Beyond Gridlock
I just arrived back in NYC and sit in a taxi heading into Manhattan. Traffic is heavy and the sky is gray.At LA airport I had the unexpected pleasure to speak with Alex via Skype. How amazing that we can forge such important relationships through the web.
I also met up with Eric for about 90 minutes (thanks for the ride to the airport!) and we talked about Catalyst, his dream to reshape the gay community in Long Beach, CA. He suggests we live as if we have already gotten our rights and full acceptance in society. Work to become good citizens who are not solely concerned with the issues that directly affect us and build healthy relationships all around.
I also met up with Worthie (aka Momma) and we planned for our upcoming workshop/performance piece "Dragged Out of the Spiritual Closet" For True Colors in three weeks. . Both of us do mostly solo work, so collaboration takes skill and care. It takes listening, responding, yielding.
Which gets me thinking about ex-gay leaders.It is easy for me to typecast them as the ENEMY. That gives them and me an out. We don't have to listen to each other, but my greatest tool is my story and the ability to listen to theirs and relate to parts of their struggle. It seems impossible to collaborate with ex-gay and conservative leaders. Perhaps for some of us and them it is. But a recent conversation I had with a well placed Evangelical leader gives me some hope. We talked, we heard each other without compromising our beliefs. And the door remains open for future discourse.
Well the traffic here in NYC is getting lighter and I see blue skies peeking through the gray. I feel grateful for this new day.
posted by Peterson Toscano @ 8:06 AM
3 Comments:
And I am greatful for knowing you, that makes my day better come rain or sun, snow or wind. Or traffic jams.
It is easy for me to typecast them as the ENEMY...
I love how you use the word "typecast" here, Peterson.
I read something relevant yesterday in Brian McLaren's The Secret Message of Jesus:
"In times of conflict, whenever we are tempted to label someone as 'enemy' or 'evil,' we must remember Jesus' climactic words in his kingdom manifesto--that enemies are to be loved. They are to be loved not because it makes sense and not because it's a good security strategy, but because God blesses the evil and good alike with rain, and we are to imitate our King--not the kings of this world--as citizens in God's kingdom. Our love must rise above conventional levels (love your friends; hate your enemies) to imitate the expansive, boundary-crossing, merciful, and compassionate love of God. Otherwise, we only follow 'the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees'--and we might as well admit it."
I'm encouraged to hear about your meeting!
I cannot wait to see you and Worthie's workshop. I must be able to. Your workshop isn't, by any chance, from 1:00-2:30 (or whatever that time block is), is it? 'Cause if it is, Mister E, here, is going to be very, very sad.
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