Organizing for Soulforce on a Local Level

[kara speltz]

We've received many requests for information about our local Soulforce groups, and while we plan on re-evaluating the program at some point, with our busy agenda for this year, we just haven't had the time to reevaluate it.

This year, Soulforce is planning a number of actions that will be happening simultaneously in various cities. This provides an excellent time to organize locally.

Because of that and because we believe that the forums offer a unique opportunity for people to share organizing experiences, we're starting a new thread that will be exclusively for organizing around Soulforce projects on a local level.

To start the thread off, I've listed a couple of ideas as to how you might create interest in your area about Soulforce and nonviolent resistance. One very simple idea is just forwarding the Soulforce Alerts to your friends and loved ones. Some other suggestions to get local interest started in Soulforce might be:

o Hosting a house party to watch "God and Gays" or another Soulforce video

o Asking local churches if they would invite you to show God and Gays or a Soulforce video.

o Form a study group around videos, “Eyes on the Prize” or "The Power of Nonviolence," (available at your local library) and discuss what can be learned for the LGBT rights movement.

So welcome Soulforce enthusiasts, let's start the sharing.

Kara

[Zerbie]

I've been wishing we had a local chapter for a couple of years. I even contacted some people about it (because apparently there USED to be one.)

Recently, a gentleman in the area tried to rouse some interest in starting a local chapter, but I was the only respondent.

So - I've been thinking that with all the buzz that will be going on in the fall around the fall action, perhaps areas without local chapters can capitalize on that momentum to launch chapter meetings after the fall events are over. What would folks think of that?

By the way, can we gab about the fall action on the forum yet?

[Vanessa White]

Mia and I have been trying to get some local interest stirred up for a group that we were going to call Communities for Change and Equality (CCE), but have been challenged in getting much interest. And, we haven't really known how to organize in an effective way. This may be a very basic, practical place to start, without "reinventing the wheel" so to speak. We thought we would be held up in starting a local Soulforce chapter due to the need to reorganize it on SF end, so this is a good compromise. We will keep you posted. SF- NEPA, here we come!!!!! :love:

[antonyh]

We've received many requests for information about our local Soulforce groups, and while we plan on re-evaluating the program at some point, with our busy agenda for this year, we just haven't had the time to reevaluate it.

This year, Soulforce is planning a number of actions that will be happening simultaneously in various cities. This provides an excellent time to organize locally.

Because of that and because we believe that the forums offer a unique opportunity for people to share organizing experiences, we're starting a new thread that will be exclusively for organizing around Soulforce projects on a local level.

To start the thread off, I've listed a couple of ideas as to how you might create interest in your area about Soulforce and nonviolent resistance. One very simple idea is just forwarding the Soulforce Alerts to your friends and loved ones. Some other suggestions to get local interest started in Soulforce might be:

o Hosting a house party to watch "God and Gays" or another Soulforce video

o Asking local churches if they would invite you to show God and Gays or a Soulforce video.

o Form a study group around videos, “Eyes on the Prize” or "The Power of Nonviolence," (available at your local library) and discuss what can be learned for the LGBT rights movement.

So welcome Soulforce enthusiasts, let's start the sharing.

Kara

Do you know if there is an active group in Chicago. I never hear about it here.

[BrentRichards]

Do you know if there is an active group in Chicago. I never hear about it here.

http://www.soulforce.org/article/109

[tdogg]

California? I'm right here in the Capitol and haven't heard about any chapters or actions going on in Nor Cal. We have PFLAG, MCC (if it's still active), and occasionally an HRC action, that's about it here.

Great suggestions Kara. The problem is getting people to come. Any ideas on promoting something like this to gain an interest from those who normally won't bother?

[kara speltz]

There used to be a local group in Chicago, but I think the two guys who were the organizers on that have left the area. To my knowledge Soulforce currently only has active local groups in NYC, Denver, Philadelphia. If I've forgotten anyone, have pity on an old lady's failing memory. :eek:

There will be opportunities to do organizing locally as we announce some upcoming projects. We have one project we're currently working on that needs to find Soulforce supporters who live in/or near state capitals. If any one does live in/or near their state capital, contact me at Kara@Soulforce.org and I'll get back to you.

[BrentRichards]

There used to be a local group in Chicago, but I think the two guys who were the organizers on that have left the area. To my knowledge Soulforce currently only has active local groups in NYC, Denver, Philadelphia. If I've forgotten anyone, have pity on an old lady's failing memory. :eek:

There will be opportunities to do organizing locally as we announce some upcoming projects. We have one project we're currently working on that needs to find Soulforce supporters who live in/or near state capitals. If any one does live in/or near their state capital, contact me at Kara@Soulforce.org and I'll get back to you.

