Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Grief for California, but a better chance for hearts and minds...



Grief for California, but a better chance for hearts and minds...

It is with a heavy heart that I heard of the decision of The California Supreme Court to uphold Proposition 8. Proposition 8 is a new departure in modern democracy and presents us with the sordid spectacle of an uninformed majority being duped into voted away the rights of a historically persecuted minority. Contrary to popular belief, California has a pretty dark history when it comes to legislative treatment of minorities, yet the reinvention of California as a place of tolerance and diversity should encourage us that Proposition 8 is a blip and not a continuation of a suspended pattern of discrimination.
The following legislation and referenda have all been enacted in California in the past....

1879 to 1926, California's constitution stated that "no native of China" shall ever exercise the privileges of an elector in the state." Similar provisions appeared in the constitutions of Oregon and Idaho. 1866-1947: Segregation, voting [Statute] Enacted 17 Jim Crow laws between 1866 and 1947 in the areas of miscegenation (6) and education (2), employment (1) and a residential ordinance passed by the city of San Francisco that required all Chinese inhabitants to live in one area of the city. Similarly, a miscegenation law passed in 1901 broadened an 1850 law, adding that it was unlawful for white persons to marry "Mongolians." 1870: Education [Statute] African and Indian children must attend separate schools. A separate school would be established upon the written request by the parents of ten such children. "A less number may be provided for in separate schools in any other manner."1872: Alcohol sales [Statute] Prohibited the sale of liquor to Indians. The act remained legal until its repeal in 1920.1879: Voter rights [Constitution] "No native of China" would ever have the right to vote in the state of California. Repealed in 1926.1879: Employment [Constitution] Prohibited public bodies from employing Chinese and called upon the legislature to protect "the state...from the burdens and evils arising from" their presence. A statewide anti-Chinese referendum was passed by 99.4 percent of voters in 1879.1880: Miscegenation [Statute] Made it illegal for white persons to marry a "Negro, mulatto, or Mongolian."1890: Residential [City Ordinance] The city of San Francisco ordered all Chinese inhabitants to move into a certain area of the city within six months or face imprisonment. The Bingham Ordinance was later found to be unconstitutional by a federal court.1891: Residential [Statute] Required all Chinese to carry with them at all times a "certificate of residence." Without it, a Chinese immigrant could be arrested and jailed.1894: Voter rights [Constitution] Any person who could not read the Constitution in English or write his name would be disfranchised. An advisory referendum indicated that nearly 80 percent of voters supported an educational requirement.1901: Miscegenation [Statute] The 1850 law prohibiting marriage between white persons and Negroes or mulattoes was amended, adding "Mongolian."1909: Miscegenation [Statute] Persons of Japanese descent were added to the list of undesirable marriage partners of white Californians as noted in the earlier 1880 statute.1913: Property [Statute] Known as the "Alien Land Laws," Asian immigrants were prohibited from owning or leasing property. The California Supreme Court struck down the Alien Land Laws in 1952.1931: Miscegenation [State Code] Prohibited marriages between persons of the Caucasian and Asian races.1933: Miscegenation [Statute] Broadened earlier miscegenation statute to also prohibit marriages between whites and Malays.1945: Miscegenation [Statute] Prohibited marriage between whites and "Negroes, mulattos, Mongolians and Malays."1947: Miscegenation [Statute] Subjected U.S. servicemen and Japanese women who wanted to marry to rigorous background checks. Barred the marriage of Japanese women to white servicemen if they were employed in undesirable occupations.
They are all now in trashcan of history, and thanks to the example of ordinary LGBT people leading their lives as legally married people in the state of California, Proposition 8 will follow all the above, and probably sooner than we dare hope. It is the subtle experience of seeing decent people committed to each other, and seeing that the sky does not fall that will persuade many who voted for Proposition 8 to change their minds. Not overturning prop 8 in the courts may prove a blessing in disguise (if heavily in disguise); we now have the chance to overturn Prop 8 in our everyday lives - through simply existing and being who we are.....
________________________________________________

Contact Information......
Thanks to Rev Clinton Crawshaw for the above analysis;

Office Phone: 504 298 5131 Pastor's cellphone: 504 214 4340
Email: pastor@bigeasymcc.com
Website: www.bigeasymcc.com

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Macaulay: Agonies, love of a gay pastor’s doting dad

http://www.compassnews.net/news/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=18299:macaulay-agonies-love-of-a-gay-pastors-doting-dad&catid=48:saturdaynews&Itemid=189

Macaulay: Agonies, love of a gay pastor’s doting dad
Saturday, 23 May 2009 00:00

Professor Olakunle Macaulay has a tough choice to make between a father’s love for his son, however weird, and his Christian convictions. He became the talk... -of-the-town sometime last year when his UK-trained second son, a lawyer and pastor, openly admitted to being a homosexual. In this interview with OSEYIZA OOGBODO and SADE OKUNUGA, the 72-year-old cleric spoke about the trauma for the household .

You’re the director of the United Bible University. Are you its founder?

Yes, I’m the founder.

When did you found it?

It was founded on the 22nd of October, 1994.

What was the reason for its establishment?

Well, I found out that many church leaders were not trained. They were not properly educated, and they didn’t even know how to manage people. Their interpretation of the Bible was very faulty, so God touched my spirit to establish something that would prepare men and women; that would be able to speak to this technological and scientific world, because things are changing nowadays, and you must be brilliant enough, clever enough to understand how to put religion to scientific things.

Prior to UBU, what were you doing?

I’m a trained engineer. I studied Engineering and I came back to this country in 1968. I was a trainer at West African Portland Cement Training School. I worked with Shell, seismography, exploration of oil, and later, I came back to work with some engineering firms. I tested the first car assembled in this country during the Yakubu Gowon administration. They invited me and I did the appraisal of the first car, a Peugeot.

