HRC Back Story

HRC's Laurie Crelly has another great update on the 'for the BIBLE tells me so" screenings in Minnesota:

A near capacity crowd of two hundred filled St. John's Episcopal church on Sunday evening to view the movie "for the BIBLE tells me so". The crowd was diverse and friendly as they settled into their seats. A member of the sponsoring team said to me as the movie started, "Wow Laurie, looking at this crowd is like looking at the who's who of the St. Cloud. There are so many important and prominent people from the faith community here. Seeing this gives me hope that we can change St. Cloud and break the conservative stronghold here." 

St. Cloud is known in Minnesota for its deep conservative and religious roots. Two prominent Catholic colleges are here along with a large conservative Christian community who helped elect Representative Michelle Bachmann into federal office, known in Minnesota for her harsh anti-gay rhetoric and attempts to stop any GLBT-equality legislation both in state and federal government. For years the local GLBT community and allies were frustrated about being in such a conservative community, but tonight helped change that feeling to a feeling of hope and excitement.

During the screening the audience was especially animated with laughs, gasps and moans of empathy for the families appearing on the screen. Some, for the first time, really grasped the depth of emotional, spiritual and physical abuse the GLBT community has endured at the hands of religious people. One member of Peace UCC covered her eyes at the sight of beaten bodies, wiped tears away as Gene Robinson's mother expressed fear the Gene would be killed for coming out and gasped in profound astonishment that "good Christian" people would reject their own child as Mary Lou Wellner did in the film. Another man, well into his seventies, repeatedly said, "I can't believe it!" and "That is horrible!" as he heard time and again the numerous "un-Christian" actions of  others in the name of God. Watch the film trailer here:

As the film ended, Randi and Phil Reitan appeared at the front of the room and the audience enthusiastically stood and applauded their bold witness in the movie and in the community. Randi choked up at the sight of such support and affirmation. Even though they were weary from their cross-country travels, just in from San Diego, they stayed for a question and answer time following the movie.

Acknowledging that most in the crowd were probably allies in this struggle, Phil challenged them to speak to others about this issue and engage others in the struggle to love and accept all people as equals. One young gay man, asked, "How do you do that? How do you have a conversation with those who refuse to listen to your story and your beliefs?" Others around him nodded in agreement, expressing the common frustration that this community feels about the subject. The host minister, Father Michael Wyatt first answered, "It is most effective when you can have an ongoing relationship with them. You both have something invested in the relationship besides this issue, so keep close to them and know they are on a journey just as we all are. Don't start with the Bible,  you will only end in a fight about it. Start with what you have in common and help them to meet other gay people so they get to know you and others as people very much like them."

University Lutheran pastor Jayne Thompson also addressed this question, "Clergy sometimes find it just as difficult to discuss this as you do. So we reached out to our colleagues and invited them to a private showing of the film over a meal and discussed the message of the film in light of our ministry to the community. We had over twenty-five attend and saw many clergy deeply moved and shaken by it. Afterward many of them agreed that this dialogue needed to continue, we all wanted to stay around the table and seek ways of correcting this in our community, even some of the more conservative churches were present, which is a great sign of hope for us all."

The crowd agreed with the message we were sharing and purchased multiple copies of the DVD. Some going to community libraries others will be sent to friends and relatives who struggle with this issue. One woman came back twice to purchase more, a total of eight copies. Standing there she named off the friends and relatives she had in mind as if she was checking off her Christmas list. With a fresh coat of 12 inches of snow outside on a bright April day, this felt like Christmas to me and others in the GLBT community - a season of hope and a season of emboldened witness to the power of love over hate. Season's Greetings St. Cloud - a new season of hope is beginning to appear.

If you have not made it to a showing yet, time is not lost.

Join us Sunday, April 20, 2008 - 2:00pm
Pioneer Place On Fifth, 22 5th Avenue South, St. Cloud, MN 56301
http://twincities.hrc.org/node/103/

or May 4, 2008 - 7:00 pm
Minnesota Valley UU Fellowship, Bloomington, MN

More showings are being booked around the state so watch for more updates!