Hey Kara ... near Harrisburg, PA. But Jeff Lutes has already been in touch with me about this ... hope I can help.

[kara speltz]

California? I'm right here in the Capitol and haven't heard about any chapters or actions going on in Nor Cal. We have PFLAG, MCC (if it's still active), and occasionally an HRC action, that's about it here.

Great suggestions Kara. The problem is getting people to come. Any ideas on promoting something like this to gain an interest from those who normally won't bother?


We used to have a Soulforce group in S.F. But living in the gay mecca there were two problems - one too much competition, and two, too much apathy. We were never able to mobilize more than about a dozen to two dozen folks for anything.

One of the things I tried to do was use every LGBT elist I could find to promote stuff. We are planning a fund raiser here in the East Bay for Soulforce in July when Mel will be here teaching a course at PSR. I surely wish I had a magic wand to get folks off their butts:(

[tdogg]

Apathy is a hard one - I have friends who think because I'm recently out (just the last few years) and they've been out for a while or their entire lives, that's why I feel so passionate about equality and actually doing something. Yeah, they used to feel that way to and want to do something, become involved. but now, they are just living their lives. Fine, but apathetic. Possibly the level of passion in a person dictates the level of their commitment?

I believe it is much harder in a openly gay and lesbian community like SF. These are people who are out in the open, live their lives as gay people and go about their business not caring much if someone else doesn't like them. It's easier to get something organized where folks are more in the closet or at least there are issues when they are out. Sometimes being more oppressed will lead to greater action.

No answers here either. Frustrating and stymies are progress, but gotta deal.

[Montanna]

I've been wanting to organize a local group in the Eureka/Arcata area in CA. I thought about having a Soulforce booth at our Pride for information (books and pamphlets) and a person to talk to. There have been students in the past at local High Schools who did presentations around the area. As soon as they leave, there is no one else. I don't think very many people even know about Soulforce. I'm kind of nervous about having a booth without having had much non-violent training. I like the idea about inviting people to watch and discuss the videos and/or movies you mentioned, Kara. It will be interesting to hear about the new actions Soulforce is planning. Has anyone ever tried having a booth at a Pride event? Why are we so apathetic?

Montanna

[suzer1013]

I recently looked into having a booth at Atlanta Pride, and the cost for non-profits is over $500!!! If you want electricity, it's a couple hundred dollars more. That's a bit cost-prohibitive for our small group.

TJ and I have our heads together over something at the moment, and as he's the leader of Soulforce Atlanta, I'll let him mention it if and when it turns into something. (The idea may go nowhere, I don't know!).

Apathy in the GLBT community is very frustrating. I hardly consider myself an "activist", but I do try to speak up when I can. I don't understand why GLBT people aren't more concerned. I think we're too comfortable in the U.S.A. on the whole. We won't realize our rights are gone until it's far too late.

Susan

[glbt_equality]

To start the thread off, I've listed a couple of ideas as to how you might create interest in your area about Soulforce and nonviolent resistance. One very simple idea is just forwarding the Soulforce Alerts to your friends and loved ones. Some other suggestions to get local interest started in Soulforce might be:

o Hosting a house party to watch "God and Gays" or another Soulforce video

o Asking local churches if they would invite you to show God and Gays or a Soulforce video.

o Form a study group around videos, “Eyes on the Prize” or "The Power of Nonviolence," (available at your local library) and discuss what can be learned for the LGBT rights movement.


I've wanted to organize a local group to help improve antigay attitudes among local clergy, and a local Soulforce chapter would provide the perfect framework for a favorable start. It would be wonderful if we had available some kind of "membership kit," with books and videos and other materials. I don't, for example, find the video "God and Gays" in the Soulforce store.

(Since originally posting this several hours ago, I have found local chapter applications and the original 17-Step Journey under "Resources" on this website. I've printed out several copies for the purpose of discerning interest at our next PFLAG meeting. I guess I should have checked there before posting here!) :-)

[kara speltz]

I've wanted to organize a local group to help improve antigay attitudes among local clergy, and a local Soulforce chapter would provide the perfect framework for a favorable start. It would be wonderful if we had available some kind of "membership kit," with books and videos and other materials. I don't, for example, find the video "God and Gays" in the Soulforce store.
(Since originally posting this several hours ago, I have found local chapter applications and the original 17-Step Journey under "Resources" on this website. I've printed out several copies for the purpose of discerning interest at our next PFLAG meeting. I guess I should have checked there before posting here!) :-)


