Struggling in Good Faith

Mychal Copeland, MTS, speaks and writes about the inclusion of LGBTQI people and interfaith families in religious life. As Bay Area director of InterfaithFamily, she helps couples navigate diversity of religious and cultural backgrounds, and as rabbi at Stanford University, she led multifaith and Jewish student groups exploring the intersections between religion and sexuality. She also served at Congregation Beit Simchat Torah in New York City, the world's largest LGBTQI synagogue.D'vorah Rose, BCC, a multifaith healthcare chaplain, rabbi and palliative care and hospice nurse, consults with and advises healthcare institutions throughout the United States and internationally on the intersections of religious and cultural diversity, pluralism and healthcare status, with a specific focus on historically underserved communities, including LGBTQI patients and healthcare providers.Ani Zonneveld is founder and president of Muslims for Progressive Values. She is also coeditor of Progressive Muslim Identities: Personal Stories from the U.S. and Canada.The Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson was the ninth Episcopal bishop of New Hampshire, being the first openly gay, partnered priest to become a bishop in historic Christianity. He is currently a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, Washington, DC.

"A timely exploration of the grappling all faith communities must engage in to survive and thrive in modern pluralistic America.... Powerfully outline[s] the challenges and opportunities ahead."—Rick Davis, western regional director, Lambda Legal"A wonderful compendium of resources.... Religion and LGBTQI rights are not at odds with one another and this book helps to show that."—Rabbi Denise L. Eger, president, Central Conference of American Rabbis; founding president, Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Interfaith Clergy Association“Honest, compelling and hopeful faith leaders ... share their views on the issues that matter most. If we will hear them and respond to the divine spirit of love together, the struggle will be well worth it.”—The Rev. Peter Wallace, Day1, radio host; author, The Passionate Jesus: What We Can Learn from Jesus about Love, Fear, Grief, Joy and Living Authentically“A strong addition to the fields of theology, religion and LGBTQI studies.... Of particular use and interest to those who regularly work in multifaith environments such as chaplains and pastoral counselors.... Clergy of all faith traditions will also find this a valuable resource.”—Rabbi Stephen B. Roberts, MBA, BCC, editor, Professional Spiritual and Pastoral Care: A Practical Clergy and Chaplain's Handbook“An invaluable resource. This richly textured treasury will enlighten your mind, expand your heart and show you ways to engage more fully with the uniqueness of each person and the complexity of each religious tradition.”—Diane M. Millis, PhD, author, Deepening Engagement: Essential Wisdom for Listening and Leading with Purpose, Meaning and Joy

• A Brief Overview of LGBTQI TermsForewordBishop Gene RobinsonIntroductionMychal Copeland, MTS, and D'vorah Rose, BCCThe Black ChurchMinister Rob NewellsBuddhismAcharya Rita M. Gross, PhDThe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon)John Gustav-WrathallThe Episcopal ChurchRev. Dr. Cameron PartridgeFirst Nations (Native American)Alex Wilson, EdDHinduismRuth Vanita, PhDIslamShehnaz Haqqani with Laury Silvers, El-Farouk Khaki, and Troy JacksonJudaismRabbi Jane Rachel LitmanThe Lutheran ChurchBeth Ann DoerringThe Presbyterian ChurchMarvin M. Ellison, PhD, and Sylvia Thorson-Smith, MSProtestant Evangelical TraditionsRyan Bell, DMinThe Roman Catholic ChurchSister Jeannine Gramick, SLUnitarian UniversalismAnnette S. MarquisConclusionMychal Copeland, MTS, and D’vorah Rose, BCCAfterwordAni Zonneveld, founder and president, Muslims for Progressive ValuesAcknowledgmentsNotes