Date: Mon, 30 Aug 1999 21:43:15 -0400 From: Chris Ambidge Subject: Integrator, back issues from 1994 INTEGRATOR, the newsletter of Integrity/Toronto volume 94-4, issue date 1994 09 10 copyright 1994 Integrity/Toronto. The hard-copy version of this newsletter carries the ISSN 0843-574X Integrity/Toronto Box 873 Stn F Toronto ON Canada M4Y 2N9 == contents == [94-4-1] TELLING THE STORY, WALKING THE WALK / by Ron Chaplin [94-4-2] ADDING OUR VOICES, LIVING OUR FAITH / Anglicans observe AIDS Awareness Sunday, by Doug Graydon [94-4-3] THE CHURCH LADY, PARTS I AND II / An on-the-spot report of Vancouver Gay Pride, by Mayne Ellis [94-4-4] FIDELITY CONFERENCE [94-4-5] FINISHING THE TEMPLE / Stonewall 25 at the Cathedral in New York, by Bill Morrison [94-4-6] RECLAIMING OUR HISTORY: SAME-SEX UNIONS / by Chris Hansen [94-4-7] SACRED RITES / Five out of Seven Sacraments not good enough, Church Told, by Mark Graham of Integrity/Atlanta [94-4-8] NO *INTEGRITY* AT DIOCESAN CELEBRATION / news from Adelaide, Australia ======== [94-4-1] TELLING THE STORY, WALKING THE WALK by Ron Chaplin I would like to tell you a story. It is not a sad story, although there is much sadness to it. It is a story about great strength, although it also concerns weakness. It is a story about empowerment, although it also concerns deprivation. It is a story about love. It is a story about my brothers and sisters. It is a story we all know. It is the story of AIDS in our community. It is a story that I tell with great pride, to all who care to listen. I am so proud of my gay brothers and sisters. Christ taught us to pray, "and deliver us from the test." I wish we had been delivered. We were not. We have been "tested", sorely. And we have proven ourselves equal to the test. We have demonstrated, to each other, and to the world, just what kind of people we are. I no longer get viscerally angry when I hear people say that AIDS is "God's vengeance" aimed at destroying the homosexual community. Why not? Because I know they are wrong. Far from destroying us, this plague has strengthened us, just as surely as the fire strengthens the steel. So many people I have known have died. Several have died bereft of the support of blood relatives. Several have died bereft of the company of a "long-time companion" or of close friends. I know of no one, who asked for help, who died alone. His "family" was there -- his gay brothers and sisters. I have been so moved, countless times, by everything, from great gestures of heroism and courage, to countless acts of simple kindness and compassion. I have been moved to tears, not only for the passing of the dead, but for the generosity of spirit of the living. And I want to shout it from the rooftops! This is a story that needs to be told, in every forum, in every city across the land. How many hospital rooms (or living rooms, or bedrooms) have I been in, when I hear echoing in my head Christ's Great Commandment: "that you love your neighbour as yourself"? Or His wonderful story, "when I was hungry, you fed me; when I was naked, you clothed me; when I was sick, you comforted me"? Over and over and over again. This is one of the reasons (just one) that I believe our witness in the Church is so important. This is a story that many "out there" haven't yet heard; and it is a story that many of you can tell as well as me. Over the last few years, I have listened to much hand-wringing in the Church about how to respond to AIDS. There has been much debate. There have been many prayers. Prayers are needed, of course. But I have always firmly believed that Christ calls us to action. AIDS Awareness Week begins this year on Monday, October 3. On Sunday, October 2, for the first time, the annual *From All Walks of Life* AIDS fund-raising walk will be held in almost every major Canadian city, on the same day (in Vancouver, the Walk will be held the preceding Sunday, in memory of the founder of AIDS Vancouver). I would encourage all who read this newsletter to go back to their parish, their college, their seminary, and try to sign up a team of walkers for this year's Walk. From experience, I have no doubt that you will find many people willing to participate. This is but a first step. When I hear parishioners ask, "But what can I do?", I reply, "Just what you've always done best!" Drop by. Deliver a casserole. Do some light housekeeping; or go out to get groceries. Offer a lift to Sunday services, or for an appointment at the hospital. Simple stuff. But the kind of action that is so desperately, desperately needed by so many. Many people scoff at my suggestions. Would the "church ladies" (and pardon the expression) be willing to do such? My answer is a resounding YES!!! I