REFLECTION #3 – January 4, 2007
Looking to the Future

The beginning of a new year seems to be a good time to give consideration to the future.

Carol Wise, Executive Director of Brethren Mennonite Council for GLBT Interests, is somewhat optimistic about the future for gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered persons. In her comments at the end of this 2006 year she wrote: “Things are truly changing! I note that challenges to marriage equality are all but dead now in Canada. And in the US I am hearing a subtle shift in the tone of the debate. Instead of careful calls for conversation and qualifying statements such as: "speaking just from my experience..." or "I understand this is a difficult issue..." I see more and more people naming a queer positive perspective as a matter of fact. For example, in a Washington Post editorial about Mary Cheney's pregnancy (Mary Cheney is usually simply referred to as "the Vice President's lesbian daughter"), moderate opinion writer Ruth Marcus notes "the clanging disconnect between the Republican Party's outmoded intolerance and the benign reality of gay families today.”

Notice what is happening in business and commerce as the country continues to move into the future. Read part of the following report from the Human Rights Campaign. A complete copy of the report and all ratings can be found at www.hrc.org/cei.

WASHINGTON — The Human Rights Campaign today released a report showing that a record number of the largest U.S. companies are increasingly competing to expand benefits and protections for their gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees and consumers. This year’s report, the Human Rights Campaign’s fifth annual Corporate Equality Index, showed an unprecedented 138 major U.S. companies earned the top rating of 100 percent. That number is up from 101 in 2005, and has grown tenfold in four years.

“I am incredibly encouraged and optimistic about the findings in this report. Companies are not only working to improve their scores, they are actively competing to be ranked the most inclusive and fair-minded in their industry,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “Leading companies, which years ago instituted basic equal employment policies, are accelerating their efforts to expand the range of benefits. This competition sends a clear message that corporate America is rapidly becoming a place of fairness for GLBT Americans.”

"CEOs are very much aware of their score and its impact on their business. They know that a top score means a healthier work environment, greater productivity and the ability to recruit top talent. They also know that a bad score will hurt their bottom line,” Solmonese added.

“Corporations are rapidly adopting a more complete vision of fairness for GLBT employees in policy and practice,” said Daryl Herrschaft, director for HRC’s Workplace Project and author of the report. “These findings reflect a common desire in organizations today to move at a heightened pace to implement fair and equal policies for GLBT employees and then work to publicize their achievements.”

And nations - yes, nations – have approved same-sex marriages. At present, same-sex marriages are recognized in Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, South Africa, Spain, and the U.S. state of Massachusetts (for same-sex marriages performed within that state under its laws). Civil unions, domestic partnerships or registered partnerships offer varying amounts of the benefits of marriage and are available in: Andorra, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Israel, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. They are also available in parts of Argentina, Brazil, Italy, Mexico, all Australian states and territories, the U.S. states of California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey, and Vermont, and the U.S. District of Columbia (Washington, DC).

US Denominations are dissimilar on glbt issues. Some of the denominations approving ordination and union services for gays/lesbians include the United Church of Christ, Friends (via meeting approval), Unitarian Universalist Association, and Metropolitan Community Church. Many of the denominations, as you know, are in intense open debate on the issues. Within certain denominations, latitude is give both to judicatories and to congregations. This is primarily in the area of being open and affirming. Usually the latitude does not pertain to ordination or celebrating of unions.

The Episcopal Church has ordained Gene Robinson as Bishop of New Hampshire in August 2003, the first open gay man elected as a bishop in the Episcopal Church. And they elected a woman, Katherine Jefferts Schori, the new Primate of the Episcopal Church. Schori, as senior bishop, encourages the church to be inclusive. Bishop John Shelby Spong wrote on July 5, 2006, “Katherine Jefferts Schori is a symbol that the world does change. Prejudice and stereotypes do die. The drive toward sexual equality and full humanity for all people does succeed. It is exhilarating to recognize that the pain that must always be endured in order to break down prejudices is worth it.”

I have wondered why the Church of the Brethren, that, in my perspective, was ahead of others when it came to abolition of slavery and more recent civil rights concerns, that stood with only a few others during wars to advocate peace, that strongly believes (sometimes not strongly enough) in the rights of women when it comes to abortion, ordination and the place of women in leadership…… why does this denomination take a back seat when it comes to this issue of justice for gays and lesbians? Where is the biblical and theological advocacy for this particular justice issue?

While the preceding paragraph is negative, I think that we as a denomination are making some progress, albeit, slowly. As noted in the previous “Reflection” in December, there are more and more congregations that are publicly open and affirming, and another dozen or more that are in serious conversation about what it would mean to be publicly inclusive.

Recently I wrote to the Executives and board chairs of the five agencies that report to Annual Conference: Association of Brethren Caregivers, Bethany Theological Seminary, Brethren Benefit Trust, General Board, and On Earth Peace. I ask them to consider, if they have not done so, including “sexual orientation and gender identity” in their employment policies. On Earth Peace has “sexual orientation” in their employee policy. They will consider adding “gender identity.” The General Board and Brethren Benefit Trust have said that they will put the item on their agenda. I have yet to hear from the other two agencies. Generally, I think the response was positive.

And there is a very positive note in that the Womaen’s Caucus and Voices for an Open Spirit have given support to BMC in requesting booth space at Annual Conference. As I write this, BMC was denied space – and WC and VOS have decided, in supporting BMC, that they will not have exhibit space at this year’s Annual Conference.

I wonder, as we move toward our 300th anniversary, what other positive movement we can expect in the future.

I would like to hear from you. What do you think are the positive steps that are being taken by the denomination, the districts, congregations and individuals, toward accepting glbt persons? What, personally, have you been doing?

Carol Wise wrote recently:

I have long been an admirer of Elie Wiesel for his courage and his role as a moral conscience for the world. In his acceptance speech for the 1986 Nobel Peace Prize he said: “…I swore never to be silent whenever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere…”

-Ralph McFadden