INFOCUS FAITH, LGBT PEOPLE, & THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS ASKING THOUGHTFUL QUESTIONS: A GUIDE FOR REPORTERS

FAITH, LGBT PEOPLE, & THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS 3 I believe the scripture says that being gay is a sin. […] I don’t dislike anybody. Gays are some of the nicest,

kindest, most loving people in the world. But my faith is based on “ what I believe the scripture says, and that’s “the way I read the scripture. Joel Osteen

The church’s sacred task

is to call us to conform our “ behavior to“ what God has revealed.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan on the Catholic Church’s ongoing opposition to civil marriage equality

4 FAITH, LGBT PEOPLE, & THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS I can’t “change

what I think God “ has said. RICK WARREN on his disapproval of civil marriage equality

FAITH, LGBT PEOPLE, & THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS 5 INTRODUCTION

eporting during election season means hearing many of the same talking points over and over, especially R from candidates. Every journalist covering lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues has received an answer like the ones on the previous pages. When faith leaders offer firm assertions that their personal opposition to LGBT equality is rooted in scripture, it can frustrate or even halt a productive interview or conversation.

These answers aren’t very informative, and they aren’t very interesting to readers and viewers. In fact, they seem to represent a “trump card” by the interviewee—and the end of the conversation. The strong implication is that these individuals are “forced” by God to oppose legal protections for LGBT people.

Put quite simply, nothing could be further from the truth.

So how can we move beyond sound bites to get to the real story underneath the easy platitudes?

First, many of these faith leaders are anything but personally agnostic on questions of LGBT equality.

In the 2012 election cycle, the Roman Catholic Church was the single largest contributor to anti-LGBT ballot initiatives. The American Roman Catholic hierarchy spent millions of parishioner dollars to try to defeat marriage equality legislation despite the fact that more than 60 percent of the American Catholic laity supports legal equality for committed and loving gay and lesbian couples. The story’s no different for prominent leaders in many Evangeli- cal denominations. Whenever a city or state attempts to advance an LGBT-inclusive non-discrimination ordinance or law, pulpits are often handed over to those disseminating anti-gay and anti-transgender rhetoric.

Second, and even more importantly, the case is far from closed on what the Bible—and many other holy texts—actually says about LGBT people.

For decades, entire denominations, networks of churches, and Biblical and Talmudic scholars have been making a robust case that scripture actually embraces full and complete LGBT lives. In 2012 Christian and Jewish communities of faith spoke out for marriage equality in record numbers in Washington, Maine, Maryland, and Minnesota. Likewise, the United Church of Christ has led a coalition of organizations that have sued North Carolina over its ban on marriage equality on first amendment grounds. And in Houston, Lutheran and Metropolitan Community Churches hosted and organized the effort to pass the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance. Even respected evangelical Bible scholars like Dr. James Brownson and Dr. David Gushee have been encouraging evangelicals to rethink their readings of Scripture on LGBT issues while Catholics for Marriage Equality refuse to abandon their LGBT sons and daughters and the faith they love. These pro-equality voices of faith matter, and they aren’t getting the media attention they deserve.

Taken together, these two factors make one thing clear: it’s simply not enough for reporters to treat a non-answer based on an appeal to faith or scripture as the end of the conversation. In fact, an appeal to faith should be just the beginning.

Interviewers may be uncomfortable asking questions about religion that are at all controversial or could be considered confrontational. Asking tough questions of religious leaders is not anti-religion, but gets at the heart of whatever the issue is, for LGBT people and people of faith. Enormous emotional, economic, and physical harm is caused to LGBT people each year by schoolmates, parents, religious leaders and political candidates more concerned with getting elected than their well-being. This document was prepared to help you better get to the truth.

