PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release: June 29, 2007
Human Rights Watch Named Recipient of
International Award by Metropolitan Community Churches Triennial Human Rights Award Honors Groundbreaking Work On Behalf Of Gay Rights Award Presentation Set for Scottsdale, Arizona on July 4, 2007
(Scottsdale, Arizona, June 29, 2007) - Human Rights Watch has been named recipient of the triennial Human Rights Award of Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC), an international fellowship of Christian churches with a special affirming ministry to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
The award will be presented during the international General Conference of Metropolitan Community Churches in Scottsdale, Arizona, on July 4, 2007, according to Rev. Elder Nancy L. Wilson, Moderator of the MCC denomination.
More than 1500 people from around the world will gather in the Phoenix area during July 2-6 for the church's global conference.
"The 2007 Human Rights Award of Metropolitan Community Churches recognizes Human Rights Watch's groundbreaking work defending LGBT people worldwide from violence, discrimination, and abuse," said Wilson.
Founded in 1968, Metropolitan Community Churches comprise the largest and oldest worldwide Christian denomination with a primary welcoming ministry to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons. Metropolitan Community Churches provide local ministry in 28 countries and each year more than 225,000 people attend MCC's programs and services.
The church group, known across Eastern Europe as "The Human Rights Church" for its commitment to social justice for LGBT people, collaborates with human rights groups in countries such as Jamaica, Romania, Latvia, Moldova, Bulgaria, Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Zimbabwe, and South Africa to foster spiritual and social justice and promote human rights.
"Human Rights Watch works to build a world where everyone's rights will be respected, regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity," said Scott Long, director of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights Program at Human Rights Watch. Long will accept the award on behalf of Human Rights Watch at ceremonies on July 4. "The Metropolitan Community Churches are a vital part of this common struggle."
"Faith used as a pretext for hatred often fuels violence against lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people," said Long. "For Metropolitan Community Churches, religion means inclusion, and we are proud to work with them in spreading the message that human rights are for everyone," Scott added.
Human Rights Watch's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Rights Program -- the first of its kind at a major mainstream human rights organization -- was formed in 2004. Scott Long is its founding director. Long has nearly 20 years of experience in fighting abuses based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Long launched his human rights career in Eastern Europe, where his documentation of arrests and torture under Romania's repressive anti-gay measures helped draw global attention to the effects of sodomy laws.
Additional information on Metropolitan Community Church's international General Conference in Scottsdale can be found on-line at _www.MCCchurch.net_ (http://www.mccchurch.net/) .
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To arrange interviews with Scott Long, please contact: In New York, Scott Long (English): +1-212-216-1297; or +1-646-641-5655 (mobile) In New York, Boris Dittrich (English, Dutch): +1-212-216-1280; +1-917-548-9648 (mobile)
To arrange interviews with Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson, MCC Moderator, or Rev. Dr. Cindi Love, MCC Executive Director, officials, please contact: In Scottsdale, Arizona, Jim Birkitt (English): +1-310-625-4177 (mobile)
For more on the work of Human Rights Watch's LGBT program, please visit: _http://www.hrw.org/doc/?t=lgbt_ (http://www.hrw.org/doc/?t=lgbt)
To learn more about the international work of Metropolitan Community Churches and the MCC General Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona, visit: _http://www.MCCchurch.org_ (http://www.MCCchurch.org) .
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Website: _www.MCCchurch.org_ (aoldb://mail/write/www.MCCchurch.org)
E-mail: _info@MCCchurch.net_ (mailto:info@MCCchurch.net)
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