You’ve trained many students here. Which of them are now renowned pastors out there?

Very many. Bishop Omooba Jesu is one. He was my student. And one Dr Bababtunde, he is in Ibadan. He is doing very well. Reverend (Dr) Mrs Omotoso is also doing very well. They are very many.

Considering your background and global experience and exposure, what do you think of gay people?

Well, it’s not what I think about gay people, it’s what the Bible says about gay people. The Bible condemns it and I condemn it totally, you know, because I am a teacher of the Bible and I have to teach what is inside the Bible, that is the essence of my teaching, so I condemn it. It’s not what I think about it but what the Bible says.

When did you then learn your son was a homosexual?

Well, it was in the year 2003 I got to know about it when I went to London. And what happened was that I went into his room and I found some funny books about gays, lesbianism, etc. I was very worried. I invited his brothers and sisters and we talked about it. And for over a month, I did not talk to him because it gave me a lot of concern. At the end of the day, I thought I was losing him. Being a Minister of God and also a counsellor, I looked at the Bible ... the Bible does not condemn sinners, you know, and the Bible says minister to sinners, and if I’m a preacher, I should be able to preach to myself at that particular time. I decided to bring him back, and since that time, I’ve been talking to him, praying with him, in fact, his brothers were against him, they did not talk to him, I had to bring them together. It’s a big thing, it affected my family seriously.

This was 2003?

That I got to know. His brothers knew and they were afraid to tell me, but when I got to know and I called them, they said they didn’t know what would happen to me or my reaction which was why they hid it from me. It gave me a lot of concern, like I said, but thinking about it, you know, I can’t really condemn him because he’s my son.

You discovered your son’s gay status in 2003. When did he come back fully to Nigeria?

I wouldn’t be able to say because he comes to Nigeria regularly. He has never come here to settle down. He has always been coming and going.

But for him to have established a church here, he must have been here fully.

Well, I wouldn’t say fully because he was still going up and down. You know, he is a man of 43 years old. Roland will be 44 this year, in November, so he is not a small boy. He is a lawyer, a theologian, he has practised in England for about 12 years now. He is an old man. You can’t follow that kind of man around.

But when his gay status was eventually revealed to the whole world last year, how did it affect you personally and professionally?

Let me tell you, emotionally, it affected me. Professionally, it did not because a clear conscience fears no accusation. I knew I didn’t do anything wrong, I knew my college had never done anything wrong so I was ready to fight for the cause of Jesus Christ. But emotionally, it broke me down.

You are saying it didn’t stop students from registering with your college?

Not at all. More students are even coming now because they know what we are doing here.

How many students do you have on annual basis?

An average of 60.

How old was Rowland when he travelled out of the country?

I think he was a teenager. He was born there in London in Islington. I was a student there, studying there, I had all of them there.

And you left them there when you were coming back fully?

No. No. I brought them here. They went to secondary school here and then later, they went back to England. Roland in his case went to study law.

From the 2003 to 2008 that the world got to know Rowland was gay, you were counselling him. Did he respond to your counselling?

Of course he did. You wouldn’t expect him to tell me that he was not responding well. I used to talk to him, pray with him ... let me tell you, a situation like this is spiritual and it has nothing to do with the mind and there’s nothing you can do to force it on people. You have to talk to God, you have to talk to them continuously until they change. Up till today, I still talk to him. He’s a minister ordained 10, 11 years ago and I told him to be a minister of the gospel, not a group of people. The church is the church of God. Jesus Christ said ‘I will build my church’, and that’s the most important thing. And all ministers are servants of God, to work with God, I always tell him that.

Rowland is not your only child. Why do you think he’s different?

Well, you never know, you need to ask God about that. My first son is a Chartered Accountant. He is working with Cambridge University in England. My third son is an engineer, he’s a consultant. I don’t know, if he (Rowland) works everyday trying to be what he is, then we need to ask him and ask God.

Don’t you feel there were shortcomings in the way you brought him up?

Oh no, no, no, no way! I properly brought them up. Seriously,. I put things everything a parent should.

You said you speak with him regularly?

Of course, yes. I call him, he calls me, he’s my son. I can’t deny him. As father and child, we are still very cordial.

When did you actually see him last?

I’ll say a few weeks before the event ... I think I saw him the last day ... What happened was that we had our own graduation and he was here. It was the following day I travelled out of Lagos, I went for a programme at Owerri for a week and proceeded to Akwa Ibom from there for another one week. It was while I was in Akwa Ibom that this thing broke out. So, I saw him last last year.

Do you see a solution to Rowland’s situation soonest?

Yeah, you see, what you need to realise is that people who believe in God will always hope for good things. I mean, it’s a spiritual thing, it’s not something you can do now, so I believe that he will change. I believe it.

You were emotionally broken over all these. How about your wife, Rowland’s mother?

I really don’t want to talk about her. It was the same thing I told the pressmen when they came here last time. I’ll tell you up till now she’s mentally affected. She cries a lot about it. Every time she sees Rowland, she cries, “Rowland, why don’t you leave this nonsense? Go and find something to do.” They are always fighting.

What are you doing to correct the impression in people’s minds that UBU is a gay church?

God will correct that. It’s a question of time. I think my enemies decided to destroy the reputation of this college which has nothing to do with House of Rainbow. When Rowland established his church, he told me. But it wasn’t a church for gays, it was a church of God. Now, I’ve never been to his house, church or connected with his programmes at all because a boy of 42 years, you don’t take him around, you don’t monitor him, so it’s his life. His brothers and sisters are doing well so why should I have to monitor him? I just have to pray for their success. UBU has never been connected to House of Rainbow. What happened was that Rowland decided to have the second anniversary of his church here, because of the centrality of this place. He said he had his first anniversary at Isolo and it was difficult for many people to get there. I told him he had to rent it and he paid for it. So, that’s what happened and people say it’s a gay church. It’s not.

