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October 18, 2007 UCC General Minister and President, John Thomas, and the Rev. Linda Jaramillo delivered the UCC's Collegium of Officers' Pastoral Letter on the Iraq War along with nearly 64,000 co-signers to the offices of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and House Minority Leader David Boehner. The White House did not receive them. Since they were not able to have a face-to-face meeting with the public liaison office as they had hoped, Linda and John decided to take their place in a no-protest zone near the White House gate, where they ignored three police orders to move and were arrested. After each paying a $100 fine, they were released two hours later. They are making a special request that you act in support of legislation before the U.S. House that could affect hundreds of thousands of refugees now fleeing war-torn Iraq and they are still actifly collecting signatures for the petition. Additional actions are being planned. Visit http://ga3.org/campaign/100kforpeace/ for more information. October 18, 2007 UCC leaders protest transgender exclusion from proposed non-discrimination legislation. See http://www.ucc.org/news/ucc-advocates-protest.html UCC advocates are responding angrily to attempts by leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives to separate protections for "sexual orientation" from "gender identity" in a watered-down version of the proposed federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). October 4, 2007 College Station, Friends Congregational Church (UCC) has participated in the Angel Tree program for many years. Recently the church received notice from the Angel Tree Ministry that their participation in the program was no longer welcome. Upon further conversation with the organization, representatives made it clear that the church was prohibited in providing Christmas presents to children whose parents are in jail because the church is ONA. The church responded to the organization. Their letter can be veiwed at http://www.friends-ucc.org/Letter_to_Prison_Fellowship_draft.pdf October 3, 2007 Two Nova Scotia students recently attracted worldwide attention when they came up with a rather innovative plan to stop bullying at their school. On the first day of class, a Grade 9 student in Central Kings Rural High School in Nova Scotia was bullied by a group of six to 10 classmates, calling him a homosexual for wearing a pink polo shirt and threatening to beat him up. Grade 12 students Travis Price and David Shepherd heard about the incident and decided to do something about it. They encouraged fellow students at Central Kings Rural High to wear pink-coloured clothing to make the school a “sea of pink” two days later. The duo went out and bought dozens of pink tank tops and distributed them to male students to wear. Around 400 students – half the school’s population – dressed in pink and congregated in the school’s lobby. When the bullied student [who’s never been identified] arrived at school and saw his fellow students decked out in pink, it was described as an emotional and empowering moment. Word of the anti-bullying campaign quickly spread across the province, throughout the country and around the world. Travis and David have repeatedly kept attention on their peaceful anti-bullying message, and not on themselves. October 1, 2007 Members of Congress have decided to move forward with a version of ENDA that does not include gender identity. September 27, 2007 The federal Hate Crimes bill passed in the U.S. Senate. The bill would provide equal protections for every American by extending the definition of hate crimes under federal law to include violence against a person because of his or her sexual orientation or gender identity, and provide local law enforcement agencies the resources to combat hate crimes. September 14, 2007 St. John UCC, Bellevue, KY, an Open and Affirming congregation, has formed a GLBT Alliance Committee to help meet the needs of their congregation and community and to bring about greater understanding of God's great love for all men and women. Their committee mission statement is: The St John GLBT Alliance Committee extends God's extravagant welcome through education and support for the congregation and the greater community regarding GLBT related issues. They will strive to achieve this by providing a media center, developing community activities and discussion forums and supporting related church issues. September 5, 2007 The Employment Non-Discrimination Act was introduced in committee in the House today. In 31 states it’s still legal to fire someone because they are gay; in 39 states it is still legal to fire someone for being transgender. August 30, 2007 An Iowa court has ruled that it is unconstitutional to deny six same-sex couples in Lambda Legal’s lawsuit the right to marry. For more information, visit http://www.lambdalegal.org/our-work/in-court/decisions/varnum-district-court.html August 30, 2007 The country of Singapore banned a speech by gay activist Rev. Troy Perry, founder of Metropolitan Community Churches during a recent six-member delegation to Southeast Asia from the MCC. August 24, 2007 In a reversal of a previous ruling, a regional judicial body of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) ruled against Rev. Jane Adams Spahr for officiating at wedding ceremonies of two lesbian couples. The Synod of the Pacific Permanent Judicial Commission reversed the opinion of the Presbytery of the