FGConnections Fall 2005

Concerns of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Friends

Different ‘Yes,’ Special ‘No’ by

By Joshua Mendel. “As someone who has spent considerable time communicating issues facing Gays, Lesbians, Bisexual and Transgender (G/L/B/Ts) to those not identifying as queer, I have come to an ironic conclusion. The most serious ‘concern of G/L/B/T and queer Friends’ is that anyone sees the need for this topic at all.”

Facing the Threat of Persecution with Faith

By Deborah Fisch. “t is hard to explain how good it felt when the Conference coordinator, general secretary, presiding clerk, Gathering clerks, and FGC staff were so quick to understand that the passing of the Virginia law was going to be a huge obstacle for the folks in the Friends for Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Transgender and Queer Concerns (FLGBTQC). As far as I know there was never any consideration given to simply moving forward with plans and ignoring the needs of the FLGBTQC community.”

Honoring Journeys, Honoring Gender

By Kody Hersh. “I don’t always fit people’s expectation for male gender, how a boy should look or sound or act. But the same way I know when I’m supposed to give a message in meeting, I know that I am called to live in the world as a boy. When I’m faithful in carrying out that ministry, I get an incredible sense of peace, integrity, and unity with God.”

On Being Talked About — Mostly ‘They,’ Sometimes ‘Our,’ Rarely ‘We’

By Beckey Phipps. “I will always feel gratitude to the Friend who wisely recognized that our labors that weekend had two dimensions in need of attention. The first, of course, was Spirit-led discernment. The second was pastoral care for those bruised during the process. Even when members of the LGBT community are vitally present, being the object of conversation, public discourse, or Friends discernment can feel distancing, diminishing, and piercingly lonesome. I venture, dear readers, that attentiveness to the spiritual cost of being the ‘they’ who are talked about is much needed by LGBT Friends in our meetings”