Rev. Haffner Blogs on Sex and the Seminary Redux
Meet 2012's Sexually Healthy Seminaries
February 1, 2012—The Religious Institute, a multi-faith organization dedicated to sexual health, education and justice, has doubled thenumber of United States seminaries, divinity and rabbinical schools that are preparing the next generation of clergy with the training they need to address sexuality issues in ministry. Twenty seminaries now meet a majority of the criteria for a sexually healthy and responsible seminary, compared to just ten in 2009.
Jan. 20-27: Join the Virtual March for Trust Women Week!
The Religious Institute is proud to be part of Trust Women Week, an online mass mobilization for women’s lives and rights. This campaign coordinates more than 50 organizations across the nation, including MoveOn.org and the Trust Women/Silver Ribbon Campaign to let legislators know that reproductive health, reproductive justice and reproductive rights are at the top of our agenda, and should be at the top of theirs, too.
Trust Women Week overlaps the 39th anniversary of Roe v. Wade and reasserts our firm commitment to reclaiming the future of reproductive decision-making in 2012. One million participants are expected to join in this action, and a real-time online map will show the location of the virtual marchers. Click here to join the virtual march!
Messages from participants will be delivered directly to members of Congress, governors and state legislators, underscoring that Americans trust women to make their own decisions about their bodies and their lives.
Thank you for being a part of Trust Women Week!
New Resource: Religious Institute En Español
The Religious Institute has started the process of translating many of our resources into Spanish, and will be launching a "Religious Institute En Español" section of our web site in the coming weeks.
You can see a preview of this new section here.
Notes from the Union for Reform Judaism Biennial Meeting
Are you attending this year's Biennial meeting of the Union for Reform Judaism in Washington, DC?
The Religious Institute has a booth and would love to meet you! We will be there from December 14th through December 18th. Stop by our booth and say hello!
New Essay: Sex Education for Politicians – Herman Cain Edition
Blog posted by Rev. Debra Haffner on November 29th.
I’ve written a version of this column several times before. I think the first one was pre-blogging in a piece on Bill Clinton. Most recently, I wrote a similar blog on Anthony Weiner and John Edwards. Herman Cain is the latest public figure in the long line of men in or seeking public office who have risked their families and careers for sex. In addition to the allegations of sexual harassment that have come to light over the past month or so, a woman is now alleging that she and Mr. Cain had a long-term affair that started over thirteen years ago and ended only when he began his campaign. Surely if the allegations are found to be true, Mr. Cain had to know that they would likely come out during his campaign. Surely he might have remembered what happened to Gary Hart during his run for the Presidency.
New Essay: What we’ve learned from Penn State
Rev. Haffner has posted a new essay on Penn State, Syracuse, and helping abuse-proof your child in light of the child sexual abuse that's been making headlines over the past month.
Read the essay here, and please consider leaving a comment.
Thank you!
November 20: Transgender Day of Remembrance
The Transgender Day of Remembrance raises public awareness of hate crimes against transgender people. It publicly mourns and honors the lives of our brothers and sisters who might otherwise be forgotten while expressing love and respect for transgender people in the face of national indifference and hatred.
There are many ways to observe TDOR in your congregation. Many prayers, promotional materials and other worship resources are available here:
- http://www.transfaithonline.org/go/tdor
- http://tdor.mccchurch.org/
- http://www.standingonthesideoflove.org/resources-for-hosting-an-internat...
- http://www.uua.org/lgbt/witness/56991.shtml
The Crossing from The Crossing on Vimeo.
Religious Institute Calls Clergy to Prophetic Witness at Services Near National Coming Out Day
October 3, 2011
Prophetic Witness at Services Near
National Coming Out Day
Celebrating DADT Repeal
On Tuesday, September 20, the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT) became official, marking the beginning of a new era when all can now serve free from the threat of being fired on the basis of sexual orientation. Many see this as a watershed moment in the movement for LGBT equality.
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