You’ve heard of the phrase, “We’re everywhere!” Well, it’s true. Our LGBT community is wide and diverse. And it’s so important for every voice to be heard and treated with equality. It makes a difference when you use your gifts and talents and make your part of the world a better place.
A year ago, the first ever San Diego County Sheriff’s LGBT Advisory Board was commissioned. It is a diverse group of committed members: Bruce Abrams, Ryan Bedrosian, Stampp Corbin, Thomas Dickerson, Max Disposti, Susan Jester, Dan Koeshall, Julia Ashley Legaspi, Thomas Luhnow, Mike Phillips (Big Mike), Carolina Ramos, Joyce Rowland, Mattheus Stephens and Stephen Whitburn, co-chaired by Jacquelyn Atkinson and Nicole Murray Ramirez.
We are there to advise and educate a very open sheriff and staff. We cover a wide range of topics. At our first meeting, one of the items we discussed was the fair and equal treatment for our LGBT sisters and brothers in the jail system. We later went on an extensive tour of City Jail, observed the intake procedure and saw the facilities.
Sheriff Gore and his department have been quick to respond very favorably to injustices reported to them by this Advisory Board. I commend them for that.
It was also observed that because the transgender population has to be separated from the main population of the jail for their safety, spiritual services were not being adequately offered to them. I was asked to consider meeting this need and filling this void. In the midst of a busy schedule, I knew my answer already.
I gathered a couple of wonderful people from The Met Church (MCC San Diego) around me. We filled out the paperwork, got screened, went to an orientation – and after getting our clearance, we were ready to hold spiritual support services to this great group of people.
We currently go twice a month to the jail and we have services with our transgender sisters there. We meet in the exercise courtyard, which is small and enclosed, and there they get revitalized by the fresh air and people who genuinely care about them and their spiritual well-being.
Through the months, we have seen people come and go – and some return. We are there to encourage them on whatever their spiritual path is. We do not proselytize them. We study, laugh, pray and share tears as we listen and share God’s abundant and inclusive love.
I thank God for the many people all over San Diego County who are making a positive difference. Many of you are doing it silently, without acknowledgment. I want to thank you. Keep up the good work!
There’s an old song whose last line I like to change: “Reach out and touch somebody’s hand. Make this world a better place …yes, you can!”
