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Nigeria's gay church is reborn amid a climate of fear

Nigeria's gay church is reborn amid a climate of fear

House of Rainbow church offers underground prayer and preaching to Christians ostracised by rampant homophobia
Shyamantha Asokan in Lagos
guardian.co.uk, Sunday 24 April 2011 19.57 BST
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/apr/24/gay-nigerians-church-services-secret

When Ade's aunt learned he was gay, the then 16-year-old Nigerian was made to go through an exorcism to expel "the demon of homosexuality".

"The priest came to the house with candles, holy water and anointing oils. I had to kneel down, holding candles in my hands," recalls Ade, now 25, as he sits in a cafe in Lagos. He does not wish to reveal his full name. "He kept shouting 'Come out! Come out! Come out!' in a fevered voice … I was allowed to go back to church after that but I had to pretend to be straight."

In a country where homosexuality is punishable by up to 14 years in prison, it is no surprise that many of Ade's friends – those who, like him, are both gay and religious – stay away from church altogether for fear of being outed.

However, an alternative could soon be at hand. Ade is helping to resurrect a religious refuge for himself and his friends. He is part of the team restarting House of Rainbow, the country's only gay church, which was forced to close in 2008 after a witch-hunt stirred by exposés in local newspapers.

The Rev Rowland Jide Macaulay, the gay minister who founded the church, is leading the comeback even though he remains in self-imposed exile in London.

"Religion is a backbone to life in Nigeria, so we all want to go to church," he says. "But we don't want to lie to God about who we are."

Macaulay first set up House of Rainbow in 2006, when he openly held Sunday services in a Lagos hotel hall decked out with rainbow flags. A public backlash culminated in members being beaten as they left church. Macaulay fled to the UK after death threats.

This year, he has recruited a small team that includes Ade as his local leader in Lagos. In his voluntary role, Ade started holding prayer sessions and Bible study groups at his house at the end of last month. A full church might be set up again if it is considered safe.

The project could even spread beyond the borders of Africa's most populous country. Macaulay has recently recruited a local leader in Accra, the capital of nearby Ghana. He is considering applications from Rwanda and Zimbabwe.

Religious groups are central to Nigeria's culture of homophobia. Pentecostalism, an evangelical school of Christianity thought to have started in America just over a century ago, has blossomed in southern Nigeria and across Africa in recent decades. The "megachurches" in and around Lagos can attract tens of thousands of worshippers to a single service.

Pentecostal pastors often see gay desire as the work of demons. "You might start casually but, once you get into it, you will be possessed by the spirit," says Emmanuel Owoyemi, a pastor in Lagos.

Meanwhile, in Nigeria's mostly Muslim north, 12 states have adopted sharia law over the last decade. Gay sex carries the death penalty under sharia, although no executions have yet taken place. A national anti-gay marriage bill, which pushes for jail sentences for anyone who even assists gay marriage, has been before Nigeria's parliament since 2009.

Being gay is regarded as an offence across much of Africa. Uganda's parliament continues to debate a proposed law that would introduce the death penalty in some cases. Malawi's president only pardoned a gay couple last year sentenced to 14 years in jail after an international outcry.

Apart from being on the wrong side of the law, many homosexual Nigerians say exclusion from church is one of the hardest parts of being gay.

"We are brought up to believe that you should belong to a religion. We feel that, if we don't go to church, God will not answer our prayers," says a young gay man in Abuja, Nigeria's capital. "When I recently told a friend I was having financial difficulties, he said, 'When did you last go to church?'"

In oil-rich Nigeria, where corruption robs many of even basic services, religious groups provide more than spiritual assistance. Muslim movements such as Izala have built schools in the north, while southern pentecostal groups such as the Redeemed Christian Church of God run universities. "[We] lose out on all these services," says the young man.

Some argue that African homophobia is slowly waning. Marc Epprecht, an expert on sexuality in Africa at Queen's University in Canada, says the continent's growing number of gay rights groups are challenging negative stereotypes.

He adds that despite the bad press it attracts, African homophobia is not markedly stronger than that of poor or patriarchal parts of the Middle East and South America.

Macaulay, however, is not taking any chances this time. Prayer sessions are being held in secret locations. No unknown newcomers are being admitted. He continues to preach via YouTube from London – he thinks it would be unwise to return home. "We have learnt our lesson," he says. "It is a hostile situation."

The Ineffable Love of God for LGBT People

HOUSE OF RAINBOW FELLOWSHIP
Presents Prayer and Praise evenings with an inclusive gospel of Jesus, celebrating the ineffable love of God for ALL people. Come Just as you are, to an inclusive space to pray and safe space to praise.

Theme: The Ineffable Love of God

LOCATIONS
LONDON UK: Friday 4th February 2011, 6.30-8pm (and then on the first Friday each month)
Foster Hall, Wellesley Road, Off Boundary Road London E17 8QX

MANCHESTER UK: Wednesday 9th FEBRUARY 2011, @6.30pm (then 23rd March)
The Lesbian & Gay Foundation, Number 5, Richmond Street, Manchester M1 3HF

LAGOS NIGERIA: Call +2348052567170 for details

Contact details for House Of Rainbow Fellowship;
Nigeria: +2348052567170
UK: +442085583485 or +447507510357
Email: church@houseofrainbow.org
Webpage: www.houseofrainbow.org
HouseOfRainbow: Facebook/Twitter/Youtube

My Daddy said - "Happy New Year to My Lovely Gay Son".

