Sex, Power and The Episcopal Church

The U.S. Bishops' responses to the outcome of the meeting in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania have, on the whole, been very uplifting. There is a part of me that is angry that we couldn't have been more emphatic early on - i.e., in response to the Windsor Report - but equally I understand the value of careful reflection and ongoing dialogue. There are days, however, when it might just feel better to us in the GLBTQ community if our bishops would just stand up to the other primates in the Anglican Communion and others in our own Episcopal Church. There is an old They Might Be Giants song, "Your Racist Friend" that goes (roughly) like this:

This is where the party ends
I can't stand here listening to you
And your racist friend
I know politics bore you
But I feel like a hypocrite talking to you
And your racist friend

It was the loveliest party that I've ever attended
If anything was broken I'm sure it could be mended
My head can't tolerate this bobbing and pretending
Listen to some bullet-head and the madness that he's saying

This is where the party ends
I'll just sit here wondering how you
Can stand by your racist friend
I know politics bore you
But I feel like a hypocrite talking to you
You and your racist friend

Out from the kitchen to the bedroom to the hallway
Your friend apologizes, he could see it my way
He let the contents of the bottle do the thinking
Can't shake the devil's hand and say you're only kidding

Substitute the word 'homophobic' or 'bigoted' or 'gay-bashing' for 'racist' and it pretty well expresses the hurt and anger I feel. Having said that, I want to say a huge thank you to Dean Gary Hall of Seabury-Western and Rev. Kathryn White, Rector of St. Edward and Christ, for joining Lane and I for a great conversation last night at Transfiguration - "Sex, Power and The Episcopal Church." Thank you also for those who attended this discussion. For a list of resources, click here.