One of the first steps of healing trauma seems to be telling your story. One of the essentials for telling your story is creating a safe space. How do you create a safe space? For me, it seems like safe spaces just happen. I know that it’s an illusion that they just happen, but it feels like it. What do you think are the most important qualities of safe space? Here’s my list: Calm, quiet physical space. A loud restaurant... Read more
Psalm 14:1b “there is no one who does good.” David, oh David. I’ve probably heard 72 sermons on David and Bathsheba. I’ve probably preached 4 or 5 myself. I’ve heard the text used as a morality tale about idle time. I’ve heard it as an example of violence against women. I’ve heard it as an abuse of power story. I’ve heard David compared to Clinton and Bathsheba to Monica Lewinsky. I’ve heard that Bathsheba is an evil woman, luring David... Read more
trau·ma (trôm, trou-) n. pl. trau·mas or trau·ma·ta (-m-t) 1. A serious injury or shock to the body, as from violence or an accident. 2. An emotional wound or shock that creates substantial, lasting damage to the psychological development of a person, often leading to neurosis. 3. An event or situation that causes great distress and disruption. Following the HROC weekend, I’m still thinking about trauma, and about its definition and healing. But these two thoughts keep coming back to... Read more
This morning in the Global Village of the 2012 International AIDS Conference, a gentleman from Malawi approached our desk with some trepidation. “Is there a contact list where I can sign up?” he asked. A volunteer said, “I don’t think so, but if you’ll leave your information, I’ll make sure that you get on a list. Also, you can take some of our material home.” He answered, “I can’t put all those things in my suitcase. I have to watch... Read more
Harm reduction is the philosophy of service that respects an individual’s choices, is nonjudgmental, and provides options that can help them lead healthier lives. While not as controversial as it once was, harm reduction programs often offer condoms to teenagers (or to anyone who is having sex) to reduce their risk of STIs including HIV/AIDS, and needle exchange programs for drug users. But harm reduction goes much further than that. This sign (via Laura Agustin) is a great example of... Read more
Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless. If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry. My anger will be aroused, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives will become widows and your children fatherless. Exodus 22:22-24 I’ve been blogging a lot more about sex work than I thought I would at this site. I thought I would write once a week about sex work, and then once or twice... Read more
I consider this concept in my book due out in November, I Heart Sex Workers: A Christian Response to People in the Sex Trade. If the people you are trying help do not like you, you should rethink your strategy. Read more
The Washington Post had a special section yesterday on AIDS in America. In an article named “The invisible epidemic” there were these staggering numbers: About 1.2 million Americans are infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of that total, 80 percent know they are infected; 62 percent have sought medical care after diagnosis; 41 percent have stayed in care; 36 percent are receiving life-extending antiretroviral drugs; and 28 percent... Read more
Are you aware that funding from the United States is given to NGOs (non-governmental organizations) around the world to fight HIV/AIDS? Are you also aware that they have to sign an anti-prostitution pledge to receive those funds? The pledge reads like this: No funds…may be used to provide assistance to any group or organization that does not have a policy explicitly opposing prostitution and sex trafficking. It also restricts the use of those funds like this: No funds…may be used... Read more
This will probably be the first of many posts about the police and sex work. Most people who take the time to think about sex workers think that sex workers should stop selling sex. So they propose several ways to make trading sex more difficult, less profitable, and riskier. They create Prostitution Free Zones, they use condoms as evidence of prostitution, they arrest sex workers and/or their customers. But let’s look at arrest. Let me tell you how it reduces... Read more
Rogue Reverend
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