Church makes move against homophobia
United pledges its support to city's LGBTQ community;
partners with NWT Pride for movie event
Meagan Leonard
Northern News Services
Friday, May 8, 2015
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Creating community allies is the focus of this year's international day against homophobia and Yellowknife United Church continues to position itself as one of the city's top supporters.
Yellowknife United Church minister Peter Chynoweth, left, and event organizer Kathryn Walker with the rainbow flower box outside Northern United Place. The church is hosting an anti-homophobia movie night May 9. - Meagan Leonard/NNSL photo |
Two years ago the church became an affirming ministry, signaling its dedication to welcoming people from all walks of life into its fold. Minister Peter Chynoweth says this was seen by many as a final step on the road to inclusion, but was in fact, just the beginning. He said the decision was for the most part in line with sentiment already present in the community.
"It's not so much that the church is leading the way .. it's stepping into what is the way already in terms of LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) acceptance," he said. "It's the beginning of a journey of making it known that we're a welcoming place."
The church has been a regular supporter of NWT Pride over the years, but wanted to get more involved with anti-homophobia day coming up May 17.
Congregation member Kathryn Walker has been working with the NWT Pride committee to put together a movie night showcasing a variety of short films from the Inside Out film festival in Toronto as well as a feature documentary called Love Free or Die which chronicles the story of the first gay bishop to be ordained in the Anglican church. She says even if you are not religious, the film has a lot to offer.
"There's a lot in it about social justice, equality, same-sex marriage and the struggle people go through," she said. "It's very moving."
Chynoweth said he hopes the event will contribute to breaking down stereotypes people have - both about the LGBTQ community and the church.
"This is an exercise in myth-busting on both sides," he said, saying many believe "the church can't be open and can't be welcoming and I think that's what is really neat about this - it's a partnership."
Walker herself said before she moved to Yellowknife, she came from an atheist/agnostic background but was drawn to the United Church community because of its open-minded stance and eclectic congregation.
"This church has a collection of people who in bigger cities would go to (different) churches or meditation centres but we're all here together," she explained. "Their idea of God is very different from what you would find in a traditional church but I think it's very rooted and very real."
Because it is the only United Church in the territory, Chynoweth said he feels a responsibility to provide an alternative for people who might not fit into other more conservative establishments.
"We represent the liberal progressive edge of the Christian church," he said. "We represent a place where you can be Christian and still have questions."
Ultimately, Walker hopes the event will bring out members of the LGBTQ community who don't attend church so they might see the types of support services available in their community. The event will be held May 9 at Northern United Place. Entrance will be by donation and refreshments and live music will be available.
