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VibrantInterweaveWorld Threads from Unitarian Universalists for Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender Concerns ▼ December/January 2006-07 Interweave’s Come to Convocation 2007: Mission/Vision Interweaving Generations! Interweave Continental is a member- ship organization actively working by Jonalu Johnstone to end oppression based on sexual orientation and gender identity, recognizing that we will not be free onvo 2007 is all about connections. As a part of Interweaving until all oppression is a thing of the Generations, we’re working with the Youth Office of the Unitarian past. We are an affiliate organization Universalist Association to encourage and support youth attendance of the Unitarian Universalist Associa- Cand participation. Workshops will include youth concerns and outreach. tion of Congregations, and our work is guided by Unitarian Universalist That’s not all. Our keynote speaker has made connection across race, class, gen- principles. We value and affirm the der and sexual identities her lifework. Mandy Carter, activist for women’s and lives and experience of Queer people queer rights and peace, helped found SONG (Southerners On New Ground) to of faith of all ages, races, ethnicities, build allies across various forms of oppression. Mandy has devoted most of her income levels, and abilities. By pro- life to the social justice movement. A member of the national steering commit- viding and supporting leadership, tee of the Freedom To Marry project, former board member of the National and working in collaboration with Black Lesbian and Gay Leadership Forum and of the International Federation other organizations of similar vision, we strive to connect and nurture of Black Prides, Mandy was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize as part of the all Queer individuals, communities, 000 Women for Peace nominations! She lives in Durham, North Carolina. groups, and their allies. Other workshop topics will include Living the Welcoming Congregation, ▼ Language and Oppression, and input from our Bisexuality Curriculum Team. This Issue... For early birds on Friday afternoon, we’ll feature a Chapter Leaders workshop. There will be lively entertainment, things to do in Atlanta Saturday night, ▼ President...... pg 2 and Sunday worship at the Unitarian Congregation of Atlanta with Charlie Clements of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee. ▼ From the OBGLTC...... pg 3 February 9-, 2007, in Atlanta. Be there! ▼ Come to Convo!...... pg 4 ▼ Convo Info...... pg 5 ▼ Board Nominations...pg 6 Join us in Atlanta! ▼ Affiliate Chapters...... pg 7 Convo registration form—page 4 ▼ The Bi/Trans Nexus...pg 8 Convo schedule—page 5 ▼ Join Us...... pg 9 More info—page 5 ▼ Last Word...... pg 10
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InterweaveWorldVi br a n t Thr ea d s fro m U ni t a ri a n U niv ers a l i sts fo r Bi s ex u a l , G a y , Les bi a n , a nd T r a n s gend er C o nc ern s ... Words from the President ...is a newsletter published six times a Hope Beyond the Constitutional Amendments year by the organization Interweave Continental, Unitarian Universalists by the Rev. Jonalu Johnstone for Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender Concerns. any of you, I’m sure, are disappointed—if not angry—about pas- sage of constitutional actions banning same-sex marriage in seven Dana Dwinell-Yardley, Editor more US states. Colorado, Idaho, South Carolina, South Dakota, 45 State Street #380 Tennessee,M Virginia, and Wisconsin joined the parade of states to decree mar- Montpelier, VT 05602 riage for opposite-sex couples only. Many of you worked hard against the impo- [email protected] sition of this legalized discrimination.
