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[Reblog] Florida church welcomes spurned Boy Scouts
Posted 12 years agoFrom severing ties with the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) in the mid-1990s over policies against LGBT scouts and leaders to welcoming them back after being ousted by other sects, check out this journey that upholds the first UU principle of the inherent worth and dignity of all.
UU World wrote:When three local units of the Boy Scouts of America in Fort Myers, Fla., needed to find a new home this summer, the door to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers was open.
The three units, a Boy Scout troop, Cub Scout troop, and a Venturing crew, had been sponsored by a Baptist church. When the BSA’s National Council voted May 23 to remove the restriction denying membership to youth on the basis of sexual orientation, that church felt it could no longer maintain a relationship with the scout units. They parted ways.
What happened next was serendipity...
Read more here.
UU World wrote:When three local units of the Boy Scouts of America in Fort Myers, Fla., needed to find a new home this summer, the door to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers was open.
The three units, a Boy Scout troop, Cub Scout troop, and a Venturing crew, had been sponsored by a Baptist church. When the BSA’s National Council voted May 23 to remove the restriction denying membership to youth on the basis of sexual orientation, that church felt it could no longer maintain a relationship with the scout units. They parted ways.
What happened next was serendipity...
Read more here.
[Video] Lesley Hazleton: The Doubt Essential to Faith
Posted 12 years ago
In this interesting take on doubt as it pertains to religion, Lesley (an agnostic Jew) describes how the Islamic prophet Muhammad nearly took his own life before spreading the revelations he was given in the Qur'an.
This is not necessarily an endorsement of Islam, but a discussion of how doubt can prevent fundamentalism - the opposite of faith.
[Video] Jillette Johnson - Cameron
Posted 12 years ago
This video exemplifies the first principle - the inherent worth and dignity of every person.
If you are different, you are not an alien; you are a real, live human.[Reblog] UUA President Issues Statement on Marriage Equality
Posted 12 years agoPress Release - June 26, 2013
The Rev. Peter Morales, president of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), issued this statement following the U.S. Supreme Court’s historic decisions on marriage equality:
Peter Morales wrote:“Today, the U.S. Supreme Court, the highest court of our country, stood on the side of love with its decision in United States v. Windsor declaring that the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional as a deprivation of the equal liberty of persons that is protected by the Fifth Amendment.
This is a proud and momentous day for all who have suffered under this law and felt discrimination based on their sexual orientation. It is a victory for the principle that civil rights belong to all.
In the Proposition 8 case of Hollingsworth v. Perry, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal over same-sex marriage on jurisdictional grounds, essentially paving the way for marriage equality in California.
While I am disappointed that the Supreme Court did not declare the freedom to marry as a constitutionally-protected “equal protection” right that would apply to all states, I applaud this historic step towards equality.
The Unitarian Universalist Association joined two amicus curiae briefs in these cases with other religious organizations in support of marriage equality. In both cases, the UUA argued that a broad cross-section of religious denominations recognize the dignity of lesbian and gay people and their relationships, recognize the necessary distinction between civil and religious marriage, and recognize that civil marriages of same-sex couples will not impinge upon religious beliefs or practices, but rather will prevent one set of religious beliefs from being imposed on others through civil law.
Unitarian Universalists have been vocal supporters of marriage equality for decades. I thank them for their dedicated commitment to our Unitarian Universalist principle of affirming the worth and dignity of every person.
There is still so much work to be done to ensure equal protection for all who live and love in our country. As we know, marriage equality strengthens families, protects children, and ensures the basic rights of citizenship for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender couples.
It remains my fervent hope that soon marriage equality is afforded to all in this country. Unitarian Universalists will continue to stand on the side of love with all families.”
The Rev. Peter Morales, president of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), issued this statement following the U.S. Supreme Court’s historic decisions on marriage equality:
Peter Morales wrote:“Today, the U.S. Supreme Court, the highest court of our country, stood on the side of love with its decision in United States v. Windsor declaring that the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional as a deprivation of the equal liberty of persons that is protected by the Fifth Amendment.
This is a proud and momentous day for all who have suffered under this law and felt discrimination based on their sexual orientation. It is a victory for the principle that civil rights belong to all.
In the Proposition 8 case of Hollingsworth v. Perry, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal over same-sex marriage on jurisdictional grounds, essentially paving the way for marriage equality in California.
While I am disappointed that the Supreme Court did not declare the freedom to marry as a constitutionally-protected “equal protection” right that would apply to all states, I applaud this historic step towards equality.
The Unitarian Universalist Association joined two amicus curiae briefs in these cases with other religious organizations in support of marriage equality. In both cases, the UUA argued that a broad cross-section of religious denominations recognize the dignity of lesbian and gay people and their relationships, recognize the necessary distinction between civil and religious marriage, and recognize that civil marriages of same-sex couples will not impinge upon religious beliefs or practices, but rather will prevent one set of religious beliefs from being imposed on others through civil law.
Unitarian Universalists have been vocal supporters of marriage equality for decades. I thank them for their dedicated commitment to our Unitarian Universalist principle of affirming the worth and dignity of every person.
There is still so much work to be done to ensure equal protection for all who live and love in our country. As we know, marriage equality strengthens families, protects children, and ensures the basic rights of citizenship for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender couples.
It remains my fervent hope that soon marriage equality is afforded to all in this country. Unitarian Universalists will continue to stand on the side of love with all families.”
[Reblog] Breaking the Gender Covenant
Posted 12 years agoThis wonderful article comes to us from a member of the Jewish tradition:
Joy Ladin wrote:“Did anyone ever teach you to be true to yourself?” a therapist once asked me. I had come to her in the midst of what I call my gender crisis — the physical, mental, and emotional breakdown I experienced after 40-plus years of living as the male I knew I wasn’t. I had just told her about my shame about hiding for decades my lifelong sense that I was female. Having failed to keep faith with my own gender identity, how could I now break my covenant with my wife, my children, and all who knew me as a man?
Read more here.
Joy Ladin wrote:“Did anyone ever teach you to be true to yourself?” a therapist once asked me. I had come to her in the midst of what I call my gender crisis — the physical, mental, and emotional breakdown I experienced after 40-plus years of living as the male I knew I wasn’t. I had just told her about my shame about hiding for decades my lifelong sense that I was female. Having failed to keep faith with my own gender identity, how could I now break my covenant with my wife, my children, and all who knew me as a man?
Read more here.
*** Mascot Proposal ***
Posted 12 years agoYesterdays' discussions regarding potential mascots were quite fruitful. There were suggestions regarding mythical beings, flying creatures, and fire (which should be implied since our symbol is the flaming chalice).
As the result of this discussion, we took a look at the Wikipedia list of creatures associated with fire and stumbled across the story of Rainbow Crow - a Lenape Tribe myth about the origins of fire. In the words of Brenda Sutton, this is that story:
The story has been told many different ways, but most of the elements remain the same:
http://www.mythicjourneys.org/newsl.....inbowcrow.html (Posted above)
http://americanfolklore.net/folklor.....nbow_crow.html
http://www.oocities.org/shabak_waxt...../rnbwcrow.html
These are some of the reasons we believe Rainbow Crow is the perfect candidate for a UU mascot:
* Rainbows are integral to the UU experience, as we affirm the inherent worth and dignity of every person, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
* The flaming in the flaming chalice can symbolize witness, sacrifice, testing, courage, and illumination. All of these are elements of Rainbow Crow's story.
