Province 2 Report On National Equality March

Members of Integrity from several chapters in Province II attended the National Equality March in DC on Sunday 11 Oct. Representatives from Integrity Rochester and Integrity NYC met with delegates from Province III and Integrity DC to march together. There was a notable amount of Episcopalians throughout the crowd, and Integrity Vice-President of Local Affairs Neil Houghton, was one of the religious delegates noted at the Invocation given at the beginning of the program. An audible cheer went up from the Episcopalians when Neil was announced.

Chap Day, Province II Coordinator for Integrity USA attended with a group of activists from Queens NY, including Integrity NYC members from Queens, the Gay Peruvians, Queens Pride Committee, the ISO, and at-risk LGBTQ homeless youth who are in a program called Generation Q, as well as with Daniel Dromm, the openly gay District Leader of 39th Assembly District A, and a Democratic nominee for New York City Council, Distict 25.

"This event was one for local organizers to get motivated and empowered. The youth who attended from Queens NY saw community organizing at its best. They got to interact with positive forces on all levels from IntegriyNYC, to elected officials like Danny Dromm, and to celebrities like Cynthia Nixon and Lady Gaga. The message was one for those who will be taking the baton and need to be told that they can make a difference for the good," commented Micheal Mallon, a member of IntegrityNYC and Queens Pride Committee.

It was disheartening, that the delegation from IntegrityNYC returned home to learn that on Friday night a hate crime had occurred in College Point, Queens. A 49 year old gay man was beaten late Friday night/early Saturday morning, and is now in a medically induced coma. His family did not release the information until Monday. Organizers from Integrity NYC, Daniel Dromm's office, the ISO, Queens Pride, the Gay Peruvians, and Generation Q who met to organize for DC are now working together for a Vigil and local action.

"It is upsetting that this is the type of event we're now having to organize for; the high of empowerment on Sunday, and now the low of demoralizing hate and fear the next, and this is why our mission is so important," remarked Chap Day.

Attached Photo by Jon Nally (iNYC).

L-R: Paul Lane, David Casey, Michael Mallon, The Hon. Daniel Dromm, Brendan Spillane, Chap Day, Omar Olaya

A Reflection On The National Equality March

by Neil Houghton

Vice President for Local Affairs

Integrity USA

Approximately 250,000 LGBT activists marched past St. John’s, Lafayette Square, where President Obama had attended Sunday services a few hours before, to gather on the west lawn of the Capitol. As the crowd filled the lawn, it stretched as far as I could see down Pennsylvania Ave.

The Rev. Troy Perry, founder of the Metropolitan Community Church delivered the invocation. He was flanked by a diverse group of faith leaders. Josh Blackwood, Chair of the Stakeholder’s Council and I were proud and privileged to represent Integrity USA. As faith leaders, we stood in solidarity with Perry. The Capitol steps on which President Obama was inaugurated was our backdrop. The Rev. Rod Reinhart (Chicago), who participated in planning the official Interfaith Service, stood with us as well. Rev. Perry movingly invoked the spirits of a long list of LGBT leaders from many faiths, ethnic groups and races who came before us to advance civil rights for all.

Many Integrity NYC members joined us at the march, including Chap James Day, Province 2 Coordinator, and David Casey, NYC Chapter Convener.

At the rally many activists and allies spoke, including Urvashi Vaid, Cynthia Nixon, Audra McDonald, Cleve Jones, David Mixner, Judy Shepard and the cast of Hair, which rescheduled a performance of the show on Broadway to be in Washington.

Before the rally, I spoke with the Rev. Perry, who has been present at all five LGBT rallies in DC. He said, "We are asking the the courts, the members of congress and the President of the United States to change things."

He told me he was so pleased that Integrity USA was represented so well at the march. Perry shared, "As always, I am thrilled to death to have all my brothers and sisters from the faith community involved. We can be patriotic and we can be faithful. It’s a new day..."

