- In June of 2002, UUSIS voted to become a Welcoming Congregation.
Official recognition as a Welcoming Congregation allows us to open
our Society as safe space for bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender
persons; to take positions on oppression in our larger communities;
and to accomplish outreach. Confronting our prejudices in a non-judgmental,
non-threatening group allowed us to explore their origins and offered
an opportunity to replace those prejudices with knowledge. Understanding
our prejudices leads to individual spiritual growth and congregational
unity.
The Welcoming Congregation Program is a completely volunteer program
for congregations that see a need to become more inclusive towards
bisexual, gay, lesbian, and/or transgender people. To become a Welcoming
Congregation many of our members attended a series of workshops developed
by the UUA. The goal of the workshops was to reduce prejudice by increasing
understanding and acceptance among people of different sexual orientations.
Some of the workshop titles included: How Homophobia Hurts Heterosexuals;
Connections to Other Forms of Oppression; Gender Socialization and
Homophobia; and Biblical Perspectives on Homosexuality.
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Why single out bisexual, gay, lesbian, and/or transgender people?
- The Rev. Douglas Morgan Strong probably states it best in the Welcoming
Congregation manual: “For centuries, the church has been a leading
force against sexual minorities. It is not surprising that gay people
are reluctant to reach out to the very institution that oppresses
them. Yet, gay, lesbian, transgender, and bisexual people have no
less need for warmth, caring, and affirmation than anyone else who
calls the liberal church their religious home. In fact, as a subculture
in society gay, lesbian, transgender, and bisexual people may need
our support more than the general population.”
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