MISSION
To educate, support and mobilize California's faith communities to promote equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and to safeguard religious freedom.
Why LGBT Equality?
There are so many worthy calls for social justice. We chose to focus on LGBT equality not only for its direct emotional impact on our friends and family, but for its role as the measure of church/state separation. Our new freedom to marry in California also defends our freedom of religion as faith communities that chose to marry same-sex couples now have the freedom to practice their respective religions.
Why an Interfaith Voice?
Many LGBT–identified people have been deeply wounded by their respective faith communities, either as individuals or as members of an oppressed group. A positive voice of faith in the LGBT movement and communities will begin not only to repair these wounds, but to strengthen the LGBT movement in members and mission. There are hundreds of churches, congregations, mosques, temples and religious centers already hosting programming about the freedom to marry. A collective voice of faith allows us to share our resources to more effectively serve our constituencies.
How Can You Join Our Interfaith Voice for LGBT Equality?
Opportunities for individuals, clergy, lay leaders and congregations are listed below:
To educate, support and mobilize California's faith communities to promote equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and to safeguard religious freedom.
There are so many worthy calls for social justice. We chose to focus on LGBT equality not only for its direct emotional impact on our friends and family, but for its role as the measure of church/state separation. Our new freedom to marry in California also defends our freedom of religion as faith communities that chose to marry same-sex couples now have the freedom to practice their respective religions.
Many LGBT–identified people have been deeply wounded by their respective faith communities, either as individuals or as members of an oppressed group. A positive voice of faith in the LGBT movement and communities will begin not only to repair these wounds, but to strengthen the LGBT movement in members and mission. There are hundreds of churches, congregations, mosques, temples and religious centers already hosting programming about the freedom to marry. A collective voice of faith allows us to share our resources to more effectively serve our constituencies.
Opportunities for individuals, clergy, lay leaders and congregations are listed below:
- Host a presentation by CFE in your home or at your congregation.
- Screen short or feature length films relating faith, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity.
- Include in your wedding or commitment ceremony a message for the freedom to marry. CFE has a catalogue of ritually integrated practices, and action and donation opportunities for celebrants.
- Sermonize about LGBT equality and the freedom to marry at annual congregational events, weekly service and holiday gatherings. CFE offers talking points.
- Inform your community by writing information about the campaign and CA Faith for Equality in congregational bulletins, newsletters and other publications.
- Sign the Declaration of Support.
California Religious Coalition for the Freedom to Marry © 2005