ILGA Working Party on Homophobia, Ideology and Religion on this page... 2001 Pre-Conference meeting, Program, and List of potential speakers from around the world |
ILGA (International Lesbian and Gay Association) Working Party on Homophobia, Ideology and Religion What is the major challenge confronting ILGA-affiliated groups worldwide?
their biggest obstacle was. Without exception they replied in various ways, "Religion!" "And what are you doing to address the problem?" Most replied "Nothing, because I'm not religious." ILGA leaders and the world we seek to transform have come a long way since 1991 - but not far enough!
Homophobia, Religion and Ideology was established. Prior to each World Conference a one- day pre-conference is held to work with ILGA leaders in order to tackle more effectively "our biggest problem." The last pre-conference was held in 2001 prior to the World Conference in Oakland, California. Due to travel costs the pre-conference was not held prior to the 2003 World Conference in Manila, the Philippines. However, we are planning to assemble for the ILGA international meeting in December 2005 in Switzerland. Also, regional ILGA meetings may at times plan related activities. Feel free to contact any of the WP members if you are interested. The last program for the 2001 Oakland conference follows, which shows the scope of our concerns. Plans for 2001 Oakland Pre-Conference meeting of ILGA Working Party on Homophobia, Religion and Ideology
Francisco), and from around the world, the Working Party is planning another all-day pre- conference. YOU ARE INVITED to come and participate. Even if you are "not religious." Whatever your convictions - ideology, philosophy, religion, spirituality. Maybe in your area you think the biggest problem is now the Republican Party. Would you remain ignorant and do nothing about it because you're not Republican? Learn how to help the very diverse members in your community surmount their problems in this area, whether you share their general convictions or not. Learn how to network with a wide variety of individuals and groups and build politically effective alliances. Lay hold of some of the enormous resources available in this area (free literature, innumerable website links), as well as videos and books for sale at bargain prices from all over the world. Put your most difficult questions to scholars, authors and leaders from a wide variety of backgrounds in the friendly ILGA context. Roll up your sleeves and join the Working Party for the continual stimulus of interaction with some of the most informed and wisest experts internationally in each area.
Homophobia, Religion and Ideology, ILGA Working Party Pre-Conference 9 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Aug. 25, 2001, Oakland, CA.
addressed, what you would recommend, and how you would like to participate.
Working Party website: www.othersheep.org (clic on ILGA WP for documents) Hal Kooden, ILGA, New York: halkooden@worldnet.att.net Pete King, ILGA, Oakland: eastbaypride@aol.com Luiz Mott, WP, Brazil: luizmott@ufba.br Georg Trettin, WP, Germany: georgtrettin@hotmail.com Jorge/George González, WP, Paris: davidetjonathan@wanadoo.fr Doug Torr, WP, Johannesburg, South Africa: djtorr@cpsa.org.za Dennis/Busangokwakhe Dlamini, WP, South Africa: 882210918@students.unp.ac.za "Samuel", Asia, WP: udayardc@col.com.np
Program, 9 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., Aug. 25, 2001, Oakland, CA.
9:30-10 am Introductions and Orientation 10-11:15 am First Panel: Homophobia, Patriarchal Cultures & Religious Fundamentalism Judaism Orthodoxy Roman Catholicism Islam Protestantism, Mormonism Eastern Religions (Hinduism, Buddhism) New Age Secular faiths (Freudianism, Marxism) 11:15-11:45 am Coffee break 11:45-1:00 pm Workshops and focus groups: exploring the problems, dialogue with leaders 1-2 pm Lunch break 2-3:15 pm Second Panel: Common Problems of International Significance Patriarchy, sexism, male control Family ideologies/idolatry vs. a praxis and theology of friendship Pseudo science: the "Ex-Gay" movement; pseudo freudianism Ideological manipulation of AIDS myths The Closet: fears, the silence that = death, oppression, violence 3:15-4:30 pm Workshops/groups: Strategies, Resources, networking, alliance building Women in religion, feminist theologies - response to patriarchy and sexism Sacred texts: exegesis, hermeneutics, multiple discourses, diverse audiences Liberation theologies, Marxist critique of oppression LGBTT theologies Gender studies and university/seminary groups Sexology and sex education (homes, schools, religious communities) Asceticism: prayer, fasts, sit-ins, cathedral protests, street politics Outing (Outrage) vs. privacy rights P-FLAG, parents, friends, allies, alliance building 4:30-5:00 pm High Tea 5-6:30 pm Plenary: Reports, Recommendations, Restructuring of WP Tom Hanks (The Rev. Dr.), ILGA WP, thanks@thanks.wamani.apc.org
