Although most of the media spotlight emphasizes religious tensions between queers and evangelical Christians, there are many other religious organizations in which homosexuality is met with differing amounts of debate and acceptance.

A 1997 article titled, ''Gay and Lesbian Buddhists: Finding Answers In Their Spiritual Quests,'' in the Orange County Blade explores life from the perspective of Anthony Marzullo. Marzullo is a member of the Soka Gakkai International (SGI, USA) sect of Buddhism in southern California. SGI, USA is actively committed to the values of peace, culture and education, and encourages the fulfillment of one's potential. It has also been conducting same-sex commitment ceremonies since April 1995.

Marzullo finds SGI appealing because ''...regardless of how you start off, you naturally change...[developing] an awareness of humanity and compassion for each other.'' After several years of chanting, Marzullo came out and became involved with the AIDS Walk Orange County, eventually becoming its director.

Marzullo adds, ''It's not about being a gay leader... but becoming a leader who is gay. Because that's really my dream for society - to have a society where I can just be who I am. And that's what we are all striving for.''

Anyone interested in finding out more about SGI, USA should contact Dwight at (406) 549-0460.

Another religious perspective on homosexuality that the media does not address very often is Judaism. But the queer community is far from absent; there are many synagogues with gay and lesbian members, although it remains a source of controversy.

Judaism and controversy meet in Pumbedissa, a self-described ''open forum for uninhibited discussion of Judaic ideas,'' including stories, essays and poetry. A 1997 edition of the Pumbedissa journal highlights ''The Halachic Process and the Laws on Homosexuality,'' which delves deep into Judaic law, history and homosexuality.

The article's author, Lakme Batya Elior, insightfully notes that ''When the viewpoint of the one being ostracized is not taken into account it is not a community decision, nor a compassionate one.'' From here Elior methodically analyzes traditional interpretations of the Torah and points out the critical flaws within those interpretations.

Those flaws justify further scrutiny of the texts addressing homosexuality, says Elior, who then runs through three additional analyses. The most profound interpretation concludes that, in forcing queers to participate in heterosexual institutions (like marriage), Jews are putting ''a stumbling block'' before homosexuals. ''The wife or husband of a homosexual...is being used and ..being denied the opportunity to bond with someone who truly wants them. Secondly, the gay partner is likewise being denied...full and free expression of true self with an appreciative partner,'' Elior writes.

While writing this article I was informed of two other local religious groups who support the queer community: The Religious Society of Friends (also known as the Quakers), and Spiritual Enrichment Community.

The Religious Society of Friends locally operates under the name Missoula Friends Meeting. I don't know whether the Quakers have performed any same-sex unions. However, all Quakers in Montana do support the issue; all of their decisions are made by consensus. This process can be slow, but it ensures that the community addresses each issue thoroughly.

A more detailed article about the Missoula Friends Meeting is planned for an upcoming issue of Outspoken. Meetings are Sundays at 10am for adult education and 11am for silent worship, with a simple meal at noon. Childcare is also provided. For more information call (406) 549-6276.

Spiritual Enrichment Community (SEC) is a non-denominational church founded and led by Dale Blackford since 1996. Blackford is an ordained Unity Church minister and was at Missoula's Unity Church from 1989-1992. They are non-denominational and use an assortment of texts and practices to achieve ''perception and awareness of the whole...that we're all different, but our essence, the self, is one,'' Blackford said.

The key to this awareness is a feeling of community, Blackford said, which can only come when we ''get closer to each other...and bring each person, each piece together to understand the whole.''

Blackford stated that SEC has had gay and lesbian members and that everyone is welcome to come. Services are in the Missoula Children's Theatre, room 105, at 10am on Sundays. SEC also meets at Mammyth Bakery the first Friday of each month for the Art Walk. There are other social gatherings as well, including movie outings, discussion and study groups, with a Community Planning project in the works. If you would like more information about SEC, call (406) 543-4467.

There are many other religious organizations that support and encourage homosexuals; often the most difficult task is simply finding those religious groups. For instance, when my partner and I were looking for a church in Missoula that would marry us, we were able to easily locate both the Unity Church and the UCC as possibilities, but were not aware of the Quakers or Spiritual Enrichment Community. Despite publicity highlighting the struggles in some churches regarding homosexuality, more and more churches, temples and synagogues are opening their doors to ALL members of the community, without judging their member's orientation, race or class.