Members of CLGS’s Latinx Roundtable

San Antonio, Texas, October 26, 2016– Over two-days, Latino/a/x clergy, social service providers, students and community members met to develop materials that include and affirm the experiences of LGBTQ+ people within the Latino/a/x community.  “The opportunity to connect as people of faith who celebrate the gifts of our sexuality and gender is tremendous,” commented Rev. Carla Roland-Guzmán, co-coordinator of CLGS’s Latinx Roundtable, Fe Familia Igualdad. She continued, “We are particularly excited to have completed a new resource about transgender issues, For You are Wondrously Made.”

Written from a pastoral and Latino/a/x perspective, this project addresses transgender people and their families, featuring a wide range of voices—from religious professionals to parents—speaking about God’s love for those of all gender identities, including transgender and gender non-conforming people. In it, the various writers explore relevant passages from the Bible, tell their stories of working with Latino/a/x families, and describe the process of coming out as transgender.

“We also feel a real sense of accomplishment for having updated all of our other materials, making sure they speak to the diversity of our people,” noted Rev. Tino Cordova, the Roundtable’s other co-coordinator. In addition, he cited the success of the group’s networking this week with members of The Center – Pride Center San Antonio, Equality Texas, and the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) “Orgullo de San Antonio” 22198. The Roundtable is committed to networking with local advocates within the LGBTQ+ and Latino/a/x communities whenever the group gathers.

The retreat was held at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in San Antonio. “We are deeply grateful for their hospitality which made our time together possible,” said Roland-Guzmán.

The Latinx Roundtable works to promote understanding, acceptance and affirmation of Latino/a/x LGBTQ+ persons and their families by transforming Latino/a/x faith communities and the wider Latino/a/x community. Their bilingual website, www.FeFamiliaIgualdad.org, has many resources for Latino/a/x people and their families, and will add Portuguese resources shortly.

CLGS works to improve the well-being of LGBTQ people, working particularly in communities of color through the United States and Latin America.  We confront the negative forces of religion which take such a toll on LGBTQ lives and support and uplift programs which promote spiritual health.