That second anniversary of his, was it for gay people?

That’s the problem. It was not for gay people. It was for House of Rainbow, a church as far as I’m concerned. If Rowland is a gay, I don’t expect everyone in his church to be the same thing. It’s just to say that we have one or two prostitutes in a church, so that church becomes a church of prostitutes.

Rowland is in London at present. Do you know what he’s doing there?

I wouldn’t know.



The man Professor Macaulay

Walking into the United Bible University, along Yakoyo Road, in Ojodu, Lagos, the serenity and order of the organisation is immediately noticeable.

Such order could only have been achieved and continuously sustained by a disciplined and ascetic leader. And this is quite indisputable in the case of Professor Augustus Olakunle Macaulay, an engineer and theologian who is UBU’s founder and director.

A further evidence of Macaulay’s sterling qualities is his promptness. He is not one of those with the irritating habit of keeping to African time. Rather, he arrived before the appointed time and immediately settled down in his office, prior to the day’s activities.

Later this year, Macaulay will attain the milestone of 72 years on earth. Looking at him, however, it is very difficult to believe that he is even 50, much less 70. He is quite tall with just the slightest of stooping evident in his posture.

His office is also situated on the top of the UBU building and since there is no elevator, he takes the stairs. This is just amazing, considering his age, but ample evidence of the fact that he has lived a good life.

A courteous and warm man, he came out of his office at least a couple of times to apologise for the delay caused by the preparation of his office quarters for the meeting with the Nigerian Compass on Saturday.

Without an iota of doubt, Macaulay has acquired both experience and wisdom in his long sojourn on earth. So, it wasn’t a bit of bother for him to open up about his life, ministry and the consequences of the news that made world headlines: that his second son, Rowland, is gay.

Instead of folding under the pressure that has come on the heels of the discovery, or retreating out of public circulation to avoid embarassing stares from neighbours and colleagues, Macaulay is facing the storm head-on.

It is obvious in his tone of voice that he sometimes feels he is being unjustly put on trial. At no time is this more apparent than when he revealed that some people declared to his face that his gay-son and similarly inclined people in the son’s controversial church, House of Rainbow, be killed.

Speaking about their opinion, though without a quiver in his voice, it came across that he was profoundly shocked that people, even men of God, could have such “callous thoughts.” On his part, he has resigned to fate: one, because Raymond is his son; two, because the Bible enjoins us to love even those who hate us.

Macaulay is also very analytical. As far as he is concerned, regarding every issue, emotion must be separated from the spiritual which is the realm he operates from.

Thus if his son, Rowland, is found guilty by the law, he will be in support of due punishment meted out to him.

Macaulay is also surprised by Rowland’s sudden homosexual lifestyle, because the second son had already been married with a child, a son named Tosin.

And, much as he has spoken about the issue, Macaulay realises he may have to keep talking about it.

His words: “Even in 10 years’ time, if there is anything about gays in the news, I know people will still recall this one.”

UPDATE NIGERIA "House Of Rainbow in the NEWS"

http://www.compassnews.net/news/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=18298:the-gay-church-gone-with-reminiscences-left&catid=48:saturdaynews&Itemid=189


The gay church: Gone with reminiscences left
Saturday, 23 May 2009 00:00

Jakande Estate, Oke-Afa, Isolo, is where the gay church, House of Rainbow, was located during its short-lived existence. It is axiomatic that whenever... their activities are banned, human beings go under-ground to perpetrate it on a grander scale, or return to same location soon after. The Nigerian Compass on Saturday sought out the known abode of the church to confirm its present status and also acquire any possible leads on its new location.

Surprisingly, many residents of the estate spoken to denied knowledge of the church.
Finally, two blocks from the block that had the church, someone confirmed its presence and gave a vivid description of the location. However, he wasn’t willing to talk further about it.
The building that used to host the House of Rainbow turned out to be a nondescript two-storey structure. One of its occupants, an old man, was lounging on the first floor and he pointed out to the reporters the ground floor flat that used to house the church.

He explained to us that the church was no longer there and that while it lasted, residents never knew of its queer nature or sexual preferences. Actually, the residents never knew it was a church, just that they used to see people gather there on Sundays, dancing and drumming.
The building’s occupants were people who minded their businesses. So, they didn’t poke their noses into the goings-on on the ground floor because the users weren’t a nuisance to them.
The old man said the flat is now a residence that has regular tenants. Of Rowland Macaulay’s whereabouts, he said he had no idea.

He also could not tell if the gay church had regrouped somewhere else in the city.

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Radically Inclusive Mission (RIM) with Rev Jide Macaulay


Radically Inclusive Mission (RIM) with Rev Jide Macaulay.


Invite and Join our online forum here, with nearly 350 members, let you curiosity and quest for knowledge lead you to a place where you can reconcile spirituality and sexuality. http://spiritualityandsexuality.ning.com/


Rev Jide Macaulay shares inclusive messages and gospel of Jesus, view and comment, there are nearly 12,000 hits http://www.youtube.com/houseofrainbow ,
pls pass on.

Nigeria: Late Dare Odumuye AKA Erelu of the Gay Community Remembered 2 years On.











Nigeria: Late Dare Odumuye AKA Erelu of the Gay Community Remembered 2 years On.

It is now two years since we lost Oludare Olutosin Toluwalase Odumuye aka Erelu, he passed away sadly on the 20th May and buried on the 25th May 2007, aged 41 years old.

