On a cold fall night ...

Music: Sigur Ros. Beverage: Mexican cocoa, courtesy of my husband the chef. Activity: Baby book updates, email triage, general online meandering.

God is still speaking,

Last year, the national denomination (United Church of Christ) of my church started a media campaign called "God Is Still Speaking," to introduce ourselves to people seeking a spiritual home who hadn't heard of or visited a UCC church. One of the main characteristics of the denomination is its historical work for justice, supporting and defending those who have had no defense, from the Amistad trial in the 1850's to ordaining gays and lesbians in the 1970's. One of the Still Speaking ads, "Bouncer," made explicit reference to the UCC's welcome to the GLBT community (as well as minorities). And in fall 2004 CBS and NBC refused to air it, saying it was an "advocacy" ad.

A year later, the campaign continues, and it looks like CBS will be refusing to air yet another ad that tells gays and lesbians they are welcome in our church. Apparently this is "advocacy." The coordinator of the initiative for the UCC, Ron Buford, met with CBS executives and asked them directly what would have to change for the ad to be considered acceptable. Their answer: it would have to become commonplace across the US for churches to welcome gays and lesbians.

The irony is twofold. First, if all churches welcomed gays and lesbians, there would be no need for the UCC to advertise that it did. And secondly, the ad doesn't advocate for all churches to be inclusive (though we certainly wish they were), but merely points out that ours is.

Meanwhile, it's OK for James Dobson's conservative Focus on the Family to run ads. So much for the liberal media.

My two cents: Forget about CBS. Go after the fabulous airtime. Advertise on Bravo during "Queer Eye" or "Project Runway"!

New York, New York

A view of Times Square. Almost makes it worth getting up at 4:45 a.m. for a business trip.