Los Angeles, CA -- Nov. 17, 2008 -- JesusInLove.org is celebrating its third anniversary as an online resource for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) spirituality and the arts. Since November 2005, it has presented a positive vision of GLBT spirituality and tracked censorship of queer religious art.
“I founded JesusInLove.org because Christian rhetoric was being misused to justify hate and discrimination against GLBT people,” says Kittredge Cherry, a lesbian Christian author, art historian and minister. “I hoped to stimulate dialogue and consciousness of love, and that has happened over the last three years. JesusInLove.org has taken off and become important in the world.”
JesusInLove.org was launched on Nov. 17, 2005 with a news release titled “New Website Dares to Show Gay Jesus.” Since then it has reached thousands of people all over the world and co-sponsored the first National Festival of Progressive Spiritual Art. It has grown from a single website into an online network that includes a blog, videos, e-newsletter and an image archive.
“We have won many honors -- and we also get a lot of hate mail from conservative Christians,” Cherry says. She reports that a typical comment is, “Gays are not wanted in the kingdom of Christ! They are cast into the lake of fire.”
“Right-wing Christian bloggers labeled me ‘a hyper-homosexual revisionist’ and denounced my projects as ‘garbage,’ ‘insanity,’ and ‘a blatant act defamation and blasphemy,’” Cherry says. “The ongoing religious bigotry proves that JesusInLove.org is needed now as much as ever. Jesus loved everyone, including sexual outcasts.”
JesusInLove.org will continue to promote spirituality and the arts for GLBT people and their allies by displaying and discussing art on progressive religious themes. Cherry outlined the following dreams for the future:
• Sponsor a contest of GLBT and/or progressive spiritual art with cash prizes and a well known judge. Winners can be displayed online, made into a calendar, even shown at a gallery. There are many possibilities.
• More complete tracking and reporting of censorship of GLBT religious and spiritual artistic/literary expression. This aspect of JesusInLove.org generates a lot of inquiries and interest.
• Build an archive of GLBT religious and spiritual images with permission from each artist for use -- acting as agent for the artists and possibly collecting fees for them. JesusInLove.org already gets many permission requests from people who want to use the images.
The first JesusInLove.org news release from the original launch is available in the Jesus in Love media room, along with other major news releases from the past three years.
For more info, visit the Jesus in Love Blog (www.jesusinlove.blogspot.com), JesusInLove.org, or contact info@JesusInLove.org.
Showing posts with label spiritual. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spiritual. Show all posts
Monday, November 17, 2008
Thursday, November 6, 2008
New Art Book Shows Gay Jesus and Female Christ (4/26/07)
BERKELEY, CA -- April 26, 2007 -- Art that shows Jesus as gay or female has been censored, but now these stunning images by 11 artists fill a beautifully illustrated new art book.
Art That Dares: Gay Jesus, Woman Christ, and More by Kittredge Cherry is packed with color images by 11 contemporary artists from the United States and Europe. Their art shines a spiritual light on justice for women and LGBT people.
The book will be launched at the National Festival of Progressive Spiritual Art in Taos, NM, on May 11-12. An online gallery of selected images from the book has just been added to Cherry’s website, JesusInLove.org.
“Christ belongs to everyone,” says Cherry, an art historian and lesbian Christian author. “The gay Jesus and the woman Christ are here to free and empower people who feel left out when Jesus is presented as a straight man.”
The 11 artists in Art That Dares are a diverse group. They work both inside and outside the church, but all of their art respects the teachings of Jesus.
In the book, the artists tell the stories behind their images, including censorship, hate mail, violence, death threats, and vandalism that destroyed their work. A lively introduction puts the art into political and historical context, exploring issues of blasphemy and artistic freedom.
“These new images are much needed now because Christian rhetoric is used to justify discrimination against women and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people,” Cherry explains.
Explicitly queer Christian imagery in Art That Dares includes photos of Jesus with contemporary LGBT people by Elisabeth Ohlson Wallin of Sweden, a 24-panel gay vision of the Passion by New York painter F. Douglas Blanchard, and the notorious “faggot crucifixion” painting by Atlanta’s Becki Jayne Harrelson. Gary Speziale sculpts a sensuous moment between a nude Adam and the new Adam, while Alex Donis shows Jesus kissing a Hindu god.
