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Deep Pencil - the musings of Morgan Bell

If a tree falls in the woods and nobody is there to hear it did it really make a sound? If i post a blog and nobody reads it was there really any point? You have entered the random thinking space of Morgan Bell . . . These are my musings . . . things about my life written off the top of my head . . . written in an informal disjointed style almost completely devoid of punctuation, this is where i flesh out writing ideas, discuss my life, and generally be self indulgent . . . it is also the bargain bin for articles which do not fit in with the film or arts themes of my other blogs . . . so have a wander around my mind, have a laugh, have a think, be nice, and humour me!

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Deep Pencil - July 2008

Gay Catholic Youth Forum in Sydney

July 1st 2008 12:36

A forum for World Youth Day pilgrims, their family and friends, and all who wish to explore the role of gays and lesbians in the Catholic Church.

Speakers include a parent couple actively involved in their parish who have two gay sons, a youth worker from NSW’s leading gay and lesbian youth service, a young gay Catholic sharing his journey and a Catholic priest who has ministered to gay and lesbian Catholics, both in Australia and overseas.

It’s not a protest, and it’s not meant to be confrontational to the Catholic Church at all… it will just explore ways that it’s possible to be GLBT or queer, fully embrace one’s sexual identity and not compromise one’s faith…

FREE ENTRY, ALL WELCOME

Email info @ gaycatholicyouthforum. org for more info or to register your interest.

CLICKHERE for GayCatholicYouthForum .org

Time and Place

Date: Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Location: Lecture room 2.4.29, University of Technology, Sydney
Street: Broadway
City/Town: Ultimo, Australia

PFLAG - Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians And Gays
CLICKHERE for PFLAG in the USA
CLICKHERE for PFLAG in Australia

DignityUSA works for respect and justice for all gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons in the Catholic Church and the world through education, advocacy and support.
CLICKHERE for DignityUSA

also, here is a list of Welcoming Gay Friendly Churches in Australia
CLICKHERE

for more images like this CLICKHERE

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Posted By: Morgan Bell - Category: Gender & Sexuality

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Comments

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Comment by RubySoho

July 1st 2008 13:15

Music Zone
Thought Zone

hahaha. A rainbow crucifix. Good on them, though I have to say I just don't get how gays and queers can want to be Christian given what Bible says about them. But oh well, if it makes them happy.

Comment by Morgan Bell

July 1st 2008 13:24

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hi Ruby,
i cant say i know too many gay christians but i do know a few and balancing their sexuality with their faith is a constant struggle . . . and i think a huge part of it is not taking the bible so literally

Comment by RubySoho

July 1st 2008 13:39

Music Zone
Thought Zone

Yeah it'd have to be, hey did you hear that the NSW parliament passed a law saying you can't annoy or inconvenience the pilgrims on World Youth Day?

Like what the hell is that? annoy? what i walked along behind them singing my heart will go on? I might post on this tomorrow if i can be bothered thinking of anything clever.

so is world youth day really just one day?

Comment by Morgan Bell

July 1st 2008 13:47

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hey Ruby,
yeah i just heard that on the news and it made me laugh, Iemma gets on the TV saying "this is the law" even though he only just made up the law this week . . . i dont know why they need any more special laws than the ones we've already got, and the word "annoy" seemed dangerously ambiguous, their examples were wearing t-shirts with offensive slogans . . . on the flipside there were some anti-pope protesters saying they were planning a rally

Comment by Thoraiya Dyer

July 1st 2008 23:56

Demented World

They will probably have to get that rainbow crucifix approved by the police before hand...and not say the word "condom" out loud

Know what annoys me? Those multi-million dollar electronic road signs being used to advertise World Youth Day. The RTA is Government funded. Those signs are paid for by me. According to the Use of Variable Message Signs Policy ( Really Long Link ), they're supposed to be for warning me about changes in traffic conditions like accidents and road work.

As far as I know, I am obliged to read them, just like I'm obliged to read all other road signs.

And that makes me absolutely fume.

Comment by alt_ed

July 2nd 2008 01:28

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Yeah balancing faith with sexuality is like trying to write with cheese on a chalkboard- why bother?

If you are to accept your sexuality, GLBT or Queer then by default do you not expell yourself from any religous ties you may have had?

I know personally, that coming out as gay is a hell (no pun) of a lot easier when your not faced with religious propaganda at home. My partner has had the complete opposite experiance though, with his 'catholic' parents basically disowning him and worrying about what the neighbours might think before worrying about their sons well being (talk about good'ol Catholic hospitality eh?).

