by Sarah Mieras
GRAND RAPIDS –
Pride month in Michigan's second largest city was ushered in with the public viewing of the touching documentary "For the Bible Tells Me So" and a panel discussion.
Sponsored by the Triangle Foundation, the film played to a nearly full house at the Wealthy Street Theater on June 4. The 2007 Sundance-nominated film was produced and directed by Daniel Karslake, and aims to illuminate the effects homophobia has on real people, while gently combating anti-gay Christian messages through a mix of interviews, animation, expert testimony and personal life stories.
The close to 150 people who turned out for the film represented a mix of LGBT community members, groups from area progressive churches and members of the community.
Standing in the lobby after the film, Nick Huisinga of Grand Rapids ran his fingers through his hair, fighting back tears. Huisinga arrived at the theater by accident after writing down the location and time, but not the description of the event on his calendar.
"I am thankful to God that I came here tonight," said Huisinga. "I feel so guilty that I don't share my convictions about this with people. I am embarrassed that I haven't stood up."
A retired Christian school principal, Huisinga attends a congregation thats anti-gay. "It is a terrible thing that religious people have used their influence to make people miserable," said Huisinga.
Visibly moved by the film, Huisinga said his days of silence are over, and that he will begin educating his friends and fellow parishioners about the harm homophobia causes.
The mother of a gay teen, Kimberly Lavender of the rural community of Greenville attended the film to expand her arsenal of facts. Accused by family members of "making my son gay," Lavender said being an out family in a small town is a challenge.
"I took notes throughout the film," she said. "My son says he is a Wiccan because of the negativity he's faced from Christian churches, but sometimes he asks me if Jesus will still love him."
Kelly and Sondra Loucks Wilson accompanied a handful of people from the nearby Plymouth Congregational Church to see the film. Members of a progressive church in a city that is often characterized by its conservatism, the straight couple was looking for tools to help them use the Bible to combat homophobia.
"We wanted to learn more about how to talk to our friends and family who 'love the sinner but not the sin,'" said Sondra Loucks Wilson. "We were also looking for rebuttals to those biblical literalists we sometimes encounter."
"I left with a better idea of ways in which I can respond to those who question my belief that God loves everyone," noted Kelly Loucks Wilson.
Following the film, a panel discussion provided space for attendants to ask questions and provide feedback on the film. Led by Rev. Doug Van Doren, Mary DeRidder and Jim Lucas, the discussion gave local context to the message of the film.
Van Doren encouraged the crowd to use facts and details from the film to educate their fellow Christians. "We give the religious right far too much credit," he said. "Don't allow them to define Christianity."
And creating change in west Michigan, said Jim Lucas of Gays In Faith Together, means learning to speak up. "There are many open churches here in West Michigan," he insisted. "It is a much more progressive place than people think. The issue we have as a community is finding our voice."
The turnout of people to see the film, said Colette Beighley, Trinagle Foundation West Michigan Field Organizer, demonstrates the importance of the intersection between LGBT rights and faith in Grand Rapids. "Events such as this open up a space for individuals to see how the Bible has been used historically to marginalize many groups," said Beighley. "As a result, conversation and healing occur and people are challenged to experience their faith tradition in a more compassionate, inclusive way."
