Religious Institute Releases New Report on Progressive Clergy

I am pleased to let you know that this morning the Religious Institute released a new report on our groundbreaking survey of the progressive clergy who are part of our network. It was released in conjunction with a new report on welcoming congregations by our partners at the Institute for Welcoming Resources.

Both of our surveys demonstrate that when a congregation undergoes a formal welcoming process, the congregation benefits: there is greater inclusion of LGBT people and their families, greater advocacy on a wide range of social issues, and a greater openness about sexuality in general.

The Religious Institute survey is the first national study of progressive clergy's attitudes about LGBT inclusion and other sexual justice issues. Our network is nearly unanimous in its support for LGBT people, sexuality education, and reproductive justice. Yet, many of these clergy report that they have not preached about sexuality, only a quarter have sexuality education programs in their congregation, and many congregations could do more to improve both their services and public advocacy on sexual justice issues. Denomination affiliation and whether a congregation has undergone a welcoming process make a difference.

Read the full report here, including our recommendations for clergy, congregations, and denominations. And let us know what you think.

Welcoming Transgender

This week, I led a workshop at my home congregation, the Unitarian Church in Westport, called,
"What's the T in LGBT"?

Our congregation has been a welcoming congregation for gays and lesbians for more than a decade, and we have had gay clergy and staff. Same sex couples are visible members, our religious education for youth sexual orientation openly, our social action program advocates for marriage equality, and so on.

But, we have at present, no transgender members (at least that we know of), and I'm not sure a person of transgender experience would receive the type of welcome we would want.

Twenty two of us spent the evening exploring what gender diversity means, the types of persons who are transgender, and what policies and programs we might begin to offer. The highlight of the meeting was the presentation by the director of the Connecticut Transadvocacy Coalition, who shared her personal story as well as issues facing people in Connecticut.

It was her painful history -- and her current affirmation as a transwoman -- that made the difference. Knowing people, hearing their stories, makes a difference. Meeting and knowing the people who seem like the "other" makes a difference.

It was a first step for us in becoming a trans-friendly faith community. November 20 is the National Day of Remembrance for transpeople who have lost their lives due to hate crimes. There may be an event near you. Check the link out here. Go and listen. Meet someone new. Ask yourself if you are need to know more about transgender people. Read our new guidebook, "A Time to Seek", available for downloading on our web site. Let me know what happens.