Hello

[taylor1986]

My name is Taylor and I am currently a graduate student at the Divinity School at the University of Chicago. I am engaged to a wonderful woman and we plan on starting a family in a few years. I lead a lesbian discussion group at my schools LBGTQ programming office. I plan on graduating in June with my M.A. in Religious Studies and then finding a job along with my fiancee somewhere in the U.S, hopefully Seattle. I want to work for a non-profit organization and be an activist, or do that for a living. I just finished reading Mel White's "Religion Gone Bad" and have contacted my local Soul Force representative. I hope to bring the ideals of Soul Force to my discussion group and maybe even to the LGBTQ programming office at The University of Chicago. Fortunately, LGBTQ students at my school are very well protected, and they have even enacted a "bias response team" this year to deal with any prejudiced activities that may occur on campus. They are also opening up gender neutral housing. Because of the safety that my school provides I feel that it is crucial for the students there to become involved in these peaceful protests. There was a very small group of us that went to the November 15th protest against prop 8, but my school has been very quiet on these issues. There are some incredibly bright and gifted students at my school and it is unfortunate that the unofficial school motto, is "this is where fun ends". It is my hope that with the short time that I have left there, that we can get the ball rolling and bring the passion that the students have in the classroom at the University of Chicago to the streets. I know that they believe in the mission.

[BruceChris]

If you can take the time to read many of our past threads and topics, you will begin to get a feel for the people here. I think they're a pretty wonderful bunch. If you want to stick around, you can make some pretty good friends here.

Your living situation reminds me a lot of the United Theological Seminary, in northern St. Paul. In my church, and in my daily rounds I meet many of their graduates, and I find them to be pretty wonderful people.

My own church, Spirit of the Lakes UCC, started out when a bunch of more liberal congregants from the local MCC decided that they needed to form a more liberal church.

Seattle could be a good place to nourish a relationship like yours. I wish you and your GF all of the best. Let's hope that phrases like "gay married couple", or "lesbian family" come into much more common useage.

Peace and Love, Bruce Chris

[Gennee]

It's a pleasure to meet you, Taylor. This is a great with many wonderful, creative and Iintelligent people. I happen to be a transgender individual and I applaud your efforts to get your fellow students involved.

Gennee