I do not for a moment condemn those who are forced to live in the closet. But I condemn the society that constructed the closet. In complicity with the society in which we live, the church has often acted as though it has the right to issue to gays and lesbians, to bisexuals and transgendered people, green cards which can be restricted or withdrawn at any time, when in fact it is Christ who offers us full and irrevocable citizenship in the realm of God and therefore full participation in the households of faith. This is what Christ died for, that we might all be heirs of the kingdom. We say no.
Oasis says no.
We celebrate and encourage the growing number of Oasis congregations as churches devoid of closets. And we look forward to the day when every diocese will be an Oasis diocese, if not in name, then in substance. We already know what the world says in response, some of it far in advance of us, some of it too vile to repeat in this hallowed space. But that is not the burning concern of those who come to us. The urgent question of paramount importance to the spirit of the seeker is not directed at the world, but to us, the mainstream church, we who are supposed to represent the unconditional love and compassion of Christ in the world.