My dear friend and fellow NSC’er, Pam, invited me to join her this Sunday – May 2 – at the Philadelphia MS Walk. Her friend works at Drexel Neurology and they walk every year. Fun times with great people for a great cause!I am going to miss the Breast Cancer walk this year, so I am glad that I can participate this weekend!

I am entering the game a bit late, so I need your help! I am raising $300! Please give today!

Also, if you are interested in joining us, meet us at the “Rocky Statue” at 9:30am.

Registration  starts at 9:00 a.m.
Walk MS begins at 10:00 a.m.

All Walk MS locations will provide the following:

• A light breakfast
• Entertainment (music, clowns & other fun-filled activities)
• Kick-off celebration followed by snacks and beverages along the route at various rest stops
• A finish line celebration filled with lunch, music and other festivities
• Support vehicles to accommodate any participant in need of transportation from a rest stop back to the finish line

Email me at – Kathrin@thediversityprojekt.org if you want more information and make sure we meet up.

Why We Fight MS

Having multiple sclerosis means that you may not be able to walk when you wake up. Or that you may suddenly have impaired vision. Or that your memory will fail you for no apparent reason. The symptoms of MS are different, and devastating, for everyone – the only certainty is that it will affect yet another person every hour of every day.

Why I Walk

I’ve registered for Walk MS because I want to do something for the people who have been diagnosed – and because I want to do everything to prevent more people from learning what it means to live with this disease. Today, there is no cure for multiple sclerosis, and with a diagnosis occurring most frequently between the ages of 20 and 50, many individuals face a lifetime filled with unpredictability.

Why You Should Sponsor Me

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society will use funds collected from Walk MS to not only support research for a cure tomorrow, but also to provide programs which address the needs of people living with MS today. Because we choose to walk for those who sometimes can’t, because we choose to donate to the MS Walk, we are getting closer to the hour when no one will have to hear the words, “You have MS.”

—–

Ok, so on to the next!  This weekend is Equality Forum in Philadelphia, THE Global LGBTQ Summit. I started this past Monday and turns through Sunday. The Equality Forum, which started in 1993 as PrideFest Philadelphia, has expanded from a weekend event with 15 participating organizations to a week-long GLBT summit featuring more than 50 panels, parties and performances.

I have missed most of the week’s events, but hope to make  some of the workshops on Saturday. I can be found here:

Conversation With Lt. Dan Choi and Malcolm Lazin
Saturday, May 1, 2:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Arts Bank
601 South Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA

and

Film Screening: “OUT in the SILENCE”
Saturday, May 1, 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Arts Bank
601 South Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA

I was going to attend a discussion about the importance of power of attorneys/wills for LGBT couples, but I can’t eem to find it listed anywhere. Hit me up if you want to join me. I am meeting up with some friend and I think we are hitting Stir afterwards. I may or may not attend SundayOUT depending on how I feel after the MS walk.

Join us to hear stories from LGBTQ Asian Americans and Latino immigrants, updates on immigration policy from Washington DC, and ways we can join the fight for comprehensive immigration reform.

 Panelist include: Laurent Widjaya, Norman Medina, Ben de Guzman, Reagan Cooper (invited).

 Monday, May 17th, 2010
Asian Arts Initiative, 1219 Vine St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Reception/Networking @ 6pm

Panel Discussion @ 6:30-8:30pm

 Interpretation will be provided: Mandarin, ASL, Spanish, and more with request

   Accessible by Public transportation. Street parking for bikes and cars.

 For More Information
email: info@qpaonline.org
call: 202-422-4909
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=116984111657084

What exactly do we mean when we talk about queer immigrants’ rights?

What do we want from a federal comprehensive immigration reform bill?

How can we be involved? 

Come out to the LGBT Immigrants’ Rights Panel Discussion!

