More resources, more information, more help, more influence

This book, "Crisis, 40 stories revealing the personal, social, and religious pain and trauma of growing up gay in America," by Mitchell Gold is one I got last November when I attended, "Our Family Matters" conference, in Nashville, Tennessee. In it, Mitchell Gold, who has founded Faith in America, has assembled mostly first-person essays, by successful, famous and not-so-famous gay/lesbian people, but who were all affected by religious oppression. I found the stories to be gripping, and was so impressed with all of them.

Faith in America is co-ordinating a campaign to share additional, current stories, with Rick Warren, prior to the Inaugural prayer. This is in less than two weeks, and I'd encourage readers to submit their own life stories. There is hope that this significant event can be used to share more truth about what religion does to GLBTs. Please write here.

I'd also like to say that the Our Family Matters conference was great! People attending were so kind, and I'll never forget the warmth shared there among all of us. Kim Clark and Luane Beck produced a film called, "God and Gays," which was shown, along with several other films dealing with what it's like to be gay and Christian.

Several people of faith took part in the breakout sessions, and that proved to be an emotional time of sharing, as I said, for the first time in a group, "My name is Carol, and I was married to a gay man." It was emotional to say the least, and when I realized what was happening, I realized it was MY coming out. Thankfully I had supportive listeners, and when each of us took our turn to speak, we ALL felt loved and supported.

Back to the point - take time and write a letter to Rick Warren. It will do us all good to speak up, and we hope he will listen.