The Editor welcomes contributions to In Unitarian Universalist (UU) future issues. Please send submissions to churches, we may find queer people either of the above addresses. overlooked or misunderstood, but we Know that whatever The Editor will be out of the country don’t find ourselves hated and feared. work you have done until March . Therefore, the next is- Few UUs vote for “Marriage = One in educating voters is sue will be April/May. The deadline Man and One Woman.” is March 5. Please send submissions not wasted. earlier rather than later. Thanks! We did not get here overnight. Unitarian Universalists are more ac- Please send changes of address to either cepting than most of the American population for a number of reasons. First, of the above addresses. “ we do not proclaim the merit of traditional ideas, but “trust the dawning future If you would like to recieve more.” We believe that reason and love must be applied, even in matters of InterweaveWorld electronically, in a religion. What’s more, UUs have gradually educated themselves about bisexual, PDF format, please e-mail the Editor at gay, lesbian, and transgender (BGLT) people and issues. With more than [email protected]. half of our churches and fellowships officially Welcoming (with many having experienced training in Beyond Categorical Thinking), having thought” about ▼ issues of oppression and their impact—no wonder UUs are supportive of BGLT Get in Touch... rights, including, but not limited to, marriage. The good news in the larger world is that Arizona was the first state where vot- ...with Interweave ers turned down a limited view of marriage. Yes, there was concern about the Our website: www.uua.org/interweave impact on unmarried opposite-sex couples, so Arizonans weren’t simply rallying Our e-mail list: go to http://lists.uua. for the rights of BGLT people. But to have such a defeat may mean the tide is org/mailman/listinfo/interweave-d turning. Our e-mail list for chapters: go to Many people who have voted for limiting marriage to heterosexuals have never http://lists.uua.org/mailman/listinfo/in- really thought that much about the implications. They haven’t considered the terweave-chapterleaders queer parents trying to protect their children, the elders who can’t visit their Contact a Board Member: listed on beloved in the ICU, or the transgender person whose marriage becomes ques- page 9. Check out our portfolios to see tionable once surgery has happened. Change in attitudes and beliefs won’t who to direct your question to. happen overnight. Laws certainly won’t change overnight. It took decades even for the education of Unitarian Universalists. If we’ve done it in our churches, we ...with the UUA can do it beyond as well, particularly if we can work with others—religious and The UUA website: www.uua.org secular—who share our values and point of view.
The Office of of BGLT Concerns’ ▼ website: www.uua.org/obgltc P r es i d e nt, c o n ti n ued o n p g. 3
▼ 3 ▼ ▼ President, continued from page 2 ▼ From the Office Know that whatever work you have Goings-on at the UUA’s Office of BGLT Concerns done in educating voters is not wasted, even if the measure didn’t go our way by the Rev.Keith Kron this time. In the long run, every bit of education we have done will make a difference. s many of you know, the Office of Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender Concerns is part of the Unitarian Universalist Association’s Jonalu Johnstone is President of staff team called Identity Based Ministries. Also in our staff team is the OfficeA of Racial and Cultural Diversity Interweave Continental. She lives in Oklahoma City. and the Office of Accessibilities. The of- fices all work together to help Unitarian We wanted to create ▼ Universalism be more welcoming to all people. It is a good arrangement and our more dialogue, and staff team has some wonderful conver- with so much going A Note from sations. We talk about our work, the intersection of oppressions, and ways to on in the world, this the Treasurer help move our congregations along the seemed like a good (it’s not about money!) path to being more welcoming. way to make that One of the new things about our work “ happen. /30/06: As I looked at the checks is that we have realized that we want to for dues to Interweave last week, I take some of our thinking and create a saw addresses from Texas, Minnesota, blog for our staff team. We wanted to create more dialogue, and with so much Montana, and Ohio. Each month going on in the world, this seemed like a good way to make that happen. There brings more renewals that cause my will be four of us writing about these topics and comments will be invited. It mind to dance over the map of our will be a chance to think about our world from our perspectives and allow for country. It is affirming to me as the reflection and deeper thinking. treasurer from Illinois, but born in Missouri, to know that as members You can find our blog at www..uua.org/programs/idbm. We should start” the blog of Interweave Continental we seek just after January 1. This is an exciting venture and something new for us. I to connect with other open-minded hope you stop by and take the time to read, comment, and suggest topics. people across our country and hemi- And come to Interweave Convo! sphere. We celebrate all of us and welcome the participation, contribu- tions, and gifts we have to bring to In faith, the table of life.
I look forward to meeting and net- Rev. Keith Kron working with many of you at Convo Director, OBGLTC/UUA in Atlanta in February and/or at Boston, Massachusetts General Assembly in Portland in June. After all, in spite of its dimen- sions, through communications, me- dia, and travel, it is a small world after all. And, we are, indeed, family.
Jeannie Owen, Interweave Continental Treasurer
▼ 4 ▼ ▼ Convo 2007 Registration Form * This form is for participants aged 8 and older. There is a separate form for youth participants at www.uua.org/interweave. * Fill out this form, and mail to: Interweave Convo 2006, c/o Amanda Schuber, 8 Forest Drive East, Tuscaloosa, AL 35404. Visit www.uua.org/interweave for a PDF version of this form. Web registration will be available soon. * Please include full payment by check or money order, payable to Interweave Continental, with this form. (Registration must be paid in US dollars by money order only. We are unable to process checks payable on Canadian banks.) * Each registration will be confirmed by mail or e-mail as soon as it is processed. Registrations received after February 2, 2007 will be confirmed on site. * Please request home hospitality and childcare by January 2 in order for on-site folks to make necessary preparations.
