SDA Kinship - CONNECTION - May 2006

The Journal of Seventh-day Adventist Kinship International, Inc. May 2006 Vol. 30 No. 5 “We gotta luv 'em…”

KINSHIP BOARD Who we are...President: Bob Bouchard Seventh-day Adventist Kinship International, Inc. (Kinship) is aVice President: Brenda McColpin non-profit support organization which ministers to the spiritual,Secretary: Bruce Harlow emotional, social, and physical well-being of Seventh-day AdventistTreasurer: Karen Wetherell lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and intersex individuals and theirConnection Editor: Catherine families and friends. Kinship facilitates and promotes the understanding and affirmation of LGBTI Adventists among themselves and within the Taylor Seventh-day Adventist community through education, advocacy, andPublic Relations Coordinator: reconciliation. Kinship is an organization which supports the advance of human rights for all people. Robb CrouchChurch Liaison: David Ferguson Founded in 1976, the organization was incorporated in 1981 and isWomen‚’s Coordinator & recognized as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in the US. Kinship has a board of up to 15 officers and 13 regional coordinators. The current Chapter Development: list of members and friends includes several thousand people in 43 Yolanda Elliott countries.Kampmeeting Coordinator 2006: Marcos Apolonio SDA Kinship believes the Bible does not condemn, or even mention, homosexuality as a sexual orientation. Ellen G. White does not parallelBOARD MEMBERS AT LARGE any of the Bible texts, which are often used to condemn homosexuals.KinNet Coordinator: Floyd Most of the anguish imposed upon God’s children who grow up as LGBT has its roots in a misunderstanding of what the Bible says. PoenitzMember Services: Fred Casey Support KinshipStrategic Planning: Isis MontalvoParents, Family & Friends Kinship operates solely on contributions from its members and friends. Help us reach out to more LGBT Adventists by making a Support: Carrol Grady tax-deductible donation to SDA Kinship International. Please send yourIMRU: Naveen Jonathan check or money order to the address below. (You can also donate, using your Visa or Master Card, by contacting Karen Wetherell atEXECUTIVE COMMITTEE [email protected]. She will phone you so that you can give your credit card information in a safe manner.)Bob Bouchard, Bruce Harlow,Karen Wetherell, Samuel Pang, SDA Kinship, P.O. Box 49375, Sarasota, FL 34230-6375, or call toll-freeCatherine Taylor, Brenda in the U.S. 866-732-5677 or toll from outside the U.S. 01 (941)McColpin, Sherri Babcock 371-7606, or visit SDA Kinship’s Web Site at: www.sdakinship.org.REGIONAL COORDINATORS‚ [email protected]; Michelle Uganda: Joseph BrownUSA Cornwell [email protected] [email protected] 1 (New England) AFFILIATED INTERNATIONAL United Kingdom & Republic of Catherine Taylor REGION COORDINATORS Ireland: Michael Lewis [email protected]; Karen [email protected] Wetherell Australia-New Zealand: Noel [email protected] Thorpe OTHER COORDINATORSRegion 2 (Mid-Atlantic) Yolanda [email protected] Intersexed: Carolyn Parsons Elliot [email protected] Brazil: Itamar Matos de SouzaRegion 3 (Deep South) Jon [email protected] [email protected] Roberts Canada: Jerry McKay Transgender/Transexual: Sandra [email protected] [email protected] 4 (Midwest) Chad Hicks Central & South America: Hoffecker [email protected] Alexander Gomez Pasco [email protected] 5 (Lone Star South) Floyd [email protected] Older Adult: Ren Reynolds Poenitz Europe: Ruud Kieboom [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] IMRU (Young Adults</=29):Region 6 (Mountain Plains) Philippines: Jonathan Coo Jeremy Brown, Suzy Wise Robb Crouch [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Web Master: Dave GilsdorfRegion 7 (Northwest) Doug [email protected] Bom [email protected] 8 (No. California, Nevada, Hawaii) Obed Vazquez-Ortiz [email protected] 9 (So. California, Arizona) Bruce Boyd

