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The Wild Reed

Thoughts and reflections from a progressive, gay, Catholic perspective.

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

A Big Gay 'Yay!' for the Catholics



Above: Members of Catholics for Marriage Equality MN, Dignity Twin Cities and Spirit of St. Stephen's Catholic Community receive an enthusiastic response from the thousands who gathered to watch the annual Twin Cities Gay Pride parade – Sunday, June 24, 2012.

More photos and commentary coming soon!


In the meantime, check out:
A Catholic Presence at Gay Pride – 2011
A Catholic Presence at Gay Pride – 2010
LGBT Catholics Celebrate Being "Wonderfully Made"
A Catholic Presence at Gay Pride – 2009
A Catholic Presence at Gay Pride – 2008
Inclusive Catholics Celebrate Gay Pride (2007)
300+ People Vigil at the Cathedral in Solidarity with LGBT Catholics
A Catholic Statement of Support for Marriage Equality
At UST, a Rousing and Very Catholic Show of Support for Marriage Equality
Sharing the Good News of Marriage Equality at the Basilica Block Party
Tips on Speaking as a Catholic in Support of Marriage Equality

Image: Michael J. Bayly


Posted by Michael J. Bayly at 7:40 PM
Labels: Catholics for Marriage Equality MN, Photo of the Day, Spirit of St. Stephen's Catholic Community, The Struggle for Marriage Equality in Minnesota

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About Me

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Michael J. Bayly
Born and raised in Australia, I now reside in the U.S. where I currently serve as executive coordinator of Catholics for Marriage Equality MN, an initiative of the Catholic Pastoral Committee on Sexual Minorities (CPCSM). I am also editor of The Progressive Catholic Voice and co-chair of the Minnesota-based Catholic Coalition for Church Reform. I established The Wild Reed as a sign of solidarity with all who are dedicated to living lives of integrity – though, in particular, with gay people seeking to be true to both the gift of their sexuality and their Catholic faith. The Wild Reed simply invites people to observe and reflect upon one man’s progressive, gay, Catholic perspective on faith, sexuality, politics, and culture.
View my complete profile

With Charlie, October 2012.


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This Week's Picks from the Archives

  • Keeping the Spark Alive: An Interview with 'Modern Mystic' Chuck Lofy (12/05/06)
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Creating Safe Environments for LGBT Students: A Catholic Schools Perspective by Michael J. Bayly (Haworth Press, 2007).

(For reviews, click here, here, and here.)


News & Views Links

  • Is Pope Francis Ramping Up Gay Marriage Critique?
  • Illinois Bishop Faces Challenging Audience at Talk on Same-Sex Marriage
  • Statehouses Buck Catholic Hierarchy on Gay Marriage
  • Roman Catholic Hierarchy Cares More About Anti-Gay Discrimination Than Anti-Gay Violence
  • France's 1st Gay Newlyweds Set to Marry
  • George Pell: Everything Except His Testimony Spoke of Power
  • Has Civilization Passed the Environmental Point of No Return?
  • Milestone for Gay Athletes as Robbie Rogers Plays for Galaxy
  • The End of Bully Christianity
  • America's Top Catholic Hierarch Calls for Renewed Wave of Anti-LGBT Sentiment
  • Millions March Against Monsanto and GM Crops
  • The Five Most Horrifying Things About Monsanto and Why You Should Join the Global Movement and Protest on Saturday

Recommended News Sites

  • TruthDig.com
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  • Democracy Now!
  • TruthOut.org
  • CommonDreams.org
  • AlterNet
  • The Real News
  • Reader Supported News
  • The Guardian
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  • The Washington Blade
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The Wild Reed is dedicated to the Compassionate Christ, who yearns to be embodied through our loving actions of body, speech, and mind.


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Recommended Blogsites

  • Queering the Church
  • Bondings 2.0
  • Bilgrimage
  • Enlightened Catholicism
  • Gay Mystics
  • The Open Tabernacle
  • Millennial: Young Catholics, An Ancient Faith, A New Century
  • Gay Catholic Priests: Hear Our Voices
  • Sensus Fidelium
  • Faith in the 21st Century
  • Nihil Obstat
  • Perspective
  • Far From Rome
  • The Way Ahead
  • Dating God
  • Jesus in Love
  • Gospel for Gays
  • Following the Voice Within
  • Young Adult Catholics
  • Joseph S. O'Leary
  • Contemplative Catholic
  • Walking in the Shadows
  • Thalamus Center
  • The Holy Irritant
  • God is Not 3 Guys
  • Catholic Sensibility
  • Box Turtle Bulletin
  • Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters
  • Pam's House Blend
  • Truth Wins Out
  • The Closet Professor
  • Ferdy on Films
  • The Leveret
  • A Prince Named Valiant



