SAN DIEGO – Saturday Aug. 2 from 1-4 p.m., The San Diego LGBT Community Center, 3909 Centre Street in San Diego will host the first ever LGBTQ Spiritual Summit in San Diego. Faith leaders from such diverse religious traditions as traditional Christianity, Humanism, Buddhism, Judaism, Catholicism, New Thought/Religious Science and others will answer questions about LGBTQ spirituality as part of a panel, as well as answering questions from the audience. Participating organizations will also offer information about their congregations to attendees who wish to learn more about their specific teachings.
Many people in the LGBTQ community bring a difficult and painful past with them related to religion and spirituality. Historically, most faith-based organizations have taught that homosexuality is intrinsically wrong, and unless one either abstains or is “cured,” the future holds a fiery hell. And even if one has never set foot in a church or synagogue, this prevailing belief has been very common over time.
Having a foundational belief that an unchangeable part of one’s being is bad can affect how we experience life, the choices we make, and how we view others and ourselves. Thankfully, progressive religious denominations and spiritual traditions are beginning to tolerate, if not welcome and embrace, members of the LGBTQ community.
Because of this emerging face of LGBTQ spirituality, an organization named the LGBQT Spiritual Summit has been created to bring religious and spiritual leaders across many differing faiths together to discuss their views, and invite members of the LGBTQ community, as well as the general public, to explore their relationship with a Higher Power (God, Spirit, the Universe, one’s Higher Self).
Founded by Rev. Jerry Troyer of Joyful Living Spiritual Center and author of Coming Out to Ourselves…Admitting, Accepting and Embracing Who We Truly Are, Rev. Troyer said, “So much of our day-to-day experiences have to do with what we believe about ourselves. How can we be loving and nurturing if we still have a belief, and a fear, of a God out there somewhere who hates us? I am so excited to have the opportunity to present this heart-opening event to our community in San Diego.”
Applications have been submitted for the LGBTQ Spiritual Summit to be a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, with similar events to be conducted in major North American cities and around the world.
The 2014 San Diego LGBTQ Spiritual Summit is a free to the public event, co-sponsored by The San Diego LGBT Center, Gay San Diego, and is an official San Diego Pride Partner.
To learn more about the LGBTQ Spiritual Summit visit www.LGBTQSpiritualSummit.org, and at www.Facebook.com/LGBTQSpiritualSummit
