In recent weeks I’ve been involved in two lobbying efforts: one on Capitol Hill as part of the Human Rights Campaign’s Clergy Call for Justice and Equality, and one at the Ohio Statehouse, organized by our state-wide LGBT advocacy group, Equality Ohio. In both cases, the events were well-organized, with the sponsoring groups having made appointments with our legislators.

The national lobbying was for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and for the Matthew Shepherd Hate Crimes Bill. In Ohio, where it is still legal to fire or evict people just for the perception that they are LGBT, advocacy focuses on the Equal Housing and Employment Act.

The Coaliton’s mission statement includes our call to be advocates for full inclusion in church and society. In its full expression, being Open and Affirming means congregations not only welcome people into the church; they also reach outside their communities into the world where a prophetic statement of inclusion is so clearly needed. As we change public policy, we both act on Jesus’ call for us to be salt and light for the world, recognizing that our mission extends beyond the people we know and worship with.

Visiting legislators is powerful for LGBT advocates and for their elected representatives. On LGBT issues, all representatives hear from conservative religious groups.  Hearing LGBT-affirming religious perspectives is vital to their understanding the whole range of religious views. This is important both for progressive representatives and for those who are less supportive.

For the status of state issues, two places to go to for information are HRC at http://www.hrc.org/laws_and_elections/state.asp and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force at www.thetaskforce.org/activist_center/act_locally.

Contact your legislator. Identify yourself as a person of faith, and describe how that motivates your action. Tell a story about how you or someone you know would benefit from the legislation under review.  Shine your light in the world!

Ruth Garwood
Executive Director

The Coalition's executive director, the Rev. Ruth Garwood, is back from Washington, DC and the Human Rights campaign's Clergy Call 2009.  Numerous UCC voices were prominent at the event, including the Rev. Dr. Jo Hudson, the Rev. Dr. Yvette Flunder, the Rev. John Thomas, the Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Leung, the Rev. Dr. Sidney D. Fowler, and the Rev. Louise Green.  UCC member, Harry Knox, is Director of HRC's Religion and Faith program and was interviewed in numerous media outlets.

www.hrc.org/issues/religion/9194.htm

Those of you who are familiar with the talents of Elaine Kirkland know that you are in for a treat as she will be leading our "Growing BOLD" choir at this year's conference.  Contact the Coalition office or indicate on your Growing BOLD registration form if you are interested in singing in our choir.

Choir Rehearsal: Choir rehearsal will be Monday, June 22, 12:00 pm- 1:30 pm during registration.

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force’s Institute for Welcoming Resources, COLAGE, and Family Equality Council have released a curriculum, All in God’s Family: Creating Allies for Our LGBT Families, designed to help faith communities support and embrace lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people and their families.

All in God’s Family includes concrete tools to educate faith leaders, including a step-by-step guide to supporting LGBT families of faith and tools for facilitating group learning, community dialogue, Bible study, and community-action planning to highlight LGBT families in our communities. Additionally, the curriculum includes Families Like Mine, a book about adults with LGBT parents written by Abigail Garner, whose father is gay; the youth-produced documentary In My Shoes: Stories of Youth with LGBT Parents; and a CD containing the phototext exhibit “That’s So Gay: Portraits of Youth with LGBT Parents.”

All in God’s Family can be acquired for a suggested donation of $50.00. As a special promotion, the first 50 congregations to request the curriculum will receive it for free. All in God’s Family can be acquired at www.WelcomingResources.org.