This special event comes at a time when our nation’s attention is beginning to focus on the comprehensive immigration reform, but when our communities’ concerns are getting lost in the shuffle. Asian Americans have always had a hard time amplifying their voice in a public debate that has focused on controversies surrounding legalization and the dramatics of underlying racism against Latin communities. At the same time, the debate regarding immigration within LGBT communities has only had a very narrow focus almost exclusively on the binational same-sex. It is our opportunity and obligation to call into question the incomplete nature of the debate and stake our positions there.

We’re looking to rally the Asian immigrant population to have a stronger voice and join in the powerful Latin@ immigrant narratives of mainstream social discourse and do larger coalition work with these communities. We also want to rally the LGBTQ community to think more broadly about immigration and think critically about the intersectional realities within our diverse communities. 

Sponsored by: Queer Philadelphia Asian (QPA) and National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA)

The Medic recently voiced her disgust over the recent Curve issue, but I could have never imagined how disturbing the issue was until she pulled it out of her bag last weekend. Not that the whole A-Spot article in January’s edition was pathetic enough, but March’s issue takes the cake! (Yeah, I finally learned how to use that saying!)

Now, I know that I am about to rant on a lesbian institution, but give me a minute! On to what has me grumbling! –> Page 11 – “This Is What A Lesbian Looks Like”

Interesting choice of words! I am thankful that not all lesbians look like this! While I dig femmes being represented and getting a shout out, I am baffled at how limited the reflection of queer women are in these pages.  The most recent article about female Olympians took the approach of toning down their masculine edge. (link forthcoming)

I remain baffled at this overwhelming fear of anything even remotely in the butch camp. Kinda ironic given their founder and publisher, no? I am the first to applaud femme empowerment, but am also keenly aware and appreciative that lesbians and other queer-identified women come in many wonderful shapes and sizes and colors.  Curve should be taking it upon itself to make policy about what a lesbian does or doesn’t, should or shouldn’t look like. Just sayin!

Does Curve really want to be the new Cosmo? If I want to read Cosmo…..I will read Cosmo. Curve was always my go-to mag for its pulse on the lesbian community. Apparently that ship has sailed.

The bottom line…I no longer feel represented in the pages of Curve! Not visually, culturally, socially, or intellectually. Not even a little bit. As a queer woman of color I feel very much invisible within the lesbian community to begin with. I expect mainstream society to balk at me, to accuse me of misleading people into assuming I am straight, to question my orientation because, according to them, I don’t fit the part. I can take that on. It barely hurts anymore. I have grown a tougher skin.

However, the sting is sharper from within our community. I know not everything is about me! I do try to tell myself that from time to time. However, I surely am not the only other queer woman of color out there who feels under-represented (or not at all) within the covers of LGBT mags. When the “best selling lesbian magazine” claims to have its finger on the pulse of the lesbian community (as if it is some monolith) and then cherry picks which narratives to reflect the lesbian experience, it makes a statement of what they view is truly reflective of the community.

Just sayin……

How I see myself within my own family is no exception. Aesthetics are the most obvious. I knew that I didn’t look like my parents or sister from a young age.  The elephant in the room was glaring to everyone including my family, but no one really talked about it more than one or two times.  This had a profound impact on my identify formation, my sense of self.   For good or bad, I have grown comfortable living in-between various worlds. While I share many of the same values as my family, an ideological divide has grown over the years. I am queer and left leaning (hell, I am almost horizontal). We have different ideas about fairness, justice, race, class, gender,…..privilege. My mother often dismisses my positions by making some sort of generation/age statement….as if my almost 30 years on the planet haven’t given me the right to form equally valued opinions about the world around me. Again….different does not equate to of more or lesser value.

My bi-cultural, transnational identity is probably the most complicated and murky of my interlocking identities. Depending on which site of the ocean I am standing on (or with whom I am speaking), I am either too German or too American.  The notion that both can co-exist equally at the same time seems unfathomable to some, even to me at times.  I often feel myself pressured to choose, or even more painful, having to defend one or the other. I am equally protective and defensive (and apologetic) about both. Perhaps it wasn’t just me that was different, but my entire family.  I always felt that it was much easier for my sister to fit into both worlds, despite her linguistic barrier. People are less likely to challenge her German-ness. Clearly I don’t fit the image of a stereotypical German. It has taken me a long time to begin to come to terms with my mixed-race identity.  It’s something I struggle with today.

