Cindy and Natalie's Wedding
The other big event Saturday was Cindy and Natalie's wedding at the Presbyterian Seminary Chapel. Natalie is a student at Louisville Presbyterian Seminary and Cindy is the leader of a youth group for local LGBT kids under the age of 21; they are both active in the Louisville Fairness Campaign. I know both of them as friends and church family from Jeff Street Baptist. I think both have impeccable character, grace and charm. They are beautiful and good people and they were made for each other.
Initially, there was great controversy surrounding their request to use the seminary chapel and grounds for their ceremony and reception. Like many of the mainline Protestant denominations in the US, individual Presbyterians and parishes are divided on their stances toward same-sex marriage. Though Louisville Presbyterian Seminary leans towards a more tolerant, fair and inclusive position on most social justice issues, old and prominent (wealthy) voices within the national church can still give progressives cause for second thoughts. Cindy and Natalie eloquently appealed to the highest governing bodies at the seminary and national church and were finally granted permission. Through their personal struggles and hard work a new precedent has been set at the seminary. It is now possible for same-sex couples to use the site for their weddings. Cindy and Natalie also successfully called on the leadership to reevaluate housing at the seminary to allow same-sex couples and families the same rights as heterosexual couples and families there. I could sing Cindy and Natalie's praises all day long...
The wedding ceremony itself affected my emotions more than any wedding (family included) I've ever been to has before. At times I was elated. Tears streamed down my face as I cried for joy. The presence and support of Cindy and Natalie's love from both sides of the family, professors and administrators at Louisville Presbyterian, my church family from Jeff Street Baptist, friends and acquaintances, seminary students and prominent community figures made me feel somehow liberated and redeemed. My faith and confidence in Christians to act in an authentically Christ-like fashion has certainly been challenged over the years. This occasion, however, gave me great hope for the future. It gave me hope for both Christians and for the LGBT community, and particularly for LGBT Christians such as myself.
The reception was amusing. For fun (my hetero buddy) Craig and I pretended to be on a date. We held hands and danced a lot. The food was delicious. My former flame Rick and his friend Dani were there, of course. Theo, the bartender, remembered me from the wine and cheese nights earlier this year. In sort of an extraordinary coincidence one of the ladies from my museum methods class was seated at our table. We had a fun time chatting about the Julian Robson lecture and Dr. Begley's antics.
Initially, there was great controversy surrounding their request to use the seminary chapel and grounds for their ceremony and reception. Like many of the mainline Protestant denominations in the US, individual Presbyterians and parishes are divided on their stances toward same-sex marriage. Though Louisville Presbyterian Seminary leans towards a more tolerant, fair and inclusive position on most social justice issues, old and prominent (wealthy) voices within the national church can still give progressives cause for second thoughts. Cindy and Natalie eloquently appealed to the highest governing bodies at the seminary and national church and were finally granted permission. Through their personal struggles and hard work a new precedent has been set at the seminary. It is now possible for same-sex couples to use the site for their weddings. Cindy and Natalie also successfully called on the leadership to reevaluate housing at the seminary to allow same-sex couples and families the same rights as heterosexual couples and families there. I could sing Cindy and Natalie's praises all day long...
The wedding ceremony itself affected my emotions more than any wedding (family included) I've ever been to has before. At times I was elated. Tears streamed down my face as I cried for joy. The presence and support of Cindy and Natalie's love from both sides of the family, professors and administrators at Louisville Presbyterian, my church family from Jeff Street Baptist, friends and acquaintances, seminary students and prominent community figures made me feel somehow liberated and redeemed. My faith and confidence in Christians to act in an authentically Christ-like fashion has certainly been challenged over the years. This occasion, however, gave me great hope for the future. It gave me hope for both Christians and for the LGBT community, and particularly for LGBT Christians such as myself.
The reception was amusing. For fun (my hetero buddy) Craig and I pretended to be on a date. We held hands and danced a lot. The food was delicious. My former flame Rick and his friend Dani were there, of course. Theo, the bartender, remembered me from the wine and cheese nights earlier this year. In sort of an extraordinary coincidence one of the ladies from my museum methods class was seated at our table. We had a fun time chatting about the Julian Robson lecture and Dr. Begley's antics.