November 20, 2008, is the 10th annual Transgender Day of Remembrance commemorating transgender people who have lost their lives to hate-fueled violence. Trans people experience violence at a rate disproportionate to their presence in society. They also live with other challenges. This time is an opportunity to explore how gender functions in our social, political and economic circumstances.

Churches have an important role in changing public attitudes and civil policies to support people of all gender identities and gender expression  In 2003, the General Synod of the UCC recognized trans people by passing resolutions 1) denouncing “hate, violence and prejudice against transgender persons as well as lesbians, gays and bisexuals,” and 2) calling on all congregations of the UCC “to welcome transgender persons into membership, ministry and full participation” in the life and ministry of the church.

Many ONA statements include “gender identities and gender expression.’ Some of these are part of the statement when it is passed; other churches add it when they revisit their statement. Including the explicit welcome to people of all gender identities is important; making sure that the statement of welcome is genuine is essential.

For people of all gender identities and gender expressions are to be truly welcome in your church means that members need to be knowledgeable about and comfortable with the variety of gender expression and the issues that trans people face.  Unfortunately, even lesbian, gay, and bisexual people are often ignorant of trans issues. Nearly everyone can learn more about the implications of gender in our culture. 

How are you observing Transgender Day of Remembrance? If you have created prayers, litanies, or other worship resources, please share them with The Coalition (communications@ucccoalition.org) so that we may share them with others who are looking for ways to observe this day.

For resources on gender identity and gender expression, go to:

http://www.transfaithonline.org

http://www.mcchurch.org

Also, the Institute for Welcoming Resources will soon be releasing a curriculum about making churches trans-friendly. Barbara Satin, a former Moderator of The Coalition, and The Coalition representative to the Executive Council of the UCC is writing the resource.  We'll let you know when it is available.

In hope and grace,

Ruth Garwood
Executive Director
The UCC Coalition for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Concerns

The United Church of Christ's Cleveland-based national office has purchased full-page ads in three of California's largest gay community publications after voters there approved a constitutional amendment, known as Proposition 8, that halts same-gender marriages in the state.

"We stood with you in saying no to Proposition 8 and we will continue to stand with you, both in disappointment and resolve, until marriage equality is realized," reads the ad, quoting the Rev. John H. Thomas, the UCC's general minister and president.

The print advertisements will appear in upcoming editions of the Bay Area Reporter in San Francisco, Frontiers in Los Angeles, and Gay & Lesbian News in San Diego.

...We reject efforts to blame African American and Latino communities for the passage of Proposition 8; to do so is to yield to simplistic, false, and racist reactions. All communities in California, and in other states with anti-gay legislation, contributed to the outcome.

We acknowledge the particular vulnerability of African American and Latino LGBT people, who have experienced racist backlash from the white LGBT community over the passage of Proposition 8. We must not tolerate such actions.
 
We affirm that there are no separate battles in the fight for human equality. The battle for LGBT equality is also the battle for racial and ethnic equality. The struggle for LGBT equality stands in solidarity with the struggles of people of color, immigrants, and all who still seek basic human and civil rights....

Read complete text at radicallyinclusive.com/content.cfm

Bishop Yvette Flunder (The Fellowship) 
Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson, Moderator (Metropolitan Community Churches)
Bishop Tanya Rawls (Unity Fellowship Church Movement) 
Rev. Elder Darlene Garner, Vice-Moderator (Metropolitan Community Churches)