speak from experience. I am a volunteer with the AIDS Committee of Ottawa, specifically with their fund-raising programs. I have contacted scores of (straight) friends and former business colleagues, asking for modest levels of support in publicising the event and/or recruiting walkers for this year's Walk. By and large, their response has been "yes". Their enthusiasm has astounded me. Moved me. And empowered me. These are all people I hold in the highest esteem, be it professionally and/or personally. They are delighted to be asked. They care. I know this first hand. Because I, you see, have AIDS. = = = = {Author Box: RON CHAPLIN attends St. John the Evangelist in Ottawa, and is a volunteer with the AIDS Committee of Ottawa.} ======== [94-4-2] ADDING OUR VOICES, LIVING OUR FAITH Anglicans observe AIDS Awareness Sunday by Doug Graydon Sadly, as we enter the second decade of the AIDS pandemic, medical research has yet to develop any effective vaccine or treatment for the millions of human beings who suffer from HIV infection or AIDS. The virus continues to spread rapidly throughout the Far East and has devastated portions of Africa. In North America, the number one natural cause of death for persons aged 15 to 25 is AIDS and the fastest growing population group in Canada for HIV infection are young heterosexual men and women. Still the only remaining effective tool that society has for combating HIV/AIDS is education. Public school systems and public health officers are doing their part in educating our youth on the risks of HIV infection. The Toronto Diocesan AIDS Committee believes the church needs to continue to add its voice in an effort to slow and eventually stop the spread of this virus. The church has a unique opportunity to place HIV/AIDS within the pastoral compassionate context of a loving God and church community. Many parishes already provide excellent pastoral services to persons affected and infected with HIV/AIDS. We need to do more. We need to challenge ourselves in opening our church doors wide to invite the HIV/AIDS community into our lives. We need to live our faith and walk the streets of our towns and cities seeking out those who suffer, bringing them the love of God and the grace of healing prayer. As chair of the Diocesan AIDS Committee, I invite you to observe AIDS Awareness Sunday, this year on 2 October. Please consider what activities you can encourage in your parish which will educate and motivate people to become involved with HIV/AIDS ministry. The Diocesan AIDS Committee would be pleased to give support and assistance. HIV/AIDS continues to raise uncomfortable issues of disease, death, and sexuality within our society. It continues to spread amongst us because we choose to keep a fearful silence because of these stigmas. Let us as a church proclaim boldly that we will not hide in silence and fear of this disease. Instead, let us with the love of God confront this disease, and end its power over us. = = = = {Author Box: THE REV DOUGLAS GRAYDON is Pastoral Care Counsellor at Casey House, an AIDS Hospice in Toronto. The Diocesan AIDS Committee can be contacted at 135 Adelaide St E Toronto M5C 1L8; (416) 363-6021 } ======== [94-4-3] THE CHURCH LADY, PARTS I AND II An on-the-spot report of Vancouver Lesbian/Gay Pride by Mayne Ellis At every Vancouver Pride Parade, a female person stands at some prominent point along the route, bearing messages. Her sandwich board proclaims that God is not amused by our fun procession, still less our our "sex acts", however thrilling we ourselves might find them; her hand-help placard announces that "God Sees All - Knows All - Judges All". The Original Church Lady (TOCL) has become one of the lesser-appreciated traditions of Vancouver's Pride Parade. We know lesbigay people give a lot to society, and we share with Christians the ability to redeem. We have reclaimed the words "dyke" and "queer" and made the pink triangle a sign of liberation, just as Christians have made the cross, once the chilling brand of a criminal's death, a symbol of empowering atonement. One of Integrity/Vancouver's members has brilliantly realised this gift in his creation of The Church Lady, Part II. Michael perfected her -ahem- style, right down to the signs; his placard read "God Loves All, Sees All, Knows All -- All Are Included in the Love of God." The sandwich board was a masterpiece of imitation, even to the lettering. On the back, information on Integrity; the front proclaimed "Pay NO attention to the Other Church Lady! She is my confused sister!" His outfit, modelled on hers of last year (baggy print dress, sweat pants and a long- sleeved sweater) was so good it was scary. It is fair to say