  • Recommended Websites

  • Dignity USA
  • New Ways Ministry
  • Fortunate Families
  • Catholic Association for Lesbian and Gay Ministry
  • The Catholic Pastoral Committee on Sexual Minorities
  • Catholics for Marriage Equality – Minnesota
  • Catholics for Marriage Equality – Maine
  • Catholics for Marriage Equality – Washington State
  • Dignity Twin Cities
  • Call to Action
  • The Association for the Rights of Catholics in the Church
  • American Catholic Council
  • Voice of the Faithful
  • Future Church
  • Catholics for Ministry
  • Women's Alliance for Theology, Ethics and Ritual
  • Roman Catholic Womenpriests
  • CORPUS
  • Richard Sipe: Priests, Celibacy, and Sexuality
  • National Catholic Reporter
  • The Progressive Catholic Voice
  • America: The National Catholic Weekly
  • Commonweal
  • Catholic News Service
  • Catholica Australia
  • Progressive Catholic Reflections
  • The GLBTQ Encyclopedia
  • International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission
  • Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation
  • Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network
  • Just the Facts About Homosexuality and Youth
  • Straight Spouse Network
  • Soulforce
  • Sufi Order International



  • Recommended Books

  • God In All Worlds: An Anthology of Contemporary Spiritual Writing – Lucinda Vardey, Ed. (Vintage, 1996)
  • Unifying Truths of the World's Religions: Practical Principles for Living and Loving in Peace – C. David Lundberg (Heavenlight Press, 2010)
  • Psalms for Praying: An Invitation to Wholeness – Nan C. Merrill (Continuum, 2007)
  • Seven Sacred Pauses: Living Mindfully Through the Hours of the Day – Macrina Wiederkehr (Sorin Books, 2008)
  • Whose Church?: A Concise Guide to Progressive Catholicism – Daniel C. Maguire (The New Press, 2008)
  • Catholic Does Not Equal the Vatican: A Vision for Progressive Catholicism – Rosemary Radford Ruether (The New Press, 2008)
  • As It Was in the Beginning: The Coming Democratization of the Catholic Church – Robert McClory (Crossroad, 2007)
  • The Wisdom Jesus: Transforming Heart and Mind – A New Perspective on Christ and His Message – Cynthia Bourgeault (Shambhala, 2008)
  • Jesus Before Christianity – Albert Nolan (Orbis, 2001)
  • Son of Man: The Mystical Path to Christ – Andrew Harvey (Tarcher, 1999)
  • The Sufis – Idries Shah (Anchor, 1971)
  • Sitting with Sufis: A Christian Experience of Learning Sufism – Mary Blye Howe (Paraclete Press, 2005)
  • Prayer of the Heart in Christian and Sufi Mysticism – Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee (The Golden Sufi Center, 2012).
  • The Illustrated Rumi: A Treasury of Wisdom from the Poet of the Soul – Philip Dunn, et. al. (HarperOne, 2010)
  • Sexuality and the Sacred: Sources for Theological Reflection – Marvin M. Ellison, Ed. (Westminster John Knox Press, 2010)
  • The Male Dancer: Bodies, Spectacle, Sexualities – Ramsay Burt (Routledge, 2007)
  • Men in Motion: The Art and Passion of the Male Dancer – François Rousseau (Universe, 2009)
  • The Memoirs of a Survivor – Doris Lessing (Octagon Press, 1974)
  • The Neverending Story – Michael Ende (Dutton, 1997)


  • Even though reeds can symbolize frailty, they may also represent the strength found in flexibility. Popular wisdom says that the green reed which bends in the wind is stronger than the mighty oak which breaks in a storm. Tall green reeds
    are associated with water, fertility, abundance, wealth, and rebirth. The sound of a reed pipe
    is often considered the voice of a soul
    pining for God or a lost love.
    - Source

    .

    Past Wild Reed Posts
    of Special Interest

    Catholicism
  • What It Means to Be Catholic
  • Authentic Catholicism: The Antidote to Clericalism
  • Beyond Papalism
  • A Return to the Spirit
  • The Holarchical Church: Not a Pyramid But a Web of Relationships
  • The "Underground Church"
  • The Real Crisis
  • To Whom the Future of the Catholic Church Belongs
  • Our Progressive Catholic Youth
  • "Uncle Vince" is at It Again
  • It's Time We Evolved Beyond Theological Imperialism
  • Thoughts on Authority and Fidelity
  • Truth Telling: The Greatest of Sins in a Dysfunctional Church
  • Our Catholic "Stonewall Moment"
  • Who Gets to be Called "Catholic" - and Why?
  • Comprehending the "Fullness of Truth"
  • Casanova-inspired Reflections on Papal Power at 30,000 Ft.
  • "Receive What You Are, the Body of Christ"
  • Beyond a PC Pope
  • Rome Falling
  • Time to Go?
  • Staying On Board
  • Thoughts on Relativism
  • Tips for Thinking Catholics


