Somehow I don't think that you guys realize that that is commonplace behavior in these Twin Cities. That is the way we
DO things around here, have for years.
There was a lesbian Lutheran pastor who came out a few years ago, and the council of bishops (or whatever their equivalent is) told her home church that they would have to get rid of her. Her church said "No Way", and made it stick. She's still there.
We have another church with a trans clergyperson on it's staff.
My own home church, Spirit of the Lakes UCC, is a very wonderful place.
http://e.my.yahoo.com/config/set_bookmark
I can't seem to explain quite how this is happening, but although we started out as a LGBT church, sometimes we are positively overrun with ordained ministers, and STRAIGHT PEOPLE !! They seem to think we're a pretty good bunch to hang with.
We're even home to the Catholic Pastoral Committee on Sexual Minorities. I guess there just didn't seem to be any place for them over at the basilica.
And on Pride weekend, it's just awesome to see all of the otherwise straight churches with floats entered in our Pride parade, trying to entice some of our gay community to join
them.
Peace, Love, and Rock and Roll, Bruce Chris