'MO - July 2008 - (Page 23)

p/reviews BOOK REVIEW experience, and faithfulness, but on my sexual orientation?” When New Hampshire made same-sex marriage legal, Robinson and his partner wed, and Robinson has plenty to say about gay and lesbian nuptials. “We need to make a clear distinction between civil rights and religious rites,” he says. Churches and synagogues shouldn’t be forced to embrace same-sex marriage, but progress toward the civil right to marriage shouldn’t be impeded. “The kind of protections that became instantly available to Britney Spears—who, on a lark, decided one night in Las Vegas to get married—are not available to Mark and me despite twenty years of love and ﬁdelity,” Robinson laments. As for homosexuality as abomination, Robinson says that, in Biblical times, it was assumed that everyone was heterosexual and that homosexuals were “heterosexuals behaving badly”. Biblical use of the word “abomination” is different from the modern meaning. “You can’t take a twentieth-century word, insert it back into an ancient text, and proclaim that it means something totally unknown to the authors of that text.” So how can you reclaim your spiritual life? If you’ve left your place of worship, go back. Come out, reclaim your place in the community, and support the younger generation. Be willing to pay the price for forward movement. And remember: “We are all equals in the eyes of God.” Part of me liked this book. Author Gene Robinson writes with a thoughtful, gentle voice and his words will give you comfort and make you think. He uses parables in interesting ways and, I noticed with fascination, never refers to God by pronoun. On the other hand, In the Eye of the Storm can feel like a really, really long sermon, the kind where the bench becomes increasingly uncomfortable and you catch yourself checking your watch for the twentieth time. The antidote to that is undoubtedly to savor this book and absorb the goodness. If you’ve been longing for a religion that respects who you are, or if you’re feeling spiritually bereft, check this out. In the Eye of the Storm will be a calming inﬂuence in the maelstrom of your mind. Terri has been reading since she was three years old and never goes anywhere without a book. In the Eye of the Storm By Gene Robinson Reviewed by Terri Schlichenmeyer If you grew up in a church-going household, you were probably raised with the idea of a loving and forgiving God. You might have been taught to fear or be awestruck by Him, but the main theme of later-twentieth-century Christian churches was that God loves you unconditionally. But what about homosexuals? Was your Sunday School teacher right about a loving God, or does the Bible condemn gayness as an “abomination”? Author Gene Robinson discusses that at length in his new book In the Eye of the Storm. He should know what he’s talking about. He was the ﬁrst openly gay priest to be elected bishop in the Anglican Church. Years ago, Robinson was a seemingly heterosexual, married man. When he “came out”, people expressed different reactions. Some were supportive. Others shun him, which shocks and confuses him. “Why,” he says, “would people … debate my ﬁtness for this [religious] calling, based not on my skills, LIVE EVENT Sitting In Circles With Rich White Girls: Memoirs Of A Bulimic Black Boy Brownbox African American Theatre hosts the world premiere of Seattle poet Chad Goller-Sojourner’s highly anticipated solo show, Sitting in Circles with Rich White Girls: Memoirs of a Bulimic Black Boy. Goller-Sojourner will premiere the full-length production for six performances, at the Rainier Valley Cultural Center, Friday, July 11th through Sunday, July 20th. At times funny, biting and somber Sitting in Circles with Rich White Girls chronicles the performer’s ten-plus-year liaison with an eating disorder, and growing up fat, dark-skinned, gay, and adopted by white folks. Chad Goller-Sojourner has received overwhelming support from the Seattle arts community including organizations like Richard Hugo House, The Bent Writing Institute, CD Forum, The Shunpike and Seattle Poetry Slam. Chad Goller-Sojourner is a Seattle-based poet, spoken word performance artist and 2007-2008 Seattle Poet Populist Nominee. In 2007 he was selected by the Central District Forum for Arts & Ideas to participate in their yearlong new works Creation Project which is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and The Microsoft Corporation. To learn more about Chad Goller-Sojourner, visit www.goller-sojourner.com PHOTO CREDIT: AL AN GOLLER Tickets: $12; $10 Students/Seniors Advance sales available by calling 1-800-838-3006 Brown Paper Tickets: www.brownpapertickets.com/event/26704 Rainier Valley Cultural Center, 3515 S Alaska St , Seattle July 11-20, 2008 7:00 PM shows: July 11, 12, 18, 19 2:00 PM shows: July 13, 20 23 issue #17 | july 2008 Poet Chad Goller-Sojourner, as a young kid in the 1970s. moseattle.com http://www.goller-sojourner.com http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/26704 http://moseattle.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of 'MO - July 2008

'MO - July 2008 Contents Letter From The Editor Series 2008 Needs Volunteers Voices 'mo-BIZ: City Lights Sign Company HIV Is Still a Big Deal, The Online Video Series Instant Activist Pet Project: Wiener Takes All Charlene Strong on the Rights Fight Form & Function: Molding Your Middle Will the Economy Ruin LGBT Funding? Toronto is a Great Place to Meet Feature Film Review: American Teen Live Event Preview: Sitting In Circles with Rich White Girls Book Review: In the Eye of the Storm by Gene Robinson Capitol Hill Guide Three Dollar Bill Cinema Presents: Features from the Black Lagoon Raising Spirits: Tini Bigs Offers Five New Martinis SceneOut: People@Places

'MO - July 2008

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