GPC Reports on Equality Ohio Annual Meeting

This report from the Gay People's Chronicle on Equality Ohio's annual meeting November 10:

Another change to the board is the introduction of three new ex officio, or non-voting, seats earmarked for youth ages 18-25. The first of these seats was filled by Jordan Peters, a Dayton native currently attending Ohio State University. Peters has volunteered for Equality Ohio since shortly after its inception in 2005.

Equality Ohio will also be expanding their presence in northeast Ohio, which contains Cleveland, Columbus, Canton, Akron, Youngstown and Warren. They are looking to hire a deputy executive director who will work from home in the area. Ads are expected to be placed seeking applicants in January.

Dispatch Faith & Values reports on FTBTMS

Today's Columbus Dispatch runs an article about the documentary For the Bible Tells Me So and panel discussion last night:

Most of the film is testimony from families who once believed homosexuality went against the church's teaching and how their views changed after they learned their own child was gay. Included are the parents of V. Gene Robinson, an openly gay man from New Hampshire who became an Episcopalian bishop, and former House Majority Leader Dick Gephardt and his daughter, a lesbian who told her story during his campaign.

You can also read more about the writer's views on the film showing and panel in The Compass, The Dispatch's online Faith & Values blog:

What struck me most was meeting Philip and Randi Reitan before the movie. The couple, who are in the film, are Lutherans from a small Minnesota town. They never gave a thought to homosexuality until their son Jake told them he was gay.

Looking for a Debate

The Columbus Dispatch published a review of the movie For the Bible Tells Me So, showing at Mershon Auditorium Thursday Nov. 15th at 7:30pm.

Director Daniel Karslake doesn't host a vigorous debate. He builds his side of the issues and represents opposing views through media appearances by gay-rights critics such as James Dobson, Jimmy Swaggart and -- here's a voice from the past -- Anita Bryant.

It would be a challenge for the choir to hear calm, reasoned rebuttals. It would be even more enlightening to watch a debate with one of the anonymous anti-gay screamers who pop up in protest videos but aren't engaged on camera. They probably would have declined the invitation.

Tickets can be purchased online.