Open Letter to Religious Leaders on Sexual and Gender Diversity
Gender Diversity Pride Celebrations
The Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice, and Healing and The Institute for Judaism and Sexual Orientation (www.huc.edu/ijso) along with the faith programs of GLAAD, the Human Rights Campaign, the National Black Justice Coalition, the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force’s Institute for Welcoming Resources, are pleased to issue a united call to congregations and clergy to conduct a worship service celebrating sexual and gender diversity as part of their community’s June (July or August) Pride Month celebration.
On June 4, 2007, the Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice, and Healing published an "Open Letter to Religious Leaders on Sexual and Gender Diversity." This "Open Letter" calls on faith communities to affirm sexual and gender diversity as a blessed part of life and for "full participation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in our faith traditions and communities."
Clergy and congregations that are planning a Pride Service are encouraged to let The Institute for Judaism and Sexual Orientation ([email protected]) know the date, time, and place for their worship service and if media would be welcome.
This announcement is accompanied by a PDF of the "Open Letter to Religious Leaders on Sexual and Gender Diversity" that can be used in sermon preparation or as a responsive reading.
Clergy are also invited to submit sermons preached on the theme of "Celebrating Sexual and Gender Diversity" during Pride Month. There will be a $500 first place Pride Sermon Award. The top sermons will also be posted on the web sites of the sponsoring national organizations.
For more information, contact the Institute for Judaism and Sexual Orientation at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion or the Religious Institute.
Institute for Judaism and Sexual Orientation 3077 University Ave Los Angeles, CA 90007
www.huc.edu/ijso
Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice, and Healing 304 Main Avenue #335 Norwalk, CT 06851
www.religiousinstitute.org