Inclusive church

Last Wednesday, the United Church of Christ launched an ad campaign for its churches across the nation. Of the media outlets it approached, two were NBC and CBS. Despite the fact that this ad focuses on the church denomination’s acceptance of all people, no matter where they are on their individual journeys with God, and despite the fact that the ad will be running on ABC Family, FOX, AMC, BET, Discovery, Hallmark, the History Channel and many more cable broadcast stations, CBS and NBC refused to run it.

The God Is Still Speaking Web site, a UCC initiative, jumped in hits from 3,400 to 38,500 visitors after the news of the two networks’ decision was announced. Comments include:

• “Thank you for running this important message of inclusivity. I am also writing CBS and NBC in protest.”



• “Blessings on your historic church for continuing to lead the struggle against demeaning others.”



• “Wow, a Christian organization that actually practices tolerance and acceptance.”

The congregation of one of the local UCC churches — Friends Congregational Church — has helped me push through from the darkness in my life toward something greater. UCC’s focus on doing the work of God by impacting the Brazos Valley community through one act of love at a time has inspired and comforted me.

View the commercial at http://www.stillspeaking.com and read about the issue. If you feel moved, send a fax to CBS and NBC.

Katy Dawn Stewart
Bryan



http://www.theeagle.com/opinions/letterstoeditor/Dec2004/120704letterstoeditor.php

Support Equality

The U.S. lesbian and gay population spends approximately $1.4 billion each day. For one year, this total is $500 billion. The University of Georgia’s Selig Center at the Terry College of Business a comparison of annual spending by different minority breaks down to:

• Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered — $500 billion.


• African American — $688 billion.


• Hispanic — $653 billion.


• Asian American — $344 billion.


• Native American — $45 billion.

However, despite this fiscal contribution to our great economy, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered Americans still do not possess basic civil rights granted to heterosexual peers. As a result, Oct. 8 has been designated by Boycott for Equality (www.boycottforequality.org) as a “walkout” during which gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered individuals and their allies are encouraged to:

• Not purchase anything.


• Not work. Do not generate payroll taxes, income taxes or add to the economy.


• Not use cell phones. Dropping out of the communication network is a way to measure the impact of your presence.


• Speak open and frankly with friends and neighbors about the inequalities faced by gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons.


• Reflect about the numerous contributions of our gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community

We wish to applaud the efforts of Boycott For Equality and to encourage Brazos Valley residents to take action in ways appropriate for them as individuals. Further, we desire to express our gratitude to the many gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons in our military and in our community tirelessly working to better the world around them.

Katy Dawn Stewart, Robin Griffiths and Cassandra A Roegner + 11 other signatures



http://www.theeagle.com/opinions/letterstoeditor/oct2004/100304letterstoeditor.php

Become supportive

The Bryan/College Station Chapter of PFLAG — Parents, Friends, and Families of Lesbians and Gays — of which I am honored to be co-chair, promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons, their families and friends through support, education and advocacy.

I feel a certain sense of pride for our members when they listen to visitors with open minds — no matter their own political leanings. More than a year ago, we approached both Bryan and College Station school boards to offer assistance in the education of teachers, counselors and staff on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues. Board members listened with respect, but gave the impression that “gay issues” were not relevant.

This is despite stories we hear on a regular basis in our meetings. Let us look at a few facts from the Lesbian and Gay Rights Lobby’s Coalition to End Discrimination in Education packet at www.lgrl.org:

• 97 percent of students in public high schools report regularly hearing homophobic remarks from peers.


• The typical high school student hears anti-gay slurs 25.5 times a day. Teachers who hear these slurs fail to respond 97 percent of the time.


• In a 14-city study of gay, lesbian and bisexual youth, 80 percent reported verbal abuse, 44 percent reported threats of attack, 33 percent reported having objects thrown at them and 30 percent reported being chased or followed.

On Friday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Friends Congregational Church, the Bryan/College Station Chapter of PFLAG, BV QueSt, and The GLBT Professional Network will co-sponsor a coalition building workshop for all people in our community who would like to see an end to discrimination in Brazos Valley education.

For more information, contact katydstewart@hotmail.com or 979-571-6190.

Katy Stewart,
Bryan

Lessons on Living

MSN recently called 2003 “The Year of the Gay” due to recent advances in equal rights. In retrospect, I would like to address some issues.

There is no “homosexual agenda.”

Those who happen to love members of the same sex do not advocate for any “special privileges” — just the same rights that all citizens in this country are guaranteed.

What was it? Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness or something like that?

How should you react when you find out when someone is gay? Here are a few tips:

• It is not a disease, so don’t worry, you cannot catch it. Continue your same social behaviors: shake hands, hug, etc.

Do what is normal for you and that person.

• If a friend comes out to you, recognize that this process takes great inner strength and enormous amounts of courage. Embrace the opportunity that your friend is sharing.

Most important, listen to your friend.

• If you are flirted with, it does not mean you are gay or that someone thinks you are gay.



• Sometimes comments like “you have such beautiful eyes” really are just compliments.



• Consider why you might be flirted with.
  
  
  Obviously, this person finds you attractive in some way to be bold enough to try such a technique.
  
  
  How would you feel if someone of the opposite sex or one of your straight friends had made the same remark? This is no different.

Life is short. You have to make what friends you can. So, why not greet everyone warmly and take care of whatever issues you have in yourself?

Leave another’s issues of whom they love with to themselves.

Katy Dawn Stewart,
Bryan