* Many of our congregations have service explicitly mentioned in their covenants and bylaws. Rainbow Crow's act of love and service to his fellow creatures exemplifies the highest standards of justice, equity, and compassion.
* Though we may be scarred or otherwise transformed in the course of service to others or simply by age, our true beauty is never fully tarnished, and can be seen if one is willing to look closely.
* It is a running joke among UUs that our congregations sing so poorly because they are reading ahead to see if they agree with the words. Despite the fact that our voices are not always harmonious, our voices are just as sincere as the song that Rainbow Crow sang to Kijiamuh Ka'ong.
With these points identified, it is our intent to commission an artistic interpretation of this story for the use of our group. The current proposal for this image contains the following elements:
* Rainbow Crow depicted in his original form dropping the flaming stick into the UU chalice
* The edges of his feathers either turning to black or aflame.
* A pair of iridescent black crows representing Unitarianism and Universalism bowing at the base of the chalice in honor of Rainbow Crow's sacrifice and suggesting the natural progression of the original story.
Feedback (both positive and politely critical) on both the proposed mascot and proposed art piece are welcomed at this time!
As the result of this discussion, we took a look at the Wikipedia list of creatures associated with fire and stumbled across the story of Rainbow Crow - a Lenape Tribe myth about the origins of fire. In the words of Brenda Sutton, this is that story:
In the time of the ancient days, the world was green and wonderful. Then Kijiamuh Ka'ong, the Creator Who Creates by Thinking What Will Be, thought of Cold, and the Snow Spirit walked on the world. Mist and rain turned into frost and sleet. Snow covered all of the land, burying the animals in their caves and dens. All of the creatures of earth feared for their lives.
"One of us must travel to Heaven to speak with Kijiamuh Ka'ong" said wise Owl. "We must ask Creator to un-think the Snow Spirit so that the world can become warm again."
"But who amongst us should go?" asked Turtle. "I am sure that I would get to Heaven someday, but we need to act with great haste before we all freeze to death."
"No," said Owl. "You should not go. I would take the challenge myself, but my vision is only good during the night. I would lose my way in the radiance of Heaven. We need someone who is clever and smart."
Up stepped Coyote saying, "I will go. I am fast of foot, and I'm sure that once I get to Heaven, I can devise a way to make Kijiamuh Ka'ong help us."
Wise Owl shook her head. "You are swift and smart, Coyote, but you are too clever by half. Kijiamuh Ka'ong will not fall for your tricks and snares. Someone else must go."
Then Rainbow Crow fanned his feathers. Rainbow Crow was the most beautiful of all the birds, with brilliant feathers of every color and a voice that sang the sweetest songs. "I will go and ask Kijiamuh Ka'ong to help us."
It was a long and difficult journey: three days up and up through the sky, above the trees and clouds, beyond the sun and the moon and the stars. Strong winds buffeted him and tossed him end over end. There was no firm place to land and rest. Still Rainbow Crow flew and flew until, exhausted by the journey, he reached Heaven.
When he'd regained his breath, Rainbow Crow called out to the Creator. "Kijiamuh Ka'ong, help us!" But the Creator was busy thinking blueberries into being and didn't hear Rainbow Crow's call.
"Kijiamuh Ka'ong, please hear me!" But the Creator was busy thinking flint into being and didn't hear Rainbow Crow's call.
"Kijiamuh Ka'ong, Great Creator, please help us!" But the Creator was busy thinking echoes into being and didn't hear Rainbow Crow's call.
So Rainbow Crow cleared his throat and sang his most beautiful song. Kijiamuh Ka'ong stopped thinking and listened. Then, curious about what might be making this lovely sound, Creator came looking for the maker.
"I remember thinking of you," said Kijiamuh Ka'ong. "What a glorious creature you are, with your feathers of many colors and your voice so sweet. That's an enchanting song you've sung."
"I sang it just for you," said Rainbow Crow.
"Thank you," said Creator. "May I offer you a gift in exchange for your song?"
"There is only one thing I wish for," said Rainbow Crow. "The Snow Spirit covers our world with ice and snow. All of the creatures are freezing. The crops that you've created for us cannot push through the icy earth. If Snow Spirit continues to walk in the world, we will all die. Please, I ask that you un-think Snow Spirit."
Creator looked down on the world and saw that everything Rainbow Crow had said was true. "Still, once I think a thing into being, it cannot be un-thought. The snow and the ice have spirits of their own which I will not destroy."
Rainbow Crow bowed his head. "Then I will fly back to the world and tell all of the plants and creatures to prepare to die."
"Wait, little beauty," said Kijiamuh Ka'ong. "If I can think of Cold that allows the Snow Spirit to be, then I can also think of Tindeh - Fire - that can warm the world." Saying this, Creator took a large stick and put one end into the blazing hot sun. "Here, take this Fire and fly back to the world as fast as you can, Rainbow Crow. It will melt the snow and allow the crops to grow and My creatures to live."
Rainbow Crow thanked Kijiamuh Ka'ong. Then he grasped the burning stick and flew back to the Earth, his brilliant colored wings beating as hard as they could fly. On the first day he flew near the Sun, and his tail feathers caught on fire. By the time that he reached the Moon, all of his beautiful feathers were covered in black soot from the smoky fire. When he plummeted into the Sky, the smoke mixed with the clouds, stinging his eyes and choking his throat. He coughed and hacked, but the smoke smothered his gentle voice.
When Rainbow Crow finally landed back on the world, his lovely feathers were as black as coal and as dark as night. When he opened his mouth to summon the creatures, instead of the wonderful singing voice, the only sound was a rasping "Caw!"
Every creature shouted for joy as Tindeh began to melt the ice and snow. A great celebration covered the world with singing and dancing. All of the animals gave great thanks that their lives had been saved. Even the Snow Spirit rejoiced, agreeing to live on the mountain tops, and promising only to return for a season in the time of winter. Everyone was very happy.
Everyone except Rainbow Crow. He walked away from the celebration to be alone in his misery.
"Caw! Caw! Look at me!" he cried. "I used to be beautiful with shining feathers of every color. Now I'm burned and stained with soot. Try as I might, I cannot remove this smoke and tar. And...caw! Listen to me! I used to sing the loveliest songs. Now I squawk and make an ugly noise."
A soft breeze ruffled his black feathers. When he looked up, he saw Kijiamuh Ka'ong smiling and walking towards him.
"You're not celebrating with the others, Rainbow Crow. Why don't you join in the dancing?"
"Who would dance with me now?" asked Rainbow Crow. "My lovely feathers are covered in pitch."
"Then why don't you beat the drums and sing?" said Creator.