This forum sounds great though, if it is going to help people who are in a whirlpool balancing faith and sexuality issues-- lets just hope it doesn't cause an annoyance or they could be fined some hard cash!

Comment by Cibbuano

July 2nd 2008 03:32

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I had a friend that I grew up with, a few years younger. It seemed obvious to everyone that he was gay - he naturally fit into all the stereotypes, without ever realizing it.

He came out in a rabidly ecstatic email where he revealed that someone 'showed' him the way.

His family was very much against homosexuality in all forms, and I suppose my friend is living a double life. It's a shame, I think, that his family, who he's supposed to be close with, are the only ones that don't get to see his real self.

Comment by Louie

July 2nd 2008 07:09

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wow, its good that they have this. We have had this discussion before in a different form but on face value the Catholic approach as it stands creates a lot of problems for young gay people.

Comment by Mountain Fog

July 2nd 2008 08:58

Infognito

GREAT IDEA!!!!

I hope a HUNDRED THOUSAND PEOPLE TURN UP WAVING RAINBOW FLAGS and wearing rainbow crosses!!!! tee hee

Oh, so I better not parade down George Street with the nice photo of our Holy Father The Pope Benedict the XVI, when he was a lad, dressed in his smart NAZI YOUTH uniform.....ahem....true...

This is ridiculous and TOTALLY AGAINST THE RIGHTS OF A DEMOCRACY!!

I was brought up in a Catholic family, however, even though critical (very) of the Vatican and its nonsense, I give respect where due, BUT, if I wish to PROTEST, then I should be allowed to do so...

HEY YOU MORON (SOON TO BE EX) PREMIER IEMMA..
THIS IS A DEMOCRACY LAST I HEARD YOU PATHETIC FACIST FATHEAD!!!!!!!!

ahem...got my composure again...

cheers everyone!!!

fog

Comment by Cheryl J

July 3rd 2008 12:54

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This is great. I have a friend whose faith means a lot to him. Even though his church may have a hard time with him he believes God loves him just the way he is and so do I...and so do his very religious parents. As a matter of fact you would be hard pressed to find parents who are more proud of a child than they are. Although it was probably difficult for them to reconcile at first they accept him for exactly the wonderful, kind and compassionate human being he is.

He loves and believes in God and he believes that God loves and believes in him. More power to him I say. Now that is true faith.

Comment by Morgan Bell

July 4th 2008 03:46

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hi Thoraiya Dyer,
are they warning of changed traffic conditions due to the event or are they actually advertising?
i dont have a problem with it as long as its consistant with every other sporting event or festival

hi alt_ed,
its a common story to hear of religious families dis-owning their gays sons, i think its a terrible attitude and pity any parents that are so narrow-minded as the sever a relationship over something as natural and unchangeable as sexuality

hi Cibbuano,
a double life, that must be tiring!
it must be very difficult to choose whether to tell your family about your sexuality knowing when you reveal the truth you may rish losing them

Comment by Morgan Bell

July 4th 2008 03:54

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hi Louie,
im glad they have this too!
it must be so comforting for those struggling with faith and sexuality to know there are elders of the community willing to support and guide them

hi Fog,
i call tell you feel strongly about this as you have the bright colours and large fonts out! haha
and you are a gay catholic yourself!
i think the laws we have for regular protestors would have been adequate, i dont really see why WYD required its own special "dont annoy" rule drawn up

hi Cheryl,
that is true faith!
surely if there was a god they would be a loving god not an angry god . . . to make someone gay and then torment them their whole lives with it seems a tad sadistic
im glad your friend found a balance!

Comment by RubySoho

July 4th 2008 03:54

Music Zone
Thought Zone

My sister tells me there is a t-shirt floating around Sydney that says "The Pope touched me down under."

Haha. Classic. I'll have one in every colour thanks.

Comment by Morgan Bell

July 4th 2008 04:28

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haha ok Ruby you are so gunna be arrested for "annoying" him

Comment by Cheryl J

July 4th 2008 04:29

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Ruby, I have seen a whole bunch of good ones pop up but that one is by far the best!

At least there is one good thing about being stuck at home sick on a Friday, I can Orble to make me feel better!

Comment by Mountain Fog

July 4th 2008 04:42

Infognito

My sister tells me there is a t-shirt floating around Sydney that says "The Pope touched me down under."

NOW THAT IS FUNNY!!!!