It is disappointing that while I feel a part of several communities that are dear to me, I am most affected by the communities (and people) who have rejected me.  I am not sure if my bio-father disappearing constitutes his rejecting me.  I am not exactly sure what happened back then.  Nevertheless, his current behavior definitely feels like rejection.  How can you know that your child is out there (and know how how to find her), yet make absolutely no effort to connect?  How can you have more regard for the children of the women you date than for those you have a biological connection to?  Can you sense my anger? I realize that DNA isn’t enough to build a true foundation on,  but it should be enough for some kind of meaningful contact…..a card maybe?! I hate to admit it but, he has caused more  upheaval and trauma in my life over the last 2 years than in the previous 28.

I don’t really believe in new years resolutions. Every new day is an opportunity for re-birth and change. Nevertheless, as I am turning 30 this year, I did set a few goals for myself. Instead of focusing on where I feel like I don’t belong, I want to make more of an effort to accept the many ways I am valued and accepted in my life.  Although it may not seem overtly obvious all the time, I am a part of several meaningful and vital communities.  Although I am from the other side of the Atlantic, I feel very much apart of the Black German community here in America. I identify more with their alienation than the alienation of my cohorts in Germany.  Although it is complicated, I am certainly more accepted here.

I feel extremely blessed to be part of the Swirl family.  It’s one of the only communities in my life where I don’t feel pressure to identify or define myself.  In fact, I am not sure if any of us have actually asked each other the million dollar question – “What are you?”   It is such a relief to just be accepted, regardless of my “makeup”.  I have the opportunity to help other mixed-folk feel good about their diversity – creating a community that I did not have growing up.  I want mixed-kids to develop a positive self-image and feel proud of their mixed heritage.

As of late I also feel very strongly connected to “my” butch-femme community. I say “my” bf community because I am not sure if there is one bf community per se. It’s a community of my own choosing, woven together not necessarily by geography but by shared values, ethics and mutual respect and adoration. While I have been femme as long as I can remember, this community aspect of my life is new and I haven’t really wrapped my mind around it sufficiently. So stay tuned as there is definitely more to come on this. Nevertheless, I think it represents a powerful model for community formation. It’s intentional, organic, and profoundly life-altering. I can’t wake up tomorrow and choose not to be American or German. I am not saying that I want to stop being one or the other. That’s not the point that I am coming to. However, the expectations, pressures, stereotypes and preconceived notions that come along with those identities are not of my own making. It has taken me years to feel empowered as a mixed-chick. Mind you, I say mixed chick…..not as German or American. I find beauty and joy in my mixedness. It’s the only way I actually make sense, how the world makes sense to me. The journey through which I came to consciousness about my mixed identity was very intentional and organic. Hmm, perhaps that is what it is all about.

Some of you – readers who follow me on Twitter and those I talk to on a daily basis – will know about the recent incident at my church. I have mentioned it vaguely on Twitter, but I’ve had to sit with it for a while before talking or writing about it. The gist of it – after much reflection and some troubling interactions, I decided to stop attending The Well. While I am out in every other aspect of my life, being queer remains complicated when it comes to where I choose to worship (not to be confused with my personal sense of Faith – God and I are great). Yet over the last couple of months, I have grown increasingly uncomfortable and disturbed by being shoved into a closet not of my own making at church.

So, fast forward to a few Sundays ago – I was texting with a friend of mine from the Well. She asked if I was planning on attending that morning. My response “I don’t think I can go back. I am tired of being in someone elses closet.” Little did I know that my rather matter-of-fact comments would create a tidal wave of more disaster than I could have ever imagined. I don’t know specifics, but some sort of announcement was made by said friend about my decision in front of the entire congregation. I was selectively out at The Well. I have grown increasingly uncomfortable with that over the last six months and it contributed to my decision to stop attending.  I received a frantic (and cryptic) voice mail from this friend immediately following, as well as a dozen un-friendings on FB and two marginally sympathetic emails.

