Coming Out Spiritually: The Next Step

Rating:
Summary: Amen Amen Amen
Review: I have always considered myself spiritual, but my sexual orientation conflicted with my religious upbringing. And although I had heard of homosexual shaman in the American Indian culture, I never saw myself as having a sacred calling or history until I read this book. The book or some of its content needs communicated to all people. Almost everyone in the GLBT community should be able to see themselves in at least one of the ten sacred archetypes described. The book had a profound impact on me and I hope it will for you too.

Rating:
Summary: An incredible spiritual journey
Review: I would recommend this book to anyone (especially members of the gay, lesbian,bisexual and transgender community) looking to find a deeper spiritual path. I especially enjoyed the well-written accounts of queer archtypes in various spiritual traditions.

Rating:
Summary: An Anthology of Spirituality
Review: This book discusses a number of ways of "coming out." But de la Huerta concentrates on a spiritual foundation for this. He begins his book with a story from a meeting of people from around the world forming United Religions. The purpose is to find common ground among the world's religious traditions. At this conference he spoke up about including gay people. From some of the positive reception Huerta received, he continued discussions and developing research for this book .

In chapter one he names ten ways gay people are spiritual gifts to the world. He presents evidence of these roles throughout history and in different cultures. He stresses that being gay includes these types of dispositions, such as the caregiver, the risk taker, etc. It is true that gay people experience these ten dispositions, but so do straight people. Yet in numerous cultures the one who plays two sexes or changes their way of being is viewed as a manifestation of the presence of God in their society and they are respected and their advice followed.

Huerta explores the background of many of the world's religions. Through them he discusses different spiritual disciplines people could practice to become aware of their own spirituality and connection to God. That chapter becomes somewhat tedious in that everything presented is not going to be for everyone reading the book. That chapter is best skimmed over and passages resonating with the reader can be explored.

The last chapter of the book stresses doing things. He presents a number of stories of people in traditional religions, non-traditional religions and in non-sectarian services. He tries to show how these gay people find their spiritual well-being by putting their spirituality to work. This sounds like a Protestant/Catholic faith/works dialogue. What Huerta is stressing is that there are needs in the world around us, our neighborhoods and cities. Gay people do have disposition for service and leadership. They can find spiritual health as well as personal well-being in taking part. Sometimes this can lead to understanding.

There are some interesting discussions of spirituality in this book by several people Huerta has interviewed. Other people's stories of coming out are touching and challenging. This is a good book to read for information. His index in the back offers lists of religions and services for gay people to consider.