Faithful Voices

GROUP STUDIES AND CONVERSATIONS

The following is a list of resources intended for congregational studies and discussions.  Many of them are also appropriate for community groups as well.  We will continue to expand this list to reflect the many faith traditions with which we work.  We would like to hear from you on what resources would be helpful to you in your own work. Please forward comments and suggestions for additional resources to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

VIDEO STUDIES

For the Bible Tells Me So, by Daniel Karslake

This provocative, entertaining documentary brilliantly reconciles homosexuality and Biblical scripture, and in the process reveals that Church-sanctioned anti-gay bias is based almost solely upon a significant (and often malicious) misinterpretation of the Bible.  Through the experiences of five very normal, very Christian, very American families -- including those of former House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt and Episcopalian Bishop Gene Robinson - viewers  discover how insightful people of faith handle the realization of having a gay child.

The DVD is available at discount through the Human Rights Campaign's Religion and Faith Program at: http://www.hrc.org/8892.htm

An accompanying study guide and advocacy training curriculum is available free of charge online at: http://www.hrc.org//documents/For_the_Bible_Tells_Me_So_Curriculum.pdf

 

Unlearning Homophobia Video Series by Women Vision

This compilation of three of Women Vision's video includes the films Straight from the Heart, All God's Children, and De Colores.  Each video is available free online, in its entirety, for viewing.  You may purchase the series at http://www.womanvision.org/unlearning-homophobia.html .

 

Straight from the Heart by Women Vision

http://www.womanvision.org/straight-from-the-heart.html

Academy Award^TM nominated short film Straight from the Heart presents simple stories about real people: a police chief who talks about how proud he is of his lesbian daughter, a Mormon couple whose son is believed to be the first gay man in Idaho to have died from AIDS, and a black woman and her two lesbian daughters who had been accused of "catching" their lesbianism from white people. This film shows that prejudice against gays and lesbians is a form of bigotry inseparable from other manifestations of prejudice, particularly racism.

The film is available free online, in its entirety, for viewing.  You can also purchase the video for group viewing.

A free downloadable discussion guide for Straight From The Heart is available at: http://www.womanvision.org/pdf/straight-from-the-heart.pdf

 

All God's Children by Women Vision

http://www.womanvision.org/all-gods-children.html#guide

All God's Children presents a political, social, and religious analysis of sexual orientation within the context of the traditional African American values of freedom, inclusion, and the Christian ethic.

The film is available free online, in its entirety, for viewing.  You can also purchase the video for group viewing.

A free downloadable discussion guide for All God's Children is available at: http://www.womanvision.org/pdf/all-gods-children-guide.pdf

 

De Colores by Women Vision

http://www.womanvision.org/de-colores.html

De Colores is a 28-minute bilingual documentary about how Latino families are replacing the deep rootsof homophobia with the even deeper roots of love and tolerance.

The film is available free online, in its entirety, for viewing.  You can also purchase the video for group viewing.

Project Hearts and Minds by More Light Presbyterians and PFLAG San Jose

http://www.mlp.org/staticpages/index.php?page=heartsandminds

Project Hearts and Minds is a series of accessible non-threatening 30-minute video interviews, filmed in a TV talk-show format, with LGBT people and allies who speak about their families, their activism, and their lives. The shows are discussion-starters that you can use within your congregation, your family, or your circle of friends to open a conversation about LGBT inclusion and equality in America. Each volume of interviews comes with a facilitator's guide.

The series may be purchased at: http://www.mlp.org/staticpages/index.php?page=heartsandminds

 

BOOK STUDIES

God is Still Speaking About Marriage

This is an in depth study resource on marriage, including marriage equality for same gender loving couples.  This resource is appropriate for groups who are neutral to supportive of marriage equality.  It is available for download at:

http://www.ucc.org/lgbt/pdfs/god-is-still-speaking-about-marriage-rvsd-june-2008.pdf

 

Kulanu: All of Us: A Program & Resource Guide for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Inclusion by Richard Address, Joel. Kushner, and Geoffrey Mitelman
This is a comprehensive resource to help guide lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender inclusion in Jewish communities. With over 500 pages of material, this update to the original Kulanu includes personal reflections, insightful essays, blessings and texts, Reform resolutions and responsa, classroom lessons, an extensive bibliography and glossary, and much more.  Kunlau may be purchased at:

http://www.urjbooksandmusic.com/product.php?productid=971

 

Claiming the Promise Edited by Mary Jo Osterman
This ecumenical resource offers a systematic and accessible look at traditional "clobber passages" (the accepted "biblical condemnations" often accepted as true without closer examination) and presents the voice of modern thinkers that allows for the thoughtful consideration of other viewpoints.  The curriculum includes both a study book and a leader's guide and can be used for group or individual study.  You may purchase the study online at:

http://www.rmnetwork.org/store.asp#A4877364

 

Time to Seek: Study Guide on Sexual and Gender Diversity by Timothy Palmer and Rev. Debra W. Haffner
This resource from the multi-faith organization The Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice and Healing considers key scriptural passages in light of contemporary understandings of sexual and gender diversity. It also summarizes the scientific research into the origins of sexual orientation and gender identity, and provides a glossary of relevant terminology. The study guide also provides data on the prevalence of sexual and gender diversity, demographics on same-sex couples and their families, and the status of marriage equality in the U.S. It also explores the psychological and social challenges faced by LGBT persons, particularly youth, and their families.

http://www.religiousinstitute.org/documents/TimetoSeekFinal.pdf

 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Jumping the Broom: A Black Perspective on Same-Gender Marriage

From the National Black Justice Coalition, this resource offers a perspective on marriage equality grounded in Afro-centric values and history.

http://nbjcoalition.org/jump_broom1.pdf

 

The Bible and Homosexuality by Walter Wink

This is a brief well-respected article which examines texts traditionally used against gay and lesbian persons. http://www.bridges-across.org/ba/winkhombib.htm

You may purchase booklet copies of the resource at:

http://www.forusa.org/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=books&Product_Code=bgiww2