Axios (organization)

Axios is an association for Eastern Orthodox, Byzantine Rite, and Eastern Catholic Christians who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender which was founded in Los Angeles in 1980.[1][2] The organization has chapters in Washington DC,[3] Atlanta,[4] New York City Colorado, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Chicago, Boston, Florida,[5] San Francisco, Detroit, Las Vegas, and outside the U.S., in Canada and Australia.[6]

Contents

Mission

Attitudes towards gay and lesbian believers in mainstream congregations varies; while some seek to be welcoming, the official Eastern Orthodox view is that active sex relationships are sinful. In contrast, Axios believes that members' "sexuality and love is God given and healthy."[1]

Axios states[6] that the organization was created:

  • In order to affirm that gay men and women can live an active life of prayer and witness.
  • For our mutual spiritual strength, stability, and well-being.
  • For our desire to bridge the gulf between the church community and the gay community with love and through dialogue, prayer, service, and education.
  • For the comfort, help, and support of our brothers and sisters and their families in realizing the joys and responsibilities of God's wondrous gift of sexuality.
  • For the protection against stigmatization, repression and acts of intolerance.
  • For opportunity to serve others in acts of charity and love as individuals and as a group.
  • For the study of our rich and varied heritages and traditions.
  • For a true sense of appreciation for each other and to achieve a spirit of fun and enjoyment in our development.[1]

Meetings of Axios begin with an Orthodox Vespers service.

The group has no official recognition by any canonical Orthodox Church.

See also

Additional reading

Sources

References

  1. ^ a b Siker, Jeffrey S. (2007). Homosexuality and religion. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 106. ISBN 0313330883, 9780313330889. http://books.google.com/books?id=N6nYCeP_w8YC&pg=PA106&lpg=PA106&dq=axios+gay. 
  2. ^ "Appendix: National Lesbian/Gay Christian Organizations". Equal Rites: Lesbian and Gay Worship, Ceremonies, and Celebrations. Westminster John Knox Press. 1995. p. 165. ISBN 0664255353, 9780664255350. http://books.google.com/books?id=mkVN9ZoWb1EC&pg=PA165&dq=Axios,+gay,+christian. 
  3. ^ "Axios DC". metroweekly.com (Metro Weekly). http://www.metroweekly.com/community/directory/?org=310. Retrieved 2009-04-24. 
  4. ^ "RELIGION/SPIRITUALITY". atlantagaychamber.com. Atlanta Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. http://www.atlantagaychamber.com/page.php?id=104. Retrieved 2009-04-24. 
  5. ^ "LGBT National Spritual Resources". usf.edu. University of South Florida. http://multicultural.usf.edu/pdf/safezone/resourcespiritual.pdf. Retrieved 2009-04-24. 
  6. ^ a b "AXIOS - Eastern and Orthodox Gay and Lesbian Christians". axios.org. http://www.axios.org/doku.php. Retrieved 2009-04-24. 
  7. ^ Sexual orientation and gender expression in social work practice (illustrated ed.). Columbia University Press. 2006. pp. 513. ISBN 0231127286, 9780231127288. http://books.google.com/books?id=H9jYGvz9ca4C. 
  8. ^ Stores, Bruce (2002). Christian Science: Its Encounter with Lesbian/Gay America. iUniverse. ISBN 0595774253, 9780595774258. http://books.google.com/books?id=tAQPQAfoGsgC. 
  9. ^ Wilcox, Melissa M. (2003). Coming out in Christianity (illustrated ed.). Indiana University Press. p. 108. ISBN ISBN 0253216192, 9780253216199. http://books.google.com/books?id=yjdhpMnHEIMC&pg=PA108&dq=Axios,+gay#PPA108,M1. 
  10. ^ Cannon, Justin R.. "Homosexuality in the Orthodox Church". gayorthodox.com. http://www.gayorthodox.com/resources.html. Retrieved 2009-04-24. 
  11. ^ Sands, Kathleen M. (2000). God forbid: religion and sex in American public life. Oxford University Press US. p. 85. ISBN ISBN 0195121627, 9780195121629. http://books.google.com/books?id=bnnD78rqliIC&pg=PA85&dq=Axios,+gay. 

External links