Articles tagged with: Rev. Johnathan Jones
For our sisters: Suicide is more than a gay men’s issue
by Rev. Johnathan Jones
The soldiers arrived at 6:30 am. Seeing two soldiers at your door when you have a family member on active duty typically means one thing. So as we sat there and were informed of her “self inflicted wound” we were not surprised. Shocked, but not surprised.
Last night, my foster sister, raised in Alaska, an active duty soldier and a very closeted lesbian shot herself.
Living in Alaska there are many of us who have been touched by suicide. As a pastor and youth worker within the LGBT community I am no stranger to suicide. The thing that strikes me though is this is only the second lesbian suicide I have had to face.
We don’t often hear of lesbians killing themselves. The media and our community have been very focused on the young gay teens who have taken their own lives due to homophobia and bullying. But what about our sisters? How many of our sisters have taken their own lives due to issues regarding their sexual identity?
My foster sister came out early in life, however, after a short period of time she went back in the closet, claiming she wasn’t lesbian at all. She later found a girlfriend, came out again, but when that ended, she went back in the closet. Hating herself for not being able to find a same-sex partner she determined she must be straight. After entering the military she married a man- that marriage lasted just weeks. Just recently, when she came home for recreation, she would meet her “friend”. Her “friend” was female and they spent almost every day together when she was home. Her internalized homophobia was so strong that she would not tell us the truth about the relationship- even though there are several members in our family who are openly gay and lesbian.
In trying to honor her I am asking myself: “what is it her short life can leave us”? We need to use this time to bring to light that it is not just young gay men who are taking their own lives: but also our lesbian sisters, and let me not forget our transgender brethren.
Suicide is a huge thing here in Alaska and the United States. While we have had great campaigns like “It Gets Better”, the truth is that for some of us it isn’t getting better, or simply saying “It Gets Better” isn’t reaching everyone. Maybe the reason is that we are just targeting young gay teens. Maybe we need to spread our nets further.
What I’m learning is that I need to be more aware of my lesbian, transgender and bisexual brethren who are just as vulnerable as our young gay men. I also need to remember that it is not just the young, but all ages. The first time I was touched by suicide, the man who killed himself was in his forties.
I don’t have any answers, just some thoughts that I need to share so that a life need not be totally wasted.
As a person of faith I believe she is in a better place, I just wish it didn’t take a gun for her to get there.
Alaskans speak out on National Coming Out Day
The events of recent weeks beg the question: What is it in our culture that says that gay lives are worthless? Gay teens commit suicide because others tell them their lives are not worth living. And homophobes go so far as to verbally and physically attack gay people, believing their actions are perfectly justified.As chairs of Identity Inc., the organization that runs the Gay and Lesbian Community Center in Anchorage, we take the view that political inequality is a key piece of the problem. The lack of legal protections for the gay community both in Alaska and across the country legitimizes anti-gay bias and harassment.The kind of virulent homophobia that leads to hate crimes and teen suicides is not limited to the Outside — just recall the sea of red shirts at the Loussac Library when the Anchorage Assembly considered Ordinance 64. That Mayor Sullivan vetoed the ordinance means that right now in Anchorage, we can be fired from our jobs, kicked out of our apartments, or refused service in a restaurant based on our sexuality and have no legal protections.By letting discrimination slide, the city of Anchorage is saying that gay and transgender Alaskans are less valuable members of the community.This National Coming Out Day, we say that it is time for things to change — time for Anchorage to stand for fairness and equality.
I have heard that Alaskans get things done. I have heard that Alaskans pull together, crossing social boundaries to get through tough times. We must take action against this tragic possibility facing our young people, a possibility that no doubt many of us have faced down in our own families, whether gay, perceived to be gay, or were bullied for other reasons. At the very least, we must stop being silent about it. Coming out is for everyone: Come out as an ally, come out as conflicted but accepting of all people, come out as pro-life and therefore anti-bullying, come out and make a majority that does not tolerate hate, nor the tactics of shame, nor the senseless death of good people. You never know how what you say can affect a person: say your support for a hate-free community out loud.
