ELCA deacon channels closeted Minnesota childhood into book on churches accepting LGBTQ youth
The author of “Made, Known, Loved: Developing LGBTQ-Inclusive Youth Ministry will give a virtual reading this week to talk about the book and its topics. Written By: John Lamb | ×
ELCA Deacon and author Ross Murray. Special to The Forum
LITTLEFORK, Minn. Ross Murray remembers growing up in a small Minnesota town in the 1980s and ’90s where he was bullied and called “gay” before he was even fully comfortable identifying as gay.
“I was pretty scared to death to tell anyone,” says the Littlefork native. “It was not part of the culture then. ‘Gay’ was a slur.”
11 May 2021
A recent report from GLAAD has stated that Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Twitter are all “effectively unsafe for LGBTQ users.”
NPR reports that a recent study released by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) states that practically all social media sites including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Twitter are “effectively unsafe for LGBTQ users.”
The organization, which focuses on ending discrimination against LGBT people, said in its inaugural social media index report: “Of special concern, the prevalence and intensity of hate speech and harassment stands out as the most significant problem in urgent need of improvement.”
The study found that 64 percent of LGBTQ social media users reported experiencing harassment or “hate speech” at a higher rate than all other identity groups on social media. Facebook users experienced the highest percentage of harassment with around 75 recent of those who reported experiencing
It s Always Sunny in Philadelphia star and creator
Rob McElhenney s (Mac) two mothers,
Helena McElhenney and
Mary Taylor, for Mother s Day with an opportunity to share their love story with others. Now, McElhenney has taken to Instagram to honor another very important mother in his life- his FXX series co-star and wife
Kaitlin Olson (Dee)- or as he lovingly refers to her as, my love, my life, my bird.
It s Always Sunny in Philadelphia – Image: Screencap Mama Bird. Thank you for everything that you do. Whether it s bringing two wonderful eggs into the world or just hanging with the gals, you do everything with grace and beauty. You approach every moment with consistent patience and boundless empathy. I am endlessly learning from you, McElhenney wrote in his post. Every nest should have bird like you. Right now, these boys have no idea how lucky they are. But one day they will, and they will see that it was their Mommy, always their Mommy, who gave them a most extraord
Kaitlin Olson), and Frank (
Danny DeVito) getting ready to reopen the doors to Paddy s for a record-breaking 15th season (with more to come) of FXX and FX on Hulu s
It s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, we ve been keeping a track of The Gang s real-life counterparts over the past few months to see how things have been going. That s meant covering things as wide-ranging as Howerton offering early thoughts on Season 15 (more on that below) to dog rescues to celebrating theme weeks in honor of each member of The Gang. But with today being Mother s Day, we re happy to have something sweet, touching, and important to cover- though it feels more like sharing. In the post below, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) shines a spotlight on McElhenney s two mothers,
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Murray is holding a virtual reading with Zandbroz Variety and St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Fargo at 7 p.m., Thursday, May 11, to talk about the book and its topics.
Ross Murray s book looks at how churches can be more welcoming to LGBTQ youth. Special to The Forum
“Today’s environment is so different, but life can still be difficult as an LGBTQ person. I want the church to be an ally,” he says, from his home in New York.
He points to St. Mark’s as just such a congregation.
“There are not a lot of accepting congregations,” says Rev. Joe Larson, pastor at St. Mark’s, a church that for 30 years has been Reconciling in Christ, meaning it is welcoming and affirming of all, regardless of gender expression, gender identity, and sexual orientation.