9 am – 6:30 pm, Aug. 25, 2001, Oakland, CA. Possible Speakers and Workshop/Group Leaders (*/** = have indicated interest)
sexuality in the New Testament. Prof. NT, The Church Divinity School of the Pacific, Berkeley. Episcopal. rusticus@netcom.com Daniel Boyarin, Ph.D., author of many works on Judaism, sexuality, and the New Testament (Paul), important for combating homophobia in both Jewish and Christian traditions (and I suspect relevant to correcting traditional homophobic interpretations of the clobber texts in the Koran, but I don't know Arabic to confirm it). Taubman, professor of Talmudic Culture, the University of CA, Berkeley. Jewish. boyarin@uclink4.berkeley. edu Elias Farajaje-Jones, Ph.D., African American author of many significant works combating homophobia, expert on the orthodox traditions (Greek, Russian, etc.). Rembert (Buddy) Truluck, Th.D., author of STEPS TO RECOVERY FROM BIBLE ABUSE, www.truluck.com former professor in Southern Baptist College. His website combating homophobic use of the Bible has had more than 2 million hits. Ph.D. from Louisville Southern Baptist seminary, then MCC pastor. **The Rev. Jim Mitulski, until recently, pastor of the MCC church of San Francisco, in the Castro district, author of "Ezekiel Understands AIDS: AIDS Understands Ezekiel" in TAKE BACK THE WORD, edited by Robert Goss and Mona West. In some years at the height of the AIDS pandemic Jim, himself a gay man living with HIV, celebrated more than 500 funerals. jmitulski@sfpl.lib.ca / usmitulski@aol.com
MCC, author of several pioneering articles and book chapters on transgendered persons and religion. vickykol@ix.netcom.com *Mel White, director of Soul Force, author of STRANGER AT THE GATE. Former ghost writer for Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson. Also expert (and long time victim) of Ex-Gay charlatanism. melwhite@soulforce.org The Rev. Jimmy Creech, eloquent Methodist straight ally, who lost his church over his struggle to perform same-sex unions. Now chairman of Soul Force board. Malcolm Boyd and Mark Thompson, LA, authors of many key books in this WP area. MCC headquarters in LA has countless resource persons who may be willing to participate: The Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson, author of OUR TRIBE: QUEER FOLKS, GOD, JESUS AND THE BIBLE. Pastor of the MCC mother church. Also Troy Perry, Don Eastman and many others.
Quebec, CAN. Authors of new French book on empowering lesbian relationships within a Roman Catholic context, L’amour entre femmes dans L’Eglise catholique. Et CIEL parlait, ce serait l’ENFER? (Varennes, Quebec: Ed.AdA). French or English. rejnic@sympatico.ca
Gay spirituality. French/English. Roman Catholic. dlb@alcor.concordia.ca
Rabbi Rebecca T. Alpert, Ph.D. Professor of Religion and Women's Studies, Temple University. Author of LIKE BREAD ON A SEDER PLATE: JEWISH LESBIANS AND THE TRANSFORMATION OF A TRADITION (1977). rebecca@vm.temple.edu Bruce Bawer, author of two controversial books, A PLACE AT THE TABLE and STEALING JESUS: How Fundamentalism Betrays Christianity (1997). Episcopalian. Chris Glaser, Presbyterian, Yale Divinity School grad, denied ordination since 1978, author of many best selling gay books in the religious area. chrsglaser@aol.com **Michael Adee, Ph.D. National Field Organizer for More Light Presbyterians, experienced activist in Presbyterian trench warfare to challenge homophobic policies and control of the denomination (Presbyterian General Assembly meeting in Louisville in June may finally approve gay ordination). michaeladee@aol.com The Rev. Mona West, Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible (Southern Baptist Theological Seminary), author and editor of numerous Biblical commentaries from a queer perspective. Pastor of Spiritual Life at the Cathedral of Hope, MCC in Dallas, the largest gay and lesbian congregation in the world. mwest@cathedralofhope.com The Rev. Michael Piazza, MCC. Senior pastor at Cathedral of Hope, author of four books, including HOLY HOMOSEXUALS (Sources of Hope, 1997) and THE RAINBOW FAMILY VALUES (Sources of Hope, 1995). mpiazza@cathedralofhope.com Also the Rev. Paul Tucker, recently returned