OREGON'S LGBTO NEWSMAGAZINE
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FEBRUARY 4, 20Î1
religion-
end David E . Weeldey, the first openly transgen
tion,” notes McQuery. “The recent ‘pro-gay’ reso
der pastor in the United Methodist Church, with
lutions were accompanied by language which
an appearance by the Portland Gay Men’s Chorus.
states that ‘Christians o f good conscience dis
A January 25 event brought a more lighthearted
agree” on these matters, which I think is one of
flavor— literally— to a benefit designed to observe
the wisest things any church anywhere has ever
the Feast o f St. Paul, dubbed “J E L L - 0 Shots for
said about itself. On the other hand, this past
Jesus!” M cQ uery acknowledges that a function
month the bishop o f Alabama— Alabama!— pre
like the latter could raise some eyebrows in more
sided at Integrity’s celebration o f St. Aelred in
conservative corners o f the Anglican community.
Birmingham. I t’s a new day.”
Still, he reinforces his mission to not simply bring
M cQ uery s focus regionally is on the bullying
the gay community to the church, but to bring the
o f youth who are or are perceived to be gay or
church to the gay community.
lesbian or gender non-conforming.
19
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“Is there a kid in America today
wrestling with his or her sexual ori
entation or gender identity who says
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to themselves, ‘I bet the priest can
help me’? O r a kid suffering abuse or
harassment at school or at home who
says, ‘A t least I can feel safe in
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church’? No way,” admits McQuery.
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“M ost likely a priest is the last person
Andy McQuery with the Rev. Mary Piper, associate
priest at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Shady Cove,
at the first Southern Oregon Pride Parade
they’d think o f to confide in. That has
to change.”
M cQ uery also describes the core
“I acknowledge the irreverence o f the event,”
issue at stake— advocating and educating on a
says M cQ uery o f “J E L L - 0 Shots for Jesus!”
welcoming faith community for L G B T Q _peo
“This is not, as some would insist, the Episcopal
ple— is a “matter o f life and death.”
Church abandoning all principle in a ‘politically
“As a teenager, I was hospitalized for a suicide
correct’ and transparently desperate attempt to
attem pt,” says McQuery. “I t’s a terrible thing to
resuscitate itself, this is the end result o f decades
think God hates you, and it is a pernicious lie
o f often painful discernment on this question.
that sexual orientation can be changed through
W e are all seekers; the point is not to get every
prayer. W h at Christian teaches or believes that if
thing right, the point is to try with all sincerity.”
you just pray hard enough, you can grow taller or
The Episcopal Church has been a progressive
change your hair color? God doesn’t ‘cure’ homo
force in L G B T Q acceptan ce since the late 1970s,
sexuality because it isn’t a disease. But if you’re
when the church officially embraced gay people as
taught that it is, the failure to achieve heterosexu
“children o f God who have a full and equal claim
ality is devastating.”
with all other persons upon the love, acceptance,
The Episcopal Church’s allegiance to tradition
and pastoral concern and care of the Church.” An
is important to note. However, as M cQ uery em
uproar occurred in 2003 when the Episcopal
phasizes, followers understand that liturgy is “the
Church consecrated the first openly gay bishop,
means, not the end itself.”
Gene Robinson o f New Hampshire. This was fol
“The altar is the table o f the Lord, not the table
lowed by a 2006 moratorium on the further ordi
o f the church,” says McQuery, “and God forbid
nation o f openly gay bishops, as requested by the
we should stand in the way o f anyone who hears
Communion and agreed to reluctantly by the
an invitation.’ ’ ! • ]
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“It is important to note that Episcopalians are
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