that he created a sensation, and was the star of the 1994 Parade. There was much suspense about when Church Ladies I and II would come face to face. The Original Church Lady waited at the entrance to the park. Her placard, in this Year of the Family, announced that Homosexuals were Not To Be Being Parents, and that God Will Not Permit It. (In passing, dear reader, take a moment to pity the fundies, who go about authoritatively forbidding things in the name of Jesus, while it happens just the same, like King Thingummy sitting on the beach telling the tide not to come in.) Michael took up station (as one old Navy man put it) on the other side of the entrance, so that oncomers had the benefit of both sides of the argument. They were not an attractive couple. Even an unbiased person would have agreed. Michael is much taller and heavier than TOCL; he has a kind face, a full moustache, and a youthful demeanour. She isn't feminine or masculine, just triangular, with a hawky nose and little blue eyes that never once met the eyes of the people she was there to despise. Two women from PFLAG stood beside TOCL with their placards, one of which read "Hate is not a family value", and this group was joined by a beautiful young woman, whose T-shirt slogan "Straight but not narrow" made clear that one's identity needn't be dependent on denial of someone else's. Resentful and nervous, TOCL began to circulate. But everywhere the homophobe went, the lambs were sure to go. For a while there were FIVE of us trailing in a polite little row. Michael followed to the bitter end. He didn't confront or block TOCL, however angry or agitated she became, but steadfastly accompanied her all the way back down the parade. People would see her and scowl, then see Michael and perk right back up again. Reader, we saw her off. She usually "witnesses" the entire afternoon, but was not proof against Michael's gentle, determined presence. She shouted as she toddled away. I think they were insults, for the tone didn't have the warm, inclusive quality one associates with blessings. Her husband accused us of harassment. And what, one wonders, do they think they were doing to us? Never mind. We sent after them a sincere "The Lord be with you." No less an authority than St Paul says it's OKAY to heap such coals of fire on people's heads. Michael said, "She does have guts." On the placard, he called her a "sister". Would she ever call *me* that? It was the crowd's reaction to Michael that stays with me. I have never seen such appreciation and delight from a parade audience. Our progress was attended with a continual roar of approval and delight. At every step, Michael was met by applause, cheers, laughter -- people came up to shake his hand or hug him. One woman said, "Good for you! You're not ignoring it, you're dealing with it." That day I was proud of my people; TOCL was never in any danger, despite her husband's fears. Yet the affectionate and tumultuous reception of Michael in his brave incarnation made me realise how hungry people are to hear the saving gospel of God's love for them. ======== [94-4-4] FIDELITY CONFERENCE Fidelity, the group of Anglicans in Toronto who are concerned that traditional teachings of the church be given voice in the matter of human sexuality, are sponsoring a conference later this month. *The Homosexual Challenge -- A Christian Response* will be at Wycliffe College on Saturday 24 September from 8:30 to 4:00. The two keynote speakers are Philip Turner of Yale and Elizabeth Moberley from the UK. Turner is Dean of Berkeley Divinity School. Moberley emphasises "gender-reparative therapy" for homosexuals who want to change their sexual orientation. Fidelity say that they endorse Bishop Finlay's call for bridge- building, and I see this conference as an opportunity to continue discussion and debate on sexuality and the church. I plan to be there in *bona fides* to talk with people who may have different views from mine on this matter. I hope that the other participants will talk with me the other Integrity members, and that genuine dialogue (rather than twin monologues) ensues. I am a little distressed that the title of the event seems to place homosexuality and Christianity as opposing concepts. I trust that the infelicity of speech in the title is not borne out in the dialogue. Please pray for all the participants in the event, that true learnings may happen. Those who did not register in advance and still wish to attend may register at the door. The fee is $30; for students, $12. We'll report on the conference in the next issue of *Integrator*. ======= [94-4-5] FINISHING THE TEMPLE Stonewall 25 at the Cathedral in New York, by Bill Morrison She climbed up