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10 Ideas for Breaking the Silence Around Sexuality

  1. Talk with various groups in your congregation – parents, couples, LGBT persons, teenagers – about sexuality programs they would like to see. Many denominations offer sexuality education for youth and adults, marriage and relationship enrichment programs, and support groups for congregants experiencing specific issues (adoptive parents, persons with HIV, divorce groups, and so on). Create a steering committee to develop a plan for moving the congregation forward.
     
  2. Ensure that clergy and staff, particularly those working with youth, have sexuality training that goes beyond abuse prevention and addresses sexual health, sexuality issues in ministry and sexual justice concerns.
     
  3. Make an explicit statement – on your web site, in membership materials, on bulletin boards and other communications – that clergy and staff are prepared to address sexuality issues in pastoral care with confidentiality and compassion.
     
  4. Preach a sermon or sermon series on sexuality, creation and embodiment, or the role of women and LGBT persons in your faith tradition.
     
  5. Observe important dates that have a connection to sexuality issues – e.g., the anniversary of Roe v. Wade (January 22); National Teenage Pregnancy Prevention Month (May); LGBT Pride Month (June); National Coming Out Day (October 11); and World AIDS Day (December 1). Sermons, prayers and bulletin inserts are all good vehicles for bringing out the faith dimension of these events.
     
  6. Lead a Bible study on the Song of Solomon (Song of Songs) or on scriptural themes of marriage, love and family.
     
  7. Convene an adult forum or study group on one or more of the headline sexuality issues of the day, such as marriage for same-sex couples, sex education in the public schools, teen pregnancy or the ethics of in-vitro fertilization. Invite a guest speaker or preacher to address one of these issues. If your denomination has published a statement or study on sexuality, this might be another springboard for discussion.
     
  8. Screen a feature film or documentary that deals with a contemporary sexuality issue – e.g., “Juno” and teen pregnancy, or “Transamerica” and transgender issues – and lead a group discussion.
     
  9. Host an open meeting for your congregants with leaders of a local LGBT advocacy organization or sexual and reproductive health agency, such as Planned Parenthood. Make pamphlets and other resources from these agencies available to your congregants, and ensure that clergy and staff have contacts for referrals.
     
  10. Add books on sexuality and religion to your library, and let congregants know they are there. The Resource pages throughout the ACTING OUT LOUD site contain lists of recommended reading.