lgbtq+ rights
As faith leaders of various sexual orientations and gender identities, we recognize that an attack on one of us is an attack on us all. Therefore, we cannot and will not remain silent in the face of injustice towards our LGBTQ+ colleagues, congregants, family, friends, and neighbors.
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faith community opposes dangerous legislation against gender-affirming care
Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice and the undersigned congregations, organizations, clergy, and people of faith, stand together to affirm the dignity and worth of the LGBTQ+ community and to oppose dangerous legislation that causes harm to members of the community. And make no mistake, legislation that seeks to bar youth from gender-affirming medical care, and that seeks to bar students from team sports, does grave harm.
Gender-affirming care is life-saving medical care. It is supported by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association, and nearly every other major American medical association. Legislators who have no medical training should not be in the position of substituting their judgement for that of medical and mental health experts. Nor should they be substituting their judgement for that of parents who want to support and affirm their children’s gender identity.
When we ban transgender and non-binary children from participating in school sports, we deny them the opportunity afforded to other students to learn leadership skills, the value of teamwork, and the discipline of hard work and cooperation toward a common goal. But even more importantly, we send them and the rest of the community the message that trans youth are not worthy of the same rights and opportunities as other kids. We send the message that members of the transgender community are somehow ‘less than’, ‘Other’, less worthy of being treated with the same dignity and respect as everyone else.
The stigma created by these messages is the reason depression, anxiety, and suicidality are at a crisis level in the LGBTQ+ community. According to the Trevor Project’s 2020 National Youth Survey on LGBTQ mental health, 40% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the previous 12 months, with more than half of trans and nonbinary youth having considered it. By contrast, transgender youth whose families support their gender identity have a 52% decrease in suicidal thoughts, a 48% decrease in suicide attempts and a significant increase in self-esteem and general health.
The members of Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice come from many different faith traditions. We are Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Baha’i, Wiccan, Hindu, Quaker, Unitarian, and others. We have different beliefs and practices. But all our faiths teach the same basic value that honors the worth and dignity of every human being and the imperative above all else to love others as we love ourselves and to do no harm.
This past June, the Human Rights Campaign declared a national state of emergency for the LGBTQ+ community because of the rise of hate speech and hate actions against the community and because of the unprecedented rise of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation across the country. In response to this declaration, Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice, 27 other organizations and congregations, and nearly 200 clergy and people of faith issued a statement of support for the LGBTQ+ community. The statement said, in part:
“We stand united in our belief that our LGBTQ+ siblings are beloved and sacred. Each person should feel safe and nurtured in our communities… We call on our legislators and elected officials at all levels of government to block or oppose anti-LGBTQ+ bills, ordinances, and policies… Instead, we challenge our political leaders to put forth policies and proposals that celebrate, affirm, and protect LGBTQ+ people.”
As faith leaders of various sexual orientations and gender identities, we recognize that an attack on one of us is an attack on us all. Therefore, we cannot and will not remain silent in the face of injustice towards our LGBTQ+ colleagues, congregants, family, friends, and neighbors. We call upon our legislature to refrain from doing harm to the trans community and to vote against these dangerous bills, and we dedicate ourselves to advocating for policies that enable everyone to thrive.
Gender-affirming care is life-saving medical care. It is supported by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association, and nearly every other major American medical association. Legislators who have no medical training should not be in the position of substituting their judgement for that of medical and mental health experts. Nor should they be substituting their judgement for that of parents who want to support and affirm their children’s gender identity.
When we ban transgender and non-binary children from participating in school sports, we deny them the opportunity afforded to other students to learn leadership skills, the value of teamwork, and the discipline of hard work and cooperation toward a common goal. But even more importantly, we send them and the rest of the community the message that trans youth are not worthy of the same rights and opportunities as other kids. We send the message that members of the transgender community are somehow ‘less than’, ‘Other’, less worthy of being treated with the same dignity and respect as everyone else.
The stigma created by these messages is the reason depression, anxiety, and suicidality are at a crisis level in the LGBTQ+ community. According to the Trevor Project’s 2020 National Youth Survey on LGBTQ mental health, 40% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the previous 12 months, with more than half of trans and nonbinary youth having considered it. By contrast, transgender youth whose families support their gender identity have a 52% decrease in suicidal thoughts, a 48% decrease in suicide attempts and a significant increase in self-esteem and general health.
The members of Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice come from many different faith traditions. We are Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Baha’i, Wiccan, Hindu, Quaker, Unitarian, and others. We have different beliefs and practices. But all our faiths teach the same basic value that honors the worth and dignity of every human being and the imperative above all else to love others as we love ourselves and to do no harm.
