Towards a Welcoming & Inclusive Church
IWR is a program of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.
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IWR Resources
A Time to Build Up
AVAILABLE FOR FREE DOWNLOAD!
- Click here to download A Time to Build Up (pdf)
- Click here to download A Time to Build Up formatted for print (pdf)
All in God's Family: Creating Allies for Our LGBT Families
Giving you opportunities to gather with other members of your congregation to pray, to learn, to share, and to work together to transform your lives, your congregation, and your world into a loving place in which God's lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender families can thrive.
AVAILABLE NOW!
To Do Justice: A Study of Welcoming Congregations
In order to both highlight the vibrancy, faithfulness and power of the Welcoming Movement and to counter the 'false witness' of those who seek to quash this movement of hospitality and justice, the Institute for Welcoming Resources surveyed pastors and leaders of 1,200 Welcoming congregations to ask them about their work and witness. Two areas emerged that warrant particular focus and celebration:
- Successfully completing a Welcoming Process makes a congregation more likely to work and witness on other justice issues.
- Congregations that directly engage the question of welcoming LGBT persons have low levels of conflict.
AVAILABLE FOR FREE DOWNLOAD!
transACTION
A Transgender Curriculum For Churches and Religious Institutions
AVAILABLE FOR FREE DOWNLOAD!
Liturgical Resource
A Place in God's Heart...
A Place at Christ's Table
Worship Resources for the Welcoming Church Movement
- Click here for index and resources
- Click here to download A Place in God's Heart... A Place at Christ's Table (pdf)
Contact IWR
Contact Rev. Rebecca Voelkel
IWR & Faith Work Program Director
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David Lohman
IWR & Faith Work Coordinator
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Barbara Satin
IWR & Faith Work Associate
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Kathleen Campisano
Faith Organizing Manager
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Amanda Hunter
Shower of Stoles Project Coordinator
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Rev. Vicki Wunsch
Training Consultant
Embodying Our Faith
A Hymn for Marriage Equality in Minnesota
Recently, the Task Force’s David Lohman was interviewed by Faith Forward MN, a video project documenting the faith-based fight against the proposal to amend Minnesota’s state constitution to ban marriage for same-sex couples. David composed the hymn “For All the Children,” in 2007. Last summer, a member of Catholics for Marriage Equality heard it and they decided then to make a video of the hymn to be used as an online tool during the campaign. Faith Forward interviewed David and took behind-the-scenes footage of the video shoot.
Faith in Action
International Day Against Homophobia & Transphobia (IDAHO)
Thursday, May 17 is the International Day Against Homophobia & Transphobia (IDAHO). IDAHO is inspired by the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights that declares that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
May 17 was chosen as the day of this event because homosexuality was removed from the International Classification of Diseases of the World Health Organization (WHO) on May 17, 1990. This action was taken by the American Psychiatric Association in our country in 1973.
Read more...To learn more about IDAHO, or the International Day Against Homophobia & Transphobia, please do check out these resources:
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Day_Against_Homophobia_and_Transphobia
- http://www.dayagainsthomophobia.org
- http://www.homophobiaday.org/
Mother's Day: Underdogs and Beloved Children
On Sundays after we got home from church, my older brother Steve, our father and I would be watching football on a 25 inch Zenith TV. Mom would walk into the room and always ask the same question, "Alright, who's behind? I want to cheer for the underdog." No favorite team for my Mom, she believed in a level playing field. All these years later, I trace my sense of justice to my Mom asking that simple question.
Mother's Day is today. Signed into law by President Woodrow Wilson in 1914, the first observances of Mother's Day were by women's peace groups in the 1870's. I'm thinking about my Mom today. She died too early in my life when I was 24 and in seminary. Mom grew up on a dirt poor depression farm in west Texas. She was raised Baptist and became Presbyterian when she married my Dad after WWII.
Walter Wink, Presente!
Walter Wink, 76, one of the most creative and influential scholars of our day, died peacefully at his home in Sandisfield in the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts on May 10, 2012. His health had been declining since he was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia.
