Living the Welcome in the Observer

Posted on: 03/04/2011 13:08

I would like to use this opportunity to thank the Observer and freelance writer Larke Turnbull for not only the article on Cindy Bourgeois, but the choice of language and thus a true and meaningful understanding of the transgendered.

What wording has me so overjoyed?

In the lead in, in large letters it reads "Rev. Cindy Bourgeois is the first known transgender person to be ordained in the United Church."

"Known".

In one word, it embraced.

I debated that very word here on Wondercafe in reference to Cindy and found it met with harshness and a refusal to understand.

The second question's wording drove it home, "...you identified as female....?"

"Identified".

Thank you, Larke.

Thank you, Observer staff, for not editted words that mean the world.

Identity is inside and cannot be sometimes seen or is kept hidden. In the past many identified privately and not publicly. Can we say they were not there because they were invisible to us? Because we refused to see them? Because we missed the clues they dropped or the hints they provided?

Not using the word "known" denies they might have even existed. As Cindy says so poignantly in the article, "erased".

Words like "known" and "openly" matter in areas of people and escpecially in certain circles of peoples.

Our Observer arrived yesterday. As I read last night, tears streamed my face. So much so that I had to pause mid-article, put my clenched fist to my face and breathe, blow my nose to continue. My wife said, "What are you reading?" I said, "wait". When I finshed, I passed the magazine to her. She read and tears ran down her cheeks. She smiled afterwards and said, "we've come a long way, baby" and we hugged.

We have come a long way. Yes, there is still a long way to go. Yet, what a long way we have come.

I never dreamed I could type "my wife". I never thought I would be accepted in a church if I was openly myself. I never thought I would see someone like myself wearing vestments.

Thank you, Cindy, for being one of those trans and gender-queer people who stand up, even when it means standing out, and allow others to see you and know they are not alone.

Thank you, Larke, for language that in loving and understanding.

Thank you, Observer, for the article.

Maybe, just maybe, now seeing it attached to a person and not an avatar or font some people can understand why words do indeed matter. It is not just semantics. It is being visible or erased.

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Comments

cjms

Posted on: 03/04/2011 17:01

phgo1

Posted on: 03/04/2011 18:06

the Article was very well written, it helps to read articles like this one to help us all understand the beauty that makes us all God's children

myst

Posted on: 03/04/2011 20:48

I also really appreciated the article. I agree, SG, language and word choice is so important. I'm glad this article was so positive and meaningful for you SG.

Jobam

Posted on: 03/05/2011 19:49

"We - the community" have been ignored by the Observer for far to long...I am so glad that they are finally taking up the cross.... I am sure they will get some "heat" for the article but I do hope it is a sign of things to come...."we" are in the church and need positive re-inforcement.

Thank you Observer!!!!!!!!

DKS

Posted on: 03/05/2011 22:44

Jobam wrote:

Thank you Observer!!!!!!!!

While Cindy is the first known transgendered minister ( I had the privilige of interviewing her prior to her transfer and settlement), I am aware of one other in active ministry, now. I have a transgendered person in my congregation who is 4 months post-op.

Posted on: 03/06/2011 02:16

DKS, Thank you for your ability to use the word "known", now.

Jobam

Posted on: 03/06/2011 21:45

Thanks DKS - sad how long it take the Observer to catch up what's really going on in churches.....I realize that the Obersver is not afflicated with the UCC as it is its own seperate entity but it would be nice if it could reflect the current status of churches...when you read the letters to the editor its easy to see why they don't do to much on the LGBT2SQ community.

Pinga

Posted on: 03/06/2011 22:39

wait, Jobam..this isn't the first article and it won't be the last...nor is it the first article on anyone who might be included in the affirm umbrella. There are many topics to be covered on social justice issues and inclusion.

I can ask a friend, but, I am fairly sure she was featured as well....in a previous article.

Here is a link to an article by her posted on the United Church of Canada site: http://www.united-church.ca/files/renewal/connecting_being.pdf

In addition, there are links to Torchlight there.

carolla

Posted on: 03/07/2011 00:12

Interesting article pinga - thanks for sharing. Love to Michelle, and all who walk(ed) the courageous journey with her.

DKS

Posted on: 03/14/2011 06:13

Another transgendered pastor in the United Church of Christ.