“We gotta luv 'em - ev'body got one!” On the road with… Carrol Grady - Washington, U.S. In April the leadership committee for there was a Christian View of Human Lifethe North American Division of Seventh Committee which studied topics likeDay Adventist Family Ministries met and abortion, birth control, euthanasia, etc., infocused on their goal to “sensitise and depth, but when they were consideringeducate church leadership (an editorial addressing homosexuality, the committeechange from “membership”) on gay and was discontinued.lesbian issues in order to promote aless-hostile church environment…” The I admire Willie Oliver for being willingcommittee was chaired by Debra Brill, to stick his neck out on this issue. DebraNAD Vice-president for Ministries. In Brill seemed to be behind him all theaddition to Willie Oliver, NAD Family way. Ron and Karen Flowers voted for thisMinistries director, and Ron and Karen Flowers, initiative and are generally supportive.General Conference Family Ministries Directors the They seem to be sympathetic, although they seem tocommittee included a variety of ethnic origins. I be strongly concerned about biblical issues. I amnote this because there are some cultures that seem glad we've had such good scholarship with Kinshipvery conservative and focused on the most restricted allies helping us to understand the meaning of theinterpretation of Biblical issues. Two members of the original texts.committee seemed much more open to our concerns The next morning I wandered around visiting- Tim Lale, who is acquisitions editor at Pacific Press, some of my old friends in the General Conferenceand Alice Merrill, an assistant Family Ministries office complex. After my thirteen year absence, theredirector in the Northern California Conference. There are fewer people that I know. I spent a long timewere some representatives from more conservative with Barbara Lee, who is receptionist in the Whitecultures who also seemed somewhat open to Estate. Her son died of AIDS about ten years ago.discussion GLBTI issues. She said some friends insisted the Bible says homosexuals won't be in Heaven, and she didn't Sherri Babcock, Mitch Henson and I gave the know how to explain the Bible more accurately tosame presentations we did at the January workshop. them. She was very happy to know about the textIn the questions and discussion that followed, I research that is presented on Someone_To_Talk_To.decided that sensitivity training needed to begin I spent some time with Beverly Rumble, editor ofwith some of the committee members themselves Adventist Education, the General Conferencewho, having just heard Sherri's story, still made publication. Her advisor had turned down my articlestrong and pointed comments about the sinfulness on gay-bashing in Adventist schools and she saidof homosexual behaviour and the non-acceptance of there would be a new advisor in September. Wegay marriage. They did pay lip service, at least, to talked for quite a while about how it could be morethe need for showing more love. I think they have a acceptable in other parts of the world if I madebig problem figuring out how to be loving without gay-bashing just one part of an overall look atfeeling they are condoning sin. bullying, so I might try to do that. I'd also like to talk to the North American Division education After lunch we met in three brainstorming groups director and see if he might use the original articleto come up with methods of achieving the goal. I in our division somehow.think some of the best ones were: (1) providing At 11 AM I had a 20-minute appointment witheducational materials for pastors and teachers, (2) Elder Paulsen. He was very friendly and told me hepresentations at pastors' workshops, (3) getting also has gay family members. One is a nephew, whoNAD leaders from youth ministries, education and told Elder Paulsen's daughter that he probably couldministerial to join with family ministries in this have stayed in his small community, married, andendeavour and (4) working toward appointing a had a family and “made it work,” but instead hecommission, including people from varying moved to a large city and is partnered with anotherviewpoints and those with expertise in relevant areas, professional man. Elder Paulsen asked me why ato study this issue thoroughly. This last suggestion gay/straight marriage wouldn't be the best answerhas been my dream for at least 12 years. For ten years 3

gotta luv 'em… phone-counselling another use a display unit that belongs woman who joined fflag to SAGE, my husband's seniors'for gay Adventists. I started because she has a gay brother. group, and it is the backdrop fortelling him Terry and Kathy's That woman then realized that a beautiful painting of Jesusstory, and he said he thought he she herself is lesbian. She is comforting a mother and fatherhad received a letter from Kathy married to a dentist, has two and their son who (obviously)(which Mitch Tyner delivered). teenage children and has been has just told them he is gay, bySo I told him that I had collected going through a very difficult Darrel Tank. It's the painting onmany stories by people who time trying to deal with this my website home page. Floydhave been in gay/straight realization. brought a large flat computermarriages and that it is usually screen and speakers and used histhe whole family that suffers in Floyd and Mike drove from laptop to play the “Open Heart,this kind of marriage. I also Dallas to meet me in Atlanta and Open Hand” DVD. I had a rackmentioned some of the scientific help with our Someone to Talk with four hand-outs: “Have Youresearch that points to biological To booth at the Black Youth Walked in Their Shoes?” acauses of homosexuality. I hope Congress there. We stayed at a booklet of stories; “ChristiansI gave him something to think B&B in a very pretty part of Look at Homosexuality,” aabout. I also left him a sheet of Atlanta. It was close to the booklet of articles by several“Results of the church ignoring MARTA station. We took that in religious leaders mainly dealingthe issue of homosexuality” and to the congress every day and with redemptive Christiana number of stories of pastoral saved the high cost of parking attitudes toward homosexuality;“malpractice.” downtown. We enjoyed a a paper about the negative delicious breakfast every effects of change ministries and Before flying to Atlanta that morning and met lots of other another of the recent “60afternoon, I had lunch with interesting guests. And the Minutes” program on researchBuffy Halvorsen, She joined our owner was “family!” (Is it okay dealing with causes ofsda-fflag list while she was for me to call it that?) homosexuality. Plus I had aworking on her MA in social sheet with some of Coretta Scottwork. She has a license for I am so thankful for Floyd and King's quotes on gay civilmarriage and family counselling Mike who helped transport all of rights. I had made about 1500and has recently been the material and get the booth 1/3-sheet flyers that said, “Do set up. I could never have done it without them. I was able to 4

