8 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE NOVEMBER 7, 1997

COMMUNITY FORUM

Don't reject faith along with antigay church

To the Editors:

In my opinion, one of the greatest issues facing the gay community at this time is spiritual deprivation. We're told by “church people" that we're not wanted, not good enough, not acceptable, we're “filthy sinners, an abomination before the Lord."

We accept what is said. We accept their rejection of us as if it is G-d rejecting us. Then, we reject those "church people," we reject all that they stand for or represent, and we reject who they think they speak for in this. We do not reject what they say. That, we buy wholeheartedly. Strange.

I would like to urge the community to reject the rejection and to not permit themselves to be denied that right, which is so fundamental to us as created beings, to have a relationship with our Creator. That is, after all, why we were created.

We flop around, like fish out of water, trying to find that which we need, the Spiritual Water of Life that flows out from heaven. We need to stop denying ourselves that which others seek to deny us, but which G-d stands ready to give freely and in abundance. We need to take back our faith. We do not need

JOHN R. O'CONNOR LISW ACSW Clinical Social Worker Individual Couple and Group Psychotherapy

D.L. Dunkle & Assoc.

A Gay Lesbian Pyschotherapy Practice 12417 Cedar, Suites 21-24 Cleve. Hts., Ohio 44106 (216) 229-2100

THE OPEN PRAIRIE by Joe Noover

EVOLUTION?

NOT NATURAL! FEMINISM?

NOT NATURAL!

DINOSAURS WALKED ON THE EARTH WITH MAN. JUST LOOK AT THE FLINTSTONES!

WOMEN ARE HERE TO SERVE MEN! THE BIBLE TELLS US So!

THE EARTH REVOLVES AROUND THE SUN?

NOT NATURAL!

THE SUN REALLY REVOLVES AROUND THE EARTH-WHICH IS FLAT BY

THE WAY!

THE WINANS

ITS ONLY NATURAL!

FUNNY, I RECALL RACIAL SUPREMISTS USING THE "NATURAL ARGUE-

MENT TO SUPPORT, WHITE SUPREMACY!

SISTERS TALK ABOUT THE MISSING VERSES FROM THEIR HOMOPHOBIC HIT GOSPEL SONG "NOT NATURAL.

to numb our feeling of loss, grief and separation with all that the world offers in the way of painkillers or glittering distractions in lieu of the everlasting joy and peace that the Creator offers.

Thankfully, there are places of worship that are beginning to open themselves in loving acceptance of their gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered siblings in G-d. For those of us who have been crippled by the hate and rejection we experienced in our pasts, there are religious bodies that are comprised of members of our community. For some these can be triage houses of worship. Then, as healing and restoration take place, a re-union with our faith of origin and mixed community can be the next step if so desired. G-d created us in diversity, but also in unity.

Community Forum

Web Site:

http://www.visi.com/-oprairie

Email: oprairie@visi.com

We are one flock and G-d is our Shepherd. We were not created and then segregated. People fear and hate, G-d loves. People divide, G-d unites.

During National Coming Out Month, let us come out of the ghettos in which we've permitted ourselves to be exiled. Let us lead by example and prove to ourselves, if to no one else, that we believe and live the tenets of our Faith. For the One Who made us knows us, loves us, and honors our efforts. Let us choose to live our Faith as fully as we can, and to grow in it daily. Let us drink deeply of the Water of Life that G-d pours out from Heaven for all of the flock. Let us rejoice in our similarities and celebrate our diversity! Christine McWilliams Akron

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GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

Volume 13, Issue 10

SHING

THE BAY

PEOPLE'S

KWIR

A DECADE OF

CHRONICLE

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