What if all the closeted lesbian and gay clergy in all of the Christian denominations picked a day to have a grand coming out party? What would be the response of the powers-that-be? What would be the response of the laity?
I know that this will not happen, but it is a thought.
What a Grand Idea, Grandmère! And what a nice concise label for this post. I would be pleased and honored to help organize music for such a party; let me know how I can help.
ReplyDeleteI have occasionally thought that a day without gays in the church would make a dramatic statement, but a coming-out party is much more of a positive statement!
Grandmère, I saw your name on another, full-disclosure blog, and I think we may be related.
ReplyDeleteIt would be a wonderful thing, another Pentecost. How many gay and lesbian young people, thinking they had to live in exile, might respond as they heard the leaders of the church speaking their own language, proclaiming the truly good news. I fear it won't happen this year; maybe next year? Let's pray for courage and the breakdown of barriers and fears.
ReplyDeleteI, too, think this is a grand idea .. and this heterosexual would be proud to assist in any way!
ReplyDeleteMimi, this is great. Alas... a great "dream" I fear. Some in the closet would have to get to the point of coming out to themselves first. Nothin' wrong with dreamin' though. And Tobias is right (no surprise there) that the biggest, most important impact would be on the young gays and lesbians who are struggling under parental/peer oppression and guilt.
ReplyDeleteEnough with "dancing backward," I say!
(Sit down, Ginger.)
Forward... one step at a time.
Guess that's what we're all doing anyway.
There's a video over at Dan's place (scroll down to "mardi, mai 22", about the thoroughly abominable Ex-Gay ministry practice. Demoralizing.
Clumber, you could be right. You are a smart old dog.
ReplyDeleteEd, I stole the idea of the "Thought For The Day" from the MadPriest, but it not originate with him.
Ormonde, we have had the name discussion with your late father, and we came to the conclusion that we are not related.
Tobias, maybe next year. Let us pray.
Serena, I certainly would want to be invited, and I'd bring a potluck dish and a good bottle of wine.
David, when one enters into the land of "what ifs", the mind and the imagination can take flight with no boundaries or limits. It's a great place to be, but one must eventually return to Kansas.
ReplyDeleteAt the request of the author, a comment to this post has been deleted.
ReplyDeleteDavid, the shock treatment story is a horror. The whole business of attempting to change sexual orientation is harmful and fraudulent.
ReplyDeleteMagnum of '03 Chateauneuf-de-Pape, anyone? Anything, so long as it's not dessert; better yet, I'll get Christiane to do some of the cheese, dried fruit, and nut platters I just had for a marvelous lunch (that plus a lovely Plissiande (sp? sorry: from memory)--the Provencal version of Foccaccia, though she does do spinach, as well as Anchovies, and exquisite caramelized onions.
ReplyDeleteYou may thank me later.
It's a great place to be, but one must eventually return to Kansas.
ReplyDeleteBut... with Red Sequined Shoes!
johnieb:
ReplyDeleteNow why did you have to go and say all that?
I'm drooling on the keyboard and still have to wait two more hours until dinner.
And, believe me, it will be nothing like your exquisite lunch. (sob)
I don't know anything called plissiande, but what you're describing sounds like fougasse. Could that have been it?
ReplyDeleteWell, Johnieb, the showoff, there's always one who has to outdo everyone else. My poor little potluck dish and "good" bottle of wine look pitiful now.
ReplyDeleteNevertheless, in the spirit of good will, I'll gladly partake of whatever fine cuisine and vintages that you contribute.
(Still giggling at his misbehavin' cat)
ReplyDeleteWhelp, I claim to to be perhaps a little too fussy a eater, and I have eaten at MickeyD's, so y'all cut that out, but I did have a hard time with my digestion on the Interstate to and from Arkansas when Mama turned ninety and I wanted to drive my new Prius. And there's plenty of good places nearby for really neat fresh stuff; we use greenhouses a lot here, and do without tomatoes till August, then indulge in mad abandoned gluttony for a couple of weeks, which is good for the soul, n'est pas?
Lunch was a rare treat done right; the meal, though very good (it's her specialty--Provence meets Eastern Med--and I think she's an overlooked treasure, though she gets praise; she ignores trendy, and cooks with heart and good intent), the meal was not the chief pleasure of the event, but the company.
Grandmère Mimi, a fine idea, and this straight ally would be honored to help set the table.
ReplyDeleteAnd to sneak a sip of both your wine and johnieb's -- johnieb, how did you know I loved Chateauneuf-du-Pape? By the way, you may be thinking of pan bagnat, but there is also a dish called pissaladière, and fougasse is from that region too; I say bring 'em all and Grandmère's potluck dish too (no slouch in the kitchen she, remember she's from LOUISIANA), and Ed's music. But would all those bishops come out too?
I can't bear to look at the ex-gay video.
By the way, Bill at Anglican Resistance has a great post on the visit of Davis Mac-Iyalla to Athens, Ohio.
Merci, Jane R.; pissaladiere it is. That doesn't usually have spinach, does it, or tomato? Good, though.
ReplyDeleteI too would be honored to come and polish the silverware, iron the linens, set tables, serve, and wash up afterwards. And of course join in the dancing!
ReplyDeleteAnother straight for GLBT rights, honesty, and acceptance.
ReplyDeleteSo far as the laity is concerned, I believe the clergy would be amazed at the numbers who would support them.
ReplyDeleteIt's a wonderful idea. Maybe we can coordinate it with the day all Roman Catholic women take a day off at once, an idea I have also heard. Have them back to back, perhaps?
ReplyDeleteThe thing is, people want to belong and not to upset others, and so they go along, working quietly and subtly at all their various speeds and in their various circumstances, and then the ones who hate come in screaming. Not right, not fair.
Nina, I don't fault any who remain closeted, but there is strength in numbers. Perhaps, we'll see the wonderful day when everyone can be open about who they are.
ReplyDeleteI will wear my pink-triangle stole, the one I wore in the SF Pride Parade marching with other Epsicopalians back in 1995; and help iron the napkins; and bring some interesting side dish. Though it took a long time to get ordained, I was totally out in the process, thanks be to the Most Merciful and Lifegiving Trinity.
ReplyDeletePaul, here you are commenting on a post from way back in May.
ReplyDeleteIf I say so myself, it was a lovely thought for the day. Perhaps, one day it will happen.
We'll be pleased to have you present at the party, in your stole with the pink triangle, on that great day.
Thanks be to God that you can be open and honest about who you are, and that you were able to make your way to ordination without secrets.
Oh, I think it'll happen, dear Grandmere, it'll happen. Maybe not this side of time but it WILL happen.
ReplyDeleteLindy