rainbow colored bridges and other weekend happenings

in the spirit of gay pride this week(end), i wanted to write a short piece expressing my love and support for the gaylesbianbitransgenderqueer community. i have an unwavering desire to see bridges built between people who express their sexuality and gender in ways not traditionally accepted by our heterosexually dominant society and religious institutions. i've been particularly inspired by the work of andrew marin through the marin foundation. andrew has an incredible story and a beautiful heart that's a true witness to the reconciling power of the Spirit of Love. if you can get a hold of andrew's book (love is an orientation), i would highly recommend taking the time to read it. i strongly believe that Jesus beckons those who choose to follow him to enter into conversations that make us uncomfortable, the connection between the glbtq community and the church being a particularly difficult one to facilitate well. this is too frequently a topic that quickly polarizes individuals instead of inviting listening ears and open hearts. whether you feel a strong conviction that God approves/disapproves of the diverse forms of sexual expression that exits outside of heterosexuality, i would challenge you to get out of your comfort zone and speak with someone of the opposite opinion with as little defensiveness as you can muster. keep in mind that discomfort does not mean putting up with abuse. be conscious of what you are doing to create a safe space and make sure there's a level of reciprocity. i love rainbow colored bridges, so if you're wanting someone to reach out to, please contact me! i'm sure i'll write a much longer post about ideas from this book at some point, but another great resource on the topic of sexuality and spirituality is a piece of writing by carter heyward titled touching our strength.

in other news, i thought i would list some events of interest that are going on this weekend, in case you're looking for something to do.

Saturday:

*a conscious raising hip hop event in bk. $5. 8pm. see info below:

 VIDA URBANA, PRESENTA HIP HOP CREANDO CONCIENCIA Y UNIENDO EL CAMBIO, EN APOYANDO AL MOVIMIENTO # YO SOY 132 NUEVA YORK. 

ALZANDO LA VOZ EN ENCONTRA DEL RACISMO, LAS DEPORTACIONES Y LA EXPLOTACIÓN DE NUESTRA RAZA.

UN EVENTO DE HIP HOP LATINO-AMERICANO, EN EL CUAL LOS ARTISTAS Y EL PUEBLO CANTARÁN AL UNÍSONO ENCONTRA DEL MAL SISTEMA QUE NOS REPRIME.

LA CITA ES ESTE SÁBADO 23 DE JUNIO A LAS 8 PM
LA DONACION SERÁ DE 5$ EN LA PUERTA

LUGAR: JACOBI CHURCH 5406 54 ST BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, TREN R ESTACION 53 Y CAMINAS ALA 54 MEDIO BLOCK O TREN N ESTACIÓN 59.

* mermaid parade in coney island

Sunday:

* pride march

* gathering around recent immigration changes and moving forward. bk at 6pm:

Given the recent announcement by President Obama of granting 800,000 youth their "papers", we, the different communities in NYC who have been in the struggle and business of keeping our families together, will open up a space where we can come and conspire, update, support each other as a community who is seeking more dignified solutions to the immigration challenges that we have in our hands. We will also welcome the songwriter and singer Hector Guerra, who has come to the apple to stretch hands and hearts in solidarity with the spring that is fanning the winds of change in Mexico and beyond. Come to Terraza's cafe http://www.terrazacafe.org/ Remember to bring your dancing shoes. 


40-19 Gleane St. Elmhurst, NY 11373

Debido al reciente anuncio por parte del Presidente Obama de aprovar una nueva política de inmigración que dejará aun lado las deportaciones de jóvenes inmigrantes, y les concederá el derecho de seguir con sus estudios, así como, otorgarles permisos de trabajo, te invitamos a participar este domingo 24 de junio a las 6:00 pm en una mesa de diálogo, discusión y análisis acerca de dicho acontecer. La cita es en Terraza café http://www.terrazacafe.org/
Dentro de este evento tendrémos la oportunidad de conversar con el músico y canta-autor Héctor Guerra que se ha unido a la lucha en México de los campesinos indígenas Purépechas de Cherán Michoacan y de los wixárikas en Wirikuta. Y quien también amenizará este evento.

happy weekend to you all!
abrazos y besos!!