He was a member of House Of Rainbow MCC Nigeria and the sole founder and Late President of Alliance Right Nigeria, an organization which advocated for the rights of LGBTI people in Nigeria since 1999, provided Sexual health information, Advice, Seminars and Training programme.

We remember him on the second anniversary of this sad loss to the thriving LGBT community, there is no doubt in our minds that the Nigerian LGBTI History will not be complete without you.

Since you passed away many good and bad things have happened to us, but you thought us never to give up.

We learnt from your selfless struggles to speak out, stand up and defend LGBTI people, we recall how much you travelled the length and breadth of the nation and the globe to represent our battles.

We carry on the torch of hope you light for us in to the waiting darkness and focus on claiming equal rights for all sexual minorities, in Politics, Sexual and Social Health, and societal equality. We continue your legacy to combat discrimination on the grounds of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.

We have not forgotten you and will never forget you. Matthew 22:30 “For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels* in heaven”

Erelu Continue to Rest in the perfect Peace of God.

Gladly remembered by the entire members and friends of House Of Rainbow MCC Nigeria.

Further enquiries please write to houseofrainbow@hotmail.com

Friday, May 22, 2009

Gay's The Word BookShop London UK


Gay’s The Word Bookshop in London, United Kingdom.


This book store is the Official London stockist for Rev Rowland Jide Macaulay’s Pocket Devotional for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Christians.

For your copy please visit the book store at 66 Marchmont Street, London, WC1N 1AB‎
Telephone: 020 7278 7654‎,
Nearest underground tube; Russell Square on Piccadilly Line.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?near=wc1n+1ab&q=gay&f=p&rl=1

NOTICE TO BOOK VENDORS
If you want to stock this fast selling book please contact the Distributor/Author on +44(0)7903767972 (UK), +234(0)8052567170 (Nig), +01(347) 2550726 (USA)

Where You Can Get Copies of my New Book

Pocket Devotional for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Christians by Rev Rowland Jide Macaulay.

" This devotional contains a companionable witness for daily 'mountain moving.' Reverend Rowland Jide Macaulay is a dear friend and colleague with a burning love for God's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people. He often inspires me. He does not shy away from sharing his truth with us, as this is the only way to be completely free, according to Jesus" Reverend Pressley Sutherland.

Online:
a) http://www.listbooks.co.uk/isbn/9780954999704
In Store:
Gay’s The Word Bookshop in London, United Kingdom.This book store is the Official London stockist for Rev Rowland Jide Macaulay’s Pocket Devotional for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Christians.For your copy please visit the book store at

66 Marchmont Street,
London, WC1N 1AB‎
Telephone: 020 7278 7654‎,
Nearest underground tube; Russell Square on Piccadilly Line.
.
NOTICE TO BOOK VENDORS
If you want to stock this fast selling book please contact the Distributor/Author on +44(0)7903767972 (UK), +234(0)8052567170 (Nigeria), +01(347) 2550726 (USA).
Email: ramacaulay@hotmail.com

Sunday, May 17, 2009

NGOs seek recognition for homosexuals, lesbians and gays in NIGERIA


UPDATE; NGOs seek recognition for homosexuals, lesbians and gays in NIGERIA http://www.234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5416573-146/story.csp


Two non-governmental organisations in Lagos urged the three tiers of government to stop discriminating against homosexuals, lesbians and gay people.Officials of The Independent Project for Equal Rights (TIPER) and The International Centre for Sexual Reproductive Rights (INCRESE) made the appeal at a news briefing.They explained that the briefing was part of their preparation for Sunday's celebration of the annual International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO).They regretted that discrimination on the basis of age, gender, sexual orientation and gender identity had become a major concern for human rights organisations in Nigeria.


Mrs Dorothy Aken Ova, Executive Director of INCRESE urged the protection of the fundamental rights of homosexuals and lesbians.She also urged the enlightenment of Nigerians to enable them to realise that gays had a right to life.``Research findings have shown that four per cent of the world population is gay and should be recognised by government through adequate representation, good education and acceess to the basic necessities of life.


``These people, though in the minority, did not create themselves. They should, therefore, enjoy the right to live their lives.``The public must learn to respect them for who they are because if we begin to feel bad for one another, we will be calling for the destruction of some people, thus inviting genocide,'' she said.Ova noted that homosexuals, lesbians and the gay formed part of the electorate that voted for the various governments, charging them to take care of them.She urged the Federal Government to domesticate the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)


Mr Joseph Akoro, an Executive Director of TIPER, also urged the Federal Government to consider its commitment to the protection of all Nigerians from all forms of discrimination.He said the NGOs were collaborating to create awareness about the existence of gays in the country.Mr Victor Ogbodo, a member of the NGO, said the society would benefit more from accepting them.``If they are accepted by the public for what they are, there will be less marital problems because members of the opposite sex will have known before getting married to them.``But if the society fails to accept them now and the issue begins to rear its head after marriage, we may only just be postponing the evil day,'' he said.


Ogbodo charged the government to protect the rights of all its citizens since the fundamental human rights of all Nigerians were enshrined in Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution.He said that the groups were not considering sponsoring any bill at the National Assembly on the issue for now, ``but we will begin to kick against any further restriction on our rights.


``In future, should the need arise for us to sponsor a bill on their behalf, we will surely do so,'' he added.

NIGERIA: IDAHO Press Statement by House Of Rainbow Metropolitan Community Church‏


16th May 2009


Press Statement


Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press


NIGERIA

International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia 2009.
A Statement by House Of Rainbow Metropolitan Community Church


On behalf of Rev Rowland Jide Macaulay, the founder and Pastor of House Of Rainbow Metropolitan Community Church Nigeria, the leaders, friends and entire members.

We are here today as citizens of Nigeria to add our voice against homophobia and transphobia and to remind our government, religious bodies, media, people and society that they may run us out of their churches, mosques, homes, jobs and neighbourhood, but they cannot run us out of this nation nor reduce the love of God that includes us.

