There is plenty time to party and celebrate this weekend at Piedmont Park and local bars as part of Atlanta Pride weekend, but there is also a spiritual side to the weekend, too, as part of Stride Into Pride events.
Integrity Atlanta holds its 25th annual Gay Pride Eucharist on Wednesday, Oct. 10, from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at All Saints' Episcopal Church. The church is located at 634 West Peachtree St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30308.
Emory University's Candler School of Theology is well-known for being accepting of LGBT students and faculty. But plans by the renowned theology school to recognize a well-known United Methodist Church reverend who helped organize an effort to ensure the UMC keep its longstanding stance that homosexuality is "incompatible with Christian teaching" has school administrators on the defensive.
Rev. Dr. H. Eddie Fox, head of World Evangelism for the World Methodist Council, is set to receive a Distinguished Alumni Award. That news rankled many students and led to a 2.5 hour meeting on Sept. 13 between Jan Love, Dean and Professor of Christianity and World Politics in the Candler School of Theology; other faculty and members of Sacred Worth, a student government organization.
The attorney for Inman Park United Methodist Church, which leases space to YouthPride and is suing after months of unpaid rent, strongly disputes a charge from the LGBT youth agency's executive director that the organization has any legal claims against the church.
"As it relates to the $40,000 rent, which we have always said was overpriced… the bottom line is this: We have legal claims against the church as well," YouthPride Executive Director Terence McPhaul told attendees at a March 6 town hall meeting, which was hosted by an independent task force concerned about the future of LGBT youth services in Atlanta.
"We had legal claims against the church as well," McPhaul repeated. "So there were certain things that we actually missed out on as a result of certain things the church did not comply with — so we haven't answered the lawsuit yet, but we will, and soon."