Redwoods, the local governing body overseeing Rev. Spahr’s ministry, which had ruled that the minister had committed no offense to church policy in performing the ceremonies. (The Synod of the Pacific is a regional body that includes several local church bodies, or “Presbyteries,” in northern California, Idaho, Oregon and Nevada.) The hearing of the appeal took place on Friday, August 17, 2007 in Burlingame, California. In its reversal of the lower judicial commission’s decision, the Synod stated: “Although the Rev. Dr. Spahr had acted with conscience and conviction, her actions were contrary to the [Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)] Constitution as it is authoritatively interpreted…We determine that the decision of the Redwoods PJC [Permanent Judicial Commission] is reversed. The PPJC is directed to enter a finding of guilt of the Rev. Dr. Jane Adams Spahr to the charge set forth...and to impose the censure of rebuke.” The final vote of members of the Synod’s Permanent Judicial Commission was 6-2. The decision can be appealed to the highest court of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission, within 45 days, where a ruling would have national implications. August 20, 2007 A Joint Message from Human Rights Campaign, Metropolitan Community Churches, and the National (U.S.) Black Justice Coalition However, things have changed. Near the end of 2006, Charlene notified readers that she had found God and was now straight. Her magazine articles went from positive reflections on the same-gender-loving community to Bible-taunting articles on how to find God and change your sexual orientation. In early July of this year, she went very public with her conversion and appeared on the Pat Robertson's 700 Club as the new face of the "ex-gay" movement. Her interview was placed on YouTube and has received much media attention. Charlene’s change and her decision to go public came as a shock and betrayal to all who knew her in the LGBT world. The African American LGBT leadership in Atlanta felt that a response was needed. Working with Rev. Dr. Kathi Martin of First MCC Atlanta and Sean Drakes, Duncan E. Teague prepared a video response produced by the Human Rights Campaign and co-sponsored by the National Black Justice Coalition and Metropolitan Community Churches. The video stresses the importance of loving ourselves even when one of our own has decided to change direction. Here's What You Can Do: -- Take a few minutes to watch the YouTube video response. -- Share the message that you are loved by God just as you are. Love is for everyone!
To View Our Response, Visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4LI0VmKZrw Agust 11, 1007 The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) decided to encourage its bishops to refrain from or demonstrate restraint in the discipline of rostered ministers in committed same-gender relationships. While the assembly deferred outright elimination of its policy that prohibits LGBT ministers from living in loving, lifelong family relations with their life partner, asked the church to prepare for such decision at its next assembly in 2009. August 8, 2007 For the first time, the entire Shower of Stoles collection will be on display in a single location during the 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. The Shower of Stoles is a collection of more than a thousand liturgical stoles and other sacred items representing the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people of faith. These religious leaders have served in twenty-six denominations and faith traditions, in six countries, and on three continents. Each stole contains the story of an LGBT person who is active in the life and leadership of their faith community in some way: minister, elder, deacon, teacher, missionary, musician, administrator, or active layperson. August 8, 2007 LGBT Lutheran Pastors, from among the 82 ministers just introduced to the wider Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, speak out in favor of eliminating the policy that prohibits continued service in the ministry by those in committed, same-gender relationships. August 1, 2007 The following link is to a debate this week in the LA Times on same sex civil marriage. It appears that at least one ballot initiative will be on same sex marriage will be the California ballot in 2008. This debate is between Lorri L. Jean, Executive Director of the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Los Angeles and Ron Prentice, CEO of the California Family Council. The first two days have been a great primer in the main points of both sides of this issue.
July 11, 2007 Presidential Candidates In First Ever Gay Debate For the first time the leading candidates for the presidency will hold a televised debate devoted solely to LGBT issues. The one-hour event will be held on August 9 and broadcast on gay network LOGO at 9:00 pm ET (6:00 pm PT) and through live streaming video at LOGOonline.com. Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, John Edwards and Chris Dodd have confirmed they will participate. Several other Democratic candidates also may join the debate. The debate will be conducted with a live audience in Los Angeles. On the panel questioning the two Democrats will be Human Rights Campaign president Joe Solmonese and singer Melissa Etheridge. The debate was put together by LOGO and HRC. In addition to questioning by Solmonese and Etheridge, people will be able to pose their own questions through LOGOonline.com and HRC.org.
