Good Friday Observed

Nailed to a cross

Mocked by men

Abandoned?

Three women watch nearby

Cling to each other

Agony

He speaks to them

Take care of each other

Love

Wine is offered on a cloth

He takes his last breath

Finished

The sky turns black

Temple curtain tears

Despair

Candles light a darkened sanctuary

Cross is draped in black

Solemn

The story of this dark day is told

One by one candles extinguished

Remember

Emotions run deep

Feelings unspoken

Tears

What pain do you bear?

Bring it to the cross

Release

Even in the darkness

The love is there

Wait

Just Add the Words, Idaho

A year has passed since we attended rallies, a hearing, and posted notes in the Statehouse asking our legislators to add the words “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to the Idaho Human Rights Act.  Nothing happened last year.  This year organizers decided to try a different tactic.  Lawmakers were approached individually for conversation.  Organizers asked them about their concerns on this subject and listened carefully to their answers.  What they discovered was a lot of fear—of constituents, of what could happen next, of flamboyant behavior, and more.

In early February, an educational panel discussion was held on the Idaho Human Rights Act.  Community leaders, businessmen, and clergy spoke about the importance of amending the Act.  This event was well attended by the community, but unfortunately not by lawmakers, even though it was held in the capitol building during lunch hour.  The discussion was videotaped and is being shown around Idaho.  We hosted a viewing at my church.

Yesterday supporters were given the opportunity to educate the Senate and House State Affairs Committees in a joint listening session.  This was a huge step.  No public testimony was taken, but everyone was welcome to attend.  I was there with other members from my church.  There were five speakers—a conservative, retired business manager with a gay son, the Boise City Chief of Police, a lesbian, a representative of a large business organization, and a Human Resources manager of a large company.  These people spoke clearly about why a change is needed.  The first speaker shared from his heart about his struggle to change his point of view when his employer mandated a non-discrimination policy and he had to help implement it.  When his son announced he was gay, his attitude began to shift.  The police chief was eloquent in his plea for safety for all citizens.  The lesbian touched everyone, I think, when she told how she had feared for her job and was unable to openly share about her family.  She is very normal-looking, even beautiful—perhaps some legislators noticed her lack of flamboyance.  The businessman talked about the importance of having diversity and non-discrimination policies in order to attract new businesses to our state.  The HR manager explained how she integrated gay and transgender employees into the workplace.  At the end, legislators asked a few questions of the speakers, and of some of the community leaders sitting in the front row.  (My pastor was there.)  It was a good hour, and hopefully some minds were opened.  However, there will be no bill this year.

At a time when other states are passing laws allowing same-sex marriage, Idaho cannot even pass non-discrimination legislation.  It is very discouraging.  Our LGBT citizens have been waiting a long time.  If lawmakers would just take the time to get to know some of their LGBT constituents, I think their hearts would be opened.  Since my church has become a Reconciling Congregation (welcoming all), we have had all sorts of people walk through our doors.  My Reconciling Ministries team actually has five lesbians on it.  They are very normal people living very ordinary lives.  They have shared some of their fears and struggles with the rest of us.  We have just begun a LGBT support group.  There were seven people at the first meeting and more will be joining.  On Sunday, while chatting with another member, he came out to me and said he wants to be a part of this group.  I was so pleased that he trusted me and our church enough to take this big step.  All of these LGBT members are good people and make our church much richer for their presence.

The gay man I mentioned asked me yesterday, “Why is this such an issue?”  Honestly, I don’t know.  Why are people so obsessed with who others love and what they do in their bedrooms?  As I’ve told a lesbian friend, the least interesting thing about her is that she is a lesbian.  She is so much more.  The state senator who organized yesterday’s session said that many mothers all over the state have contacted her and said that their gay son or daughter can’t come home to their small town.  The hurt runs deep.  When are lawmakers going to show compassion and end the discrimination?  As this senator stated, “I don’t like ‘oughts’ and ‘shoulds,’ but the light comes on at some time.  I’m ready for the light.”  Let there be light.

3/21/2013

The Elimination Diet

On the advice of my physical therapist, I went to see a new doctor recently.  She specializes in diet and nutrition; my physical therapist thinks she may be able to help me with my inflammation which could be due to a food sensitivity.  I had filled out a bunch of paperwork beforehand.  The doctor asked me lots of questions, examined me, and sent me home with information on the “Comprehensive Elimination Diet.”  The purpose of this diet is to “clear the body of foods and chemicals you may be allergic or sensitive to, and , at the same time, improve your body’s ability to handle and dispose of these substances.”  I cannot eat wheat, corn, rye, dairy, eggs, oranges, pork, beef, sausage, shellfish, cold cuts, soy products, peanuts, peanut butter, butter, margarine, processed oils, salad dressing, mayonnaise, alcohol, coffee (no caffeine), soft drinks, refined sugar, white/brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, corn syrup, chocolate, most condiments, and more.  Wow.  This is a challenge.

Before I could begin the diet, I needed to go shopping to purchase alternative foods.  I was give a shopping list, a 7-day menu, and recipes.  I ended up visiting three stores, the last one a natural foods store, to find everything I needed.  It was expensive.  The first 2 days I followed the menu and did a lot of cooking.  Our refrigerator was overflowing with vegetables and containers.  As the days pass, I am learning to simplify and reuse leftovers in new ways.

How is it going?  I am now on Day 11.  The first few days I had a horrible, splitting headache from caffeine withdrawal.  My physical symptoms which caused me to seek help have, so far, remained.  I was warned that it might be best to avoid strenuous activity while my body adjusts to this huge change in diet.  I have ignored that and continue to exercise and attend my tap class.  I have noticed that I have much less energy.   I have learned that this is not a very portable diet.  A few days ago, I attended a conference and had to take all my own food AND distilled water and tea.  However, I am learning a lot about what is in the food we eat.  I am forced to read labels.  The food we buy in our supermarkets has so many additives and contaminants.  Buying organic food can be frustrating (to find) and expensive.  No matter what I discover from this diet, I now have a new awareness about the food I put into my body.