Too many people kill themselves for no other reason than their religion says they're better off dead than queer. I'm so sorry if someone is telling you that. It's just not true.
You probably already know this already, but I don't hear it said nearly often enough: It's not "the Christians" who go after gays, lesbians, transgender folk or bisexuals. It's not the Christians who walk calmly into church and assassinate abortion-providing doctors. It's not the Christians who wanna re-build the Berlin Wall across the southern border of Texas.
It's not the Jews. It's not the Muslims. It's not any of the wondrous sects and denominations that evolved from these world-class religions, becoming world-class religions in their own right. Those are not the folks who are keeping us in our sex and gender closets.
Sure, as sex-and-gender freaks, we might make some Christians, Jews and Muslims uncomfortable. They may not wanna hang out with us. But it's not them who threaten, harass, rape or kill us. It's the people who follow the fundamentalist canon of any religion, sect, or cult.
Fundamentalist canon is easy to spot, because it's all written with the linguistic trick of either/or. That's how it gets its strength. Fundamentalist canon says this is good, that is evil; this is right, that is wrong; this gets you into Heaven, and for that you'll go straight to Hell. Fundamentalist canon is unquestionable, unswerving, and unashamed of the violence committed in it's name. Fundamentalist canon says My way or the highway. We are damned if we don't go along with them.
If you're some sort of sex-and-gender outlaw and you're living in that kind of a world, get out of there as fast as you can! Find yourself another denomination of Christianity, Judaism, or Islam, or any number of other faiths that have more wiggle room than an either/or morality. Google around… you'll easily find yourself a congregation of people who know that God loves you just the way you are.
About.com has a whole page of alternative denominations who welcome LGBTQetc outlaws. That's good news, but that doesn't mean they're necessarily going to welcome you as a sex worker, pornographer, adult entertainer, sadomasochist or polyamorist. Some modern denominations of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam may indeed welcome you as a more radical sex and gender outlaw—but you might have to become the person who opens them up to the idea. For the latter sort of sex and gender outlaw, you might find more solace and support in Goddess-based religions.
Religion is fine and dandy. Religion saves lives. What the LGBTQetc movements need is more religion. What no one needs more of is bully fundamentalism.
Now go, stay alive. Play nice with God.
kiss kiss
Auntie Kate
you are awesome!!!!
Posted by: Robby | October 31, 2010 at 04:18 AM
As a church secretary, I want to invite everyone to the UU in Reno NV. Y'all are welcome!
Posted by: Carol | November 02, 2010 at 02:18 PM
Thank you, Carol. I've *always* felt welcome and included at every UU church or gathering I've ever been to. Bless your warm heart. xoxo K
Posted by: Kate Bornstein | November 02, 2010 at 09:50 PM
Thank you for the post about combating fundamentalism, and thanks for the link about Goddess Based Religions. Here is an article about Kali, but she might be too controversial for your readers. Remember that her followers were the original Thugs and made todays fundamentalists look like wimps.
http://www.thebuddhagarden.com/kali.htm
Posted by: Srisuda H. | May 17, 2011 at 01:44 AM
Although largely either unknown or unfairly prejudiced against, the Temple of Set has been LGBTQ friendly from its founding In 1975 with LGBTQ individuals having filled upper aministrative roles and its second High Priest, serving from 1979 to 1982, was openly Gay. You can find more information about us at http://www.xeper.org
Posted by: Mark Luskin | September 13, 2012 at 11:55 AM