07/18/2019
My resignation from St. John’s Theater.
Because I have a great deal of love, respect, and compassion for my fellow artisans, I feel obligated to explain my decision to resign as Producing Artistic Director and from the St. John’s Church Vestry and congregation. Hopefully, my reasons will spark a positive discussion and subsequent support on the matter of LGBTQ rights being Civil Rights.
Firstly, I'm resigning and leaving St. John’s Church because Rt. Rev. William H. Love of Albany and the presiding Bishop of our diocese, is adamantly against and does not support equal rights regarding the LGBTQ community, specifically the issue of marriage with regards to Resolution B012 (passed at the 79th General Convention of The Episcopal Church). As I was on the committee to find and vet a new pastor, it was particularly disturbing that all candidates vetted by The Bishop and his trustees were required to adhere to and support the bishop’s anti-LGBTQ civil rights views. This is an outcome that I could no longer support. Although I have a higher tolerance for and understanding on an individual basis, I cannot, in all conscience, support any organization or group that upholds bigoted ideologies. Also, and especially when the Episcopal Church, based on Resolution B012 (passed at the 79th General Convention), does not support Bishop Love’s LGBTQ interpretations, and as a result of his insubordination, his own Bishop, the Most Reverend Michael B. Curry, placed restrictions on Bishop Love’s ministry in that regard.
Likewise, I have resigned from the St. John’s Conservatory Theater effective immediately. As principal founder and Producing Artistic Director, I was especially concerned that the cast, crew, family and friends of the theater may take offense and or be irreparably harmed by Rt. Rev. William H. Love’s anti-LGBTQ Civil Rights stance and the Vestry’s support thereof. Knowing that the LGBTQ youth are almost five times as likely to have attempted su***de compared to heterosexual youth,* and that acceptance and support of LGBTQ Civil Rights may potentially save lives, I could no longer support the theater housed in an environment supporting an anti-LGBTQ Civil Rights agenda.
For the record, I wanted the theatre closed, but the St. John’s vestry have informed me that they’ll keep it open despite my opposition. I can only hope my fellow artisans stand with and support my decision to abandon the SJCT while it functions under the management of an organization that supports an anti-LGBTQ Civil Rights agenda.
Sincerely,
R. O’Donnell
*(CDC. (2016). S*xual Identity, S*x of S*xual Contacts, and Health-Risk Behaviors Among Students in Grades 9-12: Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.)
