On 19 June 1865 Union General Gordon Granger proclaimed in Galveston, Texas, the federal government’s decree that all previously-enslaved people in Texas were free; this proclamation was read over two and a half years after the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation, which had been signed by President Abraham Lincoln on 1 January 1863. It is […]
Pride festivals—held in many towns and cities across the country—are a fantastic way to reach out to LGBTQ people and our allies and let people know about your inclusive stance. It is also an important witness that people of faith can be accepting and supportive of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Your […]
Many of us have shown our inclusive faith by participating in Pride parades around the country. This is critical to counteract the ongoing fallacy that all, or even most, people of faith stand in opposition to LGBTQ rights. Religious groups who protest Pride celebrations alienate many of the attendees and can even re-awaken the pain […]
Many communities, large and small, have LGBTQ Community Centers or local groups. One way to show your support is to support them and get involved with these important gathering spots for the community. Visit the CenterLink LGBT Community Center Member Directory to find a community center in your state or city. Here are some suggestions: […]
One way to increase your overall welcome is to intentionally include bisexual people. The acronym LGBTQ has a “B” for bisexual, but sometimes communities are not as aware or welcoming as they could be. We may say “LGBTQ” but then erase the particularities of bisexual identity. Sometimes we make assumptions about people; for example, assuming […]
Despite the stereotypes of rich white gay men, the reality is that LGBTQ people—as a result of systemic oppression—are more likely than heterosexuals to live in poverty and, therefore, to be food insecure. This is especially true for people of color who face racism in addition to anti-LGBTQ attitudes, the young and the old, transgender […]
Some people use non-gendered pronouns to identify themselves because it better reflects who they are than “he” or “she.” You can make it clear that your congregation welcomes them by creating space to name our own pronouns. And—because we respect the grammar lovers among us—let us assure you that these are perfectly acceptable in English […]