Sidenote – I was a little irked at first that my exit was hijacked, but I wish everyone had an ally like her.

For the longest time I thought that remaining in an non-affirming church was the right thing to do. I thought that if every queer person left a non-affirming parish, it was like condoning the hateful theology. I don’t believe that anymore. Reality is that non-affirming churches are hurting people in the name of Christ and that is wrong. By remaining in such an environment means I have a hand in perpetuating that harmful behavior. That is something I refuse to do!

Put whatever spin on it that you like, but non-affirming churches are stepped in homophobia. While individually expressing their “love” for all of God’s children, they spew hate from the pulpit, likening queer folk to the deplorable acts of murders and pedophiles. My whole body cringed that day in church. I was in complete disbelief about what I had just heard, especially since just moments before the same person said he was glad I was at The Well. I can’t even sugar coat it anymore. I can’t make it sound pretty because it isn’t.  Sure you can wrap it in a bow, say you love the person but reject the sin, but, my God, that is hateful!  Hurting people in God’s name…I am sure there’s a commandment about that!

There seems to be a disconnect between scriptural message and the application thereof. Every message of Christ in the Gospels underscore his complete, absolute and unconditional love for all humans, regardless of disposition. Yet, the message from the pulpit towards LGBT individuals (and anyone that is different for that matter) is one of contempt and disgust.

I am not going to waste anyone’s time with a dissection of a handful of scriptural references often spewed completely out of context or some mind-numbing theological diatribe (but here are some great resources and Whosoever has a great book store). However, I will say this without reservation – a church that condemns queer people from the pulpit is culpable in the collective hate and destruction that supposed Christian communities hurl onto queer youths and adults.  Thousands of queer kids are driven to suicide each year by the isolation and hate they experience in their lives – from their families, teachers, peers, and yes, their churches – from people and communities who claim  to love and support them. These churches are equally responsible for the damage that causes. I am sickened that that churches foster such an environment of shame and hate that it forces wonderful, people into closets they would otherwise not be in. I began to feel like I was living in someone elses closet – someone elses space of shame and embarrassment.I refuse to live someone elses lie!  I am neither ashamed nor embarrassed by my sexuality. No more or less than my hetero counterparts.

They may have queer friends, invite them into their lives, let them use their bathroom (sorry, I could not resist), but that does not excuse or negate the underlying prejudice. It doesn’t change the reality of the situation – the conditionality of acceptance, the separate and unequal status in their lives.It is not my responsibility to make people feel good about their bigotry, to spin it so that it sounds less messy.  This is a hate free zone. With that in mind, as you consider adding your comments to this post, know that only constructive, non defaming comments will be approved.  Either add something constructive to the discussion or kindly walk away.

If you are a Christian in a non-affirming church, I truly hope that you have a change of heart, that you rethink the prejudice, hate and damage you sign on to with that decision.

If you are a queer Christian who feels isolated and hurt, know you are not alone. Know that you are loved and cherished exactly how you are here on earth AND before God. Know that at the very least, you have a friend here with me!

Also – check out your local Lutherans Concerned. There are hundreds of Lutheran ELCA parishes that are fully accepting AND affirming of LGBT individuals and families. Rainbow Baptists provides a link for LGBT members within the Baptist communion. And, of course, there are thousands of Metropolitan Community Churches throughout the country.  Whosoever Magazine is also a great online resource, providing a “safe and sacred space” for LGBT Christians.

I will be putting together a list of  loving and affirming community resources under the “community links” tab. If you have any specific links that I should include, please leave a link and brief description in a comment.

From time to time we are compelled to stand up for what is right and condemn what is wrong. Swirl is a committed ally of the LGBT community. Therefore we felt compelled to voice our outrage about the recent Atlanta Police Department raid of the Atlanta Eagle, a long-standing LGBT establishment in the Atlanta community.

