist, San Francisco St. John's is a community of faith in San Francisco, welcoming all colors, cultures, and sexual orientations. We invite you to join us!
Evangelicals Concerned San Jose Gay, Lesbian & Christian? You Bet! Evangelicals Concerned San Jose A support group for g/l/b/t Christians in san José.
Gay Zen Buddhist Group - LA
Glory Tabernacle MCC - Long Beach
Golden Gate MCC
Good Samaritan Metropolitan Community Church
Heartland MCC - Mira Loma (San Bernardino)
Lavender Road MCC
Lutherans Concerned/San Francisco
MCC Glendale
MCC in the Valley
MCC Long Beach
MCC Los Angeles
MCC of Greater Hayward
MCC of the Coachella Valley
MCC of the New Vision
MCC of the Redwood Empire
MCC San Diego
MCC San Francisco
MCC San Jose
New Hope! MCC
New Life MCC - Berkeley
Oasis/California Gay and lesbian ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of California.
Palm Springs Church for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered and everyone
River City MCC Cathedral of Promise
Resurrection Beach MCC - Costa Mesa
Sacred Brothers of San Diego The purpose of Sacred Brothers of San Diego is to educate men in the interconnection of their physical, erotic, emotional, and spiritual dimensions.
Sunrise MCC of the Hi Desert
Universal Life Church in Modesto
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Marin A liberal religious community whose denomination has supported GLBT rights since the early 70's.
Valley Ministries MCC
Colorado
Dignity/Denver
Dignity/Southern Colorado
MCC of Boulder County
MCC of the Rockies
Pikes Peak Metropolitan Community Church Bringing God's love to the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgendered community through the inclusive gospel of Jesus Christ.
Connecticut
MCC Hartford
MCC New Haven
Delaware
MCC Rehoboth
District of Columbia
Bet Mishpachah Serving the Gay and Lesbian Jewish Community in the Nation's Capital since 1975.
Dignity/Washington
MCC Washington
New York Avenue Presbyterian Church
The Seekers Church - Dupont Circle
St. James' Capitol Hill
Florida
Beth Rachameem Synagogue An Alternative for Gay and Lesbian Jews and Friends on the west coast of Florida.
Church of Our Savior MCC
Church of the Trinity MCC
Christ MCC
Congregation Etz Chaim
Dignity Tampa Bay
Gentle Shepherd MCC of Tallahassee
Holy Cross MCC
Joy MCC of Orlando
King of Peace MCC
MCC Key West
MCC of the Palm Beaches
MCC South Beach
MCC Tampa
Rainbow Promise Fellowship MCC
THE SAMARITAN in Orlando
Spirit of Life MCC
Sunshine Cathedral MCC
St. John The Apostle MCC
St. Luke's MCC
Trinity MCC
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Gainesville
Georgia
All Saints MCC of Atlanta
Christ Covenant MCC
Congregation Bet Haverim
Family of God MCC
First MCC of Atlanta
Lutherans Concerned North America
MCC Augusta
MCC Valdosta
St. Barnabas MCC
Saint Francis MCC
Guam
Hawaii
Affirmation - Hawaii Chapter
Aloha Metropolitan Community Church
Dignity/Honolulu
Dignity/Maui
Idaho
Illinois
Affirmation: United Methodists for Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual Concerns
Dignity/Chicago A Roman Catholic, gender inclusive community celebrating the holiness of all sexual orientations and committed relationships.
Faith Eternal MCC
Good Shepherd Parish MCC
Holy Covenant MCC
Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Indiana
Dignity/Indianapolis
Jesus MCC
MCC Bible Study Group
Iowa
Church of the Holy Spirit MCC
Faith United Methodist Church
Kansas
KSCowboy Gay Christian, Gay Dad Librarian Information on being a Gay Christian, Gay Dad, with Resource Lists on Books, Poetry and Internet Links.
MCC of Johnson County
MCC of Topeka
Kentucky
MCC Elizabethtown
MCC LOUISVILLE
Louisiana
MCC of Greater New Orleans Our purpose is to foster development through the example of Jesus Christ and to empower all people to meet their needs.
Maine
Circle of Hope MCC
Dignity/Maine
Northern Lights Metropolitan Community Church - Augusta
Maryland
Baltimore Ethical Society
Baltimore's Religious Organizations
Chi Rho Press
Columbia United Christian Church
Dignity/Baltimore
Holy Redeemer MCC
MCC of the Chesapeake
MCC Silver Spring/Takoma Park
Metropolitan Community Church of Baltimore (MCC) Proclaiming God's love for all of God's people. Christian Congregation of Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgendered and Straight.
New Ways Ministry
Open Door MCC
St. George's Episcopal Church
St. Nicholas Episcopal Church Darnestown, MD.