I will have seven; one red, one orange, one yellow, one green, one blue, one indigo and one violet....sigh...love violet...

alternately, I could just have one rainbow one...

try and find out where they are sold, my niece will love one!

cheers

fog

and Morgan...umm.. how did you guess I felt a baby bit feisty on this issue... you have VEWWWY strong powers of perception to pick up on my subtle nuances...tee hee!

Comment by Morgan Bell

July 4th 2008 04:44

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hi Cheryl,
orble is always good for a laugh!
i got kidnapped for a couple of days but now im back and catching up on all ive missed!

Comment by Morgan Bell

July 4th 2008 05:20

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haha fog
subtle as a sledgehammer . . . i violet (or perhaps violent) sledgehammer!

Comment by Mountain Fog

July 4th 2008 06:21

Infognito

vio---lent...hmmm

sounds suspiciously catholic to me!!!

so we gonna hear who kidnapped yeewwww and where yeeeww wnet and stuff... or is it going to be total bogan X rated? pant pant!!.. or maybe pant-less pant-less..
Such corn I know, but am in a creative trough and 'I must die now!' mood....oh well..!!!

cheers

fog

Comment by Morgan Bell

July 4th 2008 06:32

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well Fog,
i was off being a bogan and hanging out with bogans, no doubt i will post something about it once i finish wading through my 150 notifications haha

Comment by Cheryl J

July 4th 2008 07:09

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Hey Ruby, here are another couple you may like

"New T-Shirt $20, WYD Fine $5500, Annoying the Catholics Pricless!!"

"Abstinence - it didn't work for the virgin Mary"

"I was cavity searched for Jesus"

"Join a non-prophet organisation"

They had a competition and now they are available for purchase from remogeneralstore.com

PS: I actually have nothing against Catholics and have many friends who are Catholic. The annoying t-shirt thing has me all aflutter though...can't...stop...mysel f...have...to...wear...one!

Comment by RubySoho

July 4th 2008 07:16

Music Zone
Thought Zone

Oh man, I almost wish I was going to be up there just so i can join in all the t-shirt fun goodness.

didn't work for the virgin Mary. hahaha.

all in good fun Cheryl, I don't think anyone wants to hurt them, just wondering what all the fuss is about I'm sure.

God i miss Sydney, I love it when the people band together over annoying things that invade their city.

Comment by Morgan Bell

July 4th 2008 07:24

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i have to say i am respecting Catholics, the Church, and WYD much more knowing they are acknowledging and embracing their gay constituents at least in this one forum . . . a little bit of flexibility goes a long long way for people who really do believe

ill probably still check out the funny t-shirt website though! haha

thanks Cheryl and Ruby

Comment by RubySoho

July 4th 2008 07:28

Music Zone
Thought Zone

Actually on that note Morgan, I was really impressed by Peter Brennan for speaking out against those stupid laws and saying they were unnecessary and a violation of people's freedoms.

Comment by Cheryl J

July 4th 2008 07:29

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I agree Morgan. It's nice to see some acknowledgement. Even a small step forward is a step in the right direction. i want to see my gay Catholic friends embraced by their church. It may not happen in my lifetime but I won't give up on believing that one day it may happen

Comment by Morgan Bell

July 4th 2008 08:03

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hi Ruby,
was that the Father Frank Brennan thing?

Father Brennan's attack came as groups that had had no plans to protest during the event vowed to do so in response to the new laws. World Youth Day organisers said they had no objection to the open-ended nature of the regulations and confirmed the church had "discussed" with the Government the use of "standard laws" for the efficient running of the event.

Father Brennan said the Catholic document on human rights, Pacem In Terris, the 1963 encyclical of Pope John, said the responsibility of all authorities was "to safeguard the inviolable rights of the human person".

"As an Australian Catholic lawyer, I am saddened that the state has seen fit to curtail civil liberties further in this instance than they have for other significant international events hosted in Sydney," he said.

Really Long Link

i think they have hit the nail on the head saying imposing unnecessary laws has actually provoked retailiation protests

hi Cheryl,
from little things big things grow!

Comment by RubySoho

July 4th 2008 14:48

Music Zone
Thought Zone

Yeah, Frank Brennan sorry, my mistake.

Actually, the fact that Brennan spoke out about it and the govt has chosen to ignore him makes me think the laws are less about protecting the pilgrims and more about using any excuse to erode our freedoms that little bit more.

Comment by postmoderncritic

July 5th 2008 06:57

Postmodern Critic
Daily Inspirations
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Man, I wish I had something intelligent to say at this moment, but I'm about to drop from staying up all day (I'm so jjet-lagged

) so all I can do is vote and promise to come back...

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