While the 2014 election cycle goes into full swing, this guide is meant as a helpful place to begin, and the organizational contacts at the end of this guide are at your service to further the conversation. NEW APPROACHES TO FAITH INTERVIEWS

When asking candidates about LGBT issues, reporters may use three distinct approaches to generate new and informative answers from faith-affiliated interviewees. These approaches are:

appealing to basic humanity

knowing the issue in question

knowing the religious landscape

Appeal to basic humanity

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught that “good trees bear good fruit.” Christianity, in this way, is inherently a nurturing pursuit. That’s why it is disso- GOOD nant and cruel when a person of faith’s rejection of LGBT people is so explicit, “ so casual, and so deeply harmful. According to the Family Acceptance Project, TREES LGBT youth who experience family rejection are 8.4 times more likely to attempt suicide, 5.9 times more likely to experience depression, and 3.4 times more likely to use illegal drugs than LGBT youth with supportive families. Those BEAR negative outcomes are likely to cause many Christians to reconsider whether their interpretation of LGBT people is bearing good fruit, once they are aware GOOD

of the negative impact. The quotes at the beginning of this guide demonstrate a dismissiveness about the FRUIT.“ harm of an exclusive biblical interpretation, so don’t be afraid to turn the conver- sation in a more personal direction. When an interviewee says, “I oppose this legislation because it goes against the teachings of the Bible, consider asking: • “Forty percent of homeless youth identify as LGBT and many of them come from religious families, despite only being 3-5% of the youth population? Do you worry that you may be sending a message that alienates youth from their parents? How do you think your faith can help to address that issue?” • “How does your church benefit from the presence of LGBT people who worship there?” • “What are you doing to ensure that LGBT children and youth in your church have a safe environment to ask questions about their identities?” • “Do you have any LGBT close friends who have taught you something over the years? How have these friendships influenced your personal thinking about how the church should treat LGBT people?” • “Even if your scriptural views haven’t changed, how have LGBT people influenced your church?” • “If a young person in your church was questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity, do you think they would feel safe opening up to you or others in your church?” • “Do you think that LGBT people should be single or celibate for life? Is that a reasonable demand to make? Would it be reasonable to ask of straight people?”

FAITH, LGBT PEOPLE, & THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS 7 Know the issue in question

Local, state, and national reporters will often interview faith leaders around an ongoing municipal or state- wide legislative issue. Virtually always, the legislation in question will include meaningful religious exemp- tions—on par with what’s included in the 1964 Civil Rights Act—and will have a scope that is strictly limited to civil institutions and public accommodations.

So, when an interviewee says: “I oppose this legislation because it goes against the teachings of the Bible,” consider asking:

• On non-discrimination laws:

◊◊ “The law is about preventing people from being fired from their job. Do you preach and teach that LGBT people should not be employed?” • On marriage:

◊◊ “This law is about civil marriage, not religious marriage. Do you think the government should be using certain religions principles to restrict the lives of others?” ◊◊ “Would you want your marriage governed by another religion?” ◊◊ “Would you attend the same-sex wedding of a family member?” ◊◊ “Many people of faith support marriage equality because of their faith, not in spite of it; is it fair to discriminate against their religious beliefs?” • On adoption:

◊◊ “Do you think children are better off in an orphanage or foster care than with a loving and committed same-sex couple?” ◊◊ “Do you personally know any same-sex couples who have children?”

Know the religious landscape

It’s never easy to confront an expert on his or her subject matter, but it is also a journalistic responsibility. Asking faith leaders tough questions is not being anti-religion, and a well-prepared journalist should come to the table with a reasonable knowledge of the ongoing scriptural conversation on LGBT issues. You don’t have to be an expert in religion or scripture, but you can come with some basic arguments from the pro-equality side of the scriptural debate.

When an interviewee says: “I oppose this legislation because it goes against the teachings of the Bible,” consider asking:

• “What do you think of the argument—advanced by evangelicals like Matthew Vines—which states that the New Testament merely condemns adultery and lust, not committed and loving relationships, whether gay or straight?”

• “Do you think denominations like the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Presbyterian Church (USA) are wrong to welcome LGBT people and their families into the church?”

• “Many faith leaders have advocated for the law that you are opposing on religious grounds. How do you reconcile your insistence of religious freedom when it directly curtails the religious freedom of others?”