Towson Unitarian Universalist Church A Welcoming Congregation
Massachusetts
A Common Bond A Common Bond is a support group for Jehovah's Witnesses.
DIGNITY/Boston
MCC Boston
Morning Star MCC
Michigan
Dignity Detroit
Gospel of Jesus Christ MCC
Sign of the Covenant MCC
Tree of Life Metropolitan Community Church We believe God's love includes all people. We affirm and celebrate the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people and allies.
Minnesota
All God's Children Metropolitan Community Church
Brethren/Mennonite Council for Lesbian and Gay Concerns
Building An Inclusive Church: Loving each other when some of us in the family of God are not straight A one-day conference sponsored by an interdenominational network of concerned persons and groups from mainline Protestant churches, April 17, 1999, Minneapolis.
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Providing worship and advocating for justice in the urban area. A reconciling congregation in South Minneapolis.
Minneapolis Friends Meeting (Quakers) Religious Society of Friends
Plymouth Congregational Church, Minneapolis A liberal, 2,000-member congregation on the south edge of downtown Minneapolis.
Wingspan Ministry
Mississippi
MCC of the Rainbow
Missouri
MCC of Greater St Louis
MCC of Southeast Missouri
Spirit of Hope MCC-KC
Montana
MCC Shepherd of the Plains
Nebraska
MCC of Omaha At MCC Omaha we want to share with you the joy and love and liberation we have found through Jesus Christ.
Nevada
Dignity/Las Vegas
MCC Las Vegas
New Hampshire
New Jersey
Dignity Metropolitan New Jersey
First Congregational Church (UCC) of Closter
First Unitarian Society of Plainfield, NJ A Welcoming Congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Association. Has an openly gay minister and many gay, lesbian and bi singles and couples.
GLAM, the Gay and Lesbian Alternative Ministry Offering gay, lesbian, and bisexual people of all faith and philosophies spiritual comfort and advice.
LIBERATION IN TRUTH Unity Fellowship Church
MCC Christ the Liberator A spirit-filled, Christian church for all people with a special outreach to the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgendered communities.
New Jersey's Lesbian & Gay Havurah
The Oasis Mission and Ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark
New Mexico
Dignity/New Mexico A community of gay and lesbian Catholics in Albuquerque.
Emmanuel MCC
MCC of Albuquerque
New York
A Community of Frum Gay Jews Is it possible to be gay and frum (a religious observant Jew)?
Christians Of African Descent Christian organization that ministers to BGLST people of African descent and our friends. Visit our "Trans Space" a page on our site specifically for members of our community to learn and build community.
Congregation Beth Simchat Torah Serving the Lesbian and Gay Jewish Community since 1973.
Dignity/New York Group for Gay and Lesbian Catholics and their friends.
Dignity/Suffolk
Maitri Dorje Gay and Lesbian Buddhist Society
MCC/NY
Open Arms MCC
The OrthoDykes Home Page Orthodox Jewish lesbians.
North Carolina
Grace Fellowship MCC
Imani Metropolitan Community Church
MCC Asheville
MCC Charlotte
MCC Hickory
MCC of the High Country
MCC - Winston-Salem The Metropolitan Community Church of Winston-Salem is a Christian church which believes that God loves all people. Our doors are open to everyone, with a special outreach to the gay and lesbian community. We are a congregation with a mission: to proclaim God's love to all those who have never yet chanced to believe that God loves them.
St. John's Metropolitan Community Church
St. Jude's MCC
St. Mary's MCC
North Dakota
Ohio
Dignity Cincinnati ...an organization for gay, lesbian, and bi Catholics and their friends.
Dignity Greater Columbus
Dignity/Toledo
Eagle's Wing Christian Church
Good Samaritan Parish MCC
MCC Dayton Parish
New Creation Metropolitan Community Church
New Spirit Metropolitan Community Church
Oklahoma
Cathedral of Hope - Gay Church OKC Come fellowship after the service. Join us for refreshments and meet new people.
Church of the Open Arms The Church of the Open Arms gladly welcomes all persons, regardless of race, color, ancestry, age, gender, sexual or affection orientation, ethnicity, national origin, disability or familial status.
Dignity/Oklahoma City
Dignity-Integrity/Tulsa
Great Plains MCC
Oregon
Dignity/Portland
Dignity/Willamette Valley
MCC Eugene
Silent Eternity Enter a journey into the spiritual world of the alternative religions for the alternative persona. GLBT Friendly. Welcome to the Silent Eternity!
Pennsylvania
Congregation Beth Ahavah Serving the gay, lesbian and bisexual Jewish community and our friends.
Dignity Philadelphia
Hermitage at Mahantongo Spirit Garden
Interfaith Working Group A Philadelphia area Interfaith group
MCC of the Lehigh Valley
MCC of Pittsburgh
MCC of the SPIRIT - Harrisburg
Puerto Rico
Iglesia Comunitaria Metropolitana Cristo Sanador, P.R.
