2019 Press Releases
We Will Not Abide This Administration’s Attacks on LGBTQ People
Religious Institute responds to the Supreme Court’s decision in the Masterpiece Cakeshop case. “As long as discrimination persists, our struggle continues.”
People of Faith Celebrate Historic Passage of the Equality Act in the U.S. House of Representatives
Religious Institute responds to the Supreme Court’s decision in the Masterpiece Cakeshop case. “As long as discrimination persists, our struggle continues.”
As Congress Introduces the Equality Act, Faith Leaders Speak Out in Support of LGBTQ Non-Discrimination Protections
Religious Institute responds to the Supreme Court’s decision in the Masterpiece Cakeshop case. “As long as discrimination persists, our struggle continues.”
2018 Press Releases
Religious Institute Responds to Shooting at Tree of Life Synagogue
Religious Institute responds to the Supreme Court’s decision in the Masterpiece Cakeshop case. “As long as discrimination persists, our struggle continues.”
As People of Faith, We Will Continue to Act in Love and Truth
Religious Institute responds to the Supreme Court’s decision in the Masterpiece Cakeshop case. “As long as discrimination persists, our struggle continues.”
Our Faith-Rooted Movement for LGBTQ Justice Is As Important As Ever
Religious Institute responds to the Supreme Court’s decision in the Masterpiece Cakeshop case. “As long as discrimination persists, our struggle continues.”
New HHS Division Distorts Religious Freedom to Justify Discrimination, Privilege Conservative Religion
In response to the Department of Health and Human Services’ announcement of a new “Conscience and Religious Freedom Division” within its Office for Civil Rights (OCR), the Religious Institute issues the following statement condemning the new office and its distortion of the principle of religious freedom.
2017 Press Releases
Over 100 Congregations Celebrate National Weekend of Prayer for LGBTQ Justice Before Supreme Court Case
Faith Communities across U.S. gather to pray for LGBTQ justice before the Supreme Court hears the Masterpiece Cakeshop case.
Nearly 1,300 Faith Leaders Tell Supreme Court Permitting Anti-LGBTQ Discrimination is Unjust
Nearly 1,300 leaders from diverse faith traditions tell the Supreme Court that religious beliefs don’t grant a license to discriminate.
Statement on the Divine Gift of Sexual and Gender Diversity
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 30, 2017 CONTACT: Drew Konow | konow@religiousinstitute.org | 203-222-0055 Statement on the Divine Gift of Sexual and Gender Diversity Religious Institute president Rev. Marie Alford-Harkey responds to Nashville Statement Bridgeport, CT—Rev. Marie Alford-Harkey released the following statement in response to the “Nashville Statement” released by a group of evangelical religious leaders […]
Religious Institute Releases Statement Condemning White Supremacist, Racist, Anti-Semitic, Neo-Nazi Demonstrations and Violence in Charlottesville, Virginia
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 14, 2017 CONTACT: Drew Konow | konow@religiousinstitute.org | 203-222-0055 Religious Institute Releases Statement Condemning White Supremacist, Racist, Anti-Semitic, Neo-Nazi Demonstrations and Violence in Charlottesville, Virginia Bridgeport, CT—The Religious Institute condemns the hatred and violence of white supremacy, racism, anti-Semitism, and neo-Nazi ideology displayed by protesters this weekend in Charlottesville, VA. These […]
Religious Institute Condemns President’s Attempt to Ban Transgender People From Serving in the Military, Calls for Action
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Drew Konow, konow@religiousinstitute.org, 203-222-0055 On Wednesday, July 26, 2017, President Donald Trump announced via Twitter “that the United States Government will not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. Military.” Trump also called transgender service members a “distraction” and their medical care a “burden.” As […]
Nearly 1,000 People of Faith and Religious Leaders Urge Senators to Protect Comprehensive, Affordable Health Care
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 26, 2017 CONTACT: Drew Konow | konow@religiousinstitute.org | 203-222-0055 Nearly 1,000 People of Faith and Religious Leaders Urge Senators to Protect Comprehensive, Affordable Health Care Hundreds of People of Faith Express Support for ACA, Medicaid Expansion, and Planned Parenthood; Hand Deliver Statement to Key Legislative Leaders as Clergy Gather at U.S. […]
Religious Institute decries murder of Charleena Lyles and acquittal of officer who murdered Philando Castile
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, June 20, 2017 Religious Institute decries murder of Charleena Lyles and acquittal of officer who murdered Philando Castile BRIDGEPORT, CT—The Religious Institute decries the murder of Charleena Lyles, a Black woman killed by a police officer, and the acquittal of the officer who murdered Philando Castile. As a faith-rooted organization committed to […]
Religious Institute Decries Executive Order on Religious Freedom
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, May 4, 2017 Religious Institute Decries Executive Order on Religious Freedom BRIDGEPORT, CT—The Religious Institute released the following statement in response to the executive order signed today by President Donald Trump: “As an organization dedicated to sexual, gender, and reproductive justice in faith communities and society, the Religious Institute decries President Trump’s […]
Over 100 National Faith Leaders Join Texas Clergy in Opposition to Anti-LGBTQ Bills