"No one will want to listen to my voice now. Every sound that I make is like cracking rocks and tearing wood." A tear formed in Rainbow Crow's eye. Kijiamuh Ka'ong reached out and gently brushed it away.
"Do not be sad, Rainbow Crow," Creator said. "Though you do not understand, I have blessed you. From this day forward, every plant and creature will honor you for your many great sacrifices. The People will not hunt you, for I have made your flesh taste of smoke. Man will not be tempted by your black feathers and hoarse voice, so you will remain uncaged and free."
Then the Creator pointed to Rainbow Crow's black feathers. "And those who look closely will see your colored feathers." Rainbow Crow blinked his eyes and looked at his dull, black feathers. One by one, they became shiny. Inside each feather there glimmered all of the colors of the rainbow. "This will be a sign to the creatures and people of this world, reminding all who look on you of your service and the sacrifice that you made. Rainbow Crow, you have saved them all."
And so it was, and so shall it ever be. The story has been told many different ways, but most of the elements remain the same:
http://www.mythicjourneys.org/newsl.....inbowcrow.html (Posted above)
http://americanfolklore.net/folklor.....nbow_crow.html
http://www.oocities.org/shabak_waxt...../rnbwcrow.html
These are some of the reasons we believe Rainbow Crow is the perfect candidate for a UU mascot:
* Rainbows are integral to the UU experience, as we affirm the inherent worth and dignity of every person, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
* The flaming in the flaming chalice can symbolize witness, sacrifice, testing, courage, and illumination. All of these are elements of Rainbow Crow's story.
* Many of our congregations have service explicitly mentioned in their covenants and bylaws. Rainbow Crow's act of love and service to his fellow creatures exemplifies the highest standards of justice, equity, and compassion.
* Though we may be scarred or otherwise transformed in the course of service to others or simply by age, our true beauty is never fully tarnished, and can be seen if one is willing to look closely.
* It is a running joke among UUs that our congregations sing so poorly because they are reading ahead to see if they agree with the words. Despite the fact that our voices are not always harmonious, our voices are just as sincere as the song that Rainbow Crow sang to Kijiamuh Ka'ong.
With these points identified, it is our intent to commission an artistic interpretation of this story for the use of our group. The current proposal for this image contains the following elements:
* Rainbow Crow depicted in his original form dropping the flaming stick into the UU chalice
* The edges of his feathers either turning to black or aflame.
* A pair of iridescent black crows representing Unitarianism and Universalism bowing at the base of the chalice in honor of Rainbow Crow's sacrifice and suggesting the natural progression of the original story.
Feedback (both positive and politely critical) on both the proposed mascot and proposed art piece are welcomed at this time!
[Polity] Call for Mascot
Posted 12 years agoHello once again, group! We've been far too inactive and would like to change that soon!
That being said, is there any particular animal that comes to mind for you when thinking of UUism? There is not an official avatar or animal mascot for UUism (that we are aware of) so we have an opportunity to put our heads together and fix that!
Bring us your colorful, unique, and interesting animals, from majestic to mundane!
That being said, is there any particular animal that comes to mind for you when thinking of UUism? There is not an official avatar or animal mascot for UUism (that we are aware of) so we have an opportunity to put our heads together and fix that!
Bring us your colorful, unique, and interesting animals, from majestic to mundane!
[Polity] Call For Art
Posted 13 years agoIt has been brought to our attention that image macros using public domain imagery are not permitted per the AUP and as a sign of good faith we have moved all current submissions to scraps.
As such, we are issuing a call for original artwork submissions to be added to the group! Religious-themed artwork, original photography that can be used for image macros, and even written submissions will be considered.
If you are or know someone who is UU and may be interested in donating or creating original submissions for the group, please send a note to this account or to
taigitsune so we can help decorate our now bare walls!
As such, we are issuing a call for original artwork submissions to be added to the group! Religious-themed artwork, original photography that can be used for image macros, and even written submissions will be considered.
If you are or know someone who is UU and may be interested in donating or creating original submissions for the group, please send a note to this account or to
taigitsune so we can help decorate our now bare walls![Reblog] Unitarian Faith Growing Nationwide
Posted 13 years agoUSA Today has run an exciting article reaffirming UUism as "in the right place at the right time."
Anthony David of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta, which has about 1,000 members, says that Unitarians would rather be kind than right.
"In our tradition, you get to be wrong," he said. "God is big. God is magnificent. You can't tell me that we know everything there is to know about God yet."
Read more here.
Anthony David of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta, which has about 1,000 members, says that Unitarians would rather be kind than right.
"In our tradition, you get to be wrong," he said. "God is big. God is magnificent. You can't tell me that we know everything there is to know about God yet."
Read more here.
[Reblog] Eboo Patel: A Common Life Together
Posted 13 years agoFrom the Beacon Broadside comes the following article:
Eboo Patel wrote:“So which side are they on?” The question was part of a conversation I overheard on the street the other day, and it was in reference to people like me—American Muslims.
Eboo Patel wrote:In an interconnected world, the only chance we have is a common life together. If we are to build it, we must insure the bridges between us are strong enough to withstand the bombs of the extremists. As the American poet William Stafford wrote, “The signals we give must be clear now ... the darkness around us is deep.”
Read more here.
Eboo Patel wrote:“So which side are they on?” The question was part of a conversation I overheard on the street the other day, and it was in reference to people like me—American Muslims.
Eboo Patel wrote:In an interconnected world, the only chance we have is a common life together. If we are to build it, we must insure the bridges between us are strong enough to withstand the bombs of the extremists. As the American poet William Stafford wrote, “The signals we give must be clear now ... the darkness around us is deep.”
Read more here.
[Webinar] Learning About Transgender Identity
Posted 13 years agoSome of you may be interested in the following webinar hosted by the Standing on the Side of Love campaign:
Rev. Fred Small wrote:I grew up with many privileges. Privileges of color, class, gender, physical ability—even height! While my parents weren’t activists, they instilled in me an insistence that everyone be treated fairly.
My journey has been one of listening: listening to historically marginalized people, hearing their stories, coming gradually to understand better their struggles, their courage, and their wisdom. Over the years, I’ve learned a lot from books that shook my complacency and pierced my heart. Books like The Feminine Mystique, The Autobiography of Malcolm X, Rubyfruit Jungle.
But I’ve learned even more from the people I’ve met who have challenged my assumptions, shattered my stereotypes, and deepened my compassion. Alex Kapitan is one of those people.
A few months ago, Alex visited my congregation in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and presented a workshop on transgender identity and inclusion. I can’t remember ever learning more in such a short time!
Now Standing on the Side of Love is offering Alex’s brilliant “Transgender Identity & Inclusion” workshop as a webinar on Wednesday, October 17, 7:00-8:15 pm ET. Click here to register.
Alex is funny, engaging, empathetic, self-deprecating, and wicked smart. He completely charmed my congregation, ranging from octogenarian Boston Brahmins to queer youth. I continue to draw regularly on the stories and insights Alex generously shared with us.
