tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30916741117688336402024-03-13T20:42:35.935-07:00Gay is a GIFTA discussion of "Gay is a gift" on the Oprah Winfrey Show inspired the inspirational pocket guidebook on gay spirituality written by Salvatore Sapienza, author of "Seventy Times Seven."Gay is a GIFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14203918952622421734noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091674111768833640.post-84693049164994169832017-09-12T11:56:00.001-07:002017-09-12T11:56:39.542-07:00Fr. Mychal Judge: First Gay Saint?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqmaACEwPdL5t-waVFPpU0y06iklrp8caN_BLwuYA_d2z6p3qnSkL3jWwJO9xg2kQBKy29WoeTiebx6vWahcLqp5uvkvMiS7jXfUV8oAj-6IGXGE4LS4apqUbwVrJXDwWMqHMCmjoeSnY/s1600/mychal+2013.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="324" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqmaACEwPdL5t-waVFPpU0y06iklrp8caN_BLwuYA_d2z6p3qnSkL3jWwJO9xg2kQBKy29WoeTiebx6vWahcLqp5uvkvMiS7jXfUV8oAj-6IGXGE4LS4apqUbwVrJXDwWMqHMCmjoeSnY/s320/mychal+2013.png" width="207" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am so honored to be mentioned in <a href="https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2017/09/father-mychal-judge-was-a-9-11-hero-could-he-also-become-the-first-gay-saint.html">SLATE</a>'s article on Fr. Mychal Judge, the "Saint of 9/11." Here's a snippet:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="slate-paragraph slate-paragraph--drop-cap" data-editable="text" data-uri="slate.com/components/slate-paragraph/instances/cj7gjafvg001lxkl2v2xn85w6@published" data-word-count="175" style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 30px;">
<span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>When Salvatore Sapienza saw the small classified ad in the back of <span style="box-sizing: inherit;">OutWeek</span>, a gay news magazine in New York, he thought it seemed like a sign. “In the spirit of Francis of Assisi,” the ad read, “serving our brothers and sisters affected by AIDS.” At the bottom was the address of the St. Francis AIDS Ministry on West 31<sup style="box-sizing: inherit;">st</sup> Street in Manhattan. Sapienza was gay—he had been out for years—but he was also a Marist Brother, a Catholic office similar to the priesthood. New York City in 1989 was not an easy place to be both gay and Catholic. The AIDS crisis would claim more than 5,000 people in the city that year, and the church was vocally opposed to condoms and homosexuality. Sapienza felt like that little bulletin, appearing among pages advertising sex phone lines and astrologists, was written just for him. A black-and-white drawing showed the 13<sup style="box-sizing: inherit;">th</sup>-century saint, a symbol of charity and humility, overlooking a pastoral landscape as skyscrapers loomed in the background. Sapienza found himself wondering who’d placed the ad.</i></b></span></div>
<div class="slate-paragraph" data-editable="text" data-uri="slate.com/components/slate-paragraph/instances/cj7gjcvie00023k5u2a122bkt@published" data-word-count="91" style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 30px;">
<span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i>The address for the St. Francis AIDS Ministry turned out to be the Church of St. Francis of Assisi. Four people answered the ad, including Sapienza, and soon they were visiting AIDS patients in hospital rooms, praying for them and holding their hands. When Sapienza first showed up at the soaring 19<sup style="box-sizing: inherit;">th</sup>-century church, he was led inside to a tiny office on the ground floor of the attached friary. The beaming man who greeted him seemed big in every way: tall, loud, boisterous, and joyful. His name was Father Mychal Judge.</i></b></span></div>
<div class="slate-paragraph" data-editable="text" data-uri="slate.com/components/slate-paragraph/instances/cj7gjcvie00023k5u2a122bkt@published" data-word-count="91" style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 30px;">
<span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Read the full article <a href="https://www.blogger.com/hen%20Salvatore%20Sapienza%20saw%20the%20small%20classified%20ad%20in%20the%20back%20of%20OutWeek,%20a%20gay%20news%20magazine%20in%20New%20York,%20he%20thought%20it%20seemed%20like%20a%20sign.%20%E2%80%9CIn%20the%20spirit%20of%20Francis%20of%20Assisi,%E2%80%9D%20the%20ad%20read,%20%E2%80%9Cserving%20our%20brothers%20and%20sisters%20affected%20by%20AIDS.%E2%80%9D%20At%20the%20bottom%20was%20the%20address%20of%20the%20St.%20Francis%20AIDS%20Ministry%20on%20West%2031st%20Street%20in%20Manhattan.%20Sapienza%20was%20gay%E2%80%94he%20had%20been%20out%20for%20years%E2%80%94but%20he%20was%20also%20a%20Marist%20Brother,%20a%20Catholic%20office%20similar%20to%20the%20priesthood.%20New%20York%20City%20in%201989%20was%20not%20an%20easy%20place%20to%20be%20both%20gay%20and%20Catholic.%20The%20AIDS%20crisis%20would%20claim%20more%20than%205,000%20people%20in%20the%20city%20that%20year,%20and%20the%20church%20was%20vocally%20opposed%20to%20condoms%20and%20homosexuality.%20Sapienza%20felt%20like%20that%20little%20bulletin,%20appearing%20among%20pages%20advertising%20sex%20phone%20lines%20and%20astrologists,%20was%20written%20just%20for%20him.%20A%20black-and-white%20drawing%20showed%20the%2013th-century%20saint,%20a%20symbol%20of%20charity%20and%20humility,%20overlooking%20a%20pastoral%20landscape%20as%20skyscrapers%20loomed%20in%20the%20background.%20Sapienza%20found%20himself%20wondering%20who%E2%80%99d%20placed%20the%20ad.%20%20The%20address%20for%20the%20St.%20Francis%20AIDS%20Ministry%20turned%20out%20to%20be%20the%20Church%20of%20St.%20Francis%20of%20Assisi.%20Four%20people%20answered%20the%20ad,%20including%20Sapienza,%20and%20soon%20they%20were%20visiting%20AIDS%20patients%20in%20hospital%20rooms,%20praying%20for%20them%20and%20holding%20their%20hands.%20When%20Sapienza%20first%20showed%20up%20at%20the%20soaring%2019th-century%20church,%20he%20was%20led%20inside%20to%20a%20tiny%20office%20on%20the%20ground%20floor%20of%20the%20attached%20friary.%20The%20beaming%20man%20who%20greeted%20him%20seemed%20big%20in%20every%20way:%20tall,%20loud,%20boisterous,%20and%20joyful.%20His%20name%20was%20Father%20Mychal%20Judge.">HERE</a>. Thank you to writer, Ruth Graham.</span></div>
