SCM Communique on Homophobia at York University
November 4, 2009
Note: After pressure from a coalition of groups, including SCM York, Campus for Christ canceled its “prayer service for the homosexual community of York University” event and issued an apology and retraction. SCM, with the coalition, wrote a letter of complaint to the University, as well as a letter inviting dialogue with the Christian organization. We are continuing to monitor this situation.
The Student Christian Movement of Canada (SCM) stands in solidarity with the LGBTT2QQAA community of York University following the announcement of a “prayer service for the homosexual community of York University” hosted by Campus for Christ at York University. The SCM strongly endorses the complaint against this event issued by the York SCM and celebrates the collaboration between the activists from the Centre for Women and Trans People – York University (CWTP), Trans Bisexual Lesbian Gay Allies at York (TBLGAY), Ontario Public Interest Research Group York (OPIRG York), the Sexual Assault Survivors’ Support Line (SASSL) and the Student Christian Movement at York on this issue. SCM Canada thanks the York University Campus for Christ for taking the first step towards dialogue and reconciliation with its quickness in offering an apology and retraction.
The Student Christian Movement (SCM) is an ecumenical network of student collectives engaged in spirituality and progressive social justice issues at universities across Canada. SCM Canada strives to be a healing community, embraces radical ecumenism and interreligious praxis, acts in solidarity with the oppressed, resists structures of domination, and works for justice in its
varied forms and settings.
The Campus for Christ student club at York University, a member of the York University Interfaith Council, has advertised a “Prayer for the Homosexual Community at York” to be conducted on Thursday November 5, 2009. This prayer service is of concern because it implies that homosexuality is a disease which can be cured or a sinful behaviour which, with prayer, can be overcome. Such events perpetuate the stigmatization of homosexual people in our society and world. We are particularly concerned about the impact of such prayer on those who have already experienced religious condemnation and oppression throughout their lives, because of their real or perceived sexuality, gender identity or gender expression.
We acknowledge the right of all persons and groups, including the members of York University’s Interfaith Council, to express a diversity of faith traditions and belief systems. However, it is not appropriate for groups to depict other groups or persons negatively or suggest that their identities are invalid, sinful, and need to be changed.
As the SCM, we also feel it necessary to speak out because it is a dominant narrative in our culture and society that religions are generally intolerant, and specifically hateful towards LGBTT2QQAA persons. However, religions and the Christian community more broadly are extremely diverse and the SCM strongly affirms the diversity of gender and sexuality present among humanity and sees this diversity as itself a gift from God. We believe that that no gender identity, sexuality, or form of gender or sexual expression is inherently superior to any other form of gender identity, sexuality, or gender or sexual expression.
As SCM Canada, we are committed to struggle to overcome and resist homophobia, sexism, cisgenderism, transphobia, binary genderism, genderist assumptions, queerphobia, heterosexism, and other forms of sexual and gender oppression in all aspects of society and to affirm the holiness found in the diversity of ways sexualities and genders are expressed. Through a four-year multi-faceted campaign entitled Queer and Christian Without Contradiction (currently in its final year) and a long-standing affirmation of diverse genders and sexualities (dating to the early 1990s in a more formalized fashion), we are attempting to live out this commitment pragmatically. We hope to contribute an affirming voice to discussions of faith and sexuality/gender, and to uphold our position of affirmation as an authentically Christian stance.
“By proclaiming God’s preferential option for the poor and marginalized, we act in solidarity with the oppressed to resist structures of domination and realize justice in this world” (SCM Living Prayer Mission Statement).
In the name of Christ the Liberator,
General Board, Student Christian Movement of Canada
Queer is a term used by some individuals, groups and communities to describe their sexual orientation, sexual expression, gender identity and/or gender expression, as they may not associate with all or some other terms used in relation to sexual and gender diversity. The term queer is also often used as an umbrella or blanket term to refer to LGBTTT2IQQAPPBDSMK * and ally communities. The term queer has a history of being used as an oppressive term and is being reclaimed by some individuals, communities and activists. It is important to recognize that queer is still experienced as an uncomfortable and/or oppressive term for many individuals, groups and/or communities who identify as queer or to whom the term may be applied.
(LGBTTT2IQQAPPBDSMK: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Transgender, Transsexual, 2-Spirit, Intersex, Queer, Questioning, Asexual, Pansexual, Polyamorous, Bondage, Domination, Discipline, Sadism, Masochism, Kink)
