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.