Fr. John McNeill: Taking a Chance on God documentary

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.

Father McNeill was also friends with another modern gay spiritual hero, Father Mychal Judge, whom I write about in my new book, Mychal's Prayer: Praying with Father Mychal Judge.

The above video is the trailer for a new documentary on the life of Father McNeill. You can learn more about this film at www.takingachanceongod.com

As for his books, Father McNeill has written many, the most recent of which are published by Lethe Press, the publisher of my own book. Gay is a Gift! indeed!

Mychal's Prayer: "A Must-Get Book"

Very excited and grateful that Michael Scully, the creator and webmaster of the definitive site devoted to Father Mychal Judge (see Saint Mychal Judge), has written such a wonderful review of my new book, Mychal's Prayer:

"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."

Gay is a Gift Billboard

The Washington Blade reported today on
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.”

From writer David Yonke's piece:

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.

“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.’ “

“The church is incomplete without LGBT people in it, and we want the church to be complete.”

Thank you to this small church for taking such a big stand. Yes, Gay is a Gift

Tony-winner Levi Kreis on "Liberation 2011" and "Gay is a Gift"

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 Gay is a Gift. Enjoy.

The Gift of Gay: Confessor to Thomas Merton

“The Gift of Gay”: Father Matthew Kelty, the last confessor to Thomas Merton, died a few weeks ago a the age of 96. In his 1994 book, My Song of Mercy, Father Matthew came out of the closet at the age of 90, arguing that being gay was a gift – one that aided him in his spiritual path.

"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 “The Gift of Gay.”

Religion Dispatches wrote in his obituary:

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.

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."

Thank you, Father Kelty, for reminding us that Gay is a Gift.

Gay is a Gift: Topic of New Hay House Radio Show

Wanted to let you know about a great new radio show on Hay House Radio hosted by Karen McCrocklin. It starts on March 16, 9 am - 10 am (PST) and the topic is Gay Is a Gift!

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."

I love the logo Karen created (above). It reminds me that I did not choose to be gay. I was chosen!

Karen McCrocklin 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.

I hope to be on Karen's show in the near future, talking about my book Gay is a Gift, 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.

Join me at "Liberation 2011: Nothin' Broken Here," an LGBT Spiritual Retreat

Join me at Liberation 2011: Nothin' Broken Here! An LGBT Spiritual Experience from April 7 - 10, 2011 at Unity Village, MO.

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!

Presenter Mark Anthony Lord 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.

Teaming up for the workshop is acclaimed musician and Tony award-winner Levi Kreis, an openly gay artist whose soulful sound and meaningful lyrics about acceptance, surrender and faith have won him fans worldwide.

In this nurturing, safe environment, you’ll be liberated to ask the deeper questions that reveal and allow genuine transformation.

Liberation 2011 is about:

Healing the shame and pain of growing up in a homophobic society.
Discovering your Divine Purpose and Perfection in being gay.
Fulfilling your dreams and living the life you’ve imagined.
Building intimate friendships established in love, power and authenticity.
Revealing the perfection of God within you, exactly as you are.

To register or learn more HERE, where your can also read an excerpt from my book Gay is a Gift, which is on sale at the Unity Village bookstore, online retailers and a bookstore near you. Hope to see you at the retreat.