Doors close...doors open
People of Leather Among You, founded by Avatar Los Angeles members Master Skip Chasey and Reverend Tim Hamilton, has been in Los Angeles since 2002 They recognized a need for support and community for people interested in their personal spiritual development and sexual diversity. “Radical” sexual expression and spiritual pursuits are often stigmatized individually. And for more than severn years P.L.A.Y. has worked to mitigate that stigmatism.
The movement of P.L.A.Y. within the denomination of Metropolitan Community Church has a long history, and the ministry of community is still strong. However, Reverend Tim is stepping down from leading the group and Master Skip stepped down from active leadership a few years previously.
With lots of reflection, conversations, and planning, the decision to end the Los Angeles People of Leather Among You was reached. For the group to continue, there would need to be a person with a demonstrated commitment to the group, as well as a history of leadership and involvement with MCCLA, to step forward. MCCLA has supported our group since before its inception, and we are grateful. While this has not been a group sponsored by the church, it has been a group strongly and enthusiastically supported by the church. Indeed, some members of P.L.A.Y. have been challenged by meeting in a house of worship, while some church members have been challenged by the presence of sexual radicals gathering in their house of worship. P.L.A.Y. has enjoyed a wonderful history of diverse communities existing together, sometimes challenged, but always caring and supportive of the “other.”
It was announced at our last meeting that the final meeting of P.L.A.Y. will be December 10th, 2009. This will be a ritual night to honor the P.L.A.Y. group and all who have contributed to it. Please, set the second Thursday of December aside to join us at our temporary location on December 10th. Help us honor and bring to a close this ministry of People of Leather Together.
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