July 2, 2007 Pastor Bradley Schmeling was removed from the clergy roster of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) on July 2, 2007, by action of the Committee on Appeals ruling on his appeal of the February 2007 decision of the Disciplinary Hearing Committee (DHC). The DHC concluded nearly unanimously after five days of hearings and consideration that there was nothing in that relationship that was incompatible with the duties of a minister as outlined in the constitution of the ELCA. Further, they concluded that he appeared to be an excellent pastor. They said that the relationship was a violation of policy, but that the policy might very well be in violation of the constitution of the ELCA. They recommended two avenues through which the policy could be changed: judicially through the Committee on Appeals reacting to the punishment and/or legislatively through action of the churchwide assembly. Finally, bound by the policy and precedent, the DHC removed Pastor Schmeling from the roster of ministers but not until August 15, after the 2007 Churchwide Assembly. The Committee on Appeals denied his appeal and made the removal effective on July 2, 2007. Further information is available on the Pastor Schmeling case at http://www.lcna.org/lcna_news/2007-07-12a.shtm. June 28, 2007 The Gay and Lesbian Review Worldwide reports that as of the end of 2005 more than half of all Americans are now protected against discrimination on the basis of their sexual orientation in employment. Many local and state laws also have protections in public accommodations and housing. The number of jurisdictions with any such protections is up from just 33 percent 13 years ago. Nearly 40 percent of the population is also protected on the basis of their gender identity. As late as 2000 only 6.6% of jurisdictions had such protections. Same-sex couples have also seen gains over the last decade. Ten states now grant them rights equal or similar to heterosexually married couples. The outlook in Washington is far less rosy. In May, the House of Representatives once again passed a national hate crimes law. The Senate is expected to follow suit. But Pres. Bush has promised to veto it. June 24, 2007 On Sunday, June 24, 2007, in consecutive votes, the Anglican Church of Canada, acting as an independent province of the worldwide Anglican Communion both affirmed the compatibility of same-sex blessings with "core doctrine" and denied priests and parishes the freedom to offer such blessings. June 14, 2007 The ConCon (Constitutional Convention) in Mass. voted NOT to pass equal marriage on to public vote in 2008 (via an amendment to make marriage one man/one woman). 50 votes were needed in the affirmative to move the vote forward - only 45 said "Yes." It is the work of all of us, The Coalition as a whole, our Welcoming Church and interfaith friends, NGLTF, HRC, Freedom to Mary, Religious Coalition, for the Freedom to Marry, ETC. which has helped pave the way for this decision... Thanks be to God and to ALL! The authentic sharing of stories made a difference in our church and in the world. They made all the difference in the vote at the Mass. Statehouse according to the Boston Globe, a witness with which we can surely resonate on our own ONA ministries. June 6, 207 The CLOUT (Christian Lesbians OUT) Council has selected a new National Coordinator. Read more about it at: http://client.ready-set-go.biz/?RDCT=0809f827898cc2d8c8ae May 23, 2007 The documentary film, In God's House: Asian American Lesbian and Gay Families in the Church, includes a study guide. This film offers a way to break the silence around sexuality in Asian American churches with honest and thought-provoking stories from church families. Screenings have been held both in the United States as well as in Japan, Taiwan and other international locations. The film will premier in San Francisco's Chinatown on June 1, 6:30 - 8:30 pm at Chinese for Affirmative Action, 17 Walter U. Lum Place. For more information on screenings, go to (http://www.ingodshouse.com/screenings.html). May 22, 2007 The Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice, and Healing, along with the faith programs of GLAAD, the Human Rights Campaign, the National Black Justice Coalition, the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force¢s Institute for Welcoming Resources, is pleased to issue a united call to congregations and clergy to conduct a worship service celebrating sexual and gender diversity as part of their community's June Pride Month celebration. On June 4, 2007, the Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice, and Healing will publish a new "Open Letter to Religious Leaders on Sexual and Gender Diversity." This "Open Letter" calls on faith communities to affirm sexual and gender diversity as a blessed part of life and for "full participation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in our faith traditions and communities." Clergy and congregations that are planning a Pride Service are encouraged to let the Religious Institute know by May 31st of the date, time, and place for their worship service and if media would be welcome. These clergy will be provided with an advance copy of the "Open Letter to Religious Leaders on Sexual and Gender Diversity" that can be used in sermon preparation or as a responsive reading. Clergy are also invited to submit sermons preached on the theme of "Celebrating Sexual and Gender Diversity" during Pride Month. There will be a $400 first place Pride Sermon Award. The top sermons will also be posted on the web sites of the sponsoring national organizations. Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice, and
