HRC Religion Council member Rev. Susan Russell featured in new documentary
February 10, 2009
Rev. Susan Russell, an openly lesbian pastor at All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena, CA and a member of HRC's Religion Council, is not only one of the most outspoken religious voices on LGBT rights, she's also becoming quite the media darling in her own right. Russell is the central subject in a new documentary film by straight, married Mormon filmmaker Douglas Hunter entitled "The Constant Process." The 19-minute film follows her transition from comfortable surburban wife (who was married to a male banker) to confrontational priest fighting for the equality of LGBT people. The relationship that deepened between Russell and the Hunter as a result of the filming process was previewed in an LA Times article that's definitely worth checking out.
"We're all telling the same stories about God's work in our lives," said Hunter, 40, a father of three from Pasadena who discovered Russell on the Internet. Technology may have provided the bridge, but it was an ancient religious calling that drew Hunter to Russell, a senior associate priest at All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena. Hunter felt a religious obligation to cross the same boundary Jesus is said to have traversed 2,000 years ago when he spoke of embracing the outsider. ..."As a Mormon, I have a responsibility and commitment to listen to my church leaders," he said. "At the same time, listening to my church leaders does not absolve me of the ethical responsibility to listen to the voice of the other." Hunter said he hoped the film would spark a thoughtful conversation about acceptance. "There are some things that Mormons are going to find challenging in the film, such as a lesbian priest saying that God is working through her," he said. "I think that is a good point of discussion."
It's encouraging that a member of the Mormon church is actually using his resources to tell the real story of why LGBT lives matter. That's a stark contrast to our community's experience with the church over Prop 8 - and is a good first step. Hopefully Hunter's film will be able to influence other church members and encourage them to work with the LGBT community rather than against us. Read the entire article here.