Colossians 3:11, there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all!

This is a progressive and inclusive voice of scripture rejecting discrimination of any kind.

State Sponsored Homophobia
80 countries around the world consider homosexuality illegal, amongst these five of them punish homosexual acts with death which includes Nigeria.

Romans 13:1-3 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities; (We LGBT citizens have been a subject to the rules of the land) verse three says 3For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. (We ask that our government not rule over us in terror for who we are and who we love but judge us on who we hate)

It was not until 1990 that the World Health Organisation removed homosexuality from their list of mental illnesses and, to date Nigerian government still attempt to use the old penal code from British colonialism to punish us, also in 2006 introduced the Same Sex Prohibition bill and 2008 followed up with the Same Gender Prohibition bill, these attempts to punish same sex relationship and union are state sponsored threats against our humanity and we demand an end to this.

Our government also denied we exist on the 9th February 2009 at the United Nations in Geneva and in March 2009 we have to debate that we exist at the parliament.

Yogyakarta Principles on the Application of International Human Rights Law in relation to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Principle 21, The Right to Freedom of Thought, Conscience and Religion Says; Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. These rights may not be invoked by the State to justify laws, policies or practices which deny equal protection of the law, or discriminate, on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

At House Of Rainbow we believe that building respect for human rights and the rule of law will help ensure the dignity to which every individual is entitled and will halt tyranny, extremism, intolerance, and violence.

We are asking the government to protect people at risk, especially LGBT people, who are increasingly victims of crimes or other mass human rights violations, victims of discrimination, whose rights are eroded in the name of national security and human rights advocates who are targeted for defending the rights of others.

We will continue to fight for equality and for freedom of thought, expression, and religion; by presenting this statement we seek to confront human rights challenges with strategic responses that do not compromise our integrity.
Religious Homophobia
John 9:39-40 Jesus said, ‘I came into this world for judgement so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind.’ 40Some of the Pharisees near Jesus heard this and said to Jesus, ‘Surely we are not blind, are we?

There is no doubt that many religious communities and leaders chose to alienate us from their mosques and churches, we believe that Jesus spoke of these leaders when he spoke about spiritual blindness.

Religious Homophobia is on the rampage, religious people who are suppose to be God fearing and law abiding have turn their hands to extreme “Hate” Campaign against God’s LGBT children. What then happened to the message of Christ that said “Love your neighbour as yourself?”

We no longer accept discrimination on the grounds that we are an “unacceptable brand of religion in Nigeria”. We seek to exercise our freedom to praise and worship God without fear and discrimination.

Micah 6:8, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Homophobia in the Media.
Especially since May 2008, the Nigerian media with its circulation has herald the headship of homophobic stories, headlines range from “Homosexuals Must die” “Evil Church” to “We won’t succumb to Homosexuality”, these medium continue to enhance and incite hatred towards LGBT people, and criminality against our community has increased.
We expect that the media will assist to spread human rights awareness, inform people about human rights, empower marginalized communities to stand up, speak out and protect themselves. The media in any form is one of the most powerful methods to share, educate and inform the people. We are calling on the Nigerian media to help to end hate against LGBT people in this country.

Journalist should strive for Human Right goals and make everyone in the world fully aware of their rights. Creating rights awareness should be the first and most necessary step to ending rights abuses. Shamefully today the Nigerian media is the contrary and have endangered LGBT people’s lives in this nation.

Because of the media, today people "Live In Fear Everyday" it is our aim to put an end to this, LGBT people abroad are not only afraid to return to Nigeria, they do not trust the system and equally those at home are being vilified daily by the media and the society.

House Of Rainbow
We are committed to building a national movement of people who share these principles of equality and freedom for all. We are committed to raise a people of praise, build a people of power and spiritual activists.Within our organization we value learning, mutual respect, collaboration, and a diversity of viewpoints. We are a Justice Ministry and will continue to highlight the injustices against lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people in Nigeria regardless of faith background.

We believe we are made and created in the image of God, we believe in the inclusive gospel and expressive love of God for all people.

The United Nations declaration on sexual orientation and gender identity condemns violence, harassment, discrimination, exclusion, stigmatization, and prejudice based on sexual orientation and gender identity. It also condemns killings and executions, torture, arbitrary arrest, and deprivation of economic, social, and cultural rights on those grounds.

We are asking our government to formally endorse the United Nation’s declaration calling for the decriminalization of homosexuality.

God bless you all



Rev Rowland Jide Macaulay - LLB, MTh, FACTS.
On Behalf of the Leaders, Friends, and Members of
House Of Rainbow Metropolitan Community Church Nigeria

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

ORDER Your Copy of Pocket Devotional For LGBT Christians NOW HERE


Order your copy of Rev Rowland Jide Macaulay's Pocket Devotional For LGBT Christians NOW
" This devotional contains a companionable witness for daily 'mountain moving.' Reverend Rowland Jide Macaulay is a dear friend and colleague with a burning love for God's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people. He often inspires me. He does not shy away from sharing his truth with us, as this is the only way to be completely free, according to Jesus" Reverend Pressley Sutherland.


I am very moved by your devotional. I am especially moved by the directness of the appeal to readership that may identify with as a native son of Africa. I hope the book will contribute significantly to the outreach planned in Nigeria,... Rev Pat Bumgardener New York USA.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Letter of Invitation to Press Conference 16th May 2009

Letter of Invitation to Press Conference 16th May 2009

Dear Sir/Ma,

The Independent Project for Equal Rights (TIP) in collaboration with the International Center for Sexual Reproductive Rights (INCRESE) is please to cordially invite you to a press conference to mark the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO). This is in an effort to articulate our advocacy against discrimination meted on sexual minorities and people living with disabilities in Nigeria.Please below are the full details of the event;

Date: Saturday 16th May, 2009
Time: 10am
Venue: AHI Conference Hall- 17 Lawal Street off Oweh street. Jibowu. Yaba. Lagos.