Dear Citizens:

As directors of the Atlanta and Philadelphia chapters of Swirl Inc, a national multi-racial organization focused on challenging notions of race through community building, education and action, we are outraged by the Atlanta Police Department’s raid of the Atlanta Eagle on September 10, 2009. We are troubled by the lack of transparency from City Government and Law Enforcement, as there has been little clarity about the charges filed against the owners of the Eagle or those who were arrested.

See full Op-Ed here!

Update:

Come out on Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at the Atlanta Eagle for a conversation with the new Atlanta PD LGBT Liaison, Brian Sharp, and staff of the Atlanta Eagle to answer questions about the continuing developments of the 2009 raid and the ways in which the Atlanta police department is working to reshape their interactions with the lgbt community in Atlanta!

• When: Wednesday, February 16, 2011 / 8pm to 9pm
• 306 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308

From time to time we are compelled to stand up for what is right and condemn what is wrong. Swirl is a committed ally of the LGBT community. Therefore we felt compelled to voice our outrage about the recent Atlanta Police Department raid of the Atlanta Eagle, a long-standing LGBT establishment in the Atlanta community.

Dear Citizens:

As directors of the Atlanta and Philadelphia chapters of Swirl Inc, a national multi-racial organization focused on challenging notions of race through community building, education and action, we are outraged by the Atlanta Police Department’s raid of the Atlanta Eagle on September 10, 2009. We are troubled by the lack of transparency from City Government and Law Enforcement, as there has been little clarity about the charges filed against the owners of the Eagle or those who were arrested.

While Atlanta’s neighborhood communities are overcome with fear of armed robberies, home burglaries, carjackings (all of which have also befallen at least 3 elected officials and political candidates) and lack of sufficient neighborhood police patrols, Vice was able to dedicate resources to organizing a raid on The Atlanta Eagle, one of Atlanta’s longest standing LGBT establishments. We question the priorities and motivation behind the raid of the Eagle.

Officer Danni Lynn Harris, The Atlanta Police Department’s Liaison to the LGBT community, has received a significant number of complaints from who suffered verbal abuse with “anti-gay overtones� as well as several racially tinged remarks. Due to the overwhelming response and complaints resulting from the raid, Officer Harris believes that the vice squad’s behavior warrants an internal investigation, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. However, she also stated that this may be the kind of situation that blows up before all facts are known. We are incredibly concerned about the breakdown in communication between the Vice and Officer Harris. As the LGBT community’s liaison, it is troubling that she appears to be so unaware of the actions that were planned to take place at The Eagle. We, along with others, add our voices to the chorus urging the Atlanta Police Department to conduct a timely and thorough investigation, as well as ensure that the complaints prompted by this raid are adequately vetted to rule out malice or homophobic motivations before moving forward.

Southern Voice Video – Office Harris explaining her role in the raid

Attorney Allen Begner, who has stepped forward to represent The Eagle, has expressed that patrons’ rights were likely further violated when the Atlanta Police Department searched patrons multiple times. A head count found that there were 70 people present at The Eagle, 8 of which were staff members. Patrons were made to lay face down on the floor for over an hour while APD searched each person individually, yet officers did not recover any weapons or drugs. On anyone! When this search turned up nothing, APD insisted on running every individual’s IDs, all the while using disrespectful language and acting with pure intimidation, instilling of fear, and reckless procedure. This behavior, including APD’s alleged use of derogatory language in regards to multiple minority communities including LGBT and racial minorities, is unacceptable and disturbing.

Members of the LGBT community continue to live in fear of violence and persecution in our city and countless other cities throughout this nation. We are once again forced to highlight the injustices perpetrated against a community by the same law enforcement personnel who are sworn to protect one and all. Our energies need to be combined to ensure that all communities receive adequate protection of the law, not from it. This incident underscores the need for robust hate crimes legislation in Georgia and for legislators to take more deliberate steps to guaranty equal protection under the law for the LGBT community. Guaranteeing civil rights protections for only some of us undermines and erodes the foundation of civil rights for us all, a principle that guides Swirl’s very mission.