<div class="slate-paragraph" data-editable="text" data-uri="slate.com/components/slate-paragraph/instances/cj7gjcvie00023k5u2a122bkt@published" data-word-count="91" style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 30px;">
<span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Purchase my book: <i><b>Mychal's Prayer: Praying with Father Mychal Judge</b></i> on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/0615473318/?tag=slatmaga-20">Amazon</a> or <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mychals-prayer-donna-leonard/1100548082?ean=9780615473314">Barnes&Noble</a>.</span></div>
Gay is a GIFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14203918952622421734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091674111768833640.post-83047084706617190702017-08-10T10:23:00.003-07:002017-08-10T10:23:43.197-07:00Pastor Denounces Christian Church's Treatment of Gay People <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/I4B5bCxHQpE/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/I4B5bCxHQpE?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">Watch as Rev. <a href="http://www.salsapienza.com/">Salvatore Sapienza</a>, pastor of <a href="http://www.douglasucc.org/">Douglas UCC</a>, says the Christian Church is responsible for destroying more gay lives than the Orlando shooter ever did. This powerful message was given at a Vigil for Orlando in Saugatuck, Michigan.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">Rev. Sapienza is the author of the books, <i>Seventy Times Seven</i>; <i>Mychal's Prayer: Praying with Father Mychal Judge</i>; and <i>Gay is a Gift, </i>all of which are available on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Salvatore-Sapienza/e/B001JRXHXU/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1502385729&sr=8-1">Amazon</a> and <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Salvatore%20Sapienza%22?Ntk=P_key_Contributor_List&Ns=P_Sales_Rank&Ntx=mode+matchall">Barnes&Noble</a></span></span>Gay is a GIFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14203918952622421734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091674111768833640.post-58981296543778808382017-08-10T10:15:00.001-07:002017-08-10T10:15:23.592-07:00Christian Pastor Say Gay People Are Not Broken<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/B1ljopmP3b4/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/B1ljopmP3b4?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">Watch as Rev. Salvatore Sapienza, pastor of <a href="http://www.douglasucc.org/">Douglas UCC</a>, gives a message for Gay Pride Sunday about how gay people are not broken, but that being gay is a gift from God.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">Rev. Sapienza's book, <a href="http://www.salsapienza.com/">GAY IS A GIFT</a>, is available at <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Gay-Gift-Salvatore-Sapienza/dp/0615339042/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1502385227&sr=8-6&keywords=gay+is+a+gift">Amazon</a> and <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gay-is-a-gift-salvatore-sapienza/1020926633?ean=9780615339047">Barnes&Noble</a></span></span></div>
Gay is a GIFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14203918952622421734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091674111768833640.post-42355139826230534942017-08-10T10:10:00.001-07:002017-08-10T10:10:19.428-07:00Time to Canonize Gay Saint of 9/11 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk1naHT_AAbn6I5NQW_vSUdA-lw4FKgT0FFlMHhoAbKJqWMncYqQIeGz6-3yW-NiGVP8nQ-hj3S-3H3JTbBeUgQ51Tn8QEJjRwXOgdLRiL08qpjeikp1op0gRuK0rhcdm8J8LdmG6QIik/s1600/MychalJudge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="439" data-original-width="319" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk1naHT_AAbn6I5NQW_vSUdA-lw4FKgT0FFlMHhoAbKJqWMncYqQIeGz6-3yW-NiGVP8nQ-hj3S-3H3JTbBeUgQ51Tn8QEJjRwXOgdLRiL08qpjeikp1op0gRuK0rhcdm8J8LdmG6QIik/s320/MychalJudge.jpg" width="232" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">Thank you to San Francisco's <a href="http://www.ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=72802">BAY AREA REPORTER</a> newspaper for quoting me and my book, <a href="http://www.mychalsprayer.com/">MYCHAL'S PRAYER</a> in their recent article about Fr. Mychal Judge, the Saint of 9/11, and the calls for his canonization to become a saint in the Catholic Church.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">In the article, reporter Seth Hemmelgard, writes: </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; font-size: 13.65px;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: 13.65px;">Advocates are pushing for a gay New York priest who ministered to people living with AIDS and rushed into the burning World Trade Center on 9/11 to be made a saint. </span><span style="font-size: 13.65px;">Father Mychal Judge, a New York fire department chaplain, became known as "Victim Number One" after he died when he and other first responders went to help others.</span><span style="font-size: 13.65px;"> o</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; font-size: 13.65px;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span>
<div style="font-size: 13.65px; margin-bottom: 8px;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">About two weeks ago, Pope Francis added the "Offering of Life" category so that somebody who "knowingly gives his or her life for other people" is eligible for canonization.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13.65px; margin-bottom: 8px;">
