The Good News Th

This space has been donated to Emmanuel MCC by the Chronicle, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Chronicle staff or management.

Holiday Greetings to the gay and lesbian community:

On November 11 Emmanuel Metropolitan Community Church sponsored a concert by its choir, "The Mighty Messengers of Love." It was an encore performance of their September 31 concert.

So what could be different about this concert to write about, then the first time around? Starting that day, and from now on, this service accommodated our hearing-impaired brothers and sisters. Emmanuel would like to officially welcome and announce to our community Mr. Robert C. (Bob to his friends), to the family that is EMCC. He comes to us a professional, certified signer for the hearing impaired. To see his interpretations was poetry in motion. He signs with a grace and skill that makes his arms flow like quicksilver. A capacity crowd gave him a warm welcome to the church, as do we all.

For the final performance of this concert, on December 2, the choir will be taking to the road, performing in Akron for the fellowship there. Good luck and a safe trip to all.

For those of you who have heard the choir sing, mark your calendar for December 16, as they perform their new concert. This particular concert begins with a short

play, and ends with a full ensemble singing

for you. Following the concert will be a fellowship of refreshments, punch and coffee for the masses.

As we close in on Christmas, be sure to attend a special Sunday service on the 23rd, as the congregation will be celebrating Jesus Christ's birthday with each other in God's house. There will be special songs done by the choir and the service is sure to bring a special message to all. Come and join us for a warm feeling inside, despite whatever weather we may be having on the outside.

For those of you who wish to be in God's house on Christmas Eve, a special late

night service will be held at Emmanuel.

The service will start at 11:00 p.m. with

communion beginning at midnight, on the new Christmas Day. Those who wish to partake of the bread and wine of Christ will be able to do so first thing on that holy night.

Let us not forget what this Holy Night means. Remember the story, of how over 2,000 years ago, a call went out to all the lands that a census must be taken. To be counted, all the people has to return to their city of birth. As Joseph and Mary returned to Bethlehem, the angels appeared to the other travelers, to the kings, the shepherds, the wise men, and many others. They didn't even need any kind of directions, for

Alive & Well

by Kyle

HIV-positive sex

(Uh-huh, use condoms—so what's the big deal?)

We all know the facts, they're in front of us in black and white capital letters just about everywhere we look; and if we still don't know them, they're ridiculously easy to find. And yet HIV-positive sex continues to remain a major issue for many of us.

So perhaps it's time for some new facts. Time to add some humanity and personality to the clinical list of condom do's and don'ts and treat ourselves like real human

beings who think and feel rather than just

targets of I-told-you-so statistics.

Let's give it a try.

New fact number one: Sexuality is a number one, primary, pure and beautiful gift of life. It is one of the most natural and wonderful ways we have of expressing ourselves, of sharing who we are and of receiving the same from others. This is a fact of life that we can take great joy in.

New fact number two: Because we are real human beings who think and feel, we do ourselves a great injustice when we limit our sexuality to the concept of instinct. We do not have the same limitations as lower animals and therefore neither does our sexuality. Pity those people who

December, 1990

GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

a star shone so brightly above, a tiny stable was illuminated for all to see. Inside, the animals watched in awe as the child was born. This child was Jesus Christ, our savoir.

Great kings, wise men and women, were humbled before this babe. Gifts were brought in respect and out of love for this new arrival. But it was an arrival, predestined by God, to have a meaning. While a young man, he was nailed to a cross, to a wood that no longer grows so strong and proud. And on that third day, as the skies wept and tore open, a new soul went forth, that paved the way for us all. Three days later, as the women took perfume and cloth

consider sex just a conjugal obligation. When we explore our bodies, enjoying their sight, their touch, their taste, when we caress and lick and kiss and immerse ourselves in the union of our bodies and ourselves, we raise our sexuality to a sensual level of consciousness that validates and celebrates every virtue of us as human beings. If there is a sin in sex it is making it a slave to instinct rather than a creative expression of life.

New fact number three: Because we are real human beings who think and feel and can experience our sexuality as sensuality, there is perhaps no better way of affirming the life force within each of us than by being sexually healthy. This is

especially important when we are faced with a challenge such as HIV. Celebrating our sexuality is a fulfilling expression of our very being and a communion with life and others with such healing power that to deny ourselves this right is to send a devastatingly destructive message of shame and guilt to our bodies.

New fact number four: HIV is not a sexual disease it is a blood disease. It is important that we understand that it can be transmitted sexually but it is equally important that we understand that being sexual does not have to mean transmitting the virus. To say that we're never going to drive again after having been in a car accident is a normal first response. To actually never drive again is not a healthy response. Just drive more carefully. Consider safer sex a defensive driving course. It really is that basic and easy. New fact number five: Being HIV

Page 15

to the new tomb, they found the truth we all seek. It's a simple truth, and one we echo at Emmanuel. Christ Has Died, Christ Has Risen, Christ Will Come Again. Alleluia!

Whatever your religion, whatever your belief, may the true meaning of this holiday shine in your home and heart. But please remember, during these much celebrated holidays, don't get behind the wheel of a car and try to drive it if you have been drinking. And don't let any friends leave your home if they have been drinking, either. Celebrate this time, and live to do it again. Happy Holidays.

Peace, Love, and God Bless

positive, you have every right and an even better reason to be sexual. This follows very simply from facts one through four: sexuality is one of life's greatest gifts which as a human being you are able to celebrate sensually, enhancing and affirming the life force within you in a healthy and healing manner.

New fact number six: Being responsibly sexual and HIV positive is a wonderfully safe and healthy way to respect our bodies, empower ourselves and affirm our lives. Remember: safer sex is for everybody, it's not a responsibility that challenged individuals are supposed to accept for everyone else. It is a matter of self respect for everyone of us to accept for ourselves. It's not a game of risk with an HIV negative partner, or resignation with an HIV positive partner. Respect yourself while being responsible for your actions. You are responsible for asserting your rights, for affirming your sexuality, for insisting that others respect you. Once again we're all in the same boat together. When each of us acts out of respect for ourselves and our lives there is no blame, no shame, and no guilt.

New fact number seven: HIV positive sex can actually be better, more fulfilling and more rewarding than ever before. Being in touch with the potential of affirming life sensually, sex becomes a whole new experience. It is a taste, a smell, a touch; it is breathing, it is a heart pounding, it is a sensation and an experience, not just an act. You are a person and not just a body. Continued on page 17

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