  • Conscience
  • Reflections on the Primacy of Conscience
  • The Question of an "Informed" Catholic Conscience
  • A Catholic's Prayer for His Fellow Pilgrim, Benedict XVI
  • A Catholic Understanding of Faithful Dissent (Part 1)
  • A Catholic Understanding of Faithful Dissent (Part 2)
  • Ascertaining the Common Good
  • "Conscience is the Highest Norm"


  • Sexuality and Spirituality
  • The Inherent Sensuality of Roman Catholicism
  • Jesus Was a Sissy
  • The Sexuality of Jesus
  • The Non-Negotiables of Human Sex
  • Thoughts on Celibacy (Part I)
  • Thoughts on Celibacy (Part II)
  • Thoughts on Celibacy (Part III)
  • What Is It That Ails You?
  • Making Love, Giving Life
  • Relationship: The Crucial Factor in Sexual Morality
  • Human Sex: Weird and Silly, Messy and Sublime
  • The Standard for Sexual Ethics: Human Flourishing, Not Openness to Procreation
  • Sex as Mystery, Sex as Light


  • Catholic and Gay
  • Catholic Attitudes on Gay and Lesbian Issues: An Overview
  • LGBT Catholics Celebrate Being "Wonderfully Made"
  • Knowing What to Do, Knowing Why to Stay
  • Getting It Right
  • Gay People and the Spiritual Life
  • The Challenge to Become Ourselves
  • The Gifts of Homosexuality
  • The Many Manifestations of God's Loving Embrace
  • Making Love, Giving Life
  • Compassion, Christian Community, and Homosexuality
  • Trusting God's Generous Invitation
  • Hypocrisy, Ignorance, Promiscuity, and "the Love that is the Center of Catholic Christianity"
  • Choosing to Stay
  • Voices of Parental Authority and Wisdom
  • A Parent's Prayer
  • Grandma Knows Best
  • The Triumph of Love - An Easter Reflection
  • Somewhere In Between
  • Sons of the Church: The Witnessing of Gay Catholic Men: A Discussion Guide
  • What is a "Lifestyle"?
  • Celebrating Our Sanctifying Truth
  • The Bible and Homosexuality
  • Song of Songs: The Bible's Gay Love Poem
  • Jesus and the Centurion
  • The Archangel Michael as Gay Icon
  • "Homodevotion" to the Body of Christ
  • Our Catholic "Stonewall Moment"
  • Catholic Teaching on Homosexuality: Complex and Nuanced
  • "Take, All of You. And Eat": Communion and the Rainbow Sash
  • My Rainbow Sash Experience
  • Soul Deep
  • Catholic Rainbow (Australian) Parents
  • Answer to a Troubled Liberal Catholic
  • A Girl Named Sara: "A Person of the Resurrection"
  • A Catholic Bibliography on Gay Issues


  • The Vatican and Homosexuality
  • The Blood-Soaked Thread
  • The Pope's "Scandalous" Stance on Homosexuality
  • The Catholic Church and Gays: An Excellent Historical Overview
  • Stop in the Name of Discriminatory Ideology!
  • Homosexuality and the Priesthood
  • Officially Homophobic, Intensely Homoerotic
  • Vatican Stance on Gay Priests Signals Urgent Need for Renewal and Reform
  • Listen Up, Papa!
  • Be Not Afraid: You Can Be Happy and Gay
  • When "Guidelines" Lack Guidance
  • The Bishops' Guidelines: A Parent's Response
  • The "Ratzinger Letter" of 1986 as "Theological Pornography"
  • The Dreaded "Same-Sex Attracted" View of Catholicism
  • And a Merry Christmas to You, Too, Papa
  • Rejecting the "Lesser Evil"
  • Truth Telling: The Greatest of Sins in a Dysfunctional Church
  • Archbishop Weakland, the Clergy Sex Abuse Scandal, and Homophobia
  • Keeping All the Queens Under the One Roof
  • Report: Homosexuality No Factor in Abusive Priests
  • Oh, Give It a Rest, Papa!
  • Catholic Church Can Overcome Fear of LGBT People
  • Gay Men in the Vatican Are Giving the Rest of Us a Bad Name