Because we're re-evaluating the whole local group process, the initial process is no longer applicable. We've got so many projects we're working on at the moment, that we've had no time to really look at this process. We are rewriting the 17steps so that they're not so focused on Falwell. We're almost through with that process. God and Gays is not a Soulforce film, which is why it's not on our Resource page. You can order that film from: http://www.godandgays.org/

Our staff is much smaller than most people would expect for such an organization. I hope folks will be patient with us. My thinking in starting this thread is to find ways to spread the Soulforce message on a more local basis.

kara

[antonyh]

There used to be a local group in Chicago, but I think the two guys who were the organizers on that have left the area. To my knowledge Soulforce currently only has active local groups in NYC, Denver, Philadelphia. If I've forgotten anyone, have pity on an old lady's failing memory. :eek:

There will be opportunities to do organizing locally as we announce some upcoming projects. We have one project we're currently working on that needs to find Soulforce supporters who live in/or near state capitals. If any one does live in/or near their state capital, contact me at Kara@Soulforce.org and I'll get back to you.

How does one go about putting a group together officially?

[kara speltz]

How does one go about putting a group together officially?

At the moment, there isn't a process to become an official local group. But that shouldn't stop anyone from organzing a group that is based in the soulforce principles. Hopefully in the fall, we'll have some time to re-evaluate the initial process. kara

[Vanessa White]

One idea that Mia and I have discussed, her idea, actually, is to have a family picnic this summer in the local park near where I live. A pretty nonthreatening kind of event, have the pavillion there available, and invite gay families and singles, as well as the general public, to come together, mingle, and have fun. Who doesn't like to visit the park on a warm summer's day? A lot of where we know we need to start is awareness about WHO we REALLY are, not one eyed monsters trying to recruit their children. SOme of us are raising children of our own, and we are all trying to live our lives, and to be understood and embraced. I will keep you posted. We tried to conduct a couple of meetings, and we had a better showing of straight allies than gay persons. Sad but true. But neither one of us gives up easily.......:love:

[Zerbie]

Bl]

Our staff is much smaller than most people would expect for such an organization. I hope folks will be patient with us. My thinking in starting this thread is to find ways to spread the Soulforce message on a more local basis.

kara

Kara, let us know if and how we can provide any help as volunteers.

I mean, this thread kind of sounds like a green light to go out and rustle up some local chapter interest on our own. I could certainly do that while I work on other related projects this summer. ;) :)

[kara speltz]

Kara, let us know if and how we can provide any help as volunteers.

I mean, this thread kind of sounds like a green light to go out and rustle up some local chapter interest on our own. I could certainly do that while I work on other related projects this summer. ;) :)

My intent is more to rustle up interest in Soulforce and some of the actions we'll be taking as the year continues. Most of them will be ones based in a # of cities simultaneously. So gathering people who have similar values now to help out as these projects get announced, seemed to me to be a way to begin.

I'm sorry if I raised some false hopes as to our being prepared to begin local group organizing. But you don't have to be an "official local group," to create some energy for supporting Soulforce.

While we no longer have a local group in the S.F. area, I do maintain an email list of people that I know are interested in anything Soulforce is doing.

kara

[Zerbie]

My intent is more to rustle up interest in Soulforce and some of the actions we'll be taking as the year continues. Most of them will be ones based in a # of cities simultaneously. So gathering people who have similar values now to help out as these projects get announced, seemed to me to be a way to begin.

I'm sorry if I raised some false hopes as to our being prepared to begin local group organizing. But you don't have to be an "official local group," to create some energy for supporting Soulforce.

While we no longer have a local group in the S.F. area, I do maintain an email list of people that I know are interested in anything Soulforce is doing.

kara

Well, that's not unlike what I was thinking. As we work on the simultaneous multi-city action, I can certainly hang on to the email list we develop locally, and then inquire through that list as to any local interest in starting a SF chapter, later on, after the fall action is complete.

Does THAT sound good?

[Montanna]

So it sounds like that it would be ok to get a few friends together and set up a booth at the Pride event and have Soulforce material on display. I even thought about having a laptop there to show some of the videos here online. It would be like a place for discussion and information. It would be great to have some pictures and blogs from the Equality Riders displayed. We could have a sign up sheet to form a local group that supports Soulforces objectives and activities. There is one hurtle. The group organizing the Pride Event in September has just become part of the National group. I don't think I can get free booth space unless I can find a nonprofit who will sponsor us. On the other hand I might be able to persuade them to just let us do it for free. Montanna

[kara speltz]

So it sounds like that it would be ok to get a few friends together and set up a booth at the Pride event and have Soulforce material on display. I even thought about having a laptop there to show some of the videos here online. It would be like a place for discussion and information. It would be great to have some pictures and blogs from the Equality Riders displayed. We could have a sign up sheet to form a local group that supports Soulforces objectives and activities. There is one hurtle. The group organizing the Pride Event in September has just become part of the National group. I don't think I can get free booth space unless I can find a nonprofit who will sponsor us. On the other hand I might be able to persuade them to just let us do it for free. Montanna

Our San Francisco group was very small and very poor and the costs for a booth were extremely high. So we found folks to partner with, like a gay friendly church, or Dignity, or other groups such as that.

