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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (June 16, 2000)
------------------ ------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- junfl 18 , PflOfl » Ju * t O u t • g i'[i}\uw\'i*iinews ale Rhodes speaks softly and elo quently when he talks about the process of spiritual mentoring. His knowledge and his passion are obvious as he speaks of his work in interfaith counseling and, in particular, the sub ject of gay men’s spirituality. “A real faith is challenged all the time,” he Spiritual director Dale Rhodes says. “Faith is ever changing and growing. 1 fre wants to help gay men quently ask, ‘Where is God in this? What does this mean?’ ” continue their personal A growing number of people today, gay and explorations of the divine straight, are seeking a path to spiritual aware ness. Our lives may be full, yet we feel an empti by Bonita Bielski ness inside. Perhaps one simply has a desire to encounter the sacredness in everyday life but lacks the ties to any traditional religious upbringing—many questions and even fewer answers. If you are a gay man, how does your lifestyle fit into your need to explore and to integrate a sense of the divine in your daily life? The guidance that many individuals seek may he found in spiritual direction. Dale Rhodes, M.S., M.A., is a spiritual direc Dale Rhodes wants tor who provides guidance to gay men who you to show him desire a deepening of their experience of faith. your spiritual side He is a member of Spiritual Directors Interna tional, which is a group of professionals repre senting a number of the world’s faith traditions, Dale Rhodes believes the external heterosexual messages and imagery that a gay boy or man dedicated to working with those who seek a receives are in direct opposition to the internal feelings he is experiencing. The absence o f external deeper meaning to their lives. His consulting practice is located at the affirmations o f his personal truth, along with negative messages regarding homosexuality, Interfaith Spiritual Center in Southeast Port land. He embraces both Eastern and Western contribute to feelings o f self-hate and erode self-esteem. traditions, and interfaith work is his passion. “I believe that God, Buddha and Allah man ifest in very unique ways,” he says. Obviously, and most unfortunately, his is not Rhodes describes four distinct developmen to maintain his path of spiritual exploration is Rhodes has a master’s degree in human ser the interpretation accepted by the conservative tal stages in a gay man’s pursuit of a spiritual the realization and acceptance that his experi vices administration from Spertus Institute of Christian right wing. This conflict has resulted path. He also contends that this process, though ence can be a growth opportunity. Jewish Studies, and he received his M.A. in spir for many gay men in an exile, whether self- it sometimes can be a struggle, will result in the Rhodes’ workshops provide a meaningful itual traditions and ethics from Marylhurst Uni imposed or not, from the mainstream spiritual gift of greater self-awareness and can reveal new way to connect with other individuals who are versity, where his thesis study was gay men’s spir community, Rhodes explains. Some individuals sources of inner strength. exploring their own spiritual paths. The reviews itual development. question their right to the divine or attempt to Rhodes believes the external heterosexual and comments from some participants empha His work touches upon themes and issues suppress their expression of it. But if they are messages and imagery that a gay boy or man size the benefits of increased focus, confidence, that he believes are unique to the gay man’s able to accept and honor the sacredness of the receives are in direct opposition to the internal knowledge, a sense of brotherhood, and the real experience of spiritual development. As a gay individuality of their lifestyles, they may come feelings he is experiencing. The absence of ization that being gay is a gift. man himself, he seeks to present the gay male to understand the contribution they can make external affirmations of his personal truth, along Rhodes is available for individual counsel perspective in the study of religion and spiritual to the mainstream community. with negative messages regarding homosexuali ing, teaching classes, preaching and Sunday ser ity and to enjoin other gay men to define, Rhodes facilitates a workshop for gay men ty, contribute to feelings of self-hate and erode vices. He facilitates a number of workshops and understand and embrace the uniqueness of their called “What Makes a Gay Soul?" It is an eight- self-esteem. classes held at the Interfaith Spiritual Center. life experience and how it affects their own spir week educational support group for gay men The second stage is coming out. Rhodes itual path. who wish to reclaim their spiritual nature or believes the gay male faces great risks in the ■ D ale R hodes can be reached at his office, “My sexuality affects how I see the divine. who simply desire a more complete experience decision to come out Kith to himself and to oth (503) 289-4103, or Djrho5@aol.com. For addi God has an interest in every aspect of my life," of life. The workshop provides the opportunity ers, even though there can be a rebirth that tional information, please visit his Internet site, Rhodes says. for a group of individuals to form, in effect, a accompanies this part of the process. hometown. aol. com/djrho5/webpage. htm l. Christian tradition teaches that all of spiritual community in a safe and supportive The third phase is the personal exile, some T he I nterfaith S piritual C enter offers humanity was created as an expression of God’s environment. Rhodes explores with them the times self-imposed, from loved ones and institu many resources for spiritual growth and develop love; all life is holy and sacred. What homosex specific issues of gay men’s spirituality by sharing tions upon which one previously relied for sup ment. It is located at the Sacred Heart Rectory, uals bring to the straight world, Rhodes suggests, experiences, ideas, readings, meditations and port. 3910 S.E. 11 th A ve. in Portland. For more infor laughter. is the wonderful expression of God’s diversity. The final issue for the gay man who chooses mation about the center, call (503) 233-2026. C ’ mon G et H oly D Refill or Landfill? Use it Again... And Again... Columbia County’s Premier Real Estate Resource. 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