from pastoral visit to the MCC's in Buenos Aires, Argentina. ptucker@cathedralofhope.com The Rev. Peter J. Gomes, Preacher to Harvard University. African American. Author of best-selling THE GOOD BOOK (1996). First openly gay commencement speaker to address a graduating class at a mainline theological seminary (Princeton - the inviters didn't plan it that way, but our subversive Divinity had better plans). Saul M. Olyan, Brown University. Jewish. Co-Editor of SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN AMERICAN RELIGIOUS DISCOURSE (1998). Author of numerous works on the Hebrew Bible and Judaism, including a key article (1994), now book chapter (1997), showing that Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13 only condemn male-male anal sex (in an epoch before condemns were available - hence in effect teaching safer sex). Olyan's conclusions have now been accepted by the leading orthodox Jewish Bible scholar, Jacob Milgrom, and mainstreamed in his new 3000 page 3 volume Anchor Bible Commentary on Leviticus. I suspect that Olyan's careful exegetical approach to the infamous Leviticus "clobber texts" could also be applied to the Koran with similar results. I have shown how Olyan's and Milgrom's conclusions also may be used to interpret Paul (Romans 1 and 1 Cor 6:9), since Paul in these texts also follows Leviticus closely (see my book "THE SUBVERSIVE GOSPEL", Pilgrim Press, 2000). saul_olyan@brown.edu (lo)
meeting of gay muslim leaders and seek to involve them, bring materials on Islam She writes: "I believe we must have an international perspective in order to take our liberation movement where it really needs to go next." - heather@tri.org; also sean@tri. org *Bob Goss, longtime leader in Act Up, author of JESUS ACTED UP: A GAY AND LESBIAN MANIFESTO, a key pioneer work in Gay theology. Former Jesuit priest, now MCC clergy and chair of the department of religious studies, Webster University, St. Louis. gossro@webster.edu The Rev. Erin K. Swenson, Ph.D. Erin's Presbyterian ordination was upheld by the Atlanta Presbytery, "the first time that any mainstream church had upheld the ordination of a transsexual Christian minister" (Newsweek, Sept. 4, 1996). Marriage and family therapist; popular lecturer and workshop leader on such subjects as "The Spiritual Journey of Being Transgendered," Constructing Identity - Deconstructuring Stereotype". erinswen@aol.com Urvashi Vaid, lesbian activist, author of VIRTUAL EQUALITY: THE MAIN-STREAMING OF GAY AND LESBIAN LIBERATION (1995), the radical dialectical response to the works of Andrew Sullivan and Bruce Bauer. . Byrne Fone, New York. Author of HOMOPHOBIA: A HISTORY (2000) and other significant books, pioneer in the teaching of gay and lesbian studies. *Daniel Helminiak, former RC priest, psychologist, professor. Author of several books, including WHAT THE BIBLE REALLY SAYS ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY, the best seller in most gay book stores in the USA since its publication: dhelminiak@aol.com / dhelmini@westga.edu
AGAINST LESBIAN AND GAY MEN (1991), Colombia University Press. gcomstock@wesleyan.edu Bernadette J. Brooten, Ph.D. Author of the definitive work on lesbian life in the ancient world, LOVE BETWEEN WOMEN: EARLY CHRISTIAN RESPONSES TO FEMALE HOMOEROTICISM (University of Chicago, 1996). Professor of Christian Studies, Brandeis University. brooten@mindspring.com / brooten@binah.cc.brandeis.edu **Bruce Williams O.P. 105631.2233@compuserve.com
Roman Catholic priest based in Pietermaritzburg. Works with marginalized black gays in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Wrote his masters thesis on these black gays and an excellent doctoral dissertation, now almost completed, on their families. Very well informed and effective speaker. Frequent guest in Ukhozi FM Radio Talk Shows on gayness, once appearing on TV. 882210918@students.unp.ac.za Will need ILGA scholarship to attend. **Robert Katongo, President of MIRICA (Minority Rights Campaign Association), the new (1999) and only lesbigay organization in Zambia (in capital, Lusaka). Graduate of Roman Catholic seminary. rkatongo50@yahoo.com Will need ILGA scholarship to attend. **Rev. Doug Torr: Anglican, organized 1999 Joh. Pre-conference. djtorr@cpsa.org.za WP member. Will need ILGA scholarship to attend.
theology, QUR'AN, LIBERATION AND PLURALISM (1996), Muslim scholar, activist.
homoerotic sex acts are illegal. Expert on homophobia in Asian & Christian traditions. WP member. udayardc@col.com.np Will need ILGA scholarship to attend conference.
