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 Other Sheep eNews, June 25, 2009
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| Other Sheep Kenya receives grant; Steve and Jose meet Sunil Pant in NYC, to leave June 26 for Nepal, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia |
Also: Kenya Fund Drive Completed; OS now in Zambia; A Father's Day Experience June 25, 2009 |
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| Dear Friend of Other Sheep,
We are greatly encouraged by the good news that the vision and mission of Other Sheep in East Africa is pushing forward in Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda -- and now in Zambia -- even as Jose and I are introducing Other Sheep - this July and August - to four countries in Asia.
Steve and Jose -
....for the full inclusion of LGBT people of faith worldwide
Rev. Stephen R. Parelli, MDiv
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| Our brief, but significant meeting with Sunil Babu Pant of Nepal here in NYC two days before we leave for Nepal |
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BRONX, NY By Steve Parelli 
Last evening, just two days before Jose and I are to leave for Kathmandu, Nepal, we were able to meet in person, for the first time, Sunil Babu Pant of Nepal (pictured at left) at the Gay Center of New York City on West 13th Street, where he participated in a panel discussion on traditional, complementary and alternative therapies for HIV,sponsored by the New York Buyers' Club in celebration of their Fith Anniversayr. Jose and I attended the event.
In February, we first corresponded with Sunil Pant about our up-coming Other Sheep visit to Nepal. He notified us of his visit to New York City and invited us to meet him at this panel discussion. Last evening, we gave Sunil a portfolio to take with him of our work with Other Sheep since 2005. Sunil has expressed a desire in helping to introduce us to possible interested individuals and groups in Nepal, for which we are grateful.
Presently, through our Other Sheep eNews, five different and unrelated Christian leaders of Nepal (specific professions withheld) have asked to meet with us in Nepal.
According to the info sheet on the panelists, handed out at the New York Buyers' Club meeting last evening, Sunil Pant is the first openly gay Member of the Constituent Assembly (Parliament) of Nepal, and the Founder and Director of the Blue Diamond Society(BDS), a community-based organization that has worked for the rights of sexual minorities and people with HIV since 2001. BDS played an active role in Nepal's transition from a conservative (and homophobic) monarchy to a federal republic in 2006-7, and subsequently has been successful in several advocacy campaigns, including the effort to legalize gay marriage, making Nepal the first Asian country to do so. Now counting more than 150,000 members, BDS continues to provide care and support to Nepalis with HIV/AIDS, while also working to reduce stigma and discrimination against the Himalayan nation's sexual minorities. In 2007, BDS received the Felipa de Souza award from the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, which called it "one of the most effective human rights groups in the world."
 Photo at right, left ot right: Jose Ortiz, Other Sheep Coordinator for Asia, George Carter, Director and Co-Founder of the Foundation for Integrative AIDS Research (FIAR), and Sunil Babu Pant.
Taken June 24, 2009, Gay Center, NYC.
Photo at top of article: Suni Babu Pant participating in panel discussion, Gay Center, NYC, June 24, 2009. By Steve Parelli
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| Recent Postings from Steve and Jose's Blog |
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Other Sheep is a multi-cultural ecumenical Christian ministry working worldwide for the full inclusion of LGBT people of faith within their respective faith traditions.
"...connecting people with people and people with resources..." |
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| Our travel plans |
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Nepal - June 28 - July 11; Chiang Mai, Thailand - July 14-29; Singapore - July 31 - August 6; Malaysia - August 7-21; Bangkok - August 22-30 Some dates are approximate |
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| Rev. John Makoha announces Other Sheep Kenya is awarded grant |
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This week, as reported by Rev. John Makokha, Other Sheep Kenya has received a grant for the amount of Ksh. 78,000 (about $1,000.00 US) from Uhai Haki for the specified project of conducting Other Sheep seminars in Kenya. The grant was in response to a grant request proposal submitted by Rev. John Makokha, Other Sheep Coordinator for Kenya and United Methodist Minister in Kenya. |
| Money Raised to Cover Lawyer's Fee for Registration of Other Sheep Kenya |
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Thirtheen individuals from across the USA, in response to personal emails and phone calls from Other Sheep, have collectively promised enough funds to cover the legal fees to officially register Other Sheep Kenya in Kenya |
| Rev. Micheal Kimindu welcomes Rev. Vatiri of Zambia as Other Sheep Contact Person for Zambia |
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In March of this year, through contact with Rev. J. Elie Gasana of Rwanda, Rev. Deogratias Vatiri was put in contact with Rev. Kimindu, Coordinator for Other Sheep East Africa. Rev. Vatiri expressed strong interest in representing Other Sheep in his beloved county of Zambia. At present, we have asked Rev. Vatiri to act as official Other Sheep contact person in Zambia, which he has graciously agreed to do. In an email to Rev. Vatiri, Rev. Kimindu writes:
What a joy to have a contact person for Other Sheep Zambia.
Early this month, I had a wonderful visit with a religious leader from Zambia, presently not living in Zambia, who is very supportive of LGBTI People.
As you know, our mission is to reach religious groups and individuals with the message of acceptance and inclusion of LGBTI people in their respective faiths and denominations.
I wish you the courage and boldness that each one of us requires to do this job. May God guide you always. Count on me for any support I may be able to offer.
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