First "Gay" Christian Poetry Anthology Scheduled for Jan. 2008, Seeking Submissions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 1, 2007

Contact: Sanctified Anthology
Email: admin@sanctifiedanthology.com
Website: http://www.SanctifiedAnthology.com

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – This month SanctifiedAnthology.com announced the production of SANCTIFIED, the world’s first LGBT Christian Poetry Anthology. The first SANCTIFIED anthology is scheduled to be released January 2008 and will feature poetry from numerous lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Christians from around the world.

Chief Editor, Justin R. Cannon, hopes this will be an annual project. Cannon was the founder of Earlham College’s poetry appreciation group—Poetheads Anonymous—and brings with him vast experience in the LGBT Christian community. Cannon explains, "I am excited about this project because our voices need to be heard not only within Church councils, meetings, and in the courtroom, but also in the literary arena—we are queer, we are Christian, and we have gifts to share with the world."

SanctifiedAnthology.com is currently accepting submissions from both LGBT Christians and straight allies. All styles and subjects of poetry are acceptable, with no limit to the number of words or lines per poem. Submissions can be made online through an authorized email address dedicated to submissions that can be requested online at SanctifiedAnthology.com.

Gay Episcopalian Advocate Sharpens Focus of Outreach Ministry, Teaches Inclusive Orthodoxy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Justin R. Cannon
Email: justin@InclusiveOrthodoxy.org
Website: http://www.InclusiveOrthodoxy.org

Berkeley, CA – For over two years Justin R. Cannon has run an online outreach to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Christians through www.TruthSetsFree.net. Cannon’s ministry emerged from the publication of his booklet The Bible, Christianity, and Homosexuality, described by the Los Angeles Times as "an illuminating…analysis that argues the Bible doesn't condemn faithful gay relationships." (Michael McGough, July 18, 2005). In 2006 he was honored among OUT Magazine’s top 100 lgbt achievers of the year for his work, including the establishment of the internet’s first gay Christian dating and matchmaking site, www.RainbowChristians.com, which boasts over 2400 registered members. This month, however, Cannon’s has radically changed both the look and focus of his outreach ministry.

His outreach ministry has been renamed "Inclusive Orthodoxy" and can now be accessed via www.InclusiveOrthodoxy.org. His website explains, "Inclusive Orthodoxy is the belief that the Church can and must be inclusive of lgbt individuals without sacrificing the Gospel and the Apostolic teachings of the Christian faith." His website decries individuals like lgbt advocate and retired Episcopalian bishop John Shelby Spong who denies the reality of Jesus’ resurrection and The Center for Progressive Christianity which recently celebrated "Pluralism Sunday." Cannon asserts, "The Church needs to embrace lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals not despite scripture and tradition, but in light of it."

Cannon explains, "It seems that the more inclusive an organization or denomination becomes, the further it strays from the Apostolic faith and core orthodox Christian teaching. We believe that the Church can be inclusive of lgbt individuals without sacrificing the Gospel and the Apostolic teachings."

On his website visitors can download his Bible study for free, listen to a couple sermons he has given about his own personal journey, read about Inclusive Orthodoxy, and even find a church in your area that is affirming of lgbt Christians. He is currently attending seminary at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley, California (USA) as he pursues priesthood within the Episcopal Church.

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