Healing May 3, 2007 The United States Congress passed the Local Law Enforcement
Hate Crimes Prevention Act (LLEHCPA) by a margin of 237-180. The bill
provides equal protections for every American by extending the definition
of hate crimes to include violence against a person because of his or
her sexual orientation or gender identity, and provide local law enforcement
agencies the resources to combat hate crimes. Democratic National Committee
Chairman Howard Dean said, “Today’s vote was about human rights
and about the right of everyone in America to live free from persecution
and free from violence." The bill was sponsored by John Conyers,
Barney Frank, and Tammy Baldwin. April 28, 2007 Rock Spring Congregational United Church of Christ, which just approved same sex marriages at their church. There's even a video! http://www.wusa9.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=58081 April 12, 2007 The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (LLEHCPA) has been introduced in the Senate.
April 11, 2007 Working closely with PSR’s PANA Institute, the CLGS Racial/Ethnic Roundtable Project has helped to create and sponsor the Network on Religious Justice for Asian and Pacific Islander LGBT People. Among the several projects undertaken by the Network is the documentary film, In God’s House: Asian American Lesbian and Gay Families in the Church, including a study guide. This film offers a way to break the silence around sexuality in Asian American churches with honest and thought-provoking stories from church families. Screenings have been held both in the United States as well as in Japan, Taiwan and other international locations. For more information on screenings, go to (http://www.ingodshouse.com/screenings.html). For more information on the Network, visit the CLGS website or the Network’s own website at http://www.nrj-api-lgbt.org/. March 23, 2007 Read a ringing statement from the Episcopal House of Bishops… except for the Anglican-specific information, its values square so resolutely with our own movement in the UCC. From the Episcopal House of Bishops: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_84230_ENG_HTM.htm. March 22, 2007 From the South Florida Coalition Chapter Coordinators: We have lost a very good friend within the UCC Ministry
and the national and local Coalition. Dr. Rev. Tom Barth of the UCC Church
in Waukegan, IL past away on March 22, 2007. Many of you knew Tom, but
probably did not know that he was sick...He had found out shortly after
Christmas that he had lung cancer in its fourth stage..Nothing could be
done but mild radiation treatment. There will be a church service at the
UCC Church in Waukegan on March 31st, 2007. Please keep Tom's partner
Bill Tortat, Tom's daughter Carrie, and Tom's son Todd, and all other
family members in your prayers. Feb. 22, 2007 http://www.eds.edu/CURRENT/PDF/PressReleases/Season.doc You may have already seen "To Everything There Is A Season" - the forthright, faithful statement of the Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston, Cambridge, MA to the Episcopal Divinity School community, which he serves as President and Dean. But if not, do read it. I trust it will give you courage in the struggle(s) for an inclusive Church. Feb. 21, 2007 http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20070208/1a_cover07x.art.htm Gay teens coming out earlier to peers and family March 21, 2007 House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers introduced the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (LLEHCPA), a bipartisan bill that would extend the definition of hate crimes to include violence against a person because of his or her sexual orientation or gender identity, and provide local law enforcement agencies the resources to combat hate crimes. March 16, 2007 The Reverend R. Albert Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and a long-time leader in the Southern Baptist Convention, the largest Protestant denomination in the United States, suggested he would support medical treatment to change the sexual orientation of a fetus inside its mother's womb from homosexual to heterosexual, if such treatment were available. Mohler floated the idea in his blog on March 2, 2007. He did, however, write, "With a growing body of evidence to suggest that sexual orientation may in some measure be the result of biological factors...." Feb. 20, 2007 Anti-gay violence is on the rise in Jamaica. According to the gay rights group Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All Sexuals and Gays (J-FLAG), three men were shopping in a local pharmacy in the parish of St. Andrew when two of them were targeted by an unnamed woman who reprimanded them for what she termed "distasteful" behavior. According to eyewitnesses, she left the store