A Welcoming Congregation for Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals, and Transgendered Persons

Why are members of Paint Branch Unitarian Universalist Church involved with gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgendered rights? Because:

• We believe that, just as religious convictions have been used as a justification for promoting hatred and violence towards g/l/b/t persons, religious convictions can similarly be used to promote understanding and acceptance of g/l/b/t persons.
• We believe that many persons are inspired by their religious beliefs to general attitudes of justice, equality, tolerance, and goodwill toward persons who differ from them, but have doubts and concerns about how these beliefs relate to g/l/b/t persons—doubts and concerns that are fueled by unexamined fears infused by society at large.
• We believe that the best way to combat these fears and abstract stereotypes is to facilitate learning experiences wherein persons of goodwill are able to meet g/l/b/t persons in non-threatening situations, learn about their life stories and the effect that societal oppression has had on their lives, and then to examine anew their old attitudes and beliefs.
• In recent years many individual congregations have adopted more positive perspectives toward g/l/b/t persons after programs of study and soul-searching. Old attitudes and beliefs can be changed!

Paint Branch Unitarian Universalist Church is a Welcoming Congregation to those whose sexual orientation is other than heterosexual. This means that gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgendered persons can visit and join our church without facing discrimination or disapproval of their lifestyles. We have church members who are open and out to the congregation. On any given Sunday morning, you may find, for example, a lesbian couple worshipping alongside a heterosexual couple or a gay man worshipping next to a heterosexual woman. Our church has hosted same-sex weddings in the past. PBUUC was the host of the annual National UU Convocation for Gays/Lesbians/Bisexuals/Transgendered Persons in 1992. Heterosexuals are also encouraged to get involved and help in the fight for equal rights.

Involvements for Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals, Transgendered Persons, and Heterosexuals Interested in Equal Rights for All

The Interfaith Fairness Coalition of Maryland (IFCM) is an organization of individuals and associations drawn from many religious persuasions that support the efforts to:

• Foster more positive perspectives on homosexuality, bisexuality, and transgenderness within religious bodies in cooperation with existing g/l/b/t friendly religious organizations.
• Implement a program of public education and awareness to counter societal oppression of g/l/b/t persons within the state of Maryland.
• Nuture a robust, broadly based, statewide interfaith coalition that will develop advocates, from within religious bodies, for fair treatment of g/l/b/t persons in Maryland.

A Welcoming Congregation for Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals, and Transgendered Persons | Working Towards a Racially Diverse Congregation | Diversity in Worship

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