Unacceptable!

By Theresa D. McClellan
Faith Advocacy Coordinator
“Gay Christian? Yes!” Campaign

Unacceptable.

These are the only words to describe the actions and non-action at the Gay Day celebration in a Grand Rapids neighborhood park where Bible-toting characters spewed hate and violence toward women and anyone within earshot.

On Saturday Aug. 4 the East Hills Neighborhood Association organized “Gay Day,” as a day to recognize and celebrate diversity, the current and historical presence of gays in their community, and an inclusive spirit.

The family-friendly event featured food, local bands and educational booths about organizations such as the National Organization for Women and TEAM (Tolerance, Equality and Awareness Movement).  Our Gays In Faith Together (GIFT) “Gay Christian? Yes!” table was scheduled to be there, but a family crisis kept me away.

Unfortunately, nothing deterred protestors from “Gay Day” in Cherry Park. But this was a different kind of protest. These “protestors” made vile threats against some of the women in the park, threatened to rape them and cited Bible passages as support for their threats. Other women reported that the men suggested someone should put a bullet in their head.  Much of this vitriol was caught on video and audio tape. Follow this link. 

This goes far beyond free speech. This is hate speech. Violent-inciting speech. Fear-inducing speech.  The kind of speech that if not slammed as unacceptable and unfitting of anyone purporting to be a person of faith, is seen as acquiescence.  These characters can be dismissed as fringe, and attention seekers, but their message of Biblically supported violence and hate leaves a stench in the air that has to be addressed.

The Bible can and has been used to support violence and dismissal of women, foreigners, blacks.  As a follower of Christ, I use the Bible to show expressions of God’s love for all and to share the Christ message of celebration, acceptance and inclusion of all that God has made.

I am calling on other followers of Christ to reject and dismiss these Bible-toting characters and their message of  oppression and hate which marred the day in the park.

Silence is unacceptable.

If silence is allowed to be the norm in this community, the Grand Rapids Police Department would feel no compulsion to change their stance and say they would now investigate the matter.

Initially, the GRPD said there was nothing they could do, despite video evidence of threats. Police allegedly said threats could be taken seriously if they were made over the phone.  Really?

That response led people in the LGBT community to relay ,through social media, other acts of violence against them that were allegedly ignored by police. This created a sense that not everyone deserves police protection. Again, unacceptable.

But members of NOW and TEAM and yes GIFT’s  “Gay Christian? Yes!” Campaign are raising their voices to say the violence and threats of violence are unacceptable in this community.

I have a special message to my lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and ally brothers and sisters of faith.

The days of “just sitting with it” because you think no one hears you or sees you, or will stand with you in solidarity, are over.

For too long we have sat silently in church pews, in classrooms, in public places, where others have felt it was their right to create an atmosphere of shame and fear.

Because you raised your voices as victims of oppression, and as oppressors of oppression a light has been shined on this community.  We will continue to hold up that light.

We will not be dimmed.

The Silence

By Theresa D. McClellan

Faith Advocacy Coordinator

Gays In Faith Together

Imagine sitting in your church and the pastor states from the pulpit, “we don’t want any homosexuals in our church. And if there are any present, they can leave now.”

No one leaves. No one makes eye contact. Some are in agreement. Some are in silent agony.

Imagine sitting in your church and the pastor calls forth two women seated together in the pews. They are holding a baby. And from the pulpit, the pastor blesses the lesbian couple and baptizes their child.

They are surrounded by blood relatives and their church family who are smiling, applauding, affirming.

Both scenarios have occurred in West Michigan. Both incidents have occurred in Christian churches. Where would you sit?

As an ally, where would you stand?

At the recent showing of “Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin” a friend thanked me for allowing an “ally” to be a part of the discussion.  Without allies, change will not come.

What is the climate like for the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual transgender community where you pray, work, learn and live?

 Would that public Sunday dismissal of gays have future ramifications for the shy young ones seated in the pew trying to understand their own sexuality?

Would those words energize a bully to take action against someone?

On April 16, the National Day of Silence occurs in our high schools and college campuses as a silent protest against hate, bullying and discrimination in our schools.

 The student-led movement recognizes those in the lesbian gay bisexual and transgender community who have been silenced by statements of disdain and blatant acts of violence.

According to a national study conducted by Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network. (GLSEN,) more than 85 percents of the lgbt students have reported suffering harassment because of their sexual orientation.

What does this have to do with Gays in Faith Together?  or the “Gay Christian? Yes! ” campaign?

Plenty.  Discrimination and demeaning words affect everyone. It keeps people in the shadows and in shame. And when it comes from the pulpit, it can be devastating. 

But the more we can become a beacon of hope by collaborating with others to affirm the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgenders in our community, the sooner we can make our students safe in their churches and their schools.

That is why we are teaming up with the Gay Straight Alliances of GLSEN led by Kristen Hanson and Speak Equal led by Brooke Murphy  to support the students in their Day of Silence.

 On April 16, we have opened up The Vine in the basement of First United Methodist Church First Place Building at 207 East Fulton Street for an event called “Day of Silence/Night of Noise” where the students can react to their day of silence in a safe environment.

This is the same location where (G-SAIF) GIFT's  Gay Straight Alliance in Faith meets on alternate Tuesday nights.

And on that following Sunday and future Sundays, may pastors of congregations everywhere realize that their sermons have the potential to harm or heal.

And may they choose healing.

Theresa D. McClellan is the Faith Advocacy Coordinator for GIFT. She can be reached at Theresa@GaysInFaithTogether.org.