Finally, we applaud the growing list of Atlanta politicians calling for a thorough and transparent investigation including City Council members/candidates and Mayoral candidates Alex Wan, Kyle Keyser, Lisa Borders, Kasim Reed, Mary Norwood, Kwanza Hall and many more. We would especially like to commend Shelitha Robertson and Miguel Gallegos, candidates running for City Council, for their swift actions to ensure the immediate release of the 6 Eagle staff members who remained in custody. We hope to continue to see their steadfast dedication to standing up against injustice in all communities.

It is imperative that we impress upon Atlanta law enforcement and elected officials that their actions are unacceptable. Please join us in raising our voices against prejudice and injustice:

• Call Richard J. Pennington, Chief of Police at 404.546.6839
• Call Officer Dani Lynn Harris, LGBT Liaison for the Atlanta PD at 404.695.7408. Her mission is to “improve the relationship between the GLBT community and the Atlanta Police Department.â€�
• Call Shirley Franklin, Mayor of Atlanta at 404.330.6100
• Donate to Georgia Equality, the political and advocacy voice of Georgia’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender citizens and their allies. No donation is too small!

Jennifer Bhagia, SwirlAtlanta
Kathrin P. Ivanovic, SwirlPhilly
Swirl Inc Homepage

“We loved each other and got married,” she [Mildred Loving] told The Washington Evening Star in 1965, when the case was pending. “We are not marrying the state. The law should allow a person to marry anyone he wants.”

Mildred Loving fought for her right to marry someone of another race in 1960′s Virginia. More than 40 years later we are still fighting for true marriage equality.

Stay tuned…..recap of Philadelphia’s First SwirlPhilly Loving Day events to come!

Related Stories:

Matriarch of Inter-Racial Marriage Dies

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24468808/

The Huffington Post Interview with Loving Day Founder

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jennifer-gandin-le/loving-day-its-not-a-hall_b_51358.html

Village Voice Interview with Loving Day Founder

http://www.villagevoice.com/2006-06-06/people/love-actually

2006 Washington Post Article

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/12/AR2006061201716.html

Please take this time to remember the incredible women in your life and those that paved the way before you!

I could not have asked for a more perfect day!  I started my day in fellowship at The Well and then participating in the IWD 2009 Conference in Center City, Philadelphia.  I was a bit nervous about speaking, as I rarely get the chance to speak about faith before my peers in the LGBTQ of Color community. It is less stressful speaking before communities I have less of a personal stake in.

I made some great connections.  Suraya Pakzad, Executive Director of Voices of Women Organization, came to speak about Women and Violance in Afghanistan. I was also able to finally meet Gloria Casarez, Director of LGBT Affairs for the City of Philadelphia, Virgina Gutierrez, President of the Board at Equality Advocates, and Wahaadah Shabazz-El of Women’s HIV Network.

The Anna Crusis Women’s Choir sang “Bread and Roses” (btw one of my favorite charities) and the Raices Culturales Latinoamericanas performed Aztec ceremonical rituals and dances.  I am extremely humbled that people wanted TDP to faciliate new inter-faith LGBT dinscussions.  Many also asked for my business card after my presentation.  I definitely did not expect that reaction.

I was disappointed not to see Vanessa Brown at the conference. She is one of our newly elected State Representatives. I met her last year at a Progressive Leadership Women of Color brunch.  I asked her when I first met her about the ways in which she intended to address LGBTQ issues in her district but did not receive an answer. I thought, perhaps the second time around would be the charm.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
SPONSORED BY THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY PHILADELPHIA COALITION
LIBERATION – EQUALITY – JUSTICE!