While Matthew Shepard’s mother, Judy, was waiting to speak, I approached to thank her for her efforts and to congratulate her on the passage of the Matthew Sheperd Hate Crimes Bill, which the President will sign into law this week. I asked her if she was an Episcopalian and she said she was, and so was Matthew. S he told me her parents believed that she should be able to choose where she went to church. When she was 15 years old she chose the Episcopal Church. She added the progress we have made toward being fully inclusive has made her especially happy.

Daily Scan

Gathering Held In Brighton To Support Gay Rights

WHMI, DC

http://www.whmi.com/news/article/9006

 

Episcopal church hasn't redefined marriage        

Columbia State (SC) 

http://www.thestate.com/letters/story/977848.html

 

COMMUNITY COMMENTARY: Columnist showed his bias against gays        

Glendale News-Press (CA) 

http://www.glendalenewspress.com/articles/2009/10/12/opinion/community_commentaries/gnp-comment101209.txt

Integrity President David Norgard stands with SCLC leader Eric Lee

Integrity President’s Statement, 10/11/09
Press Conference with the Rev. Eric Lee
At All Saints Church, Pasadena, CA

As President of Integrity, I am proud to stand in the company of the Rev. Eric Lee today. In his role as President of both the Los Angeles Chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and of the California Christian Leadership Conference, he has taken an unequivocal stand for marriage equality within the State of California. Recognizing marriage equality to be the justice issue that it is, Lee stood up immediately in objection to Proposition 8 and has not wavered since then. Indeed, his commitment has been steadfast as evidenced by both his speaking and his writing and I commend and praise him for his unflagging effort.

Dr. Lee works within the context of a noble history of justice-makers. The Southern Christian Leadership Conference has been a resolute champion of civil rights ever since its founding in 1957. Moreover, it has maintained the position that injustice laid upon one community affects all communities. Just recently, for example, the national leadership of the organization renewed its call to Congress for passage of the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act.

Yet Lee’s position on marriage equality has not been universally supported by fellow leaders and other members within the SCLC. On the contrary, it has brought considerable criticism to him personally and stirred controversy within the organization and among its supporters.

For nearly forty years, Integrity has worked to advance the rights of LGBT people within the Episcopal Church as well as across our country. Consequently, it too has weathered controversy and criticism, not only from foes but also from friends. And so we understand and all the more deeply appreciate the special courage Lee has exhibited in both speaking up and standing firm. The people of Integrity are grateful for his ministry and glad to recognize him as an ally and friend in the just cause of marriage equality within California and beyond.

All Saints Pasadena Celebrates National Coming Out Day

The clergy [of All-Saints] will "come out" for marriage equality and will announce initiatives of support for the Reverend Dr. Eric Lee -- President and CEO of the Los Angeles branch of the SCLC (Southern Christian Leadership Council ) -- the organization Dr. Martin Luther King co-founded. Dr. Eric Lee has been an advocate not only for racial equality and economic justice for laborers. Now he is under fire for his strong stance in favor of marriage equality.

The full press release is available on their website. 2:40 PM

Former Integrity President Susan Russell posted pictures.

Maine voters face historic choice on gay marriage

By DAVID CRARY (Associated Press)

PORTLAND, Maine — For an off-year election, in a state only rarely in the national political spotlight, an upcoming referendum on same-sex marriage has dramatic potential to make history and to roil emotions from coast to coast.

snip

Episcopal Bishop Stephen Lane, part of a religious coalition supporting same-sex marriage, anticipates a harrowing election night.

"That will be one of my major concerns on the pastoral level," he said. "Hopes are so high in the gay and lesbian community that it will be devastating if they lose.

Source: http://bit.ly/16GC2D.

Congress OKs adding sexual orientation to hate crime laws

WASHINGTON — A House vote Thursday put Congress on the verge of significantly expanding hate crimes law to make it a federal crime to assault people because of their sexual orientation. The legislation would bring major changes to law enacted in the days after Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination in 1968.

"No American should ever have to suffer persecution or violence because of who they are, how they look or what they believe," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., noting that hate crimes legislation has been on her agenda since she first entered Congress more than two decades ago.

Civil rights groups and their Democratic allies have come close to expanding the hate crimes bill several times in the past decade, but have always fallen short because of lack of House-Senate coordination or opposition from former President George W. Bush.