you know a family that has a texts by emphasizing that we New Arrival!!GAY SON or LESBIAN were just trying to help parentsDAUGHTER? Here is where they and other family members to Jill, Sherri and Grace Babcockcan find Love, Help, know they weren't alone and welcomed Faith Mae into theUnderstanding:” Then I listed encourage them to show world on March 26, 2006 atmy website, on-line support unconditional love to their 7:57 PM. Faith weighed in at 7group, book and the DVD. children. My heading, “We lbs 6 oz and was 19.5 inchesAmong our neighbouring gotta luv 'em; ev'body got one!” long. Mother and baby are inbooths were Andrews University is what one sweet little old lady good health and Grace isnext door and Amazing Facts said when we were talking enjoying being a big sister.across the aisle. about how we need to love gays Sherri has fallen in love for the and lesbians. We thought third time and was delighted to The exhibit hall was supposed maybe we should get t-shirts have the baby born in theto be open Wednesday made with that printed on them! hospital, and not in the car! (Weafternoon from 4-7 pm, but not got to the hospital a little aftervery many people came I'm guessing that we had fifty 7:00 PM!) Grandma (Fern) isthrough. Delegates were still or sixty really “quality” contacts staying with us for the firstarriving and getting settled. with people who spent month and helping the familyHowever, the bane of our considerable time talking to us adjust to the new work load!experience, a “band” (drums, and had a real interest. Two of !cymbals, keyboard and vocalist) our best contacts were with Ronthat played at top volume almost Whitehead, who coordinates thethe entire time we were there, big Pathfinder Camporee everywas already in full swing! five years, and Jose McLaughlin,Thursday we were open from 11 who was there with theam - 7 pm, Friday from 11 am - Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries5 pm and Saturday night from booth. Ron was very happy8-11 pm. about my ministry and said I should be at the Camporee. I expected a lot of (Hopefully he will still think soconfrontation, since the black after reading my handouts!) Josechurches are generally very is from Lake Elsinore, CA, andconservative on this issue, but asked us to put his name on thewas pleasantly surprised by how “friendly pastors” list. He said hemany people seemed happy to pastors a small church and haslearn about our ministry and said several members who havethe church needs to be more partnered gay children that heloving and accepting. I am not welcomes to his church. He saidsaying they are ready to accept if any of his members objected,gay marriage but many he was ready to beat them overdelegates were more the head!sympathetic than I expected. Wetried to diffuse those who A couple of Atlanta Kinshipwanted to argue about Biblical members met us for dinner. Brenda and Pearl came over from Chattanooga to go to church with us in Marietta. We just could not take any more of the music at the youth congress!. We had lots of fun. I felt it was a very worthwhile experience. Even though I fundamentally HATE travelling and would love to enjoy a quiet life (sigh!), I have promised the Lord that as long as He keeps opening doors and pushing me through them, I'll keep going! ;-) ! 5

These First Four Months Kinship News Elena Davis Stenhouse - Colorado, USA European Kinship Meeting 5 - July 14 - 17th. Sweden On December 28, 2005, my does!), bestowing magicalpartner and I drove home from smiles to her mommies (oh, it We are looking forward toSt. Joseph's Hospital in Denver, melts our hearts!), and seeing all of you who can attendColorado with our brand new becoming increasingly alert, our gathering in just a fewbaby girl, Chloe Sage amazed, and curious about the weeks! Gerard Frenk of theStenhouse. What a wonderful world around her. Netherlands Union will be onejourney it has been for the three of our primary speakers and weof us! As a two-mother lesbian We're still learning how to be have people travelling fromhousehold, we know that our a non-traditional family. We are Sweden, Finland, Denmark,family is just not the norm in our still deciding how we will Germany, The Netherlands,suburban community. Even the explain to Chloe the process by Norway, the U.S. and manybirth was not traditional - I gave which she arrived in this world other counties. For morebirth to her in our home, in a and how to answer the idiotic information or to register younice warm bath, during an strangers questions such as “Oh, can contact Reino at:impromptu, unplanned (and does she have red hair like her [email protected]!) homebirth after only father???” or “Are you twoa three-hour labour. What a sisters?” For now, we're just IMRU?miracle that was! From the enjoying our precious baby girl.beginning, Chloe has set the Our love is what matters. The IMRU? Leadership Teamstage for an amazing and Together we will work to would like to acknowledgeunique parenting journey. navigate any obstacles that cross Jonathan Coo for co-founding our path. ! the Adventist Gay Youth (AGY) We can't imagine life without Forum along with Eric Gilleo inher. She is a beautiful, gentle, January of 1999. Many thanks toand mellow soul. We've all those who helped found andwatched her intently over the participated in the AGY group.past four and a half months as AGY later became the IMRU?she's changed and grown each forum when it joined Kinshipday. We've revelled in watching International.her learn to roll from herstomach to her back, beginning We are gearing up forto talk baby-talk (and talk she Kampmeeting 2006! We have been making individuals aware of the application process and the opportunity to request scholarships. Several members from around the nation have been coordinating ways to get to Orlando. Region 2 IMRU?, members have gotten together and will be travelling to Orlando by van. IMRU? members will also be featured in various spots during the Kampmeeting program. Many thanks to Marcos Apolonio for giving us the opportunity to take part. On Friday morning July 7 we will talk with you about our activities and our membership. We are looking forward to visiting with Continued on page 10… 6

