Resources that support the unconditional welcome of people of all sexual orientations, gender identities & their families in the church home of their choice.
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Resources that support the unconditional welcome of people of all sexual orientations, gender identities & their families in the church home of their choice. | |
We, the undersigned religious organizations, write in support of the passage of a genuine Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) that includes protections for transgender people. We have learned that Representative Barney Frank and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi have now decided to advance a bill that strips "gender identity" from the original legislation. We cannot state strongly enough our moral objections to advancing ENDA without protections for transgender individuals. It is unconscionable that leaders in Congress would deny those most vulnerable to workplace discrimination the very protections that this legislation seeks to offer.
In the United States today, the sad truth is that intolerance, oppression and even violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people are cloaked in religious theology and rhetoric. However, many religious voices are now joining the public debate on LGBT issues and are proclaiming that is immoral to discriminate against people based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. It is simply wrong to deny lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people the ability to earn a livelihood and provide for their families.
LGBT people are deserving of their sacred worth and dignity to live and work without fear in American society; and we believe it is our moral duty to ensure that all in our country, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, should be granted this basic right. As religious leaders, we implore you to reject this new strategy, not move this new bill forward, and get back to the work of passing a bill that will protect all.
SIGNED,