There are amazing people of faith around the world who are working to make our communities inclusive, accepting, diverse, and vibrant. This week, we encourage you to get to know some more of them, especially your neighbors from other faith traditions. We can learn a tremendous amount from each other. Working with those from other […]
One way to increase your overall welcome is to intentionally include bisexual people. The acronym LGBTQ has a “B” for bisexual, but sometimes communities are not as aware or welcoming as they could be. We may say “LGBTQ” but then erase the particularities of bisexual identity. Sometimes we make assumptions about people; for example, assuming […]
This week we want to emphasize the value of positive messages. LGBTQ people and our families are exposed to homophobic and transphobic messages all the time — from preachers on the car radio, legislators pushing anti-trans bathroom bills, jokes around the water cooler, relatives who don’t understand, and on and on. Or people may still […]
Click here for a Zoom video recording of this event! Rev. Blayne Higa discusses how the inclusive and affirming spirituality of Shin Buddhism serves as the foundation for his life and ministry. Within the universal embrace of boundless wisdom and compassion how does understanding our imperfections help cultivate gratitude, acceptance, and resilience? Rev. Higa is the […]
Let’s face it: everyone needs to use the restroom. You can make your congregation more welcoming by providing non-gendered restroom spaces. These make an important statement about your openness to transgender and gender non-conforming people. Studies have shown that transgender people face significant harassment and violence in public restrooms; you can counter that by providing […]
During Black History Month–and the rest of the year–honor the contributions of African-American LGBTQ people. There are so many people have had a profound impact on the LGBTQ community, from the days of the Harlem Renaissance in the 1930s and 40s (see, for example, openly gay artist Richard Bruce’s Nugent’s 1947 drawing Jesus and Judas) up […]
What issues are most of concern to your local LGBTQ communities? How could they best be addressed in your area? During this time of Covid-19, consider hosting an online community forum to help raise awareness and talk about how this issue is affecting people in your neighborhood, town or city. You can invite community members, […]