My Daddy said - "Happy New Year to My Lovely Gay Son".
A postponed visit to Nigeria after several years of estrangement took place a few weeks ago, I want to share this experience with my new found friends. I came out as gay in 1994 after a troubled heterosexual life, my "Coming Out" was a devastation merged with so many religious bashing, I was hated, called an abomination etc. When my family found out I was gay, many of my siblings Stopped speaking with me, my mother was the only one who comforted me and acted natural, when my father got to know it was three years of hell and then I realised that I could lose him, I concluded that if my earthly father can react with such hatred what would my Heavenly father do?, afteral I believed that I am wonderfully made and created in the image of God. My only answer was prayer and more prayers. Many people at House Of Rainbow in Nigeria (and a few more outside Nigeria) have met my dad and he is a wonderful typical Yoruba man, in 2008 he was caught unaware in the Nigerian media frenzy that nearly crippled his reputation but not his love and relation with his son, while the headlines read Hatred, his heart was filled with Love. 2011 started with a difference when on the 2nd Jan we went out to Victoria Island for lunch, the peaceful drive provided a great scenery of Lagos. As we sat at lunch and enjoyed each other company. He suddenly said I am pleased that I am having lunch with my gay son, I almost fell out of my chair. I believe many people need to hear this as we struggle with our relationships, especially with parents and families, if we are not loved at home, we can never find that love abroad, I want as many to hold on and be strong, being gay or lesbian is least understood in Nigeria and by Nigerians, one day those who reject us will celebrate and respect us. Jide

2011 - House Of Rainbow’s Year of Rewards and Compensations.

2011 - House Of Rainbow’s Year of Rewards and Compensations.



In 2008 as many people may recount, House Of Rainbow and myself ran into serious trouble with the Nigerian media, it was indeed our annus horribilis. Many of our members were displaced, some fired from their jobs and evicted from their homes, many where disowned by their families, my home in Isolo was badly vandalised and looted of every valuable items. These were not reported by the callous minded editors of the Nigerian press. As far as they are concerned they have achieved the unachievable. What we did after that was to pick ourselves up, shake off the dust of intolerance and begin the rather tedious journey of rebuilding our ministry, we set up online support and started to network within the country, across religious groups and people. We also worked with many safe house projects to protect vulnerable people. Now we are stronger in 2011, we are building alliances with civil society and other groups, we are present on facebook with nearly 2000 friends, Private interactive forum for devotion and prayers with over 600 members, Youtube, twitter and our own webpage, we are reaching thousands of people in Nigeria and the rest of Africa, UK, USA and elsewhere, than we ever did in the time we were in Nigeria alone. We are proud of the many resilient men and women, supporters of House Of Rainbow abroad and especially those in Nigeria.

2011 we are determined to do more, create more Voluntary Local Leaders, expand on our theologies, increase the attendance and spiritual upliftment of our members, friends and alliances in Nigeria, Ghana, UK, USA, and elsewhere, reconstitute new groups and Fellowships across UK, Nigeria and around Africa, groups of people willing to Praise and Worship God, just as they are. We are asking you good people to consider supporting House Of Rainbow Fellowship.

TEN WAYS YOU CAN SUPPORT HOUSE OF RAINBOW FELLOWSHIP
1) Become a friend/member, 2) Say regular prayers for us, 3) Worship with us in London and Manchester 4) Join our online networks, facebook/twitter/youtube, 5) Tell others about and or invite them to House of Rainbow, 6) Become a Local Leader for House Of Rainbow, 7) visit us at www.houseofrainbow.org 8) Call/SMS on +447507510357, 9) Skype us @ Revjide, 10) Donate generously.

2011 @ House Of Rainbow Fellowship

2011 @ House Of Rainbow Fellowship

Friday 4th February 2011, 6.30pm London
(and then on the first Friday of the month)

House Of Rainbow Fellowship presents a monthly Prayer and Praise evening in London on the first Fridays of the month, with an inclusive gospel of Jesus, celebrating the ineffable love of God for all people. Come Just as you are, to an inclusive space to pray and safe space to praise.

• House Of Rainbow Fellowship also meets on Wednesday 9th February 2011 in Manchester (further dates and activities to be confirmed)

About House Of Rainbow Fellowship

House Of Rainbow Fellowship is an inclusive and affirming religious community open and welcome to all people including Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgender and Intersex people, a monthly gathering of “People of Faith” for “Prayer and Praise”, which focuses on the person’s journey towards reconciliation of sexuality and spirituality.

House Of Rainbow Fellowship aim to provide an inclusive Christian theological focus and interpretation of Scriptures.

The vision of the House Of Rainbow Fellowship was birthed by Reverend Rowland Jide Macaulay, an openly gay African theologian. The style of the House Of Rainbow Fellowship is Pentecostal with “High Praise”, Prayers and Christian fellowship.