Please kindly confirm your participation as soon as you receive this invitation.
Deadline for confirmation is Wednesday 13th May.

Come let's join our hand to fight all forms of discrimination.

For further information, please contact Ohwerhi Efe Brown through 08082685594.

Thank you and we look forward to seeing you.PS: Note that travel reimbursement will be made.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Is Homosexuality a Sin?


Is Homosexuality a Sin?by Rev. Dr. Kathlyn James


Rev. Dr. Kathlyn James, First United Methodist Church, SeattleThis sermon was delivered by Rev. James to Lake Washington United Methodist Church in 1997, and is reprinted here with permission.


Last August, we had a special Sunday in church called "Burning Questions," in which I responded, on an impromptu basis, to written questions from the congregation. At that time, I also promised to preach a series of sermons later in the year that would specifically address the top three, or most-asked questions submitted on that day. I have to admit, I could not have predicted the 'top three' questions that would come my way! They were: (1) Is homosexuality a sin? (2) Is there a hell? And (3) How can we forgive? This morning we begin by looking at the first of these: Is homosexuality a sin?

In preparation for today, I gathered together all the materials I could find on this subject. I gathered official denominational studies on homosexuality and the church -- not only the United Methodist study guide, but also documents from the Lutherans, Presbyterians, the United Church of Christ. I also made a stack of books with titles like Living in Sin? by an Episcopal bishop, and Is the Homosexual My Neighbor? by two evangelicals. I eventually had a stack of books and papers a foot deep on my desk. I spent the next several days reading, making notes, and preparing a line of argument for this morning's sermon.

But long about Tuesday of this week, I stopped and asked myself a question. What was my goal -- what is my goal, in addressing this topic from the pulpit this morning?
As your pastor, I know very well that homosexuality is a tender subject among us. It is an issues on which, as Christian people, we have diverse opinions and often very complex feelings. But I also know that this is a real question among us; it is not just a theoretical one. That's why you raised it. There are parents sitting here this morning who are wondering why their child is gay, if it means they've done something wrong, if anyone else has ever struggled with this. There are gay and lesbian Christians who are active members of the church, but who live in the closet because they don't want to lose their jobs, their homes, or your friendship and respect.
There are teenagers here who have contemplated suicide because they suspect they might be gay. Each of us here has our own background, confusion, and experience with this issue. It is time we talked about it.

My goal, this morning is to open the conversation. And this is the thought that occurred to me on Tuesday: what is the best way to begin the conversation? It's not by presenting a logical line of argument. That's how you begin a debate, not a conversation! The best way to begin a conversation, in which you want others to feel free to speak their mind, and no perspective to be silenced, is simply speak from your heart, out of your own experiences.

So let me set aside my pile of books and papers, this morning, and share with you at least part of my own journey around this issue. In the months ahead, beginning with the "dialogue" time immediately following church today, I invite you to do the same.

I grew up in an atmosphere of traditional values. My family belonged to a Congregational church in which, week after week, I absorbed a basically mainline Christian theology that emphasized the love of God for all people I was taught that the most important thing in life is to love God, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. In that environment, oddly enough, I don't remember one word ever being spoken about homosexuality. I don't even know when I first heard the term -- probably not before high school. When I did, it was not with any heavy overlay of negativity -- and in this, I have come to realize, my experience is very different from many people's. I did not grow up being told homosexuality was shameful or sordid; I never had a bad experience such as being molested by a person of my own gender. Only as an adult do I realize what a tremendous impact such early experiences have in shaping people's attitudes toward homosexuality.
In fact, I had never met a homosexual person, as far as I knew, even into my twenties. This combination of influences meant that my attitude was pretty much "live-and-let-live." I didn't see how it hurt anyone, or how it threatened me, if two people of the same sex wanted to love each other and live together. What was the big deal?

It really wasn't until seminary, when I was thirty years old, that the issue acquired a human face for me. Her name was Sally. I was a commuting student at Vancouver School of Theology, with a job and a husband and three children in Seattle. I drove up to Vancouver on Mondays and came home on Wednesdays, so I needed a place to stay two nights a week. Sally had a studio apartment on campus that she was willing to share in return for prorated rent. Over the next three years, Sally and I became fast friends.

I had never met anyone like Sally. For one thing, she was much more disciplined in her spiritual life than I was. She got up at 5:00 every morning, which I thought of as an ungodly hour, and left the apartment for a walk or a bike ride, during which she would pray. She bought all her clothes at Goodwill and had only five changes of clothing and two pairs of shoes in the closet. She spent several days a week volunteering in a soup kitchen downtown. She kept a prayer journal. Basically, she put me to shame. But the most appealing thing about Sally was that she loved God. She laughed easily, loved life, loved people, was funny and fun. One night, as we were going to bed--each of us in a single bed lined against the wall, our heads in the corners and our feet toward each other --she asked if I wanted to pray. I had never prayed with another person before--at least, not like that, opening our inner lives before God, in each other's presence--and at first I was halting and shy. But over time we made a habit of praying together, and it was in the course of those years of praying, of being honest with ourselves as possible in the presence of God, that Sally came out to herself as gay.

It was no problem for me that Sally was discovering this--and I have to add here, that like most people, Sally discovered her sexual orientation; it wasn't something she decided. Isn't that true for you, that your sexual orientation is something that just seems "given"? It wasn't as if Sally woke up one morning and thought, "All things being equal, I think I'd like to be a member of a despised minority." It was more a process of discovering and owning the truth about her make-up as a human being.

