Polarity and Single Sex Covens

Marios

M> Here's my latest question for theological debate:
M> Given the emphasis on male/female polarity within the
M> structure of Craft mythology, can a group that is entire
M> same sex gay or lesbian legitimately claim to be
M> practicing Wicca? Or is it something else pagan, that
M> is not Wicca? Please give reasons for your answer...
M> I've found this to be a really sticky one.

In a word, "YES". Try this on for size:

1. Craft as an immenentalist religion, recognizes the "fact" that individuals contain both "male" and "female" parts. Polarity work takes advantage of this situation. After all, we recognize solitaires as practicing Wicca, so we have already accepted that polarity work may involve only one person. As a logical extension of this:
2. Given that polarity work includes immanent "male" and "female" components, we must assume that a group situation will take advantage of this fact in their workings. But, since polarity work may take place within an individual, the actual genders of the group are unimportant. However:
3. While it can be argued that polarity work is possible, and off necessity, takes place in same sex groups, can we state that they are practicing Wicca? That must depend on how one defines Wicca. Personally, I would say "Yes", however, the central mysteries of the Craft can be interpreted as demanding a heterosexual couple.
4. I suspect that certain rituals (e.g. the Great Rite) can easily be reworked from their current, heterosexist, form. However, if "practicing Wicca" is defined by a strict adherence to the LITURGY of Gardnerian derivation, then a same sex coven cannot be practicing the TOTALITY of Wicca (or certain of its main rituals). They may, on the other paw, be defined as practicing PART of Wicca.