‘If I’m Gay’ Would God Like Me? Forum Examines Homosexuality, Religion
Megan Krol
Professor Alan Fox (left) moderated a discussion on the relationship between religion and homosexuality.
More than 100 students filled Memorial Hall on Tuesday for the Haven-sponsored discussion panel "If I'm Gay, Can I Pray?" which focused on the relationship between religion and homosexuality.
The discussion, moderated by philosophy professor Alan Fox, featured a panel of five representatives from four different religious backgrounds: Islam, Judaism, the Episcopal Church and Hinduism.
Each speaker focused on issues of faith and homosexuality from the origin of religious texts to the present day, and all agreed that homosexuality in religion is a progressive movement.
"It is important to accept these traditional texts and realize that now they are in a sense out of context," said Honors professor Devon Miller-Duggan, the Episcopalian panelist.
Alicia Cohen, the director of Jewish student life at the university, advised the audience to take a hands-on approach to the issue.
"The best thing one can do is to accept the scriptures already written, and go out and learn the rest," Cohen said.
Following the discussion, members of the audience asked questions and shared personal stories.
Senior Dan Cole, president of Haven, said issues surrounding the LGBT community affect the religious community at large.
"If there are houses of worship that are welcoming and houses that are not, then we have to think about what defines the community," Cole said. "Is it acceptance and love, or is it intolerance and misunderstanding?"
He said the event organizers' goal was to create a stimulating discussion about the issue, and there was a positive and welcoming feel to the forum.
"The panelists loved the conversations and were talking amongst each other, there was great participation from the audience and everyone stayed to the end, which I think is the true measure of a successful event," said Cole.
He said Haven plans to sponsor the event again next year, and he hopes to expand the represented religions and encourage other groups to join the discussion. These steps would encourage greater attendance from a broader population of students and university community members, he said.
After the event concluded, the room remained full as students gathered together in conversations about the night's event.
Sophomore Preston Klinke viewed the discussion as progressive and successful.
"It is very important to have events where you discuss these things because if not, then people think they're alone with their thoughts," Klinke said. "This helps people know they don't have to be alone."
Junior Macey Cozzolino was very enthusiastic about this year's discussion.
"All of this allows people to get an idea of other faiths and cultures," Cozzolino said. "It's like different parts of a cow or a pig, they all feel different, taste different, and appear differently, but events like these allow people to taste different things and say ‘You know what, I like this.'"
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