LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
CAMP Profile |
by Fay Jacobs |
HRC's Harry Knox on Religion and the GLBT Community
Harry Knox, a former licensed pastor of a United Methodist Church in Georgia and currently director of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Religion and Faith Program will be in town on July 22 to preach at Epworth United Methodist Church, 20 Baltimore Ave. in Rehoboth Beach. Previously denied ordination because he is gay, Knox is currently seeking ordination in the United Church of Christ. At HRC, under his leadership, theReligion and Faith Program has seen the creation of a national speakers' bureau that reaches more than 10 million Americans monthly anda weekly preaching resource that provides scriptural commentary to ministers and lay people interested in an ecumenical gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender perspective on the Bible. He has also been instrumental in creating a national network for 22 progressive state clergy coalitions around the country. Under Knox's leadership, Georgia Equality was successful in passing the state's first GLBT-inclusive legislation, the Georgia Anti-Domestic Terrorism Act, and in obtaining domestic partnership benefits for employees at Coca-Cola, BellSouth, Delta Airlines, Atlanta Gas Light and Cingular Wireless. I had the opportunity to ask Harry Knox some questions in anticipation of his Rehoboth visit. Fay Jacobs: How did you get involved with HRC and this particular program? Harry Knox: I was invited to develop the new Religion and Faith Program at HRC in July 2005. We have two focuses: 1) giving a big megaphone to faith leaders who are willing to speak out for equality for GLBT people and 2) equipping GLBT people of faith and our allies to use faith language in advocating for GLBT justice. FJ: Can you describe some of your recent activities with HRC and how your program is being received in the gay community? HK: The HRC Religion Council, our national faith leaders' speakers bureau, reached more than 90 million Americans in the last year with positive, faith-based messages in support of GLBT equality through television, radio, print, and online media. Out in Scripture, our free online preaching and devotional study resource is literally changing the conversation in pulpits and church basements and homes around the country. It can be accessed at www.hrc.org/scripture. Theologically diverse town hall meetings, safe-space conversations for clergy, trainings for politically active clergy, a website and e-newsletter full of the newest resources and cooperative sponsorship of a number of conferences and trainings (including the historic first transgender spirituality conference) are among our other activities. GLBT people of faith and our allies are hungry for this kind of leadership and people are grateful to see GLBT issues engaged in the language middle-America speaksfaith language. FJ: I like to think of our GLBT-welcoming religious organizations as the "religious left." Do you envision creating a powerful, spiritually-based movement to counter the work of the conservatives and their religious "base?" HK: Certainly the differences in our approaches to scripture and practice and religion from those of the so-called "religious right" are clear. For instance, as John Thomas of the United Church of Christ says, "We take the Bible seriously, not literally." But part of taking seriously the major texts and tenets of all the world's faiths is a dedication to building community, not playing into the divisive trap some have set for us. The American people of all faiths are sick of seeing religion used to separate us. Our message of hope is, pardon the term, fundamental: the best of all faiths call us to live together in peace and understanding. I believe we are seeing the beginning of a fourth great awakening, revival, and this one is a unique gift of God through GLBT people and our allies. FJ: What specific (there are so many!) injustice or injustices against gay people do you think your program can impact in a positive manner? HK: People who take their faith's call to justice seriously won't fire someone because of their sexual orientation. People who take seriously their faith's call to community will never tolerate violence toward someone who is transgender. This year, people of faith have a real opportunity to work for justice and community by urging their members of Congress to pass the Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crime Protection Act and the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. And they can do so by visiting www.hrc.org. FJ: How did the invitation from Epworth come about and is this your first time preaching in Rehoboth Beach? HK: Rev. Jack Abel, the pastor at Epworth UMC has been a long-standing advocate for GLBT equality and was one of the clergy who represented Delaware at HRC's Clergy Call for Justice and Equality, a national lobby day in support of the hate crimes bill and ENDA on April 17, 2007. At that historic event, 230 diverse clergy representing every state in the union and 30 faith traditions came to Washington to speak prophetically for equal treatment of GLBT people under the law. Congress will never be the same and neither will any of us who participated in the day. I still get chill bumps when I watch the press conference on YouTube. So, I was proud to accept Jack's invitation to preach because of his and his congregation's history, and not just because I'm the last gay man in America who has never been to Rehoboth Beach! FJ: Ha! Well, a great town awaits your visit. Thanks so much for taking the time to let us know about your program and how we can all get behind the effort. See you at the beach! |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 17, No. 9 July 13, 2007 |