But I soon learned what a traumatic discovery that would be. Sally came out first to herself before God, then to her family, then to the seminary, then to the church. I accompanied her in that process. When the Presbyterian Church kicked her out of the ordination process, I was stricken; how could they say that Sally was not qualified to be a pastor? She was the best student in her class, and a better Christian than I ever expect to be. I knew that she had been gifted and called to the ministry. Then Sally was fired from her job as the Youth Director at the church, because someone sent the pastor a letter saying that she was gay. All I could think at the time was; this is absurd, this is evil. Sally is great with those kids; why would people assume she is not safe to work with them? Why did they think a heterosexual man or woman would be safer?

Things came to a head for me, one morning, when I was standing in the kitchen, pouring a glass of orange juice, and listening to Sally cry her eyes out on the bed. She often did, in those days. Finally I went over to her, sat on the edge of the bed, and began to stroke her hair. I was filled with helpless rage at the world, and fierce tenderness for my friend. I heard myself saying, "Sally, I don't know what being gay is. But if it's part of who you are, and if God made you this way, I say I'm glad you are who you are, and I love who you are, and I wouldn't want you to be any different."

As soon as those words were out of my mouth, I realized something. I had taken a stand. I knew where I stood on this issue. Sally did not deserve to be despised and rejected; it was the church who was wrong. After seminary I was appointed to serve Wallingford United Methodist Church in Seattle, which had decided some years earlier to become a reconciling congregation -- that is, a congregation that publicly states it is open and affirming toward all people, regardless of sexual orientation. From that point on, my learning curve was steep! One of my first pastoral calls was to a young man who had just slit his wrists with a razor blade. He explained that he was a Christian and couldn't deny it, that he was also gay and couldn't deny that either, even tough he had tried. He had been told he couldn't be both. His father had called him "human garbage." He was not fit to live. All I could do, in response, was to get down on my knees and ask for forgiveness for the church, for communicating to this young man that he was beyond the reach of God's love.

In the five years that followed, I had many such experiences. I had young men with AIDS look up at me with hollow eyes and ask, "Do you think I am an abomination?" I sat with young men calling for their parents as they died, parents who never came. These experiences had a profound impact on me. I kept going back in my mind, again, and again, to my earliest Christian training; the message that God loves everyone, and that Jesus said to love your neighbor as yourself. He didn't say, "love your neighbor, unless he or she happens to be homosexual." He never said one word about homosexuality at all.

Jesus spent his whole life going to the poor, the marginalized, the persons who were called unclean by their society, and demonstrating that God's love included them. He treated them with compassion. His own harshest words were for the Pharisees who believed that they were righteous in God's eyes, that others were not, and that God's judgments and opinions were identical to their own.

Which brings me to the question of what the Bible has to say about homosexuality. There is not time, this morning, to take up that question in depth -- we will have plenty of time for that later, in ongoing Bible studies and discussion. But let me say a few things here. The world "homosexual" does not appear anywhere in the Bible -- that words was not invented in any language, until the 1890s, when for the first time the awareness developed that there are people with a constitutional orientation toward their own sex.

In the whole Bible, there are only seven brief passages that deal with homosexual behavior. The first is the story of Sodom and Gomorra, which I preached on last fall, which is actually irrelevant to the issue. The attempted gang rape in Sodom has nothing to say about whether or not genuine love expressed between consenting adults of the same gender is legitimate.
Neither does the passage in Deuteronomy 23, which refers to Canaanite fertility rites that have infiltrated Jewish worship. Passages in I Corinthians and I Timothy refer to male prostitution. Two often-quoted passages prohibiting male homosexual behavior are found in the book of Leviticus. Leviticus also stipulates that any man who touches a woman during her menstrual period is to be stoned to death, that adulterers are to be executed, that interracial marriage is sinful, that two types of cloth are not to be worn together, and certain foods must never be eaten.

I know of no Christians, no matter how fundamentalist, who believe that Christians are bound to obey all of the Levitical laws. Instead we are driven to ask deeper questions about how to rightly interpret Scripture, how to separate the Word of God from cultural norms and prejudices -- that is, how to separate the Message from the envelope in which it comes.

The final Biblical text that deals with homosexual behavior is found in Paul's letter to the Romans, in which he unequivocally condemns homosexual behavior. The background for his understanding was the common Roman practice of older males 'keeping' young boys for sexual exploitation, which he was right to condemn.

But even if this were not the case, even if Paul knew about and condemned all forms of homosexual behavior, even the most loving, what then? Paul also told women not to teach, not to cut their hair, not to speak in church. Do we follow his teaching? He told slaves to obey their masters not once, but five times -- are we prepared to say today, as Southern slave owners argued 150 years ago, that slavery is God's will?

The fact is, I am not a disciple of Paul. I am an admirer of Paul, but a disciple of Jesus Christ. Paul himself says that we should not follow him, but Christ alone. So I come back, again to the life and teaching of Jesus as the center of my faith. In that light all other biblical teaching must be critiqued. There are seven passages about homosexual behavior in the Bible, all of which are debatable as to their meaning for us today. There are thousands of references in the Bible that call us, as Jesus commands, to love our neighbor, to work for peace and reconciliation among all people, and to leave judgment to God.