This past June, the Human Rights Campaign declared a national state of emergency for the LGBTQ+ community because of the rise of hate speech and hate actions against the community and because of the unprecedented rise of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation across the country. In response to this declaration, Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice, 27 other organizations and congregations, and nearly 200 clergy and people of faith issued a statement of support for the LGBTQ+ community. The statement said, in part:
“We stand united in our belief that our LGBTQ+ siblings are beloved and sacred. Each person should feel safe and nurtured in our communities… We call on our legislators and elected officials at all levels of government to block or oppose anti-LGBTQ+ bills, ordinances, and policies… Instead, we challenge our political leaders to put forth policies and proposals that celebrate, affirm, and protect LGBTQ+ people.”
As faith leaders of various sexual orientations and gender identities, we recognize that an attack on one of us is an attack on us all. Therefore, we cannot and will not remain silent in the face of injustice towards our LGBTQ+ colleagues, congregants, family, friends, and neighbors. We call upon our legislature to refrain from doing harm to the trans community and to vote against these dangerous bills, and we dedicate ourselves to advocating for policies that enable everyone to thrive.
Signatories - Organizations
Advent Lutheran Church, Madison, WI
Bethany United Methodist Church, Madison, WI Circle Sanctuary, Barneveld, WI Community of Hope UCC, Madison, WI Congregation Emanu-El of Waukesha Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun, Milwaukee, WI Congregation Shaarei Shamayim ESTHER First Baptist Church of Madison First Congregational UCC, Janesville, WI First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee First Unitarian Society Social Justice Ministry, Madison Fitchburg Memorial United Church of Christ Five Points Lutheran Church |
Fox Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Appleton,
Madison First United Methodist Church Midvale Lutheran Church, Madison, WI Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Church Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ, Madison, WI The Vestry of St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church, Madison St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Madison, WI St. Stephen's Lutheran Church, Monona, WI Temple Beth El, Madison, WI The Crossing @ UW Tippecanoe Presbyterian Church of Milwaukee Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice Wisconsin Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice |
Signatories - Individuals
a-kRabbi Steven Adams, Wisconsin Conference of Rabbis
Rabbi Joel Alter Rev. Jane B. Anderson, Wisconsin Conference UCC Rev. Scott Anderson, Pastor, Westminster Presbyterian Church Rev. Susan Myoyu Andersen, Great Plains Zen Center Rev. Karen Armina, James Reeb Unitarian Universalist Congregation Rev. Kelly Asprooth-Jackson, First Unitarian Society Rev. Katie Baardseth, Midvale Lutheran Community Church Rabbi Jessica Barolsky, Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun Rabbi Renee Bauer Rev. Rachel Bauman, Wisconsin Conference United Church of Christ Rev. Ann Beaty, First Congregational United Church of Christ Rev. Peter Beeson, St. John's Lutheran Church Rev. Claire Beutler-Cruise Rabbi Jonathan Biatch, Temple Beth El (Madison, WI) Rev. Rachel Young Binter, Lutheran Campus Ministry Rev. Jen Bloesch, Community of Hope United Church of Christ Rev. Dr Christian D Boyd, Presbyterian Church (USA) Rev. Elisa Brandt, St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church Rev. Michael Burch, The Crossing @ UW Rev. Dr. Julia Burkey, Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ Rev. Erik Carlson, Bradford UU Rev. Kimberlee Tomczak Carlson, First Unitarian Society Rabbi Noah Chertkoff Rev. Catherine Christman, Baraboo First United Methodist Church Rev. Kelly J. Crocker, First Unitarian Society Rev. Bridget Flad Daniels, Union Congregational UCC Rev. Dan R. Dick, People’s United Methodist Church Rev. Jeannie Douglas, Congregational United Church of Christ Rev. Edmond T Drewsen, III, Retired United Church of Christ Rev. Messina Duggan, Circle Sanctuary Pastor Trish Eckert, Tippecanoe