Rhode Island
Mercy of God Community
St. Peter's & St. Andrew's Episcopal Church Located in Providence
South Carolina
Metropolitan Community Church A Christian church with special-but not exclusive-ministry to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered persons.
MCC Charleston
MCC Columbia
MCC Myrtle Beach
South Dakota
MCC of the Black Hills
MCC of Sioux Falls
Tennessee
Holy Trinity Community Church Providing an atmosphere conducive to spiritual growth without regard to race, gender, orientation or social status.
Integrity - Memphis
Johnson City Praise and Worship Church
MCC Chattanooga
MCC Knoxville
MCC Nashville
MCC of Austin at Freedom Oaks A Chartered Congregation of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches.
MCC of the Trinity
MCC Safe Harbor
Texas
Agape MCC of Fort Worth
Cathedral of Hope Metropolitan Community Church of Dallas
Cathedral of Hope MCC
Central Texas Metropolitan Community Church From The Heart
Corpus Christi Gay Catholics
Dignity/Austin
Dignity/Dallas
Dignity/Houston
Dignity/San Antonio
Exodus MCC
Harvest Metropolitan Community Church (MCC)
Lutherans Concerned--Houston
MCC Austin
MCC Longview
MCC in El Paso
MCC of Amarillo
MCC of Corpus Christi
MCC of Lubbock
MCC of the Resurrection A member of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches, located in Houston.
Presbyterian Parents of Gays & Lesbians, Inc.
The Rainbow Cathedral, MCC-SA The Metropolitan Community Church of San Antonio is a compassionate Christian fellowship whose mission is to share God's healing and reconciling love with all, while striving to meet the spiritual and physical needs of the diverse community which it serves.
Rainbow Christians
SDA Kinship
Resurrection MCC of Houston
Wichita Falls MCC
Utah
Affirmation Gay & Lesbian Mormons: Wasatch Chapter
Glory to God MCC
MCC of Bridgerland
Mormon No More Getting Your Name Removed from the membership rolls of the "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints"
Sacred Light of Christ MCC
Vermont
Virginia
A Common Bond: Mid-Atlantic Chapter
Christ Covenant MCC of Virginia Beach
Church of the Resurrection
Dignity/Northern Virginia An inclusive community of lesbian, gay, and bisexual Catholics, our families, and our friends. All are welcome to fully participate in our Eucharistic celebrations and to enjoy all our sponsored activities.
Integrity/Virginia Worshiping in witness to the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia and the gay and lesbian community.
MCC in Charlottesville
MCC of Northern Virginia (NOVA)
MCC Richmond
New Life MCC of Hampton Roads
The Open Church of Jesus Christ A Non-denominational Spirit Filled Ministry for All People!
Virgin Islands
Washington
Dignity/Seattle
Edmonds Unitarian Universalist Church A religious community that welcomes diversity (including sexual minorities).
Eternal Light MCC of Olympia
Emmanuel MCC
MCC Seattle
New Heart MCC
River of Life MCC
Tolt Congregational United Church of Christ An "open and affirming" (gay-friendly) congregation.
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Angels of Hope Metropolitan Community Church
Integrity/Dignity of Madison
Milwaukee MCC
Life is great for me... Most of the time... But then I meet people online... Very few are real friends... Many say they are but know nothing of what it means... Some say they are, but are so shallow...
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timmy
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Has no life at all |
Location: UK, in Devon
Registered: February 2003
Messages: 13796
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that is quite a list. If oyu can group them in a simple html page with links, ordered by sect, then i will be more than happy to publish it
Author of Queer Me! Halfway Between Flying and Crying - the true story of life for a gay boy in the Swinging Sixties in a British all male Public School
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marc
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Needs to get a life! |
Registered: March 2003
Messages: 4729
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That listing along with several more are on the local pride group website.....
Link to "resources"
http://www.firelandspride.org
Life is great for me... Most of the time... But then I meet people online... Very few are real friends... Many say they are but know nothing of what it means... Some say they are, but are so shallow...
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timmy
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Has no life at all |
Location: UK, in Devon
Registered: February 2003
Messages: 13796
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One very happy thing here is the tally of gay friendly rabbis is increasing hourly. if is uo to 89 already. Now I know there are more rabbis than you can shake a stick at, but 89 after a launch yesterday is pretty darned good.
Author of Queer Me! Halfway Between Flying and Crying - the true story of life for a gay boy in the Swinging Sixties in a British all male Public School
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timmy
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Has no life at all |
Location: UK, in Devon
Registered: February 2003
Messages: 13796
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Apart from the article below it has already "made it" into Wikipedia. Ok, anyone can write an article, so no big deal. But someone bothered.
