Welcoming Congregation Resolutions |
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Resolutions on Lesbians, Gay Men, and Bisexuals passed at
Unitarian Universalist General Assemblies DISCRIMINATION AGAINST HOMOSEXUALS AND BISEXUALS — 1970 (GEN) RECOGNIZING THAT: 1. A significant minority in this country are either homosexual or bisexual in their feelings and/or behavior; 2. Homosexuality has been the target of severe discrimination by society and in particular by the police and other arms of government; 3. A growing number of authorities on the subject now see homosexuality as an inevitable sociological phenomenon and not as a mental illness; 4. There are Unitarian Universalists, clergy and laity, who are homosexuals or bisexuals; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the 1970 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association: 1. Urges all peoples immediately to bring an end to all discrimination against homosexuals, homosexuality, bisexuals, and bisexuality, with specific immediate attention to the following issues: a. private consensual behavior between persons over the age of consent shall be the business only of those persons and not subject to legal regulations; b. a person’s sexual orientation or practice shall not be a factor in the granting or renewing of federal security clearance, visas, and the granting of citizenship or employment; 2. Calls upon the UUA and its member churches, fellowships, and organizations immediately to end all discrimination against homosexuals in employment practices, expending special effort to assist homosexuals to find employment in our midst consistent with their abilities and desires; 3. Urges all churches and fellowships, in keeping with changing social patterns, to initiate meaningful programs of sex education aimed at providing more open and healthier understanding of sexuality in all parts of the United States and Canada, and with the particular aim to end all discrimination against homosexuals and bisexuals. CREATION OF AN OFFICE ON GAY AFFAIRS — 1973 (GEN) WHEREAS, it is among the purposes of the Unitarian Universalist Association to affirm, defend and promote the supreme worth of every human personality; and WHEREAS, the 1970 General Assembly passed a resolution urging all peoples immediately to bring an end to all discrimination against homosexuals, homosexuality, bisexuals and bisexuality; and WHEREAS, the Association since then has established no mechanism by which this resolution might be implemented within our churches, fellowships and denominationally related organizations; and WHEREAS, second class status keeps all oppressed minorities disabled and robs everyone of their potential contributions; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the 1973 General Assembly urges the Board of Trustees of the UUA to create at the denominational headquarters an Office on Gay Affairs. The Office shall be staffed by gay people and it shall have the full benefit of the experience, talent and status of the UUA in developing sources of funding outside the denominational budget. Would such sources be unavailable, the UUA will not be further responsible for funding the Office. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the functions of the Office be a resource to the denomination at all levels in all matters pertaining to gay people and the gay community. The office shall initially make a 30-day study of the immediate needs of gay Unitarian Universalists and ways of developing an outreach into the gay community. Results of the study shall be distributed to all churches, fellowships and denominationally-related bodies with recommendations for implementation. OFFICE OF GAY CONCERNS — 1974 (BUS) WHEREAS, the General Assembly 1973 voted as a business resolution to urge the UUA Board of Trustees to create at the denominational headquarters an Office of Gay Concerns; and WHEREAS, money was not available for the Office and the full benefit of the experience, talent, and status of the UUA to seek sources of funding outside the denominational budget was urged by the General Assembly and in its resolution; and WHEREAS, a $600,000 grant of which $300,000 is in unrestricted program funds has since come to the denomination above the basic budget approved by the 1973 General Assembly and yet the Office has not been included in the items approved for funding from that grant; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the UUA Board be urged to include in the Grants Section of the 1974-1975 UUA Budget an item for $38,500 to establish the Office of Gay Concerns, such funds to take precedence over two items presently listed in the Grants Section: $24,000 from the Research Program and $14,500 from the Publicity and Television/Radio item; and FURTHER RESOLVED: That such Office be established in accordance with the proposal developed by the UUA Board and Administration in consultation with the UUA Gay Caucus’ Advisory Committee and as revised by the UUA Board at its meeting on June 24, 1974. OFFICE OF GAY CONCERNS — 1975 (BUS) WHEREAS, the 1973 and 1974 General Assemblies have voted to establish the Office of Gay Concerns as an integral part of the UUA to serve the needs of our churches and fellowships for education and help on gay concerns; and WHEREAS, the Office of Gay Concerns is funded from special grant funds outside the regular operating budget of the UUA; and WHEREAS, the Office staff has had less than one-half year to function and cannot be fairly evaluated in terms of articulating a program based on the approved model of the Office; BE IT RESOLVED: That the 1975 General Assembly: 1. Commends the Board of Trustees for its action of October 12, 1974 in implementing the General Assembly’s resolution to fund the Office of Gay Concerns; and 2. Endorses the action of the Board of Trustees in including continued funding for the Office of Gay Concerns in the grants section of the proposed UUA budget for 1975-76. GAY HUMAN RIGHTS — 1977 (BUS) WHEREAS, the