Gay Awareness Week promotes acceptance

By: Nicole Alvarado

Posted: 4/11/07

Reverend Jo Hudson said the Cathedral of Hope's main passion is to be big enough that a gay waiter in Uncertain, Texas, knows there is a church where he can go and be welcomed with open arms.

Hudson, a pastor from the Cathedral of Hope, spoke Tuesday in promotion of Gay Awareness Week. Hudson grew up in College Station and was a pastor at the Texas A&M United Methodist Church before her sexuality was discovered, and she was forced to resign. Soon afterwards, the United Church of Christ picked her up, and her popularity grew. Hudson has even been featured on the Larry King Live show.

Since Monday, GLBT, the student organization for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender individuals, has been promoting Gay Awareness Week. The week began on Monday with a showing of "The Times of Harvey Milk" and will conclude on Friday with an Evening of the Arts. The organization has had a table up every day since Monday in the Academic Plaza.

"The main message is one of radical inclusion and extravagant compassion," said Hudson on behalf of the Cathedral of Hope. "We want to reclaim Christianity as a religion with an extravagant grace. Our goal is to help people encounter God in a way that inspires lives."

Located in Dallas, The Cathedral of Hope is the world's largest GLBT-friendly church.

"Sexuality is still a fight, because it's the last big issue," Hudson said. "I find it fascinating that anyone has issues about this topic anymore. I know why, but it's still surprising to me."

Hudson spoke about how to juggle the Christian faith and include people of all sexualities and genders.

Emma Griffin, a freshman business major, explained how it was interesting to hear Hudson's point of view.

"It was interesting because I've deviated from faith since I've been at school, and it's nice to hear a religious speaker relate to me," she said.

Linda Parish, interim director for the Women's and Gender Equity Resource Center, said events such as Hudson's speech are made possible because of the work of students.

"The students did all the work - there's nothing about Gay Awareness Week that's secretive," she said. "We just want people to understand the value GLBT brings to the students, faculty and staff. It brings diversity to Texas A&M and helps them accept individuals as they are."