It is always a good idea, in my book to promote Soulforce. kara

[Montanna]

I've had some more thoughts on supporting and spreading the ideas here on Soulfource. I'm still working on hooking up with another group to have a booth at Pride. There is a Marriage Equality group here. I'm thinking in terms of how to create a place where these topics can be discussed. I've had booths at fairs around here for topics like Child Abuse. People will come up and talk to you about very personal stuff that they won't even bring up anywhere else. They are greateful for the opportunity to connect and learn.

Any ideas about creating the space?

Montanna

[kara speltz]

Hey folks, here's a suggestion. Soulforce is co-sponsoring a conference in Irvine, CA. the end of June. Why not make up copies of the flyer for the conference and drop them off at various friendly locations and possibily distribute them during your local gay pride celebrations.

To download the flyers go to:

http://www.beyondexgay.com/conference/fliers

This will be a good way to build support for Soulforce in your own area. And the conference should be awesome.

kara

[revtj]

Soulforce Atlanta tends to operate like a "sleeper cell," at least that's what I tell people. We don't have monthly meetings any more because everyone was too busy to come and because we often just end up socializing...

BUT if we call an action we get results. The Ex-gay convention protest we had was amazing. Many leaders (PFLAG, TWO, Soulforce) worked together like a well-oiled machine!!!!

I am proposing to the several parish ministers who are members of Soulforce Atlanta that they start smaller chapters in their congregations which could meet Sunday mornings or other times. I would like to be able to nurture all of the diverse constituents, but we are spread out through the Metro region.

House parties and a movie are a great idea. We've also done some non-violent training at local universities through their offices of LGBT Concerns in the past.

I don't know if we're ready to have a budget or organize with a president & treasurer, etc. But we had a fundraiser for the Equality Riders and raised quite a bit. Everyone wanted to be a part of that.

I guess I sort of like to let the group determine it's own direction by investing time & $$ in actions & opportunities that pop up from time to time.

[kara speltz]

I like the idea of a sleeper cell that's ready to respond when needed. I also think the idea of small groups based in a close area is a good idea too. Part of the problem we've had from the beginning in the San Francisco area has been we were spread out all over.

Two of us from the former Bay Area Soulforce group will be leading a three session workshop on nonviolence at our parish this Fall. Who knows where that might lead?

kara

[BrianB]

I'm planning on wearing my Soulforce t-shirt for Pride in Dayton. Then I'll talk to people from Pflag, Dignity, UCC and MCC to see what kind of interest people have. It's a great opportunity!:rainbow::weee:

[mjules]

We are planning a fund raiser here in the East Bay for Soulforce in July when Mel will be here teaching a course at PSR. I surely wish I had a magic wand to get folks off their butts:(

Wait, wait! Sorry to butt in like this, but... Mel's going to be in Frisco in July? What dates, please? A friend of mine has invited me to stay with her in Sacramento for my birthday week (July 12-17) and we were planning on going to San Fran while I was there. It would be wonderful if the dates coincided at all...

[kara speltz]

Wait, wait! Sorry to butt in like this, but... Mel's going to be in Frisco in July? What dates, please? A friend of mine has invited me to stay with her in Sacramento for my birthday week (July 12-17) and we were planning on going to San Fran while I was there. It would be wonderful if the dates coincided at all...

Mel will be teaching a class at Pacific School of Relgion, on his latest book, "Religion Gone Bad." The class is for one week July 9-13th. Unfortunately, I was unable to mobilize enough folks to put together a successful fund raiser, so the plans have been scrapped. There is still room in his class, for people in the Bay Area to sign up, for his class.

kara

[Zerbie]

Antony - THANK YOU so much!!

(In light of being lied to by a congressional staffer who was unable to point to any such language in the bill, I really appreciate you bringing attention to this.)

Anything an individual can do to help??

[antonyh]

Antony - THANK YOU so much!!

(In light of being lied to by a congressional staffer who was unable to point to any such language in the bill, I really appreciate you bringing attention to this.)

Anything an individual can do to help??

