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The interactions between the the LGBT community and the faith community are not always simple, and opinions on both sides are many and varied. While the struggle is often portrayed as the LGBT community pitted against people of faith, this description fails to recognize the wide array of positions taken by various denominations and religions and the fact that there are many individuals who are both LGBT and deeply religious.
Out in the Silence is an award-winning documentary following the events that unfolded when producer Joe Wilson decided to place an announcement of his wedding to another man in his hometown newspaper in the small town of Oil City, PA. The film introduces viewers to C.J., a gay teen who has been severely harassed and bullied at school; Roxanne, Joe's former neighbor who, with her partner, is working to start a business; and the Mikloses, an evangelical pastor and his wife whom Joe initially meets when they write an angry letter to the editor about his wedding announcement. The evolving friendship between Joe and the couple is one story of people struggling to reconcile their beliefs with what they have come to know of Joe, a gay man. Read more about the movie here.
The screening of this film will be followed by a panel discussion focusing particularly on the intersection between LGBT rights and the faith-based community.
When: Sunday, January 17, 2010, 3:00 PM
Where: First United Methodist Church, 29 East Walnut Street, Lancaster, PA 17602 (Get directions and parking information.)
Panelists: Joe Wilson and Dean Hamer, producers/directors; Reiss Potterveld, President, Lancaster Theological Seminary; Rev. Jenn Glass, Vision of Hope Metropolitan Community Church, Mountville; Rev. Kent Kroehler, Senior Pastor, First United Methodist Church, Lancaster
Cost: FREE
Participating Organizations:
ACLU of Pennsylvania
First United Methodist Church, Lancaster
Grace United Church of Christ, Lancaster
Interfaith Alliance of Pennsylvania
Lancaster Theological Seminary
Millersville University Allies
Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission
Rainbow Rose Community
Silent Witness Peacekeepers
Trinity Reformed United Church of Christ, Mountville
Vision of Hope Metropolitan Community Church, Mountville
Welcoming Dialogue Group
For more information, contact Rainbow Rose Community at (717) 380-1071 or rainbowrosepa@gmail.com.
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