When Southern Baptists Get Saved

Salvation was always such an important part of my upbringing. We were constantly begged, pushed, prodded and manipulated to go down the aisle. If I got saved once, I got saved a hundred times. When the preacher started talking about hell and the rhetorical fires started tickling my toes, I especially felt the tug to make sure I was sure about all this salvation stuff. The older I got, the more skeptical I became of the saved rhetoric. With all the oppressive language and actions that surrounded us, I didn’t see anyone getting saved from anything. I actually began to wonder if getting saved actually made things worse. Then it started happening.

There was a man at our church I loved dearly. With seemingly magical powers, Brother Bobby captured my childhood attention and taught me about the love of God. Before then, I never thought that God could love me as an individual. Brother Bobby believed in me and taught me that God did too. I didn’t think Southern Baptists could teach like this. I asked him one Sunday morning what made him so different and he replied, “Just like you, I am growing into who God created me to be.” Months later, Brother Bobby was kicked out of our church for coming out as gay. Many years after, I saw pictures of Brother Bobby joyously smiling and holding hands with his partner. I knew Brother Bobby got saved.

I wrestled with my own sexuality for years. Whenever I found a man attractive, I just knew I was going to hell… probably penis first. Though I remained mostly attracted to women, I didn’t know what to do with this other piece of me. I kept it quiet. Then I grew close to Pastor Greg. For decades, Pastor Greg led Southern Baptist churches. I decided to open up with him about my sexuality and he assured me that God lovingly created me just the way that I am. A few years later, Pastor Greg called me while I was a student at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and told me that he was dying of cancer. When I made it to his bedside, Pastor Greg told me that he had lived his life as a closeted gay man. With tears in my eyes, I knew that Pastor Greg was finally getting saved.

Not long after, one of my classmates asked if we could talk. When we sat down late one night, Marcus told me that he was gay. If we were at any other school this revelation would have been less of a deal, but we were students at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Having contemplated suicide in the struggle to keep it quiet, I could see the visible relief in Marcus’ body when he told me. Later, Marcus came out and declared that he was a gay Southern Baptist pastor. I knew he got saved.

There are countless stories like these. People who got saved from hate and fear to live into the person that a loving God has created them to be. Unfortunately, the entire Southern Baptist system opposes such a salvation. I struggled with my sexuality and suicide throughout my early years as a Southern Baptist and my tenure at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Throughout this time, people consistently told me their secrets. Honestly, I now feel like I know more closeted Southern Baptist pastors than I do straight Southern Baptist pastors. Earlier this week, I asked people in our largely LGBT congregation at the Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ to stand if they felt like they were direct victims of physical and emotional abuse at the hands and mouths of the Southern Baptist Convention, Southern Baptist churches or Southern Baptist pastors. Hundreds and hundreds of people stood up and demanded that I tell their stories when I arrived at the Ethics and Religious Liberties Commission conference.

From personal experience, I know that stories change lives. When Southern Baptists get saved, I see them blossom into amazing storytelling evangelists of the power of the love of God. I believe that God can work miracles. While in Nashville, I hope we see a few people get saved.

Amen.

www.huffingtonpost.com/rev-jeff-hood/when-southern-baptists-get-saved_b_6052284.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices&ir=Gay+Voices

HRC Walks to End HIV

This past Saturday, HRC participated in the Walk to End HIV, a walk and timed 5K run benefiting and produced by Whitman-Walker Health, a health center specializing in HIV/AIDS related care.
HRC.org

www.hrc.org/blog/entry/hrc-walks-to-end-hiv?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Who’s Your “Top Jock” In This Year Of Sports Equality? Vote In The 2014 Queerties

Who is this year’s Top Jock–off the field? There’s a revolution in sports equality these days–with athletes, coaches and executives coming out in droves–so it’s not an easy choice.

Is it former major league outfielder Billy Bean, who was appointed by Major League Baseball this year to level the playing field for gay players, baseball personnel and fans?

Is it Chris Kluwe, the non-gay punter and advocate who exposed the homophobia of his former team, the Minnesota Vikings?

The courageous Michael Sam, the first openly gay player drafted by the NFL?

Olympian Ian Thorpe, who came out this year? Perhaps the entire UVA swim team, for standing up publicly for its gay teammates? And who could ignore the great Jason Collins, who made history by simply clocking into an NBA game, the first time an openly gay player had touched the hardwood?