Individuals can post the same challenge in their blogs or journals. The more sites asking that these organizations post the bill in full on their websites, the more the lies will be silenced.

They actually have the audacity to provide "edited interpretations" to their constituencies.

[glbt_equality]

I have also been working on a local level in an "unofficial" capacity - which has resulted in the development of a website specifically for East Texans (an area known to have some relatively extreme needs regarding GLBT & HIV/AIDS prejudices).

You can check my progress & tell me how we're doing on www.tridd.com.

The pont of my posting here is as an update, and to thank everyone in the Soulforce forums for your ongoing support, which has been tremendous.

Even though Kara has said Soulforce is re-evaluating their training materials, I have found the existing set to be excellent, and have printed and shared them with a small cadre of close friends here in Tyler.

I was asked to speak for the East Texas regional PFLAG group a couple of weeks ago, and developed my own PowerPoint presentation for that meeting, which I've also made available for download on the tridd website. If you have MS PowerPoint, you can download the show at http://www.tridd.com/docs/answers/activism.pps - or you can visit http://www.tridd.com/index_files/information_research_document_library.htm for other options.

The purpose for creating this presentation was twofold -- to provide a simple introduction to nonviolent activism for those who are new to the idea... and to re-envigorate the more experienced activists who may have grown frustrated and less active. It represents a distillation of much of the information I've received from you here at Soulforce and my own life experiences. I have also included speaker's notes for those who might want to use the presentation for their own audiences. As a footnote, you will find a special thanks to Soulforce on the last slide.

Finally, I want to thank Zerbie... for many things... not the least of which is her "signature," -- a quote from Rumi that I find myself quoting often in daily conversations.

Best wishes to all -Peace & love, Troy

[Zerbie]

I find it decidedly odd that an organization committed to non-violence has not said a single public word addressing the far right opposition to the Hate Crimes Bill, the most important civil rights legislation this decade. Nudge nudge nudge. Where is Soulforce in the conversation?

No small group, like no individual, can do everything at once. I am sure the staff are overwhelmed between debriefing from the E Ride, to the ex-gay survivors' conference coming up in the next 2 weeks, to planning & organizing another nationwide action in the fall.

I personally would love to see more public interest and outcry about the deliberate lies that are being told about the legislation currently pending. I don't have a blog or website that I can use to notify people. Would like to help get the word out, and think I have done about all that I can, individually, at this point.

Perhaps those with the inclination can organize local rallies in support of the legislation, and include a few public speakers at their rallies to educate about what the bill does and does NOT contain. Anyone out there with organizing know-how?

Troy - your new site looks quite good. :tup: Bravo to you for having so much wonderful initiative to share your caring and love with your whole community that way. I'm glad you enjoy the poem - - it really speaks to me too, which is why I set it up as a signature. Every time I read it, it is like a reminder of so much that is important. So much power in our associations - -don't waste our energy on things that dont' produce any good. Love is such a powerful force; it can heal so much.

:love::love::love::love::love::love::love:

[kara speltz]

I find it decidedly odd that an organization committed to non-violence has not said a single public word addressing the far right opposition to the Hate Crimes Bill, the most important civil rights legislation this decade. Nudge nudge nudge. Where is Soulforce in the conversation?

Dear Anthony: Zerbie's right. We have to set our priorities. Do you have any idea what the size of our staff is? Not including our youth group its 6-8 people, I say it that way because not a single soul is paid what would be considered a full time staff salary.

Organizations such as HRC have hundreds of people and budgets that stagger the mind.

And as Zerbie pointed out we have a conference coming up next weekend, as well as a number of other projects that follow on its heals.

One other thing I'd like to point out. Soulforce's goal is to get people actively involved in social change. Thus, if this is something you're passionate about then we encourage you to get out there and make sure others know about the importance of this bill.

kara

[Zerbie]

Dear Anthony: Zerbie's right. We have to set our priorities. Do you have any idea what the size of our staff is? Not including our youth group its 6-8 people, I say it that way because not a single soul is paid what would be considered a full time staff salary.

Organizations such as HRC have hundreds of people and budgets that stagger the mind.

And as Zerbie pointed out we have a conference coming up next weekend, as well as a number of other projects that follow on its heals.

One other thing I'd like to point out. Soulforce's goal is to get people actively involved in social change. Thus, if this is something you're passionate about then we encourage you to get out there and make sure others know about the importance of this bill.

kara

Antony's doing a lot on this issue. And I've done what I feel I can. Still, the word seems to be quite slow getting out there. Our voice seems to be drowned out by deafening chaos and misconception surrounding the legislation.

