Collars and Queers

[MadelineB]

Collars and Queers
Posted: 03/08/2013 5:28 pm
Father Shannon Kearns, Priest, North American Old Catholic Church*

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/father-shannon-kearns/collars-and-queers_b_2830129.html

As a transgender man, as I began my transition and began to be perceived correctly as male I quickly realized that when I smiled at a child in a store what was once seen as innocuous now carried a hint of threat. My talking to small children was no longer welcomed. Now that I am an ordained priest and wear a collar I am seen as a double threat: both a priest and queer.

I have struggled with all of this. I work with youth, I have small siblings that I adore, I love little kids. I like to smile and wave at little kids on the bus, make funny faces and place peek-a-boo with babies in strollers, coo and grin, and I feel like I can no longer do those things; or I have to be incredibly cautious when I do them lest I be seen as threatening. It makes me angry. And sad.

I am pissed (and pissed isn't even a strong enough word) at the priests who have violated the trust of children and families, pissed at them for taking advantage. I am pissed at the priests who have dishonored the collar and pissed at the bishops who covered it up and created a space that allowed it to happen to more children.

I am angry at the people who use the abusers to blame and scapegoat queer people.

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*Note: The NAOCC is an LGBT-affirming Christian denomination that is not affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church or the Vatican. -Maddie

[Sara Thomas]

Gay folk, or priests, aside - it's really pretty sick how, as a society, we have created a shield of fear that serves to insulate children from 50% of the adult population... what are the long term effects of something like that on a society?

Everything seems so "Now", but we're just a page in a future history text: I would like to read about the causes they attribute to our collapse (though it would be largely just for the satisfaction of proving myself correct in the causes that I currently predict are precipitating that collapse...).

[tomthom]

Welcome to bring judged like a man. Trust me when I say this isn't only a priest thing(although it does happen to priests more often. ). Honestly this is one of the societal perceptions I'm looking forward to leaving behind.
Prepare to be treated like a threat. A potential rapist. A perceived misogynyst. And sadly there is almost nothin to do about it.

[Vicky]

Maleness, and Shaman-ness (all forms of religious authority) are postions of power.  The religious authority folks have long claimed to be descended from ABSOLUTE POWER of their dieties, and the old cliche goes "Absolute Power corrupts ABSOLUTELY!!!"  Indeed far too many shamans have been absolutely corrupted and have taken it as their wages and priviledge, just as males have.

Should there be a wonder at the corruption, and wonder that it attaches to the not-so-guilty??

I feel for Father Kearns and the NAOCC, because I know clergy from that group and they are fine examples of what clergy should be, but they are up against a fierce and terrible conundrum that will not soon be answered.   

[VeryGnawty]

Welcome to bring judged like a man. Trust me when I say this isn't only a priest thing(although it does happen to priests more often.

Prepare to be treated like a threat. A potential rapist. A perceived misogynyst. And sadly there is almost nothin to do about it.

Yep.  As far as I can tell, pretty much all men are treated like this even if they aren't TG or homosexual.  Androgyny is alive and well in the world.  But, nope, we can't talk about that.  All we are allowed to talk about is discrimination against WOMEN.  Discrimination against men?  Pah.  Nobody cares.  Just treat all men like potential rapists.  You can even talk to them as if they are rapists.  Nobody cares.

[Cindy]

I think this is so important.

Boys and girls need male role models. How are our boys to grow and be men in our society and to learn how to be men, unless they have good role models. How are our girls going to recognise men who are caring and loving and someone she wants to be with?

Male teachers struggle with innuendo, and goddess forbid if you volunteer to be a scout leader of a footy coach or whatever. You must be a paedophile, and if it can't be proved, well time will tell! Won't it!

Am I alone in knowing that most men are good, that they love their children and care for people? That they will lay down their lives to protect those they love?

So they hide and learn never to express their emotions, and drink and smoke and forget.

I think it's disgusting.

Cindy

[gennee]

Cindy, most men are loving and caring. Society tells men that they can't show emotions. I've had to dispel the notion that I don't have any because I don't always show my emotions.