All are welcomed including;
• Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgender and Intersex people (LGBTI)
• Parents and Friends of LGBTI people

Other important tools and resources:

Websites:
www.houseofrainbow.org
www.rjmm.co.uk
www.wouldjesusdiscriminate.org
www.youtube.com/houseofrainbow

Recommended Books:
Holy Bible
Pocket Devotional for LGBT Christians by Revd Rowland Jide Macaulay
The Children Are Free by Revd Jeff Miner & John Connolly
The Queer Bible Commentary Edited by Guest, Goss, West & Bohache
The Queer God by Marcella Althaus-Reid
Indecent Theology by Marcella Althaus-Reid
Take Back The Word Edited by Goss & West
Biblical Ethics & Homosexuality Edited by Robert L. Brawley
In the Eye of the Storm by Gene Robinson

Contact Us:
House Of Rainbow Fellowship &
Revd Rowland Jide Macaulay Ministries

Email: church@houseofrainbow.org
Phone: +442085583485; +44 (0) 7507 510 357
Find House Of Rainbow on Facebook/Twitter/Youtube
Skype & Yahoo ID; revjide

Information About Local Leaders

Information About Local Leaders

Volunteer Local Leaders Needed.

Are you Called to be a Local Leader? House Of Rainbow needs you.

Are you a devout Christian?
Do you believe in the inclusive Gospel of Jesus for All people?
Are you able to manage a small group of people?
Are you passionate about helping people?
Can you provide pastoral care?
Are you aged 18 and over?

If you say YES to all the above questions, then contact us for more information at Church@houseofrainbow.org



INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS

Please read these notes carefully before you complete the application form.

• Thank you for expressing interest in a post within House Of Rainbow Fellowship.
• These notes are intended to help you understand the role of Local Leaders. Please read them carefully before you complete and sign the form.
• See below details of the role and responsibilities of Local Leaders. These describe your role and what your position will involve and what we need from the person who is appointed.
• We are inviting you to give us information that will allow us to assess how closely you meet the requirements of Local Leadership. You may draw on all aspects of your life: education, employment, voluntary work, church, interests, and home life, for example.
• There is no education and training, experience, special knowledge and skills, or special qualities and attributes requirements except that we ask for the applicant to be passionate and willing to submit to the authority of the leadership of House Of Rainbow Fellowship Council.
• Please answer all the questions in each section.
• Our policy on references is that we cannot accept references from relatives or members of the family. At least one referee must be from a reputable organisation or member of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex (LGBTI) community.
• Only electronic applications are acceptable. Please scan your signatures for the form.
• We look forward to receiving your application. There are no deadlines for application.


For more Information BY EMAIL ONLY to:

House Of Rainbow Fellowship
e-mail: church@houseofrainbow.org
Telephone: +442085583485
Mobile: +447507510357


HOUSE OF RAINBOW FELLOWSHIP POLICY ON THE RECRUITMENT AND APPOINTMENT OF VOLUNTARY LOCAL LEADERS.

Background
House Of Rainbow Fellowship Local Leader is a voluntary role without any stipend.

The development of Local Leaders is one of the objectives of House Of Rainbow Fellowship, this way we are able to meet the needs of marginalise Christians and or people of faith seeking an alternative safe space to join in corporate prayers, praise, devotion, discussions and bible study.

House Of Rainbow Fellowship Local Leaders initiative is about building a people of power and raising a people of praise

About House Of Rainbow Fellowship
House Of Rainbow Fellowship is an inclusive and affirming religious community open and welcome to all people including Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgender and Intersex people, a monthly gathering of “People of Faith” for “Prayer and Praise”, which focuses on the person’s journey towards reconciliation of sexuality and spirituality.

House Of Rainbow Fellowship aim to provide an inclusive Christian theological focus and interpretation of Scriptures.

The vision of the House Of Rainbow Fellowship was birthed by Reverend Rowland Jide Macaulay, an openly gay African theologian. The style of the House Of Rainbow Fellowship is Pentecostal with “High Praise”, Prayers and Christian fellowship.

House of Rainbow Fellowship is not exclusively for LGBTI people, all are welcome, we are not afraid to say that we are reaching out with a primary mission to the marginalised communities within the faith communities.

All are welcomed including;
• Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgender and Intersex people (LGBTI)
• Parents and Friends of LGBTI people

Vision of House Of Rainbow Fellowship
House Of Rainbow Fellowship vision is to transform the Christian theology towards inclusion, Biblical teaching, interpretation and understanding that alienates and or discriminates, create a safe space and place for LGBTI people to meet and be celebrated by employing and engaging the ministries of theologians and academics.

Who are Voluntary Local leaders?
Local Leaders must be a practising Christian, they are people who are nominated, self nominated, appointed, selected for leadership etc.

Local Leaders must be aged 18 and over at the time of application.

Local Leaders can be a person of any age, race, background, gender and or sexual orientation. All we ask is that they are grounded in the understanding of inclusive gospel and Christian faith.

They will be responsible for leading prayers, devotion and reaching out to Christians including LGBTI people in the local area.

The group will consist of as little as 4 people and no maximum limits. We encourage a continuous development of smaller groups to avoid hostility in the case of a group getting too large.

They will be encouraged and supported by House Of Rainbow Fellowship Council.

Roles and Responsibilities of Local Leaders.
Local Leaders will organise the monthly meetings of House Of Rainbow Fellowship they will have the responsibility to advertise the time and location and also contact details for those that will attend.

They will take initiative and responsibility for security and safety of the meeting space.

Would at all times maintain integrity, discipline, loyalty and honesty in leadership.

Provide pastoral care to all members.

Teaching and discussion materials for the monthly group will be provided by House Of Rainbow Fellowship. This materials will include video aids, online links, devotional booklets and appropriate books will be supplied free of charge to the members.

Local Leaders will also have the responsibility of building a resource library for their members.

