So what will we do as the Bay Area's Episcopal Church for Pride in 2015?

This year you get to help decide what - if anything - Bay Area Episcopal Churches will do to celebrate Pride in 2015.

Many of the people who have led us in the past - like The Revs. Tommy Dillon and Dan Burner - have moved on to churches outside our area. Others, like The Rev. Diana Wheeler, are busy with a new assignment.

So this year it is up to us - together - to decide what to do for San Francisco's 2015 Pride Celebration.  Please take a minute and go to our online 2015 Pride Survey to share your thoughts on what we should do - and what you can do to help.

Let's be clear:  how - and whether - we celebrate Pride in 2015 is up to each of us. With your help we can revive old ways of celebrating - or find new ones.

Thanks for your consideration!

The Rev. Tom Jackson

Oasis President

How Irish gays became ‘normal’ – and why the Church was unable to do much about it

The author of a new book on how churches worldwide use moral authority to influence policy compares how Irish and US views on homosexuality and same-sex marriage have evolved. MORE

Denial of Baptism in the 21st century to a baby with two Dads? No, just a postponement .....

In last Sunday's sacred text, St. Peter asks: "Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" And the answer in one Florida cathedral seemed to be: "Yeah, we can imagine denying baptism to a beautiful baby boy just because he has two Dads." Then the Bishop stepped in and met with the Dads, after which it appears the baby will be baptized shortly. 

Just as the story started to die down, a canon at the now infamous cathedral preached: "the scandal is how the real story was highjacked by social media activists on the West Coast." As the President of Oasis California, I am please that my online work and letter to the bishop did not go unappreciated. Now I am working up to becoming recognized as an "outside agitator" for diversity.

Fr. Tom Jackson 

New Suicide Hotline Dedicated to Trans People Now Open for Calls

San Francisco-based Trans Lifeline has collected an all-trans staff of volunteers who aim to make the crisis hotline experience more comfortable and accessible for trans callers. More

Yes, There Are A Lot More Gay Christians Than You Probably Think

While the number of Christians in America has dropped substantially in just seven years, the number of gay Christians seems to have jumped dramatically. More

PEW CONFIRMS LGBT REJECTION OF RELIGION: WHY THAT’S A GOOD THING

"Pew researchers found that at least 41% could give a rip if the evangelical church welcomes them in their pews, because they’ve given up on religion anyway—at least that type of religion." More

Take a Selfie and Take a Stand

Eight out of 10 LGBT youth report being bullied, and you have an opportunity to support them. Download the Spirit Day app right now and take a selfie to take a stand!

The Spirit Day App, powered by Toyota Financial Services, provides you with anti-bullying resources, calls to action, and allows you take part in Spirit Day on October 16th, the largest and most visible anti-bullying campaign in the world in support of LGBT youth. The app is available now for Apple, Android, and Amazon devices.

DOWNLOAD NOW

This innovative and easy-to-use resource gives you the power to use your voice and help us show the world that bullying is something we just won't tolerate. And when you do, you'll join countless others who feel the same way.

       

Millions of Americans wear purple on Spirit Day as a sign of support for LGBT youth and to speak out against bullying. This app makes it easier to take part in Spirit Day, and to learn how you can support bullied youth.