  • The Courage Apostolate and NARTH
  • Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Courage
  • Gay Catholics, the Courage Apostolate, and Reparative Therapy
  • The Real Meaning of Courage
  • The Many Forms of Courage (Part I)
  • The Many Forms of Courage (Part II)
  • The Many Forms of Courage (Part III)
  • Beyond Courage
  • Holding the Courage Apostolate Accountable
  • The Cowardice of Courage
  • Notes from the "Laughable but Tragic" World of Courage
  • Debunking NARTH (Part 1)
  • Debunking NARTH (Part 2)
  • Responding to Some Very Misguided Comparisons
  • Soft Bigotry
  • More on the “Soft Bigotry” of Fr. James Livingston’s Recent Op-Ed


  • Vatican II
  • Truth About "Spirit of Vatican II" Finally Revealed!
  • Reading the Documents of Vatican II
  • Libertas Ecclesiae
  • A Church That Can and Cannot Change
  • Crisis? What Crisis?
  • A Catholic Understanding of Faithful Dissent (Part 1)
  • A Catholic Understanding of Faithful Dissent (Part 2)


  • Women and the Church
  • Mary of Magdala
  • Revealing a Hidden History
  • Angela Bonavoglia on the Church's "Continued Demonization of Women"
  • Reflections on The Da Vinci Code Controversy
  • Thoughts on The Da Vinci Code
  • Roman Catholic Womenpriests Ordained in Minneapolis
  • Thoughts on Ordination, Intellectual Dishonesty, and the Holy Spirit of which the Prophet Joel Speaks
  • Could Christ Have Been a Woman?
  • Responding to Excommunication
  • The Discussion Continues
  • "We Are All the Rock" – An Interview with Roman Catholic Womanpriest, Judith McKloskey


  • Perspectives on Natural Law
  • Herbert McCabe, OP
  • Judith Web Kay
  • Daniel Helminiak
  • Garry Wills
  • Gregory Baum
  • William C. McDonough
  • Dialoguing with the Archbishop on Natural Law
  • Nathanial Frank on the "Natural Law" Argument Against Gay Marriage


  • Marriage Equality
  • Marriage: "Part of What is Best in Human Nature"
  • This "Militant Secularist" Wants to Marry a Man
  • The Same Premise
  • Love is Love
  • The Same People
  • New Studies: Gay Couples as Committed as Straight Couples
  • What Straights Can Learn from Gay Marriage
  • Civil Unions and Christian Tradition
  • A Christian Case for Same-Sex Marriage
  • A Cradle Catholic's Case for Same-Sex Marriage
  • A Catholic Statement of Support for Marriage Equality
  • Tips on Speaking as a Catholic in Support of Marriage Equality
  • Responding to Bishop Tobin's Remarks on Gay Marriage
  • Lisa Cressman's Concise, Reasonable Answers to Marriage Equality Questions
  • Marriage Equality: Simple Answers to NOM's Complicated Lies
  • The Changing Face of "Traditional Marriage"
  • Steve Chapman: Time is On the Side of Gay Marriage
  • John Corvino on the "Always and Everywhere" Argument
  • Patrick Ryan on the "Defense of Traditional Marriage" Argument
  • Nathanial Frank on the "Natural Law" Argument
  • Dr. Erik Steele and the "Naked Truth of Same-Sex Marriage"
  • Dale Carpenter on the "Win-Win" Reality of Gay Marriage
  • Competent Parenting Doesn't Require "Traditional Marriage"
  • Just Love
  • Getting the Word Out
  • Naming and Confronting Bigotry
  • The Real Gay Agenda