Personal Information (Youth under the age of 18, use separate form at www.uua.org/interweave) Name(s)______Address______City______State/Prov______Zip/Post Code______E-mail______Home Phone______Work Phone______My Church or Fellowship______q Vegetarian q Vegan q Omnivore q Other food needs______q I need childcare (please request by Jan. 2 and include $20 per child). # of children____ Ages______q I need scholarship assistance (please attach a letter of explanation). q I am seeking home hospitality (please request by Jan. 2). Needs/preferences:______
Registration Fees include Programs, Entertainment, Friday dinner, and Saturday breakfast, lunch and dinner, and light snacks. This is a non-smoking venue. Cost Enclosed q Interweave Member, postmarked before January 26, 2007 $90 $______q Non-member, postmarked before January 26, 2007 $20 $______q Interweave Member, postmarked after January 26, 2007 $20 $______q Non-member, postmarked after January 26, 2007 $50 $______q I want to join Interweave! For only $35 per year, I will be able to pay the reduced $______price for Convo 2006, and receive InterweaveWorld 6 times per year, among other benefits. Please find my $35 membership fee enclosed with my registration. q I would like to donate to the scholarship fund. $______Total Enclosed $______
See you in Atlanta!
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Schedule Workshops and Keynote Mandy Carter of Southerners on New Group will give a Friday, February 9 rousing keynote on issues of intersecting and shared op- pressions. 10 am–2 pm Board Mtg The theme of Interweaving Generations will be reflected 3–6 pm Chapter Leader Training in workshops about outreach to youth and young adults. 4–7 pm Registration We’ll have a presence from the UUA Youth Office 5–6 pm Social hour reception and folks out there working with queer youth. This 6–7 pm Light dinner Convocation will be truly intergenerational—youth and 7–7:30 pm Worship adult participants will learn, grow, and work together this 7:30–8:15 pm Get acquainted weekend. activities/small groups 8:30–10 pm Entertainment Last year’s wildly successful Chapter Leadership Training will be repeated on Friday afternoon. Want to know how to start a new chapter or strengthen your current chapter? Don’t miss it! Saturday, February 10 Workshops will also be offered on: 8–8:30 am Breakfast * Living the Welcoming Congregation 8:45–9 am Worship * P-FLAG 9–10 am Keynote * Language (remember the controversy around the word 10:15–11:30 am Workshop I “queer”?) 11:40 am–12:10 pm Small group session * and much more! 12:15–1 pm Lunch 1:15–2:30 pm Workshop II 2:45–4 pm Workshop III Hotel Information 4:15–5:15 pm Business meeting We have a block of rooms reserved at the Holiday Inn, 5:30–6 pm Small group session 206 N. Druid Hills Road, 404-32-474 (or -800- 6:30–7:30 pm Dinner HOLIDAY), for $79 per night plus tax. The Holiday Inn 7:30–8 pm Worship will help with transportation to and from the church for after 8 pm Night on the town Convo participants.
Sunday, February 11
10 am Convo closing ceremony 11 am Sunday morning worship with Charlie Clements preaching
▼ 6 ▼ ▼ Brenda is relatively new to Unitarian Interweave Board Universalism (member 2003) and to Interweave Continental (member Nominations 2007! 2004). She would like to serve on the board of Interweave Continental in order to connect personally with the urrent board members Jonalu Johnstone larger Interweave group, and to help (president) Jeannie Keene (secretary), Neil build a stronger connection between Gunderson, and Allyson Diane Hamm her local chapter and Interweave Cwill be running again for their second terms. We Continental. have two nominees for open slots on the Board. Amanda Schuber served on the Interweave Brenda Myers was a founding member and first chair Continental board for several years until she had to step of the Interweave North Parish chapter in North Andover, down while she held a post at the Unitarian Universalist MA, and has been deeply involved in the chapter’s social, Asssociation’s Boston office in Congregational Fundraising outreach, and political activities. Brenda is also actively Services. Since she has left the UUA and returned to her involved in the North Parish UU congregation where she home state of Alabama, she is happy to run for the board has served as co-chair of the Membership Committee for again. two years. Amanda has been active in continental UU young adult Brenda currently works in the field of adult learning and activities, and served as a Director of Religious Education. education as an instructional designer for IBM, and as She has helped coordinate Interweave Continental’s an adjunct faculty member in the M.Ed. in Instructional General Assembly and Convocation activities for several Design program at the University of Massachusetts Boston. years.
