National Cathedral Dean Gary Hall calls for an end to heterosexism perpetuated by Christians

Washington, D.C.— Sunday, the Very Rev. Gary Hall, Dean of Washington National Cathedral delivered a sermon proclaiming the sinfulness of homophobia and calling the nation, and the Christian community in particular, to compassion and acceptance.

“We must now have the courage to take the final step and call homophobia and heterosexism what they are. They are sin. Homophobia is a sin,” said Dean Hall in his sermon.

He also directly addresses the role that churches play today in advancing oppression of LGBT youth.

“It’s more than tragic—in fact it’s shameful—that faith communities, especially Christian ones, continue to be complicit in putting our children at risk and abetting the attitudes that oppress them, thereby encouraging the aggressors who would subject our children to pain, humiliation, and violence,” he said.

“Only when all our churches say that clearly and boldly and courageously will our LGBT youth be free to grow up in a culture that totally embraces them fully as they are.”

Over the weekend, the National Cathedral held a series of events to honor gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender young people. On Friday night the Cathedral hosted the East Coast premier of Matt Shepard is a Friend of Mine, a new documentary film celebrating the life and friendships of Matthew Shepard, who was brutally murdered in an anti-gay hate crime 15 years ago this week. On Sunday the Cathedral hosted a special Sunday Forum discussion with Judy Shepard, the mother of Matthew Shepard; Jane Clementi, whose son Tyler died in a suicide after an episode of cyber bullying; and LGBT youth advocate Joshua Deese, of the Trevor Project. The special Eucharist service this morning also featured leading transgender advocate Allyson Robinson as a guest reader.

The full text of Dean Hall’s sermon can be found at www.nationalcathedral.org »

SOURCE: Washington National Cathedral

October 7, 2013