Local leaders will represent and share the information about the work of House Of Rainbow Fellowship locally.

Role of House Of Rainbow Fellowship
Provide support for Local Leaders and keep them informed and up to date of the overall fellowship mandate.

This condition of Voluntary service is not exhaustive and subject to periodic review in consultation with the Local Leader.

Offer technical support to Local Leaders in the implementation of Local Group and provide 6 - 12 monthly review of the Local group, leadership and pastoral care.

A letter of Appointment will be issue to appointed Local Leader only.

Procedure
• A decision to reject an applicant because of, or partly because of inadequate information and insufficient reference, in such situation will may defer the applicant application pending further information.
• Generally, an applicant who is rejected will be advised of the reasons.
• An applicant who is rejected will not have a right of appeal.
• Where an individual is accepted by the House Of Rainbow Fellowship Council, and subsequently it becomes evident that the individual failed to disclose relevant information, the matter will be treated as a disciplinary issue and may result in dismissal.

World AIDS Day 2010 Message from House Of Rainbow

House OF Rainbow Fellowship World AIDS Day 2010 Message.

In John 9:2-4, Jesus was asked why the man was born blind. “Jesus answered, neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him.”

We might ask that why are so many millions of people infected or affected with HIV and AIDS, I want you to know that this disease is nothing more than a global tragedy. It is not the will of God that any should suffer.

At House Of Rainbow we take care and time to pray and remember those afflicted by this disease, we pray with them, we touch them with our love and we know that they will always be our brothers and sisters.

HIV has affected all persons from infants to grannies, people of all race, creed, culture and gender, rich and poor nations are engulfed. The world is affected at large.

We suffer with those who suffer and our continuous deepest compassion goes to people and families who have lost their dearest to this disease.

World AIDS Day is a time to remember, acknowledge and celebrate the lives of the departed, may their soul rest in peace. Respect, dignity and prayers for long lives for those who are living with HIV and AIDS. This is a time that we can all acknowledge that the love of God for all people is far more important that the prejudice, stigma and discrimination attached to HIV and AIDS.

As we gather here in our community and all over the world in remembrance and contemplation of World AIDS Day, we pray that God will lead the finding and discovery of a cure. God will guide policy makers, the pharmaceutical and health care officials as they strive to find the best approach, medicinal cure and standard of care. Amen.

Volunteer Local Leaders Needed

Volunteer Local Leaders Needed.
Are you Called to be a Local Leader? House Of Rainbow needs you.

Are you a devout Christian?
Do you believe in the inclusive Gospel of Jesus for All people?
Are you able to manage a small group of people?
Are you passionate about helping people?
Can you provide pastoral care?
Are you aged 18 and over?

If you say YES to all the above questions, then contact us for more information at Church@houseofrainbow.org

Contact:

House Of Rainbow Fellowship London &
Revd Rowland Jide Macaulay Ministries
Phone +44 (0) 2085583485, +44 (0) 7507 510 357
Email: Church@houseofrainbow.org
Skype & Yahoo ID; revjide
Facebook & Twitter: HouseOfRainbow

ONLINE Ministries
Video Messages; www.youtube.com/houseofrainbow
Web; www.rjmm.co.uk
Web; www.houseofrainbow.org
Web; www.wouldjesusdiscriminate.org/

House Of Rainbow 2010 Dates for your Diary

About House Of Rainbow Fellowship
House Of Rainbow Fellowship is an inclusive and affirming religious community open and welcome to all people including Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgender and Intersex people, a monthly gathering of “People of Faith” for “Prayer and Praise”, which focuses on the person’s journey towards reconciliation of sexuality and spirituality.

House Of Rainbow Fellowship aim to provide an inclusive Christian theological focus and interpretation of Scriptures.

The vision of the House Of Rainbow Fellowship was birthed by Reverend Rowland Jide Macaulay, an openly gay African theologian. The style of the House Of Rainbow Fellowship is Pentecostal with “High Praise”, Prayers and Christian fellowship.

All are welcomed including;
• Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgender and Intersex people (LGBTI)
• Parents and Friends of LGBTI people

Other important tools and resources:

Websites:www.houseofrainbow.org
www.wouldjesusdiscriminate.org
www.youtube.com/houseofrainbow

Recommended Books:Holy Bible
The Children Are Free by Revd Jeff Miner & John Connolly
Pocket Devotional for LGBT Christians by Revd Rowland Jide Macaulay
The Queer Bible Commentary Edited by Guest, Goss, West & Bohache
The Queer God by Marcella Althaus-Reid
Indecent Theology by Marcella Althaus-Reid
Take Back The Word Edited by Goss & West
Biblical Ethics & Homosexuality Edited by Robert L. Brawley
In the Eye of the Storm by Gene Robinson

Contact:Reverend Rowland Jide Macaulay
Email: church@houseofrainbow.org
Phone: +442085583485, +44 (0) 7507 510 357


Thursday 4th November 2010, 6.30pm LondonHouse Of Rainbow Fellowship presents a monthly Prayer and Praise evening in London on the first Thursday of the month, with an inclusive gospel of Jesus, celebrating the ineffable love of God for all people. Come Just as you are, to an inclusive space to pray and safe space to praise. www.houseofrainbow.org. For info Call/text +442085583485, +447507510357 email: church@houseofrainbow.org

2010 Dates for your diary:
• Metropolitan Community Church East London 7th Nov @5.30pm
• Manchester Fellowship 17th Nov, 6.30pm
• Sao Paulo Brazil 1-11 Dec, Daily.
• London Fellowship 2nd Dec, 6.30pm.
• Christmas Party by INVITATION ONLY 18th December.