bigotry and misinformation presented by the forces of the “Save Our Children” movement led by Anita Bryant encourage violations of the civil rights of gay people; and WHEREAS, human rights are not an issue on which there should be a vote by which the majority can deny rights to a minority; and WHEREAS, the false propaganda using a religious basis for persecution strikes at the very foundation of the basic tenet of the Unitarian Universalist Association, to seek the truth and support the worth of all humans; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association calls on all Unitarian Universalists to use their efforts in stopping such biased persecution and intolerance for the gay minority. MINISTERIAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES — 1980 (BUS) WHEREAS, the General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association in 1970 passed a resolution calling on the UUA and its member churches, fellowships, and organizations to end discrimination against gay, lesbian, and bisexual persons in employment; and WHEREAS, the UUA has distinguished itself by its repeated support of the employment rights of minority groups; and WHEREAS, many of the UUA member societies which have considered openly gay, lesbian, and bisexual candidates have been unwilling to accept the candidates because of their sexual orientations; and WHEREAS, the hiring of religious leaders by Unitarian Universalist members societies is a matter of local conscience; BE IT RESOLVED: That the 1980 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association urge the UUA and its member churches, fellowships and organizations to renew their commitment to end discrimination against gay, lesbian, and bisexual persons through educational programs at the local, district, and continental levels and calls upon the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association and the UUA Department of Ministerial and Congregational Services to lend full assistance in the settlement of qualified openly gay, lesbian, and bisexual religious leaders. GAY AND LESBIAN SERVICES OF UNION — 1984 (BUS) WHEREAS, the Unitarian Universalist Association has repeatedly taken stands to affirm the rights of gay and lesbian persons over the past decade; and WHEREAS, legal marriages are currently denied gay and lesbian couples by state and provincial governments of North America; and WHEREAS, freedom of the pulpit is a historic tradition in Unitarian Universalist societies; BE IT RESOLVED: That the 1984 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association: 1. Affirms the growing practice of some of its ministers of conducting services of union of gay and lesbian couples and urges member societies to support their ministers in this important aspect of our movement’s ministry to the gay and lesbian community; and 2. Requests that the Department of Ministerial and Congregational Services: a. distribute this information to Unitarian Universalist religious professionals and member societies; b. develop printed material for ministers to assist them in planning and conducting services of union for gay and lesbian couples; c. develop a pamphlet intended for laypersons which describes services of union for gay and lesbian couples and is distributed to member societies. OPPOSING AIDS DISCRIMINATION — 1986 (GEN) BECAUSE, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association covenant to affirm the inherent worth and dignity of every person, and to promote justice, equity and compassion in human relations; and BECAUSE, we are members of the interdependent web of existence and therefore responsible for one another and for the society in which we live; and WHEREAS, on Friday, June 20, 1986, the US Department of Justice, Office of Legal Counsel, concluded that an employer’s fear of the spread of AIDS, whether reasonable or not, constitutes grounds for dismissal; and WHEREAS, this opinion is clearly contrary to the spirit of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the September 1985 ruling of the US Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit; and WHEREAS, the Center for Disease Control and other experts and researchers working with AIDS have repeatedly and emphatically stated that the HTLV-III/LAV/HIV virus cannot be transmitted by casual contact; and WHEREAS, there have been no documented cases of AIDS transmitted to co-workers, health care workers, family or friends in routine contact with persons with AIDS or persons tested positive for the HTLV-III/LAV/HIV antibodies; and WHEREAS, the Justice Department opinion is a gross violation of civil rights and could apply to as many as two million Americans who currently would test positive for the HTLV-III/LAV/HIV antibodies; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the 1986 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association opposes discrimination based on AIDS, the fear of AIDS, or the presence of the HTLV-III/LAV/HIV antibodies; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That a copy of this resolution be sent immediately to the President of the United States, the US Attorney General, and all members of Congress; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That UUA Canadian societies study the parallels in Canada, and take action in a manner consonant with the intent of this resolution; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the UUA, its member societies and affiliate organizations be urged to promote programs which provide education about the cause of AIDS, how AIDS is transmitted, the real risks of casual contact and which generally increase community awareness about AIDS; and BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED: That the UUA, its member societies and affiliate organizations be urged to support such action as will ensure the civil rights of persons with AIDS and those who test positive to the HTLV-III/LAV/HIV antibodies. SUPPORTING LEGAL EQUITY FOR GAYS AND LESBIANS — 1987 (BUS) WHEREAS, the 