Presbyterian Church Rev. Larry Engel, Five Points Lutheran Church Rabbi Dena Feingold, Beth Hillel Temple Rev. Jerry Folk Rabbi Betsy Forester, Beth Israel Center Rev. Kelly R. Fowler, Our Lord's United Methodist Church Rev. Selena Fox, Circle Sanctuary Carly Gaeth, Lawrence University Rev. Ann Gibbs, Presbytery of the Milwaukee Larry and Geli Golopol, Congregation Shalom Voices for Justice Rev. Kristin Gorton, Fitchburg Memorial United Church of Christ Rev. Dr. D. Jonathan Grieser, Grace Episcopal Church Rev. Dr. Bobbie Groth, Unitarian Universalists Rev. Reirin Gumbel, Milwaukee Zen Center Rev. Karen Hagen, PCUSA Rev. Jerry Hancock, First Congregational United Church of Christ Rev. Timothy N. Hansen, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church Lisa Hart, Wisconsin Conference United Church of Christ Rev. Phil Haslanger, United Church of Christ (retired) Rev. Dr. Miranda Hassett, St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church Rev. Eldonna Hazen Rev. Michelle Henrichs Adam Hirsch, Clerk of Madison Friends Meeting (Quakers) Rev. Dr. Phil Hobson, Salem United Church of Christ Rev. Libby Howe, First Lutheran Church Rev. Lisa M Irwin, United Church of Christ Rev. Dr. Andrew C. Kennedy, First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee Rev. Robert Koepcke, Grace United Church Julie Konik, Ph.D., Starr King School for the Ministry Rev. David Kraemer, United Unitarian Universalist Congregation |
l-zRev. Dr. Tony Larsen, Olympia Brown Unitarian Universalist Church
Rev. Christina Leone-Tracy, Fox Valley UU Fellowship Cantor Martin Levson, Congregation Emanu-El of Waukesha Rev Lex Liberatore, Lake Edge UCC, part of Alliance@4200 Rev. Danielle Lindstrom, Olympia Brown Unitarian Universalist Church Rev. Erica Liu, Pres House Rev. Brenda Lovick, South-Central Synod of Wisconsin - ELCA Rev. Suzelle Lynch Rev. Dr. Jason Mack, Underwood Memorial Baptist Church Rev. Kate Mackey, Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ Jeanne Mantsch, Wisconsin Conference UCC Open and Affirming Rabbi Bonnie Margulis, Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice Rev. Dr. Marcia Marino, United Church of Christ/Unitarian Universalist Rev. Scott Marrese-Wheeler, Common Grace Rev. Staci Marrese-Wheeler, Common Grace Rev. Laura McLeod, Brookfield Congregational UCC Rev. Dena McPhetres Pastor Lisa Nelson, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church Cantor Jacob Niemi, Temple Beth El Rev. Ashley Nolte, Pilgrim United Church of Christ Rev. Jennifer Nordstrom, First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee Katie Olson, ESTHER Rev. Kathleen Owens, Presbyterian Church (USA) Rev. Dr. Jessica R. Patchett, Christ Presbyterian Church Rev. Kenneth Pennings, Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ Rev. Shelby Perez, University Hospital Trauma Chaplain Rabbi Abby Phelps Rev. Jason Poole-Xiong, United in Christ Lutheran Church-ELCA Rev. Ellen Rasmussen, Algoma Blvd UMC Rev. Franz Rigert, Wisconsin Conference United Church of Christ Rev. Blake Rohrer, Midvale Community Lutheran Church Rev. Leanne Rose Rev. Dr. Christopher J. Ross Rev. Dr. Tanya Sadagopan, First Congregational Church Rev. Tim Schaefer, Pastor, First Baptist Church Rev. Leslie Schenk, Plymouth Congregational UCC Reverend Micah Schlobohm Rev. Karla Schmidt, The Crossing Campus Ministry Rev. Dara Schuller-Hanson, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Rabbi Brian Serle, Congregation Sons of Abraham Lailah Shima Rev. Valerie Showalter, Madison Mennonite Church Steve Sieck, First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee Rev. Patrick Siegler Vicar Vica-Etta Steel, St. John’s Lutheran Rabbi Andrea Steinberger, Hillel at the University of Wisconsin Rev. Zayna Thomley, Middleton Community Church UCC Rev. Tory V. Topjian, Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Church Rev. Nick Utphall, Advent Lutheran Church Rev. Hannah Roberts Villnave, Fox Valley UU Fellowship Rev. Dr. Marlene Walker, Unitarian Universalist Congregation (IL) Rev. Cathy Weigand, Madison First United Methodist Church Pastor Mike Weigand, Sugar River United Methodist Church Rev. Julie Wilson, Bethany United Methodist Church Rev. Steve Wohlfeil, Retired ELCA pastor Rev. Mallory Yanchus, Madison First United Methodist Church Rabbi Laurie Zimmerman, Congregation Shaarei Shamayim |