Alex’s interactive webinar will provide practical, concrete ways for increasing our mindfulness and support of people of all identities and ways of expressing gender. The workshop is for everyone—whether you’ve had zero exposure to these issues or live them every day. Participants will gain a greater understanding of terminology, the experiences of transgender people, and the ways in which all of us are impacted by gender norms and expectations.
Please join the “Transgender Identity and Inclusion” webinar. Click here to register.
Bring your questions and your curiosity and prepare to be informed, uplifted, and—perhaps most important—changed.
If you decide to attend, we would be interested in hearing your feedback regarding the webinar.
Thank you for your time, and blessed be! <3
Rev. Fred Small wrote:I grew up with many privileges. Privileges of color, class, gender, physical ability—even height! While my parents weren’t activists, they instilled in me an insistence that everyone be treated fairly.
My journey has been one of listening: listening to historically marginalized people, hearing their stories, coming gradually to understand better their struggles, their courage, and their wisdom. Over the years, I’ve learned a lot from books that shook my complacency and pierced my heart. Books like The Feminine Mystique, The Autobiography of Malcolm X, Rubyfruit Jungle.
But I’ve learned even more from the people I’ve met who have challenged my assumptions, shattered my stereotypes, and deepened my compassion. Alex Kapitan is one of those people.
A few months ago, Alex visited my congregation in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and presented a workshop on transgender identity and inclusion. I can’t remember ever learning more in such a short time!
Now Standing on the Side of Love is offering Alex’s brilliant “Transgender Identity & Inclusion” workshop as a webinar on Wednesday, October 17, 7:00-8:15 pm ET. Click here to register.
Alex is funny, engaging, empathetic, self-deprecating, and wicked smart. He completely charmed my congregation, ranging from octogenarian Boston Brahmins to queer youth. I continue to draw regularly on the stories and insights Alex generously shared with us.
Alex’s interactive webinar will provide practical, concrete ways for increasing our mindfulness and support of people of all identities and ways of expressing gender. The workshop is for everyone—whether you’ve had zero exposure to these issues or live them every day. Participants will gain a greater understanding of terminology, the experiences of transgender people, and the ways in which all of us are impacted by gender norms and expectations.
Please join the “Transgender Identity and Inclusion” webinar. Click here to register.
Bring your questions and your curiosity and prepare to be informed, uplifted, and—perhaps most important—changed.
If you decide to attend, we would be interested in hearing your feedback regarding the webinar.
Thank you for your time, and blessed be! <3
[Info] Transgender 101: Identity, Welcome, and Resources
Posted 13 years agoThis may be old information to some, but as part of the first UU principle upholding the inherent worth and dignity of everyone, we would like to make available some of the information provided on this page of the UUA website in the hopes that it can foster further acceptance of all our sisters, brothers, and others.
Basic Definitions About Gender Identity
Our culture tends to limit its understanding of gender to only two options: man and woman. LGBT Ministries believes there are more than two genders. We use the word "transgender" in our office’s title as an umbrella term to describe the following people: crossdressers; people who identify as genderqueer, third gender, gender fluid, and/or two spirit; some intersex individuals; transsexuals; and all self-identified trans people. But even this is not completely accurate. Read on!
Sex and Gender
People are assigned a biological sex at birth (e.g., male, female, intersex)
People define their own gender (e.g., man, woman, transgender, genderqueer)
Gender Binary
A system of classifying sex and gender into two distinct and disconnected forms, dividing people into masculine and feminine bodies, identities, roles, and attributes. The gender binary is dependent on policing people to make sure they don’t digress from the system in appearance, anatomy, or behavior.
Sexual Orientation
Sexual orientation refers to whom you are sexually, affectionally, and/or romantically attracted. Gender and sexual orientation are often lumped together, despite being different, because of societal expectations around sex and gender. Women and men are expected to look and act a certain way and to be attracted to the "opposite" sex. Many people do not meet this expectation. Transgender individuals can have any sexual orientation.
Gender Identity
Gender identity refers to an individual’s sense of being a man, a woman, neither of these, both, and so on—it is one’s inner sense of being and one’s own understanding of how one relates to the gender binary. Everyone has a gender identity.
Gender Expression
Gender expression describes how people manifest feeling masculine or feminine through their appearance, behavior, dress, speech patterns, and more. This term refers to how a person expresses their gender identity or the cues people use to identify gender.
Transgender
The word transgender was first coined as a way of distinguishing gender benders with no desire for surgery or hormones from transsexuals, those who desired to legally and medically change their sex. More recently transgender and/or trans has become an umbrella term that is popularly used to include all people who transgress dominant conceptions of gender, or at least all people who identify themselves as doing so.
Cisgender
Cisgender, or cis, is a term that is becoming increasingly popular to describe people who are not trans or gender variant—in other words, those whose gender identities, presentations, and behavior "match" (according to the gender binary) the sex they were assigned at birth. Cis is a prefix with roots that mean "on the same side"; trans and cis are neutral descriptors analogous to the prefixes homo and hetero.
Cross-Dressing and Drag
Cross-dressing refers to occasionally wearing clothing of the "opposite" gender, and someone who considers this an integral part of their identity may identify as a crossdresser (note: the term crossdresser is preferable to transvestite and neither may ever be used to describe a transsexual person). Drag queens and drag kings are performers who offer exaggerated, performative presentations of gender and often cross-dress. Cross-dressing and drag are not necessarily tied to erotic activity or sexual orientation.
Genderqueer / Third Gender / Two Spirit
These identity labels are sometimes used by people who feel between and/or outside the gender binary. Individuals may identify as being neither man nor woman, as a little bit of both, as outside the binary, or they may simply feel restricted by gender labels. Two spirit is a term derived from the traditions of some Native North American cultures, and can sometimes mean a mixture of masculine and feminine spirits living in the same body.
Gender Variant / Gender Non-Conforming
General terms for people who bend gender in some way and/or have non-binary gender identities.
Intersex
Intersex is a general term used for a variety of genetic, hormonal, or anatomical conditions in which a person is born with a reproductive or sexual anatomy that doesn’t seem to fit the typical definitions of female or male. When a child is born intersex, many doctors and parents panic and rush to "correct" the "problem" via surgery, which often causes mental and physical difficulties later in life. Some intersex individuals identify as transgender or gender variant; others do not. (Note: Hermaphrodite is an obsolete term that is not currently considered appropriate.)
Transsexual
The term transsexual has historically been used to refer to individuals who have medically and legally changed their sex, or who wish to do so. Most transsexual people feel a conflict between their gender identity and the sex they were assigned at birth. Other labels used within this group are MtF (male-to-female) and FtM (female-to-male).
Transition
Transition refers to the complex process of authentically living into one’s gender identity, often but not always including leaving behind one’s assigned birth sex. A transition may include coming out to one's family, friends, and/or co-workers; changing one’s name and/or gender markers on legal documents; hormone therapy; and possibly (though not always) some form of surgery. Not all trans people identify with the word transition and it should furthermore never be assumed that a person will "complete" this process at any particular time. Some people who have transitioned no longer consider themselves to be transsexual or transgender and rather identify only as a man or a woman (occasionally "of transgender experience"). Others identify as a trans man or a trans woman.