VOTING IN THE QUEERTIES IS EASY: Just head over to the ballot page and click on your favorite nominees.

You can come back and vote once every day until the contest closes on November 02, 2014, at midnight Eastern.

Chris Bull

feedproxy.google.com/~r/queerty2/~3/wmH4O-2BC-k/whos-your-top-jock-in-this-year-of-sports-equality-vote-in-the-2014-queerties-20141028

Todrick Hall Covers Taylor Swift, Warns of Social Media Perils In 'Alice In WeHoLand': VIDEO

Sean Mandell

www.towleroad.com/2014/10/todrick-hall-covers-taylor-swift-warns-of-social-media-perils-in-alice-in-weholand-video.html

Italy: 54% of LGBT people say they suffer discrimination
Italy: 54% of LGBT people say they suffer discrimination.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MR4Bbq1VW8&feature=youtube_gdata

WATCH: Fla. Reporter Blasts Governor's 'Appalling' Marriage Equality Opposition

In offering his ‘personal perspective about a politician who just refuses to take responsibility,’ Florida political reporter Michael Putney had some harsh words for Gov. Rick Scott.

read more

Sunnivie Brydum

www.advocate.com/politics/marriage-equality/2014/10/28/watch-fla-reporter-blasts-governors-appalling-marriage-equalit

21 Movies That Changed How We Felt About Ourselves As Women
There’s something magical about movies. Whether you’re watching one in a dark theater, on a couch with some popcorn, or under the comfort of a blanket in your own bed, movies allow us a very specific form of escape.

And women tend to be the most regular moviegoers out there. According to a 2012 MPAA report, women actually go to the movies more than men, making up 52 percent of in-theater audiences each year. It’s a wonder then that there aren’t more female-led blockbusters. (Hint hint, nudge nudge, Hollywood powers that be.)

Even though the characters are usually fictional, we’ve learned some pretty amazing lessons from the people that come alive in our favorite films.

We asked the HuffPost editors and our Facebook and Twitter audiences which movies shaped the way they thought about themselves as women. And while we couldn’t fit all of the wonderful films on this list, we’ve rounded up 21 that have made life-changing impressions on our community.

Here are 21 movies that changed how we felt about ourselves as women:

1. “A League Of Their Own”
“Although I was young when it came out it moved me more than any movie. I was a tomboy. It showed [me] that there have been tomboys throughout the years.” – Deirdre Zabawa, via Facebook

2. “Now And Then”
“The movie covers so many aspects of that ineffable period in a woman’s life: friendship, coming to terms with your changing body, mortality, and love, to name a few. The movie is set in the 70s/90s, but I think most women would agree the themes still resonate. Definitely a movie all young women should watch.” – Jenna Amatulli, Associate Editor HuffPost Crime/Weird News

“There really is no better movie about the importance of female friendship, and how that friendship can grow and change over time. The lives of the four (very different) BFFs are at the center of the story, and though male characters factor in, sometimes in a romantic way, the real love story is between the girls.” – Emma Gray, Senior Editor HuffPost Women

3. “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”
“Clementine Kruczynski (played by the incomparable Kate Winslet) in ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’ is eccentric, impulsive and a little messed up, yet she’s unapologetic and completely self-aware. She was one of the first female characters who spoke to me as saying, ‘I’m flawed and I know it. Take me or leave me.'” – Taylor Trudon, Senior Editor HuffPost Teen

4. “When Harry Met Sally”
“‘I think what keeps me coming back to this movie is this strong female character that Nora Ephron wrote — Sally is strong, particular, knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to be herself. Harry says she’s the worst kind of woman — high maintenance but she thinks she’s low maintenance; Sally says she just ‘likes what I like’ and good for her! She doesn’t apologize for being herself and that’s important for every woman to know — to just be your true self, and don’t be afraid of it.” – Alexandra Rosario, Blog Editor HuffPost Lifestyle

5. “Juno”
“When I saw this movie in theaters in high school, I’d never encountered a young female character like Juno. She had such a clear sense of self — with every bump in the road, every decision she made was her own. It was an amazingly refreshing movie to see.” – Caroline Bologna, Editorial Fellow HuffPost Parents

6. “Working Girl”
“Melanie Griffith’s character may get the guy, but the REAL triumph is the corner office. ‘Working Girl’ taught me that professional success can feel damn good.” – Emma Gray, Senior Editor HuffPost Women