Wink was born in Dallas, Texas. He was a graduate of Southern Methodist University, after which he received Master of Divinity and Doctor of Theology degrees at Union Theological Seminary in New York City. He was assigned as pastor of the First United Methodist Church in Hitchcock, Texas for five years. Then, for nine years, he served at Union Seminary as professor of New Testament, followed by becoming professor of biblical interpretation (1976-2005) at Auburn Theological Seminary, also in New York City. Outspoken against the Vietnam war, from 1967 to 1976 he served on the national steering committee of Clergy and Laity Concerned about Vietnam.
President Obama Affirms His Support for Same Sex Marriage
President Obama today announced that he now supports same-sex marriage, reversing his longstanding opposition amid growing pressure from the Democratic base and even his own vice president.
In an interview with ABC News' Robin Roberts, the president described his thought process as an "evolution" that led him to this decision, based on conversations with his staff members, openly gay and lesbian service members, and his wife and daughters.
Additional Responses
- Thank you Mr. President! - Send a thank you card to President Obama.
- Task Force: President Obama’s evolution on marriage ‘now complete’
- More Light Presbyterians: Good news! President Obama supports marriage equality
- Integrity Responds to Obama Support of Gay Marriage
- Human Rights Campaign - President Obama Supports Full Marriage Equality
- GLAD Alliance (Gay, Lesbian and Affirming Disciples - Christian Church Disciples of Christ) wish to express our extreme gratitude to our president for his announcement today. We appreciate the political risks he is taking on our behalf. In coming forward at this time in the election cycle he has proven himself to be a true leader and his process of evolvement on the issue of marriage equality will provide a roadmap for millions of Americans who have not made that transition at this time.
- Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists - "The arch of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice." MLK Thank you Mr. President for getting your "BEND" on!
- Mazal Tov to us all! Nehirim - Three Reasons Obama's Right on Gay Marriage
- ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal has long supported the rights, across four worlds, of LGBT Jews and LGBT brothers and sisters of all tribes and faith paths. The announcement by President Obama of support for same sex marriage is a big supportive step toward full justice for our families, friends, colleagues, and the “stranger among us” who want to live and love as freely and fully as anyone else. Families come in all shapes, sizes, colors, stripes and configurations- as diverse as the image of G!D our One. This stand for justice deserves our praise and support. Yasher koach, both for the public figures who have had the courage to stand up for justice and equality, but for the many who have been toiling in the fields every hour, every day, every week, every year to have marriage determined simply by bonds of love, respect and support. How perfect to have had this next step taken on Lad B’ Omer- a bonfire of justice for all.
- UCC leader applauds Obama stance on marriage equality
- MCC and The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries - Call for Celebration of Historic Moment in the Midst of Temporary Defeat
Methodists Refuse to Change Doctrine on Homosexuality
Delegates at the United Methodist Church’s global convention on Thursday rejected proposals to eliminate a rule declaring homosexuality “incompatible” with Christianity. The 572 to 368 vote was a defeat for gay rights activists who have tried for years to change church doctrine.
“God is weeping,” said Karen Oliveto, pastor at Glide Memorial United Methodist Church in San Francisco, and a leader in the Love Your Neighbor Coalition, which is trying to eliminate church rules condemning same-sex relationships.
Addtional articles and comments:
- David Braiden, Director of Development at Reconciling Ministries Network, issued the following statement:
We grieve that the United Methodist Church really had the opportunity to live into inclusive gospel of Jesus Christ and live into its tagline of Open Hearts, Open Doors, Open Minds and extend its welcome to LGBT people and unfortunately, chose not to do that. We grieve that UMC continues to harm and discrimination against LGBT people. We're already here in the United Methodist Church and we will continue to be that shining light on top of the hill to show the world what it means to be UMC, and that is to welcome all people.