Coming Out vs. Disclosure
Coming out (of the closet) refers to openly stating one’s identity (usually sexual orientation). Being out means being open about one’s identity. Being outed means someone else has disclosed one’s identity, usually without permission. Coming out is often a liberating experience for people who have previously hidden their identity; it can lead them to feel like they can be their authentic selves. However, trans people who have transitioned are not "in the closet" about their identity, so telling people that they are trans is a disclosure and is different than coming out. Trans people are not "fooling" or "deceiving" anyone about their identity by presenting themselves authentically as male or as female.
Basic Definitions About Gender Identity
Our culture tends to limit its understanding of gender to only two options: man and woman. LGBT Ministries believes there are more than two genders. We use the word "transgender" in our office’s title as an umbrella term to describe the following people: crossdressers; people who identify as genderqueer, third gender, gender fluid, and/or two spirit; some intersex individuals; transsexuals; and all self-identified trans people. But even this is not completely accurate. Read on!
Sex and Gender
People are assigned a biological sex at birth (e.g., male, female, intersex)
People define their own gender (e.g., man, woman, transgender, genderqueer)
Gender Binary
A system of classifying sex and gender into two distinct and disconnected forms, dividing people into masculine and feminine bodies, identities, roles, and attributes. The gender binary is dependent on policing people to make sure they don’t digress from the system in appearance, anatomy, or behavior.
Sexual Orientation
Sexual orientation refers to whom you are sexually, affectionally, and/or romantically attracted. Gender and sexual orientation are often lumped together, despite being different, because of societal expectations around sex and gender. Women and men are expected to look and act a certain way and to be attracted to the "opposite" sex. Many people do not meet this expectation. Transgender individuals can have any sexual orientation.
Gender Identity
Gender identity refers to an individual’s sense of being a man, a woman, neither of these, both, and so on—it is one’s inner sense of being and one’s own understanding of how one relates to the gender binary. Everyone has a gender identity.
Gender Expression
Gender expression describes how people manifest feeling masculine or feminine through their appearance, behavior, dress, speech patterns, and more. This term refers to how a person expresses their gender identity or the cues people use to identify gender.
Transgender
The word transgender was first coined as a way of distinguishing gender benders with no desire for surgery or hormones from transsexuals, those who desired to legally and medically change their sex. More recently transgender and/or trans has become an umbrella term that is popularly used to include all people who transgress dominant conceptions of gender, or at least all people who identify themselves as doing so.
Cisgender
Cisgender, or cis, is a term that is becoming increasingly popular to describe people who are not trans or gender variant—in other words, those whose gender identities, presentations, and behavior "match" (according to the gender binary) the sex they were assigned at birth. Cis is a prefix with roots that mean "on the same side"; trans and cis are neutral descriptors analogous to the prefixes homo and hetero.
Cross-Dressing and Drag
Cross-dressing refers to occasionally wearing clothing of the "opposite" gender, and someone who considers this an integral part of their identity may identify as a crossdresser (note: the term crossdresser is preferable to transvestite and neither may ever be used to describe a transsexual person). Drag queens and drag kings are performers who offer exaggerated, performative presentations of gender and often cross-dress. Cross-dressing and drag are not necessarily tied to erotic activity or sexual orientation.
Genderqueer / Third Gender / Two Spirit
These identity labels are sometimes used by people who feel between and/or outside the gender binary. Individuals may identify as being neither man nor woman, as a little bit of both, as outside the binary, or they may simply feel restricted by gender labels. Two spirit is a term derived from the traditions of some Native North American cultures, and can sometimes mean a mixture of masculine and feminine spirits living in the same body.
Gender Variant / Gender Non-Conforming
General terms for people who bend gender in some way and/or have non-binary gender identities.
Intersex
Intersex is a general term used for a variety of genetic, hormonal, or anatomical conditions in which a person is born with a reproductive or sexual anatomy that doesn’t seem to fit the typical definitions of female or male. When a child is born intersex, many doctors and parents panic and rush to "correct" the "problem" via surgery, which often causes mental and physical difficulties later in life. Some intersex individuals identify as transgender or gender variant; others do not. (Note: Hermaphrodite is an obsolete term that is not currently considered appropriate.)
Transsexual
The term transsexual has historically been used to refer to individuals who have medically and legally changed their sex, or who wish to do so. Most transsexual people feel a conflict between their gender identity and the sex they were assigned at birth. Other labels used within this group are MtF (male-to-female) and FtM (female-to-male).
Transition
Transition refers to the complex process of authentically living into one’s gender identity, often but not always including leaving behind one’s assigned birth sex. A transition may include coming out to one's family, friends, and/or co-workers; changing one’s name and/or gender markers on legal documents; hormone therapy; and possibly (though not always) some form of surgery. Not all trans people identify with the word transition and it should furthermore never be assumed that a person will "complete" this process at any particular time. Some people who have transitioned no longer consider themselves to be transsexual or transgender and rather identify only as a man or a woman (occasionally "of transgender experience"). Others identify as a trans man or a trans woman.
Coming Out vs. Disclosure
Coming out (of the closet) refers to openly stating one’s identity (usually sexual orientation). Being out means being open about one’s identity. Being outed means someone else has disclosed one’s identity, usually without permission. Coming out is often a liberating experience for people who have previously hidden their identity; it can lead them to feel like they can be their authentic selves. However, trans people who have transitioned are not "in the closet" about their identity, so telling people that they are trans is a disclosure and is different than coming out. Trans people are not "fooling" or "deceiving" anyone about their identity by presenting themselves authentically as male or as female.
[Video] When I Die: Lessons from the Death Zone
Posted 13 years ago[Events] Relay For Life of Blount County, TN
Posted 13 years agoFrom 
firebonbon comes word that the local Unitarian Universalist church in the Blount County area of Tennessee will be hosing a Relay for Life event.
Contact firebonbon's or click here for more details.
firebonbon comes word that the local Unitarian Universalist church in the Blount County area of Tennessee will be hosing a Relay for Life event.Contact
firebonbon's or click here for more details.[Reblog] What Do You Say to Grieving Non Believers?
Posted 13 years agoFrom the journals of 
blitzkriegfox comes the following:
If you know someone who’s grieving a death, and they don’t believe in a God or in any sort of afterlife… what do you say?
A lot of religious and spiritual believers find themselves stymied, at a loss for words, when the atheists and other non-believers in their lives are grieving. The comforts and consolations they’re used to offering, and that they rely on themselves, don’t do much good with atheists and other non-believers. “It’s all part of a plan.” “I’m sure they’re smiling down on you now.” “You’ll see them in the afterlife.” Etc. At best, these notions are useless for atheists: at worst, they’re actually upsetting.
Some believers behave very badly indeed at these times. It’s all too common for religious believers to use death and grief, and the heightened vulnerability that comes with it, as an opportunity for proselytizing. And when confronted with the reality that non-believers usually aren’t comforted by religious sentiments, believers often get churlish and defensive: insisting that grieving non-believers should be comforted when believers offer religious platitudes, and getting irritated or even outright hostile when we don’t.