I do wonder though, along the lines of Antony's point, if perhaps SF can simply issue an official position statement? Maybe to the media? Might that help the cause? Or just get lost in the shuffle? I don't know.

We know that staff is small and working for their hearts, not their pocketbooks. Remember that you have quite a volunteer base to call upon, if we can ever help in some way. Let us know whenever there is something we can do. Or when you're looking to expand your staff. You've got a terrific base of dedicated, articulate, intelligent people on this forum.

Thanks Kara. :love:

[glbt_equality]

America needs to hear from Soulforce about the Hate Crimes Bill. I can't personally think of a more important voice at this exact moment in time than this organization. If you need assistance, let us know. We all helped with the letter to the Archbishop. Start a thread and all the talented forum members will have a have a statement crafted before the end of the weekend.

We have strayed a little off-topic for this thread, but since I also feel strongly about the Hate Crimes Act, I'll chip in.

Though it wasn't intended for congress, Several of our mambers did chip in to draft a response letter to an East Texas TV station regarding this bill a couple of months ago. You might find some useful verbiage there: see: "Local CBS Affiliate Angry about Hate Crime Bill" - http://www.soulforce.org/forums/showthread.php?t=2901

We should all also watch the HRC video & sign their petition at: http://www.hrcactioncenter.org/campaign/fighthate_video/8g35bibrvd57k88?

Finally, the most effective way to contact Senate members, aside from a personal conversation, is by means of letter -- and PFLAG has made this a simple task. You can find their "Hate Crimes Act Letter Wizard" here: http://capwiz.com/pflag/issues/alert/?alertid=9919701&queueid=[capwiz:queue_id]

Best wishes, Troy

[SEGrether]

What are some of the things the Equality Riders do on college campuses? I'm heading to school in the fall and am planning on being involved in the gay-straight alliance there. From what I can tell, most of the LGBT students are pretty "christian-phobic" so it may be hard to even get them interested in the topic (sadly...) Any ideas?

[kara speltz]

What are some of the things the Equality Riders do on college campuses? I'm heading to school in the fall and am planning on being involved in the gay-straight alliance there. From what I can tell, most of the LGBT students are pretty "christian-phobic" so it may be hard to even get them interested in the topic (sadly...) Any ideas?

check out the blogs from the riders on the two busses, that will give you some idea. kara

[revtj]

In conversation with Jeff Lutes I understand that a new person has been hired (or is being hired?) by Soulforce national to work on local group organizing.

Jeff suggested that local congregations offer classes & training in nonviolence and/as an introduction to Soulforce.

As I have thought and prayed about it, I see that multiple chapters of Soulforce in a Metro area is probably not the most effective way to manage a local group. So, I am glad we are still one in Atlanta!

This fall we hope to sponsor some courses, Sunday School classes, DVD screenings w/popcorn etc., and training in non-violence in the Metro Atlanta area.

Any thoughts on extending this idea would be appreciated!?

revtj

[antonio]

To Kara--Hi, I'm in BC (but a US citizen from US). I am RC but go to church at Rainbow Community in Vancouver's West end. I know nothing about organzing or about respect for "turfs," so excuse my pol-inco but --does Soul Force ever combine or integrate efforts with a church? Seems like it would enhance the pol-strrength of both and of course, bring different people together. I like the church and it is active and does good stuff but there doesn't seem to be any pol-involvement.

Also, I am RC and want to remain RC but I'm aching to protest their indictiment of GLBTQs. I came across this which really lays out the grim opiinion: Gays and lesbians should therefore learn to think of themselves as damaged in their very being. If they want to be good Catholics, they must learn to look upon themselves as wounded personalities, intrinsically disordered, ontically sick, merely tolerated in church and society, and forever excluded from the sharing their life with a person they love.
Wow! Is that a bottom line or what? We have to protest more and more often and do it dressed in formal clothes (dark suits and ties and serious dresses for women --so we look sharp, together and of good values. We, the Brown Barets, did it in Cal and we changed things on an issue. What Soulforce did with SoulBus was cool -gave the right message. I loved it. I hope it was successful
so sorry for being so wordy--any protests planned, I need to find at least one other person to stand with me agains the RC HoPho position.
love you guys
antonio

[kara speltz]

To Kara--Hi, I'm in BC (but a US citizen from US). I am RC but go to church at Rainbow Community in Vancouver's West end. I know nothing about organzing or about respect for "turfs," so excuse my pol-inco but --does Soul Force ever combine or integrate efforts with a church? Seems like it would enhance the pol-strrength of both and of course, bring different people together. I like the church and it is active and does good stuff but there doesn't seem to be any pol-involvement.


antonio

Hi Antonio: I am also RC. For 5 years we protested at the U.S. Catholic Bishop's conference. Go back to the home page and check out our protests from 2000 thru to 2005 in our archives. We did some fabulous stuff. We also protested at the Vatican in 2001 and again in 2006. You'll find a lot of excellent information on the Catholic pages. I particularly think that 2005 & 2006 were significant in the strategies we took.