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, May 3, 2017 CONTACT: Tom Zigo | tom@precisionstrategies.com | 703-347-4327 More Than 100 Prominent Faith Leaders from Across the Country Join More Than 200 Texas Clergy in Urging Opposition to Series of Anti-LGBTQ Measures Rapidly Advancing in Texas Legislature Hundreds of Clergy Assert “Bathroom Bills” like HB 2899 and Cluster of Religious Refusal Bills […]
150+ Faith Communities to Participate in National Weekend of Prayer for Transgender Justice
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, March 24, 2017 Angela Dallara | angela@freedomforallamericans.org | 646.430.3925 150+ Faith Communities to Participate in National Weekend of Prayer for Transgender Justice Sermons, services, and prayers in support of transgender justice will take place across the country ahead of Transgender Day of Visibility WASHINGTON — This weekend, religious leaders, clergy, and people of faith from more than 150 congregations in more than 35 states will participate […]
2016 Press Releases
Grief, Commitment, and Justice After the 2016 Election
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Drew Konow, konow@religiousinstitute.org, 203-222-0055 November 9, 2016 This morning, many of us woke up to a reality we never imagined. This grueling campaign season has ended, and it has ended with President-Elect Trump. This does not embody the moral vision so many faith leaders stood up to articulate. This election season […]
Saying Their Names: Mourning the Loss of Terence Crutcher and Keith Lamont Scott
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Drew Konow, konow@religiousinstitute.org, 203-222-0055 September 23, 2016—As we continue to see violence enacted by the police on Black men, we at the Religious Institute say their names and mourn their deaths. Terence Crutcher. Keith Lamont Scott. Once again, we proclaim that when Black people are targeted by racist systems that perpetuate […]
A Call to Action in Response to Deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Drew Konow, konow@religiousinstitute.org, 203-222-0055 July 7, 2016—Religious Institute president Marie Alford-Harkey released the following statement in response to the deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile. “Today we awoke to the news of another police officer shooting and killing a black man. As an organization committed to seeking the ideal of wholeness for […]
Religious Institute Celebrates Supreme Court Decision on Abortion Access
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Drew Konow, konow@religiousinstitute.org, 203-222-0055 June 27, 2016—This morning, the United States Supreme Court issued a 5-3 decision in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt, ruling that the restrictions in Texas’ HB2 law place an undue burden on abortion access and violate the U.S. Constitution. Commenting on the decision, Religious Institute president Marie […]
Religious Institute Statement on Shooting at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Drew Konow, konow@religiousinstitute.org, 203-222-0055 June 12, 2016—Our hearts break for the victims of the shooting at “Latin Night” at the Pulse gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida on the morning of June 12, 2016, and for their families and friends. We stand in solidarity with the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer […]
More Than 1,200 Religious Leaders Speak Out in Support of United Methodist LGBTQI Clergy
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Drew Konow, konow@religiousinstitute.org, 203-222-0055 More Than 1,200 Religious Leaders Speak Out in Support of United Methodist LGBTQI Clergy May 18, 2016—More than a week ago, 111 United Methodist clergy and candidates released a “love letter” in which they came out to their denomination as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and intersex people. Despite the […]
Religious Institute Releases National Faith Leader Statement in Support of United Methodist LGBTQI Clergy
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Drew Konow, konow@religiousinstitute.org, 203-222-0055 More than 60 National Religious Leaders Speak Out in Support of LGBTQI United Methodist Clergy Statement of support celebrates 111 United Methodist LGBTQI clergy, affirms the call of LGBTQI people to ministry, and prays for a world where sexual and gender diversity are understood as a blessing. […]
Religious Institute releases faith statement on North Carolina and Mississippi anti-LGBTQ laws
Statement urges lawmakers to overturn anti-LGBTQ legislation and commit to creating loving, just communities that embody justice for people of all gender identities and sexual orientations.
In Advance of Supreme Court Arguments, Faith Communities Urge Justices to Protect Abortion Access
Because people of faith care about access to abortion, and recognize that women of color, immigrant women, young people, and individuals struggling to make ends meet are most harmed by barriers like those challenged in the US Supreme Court case, Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt, several faith organizations participated in a National Weekend of Prayer for Reproductive Justice, and will rally this week to protect abortion access.
National Weekend of Prayer in Support of Abortion Access Draws More Than 80 Religious Congregations
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, February 24, 2016 CONTACT: Natalie Raps, nraps@skdknick.com National Weekend of Prayer in Support of Abortion Access Draws More Than 80 Religious Congregations 10,000 People Across Multiple Faiths to Participate in Prayer Days before Supreme Court Reviews Texas Clinic Shutdown Law WASHINGTON, DC – Just days before the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in […]