But many believers are entirely sincere in their desire to console the non-believers in their life. They care, they sympathize, they mean well. They genuinely want to help. They just don’t know how...
Continue reading here.
blitzkriegfox comes the following:If you know someone who’s grieving a death, and they don’t believe in a God or in any sort of afterlife… what do you say?
A lot of religious and spiritual believers find themselves stymied, at a loss for words, when the atheists and other non-believers in their lives are grieving. The comforts and consolations they’re used to offering, and that they rely on themselves, don’t do much good with atheists and other non-believers. “It’s all part of a plan.” “I’m sure they’re smiling down on you now.” “You’ll see them in the afterlife.” Etc. At best, these notions are useless for atheists: at worst, they’re actually upsetting.
Some believers behave very badly indeed at these times. It’s all too common for religious believers to use death and grief, and the heightened vulnerability that comes with it, as an opportunity for proselytizing. And when confronted with the reality that non-believers usually aren’t comforted by religious sentiments, believers often get churlish and defensive: insisting that grieving non-believers should be comforted when believers offer religious platitudes, and getting irritated or even outright hostile when we don’t.
But many believers are entirely sincere in their desire to console the non-believers in their life. They care, they sympathize, they mean well. They genuinely want to help. They just don’t know how...
Continue reading here.
[Reblog] Don't Know Yet
Posted 13 years agoOriginal article here.
When Henry went to an overnight camp designed for boys to learn about law enforcement (a subject he was really into), he of course took a bunch of books along with him. He was an avid reader and just couldn’t imagine going to an overnight without some books.
However, many if not most of the other boys didn’t bring books along with them, and they didn’t quite understand Henry’s interest in reading. As they teased and asked him about the books, it eventually degenerated into his roommates asking him, “What, are you gay?”
Henry, having been raised as a Unitarian Universalist and quite familiar with homosexual couples—a number of whom are good family friends—responded to these taunts with a reasonable statement: “I don’t know yet, I’m only 10.”
In his innocence, he didn’t even realize these boys were using the word “gay” as a derogatory term, and since he is fully aware of what the word actually means, he responded as if he was being asked the question in terms of his sexual identity. And while many children already do have an inkling of where their affectional orientation lies at that age, I love the idea that he believed sexuality was something which evolves as you grow and, despite the fact that he didn’t know yet, he believed that if he turned out to be gay, that was okay.
I wasn’t there, but I imagine the boys laughed at his answer to their taunt, and most likely it was an uneasy sort of laughter. Uneasy because Henry made them think and boys (and girls) who are prone to bullying don’t like to be challenged in their thinking.
This is not unlike the comment issued by my bisexual daughter and preserved in her high school’s magazine when she was recently interviewed for a story. In talking about her own sexuality, she explains, “There’s a rumor going around that I’m a lesbian. Well, that’s only half true.”
So while Henry and other children being raised by Unitarian Universalist parents will say they “don’t know,” often times it turns out that they do in fact know a lot more than other kids around them. And who then is better equipped to educate their classmates about loving compassion and social justice?
When Henry went to an overnight camp designed for boys to learn about law enforcement (a subject he was really into), he of course took a bunch of books along with him. He was an avid reader and just couldn’t imagine going to an overnight without some books.
However, many if not most of the other boys didn’t bring books along with them, and they didn’t quite understand Henry’s interest in reading. As they teased and asked him about the books, it eventually degenerated into his roommates asking him, “What, are you gay?”
Henry, having been raised as a Unitarian Universalist and quite familiar with homosexual couples—a number of whom are good family friends—responded to these taunts with a reasonable statement: “I don’t know yet, I’m only 10.”
In his innocence, he didn’t even realize these boys were using the word “gay” as a derogatory term, and since he is fully aware of what the word actually means, he responded as if he was being asked the question in terms of his sexual identity. And while many children already do have an inkling of where their affectional orientation lies at that age, I love the idea that he believed sexuality was something which evolves as you grow and, despite the fact that he didn’t know yet, he believed that if he turned out to be gay, that was okay.
I wasn’t there, but I imagine the boys laughed at his answer to their taunt, and most likely it was an uneasy sort of laughter. Uneasy because Henry made them think and boys (and girls) who are prone to bullying don’t like to be challenged in their thinking.
This is not unlike the comment issued by my bisexual daughter and preserved in her high school’s magazine when she was recently interviewed for a story. In talking about her own sexuality, she explains, “There’s a rumor going around that I’m a lesbian. Well, that’s only half true.”
So while Henry and other children being raised by Unitarian Universalist parents will say they “don’t know,” often times it turns out that they do in fact know a lot more than other kids around them. And who then is better equipped to educate their classmates about loving compassion and social justice?
[Reblog] Let’s Talk About Kony 2012
Posted 13 years agoHave you seen the Kony 2012 video? If not, you’re missing a perfect example of a vibrant social justice effort that stops unfortunately short of Unitarian Universalist principles. Produced by an advocacy group targeting Joseph Kony, the violent rebel leader of the Ugandan Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), for arrest and prosecution, the 30 minute video does a great job creating awareness about a compelling social justice issue and making us feel there’s something we can do about it (which is to join their media campaign). So what’s the problem?
Continue reading here.
Continue reading here.
[Video] FCK BULLIES by FCKH8.com
Posted 14 years agoFCK BULLIES by FCH8.com: DON'T B H8N ON THE HOMOS!
Warning: This video contains language which may be offensive to some viewers.[Ceremonies] Blending of the Waters
Posted 14 years agoGreetings! It's been some time since we've posted anything of significance, so let's kick things off with one of the two ceremonied unique to UUism. The Blending of the Waters ceremony or Water Communion is most often held around the time school starts, as many UU congregations part ways for the summer and reconvene for the school year. Since school years vary among locations we'll have our first official Blending of the Waters ceremony today in honor of Mabon.
To participate in the ceremony, we ask that you come forward with a small amount of water from one or more places or events in your life this year that are significant to you. If you feel so led, you are welcome to share the story of where your water was obtained and why it is important to you. If the reason or place are too painful or private to you, you are more than welcome to add your water and to omit any details you'd prefer not to share. We also invite you to thank others for sharing their stories, and to add constructive feedback and/or words of encouragement.
The waters we combine and share are symbolic of our shared faith and common experiences coming together from many different sources much as bodies of water do.
To participate in the ceremony, we ask that you come forward with a small amount of water from one or more places or events in your life this year that are significant to you. If you feel so led, you are welcome to share the story of where your water was obtained and why it is important to you. If the reason or place are too painful or private to you, you are more than welcome to add your water and to omit any details you'd prefer not to share. We also invite you to thank others for sharing their stories, and to add constructive feedback and/or words of encouragement.
The waters we combine and share are symbolic of our shared faith and common experiences coming together from many different sources much as bodies of water do.
[Reblog] That truck driver you flipped off?
Posted 14 years agoAn excellent read, and a shining example of why our principle upholding the inherent worth and dignity of each person is important.