and made a phone call that resulted in a large crowd gathering at the Monarch Pharmacy. The crowd called for the three men to be "sent out" to face them. The men were later escorted out of the shop by police called to keep them from harm. Over the last few days, other gay people reportedly have been attacked in Ocho Rios and Montego Bay, and at least one gay person in Montego Bay has been murdered. The Metropolitian Community Church has initiated a letter-writing campaign to Jamaica's Prime Minister, The Most Honorable Portia Simpson Miller, by e-mail at HPM@opm.gov.jm, asking her to speak out publicly against the violence, to establish a tone of respect and tolerance for all life, and to guarantee the human rights and safety of Jamaica's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender citizens. Feb. 12, 2007 The Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice, and Healing's Rev. Debra W. Haffner, with the support of the Moriah Fund, convened a diverse group of theologians and religious leaders from a range of faith traditions, including Jewish, Baptist, Brethren, Episcopal, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, United Church of Christ and Unitarian Universalist. Our task: To create a call to action for religious leaders regarding the pastoral issues involved in adolescent sexuality.They released a new Open Letter to Religious Leaders on Adolescent Sexuality that calls for a faith-based approach to helping adolescents understand their sexuality, develop their own moral agency, and make informed choices about their sexual behavior. Read the letter at http://www.religiousinstitute.org/AdolSex_OpenLetter.pdf February 9, 2007 ELCA Disciplinary Committee Challenges Church
Policy
February 6, 2007 The Pacific School of Religion Certificate in Sexuality and Religion provides both on-campus and on-line education for clergy, laity, and professionals from a wide range of vocations in the critical issues at the intersection of sexuality and religion. Courses can be taken on course-by-course basis and are offered in week-long intensives during both the January Intersession and the Summer Session. This year Rev. Mel White will be a Summer Session faculty, and will be offering a course based on his latest book, “When Religion Goes Bad.” Topics for the other courses include sexuality and the Bible, human sexuality and the church, HIV and theology and transgender issues in religion and faith communities. Visit http://www.clgs.org/6/6_1_2.html for more information on these courses and how to register. January 27, 2007 There is an epidemic of homelessness among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth in the United States. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates that the number of homeless and runaway youth ranges from 575,000 to 1.6 million per year. And, according to the National Runaway Switchboard in conjunction with other study sources, up to 42 percent identify as LGBT — putting LGBT youth homelessness at a startlingly disproportionate rate relative to the general population. The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, in collaboration with the National Coalition for the Homeless, will release a new report titled Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth: An epidemic of homelessness, which reveals the causes and consequences of this crisis. The report also makes significant public policy recommendations and challenges public officials and social service providers nationwide to fully meet the needs of these vulnerable young people. January 27, 2007 Tennis Champion Martina Navratilova and MCC launched an international AIDS campaign. Their "Do The Thing" campaign is intended to provide support for children with HIV and AIDS at Mother of Peace Orphanage in Zimbabwe, Africa. For more information, visit www.MCCchurch.org January 27, 2007 Dr. Kathryn Lofton Receives LGBT Religious History Award Complete information on the award can be found at: www.lgbtran.org/historyaward.htm January 7, 2007 The annual www.gaychurch.org welcoming Christian church survey is in. Where is this growth occurring? Which denominations are leading the way? How does this growth compare to earlier years? Read more about it at “2006 Welcoming Church Survey”. January 5, 2007 Are you, or do you know, former Lutherans who had to
leave their rostered December 12, 2006 The Williams-Nichols Archive and Library for GLBT Studies at the University of Louisville says it is one of the largest gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender collections in the country. In their estimate, they are surpassed only by collections in New York City, Brooklyn, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Ft. Lauderdale, and a handful of other university-based collections. They estimate their collection contains 5,000 unduplicated book titles and upwards of 40,000 magazines from around the country and the world. In addition, they house an extensive collection of non-print materials. They are one of the largest regional sources of information on AIDS and AIDS-related issues. They are soliciting contributions of GLBT books, magazines, newspapers and journals and such other items as clothing, buttons, posters, bar