When not working or teaching or volunteering at North The Nominating Committee Parish, Brenda enjoys being outdoors, reading history, Jane Dwinell (chair), AJ Galazen, listening to live music, and playing the banjo. and Betty Jeanne Rueters-Ward
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So you want to start a Join the discussion...check out these e-mail lists! Interweave Chapter? ▼ Interweave-sponsored general BGLT dicussion ▼ Ask for a free copy of our http://lists.uua.org/mailman/listinfo/interweave-d brochure and handbook on ▼ Interweave-sponsored Interweave Chapter leader list starting a Chapter. http://lists.uua.org/mailman/listinfo/interweave-chapterleaders ▼ ▼ Contact a Chapter in your Interweave-sponsored UU bisexual list state or region for advice http://lists.uua.org/mailman/listinfo/interweave-bi (see page 7 for a complete ▼ BGILT news list list of current chapters). http://lists.uua.org/mailman/listinfo/bgilt-news ▼ BGLTQQ youth list ▼ Come to the Friday Chap- http://lists.uua.org/mailman/listinfo/bgltqq-youth ter Leaders Training at Con- ▼ vocation in February! Welcoming Congregation discussion list http://lists.uua.org/mailman/listinfo/wc-d
▼ 7 ▼ ▼ Interweave Chapters Affiliated groups across the continent ▼ Arkansas Massachusetts Oklahoma Fayetteville North Andover Oklahoma City UU Fellowship of Fayetteville North Parish First Unitarian Church California Minnesota Pennsylvania Kensington Saint Paul Bethlehem UU Church of Berkeley Unity Church – Unitarian UU Church of the Lehigh Vasley Los Angeles Missouri Pittsburgh First Unitarian Church of Los Angeles First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh Montclair Columbia Warrington Monte Vista UU Congregation UU Church of Columbia Bux-Mont UU Fellowship Kansas City Ranchos Palos Verdes Rhode Island Pacific Unitarian Church All Souls Unitarian Church Sacramento East Greenwich New Jersey Westminster Unitarian Church UU Society of Sacramento East Brunswick Santa Barbara Unitarian Society of East Brunswick South Carolina Live Oak UU Congregation Summit Greenville Santa Monica The Unitarian Society in Summit UU Fellowship UU Comm. Church of Santa Monica Spartanburg New York UU Church of Spartanburg Colorado Bellport Village Denver UU Fellowship of Bellport Texas First Unitarian Society of Denver Brooklyn Houston Fort Collins First Unitarian Congregational Society Bay Area UU Church Foothills Unitarian Church Manhasset UU Congregation at Shelter Rock Virginia Florida Arlington Clearwater New York Unitarian Church of All Souls UU Church of Arlington Unitarian Universalist Church Blacksburg Gainesville North Carolina UU Congregation of Blacksburg UU Church of Gainesville Winston-Salem Tampa UU Fellowship of Winston-Salem Wisconsin UU Church of Tampa Milwaukee Venice Ohio First Unitarian Society UU Congregation of Venice Cleveland/Rocky River West Shore UU Church District-wide chapters Indiana Joseph Priestly District Indianapolis JPD Interweave UU Church of Indianapolis Iowa Des Moines ★indicates a Chapter featured in this issue’s Chapter Chatter. First Unitarian Church Iowa City Only Chapters currently affiliated with Interweave Continental UU Society of Iowa City appear in this listing. Kentucky Is your Chapter missing? Time to renew your membership! Louisville First Unitarian Church Questions? E-mail [email protected].
