A NYT editorial yesterday, with the above title, holds forth on the opportunity that the current Congress has to put an end to an unjust policy: discriminating against gay and lesbian Americans serving in our armed forces. If this Congress fails to do the right thing, surely another Congress will rise to the occasion. That being said, let's pray that this Congress makes the most of its last chance.
Also, in the name of equality, this week we released our next testimonial for the "It Gets Better/Faith Gets Better" campaign in response to suicides by teenagers bullied because of their sexual orientation. Lori Plumley, a member of Three Chopt Presbyterian Church in Richmond, reached out after learning about "Faith Gets Better" from her friend and St. Paul's parishioner Nita Jones. You can watch her video (recorded and posted with her daughter's blessing) below or on the St. Paul's YouTube Channel.
"God made you the way you are to be who you are. And you are beautiful."
Join the Movement
If you know someone who needs to hear this message, please share it. Or, if you'd like to tape your message that it gets better, call me at the church (643-3589) to set up a recording time. We'll add your video to the St. Paul's YouTube Channel.
In September, 15-year-old Billy Lucas, a freshman at Greensburg High School in Indiana, hung himself after enduring bullying torment for being gay. In response, two individuals, columnist Dan Savage and his partner Terry, released "It Gets Better," a video testimonial demonstrating to teenagers that it does get better if they can hold on. The video went viral and launched a nationwide effort to spread the word that it gets better and prevent teen suicides.
The Church & It Gets Better
Inspired by that movement, faith communities have launched "Faith Gets Better," featuring video testimonials from faith leaders including Bishop Gene Robinson of the Episcopal Church.
In the coming days, Wallace+ will release an "It Gets Better" video as part of this effort. He is also inviting any and all in the parish who wish to record an "It Gets Better" testimonial to call us and set up a brief taping. Let's respond to messages of disparagement with a message of hope.
Contact me at kallen@stpauls-episcopal.org or 545-5405 to set up a time.
Statistics
9 out of 10 LGBT students have experienced harassment at school.
LGBT teens are bullied 2 to 3 times as much as straight teens.
More than 1/3 of LGBT kids have attempted to commit suicide.
LGBT kids are 4 times as likely to attempt suicide then our straight peers.
LGBT youth with "highly rejecting" families are 8 times more likely to attempt suicide than those whose families accept them.
And, of course, this Christmas, tonight, and tomorrow, new memories are being made; a Carol sung, pure and exquisite; an old friend; warm, endearing words exchanged; a first Christmas for a new grandbaby; a candle lit, a face aglow, eyes agleam.
More than fifty times, in his published writings, Barth refers to the Grunewald image; and, indeed, usually, it is precisely in reference to John, and John’s relation to the figure of Christ; as he points.
Barth (and Grunewald before him) understood John’s sole purpose to be to serve as a pointer to Christ, a reference to Christ, a witness to Christ.
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