Female Christ figures in the book range from Edwina Sandys’ famous bronze crucifix Christa to Janet McKenzie’s award-winning Jesus of the People, which Sister Wendy of PBS chose to represent Christ in the new millennium. Jill Ansell and Sandra Yagi use the symbolism of the cross to explore the suffering of women.
Cherry operates JesusInLove.org, which offers spiritual resources for LGBT people and their allies. She was at the forefront of the sexuality debate at the National Council of Churches (USA) and the World Council of Churches as National Ecumenical Officer for Metropolitan Community Churches. She holds degrees in journalism, art history, and religion.
Cherry’s other books include Jesus in Love, Hide and Speak, Equal Rites and Womanword. The New York Times Book Review praised her “very graceful, erudite” writing style.
Art That Dares (ISBN 1-933993-29-4) is published by AndroGyne Press, a new queer studies press in Berkeley, CA. Ingram Book Group distributes it.
For more information, contact info@JesusInLove.org or publisher@androgynepress.com, or visit: JesusInLove.org or AndroGynePress.com.
###
Art That Dares: Gay Jesus, Woman Christ, and More
By Kittredge Cherry
Publisher: AndroGyne Press
Paperback with color images: 100 pages
Dimensions: 8.5 x 11 inches
Price: $38.95
ISBN: 1-933993-29-4
Publication date: Sept. 1, 2007
Distributed by: Ingram Book Group
Art That Dares: Gay Jesus, Woman Christ, and More by Kittredge Cherry is packed with color images by 11 contemporary artists from the United States and Europe. Their art shines a spiritual light on justice for women and LGBT people.
The book will be launched at the National Festival of Progressive Spiritual Art in Taos, NM, on May 11-12. An online gallery of selected images from the book has just been added to Cherry’s website, JesusInLove.org.
“Christ belongs to everyone,” says Cherry, an art historian and lesbian Christian author. “The gay Jesus and the woman Christ are here to free and empower people who feel left out when Jesus is presented as a straight man.”
The 11 artists in Art That Dares are a diverse group. They work both inside and outside the church, but all of their art respects the teachings of Jesus.
In the book, the artists tell the stories behind their images, including censorship, hate mail, violence, death threats, and vandalism that destroyed their work. A lively introduction puts the art into political and historical context, exploring issues of blasphemy and artistic freedom.
“These new images are much needed now because Christian rhetoric is used to justify discrimination against women and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people,” Cherry explains.
Explicitly queer Christian imagery in Art That Dares includes photos of Jesus with contemporary LGBT people by Elisabeth Ohlson Wallin of Sweden, a 24-panel gay vision of the Passion by New York painter F. Douglas Blanchard, and the notorious “faggot crucifixion” painting by Atlanta’s Becki Jayne Harrelson. Gary Speziale sculpts a sensuous moment between a nude Adam and the new Adam, while Alex Donis shows Jesus kissing a Hindu god.
Female Christ figures in the book range from Edwina Sandys’ famous bronze crucifix Christa to Janet McKenzie’s award-winning Jesus of the People, which Sister Wendy of PBS chose to represent Christ in the new millennium. Jill Ansell and Sandra Yagi use the symbolism of the cross to explore the suffering of women.
Cherry operates JesusInLove.org, which offers spiritual resources for LGBT people and their allies. She was at the forefront of the sexuality debate at the National Council of Churches (USA) and the World Council of Churches as National Ecumenical Officer for Metropolitan Community Churches. She holds degrees in journalism, art history, and religion.
Cherry’s other books include Jesus in Love, Hide and Speak, Equal Rites and Womanword. The New York Times Book Review praised her “very graceful, erudite” writing style.
Art That Dares (ISBN 1-933993-29-4) is published by AndroGyne Press, a new queer studies press in Berkeley, CA. Ingram Book Group distributes it.
For more information, contact info@JesusInLove.org or publisher@androgynepress.com, or visit: JesusInLove.org or AndroGynePress.com.
###
Art That Dares: Gay Jesus, Woman Christ, and More
By Kittredge Cherry
Publisher: AndroGyne Press
Paperback with color images: 100 pages
Dimensions: 8.5 x 11 inches
Price: $38.95
ISBN: 1-933993-29-4
Publication date: Sept. 1, 2007
Distributed by: Ingram Book Group
Gay Jesus Art May Stir Controversy at Taos Festival (1/25/07)
TAOS, NM -- Jan. 25, 2007 -- A gay Jesus and a black female Christ are among the startling images that will go on display at the National Festival of Progressive Spiritual Art in Taos, NM on May 11-12.