▼ 8 ▼ ▼ Antonio (a state court) in its Littleton behalf, that same-sex marriage is Bi Space decision struggled with defining needed because they do not have a real The Bi/Trans Nexus man and woman and decided that choice. XX means woman and XY means man. They struggled for precision What I left out is an important by Steve Hollingsworth but ended up nexus between confounded by bi and trans: ecently I worked a little on the real people with Bisexuals contradict Both groups are “Vote No on #” campaign real lives. Their oppressed when here in Tennessee. Standing efforts have put the majority view that the question as Rfor marriage equality is an uphill some people into about half the human to whether one battle in our state: the amendment legal limbo and race don’t have the has a choice passed by almost a 4– margin. I’ll caused a rush of enters the debate. share with you my letter that was atypical-look- right equipment to Transgender published in the Chattanooga Times- ing couples into look at as marriage people may have Free Press. It raises some issues around Bexar County it worse. When marriage equality that have received “ seeking marriage material. someone looking comparatively little coverage. But for licenses. male, for exam- readers of InterweaveWorld I focus in ple, in all physical addition on issues that intersex raises Based on centuries-old tradition, we characteristics claims to be really fe- for bi and trans. demand, “Speak now or forever hold male, well, just consider society’s poor your peace.” If Amendment passes, record when it comes to treatment To the editor: unrecognized genetic traits will of mental illness or use of the insan- If Amendment becomes the law of surely lead to litigation and unasked- ity defense in law: too many people Tennessee, prepare for unintended for annulments long after a marriage cannot accept what others report as is consummated, and possibly even ” consequences. A small number of their reality if it contradicts evidence individuals have seemingly unam- after death. they believe they can see with their biguous sexual characteristics whose own eyes. They would ask, “How are While these are low-frequency situ- chromosomes belie their appearance. we supposed to believe you aren’t just ations, if you found your marriage There are XX males, XY females, and making a mixed-up choice?” annulled against your will would still others who are neither XX or its rarity matter to you? What kind Bisexuals contradict the majority view XY. of people are we to demand a gross that about half the human race don’t A law similar to Amendment is injustice against even one person? have the right equipment to look at as already creating mischief in Texas. What kind of Christians are we if we marriage material. Some monosexuals The Fourth Court of Appeals in San write laws that presume, for example, conflate a choice of more theoretical XXY individuals are God’s mistakes partners with promiscuity or incon- and may not marry? stancy. In that light to them, choice itself is a bad thing. Protect all marriages. Vote No on Amendment . In Unitarian Universalism we say we stand on the side of love. Many crave What I implicitly invoked to strength- love; some never find it. Whoever en the impact on the readers was the should be lucky enough to find love “no choice” aspect of intersex (without and whomever they love, we say amen! using the term) persons who might be caught up in these misguided laws. Steve Hollingsworth is Vice President of Gay men and lesbians also frequently Interweave Continental. He lives in argue, or allow to be argued on their Chattanooga, Tennessee.
▼ 9 ▼ ▼ Interweave Membership Form Interweave
Personal Information Continental Name(s)______qNew qRenew Board Address______Jonalu Johnstone, President City______State/Prov.____ Zip/Post Code______Oklahoma City, OK 405.521.9815 [email protected] Congregation______Steve Hollingsworth, Vice Pres. I/we want to receive InterweaveWorld as: q PDF, via e-mail q Paper copy Chattanooga, TN [email protected]
For Chapters: Contact person______Jeannie Keene, Secretary, Chapters UU Fellowship of Gainsville Their e-mail______Phone______Gainesville, FL Chapter size: q less than 0 people q0-25 people qover 25 people [email protected] Jeannie Owen, Treasurer Joliet, IL ★ [email protected] Membership Levels Thank you q Basic Membership $35 US for your Dana Dwinell-Yardley, support! Communications q Family Membership $55 US Montpelier, VT [email protected] q Sustaining Membership $75 US Office Use Only Neil Gunderson, q External Advocacy Low Income/Student/Senior Membership $20 US c. date______Laurel, MT q Chapter Membership $00 US chk #[email protected] exp______Alan Hamilton, q Other Gift/Contribution ______entered q Bylaws, notified q Policies, and Procedures Total ______Somerville, MA [email protected] ▼ Allyson Diane Hamm, Internal Advocacy Fill out, enclose payment, and mail to: UU Church of the Lehigh Valley Interweave, 45 State Street #380, Montpelier, VT 05602. Bethlehem, PA [email protected] ★ Canadian Residents – Send equivalent in Canadian funds to: Interweave, Scott McNeill, Diversity, Anti-Op- c/o Canadian Unitarian Council, B08-79 King Street West, Toronto ON, pression, and Coalition-Building M6K 3C5. Please send only US funds to the Montpelier address. Asheville, NC [email protected] The fine print: Membership indicates that you are in sympathy with the Principles and Purposes of the Unitarian Universalist Association, as stated in Interweave Keith Kron, ex officio liaison Continental’s bylaws. Interweave Continental is a United States 501(c)3 non-profit UUA – OBGLTC corporation, therefore, dues and contributions are tax deductible, as allowed by US and 508.740.1917 [email protected] Canadian codes!
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Last Word Most individuals have found God most clearly in and through others. The love of others is the love of God experienced in this life. “ —Wendy Wright
Many thanks to our contributors who made this issue possible: Jane Dwinell, Steve Hollingsworth, Keith Kron, ” Jonalu Johnstone, and Jeannie Owen.
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