Gay, methodist leaders keep differences civil
New York Times story cites dialogue
A sit-down between leaders of the gay and Methodist communities in Ocean Grove caught the attention of the New York Times today.
In an A section story by Chadwick Moore entitled “In Methodist stronghold, a dialogue on gay rights”, the Times reported on how these two groups — at odds over same-sex marriage and the use of the boardwalk pavilion for civil union ceremonies — got together to meet in the wake of the controversial appearance by Kirk Cameron.
Cameron, a former sit-com actor and now Christian activist, came to Ocean Grove last week to speak. There was a protest by the organization Ocean Grove United, who oppose Cameron for making statements on national television that homosexuality is unnatural and detrimental to civilization. Cameron was part of a program sponsored by the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association (OGCMA).
The Times reported that while Cameron’s appearance generated controversy and angry feelings, there are efforts in Ocean Grove by those on opposite sides to keep it from getting personal. Reporter Moore described a lunch at the home of Harriet Bernstein and Luisa Paster, who filed a still-pending civil rights case against the OGCMA for denying them the use of the boardwalk pavilion for their civil union ceremony.
From the Times article:
But while Mr. Cameron’s talk generated anger, another episode last weekend showed that those on different sides of the issue of gay rights were trying to reach some understanding.
After Mr. Cameron’s appearance was announced, a lunch was arranged last Saturday at the home of Ms. Bernstein and Ms. Paster among members of the Camp Meeting Association and several gay-rights advocates.
Sitting in a circle in the living room around bowls of chips and pretzels, the visitors balanced plates of food on their knees as they listened to one another’s points of view. Dr. Dale C. Whilden, the president of the Camp Meeting Association and a dentist, was one of the first to arrive. “This is an opportunity to show that we respect them,” Dr. Whilden said of Ocean Grove’s gay community.
Representative Frank Pallone, a Democrat and a supporter of gay rights, sat near Mr. Whilden.
“Some of you said, ‘We’re not going to agree,’ ” Mr. Pallone said. “I think at some point we will agree.”
Steven Goldstein, the founder of Garden State Equality, a gay-rights group, spoke of a deep love for the Methodist Church. “We may not agree on everything, but we are, today, starting to see each other as human beings,” said Mr. Goldstein, who is studying to be a rabbi.
By the time the dessert emerged, the discussion turned to more neighborly matters: the hot summer, the economy, family concerns. A member of the Christian leadership took a seat next to Corey Bernstein, a gay 17-year-old from Millburn, N.J., who had addressed the group earlier about bullying issues. “So, where are you going to college next year?” she asked Corey, between bites of cake.
Tom Caruso, a 62-year-old retiree from Manhattan, bought a second home in Ocean Grove last year after he and his husband were married in New York State. Mr. Caruso, who was not at the lunch, said, “The town itself is very welcoming, very accepting, very nice place to be.” As for the Camp Meeting Association, he said he believed many members were welcoming to gays and lesbians as well, “but not all of them, obviously.”
Click here for the full Times story.