House of Rainbow Fellowship is the place for you. You are welcomed to send your prayer request to us at church@houseofrainbow.org or join our online forum at www.houseofrainbow.org. Wherever we assemble, you can attend our FREE monthly “Prayer and Praise” sessions, refreshments will be served. For more information and details, please contact us or visit our blog www.houseofrainbow.org
Preacher at MCC East London on Sunday 7th Nov 2010, 5.30pmRevd Jide Macaulay will be preaching at MCC East London, join us at the inclusive church, celebrating the ineffable love of God for all people. Come Just as you are. www.houseofrainbow.org. For info Call/text +442085583485, +447507510357 email: church@houseofrainbow.org

House Of Rainbow Fellowship, goes to ManchesterWednesday 17th November 2010, 6.30pm
House Of Rainbow Fellowship presents a monthly Prayer and Praise evening in Manchester, with an inclusive gospel of Jesus, celebrating the ineffable love of God for all people. Come Just as you are, to an inclusive space to pray and safe space to praise. www.houseofrainbow.org. For info Call/text +442085583485, +447507510357 email: church@houseofrainbow.org

House Of Rainbow Fellowship, goes to BRAZIL1st to 11th December 2010, Sao Paulo Brazil.
Times and Locations to be announced.
House Of Rainbow Fellowship presents a “Daily Prayer and Praise” Sao Paulo Brazil, with an inclusive gospel of Jesus, celebrating the ineffable love of God for all people. Come Just as you are, to an inclusive space to pray and safe space to praise. www.houseofrainbow.org. For info Call/text +442085583485, +447507510357 email: church@houseofrainbow.org

Gay Muslims & Gay Christians Celebrate London Gay Pride 2010

Gay Muslim Pav and Christian leader Revd Jide share a celebratory message to encourage Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Trans and Intersex people at London's Black Gay Pride 2010, a show of solidarity between faith communities. There were over 1,000 people at the event. Introduced by fame Actor Cyril Nri.

Increase Our Faith And Respect For Each Other.

Increase Our Faith And Respect For Each Other.
By Rowland Jide Macaulay @ Metropolitan Community Church East London
3rd October 2010

Introduction
The Gospel reading Luke 17:5-6 set the tone for the message today, increase our Faith.

5 The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’ 6The Lord replied, ‘If you had faith the size of a* mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea”, and it would obey you”.

How do we increase our faith and respect for each other? Let me leave that question there in your heart and come back to this later.

In the UK the month of October is dedicated to Black History Month celebrated every year. The aims are to promote knowledge of Black History and experience, disseminate information about culture and history of the Black people. There is no doubt that Black people have made many contributions worth celebrating, but we must be mindful of the few Black people who are also causing havoc. What I know is that we all, regardless of race and gender can make a difference in this world. We can increase our faith and respect by standing up against ALL that is evil and unjust.

We may ask what has this got to do with the sermon today, we may ask what has this got to do with my salvation, faith and respect. It has so much to do with it, because our history needed to change from the history of victims to victors, from fear to favour, enslavement to empowerment. There is so much our community need to learn from the Black History. We have often found parallels with the “struggle and fight against racism” with “the struggle and fight against homophobia and transphobia”.

Black History month cannot be complete without Queer or LGBT History, Black History cannot be complete with ALL people’s history, the history of the oppressed cannot be complete without the oppressor, no one speaks about slaves or slavery without the slave masters.

When Habakkuk said, O LORD, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not listen? Or cry to you ‘Violence!’ and you will not save? It sends a message that is recognisable from the Black community who were enslaved because of their blackness to the gay community who are ostracised because of who they are, from London to Lagos, New York to Kampala.

When I examined the Habakkuk Oracle, this is what I found, a strange and endearing similarity between the Black people’s struggle and the LGBTI people’s struggles.

We asked the same questions and face the same issues over all these years, from Biblical times to 21st century days. I don’t have all the answers but I am hoping that my sermon today can lead all of us to some answers.

Let me share five points with you today.


1) O LORD, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not listen? Or cry to you Violence!’ and you will not save?

What Black History month did for us is to teach us the way to face our struggles as a people, first it was about racial discrimination, but now it is discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity, I cannot believe that any religious body will be a part of the hate campaign, I would have thought that the Religious communities will be at the centre of healing, reconciliation and welcoming for all people, but I was wrong,

Brothers and sisters, Cry no more, because your salvation has come. The answer for me and for you is in Colossians 3:9-11, which says Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices 10and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. 11In that renewal* there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all!

2) Why do you make me see wrongdoing and look at trouble?

We are faced daily with wrongdoings and we steer trouble in the face daily. LGBTI people all over the world live in fear every day. Many times when we step out to help others and speak against injustices, we become the problem, in many societies people who are seen as “Human Right Defenders” are often those who look at trouble in the face. What are we doing today to save guard the future of our community?

