The Pasquerilla Spiritual Center opened its doors last night to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community when it hosted "Faith Talks," a panel designed to allow students and community members to share their insights into growing up LGBT and spiritual.
The program coordinator, Jason Lally (senior-information sciences and technology), opened the night's discussion by reaffirming the importance of bringing this dialogue to campus. This was the first time the program was held. Lally said he hopes to continue it each semester.
"Often we talk about the political issues, such as gay marriage or sodomy laws, and people's very personal stories get pushed to the side," he said. "There are a lot of stories out there about people who have struggled and who have grown; people often miss the side that makes this battle human."
Lally said by putting a human face to this discussion, Faith Talks can help to develop a sensitivity and also assist any individuals who are currently struggling with these issues.
Three panelists led the discussion, each sharing his or her own experiences with reconciling sexuality and religion as dual forces in each of their lives. Speakers shared their unique religious background and how their religion played a role in coming to terms with their sexuality.
Throughout the night's talks, panelists and audience members discussed the perceived split between spirituality and sexuality and also why many religions choose to ignore sexuality in its religious teachings.
Rachel Evans (sophomore-environmental resource management) grew up in the Unitarian Universalist faith, a religion she described as liberal and nondiscriminatory.
Raised in a religion that welcomed diversity and embraced sexuality as a part of religious education, Evans said she could not subscribe to a faith that does not address sexuality.
Eric Patridge, a Penn State graduate student, spoke of his strict Catholic upbringing and how he eventually came to terms with both his faith and his sexuality. He also expressed concern for the way today's society makes sexuality such a taboo topic.
"We don't need to condemn or suppress sexuality," he said. "When we do, it only comes out in unhealthy ways."
Davin Carr-Chellman, Center for Ethics and Religious Affairs assistant director, helped to bring Faith Talks to the Pasquerilla Center. Faith Talks are part of a continuing effort to open up the center's facilities to members of the LGBT community.
"There is a perceived dichotomy between religion and sexuality. We at the Pasquerilla Center wanted to provide a venue for people to speak and listen to people who have struggled with their religion and sexuality, and are now able to be a part of both the LGBT and religious community," he said.
One of the main goals of last night's discussion was to help prove religion and alternative sexual lifestyles can in fact co-exist. Many of the panelists and audience members spoke of the common misperception that sexuality and spirituality are mutually exclusive.
"A lot of people believe that when they come out, or even just support the LGBT community, they then have to abandon their religious and spiritual beliefs," said Allison Subasic, director of the LGBTA Student Resource Center.
"Faith Talks helps to show that there are many people who find peace in their own lives with these two things that often collide," she added.
Jerad Sorber, assistant director of the LGBTA center, spoke in the panel and praised its members for the trying to break down the barriers between sexuality and religion.
"It's important for Penn State students to see that a lot of times people feel gay rights are anti-religion, anti-spiritual and anti-Christian," Sorber said. "This panel gives us the chance to finally prove this is absolutely not the case," he said.
