100 Revs risk jobs to march in parade
The 100 Revs will return to Mardi Gras this year with double the number of supporters ready to march for GLBT rights and mental health.
The group will further extend its efforts this year by hosting a two-day seminar on mental health issues for gay and lesbian people of faith.
Group spokesman Reverend Mike Hercock said this year’s entry could attract up to 100 marchers on the night. He has already received twice as many expressions of interest compared to the pre-parade period two years ago.
“A lot of churches are grappling with how to re-engage with the GLBTI community,” he told Sydney Star Observer.
“There’s been a lot of defensive statements that have come from the church, but individual churches and ministers are saying we need to re-identify our relationship to GLBTI people.”
Taking part in the 100 Revs marching entry is still risky. When the group participated two years ago a number of ministers registered their support by proxy, out of fear of retribution.
Two ministers, who have remained anonymous, were threatened with dismissal and disciplinary action for participating.
“There is still a level of criticism that we take for putting on the forum and marching,” Hercock said.
“It’s a big step for a lot of ministers. The perception that they are involved with, or condoning, anything that’s considered immoral can affect their reputation and opportunities.”
Still, more ministers, including a number who previously offered supported anonymously and a delegation from New Zealand, are defying that pressure.
Even more have registered interest in taking part in the two-day seminar to address difficulties with embracing gay and lesbian parishioners and to address mental health concerns.
“We realised last time that a lot of the perceptions around the GLBTQ community, and how to engage them, were based on fear and a lack of education,” Hercock said.
“We want to encourage people to move forward, especially ministers who would like to have a more compassionate response, but don’t know how to go about it.
“We are attempting to provide a bridge for people who are in a transition, so there will be many conservative people and proactive [people] in attendance.”
Ministers from most denominations, except Catholics, will attend. GLBT people who wish to attend some of the seminars are welcome.
info: For more information on 100 Revs, visit www.100revs.blogspot.com For information or to register for the two-day workshop, email [email protected]
As an ordained Anglican deacon, I marched in the parade carrying a poster that said “We were wrong”. As I made eye contact with observers along the way I was very moved by many who were tearful to see the churches apologising for their lack of welcome for so long. I shall never forget the sight of hundreds of thousands of spectators welcoming us and affirming our stand. I felt Jesus would have marched with us. Rev Sue Emeleus.
Mike and the team … you guys ROCK!
I am so proud of the courage and determination you are showing to build the bridge between our communities. Christian love in action.!
I wish I could be there to march with you but will support you from the UK this year.
Hugs all round.
I think this is amazing. It can take just as much courage for a minister to stand up FOR our community as it does for someone to come out. Thank you for being so brave!!
As someone currently part of MCC, i know that all are welcome. But i am also VERY welcoming to other churches being accepting and affirming of people from the GLBTQI community.
We dont have to compete. There is enough room. Some churches just dont realise that yet :). This is a great step to seeing that happen.
Good on ya 100 REVS! (Hopefully one day my dads name will be on that list!!)
Big applause to Pastor Mike and the Hundred Revs. Good to see that there are some within the evangelical church movement willing to take a stand of acceptance vs hate by marching along side the GLTBI community in the Mardi Gras parade. They are helping to open the door of acceptance within the mainstream churches.
MCC is a worldwide gay-run Christian church. We should all come under it’s umbrella as GLTBI people, & from that position acknowlege & applaud the “back-bench revolt” of the 100 Revs from the other Hate-filled churches.
But whilever the heirarchy in charge- for example the Pope in charge of the catholic church- are homophobes, then gay people should not be members of that church under the Pope’s thumb, but come under MCC istead & stand from a position of alernative power & an alternative voice that is not overrulled by the pope.
James, you mention only MCC & Crave MCC, what about MCC Good Shepherd and also NEWCOAST MCC on the Central Coast & Hunter area.
But that is more then what makes up the Australian Christian Lobby Kevin Rudd gives so much money to, The Australian Family Association, and The Salt Shakers all combined!
It is good to see real Christian following the teachings of Jesus marching. It is high time Kevin Rudd followed the hundreds of thousands of people who attend and marched with us. We have more people go then who are in all the churches in Australia at any weekend.
Thunderous applause for their bravery!!
Being a gay Christian myself has been a hard journey. Not fitting into either “concept”, and feeling that my faith is not accepted in the gay community and my sexual orientaion is not accepted in the Christian community.
Having had some negative experiences within church with a pastor who didn’t understand the way that I was created was difficult as a young man trying to find answers in faith, or at least provide a non judgmental ear. There are so many stories within the gay community of those not being understood, or being cast out of their churchs or communities because of their differences.
Having this support from 100 revs opens the door to meeting people where they are at, which is most important in getting people back into a community, and perhaps may even open the door to better understanding from the community as a whole to understand a little more about the way that some of us are created.
Should you be looking for a fellowship community, that is allready openly understanding, and is still just as understanding in Sydney check out mcc and cravemcc.
I hope that the road to understanding doesn’t stop here for the sake of those within communities that don’t understand their people.
As a 22 year old gay Christian I hope that I can give a little more to this also and thank you guys for the example that has been set .
gooooo 100 Revs. Nice to see some christians acting like christians
This is fantastic! These ministers are really putting themselves on the line to be inclusive and to take a stand against the judgemental archaic ignorant attitudes.
I am in two minds about the concept of “gay and lesbian people of faith”
I do not know why I have a problem with it maybe it was my staunch catholic upbringing however I feel the two do not mix