I received a message from the LGBT centre in New York, which reads “Our Hearts are heavy” the back drop to the message is that six teenage gay and lesbian children have in the last few weeks and months committed suicide because they were bullied for who they are, we need to face wrongdoing, not just for our sake but for the future LGBT generation. I am angry at the fact that there is continued renewal of hate not just towards us but also within us. We are not sharing the message wide enough, we are not raising the bar of LGBT role modelling, the message of love and inclusion is lapsing, we need to create a climate where young LGBT people can be free and be themselves, children should be playing not harming themselves or driven to such harm by bullies.

3) Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise.

There is no doubt that there will be some destruction and violence, there will be strife and contention, people will disagree with us, our theology will not be the favourite one to listen to or to handle, it was the same with the Black theologians, there were opposition. Queer theology is scary for many, because not everyone fits into the same shoe, we seldom sing from the same song sheet. Christianity is a price to pay, it is radical and we have to take the message out there for many millions who not just hate us but for those who might just be saved. Rev Troy D Perry’s Coming Out as a Gay Christian leader in the 1960s saved millions of LGBT people, we also need to do our part. Reverend Dr Martin Luther King Jr and many other Black theologians in history have played their part in the emancipation of Black people and Black theology. Reverend Solomon S. Seay, former head of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, in the United States of America and also a civil rights campaigner alongside Reverend Dr Martin Luther King Jr, said following a fight for equal rights for African American during the Montgomery bus boycotts “If a person doesn’t want to sit beside me because I am dirty, that is my fault. If a person doesn’t want to sit beside me because I am loud, that is my fault too, but if the person doesn’t want to sit beside me because I am black, that is not my fault because God made me black” I dare to add to this note that “If a person doesn’t want to sit beside us because we are Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transsexuals and Intersex people, then we need to know that it is not our fault, God made us Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual and Intersex people”
It is time for us to increase our faith, action and respect and do something we have never done before. Save a life, save our own lives.

4) So the law becomes slack and justice never prevails.

The laws are too slow to recognise the discrimination, the interventions are bureaucratic, policy makers makes endless promises, but we can make a difference, that is why we have voices, we can speak out, write articles, consider joining a campaign for what is right, I am sure that when people started the discussion about ending slavery, it certainly did not start amongst Black people, because largely they were not responsible for the big ship and the voyage, but I believe that people in our history both Black and White made this happen.

Many days of my life, I was victimised on the grounds of sexual orientation, with faith I have risen to a place where I not only celebrate who I am, Child of the living God, but also work with others, on the journey to reconcile, I have stood in many places challenging governments to change discriminatory laws against LGBT people, from Cameroon to Comoros, Iran to Iraq, Kuwait to Qatar, Guinea to Lesotho.

When we teach, let us speak out against injustice, because if we don’t we only prolong the pain of future generation. I say today that I do the things I do today, not because I see the benefits for me, but I do them because I dream of the benefits for future generations, I want history to record that at least I tried. Brothers and sisters, what will be in your legacy?

5) The wicked surround the righteous— therefore judgement comes forth perverted.

The wicked people are very very powerful, they will suppress the truth. We spend too much time in accusation, when people in politics and religion stand up, to uphold discrimination, my heart bleeds, when the proposals were drawn to end slavery there was violence, there was an attempt to pervert justice. The same is happening today in our world, we must not seat back and allow people Religious or not to judge us for who we are, the Bible says in Jeremiah, Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; Isaiah confirmed “Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb: I am the LORD, who made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who by myself spread out the earth.”

Many millions of people are threatened by the actions of the ignorant few, families are scattered, there is a surge in suicidal tendencies and the health of the people declined.

I take refuge in the word of God, I am not stubborn, but I refuse to allow the negativity of these ignorant actions to get through my heart, mind and skin. It is not an easy place to be, however, when people ask me where in the scriptures does it say that God loves or indeed creates homosexual, I want to let you know that the Bible points to more verses of inclusion than exclusion. God is responsible for LGBTI people and it is only God that can love us as we too are the original imprint of God’s love and never a secondary group of people.

Hebrew 11:1-3, Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2Indeed, by faith* our ancestors received approval. 3By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.*

What are we hoping for? a world that will accept us and not kill or dehumanise LGBT people. Even though we have not seen justice we must begin to celebrate the freedom and liberation, just like our ancestors. If we believe by faith that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, then we must begin to live and love who we are, even though we may be invisible to the other inhabitants.

Conclusion
Let me conclude with Paul’s letter to Timothy, which says I am grateful to God—whom I worship with a clear conscience, as my ancestors did—when I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. 4Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy. 5I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you. 6For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands; 7for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline. 8 Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God, 9who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace.

I recognise that calling in you today, I recognise that calling in Michael Jackson who has gone before us. Black History month is about our ancestors, the joy, the liberation, the pain, the injustices, we must today bring a change to the world we live in. Michael Jackson in one of his many revolutionary songs sang about healing the world, make it a better place.

There's A Place In Your Heart
And I Know That It Is Love
And This Place Could
Be Much Brighter Than Tomorrow
And If You Really Try
You'll Find There's No Need To Cry
In This Place You'll Feel
There's No Hurt Or Sorrow

Heal The World
Make It A Better Place
For You And For Me
And The Entire Human Race
There Are People Dying
If You Care Enough For The Living
Make A Better Place
For You And For Me

In order to increase our faith we need to step out of the shadow of fear and work against all the injustices, we need to be comfortable with who we are, not what people want us to be or say we are. The gospel reading is a response that we can do anything if we have faith. The Lord replied, ‘If you had faith the size of a* mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea”, and it would obey you.