7. “Fried Green Tomatoes”
“I must’ve watched that a thousand times between the ages of 12 and 16. Idgie taught me that it was OK to have a soft side even if you were trying to be strong; Ruth taught me that it was OK to be strong and a lady at the same time. Evelyn showed me that it’s totally OK to ram some chick’s car repeatedly if they piss me off!” – Stephanie Berry, via Facebook

8. “Reality Bites”
“I hacked off my hair, took up smoking, and decided to give a smart ‘notashit’ for most of the 90’s. I loved that movie for both its promise of intelligent and committed slackerness and the ironic and graceful fallibility of the characters. Naturally, many years later, it does seem a little silly to be that committed to mediocrity while insisting on your greatness, but maybe that was the point that went over my teenage head like a rocket.” – Abby French Wheetley, via Facebook

9. “Thelma & Louise”
“[This movie] made me think really hard about how I had let men treat me.” – Madison Walker, via Facebook

10. “Stepmom”
“‘Stepmom’ taught me to be sympathetic to both sides of the divorce equation — and I was able to see the struggles both my mom and my stepmother have dealt with through years. It also taught me to cherish my time with family members (especially moms) because you never know when someone’s time is up. It reminds you of the impact someone can have on your life — even when they’re gone. And it also taught me how great a good cry during a movie can be.” – Hayley Miller, Editor HuffPost Blog

11. “Steel Magnolias”
“[It showed me that] mothers are the strongest people in the world.” – Allegra Perkins, via Facebook
“Steel Magnolias taught me that that traditionally ‘feminine’ things like beauty parlors and motherhood are anything but frivolous. Julia Roberts and Sally Field highlight the incredible strength and bravery of motherhood, and their bonds with the other women at Truvy’s Beauty Parlor run deeper than giggles and gossip. And I think that Sally Field’s monologue at the end of the movie is one of the most powerful moments in cinema.” – Caroline Bologna, Editorial Fellow HuffPost Parents

12. “Iron Jawed Angels”
“[This movie] made me appreciate the sacrifices those before me made in the name of being a woman.” – Sophie Elizabeth, via Facebook

“I show [this movie] every year in my Perspectives in Lit class. It resonates with boys and girls, but my hope is that every one of the girls will understand the importance of voting, and what it took for women to have that right.” – Jody Weger Andriano, via Facebook

“The scene where she is being force fed during her hunger strike in jail was so moving and heartbreaking and made me think about how far women have come, all the things they’ve fought for, and how important it is that we still continue the fight for women to be seen as equals in every way, everywhere. Women in media aren’t usually shown as being heroes at all but in that movie women were heroes to other women and it was amazing.” – Nicole Laverdlere, via Facebook

13. “Obvious Child”
“The movie is a hilarious love story (or maybe a ‘like’ story) set around an abortion. It’s the perfect antidote to all the movies afraid to show abortion for what it is: a normal part of life for a huge number of women. ‘Obvious Child’ was the proof I needed that any part of being a woman, no matter how sad or serious other people say it is, can be funny if I decide it’s funny.” – Amanda Gutterman, Associate Editor HuffPost Special Projects

14. “Ever After: A Cinderella Story”
“That movie sent my self confidence through the roof. It took me out of the world of Disney princess fairytales and threw me head first into real world feminism. When she rescues herself at the end? I will always love Drew Barrymore for that. Grace and power are a dynamite duo, and absolutely unbeatable.” – Jess Dickerson, Associate Editor HuffPost Black Voices

15. “Legally Blonde”
“When my ex broke up with me I was devastated, I laid on the couch, crying and watching TV. I saw ‘Legally Blonde’ and enrolled in college a couple months later.” – Della Hernandez, via Facebook

“What I took away from ‘Legally Blonde’ was that even if you’re a chihuahua-loving, pink-wearing, bubbly woman that nobody takes seriously, you can still seriously make things happen for you. You don’t have to sacrifice your pink power suits or your love of fashion to be a total boss, so long as you believe in yourself.” – Lauren Zupkus, Associate Editor HuffPost Entertainment

16. “Mulan”
“[This movie] made me realize I could be just as powerful as any man was. And I could conquer anything. I remember how I felt the first time I saw it when I was 8!” – Deanna Simpkiss, via Facebook