<span style="background-color: black; font-size: 13.65px;"><span style="color: white;">Salvatore Sapienza, 53, of Saugatuck, Michigan, worked with Judge in the late 1980s and early 1990s, as the AIDS crisis was hitting its peak in New York.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13.65px; margin-bottom: 8px;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">"The Catholic Church was not responding to the crisis at all, and many people in the gay community saw the Catholic Church as the enemy," said Sapienza.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13.65px; margin-bottom: 8px;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">With the help of Sapienza and some others, Judge started an AIDS ministry in the monastery where he lived.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13.65px; margin-bottom: 8px;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">"Nobody in the church was really doing anything until Mychal had the idea to start something," he said.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13.65px; margin-bottom: 8px;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">Judge was "larger than life," said Sapienza. "He really was like one of those people you see when they walk into a room gets everyone's attention."</span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13.65px; margin-bottom: 8px;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">The priest "always wore the Franciscan robe and sandals everywhere in Manhattan," even on the subway, he said. Judge explained he saw it as his uniform. Just as people would seek out police or firefighters when there was an emergency, Judge wanted people to be able to find him when they needed spiritual help, said Sapienza.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13.65px; margin-bottom: 8px;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">"He really was a saintly figure in so many ways," he said. "Unfortunately, we think of saints as being people who were pious holy rollers, and Mychal was a very real person. He was the New York City fire chaplain, so he was hanging out with these blue-collar firefighters from the boroughs, and he could laugh with them and tell jokes with them."</span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13.65px; margin-bottom: 8px;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">Sapienza added that Judge "saw the light in everybody. He saw the goodness in all people and met them where they were."</span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13.65px; margin-bottom: 8px;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">Judge, who was out to his circle of friends, "was very clear he was a celibate man. He was faithful to his vows," he said.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13.65px; margin-bottom: 8px;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">Every morning, Judge recited a prayer that said, "Lord today take me where you want me to go, let me meet who you want me to meet, tell me want you want me to say, and keep me out of your way," according to Sapienza.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13.65px; margin-bottom: 8px;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">Judge's habit of "surrendering to life" and being "in the flow of life" is probably what led him into the World Trade Center just after it was attacked, he said, adding, "That's where he was supposed to be."</span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13.65px; margin-bottom: 8px;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13.65px; margin-bottom: 8px;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">A link to the full article can be read here at <a href="http://www.ebar.com/news/article.php?sec=news&article=72802">Bay Area Reporter</a>.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 13.65px; margin-bottom: 8px;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">The book, <a href="http://www.mychalsprayer.com/">MYCHAL'S PRAYER</a>, is available on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mychals-Prayer-Praying-Father-Mychal/dp/0615473318/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1502384816&sr=8-1&keywords=mychal%27s+prayer">Amazon</a> and <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mychals-prayer-donna-leonard/1100548082?ean=9780615473314">Barnes&Noble</a></span></span></div>
Gay is a GIFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14203918952622421734noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091674111768833640.post-47865170203890746372017-08-10T10:00:00.001-07:002017-08-10T10:00:11.805-07:00Catholic Bishop Says Being Gay is a Gift from God<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">From <a href="https://newwaysministryblog.wordpress.com/2017/08/10/bishop-calls-being-gay-a-gift-from-god-seeks-to-save-lgbt-lives/">New Ways Ministry</a>:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "noto serif" , "georgia" , "times" , serif; font-size: 15px;">Being gay is a “gift from God” according to one Catholic bishop in Brazil. </span><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "noto serif", georgia, times, serif; font-size: 15px;">Bishop Antônio Carlos Cruz Santos said:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: "noto serif", georgia, times, serif; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span>
<div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: "noto serif", georgia, times, serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 1.8em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">“‘If [being gay] is not a choice, if it is not a disease, in the perspective of faith it can only be a gift. . .The gospel par excellence is the gospel of inclusion. . .The gospel is a narrow door, yes, it is a demanding love, but it is a door that is always open.'”</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: "noto serif", georgia, times, serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 1.8em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Cruz added that perhaps “our prejudices do not get the gift of God” in LGBT people. Prejudice, he said, puts “concept before experience” and creates a negative impact.</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: "noto serif", georgia, times, serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 1.8em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">As a black bishop, he related the situation with homosexuality today to a time when black people were enslaved due to white people’s prejudices, adding:</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: "noto serif", georgia, times, serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 1.8em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">“‘Just as we were able to leap, in the wisdom of the Gospel, and overcome slavery, is it not the time for us to leap, from a perspective of faith, and overcome prejudices against our brothers who experience same-sex attraction?'”