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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 1, 1991)
I S T A u g u s t 1 9 0 1 ▼ ju s t o u t The Rev. Rodney Romney, pastor of Seattle First Baptist Church condemned the statement as “contradictory (how camyou love the homosex ual and simultaneously hate homosexuality?), but worse it represents hatred, bigotry and igno rance.” Already groundwork has been laid for a At the Biennial Meeting of American Baptists coalition of churches who do not agree with this USA last month, a Statement of Concern was resolution and who will work together for educa passed by a two-to-one majority rejecting homo tion and understanding of the issue involved. sexuality. The statement says in part, “We do not accept the homosexual lifestyle, homosexual marriage, ordination D ignity of homosexual clergy, or establish convention ment of ‘gay cau cuses.’ We do not accept the inclusion August 29-Sept. 1, the Hyatt Regency on of any group or in Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. will be the set dividual into ting for Dignity/USA’s 10th biennial convention. American Baptist _____________________ Themed, “Many Gifts, One Spirit,” the conven meetings that at tion will be organized into five areas of interest: tempts to legitimize the homosexual lifestyle. AIDS Ministry, Removal of Barriers to Women, Therefore, we affirm that the Church should love Support for Human Rights Laws, Anti-Gay and and minister to the homosexual, but condemn the -Lesbian Violence, The Primacy of Conscience sin of homosexuality.” and the Right to Dissent. For more information A m erican Baptists do not accept write: Convention 1991, Dignity/USA, Box 29661, Washington, D.C. 20017. United Church reaffirm s support At the local, regional and national level the United Church of Christ (UCC) has reaffirmed its openness and affirmation of lesbians and gay men. At the local level the Ashland First Con gregational Church, UCC has by an overwhelm ing vote, adopted a resolution to affirm and seek the inclusion of gay men and lesbians in their church life and ministry. The key point in the resolution is the inclusion of gay men and lesbi ans in church life, boards, committees, staff and pulpit. The church will sanction and perform marriage ceremonies for gay and lesbian couples. Other parts of the resolution call upon the con gregation to confront homophobia and support civil protection for homosexuals. At the regional level, the 10,000 member UCC in Oregon, Southwest Washington and Southern Idaho voted at their annual meeting to oppose the ballot initiative proposed by the Ore gon Citizen’s Alliance declaring homosexuality as a perversion. The UCC resolution urges local churches to defeat the petition drive. The reso lution states that the initiative is an affront to and violation of the spirit of Jesus’s inclusive and healing ministry. In a related action, the regional body voted to encourage its churches to study issues relating to homosexuality, develop faith ful responses to gay and lesbian people, and de termine what it would mean to be “open and af firming” individuals and churches. The UCC has study material entitled, “Moving Toward Open ness” that helps churches discuss gay and lesbian issues in a positive, non-judgmental manner. At the national level, the General Synod meeting last month reaffirmed their commitment to the right to privacy and to the gifts and min istries of lesbians and gay men. Compiled by Matthew Nelson, an ordained minister o f the United Church o f Christ. Stress Depression Coping with injury or illness Childhood molest Kristine L. Falco, Psy.D. Licensed Clinical Psychologist 3903 SW Kelly, Suite 210 Portland, OR 97201 223-8071 T H E L E S B IA N C O M M U N IT Y P R O JE C T S IX T H A N N U A L TOURNAMENT OF CHOICE LESBIAN SOFTBALL TOURNAM ENT AUGUST 17 A N D 18 N O R T H CLA CKA M A S PARK Ml LWAUKI E, ORE. 16 TEAM S FROAA O REG O N A N D W A H IN G T O N COAAPETING IN A R O U N D RO BIN TO U RN AAAEN T. GOME O U T A N D C H EER FOR YO U R FAVO R I FE TEAM . FO R M O R E N T O R A A A T IO N C A L L 773-0071 Having fun doesn’t mean you have to he unsafe. Use your imagination. Surely you haven’t tried everything. If you run out of ideas, ask your partner for suggestions or come to one of our workshops Please join us on eroticizing safer sex. Learn Positive Picnic in the some creative alternatives for for HIV+ p eople keeping sex safe, fun and excit :ir fri( and their friends, ing. (And remember, alcohol and Sunday, August 18, 1-4 pm, drugs affect your judgment.) Washington Park "Fruit Loop" Keep It Up, Pordand! CASCADE [AIDS PROJECT I