The Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies in Religion and Ministry
Education and Training for Scholars, Faith Communities, and Activists
Upcoming Events
Seventh Annual John E. Boswell Lecture with Dr. Jay Michaelson
April 24, 5:30pm Reception, 6:30pm Lecture, PSR Badè Museum
Dr. Jay Michaelson will deliver the seventh annual Boswell Lecture titled, Queer Theology and Social Transformation: Points of Contact, Points of Conflict. Queer theology holds forth the promise of reinventing theological discourse in the light of LGBTQ experience, queer theory, and a hermeneutic informed by marginalized voices and outsider discourse. But how does the queer theological enterprise intersect with queer activism? Dr. Jay Michaelson is an author, activist, and academic. He is currently a Visiting Scholar at Brown University, Director of the LGBT Global Rights Initiative at the Democracy Council, and a weekly columnist for the Forward newspaper. Click Here For More Information.
Souls A' Fire 4 Conference - Registration Open!
August 8-10, Cleveland, OH
CLGS' African-American Roundtable is pleased to host the return of the Souls a’ Fire Conference focused on the next generation of Black Queer Theology in Cleveland, OH on August 8-10. We are continuing the rich tradition of encouraging our young scholars in their current work as well as learning from seasoned theologians and preachers as they explore the intersections of African-American culture, the church and LGBTQ identity. It also promises to be a time of retreat and inspiration through African-American Praise and Worship. Visit eventbrite to register. Click Here For More Info.
CLGS News & Commentary
Moral Monday Issues Forum attracts diverse crowd
The Umoja Project was one of five organizations that organized the Moral Monday Issues Forum on Monday, February 3rd in Hickory, North Carolina. The Umoja Project, The Hickory Branch NAACP, the Catawba County NAACP, the Greater Hickory Ministerial Alliance, and Faith in America partnered to draw clergy, lay leaders and community representatives to this one-day conference.Click Here to Read the Full Article.
Queer Clergy: A History of Gay and Lesbian Ministry in American Protestantism
Since 1640, the Pilgrim Press has published cutting-edge books that challenged convention and irritated church and crown. That edgy tradition continues as Pilgrim Press announces the release of Queer Clergy: A History of Gay and Lesbian Ministry in American Protestantism by Minnesota author and ally, RW Holmen. The book chronicles the journey of gay and lesbian Christians to be fully accepted and fully included in the congregations of mainline Christianity. The book contains five sections, one for each of the principal mainline denominations (UCC, UMC, ELCA, PC(USA), and Episcopal). Click Here To Read the Full Press Release
Many Voices Video Campaign - Black LGBT Spirituality
On October 11th, National Coming Out Day, Many Voices began releasing polished, compelling video testimonials from Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people sharing their stories about coming up in the Black Church. A total of 6 videos will be released through November 15, just prior to Transgender Day of Remembrance (November 20). Many Voices works closely with the CLGS UMOJA Project.
Seminary Presidents Urge a Yes Vote for ENDA
CLGS has gathered the support of 11 seminary presidents in urging the senate to vote Yes for the Employment Non Discrimination Act (ENDA) that would provide protections against workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Read the seminary presidents' letter to senate here.
CLGS Sponsors LGBT and Faith Film Festival
CLGS has signed on as a co-sponsoring organization for the On Level Ground Film Festival, being held from February 20 – March 2 in Pasadena, CA. Designed to promote dialogue among people of faith about issues of sexuality and gender, the event will include both large screenings and smaller venues for deeper conversations. The festival is accepting submissions of films —short and feature length—between now and January 1.
CLGS Applauds Pope Francis’ Message of Inclusion
(September 19, 2013, Berkeley, CA) The Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies in Religion and Ministry (CLGS) applauds Pope Francis for his bold leadership emphasizing love and inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. In an extensive interview with the journal La Civiltà Cattolica this week, the pontiff took issue with the intense focus that the church has had in recent decades on homosexuality, abortion and contraception at the neglect of more central Gospel issues such as poverty. Read Full Article Here.
Welcome Justin Tanis as CLGS Managing Director!
All of us at CLGS are very pleased to announce the hiring of Justin Tanis as the new Managing Director at CLGS. With Bernie Schlager taking on responsibilities as Pacific School of Religion Dean, we created a new position at CLGS to manage all the many programs and activities of the Center – Managing Director. We are pleased indeed that Justin has agreed to take on this important role. Click Here For More Information.
Expert: New Pope Not Likely to Soften Same-Sex Marriage Opposition
Bernie Schlager, the Executive Director of CLGS, is quoted in this February 11, 2013 KQED article. "Don't expect the next pope to preside over a gay couple's marriage. Pope Benedict XVI, who announced on Monday that he will step down as head of the Catholic Church at the end of February, has taken a hard line on same-sex marriage." Read Full Article Here.
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