</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: "noto serif", georgia, times, serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 1.8em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Cruz also preached that people discover their sexual orientation rather than choose it. </span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: "noto serif", georgia, times, serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 1.8em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">—<em style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Robert Shine, <a href="https://newwaysministryblog.wordpress.com/2017/08/10/bishop-calls-being-gay-a-gift-from-god-seeks-to-save-lgbt-lives/">New Ways Ministry</a>, August 10, 2017</em></span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-family: "noto serif", georgia, times, serif; font-size: 15px; margin-bottom: 1.8em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Read Salvatore Sapienza's book <a href="http://www.gayisagift.com/">GAY IS A GIFT</a>, which has been called "Chicken Soup of the Gay Soul." It is available on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Gay-Gift-Salvatore-Sapienza/dp/0615339042/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1502384037&sr=8-6&keywords=gay+is+a+gift">Amazon</a> and <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gay-is-a-gift-salvatore-sapienza/1020926633?ean=9780615339047">Barnes&Noble</a>. </span></div>
Gay is a GIFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14203918952622421734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091674111768833640.post-19502775389027921582015-09-24T07:36:00.001-07:002015-09-24T07:36:47.949-07:00Remembering John McNeill<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFh5ErNghOUbMs-Q58ojvZmGX0SwZRR4qfBFdBxm_bcLrz_IrK8MMp-4KoEcAYwy1ZKsfu_ZSTspNU7JNVHGVS4gMP4hGJtsneEMuryaGb8WVJKU2teLauTlUUSfSEGis9NdwiyiQGEVg/s1600/john+mcneill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFh5ErNghOUbMs-Q58ojvZmGX0SwZRR4qfBFdBxm_bcLrz_IrK8MMp-4KoEcAYwy1ZKsfu_ZSTspNU7JNVHGVS4gMP4hGJtsneEMuryaGb8WVJKU2teLauTlUUSfSEGis9NdwiyiQGEVg/s320/john+mcneill.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">Today, we remember <a href="http://www.johnjmcneill.com/AUTHOR.HTML">John McNeill</a>, who passed away this week. McNeill was a hero to the gay Catholic community for decades. A Jesuit priest for 40 years, McNeill was forced by the Vatican to leave the priesthood if he continued to minister to the gay and lesbian community. McNeill left religious life with no bank account, health insurance, etc., but he did not abandon his faith nor his dedication to serving LGBT people of faith. He wrote several books, including the groundbreaking <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Church-Homosexual-John-J-McNeill/dp/0807079316/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1443105265&sr=1-1&keywords=the+church+and+the+homosexual">The Church and the Homosexual</a></i>.</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">"It has always been the prophetic role of lesbians and gay men to lead the Church and Western culture toward embracing embodiment, a sense of identity with the body and its sensuousness," McNeill said, and he stressed the calling of our gay community: to guide humanity to a deeper appreciation of beauty, hospitality and compassion.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">"Do not waste one ounce of energy in a negative attachment of anger with the Church, but rather, let's commit every ounce of our energy to the positive ministry of love which God has called us," McNeill said. Let us remember and honor his life and spirit. #gayisagift.</span>Gay is a GIFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14203918952622421734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091674111768833640.post-27365856102764700862014-11-01T07:13:00.003-07:002014-11-01T07:14:49.914-07:00Apple CEO: Being Gay is a Gift from God<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_mM8Qgzq4FVDEBMdtWT_GQ56uhPNbJ8cITGI1vjN9fc-PQWIQUqOvl-nqC3ntTG9t0j8hih3aQTnjDkf6-wGEar6jSZd5OQZyeqNOAqQ_o5MybwvGjdMpaIIS0jVsdNnPe303Ut4JyE/s1600/tim+cook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy_mM8Qgzq4FVDEBMdtWT_GQ56uhPNbJ8cITGI1vjN9fc-PQWIQUqOvl-nqC3ntTG9t0j8hih3aQTnjDkf6-wGEar6jSZd5OQZyeqNOAqQ_o5MybwvGjdMpaIIS0jVsdNnPe303Ut4JyE/s1600/tim+cook.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.gayisagift.com/"><span style="font-size: x-large;">www.gayisagift.com</span></a></div>
Gay is a GIFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14203918952622421734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091674111768833640.post-30033380123645524072014-09-28T13:14:00.001-07:002014-09-28T13:14:01.282-07:00"Binding & Loosing"<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/zEramEN3JR0" width="480"></iframe><br />Gay is a GIFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14203918952622421734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091674111768833640.post-89331656804033742402013-10-26T12:47:00.003-07:002013-10-26T12:47:54.010-07:00Watch Video: Author Salvatore Sapienza on Gay as a Spiritual Gift<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="283" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/77648591" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe> <br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/77648591">Coming Out Spiritually</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user5709655">C3Exchange</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.Gay is a GIFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14203918952622421734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091674111768833640.post-32355438641911506162013-09-10T06:45:00.001-07:002013-09-10T06:45:33.452-07:00"Meditation & the Balanced Life" - Salvatore Sapienza<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzZ809LGNY4dK0nAKF--jt1CukG1dFSmfqvJYk_CHqznKoqhQkjXOJcPIQtsVvJfDDrc1B8InhRqIupMzxW1A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will be giving a talk on "Meditation & the Balanced Life" at <a href="http://www.spirit-space.org/">Spirit Space</a> on September 15. </div>
Gay is a GIFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14203918952622421734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091674111768833640.post-58182371620842202972013-07-02T11:00:00.001-07:002013-07-02T11:00:34.109-07:00Sal Sapienza on AFSI (All Faiths Seminary International)<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/P0_3wX2NVc4" width="480"></iframe><br />