Currently Soulforce is not focusing as much on the denominations, but building more networking with other organizations such as the Right to Marry folks, as well as BeyondExGay folks.

kara

[revtj]

Gays and lesbians should therefore learn to think of themselves as damaged in their very being. If they want to be good Catholics, they must learn to look upon themselves as wounded personalities, intrinsically disordered, ontically sick, merely tolerated in church and society, and forever excluded from the sharing their life with a person they love.

Wow, Antonio, this reads like the inquisition or anti-Jewish pogroms. Can you tell me the specific source? I have heard something similar came out in a papal encyclical of His Rottweilerness -- is this a full quote of that? It makes me very angry and sad because it seems medieval in its logic and potentially murderous to LGBT people. :'(

[antonio]

REVTJ--I don't have the source but it was someone sort of rewriting the letter of the American Bishops who were supporting the Vaticans position. I looked it over and sure enough, you can rewrite those documents the same way. When you seperate out the pearls of hate and ignorance and put them all together without shrouding them in the double talk, it puts a different spin on it.
If I come across it, I'll let you know.
antonio

[antonio]

REVTJ---Should homosexuals remain in the Catholic Church?
Catholic New Times, Jan 16, 2005 by Gregory Baum
Catholic homosexual people committed to the Gospel ask themselves whether they should leave the Catholic Church where they are spurned, to become members of the United Church of Canada where they

Google that and you'll get several sources of the story.
antonio

[revtj]

I have since read the encyclical and several commentaries on it and, sheesh, it is just so hard to believe this Pope followed John Paul II.

I am trying to look at it from a Jungian perspective. The whole world seems to be in a state of extreme regression now. It wasn't long ago (pre-9/11) that New Agers were predicting that humanity was on the verge of a giant spiritual leap. I had hoped; but I think that is very, very naive now.

When cultures rush back toward the mythic literal and renew tribal rivalries & re-ignite old hatreds it is not about astral projection, it's about psychological projection. Period.

There is a DNA - induced security factor in purifying the tribe by projecting onto & cleansing it of 'the other.' Religion always begins this process and sustains it. It is scary, especially if you find yourself on the list of 'the other.' It is strange if you are a believer who thinks the regression is part of the problem, not part of the solution.

Of course, there is tremendous opportunity for people of goodwill, of non-violence and compassion to rise up and be heard. Can we save ourselves? Can we somehow show that the scapegoating is no longer required by the gods and isn't healthy for the tribes? Can we talk about global community and human respect for the dignity & worth of all people at such a time as this and be heard?

In the face of this kind of hate and regression, are not we who believe in nonviolence called to be the salt of the earth?

[Steven E. Webster]

Friends,

Yes, I was able to google the article "Should homosexuals remain in the Catholic church?" by Gregory Baum.

Baum is a liberal Roman Catholic theologian. The quote reported above is not Baum's opinion, but Baum's summation of Roman Catholic teaching. From my reading I would say that Baum is being accurate and is not exagerrating.

Baum, nevertheless, concludes that LGBT Catholics should remain in the Catholic church and dissent from the church's teaching as their consciences demand.

I'm sure one could argue to other conclusions than Baum's. From a Soulforce perspective one would not want to cooperate with the "evil" of the church's teaching--maybe that would be an argument to leave the church. One can also stay and make one's dissent known. Whatever one does, one needs to consider one's own spiritual well-being.

I feel I face much the same thing as a dissenter within the United Methodist Church. We now have a church ruling that allows pastors to deny membership or threaten church discipline to LGBT people who refuse to "repent" of the "sin of homosexuality." The situation is hardly any better than the Roman Catholic one.

Steven Webster

[SomervilleGuy]

Hi,
I got the information on the NYC group from Soulforce website and am very interested in the NYC group since I live in NJ, close to Manhattan. I called and emailed the guy who it says is in charge; Andrew Brewer. Did not get a return call or an email response! Is the contact info for the NYC group on here accurate? Please help me get in touch with the NYC group so I can be involved. Thanks.

Geoff

[SomervilleGuy]

Guess my post above went back to the original topic - local Soulforce groups. I read the first few posts on this thread and then responded. Didnt realize that the topic had totally shifted to "should gays stay in the Catholic church."