This kind of thing is, I hope, much more inline with Marc's concept of Pride. Marching columns have a place, but this is quiet pride, and pride by people who are by no means necessarily gay, in their gay fellow humans.
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FOCUS ON ISSUES
New group of Conservative rabbis
seeks place for gays in movement
By Debra Rubin
June 30, 2005
Washington Jewish Week
WASHINGTON, June 30 (JTA) Sympathetic to concerns of gay and lesbian Jews seeking a place in their movement, some Conservative rabbis are, in a way, coming out of the closet.
Some 100 rabbis from the United States, Europe and Israel signed on this month with a new group called Keshet-Rabbis.
The organization seeks to provide members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community with resources to help them find a welcoming place in Conservative Judaism. Rabbis open to giving guidance to gays and lesbians are listed on a Web site, http://www.keshetrabbis.org.
While the Conservative movement's Rabbinical Assembly in 1992 declared that congregations should welcome gays and lesbians, it left it up to the individual congregations to decide if gays may be hired as teachers or youth leaders.
In addition, the movement's rabbinical seminaries do not ordain openly gay rabbis, nor may Rabbinical Assembly members officiate at gay wedding ceremonies.
The assembly's Committee on Jewish Law and Standards recently affirmed the status quo and will meet again in March to examine several teshuvot, or responsa, on the movement's approach to homosexuality.
All of the Keshet-Rabbis members belong to the Rabbinical Assembly.
"Everyone who's signed on agrees that our polices at the U.J. and the JTS need to change," said Rabbi Menachem Creditor of Temple Israel in Sharon, Mass., referring to the University of Judaism in Los Angeles and New York's Jewish Theological Seminary.
Creditor, who is among a small group of rabbis who founded Keshet-Rabbis, said he doesn't want the organization to be seen as divisive.
"I don't think pushing a progressive agenda is a slap in the face," Creditor said. "If the Rabbinical Assembly is going to be responsive, it needs to have a voice from within."
But Rabbi Peretz Rodman is concerned. Rodman, president of the Rabbinical Assembly's Israel region, considered signing on with Keshet-Rabbis but decided against it.
"I am entirely sympathetic to the goal of Keshet-Rabbis, but I have hesitated to join because I don't think that it's healthy for us as colleagues to form separate organizations other than the Rabbinical Assembly itself," he said.
"I think it's important to work within the U.S. and the Masorti movement worldwide to make congregations gay-friendly," he said. "I think it's important that Masorti-Conservative rabbis have the conversation about the place of gay and lesbian rabbis in our community and our profession."
Rabbi Janet Ozur Bass, a teacher at the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School in Rockville, Md., did sign on.
"It's important for people in the Conservative movement to understand there is a diversity of opinion on this issue," she said.
"I want people who are searching and have questions about their identity or about people they love in the Conservative movement to know that I am out there and can be a safe place for them to ask questions," she said.
In addition, she said, it's important that she make herself available as a teacher.
"It's not just for gay students, but for straight students" to know they can talk about the subject, Ozur Bass said.
Rabbi Eitan Julius says the Conservative movement's policies on homosexuality have driven numerous "top-notch" potential rabbis into the arms of the Reform, Reconstructionist and renewal movements. The pace at which the movement has addressed the issue, he added, is "skewed and unacceptable."
"We in the field are coming in contact with" gay Jews who are "members of our congregations and are in turmoil because the misconception is that the Conservative movement is antigay and we're not," said Julius, rabbi of San Jose, Calif.'s Congregation Sinai. In the long run, he said, the goal is eventually to see lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered rabbinical-school students "who do not have to go into the closet in order to pursue rabbinic ordination in the Conservative movement."
Rabbi Jack Moline of Alexandria, Va.'s Agudas Achim Congregation has held classes at his synagogue dealing with inclusiveness and gay marriage. He also has been involved with the Human Rights Campaign, lending his voice to statements on behalf of the gay-advocacy group.
"I am hoping that gay and lesbian people feel so welcome in this community that nobody reaches out," Moline said. Realistically, he said, "I'm expecting to hear everything from 'Can I be gay and Jewish at the same
time?' to 'What am I supposed to do if I want a lifelong relationship with my partner?' and everything in between."
Unlike the majority of Conservative rabbis, Rabbi Joshua Ginsberg said he would officiate at gay marriage ceremonies "for Jews who want to create a Jewish home and strive to live the Jewish way of life."
Ginsberg said he hopes the new organization will advance his vision of Conservative movement institutions "evaluating Jews by their moral character, intelligence, abilities and willingness to serve God, and not by their sexual orientation."
(The Washington Jewish Week's Aaron Leibel and JTA staff writer Chanan Tigay in New York contributed to this report.)
[Updated on: Fri, 01 July 2005 15:27]
Author of Queer Me! Halfway Between Flying and Crying - the true story of life for a gay boy in the Swinging Sixties in a British all male Public School
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