Homosexual Ministry Asked Here

Need for a homosexual ministry was presented to the United Presbyterian Churches Cleveland Presbytery last night by the Rev. Robert Hamilton, who describes himself as a bisexual minister.

He worked with the Rev. Albert Jeandheur, chairman of the ministerial relations committee in preparing the presentation at the monthly meeting of the Presbytery at the Church of the Western Reserve in Pepper Pike. Such presentations are required of all Presbyterian ministers seeking approval for new ministries.

The gay minister said the ministry is needed because, according to other research, nearly 250,000 persons in metropolitan Cleveland are primarily homosexual. Large numbers of church young people are perplexed by homosexual feelings and relationships, said the Rev. Hamilton

"WHILE IT (HOMOSEXUALITY) is an extremely difficult area to discuss openly, it often lies at the heart of a negative self image, depression and suicidal impulses.'

Historically the church has played ostrich and completely ignored the needs of the real homosexual men and women, he charged. He said the church has gone far beyond the mere labeling of homosexuals as sinful and deviant to a total rejection of their dignity and their human needs.

He also said that in Cleveland gay bars are the only place where gay people can openly express their affection for one another and be free to be themselves.

Also speaking was Dr. Richard Bennett. an Akron gynecologist who is director of the Akron Forum, a center for sexuality training for professionals.

DR. BENNETT SAID it is difficult for so many persons to look at gay people because of their own feelings.

He defined homosexuality as part of the normal range of human behavior. Asked if there is a cure. he said “homosexuality is not a disease.”