  • The Struggle for Marriage Equality in Minnesota – A Catholic Perspective (2008-2013)
  • Same-Sex Marriage: Still Very Much on the Archbishop's Mind
  • A Catholic Voice for Marriage Equality at the State Capitol
  • Archbishop Nienstedt Calls (Again) for a Marriage Amendment to Minnesota's Constitution
  • At UST, a Rousing and Very Catholic Show of Support for Marriage Equality
  • A Message for NOM (and the Catholic Hierarchy)
  • A Catholic Statement of Support for Marriage Equality
  • An Eventful Day at the Capitol
  • At the MN Capitol, Protests Against the Proposed Marriage Amendment Continue
  • Day One of the Campaign to Defeat the 'Marriage Amendment'
  • A Catholic Rationale for Opposing the 'Marriage Amendment
  • In the Struggle for Marriage Equality, MN Catholics are Making a Difference by Changing Hearts and Minds
  • Sharing the Good News of Marriage Equality at the Basilica Block Party
  • The Minneapolis and Online Premiere of Catholics for Marriage Equality
  • Progressive Perspectives on Archbishop Nienstedt's Anti-Gay Activism
  • A Head and Heart Response to the Catholic Hierarchy's Opposition to Marriage Equality
  • Thoughts on UK Archbishop Nichols' Support for Civil Unions
  • PCV Publishes Archbishop Nienstedt's Marriage Amendment Directives to Priests
  • What Part of Jesus' Invitation to "Be Not Afraid" Don't the Bishops Get?
  • From Northern Minnesota, Two Excellent Rebuttals to the "Convoluted Logic" of the Bishops' Pro-Amendment Argument
  • Palm Sunday at the Chancery
  • Media Matters
  • Casey Michel on Archbishop Nienstedt's "Crusade Against Gay Marriage"
  • In Minnesota, Catholics Sing Their Support for Marriage Equality
  • A Catholic Presence at Gay Pride
  • Catholic Q&A on the 'Marriage Amendment'
  • "A Thoughtful, Entertaining, and Inspiring Program"
  • Thanking You, Archbishop
  • Into the Fray
  • In the Eye of the Storm, A Tree of Living Flame
  • Both 'Marriage Amendment' and 'Voter Photo ID Amendment' Rejected by Minnesota Voters
  • Something to Celebrate
  • Acknowledging, Celebrating, and Learning from Marriage Equality's 'Triumphs of Faith'
  • "It'll Be Legal August 1st"
  • At the Minnesota State Capitol, Two Big Steps Forward for Marriage Equality
  • Drawing the Circle Wide
  • Karen Clark's Revolutionary Act: "Daring to Believe That People Can Change Their Hearts and Minds"
  • Photo of the Day – May 13, 2013
  • Marriage Equality Comes to Minnesota
  • Photo of the Day – May 14, 2013
  • Tongues and Souls on Fire
  • Rediscovering What Has Been Written on Our Hearts From the Very Beginning


  • The Rainbow Spirit Interviews
  • Kathy Itzin
  • Chuck Lofy
  • Déadra Aalgaard
  • Mary Bednarowski
  • Simon Rosser
  • Daniel Helminiak
  • Carol Curoe


  • Catholic Scholars, Theologians, and Commentators
  • Daniel Maguire
  • Joan Timmerman
  • Daniel Helminiak
  • Mary Hunt
  • James Alison
  • Edward Schillebeeckx
  • Hans Küng
  • Elizabeth Johnson
  • James Carroll
  • Richard Gaillardetz
  • Joan Chittister
  • Robert McClory
  • Uta Ranke-Heinemann
  • Garry Wills
  • Terrence W. Tilley
  • Rosemary Radford Ruether
  • Paul Collins and Marilyn Hatton
  • Thomas Gumbleton
  • Rita Larivee
  • Roger Haight
  • Robert Caruso


  • In the Garden of Spirituality
  • Zainab Salbi
  • Daniel Helminiak
  • Rod Cameron
  • Paul Collins
  • Joan Chittister
  • Toby Johnson
  • Joan Timmerman
  • Uta Ranke-Heinemann
  • Caroline Jones
  • Ron Rolheiser
  • James C. Howell
  • Paulo Coelho
  • Doris Lessing
  • Michael Morwood
  • Kenneth Stokes
  • Dody Donnelly
  • Adrian Smith
  • Henri Nouwen
  • Patrick Carroll
  • Jesse Lava
  • Geoffrey Robinson
  • Joyce Rupp
  • Debbie Blue
  • Rosanne Cash
  • Elizabeth Johnson
  • Eckhart Tolle
  • James B. Nelson
  • Jeanette Blonigen Clancy
  • Mark Hathaway
  • Parker Palmer
  • Karen Armstrong
  • Alan Lurie
  • Paul Wapner
  • Pamela Greenberg
  • Ilia Delio
  • Hazrat Inayat Khan
  • Andrew Harvey
  • Kabir Helminski


  • In the Footsteps of Spring
  • Introduction
  • The Light Within
  • Shards of Summer
  • Intimate Soliloquies
  • Coming Out
  • No Stranger Am I


  • The Journal of James Curtis
  • A "Bells and Smells" Kind of Guy
  • A Quiet Visit and an Exhausting Conversation
  • A Journey Begins
  • Carlos
  • My Lunch with a "Medicine Bearer"
  • Father Brandon
  • The Note
  • A Swimmer's First Time
  • Feeling Both Hopeful and Sad


  • The Sufi Path
  • In the Garden of Spirituality: Doris Lessing
  • The Sufi Way
  • Oh, Yeah!
  • A Living Twenty-First Century Tradition
  • Bismillah
  • It Happens All the Time in Heaven
  • Clarity, Hope and Courage
  • As the Last Walls Dissolve . . . Everything is Possible
  • Sufism: A Call to Awaken
  • Rumi and Shams: A Love of Another Kind
  • Never Say It Is Not God
  • In the Garden of Spirituality: Hazrat Inayat Khan




