I personally am happy to see 2009 end and am looking forward to 2010. This time of year is so full of stress and intensity. The Christmas Season began last Friday and continues through next Tuesday, with Epiphany starting on January 6th. People are winding down some from the Holidays and getting ready to return to the usual crunch of life.
To what extent has the birth of our Savior renewed us this Christmas Season? All of the news stations this week have been rehashing all of the major events of this past year. 2009 was a year that began with the inauguration of President Obama. There were so many hopes and dreams of what a new President would bring. The back biting of the Republican Party and the new teabaggers has been just terrible. In August we saw the health insurance companies create havoc at town hall meetings over health care reform. We saw Republicans oppose health care reform, and some Democrats getting in the way of a public option that would benefit millions of more Americans. We saw health care reform take many giant steps forward, but still not far enough for those who will still not have medical care come in 2010.
We saw LGBT rights move very slowly. We were very happy with the passage of the Matthew Sheperd Hate Crimes Act. However, the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell and DOMA continues to move very slowly. The inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act was tabled until 2010. We saw Pres. Obama's Justice Department make several defenses for DADT and DOMA. We again witnessed the Democratic Party work hard for the LGBT vote, but not too hard for passing LGBT legislation.
In 2009 we saw the State of Maine pass marriage equality, and then tragically loose it through the efforts of the National Organization for Marriage and the Catholic Diocese of Portland. We saw the State of New Hampshire pass marriage equality laws. We saw the New York State Senate vote down marriage equality. We saw the City Council of the District of Columbia pass marriage equality. We have already seen NOM stepping up to crush DC's newly passed marriage equality law.
In the Episcopal Church in 2009 we saw the General Convention in Anaheim California pass legislation saying that LGBT individuals could enter into the discernment process to be Bishops in the Church. In an interview with Georgia Public Radio Presiding Bishop Katherine Jefferts Schori stated that the Episcopal Church merely confirmed what the Church had already been doing. During the General Convention they also agreed that in those States where same-sex marriages are legal, those Diocese can be collecting materials to celebrate same-sex Liturgies. We saw similar legislation passed by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
We also witnessed the election of Mary Glasspool as one of two new Suffragan Bishop-Elects for the Diocese of Los Angeles. We also heard the Archbishop of Canterbury is not happy about that decision.
We also saw the rise of a new legislation for LGBT people in Uganda that would criminalize homosexuality to the point of life in prison and very possibly the death penalty by hanging. While the ABC has told a news reporter that he finds the Private-Members Bill to be of "shocking severity" we have yet to hear anything from him directly. We have heard our own Presiding Bishop condemn the Legislation along with Bonnie Anderson who is President of the House of Deputies. We have also heard several religious and national leaders condemn this outrageous legislation.
In 2009 we have seen the rising of the Manhattan Declaration. One month later The Affirmation Declaration which is a compassionate Christian response to the Manhattan Declaration. The Affirmation Declaration now has 1,226 signatures and is awaiting many more.
In 2009 we saw the courageous National Equality March on October 11th that called on our leaders to advance LGBT Equality Legislation. We saw many national, organizational and religious leaders step up and call upon our national leaders to remember that LGBT people are equal people and we want nothing more than our equal rights protected and granted under the law. We have yet to see our national leaders take that call very seriously.
As we turn to 2010 I do believe one thing we will all have to watch out for is that the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) will work very hard to replace Governor's, State and Federal Legislators who side with LGBT Equality with those who will over turn marriage equality in States and the Nation. It will be up to LGBT people to speak up and make their voices heard.
As 2009 winds down and 2010 begins tomorrow how can we as LGBT Christians make a difference in the New Year? What pledges and opportunities and challenges will we face? How will we be willing to meet those challenges?
As we prepare to depart from 2009 I would like for us to remember that Jesus Christ was born as one like us to bring all who are on the margins of society into a place of justice and equality. Jesus came for those who have often had no name or face and gave them not only a name and face, but the very value, integrity and dignity with which God created them. This includes LGBT individuals. Our quest for equal rights protection under the law and freedom from religious oppression is a mission blessed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is a call to people to recognize that everyone is a valuable member of society and should be given a place and opportunity to pursue love and happiness, without fear of the government in our homes or bedrooms. It will be important for LGBT people and their allies to continue to work hard to remind people that we are people like anyone else and we have gifts, love and talent to share with the world. We will have opportunities to help people who are coming out to find themselves and someone to love. We will have to deal with the issue of HIV/AIDS and other STD's. We will have to speak up for health care reform and the reform of the economy and the job market.
As we all move into 2010 let us remember to give thanks to God for all God has done to help us through this year. As for myself, this is the year I met my Partner, who is my lover, best friend and husband. This was the year that we fell in love with each other and began a life together and began facing all of those things that gay couples face. I will be forever grateful to God for bringing Jason into my life and for allowing me to know that I am loved by God through the love Jason and I share together. It is a love that knows we make mistakes, but overlooks them and works through the hard times and is always ready to celebrate what is good and holy and beautiful. 2009 was the year we found St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral and a whole new Christian Family within the Episcopal Church. We have made many new friends and we thank God for you all.
May 2010 bring you and your families and friends many blessings.
Amen.
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