8 FAITH, LGBT PEOPLE, & THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS STORY IDEAS

LGBT Youth Homelessness

Forty percent of homeless youth identify as LGBT. While not all LGBT homeless youth were kicked out of religious households, often religious messages get used to justify parents rejecting their families. There are two ways that this story can be covered. 1. Examine what within religious teaching is prompting parents to kick their kids out of their home, or otherwise make it unsafe enough that the child has to leave. 2. Cover the work that religious communities are doing to address the LGBT youth homelessness issue. Good resources to cover this topic are the Family Acceptance Project, as well as home- less youth shelters, including those sponsored by houses of worship. Non-Discrimination

While many of the leaders opposing non-discrimination ordinances come from religious communities, religious communities have long been behind non-discrimination efforts. Over one hundred religious leaders from Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and interfaith organizations signed a letter to President Obama, asking that he not include broad religious exemptions in an executive order barring hiring discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity by federal contractors. Addition- ally, faith leaders have also led efforts to enact state and local non-discrimination policies and laws. LGBT Youth Ministry

Several churches and religious groups are establishing youth ministries to address the needs of LGBT youth. Prominent programs include The Naming Project, Wonderfully Made Camp, and the Spiritual Pride Project. These programs have worked with youth to reconcile their faith, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Firing of LGBT People from Catholic Institutions

Since 2008, at least 44 parish employees, parochial school teachers and administrators, and others who have been employed or volunteer with Roman Catholic institutions have been fired from their jobs. In many cases, the immediate parish knew that the individual was LGBT or an ally, but once it came to the attention of the diocese (through something like a newspaper article or even an obituary), then the individual was fired. New Ways Ministry has been keeping a list of the known firings since 2008. Youth Evangelicals Study the Bible, Find Support for LGBT people

In 2012, Matthew Vines made a splash with his YouTube video, “The Gay Debate: The Bible and Homosexuality,” in which he presents a careful and nuanced look at scripture, only to find that com- mon anti-LGBT interpretations are not supported in scripture. Since then, Matthew has published God and the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationships and founded The Reformation Project, which works to educate LGBT-affirming Christians on pro-LGBT arguments. November 6-8, one week after the Southern Baptist Convention hosts an anti-gay conference in Nashville, The Reformation Project will bring together hundreds of Christians and dozens of faith leaders in Washington, D.C., for a Bible-based training conference to advance LGBT inclusion in conservative churches.

FAITH, LGBT PEOPLE, & THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS 9 RESOURCES FOR REPORTERS

Contemporary discourse on scripture and LGBT issues:

• “The Gay Debate: The Bible and Homosexuality” on YouTube by Matthew Vines: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezQjNJUSraY

• “God and the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same- Sex Relationships: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmp6lLct-fQ”

• God and the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same- Sex Relationships by Matthew Vines

• “Gay Christian Answers” by the Gay Christian Network: https:// www.gaychristian.net/video/answers.php

• Be Bulletproof: How to Defend Your Faith, Love Your Enemies, and Finally Make Peace with the Bible by Candace Chellew-Hodge

• God vs Gay: The Religious Case for Equality by Jay Michaelson

• Torah Queeries: Weekly Commentaries on the Hebrew Bible

• Ed by Gregg Drinkwater, Joshua Lesser, and David Shneer

• Homosexuality in Islam: Critical Reflections on Gay, Lesbian and Transgender Muslims by Scott Kugle LGBT RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS

AFFIRMATION MORMONS Believe Out Loud www.affirmation.org www.believeoutloud.com Supports LGBTQ and Same-Sex Attracted Mormons Empowers Christians to work for LGBT equality. and their families, friends and Church leaders. Brethren Mennonite Council for Lesbian, Affirmation United Methodists Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Interest www.umaffirm.org www.bmclgbt.org Challenges The United Methodist Church to be Cultivates an inclusive church and caring for the Men- inclusive and radically speaks out against injustice for nonite and Brethren LGBT/allied community. LGBTQ people around the world. Call to Action Association of Welcoming and www.cta-usa.org Affirming Baptists Educates, inspires and activates Catholics to act for www.awab.org justice and build inclusive communities through a lens Builds the Welcoming and Affirming movement within of anti-racism and anti-oppression principles. the Baptist traditions. Covenant Network of Presbyterians Axios www.covnetpres.org www.axios.com Includes Presbyterian clergy and lay leaders working Includes Eastern Orthodox, Byzantine Rite, and East- towards a fully inclusive church. ern Catholic LGBT Christians.

