LGBT sponsors talk on faith
■ The discussion was the first
of several events this week
in recognition of National
Coming Out Day on Oct. 11
By Kara Cogswell
Oregon Daily Emerald
Aaron Casper doesn’t think of
himself as a member of the Mor
mon church anymore. He stopped
attending services after it became
clear to him that the church ex
pected him to choose between his
faith and his homosexuality, he
said.
Casper, a Eugene resident, was
one of several students and com
munity members who took part in
a discussion on religion and spiri
tuality held Monday in the EMU
Rogue Room.
Sponsored by the Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual, Transgender Education
al and Support Services Program,
the discussion was the first of sev
eral events scheduled this week to
recognize National Coming Out
DayonOct.il.
LGBT director Chicora Martin
said she sees many students who
are dealing with issues of religion
and spirituality because the faith
they were brought up in does not
accept their sexuality.
Some religious groups have
used interpretations of the Bible
as a way to justify denouncing ho
mosexuality, she said.
“Interpretation, in a sense, is
the ammunition of ignorance,”
she said.
Janet Cromwell, a clergy
woman for the Wesley Founda
tion Campus Ministry, led the
discussion. She said literal inter
pretations do not take into ac
count the fact that the Bible was
written by many authors in many
different styles.
Biblical passages which appear
to condemn homosexuality
should be examined critically and
not always taken literally, she
said. Often, she said, looking at
the historical context of the text
can help explain why the authors
wrote what they did.
For example, passages taken
from the text of Paul condemn ho
Coming Out Day
—Week’s Events
Tuesday, Oct. 9
“Men who have sex with men"
What: A forum geared toward
medical, mental and social welfare
professionals who are trying to
outreach to communities of color
around issues of sexuality, sexual
practices and sexual identity.
Where: Walnut Room, EMU
Time: 4-5:30 p.m.
"Dream Girls"
What: A documentary film about the
Takarazuka Review, a theate r
company in Japan* The film presents
an insight into gender and sexual
identity and the contradictions
experienced by Japanese women
today.
Where: 100 Willamette Hall
Time: 7-9 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct 10
“Becoming Gendered: identity
and Crisis”
What: A lecture exploring the impact
of gender and gender identity
presented by Psychology Professor
Pam Birrell.
Where: Ben Linder Room, EMU
Time: Noon-1 p.m.
"The Gender Evolution
Intergenerational perspectives
on coming out transgender"
What; A speaker’s panel that details
the real life experience of growing up
and coming out transgendered,
including personal stories and
political aspects.
Where: Ben Linder Room, EMU
Time; 7-9 p.m.
Thursday, OGt. 11
National Coming Out Day Rally
What; A celebration of solidarity on
campus. Activist and University
alumnus James Green will also
speak from his experience as a
national leader.
Where: EMU Amphitheater
Time: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 12
“ThB Gender Evolution of Vignettes
and Music: A Performing Piece”
What: The performance of dramatic
monologues and songs written and
performed by Lori Buckwalter. Her
performances incorporate stories
about growing up and coming out
transgender.
Where: Rr Room, EMU
Time: 7-9 p.m.
Dance and Social
Where: Rr Room, EMU
Time:9p.m.-Midnight
—BsataMostafavi
mosexuality as inappropriate, she
said.
But many biblical scholars be
lieve Paul was referring to the sex
ual exploitation of young boys by
married men, she said. Those
“Interpretation, in a sense,
is the ammunition of
ignorance.”
Chicora Martin
LGBT director
non-consensual relationships
were very different from modern
concepts of homosexuality, she
said.
“To take it literally does damage
to what the original authors meant
to say,” she said.
Casper decided to leave the
Mormon church behind, but he
said spirituality is still an impor
tant part of his life.
He said he believes church
leaders are reluctant to accept ho
mosexuality because they are
afraid of what may happen if they
do.
“For fear of disrupting the com
munity that they’ve created,
they’ve decided that perhaps this
is an energy they don’t want to in
clude,” he said.
Kara Cogswell is a student activities reporter
for the Oregon Daily Emerald. She can be
reached at karacogswell@dailyemerald.com.
Small Classes & Practical Experience
Looking for a major that is challenging, innovative
and focused on YOUR interests? The Planning,
Public Policy and Management program is
currently accepting applications from committed
students interested in public service careers.
The application deadline is OCTOBER 12. Pick
up your application in Hendricks Hall or contact
Heather at 346-2069
19th Annual
LANE COUNTY
IMPROVEMENT
tSHOUi
| Lane County Fairgrounds
| 13th & Jefferson, Eugene
OCT. 11-14
Thursday & Friday:
5 PM to 9:30 PM
Saturday:
10:30 AM to 9:30 PM
Sunday:
10:30 AM to 5:00 PM
ADMISSION IS FREE
Sponsored by the Lane County
Home Builders Association
a Berg Production
& Department of DANCE
.uni ^
OCTOBER CONCERTS!
Clip and Save this Calendar
For more information on School of Music events, call 346*5678,
or call Guardline at 485-2000, ext. 2533 for a taped message.
Tue. DAVID SHEA TRIO: Clarinet, Cello, Piano
10/9 Guest Artists 8 p.m., Beall Hail
$7 General Admission, $4 students & senior citizens
Thu. CHAMBER ORCHESTRA KREMLIN
10/11 Chamber Music Series 8 p.m., Beall Hall
Music by Tchaikovsky and Stravinsky. Free Musical Insights
at 7 p.m. Reserved seats $10, $20, $25, available at the Hult
Center (682*5000) or EMU (346-4363).
Fri. DAROL ANGER-MIKE MARSHALL DUO
10/12 Guest Artists 7:30 p.m., Beall Hall
Co-sponsors: Oregon Festival of American Music (OFAM)
$16.50, $14.50, $12.50 at OFAM Office (687-6526)
Wed. SOPHIA GILMSON, Piano & Harpsichord
10/17 Guest Artist 8 p.m., Beall Hall
Performing Bach’s Goldberg Variations
$7 General Admission, $4 students & senior citizens
Fri. HOMECOMING CONCERT
10/19
UO Ensembles
FREE Admission
8 p.m., Beall Hall
Sun. UNIVERSITY SYMPHONY
10/21 UO Ensemble 3 p.m., Beall Hall
$5 General Admission, $3 students & senior citizens
Tue. FACULTY SHOWCASE
10/23 UO Faculty Artists 8 p.m., Beall Hall
$7 General Admission, $4 students & senior citizens
Fri. THE JAZZ CAFE
10/26 UO Jazz Combos 8 p.m., Room 186 Music
$5 General Admission, $3 students & senior citizens
Sat. FESTIVAL OF BANDS
10/27 Marching Band Competition All Day, Autzen Stadium
$12 General Admission, $8 students & senior citizens
Sun. MONICA HUGGETT, Baroque Violin
10/28 Chamber Music Series 4 p.m., Beall Hall
“Italian Influences on Bach." Free Musical Insights at 3 p.m.
Reserved seats $10, $20, $25, available at the Hult Center
(682-5000) or EMU (346-4363).
Mon. JAZZ ARRANGERS CONCERT
10/29 UO Jazz Ensembles 8 p.m., Beall Hall
$5 General Admission, $3 students & senior citizens
For our complete calendar, check: music.uoregon.edu