memorabilia, etc. Please contact KyArchives@aol.com for more information. November 20, 2006 http://www.ucc.org/lgbt/pdfs/remembrance.pdf The Office for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Concerns has posted a Pastoral Letter and Prayer for Transgender Day of Remembrance. November 10, 2006 While seven U.S. states passed initiatives to ban marriage and/or civil unions between same-sex couples, Mexico City's Assembly joined the municipalities of Buenos Aires and Rio Grande de Sul (Brazil) in passing legislation to legally recognize gay and straight civil unions. October 29, 2006 Cathedral of Hope in Texas is now a full-standing UCC congregation. They were received Oct. 29 by the North Texas Association by an overwhelming majority. October 19, 2006 Learn more about proposed ballot measures in your state by visiting the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center state-by-state listing at http://bisc.avenet.net October 13, 2006 Troubled Waters, an hour-long documentary written and produced by the United Church of Christ, will be aired nationally on ABC television beginning on October 22. It portrays some of the challenges faced by people and nations everywhere with regard to access to clean, safe drinking water and adequate sanitation. The film addresses the increasing privatization of water resources around the world and raises disturbing questions about who has access to this precious resource. "Water is a gift from God and a human right," affirms executive producer Wally Ryan Kuroiwa, "not a commodity available only to those who can pay for it." Some of the major air times are available at http://www.troubledwatersdoc.com. For more information about water issues, also visit the Water for All resources from Global Ministries: http://www.globalministries.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=614&Itemid=464 October 12, 2006 Citing a "chilling effect" on religious freedom, the UCC's general minister and president is criticizing U.S. Senator Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) for holding up approval of a would-be federal judge because she participated in a UCC-supported same-gender commitment ceremony four years ago. Read more... October 11, 2006 Oklahoma congregation urges UCC’s ‘Open and Affirming’ churches to ‘stand up’ financially Rev. Leslie Penrose and Community of Hope UCC (COH) in Tulsa initiated a program they called "Stand Up and Be Counted" to encourage ONA churches in the Kansas-Oklahoma Conference to go the extra mile for OCWM. The attached file is the invitation that was sent to the ONA churches. COH seeded the program by committing $5,000 over and above what they had already committed/budgeted. By the Confrerence Annual Meeting (weekend before last), they had raised a total of $16,000 in "extra mile" gifts. Read more at: October 11, 1006 The UCC has posted to the UCC
web page all the LGBT related policy September 21, 2006 The Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR), the oldest and largest interfaith peace and justice organization in the United States, hired Leila Zand as coordinator of FOR’s Iran Program. Ms. Zand and religious leaders met with the Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadenijad on Setpember 20. The meeting was convened by the Mennonite Central Committee during the president’s visit to the U.N. General Assembly. Ms. Zand was the only Muslim woman attending the meeting. September 20, 2006 On Sept. 6, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed Senate Bill 1437, the Bias-Free Curriculum Act, authored by Sen. Sheila Kuehl and sponsored by Equality California. A simple nondiscrimination measure, SB 1437 would have extended existing laws prohibiting discrimination on the bases of race, sex, disability, nationality and religion in textbooks, instructional materials and school sponsored activities to include sexual orientation and gender identity. For more information visit http://www.eqca.org/site/apps/nl/content2.asp?c=9oINKWMCF&b=40337&ct=2923275 September 20, 2006 The Latino Congreso passed a resolution calling for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality and civil rights protections. The resolution was adopted at the Latino/a community gathering on Sept. 6–9 in Los Angeles, Calif. For more information visit (English): http://www.thetaskforce.org/media/release.cfm?releaseID=974 or (Spanish) September 14, 2006 A Council of Bishops, Elders and Christian Leaders committed to equal rights and inclusion for all met in Dallas beginning September 10 to address religious discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons, and how to counter it. Over 30 faith leaders from across the United States assembled as part of the three-day event to worship, pray and strategize on how to remove homophobia and hate from our churches, and replace them with hospitality, justice and equality for all. September 15, 2006 Scouting for All's 7th Annual National Recognition of Gay and Atheist Scout and All Gay and Atheist Youth Month - October 2006 Scouting for All asks supporters (members, volunteers, Scouting for All Alliance for Human rights members) nationally and internationally to join them in recognizing gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender youth and atheist youth. They are also asking members of PFLAG, GLSEN, and other GLBT youth organizations including religious groups, as well as atheist and non-theist organizations and individuals to sign up as event organizers. For details and to sign up as an event organizer, just go to the Scouting for All web page www.scoutingforall.org Scouting for All's Global Essay Contest September 13, 2006 The LGBT Religious Archives Network (LGBT-RAN) invites submissions for its second annual LGBT Religious History Award. The deadline for submissions is October 13, 2006. The award-winning paper receives a monetary gift and recognition at LGBT-RAN's annual meeting. For more details, go to: http://www.lgbtran.org/HistoryAward.htm
