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Continued from Page 9
viewer to enter the strange world of “ex-gay”
ministries and “conversion therapies.” The film
focuses on two former leaders of Exodus Inter
national, one of the first and biggest ex-gay min
istries, who fall in love, leave Exodus and pub
licly denounce the “conversion” movement. A
post-movie discussion will explore how to fight
the right wing’s anti-gay bigotry.
The video will he shown at the Bread &
Roses Center, 819 N. Killingsworth St. A sum
mer buffet, with a vegetarian Option, will he
served at 6:30 p.m. for a $6 donation.
For more information, rides or child care, call
503-240-4462, e-mail nupdx@igc.org or visit
www. radicalwomen. com.
C onference F ocuses
on F aith and F amily
I
ove Welcomes All— a pro-gay, faith-based
program organized in response to an "ex
gay” conference that’s coming to town— will he
held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 21 at Zion Unit
ed Church of Christ, 2025 N.E. 23rd Ave. in
Gresham.
Free and open to the public, Love Welcomes
All is a community-wide, faith-based profes
sional conference geared for individuals who
are just coming out as well as parents, friends,
teachers, counselors and clergy who love them.
Experts in psychology and theology will offer
workshops to reduce fear, misunderstanding and
violence toward queers. Attendees also will
meet sexual minority people from a variety of
faith communities.
Y
O
U
Portland native Brett Webb-Mitchell, an
associate professor of Christian nurture at Duke
University Divinity School and a published
scholar, will offer the keynote address and clos
ing remarks. Six workshops will address:
• My faith journey: Christians reconciling
faith life and sexual life.
• Exodus from Exodus: People formerly
involved in the ex-gay movement speak out
about their experiences.
• Why “reparative therapy” destroys more
than it repairs: Mental health professionals
bring their perspectives to G LB T issues.
• Young, queer and Christian: Making a
place for all of us.
• Family values means we value our families:
Parents of gay, lesbian and questioning adult
children share their stories.
• Opening the doors to all G od’s children:
Churches reflect on their decisions to become
welcoming congregations.
On the eve of the conference, popular les
bian Christian music artist Marsha Stevens will
perform. The free concert begins 7 p.m. June 20
at the church.
Love Welcomes All is a grassroots initiative
similar to events in other cities around the
country that responded to Love Won Out, an
anti-gay conference presented by Focus on the
Family, which is scheduled to gather the same
day at New Hope Community Church in
Clackamas.
“The root of homophobia in American cul
ture is Christian fundamentalism,” says the Rev.
Glenna Shepherd, Metropolitan Community
Church of Portland pastor. “The crux of the
matter is that civil rights and full inclusion—
real integration for G LBT people— won’t be
achieved until we address fundamentalism.
Christians need to deal with these issues and
enter into a dialogue with each other and hear
each other, even if we don’t agree. Love Wel
comes All provides a beginning, because it
shows that there is a Christian perspective that
opposes the fundamentalist belief in reparative
therapy, that instead emphasizes loving accep
tance and support.”
For more information call 503-813-2049 or visit
www. love welcome sail. org.
E quity F oundation
A ppoints N ew
B oard M embers
E
quity Foundation— a nonprofit that distrib
utes money to gay-friendly charities—
announced May 15 the addition of four mem
bers to its board of directors.
Kregg Amtson is a public information offi
cer for Portland General Electric. He is a mem
ber of the YMCA’s Public Relations Advisory
Committee, served as committee chairman for
the 2001 and 2002 AlDSWalks and volunteers Kregg Am tson has joined the Equity Foundation
for Our House of Portland. In August 2002 The board of directors
Portland Business Journal recognized him as one
of the city’s “Forty under 40” for his business and
acceptance of diversity at Intel University. She
civic leadership. He holds a bachelor’s degree in
holds bachelor’s and associate’s degrees in math.
business administration and finance from
Ann L. Sherman is a partner in the Portland
Boston University.
office of Preston, Gates & Ellis LLP, focusing on
Anne Marie Elder, who works for Intel as a public finance, including federal and state tax
fah program manager, has 25 years of experience
and securities law issues. She also serves as
in the semiconductor manufacturing industry in
underwriter, trustee and bank counsel for
the United States, Europe and Asia. Her com numerous financial institutions. Sherman
munity activities focus on education, mentoring
Continued on Page 13
and diversity. Elder also teaches courses in
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