Most of us have some form of interest in human sexuality... In my case, it took the form of a desire to understand it in the context of my spiritual search. I attended the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality in San Francisco and received the certificate Instructor in Human Sexuality. I have taught sexuality at the community college level.
I founded and was executive director of Ministry in Human Sexuality, a non-profit counseling, education and advocacy agency in Lincoln from 1981 to 1988. We provided counseling and education programs to individuals and groups who were interested in growing in their understanding of sexuality, or in solving some problem related to sexuality.
I believe with James B. Nelson in Embodiment that "sexuality is a sign, a symbol, and a means of our call to communication and communion."
The United Methodist Church has some good things to say about sexuality and equal rights but also some things that ultimately are hurtful to those whose gift of sexuality, from their life experience, their genetic heritage, or their choices, does not fit neatly into the heterosexual marriage model of sexual expression. I believe that God's creation of sexuality is indeed a gift and that it is a much more diverse gift than most people know. The United Methodist Church meets officially every four years to determine directions and policy at a General Conference. The 1996 General Conference was in Denver. It was an important experience for me. I worked to support changes to the church that would help gay, lesbian, and bisexual folk feel more welcome, and that would help the church acknowledge more honestly and more gracefully the diversity of human sexuality. The General Conference of 2000 was in Cleveland, Ohio, and I provided computer assistance for a coalition of liberal groups. Unfortunately, the behavior of some delegates towards GLBT persons was deeply distressing to me and many others; it was anything but Christian.
One of the big problems with the current debate in the church and in the culture is the lack of understanding of sexual orientation itself. I think that the perspective provided by Fritz Klein and many others can help broaden the discussion beyond the either-or, heterosexual-homosexual dichotomy, which is ultimately inaccurate. You can find more information on this in the articles on sexual orientation here and here on this site.
I continue to work towards greater acknowledgement of the diversity of human sexuality in our society. I do this through my support of The Reconciling Ministries Network, and Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays in Denver (visit the site of National PFLAG--graphics intensive).
Brief thought-provoking quotes (mostly from Open Hands magazine).
Two Perspectives on the Bible and "Homosexuality":
Find a United Methodist Reconciling Community.
A huge collection of sexuality links.
Read the full text of the United Methodist Social Principles here and here (especially "The Nurturing Community" and "The Social Community").