But this time, it appears that they may succeed. The legislation was attached to a must-pass $680 billion defense policy bill that the Senate could approve as early as next week. President Barack Obama has promised to sign it into law. The late Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., was a longtime advocate of the hate crimes legislation.

The House vote on the defense bill was 281-146. Unlike usual defense bill votes, most of those in opposition — 131 out of the 146 — were Republicans objecting strenuously to inclusion of what they referred to as "thought crimes" legislation in a defense bill.

Read the rest at the Fort Worth Star Telegram here:

http://www.star-telegram.com/804/story/1672737.html

Executive Council May Not Meet In Utah

An extract from: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_115419_ENG_HTM.htm

In action October 8, the council...failed to agree on a pattern of meetings for the 2010-2012 triennium and their locations. The council rejected a resolution that would have had the schedule include two more four-day gatherings (in February 2010 and October 2011) and six three-day meetings. It was requested that one of those three-day meetings be held in the Diocese of Fort Worth and the remainder in Salt Lake City.

The Utah location became the sticking point when the Rev. Winnie Varghese expressed concern that the state's constitution defines marriage as a relationship between a man and a woman, and bars recognition of any other domestic relationships. She said choosing Utah would go against the General Convention's stated commitment to protecting the civil rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) people.

Council member Anne Watkins of Connecticut said choosing to meet in Utah "is going to be another slap in the face" to GLBT people.

Jefferts Schori, saying that the Episcopal Church "has a remarkable presence in Utah," suggested that going to Salt Lake City might "be a way to the larger community through our presence."

The choice to meet in one place for a majority of the gatherings is meant to save money through negotiating a long-term meeting contract near a major airport hub. Salt Lake City was the second cheapest location (by predicted average meeting cost), according to bids received by the General Convention office. The cheapest location was the Maritime Institute in Linthicum Heights outside of Baltimore, Maryland, but council's Governance and Administration Mission committee rejected that choice because of concerns both about the workability of the meeting space and about holding most council meetings on the East Coast.

Maryland has a state law, but not a constitutional provision, limiting marriage to a man and woman. Council member Bishop Jon Bruno of Los Angeles noted that California, the site of the July 8-17 General Convention, has a similar state law.

"There is no perfect solution and that's what you're wrestling with," Jefferts Schori told the council, adding that the decision about a meeting location would be considered by the council's agenda committee because contracts needed to be negotiated soon.

Thanks, Winnie and Anne!

Integrity Eucharist DVD Now Available!

Called one of the "highlights of General Convention," the Integrity Eucharist is now available on DVD.

The Integrity Eucharist during General Convention 2009 was an historic event--with the first openly gay bishop celebrating and the first woman bishop preaching. It was an event to remember. Get your copy today!

Where can you find Bishop Gene Robinson, Bishop Barbara Harris, Former Presiding Bishop Edmund Browning, House of Deputies President Bonnie Anderson, Integrity founder Louie Crew, five former Integrity presidents, clergy and lay leaders from across the country, and international guests together in one room? At the Integrity Eucharist!

Click here to order your copy.

EPPN urges advocacy to end workplace discrimination

October 06, 2009

[Episcopal News Service] The Episcopal Public Policy Network (EPPN) is urging individuals to join advocates throughout the United States in calling on Congress to end workplace discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people.

"Many Americans do not realize that under current federal law, it is entirely legal to fire, hire, demote, promote, and make all other employment decisions based on real or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity and expression regardless of workplace performance," an October 6 EPPN alert said. "Specifically, it is legal to discriminate based upon sexual orientation in 29 states and based upon gender identity or expression in 38 states."

The EPPN alert, which is emailed to about 25,000 Episcopalians and religious advocates, noted that Representatives Barney Frank (Democratic-Massachusetts) and IIeana Ros-Lehtinen (Republican-Florida) and Senators Jeff Merkley (Democratic-Oregon) and Susan Collins (Republican-Maine) have introduced the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), a bill which would provide basic protections against workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

"ENDA would prohibit employers, employment agencies, labor organizations, or joint labor-management committees from discriminating against individuals on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity," the EPPN alert said.

