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Title: Chris Glaser Collection (CLGS)
Dates: 1955-2006
Collection Number: GTU 2007-1-01
Creator/Collector:
Glaser, Chris;
Nouwen, Henri J.M.;
West Hollywood Presbyterian Church;
United Presbyterian Church in the USA;
Metropolitan Community Church;
Extent: 24 linear feet (25 archives boxes)
Repository:
Graduate Theological Union
Berkeley, California 94709
Abstract: Chris Glaser (1950 - ) is an activist for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) rights, especially within the Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.). As writer and speaker, his topics include the church, the Bible and homosexuality: the spiritual gifts of
the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community; same-gender marriage: men’s spirituality; Henri Nouwen; death; and
the wisdom of dogs. A graduate of Yale Divinity School, along with periods as pastor of various congregations, he served as
Director of the Lazarus Project, a ministry of reconciliation between the church and the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender
community in Los Angeles, funded by the Presbyterian Church.
Language of Material: English
Open for researchers with the exception of some correspondence that is restricted until 2052.
Intellectual property rights that belong to Chris Glaser are retained by him.
Chris Glaser Collection (CLGS) . Graduate Theological Union
“The Chris Glaser Collection” belongs to the larger archival collection of The Center for LGBTQ and Gender Studies in Religion
(CLGS) at Pacific School of Religion, a member school of The Graduate Theological Union. Materials received in 2007. The GTU
Archives is the designated repository.
Biography/Administrative History
Author and activist, Chris Glaser has published twelve books, including Uncommon Calling, Coming Out to God, and Coming Out
as Sacrament, and As My Own Soul: The Blessing of Same-Gender Marriage. His most recent book is The Final Deadline: What Death
Has Taught Me About Life.
Chris is a frequent speaker and retreat leader across denominational boundaries throughout North America on issues ranging
from sexuality to spirituality. He served as the only openly gay member of the Presbyterian Task Force to Study Homosexuality
(1976-78), the majority of which voted to recommend the ordination of lesbian and gay people; that recommendation was rejected
by the Presbyterian General Assembly.
After graduation from Yale Divinity School in 1977, he served as director of a first-of-its-kind ministry of reconciliation
between the church and the LGBT community, The Lazarus Project, located at the West Hollywood Presbyterian Church. He has
worked for almost forty years to affect Presbyterian policy regarding the welcome and ordination of openly gay and lesbian
ministers. He also works for full inclusion of bisexual and transgender people in the church. In recent years he has served
as Spiritual Leader of the interfaith Midtown Spiritual Community in Atlanta; interim pastor of Christ Covenant MCC in Decatur,
Georgia; interim pastor of MCC San Francisco; and as interim/transitional pastor of Virginia Highland Church, a Baptist and
UCC congregation in Atlanta. (Adapted from The Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies in Religion and Ministry)
Scope and Content of Collection
Papers related to Chris Glaser's work in ministry and GLBT advocacy such as retreat talks and sermons, and administration
files for church work and projects. Manuscripts of some books and articles authored by Glaser. Personal papers such as correspondence
and material collected in subjects of interest.
Gays - Religious life
Church work with gays - United States
Homosexuality - Religious aspects
Gay liberation movement - Religious aspects
Ordination of gays
AIDS (Disease) - Religious aspects
Same sex marriage
Sermons, American - 20th century
Clergy - Correspondence
Clergy - Biography
Glaser, Chris
Metropolitan Community Church
Hollywood, California
San Francisco, California
Atlanta, Georgia
Clergy