My hope is that we who are gay rights advocates, gay and straight, will link arms with a host of others in confronting the economic and educational disparities between the black community and other communities. May historians be able to write that on the day that Baltimore erupted and on the next day when the Supreme Court moved toward affirming marriage equality for same sex couples, a coalition emerged that began to do what had not been done before, acknowledging and addressing the damage done to black slaves and the sons and daughters of black slaves by a nation that claimed to be rooted in democracy and justice.
Read MoreKermit the frog said, "It's not easy being green." I, many years ago, reached the conclusion, "It's not easy being white," as well. I have my own measurement as I have assessed whether white persons are authentic in their commitment to racial justice. My measurement? Whether or not white persons are able to confront other white persons about their racially insensitive attitudes, and at times racist actions, toward those of us who are black.
Read More"Do you know what the reward is for doing justice work? You get to meet God."
Read MoreGil has been harassed and doubted by white police officers because of the color of his skin. I have not. As a black man he has been turned away and denied over many years–whether a taxi, seminary, lunch counter, or honeymoon hotel. I have not. Recounting this incident, I didn’t think about the driver judging the color of Gil’s skin, I wondered what motivated the police officer to jump to Gil’s defense.
Read MoreWhile we were in Asbury Park, NJ we had the pleasure of interviewing Arlene Groch, who drove up from Atlantic City to be with us. She was a civil rights attorney for over 30 years and has been a part of a group of African American and Caucasian women for 16 years. The group is called Sisters Together Against Racism. All of us who are committed to co-creating real, open, and genuine cross-cultural alliances have a lot to learn from the Sisters.
Read MoreWhile were in New York City, Truth in Progress dropped by St. Mark's Harlem United Methodist Church, an African American church established in 1871. Gil was pastor there in 1994-1997. We arrived just when a lunch meeting was breaking up. Gil was warmly welcomed back: it was a reunion that prompted a spontaneous and very open discussion about gay inclusion in the church. This type of conversation had never been held in the church before.
Read MoreThe United Methodist Church, if it has the will, can learn from the military and its ending of Don't Ask, Don't Tell. We too, if we have the will to rescind our UMC practice of "DADT", will discover that for 40 years we have been in denial about how significantly God has used the lay and clergy United Methodists who are gay and lesbian, and we have been wrong!
Read MoreThis September 13th marks one year of when I was diagnosed with stage-three breast cancer. It’s been a wild ride these last 12 months of chemotherapy treatments, surgeries, and cancer-blocking drugs... There were some tough nights when the chemo crashes would go on and on, but I always had the sense that the cancer would be eliminated and that I just had to accept that this was going to be a big disruption in my life. Now, a year later, I’m back on the road with my incredible TIP teammates, and we’re off and running to interview some amazing people.
Read MoreWhile I know fully that when we as LGBT persons makes ourselves visible, we take the risk of being defined only by our sexual orientation. The personal becomes political. However, there is a point where the focus shifts and our accomplishments leave those who would reduce us to a particular identity in the dust.
Read MoreOcean Grove United is presenting an alternative to the OG Camp Meeting’s program featuring Kirk Cameron - Love Worth Fighting For with their theme, "ALL Love is Worth Fighting For." Mr. Cameron’s appearance on national television denigrating homosexuality is unacceptable and his presence in Ocean Grove is a disservice to our entire community.
Read MoreReverend Monroe’s powerfully-voiced syndicated queer religion column (appearing in The Huffington Post, Bay Windows, The Advocate, and The Bilerico project), written with unconditional love toward all readers, has helped to shape public dialogue on LGBT and racial justice issues. Reverend Monroe’s work aims to highlight how religious intolerance aids in perpetuating other forms of oppression such as racism, sexism, classism and anti-Semitism.
Read MoreWe join them because we know that the Jesus who is "the center of our joy," is also the Jesus who has stood with Black Methodists both within society and Methodism, as we challenged those who restrict and restrain us. We will not stand on the sidelines as our church through its legislation denies LGBTQ persons access to ordination as United Methodist clergy.
Read MoreIt doesn’t matter if the label is good or bad. Labels can make some people carry the weight of the world while others wish to help but are simply “inadequate."
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