into the pulpit and declared, "When you look up here, some of you will see Dorothy." Well, it was Gay Pride weekend in New York, and it didn't matter where you looked--uptown, downtown; East Side, West Side; Broadway or the Bowery--you saw Dorothy. She was everywhere. There's a saying that on St. Patrick's Day in New York everyone is Irish. On this Stonewall 25 Anniversary it seemed as though everyone was gay. Even in the Bronx: 50,000 people in Yankee Stadium for the closing ceremonies of Gay Games IV. After those opening words the five thousand or so friends of Dorothy gathered in the Cathedral Church of St John the Divine for a "Celebration of Human Rights... to Commemorate the twenty-fifth Anniversary of Stonewall" pretty much lost it. When some semblance of quiet had been restored, the speaker continued, "Others will look at me and see Maude. Some might even see Vera. But the person who is standing here, the person I am, is Bea." Beatrice Arthur was delivering the "Address to the Congregation." She went on (I'm remembering, not transcribing, so don't take the quotation marks too literally), "Throughout my life I have assumed many roles, because that was my choice. But many of you here have had no choice, you have had to assume a role, to disguise who you really are, in order to survive. I'm here this morning instead of on the West Coast, because I can imagine a world in which everyone can be who they are without fear." (Earlier in the week Bishop Otis Charles had adopted a similar theme. Speaking to a capacity congregation at Integrity New York's annual Pride service at St. Luke's in the Field church, he confessed how he had played the role of "straight church leader" to hide his true gay self. He called us to live with integrity and honesty, refusing the world's invitation to join in our own oppression by keeping silent and hiding our truth.) The Celebration at the Cathedral, organised by Paul Bodkin and hosted by the Episcopal Diocese of New York, featured the talents of several New York singers and dancers, including diva Aprille Millo of the Metropolitan Opera. The Gay Men's Choruses of New York, Seattle and Los Angeles were there too. The music ranged from Mendelssohn to Sondheim. It was definitely a "show." But a sense of worship prevailed throughout. Egbert Don Taylor, the Assistant Bishop of New York, presided, framing the service with opening sentences and closing benediction. There were congregational hymns, readings, intercessions, even a collection (designated to the "Community Research Institute on AIDS" and "Stonewall 25"). And at the heart of it Beatrice Arthur really did preach the gospel: "Remember that God loves you unconditionally, for who you are." (She went on to say, "I don't know if that means that God is gay; but lots of people have wondered about his Son--he was unmarried; he spent his time hanging around with twelve men; and he had a very special relationship with his mother.") The people came from everywhere. I saw people I knew from Vermont, upstate New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Toronto, Vancouver. The people sitting on one side of me were actually from New York (and regular attenders at the Cathedral), those on the other from Portland. They were part of the million or more people (four thousand from Canada) who were in the streets for the parades on Sunday--both the "official" Human Rights march past the United Nations, and ACT-UP's countermarch up Fifth Avenue. In a service studded with special moments and wonderful people, the best of all came at the very beginning, the welcome given by the Rev Richard McKeon, chair of the Diocese of New York Stonewall 25 Planning Committee. After telling us how he had been slaving all morning making pink lemonade for the reception that was to follow the service ("the world's biggest coffee hour," he called it), he went on to talk about the Cathedral. "St John's is known as the largest gothic cathedral in the world. You will notice that it is unfinished. But with all of you gathered in it this morning, it is as close to being finished as it can ever be." As the text I see on the dining-room wall every time I'm at Kirkridge says, "The temple stands unfinished until all are housed in dignity." = = = = {Author Box: THE REV CANON BILL MORRISON is Director of Program for the Diocese of British Columbia } ======== [94-4-6] RECLAIMING OUR HISTORY: SAME-SEX UNIONS by Chris Hansen For one wonderful year I lived at 577 Castro Street just north of 19th Street in San Francisco. Shortly before I moved to London, there was a ceremony at 575 Castro Street to dedicate a plaque in the sidewalk. It was the site of Harvey Milk's camera store, where he had hatched