Presbyterian Equality Project of MLP in DC this week to support pro-LGBT laws
Posted Tuesday, May 05 2009 @ 04:17 AM by Michael Adee
Clergy Call for Justice and Equality 2009
Hello from Washington DC. I am here representing More Light Presbyterians lobbying for the Hate Crimes Law and ENDA, Employment Non-Discrimination Act with hundreds of faith leaders from around the country. We meet with members of Congress tomorrow in a special pro-LGBT faith leaders' lobby day focused on these two common sense, fair and just laws.
PEP, the Presbyterian Equality Project, of More Light Presbyterians is the initiative that works to end discrimination in civil society against LGBT people and their families and to secure equal rights and fairness for all.
Presbyterian ministers and other leaders will converge on our Nation's Capital joining hundreds of other pro-LGBT faith leaders as part of the Human Rights Campaign Religion and Faith Program's second Clergy Call for Justice and Equality. MLP is absolutely committed that both the Hate Crimes Law and the Employment Non-Discrimination Act include gender identity and transgender, in addition to sexual orientation.
Both of these proposed federal laws are common sense laws and protections that are fair, just and necessary for LGBT Americans to experience the same basic rights and protections as heterosexuals. Both of these laws respect Separation of Church and State and neither impact religious organizations in the ways that anti-gay religious or political conservatives are suggesting in order to defeat these fair and just laws. Sadly, in the recent debate in the House of Representatives on the Hate Crimes Law, one Representative had the appalling audacity to call Matthew Shephard's murder and death a hoax. Moral outrage and truth-telling are the only decent and Christian responses to such statements.
This is exactly why it is necessary for More Light Presbyterians to be here this week lobbying Congress. Progressive Christians must address and counter the deceitful and shameful rhetoric of anti-gay religious or political conservatives who bear such false witness and work against basic fairness, justice and equality.
Many of you will recognize the photo of our beloved Rev. Dr. Erin K. Swenson on the image above from the 2008 Rally in front of the Capitol. Erin serves as our National Liaison for Transgender Education and is a former Co-Moderator of the National MLP Board of Directors. I wholeheartedly recommend her transgender and intersex educational resources that can be downloaded from the MLP website for your church or campus ministry:
What can you do? Contact your Senator and Representative today about the Hate Crimes Law and ENDA. http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml
Give a donation now to MLP to support PEP, the Presbyterian Equality Project, online at www.mlp.org and click on "contribute." Or simply link to this secure giving page:
Forward this email as an opportunity to others you know within your family or church who are committed to justice and equality so that they can make their voice known as well within Congress.
Pray with More Light Presbyterians that Congress will support basic fairness and protection for all Americans, not just heterosexuals. This is an extraordinary time of hope and change in our country and the world.
Thank you for your support of More Light Presbyterians that enables the Presbyterian Equality Project to be here in Washington, DC this week to work for justice and equality now.
with hope and grace,
Michael