The festival will feature gay Jesus paintings by F. Douglas Blanchard of New York, who painted a gay Passion series, and Becki Jayne Harrelson of Atlanta, who put the word “faggot” over the crucified Christ. JHS Gallery and JesusInLove.org are sponsoring the celebration, which includes an art exhibit and book launch banquet honoring more than a dozen artists from across the United States and Europe.
In addition, Vermont painter Janet McKenzie’s famous JESUS OF THE PEOPLE will be shown. McKenzie’s black female Jesus was chosen by Sister Wendy of PBS to represent Christ in the new millennium.
All the artists use a spiritual perspective to examine issues such as lesbian and gay rights, gender and racial justice, peace and environmental protection. They are part of a worldwide artistic renaissance in progressive sacred art.
The highlight of the festival will be a gala opening reception Sat., May 12, for the art exhibition at JHS Gallery, a destination gallery for high-quality sacred art in New Mexico. The landmark show takes its title from the words of Christ: WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM? VISIONS OF CHRIST, GENDER AND JUSTICE. It features a variety of cutting-edge artists who give visual form to the debate over some of the most important, controversial issues today. The show will continue through June 23.
Festivities will kick off Fri., May 11, with a banquet honoring the artists and launching the book ART THAT DARES: GAY JESUS, WOMAN CHRIST AND MORE by Kittredge Cherry, an art historian and the lesbian Christian author of JESUS IN LOVE. Her new illustrated art book will tell the stories behind the art, including how some images led to censorship and death threats. A lively introduction puts the art into context, exploring issues of blasphemy and artistic freedom.
For more information, please visit JHSGallery.com or JesusInLove.org. JHS Gallery carries fine devotional and liturgical art by established, mid-career and emerging artists. JesusInLove.org, offers gay-friendly Christian art, books and other resources.
###
For a press kit or more info, contact:
Michael Roberts, manager of JHS Gallery
jhsgallery@taosnet.com, 505-758-0280
or visit:
http://jhsgallery.com/news.php
http://jesusinlove.org/taostour.php
The festival will feature gay Jesus paintings by F. Douglas Blanchard of New York, who painted a gay Passion series, and Becki Jayne Harrelson of Atlanta, who put the word “faggot” over the crucified Christ. JHS Gallery and JesusInLove.org are sponsoring the celebration, which includes an art exhibit and book launch banquet honoring more than a dozen artists from across the United States and Europe.
In addition, Vermont painter Janet McKenzie’s famous JESUS OF THE PEOPLE will be shown. McKenzie’s black female Jesus was chosen by Sister Wendy of PBS to represent Christ in the new millennium.
All the artists use a spiritual perspective to examine issues such as lesbian and gay rights, gender and racial justice, peace and environmental protection. They are part of a worldwide artistic renaissance in progressive sacred art.
The highlight of the festival will be a gala opening reception Sat., May 12, for the art exhibition at JHS Gallery, a destination gallery for high-quality sacred art in New Mexico. The landmark show takes its title from the words of Christ: WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM? VISIONS OF CHRIST, GENDER AND JUSTICE. It features a variety of cutting-edge artists who give visual form to the debate over some of the most important, controversial issues today. The show will continue through June 23.
Festivities will kick off Fri., May 11, with a banquet honoring the artists and launching the book ART THAT DARES: GAY JESUS, WOMAN CHRIST AND MORE by Kittredge Cherry, an art historian and the lesbian Christian author of JESUS IN LOVE. Her new illustrated art book will tell the stories behind the art, including how some images led to censorship and death threats. A lively introduction puts the art into context, exploring issues of blasphemy and artistic freedom.
For more information, please visit JHSGallery.com or JesusInLove.org. JHS Gallery carries fine devotional and liturgical art by established, mid-career and emerging artists. JesusInLove.org, offers gay-friendly Christian art, books and other resources.
###
For a press kit or more info, contact:
Michael Roberts, manager of JHS Gallery
jhsgallery@taosnet.com, 505-758-0280
or visit:
http://jhsgallery.com/news.php
http://jesusinlove.org/taostour.php
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