USA
 

Keeping a Queer Eye on the Church

RICHMOND, Virginia — An audience of 200 Presbyterians was urged by a speaker at Saturday evening's National More Light Celebration dinner to “stay in the struggle” to see that all people participate fully in the life of the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Marvin Ellison, an ethicist and author, said in his address that the struggle “will remain a church- and society-dividing issue until justice is done.”

Ellison co-authored “Keeping Body and Soul Together,” report of a General Assembly Task Force on Human Sexuality, which was soundly rejected by the 1991 Assembly. He recently served as co-editor of a collection of essays titled, “Body and Soul: Rethinking Sexuality as Justice Love.”

“Justice love should be the normative expectation for all our relationships,” he said, because “God is a never-flagging lover of justice who never lets go.”

Ellison said the church needs a makeover similar to those undertaken on the popular television program, “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,” in which five gay men serve as makeover artists, helping heterosexual men to improve their lives, wardrobes and relationships.

Everyone should keep a queer eye on the PC(USA), he said, contending that “queer” is not synonymous with “gay,” but is a way of evaluating issues with unconventional definitions. He said the queer eye sees marriage, for example, as an ever-changing, evolving institution.

“What's at stake is protecting the sanctity of all lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgender persons,” he said. “Seeking peace is empowering. Stay in the struggle, party with justice-loving friends and be prepared for a divine makeover. After all, don't you and I believe the best is yet to come?”

The dinner at the Marriott Hotel celebrated 30 years of work in the denomination for full inclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people. One of its more visible projects, the “Shower of Stoles,” announced that it had received its 1,000th liturgical stole. Each was given by a gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered person; about half were donated anonymously because of the denomination's current ordination policies. The nine-year-old project involves 21 denominations. Many of the stoles lined the walls of the dining room.

Two groups and four persons were honored for their work for an inclusive church. Inclusive Church Awards were presented to the Church of the Reconciliation in Chapel Hill, NC, and the Triangle More Light Presbyterian chapter in the same area. They were recognized for racial reconciliation.

The David Sindt Award went to Ralph Carter, of Rochester, NY, and Rob Cummings, of Grove City, PA, who were recognized for their leadership of the More Light movement. The award is named for the late David Sindt, who launched the movement during the 1974 General Assembly when he stood on his chair and held up a sign reading, “Is anybody else out there gay?”

The Howard B. Warren, Jr. Award was given to David Tromblom, Las Cruces, NM, and Cliff Frasier, of New York City, in recognition of their willingness to “cross the line,” even at great personal cost, for the cause of “That All May Freely Serve.” Each accepted the award beside a life-sized, full-color cut-out of the late Warren, who was known to dress colorfully and speak boldly on behalf of people of all sexual orientations.

Presbyterian Church USA website