Welcome

Excerpt of Bear and Susan's comments on why marriage is important?

"The difference between a contract and a covenant for us was really significant. We had the contract, essentially, with our domestic partnership, because once marriage equality hit California for that little brief time, essentially they said, “It’s now going to be as difficult to separate from a domestic partnership as it would be getting a divorce. So, essentially you’re married, but you’re not married.”

So, the contract was already there. It was the covenant. It was sharing making our love and commitment to each other, our exclusive lifelong commitment to each other – public, celebrated before God and all these witnesses. And that’s what it was, including our kids.

Also, there is language involved – if you use the word “this is my partner” – you’re not exactly sure what that means. It could mean any number of things (business partner…). But when we got married, Susan inherited, I mean she became my kids’ “mother-in-law-in-law,” and I became the mother-in-law of her kids and grandchildren, my mother became her mother-in-law – and now there’s language. And people understand that.

So, when we’re out with Susan’s kids they’ll introduce me to their friends as their mother-in-law. And that’s different from saying my mother’s partner or something., because there is the in-law, which actually means “in-law.” And that was important to us."

Full transcript at tamfs.org/interviews

I’m Helene Loper. I’m from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. I was born, baptized, raised, confirmed and Presbyterian trained, but my own story is that I was outed while I was in seminary by someone who was in the closet. The Presbytery Committee on Preparation for Ministry did not tell me that was the issue for why they were not wanting to approve my candidacy.

When I finally figured out what the problem was, it was right before I was starting my senior year. So, I came out, but in the process I had to leave the Presbyterian process. So I knew I as leaving the Presbyterian Church in order to follow my call to ministry.

Read Helene's transcript at www.tamfs.org/interviews

From the Transcript available at www.tamfs.org/interviews :

My name is Erin Swenson and I’m from Atlanta, Georgia. I’m actually a retired member of the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta, and I am as far as anyone knows, the first ordained minister in any mainstream denomination to change sex and stay ordained.

Dan and Marvin provide a critical glimpse into the time when they both served on the Presbyterian Special Committee on Human Sexuality between 1998 and 1991. This report is timely and as challenging today as it was then, especially in light of the possibilities in a better understanding of who we are and the opportunities to influence the church and society, as a result of recent changes in the Presbyterian Church USA and elsewhere.

Lisa Larges shares part of her story and all of herself with us.

Enjoy this wonderful conversation about the transformation and growth of family, as The Spahrs talk about the early years in the Progressive Movement and the foundation for much of what has followed since in their families, the church, and the community and love we all share.

Sharon Stuart Part II by Welcome

Sharon Stuart Part I by Welcome

Georgeann's interview from Rock Stars and Prophets: Generations of Justice and Love. For more interviews visit www.tamfs.org

From Page 86 by Welcome