- Harry Knox of Integrity USA on North Carolina Amendment Vote - Of Bad Days And Good
Today a sitting President of the United States said he believes lesbian and gay couples should be allowed to marry. That makes this a very, very good day. What Louie Crew and Ernest Clay began to model on behalf of gay and lesbian Episcopalians when Integrity was formed in 1974, was finally endorsed by the leader of the free world 38 years later. President Obama spoke in powerful personal terms about the witness of his own gay friends, staff, and the parents of his daughter’s friends when he spoke of why he has changed his mind and turned even further toward justice. Beloveds, we LGBT folk and our allies taught him to do that. Our struggle is not over, but today is a very good day.
- MLP Grieves with Our United Methodist Sisters and Brothers
More Light Presbyterians grieves with our pro-LGBT United Methodist sisters and brothers today after the General Conference voted by 572 to 368 to retain the wording that homosexuality is "incompatible with Christian teaching." New wording would have removed the "incompatability clause." The General Conference has yet to consider ordination of LGBT clergy and blessing of same-sex relationships.
- UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns
We’ve been following General Conference every day on our Facebook page, and are asking UCC members to post messages of prayerful solidarity and support on RMN’s page. “Weeping may spend the night, but joy comes in the morning!” (Ps. 30)
- Room for All
To all of our colleagues in this ministry, do not give in. The wider church is watching, and your faithful and Spirit-led tenacity in the midst of grief and outrage will help all of us to press on toward the goal. Our prayers are with you.
- Believe Out Loud - The Human Face of Discrimination: Behind the Methodist Vote Against Gay Inclusion
Like many of you, my heart broke yesterday as I read the news that the United Methodist Church voted 61% to 39% not to change their doctrine against homosexuality.
- Methodists Vote Not to Change Outlook on Homosexuality, New York Times
- Methodists Strike Down Amendment to 'Agree to Disagree' on Homosexuality, Christian Post
- United Methodist Church Votes against LGBT People, Human Rights Campaign
Missing Voices: Religious Voices in Mainstream Media on LGBT Equality
GLAAD is releasing the results of the “Missing Voices” study that examined the religious voices that appeared in national media outlets to talk about LGBT equality.
The upshot is that national mainstream outlets have consistently gone back to the same anti-gay religious that they have for years, despite the fact that support for LGBT equality has grown in every religious group. Rarely do we get to hear from a religious voice in support of LGBT equality, they are most often presented without any religious identification.
Three out of four religious voices heard on mainstream media talking about LGBT equality come from traditions that have formalized opposition to LGBT equality. We are disproportionately hearing from anti-LGBT people who identify as Evangelical Christian and those in the Roman Catholic hierarchy…and their messages are negative. We are not hearing fair representation in the media from Mainline Protestants, Jews, and other religious traditions who are affirming of LGBT people (in culture or in practice).
GLAAD will be using the results of this study to educate media outlets about the religious voices that are being used and what the reality is in many denominations and religious groups in America.
You can find a summary, full findings, and a PDF fact sheet here: www.glaad.org/missingvoices.
Standing on the Side of Love: More Light Sunday 2012
The mission theme for this year's More Light Sunday is Standing of the Side of Love. More Light Sunday is June 3, 2012. We also recognize that this particular Sunday might not work for you, so it is absolutely fine to hold More Light Sunday on another day. By celebrating More Light Sunday, you will be joining other churches, campus ministries and MLP Chapters around the country in worship, education and community mission action.
We're grateful to be using this wonderful theme of Standing on the Side of Love (www.standingonthesideoflove.org). Dan Furmansky is the Campaign Manager for Standing on the Side of Love, Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations.
Multi-Faith Work
NEW DOCUMENTARY!
"In Our Fullness: Faith and Activism Across Difference"
presents conversations with activists about faith-based work for radical social change around issues including sexuality, gender, race, class, and age. The video includes powerful testimonies from activists representing Christian, Muslim, Jewish and Native spiritualities, presenting challenges and successes in faith-based progressive-left coalition building.
