Human Rights Campaign Hosts Clergy Call 2009

Key clergy voices to speak at Capitol Hill press conference in support of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people

Today kicked of two days of activities for more than 300 clergy members participating in this year’s Clergy Call hosted by HRC. The follow is a press release from the Human Rights Campaign.

WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, will kickoff the 2009 Clergy Call for Justice and Equality on Monday, May 4, continuing through Tuesday, May 5, and will include more than 300 clergy members from all 50 states on Capitol Hill. Participating clergy will advocate for a fully inclusive hate crimes bill in the U.S. Senate and for a fully inclusive employment non-discrimination bill that would protect people on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. For the complete schedule of events, visit: www.hrc.org/ClergyCall.

“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. “Clergy Call for Justice and Equality is helping to take these important conversations to the next level and to let people know that LGBT people are also people of faith.”

The theme for Clergy Call 2009, “Moving from Acceptance to Advocacy,” reflects the vision of a faith-based movement for LGBT equality built from the ground up: in local churches, synagogues, and mosques. The effort builds off Clergy Call 2007, when the HRC Religion & Faith Program brought 230 religious leaders from all 50 states to Washington, D.C.

“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.”

Allyson Robinson, HRC’s Associate Director of Diversity, was live tweeting the event today and gave me permission to share with you some of the highlights of today.

Bishop Gene Robinson: Most of our congregations don’t yet see LGBT rights as a justice issue; they see it as a pastoral issue. This must change.

Bishop Robinson: Asking LGBT people to come to our churches is like asking an abused spouse to go back to the abusive partner.

Rabbi Denise Eger: in the faith-based portion of Prop 8 campaign, “we didn’t have enough diversity.”

Speaking on the Act 1 which banned same sex adoption is Rev. Joyce Hardy

Rev. Hardy: We needed to do more to communicate what the act would do, and we needed more early money.

Rev. Hardy: We needed to do more to communicate what the act would do, and we needed more early money.

Next on panel: Lea Gilmore, vocal artist & Dir. of Pride and Faith and of Maryland Black Family Alliance.

Rev. Gilmore: When we tell our message of equality & justice, it knocks out the message of “Jesus wants me not to like LGBT people.”

There were many more panelists including Josh Dubois from President Obama’s Office of Faith & Community Organizing. Tomorrow the clergy head to Congress to help lobby for hate crimes and other issues.

Lezzymom has two kids and a wonderful partner. Her political commentary has appeared on C-Span and CSPAN.org. Visit her Lezzymom blog for more of her insights.