SUNDAY MARCH 8, 2009
PROGRAM

12:00- 1:00PM RALLY AND MARCH @ CITY HALL

1:00- 1:30PM MARCH to FAMILY PLANNING COUNCIL
260 S. BROAD STREET

1:30- 2:30PM LUNCH/REFRESHMENTS

2:30 – 2:45PM CEREMONIAL OPENING
Raíces Culturales Latinoamericanas Featuring Fuego Nuevo

OPENING/WELCOME/LIBATIONS by Soda Nobuhle, Arleen Olshan

2:45 -3:00PM CULTURAL PERFORMANCE
Anna Crusis Women’s Choir

3:00-4:00PM Anti-War and International Union Solidarity
Kathy Black, Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW)

The United Nations (UN) Conference on Women
Berta Joubert-Ceci

Single Payer Health Care
Patty Eakin, President of the Pennsylvania Association of Nurses
and Allied Professionals

Women and HIV/AIDS
Waheedah Shabazz-El, Women’s HIV Network

CULTURAL PERFORMANCE
Sisters in Music and Poetry: Monnette Sudler and Trapeta Mayson

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Communities – A Political Perspective
Gloria Casarez, Director of LGBT Affairs City of Philadelphia

Queer Womyn on Faith and Spirituality
Kathrin P. Ivanovic, Principal Blogger at The Diversity Projekt

Violence Towards Women Abroad: A Darfuran Women Speaks
About Rape as a Weapon of Genocide in Sudan
Fatima Haroun

Women’s Heart and Health
Blanca Marti, Nurse Practitioner

4:00-5:00 PM Womyn of Color- A Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and
Transgender Perspective LGBTQ Womyn of Color Conference

CULTURAL PERFORMANCE
Creativity in Movement, Misia Denea

Transgender Womyn of Color – Action, Advocacy, Allies
Jaci Adams

Women In Politics
State Representative Vanessa Brown

Employee Free Choice Act
Roni Green, SEIU

Spoken in Arabic – Multicultural/Multiethnic Organizing
Nehad Khadir, Arab Women’s Committee

CULTURAL PERFORMANCE
Songs of Hope, Fatimah Lorén

Occupational Safety and Health Issues Related to Women
Barbara Rahke, Director, Philadelphia Area Project on
Occupational Safety and Health

CULTURAL PERFORMANCE
Raíces Culturales Latinoamericanas Featuring Fuego Nuevo

Women and Diabetes
Juanita Figueroa

Housing: The Foreclosure Crisis
Louise Francis

Women and Violence In Afghanistan
Suraya Pakzad

Immigration and Health Care Access
Teresa Conejo

5:00-5:30PM CULTURAL PERFORMANCE
Poetry in Motion, Shayna SheNess Israel (SITY)

CULTURAL PERFORMANCE
Raíces Culturales Latinoamericanas Featuring Fuego Nuevo

Action Plan
ALL

5:30-6:00PM Reflections/Closing
Sherrie Cohen, Soda Nobuhle, Arleen Olshan

IWD Philadelphia Coalition thanks its 2009 Sponsors: AFSCME District Council 47, Albert Einstein Medical Center, Anna Crusis Choir, Beta Phi Omega Sorority Inc., Carmen Bilingual toys and books, Café con Chocolate, Coalition for Labor Union Women, Code Pink, Darfur Alert Coalition, Hearts and More by Moon Queen, Lia Sophia, MayDay Committee, National Conference of Puerto Rican Women, National Association of Hispanic Nurses, PA Federation BMWED-IBT, Passion Party Consulting, Partnership for Prescription Assistance, Philadelphia International Action Center, Philadelphia NOW, Planned Parenthood, Raíces Culturales Latinoamericanas , Safeguards and Family Planning Council, Sisterspace, Sisters United @ The COLOURS Organization, Inc., Tacto Peruano, The COLOURS Organization Inc., The Womyn’s Village, Women’s Community Revitalization Project.

www.myspace.com/iwdphiladelphia; Email: iwdphiladelphia@yahoo.com; Phone: 267-997-8160

“No person is your friend who demands your silence or denies your right to grow.” – Alice Walker

Saints Constantine and Helena c.1350

What if that person is you?