  • Politics
  • The Time is Now
  • The Exception to the Rulers
  • In Search of a "Global Ethic"
  • R.I.P. Neoclassical Economics
  • Capitalism on Trial
  • Let's Also Honor the "Expendables"
  • John le Carré's "Dark Suspicions"
  • What the Republican Leadership and the Catholic Hierarchy Have in Common
  • Tariq Ali Discusses Rudyard Kipling
  • A Voice of Reason
  • Introspection: The Remedy for Hypocrisy
  • A Rich Laugh Fit for a Dame
  • A Simple Yet Radical Act
  • John Pilger on Resisting Empire
  • The Tragedy of Homophobia
  • Saying "No" to Torture and the Republican Agenda
  • Marching on the RNC
  • Progressives and Obama (Part 1)
  • Progressives and Obama (Part 2)
  • Progressives and Obama (Part 3)
  • Progressives and Obama (Part 4)
  • Progressives and Obama (Part 5)
  • Thoughts on Tomorrow's Presidential Election
  • "Change Has Come to America"
  • The Challenge for Progressives with an Obama Presidency
  • Progressives and Obama (Part 6)
  • President Barack Obama
  • In a Blow to Democracy, U.S. Supreme Court Affirms Corporate Personhood
  • Progressive Perspectives on WikiLeaks


  • Film
  • Where Milk Gets It Wrong
  • Pan's Labyrinth: Critiquing the Cult of Unquestioning Obedience
  • Reflections on the Overlooked Children of Men
  • Reflections on Babel and the "Borders Within"
  • The Golden Compass: Pointing Beyond Authoritarianism
  • Revisiting a Groovy Jesus (and a Dysfunctional Theology)
  • Thoughts on The Da Vinci Code
  • Reflections on The Da Vinci Code Controversy
  • What the Vatican Can Learn From the X-Men
  • The New Superman: Not Necessarily Gay, But Definitely Queer
  • Christian Draz's Critique of Brokeback Mountain
  • Frank D. Myers' "Long Hard Look" at Brokeback Mountain
  • Colin Covert on Biutiful: "A Work of Extraordinary Vitality"
  • Beatrice Marovich on Divinity and Animality in Life of Pi
  • Casanova-inspired Reflections on Papal Power at 30,000 Ft.
  • "This Light Breeze that Loves Me"
  • Alexander's Great Love
  • Dew[y]-Kissed
  • The Road to Love
  • Memoirs of a Survivor: As the Last Walls Dissolve . . . Everything is Possible
  • Solar Brother: Franco Zeffirelli's Brother Sun, Sister Moon
  • Adam Sandel on the Queer Appeal of Harry Potter
  • Dirk Bogarde
  • Hans Matheson
  • George Maharis
  • Ian McKellen
  • Deborah Kerr
  • Heath Ledger
  • Neil Patrick Harris
  • Natasha Richardson
  • Lynn Redgrave
  • Zachary Quinto


  • Music
  • Kate Bush
  • The Cruel Sea
  • Loreena McKennitt
  • Foo Fighters
  • Rosanne Cash
  • Scissor Sisters
  • Shirley Bassey
  • Maria Callas
  • Loretta Lynn and Jack White
  • Jenny Morris
  • Fleetwood Mac's "Seven Wonders": My Theme Song for 1987
  • Rufus Wainwright
  • Engelbert Humperdinck: Not That Easy to Forget
  • Suede
  • Wet Wet Wet
  • Darren Hayes
  • Tee Set
  • Joan Baez
  • Maxwell
  • Mavis Staples
  • 1927
  • Buffy Sainte-Marie
  • Wendy Matthews
  • Judith Durham
  • Kate Ceberano
  • Pink Floyd
  • Stephen "Tin Tin" Duffy
  • Wall of Voodoo
  • Pet Shop Boys
  • The Church
  • Cass Elliot
  • PJ and Duncan
  • Australian Crawl
  • Helen Reddy
  • Enrique Iglesias
  • Nat King Cole
  • Stephen Gately
  • Propellerheads
  • Don Henley
  • Marty Rhone
  • Lenny Kravitz
  • Yvonne Elliman
  • Enigma
  • Jane Clifton
  • Elaine Paige and Barbara Dickson
  • Ivri Lider
  • Chrissie Amphett
  • Susan Boyle
  • Emmylou Harris
  • Gil Scott-Heron
  • Sam Sparro
  • Jon Stevens
  • Dionne Warwick
  • Frank Ocean
  • Marianne Faithfull
  • Wanda Jackson
  • Petula Clark
  • Kiki Dee
  • Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
  • Bobbie Gentry


