Dallas Voice (Dallas, Tex.), Vol. 29, No. 1, Ed. 1 Friday, May 18, 2012 Page: 17 of 40
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Stop stereotyping bisexuals
I read with interest Dallas Voice's interview
with John Irving ("Our best gay ally, in one per-
son," May 11), especially given the subject matter
of his most recent novel. However, I was dis-
mayed at the interviewer's characterization of
the novel's protagonist, as "legitimately bisexual
— not merely experimenting."
I didn't realize that we needed to sit in judg-
ment of the sexual orientation and expression of
bisexuals, as either legitimate or illegitimate, any
more than we need to do SB for gays, lesbians,
transgender persons, or anybody along the
LGBT spectrum.
As folks from Alfred Kinsey on down have
shown, as well as our own personal experiences,
sexual orientation is a continuum. An individual
doesn't have to be an exact "Kinsey 3" and make
sure they get their ticket punched precisely
evenly between both genders to keep their bisex-
ual "legitimacy" card.
Not to be overly picky, but as we are often re-
minded in all of our quests for equality in society,
words mean things.
I'd like to see the Voice remain the high-quality
new$ and information source that it has been,
and not engage in stereotypes about the bisexual
community.
"Boss" Dave Hines, Dallas leaihennan
Dallas
Via email
All are welcome at Oak Lawn UMC
"Are you a gay church?"
This question was asked to me over the phone
on the morning of Sept. 18,2011, the morning of
the Alan Ross Freedom Parade. Oak Lawn
United Methodist Church has, for several years,
had a float in the parade, distributed free water
bottles to attendees, and welcomed crowds to
gather on our campus for the parade. I was ap-
pointed to Oak Lawn earlier in the summer, sis
this was my first parade. I proudly walked with
other members of our congregation in support of
our community and our place within it.
On April 26, the Dallas Voice published an ar-
ticle by David Taffet called "Local Methodists
keep up fight for LGBT inclusion." The article fo-
cused on issues surrounding the United
Methodist Church's General Conference, our of-
ficial decision-making body, which met recently
in Tampa, Fla. The Conference would hopefully
reconsider, and possibly reverse, the UMC's
stance on homosexuality, which is considered,
vaguely, "incompatible with Christian teaching."
United Methodist pastors may not preside at
same-sex unions, nor may they be "self-avowed,
practicing homosexuals."
The article mentioned a couple who left Oak
Lawn UMC 22 years ago after a contentious ser-
mon delivered here. The only other mention of
Oak Lawn was a line which read, [today it is]
"'amazingly diverse in its people's culture and
lifestyles.'" No reference for the quote was of-
fered — neither I, nor any staff member, nor, as
far as I know, anyone from Oak Lawn, was asked
to contribute to the story in any way. Had I been
asked to contribute, I would have said something
similar to what I say every Sunday before the
congregation: "We are proud to be a place where
everyone is valued and respected as a child of
God, made in God's own image." I have heard
Several people say how much they appreciate
this. The thing is: No one coached me on that. My
first Sunday here I literally stood up to welcome
folk to church and those words came out. I did
not plan it in any way. It's who Oak Lawn is. It's
important for everyone who calls Oak Lawn
home for their heart to know this.
The General Conference decided to maintain
our positions on homosexuality again this year. I
grieve this decision. It is sure to be debated again
at the next General Conference in 2016. As a
United Methodist elder, I am obligated to abide
by our Discipline and will do so, However, indi-
vidual United Methodist congregations and
members are free to disagree with this and any
other stance — for example, we officially oppose
ALL HO ALL, VJE HANDLED
yooa evoLo-noN om -that
MARRIAGE EQUALITY
issoe PREtry
well, and
i'm clad 1
coold be
OF HELP/
just KEEP IN
MIND THAT I
COOLD EVOLVE
To THE POINT
WHERE I'M
absolutely
comfortable
WITH AN LGBT
RUNNING MATE.
f
capital punishment, but a majority of United
Methodists support it. We are currently in the
middle of a sermon series on issues in lite news.
The series will end Sunday, May 20, with a dis-
cussion of marriage equality.
"Are you a gay church?" the person asked on
the morning of the Alan Ross Freedom Parade.
"N&," I said. "We are a people church. Everyone
is welcome here." Our goal is to create a truly in-
clusive congregation: gay and straight, conserva-
tive and liberal, longtime Christian and newly
baptized. If you have been looking for such a
place, please join us for worship soon—services
are held every Sunday at 8:30 and 11:00 a.m.
Frank Drenner, senior pastor
Oak Lawn United Methodist Church
Via email
Obama is all talk, no action
President Barack Obama's words were very
nice to hear. But actions must speak more loudly.
Did he call for the repeal of the Defense of Mar-
riage Act in the party platform? No, Did he call
for legislation federally for same-sex marriage?
No. Did he sign an executive order banning
LGBT discrimination for federal contractors? No.
So, yes, the words sounded pretty, but my ob-
jection to Obama is that it is only WORDS. My
other objection is that he is using LGBTs like
pawns on a chess board for his own gain. I don't
like feeling manipulated.
BACK IT UP!
Rob Schlein, president, Metroplex Republicans
Dallas
Via Instant Tea
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05.18.12
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Wright, John. Dallas Voice (Dallas, Tex.), Vol. 29, No. 1, Ed. 1 Friday, May 18, 2012, newspaper, May 18, 2012; Dallas, Texas. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth239220/m1/17/: accessed April 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Special Collections.