Religious Institute releases Open Letter to Religious Leaders on Sexual and Gender Diversity. [View All]

Religious Institute releases Open Letter to Religious Leaders on Sexual and Gender Diversity.


MULTIFAITH COALITION CALLS FOR RELIGIOUS LEADERS TO EMBRACE SEXUAL AND GENDER DIVERSITY AS A BLESSING

NEW YORK, NEW YORK, MONDAY, JUNE 4, 2007- A coalition of national faith leaders announced today that they have issued an Open Letter to Religious Leaders on Sexual and Gender Diversity that calls for a faith-based approach that affirms diverse sexual orientations and gender identities.

The Open Letter, released in conjunction with pride services throughout the United States, will be sent to more than 20,000 clergy, heads of faith groups and institutions across the country. Published by the Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice, and Healing, this Open Letter is the first of its kind by a multifaith group of religious leaders. Every member of the US Congress will also receive a copy as an important reminder that progressive people of faith expect justice.

The historic proclamation challenges religious leaders to use the pulpit to address the complex realities of diversity and to advocate in secular and faith-based contexts for justice and the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons. That includes advocating for the ordination of LGBT clergy, family recognition and marriage equality.

“Sexual and gender oppression can no longer be portrayed as virtuous and morally defensible,” said the Rev. Debra W. Haffner, Director of the Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice, and Healing. “While religious denominations continue to debate issues of sexuality, the silence and condemnation of clergy have led to destroyed relationships, suicidal despair and discrimination and violence against LGBT persons. Denying that God created diversity as a blessing is denying Biblical teaching”

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Click here to read a copy of the Open Letter to Religious Leaders on Sexual and Gender Diversity.


http://www.religiousinstitute.org/diversity.html