A __44, if/‘EC. Religions Mixed on GLBT Inclusion BY DOUG EBELING Several religious denomina- tions spent considerable time discussing gay marriage at their conventions this past spring and summer. The results of those discussions varied from resolutions to completely include gay and lesbians in all aspects of spiritual life to dec- larations that GLBT people are “objectively disordered.” Three large Christian denominational conventions were greeted with large protests by Soulforce, a group of gay Christians led by Reverend Mel White, a former associate of Rev. Jerry Falwell of Moral Majority fame. The protesters demanded full inclu- sion of gays and lesbians with- in the churches, but saw little response for their labours. The Episcopal Church dealt directly with the issue of mar- riage for gays and lesbians at its convention. At its last meet- ing, it had voted to allow local churches to make their own determination about whether to offer services to sanctify gay and lesbian marriages, partner- ships, or unions. This summer, a resolution was introduced that would make way for church leaders to prepare a specific rite to bless the committed relationships of gay and lesbian couples. The measure did not pass a vote of the bishops. The assembly did pass a somewhat lesser measure, promising to support and respect the relationships of gay and lesbian couples, and stat- ing that these relationships deserve the same support and pastoral care as heterosexual relationships. Vermont Episcopal Bishop Mary Adelia McLeod has been vocal and active in support of the GLBT community in Collection of Trunks and Toyboxes from 18805 to 19505 $25 and up September 8th and 9th 8th Annual Art Hop and Studio Tour Featuring works of Michael Smith Good stuff at ' fair prices. 207 Flynn Ave. Burlington across the street from Whistle Stop Antiques "Two Great Shops” (802) 859-8966 Store Hours Tue-Sun 10am-6pm Vermont, testifying in front of the legislature this winter in support of gay marriage. In a statement released by her office at that time, she wrote: “The union of two human beings in mind, body, and heart is one of God’s greatest gifts. Heterosexual and homosexual people are equally capable of entering into life-long unions of love, mutual support and fidelity.” McLeod acknowledges that the Episcopal Church is not of one mind about gay marriage. St. Paul’s Cathedral in Burlington has been welcom- ing to couples seeking to sanc- tify their civil unions, with Bishop McLeod presiding over the ceremonies. At their own annual meet- ings this summer, both the Presbyterian and the United Methodist churches soundly rejected any efforts at recogni- tion of gay and lesbian cou- ples: both groups enacted a ban on the blessing of same-sex relationships. A The Methodist vote was a reaffirmation of a four-year old policy forbidding Methodist clergy from performing cere- monies recognizing gay cou- ples. Clergy violating the ban could find themselves losing their credentials, as has already happened to a Methodist min- ister in Nebraska. United Methodist Rev. Barbara Lemell of Montpelier, a vocal supporter of_ civil unions, said that despite this, congregation members and clergy find ways to get around the ban. Earlier this summer, a group of United Methodist clergy issued the New England Declaration stating their sup- port for gay and lesbian rela- tionships. More than 30 retired clergy also signed a statement last year indicating their will- ingness to perform same-sex union ceremonies despite the church’s ban. The warm-to-lukewarm measures by these Christian denominations came in the wake of — and contrasted stark- ly with ~ a spring vote at the Jewish Reform Movement’s Central Conference of American Rabbis to support same-sex union ceremonies in their synagogues. ' Rabbi Joshua Chasan of the Ohavi Zedek synagogue in Burlington said that the syna- gogue’s board of directors passed a resolution to make all their rites and ceremonies available to gay and lesbian members. Chasan has officiat- ed at ceremonies and signed licenses for gay couples seek- ing civil unions. “There are a lot of people still struggling with the issue,” said Chasan, but “it is important for us to do what is right and to help others grow in their understanding of the issue.” At the other extreme, the Roman Catholic Church’s opposition to recognition of GLBT relationships has been made clear locally through Vermont Bishop Kenneth Angell’s testimony and cam- paigns against any such legis- lationg. Pope John Paul made evi- dent the Church’s position by opposing gay pride events in Rome. The 80-year-old Pope stated that Rome’s pride parade was an offense to Christian values. His words describing gays as “objectively disor- dered” were met with loud cheering in St. Peter’s Square.V LOOKING FOR GREAT ENTERTAINMENT AT A * * * * PRICE THAT FITS YouR BUDGET? 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