Major Coming Out Day Events!

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March-on-washington

Many activists from across the country will be attending the "National Equality March" in Washington, D.C., to march with one simple demand: full equality for all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in all matters governed by civil law in all 50 States.

"On October 10-11, 2009, we will gather in Washington, D.C. from all across America to let our elected leaders know that now is the time for full equal rights for LGBT people. We’ve had a moment thrust upon us by the election of President Barack Obama and the spirit of hope and change, and also by the sense of entitlement in the new generation of grassroots organizing...We will gather. We will strategize. We will march. And we will leave energized and empowered to do the work that needs to be done in every community across the nation."


Raise-the-walls Empowering Spirits Foundation and MyOutSpirit.com are organizing a nationwide LGBT Day of Service celebrating this year's "Come Out Spiritually" theme for Coming Out Day on the weekend of October 11th.

It is our hope that in working side-by-side with our non-LGBT neighbors they may come to see similarities rather than differences in each of us, and that we can engage in dialogue through non-confrontational means to promote equality. This kind of "Voluntary Redemptive Service" is explained in detail in my book, Shirt of Flame (download free here).

Please share this event with your friends and family, and come out for an exciting day to promote equality!

A donation to help cover our costs is greatly appreciated. Donations are fully tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law. Please visit our webpage at www.empoweringspirits.org to make a donation. Any amount is appreciated.

"Like we saw the Prop 8 battle in CA, anti-LGBT attacks are usually led by conservative religious leaders, and many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people believe they are sinful or unlovable," explains Clayton Gibson of MyOutSpirit.com. "'Coming Out Day 2009: Come Out Spiritually' will counter anti-LGBT bias and spiritual abuse. We will lift up the voices of spiritual LGBT and Ally people of all beliefs and traditions to deliver a global message that LGBT people and families are sacred, whole, beloved and equal."

Are you marching on Washington? Do you plan to volunteer on the LGBT Day of Service?

If you have planned a special event celebrating COMING OUT DAY’s “Come Out Spiritually” theme, please email information about the event to HRC's Coming Out Project and to MyOutSpirit.com.

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"Congregation embraces transgender minister

On Sunday, Aug. 30, 2009, Rev. David Weekley (pictured with his wife, Deborah) – who leads the congregation at the Epworth United Methodist Church in the Sunnyside neighborhood in inner Southeast Portland – became the second openly transgender Methodist clergyman in the U.S.

Weekley, a married father of five in Southeast Portland and a Methodist clergyman of 25 years, revealed in his Sunday sermon that he was born female, but had sex reassignment surgery 35 years ago.

“One of the greatest ironies and pains is that the church is the place I’ve had to go back in the closet,” he says. “I’ve stood with colleagues who have said horrific things to me, and they don’t even know it.”

Following his story, the congregation, who had remained silent throughout his talk, broke into thunderous applause. Church members then proclaimed their support for their pastor.

Weekley says that he has, for the past 27 years, thought about switching to a church that is more accepting of his choices, but ultimately decided to stay loyal.

“There have been many times I’ve thought about walking away and considering a different denomination,” he says, “but my heart has always caused me to remain in the hope of effecting change...

“This really puts it all on the line,” Weekley says of his decision to share his news with his congregation and the world.

“I’m not leaving, I’m just coming out. I’m not walking away, but I’m not staying quiet and hidden anymore.”

Read the whole article in the Portland Tribune or another article on Oregon Live.

Send a note of blessing and support to:
Rev. David Weekley
1333 S.E. 28th Ave.
Portland, OR 97214
503.232.5253