HRC | Clergy Call for Justice & Equality 2009: Moving from Acceptance to Advocacy

Clergy Call for Justice & Equality 2009: Moving from Acceptance to Advocacy

HRC’s Religion and Faith Program is deeply grateful to all those who participated in our 2009 Clergy Call for Justice and Equality. The two-day events, including a conference, an interfaith celebration, a press conference, and scheduled visits by attending clergy with their members of Congress, showed our strength as a growing faith-based movement speaking out for justice. We know coming to Washington, D.C. was a sacrifice for many. Not only did clergy travel long distances and rearrange complex schedules, but many also weathered serious financial difficulties to be with us. They knew that our legislators needed to hear faith voices speaking out for the protections afforded by the Mathew Shepard Act and the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

If you came to Clergy Call 2009 you will be hearing more from us in the coming days, but for now please accept our thanks for your spirit, your faith, and your stalwart advocacy for justice.

Clergy Call Wrap Up

HRC’s Clergy Call for Justice and Equality 2009 was a huge success. Members of Congress were impressed to see well-informed and impassioned clergy filing into their offices from places as far away as Anchorage, Alaska; Honolulu, Hawaii; and every state in between. More than lobbying members of Congress, this year’s Clergy Call was filled with learning, celebration, community building and advocacy.

The Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson got us started on the morning of May 4 by discussing where we are as a movement and where we are going. His talk, “Meeting God on the Road to LGBT Equality,” brought us together as people of faith working for justice for our community. Setting the context for the work ahead, clergy took part in two outstanding workshops and small-group discussions on transgender education in our communities and LGBT advocacy in the local and state contexts. These workshops were followed by a surprise visit by Joshua Dubois, the director of the Obama administration’s Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Dubois talked with us about the exciting work this advisory council is doing and listened with interest to our questions and concerns. The conference ended with another powerful panel discussion on building more racially diverse coalitions for LGBT justice. We came together later for a stunning, worshipful evening in which performers and preachers reflected upon the abundant gifts found in our movement.

The next day began at 8 a.m. with a training session on advocating with members of Congress on the Matthew Shepard Act and the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. This, in turn, was followed by a deeply moving press conference on Capitol Hill in which 11 religious leaders spoke from their hearts about why this legislation is needed now. At last, clergy took Capitol Hill by storm to speak with their members of Congress. Watch the videos, see pictures from the lobby day, and read the press coverage we have received.

We at HRC are inspired by all who came. These people embody their faith, working every day to create a better world for all of us.