HRC Blog

Good afternoon, Two years ago, the HRC Religion and Faith Program brought to Washington, D.C. clergy from every state in the country to speak out for their LGBT brothers and sisters. Members of Congress took notice, and the clergy who came—many from isolated and hostile communities—felt their own power forged in solidarity with other prophetic leaders eager to call out for justice. This year, HRC will again bring clergy from every state to Washington, D.C. The 2009 Clergy Call for Justice and Equality will be held on May 4th and 5th. At this time faith leaders will lobby members of Congress to support fully inclusive versions of hate crimes legislation and ENDA. In addition to lobbying activities and a press conference on Capitol Hill, Clergy Call attendees will take part in a robust conference on the issues that face LGBT people and will participate in an interfaith service reflecting on the abundant diversity of our community. In order for Clergy Call 2009 to effect change in Congress we know we need to organize and educate in our home districts particularly about the challenges facing the transgender community. These efforts are especially crucial as we debunk the lies our opponents will spread about our fight for the passage of inclusive versions of hate crimes and workplace non-discrimination laws in the 111th Congress. That’s why the Religion and Faith Program created a transgender curriculum, Gender Identity and Our Faith Communities: A Congregational Guide to Transgender Advocacy, to be used in diverse communities around the country. As a lead-up to Clergy Call 2009, congregations in over 40 prioritized congressional districts around the country are hosting workshops using this curriculum and facilitated by a transgender educator we have provided. Clergy from targeted districts will come to Washington for Clergy Call 2009 to tell their member of Congress how their congregations and communities are wrestling honestly with gender identity. They will tell stories of ordinary people of faith who have through education come to understand the importance of standing in solidarity with their transgender brothers and sisters. These are the stories our members of Congress need to hear as they consider how to vote and what leadership position to take on hate crimes legislation and ENDA. Learn more about where workshops are happening. Clergy Call 2009 is just one aspect of HRC’s work to move people of faith from acceptance to advocacy. Too often, we have seen religion misused by right-wing forces to spread lies about us in their attempts to derail our progress toward equality. A brief look at HRC new interactive website EndtheLies.org will show you some of the most egregious examples. HRC is proud to be doing the work that can truly change hearts and minds. I hope you’ll continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with us as we move forward. Warmly,