In 2004, when the World Parliament of Religions was in Barcelona, Spain, I seriously thought about attending; but, organized devotion to Antinous (the deified lover of the Roman Emperor Hadrian) had only been going for under two years at that point.

In 2009, when the World Parliament of Religions was in Melbourne, Australia, I was more assured and settled in my religious practices, but I was also nearly destitute and unemployed, and was surviving by the generosity and hospitality of friends.

In 2015, I am partially-employed, and have been practicing the revived Antinoan religious devotion for over 13 years, and through the Ekklesía Antínoou--a queer, Graeco-Roman-Egyptian syncretist reconstructionist polytheist group dedicated to Antinous and related divine figures--I have been bringing Antinous and many other deities to a wider public at many places, including yearly at PantheaCon since 2007, as well as through my publications, columns at various websites, and blog.

But, now that I have had a proposal accepted for the World Parliament of Religions 2015 in Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.A., I find myself in the difficult position of still not having enough money to be able to attend without relying upon the generosity and financial support of friends and colleagues. And this, dear friends, is where you come in!

I am seeking to raise $1500, which will pay for my registration, accommodations, and travel expenses. I will be requiring "leave without pay" from work in order to attend (since I am an adjunct professor, we are only allowed sick leave or leave without pay), which will mean that money will be especially tight that month. I can make the sacrifice if I have to of losing that revenue from work, but if I make anything above my intended goal with this campaign, it will defray the collateral costs of my attendance.

For those who contribute at higher levels to this campaign, I am offering some perks; but everyone who supports the campaign will be listed on a page of benefactors in my next three books published through The Red Lotus Library!

I have managed to bring Antinous and the spiritual ideals he inspires in his devotees to a wider public audience; I have been able to have Antinous included in the broader inter-communal dialogues on polytheism and paganism in the United States…now I am seeking to bring the revived religion of Antinous to the immense stage of world religions at the premiere interfaith event on its return to the United States. If you wish to assist me in this regard, at whatever level, the blessings of Antinous, and of me, will be with you with my utmost and gracious thanks!