Antonio, no offense, man. You conversation is extremely valuable. I just was asking how to get in touch with my local Soulforce group. Please carry on.

Geoff

[kara speltz]

Guess my post above went back to the original topic - local Soulforce groups. I read the first few posts on this thread and then responded. Didnt realize that the topic had totally shifted to "should gays stay in the Catholic church."

Antonio, no offense, man. You conversation is extremely valuable. I just was asking how to get in touch with my local Soulforce group. Please carry on.

Geoff

Geoff: We only have a few functioning local groups at this point and none in the Boston area. We're exploring different ideas around having state contact people, but that's still in the "idea" stage. The earlier posts in this thread do give ideas about how to promote Soulforce locally. Kara

[kara speltz]

Here's a way to promote Soulforce locally - contact your supportive heterosexuals and ask them to take part in the Seven Straight Nights campaign. You'll be doing them a favor - because as we teach in Soulforce, the first thing getting involved does is lift your own spirits. So spread the word. Wouldn't it be awesome if we had vigils in like 100 cities across the country:pray:

Kara

[Montanna]

It seems like months ago now that I thought and asked about doing a table for Soulforce at our local Pride event. Well, it was last weekend and we pulled it off. We also had a pickup truck in the parade with folks in the back (a minister, lesbians, straights, and anyone who got on during the parade) and signs on the side that read "Stop Spiritual Violence" and "The Debate is Over, The Verdict in In, Not a Sickness, Not a Sin!". When our truck went past groups of people, they cheered. At our booth, many different kinds of people came by to look at the literature from Soulforce and to talk. I was heartened to see many therapist getting literature and leaving their card for future contact. We met the people who are doing 7 Straight Nights. I say "we" because as word got out that I would be at the Pride event with a Soulforce table, people started stepping forward to help. It was wonderful. :D Too many people didn't know anything about Soulforce but were greatful for the work once they did know. I put a box out on the table that was labeled a "Suggestion Box" and also said "What can Soulforce do to help in your community." I got one response. I could use some help with this. Any ideas. The comment was "Pay attention to when hating preachers come to schools. - - follow up afterward." The overall feeling I came away with is that my community is desperate for what Soulforce offers. It was a great experience. Montanna

[kara speltz]

It seems like months ago now that I thought and asked about doing a table for Soulforce at our local Pride event. Well, it was last weekend and we pulled it off. We also had a pickup truck in the parade with folks in the back (a minister, lesbians, straights, and anyone who got on during the parade) and signs on the side that read "Stop Spiritual Violence" and "The Debate is Over, The Verdict in In, Not a Sickness, Not a Sin!". When our truck went past groups of people, they cheered. At our booth, many different kinds of people came by to look at the literature from Soulforce and to talk. I was heartened to see many therapist getting literature and leaving their card for future contact. We met the people who are doing 7 Straight Nights. I say "we" because as word got out that I would be at the Pride event with a Soulforce table, people started stepping forward to help. It was wonderful. :D Too many people didn't know anything about Soulforce but were greatful for the work once they did know. I put a box out on the table that was labeled a "Suggestion Box" and also said "What can Soulforce do to help in your community." I got one response. I could use some help with this. Any ideas. The comment was "Pay attention to when hating preachers come to schools. - - follow up afterward." The overall feeling I came away with is that my community is desperate for what Soulforce offers. It was a great experience. Montanna

Bless you Montana, for taking the initiative. Hopefully, with 7 Straight Nights coming up, I would think you could create a core group of people who are committed to continuing the work you've begun. Kara

[cartierobert]

I live in Atlanta, GA. I would be interested in seeking out likminded people in my area.

[NathanATX]

I've been avoiding this thread because I didn't want to take on the responsibility for starting a local chapter... and we really, really need one here in Oklahoma.

So, I'm going to get the ball rolling and pray for someone to take the leadership...

I believe the local MCC would let us host a webpage on their servers. Or... soulforce could host it... it might be oklahoma.soulforce.org or something.

I've already created a Soulforce in Oklahoma Google Group to facilitate conversation among people about this initiative.
http://groups.google.com/group/soulforce-in-oklahoma

[kara speltz]

This year's Seven Straight Nights, is a perfect way to organize for Soulforce on a local basis. Check it out, http://www.sevenstraightnights.org/

Kara

[Vanessa White]

I am thinking that I want to try to organize a local event here in Northeastern PA; I hope to get some support to do it and have some help putting it together........

[Jennifer5]

http://www.soulforce.org/forums/showthread.php?t=5558

[BrianB]

Methinks you are on the wrong forum. This is not a World of Warcraft forum.