Let me tell you a little about the truck driver you just flipped off because he was passing another truck, and you had to cancel the cruise control and slow down until he completed the pass and moved back over.
His truck is governed to 68 miles an hour, because the company he leases it from believes it keeps him and the public and the equipment safer.
The truck he passed was probably running under 65 mph to conserve fuel. You see, the best these trucks do for fuel economy is about 8 miles per gallon. With fuel at almost $4 per gallon -- well, you do the math. And, yes, that driver pays for his own fuel.
He needs to be 1,014 miles from where he loaded in two days. And he can't fudge his federally mandated driver log, because he no longer does it on paper; he is logged electronically.
He can drive 11 hours in a 14-hour period; then he must take a 10-hour break. And considering that the shipper where he loaded held him up for five hours because it is understaffed, he now needs to run without stopping for lunch and dinner breaks.
If he misses his delivery appointment, he will be rescheduled for the next day, because the receiver has booked its docks solid (and has cut staff to a minimum). That means the driver sits, losing 500-plus miles for the week.
Which means his profit will be cut, and he will take less money home to his family. Most of these guys are gone 10 days, and home for a day and a half, and take home an average of $500 a week if everything goes well.
You can't tell by looking at him, but two hours ago he took a call informing him that his only sister was involved in a car accident, and though everything possible was done to save her, she died. They had flown her to a trauma hospital in Detroit, but it was too late.
He hadn't seen her since last Christmas, but they talked on the phone every week. The load he is pulling is going to Atlanta, and he will probably not be able to get to the funeral.
His dispatcher will do everything possible to get him there, but the chances are slim. So he has hardly noticed your displeasure at having to slow down for him. It's not that he doesn't care; he's just numb.
Everything you buy at the store and everything you order online moves by truck. Planes and trains can't get it to your house or grocery store. We are dependent on trucks to move product from the airport and the rail yards to the stores and our homes.
Every day, experienced and qualified drivers give it up because the government, the traffic and the greedy companies involved in trucking have drained their enthusiasm for this life.
They take a job at a factory if they can find it, and are replaced by an inexperienced youngster dreaming of the open road. This inexperience leads to late deliveries, causing shortages and higher prices at the store, and crashes that lead to unnecessary deaths.
It is even possible that is what led to the death of this driver's sister.
This is a true story; it happened last week. The driver's name is Harold, and I am his dispatcher.
Dan Hanson, of Belle Plaine, Minn., is a fleet manager.
Original article here.[News] Houston Clergy Council Defies 'Day of Prayer'
Posted 14 years agoThis open letter was written to Texas Governor Rick Perry in response to his proclamation of a day of prayer. While the UUA has no formally recognized stance on political matters and does not typically make direct statements about political actions, many UU ministers and congregants feel strongly about our Constitutional freedoms and human rights.
This letter exemplifies the seven UU principles, as well as the need for people of all faiths to speak out and leave none behind.
http://houstonclergycouncil.org/
June 13, 2011
As Houston clergy, we write to express our deep concern over Governor Rick Perry’s proclamation of a day of prayer and fasting at Houston’s Reliant Stadium on August 6th. In our role as faith leaders, we encourage and support prayer, meditation, and spiritual practice. Yet our governor’s religious event gives us pause for a number of reasons:
We believe in a healthy boundary between church and state. Out of respect for the state, we believe that it should represent all citizens equally and without preference for religious or philosophical tradition. Out of respect for religious communities, we believe that they should foster faithful ways of living without favoring one political party over another. Keeping the church and state separate allows each to thrive and upholds our proud national tradition of empowering citizens to worship freely and vote conscientiously. We are concerned that our governor has crossed the line by organizing and leading a religious event rather than focusing on the people’s business in Austin.
We also express concern that the day of prayer and fasting at Reliant Stadium is not an inclusive event. As clergy leaders in the nation’s fourth largest city, we take pride in Houston’s vibrant and diverse religious landscape. Our religious communities include Bahais, Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jews, Muslims, Sikhs, Unitarian Universalists, and many other faith traditions. Our city is also home to committed agnostics and atheists, with whom we share common cause as fellow Houstonians. Houston has long been known as a “live and let live” city, where all are respected and welcomed. It troubles us that the governor’s prayer event is not open to everyone. In the publicized materials, the governor has made it clear that only Christians of a particular kind are welcome to pray in a certain way. We feel that such an exclusive event does not reflect the rich tapestry of our city.
Our deepest concern, however, lies in the fact that funding for this event appears to come from the American Family Association, an organization labeled a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. The American Family Association and its leadership have a long track record of anti-gay speech and have actively worked to discriminate against the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community. The American Family Association and its leadership have also been stridently anti-Muslim, going so far as to question the rights of Muslim Americans to freely organize and practice their faith. We believe it is inappropriate for our governor to organize a religious event funded by a group known for its discriminatory stances.
As religious leaders, we commit to join with all Houstonians in working to make our city a better place. We will lead our communities in prayer, meditation, and spiritual practice. We ask that Rick Perry leave the ministry to us and refocus his energy on the work of governing our state.
Signed,
Rev. Dr. Jeremy Rutledge, Minister, Covenant Church, Alliance of Baptists/American Baptist Churches
Rev. Douglas Anders, Conference Minister, South Central Conference of the United Church of Christ
Rev. Paul Beedle, Unitarian Universalist
Rev. Dr. Ginny Brown Daniel, Minister, Plymouth United Church, UCC
Rev. Beth Ellen Cooper-Davis, Minister, Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Church
Rev. Michael Diaz, Director of Connections, Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church
Rev. Dr. Millard Eiland, Alliance of Baptists
Rev. Pat Farnan, Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church
Rev. Lura Groen, Pastor, Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
Rev. Teddy Hardy, Minister, St. John United Church of Christ
Rev. Lori Keaton, United Church of Christ
Rev. Harry Knox, Senior Pastor, Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church
Rev. Janice Ladd, Executive Pastor, Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church
Rev. Dr. Becky Edmiston-Lange, Co-Minister, Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church
Rev. Mark Edmiston-Lange, Co-Minister, Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church
Rev. Dr. Margie Latham, Minister of Administration, Covenant Church, Alliance of Baptists/American Baptist Churches
Rev. Mona Lopez, Volunteer Staff Clergy, Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church
Rev. Laura Mayo, Minister, Covenant Church, Alliance of Baptists/American Baptist Churches
Rev. Dr. Daniel O’Connell, Senior Minister, First Unitarian Universalist Church
Rev. David Pantermuehl, Grace United Church of Christ
Rev. Adam Robinson, Assistant Minister, First Unitarian Universalist Church
Rev. Ken Richter, Senior Minister, First Congregational Church, UCC
Rev. Bill Royster, United Church of Christ
Rev. Sam Schaal, Transition Minister, Bay Area Unitarian Universalist Church
Rev. Robert Tucker, Executive Director, Foundation for Contemporary Theology
Rev. Ernie Turney, Pastor, Bering United Methodist Church
Rev. Bonnie Vegiard, Unitarian Universalist
This letter exemplifies the seven UU principles, as well as the need for people of all faiths to speak out and leave none behind.
http://houstonclergycouncil.org/
June 13, 2011
As Houston clergy, we write to express our deep concern over Governor Rick Perry’s proclamation of a day of prayer and fasting at Houston’s Reliant Stadium on August 6th. In our role as faith leaders, we encourage and support prayer, meditation, and spiritual practice. Yet our governor’s religious event gives us pause for a number of reasons:
We believe in a healthy boundary between church and state. Out of respect for the state, we believe that it should represent all citizens equally and without preference for religious or philosophical tradition. Out of respect for religious communities, we believe that they should foster faithful ways of living without favoring one political party over another. Keeping the church and state separate allows each to thrive and upholds our proud national tradition of empowering citizens to worship freely and vote conscientiously. We are concerned that our governor has crossed the line by organizing and leading a religious event rather than focusing on the people’s business in Austin.
