Densho Digital Repository - Rev. Michael Yoshii Interview (Densho ID: ddr-ajah-1-10-20)

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PW: I still have another question on this topic, though, too, which is it's so great to hear the transformations and the changes in the work that's being done in the church. Was this a hugely controversial thing still outside Alameda? Like was this... I'm just kind of curious about the feeling of the general community.

MY: The feeling of the general community, I think the trends were moving towards a more, kind of identified space where LGBTQ community were affirmed here. But like with racial issues, there's also the backlash that occurs as well. So I mentioned the curriculum issue. It didn't just move forward without any opposition, there was opposition to that, and Niel was heading that. But you've seen things like I mentioned that Larry Schultz, who was the congregational minister, he and I were the only pastors that were outspoken on this. When he retired, their church intentionally called a LGBTQ pastor, Laura Rose, she's now still in the community. And I believe that because their congregation was going through this as well, and they called specifically to have that leadership, she's brought leadership to the entire community as the pastor of that congregation. We had another rabbi who had been one of the first gay rabbis in the (world) serving Temple Israel. But he had been here kind of all during the time that all of this was going on. I think having leadership in the community makes a difference in terms of the climate of the whole community, and certainly Laura's leadership in the community has made a lot of difference, because it's visible leadership that's there. I like to say, too, like, for our congregation, what I've seen emerge is leadership from LGBTQ couples that I've had the chance to marry, which is against the policies of our Methodist church, but something I had the conviction of doing. But you know, just doing that as a pastoral activity that I would do with any of the families, but these two couples have become great leaders of the congregation. Kara and Nikki, Salde Azzam, and then Brendon and Kevin, Sullivan Chean. And the thing is that, to me, it's not just about inclusiveness, but it's about wow, the gifts they bring to leadership are remarkable. And because they've lived life in a way where they see reality differently than others, and they bring a different vision for what can happen within a congregation. To me, that's also transformative, because what we're doing is we are receiving and blessing the gifts of different people.

PW: I can see that being a really motivating or just blessing to the congregation that might also help move people's minds and hearts. Because even within the Japanese American community, we've come a long way as well with acceptance, or not even just acceptance, just being able to openly talk about gay rights, about gay coupledom, and I can imagine that being something that, again, in this particular time, what a big move this was for this congregation.

MY: You know, before I retired, one of our young people who was off to college came back on one occasion to worship, and I was so touched because she brought her partner with her. And so she stood up and proudly introduced her partner, which was also clearly a sign of coming out to the congregation. And Riki Fujina is her name, I think I can give a shout out to her because when you see kids grow up, and you see this... I mean, years of shaping a different culture of the congregation, and being engaged in the community, can make a difference, I believe, in people's lives. And then seeing her activism and her energy out in the world, it's just a blessing to see that. And I know, because I could see the smiles on people's faces in the congregation, the joy it brings to everybody, to be proud of one who's grown up in your midst, and knowing that we were all part of the family in that way.

PW: These are big things for a community to go through. Like reflecting already just on the stuff around EO 9066 and all the racial incidents and just having to face it instead of just walking away or saying nothing, and moving to this LGBTQ stuff, that this is a lot of growth. And for a community that's unfortunately got a habit of shame and fear and not speaking up about this, yeah, I imagine this must have been a huge feeling for you at this point, right?

MY: Yeah. And as I say, there's shifting sand as you move along on different things. I mean, for me, it's always about, again, following the Holy Spirit and following God's will, and knowing and trusting and having confidence that things will move where they need to move.