Gay is a GIFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14203918952622421734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091674111768833640.post-86956973819138540362013-06-21T07:31:00.001-07:002013-06-21T07:31:09.234-07:00Father Mychal Judge, gay saint of 9/11<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBDchGxfHDzHdlQxNrFcxTWG3NyMZoSLnsVz3HJtYAvoogsG4y-K4cG9_k5KGkj0yuKBrK49LxwsKCvmE6t7PK8BT_Sd5r7kQm-8-RhKjtvLaO55WaLYocCJ5pOYbZ_Be3XJzy5eLz26w/s1600/mychal+2013.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBDchGxfHDzHdlQxNrFcxTWG3NyMZoSLnsVz3HJtYAvoogsG4y-K4cG9_k5KGkj0yuKBrK49LxwsKCvmE6t7PK8BT_Sd5r7kQm-8-RhKjtvLaO55WaLYocCJ5pOYbZ_Be3XJzy5eLz26w/s320/mychal+2013.png" width="207" /></a></div>An Excerpt from my latest book, <strong><em>Mychal's Prayer: Praying with Father Mychal Judge</em></strong>:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://jesusinlove.blogspot.com/2011/09/10-years-later-mychal-judge-gay-saint.html#.UcRjYXW3vk4.blogger">Jesus in Love Blog: 10 years later: Mychal Judge, gay saint of 9/11</a>Gay is a GIFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14203918952622421734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091674111768833640.post-45792493295197500092013-06-21T07:19:00.001-07:002013-06-21T07:19:20.569-07:00Gay is a Gift: Jason CollinsMy latest newspaper column: "What Would You Do If You Were Brave?"<br />
<br />
Click: <a href="http://susanboyleradiostationcampaign.blogspot.com/2013/06/slice-of-life-what-would-you-do-if-you.html?spref=bl">Susan Boyle - Radio Campaign - Recognition - Accomplishments - Posters: <br />
Slice of LifeWhat would you do if you were brave?...</a>: Gay is a GIFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14203918952622421734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091674111768833640.post-69342389759595353632013-06-08T06:43:00.001-07:002013-06-08T06:43:54.293-07:00Gay is A Gift By Salvatore Sapienza<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0EmtJCnYyhi8nhXmFY6COpBvVc-AoMEt_eCHxIkjNFxA2XxTo9z1lzleaW5fbYKKarrip8zhJc3_eZlw8_n-y_rhr4Q0q4xFocfzp9eTKgsj4XzD-ax3MROLRub_idlZbI4kV4i9ZYxE/s1600/unity+logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0EmtJCnYyhi8nhXmFY6COpBvVc-AoMEt_eCHxIkjNFxA2XxTo9z1lzleaW5fbYKKarrip8zhJc3_eZlw8_n-y_rhr4Q0q4xFocfzp9eTKgsj4XzD-ax3MROLRub_idlZbI4kV4i9ZYxE/s1600/unity+logo.jpg" /></a></div>UNITY is one of the most inclusive churches, and they have an amazing LGBT page as part of their website. <br />
<br />
I am honored that they have included an excerpt from my book <a href="http://www.salsapienza.com/">Gay is a Gift</a> on their affirming webpage. Visit it: <a href="http://content.unity.org/homepageArchive/features/gayIsAGift.html#.UbM0Av_BaK4.blogger">Gay is A Gift By Salvatore Sapienza</a>Gay is a GIFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14203918952622421734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091674111768833640.post-81869802684593913582013-03-20T08:46:00.004-07:002013-03-20T08:46:52.046-07:00Anderson Cooper: Gay is a Gift!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7wUmYEDrYC6kRchCUyIEAzjmFIaOoH4J3NjXjHd1GF0VpVR8yUqRelUhWeKefRMb3tlz-cyU4-hT-UOLYOHX539VkgxRQgA6HKgdGnS6jiUCrFet21x33XPEdcQcM_xcM8auVOwfO5LE/s1600/ac.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7wUmYEDrYC6kRchCUyIEAzjmFIaOoH4J3NjXjHd1GF0VpVR8yUqRelUhWeKefRMb3tlz-cyU4-hT-UOLYOHX539VkgxRQgA6HKgdGnS6jiUCrFet21x33XPEdcQcM_xcM8auVOwfO5LE/s1600/ac.png" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="userContent">Anderson Cooper: ""I've had many blessings in my life and being gay is certainly one of the greatest blessings. It has allowed me to open my head and open my heart in ways that I never could have predicted. The ability to love one another is one of God's greatest gifts and I thank God every day for enabling me to give and share love with people in my life, with my family, my friends, and my partner Benjamin." <a href="http://www.salsapienza.com/">GAY IS A GIFT</a>!</span></div>
Gay is a GIFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14203918952622421734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091674111768833640.post-57365037931075182642012-08-03T09:14:00.001-07:002012-08-03T09:14:14.576-07:00Gay Spirituality Weekend: LGBT Retreat at Unity Village<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_MYHOBVyCvg?fs=1" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
Hope you can join me at the <a href="http://www.unityvillage.org/lgbt">"Out in the Open" LGBT Spirituality Retreat</a> at Unity Village in September. Watch the video for more information. Gay is a GIFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14203918952622421734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091674111768833640.post-89596770769758741362011-11-18T09:37:00.000-08:002011-11-18T09:38:43.306-08:00Gay is a Gift on the radio<div>Author <a href="http://www,gayisagift.com/">Salvatore Sapienza </a>(<a href="http://www.70x7book.com/">Seventy Times Seven</a>; <a href="http://www.mychalsprayer.com/">Mychal's Prayer: Praying with Father Mychal Judge</a>) talks about his book <a href="http://www,gayisagift.com/">Gay is a Gift </a>on the show "Living a Sacred Life" with <a href="http://www.whenyoubelieve.org/raymont_anderson.html">Dr. Raymont Anderson </a>on Voice America radio. </div><div> </div><div>Take a listen below: </div><div> </div><div><a href="http://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/57531/gay-is-a-gift-with-salvatore-sapienza">Living a Sacred Life | VoiceAmerica™</a></div>Gay is a GIFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14203918952622421734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091674111768833640.post-24759018007117229842011-06-05T10:15:00.000-07:002011-06-05T10:22:11.345-07:00"Mychal's Prayer": Another Great Review<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjBByDTK8owmVNZu9eXpZRVhW1NjCg7W7B3Aqiskn5ye2WzS_DCNqSh63gnMoHpeaYOYkXi5in3wnqA3vLCFPxBAsqbHJ8WjDMx0CP69NrcbKwZuKrgIQuYNeDY8wrB70sAKtdga_Nag/s1600/mychal%2527s+prayer+cover.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 215px; height: 320px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614785965525764114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjBByDTK8owmVNZu9eXpZRVhW1NjCg7W7B3Aqiskn5ye2WzS_DCNqSh63gnMoHpeaYOYkXi5in3wnqA3vLCFPxBAsqbHJ8WjDMx0CP69NrcbKwZuKrgIQuYNeDY8wrB70sAKtdga_Nag/s320/mychal%2527s+prayer+cover.