Solidarity Stole

This Signature Stole is a gift from Ernest and Mary Juillerat on behalf of the friends and families of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered Presbyterians.

(Note: A solidarity stole is one that is covered with the signatures of both gay and straight members of a congregation, denominational governing body, or other organization.  These stoles serve the dual purpose of showing support for LGBT persons, while also protecting their anonymity by including their names as "one among many".)

 This is the first signature stole to become a part of the Shower of Stoles collection.  A gift from my parents, and made by my good friend Cynthia Ogletree, the first signatures were allies from Heartland Presbytery who were present on Sept. 16, 1995, when I set aside my ordination.  More signatures were added a few weeks later when the governing boards of Presbyterians for Lesbian and Gay Concerns (PLGC) and the More Light Churches Network (MLCN) came to Kansas City for a joint meeting.  A few additional signatures were added at the MLCN national conference in early 1996, but new signature stoles were already in the making by the time of this conference.

 Cynthia Ogletree made the pattern for this stole by reproducing the construction of what is believed to be the oldest stole in the collection, one given by David Hostetter in honor of his daughter (#40).

 

Martha Juillerat

Founder, Shower of Stoles Project

2006