We also express concern that the day of prayer and fasting at Reliant Stadium is not an inclusive event. As clergy leaders in the nation’s fourth largest city, we take pride in Houston’s vibrant and diverse religious landscape. Our religious communities include Bahais, Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jews, Muslims, Sikhs, Unitarian Universalists, and many other faith traditions. Our city is also home to committed agnostics and atheists, with whom we share common cause as fellow Houstonians. Houston has long been known as a “live and let live” city, where all are respected and welcomed. It troubles us that the governor’s prayer event is not open to everyone. In the publicized materials, the governor has made it clear that only Christians of a particular kind are welcome to pray in a certain way. We feel that such an exclusive event does not reflect the rich tapestry of our city.
Our deepest concern, however, lies in the fact that funding for this event appears to come from the American Family Association, an organization labeled a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. The American Family Association and its leadership have a long track record of anti-gay speech and have actively worked to discriminate against the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community. The American Family Association and its leadership have also been stridently anti-Muslim, going so far as to question the rights of Muslim Americans to freely organize and practice their faith. We believe it is inappropriate for our governor to organize a religious event funded by a group known for its discriminatory stances.
As religious leaders, we commit to join with all Houstonians in working to make our city a better place. We will lead our communities in prayer, meditation, and spiritual practice. We ask that Rick Perry leave the ministry to us and refocus his energy on the work of governing our state.
Signed,
Rev. Dr. Jeremy Rutledge, Minister, Covenant Church, Alliance of Baptists/American Baptist Churches
Rev. Douglas Anders, Conference Minister, South Central Conference of the United Church of Christ
Rev. Paul Beedle, Unitarian Universalist
Rev. Dr. Ginny Brown Daniel, Minister, Plymouth United Church, UCC
Rev. Beth Ellen Cooper-Davis, Minister, Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Church
Rev. Michael Diaz, Director of Connections, Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church
Rev. Dr. Millard Eiland, Alliance of Baptists
Rev. Pat Farnan, Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church
Rev. Lura Groen, Pastor, Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church
Rev. Teddy Hardy, Minister, St. John United Church of Christ
Rev. Lori Keaton, United Church of Christ
Rev. Harry Knox, Senior Pastor, Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church
Rev. Janice Ladd, Executive Pastor, Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church
Rev. Dr. Becky Edmiston-Lange, Co-Minister, Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church
Rev. Mark Edmiston-Lange, Co-Minister, Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church
Rev. Dr. Margie Latham, Minister of Administration, Covenant Church, Alliance of Baptists/American Baptist Churches
Rev. Mona Lopez, Volunteer Staff Clergy, Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church
Rev. Laura Mayo, Minister, Covenant Church, Alliance of Baptists/American Baptist Churches
Rev. Dr. Daniel O’Connell, Senior Minister, First Unitarian Universalist Church
Rev. David Pantermuehl, Grace United Church of Christ
Rev. Adam Robinson, Assistant Minister, First Unitarian Universalist Church
Rev. Ken Richter, Senior Minister, First Congregational Church, UCC
Rev. Bill Royster, United Church of Christ
Rev. Sam Schaal, Transition Minister, Bay Area Unitarian Universalist Church
Rev. Robert Tucker, Executive Director, Foundation for Contemporary Theology
Rev. Ernie Turney, Pastor, Bering United Methodist Church
Rev. Bonnie Vegiard, Unitarian Universalist
[Reblog] The Goddess of never not broken.
Posted 14 years agoYou know that feeling when you have just gone through a breakup, or lost your job, and everything is terrible and terrifying and you don’t know what to do, and you find yourself crying in a pile on your bedroom floor, barely able to remember how to use the phone, desperately looking for some sign of God in old letters, or your Facebook newsfeed or on Glee, finding nothing there to comfort you?
Come on, yes you do. We all do.
And there is a goddess from Hindu mythology that teaches us that, in this moment, in this pile on the floor, you are more powerful than you’ve ever been.
Continue reading...[Video] Validation
Posted 14 years ago
Never forget to smile, and never forget to share how you feel with random strangers now and then.[Follow-up] Pro Infirmis - Get Closer
Posted 14 years ago
Youtube user lavachinchi has provided a rough translation of the original Swiss audio track of this video.
Woman: Now we will soon start ... Are you nervous or aren't you?
Fabian: No, not really, no. Only when I think about that the whole of Switzerland can see me perhaps.
W: What is this for a feeling? You are looking forward to that?
F: Yes.
W: Yes? And what do you think about how the now afterwards expires? You have an idea?
F: Not really. Because if I have an idea, I can do with my left hand - I can‘t good to move. I take it easy as it comes.
W: This is ok. How are you feeling as a bear?
F: It is not a real bear.
F: yes, it‘s just a disguise.
W: How do you think will be the people on the street to you to react?
F: There are certainly two reactions. There are people who feel that as funny and people who take it as it is. That there is always in situations.
Another man: what would happen if you somebody on the street would embrace?
F: Then I would assess the situation of the person whether it could be dangerous or not.
W: because they are always a little afraid of?
F: No, I can after all a little judo (developed from Jujitsu). There are people who find me funny or those who want to annoyed me and where I am cautious. And the people take me so as I am, I behave quite normal, as every man.
W: do you think it will make many people play?
F: Yes, otherwise it will roar then the bear !
(After recording the commercial spot)
W: How was that now for you?
F: Very normal like I also behave otherwise.
W: But it is especially when so many people lying around and look at?
F: This happens for example me but often at the train station. Look at the people like me because I move, and now it was similar.
W: Can you tell the people they do not know who you are, how old you are and what you are doing in your everyday life?
F: I am 27 years old, I work in a workshop ( "protected work") and my biggest wish is there in a year, or in a few years to work with the police.
W: Why did thou today participated in this commercial for PROINFIRMIS?
F: I thought there are certainly very few disabled people who have the courage to participate in a television advertisement to all can see.
W: It has a little courage needed?
F: No, for me not very.
W: What do you think about what had to non-disabled people for disabled people with knowledge?
F: In the past my injuries were large. With the help of the physiotherapist I have successfully trained. I hope that you disabled accepted and respected as they/we are and you help us, offering support - perhaps.
W: Then I thank you.
thienn