tonday • October 6, 1997
L The Battalion
IFESTYLES
Comine
riends Congregational Church
dcomes all through its doors
Liln
Dark
By Rhonda Reinhart
Staff writer
omeone once said an open hand
holds more friends than a closed fist,
and the Friends Congregational
lurch on Southwood Drive in College
idon adopts a policy that reflects open
ids, hearts and minds.
On June 16, 1996, the Friends Congre-
iional Church adopted The Open and
inning Statement defining the church’s
ace on acceptance and discrimination.
According to the statement, church
mbers affirm “That in the spirit of love
d openness, we welcome into the
mmunity of faith persons of every sex
ual orientation, race, nationality,
ability, age and gender to
participate in all as
pects of our
church’s
life and ministry.”
Jo Hudson, minister of the church,
said the more dramatic part of the state
ment is the acceptance of gays, lesbians
and bisexuals.
“Open and affirming means accepting
of all people,” she said.
Ruth Schemmer, former moderator for
the church and a graduate student in soci
ology, said society consistently excludes
gays and lesbians.
“I can’t think of any other group that is
more systematically excluded from wor
shipping God,” she said.
Friends Congregational Church is a
member of the Brazos Association of the
South Central Conference of the United
Church of Christ.
The church was formed in 1978 under
its original name, College Station United
Church of Christ. The name was changed
to Friends United Church of Christ to re
flect the church’s spirit of “oneness with
God and with one another.”
Please see CHURCH on
Page 5.
loiviiNG Out
ontinued from Page 1
Coming Out Week begins Monday when the GLBA
bsts a PFLAG panel to speak on “Coming Out To
familv."
Ron Hudson, a junior industrial distribution major
inks PFLAG is a great way to inform the public about
lays and lesbians.
On Tuesday, Rainbow Christians will present Rev-
rend Jo Hudson of the Friends Congregational Church.
“Friends Congregational Church is what you call a
dooming church,” Moore said. “Welcoming churches
Gay couple dispels stereotypes
about homosexuality and AIDS
By Aaron Meier
Features editor
wo people meet, they fall in love, they
commit to each other and decide to
move in together.
This scenario sounds like a typical love
story of two people making the tough de
cision to start a committed relationship.
The only distinguishing fact is these two
people are both men, homosexuals, in a
long-term relationship.
“Brett” and “Chad” have been romanti
cally involved for almost three years and
living together for the past two.
Chad said he met Brett walking across
the Texas A&M campus.
“He was walking with my roommate,
who was gay,” Chad said. “Brett asked
about me. He called later that week and
asked me out.”
Dating in modern times can be intim
idating for any couple, but Brett and
Chad said dating for them poses special
challenges.
“The only difference between a ‘hetero’
date and a ‘homo’ date is that we can’t fig
ure out who pays,” Brett said.
Brett said the political and so
cial environment of
A&M places restraints on homosexual re
lationships that straight couples do not
encounter.
“We know that here in College Station
we can’t dance, hold hands or whatever,”
Brett said. “However, there are other places
which are a little more open-minded. We
are not here to recruit anyone — no toast
er ovens in stock — just live our lives that
God gave us.”
Brett and Chad said their relationship
goes through good times and bad just like
any other.
“I cannot sit here and say everything
has been great,” Brett said. “Everyone
gets in fights. We know how difficult it is
to find someone you click with, straight
or gay, and we click. We fight like a mar
ried couple — so people say.”
The couple has exchanged rings,
which they said symbolizes their
love for each other.
Please see COUPLE on
Page 5.
open to
people of
every diver
sity, i.e. gays a
lesbians.”
The Allies, a group <
students and staff members
who wish to provide a safe haven, a lis
tening ear or an open door to gays, lesbians
and bisexuals, are bringing a heterosexual panel to
discuss “A Straight Talk on Gay Issues” on Wednesday.
Thursday,
youth groups from Hous
ton, Austin and Dallas, includ
ing The Houston Area Team Coali
tion of Homosexuals, Out Youth Austin,
and Hope House of Dallas, will present
“Gay Youth.”
Ttibbs
said the groups are
mainly 16-21 year olds who will dis
cuss the problems teens face with being gay in high
school.
The week concludes with the Open House of the Gen
der Issues Education Services from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
“The whole week gives people a chance to talk before
they take the first step of coming out and tell their par
ents and friends,” Tubbs said.
Any questions on places and times of events can be
directed to the GayLine at 845-0321.
SWING
Graduate
October 9th...
1997 Graduate and
Professional School Day
Don’t miss this once-a-year opportunity to visit with representatives from
prestigious graduate and professional schools around the country about theii
programs. Learn more about outstanding graduate, medical, dental, and MBA
programs.
Fair Exhibits:
10:00 to 2 p.m., Memorial Student Center, Rm. 224
Graduate/Professional School Day
tamu
Thursday, October 9, 1997
Participating Schools:
Law & Public Affairs Programs: American University-School of Public Affairs, Bush
School of Government and Public Service, LBJ School of Public Affairs, Regent University-
Robertson School of Government, Southern Methodist University-School of Law,
University of Texas-School of Law
Business, MBA & International Affairs Programs: Consulate General of Japan, Texas
A&M International University, Texas Tech University-College of Business, University of
Houston-College of Business, University of Oklahoma-Price School of Business, University
of Texas/San Antonio-School of Business
All Graduate, Research & Technical Programs: Abilene Christian University, Angelo
State University, CalTech, California School of Professional Psychology, Cornell University,
Dallas Baptist University, Duke University, Harvard University, Iowa State University,
Lamar University, Miami University-Ohio, Oklahoma State University, Our Lady of the
Lake University, Southern Methodist University-School of Engineering, Southern Methodist
University Graduate School, Southwest Texas State University Graduate School, Stephen F.
Austin University, Texas A&M University-College of Engineering, Texas A&M University-
College of Geoscience and Maritime Studies, Texas Christian University, Texas Tech
University-Graduate School, University of Arizona, Graduate College, University of
Houston-Clear Lake, University of Kansas, University of Michigan, University of North
Texas, University of Notre Dame, University of Oklahoma, University of Texas/Arlington,
University of Texas/Austin, University of Texas/Austin-College of Engineering, University
of Texas/Dallas, University of Texas/San Antonio, University of Washington-Graduate
School, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Medical, Dental, Bio medical, Vet Sci & Health Programs: Baylor College of Dentistry-
The Texas A&M System, Baylor College of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine-Grad
School of Biomedical Science, Cell & Molecular Biology Program, New York College of
Pediatric Medicine, Southwest Texas State University School of Health-Physical Therapy,
Texas Chiropractic College, Texas Tech University-Health Sciences Center, Texas Tech
University-Health Sciences Center/Allied Health, Texas Tech University-School of
Pharmacy, Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara School of Medicine, University of
Houston-College of Pharmacy, University of North Texas-Health Science Center at Fort
Worth. University of Texas/Houston-Dental Branch, University of Texas/Houston-Health
Science Center BioMed, University of Texas/Houston-Health Science Center Summer
Research Program & Pre-Professional Summer Program, University of Texas/San Antonio-
Health Science Center Dental Program, University of Texas/Galveston-Medical Branch,
University of Texas/Houston-M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas/Houston-
Medical School, University of Texas/Houston-School of Public Health, University of
Texas/San Antonio-Health Science Center Pharmacology, Washington University-Biology
& BioMedical Sciences
For More Information, Call the Texas A&M Career Center at 845-5139
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