10 FAITH, LGBT PEOPLE, & THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS DignityUSA Integrity USA www.dignityusa.org www.integrityusa.org Works for respect and justice for all people—especial- Includes LGBT Episcopalians and their allies, fami- ly LGBT persons—in the Catholic Church. lies, and friends.

Emergence International Interweave www.emergence-international.org www.uua.org/lgbtq Includes Christian Scientists, their families and friends Includes LGBTQ Unitarian Universalists and their who provide spiritual and educational support for allies, families and friends. LGBT people.

Equally Blessed Many Voices www.equally-blessed.org www.manyvoices.org Includes Faithful Catholics committed to full equality Includes Black church movement for gay and trans- for LGBT people in the church and civil society. gender justice.

The Evangelical Network Metropolitan Community Churches www.t-e-n.org www.mccchurch.org Includes LGBT & Straight affirming evangelical minis- Proclaims God’s inclusive love for all people & proud- tries and individuals. ly bears witness to the holy integration of spirituality & sexuality. The Fellowship www.radicallyinclusive.com More Light Presbyterians Includes Christian Churches committed to radical www.mlp.org inclusive ministry. Works for LGBT Presbyterians and their allies, fami- lies, and friends. Fortunate Families www.fortunatefamilies.com New Ways Ministry Includes resource and networking ministry with Catho- www.newwaysministry.org lic parents of LGBT children. Advocates for justice for LGBT Catholics, and reconcil- iation within the larger Christian and civil communities. Friends of LGBT Concerns flgbtqc.quaker.org Pink Menno Campaign Includes Quaker faith community within the Religious www.pinkmenno.org Society of Friends that deeply honors, affirms, and Works towards the inclusion and welcome of upholds that of God in all people. LGBTQ individuals and their supporters in the Mennonite Church. Gay Christian Network www.gaychristian.net Reconciling Pentecostals International Includes Christian ministry building bridges and offer- www.rpifellowship.com ing support for those caught in the crossfire of one of Includes Pentecostal ministers, churches, and ministries today’s most divisive culture wars. working towards an affirming and inclusive church.

GLAD Alliance, Inc. ReconcilingWorks: Lutherans for www.gladalliance.org Full Participation Transforms the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) www.reconcilingworks.org into a just and inclusive church. Advocates for the full inclusion of LGBT Lutherans in all aspects of the life of their Church and congregations.

FAITH, LGBT PEOPLE, & THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS 11 Room for All UCC LGBT Ministries www.roomforall.com www.ucc.org/lgbt Includes Christ-followers in the Reformed Church in Supports and sanctuary to LGBT people, and their fami- America, committed to welcome and affirm LGBT people lies and friends. and their allies. Unity Fellowship of Christ Church Seventh-Day Adventist Kinship International www.unityfellowshipchurch.org www.sdakinship.org Includes African-American LGBT spiritual organization. Provides a safe spiritual and social community for LGBTI current and former Seventh-day Adventists around the world.

LGBT RELIGIOUS ADVOCACY PROGRAMS

Faith in America The Reformation Project www.faithinamerica.org http://www.reformationproject.org/ Works to end the harm to LGBT youth and families from Training Christians to support LGBT people misguided religious teaching.

Soulforce GLAAD Religion, Faith and Values Program www.soulforce.org www.glaad.org/programs/faith Works to end spiritual violence perpetuated by religious Amplifies the voices of LGBT-affirming communities of policies and teachings against LGBT people. faith and LGBT people of faith.

Transfaith HRC Religion and Faith Program www.transfaithonline.org www.hrc.org/religion Focuses on issues of faith and spirituality, led by trans- Shapes a world where no one has to choose between gender people. who they are, whom they love and what they believe.

Transgender Faith and Action Network Institute for Welcoming Resources - National Freedom Center for Social Justice Gay & Lesbian Task Force www.tfaan.org www.welcomingresources.org Offers trans people of faith and allies to vision, build, Works to achieve full acceptance of LGBTQ people in grow, heal and shift culture within faith communities and the life of the Church. the world.

12 FAITH, LGBT PEOPLE, & THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS www.glaad.org www.hrc.org InFocus: Faith, LGBT People, & the Midterm Elections is a joint publication of GLAAD and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.

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