Portland
Religious Leaders, Survivors of the “Ex-Gay” Movement and PFLAG Declare Love Welcomes All
Oregonians hold supportive event in response to out-of-state anti-gay group’s “Love Won Out” Conference.
“Our passion comes from our love for our children, and the knowledge that they are discriminated against, yet make enormous contributions every day to their communities.” ~ Teri Noble, President Oregon PFLAG
(GRESHAM, OREGON) – Religious leaders, survivors of the “ex-gay” movement, PFLAG members (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) joined together today for Love Welcomes All, an interfaith prayer vigil and PFLAG meeting meant to bring a welcoming message. The event was held in response to the anti-gay group Focus on the Family’s “Love Won Out” Conference in Portland.
“Our message is one of love, acceptance and hope,” said Rev. Tara Wilkins, Executive Director of the Community of Welcoming Congregations. “Our Christian churches denounce the notion that one has to change God’s gift of sexuality. It is messages like those of the Love Won Out program that divide families, cause alienation, and all too often lead to suicide in those who feel they can never conform to the standard of self-denial.”
“I was having a complete mental breakdown and seriously contemplating ways to end my life,” said Portland resident and survivor of the ex-gay movement Jonmarc Ross. “It wasn’t being gay and holding on to my faith that nearly killed me; it was misguided faith in the belief that I had to change.”
He continued, “Today I celebrate that I left that scared self loathing boy behind and began a very long and painful journey to a place where I can finally see a man that God loves.”
Love Welcomes All was held at Ainsworth United Church of Christ in northeast Portland. The event began with a brief press conference at 5:45 p.m., followed by an interfaith prayer vigil. PFLAG then held a two-hour emergency meeting designed to bring open discussion and comfort to any individuals or families seeking support, including those who may have attended the anti-gay “Love won Out” conference. All events were open to the public; the PFLAG meeting was closed to the media to respect the privacy of individuals in attendance.
“When God led me out of the ex-gay movement, I finally learned that love truly welcomes all. I was led to the open doors of welcoming congregations and spiritual communities, and I encountered the loving God I had only heard of until that moment. It was a truly sacred experience of coming home to God and my self”, said Rev. Wes Mullins, Associate Pastor at Metropolitan Community Church of Portland.
Media seeking additional comment should contact PFLAG representative Teri Noble at 503-591-5105 or Community of Welcoming Congregations Executive Director Rev. Tara Wilkins
“Simply put, there is no one religious view on these issues. From my religious viewpoint, each day that our state’s laws permit discrimination against lesbians and gays is an affront to God. It’s time to stop standing in the way of the holiness of equality.” – Rabbi Maurice Harris, Eugene
(GRESHAM, OREGON) - Religious leaders across Oregon take exception to statements made by the Oregon Family Council, and say the time is now to end discrimination.
The Community of Welcoming Congregations, an interfaith association of more than 80 member congregations, calls on religious leaders to stand in solidarity with gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons seeking equality. Joy Wallace of the Catholic Coalition of Welcoming Parishes comments, “Many people who identify themselves as members of the ‘faith community’ strongly support SB 2, because we believe that
all God’s people must be respected and be equally protected by the law.”
The faith leaders of Community of Welcoming Congregations were deeply disturbed by a recent press release by the Oregon Family Council criticizing SB2 (dated 3/21/07), in which the organization claimed to speak for “Oregon’s religious community” and “on behalf of Oregon’s churches, religious leaders, sectarian and non-sectarian religious organizations, schools, and other religious non-profit charitable organizations”.
“The Oregon Family Council does not speak for all or even the majority of Oregon’s religious community,” says Rev. Tara Wilkins, Executive Director of Community of Welcoming Congregations. “Our congregations feel that the language of the bill more than adequately protects churches and religious organizations.”
Rev. John Gantt, interim conference minister for the United Church of Christ’s 50 area churches asserts, “Contrary to claims of the Oregon Family Council that our religious liberties are violated by SB 2, I believe the employment practices of non-profit religious groups are well protected by the provisions of the bill, if such groups want to be exempted.”
“Senate Bill 2, contrary to what one religious group might say, is a powerful step forward towards recognizing that all human beings are created in the image of God,” states Rabbi Joseph Wolf, Havurah Shalom in Portland. “That we may soon see the day when discriminating against people of different sexual orientations, when it comes to work opportunities and housing, is something that members of all faiths should be celebrating. As Jews, we understand clearly the impact of centuries of disenfranchisement, and we rejoice that citizens of our state are broadening the horizons of responsible human discourse.”
The Community of Welcoming Congregations urges all faith leaders to contact their representative and show their support of Senate Bill 2.
“Make no mistake, the Oregon Equality Act (SB2) is right, good, and moral,” says Rev. Wes Mullins, associate pastor of Metropolitan Community Church of Portland.
UPCOMING EVENT/MEDIA INVITATION:
“A Call to Prayer, A Call to Justice”
Faith leaders from across the state will join together for a prayer breakfast in Salem on Thursday, April 12th, 2007 from 9am-10:30am. Members of the media and members of the legislature are encouraged to attend; a press conference will follow.
This breakfast’s interfaith program will focus on inclusion and equality.