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGLLdbwWby_nZD8ohguXQbPN3xu2t5yw-tNLvwmghBA2TpPd2E7kl3_L5LqO70BBbxbVRJiBjxe2Q7IOMzfLKheWA90JYjfNqowJpsQjk4tJn7CQ53JYdC9NjbtYvsj13JmWt8FyWZ48M/s1600/MychalJudge.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 233px; height: 320px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614785883712503730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGLLdbwWby_nZD8ohguXQbPN3xu2t5yw-tNLvwmghBA2TpPd2E7kl3_L5LqO70BBbxbVRJiBjxe2Q7IOMzfLKheWA90JYjfNqowJpsQjk4tJn7CQ53JYdC9NjbtYvsj13JmWt8FyWZ48M/s320/MychalJudge.jpg" /></a>Thank you to <a href="http://reviewsbyamoslassen.com/?p=6497">Amos Lassen </a>for his wonderful review of my new book, <a href="http://www.mychalsprayer.com">Mychal's Prayer: Praying with Father Mychal </a>Judge:</div><div> </div><div>All of us have heard of Father Mychal Judge who has come to be one of the heroes of 9/11. As a Catholic priest, he helped to establish the Saint Francis AIDS Ministry in New York City and he gave of himself to others even when it ultimately cost him his life. As he died, he was serving not only God but others and he responded to Mayor Rudy Giuliani when the mayor requested that he pray for the people of New York. He responded with “I always do!” and those were the last words anyone heard him speak. He was the only priest to enter the World Trade Center and he did so in order to give absolution, aid and prayers to those trapped inside. It was there that he met his own death. He refused to evacuate the building when told to do so; his “boys”, the firefighters were working hard at saving lives and he was there with them.<br /><br />In honor and commemoration of the tenth anniversary of 9/11, Salvatore Sapienza gives us this beautiful little book of prayers for Father Mychal. Sapienza worked side by side with him when they created the Saint Francis AIDS Ministry and he felt that this was one way to honor his friend who died while trying to save the lives of others.<br /><br />The book is about spirituality and it is composed of a series of prayers and meditations which are joined to events and actions that were part of Father Mychal’s life. Yes, it is religious to a degree but it can also be used for spiritual guidance and that is one of the wonderful things about it.<br /><br />This is the third book of Sapienza’s that I have reviewed and I must say that with each book, for me, at least, the gap between my religion, Judaism, and his religion, Catholicism, narrows. It really is not about religion, it is about God and each of must find our own way to understand and deal with Him. I have total respect for Sapienza’s view and I know that he reciprocates that with me. The important thing is now how you believe or where you pray but that you believe and once we realize that the God of the Catholics and the God of the Jews and the God of the Episcopalians, Lutherans, Methodists, Baptists, etc is the same God we shall have more harmony. I work towards that as does Sapienza.<br /><br />As I read his little book, I had one thought—these prayers are so Jewish. They, like Father Mychal share the “Universal Divine Wisdom” that all the religions of the world share. That was one the attributes that made Father Mychal so special—he shared that wisdom. Father Mychal was pastor to the marginalized, men and women like us who have had a hard time finding our place in organized religion and this might have been considered heretical by some. Father Mychal did what he felt he had to do and all of us are so much better because of it.<br /><br />As I write this, I cannot help be reminded of the verses that the author uses from Isaiah 6:8<br /><br />“Here I am Lord. It is I Lord.<br /><br />I have heard you calling in the night.<br /><br />I will go, Lord, where you lead me.<br /><br />I will hold your people in my heart.”<br /><br />This is a book of love and is a love tribute to a man who defined the word love. Let me add that the definition of Salvatore Sapienza is also love. I have never met Sal and I know him only through his writings, a few emails and some meager Facebook chat. Yet I know that he is the kind of friend that all of us dream of having. This book is proof of that. I love the little stories of Father Mychal’s life and how they explicate his faith and love. I do not know if Sal realizes it or not but as he put this book together, he also filled it with his love and as we read, we cannot help but feel it. For that, I say “Thank you” once again.Gay is a GIFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14203918952622421734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091674111768833640.post-46967078211758185102011-05-31T12:04:00.000-07:002011-05-31T12:14:27.212-07:00Fr. John McNeill: Taking a Chance on God documentary<div><iframe height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/oXRL5WzwKjE?fs=1" frameborder="0" width="425" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br />John McNeill has been a hero to the gay Catholic community for decades. A Jesuit priest for 40 years, McNeill was forced by the Vatican to leave the priesthood if he continued to minister to the gay and lesbian community. McNeill left religious life with no bank account, health insurance, etc., but he did not abandon his faith nor his dedication to serving the GLBT community.<br /><br />Father McNeill was also friends with another modern gay spiritual hero, Father Mychal Judge, whom I write about in my new book, <a href="http://www.mychalsprayer.com">Mychal's Prayer: Praying with Father Mychal Judge</a>.<br /><br />The above video is the trailer for a new documentary on the life of Father McNeill. You can learn more about this film at <a href="http://www.takingachanceongod.com">www.takingachanceongod.com</a><br /><br />As for his books, Father McNeill has written many, the most recent of which are published by <a href="http://www.lethepressbooks.com">Lethe Press</a>, the publisher of my own book. <a href="http://www.gayisagift.com"> Gay is a Gift!</a> indeed!</div>Gay is a GIFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14203918952622421734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091674111768833640.post-62936302968750727362011-05-05T10:41:00.000-07:002011-05-05T10:48:27.767-07:00Mychal's Prayer: "A Must-Get Book"<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCQtzVlMocjjU9BkN_oIQPWAcp5lDncFeBPHpmwpAYGhIMrrU7XVPYgJMFOaZ8kHE4TWv6z3ZiJ7M9z0unPyleaRBcGKPh0cMfkchCI3MQEDpHo4szFEGQfw63ysE8TT6__hb4DzCmnc/s1600/mychal%2527s+prayer+cover.