wfn.org | Churches Support HIV & AIDS Anti-Discrimination March

["Jim Birkitt" <JimBirkitt@mccchurch.net>]

N E W S   R E L E A S E  from Metropolitan Community Churches

>For Immediate Release: August 4, 2008

>Contact:
>Joshua Love, Program Director
>MCC Global HIV/AIDS Ministry
>Tel. (213) 321-3975
>E-mail: JoshuaLove@MCCchurch.net

Churches Support International March Against Homophobia, Stigmatization
of HIV and AIDS

Metropolitan Community Churches Joins Faith Leaders, LGBT Activists at
International AIDS Conference to End Discrimination Against Persons with
HIV/AIDS

Mexico City, MEXICO -- Several thousand activists took part in the 1st
International March Against Stigmatization, Discrimination and
Homophobia in Mexico City on Saturday, August 2, 2008, to focus public
awareness on rejection and stigma related to HIV and AIDS.

Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC), the United Church of Christ
(UCC), the Center for Church and Global AIDS, the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America (ELCA), and INERELA+ (International Network of
Religious Leaders Living with or Personally affected by HIV and AIDS)
marched with faith leaders and LGBT activists and supporters at
Saturday's historic event.

The march took place one day before the opening of the first
International AIDS Conference to be held in Latin America.

According to conference participant Joshua Love, an author, educator and
public policy advocate for HIV issues and director of  Global HIV/AIDS
Ministry for Metropolitan Community Churches, "The streets of Mexico
City were filled with impassioned activists for this powerful act of
non-violent protest. I could not have been more proud of our many
communities standing up in courageous solidarity. Today we experienced
true 'Faith in Action'."

"We were informed of threats of violence made against the marchers,"
said Love, "but, thankfully, the event was peaceful and we were met by
respectful local crowds along the march route." The demonstration began
at the Angel de la Independencia, and ended at the Plaza de la
Constitucion, the main square in Mexico City's urban center.

March organizers invited the public to participate and extended an
invitation to groups and individuals who impact public policy, those who
represent the range of Mexico's sexual diversity and people living with
HIV/AIDS. Joining Saturday's march was Mexico's Health Minister Jose
Angel Cordova, marking the first time a member of the government
attended a public event supporting sexual diversity.

Organizers hope the march will rally support for an end to stigma,
discrimination, transphobia, violence, and homophobia through education,
civility and human understanding.

"Even with the benefit of 25 years of information and education,
millions of people around the world still face daily discrimination and
ostracism because of their HIV status," said Love. "Faith communities
have a key role to play in ending religion-based stigma against people
with HIV and AIDS."

Love is part of a growing international movement working to end
religion-based discrimination and exclusion through a public campaign
that encourages churches and people of faith to ask, "Would Jesus
discriminate?"  (www.WouldJesusDiscriminate.com)

Founded in 1968, Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC) is the world's
largest and oldest Christian denomination with a primary, affirming
ministry to gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender persons, along
with their families and friends. Often referred to as "The Human Rights
Church," Metropolitan Community Churches has members and adherents in 28
countries. To learn more about MCC's international ministry, visit
www.MCCchurch.org <http://www.mccchurch.org/> .

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To Arrange Press Interviews Or For Photos, Contact:
Jim Birkitt, Communications Director
Metropolitan Community Churches
Tel. (310) 625-4177
E-mail: info@MCCchurch.net