The bill prohibits the use of sexual orientation and gender identity as a basis for determining the compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment," the alert notes. "However, the bill explicitly exempts religious organizations from these requirements, protecting the First Amendment and Civil Rights protections of religious organizations who consider ENDA to be contrary to their doctrines and principles. No religious organization will be compelled to violate their doctrines and principles."

Through the EPPN website, individuals can send a letter asking their legislators to support H.R. 3017, the bill known as the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

The letter acknowledges that the Episcopal Church, at the 76th General Convention in July, passed a resolution (C048) in support of ENDA.

"Biblical tradition teaches us that all human beings are created in the Divine image," the EPPN alert noted, citing Genesis 1:27. "Regardless of context, discrimination against any person arising from apathy, insensitivity, ignorance, fear, or hatred is inconsistent with this fundamental belief. As people of faith, we firmly oppose discrimination against all individuals, including gays and lesbians, for the stamp of the Divine is present in each and every one of us."

Episcopalians at National Equality March

Wear Your Pride!

EDOWPride, D.C.'s own GLBT Episcopal group has shirts available for you to purchase online to wear as a group for the National Equality March taking place this coming weekend in DC. You can get the shirts by going to our cafepress store at http://www.cafepress.com/leftpawdesigns/6720930. If you want your shirt sent to Josh's house (he lives in DC) please email him at leftpaw76@gmail.com for the address. All shirts should be shipped to be received by Friday Oct 9th and will be given out as you arrive at the march.

Meet Up

For those planning to attend the National Equality March and want to march as a group, you can meet up with Josh Blackwood (Stakeholders council chair) wearing his Episcopal Church welcomes you shirt (available at the link above). Please meet Josh no later than 11am at the McPherson Square Metro Stop (Metro rail Orange line/Blue line). At 11am we will head over to the staging area and take up our positions. If our meeting location needs to be changed for any reason, please visit www.edowpride.com and click on the events page for meeting instructions.

Please note, due to the large crowds expected at the march, please be sure to add an additional 45 mins to your metro travel time to ensure on time arrival at the gathering spot. The March will start at 12 noon.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Josh.

Obama to take on military gay ban at `right time'

The Associated Press is reporting...
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama will focus "at the right time" on how to overturn the "don't ask, don't tell" ban on gays serving openly in the military, his national security adviser said Sunday.

"I don't think it's going to be — it's not years, but I think it will be teed up appropriately," James Jones said.

The Democratic-led Congress is considering repealing the 1993 law. Action isn't expected on the issue until early next year.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., recently wrote Obama and Defense Secretary Robert Gates asked to share their views and recommendations on the contentious policy. In Sept. 24 letters, Reid also asked for a review of the cases of two U.S. officers who were discharged from the military because of their sexuality.

"At a time when we are fighting two wars, I do not believe we can afford to discharge any qualified individual who is willing to serve our country," Reid wrote.

You may read the rest of this article here.

National Equality March in Hawai'i

Aloha Folks,

Passing the attached to you all about the Pride Alliance Hawai`i's organizing the Honolulu Equality March next week Sunday, Oct. 11, 3:30 pm - 7:30 pm at the State Capitol. Please let our BGLT Episcopalian ohana and straight allies know about the march. This event is to coincide with the National Equality March in Washington DC. I believe I have the Integrity Banner and will bring this with me. I plan on being there at about 3 pm - 3-15 pm. Maybe we can meet by the Liliuokalani Statute on the makai side of the Capitol Building facing Iolani Palace. Let me know if you folks are coming so we know to look for you. Hope to see you there if not sooner.

Finally are we still having the Integrity Hawai`i General Membership Meeting this coming Thursday, 10/8 @ Epiphany Church @ 6 pm? If so then we need to get the word out. I believe this is a potluck dinner too. Who is making the agenda and what should be on the agenda? Think we are pau at 8 pm so will surely not be able to discuss everything but surely membership, Hawai`i Convention and 2010 legislation regarding equal marriage/civil union rights.

