Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender Project
The Portland Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender (GLBT) Rights Project works to create a society which supports full civil and human rights for GLBT persons. We use a variety of educational and activist methods to bring diverse perspectives to social, political and cultural debates of the day. Through workshops, vigils, demonstrations, educational events, dialogue, and retreats, the GLBT Program engages both GLBT persons and the larger community. Equality, discrimination, hate-crimes, marriage and family issues, and GLBT participation in faith communities are among the concerns we address.
We currently sponsor:
Queer Films in Color
A film series creating awareness for LGBT/queer communities of color. These social events create bridges within the LGBT, people of color, and progressive communities. Opportunities are available for community response and dialogue in an atmosphere which is entertaining, lively and respectful. Volunteers from all backgrounds are needed to help in the planning of future events.
Leadership discussion group.
Community Leadership
Community Leadership addresses issues in the community that need more attention or further strategic analysis, engaging in social, political, cultural and religious leaders and institutions raising LGBT concerns. We offer leadership development in GLBT religious/spiritual communities. Through gatherings, workshops and retreats, GLBT religious folk learn new skills, develop leadership abilities, and create community-building experiences which will strengthen the community. Volunteers are needed to help plan and create the next gathering.
Christian to Christian Dialogue
group dinner.
Christian to Christian Prayer and Dialogue Groups
In believing that “there is that of God in each person,” we have created Christian to Christian Prayer and Dialogue Groups with people from a range of theological and political views on “gay rights.” Some favor allowing same-sex marriage, others oppose and others are undecided. The small groups of eight to twelve people come together for three 2 hour sessions. Each gathering begins with worship and dinner fellowship. In the first session participants develop basic ground rules which include respecting each other and speaking out of our own story and experience of God. Session one is an opportunity for each person present to share his/her own spiritual/faith journey; the second session is dedicated to exploring attitudes toward family and marriage; the third and final session includes exploring the Bible, case study discussion and summary of the experience together.
Dialogue group.
The experience of praying and sharing stories together in an atmosphere of respect leads to transformation and new ways of relating and responding personally and in the community. The process is intimate, demands vulnerability and draws on the depths of one’s spirituality. By entering into this process of deep and heart-felt sharing, we can create new models of relating to each other for a more peaceful world.
"I participated because I desired a space where Christians of differing faith perspectives could enter into serious civil and loving discourse on a difficult subject."
- Dialogue group participant
Call or send an e-mail to learn more about participating in a dialogue group.
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