Wednesday, September 22, 2010
"Eureka Pride" Review of GAY IS A GIFT by Salvatore Sapienza
I first heard of Salvatore Sapienza when he published his first book "Seventy Times Seven" and I remember thinking to myself that this guy is someone to watch. He deals with gay spirituality in a way that it should be a part of each of our lives and as a deeply spiritual and religious Jewish gay man, I must agree. I was able to find my own way but others are not so lucky and for them, Sapienza has written this beautiful little book. I say "little book" because there are just over one hundred pages in it but each page has something important to say.
I understand that the idea for the book came from an Oprah Winfrey television show on gay spirituality and if that show has not affected anything or anyone else, we are so lucky that it brought Sapienza to write this wonderfully concise handbook on spirituality. We learn that in raising our gay consciousness, we also find that we have a need for spirituality. Much too often gay people leave religions because they feel there is no place for them or that they are not wanted or welcome. Leaving religion does not mean that spirituality need be left behind with in.
It does not take much to uncover each person's inner gifts and in doing so finding the spirit. Whether we want to accept it or not, we must understand that we are part of a larger society and therefore we have to find a way to exist in it. Using our own natural spirituality makes it that much easier. Understanding our past also helps us come to terms with our spirituality and there's been gay spirituality as long as there have been gay people and that means forever. We just need to find out how to tap into it and the author here shows us just how, I am not going to tell you anything that he says to do because to do so would ruin a wonderful reading experience for you.
Let it be enough to say that Salvatore Sapienza writes like a master and uses words and ideas that are easily understood. To me, he is like a nurturer or mother hen showing us how easy it is top come to terms with ourselves and that is the first step we must take. We must accept ourselves before anything else. The book makes it seem so easy and, believe me, it is. Use "Gay is a Gift" as a guide and you will find yourself more at peace not just with yourself but with everyone.
I loved Sapienza's first book but now it will have to move over to make a place for my new favorite book, "Gay is a Gift". It is written so beautifully and says so much that, if you are like me, may find yourself reading it with tears in your eyes. That is the first step on the way to finding your spirituality.
-Amos Lassen, Eureka Pride
I understand that the idea for the book came from an Oprah Winfrey television show on gay spirituality and if that show has not affected anything or anyone else, we are so lucky that it brought Sapienza to write this wonderfully concise handbook on spirituality. We learn that in raising our gay consciousness, we also find that we have a need for spirituality. Much too often gay people leave religions because they feel there is no place for them or that they are not wanted or welcome. Leaving religion does not mean that spirituality need be left behind with in.
It does not take much to uncover each person's inner gifts and in doing so finding the spirit. Whether we want to accept it or not, we must understand that we are part of a larger society and therefore we have to find a way to exist in it. Using our own natural spirituality makes it that much easier. Understanding our past also helps us come to terms with our spirituality and there's been gay spirituality as long as there have been gay people and that means forever. We just need to find out how to tap into it and the author here shows us just how, I am not going to tell you anything that he says to do because to do so would ruin a wonderful reading experience for you.
Let it be enough to say that Salvatore Sapienza writes like a master and uses words and ideas that are easily understood. To me, he is like a nurturer or mother hen showing us how easy it is top come to terms with ourselves and that is the first step we must take. We must accept ourselves before anything else. The book makes it seem so easy and, believe me, it is. Use "Gay is a Gift" as a guide and you will find yourself more at peace not just with yourself but with everyone.
I loved Sapienza's first book but now it will have to move over to make a place for my new favorite book, "Gay is a Gift". It is written so beautifully and says so much that, if you are like me, may find yourself reading it with tears in your eyes. That is the first step on the way to finding your spirituality.
-Amos Lassen, Eureka Pride
Gay Native American Two-Spirits
Lyndon Evans from the Focus on the Rainbow blog wrote this great article about the Native American Two-Spirits, whom I refer to in my book, Gay is a Gift.
Haunted Man of the Cloth and Pioneer of Gay Rights
Read this great article from The New York Times about James Stoll, one of the first openly gay ministers in America.
Was a Would-Be Saint Gay?
During his historic trip to England last week, the Pope canonized John Henry Newman. Read "Time" magazines article on Newman's sexuality below:
Was a Would-Be Saint Gay?
Monday, June 14, 2010
Out Musician Levi Kreis Wins Tony, Thanks Bodhi Spiritual Center
Out musician Levi Kreis won the Tony last night, and he thanked Bodhi Spiritual Center in Chicago (led by my friend, out minister Mark Anthony Lord). How cool! I am so grateful for the gay gift of Spirit that Levi and Mark bring to the world. Gay is a Gift!!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Gay Book Reading Event with Gay Men's Chorus
Here's the press release for a great upcoming event of which I will be a part. If you live in the Grand Rapids area, I hope you'll attend:
On Wednesday, June 16, Literary Life bookstore in Grand Rapids will team up with home décor boutique Wealthy at Charles to present an evening of progressive entertainment featuring poetry, prose and music.
Starting at 7 pm at the bookstore, Grand Rapids author David J. Sterken will read from his new book of poetry, Out Of Chaos Brilliant Stars Are Born. Sterken is an award-winning nurse practitioner and reiki master currently working on a doctoral degree in New Thought and Metaphysics.
Following Sterken, author Salvatore Sapienza of Saugatuck will read from his books, Gay is a Gift and Seventy Times Seven, which was nominated for two Lambda Literary Awards. Sapienza has appeared locally on NPR and PBS.
At 8 pm, the evening continues down the block at Wealthy at Charles for a reception and special musical performance by the West Michigan Gay Men’s Chorus. Proceeds from the evening will benefit the grand rapids Red project .
Literary Life Bookstore is located 758 Wealthy Street in Grand Rapids. For more information, call (616) 458-8418.
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