THEOLOGY (Routledge, 2001). Groundbreaking radical new expression of queer liberation theology. althausm@div.ed.ac.uk Didi Herman, Senior lecturer in the department of law at Keele University in Britain, author of many works, including a key in-depth study, THE ANTIGAY AGENDA: Orthodox Vision and the Christian Right. University of Chicago Press, 1997. Richard Kirker, General Secretary of LGCM lgcm@aol.com / www.lgcm.org.uk Roy Clements, leading evangelical Bible expositor www.royclements.co.uk For German speakers, Georg Trettin WP member: georgtrettin@hotmail.com For German literature see website: http://mitglied.tripod.de/georgtrettin/aktbiblioN.html Highly recommended, esp. for German readers, and with many links to other sites. For French/Spanish speakers, WP member Jorge/Georges González: davidetjonathan@wanadoo.fr (33-1) 45-00-7517; 16 rue Paul Valéry, 75116, Paris
**Rev. Lisandro Orlov, BA, Lutherans Worldwide AIDS ministry: orlov@sinectis.com.ar Our ILGA WP network and Other Sheep have many other contacts (60+ documentation centers), but ILGA and IGLHRC already have many of the same contacts, virtually all would need scholarships, and many might better participate in the Latin American regional conference (unless fluent in English). I will add names here after consulting further with Alejandra Sarda (just relocated back to BA) and other leaders in this area. If there is significant USA hispanic attendance and interest, I would gladly work with them to set up a double track pre-conference in Spanish, but given limits of time and $ would prefer to keep translations to a minimum. We have more of our study documents and resources for WP in Spanish than in English. **Marcelo Ferreira, Buenos Aires, founding member of Gays and Lesbians for Civil Rights, 1991-2001, GLTB Library, Interpride, 1997-2001, Deportistas Argentinas Gays, IGLHRC, translator (Spanish, English, Italian, French). gaylesdc@arnet.com.ar: Will need scholarship. **Gerald Cleator, O.P. Mexico DF. Ecumenical Liaison, Other Sheep, cleator@att.net.mx ILGA Pre-conference, Working Party: Homophobia, Religion and Ideology Oakland, CA, August 25, 2001 (Conference, Aug. 26 - Sept. 1) 1 The ILGA Working Party (WP) on Homophobia, Religion and Ideology will be responsible for the program of the pre-conference, welcoming collaboration from the local sponsoring organization (East Bay Pride) regarding program and participants. 2 Place. Since the WP has no budget or funds, as in previous conferences, we will be dependent on what East Bay Pride can arrange regarding site. In Johannesburg the local committee was able to have the pre conference in the site hotel, along with the women's pre conference, but this cost around $1000, which they somehow managed to cover. For convenience, image and press coverage this is ideal, but not necessary. Attendance has never exceeded 100, so the site of a local gay organization, welcoming church or synagogue, etc., would also be adequate. Since participants will not know the area (and sometimes little English), a modest location near the conference site is better than luxury afar (people get lost and lose time in travel, plus taxi fares that many cannot afford). 3 Schedule. Since cultural customs vary, it would be good East Bay Pride to suggest the hours to begin, finish, meal/coffee breaks, etc. If reasonable food is available within walking distance, participants may be left on their own for meal(s). Probably it will be best to follow approximately what is decided for the women's pre conference, since it is usually very well planned. 4 Program Content. In past years, participants and program have largely concentrated on expressions of homophobia in Catholic and Protestant traditions, with some attention to Judaism and other faiths and ideologies. In Johannesburg, for the first time, we were privileged to have Islamic participation. This year I would suggest more focus on Judaism and Islam. Recent developments in Judaism, especially, are relevant to Christian traditions, and analysis of Islam also facilitates the understanding of developments in Christianity. We have had minimal involvement with the Orthodox tradition, and it would be good to try to do more in that area also. Assuming that the next ILGA international will be in Asia, that would be the best time to concentrate more on Hinduism, Buddhism, etc., but the Bay area probably offers good resources for these areas also. 5 Program Methodology. Since interests are quite diverse and some arrive with considerable anxiety over the subject, a combination of panels and small groups, with reports for a plenary, have worked well. The final plenary offers opportunity for suggestions to take to the ILGA conference to follow, but in the ILGA structure, these must originate in a Workshop during the conference itself and not come directly from the WP pre-conference. In addition to its website, the WP can make available to participants a number of documents and bibliographies, and participants may be encouraged to bring their own resources to share. A brief introductory orientation can make clear that the aim of the WP is not to "bash" any particular religion or ideology, nor to promote proselytizing, but to encourage each person in his/her tradition to deal with any negatives and uncover the positives (which often have been censured by authorities - or just never talked about). A second aim is to encourage networking and effective alliance building. In the past, participants have left their names, emails, etc. but such lists have not been distributed to participants - which needs to be done before the conference ends - preferably simply xeroxed and made available at the end of the day, since other priorities seem to take over when this is postponed. Tom Hanks, Contact Person, ILGA WP thanks@wamani.apc.org |
In the turbulent 1991 meeting in Mexico, ILGA leaders from around the world were asked what their biggest obstacle was. Without exception they replied in various ways, "Religion!" "And what are you doing to address the problem?" Most replied "Nothing, because I'm not religious." ILGA leaders and the world we seek to transform have come a long way since 1991 - but not far enough! |
ILGA (International Lesbian and Gay Association) Working Party on Homophobia, Ideology and Religion |
| PICTURED ABOVE Rev. Dr. Tom Hanks, Theologian / Director of Mission. Buenos Aires, 2006 |
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"I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also."
John 10:16 NRSV
John 10:16 NRSV
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