  • Dusty
  • Soul Deep
  • Classic Dusty
  • Classic Dusty II
  • Classic Dusty III
  • Classic Dusty IV
  • Classic Dusty V
  • The Sound of Two Decades Colliding
  • Yeah, Baby, Yeah!
  • Remembering a Great Soul Singer
  • Shelby Lynne Celebrates Dusty Springfield
  • Time and the River
  • Something In Your Eyes
  • Remembering Dusty
  • The Other "Born This Way"
  • Dusty Springfield: "Wasn't Born to Follow"
  • Wishing Him Love
  • Heat Wave
  • Dusty Springfield: Queer Icon


  • Culture (Pop and Otherwise)
  • What the Vatican Can Learn From the X-Men
  • The New Superman: Not Necessarily Gay, But Definitely Queer
  • Blast from the Past: The Return of Doctor Who's Sarah Jane Smith
  • What Sarah Jane Did Next
  • She's So Lovely
  • Impossible! . . . It Can't Be!
  • She's Back!
  • Too Good to Miss
  • The Adventures Continue
  • Remembering Elisabeth Sladen
  • Mourning Lis, Farewelling Sarah Jane
  • A Fresh Take on Masculinity
  • Ian Thorpe's "Difficult Decision"
  • What a Man!
  • London Calling
  • At Swim, Two Boys: A Beautiful Novel
  • Don Gorton on the Significance of Maurice
  • E.M. Forster's "Elusive Ideal"
  • Those Europeans are at it Again!
  • Blood, Sex, Magic: Welcome to the World of True Blood
  • This Bites!
  • Halloween Thoughts
  • Halloween Hijinks
  • Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake
  • The Dancer and the Dance


  • Comic Relief
  • "How Very Dare You!" - A Humorous Look at Internalized Homophobia
  • Did Ya Hear About Our John?
  • One Out of Ten
  • A Beer Ad with a Difference
  • A Car Ad with a Difference
  • Oops!
  • A Simple Matter of Logic, Really
  • Let's Hear a Big 'Woo' for The Saturday Show
  • Why Gay Marriage is Wrong
  • Now Here's a Canny Idea . . .


  • Poetry
  • The Oak and the Reed
  • "Charis" by Nicola Slee
  • "Cherish" by Rosie Miles
  • "Grounded Angel" by Naomi Young
  • "And Love is Lord of All"
  • "Lover Of Us All" by Chris Glaser
  • "Just Now and Then" by Helene McLeod
  • "The Light Within" by Michael J. Bayly
  • "Shards of Summer" by Michael J. Bayly
  • "Intimate Soliloquies" by Michael J. Bayly
  • Remembering Wilfred Owen
  • One Fearless Kiss
  • The Holy Pleasure of Intimacy
  • "So Here We Are" by Rosie Miles
  • "The Catholic Thing" by Kilian McDonnell
  • "Bedecked" by Victoria Redel
  • "It Happens All the Time in Heaven" by Hafiz




  • Goin' Back (2006)
  • Australia Bound
  • A Solitary Ramble
  • Coastal Views
  • Bago Bluff
  • Travelin' North
  • The Bayly Family - July 2006
  • A Lesson from Play School
  • Travelin' South
  • Goulburn Revisited
  • Remnants of a Life Past
  • A Spring Swim
  • The Frog Tree
  • One of These Boys is Not Like the Others
  • Goulburn Landmarks
  • Goulburn Reunion
  • Return to Wagga
  • Gunnedah
  • Update from the Great South Land
  • Boorganna
  • Remembering Nanna Smith (1919-2005)
  • Flynns Beach
  • A Summer Afternoon
  • This Time Last Year
  • An Australian Christmas
  • Ellenborough Falls
  • Everglades Exhibition
  • Sunnataram Forest Monastery
  • Southern Highlands
  • Billabong Koala Park
  • Last Days in Australia


  • Out and About (2007-2008)
  • Back in the USA
  • It Sure Was Cold!
  • An Energizing and Spirited Weekend
  • April 2007
  • OutFront Minnesota's 2007 Lobby Day
  • Fasting, Praying, and Walking for Immigration Reform
  • May 2007
  • June 2007
  • July 2007
  • August 2007
  • September 2007
  • October 2007
  • November 2007
  • 300+ People Vigil at the Cathedral in Solidarity with LGBT Catholics
  • December 2007
  • CPCSM's Year in Review
  • January 2008
  • February 2008
  • March 2008
  • April 2008
  • Chicago
  • May 2008
  • June 2008
  • July 2008
  • August 2008
  • Road Trip to St. Louis
  • September 2008
  • October 2008
  • November 2008
  • CPCSM's Year in Review


