Articles From Our October, 2005 Newsletter
"On October 9th, Kathleen Griffin will join PFLAG to discuss the programs of HarmonyNCCJ (formerly KCHarmony and NCCJ-KC), and provide a small taste of the exercises for which this organization is recognized through out the Greater Kansas City area.
Kathleen joined HarmonyNCCJ in May 2005 and currently serves as a Community Builder, facilitating Collegetowns, Unitowns and various individual workshops. She also coordinates Diversity University and assists with Workplace Diversity and Community programming.
HarmonyNCCJ is a resource and catalyst in and for the metropolitan Kansas City community to improve race relations, increase appreciation for cultural diversity, and eliminate intolerance. For more information concerning the recent merger or programs, please visit http://www.kcharmony.org or http://www.nccjkc.org "
Kathleen Griffin
Assistant Community Builder
KC Harmony
2700 East 18th Street, Ste. 243
Kansas City, MO 64127
816.231.1077 x100
kathleen@kcharmony.org
President/Speakers bureau--Jamie Lee
Vice President/Treasurer--Randy Fowler
Director of Support--Paul DiGeorge
Secretary--David Whitner
Director of Membership--Sue Edwards
Webmaster--Glenn Lang
Director of Resources--Paul Hough
Members-at-large--Greg and Gwyn Shelton
Dustin and Ruth Cooper
Director of Communication (Newsletter Editor)--Russell Hawkins
As you know, our dear Helen Cohen passed away last June. Many have sent checks to PFLAG to honor her memory and the work she spent her life doing. Those offerings will be sent to Central Missouri State University to be added to the scholarship fund that was set up when Helen lost her beloved husband, Harvey. This scholarship will assist an LGBT student who will be attending that university. The endowment must reach $5,000 before any money will be given away but we are closer now than we were. A very generous check was just sent in the mail and while it is my desire not to reveal this person by name, I think it’s vital that I print here the text of his letter:
Dear Jamie Lee,
I have enclosed a check to PFLAG-KC in memory of Helen Cohen who recently passed away. As you well know, Helen was a tremendous advocate and lifelong activist on behalf of many human rights and civil liberties issues, including LGBT rights. I came to know Helen through her son, Bill, who is a close college friend of mine. Helen was a wonderful mother and friend to her three children and will be dearly missed by everyone who had the good fortune to have known her. Please continue the important work PFLAG is doing in Kansas City with the knowledge that many people around the country and the world deeply support and appreciate what you and your colleagues are doing to promote human rights and dignity for all.
Sincerely,
A PFLAG friend
Many of you receiving the newsletter are strangers to me—faces that I’ve never at a meeting and yet, you too, are in the fight. You faithfully join with us each year by renewing your membership –a portion of those dues go to the national office and some stays right here to help pay our phone bills and the cost of literature etc. It is my desire to meet you all personally but, for now, I’ll have to send you each a hug by mail.
Sincerely,
Jamie Lee
SCHOLARSHIP FUND TOTAL $730.00
Thanks to Greg Shelton for the following review of a new book available in our library.
The Children are Free
Rev Jeff Miner, John Tyler Connoley
Jesus Metropolitan Community Church
A comprehensive and easy to read analysis of biblical data on homosexuality, which covers all of the standard “clobber passages’ in a detailed non-biased way, but also includes the many affirming passages. The main conclusion is that people have looked at these clobber passages out of context or with inappropriate interpretation and they have not addressed the many affirming passages in the Bible. There are in fact many wonderful and powerful passages that affirm gay people. In the entire Bible, there are in fact only 6 “clobber passages’, while there are hundreds of passages that regulate aspects of heterosexuals…. One comedian concluded that heterosexuals need more of God’s supervision! There are no clobber passages in any of the Gospels. There is no indication that Jesus was negative on homosexuals, in fact the opposite is the case. The sections of the Bible which are affirming include: Ruth and Naomi; Jonathon and David; Ethiopian Eunuch; Jesus’ meeting with a gay centurion. Scholars have categorized over 613 commandments and many of these are not observed by most Christians. Some examples: not cutting hair/beards; women to be silent in church; women to veil their heads; clothing with two different materials; eating certain foods; working on the Sabbath. No one follows every ‘ rule’ in the Bible. Jesus took a common sense approach and criticized the Scribes and Pharisees for focusing on legalism. Jesus’ standard was compassion and common sense. He always chose compassion for people over strict adherence to Biblical rules. Legalists can howl and scream all they want, just as Jesus’ opponents used to. The Church has been wrong on many issues in the past, and sited scripture to support their stand. In the middle ages, Christians tortured non-Christians until they professed faith. In 1800’s, the Church defended slavery. Late 1800 ’s/early 1900’s, the Church opposed women’s right to vote. The Church did not support female preachers. Now the Church resists gay Christians.
Christians need to now tear down the myth that God does not want gay people. We are all chosen. The Bible does support Christians who are in a loving, committed same-sex relationship.
PFLAG Stunned and Exasperated Over Marriage Equality Veto; Calls for Statesmanship
Washington, D.C. -- September 8, 2005 -- Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) is stunned, saddened and angered that Governor Schwarzenegger has signaled a decision to veto the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act before it has even reached his desk and before speaking with the families that will be affected.
PFLAG Executive Director, Jody Huckaby, expressed exasperation saying, “ This is tremendously frustrating. We are getting such mixed signals. Some say it is up to the voters to pass judgment on the basic human rights of a minority – a position that anyone should be able to see is flawed. Others say it is up to the duly elected representatives to pass laws that ensure our nation’ s promise of equality and justice for all – a position we certainly agree with. And now Governor Schwarzenegger is saying it is up to the courts to settle the matter! We call upon the Governor to be a statesman, show some real historic leadership, and do what is right for hundreds of thousands of California families. Don’t veto this bill.”
California PFLAG Advocacy Coordinator, Eve Lubalin, wrote to the Governor on behalf of the 40 PFLAG chapters in the state. In part she wrote:
“We ask you to consider how you would feel if one of your children (or future grandchildren) tells you one day that they are gay or lesbian in their sexual orientation. Would you want them to face discrimination, loss of full civil rights, and be unable to protect their families because of prejudice or homophobia? As you enjoy your family life and marital union, we hope you will remember the tens of thousands of LGBT families who you would deny the security and safety net your family takes for granted.”
Huckaby said, “Our families and friends in California have experienced a moment’s taste of the respect and dignity afforded by the vote of the Assembly. In the big picture, there is no going back.”
PFLAG SUPPORTS REAL FAMILY VALUES