September 12, 2006 Kent Cicerchi has joined The Coalition staff as Office Manager. A native of Cleveland, he brings to The Coalition experience in not-for-profit work, operations management, plus analytical and customer service abilities. He also has a long history as a church musican and is currently serving at Trinity Cathedral (Episcopal). September 11, 2006 The Coalition has received news of the death of two of our brothers in Christ. Pastor Scott Landis' partner, Brennan Maynard, died suddenly this week. He was 38 and didn't know that he had leukemia. Scott and the Mission Hills church (ONA) are deeply, deeply saddened. Please keep them, our sister, Jane Heckles, Conference Minister there - and all touched by this in your prayers. The Rev. Scott Landis, Mission Hills UCC, 4070 Jackdaw Street, San Diego, CA 92103. Vaughn Beckman, a Disciples pastor who helped with IWR's creation, died early this month. Although Vaughn had been struggling with cancer, his sudden passing was unexpected. A memorial service is planned for September 16 at The First Christian Church of San Jose, CA. Vaughn served as pastor of FCC San Jose. His many and varied ministries included pastor of FCC Honolulu, HI, director of the San Jose Peace Center, and founding member of the board of the Institute for Welcoming Resources. Let us pray for all touched by the loss of these our brothers. August 29, 2006 You are inveted to read read a commentary by Diane Ford Jones entitled, “To be LGBT, Gifted and Black” at http://www.ucc.org/justice/witness/wfj082806.pdf. It is a PDF file. August 9, 2006 Senator Richard Roeding of Kentucky made unkind remarks about the University of Louisville’s decision to provide same-gender and domestic partner health insurance to its employees. Rev. Keith Haithcock wrote an excellent letter to the senator in response. You may read it here. August 7, 2006 The Federal Republic of Nigeria is contemplating the passage of a bill that would criminalize all forms of homosexuality. If the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act 2006 were to pass, anyone engaged in private, consensual behavior, involved with a lesbian or gay organization, who attended a lesbian or gay public event, or who blessed a lesbian or gay union could be held criminally liable and sentenced to a 5-year prison term. uman rights organizations in Nigeria, Africa and around the world have already sent letters of protest (see for instance http://hrw.org/english/docs/2006/03/23/nigeri13064.htm). Christian leaders are being asked to sign a public letter of protest to the Nigerian government condemning this legislation. To add your name to this letter email David@WelcomingResources.org with the name of your congregation, the name of your organization, or your own name as an individual religious leader (complete with your title and congregation or organization name for affiliation purposes only). The Nigerian House of Representatives may consider the bill as early as next week, so a quick response from you is urgently needed. Please sign the letter by the end of the day Tuesday, August 8. For more information, please contact David Lohman at the Institute for Welcoming Resources at David@WelcomingResources.org or (612) 821-4397. June 30, 2006 In Election 2004, hundreds of UCC congregations participated in the Our Faith Our Vote program to register thousands of new voters, monitor polls, preach and teach on the issues in our congregations, and ask candidates the tough questions. The UCC 2006 Our Faith Our Vote Organizers Kit is now available online and in a printed version to help you and your congregation organize forums, discuss issues, and evaluate candidates. Visit www.OurFaithOurVote.org , go to "Stay Informed," enter your email address and fill out the form to sign up. The website also provides election-related issues briefings and a calendar of state activities that will allow you to connect with other organizers in your area. June 7, 2006 The Senate defeated the Federal Marriage Ammendment bill today. Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement: “Today, the United States Senate rejected the efforts by President Bush and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist to use the politics of fear and division in an attempt to distract attention from the failure of Republicans in Washington to address the real priorities of the American people. The time that Senate Republicans wasted debating a divisive federal marriage amendment is time that should have been used to find ways to reduce gas prices, help Americans find health insurance, make America energy independent, create jobs that stay in America, or come up with a plan for success in Iraq. The fact that Republicans in Washington chose to focus on a divisive effort to scapegoat LGBT Americans for political gain instead of addressing the real business of the nation shows why the American people need new leadership in Washington.” June 6 Link: UCC president and general minister, John Thomas, called on senators to "respect U.S. Constitution" and vote against the marriage amendment. Among other things, the statement said, "The General
