Same-Sex Marriage Discourse at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Dec. 6

*PUBLIC IS INVITED TO 'A CIVIL DISCOURSE' -- a conversation between conservative Evangelical Christian broadcaster and publisher, Warren Smith, and liberal Christocentric Quaker, Peterson Toscano, regarding homosexuality and Christianity, including same-sex marriage. | The public is invited to attend on Sat., Dec. 6, 2008. Presentation begins at 7 p.m. at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, 789 Merrimon Ave, corner of Gracelyn Street. (Enter on the north, from Gracelyn.) | For details, call 828-252-7666.

A dialogue between two outstanding public personalities holding quite different positions on the issue of homosexuality and Christianity -- Saturday evening at 7:00 p.m. at Asheville's Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church.

Conservative Evangelical Christian radio and TV commentator and publisher Warren Smith will discuss with progressive, Christocentric Quaker theatrical performance artist Peterson Toscano the implications to Christians of all persuasions of the legal, Biblical, theological and social aspects of these questions.

The two men are working together on a new book on the topic and will be in Asheville this weekend to explore their positions before a public audience.

From their book proposal they have come up with the following for the theme of this Saturday evening presentation and discussion: "Come Let Us Wrestle Together--A respectful and frank conversation about sexuality, faith and family between a Gay Christian comic and a Straight Evangelical journalist."

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ABOUT PETERSON TOSCANO

Toscano is a Hartford, Connecticut-based performance artist who tours North America and Europe with presentations that thoughtfully and humorously explore LBGT issues. A former Roman Catholic, then Evangelical Protestant, he has survived nearly two decades of efforts to 'cure' his homosexuality:   reparative therapy, ex-gay support groups and even three exorcisms. He is co-founder of BeyondExGay, and describes himself as a "Quirky, Queer Quaker."

Among his repertoire of performance pieces are "Queer 101 -- Now I Know my gAy, B, C's,"  "Doing Time in the Homo No Mo Halfway House," and "The Re-Education of George W. Bush." His newest performance piece is "Transformations," an exploration of transgendered Biblical personalities. He has performed these across the U.S. and in Sweden, Spain, Canada, Ireland, Malta, Wales, Cameroon, Denmark and at the European Forum of GLBT Christians in St, Albans, England, during the recent world-wide Anglican Lambeth Conference.

Peterson Toscano is a media favorite, having appeared in the pages of The New York Times, People Magazine and Newsweek, as well as on PBS, PRI and on the 'Montel Williams Show.'  He has written for The New Statesman, Planet Out and the New York Blade.

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ABOUT WARREN SMITH

Warren Smith is a North Carolinian and is founder and president of World Newspaper Publishing which includes "The Charlotte World" and the Evangelical Press News Service. His paper was named Christian Newspaper of the Year in both 2004 and 2005. On radio he hosts "Worldview With Warren Smith" which can also be seen on TV through iLifeTV, a Christian television network. Smith was named one of Charlotte's "40 Under 40," a list of business and civic leaders under the age of 40.

He has a bachelor's degree in journalism and a master's in English, both from the University of Georgia. Smith has spoken before the Evangelical Press Association and the Gospel Music Association. His book "Voices That Carry" was published in 2005 and, in addition to the book he is currently co-authoring with Peterson Toscano, Smith is working on a new book to be called "A Lover's Quarrel with the Evangelical Church."

Smith lives with his wife and children in Charlotte, North Carolina, but has strong Asheville connections and family here in WNC, as well.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION

For details about the event, call 828-252-7666.

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