When I was pastor at Wallingford, I put biblical and intellectual foundations under my "heart" experience of knowing Sally. In those years I also came to appreciate a community in which both gay and straight Christians could worship together, serve on the Trustees, sing in the choir -- simply be human together, trying to grow in the capacity to love God and neighbor without fear.
As a result, when you ask me, "Is homosexuality a sin?" My answer today is: "No." I may be wrong, and I ask God's forgiveness if I am. But I don't believe that sexual orientation has anything to do with morality, any more than being blond or tall or left-handed does. Homosexuals as well as heterosexuals can be involved in sexual sin, including promiscuity, infidelity, and abuse. And homosexuals as well as heterosexuals can love one another with faithfulness, tenderness, and integrity. The same standards of moral behavior should apply to Christians, straight and gay. That is what my life experience as a pastor has led me to believe.
When a homosexual couple comes to meet with me in my office, then, and asks, "Will we be accepted in this church?" I can answer, "I will accept you." But I can only speak for myself. What shall I say on behalf of our whole congregation?

Shall I say, "Yes, you will be accepted here, as long as you aren't open about who you are and who you love?" Shall I say, "Yes, you will be accepted here, but you may not serve in any leadership positions." Shall I say, "Yes, you will be accepted here, but whatever you do, don't hold hands in church. Only heterosexual couples are allowed to do that." Shall I just say, "No." Or, perhaps, simply, "Yes."

The only way we will arrive at a consensus on how this question should be answered is by taking time, over the coming year, to examine ourselves, study the Bible, think, read, pray, listen, and share our diverse life experiences with each other, asking together what God is calling this congregation to do and be.

Let the conversation begin.
Amen.
Rev. Dr. Kathlyn James is the Senior Pastor of First United Methodist Church, Seattle, Washington.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Contact Representative for House Of Rainbow Nigeria







Do you wish to know more about the activities of House Of Rainbow Metropolitan Community Church in Nigeria, Call HOR's Lay Delegate Obinna on 0805 241 7256. or visit us at http://www.youtube.com/HouseOfRainbow also join our virtual ministry at http://spiritualityandsexuality.ning.com/ or chat direct with rev Jide on Yahoo Messenger id REVJIDE

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Bishop Yvette Flunder To Receive Clergy Credentials


N E W S R E L E A S E

For Immediate Release


Bishop Yvette Flunder To Receive Clergy Credentials in Denomination of Metropolitan Community Churches


May 3rd Event In Washington DC Another Step In DeepeningThe Relationship Between MCC, The Fellowship, Says MCC ModeratorWASHINGTON, DC-Bishop Yvette Flunder, presiding bishop of The Fellowship, a movement of churches and faith leaders built on God's radically inclusive love, will receive clergy credentials in Metropolitan Community Churches during events in Washington, DC on Sunday, May 3, 2009. Metropolitan Community Churches is the world's largest and oldest Christian denomination with a primary affirming ministry to lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender persons, along with their families, friends, and allies.


Bishop Flunder, an internationally-known preacher, educator, conference speaker and singer, holds clergy credentials in the United Church of Christ and founded City of Refuge United Church of Christ in San Francisco in 1991. In 2003, she was consecrated Presiding Bishop of The Fellowship, a multi-denominational movement of more than 50 churches and faith organizations in the U.S. and Africa.Rev. Flunder has served as a consultant to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Congressional Black Caucus Health Brain Trust and the Department of Health and Human Services. She is the past board president of Justice and Witness Ministries for the United Church of Christ.


Bishop Flunder currently serves as a board member of the National Sexuality Resource Center and is a trustee of Pacific School of Religion. Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson, moderator of Metropolitan Community Churches, said, "We share a deep connection with Bishop Flunder and The Fellowship; we share a common calling and a common ministry of inclusive Christianity. In a very real sense, she has been part of our movement for a long time."


Both The Fellowship and Metropolitan Community Churches offer positive, welcoming ministry to the LGBT communities and preach an inclusive gospel message. For additional information on the intentional relationship-building between the two faith organizations, read "From Cooperation to Collaboration: Growing Relationship Between MCC and the Fellowship "


"In ordaining Bishop Flunder as clergy within Metropolitan Community Churches, we affirm our trust in her ministry in the Fellowship," added Rev. Wilson. "We know that the same Spirit that animates MCC animates the Fellowship; we are one in Christ. We value Bishop Flunder's ministry, celebrate her calling, and honor her contributions to us."In remarks this week, Bishop Flunder noted, "For years I have deeply appreciated the contribution of Metropolitan Community Churches to the 'Jesus' work of ending injustice everywhere.


The justice work of MCC has not been limited to extending God's Extravagant Grace to sexual minority communities; it has also made a significant impact in bringing an end to racism, sexism, patriarchy and war. This is a Church that had its beginnings in the fire of Pentecostalism and political awareness...Spirit and Truth. I am thrilled to embody a connection between the United Church of Christ, The Fellowship and Metropolitan Community Churches...great justice movements of our time." Rev. Wilson indicated that she will also seek clergy credentialing with The Fellowship "as part of our ongoing commitment to strengthen and deepen the relationship between our two movements." Bishop Flunder is a graduate of the Ministry Studies and Master of Arts programs at the Pacific School of Religion, Berkeley, California, and holds the Doctor of Ministry degree from San Francisco Theological Seminary, San Anselmo, California. She is the author of Where The Edge Gathers: Building A Community of Radical Inclusion. MCC clergy credentials will be conferred upon Bishop Flunder during the 11 am worship service of Metropolitan Community Church of Washington, DC, 474 Ridge Street NW, Washington, DC 20001 where Rev. Dr. Charlie Arehart is interim pastor. The occasion will mark the first time since 2005 that MCC has extended extraordinary credentials, and the first during the tenure of Rev. Nancy L. Wilson as MCC Moderator. ( E N D )


To Arrange Media Interviews

With Bishop Yvette Flunder,

Contact:Franzetta Houston

Assistant to the Bishop

Tel. (415) 350-3350E-mail: TheFellowship@pacbell.net #


To Arrange Media Interviews

With Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson,

Contact:Jim BirkittCommunications Director

Metropolitan Community Churches

Tel. (310) 625-4177E-mail: info@MCCchurch.net