wfn.org | UFMCC Open Letter to Ellen Degeneres

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For Additional Information, Contact:
James N. Birkitt, Jr.
UFMCC Director of Communications
8704 Santa Monica Boulevard, 2nd Floor
West Hollywood, CA  90069
Tel. (310) 360-8640
Fax: (310) 360-8680
E-Mail: UFMCCHQ@aol.com

Website: http://www.ufmcc.com

UFMCC News Flash!
An Open Letter
to Ellen Degeneres
from the Rev. Elder Troy D. Perry
Founder and Moderator of the
Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches

April 15, 1997
Dear Ellen:

For years you have made us laugh. 

But now you have made us proud.

On behalf of the friends and members of the Universal Fellowship of
Metropolitan Community Churches, I salute you for your courage both for the
coming out of your character, Ellen Morgan — and for your personal coming out
as evidenced by the cover of this week's Time Magazine.

To come out on international television is a courageous act that offers hope
to the millions of gay and lesbian persons still closeted by fears of family
rejection, employment reprisal and societal oppression. 

You are blazing new trails and have initiated an international dialogue which
can only lead to greater understanding and acceptance of gay, lesbian,
bisexual and transgendered persons. 

Like you, we have already heard the rumblings of hate and threats from the
Religious Right. While I sense that you are blessed with wonderful, loving,
supportive family and friends, I also wish to assure you that in the days to
come you will be surrounded with the love and prayers of UFMCC's 300
congregations in 19 countries.

I know, too, that you come from a family of faith. It is my prayer that you
will continue to draw strength from all that is positive and powerful in your
heritage of spiritual faith.

Let me assure you that you will always find a warm and receptive welcome at
any congregation of the UFMCC. We know that too many people in the gay
community have been hurt by organized religion, experiencing pain where there
should be joy, rejection where there should be acceptance, and condemnation
where there should be affirmation.  For more than 28 years, UFMCC has offered
safe places of faith and celebration where gay, lesbian, bisexual and
transgendered persons may celebrate their spirituality in openness and
authenticity.

May I offer some unsolicited advice? As a minister who has worked with the
gay community for more than 28 years, I invite you to continue to explore the
joy to be found in gay spirituality, even as you continue your journey toward
discovering and celebrating your own truth. I am more convinced than ever
that this is a vital key to wholeness for our community.

Again, on behalf of our worldwide community of faith, we salute you for your
courage.

We welcome you both — Ellen Morgan and Ellen Degeneres — with open arms to
your new liberation.
(END)

NOTE:
The UFMCC offers specialized, affirming Christian ministry to the gay,
lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered communities. Founded in 1968 by the Rev.
Troy Elder Perry D. Perry to promote spiritual justice for all people, UFMCC
today is comprised of more than 300 congregations in 19 countries.