STARTING OVER Peter Mueller - Ontario, Canada I have lived with AIDS for more than twelve years a positive way, enjoy it. I start every day with one ofyet I constantly need to relearn the basics of living these, and keep them going all day. Take them withwell. These days, as has happened often in my you when you travel.journey, I am picking myself up after a long periodof spending time sick in bed. My partner Keith died 4.in December and I think my grief set me up forweeks of serious illness. As my health is returning, I Eat. Well, Duh.... but Surprise, Surprise, I forgotam discovering, again, old lessons. about this one again!1. After weeks of being nauseous from meds, I forgot I needed to eat. Food is essential. I am Get out of Bed. That's right, get up! Dust the remembering that it can be fab and fun, not makeCheese Whiz and crackers out of the sheets and me run to the toilet! Don't just reach for that olddon't give in to the cosy blanket. Stop! I see you dusty can of Chef so-in-so's mystery surprise, even ifpulling up the covers and reaching for the TV those cute dino shapes are soooo much fun. Go onremote. Don't do it! Swing those feet out over the treat yourself to something fresh and vital. Manybed and let them touch the floor. That's it. You are stores now sell fresh cut fruit cut up ready to go.halfway there. Now just stand up. Come on you can This mix can be festive and yummy. Grab a pack ofdo it! Don't step on the cat. He wants to be fed. ready-to-go stir fry veggies. They are inexpensivemeow, Meow, MEOW! O.K. O.K. I am coming. and can be used in a variety of ways.2. 5. Get Dressed. Fight that urge just to put on those Breathe. I am talking about a little more than thattrack pants you have been wearing for the last in-and-out shallow breathing you are doing as youmonth. Get dressed! No, a house coat over those cram another double stuffed Oreo in your mouthratty track pants does not qualify as an ensemble. while changing the TV channel. I am not going toYou have lounged around for too long in the same say you have to do deep cleansing Yoga inhalationsold sick clothes. Throw open your closet door and or Tai Chi breathing. Just do something,pick something that makes you feel good. I said ANYTHING that makes you breathe a little moremakes you feel good, not look good. There is a deeply.difference. Even if it seems like you have nobody orno reason to get dressed, there is Y.O.U. Making 6.yourself feel Fab and alive is the BEST reason to doit. So bust out your most fabulous outfit. YOU ARE Move. Yes, move. You have been sitting still forWORTH IT! Come on don't be shy. How about that too long. Take a walk, clean the kitchen (I finallylittle number in the back with the glitter on it? noticed it needs it) Take the garbage out. Roller skate naked through the crosswalk. Anything. Don't3. just sit there any more. Moving will make your body feel better. It also helps get the medications working Music. Call me a Drama Queen, (I know you are through your body.already thinking it.) I know what makes all the bestTV and movies so good is the soundtrack. Create a 7.soundtrack for your life. Pick those songs that makeyour body want to move, that make you happy, that Drink. Our body needs liquid to do its work. In atransport you to a better time and place. Make a perfect world you would be drinking eight glassestape, a CD, a playlist on your computer or ipod. of crystal clear, perfectly pure, spring water harvestedGood, now play it often and as loud as you can on the first day of summer from a source in the highstand it. Personally, I am a fan of the old disco divas, Himalayas. It would be individually bottled andbut you pick what works for you. It doesn't matter if blessed by Buddhist monks and served in athe music you like is still popular. If it affects you in Waterford Crystal goblet. In real life, here is a tip I learned in the country. Water should not have a colour or a smell. Short of that, feel free to drink tap, 7

