LGBT Affirmation
We recognize that people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) have often been rejected by their faith communities. While we have always been inclusive of those who identify as LGBT, we are in the process of being officially recognized as a Welcoming Congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Association. This process includes a series of workshops, classes, discussions and events, as well as taking a close look at our mission statement, hiring policy and our individual beliefs, biases and knowledge. The stated purpose of this process is to positively affirm that there are no barriers to LGBT participation in the life of our congregation.
We have held an initial organizing meeting and selected Jon Bassinger-Flores and Deb Heisley as co-chairs. Our goal is to complete the process within one year and have our congregation vote to become a Welcoming Congregation at that time.
Ultimately, at the end of our Welcoming Congregation process, we will be able to affirm that our church:
- Includes and addresses the needs of LGBT persons at every level of congregational life—in worship, in programs, on social occasions, and in rites of passage—welcoming not only their presence, but the gifts and particularities of their lives as well.
- Assumes the presence of LGBT people and celebrates this diversity by having inclusive language and content in its worship.
- Fully incorporates the experiences of LGBT persons throughout all programs, including religious education.
- Includes an affirmation and nondiscrimination clause in our bylaws and other official documents affecting all dimensions of congregational life including membership, hiring practices, and the calling of religious professionals.
- Engages in outreach into the LGBT community in its advertising and by actively supporting LGBT affirmative groups.
- Offers congregational and ministerial support for union and memorial services for LGBT persons, and for celebrations of many family definitions.
- Celebrates the lives of all people and welcomes same-sex couples, recognizing their committed relationships, and equally affirms displays of caring and affections without regard to sexual orientation.
- Seeks to nurture ongoing dialogue between bisexual, gay, lesbian, transgender, and heterosexual persons and to create deeper trust and sharing.
- Encourages the presence of a chapter of Interweave.
- Affirms and celebrates LGBT issues and history during the church year.
- Attends to legislative developments and works to promote justice, freedom, and equality in the larger society.
- Speaks out when the rights of bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender people are at stake.
- Celebrates the lives of all people and their ways of expressing their love for each other.
We also hope that through this process, we will recognize that being a welcoming congregation extends beyond lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender identities. If you would like to get involved with the committee in this process, please contact the church office and you'll be put in contact with Jon or Deb.
- Jon Bassinger-Flores
