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Bisexuality: Take Action
Resources for people of faith to challenge bi-erasure and biphobia in the public arena, part of the Religious Institute's Bisexuality Initiative.
Read MoreMake Your Faith Community Bisexually Healthy
A bisexually healthy congregation is one where people who identify as bisexual or have bisexual behaviors or attractions hear and see their experiences, concerns, and gifts reflected. Efforts to counter biphobia and bisexual invisibility are apparent in congregational life. Here are some ideas about how to do that. Religious professionals can seek opportunities to educate […]
Read MoreSocial Action Resources on Transgender Justice
NEXT STEPS FOR FAITH COMMUNITIES Praying for transgender justice is a great first step for faith communities. Actually manifesting a world in which transgender people are able to live and flourish in all aspects of life obviously requires more than prayer, however, and people of all faiths and no faiths are needed in the struggle. […]
Read MoreDevelop Community-Wide Partnerships on Sex Ed
Investigate connections your congregation currently has with community groups. Questions to ask: Which local leaders in sexuality education and sexual health attend our congregation? With which groups and leaders are our members associated? Connect with local groups who advocate for sexual health and sexuality education. Invite community leaders to participate in a worship service or […]
Read More10 Ways to Go Beyond Welcoming and Affirming
Being a welcoming and affirming congregations requires going beyond publicly proclaiming that “all are welcome.” If lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ) people enter your faith community, will they actually experience welcome? Many congregations that profess to welcoming LGBTQ people don’t talk much about LGBTQ issues or aren’t prepared to address the needs of […]
Read More10 Ways to Serve Transgender Congregants
Add a nondiscrimination clause to the congregation’s bylaws and hiring policies protecting gender identity and gender expression. Learn the language of gender identity and transgenderism. “Transgender” and “transsexual” are not synonymous, and terms such as “transvestite” and “hermaphrodite” are no longer in favor and may be offensive to some. The definitions provided in this guide […]
Read More10 Ways to Serve LGBTQ Families
Use inclusive language in all written and oral communications to recognize the diversity of family structures. Don’t use language that suggests that “family” only means a mom and a dad. Feature photographs of same-sex couples and their children in the congregational directory, on your web site, etc. Recognize and honor diverse families in worship services, […]
Read More10 Ways to Serve LGBTQ Youth
1. Ensure that all clergy and staff who work with youth are trained in adolescent growth and development and adolescent sexuality, and that this training includes sexual orientation and gender identity issues. 2. Offer faith-based, age-appropriate sexuality education to youth in your congregation. Our Whole Lives, created by the Unitarian Universalist Association and the United […]
Read More10 Ways to Serve Intersex (DSD) Congregants
Learn the basics and language of intersex or DSD conditions. Research some of the medical conditions that fall under the DSD umbrella. The Intersex Society of North America is a great first resource. Be sure the clergyperson has ability to provide support to a family with a baby born with DSDs, including referrals. Use inclusive language whenever […]
Read More10 Ways to Serve Bisexual Congregants
Learn the basics about bisexuals and bisexuality. The Bisexuality Curriculum, created by the Unitarian Universalist group Interweave, is available free of charge. Other resources are available from the UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns, the Unitarian Universalist Association and a number of secular organizations. Hear the testimonies of bisexual people. Memoirs such as Elizabeth Andrews’ Swinging on […]
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