Art Show of Hindu Homosexuality Comes Under Attack by Religious Extremists

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS
By TAHLIB

Art show on homosexuality comes under attack by moral police

INDIA---India's Supreme Court reinstated a "colonial-era law banning gay sex," made back in 1861, and Gay artist Balbir Krishan's art exhibition was cancelled after organisers received threats from the moral police. You might say the Religious extremists in India were busy this week. While the national government has pledged to take action, few are hopeful for their action. Krishan's art show was cancelled after a group of people, claiming to belong to a political party, threatened the organisers and demanded them to call off the event. The group termed the paintings, which are themed around nudity and homosexuality, 'against Indian culture'.

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Freedom to Marry Everywhere: Now Comes the Hard Part

USA TODAY
By Evan Wolfson and Mary Ann Bonauto

Gay rights rally(Photo: AP)

For the two of us, November is a month of milestones in the work to win the freedom to marry for all couples across America. Earlier this month, Hawaii's governor signed into law a freedom to marry bill overwhelmingly approved by the legislature – 20 years after the Hawaii Supreme Court ruling in Baehr v. Lewin declaring the exclusion of gay people from marriage presumptively unconstitutional and sending the case back for a trial. And this month marks 10 years since the historic ruling of the Massachusetts high court in Goodridge v. Dept. of Public Health, the case that finally made marriage a reality for same-sex couples in our country and significantly accelerated the progress of the past decade. As we celebrate anniversaries and create new milestones, let's be sure not to take our victory lap too soon. It's time to finish the job. [link]

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Biblical Paraody Featuring "Adam & Steve" Turns Into Bible-Belt Land Mine

OKLAHOMA GAZETTE
By Mark Beutler

OKLAHOMA---What started out to be a small, largely unnoticed production by OKC Theater Company has turned into a First Amendment fight, as well as a battle against Oklahoma City’s gay and lesbian community, claim supporters of the production of The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told. Fans of the arts — and of the biblical parody — say a conservative Christian group is targeting the play and threatening to have the producers and actors arrested on opening night. Recently, a number of local pastors sent a letter to Governor Mary Fallin, Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett, media outlets and members of the state legislature, demanding the play be shuttered. [links]

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Gay Muslim Movie 'Naz + Maalik' Explodes Stereotypes

THE HUFFINGTON POST
By Yasmine Hafiz

HOLLYWOOD---An upcoming independent feature film borne out of director Jay Dockendorf's reaction to hearing about the FBI's program of secret spying in mosques in Brooklyn, "Naz + Maalik" explores the world of two closeted Muslim teens who have their Friday afternoon ruined by FBI surveillance. Though the American Muslim community is becoming increasingly diverse, the problem of ignorance and bigotry towards Islam is still an issue. In that sense, American Muslims share a history of prejudice with the black and gay communities, which all intersect in this film. [link]

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RELIGIOUS ART | NEWS OF WEEK

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS 
By TAHLIB

During a week when legislatures in Hawaii and Illinois, took the risk to legalize gay marriage, a painting of a gay couple walking hand-in-hand into church was named as the 2013 winner of the A&O Prize - Student Art Contest. That's why "Risk" (above) by Bailee Brantley, an 11th grade student at Crispus Attucks High School in Indianapolis is my NEWS OF WEEK. The celebratory week of A&O Prizes; dazzling exhibit, "Religious Risks" of works by thirty professional artists (plus one student winner); concluded with readings by three poet honorees, and an inspiring group dialogue. The entire occasion also inspired $2,500 in donations for artist honorariums. The momentum for risk-taking is strong this month, so what religious risk will you take before the exhibit ends on November 29th?

In other religious art news from across the USA, and around the world:

• Buddhist Art of Week: Korean Buddhist temple hosts contemporary art show. [More News]
• Christian Art of Week: Dan Cooper is named INSPIRE ME! Artist of Month. [More News]
• Hindu Art of Week: Raqib Shaw's Paradise Lost opened at Pace Gallery. [More News]
• Islamic Art of Week: Muralist, Mohammed Ali traces graffiti's Islamic roots. ['sMore News]
• Judaic Art of Week: Rabbi, Yitzchok Moully named A&O Clergy of Year. [More News]

It's more than Art. It's Religion. We are believers (and skeptics too), united in the search for human meaning through art from the religious imagination. We believe in the artists and craftsman who dare to explore religious themes through their creativity. When you believe, you join other believers. Some of us join as voting members of the A&O Project; others support the A&O Prize - Student Art Contest as donors; and most subscribe to this "free" weekly newsletter (or follow on: Tumblr, Twitter, Facebook or Soundcloud). All are welcome. 

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LGBT Stations of the Cross Shows Struggle for Equality

JESUS IN LOVE | BLOG
By Kittredge Cherry

Jesus is condemned to death and “faggot” by Mary Button

GEORGIA---“Stations of the Cross: The Struggle for LGBT Equality” is a new set of 14 paintings that link the crucifixion of Jesus with the sufferings of LGBT people. Artist Mary Button painted the LGBT Stations series for Believe Out Loud, an online network empowering Christians to work for LGBT equality. They invite churches and faith groups to download and use the images for free. The whole series will also be shown here at the Jesus in Love Blog this week. Click here for an overview of the LGBT Stations by Kittredge Cherry, lesbian Christian author and art historian. [link]

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