Produced by the Institute for Welcoming Resources, a Project of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, in partnership with the Macalester College Chuck Green Civic Engagement Fellowship.
For more information: info@WelcomingResources.org
Additional Ecumenical & Multi-Faith Groups Convened by IWR
New & Timely Resources
Holy Terror: Lies the Christian Right Tells Us to Deny Gay Equality
A deeply religious man who sees fundamentalism as "evangelical Christian orthodoxy gone cultic," Mel White believes that it is not a stretch to say that the true goals of today's fundamentalists are to break down the wall that separates church and state, superimpose their "moral values" on the US Constitution, replace democracy with theocratic rule, and ultimately create a new "Christian America" in their image. As he writes, "These are not just Neocons dressed in religious drag. These men see themselves as gurus called by God to rescue America from unrighteousness. They believe this is a Christian nation that must be returned forcibly to its Christian roots.
Through the Door of Life: A Jewish Journey Between Genders
Professor Jay Ladin made headlines around the world when, after years of teaching literature at Yeshiva University, he returned to the Orthodox Jewish campus as a woman?Joy Ladin. In Through the Door of Life, Joy Ladin takes readers inside her transition as she changed genders and, in the process, created a new self.
With unsparing honesty and surprising humor, Ladin wrestles with both the practical problems of gender transition and the larger moral, spiritual, and philosophical questions that arise. Ladin recounts her struggle to reconcile the pain of her experience living as the “wrong” gender with the pain of her children in losing the father they love. We eavesdrop on her lifelong conversations with the God whom she sees both as the source of her agony and as her hope for transcending it. We look over her shoulder as she learns to walk and talk as a woman after forty-plus years of walking and talking as a man. We stare with her into the mirror as she asks herself how the new self she is creating will ever become real.
From Sin to Amazing Grace: Discovering the Queer Christ
This book seeks to reclaim the doctrines of sin and grace for LGBT people and others who have been wounded by such doctrines. In the first part of the book, I challenge the traditional crime-based model of sin and grace in favor of a christological, or Christ-based, model. In the second part of the book, I propose seven new deadly sins and seven new amazing graces based upon seven models of the Queer Christ. The book addresses cutting-edge theological, ethical, and pastoral issues, and it is suitable for classroom as well as congregational use.
And a Child...
FICTION: Knowing that the time has come to take a stand against bullying in school, two brave and compassionate high school students form a gay/straight alliance to protect their friends. And just as they expect, they encounter resistance, intolerance, and ignorance. The strength of their friendship gives them the courage they need to see their plans realized, so that every student - gay, straight, bisexual, transgendered, and those disenfranchised in any way - can enjoy a safe, caring environment. That is what every student, every person deserves.
Read more...
Progressive Muslim Identities: Personal Stories from the U.S. and Canada
This book offers to answer the question often asked “where are the progressive Muslims?” Here progressive voices of gay, straight, black, white and brown Muslims from the United States and Canada narrate their personal stories. Their powerful voices highlight human dignity, freedom to choose how one lives out one's faith and the inner strength it takes to live out those ideals.
Read more...New Resource Available
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, HRC y UNID@S presentan nueva guía bilingüe dirigida a familias e iglesias latinas para educar sobre la orientación sexual, la identidad de género y la Biblia
En un esfuerzo por promover el diálogo dentro de las familias e iglesias latinas sobre la orientación sexual, la identidad de género y la Biblia, el National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, la Campaña de Derechos Humanos y UNID@S, presentaron hoy una nueva guía bilingüe, A La Familia, Una Conversación Sobre Nuestras Familias, la Biblia, la Orientación Sexual y la Identidad de Género en una conferencia de prensa durante la 82va convención nacional de la Liga de Ciudadanos Latinoamericanos Unidos (LULAC por sus siglas en inglés) en Cincinnati, Ohio.