As we seek reconciliation we would be empowered knowing that God’s love was given to us when we were formed in our mother’s womb, and this is how we increase our faith and respect for each other.

God bless you. God bless our universe, Amen.

House Of Rainbow Fellowship Prayer and Praise 7th October 2010.

Thursday 7th October 2010, 6.30pm House Of Rainbow Fellowship presents a monthly Prayer and Praise evening in London on the first Thursday of the month, with an inclusive gospel of Jesus, celebrating the ineffable love of God for all people. Come Just as you are, to an inclusive space to pray and safe space to praise. www.houseofrainbow.org For info Call/text +447507510357 email: church@houseofrainbow.org

2010 Dates for your diary: 4th November, 2nd December

UPR Kenya United Nations Human Right Council Geneva

15th Session of the Human Rights Council
Item 6: Universal Periodic Review – Statement by
Action Canada for Population and Development (ACPD)

Mr. President,

ACPD with Minority Women in Action, the Coalition of African Lesbians and Pan Africa ILGA, wishes to stress the following points in relation to the Universal Periodic Review of Kenya:

We welcome the State’s support on various recommendations including the promise to review national laws to fully uphold the principle of non-discrimination, eradicate the use of torture and ill-treatment by public officials and take effective measures to safeguard the work of human rights defenders. We also recall the State’s ratification of various international and regional human rights instruments including the protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the rights of women in Africa.

However, we express disappointment that the Kenyan government has rejected recommendations to take measures to provide for the protection and equal treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons. The criminalization of consensual same-sex conduct encoded in Sections 162 and 165 of the Penal Code fuels stigma, discrimination and violence against sexual minorities. Human rights are universal, inalienable and inherent. These principles apply to all citizens of Kenya including lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex Kenyans.

The importance of human rights was emphasized by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon in a high-level panel at the current session of the Human Rights Council who said:

“No doubt deeply rooted cultural sensitivities can be aroused when we talk about sexual orientation. Social attitudes run deep and take time to change. But cultural considerations should not stand in the way of basic human rights.”

LGBTI Kenyans are repeatedly discriminated against and continue to face threats and violence as well as torture, ill-treatment and harassment at the hands of public authorities simply because of who we are and who we love. We regret the silence of the State in the face of these violations, such as in the highly publicized attach on 12 February, 2010 in Mtwapa targeting homosexual individuals that saw organized physical violence, life threats and hate speech.

In this dawn of a new constitutional dispensation, we urge the State of Kenya to seize this moment and respect, protect and fulfill the rights of all Kenyans including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons. Our rights, the rights of LGBTI people, are human rights.

Thank you.

UPR Lesotho United Nations Human Right Council Geneva

UPR: Lesotho
Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network
United Nations Human Rights Council, Geneva. 21st September 2010.

Presented by Rowland Jide Macaulay

Mr. President, distinguished members of the delegation,

I am pleased to make this statement on behalf of the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network and Pan-Africa ILGA.

We wish to address recommendations 98, paragraphs 2, 4 and 5, issues of serious concern raised in the Working Group report on Lesotho. These recommendations call for the amendment of the penal code provisions which criminalize consensual sexual activity between persons of the same sex, to ensure that no one is punished under these laws.

Criminalization of consensual same sex activity constitutes a violation of established international human rights law and undermines public health initiatives.

Just last Friday, in a high-level panel held in conjunction with the current session of the Human Rights Council, Nobel Peace Prize Winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu called for an end to criminal laws against homosexuality. He noted that South Africa included sexual orientation in its new post-apartheid Constitition, stating that “we knew, from our bitter experience that an injury to one is an injury to all.”

These calls were echoed last week by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who underlined:

“Laws criminalizing people on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity violate the principle of non-discrimination. They also fuel violence, help to legitimize homophobia and contribute to a climate of hate. No doubt deeply rooted cultural sensitivities can be aroused when we talk about sexual orientation. Social attitudes run deep and take time to change. But cultural considerations should not stand in the way of basic human rights.”

We were therefore disappointed that Lesotho did not accept these recommendations. The UN Human Rights Committee has noted that laws criminalizing homosexuality “run counter to the implementation of effective education programmes in respect of HIV/AIDS prevention” by driving marginalized communities underground, a finding supported by UNAIDS and other key actors in the fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

We therefore urge the government of Lesotho to reconsider Recommendations 98.2, 4 and 5, and take action to bring its legislation into conformity with internatiponal standards, by repealing legislation which criminalizes same-sex conduct between consenting adults.

Thank you Mr. President.

UPR Guinea United Nations Human Right Council Geneva

UPR: Guinea
Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network & Pan-Africa ILGA
United Nations Human Rights Council, Geneva. 21st September 2010


Presented by Rowland Jide Macaulay

Mr. President, distinguished members of the delegation,

I am pleased to make this statement on behalf of the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network and Pan-Africa ILGA. In the recent UPR of Guinea, stakeholders submitted reports recommending that Guinea decriminalize sexual activity between consenting adults of the same sex, noting that under Article 325 of the 1998 Penal Code same-sex activity between consenting adults is criminalised.

We urge Guinea to give serious consideration to these recommendations. Criminalization of consensual same-sex conduct constitutes a violation of established international human rights law and a major blow to public health.

