lgbtq+ rights
eventsInterfaith Pride Service
Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice held our second annual Interfaith Pride Service at Bethany United Methodist Church on August 21, 2023, , supported by the Jewish Federation of Madison. This service centers Queer voices and celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community and our allies. Interfaith Transgender Day of Remembrance Our third annual Interfaith Transgender Day of Remembrance Service will be held at Memorial United Church of Christ in Fitchburg on November 21, 2023. Transgender Day of Remembrance service |
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In response to the Human Rights Campaign’s recent ‘State of Emergency’ declaration for LGBTQ+ people in the United States, we write as clergy and people of faith to urge an end to political, civic, and religious hate speech against the LGBTQ+ community. And we unequivocally and unconditionally affirm and celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer members of our communities.
As leaders representing various faith traditions, we stand united in our support of each individual’s human dignity and worth. We stand united in our belief that our LGBTQ+ siblings are beloved and sacred. Each person should feel safe and nurtured in our communities.
Therefore, we denounce the use of political hate speech against the LGBTQ+ community. Hate speech dehumanizes our family members, friends, and neighbors, and too often leads to violence against marginalized communities. We have witnessed a rise in dehumanizing language aimed particularly at the LGBTQ+ community at all levels of government—from the U.S. Congress to local school boards. Such language causes great emotional and psychological harm to the Queer community, particularly to our LGBTQ+ youth. Therefore, we call upon all people to counter messages of hate with messages of love.
We call on our legislators and elected officials at all levels of government to block or oppose anti-LGBTQ+ bills, ordinances, and policies. Currently, more than 550 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced in 41 state legislatures, with more expected, including right here in Wisconsin. School boards across the country have enacted anti-LGBTQ+ policies, impacting our Queer youth and their families. Our transgender and non-binary siblings continue to be disproportionately targeted by such actions. Instead, we challenge our political leaders to put forth policies and proposals that celebrate, affirm, and protect LGBTQ+ people.
To the LGBTQ+ community we say: our communities, our cities, our state, and our nation are stronger and more vibrant because of our diversity. No matter your sexual or gender identity, you belong here. As faith leaders, we cannot and will not remain silent in the face of injustice towards our LGBTQ+ neighbors. An attack on you is an attack on us all. We see you. We love you. And we dedicate ourselves to advocating for policies that enable everyone to thrive.
Signatories:
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Advent Lutheran of the Madison Christian Community
Bethany United Methodist Church, Madison Capitol Lakes, Madison Chequamegon Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Ashland Christ Presbyterian Church, Madison Circle Sanctuary, Barneveld First Baptist Church of Madison First Congregational United Church of Christ, Madison First Congregational United Church of Christ, Watertown First Lutheran Church, Onalaska First United Methodist Church, Madison Great Plains Zen Center, Monroe Interfaith Peace Working Group Lake Edge UCC, part of Alliance@4200, Madison |
Madison Friends Meeting (Quakers)
Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ, Madison People's United Methodist Church, Oregon Plymouth Congregational UCC, Madison St. John's Lutheran Church, Madison St. Stephen's Lutheran Church, Monona Sherman Avenue United Methodist Church, Madison The Crossing Campus Ministry, Madison The Social Justice Ministry of the First Unitarian Society of Madison Trinity Lutheran Church, Madison Underwood Memorial Baptist Church, Wauwatosa Union Congregational UCC, Green Bay United Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Waukesha Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice |
