This letter is an invitation for participation in Dialogue, a newly formed group for, and by, Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual students. Dialogue's mission is simple: To be an interfaith gathering of Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual students and friends to grow in faith and spirituality. Dialogue is cooperatively supported by Cornell United Religious Work and the Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual Resource Office.
The concept of our community having Lesbians, Gays, and Bisexuals who have vested religious and spiritual interests may appear contradictory. Given the often vicious attacks made on Lesbians, Gays and Bisexuals using religious philosophy, one is led to believe that coming out of the closet means abandoning any and all religious or spiritual upbringing which we may hold dear. Returning to, exploring, becoming, or otherwise participating in religious or spiritual activity as an out Lesbian, Gay, or Bisexual person can often times be met with resistance from both religious and spiritual leaders, and even from within the LGB community.
The LGB community on the Cornell campus has been harassed enough by religious and spiritual groups claiming to hold our salvation, cure, forgiveness, pity, and many other so-called truths for us. It is time that we begin, and continue, the process of reconciling our individual faiths, religions, and spiritualities with our identities, and that we have the opportunity to do so in a forum that is affirming to us, supportive of us, and guided by us.
As a former Cornell student, having come out of the closet on the Cornell campus, I have lived with and understand the sometimes painful confrontations of family, friends, and faith that can result from living my life honest to myself. Dialogue is my personal hope to help uphold one area which can be a source of pain for those of us who are questioning our sexuality, in the closet, out of the closet, or simply seeking a supportive and non-biased religious, spiritual, or faith gathering. It is an opportunity that can become whatever we want, and whatever we need.
Understandably, it can be difficult to trust such an initiative, especially given the history of persecution that we as Lesbians, Gays, and Bisexuals have suffered at the hands of many organized religions. However, Dialogue is ours, and all of the undersigned students, educated leaders, and administrators have made a commitment of support. The time for an honest, open, and safe forum for the faith, religious, and spiritual needs of our community is here. Our next meeting will be on Thursday 16 November at 7pm, in the Anabel Taylor Cafe (formerly the Commons Coffeehouse), please join us.
Peace,
Robert M. Kronzak '95, staff
In support and kind:
Gurdon Brewster, Episcopal Chaplain
Dan Brown, grad
Robert Brown '97, Co-Chair Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender
Coalition
Rebecca Cantor '97, Student Assembly Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual-at-Large
Rev. Sharon Dittman, Cornell AIDS Action
Carlisle Douglas, Coordinator, LBGT Resource Office
Carolyn Edsell '98
Rabbi Laurence Edwards, Hillel
John L. Ford, Dean of Students
Joycelyn Hart, Associate VP Human Relations, Acting VP Human
Resources
Taryn Hillary, Protestant Cooperative Ministry
Rev. Robert L. Johnson, Director of Cornell United Religious Work
Rosalind Kenworthy, Sex Counselor, CGSS
Susan Lerner, Special Assistant to the VP of Student and Academic Affairs
Rev. Michael Mahler, Catholic Chaplain
Erika Merschrod, grad
Rev. Richard Murphy, Catholic Chaplain
Rev. Janet Shortall, Assistant Director of Cornell United Religious Work
Andy Swanson, grad
Rev. John A. Taylor, Unitarian Chaplain
Mary Webber '58, Director of The Center for Religion, Ethics, and Social
Policy (CRESP)
Damon Williams '99
12/5/95
Cornell LBG Resource Office