the strategies which brought him to the Board of Supervisors and also to his death. The 'Widow Milk' was there, as well as many people who knew him, worked with him, and loved him; we stood with them in the soft rain with candles cradled in plastic cups, honouring the life of the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in the United States. But, until the plaque was actually placed in the sidewalk, I hadn't known that Harvey's camera store had been next door to my flat and that we shared a wall. Now, everyone who walks past will know that significant events in lesbian and gay history happened there. Part of the process of becoming fully accepted and fully empowered in society involves marking significant places and events in the history of our kind. All those who come out of the closet and join fully in our lesbian and gay society gain greater insights into themselves through knowing and treasuring our history. Therefore, we owe a great debt to John Boswell and his studies of homosexuality in the past. His new book, *Same-Sex Unions in Premodern Europe* (Villard Books, 1994, 390 pages), has been in the works for at least 14 years, ever since the publication of his other major work around homosexuality and religion, *Christianity, Social Tolerance, and Homosexuality: Gay People in Western Europe from the Beginning of the Christian Era to the Fourteenth Century* (Chicago, 1980). It is finally finished, after some difficulties in the US in 1988. Integrity in the US hosted Dr Boswell at a lunch at the 1988 General Convention in Detroit. They videotaped his talk, which gave a thumbnail sketch of the discoveries which make up the bulk of this current book. The videotape was widely disseminated, and has heightened the anticipation of the book in the academic and lesbian and gay communities. This pressure made it more difficult for Dr Boswell to actually finish the book. And, had the publicity reached the Vatican Library, which houses some of the manuscripts, there might have been restrictions on Dr Boswell's research there. The general theme of his previous book is continued and strengthened in this current one. It's one which comforts as well as challenges us. The taboos, prohibitions, and religious persecution of homosexuals are a relatively recent phenomenon, and cannot be claimed to be ancient and immutable from biblical times. While the previous book dealt with societal and religious attitudes as a whole (and I recommend it to everyone), this current book deals with a small but very important part of these attitudes - the same-sex union. Dr Boswell lays his groundwork well. He begins by examining the language of love and marriage in the classical and early Christian eras, as well as the meaning and mechanics of actually getting married. He discusses Saints Sergius and Bacchus, a pair of saints who are almost always invoked in these ceremonies along with Philip and Bartholomew. Along the way he traces the evolution of moral strictures against homosexuality, and he ends with the eventual prohibition of the ceremonies by bishops in the 17th century. His writing is clear, and accessible both to scholars (who will enjoy the copious footnotes), and to the non-historian (who can skip the copious footnotes). But, like the Fudgsicle of my youth in the US, which was an ice cream with chocolate on the outside and vanilla on the inside, Boswell has saved the best for last. He has transcribed in an appendix every manuscript of these ceremonies he has discovered. He has also translated them, and included heterosexual marriage ceremonies for comparison. Those who wish could actually use these rites in their own same-sex unions, and I am certain that ceremonies are already being planned which draw on their imagery and prayer. One odd decision Boswell made was to translate the ceremonies into the Tudor English of the King James Version of the bible. It grates on the ears of some, and seems anachronistic to many. He has his reasons, but I really would rather read modern translations. It's also useful to read *CSTH* (as Dr Boswell cites his earlier book) immediately before reading this one. A bit of the second book repeats the first, but *CSTH* was an important step forward for serious lesbian and gay historical scholarship and sets the stage, so to speak, for Boswell's narrower focus on the union ceremonies themselves. Lesbians may be somewhat disappointed in this book, as they were with CSTH, because of the almost total concentration on male unions. Boswell, along with some others who study the pre-modern historical period, argues that few discussions of female same-sex love survive, since a woman's role in sex and marriage was thought to be