Union Theological Seminary Responds to LGBTQ Youth Suicides Video

To comment on this video go to:
http://unionindialogue.org/theq/2010/10/13/union-responds-to-lgbtq-youth-suicides/

When we heard about the death of Tyler Clementi, the most recent in a string of queer youth suicides (a list which gets much longer if we take into account all of the queer suicides that we don't hear about) we asked ourselves whether there might have been something--some act, some word--that could stop other queer youth headed down the same road to complete self-destruction. In this video, a whole community has mustered just that. Seminary students, post-docs, faculty members, and the President of Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York speak to LGBTQ youth at risk and to those who find themselves being bullied and ostracized just for being who the Divine created them to be.

I am a Roman ...
I am a Roman Catholic and a staunch supporter of the LGBTQ community.? My best friend is a gay Christian man. God is more merciful than most people make Him out to be. We as human beings have an obligation to be caring and loving toward one another if the human race is going to carry on. Jesus had a special love for people who were rejected and looked down upon by society; think how much He offers His love to such people today.

These words of? ...
These words of? love and truth, reflecting God's, will always prevail.

Peace be to all of ...
Peace be to all of you at Union? - especially those who initiated the idea of creating this video. YOur love, your deep faith, your articulation of your theology and beliefs is beautiful. I for one believe that this video is saving lives, right now. ANd isn't that the vocation to which we are all called?

am frustrated that ...
am frustrated that it takes such a set of horrible tragedies to motivate us to make our witness so loud and profound. But it is also true that places like Union Seminary, Pacific School of Religion, United Seminaries of the Twin Cities, and the? United Church of Christ and the UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns and others are constantly doing and being this witness. Usually, we just don't have the public platform to be heard.

As Christian pastor ...
As Christian pastor - an out lesbian, I believe this is a message to our 'own house' as much as it is a message to LGBT young people. This is a witness that there are many Christians who know that the church's role in? homophobia of society must be countered loudly by a Christian witness which affirms God's love of people of all sexual and gender identities.

Thanks for this ...
Thanks for this message of hope to young people. I do appreciate your effort and this is nice but does not address the real problem. I? am a gay man and former Christian who will never go near a Christian Church ever again because of the verbal and emotional abuse heaped upon me and my children by Christians. You must speak to the hate-mongers in your own house.

Thanks for this ...
Thanks for this message of hope to young gay kids. Your heart is in the right place, but know that, as a gay man, I will never again be in a Christian Church or have anything more than necessary to do with Christians because the verbal and emotional abuse heaped upon me and my children, and for their partnership with a political party that works to disenfranchise me. You must speak to? the hate-mongers in your own house. My ears are closed now and forever.

I appreciate Union ...
I appreciate Union Seminary for their great love and passion for a message of inclusion. But this causes me to ask? an important question, what if the intentions are completely accurate but simply wrong? I guess I just don't understand why Jesus Christ would spend his life fighting against false teachings and doctrines, if all messages were accurate or inclusive. What if we got it all wrong?

Thank you :)?
Thank you :)?

As a Presbyterian ...
As a Presbyterian pastor, it's great to see this! Especially encouraging, considering the way a theologically? gifted transgender elder in my last congregation was treated by adminssions about three years ago when she applied to Union. She ended up at Louisville Presby Seminary -- at that time, a much friendlier place for a transgender person.

Fantastic, many ...
Fantastic, many thanks for? making this & sharing it! Fwding to The New Seminary & my wedding community. Proud to celebrate Marriage Equality, Civil Rights, and LOVE. THANKS, UNION!

I don't think Jesus ...
I don't think Jesus ever said anything about gay folks...but boy, did he sure have a lot to say about heterosexual? sin and sins of the heart.

there isnt anything ...
there isnt anything wrong with gay people they should be loved like any other person on? this earth

AMEN!!!! My family ...
AMEN!!!! My family used the name of God and Jesus to spew hatred and divisiveness when I told them that being gay is not an "abomination" but as natural? as being heterosexual. I was appalled! I thought my family was better than that. Thank you for this message...it needs to spread way beyond youtube into people's livingrooms....our children should not feel so isolated and alone that the only option they see is death. Please spread the word!

Thank you for your ...
Thank you for your comment. It is our hope to provide a positive message of hope and love. At Union we believe in unity. We learn, seek, and affirm inclusion with all persons, as well as creating dialogue with other religions traditions. We are grateful to you for viewing and hope that you? share it with others. You are right, it is time for Christians who believe in acceptance to get loud and share a message of inclusion. God bless.

This is a message ...
This is a message we all need to hear.? Thank you.

I have to say that ...
I have to say that I have been disgusted with religion and all of the "Bible" based hate that I have seen. It is nice to see a group of Christians that actually have it right. It is about time we hear from the Christians that believe in acceptance. I know this message is timely for all LGBT youth right now, but this particular Christian message is for anyone going through a tough time. ? I no longer consider myself a Christian, but if I knew more Christians like this maybe I would.

this is really ...
this is really beautiful, y'all. thanks? for the hard work!

This is excellent! ...
This is excellent! I hope youth who need to see this find it.?

Thanks? for posting!
Thanks? for posting!