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A resolution was drafted for presentation
to the 1999 UCC General Synod and was sent to the Synod by the Hudson
Mohawk Association of the New York Conference, the Metropolitan Denver
Association of the Rocky Mountain Conference, Community UCC, Boulder,
Colorado, First Congregational UCC, Boulder, Colorado, and the Montana-Northern
Wyoming Conference. It was also endorsed by the coordinating committee
of the Association of United Church Educators. The General Synod, which
met in Providence, Rhode Island, overwhelmingly approved the resolution
entitled Prevention of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning
Youth Suicide.
The Twenty-second General Synod adopted
the Resolution Prevention of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth
Suicide as amended.
PREVENTION OF LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL,
AND TRANSGENDER YOUTH SUICIDE
WHEREAS, the General Synod of the United
Church of Christ has declared itself supportive of youth in the United
Church of Christ;
WHEREAS, the General Synod of the United
Church of Christ has called upon settings of the church to declare themselves
Open and Affirming of gay and lesbian persons; and
WHEREAS, ignorance of, and silence about,
youth suicide in general and in particular of gay, lesbian, bisexual,
transgender and questioning youth is present in the United Church of Christ
and churches of all denominations and in society in general;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that we, the
delegates to the Twenty-second General Synod of the United Church of Christ,
meeting in Providence, Rhode Island, July 1-6, 1999, pledge to take actions
that will increase awareness of and seriously address youth suicide and
the link between youth suicide and sexual or gender identity, by encouraging
open discussion of these issues in our families, churches, youth groups,
associations, conferences and camps;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the United
Church Board for Homeland Ministries (or its successor body) be requested
to conduct a research study analyzing the role of religion in lesbian,
gay, bisexual and transgender youth suicides and develop resources and
educational materials concerning these issues and distribute them for
use by local churches, associations, conferences and other settings of
the United Church of Christ;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the ministries
and various settings of the United Church of Christ be strongly encouraged
to identify and use, as soon as possible, existing educational materials
directed to youth, clergy, parents and laity, which will assist them in
understanding:
1) youth suicide;
2) sexual orientation and gender identity;
and,
3) how the above two issues relate;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the ministries
of the United Church of Christ in all its settings raise these issues
ecumenically, particularly with, but not limited to, our partner churches,
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), The Presbyterian Church (USA),
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and The Reformed Church in
America, in local interfaith networks; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the United
Church of Christ, in all its settings, reflect on what leads youth to
a loss of hope and faith.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the ministries
and various settings of the United Church of Christ work to make the existence
of open and affirming churches known to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered
and questioning youths;
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the United
Church of Christ in all its settings raise these issues with civil authorities,
in their community and legislative settings, and with schools and families;
and that the Office for Church in Society (or its successor body) facilitate
these efforts and advocate in a similar fashion, to ensure that issues
of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth suicide are
adequately addressed in society at large.
Funding for this action will be made in
accordance with the overall mandates of the affected agencies and the
funds available.
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