17. “Girl, Interrupted”
“This film showed me that getting a little lost in life isn’t always such a bad thing. The ‘crazy girl’ trope was finally fleshed out in a full narrative and it showed me that a woman can be sad and happy and have emotions and there’s nothing wrong with that. In fact, it’s something to be proud of.” – Alanna Vagianos, Associate Editor HuffPost Women

18. “The Breakfast Club”
“Besides the fact that a young Judd Nelson and Emilio Estevez are swoon-worthy, it taught me that the lines between cool kid and not-cool kid are very blurry. Loner girls and popular girls both have their own shit to deal with, and they just might bond if you lock them in a library together for a day.” -Emma Gray, Senior Editor HuffPost Women

19. “The Heat”
“This movie is simply amazing. Melissa McCarthy is basically my idol. Her character reminded me that you can be funny and don’t need to look pretty all the time. And that funny women are always the best.” – Alanna Vagianos, Associate Editor HuffPost Women

20. “Little Darlings”
“This film was the first time I was really exposed to female sexuality and its consequences for different women. Each character approaches her sex-pedition differently and largely based on how society expects certain types of women from certain types of backgrounds to exert their sexuality, but the ending throws these stereotypes into sharp relief. Equal parts sobering and exciting, ‘Little Darlings’ showed me that sexuality is fraught with social, political and economic factors, which all women experience and navigate differently.” – Amanda Duberman, News Editor HuffPost Women

21. “Zero Dark Thirty”
“‘Zero Dark Thirty’ was an empowering movie to watch as a woman. We so rarely get to watch movies with female heroes in general, but to see one that’s based on a true woman leading the CIA against terror was pretty badass. I thought it did a wonderful job of depicting the benefits and complications of a woman in charge and I left feeling stronger than when I entered the theater.” – Jessica Kane, Director of Millennial Outreach HuffPost Teen

www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/21/movies-for-women-changed-the-way-you-felt-about-yourself_n_6021014.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices&ir=Gay+Voices

Geaux Vote for Equality

Last week, President Bill Clinton headlined a rally to help reelect Sen. Landrieu, and reminded us that when you stay home on Election Day, you’re letting someone else’s vote speak for you.
HRC.org

www.hrc.org/blog/entry/geaux-vote-for-equality?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss-feed

Apple CEO Tim Cook Reads Alabama’s Anti-Gay Governor to Filth

Probably-gay Apple CEO Tim Cook popped by the Old House Chamber at the Alabama State Capitol this week, and took the opportunity to politely remind everyone that Alabama’s Governor, Robert Bentley, is part of the problem.

Cook was in town to receive an award from the Alabama Academy of Honor (he grew up in Alabama), and in his remarks, he criticized the state for its homophobia.

“As a state, we took too long to take steps toward equality,” he said. “We were too slow on equality for African-Americans. We were too slow on interracial marriage. And we are still too slow on equality for the LGBT community.”

Governor Bentley was standing nearby during the remarks. When he was campaigning for governor, Bentley said, “I will ensure that Alabama does not follow the trend of allowing gay marriages or civil unions, and I will protect our state’s right to define marriage as between one man and one woman.”

Bentley’s also done some pretty cowardly punting on the issue of marriage, saying, “The people of Alabama voted 81 percent to have the ban on same-sex marriage, and it’s in our constitution. Whatever the people vote on, I support. I believe in the people’s right to vote and this is how they feel, so I support the people.”

Oh, right, of course, it’s the people’s fault! Not the governor’s! Nothing he can do, hands are tied, has to defend a bigoted and unconstitutional law, oh well.

Cook has also pushed federal officials to pass workplace nondiscrimination laws, which should be happening aaaaaaany day now.

Bentley is currently running for re-election, and he’s pretty much guaranteed to win, so life is probably going to be continue to be difficult for Alabaman LGBTs. That is, unless some generous benefactor, someone with deep pockets and roots in the state, comes along and donates a ton of money to queer Alabama causes. But what magical fairy could possibly do that?

matt baume

feedproxy.google.com/~r/queerty2/~3/fbc7bi8uGF8/apple-ceo-tim-cook-reads-alabamas-anti-gay-governor-to-filth-20141028

Suspect In Drunken Anti-Gay Assault In Dallas Will Not Face Hate Crimes Charges, Jail Time: READ

Sean Mandell

www.towleroad.com/2014/10/suspect-in-drunken-anti-gay-assault-in-dallas-will-not-face-hate-crimes-charges-jail-time-read.html