wfn.org | Clergy Human Rights Campaign to gather clergy in nation's capital

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

Human Rights Campaign to gather clergy in nation's capital

> Written by Staff Reports
> January 16, 2009

The 2009 HRC Clergy Call for Justice and Equality is schedule May 4-5 
in Washington, D.C.

The theme of the event, "Moving from Acceptance to Advocacy," 
reflects the vision of a faith-based movement for GLBT equality built 
from the ground up: in local churches, synagogues, mosques. The Rev. 
John Thomas, UCC general minister and president, is slated to address 
the gathering. The Clergy Call includes a focus on advocacy for 
transgender people and follows a series of trainings throughout 2008 
which emphasized transgender education in 40 communities.

Trainings utilized HRC's faith-based transgender curriculum" and 
online resources written by transgender religious educators and 
edited by Rev. Chris Glaser. The curriculum includes an accessible 
biblical piece, "Gender Identity and the Bible." In addition, a study 
guide to accompany the award-winning film, "For the Bible Tells Me 
So," is available. Both the faith-based transgender curriculum and 
"For the Bible Tells Me So" study guide provide hands-on training 
designed to engage communities in rich and faithful dialogue on GLBT issues.

The gathering offers an opportunity for clergy to become more 
involved in work for justice for the LGBT community and to stay at 
the forefront in the fight for LGBT equality.

"We hope that many UCC clergy will choose to take advantage of this 
opportunity to learn and to make their voices heard," said the Rev. 
Michael Schuenemeyer, UCC Executive for Health and Wholeness Advocacy.

"America's clergy are transforming our nation one congregation at a 
time and making it easier for Members of Congress to stand for 
equality," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. "These 
trainings will encourage participants to take their conversations to 
the next level and work for change in the public sphere."

"When I think of the power of tikkun olam - of healing the world - I 
think of HRC's Clergy Call for Justice and Equality," said Rabbi 
Denise Eger, of Congregation Kol Ami in West Hollywood, Clif. "This 
event showed Congress and the country that religious people are 
willing to stand up for the marginalized and the disenfranchised. By 
building on the success of Clergy Call 2007 to mobilize people of 
faith locally in anticipation of another Clergy Call in 2009, HRC is 
practicing tikkun olam - justice work at its most profound."

"Clergy Call 2007 was a life changing moment for all who 
participated," said Harry Knox, director of the Human Rights 
Campaign's Religion & Faith Program. "Watching clergy come together 
to demand justice for LGBT people brought hope to even the most 
cynical observer. Those clergy sparked a flame that is igniting a 
movement for justice and equality around the country. Clergy Call 
2009 will build on that momentum."

Online registration is available at <hrc.org/issues/religion/9209.htm>.

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is America's largest civil 
rights organization working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual and 
transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC 
strives to end discrimination against GLBT citizens and realize a 
nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.