FRIDAY,APRIL25,2003
NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 3A
Religious panel discusses homosexuality, the Bible
By Cal Creek
ccreek@kansan.com
Kansas staff writer
"Jesus loves Fags."
Several signs and fliers on campus relayed this sentiment as an advertisement for a panel discussion that examined what the Bible and Christianity say about homosexuality.
The five-member panel discussed much more than the Bible's views on homosexuality, including the role of women in the Bible, the differences between sex and sexuality and violence towards homosexuals in the
name of religion.
Rev. Joseph Dang of St. John the Baptist Catholic Apostolic Church International asked the audience at the beginning of the program to respect one another and to "keep it cool."
Robert Minor, professor of religious studies, said that people often blame their prejudices on the Bible. To prevent this, he said he always prefaced his Biblical comments by saying, "This is how I understand it" not "This is what the Bible says."
Minor said almost every major religion had accepted homosexuals at one time and rejected them
at another.
As a representative of Emily Taylor Women's Resource Center, Corrina Beck spoke to the audience about violence toward the queer community.
"Religion has been used as a weapon against me and people I love," Beck said.
Beck told the story of her partner, who had been beaten and raped. On one occasion, her rapist told her God hates fags.
Each religious leader on the panel discussed his or her church's view on homosexuality, both in the clergy as well as the
"Religion has been used as a weapon against me and people I love."
Corrina Beck
Corrina Beck representative of Emily Taylor Women's Resource Center
congregation.
"The Catholic Church teaches it's okay to be gay, but don't act," Dang said.
Dang said this was equivalent to sitting down to at a table to a nice meal and being told to not eat.
The Rev. Phil Shull of the
United Methodist Campus Ministry said the Methodist Church was split on the issue. Among the clergy, he said, the pastors practiced a "don't ask don't tell" policy.
As the program drew to a close, panelists answered questions from the audience. The topics of questions ranged from the issue of homophobia in politics to the use of "homosexual" and "gay" in the Bible when those terms were created in the 19th century.
The panel was organized by Christopher Entwistle, Palatine, Ill., freshman and the palate.
Queers and Allies senator for Student Senate.
"I just wanted to help educate the community, show them the differences, hopefully open their eyes to some new thoughts," Entwhistle said.
Entwhistle organized the discussion as a part of Pride Week.
Despite the more liberal representation of Christianity, Entwhistle said he invited every religious leader in the community. He said many e-mailed him back but declined to come to the discussion.
Pride Week finale more than a 'drag' for participants
Edited by Ryan Wood
Radio show host and local celebrity drag queen, Flo, flaunts herself for the crowd during the 2002 Brown Bag Drag Show. The annual event will be held at noon today in front of the Kansas Union.
By Kevin Wiggs
kwiggs@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Students passing by the Kansas Union's front plaza will see lively performances,but the performers are not what they appear to be.
Kansan file photo
The 10th annual Brown Bag Drag Show will be at noon today in front of the Kansas Union. It will last about an hour, and students are invited to bring a lunch and watch cross-dressing students sing and dance.
The drag show is part of Pride Week, sponsored by University of Kansas Queers and Allies.
"It's one of the most entertaining things we do," he said. "It was so popular it was done the next year, and here we are in year number 10."
Director Patrick Ross, Lawrence freshman and Jayplay columnist, said the event was probably started on a whim and had continued ever since.
The 10th annual Brown Bag Drag Show will be at noon today in front of the Kansas Union. It will last about an hour, and students are invited to bring a lunch and watch cross-dressing students sing and dance.
There will be eight individuals or groups performing, including both men and women dressed as
the opposite sex.
"It will be the same general theme as in the past," Ross said. "Mostly lip-synching and dancing, with a pretty involved cabaret show."
This year's drag show will be hosted by Matt Patton, also known as Ms. Robin Banks, whose singing and magic show is popular in the Midwest and New York.
He has been a professional female impersonator for more than two years.
Patton hosted the show as Banks in 2001 and said he came
back because of how much he enjoyed the event.
"It's probably the most fun I've had," he said. "It's an incredible experience to have so many members, and they're so nice. Plus, I missed Lawrence."
Ross said the event was purely to get the Queers and Allies message out—to tell the student pop-
uation that they were open for everyone and would educate anyone about gay and lesbian issues.
"We are a resource, a place to come for education," he said.
"It's not going to be a political message. It's just to have fun."
Patrick Ross
Queers and Allies director
They also want to encourage students to attend the Pride Rally at 11 a.m. tomorrow at Buford Watson Park, near Sixth and Tennessee streets.
"It's not going to be a political message," he said. "It's just to have fun."
Ross said he hoped the drag show continued to grow and attract bigger acts.
"We'll try to get more amateurs and known performers, and make it more and more popular," Ross said. "It's a tradition, so we won't mess with it too much."
Patton said he hoped the drag aspect didn't dissuade students from attending.
"We won't embarrass you," he said. "It's something to check out, a sure hit."
—Edited by Christy Dendurent
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