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_17608273

Jobam

Posted on: 03/15/2011 11:39

Thanks Pinga...I was being more general - we haven't see a lot of articles on the LGBT2SQ community as a whole...there have been a few but as I mentioned in a letter to the editor last year on their Valentine’s Day article - there was no reference to same sex relationships at all in a wonderfully written article on love.....

I don't what the sensational articles all the time, just remember that we are in the pews, we get married, we die, we have kids etc....same things as most folks but rarely are included ....perhaps, we are supposed to take for granted that we are included, but the “community” is not there yet.

I haven't seem much on bullying either - not the Observer is really reflective of the younger folks but it is a real issue on lots of YouTube Videos on LGBT2SQ's suicide/bullying etc.

One thing that hasn’t been done – to my knowledge – and I would love to see a story on it sometime is getting older as a gay person – I am 52 – looking ahead to nursing homes….how welcome would I feel in an Ontario nursing home…I will most likely be housed with 1,2 or 3 other males, who most likely will be straight….most institutions have gay staff, but it will be interesting to see how “we” fit in …or if we just have to conform….

Also, it would be great to know what our church camps are doing for gay kids/youth. Our local United Church camp is looking into the possibility of having a youth leadership week for the LGBT2SQ community next summer…..what are other church camps doing – how is the Observer reflecting and reporting on our summer camps….etc..etc..etc.. Yes, I could go on…LOL

martha

Posted on: 03/15/2011 14:13

http://v1.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/Deaths.20110310.93258750/BDAStory/BDA/deaths

I hope this link works...

Anyway: let me set it up for y'all. This is (supposed to be) a link to an obituary for a most remarkable, accomplished and amazing person. I encourage you to read it.

My Mom pointed it out in the Kingston Whig Standard, as Terry Willett was a long time prof. at Queen's University in the Sociology Dept. She saved it for me to read, as the life story of Terry is so amazing. The whole thing is interesting, the end is wonderful.

Posted on: 03/15/2011 15:40

Thank you, Martha. This article went into my archives. Thanks also to your mom.

DKS

Posted on: 03/15/2011 17:24

Jobam wrote:

There has been some in this area in several Toronto nursing homes. One of my colleagues in presbytery was heavily involved. It came out of work done in the gay community in Toronto around AIDS. Remarkable stuff, from what he told me.

mgagnonlv

Posted on: 03/16/2011 09:04

Two separate issues here.

1. Cindy Bourgeois.

I find there is a "hidden elephant" in the closet. The very fact of reading an article on her leads me to ask whether we ask too much on a single person and on her congregation. What her congregation wants and needs is a great pastor, period. I believe she is and I hope the attention she gets will be useful to her and her congregation.

As a francophone living in Québec, I am also curious of her origins. Is she one of the "Bourgeois" who moved from a French-speaking area of Canada and does she have a working knowledge of French? Unless I missed something, there is absolutely no reference on that. Even though French is not a commonly used language in the Toronto area, it would still be another asset to her.

2. Jobam and his quest for gay-friendly nursing homes.
From what I know around here, it depends. Cities are more accepting than small towns. But overall, there is a general concensus amongst many persons in charge that seniors have no sexual desires or needs and that's especially true for seniors who need a nursing home. Heterosexual relations are frowned on in nursing homes – they are usually considered as "abuse" even when they are not – and heterosexual marriage is seen as very odd.

Beloved

Posted on: 03/16/2011 12:25

martha wrote:

The whole thing is interesting, the end is wonderful.

Very interesting (and wonderful) - thanks for sharing.

Jobam

Posted on: 03/16/2011 20:42

mgagnonlv wrote:

Two separate issues here.

1. Cindy Bourgeois.

Actually I disagree...the thread is Living the Welcome in the Observer. The issues are the same....the Observer is taking the time to profile the "communtiy" and help make others aware that we are in the pews.....This is great news for all...hope for more....

mgagnonlv

Posted on: 03/16/2011 22:45

I agree with you Jobam: let's hope for more. Let's hope that she is not the first and only transgender person who becomes a minister. Yet at the same time, it still leaves me wondering about the effect of public exposure on her ministry to the parish. I'm thinking here much more about the effects of exposure by other media such as the CBC, newspapers, etc.

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