Equal Rites is a much-needed collection of worship services, ceremonies, and celebrations that is attuned to the unique needs of sexual minorities. The selections, written primarily by lesbians and gay men, include rites of spiritual beginnings, healing, blessings, holy communion, and pride and empowerment. Also included are funeral memorial services and seasonal and holiday rites for couples. More than a collection, Equal Rites can also serve as a reference book for creating unique and meaningful worship services that address significant aspects of lesbian and gay spirituality. The treasury presents 50 liturgies by 30 spiritual leaders from a wide variety of Protestant and Catholic traditions. Contributors include Malcolm Boyd, Chris Glaser, Carter Heyward, Elias Farajaje-Jones, Diann Neu, Troy Perry, Jane Spahr, and many more. "A very welcome addition to the growing body of worship materials that give voice to the genuine religious faith of many gay and lesbian persons... One strength of this important work is the large number of contributors (more than 30), all with unique spiritual experiences and insights.... An excellent public and personal worship and devotional book." -- Second Stone "The quality of this collection is high. Several pieces are remarkable for the beauty of the language... To those who are looking for liturgical resources that are inclusive and those who seek to learn something about lesbian and gay Christian spirituality, I enthusiastically recommend this book." -- The Christian Ministry "Equal Rites" gathers 50 liturgies by a diverse group of 30 leaders from a wide variety of Protestant and Catholic traditions.  The   Table of Contents shows the diversity of themes and voices: 1.  Rites to Mark Spiritual Beginnings Coming out: coming home / Diann L. Neu -- A coming-out liturgy / Malcolm Boyd -- Coming-out rite: I acknowledge my queer identity / Zalmon Sherwood -- Rite of welcome / D.B. Gregory Flaherty -- Christian baptismal covenant liturgy: a celebration of the feminine divine / Stephen J. Moore -- Rebaptism: a transforming time / Jane Adams Spahr and Kittredge Cherry -- Baptismal liturgy / James Lancaster -- The mixing of our earth: a ritual for creating community / Sylvia Perez -- 2.  Rites of Healing Invocation of remembrance, healing, and empowerment in a time of AIDS / Elias Farajaje-Jonez -- A healing service / A. Stephen Pieters -- Rite of healing from life-threatening disease / Zalmon Sherwood -- A litany for dialogue among people with different sexual orientations / Eric H.F. Law -- Rite of healing from lesbian/gay bashing / Zalmon Sherwood -- Rite of healing from rape / Zalmon Sherwood -- Litany of affirmation / Colleen Darraugh -- Ceremony of dissolution / James Lancaster -- 3.  Funerals and Memorial Services Telling love's story: remembering and responding to AIDS / Diann L. Neu -- Litany for the AIDS crisis / Paul A. Tucker -- Community memorial service / A. Stephen Pieters -- Graveside service for a gay man who has died young / Zalmon Sherwood -- Funeral for a lesbian activist: celebrating the life of N. / Zalmon Sherwood and Kittredge Cherry -- Yom HaShoah: day of remembering the Holocaust / Steve Carson -- 4.  Rites of Blessing Home blessing / James Lancaster -- Animal blessing service / Kittredge Cherry -- Rite of blessing: for the dedication of new hymnals / Nancy Wilson -- Motorcycle blessing: the blessing of the bikes / Steve Carson -- 5.  Seasonal and Holiday Rites Thanksgiving rite / Zalmon Sherwood -- Rite for Advent / Chris R. Glaser -- Rite for Lent / Chris R. Glaser -- Rediscovering God as father / Louis F. Kavar -- Maundy Thursday service of foot washing / Troy D. Perry -- 6.  Covenant Rites for Couples A celebration of love and commitment / Chris R. Glaser -- A sample service of holy union based on the tradition of Kwanzaa / Darlene Garner -- Celebration and blessing of a covenanted union / Eleanor L. McLaughlin -- Covenant rite / Zalmon Sherwood -- The Wedding: a demonstration for the rights of lesbian, gay, and bi couples / Troy D. Perry -- 7.  Rites of Holy Communion Eucharistic prayer for the powerless, the oppressed, the unusual / Marilyn McCord Adams -- The Great Thanksgiving: a rite based on the song of Mary / Carter Heywood -- Dignity/USA convention Eucharist 1991 / James E. Snight Jr., adapted by Kevin Calegari and Thomas Kaun -- The desert experience / Christine Nusse -- Earth communion / Sylvia Perez -- 8.  Rites of Lesbian/Gay Pride and Empowerment Invocation for All Saint's Day / James Lancaster -- A celebration of lesbian and gay pride / Michael S. Piazza, Carol A. West, and Paul A. Tucker -- A rite of commissioning for lesbian/gay pride celebrations / D.B. Gregory Flaherty -- Christian affirmations of lesbians and gay men: a service in the Taizé tradition / Kittredge Cherry and Nathan Meckley -- Litany of justice / Colleen Darraugh -- Litany for divine intervention / James Lancaster -- A service of worship for empowerment