simply as the carrier for the father's seed growing into a baby. After all, as a lesbian friend of mine says, "Who cared what the incubators did?" According to Dr Boswell, most prohibitions and discussions of same-sex activity concerned male same-sex activity only. However, a forthcoming book from Bernadette Brooten deals with love and unions among women in the ancient world. She has found numerous examples and historical documents concerning female same-sex relationships. Controversy in the gay and lesbian scholarly community about Boswell's book is likely to focus on his lack of treatment of female same-sex unions. The struggle to publish these texts has been won. The effort to interpret them will continue. Sadly, Dr Boswell is seriously ill with a degenerative nerve disorder, which will shorten his life. However, as we begin the task of bringing these rituals to the churches and using them, Boswell's scholarship will be invaluable in persuading some who have been undecided that there is indeed tradition and reason, as well as Scripture, backing up our case. We reclaim our history as a redeemed, loving, and sanctified people, who are loved by God and by the Church-loved enough to ensure that our unions possess a unique character and deserve the blessing of the Church since they are already blessed by God. = = = = {Sidebar: THE PRAYER OF UNION:} O Lord our God and Ruler, who madest humankind after thine image and likeness, and gavest them power of life everlasting, who approved it when thy holy apostles Philip and Bartholomew were united, bound together not by nature but in the communion of holy spirit, and who didst approve that thy holy martyrs Serge and Bacchus should be united, bless also these thy servants, N. and N., joined not by nature but in the way of faith. Grant unto them, Lord, to love each other without hatred and to abide without scandal all the days of their lives, with the help of the Blessed Mother of God and all thy saints, because Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Mount Athos Panteleimon 780, 16th century? , Greek, Boswell p. 329) = = = = {Author Box: CHRIS HANSEN is a computer programmer in London. He joined the Episcopal Church in the US 6 years ago through Integrity, and has been Convener of Integrity/Chicago. He is a member of St. Matthew's at the Elephant, Southwark. This article also appears in the current edition of the LGCM Newsletter in the UK.} ======== [94-4-7] SACRED RITES Five out of Seven Sacraments not good enough, church told Integrity/Atlanta's Mark Graham spoke to the pre-General Convention meeting of his diocese. Bishop Allan, Deputies: I stand here this morning as a lifelong Episcopalian who has a deep love and respect for this branch of the Catholic Church. I also stand before you as a gay man who has felt a strong calling to the priesthood from an early age but who is unwilling to deny my God- given sexuality in order to be considered for ordination. My priestly ministry has been affirmed over and again by the clergy and people of my parish and this diocese, by the community of believers within Integrity, and by the nearly 100 people I know who have died with AIDS, their lovers, families, and friends. *Christians* affirm my priesthood, yet the *Church* will not. I stand here as a fundamentalist. I believe that the Bible contains the Word of God and the fundamentals of our faith. Therefore, when I read in Genesis 1 that God created everything and saw that it was good, I believe God created me, including my sexuality, and that I am good. I am a traditionalist. I have a very deep knowledge and respect for the liturgy of the Church. Therefore, I rejoice to see the ancient rites of the Church which affirm and bless the relationships of persons of the same- sex, practised for centuries, once again see the light of day. I uphold Christian family values. I believe that through baptism we are made children of God and hence are brothers and sisters of one another. Therefore, I believe we are called to love our sisters and brothers and treat them with the same dignity and respect with which we would treat Jesus himself. To those who profess to "love the sinner and hate the sin" I quote the words of our former bishop Bennett Sims to the last General Convention. "Compassion is not adequate as a Christian stance toward the gay community. We must move to include *justice*." Unfortunately, this Church moves slowly in matters of justice. While we have a woman as president of the House of Deputies today, women were not even allowed to be deputies until 1970. In 1952, the General Convention heard a report from the Joint Commission to Consider the *Problem* of Giving the Women of the Church a Vote