Just last Friday, in a high-level panel held in conjunction with the current session of the Human Rights Council, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon delivered a statement, saying:

“Laws criminalizing people on grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity violate the principle of non-discrimination. They also fuel violence, help to legitimize homophobia and contribute to a climate of hate. That is why in May of this year during a visit to Malawi, I called for such laws to be reformed worldwide. No doubt deeply rooted cultural sensitivities can be aroused when we talk about sexual orientation. Social attitudes run deep and take time to change. But cultural considerations should not stand in the way of basic human rights”

These concerns have also been raised by the UN Human Rights Committee, which has noted that laws criminalizing homosexuality “run counter to the implementation of effective education programmes in respect of HIV/AIDS prevention” by driving marginalized communities underground, a finding supported by UNAIDS and other key actors in the fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

We appreciate the government of Guinea’s understanding and therefore urge the government to ensure compliance with international standards by:

• Repealing article 325 of the 1998 Penal Code, which criminalizes same sex activity between consenting adults.
• Promoting policies which ensure equality of access to public health services by all marginalised populations.

Thank you Mr. President.

Five Days To Go: House Of Rainbow FORUM is Moving

Dearly Beloved Friends,



Five Days To Go: House Of Rainbow FORUM is Moving



I trust all is well with you, I am extremely delighted and thankful to God for this webpage. However, we shall be moving the forum to another service provider who has kindly donated the space to us free of charge.



We would move on or before the 18th September, we would continue to keep you up to date with further instructions.



We are also on;



Facebook: HouseOfRainbow

Twitter: HouseOfRainbow

Youtube: HouseOfRainbow



Email: church@houseofrainbow.org



Webpage: www.houseofrainbow.org



Telephone: +44 (0) 208 558 3485

Mobile: +44 (0)7507 510 357



More love more power



Revd Rowland Jide Macaulay

10 Days To Go: House Of Rainbow FORUM is Moving

10 Days To Go: House Of Rainbow http://spiritualityandsexuality.ning.com/ FORUM is Moving. I trust all is well with you, I am extremely delighted and thankful to God for this webpage. However, we shall be moving the forum to another service provider. We would move on or before the 18th September, we would continue to keep you up to date with further instructions. We are also on; Facebook/Twitter/Youtube: HouseOfRainbow. Email: church@houseofrainbow.org, Web: www.houseofrainbow.org, Phone: +44 (0)7507 510 357

Hatred In the Name Of Jesus

HATRED IN THE NAME OF JESUS.

Dear Friends, I try so much not to blog the hatred I get daily in my email and also posted on all our webpages, I am posting this one below because I need your prayers for strength and endurance.



bbenjam1050 has posted a comment on your profile:

JIDE YOU ARE DEVIL INCARNATED!! YOU ARE BLASPHAMY THE NAME OF MY GOD JESUS AND YOU DONT DESERVE TO LIVE. BUT TO STONE YOU UNTIL YOU DIE A VERY PAINFUL DEATH FOR LEADING PEOPLE ASTRY AND FOR BLASPEMY AGAINST THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, ISSAC AND JACOB. THE CREATOR OF UNIVERSE AND EARTH.



JerryTatum posted a comment:


Not only are you going to Hell, but your taking other with you, with your teaching .that is your greatest sin .I turn you over to Satan for the destruction of your flesh ,that your soul might be save.repent now



I am a living testimony of the love of God and if anything could be of any asssurance is the Bible Reading in the Christian Lectionary today Luke 14:26 ‘Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. 27Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple"



I stand by God with my Homosexuality and I believe that I am guaranteed a place in Heaven with Jesus and all the saints before me.



The Principle of Reconciliation for me and many Homosexual Children of the living God is enshrined in Scripture.



Please read.



A)



But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people,* in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.



B)



There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit* of life in Christ Jesus has set you* free from the law of sin and of death.



C) In that renewal* there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all!



What the Religious Haters are doing is Selective Discrimination out of ignorance and the greatest understanding of the ineffable love of God for ALL his children, Jesus said to the Pharisees after their action to discriminated against a blind man. Jesus heard that they had driven him out, and when he found him, he said, 'Do you believe in the Son of Man?'* 36He answered, 'And who is he, sir?* Tell me, so that I may believe in him.' 37Jesus said to him, 'You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he.' 38He said, 'Lord,* I believe.' And he worshipped him. 39Jesus said, 'I came into this world for judgement so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind.' 40Some of the Pharisees near him heard this and said to him, 'Surely we are not blind, are we?' 41Jesus said to them, 'If you were blind, you would not have sin. But now that you say, "We see", your sin remains.



I leave them with their conscience, I am not at all worried. I repented when I accepted God into my life because He approves of my humanity including my Homosexuality. This is my TESTIMONY.

PROJECT: An opportunity to Broadcast on Radio

There is an opportunity to Broadcast on Radio in the UK and I am looking for people with ideas so we can collaborate. A community Radio has airtime to award and it will be a great opportunity to start "Gay Africa Radio".



Aim

Broadcast LGBT issues on the airwaves as they affect LGBTI people of Africa descent in the UK and also highlight many activities and news from around the world related to Africans, at home and abroad.



What are we looking for at this stage?

People with incredible ideas, you do not need to be an expert in broadcasting.



Topical issues connecting/relating to Homosexuality in Africa and for LGBTI people of African Descent abroad.



If you are interest or want to be part of the project, it doesnt matter where you are as we can work electronically, please contact me on +44208558 3485 or +447507510357.



regards



Rowland Jide Macaulay