I do not write this to capitalize on a disturbing national trend. I write this to break my own silence on an issue rooted deep in my own heart. When my own identity issues brought me to seriously consider suicide as a teen, a place very much like Out North kept me alive: They told me I was okay, and gave me an outlet for my otherwise destructive energy. I owe it to the child I was then to speak to children and adults now. I am grateful that I am alive to do so, and grateful that I have something to offer. I offer it sincerely.Out North’s motto is Art for Everyone, No Exceptions. Whatever your identity, but especially if you are an LGBTQ teen who doesn’t know why to stick around for tomorrow, you are welcome here. We encourage you to explore your own mind, to work and laugh with people who are different from you, to learn how there is strength in diversity. We are holding a place for you in our community, and we are excited for you to fill it, whoever you are. We invite you to drop in from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., every day after school. We have a drug-free space to do your homework, create your own art, volunteer your time, and share your experiences with new friends. We want to know you.But seriously, if you feel isolated, we beg you to let your first act—before your final act—be to come see us, tell us your story, and let us tell you that you are valued.
PrideFest 2010 theme and dates announced
Haiti: Countering Robertson’s Lies with Love
– guest post by Rev. Johnathan Jones of Church Life Alaska
As the death toll from Haiti’s devastating earthquake rises to 200,000 the world is literally scrambling to send aid and relief to the broken country. However, some people are making outlandish claims that the earthquake was punishment from God. Just think of the recent comments made by the 700 Club’s so called “Reverend” Pat Robertson. It reminds me of other ridiculous comments made in the past. Like Jerry Falwell’s comment that “AIDS is not just God’s punishment for homosexuals; it is God’s punishment for the society that tolerates homosexuals.”
What do we do with such comments? Shake our heads in disbelief? Stare in shock at our TV screens? Discuss the comments over a cup of coffee and declare how dumb such people are? The reality is that many people agree with such statements, and the media delights in reporting them. We should be taking notice of such comments and speak against such lies.
As a Christian, I am moved to let folks know that the majority of Christians don’t think this way. I also want to apologize on behalf of those Christians who do believe that way. I apologize not because I have some type of spiritual bond with them but rather because they are children of God, just like I am. As a gay man I am also aware just how hurtful and upsetting such comments can be. Even though these words are absolute lies, it hurts knowing people actually think this way and are saying “Amen” to the Pat Robertson’s of this world.
I want to come up with some solution that will dispel these false comments, solutions that will reveal them for the lies that they are, I want to stop them from being said in the first place. Except, there’s nothing I can really do that is going to stop Pat Robertson from making such comments again or from having the media report on them. But, I can do my best to reveal them as the lies that they are.
Through relationships. As queer folk we know anecdotally that homophobes and fence sitters often change their views about homosexuality when they become friends and enter into relationships with people who are queer. I have seen this time and time again. I believe that with the same philosophy we can show the people of Haiti, and those who are hurt by such ugly words, that these are not the truth.
By offering our support, love, prayers and money we can show Haiti and the world that we do not believe the earthquake was punishment from God because of some so-called pact made with the devil 200 years ago. By loving the people of Haiti, by caring for those hurt by others’ words, by loving our neighbors as we love ourselves we can reveal a God of love rather than a God of hate.
Sticks and stones can break our bones and words can break our spirits, but love and care can build those bones and renew our spirits. Let’s do our part to make a good difference during this time of trial. Let’s spread love and stop hate.
Appreciating MCC’s Rev. Johnathan Jones
- Johnathan left Australia in 2004 when he was only 24 to accept a position as the pastor of MCC-Anchorage.
- He had already experienced a divorce from a heterosexual marriage and was a physical and sexual abuse survivor.
- He threw himself into the work and began building the church.
- He labors to lead a service that has wide appeal, because the congregation is very diverse.
- His sermons make positive references to the GLBT community.
- He quotes scripture that dispels the notion that homosexuality is condemned in the Bible.
- He made MCC known in the community.
- He works on the Identity Helpline and fields questions concerning homosexuality and the Bible.
- He is Co-Chair of the PrideFest 2008 Committee and leads the Gay Memorial & MCC Pride Service.
- He accepts numerous speaking opportunities at UAA and in the community at large.
- He gives interviews on radio talk shows about homosexuality and religion.
- He speaks out through Compass pieces in the Anchorage Daily News.
- He is often interviewed on TV when there is an issue in the news about the GLBT community.
- He lobbied the Senate and Congress in DC concerning the Matthew Shephard Act. (Equal Opportunity Law Enforcement Act and Equal Non-Discrimination Act.)
- He personally met with Senator Murkowski to discuss the bills. (She did vote for the Matthew Shephard Act.)
- Johnathan is a very personable young man who laughs easily and loves deeply.
- His sincerity is immediately apparent to all who meet him.
- He shares many of his life’s experiences with the congregation, demonstrating that one can survive all sorts of discrimination, prejudice, and abuse and still be a Christian.
- He is deeply loved by his congregation.
