Movie Night! "Taboo... Yardies" at General Seminary

Integrity NYC-Metro is not sponsoring this event. We are passing this relevant opportunity along as a courtesy.

GLBT at GTS and Students of Color are proud to present a screening of Taboo ... Yardies on Friday, April 28th at 7 p.m. in the Seabury Auditorium at General Theological Seminary. "The concept of the documentary Taboo Yardies is to explore the perception of Jamaica as an island that is saturated with homophobia by providing Jamaicans who are pro, con and everywhere in-between on this highly controversial issue an opportunity to share their own realities. Additionally, the film gives a voice to those Jamaicans who dare to speak up and out about the intolerance and violence towards lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, particularly as it pertains to an individual’s human rights.  We hope to give viewers an opportunity to decide for themselves whether to view Jamaica as a homophobic culture is perception or reality. More importantly, we hope Taboo ... Yardies becomes a vehicle that spurs an open an honest conversation that ultimately promotes respect and tolerance for all people regardless of sexual orientation. This documentary is unashamedly in support of human rights and against violence being advocated and/or perpetrated against LGBT Jamaicans." Enter the campus on 21st street between 9th & 10th avenues. Transit 23 St (8th Ave)

Love Free or Die Recap

Integrity Leaders at Screening of Love Free or Die:
(back) Christian Paolino, Paul Lane, Mary O'Shaughnessy, Marlin Mattson
(front) The Rev. Megan Sanders, Dr. Louie Crew, Chap James Day

We were pleased to welcome about 40 people from both sides of the river to a recent screening of Love Free or Die at Grace Church in the Van Vorst section of Jersey City. The film is a biography of The Right Rev. Gene Robinson, the first out gay person to be ordained a bishop of any church,

Among us were Integrity's founder. Dr. Louie Crew; the Rev. Liz Edman, Board President of the Hudson Pride Connections Center, which co-sponsored the event along with The OASIS, the LGBT ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark; and Michael Cudney, Chair of the LGBT Concerns Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of New York.  Chapter President Mary O'Shaughnessy greeted everyone afterwards and shared news of upcoming Chapter events.

After the film and a short discussion, we were led in Compline (a short prayer service that is the last component of the Daily Office) by our chapter's recently-called Chaplain, The Rev. Megan Sanders.  Megan splits her time between the Seamen's Church Institute at Port Newark and St. Luke's Church in Montclair, N.J.

The film was a look back at Bishop Robinson's ministry and the world's reaction to it, beginning not at his consecration but the Lambeth Conference of 2008, to which he was specifically not invited by the Archbishop of Canterbury.  It presented not only his reactions and views, but gave a voice to those for whom his ordination was deeply troubling.  We enjoyed seeing many familiar faces in the film, including several people in the room.

If you were there and want to share your impressions of the film, please comment!  If you missed the screening, please stay tuned as we have had several offers to host another one.  Thank you to The Rev. Dr. Barrie Bates, Interim Rector at Grace Church Van Vorst, and parishioner Donald Gallagher, for their hospitality and assistance.

New Parish Partner: Trinity Church, Ossining, N.Y.

We're flushed with gratitude as we announce our fourth new Proud Parish Partner in under a week!  Joining the ranks is Trinity Church in Ossining, N.Y., part of the Episcopal Diocese of New York.

Trinity was founded in 1868 by veterans of the Union Army returning from the Civil War.  It met first in a basement, then was a tenant in a Presbyterian church which stood where the current Trinity structure is today.

Trinity is currently in a period of exploration in partnership with Ossining's other Episcopal parish, St. Paul's-on-the-Hill,  under the interim leadership of The Rev. Cooper Conway.  The parishes are celebrating Holy Week together with events scheduled at both locations, and examining new ways to cooperate as they plan their respective futures.  The schedule has been added to our list of Holy Week events at our Proud Parish Partner congregations in the area.

Thanks to Tam Hernandez for making this happen.