Synod has acted both out of a concern for justice, demanding that the
present discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender
persons be ended, as well as our of a theological conviction June 4, 2006 The Metropolitain Community Churches have instituded a "Would Jesus Discriminate?" campaign designed to shift attitudes on a significant scale with the goal of increasing understanding and lessening religion-based discrimination against LGBT people. The first Faith in America/Jesus MCC ad ran in the Indianapolis Star (largest circulation mainstream paper) on May 28. To review the ads, go to www.FaithInAmerica.com. The second full-page ad ran on Sunday, June 4, 2006. Visit www.Jesus.com to learn more about this MCC campaign. June 2, 2006 The politics of polarization and distraction are emerging
once again as the November elections draw near, with congressional leadership
poised to introduce the Federal Marriage Amendment (FMA) in early June.
The Federal Marriage Amendment to the U.S. Constitution would limit the
definition of marriage to only one man and one woman. As a federal
amendment, it would jeopardize state and municipal laws or ordinances
currently in place which allow equal marriage rights for same-gender couples.
It could also endanger the extension of domestic partner benefits which
many companies, cities and organizations, including the UCC, give to same-gender
couples employed by them. April 22, 2006 On April 22 about 30 Plymouth Congregation UCC and St. Stephen's Episcopal Church members joined to form the "Churches in the Grove" team for the 18th annual Miami AIDS Walk. Team members walked together through Coconut Grove from St. Stephen's church to Plymouth UCC where a short AIDS dedication service was held followed by refreshments. After all late pledges were received, the combined team raised just over $13,500 putting the "Churches in the Grove" team as the 3rd highest fundraiser. South Florida Coalition coordinator and Plymouth UCC member, George Fisher, placed fourth highest in individual fundraisers. March 13 The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the Institute for Welcoming Resources (IWR) have merged. IWR has become a program of the Task Force. The move, an unprecedented joining of LGBT secular and faith-based organizing, is designed to provide new resources, training and strategies that will increase the number of people of faith supporting equality for LGBT people. For more information, sign up for The Coalition's electronic newsletter or go to www.welcomingresources.org February 24 On February 24, the South Dakota House voted 50-18 to join the S.D. Senate’s approval of a bill that would ban all abortion procedures in the state, including cases of rape and incest, with an exception only to save the pregnant woman's life. The bill has been sent to Gov. Mike Rounds, who has indicated that he may sign it into law. The supporters of this state action have said publicly that their goal is to force the new and more conservative Supreme Court of the United States to revisit the 1973 decision, Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion. This bill attacks the rights of women and their families to make personal and private decisions on whether or when to continue a pregnancy. This bill violates the right of privacy, devalues women as moral agents, and promotes a religious beliefs that life begins at conception, which is not held by all religious persons. In addition, physicians convicted of performing abortions except when a woman was near death would face a minimum of five years in prison and a $5,000 fine under the new law. For over forty years, United Church of Christ General Synod resolutions have repeatedly supported a woman’s reproductive health and rights. Initially, the General Synod in 1969 called for the legalization of abortion as one way to prevent death or injury to women who sought illegal procedures. Subsequent statements from General Synod have reaffirmed Roe v. Wade, calling for efforts to curb unplanned or unwanted pregnancies through comprehensive, faith-based sexuality education, affirming women who choose to bring pregnancies to term, and supporting access for poor women to full reproductive health services. To read the UCC’s statement on reproductive choice, click http://www.ucc.org/justice/choice/ To send a message to Gov. Rounds, and to proclaim that people of faith who support access to safe and legal abortion can be both religious and pro-choice, click http://www.ucctakeaction.org/action |
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