View the latest commentary, press releases, and news articles about the work of CLGS.
Raise Your Voice and Vote! As Candace Bond of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has written, “The right to vote is the cornerstone of our democracy and the fundamental right upon which all our civil liberties rest.” For LGBTQ+ people, voting is absolutely crucial in the ongoing struggle to ensure the civil rights of […]
Seniors are important members of our faith communities, attending services, volunteering, contributing to committees and much more. There are also many ways our congregations support older adults in need—visiting those who are shut-in or in nursing homes, offering social gatherings and support groups, providing meals and more. The Diverse Elders Coalition notes that there are […]
Considered from the vantage point of pastoral care, Pope Francis’ recent approval of civil unions for same-sex couples, captured in the film documentary Francesco, can be taken as a positive, albeit small, step in the Catholic Church’s long and decidedly negative relationship with lesbian and gay people. By reaffirming the stance he took on civil […]
“Referring to people by the pronouns they determine for themselves is basic to human dignity. Being referred to by the wrong pronouns particularly affects transgender and gender nonconforming people. Together, we can transform society to celebrate people’s multiple, intersecting identities.” (pronounsday.org) International Pronouns Day (IPD) is celebrated every year on the third Wednesday in October […]
11 October 2020 Happy National Coming Out Day! 32 years ago, the first National Coming Out Day (NCOD) was celebrated as a way to emphasize the importance of living as an “out” lesbian or gay person. Today, NCOD is an international observance that has expanded to celebrate the many ways in which people choose to […]
CLGS Oct 2020 e-newsletter
Many communities of faith have the blessing of having their own spaces for worship, education, and other programs. Sometimes that gift goes underutilized and is empty for parts of the day or week. One way to expand your welcome and put those rooms to good use is to make them available for LGBTQ groups at […]
Build coalitions with other communities of faith who are engaged in similar work and are LGBTQ inclusive. Working together in coalition can strengthen our work and remind us that we are part of a larger community. We can accomplish more together than we can as individuals. Find out which other congregations in your area are […]
If LGBTQ people are to truly be able to apply the messages that are preached and taught in our communities of faith, we, like all people, need to hear words that are relevant to our lives. That means using examples and concepts that include people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. This is vital […]
Take some time and learn more about LGBTQ people, especially those in your local area. It is important to understand the joys and challenges that the community experiences beyond the stereotypes. Recognize that there are people of all sexual orientations and gender identities in every racial and cultural group. Do some investigation. Find a local […]