Reverend Steven F. Kindle conducts seminars in Bible and homosexuality issues and is convinced that a proper reading of scripture only enhances the position of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people (GLBT) in the sight of God.

"It is not enough to say that God loves homosexuals. What is demanded from scripture is to say that God's love of homosexuals is affirming, nurturing, and that God's heart breaks when God's GLBT children are the victims of evil perpetrated in the name of God."

He was educated in a Fundamentalist college, which was decidedly homophobic, and fell under its influence for several years. As his theology began to be influenced more by grace than legalism, and after getting to know GLBT people, he realized that being faithful to the gospel of Jesus Christ meant being open and affirming of all of God's humanity.

He has helped work on ways to diminish the AIDS epidemic, was a co-officiate in a holy union ceremony in Sacramento that placed some 90 clergy under charges of violating denominational law, has performed several gay marriages, and has served as pastor of two Open and Affirming congregations. He is currently the executive director of Clergy United for the Equality of Homosexuals, a consulting group to assist clergy and congregations in understanding homosexual issues in light of the gospel.

Born in North Dakota in 1943, Reverend Kindle was ordained in 1967 and has standing in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ. He is married and lives with his wife near San Jose, California.

Rodney N. Powell, MD is a Pediatrician, International Health Specialist and Clinical Professor of Family Practice and Community Health (retired), John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii. Rodney is a gay, African American, age 67, who has lived in Hawaii since 1976 with his partner of 25 years, C. Robert Eddinger, PhD.

While a medical student at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee during the years 1957-61, as a student protest leader in the African American Civil Rights Movement, Rodney had the privilege and honor to learn and apply the philosophy and strategies of love and nonviolence under the guidance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and other dedicated ministers of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. The student protest experiences and the inspired leadership of Dr. King convinced Rodney that the redemptive power of love and nonviolence is the best way to overcome and transform the homophobic oppression and persecution of the GLBT community by conservative Christianity and other religions across the nation.

Rodney believes that, in order to achieve equality and justice, we must do more than challenge the existing status quo, case by case, lawsuit by lawsuit. He believes that the GLBT community and our supportive allies must confront the conscience of all people of good will. Rodney believes that relentless nonviolent resistance to the terror and evil of homophobia will help people of good will to reject the intolerance of biblical homophobia advocated by conservative religious institutions and to support the issues of civil rights and justice that should be administered equally for all citizens by our local, state, and federal government.

Rodney emphasizes that, among the many important lessons learned from the African American Civil Rights Movement, the most important ones for the Gay Liberation Movement are Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s unshakeable commitment and confidence in the power of love and nonviolent resistance to overcome oppression and his belief and confidence that all American people of good will would rise to the challenge of fairness and justice.

Rodney believes those lessons learned must be embraced by the GLBT community and that they are the basis for transforming the homophobic bigotry and injustices that exist today throughout America.

Rodney was Co-founder and Co-chairperson of the Civil Unions - Civil Rights Movement in Hawaii and is an active member of Soulforce.