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 215px; height: 320px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603290272141452482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCQtzVlMocjjU9BkN_oIQPWAcp5lDncFeBPHpmwpAYGhIMrrU7XVPYgJMFOaZ8kHE4TWv6z3ZiJ7M9z0unPyleaRBcGKPh0cMfkchCI3MQEDpHo4szFEGQfw63ysE8TT6__hb4DzCmnc/s320/mychal%2527s+prayer+cover.jpg" /></a><div><div>Very excited and grateful that Michael Scully, the creator and webmaster of the definitive site devoted to Father Mychal Judge (see <a href="http://saintmychaljudge.blogspot.com/">Saint Mychal Judge</a>), has written such a wonderful review of my new book, <a href="http://www.mychalsprayer.com">Mychal's Prayer</a>:<br /><br /><strong><font size="4"><em>"This is a must-get book for those seriously interested in the life and spirituality of Father Mychal Judge. Written by a former monk who worked with Mychal, Mychal's Prayer is a series of prayers and meditations coupled with actual examples from Mychal's extraordinary life in the Holy Spirit. It points to ways we can also live more fully in the Holy Spirit according to the gifts God has given us. Mychal's Prayer will benefit all, but especially gay Catholics who struggle within the Church."</em></font></strong></div><div><strong><em><font size="4"></font></em></strong> </div><div> </div></div></div>Gay is a GIFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14203918952622421734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091674111768833640.post-49699217454343042792011-04-26T12:18:00.000-07:002011-04-26T12:26:57.789-07:00Gay is a Gift Billboard<img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px; height: 261px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599973967209816994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXnvy-_DGVhRNuXDMw0_i8KFnRxTb0aeNLkMXTc8VnkTvgzlXjCfSoYHN3YwBbGZkM2BnGazG7cm-T-2j2uhGnvUPLUtjI-iAtC1DgQ3MWkOUX3tb-yhJArsuQ9cdHZ0ru9yT7Gck87mU/s320/gay+is+a+gift+billboard.jpg" /><strong><em>The Washington Blade </em></strong>reported today on<br />a small Toledo church which has taken a big step toward sparking public debate with a billboard campaign that proclaims, “Being Gay is a Gift from God.”<br /><br />From writer David Yonke's piece:<br /><br />The digital billboard began displaying the slogan early Monday...The church's part-time pastor said the billboard message will be linked to a four-week sermon series.<br /><br />“Members of the congregation have experienced places and times where being lesbian or gay was tolerated — kind of ‘Don’t ask, don’t tell, I know God forgives you,’” he said. “We’re saying, ‘This is the way God created you. There’s nothing to forgive.’ “<br /><br />“The church is incomplete without LGBT people in it, and we want the church to be complete.”<br /><br />Thank you to this small church for taking such a big stand. Yes, <a href="http://www.gayisagift.com">Gay is a Gift</a><br /><br />Gay is a GIFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14203918952622421734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091674111768833640.post-74853308136518954912011-04-14T07:17:00.000-07:002011-04-14T07:20:51.947-07:00Tony-winner Levi Kreis on "Liberation 2011" and "Gay is a Gift"<iframe height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/GtOKb628ZUo?fs=1" frameborder="0" width="425" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br />Tony-winner Levi Kreis has made a wonderful video blog about the Liberation 2011 conference in which I took part. In it, he interviews me about my book <a href="http://www.gayisagift.com">Gay is a Gift</a>. Enjoy. <br /><br />Gay is a GIFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14203918952622421734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091674111768833640.post-55999983860868512282011-03-21T13:58:00.001-07:002011-03-21T14:00:35.336-07:00The Gift of Gay: Confessor to Thomas Merton<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrozPhT_b8IdO5xRDfHnHUJ4YHm51UhFHbexGHGoy3kNEarHHeutn4naqZivLm_8Rz3bwUvvk8hkUUNvcEX-9GKwbRNs-d6xUPk0MUpoFYy2l8BccCmC6jj5lknV4eTmg_FzwYG3UQgpc/s1600/father+kelty.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 270px; height: 320px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586640594509199394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrozPhT_b8IdO5xRDfHnHUJ4YHm51UhFHbexGHGoy3kNEarHHeutn4naqZivLm_8Rz3bwUvvk8hkUUNvcEX-9GKwbRNs-d6xUPk0MUpoFYy2l8BccCmC6jj5lknV4eTmg_FzwYG3UQgpc/s320/father+kelty.jpg" /></a><div><strong>“The Gift of Gay”:</strong> Father Matthew Kelty, the last confessor to Thomas Merton, died a few weeks ago a the age of 96. In his 1994 book, <em>My Song of Mercy</em>, Father Matthew came out of the closet at the age of 90, arguing that <strong>being gay was a gift – one that aided him in his spiritual path.<br /></strong><br />"There are none more called to it, more capable of it, more created for it, than the people we call gay...Bless them!" Father Kelty wrote in the chapter entitled <strong>“The Gift of Gay.”<br /><br /></strong><em>Religion Dispatches</em> wrote in his obituary:<br /><br />Father Matthew Kelty decided, in anticipation of his ninetieth year, to uncloset his monastic self, and thus to attempt to describe what gifts gay and lesbian Christians have to contribute to the complex tapestry of Christian communion. He did so because he had come to feel a responsibility to those “least among us” who were not moving on a path toward acceptance in as straight a line as many in the late ’60s and early ’70s had hoped.<br /><br />Kelty wrote, "I may as well make it clear: …[this] is why so many heterosexuals abandon celibacy after a decade or two: they cannot handle it: they need an external woman to awaken the inner one, especially in our culture...The meeting of the bride within is not had merely for the asking. Her hand must be won; love of her must be proven. Heroic effort is taken as a matter of course… Notwithstanding many find her, and these are the people who have truly lived. It is these who know God and who will see his face because they know what love is."