Starting Over… talked to the store with the STRESS IN HIV volume turned up on Donna PROGRESSIONbottled, filtered, with bubbles, Summer. Wow, the sunlight feltwhat ever floats your boat. As a wonderful on my body. I found Thor Montgomery -realist I know you may need to myself continuing to move to Massachusetts, USAmake it into juice. The focus for the music. Not sure what theme is to flush my system, move people around me thought but In today's ultra high stressthe meds around, make them no one reported me. I went to world, it's often hard for theless toxic and get me more the dollar store and bought the average person to stay afloat.functional. biggest bottle of bubbles I Stress and lack of restful sleep are could find. Back on the street, I well known causes of everything8. continued my one man parade from belly pain to muscle over to the grocery store and spasms. Those experiencing Play. As a person living with stocked up on fresh fruit and high stress levels can have poorthis all too serious illness or as veggies. I boogied all the way job performance and/or declineyour garden variety adult, many home, trailing bubbles as I went. in grade point averages forof us have forgotten our need to It was still sunny when I got students. The single greatestplay. Give in to your urges to home. Following the above reason for medical schooldance when your favourite song advice I busted out the BBQ, residents to drop-out of theircomes on the radio. Indulge roasted some great veggies, had programs is the lack of sleepyour inner child. Play fresh fruit for dessert, and sat caused by terribly long sleeplesshopscotch. Be silly. Act carefree. back in amazement as to how and stressful periods on the job. wonderful I felt. After a very9. difficult time I think I have It is little wonder that for rediscovered some basics of life. those with HIV/AIDS, stress is, Be Around People. It is easy I know that not every day will be quite literally, a stone-coldto isolate ourselves, stay home, like this. I don't manage to assassin. It poses the singleand be a party of one. I believe always follow my own advice. greatest factor in diseaseit is very important to be around But, I amaze myself when I'm progression. While particularlyother carbon based units. You able to do even a few of these aggressive strains of HIV do playdo not have to interact with things and reap some wonderful a part in the decline of thethem. If you are able to that is rewards. ! immune system, stress is thewonderful but we all need to be single largest cause of death asreminded that we are a part of 8 well as increasing viralthe human race. Try this. You replication in people with HIV &might like it. AIDS. On a wonderful spring day, “Accumulating evidenceabout a week ago, I managed to suggests that stress may hastentake my own advice and follow HIV disease progression byall of the above suggestions. I increasing viral replication,fought the urge to pull the suppressing immune response,covers over my head and got up. and inducing deleteriousI did step on the cat, but we are health-related behaviours.” 1 Asboth used to that. I turned on this study indicates, stressmy favourite play list and literally does to the body'sdanced naked around the room. immune response what a blanketI opened the closet, picked a would do to a beneficialfavourite pair of faded jeans, campfire. It opens the door tograbbed a beloved t-shirt from multitudinous infections; viral,the dresser. I managed to find bacterial, and fungal; which canmy wondrous pair of knee high cause a person with HIV tologger boots and spent thirty undergo a rapid transformationminutes doing the laces. I from health to severelygrabbed my i-pod and on old compromised, almost overnight.jean jacket on the way outside. I Because of our human variations we can't say for certain how stress will affect a particular individual.

Another issue which I are associated with increased References:encountered while researching napping, diminished alertness, 1. J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care.the scientific realm for answers difficulty falling asleep, andwas that some studies seem to frequent awakening during 2000 Mar-Apr;11(2):87-96.contradict each other but one sleep. These impairments in Unique Identifier : AIDSLINEcan see parallels when you look sleep quality may diminish MED/20215511closely. “One recent study of immunological and Robinson FP; Mathews HL;AIDS and ARC patients showed cognitive-motor function. Witek-Janusek L; Niehoffthat personal control and levels Insomnia, independent of drug School of Nursing, Loyolaof anger-hostility correlated with or alcohol use, appears to be a University Chicago,increased survival after highly prevalent and Maywood,; IL, USA.diagnosis. Some studies under-diagnosed disorder incontradict each other, however, patients with HIV-infection. It is 2. “Psychoneuroimmunologyshowing increased immune also a common side-effect of and HIV Infection\"function with anger, but anti-retroviral therapies used in Focus: A Guide to AIDSsimultaneously, increased HIV treatment healing time, that Research and Counselingimmune function with in which we are or should be (05/90) Vol. 5, No. 6, P. 3stress-relief techniques.”2 The sleeping.”4 Kertzner, Robert M.definition of ARC is oft-disputedand simply means AIDS-Related Those of us with HIV & AIDS 3. THE JOURNAL OFComplex which is like saying need to take heart in the ALTERNATIVE ANDsymptomatic HIV. The thing knowledge that increasing our COMPLEMENTARYwhich caught my attention amount of deep sleep will help MEDICINE Volume 9,about this study was that anger our immune systems and Number 5, 2003, pp.actually increased the body's re-charge the batteries we call 683¬694 © Mary Annability to fight disease. In much our brains. This will help us Liebert, Inc.the same way, when stress was manage stress which will help “Psycho-Endocrine-Immunerelieved, the body also showed a us build our immune systems Response tostronger immune response. It which will help us sleep…and Mindfulness-Based Stressseems to indicate that the release the cycle goes on. Don't rush. Reduction in Individualsof anger can be a stress relief in Leave early for that doctor's Infected with the Humanand of itself. It's good to know, appointment. Laugh. Remember Immunodeficiency Virus: Athat with in the bounds of eternal promises. While there are Quasi-experimental Study”medical treatment, a bit of many verses in the Bible that F. PATRICK ROBINSON,feistiness could help SAVE your touch the lives of stressed people Ph.D., R.N., A.C.R.N, et al.life. I love the 23rd Psalm. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 4. “INTER-RELATIONSHIPS OF There have been many studies He makes me to lie down in SLEEP, FATIGUE, ANDon the benefits of Mind-Based green pastures; He leads me HIV/AIDS”Stress Relief in those of us with beside the still waters. He RELEASE DATE: October 27,HIV/AIDS. “These results provide restores my soul; he leads me in 2003tentative evidence that MBSR the paths of righteousness for RFA Number:may assist in improving His name's sake.” ! RFA-HL-04-010immunity in individuals infected Department of Health andwith HIV”3 This type of 9 Human Services (DHHS)conscious stress-relief, such asthat experienced in meditationor during prayer can be healingand should certainly lead theway in our fight against HIV &AIDS progression. “Sleep complaints are amongthe first symptoms of HIVinfection and correlate withdecreasing CD4+ lymphocytecounts in otherwiseasymptomatic HIV sero-positiveindividuals. Fatigue symptoms