Patrick Waring

Presiding bishop defends Episcopal Church direction

DIOCESE HOLDS CONVENTION IN CASPER

TOM MORTON - Casper Star-Tribune staff writer | Posted: Saturday, October 3, 2009

Contrary to the conventional wisdom, the Law in the Old Testament was not regarded by Jews as grim or confining, the head of The Episcopal Church said Thursday.

"The Law they called Torah is seen as life-giving, as blessing," Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori told the annual meeting of the Episcopal Diocese of Wyoming.

"Jesus summarizes the Law that [Old Testament scribe] Ezra reads as 'love God' and 'love your neighbor' and we might add to that frequent biblical message, 'don't be afraid,'" Jefferts Schori said during her sermon at a jazz Mass at the Parkway Plaza in Casper. "Fear not, because God loves you and the world is actually far more gracious than you can ever [imagine]."

In the first three of her nine-year position, she's had plenty of opportunities to fear not and enjoy grace, because she's had a tough job.

Jefferts Schori has presided over a two million-member denomination wracked by disputes over ordaining homosexuals and the authority of the Bible, wholesale departures of congregations -- often with costly property litigation -- at odds with the leftward drift of the church's leadership, and distance from the worldwide Anglican communion and its conservative churches in Africa.

The convention, which ends Sunday, follows the July national General Convention in Anaheim, Calif., during which the delegates approved resolutions allowing the ordination of homosexuals, and granting clergy the authority to marry those in same-sex relationships.

During a panel discussion Friday, Wyoming delegates recognized the risk of those resolutions.

"We stepped off the cliff with the sexuality (resolutions)," said the Rev. Ann Fontaine of Atlantic City. "We hope the angels will bear us up, but we don't know."

Click here to read the rest.

Weekly Witness For 2 October 2009

Statement From New President

by the Rev. David Norgard

As I begin my term as President of Integrity, I wish to start this special ministry with words of thanks. My immediate predecessor, the Rev. Canon Susan Russell, gave a powerful and persuasive voice to Integrity’s witness during her two terms as President. Yet she was far from alone. Countless Integrity members, partners, donors and volunteers deserve profound thanks for their many years of service and generosity. It is the unwavering commitment by so many that has brought us to this place of rejoicing following the actions of the Anaheim General Convention.

With the Episcopal Church now having come out unequivocally on the national level as a family of faith that includes LGBT persons, the work of Integrity is as important as ever. Now we must support dioceses as they seek to live into the realities made possible by the convention’s resolutions. Toward that end, I invite churches across the country to join us as partners and individuals from every diocese to participate actively as members.

I look forward eagerly to working with my fellow new board members in leading this justice ministry: Josh Blackwood, Stakeholders’ Council Chair; John Clinton Bradley, Acting Executive Director; Louise Brooks, Director of Communications; David Cupps, Treasurer; Neil Houghton, Vice President for Local Affairs; and the Rev. Canon Albert Ogle, Vice President for National Affairs. I am confident that Integrity’s membership has elected sound leadership that will not only serve the organization well but far more importantly, serve the mission to which it is dedicated: a church in which all the sacraments are indeed made available to all the baptized.

Michael Bell Leaves Staff

For the past 9 months, Michael Bell has served as Integrity's part-time event organizer while engaging in seminary studies. Michael's project management skills and attention to detail were invaluable in handling logistical preparations for Integrity's witness during General Convention and the After Anaheim leadership conference.

After a job done, Michael left our staff on September 30th. Thanks, Michael, for all your hard work! We wish you well as you complete seminary and continue through the ordination process.

Religious Events During National Equality March

Are you traveling to our Washington DC next weekend for the National Equality March? There are LOTS of LGBT religious events being offer by a number of groups! Click here for a list.

Registration Open For Creating Change

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Creating Change is for YOU because you’re an organizer, an activist and a community sparkplug. You’re a staffer, a board member, a volunteer in the LGBT movement. You’re a student, you’re a political junkie. Mostly, Creating Change is for you because you’re a dreamer, a thinker and you want to be part of the change that’s coming.

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