Statement from BMC in support of Pink Menno

July 2009

On behalf of the Brethren Mennonite Council for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Interests (BMC), we would like to express our deep appreciation for the actions and presence of the Pink Menno Campaign at the Mennonite Church USA conference in Columbus. It is immensely encouraging to witness the rise of a grassroots, young adult led movement that is unabashedly calling for lgbt inclusion and affirmation within the church and society. Their playful, gracious yet strong actions offer a powerful model of hope and possibility for MCUSA.

We share the disappointment that many have expressed regarding the public scolding that Jim Schrag, Executive Director of Mennonite Church USA, directed towards the Pink Menno Campaign. His comments were vague, misleading and notably inaccurate; and we suspect that the executive team may now regret making such a hasty pronouncement.

At the same time, given past experiences, we were not particularly surprised that denominational leadership chose to respond in this fashion. Pink Menno’s “offenses” were threefold:

• they were visible, particularly to youth.
• in a public space, they were unwavering in their support of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (lgbtq) people.
• they did not ask leadership for explicit permission to express their views.

All of these “violations” have historically triggered a measured, strong action in order to silence and control. Thus we have witnessed the expulsion of congregations, the interrogation of pastors and scholars, threats to credentials and positions, the removal or denial of membership, the banning of materials, the rejection of requests for space, public chastisement and outright moratoriums on discussion. Disturbingly, even youth are well aware of these strong-arm tactics. At one of the Pink Menno youth gatherings at Columbus, several youth stated that they would like to talk about lgbt inclusion in their home congregations, but feared that their youth advisor and/or pastor would risk being fired if they dared to raise the issue. It is a sad, sad commentary upon the nature of the church when youth feel they must self censure in order to protect a loved youth advisor or pastor from harm.

Within the Mennonite Church, too many individuals, families, groups and congregations have paid too high a price for their willingness to dissent from an imposed conformity that masks itself as unity. As Anabaptists, our history teaches us a different lesson. It suggests that dissent can be a courageous act that offers a new or expanded understanding of what it might mean to be a faithful people. This is the lesson that we choose to take from this experience at Columbus.

The Pink Menno Campaign, with its prophetic vision of a faith community that practices a deep, rich and welcoming hospitality, is offering an important opportunity to Mennonite Church USA and to each of us as well. We are delighted that so many are responding to this invitation by donning pink and committing themselves to the creation of a church that is inclusive and welcoming of lgbtq people. May the day soon come when we say, “we are all Pink Mennos!”

Brethren Mennonite Council for LGBT Interests (BMC) Board of Directors:

Mike Litwiller, president

Glenn Kauffman

Leann Toews

Calvin Neufeldt

Paul Neudorf

Ralph McFadden

Susan Boyer

Carol Wise, staff

To see Jim Schrag's letter and Pink Menno's response click here.