Kinship News… Kinship Philippines Naveen's Project(continued from page 6) We wanted to share this Naveen is working on his picture of some of our group. doctoral dissertation in Marriageboth old friends and those we and Family Therapy at Lomahaven't met yet. See you there! Bookmaking Opportunity Linda University. We areFor more information about including his information inIMRU?, please email us at Carrol Grady and Catherine case you would like [email protected]. Taylor are part of a committee participate and share the richness that has been approached by of our experiences.Kinship Germany Pacific Press Publishing Association to put together of Contemporary Couples Study Over the weekend of April 7-9 book of stories about oureight of us met for our spring experiences building our lives. We are making a collection ofmeeting in the Saxon city of We would love to have your stories in order to study theLeipzig. After the welcome stories be part of this adventure. experiences of contemporarygreetings we went to the city You can write or we can couples. We know all couplescentre for a walk and dinner at interview you. If you are willing face many challenges in ourone of the many great to participate in this feel free to changing society, and want torestaurants. It was good to chat write Carrol at include the accounts of same sexabout what happened in our [email protected] or persons. We need : Same sexlives since the last meeting. Catherine at [email protected] partners who are in a committedSabbath morning we continued relationship (Cohabitating for atour tour of the city at the 10 least 2 years) and who areVölkerschlacht-Denkmal (a willing to be interviewed with amemorial for one of the many partner about their relationship.wars in Europe). While we had The study includes, but is notcoffee we discussed the future limited to, couples withHAD, how to attract more children. You will be asked topeople and other future plans. engage in a guidedHere in Germany it seems that conversation about yourpeople are accepting of relationship-what is important tothemselves and not interested in you, how it works on athe church. Meetings do not day-to-day basis, and how youseem to be so necessary but deal with the issues that comethere are people who contact us up. To learn more about thevia our website and who need study call Naveen atour help and support. 909-648-6493. Sabbath afternoon we listenedto music from Bach, Dupré andSchütz. in the famous ThomasChurch, home of the ThomanerChoir. The pastor of the churchgave a short talk and we closedwith prayers and music. Ourpicture was just taken outside ofthe church in front of a statue J.S. Bach. We went for more walksand dinner. Sunday morning wewent to the museum ofeducating arts to see paintingsfrom famous and less knownpainters throughout thecenturies. There was a specialexhibition of the 3 Tischbeinpainters.

Spectrum Offer Board Meeting In the Church and Out of the Fred did a wonderful jobCloset. The winter issue of putting together power pointSpectrum, the Journal of the presentations of ourAssociation of Adventist Forums, demographics, regional newsfeatures a report and several and ways we have grown in thepresentations from the last year. Ted has helped usconference \"Christianity and reformat the information so weHomosexuality: SDA can share some of it with you inPerspectives,\" held in Ontario, this issue. We finished the firstCalifornia, in January. Aubyn stage of our strategic planningFulton, Leif Lind, Sherri meeting and are now in workBabcock, and Ben Kemena groups to look at finances,contributed articles. We invite communication, attitudes andyou to sample this issue of infrastructure. We discussed theSpectrum. To receive a free trial next steps to be taken after thecopy of this issue, visit the Workshop on HomosexualitySpectrum Web site: and the Seventh Day Adventistwww.spectrummagazine.org. Church in January. We alsoOn the right-hand side of the discussed the possibility andhome page, click the button to options for a narrative book that\"Request a complimentary issue talks about our personal journeysof Spectrum Magazine.\" You as GLBTI Seventh Daymay also call us at (916) Adventists. Marcos talked about774-1080. the plans for this year's Kampmeeting. We would like to thank Taylor and Leif for their gracious hospitality! ! 11

