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Posted by Kimberly Allen
Today, the U.S. President signed historic legislation to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell, saying
"For we are not a nation that says 'don't ask, don't tell.' We are a nation that says, 'Out of many, we are one.'"
Watch video of the signing ceremony online at WhiteHouse.gov or click on the video below.
Tags: don't ask don't tell, lgbt
Posted by Wallace+
A few things in the current headlines that I am especially grateful for:
Repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell. Wow! A major step forward in the name of justice. Comparable to the integration of the Armed Forces in 1948.
That the tensions on the Korean peninsula have, at least for now, relaxed. We pray for peace on earth.
That Pope Benedict is speaking more pointedly and, I would say, courageously, about the crisis in the Roman Catholic Church around the sexual abuse of minors. That he would ask the question of how it was that this was allowed to happen is very promising. Let us pray for him, for the leadership of the Roman Catholic Church, and, of course, for those who have suffered abuse. Let us pray for healing, and for a new day.
As we say often, but not often enough: Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Amen, amen.
Posted by Wallace+
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.
Tags: it gets better, lgbt, new york times
Posted by Kimberly Allen
On Friday, Wallace+ added his voice to the "It Gets Better Project" and "Faith Gets Better" effort.
"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.
Tags: it gets better, lgbt
Posted by Kimberly Allen
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
Source: It Gets Better Project
Tags: it gets better, lgbt
Posted by Wallace+
Editor's Note: Wallace+ wrote this post yesterday before the federal appeals panel issued its decision, which temporarily reinstates "Don't Ask Don't Tell." We remain hopeful for the eventual end to this unconstitutional policy.
It is amazing to think that the United States military, for a week now, has been enlisting openly gay people in its ranks. This thanks to a judge's order.
It seems quite possible, if not likely, that the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy will be, at some point, for some period of time, reinstituted. Nevertheless, even though the judge's order may not constitute a permanent righting of a wrong, the judge's order certainly does represent progress, and is a sign of how far we've come.
Let us pray for justice in our armed forces, and for justice for all gay and lesbian people.
Amen, amen.
Tags: civil rights, lgbt
Posted by Wallace+
As faith leaders from around Richmond, and across traditions, gathered at Richmond's Islamic Center yesterday, I was struck by the spirit in the room. It reminded me of the spirit in the crowd when a contingent of St. Paul's folks joined the gathering at VCU, back during Lent, to protest the Attorney General's legal opinion barring Virginia's colleges and universities from protecting gay and lesbian people from discrimination. Likewise it reminded me of the spirit in the air about a week earlier in Lent when I, along with a number of St. Paul's clergy and our Lenten Preacher at the time, joined a rally for inclusive communities at VCU. And, still one more occasion, the spirit in the air when the St. Paul's clergy and community joined a witness for peace at Richmond's Holocaust Museum, when we faced off with the Westboro Baptist Church and their message of hate.
There is, indeed, an unmistakable joy and an unmistakable peace that come when you stand up for justice, when you stand up for compassion, when you stand up for humanity.
Thanks be to God.
Amen, amen.
To read more about yesterday's gathering at Richmond's Islamic Center, please go to the Richmond Times Dispatch.
Don't see the video below? Click here.
Tags: islamic center of virginia, lgbt, richmond times dispatch, vcu
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St Paul’s Episcopal Church
815 E. Grace Street
Richmond Virginia 23219
Phone: 804.643.3589
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