in the Legislation of General Convention. It hardly seems a "problem" today but it was to those in authority back then. For those in authority today, the "problem" of gay men and women seeking an equal place in the Church may seem equally as threatening as the "problem" of women - or slavery or divorce and remarriage - once was. History, I trust, will prove otherwise and I pray that it will be at this General Convention that the "problem" will be solved with faith, with compassion, *and with justice*. I recently heard a true story about a Roman Catholic bishop who asked a young girl how many sacraments there were. She answered, "Seven for men, six for women." I would add, "And five for gay men and lesbians." [for we are presently denied not only ordination but matrimony as well.] The 1976 General Convention stated unequivocally that "homosexual persons are children of God who have a full and equal claim with all other persons upon the love, acceptance, and pastoral concern and care of the Church." In 1982, the General Convention reaffirmed that "homosexual persons are children of God" and went on to say that we "are entitled to full *civil* rights." I pray that the 1994 General Convention will affirm at last the sacred rights of *all* baptised persons, including lesbians and gay men, to equal access to *all* the sacraments of the Church. ======== [94-4-8] NO *INTEGRITY* AT DIOCESAN CELEBRATION news from Adelaide, Australia by Chris Ambidge, with material from the *Adelaide Church Guardian* Integrity Adelaide has run into considerable opposition to its ministry within their diocesan family. Although they had space at the 1993 diocesan synod to tell about their work, and were planning on participating in this spring's "Good News Expo", it was made very clear that some people did not welcome them at all. The Expo was a day-long fair at which 55 parishes and 44 church organisations had displays and activities where they could share with the other members of the diocesan family what they were doing. However, some half-dozen parishes threatened to boycott the event when they found out that Integrity was to be present. Rather than jeopardise the success of a large and happy diocesan event, Integrity withdrew. The *Adelaide Church Guardian* reported two rectors as saying that Expo was to be a family occasion , and the presence of Integrity in the middle of barbecues and youth displays would send mixed messages to the community. A third priest was quoted as saying "Our concern about Integrity is not so much about supporting a ministry to homosexuals, it is that Integrity lacks clarity about how they carry on this ministry. I don't think they have worked out the issue of sexuality. ... We at Holy Trinity have nothing against homosexuals..." The organiser said that she was "sad that Integrity felt that they had to withdraw, but proud that they could do this for the rest of the community. It is sad because they are a group which brings good news to a group which many people in the church have alienated. Their presence at Expo might have spoken to one or two people who previously felt the church had no time for them." A lot of Integrity Adelaide's problems sound very familiar. They are facing people who feel that lesbigay Christians are anti- family, to the point of being inappropriate at a barbecue. They are facing people who have the gall to say that they "don't think [Integrity people] have worked out the issue of sexuality" but who in the next breath say "we have nothing against homosexuals". I have never met anyone from Integrity Adelaide, but I am certain that they *have* worked out the issue of sexuality, having been concerned about it for many years. I am unclear why their proposed display of photos and pamphlets would be out of place at a barbecue with children present. What are they afraid of? Perverts in dirty raincoats? These are Christians we're talking about. I am very grateful that Integrity in Canada has been able to be at diocesan and general synods for many years now. It is only by talking to each other that we will all understand. Please pray for Integrity's presence at Toronto diocesan synod 29 September to 1 October this year, and for our rejected sisters and brothers in Adelaide. ======== End of volume 94-4 of Integrator, the newsletter of Integrity/Toronto copyright 1994 Integrity/Toronto comments please to Chris Ambidge, Editor chris.ambidge@utoronto.ca OR Integrity/Toronto Box 873 Stn F Toronto ON Canada M4Y 2N9 http://www.whirlwind.ca/integrity -- -- Chris Ambidge chris.ambidge@utoronto.ca Integrity/Toronto http://www.whirlwind.ca/integrity Integrity is a member of the Alliance of Lesbian & Gay Anglicans http://www.alga.org