  • Goin' Back (2008-2009)
  • Out and About - November 2008
  • Advent: Renewing Our Connection to the Sacred
  • The Empty Beach
  • Port Macquarie
  • Newtown
  • "Harbour City" Sights
  • Exeter
  • North Brother Mountain
  • Return to Ellenborough Falls
  • Starfish
  • An Evening Stroll (and Theological Musings)
  • Strathfield
  • The White Rooster
  • Beach Cricket
  • My "Bone Country"
  • The Painted Forest
  • The Bayly Family - January 2009


  • Out and About (2009)
  • Back!
  • February-March 2009
  • April 2009
  • May 2009
  • June 2009
  • July 2009
  • August 2009
  • September 2009
  • October 2009
  • November 2009
  • CPCSM's Year in Review
  • The Wild Reed's Year in Review


  • Goin' Back (2009-2010)
  • Australia Bound
  • Swallows' Ledge
  • On the Rocks . . .
  • A Bush Christmas
  • New Year's Eve at Telegraph Point
  • A Visit from the Hometown Relatives
  • Lighthouse Beach
  • Tacking Point Lighthouse
  • Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast
  • Flynns Beach
  • The Bayly Family - January 2010
  • An Afternoon at the Gunnedah Convent of Mercy
  • A Day Roving the Mid North Coast
  • Town Beach
  • This Corner of the Earth . . .


  • Out and About (2010)
  • February 2010
  • March 2010
  • April 2010
  • May 2010
  • June 2010
  • July 2010
  • Wisconsin Adventure
  • August 2010
  • September 2010
  • October 2010
  • November 2010
  • CPCSM's Year in Review


  • Goin' Back (2010-2011)
  • Australia Bound
  • Window Seat
  • Sydney Sojourn
  • Photo of the Day
  • Twilight
  • Christmas in Australia
  • Photo of the Day
  • An Afternoon at Flynns Beach
  • Summer Vocation
  • A Bushland Wedding
  • The Australian Floods
  • Rising Waters
  • "Flooded-In But Loving Life"
  • In Maclean, an End to the "Siege"
  • Angourie
  • Yaegl Country
  • Boardies, Budgie Smugglers and Euro-Togs
  • Photo of the Day
  • Responding to Cardinal Pell
  • Journey to Gunnedah
  • "Like Persephone of Myth . . ."


  • Out and About (2011)
  • A Special "Welcome Home"
  • A St. Valentine's Day Gathering
  • February 2011
  • March 2011
  • May 2011
  • June 2011
  • July 2011
  • August 2011
  • The Minneapolis (and Online) Premiere of Catholics for Marriage Equality
  • September 2011
  • A Visit from Raph
  • Adventures in Mississippi River Bluff Country
  • October 2011
  • November 2011
  • December 2011
  • A Song and Challenge for 2012
  • Seeking Balance
  • Winter 2012
  • Palm Sunday at the Chancery


  • Goin' Back (April-May 2012)
  • "We Are Sojourners on This Earth . . ."
  • Leichhardt
  • An Afternoon on the Harbour
  • Photo of the Day


  • Out and About (2012-2013)
  • Spring 2012 (Part 1)
  • Spring 2012 (Part 2)
  • Weekend in Kansas City
  • Spring 2012 (Part 3)
  • Weekend in Chicago
  • Summer 2012
  • Autumn 2012
  • December 2012
  • Threshold Musings
  • Winter-Spring 2013




  • The Sensual World
  • Full Bloom
  • Garden Gate
  • Afternoon
  • Pacific Skies
  • Rocky Beach
  • Spring in Minnesota (2007)
  • A Snowy December
  • Northwoods
  • "Jubilation is my Name": Spring in Minnesota (2008)
  • Summer Blooms (2008)
  • Climbing Barn Bluff
  • Down By the River
  • Rainy October Afternoon
  • Spring Garden
  • A Perfect Day
  • Summer Blooms (2009)
  • Helianthus annuus
  • River Walk
  • September Garden
  • Trempealeau
  • A Snowy October Day
  • Winter Arrives
  • Mississippi Adventure
  • Spring Blooms
  • Summer Rain
  • The Beauty of Autumn in Minnesota
  • Autumn Hues
  • O Sacred Season of Autumn . . .
  • "Thou Hast Thy Music Too"
  • "Something Sacred Dwells There"
  • Winter Storm
  • Spring Snow
  • The End of a Very Long Winter



  • All original content
    © Michael J. Bayly
    2006-2013



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