Kampmeeting SpeakersMichelle O'Mara Peterson Toscano Golden Urn--a Retelling of the Themes: Conscious Themes: 'Ex-Gay Workshop' Trojan War.\" He made his professional acting debut in theCommunication, Ending and 'Doin' time in the Homo Peter Hanke play \"Kaspar\" at CafeRelationships and Healthy No Mo Halfway House' Bustello, NYC (1989). His filmBoundaries' credits include \"Star Queen--A Peterson Toscano studied Star is Bored\" (2002) and \"Eli Michele is trained in Theater and English Literature at Parker's Gettingrelationship counseling and is City College of New York after Married?“(2001). and “Fish Can'tproud of the success many which he worked as a teacher Fly” (2005). As a gay man, hissame-sex couples have and the director of education at journey out of the closet hasexperienced with her gay CASES, a New York City been long and complicated.relationship counseling and alternative program for youth After years of submitting tocoaching. Member of the Harry offenders. In 1995 he moved to reparative therapy throughBenjamin Association for England then Zambia to work in counseling, ex-gay supportgender issues, and Michele is radio production for a Christianalso a Certified Imago mission. Because of the conflict groups, and even threeRelationship Therapist. Michele between his Christian faith and exorcisms, Peterson enrolled inwas recognized in the his homosexual desires, Peterson the ex-gay residential program,December 2004 edition of the left the mission field and moved Love in Action. He graduatedIndianapolis Monthly as the to the Love in Action ex-gay successfully from the program“Best of Indy\" gay couple's program in Memphis, TN.In nearly two years later, but intherapist. 1999 Peterson founded p2son January of 1999 he finally came productions and began OUT and fully accepted himself performing his one-man play, as a gay man. In 2000 he wrote \"Footprints, An Inspirational Comedy.\" His performance work often blends creative arts with biblical inspiration. This includes leading drama workshops and Bibliodramas as well as interactive educational theater pieces like \"How the Indians Discovered Columbus\" and \"The Golden Apple and 12

and directed a performance Linda Potkovic, MA, LMHC, NCC Division; director ofpoem for Judy Sheppard during Themes: HIV/AIDS development at Equality Florida;her historic visit to Memphis, and executive director ofTN. He has served on the board Linda Potkovic is a Licensed Georgia Equality. He is also aof True Colors which annually Mental Health Counselor, and is former pastor of a Unitedorganizes the largest GLBT a National Certified Counselor, Methodist Church in Georgia.youth issues conference in the is a Certified HIV Antibody Under Knox's leadership,country. Peterson currently lives Testing Counselor. She is a Georgia Equality was successfulin Hartford, CT and worked as adjunct faculty at the University in passing the state's firstan infusion teacher at the of Central Florida, Orlando, FL lesbian, gay, bisexual andWatkinson School (2001-2004). and an HIV Education Specialist. transgender-inclusiveHe is on an official leave of She has served as a Panelist legislation, the Georgiaabsence so he can perform and Assisting with teaching Anti-Domestic Terrorism Act,write. Peterson attends the HSC3593 (live and web) - HIV and in obtaining domesticReligious Society of Friends Disease :A Human Concern and partnership benefits for(Quaker) in West Hartford, CT. HSA4201(live and web) - employees at Coca-Cola, Community Health - averaging BellSouth, Delta Airlines, AtlantaDr. Dave Baker-Hargrove, Ph.D. 250 students/semester. She serves Gas Light and Cingular Themes: Depression (how it as the Vice-President of the Wireless. He was the recipient of GLBCC in Orlando, FL. the 2000 Cordle Award fordevelops / available treatments / Promotion of God's Diversityrelationship between depression Harry Knox and Lancaster Theologicaland religious and cultural Themes: Religion and Faith in Seminary's 2005 Robert V. Mossdiscrimination for members of Medal for Excellence in Ministry.the GLBT community) The Human Rights Campaign Mark Adams Dr. Baker-Hargrove is a Harry is Director of the HRC Themes: Reaching GLBTpsychotherapist, speaker, grant Religion and Faith Program. Hewriter, and organizational joined the Human Rights students in religious institutions.consultant. He works Campaign in July 2005. Hisextensively with law management and advocacyenforcement personnel in experience includes having heldOrange, Seminole, and Osceola the positions of program directorCounties to promote diversion at Freedom to Marry; businessfrom jail for persons with serious manager for patient services andand persistent mental illness. He comprehensive school healthhas presented before the Florida programs for the AmericanState Legislature and the Orange Cancer Society, GeorgiaCounty Board of Commissionersregarding the need for increased Mark is Heartstrong'sfunding for jail diversion Volunteer Executiveservices. He serves as both a Director/Founder. HeartStrong ispeer grant reviewer and review a non sectarian organizationcommittee chair for the established to provide outreachSubstance Abuse and Mental to gay, lesbian, bisexual,Health Services Administration transgendered and other personsof the Federal Department of adversely affected by theHealth and Human Services and influence of all denominationsis a certified trainer for Eli Lilly'sNeuro Treatment Team Partners 13Program. In November 2001, heprovided mental health supportto police, firemen, andconstruction workers at GroundZero in New York City.