<br /><br />Thank you, Father Kelty, for reminding us that Gay is a Gift. </div></div>Gay is a GIFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14203918952622421734noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091674111768833640.post-90390446361107590692011-03-08T08:34:00.001-08:002011-03-08T08:44:45.307-08:00Gay is a Gift: Topic of New Hay House Radio Show<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQYpO1YMAWZscUK7Ql7_Ya2xCw8xUY2VOawpcJx7STbjzfXOuEAP23h5W1DugsDBHSFWKiNU56T8DIfX-eGjZAru80OtMd8GBnqEoXkvsXUfLGm4NSwnuAILhkY0zIDCJYZka7fwm3S3A/s1600/chosen.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 173px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581749406271329170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQYpO1YMAWZscUK7Ql7_Ya2xCw8xUY2VOawpcJx7STbjzfXOuEAP23h5W1DugsDBHSFWKiNU56T8DIfX-eGjZAru80OtMd8GBnqEoXkvsXUfLGm4NSwnuAILhkY0zIDCJYZka7fwm3S3A/s320/chosen.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_DMmxYbJJq96dIuP4smpPRHkKL0cJQW1b_Ef6ITk3r8CYgb02rNZ0PxjTYorJUHGEXT5AFJjegBemLEp09KlOkrbIfW-cSzHzMb1P2NmcWKRw3Wg2q1YNu32PSAAok3Yo-WWI51KJxyQ/s1600/karen+mccrocklin.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 166px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 178px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581748509564649090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_DMmxYbJJq96dIuP4smpPRHkKL0cJQW1b_Ef6ITk3r8CYgb02rNZ0PxjTYorJUHGEXT5AFJjegBemLEp09KlOkrbIfW-cSzHzMb1P2NmcWKRw3Wg2q1YNu32PSAAok3Yo-WWI51KJxyQ/s320/karen+mccrocklin.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div align="left"></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Wanted to let you know about a great new radio show on <a href="http://www.hayhouseradio.com/show_details.php?show_id=227&episode_id=6885&episode_type=0&schedule_id=60154">Hay House Radio </a>hosted by Karen McCrocklin. It starts on March 16, 9 am - 10 am (PST) and the topic is <a href="http://www.gayisagift.com/">Gay Is a Gift</a>!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Karen says: "Welcome to a new dialogue about what it means to be LGBT! Learn to live your best gay life by connecting with life-changing concepts and practices that will alter the way you look at the world and the way the world looks at you. Being LGBT is not a challenge to overcome, but an opportunity to practice our higher purpose as healers and teachers. Join me for a dialogue about celebrating diversity and overcoming fear of acceptance."</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I love the logo Karen created (above). It reminds me that I did not choose to be gay. I was chosen!</div><br /><div></div><div><a href="http://www.karenmccrocklin.com/">Karen McCrocklin </a>has been an LGBT activist for over 25 years and has served on the national and regional governing boards of over a dozen LGBT organizations. In her work as a filmmaker, writer and speaker, Karen’s unique and authentic voice has helped shape the collective dialogue about what it means to be LGBT in America. In her long career as a community advocate, she has hosted radio programming, written columns and articles for major LGBT magazines and websites and produced dozens of fund-raising and social events. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div>I hope to be on Karen's show in the near future, talking about my book <a href="http://www.gayisagift.com/">Gay is a Gift</a>, available now at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Congrats, Karen, and thanks to you and Hay House for spreading the good word about Gay is a Gift. </div>Gay is a GIFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14203918952622421734noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091674111768833640.post-60250694695061093332011-02-28T09:02:00.000-08:002011-02-28T09:10:54.635-08:00Join me at "Liberation 2011: Nothin' Broken Here," an LGBT Spiritual Retreat<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXNb5VzUipdMMI-iDNRwE1xnMB7Lo2Ib6pL5XskPGphWzJjTi6TqXnpUOHPCvEbuO7yBwPdLPBDwyugckUJGgKdaxTk6H8PR9C6GJ8foRYdlDWq-fCPA9ec3p0knEgIUy1OAavT5GTw8Y/s1600/LGBTretreatBanner.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 94px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578787015558586978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXNb5VzUipdMMI-iDNRwE1xnMB7Lo2Ib6pL5XskPGphWzJjTi6TqXnpUOHPCvEbuO7yBwPdLPBDwyugckUJGgKdaxTk6H8PR9C6GJ8foRYdlDWq-fCPA9ec3p0knEgIUy1OAavT5GTw8Y/s320/LGBTretreatBanner.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Join me at <strong><em>Liberation 2011: Nothin' Broken Here! </em></strong>An LGBT Spiritual Experience from April 7 - 10, 2011 at Unity Village, MO.</div><div><br />To think that you’re anything less than perfect is to believe in a limited God. If you’ve ever been told or believed that your sexuality is holding you back from opportunities in life, it’s time for Liberation!</div><div><br />Presenter <a href="http://www.markanthonylord.com/">Mark Anthony Lord </a>is an internationally acknowledged gay spiritual leader dedicated to healing the world of homophobia. A fun, humorous, authentic and intuitive teacher, he empowers you to discover your own insights and remember that God is within you—and is always accessible. </div><div><br />Teaming up for the workshop is acclaimed musician and Tony award-winner <a href="http://www.levikreis.com/">Levi Kreis</a>, an openly gay artist whose soulful sound and meaningful lyrics about acceptance, surrender and faith have won him fans worldwide. </div><div><br />In this nurturing, safe environment, you’ll be liberated to ask the deeper questions that reveal and allow genuine transformation.</div><div><br />Liberation 2011 is about:</div><div><br />Healing the shame and pain of growing up in a homophobic society.<br />Discovering your Divine Purpose and Perfection in being gay.<br />Fulfilling your dreams and living the life you’ve imagined.<br />Building intimate friendships established in love, power and authenticity.<br />Revealing the perfection of God within you, exactly as you are.<br /></div><div>To register or learn more <a href="http://unity.org/lgbt">HERE</a>, where your can also read an excerpt from my book <a href="http://www.gayisagift.com/"><strong><em>Gay is a Gift,</em></strong></a> which is on sale at the Unity Village bookstore, online retailers and a bookstore near you. Hope to see you at the retreat. </div>Gay is a GIFThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14203918952622421734noreply@blogger.com2