"LULAC está en contra de todo tipo de discriminación. Me siento muy orgullosa de mi estado natal al aprobar los matrimonios entre personas del mismo sexo", dijo Ralina Cardona, directora estatal de Nueva York para LULAC. "Como americanos, tenemos que aceptar nuestras diferencias. Es lo que separa a este gran país. No todos somos de la misma cultura, color, orientación sexual o religión, pero todos somos americanos y en nuestra unidad está nuestra fuerza, pero en nuestras diferencias está nuestro poder".
Más artículos sobre A La Familia en español
- Guía para cristianos gay latinos - Consejos para integrar la fe y la orientación sexual en familias e iglesias
- Ambiente y Encuentros para la Comunidad Gay
HRC, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and UNID@S release new bilingual guide on sexual orientation, gender identity and the Bible for Latino/a families and churches
In an effort to foster a dialogue with Latino/a families and churches on sexual orientation, gender identity and the Bible, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation and UNID@S, unveiled today a new bilingual guide, A La Familia: A Conversation About Our Families, the Bible, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity at a press conference during the League of United Latin American Citizens' 82nd National Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people often face unique challenges in Latino/a families and churches. To help in the process of acceptance and inclusion, A La Familia is born out of a profound desire to faithfully integrate an excluded group of people back into the life of their churches and families. This guide is written for two primary audiences: heterosexual people honestly struggling with LGBT issues and the Bible, and those whose sexual orientation and gender identity have marginalized them within their family or church or even both.
- Download A La Familia - Complete Edition (pdf)
- Download A La Familia - Individual Chapters
The Institute for Welcoming Resources is delighted to be a partner in the transdenominational Believe Out Loud campaign. Believe Out Loud provides a much-needed national network for churches committed to welcoming and affirming lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people as beloved children of God.
Believe OUT LOUD is based in a simple truth: Privately believing that LGBT persons should have an equal share in our church and society is not enough; we must publicly proclaim that belief. Believe OUT LOUD gives the congregations, parishes and missions of our denominations the means to do exactly that.
New Believe OUT LOUD web site!
Building an Inclusive Church
Training and a Toolkit
Drawing upon twenty-five years of experience within a variety of Christian denominations, this Toolkit is a step-by-step guide to help facilitate a Welcoming Process in your local congregation. Biblically and theologically based, it uses tools of relational organizing, congregational assessment, conflict management and change theory.
AVAILABLE FOR FREE DOWNLOAD!
Building an Inclusive Church
Training Opportunities
- Thursday, September 13 - Saturday, September 15, 2012 — Oakland, NJ
- Thursday, October 25 - Satuday October 27, 2012 — Grand Rapids, MI
- Thursday, November 8 - Saturday, November 10, 2012 — Pella, IA
- More trainings coming in 2012!
ENDA Action Center
ENDA TALKING POINTS
Updates
- Wednesday March 30, Congressman Frank introduced the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA).
- ENDA desperately needed by LGBT people. Job discrimination remains a significant problem for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. [see attached background info]
- Prospects for passage. Though it is unlikely that ENDA could pass in the current House of Representatives, we see this Congress as an important opportunity to continue the education of Congress that is vital to ultimate passage of the legislation.
- We will use this Congress to educate new members of Congress. There are over 100 new members of Congress who need education about LGBT lives and discrimination. We all need to work hard to educate Congress this year so that the next time the bill can pass, it will.
Use the time to education the public.
- This ENDA is the same bill as introduced in 111th Congress on June 24, 2009. To see the bill language from last Congress go to: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:H.R.3017
- This ENDA is fully inclusive of sexual orientation AND gender identity.
- No bill number is available yet. Once Rep. Frank introduces the bill, a bill number will become available shortly thereafter at http://thomas.loc.gov/. [Please note that this URL is not a www URL.]
- Senate version. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) will introduce the Senate version of ENDA shortly. No date is set, but could be as soon as the next few weeks.
- Of the 203 co-sponsors from last Congress, 168 of them are still in Congress.
ENDA is long overdue. Nearly 90% of Americans favor equal employment rights for LGBT citizens. President Obama has expressed his readiness to sign ENDA. It is time for Congress to catch up with public opinion and give the president the opportunity to sign this bill into law.