Kampmeeting… The Journal of the Seventh-Day Adventist Kinship International, Inc.of religious educational Editor: Catherine Taylor The mention or appearance ofinstitutions. HeartStrong is also Circulation: Fred Casey any names, organizations, orcommitted to educating the European Editor: Ruud Kielboom photographs in this publicationpublic about the persecution of Photography: Karen Wetherell is not meant to imply a fact orGLBT's and others at religious Production: Ted Compton statement about sexualeducational institutions. Marc Printing: Doolittle's PrintServe orientation or activity.Adams is the author of sevenbooks including his The Connection is published Subscription requests oraward-winning and Lambda by Seventh-day Adventist Kinship address changes may be sent to:Literary Finalist autobiography, International, Inc. Principal Sublscriptions, P.O. Box 49375,“The Preacher's Son”, and five office: P.O. Box 49373, Sarasota, Sarasota, FL 34230-6375, or callcollections of poetry. Reared in a FL 34230-6375, 886-732-5677. toll free from inside the U.S. atcultish, fundamentalist Baptist Submissions are welcome and 866-732-5677 or toll from outsideChristian home, aware that he may be directed to the editor at the U.S. at 01-941-371-7606, orwas gay at the age of seven, and [email protected] email [email protected]. Theweaving his way through or mailed to the principle office Kinship mailing list isreligious schools and reparative address above. Include your confidential and used only bytherapy, Adams began his name as you want it published, Kinship officers. The mailing listjourney to self-acceptance at age address and telephone number. If is not sold, rented, or exchangedtwenty-three. Marc Adams' new an item is to be acknowledged or for any purpose.book, (lost) “Found”, is the returned please include abeginning of that journey. It is self-addressed stamped envelope. © 2006 Connection. All rightsthe diary of one man's journey Some Connection contributors reserved. Reproduction in wholefrom fundamentalism to have chosen to remain or in part without permission isfreedom; from self denial to self anonymous or use pseudonyms. prohibited. OPINIONSacceptance. EXPRESSED HEREIN ARE NOT The Connection reserves the NECESSARILY THOSE OF SDALinda Wright right to edit manuscripts for KINSHIP INTERNATIONAL. Program for Kids of Kinship length, syntax, grammar, and clarity. Member of the Gay andKampmeeting. Lesbian Press Association. Linda is developing a specialprogram for Kampmeetingattendees' children. Parentswould, could, should go to theKampmeeting and take theirchildren knowing that Kinship isproviding care for the kids andopportunity for the parents toattend the Kampmeetingprogram. Linda Wright servesthe San Francisco Central SDAChurch in many capacities. Sheis the choir director and theorganist. She has served as theleader for the children divisionfor many years. She created,organized and directs theVacation Bible School programfor the church, and has createdthe music program at the SanFrancisco! 14

Kinship GrowsData from Fred Casey’s presentation at the April, 2006, Board meeting. 2001 2006Other*: 49 Lesbian: 85 Other*: 419 Lesbian: 352 Gay: 170 Gay: 881*Other *Other Clergy 33 Clergy 49 Friend/Family 12 Friend/Family 31 Bisexual 2 Bisexual 71 Transgender 1 Transgender 19 Intersexed 1 Intersexed 5 Unsure/Questioning 0 Unsure/Questioning 45 Other 10 Lost Contact (since 2001) 189 LGBTI Membership (2006) International: 392 U.S.: 1014 15

Of Patterns and Beads Kenneth James - Maryland, U.S.A. I didn't know what to expect. Those who know both me and the nature of the weekend urged me to go. They recognized my need to be hugged, to hug; to be able to do so openly, freely, and often. It is the Kinship hug thing. For that experience alone, my participation in Mini Kampmeeting is sustenance. Some time back, Ren told me about \"patterns.\" She talked about how patterns change in our life. She talked about how a pattern was changing in my life. She told me to accept it; not tofight it. There are so many patterns at Rehoboth. As someone who is just now out of the closet,feeling isolated and alone, hearing and seeing the spectrum of patterns in the lives of others is a thrilling experience. Some of those patterns are complicated. Some are conflicted. Some have wear and tear. Some are a beautifully interwoven fabric of life. Each is unique. The willingness of the people who live these patterns to share their stories . . . our stories . . .was comforting and reassuring. I needed to know that we are not alone; to know we face similar issues; to know that others have gone before. I needed to be able to cry. I needed to comfort another who cried. I needed to realize that many of you understand the warp and the weave of my pattern. And the beads. Stupid me. Like some kid in a Vacation Bible School craft session I thought I was to make myself a bead necklace. What kind of hooky juvenile thing was that supposed to be? And then I realized. What a beautiful concept. I made a necklace. But the individual beads I strung around my neck were made by individual people with whom I shared this weekend. The something tangible I took away was the art of each person there; a unique collection of beads from each someone . . . for each someone. The weather was lousy. The atmosphere was heavenly. Gay people are awesome. 16