Seems like I only talk about trials and tribulations lately. The saga with my birth-father is never ending. My dad’s family is as loony as ever – especially with my cousin’s recent alcoholism induced death. I am really glad that my dad is relatively normal (and absolutely fabulous).

I seem to go through a spiritual shift every couple of years and I may just be smack in the middle of one right now.  The emotional topsy turvy of it sure feels like it.  I have been so agitated that I can’t even settle down to While I never question my foundation, I am often unsure as to whether I am on the same path – where the way in which I choose to express my faith (which fundamentally doesn’t change) ceases to feed me spiritually.

Although I was raised Lutheran, many years ago, I chose to worship as an Orthodox Christian. I was initially attracted to the organic and holistic worship of the OC, as well as the healthy balance of scripture and tradition of its theological foundation.  But something changed along the way – most likely me.  I used to have somewhat of a “whatever” attitude.

Being “out” has always been complicated at church - whether intentionally or non-intentionally, I’m not sure. I think it is more complicated than that either or paradigm.  I’ve never felt guilty or ashamed for being gay.  Nor do I feel more or less sinful than the next person (at least not due to my sexuality). I always felt that if we are truly made in God’s image, then he could not have possibly made a mistake in creating me as I am. Based on that premise, I have felt no need to abuse myself emotionally, psychologically or spiritually.

I am human though and do desire acceptance and belonging. I knew being openly gay would not fly in the Orthodox Church.  I avoided all relationship questions and felt horrible doing so.  I felt like I was lying, hiding and denying who I am - to myself and others.   I’ve tip toed around the issue when attending various Lutheran congregations – ELC are fairly accepting and felt more comfortable in those parishes.  I am currently proceeding on a case by case basis. Yet, not being university out is extremely uncomfortable for me. I am out in all other aspects of my life.

LGBTs of Faith

I hate hiding. THAT makes something “seem” dirty and wrong.  I’ve grown increasingly unhappy about it. Without much recourse in the environment I was in, I decided to scope out some other congregations in the area. I was on the verge of giving up and dropping out of the church-going population, when a friend introduced me to her pastor. After several weeks of chatting and tweeting back and forth, he finally cornered me one Sunday. I really didn’t have anything preventing me from going to church and I was most certainly not going to lie to a man of the cloth, so I decided to venture out.

This will be the first year in quite some time where I am not celebrating Pascha in an Orthodox Church. Actually, I keep going back and forth about whether I will start Lent on Feb 25th ot March 2nd. I feel so torn and lost about this. People have asked me what the big deal is – Christian is Christian.  Yes and No – I just don’t think it is that simple.  I can’t imagine any mainstream protestants making a lighthearted jump to Eastern Orthodoxy or even Roman Catholicism (save for high church Anglicans).

Pascha (Easter) is my second most favorite time of the Church year.  I start to get excited as early as Theophany.  Just the thought of journeying through the resurrection of our Lord and shouting Khristos Voskrese! Voistinu Voskrese! fills my heart with such joy!  Yet, yet – my most favorite moment in the church year is Cheesefare – Forgiveness Sunday holds a special place in my heart.  I know, that is a bit odd, but…yeah, I will leave this for Sunday’s post!

With that being said, I feel like I am at a crossroads.  I’ve attended a Russian church for several years now.  I value the liturgical practices, whether based on scripture or apostolic tradition, as well as the holistic approach to living Christ-centered in the world. Yet, some of the cultural practices cause me pause. The liturgy is in Church Slavonic. The sermon is in Russian and the only portion of the liturgy people actually understand.  Most parishes are far too ethnic and somewhat insular.  As a convert, I often felt not quite a part of the club. There is no sense of evangelism and reaching out beyond their own community. Fellowship is mostly non-existent.   I need these things – community, fellowship, purpose beyond my own back door – in order to grow spiritually.

I’ve spent much time in prayer and meditation about this. There are many liturgical traditions of the OC that remain important to me and that I will surely miss.  Yet, what do you do when you no longer feel spiritually nourished? What do you do when it is unlikely that that you will grow spiritually without making a move? At what point do you surrender and move on?