We are in the midst of a five week series called: Being: beautiful, bold, brilliant, blessed and boundless.
This series is rich with personal story-telling. We are engaging the Christian theological perspective on the LGBTQ+ and re-examining what the Bible actually says. We have been engaged in what it means to be children of God, most importantly, we hope to hear something new and learn from this series.
This past Sunday, February 2, Nancy Briley gave a beautiful testimony about who she is, her faith and the church. I met Nancy some where around 2009/10. She remembers the story better than I do. Our paths have crossed again this past fall at Black Forest Community Church. I know for some communities that the open and affirming designation and the topic of LGBTQ+ folx in the church has been tackled. We believe at BFCC there is still more work to do- not just in the church but in Northern El Paso County/Colorado Springs.
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Testimony:
I am what I am.
I am my own, special creation.
So come, take a look.
Give me the hook, or the ovation.
It's my world that I want to have a little pride in,
My world, and it's not a place I have to hide in.
Life's not worth a damn,
'Til you can say,
“Hey world,
I am what I am!”
Those are the opening lyrics to a song that came to be known as the “gay anthem.”
It's from the musical, “La Cage aux Folles,” which was produced on Broadway in 1983. It was written by Jerry Herman, who passed away just this past December, at age 88. He also wrote the music for “Mame” and “Hello Dolly!”
Jerry Herman was a gay man. He was “family.”
I encourage you to listen to the whole song, sung by George Hearn, on You Tube. This song brings tears to my eyes. It has every time I've heard it since I first saw the staged production in Denver.
This is OUR SONG.
Bold? I have always been bold. That just comes naturally to me. Can't help it.
I have never, really, been closeted. I wore this scarf when I toured Russia in 2013, because Putin had announced new laws against open homosexuality.
Yet, I was raised by the Golden Rule, and I have generally found that treating others with kindness and respect brings the same to me. I have pretty much always operated on the premise that people who are
“cool” will figure me out, and people who aren't don't usually know or care to know that I am Lesbian.
I have usually attended the Episcopal church, since the 1980's, when I started attending St. Thomas' Church in Denver. It wasn't until I had my own epiphany experience at St. Thomas that I began to
hear and understand the words, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Be still, and know. Wow. What an idea! I could gain strength by learning to keep my mouth shut.
It took a lot of prayer, and God still isn't quite finished with me.
In 2003, an openly gay man, was elected Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese. His ordination rocked, and ultimately split, the Episcopal Church of the United States.
At the time, I was attending Christ Episcopal Church, a small parish in the very conservative community. I was “out” to the priest, and while many in the parish knew that I was Lesbian, I wasn't terribly blatant. It was just never a subject. I treated everyone with respect and was treated likewise.
In an effort, I believe, to be open and honest, our priest held a meeting after the service one Sunday in which he wanted to have a dialogue about the upcoming ordination of Bishop Robinson.
In his opening comments, he spoke of the importance of inclusion, but then made the comment that homosexuals “are kind of like your alcoholic uncle”; maybe an embarrassment, but still part of the family. What???
I tried to gather my thoughts while some others spoke, then I stood up and said, “I am Nancy Briley. As some of you know, and others have probably suspected, I am homosexual. I can understand if you are uncomfortable with the idea of a gay bishop. Colorado will probably not elect a gay bishop. But I am not okay with being compared to an “alcoholic uncle,” who must be tolerated. I have attended this church for more than 12 years. I have raised my son in this parish. And this is just not okay.”
I could literally feel the warmth and support of some of the members. I could also see the chagrin of those who had just awakened to the reality that speaking out against the imagined “evil” in homosexuals was, in fact, speaking out against one of their own. Several people later apologized, during the discussion, as well as after.
After that, I continued to be treated with kindness and respect by all in that parish. Some warmed to me even more, feeling privileged that I was trusting enough to speak out. One or two simply avoided me from then on.
I am so blessed. I am surrounded by friends and family and even just acquaintances who love and accept me, even when I am a little too bold, maybe a little rough around the edges.
Many churches, even many of the Episcopal churches in Colorado Springs, are now open and affirming or open and welcoming.
Kindness and respect. We're called to love each other, no matter what.
And the next verse ends,
Your life is a sham
'Til you can shout, out loud,
“I am what I am.”