Putting Central CA on the Map

This truly touched my heart when I came across the headline on Towleroad.com earlier this afternoon in between classes. Never would I have thought that such progress would be made in the central valley, arguably one of the most socially and politically conservative regions in the state. A red puddle in the middle of a blue state if you will. Although Fresno is the sixth largest city in the golden state, at times it feels as backwards and closed-minded as a rural hamlet, population 6. Fresno's cultural cognate is considered to be Tulsa, Oklahoma minus the former "Oil Capitol of the World"'s art deco skyscrapers, lush rolling hills, and storied past which turned farmers into millionaires overnight. The point being that Oklahoma is regarded as the buckle of the bible belt as is Fresno.

All things considered, it took extraordinary courage for this priest to risk losing his conservative congregation altogether by taking a stand against Proposition 8 and coming out in such a public manner. I'm moved that half of his congregation stood behind him, but I'm also saddened by how much additional progress will be necessary to truly achieve equality for all Americans. Granted I'm optimistic and see a glass half full. It's genuinely humbling to see that not all Christians in central California feel it's necessary to secede from the Episcopal church as soon as a gay bishop, Gene Robinson of New Hampshire was ordained. That's a whole post unto itself. Point being, mindsets are slowly changing even if its half a congregation at a time. All of this because one person came out. Now that's encouraging!

Fresno, California Priest Comes Out As Gay, Speaks Out Against Prop 8
Now here's an exemplary Christian.

Father Geoffrey Farrow of the Saint Paul Newman Center in northeast Fresno received a standing ovation from half his congregation after offering up a sermon about loving thy neighbor and then urging his congregation to vote against Proposition 8, the California measure that would ban same-sex marriage. He also came out to the local ABC news reporter in an interview following his mass.

Said Farrow to his congregation: "In directing the faithful to vote 'yes' on Proposition 8 the California bishops are not merely entering the political arena, they are ignoring the advances and insights of neurology, psychology, and the very statements made by the church itself that homosexuality is innate."

He added: "I know that these words of truth will cost me dearly. But to withhold them would be far more costly and I would become accomplice to a moral evil that strips gay and lesbian people of their civil rights but of their human dignity as well."

He said that questions from his parishioners needing direction on how they should vote, as well as his own conscience inspired him to give the sermon and come out of the closet.

Farrow has been an ordained Catholic priest for 23 years.

Watch the local news footage here http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=news/local&id=6431105

Off to get some sleep because conquests can't be made with an absent mind. More later!