With so much of our government's focus on the economy and creating jobs, each job that is lost due to prejudice compounds the unemployment challenges not just for the LGBT community, but for our nation's economy as a whole.
And ENDA is a jobs bill. Throughout the country, LGBT people live in fear that they will lose their job if their employer finds out that they are LGBT. It is intolerable that people are forced to hide who they are in order to secure or maintain employment.
- Without ENDA protections. Many in the LGBT community face devastating economic insecurity.
- Employment needs to be based on one's skills and abilities to perform a job. People don't deserve to be unemployed or fired because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
It is a core American value to judge people on their work ethic and work product, not on who they are. ENDA will make the American dream available to LGBT citizens.
BACKGROUND AND HELPFUL DATA MESSAGING
The National Transgender Discrimination Survey results show that transgender people in the United States suffer from tremendously high levels of job discrimination and economic security, with 26% losing a job just because of who they are and 90% experiencing mistreatment or harassment, or hiding who they are to avoid it. Transgender people experience twice the unemployment rate as the general population and almost four times the poverty. (For more details, see below.)
- Currently, 12 states and the District of Columbia have anti-discrimination policies that protect employees on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Over 100 localities have adopted similar policies. Taken together, these protections extend to 40% of the US population. For the majority of our country, however, there are either no laws protecting LGBT people or inadequate laws that do not protect all members of our community. That is why we need a federal standard calling for equal treatment of all employees. Whether or not you get to keep your job should not depend on where you live. We need to extend these protections nation-wide.
- Our nation's largest corporations already know the benefits of preventing discrimination against their LGBT employees. 229 of the Fortune 500 companies have implemented non-discrimination policies that include both sexual orientation and gender identity. They know the costs of discrimination. Discrimination against LGBT employees leads to increased costs associated with losing experienced workers, and with rehiring and training new employees. Corporate America recognizes that discrimination is bad for business and bad for their bottom line.
American Constitution Society Report
A recent report from the American Constitution society captures the impact of employment discrimination on LGBT Americans.
- In 2007, 28% of LGBT adults reported experiencing workplace discrimination
- 21% reported discrimination taking place on a weekly basis.
- LGBT employees face a panoply of discriminatory actions from disparaging comments to sexual assaults, from being refused a job to being outright fired for coming out.
- Factoring in unemployment benefits, wasted training expenses, and lowered productivity of both the abusers and their victims, discrimination against LGBT people in the workplace costs us as much as $1.4 billion per year in lost output. This amount is substantial by any measure, but given the need to restore our nation's economic well-being, it is unacceptable.
Trans Discrimination Survey
The National Center for Transgender Equality and the Task Force surveyed over 6000 transgender people in every state. The results demonstrate the overwhelming need to make sure that protections for transgender people are included in this bill and signed into law.
- Transgender people face unemployment rates that are double the rate of the population as a whole.
- 90% of responded had experienced harassment or mistreatment on the job or hid who they were to avoid it.
- 47% experienced an adverse job outcome, such as being fired, not hired, or denied a promotion.
- 26% had lost their jobs on the basis of their gender identity.
- This is particularly devastating for people of color, who face up to two or three times the rate of negative job outcomes.
- As a result of job discrimination, transgender people experience higher rates of poverty. On average, respondents reported household incomes under $10,000/year at nearly four times the rate of the general population. For those who had lost a job due to bias, this rate rose to six times the national average.
Additonal ENDA Links
- United ENDA support letter - SEND IT OUT! 04.22.10
- ENDA Action Alert 11.13.09 (pdf)
- ENDA Bulletin Insert (pdf)
- UE Faith Call Summary 11.02.09 (pdf)
- Clergy sign-on letter in support of ENDA
- Senate Hearing - Nov. 5, 2009
- Task Force Press Release: ENDA will provide much-needed employment protections for LGBT workers - Nov. 5, 2009