1970 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association (“UUA”) adopted a resolution calling on all UUA churches, fellowships, and organizations and society at large to end discrimination against gay and lesbian people and has repeatedly endorsed the goal of equality, dignity, and respect for all people, regardless of affectional or sexual orientation in resolutions adopted in 1974, 1975, 1977, 1980, and in 1984; and WHEREAS, in 1986 the United States Supreme Court decided in Bowers v. Hardwick that states may enforce laws governing private sexual behavior between consenting adults; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: That the 1987 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association supports rescission of laws governing private sexual behavior between consenting adults and supports passage of laws prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That when denominational meetings are held in locations where discriminatory laws exist, Unitarian Universalists planning and attending the meetings are urged to adopt creative program methods to support rescission of laws governing private sexual behavior between consenting adults and to support passage of laws prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the UUA Office of Lesbian and Gay Concerns work with the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and other human rights organizations to obtain information about organizations that practice or promote discrimination based on sexual orientation and distribute this information to all UUA societies and affiliated organizations; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That upon receiving information about organizations which practice or promote discrimination based on sexual orientation, Unitarian Universalists and UU organizations be encouraged not to purchase or use products or services from these organizations until the discrimination ceases; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That this resolution be conveyed by the President of the UUA to the President of the United States, members of the United States Senate and House of Representatives, Canadian governmental officials, continental media, and other appropriate individuals and organizations. PROPOSALS OF THE COMMON VISION PLANNING COMMITTEE—1989 (BUS) WHEREAS the survey conducted by the Common Vision Planning Committee has shown that, despite a long and luminous tradition of leadership toward an era of wider justice, inclusion, and recognition of the dignity and worth of all, still the fear of same-sex love runs deep among Unitarian Universalists; and WHEREAS the persistence in our midst of homophobia and heterosexism sorely tests our commitment to our Principles and Purposes; WHEREAS Unitarian Universalists have consistently committed ourselves through the General Assembly to the dignity and rights of gay, lesbian, and bisexual persons and to their full inclusion in our movement; and WHEREAS the Welcoming Congregation program has been proposed by the Common Vision Planning Committee and approved by the UUA Board of Trustees as an effective response to the aforementioned concerns and as a model for training in the practice of inclusive community; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the 1989 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association adopts the recommendation of the Common Vision Planning Committee that the Welcoming Congregation Program be established as set forth in the attachment hereto (Attachment A); and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the 1989 General Assembly urges the Unitarian Universalist Association Administration to implement this Program through its Office of Lesbian and Gay Concerns. ATTACHMENT A—THE WELCOMING CONGREGATION PROGRAM Definition 1. A Welcoming Congregation is inclusive and expressive of the concerns of gay, lesbian, and bisexual persons at every level of congregational life, in worship, in program, and in social occasions welcoming not only theit presence but the unique gifts and particularities of their lives as well. a. A Welcoming Congregation does not assume that everyone is heterosexual. Vocabulary of worship reflects this perception; worship celebrates the diversity of its people by inclusivity of language and content. b. An understanding of the experience of lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons will be fully incorporated throughout all programs. It will be fairly represented in Religious Exploration. 2. The bylaws and other official documents of a Welcoming Congregation include an affirmation and non- discrimination clause affecting all dimensions of congregational life, including membership, hiring practices, and calling of religious professionals. 3. The Welcoming Congregation engages in outreach into the gay, lesbian, and bisexual communities both through its advertisinng and by supporting actively other lesbian, gay, and bisexual affirmative groups. 4. A Welcoming Congregation offers congregational and ministerial support services of union and memorial services for gay, lesbian, and bisexual persons, and celebrations of evolving definitions of family. 5. A Welcoming Congregation celebrates the lives of all people and welcomes same-sex couples, recognizing their committed relationships; and equally affirms displays of caring and affection without regard for sexual orientation. 6. A Welcoming Congregation seeks to nurture ongoing dialogue between gay, lesbian, bisexual , and heterosexual persons, and to create deeper trust and sharing. 7. A Welcoming Congregation encourages the presence of a chapter of Unitarian Universalists for Lesbian and Gay Concerns. 8. A Welcoming Congregation observes and celebrates lesbian, gay, and bisexual pride as part of its congregational life. 9. A Welcoming Congregation, as an advocate for gay, lesbian, and bisexual people, attends to legislative developments and works to promote justice, freedom and equality in the larger society. It It speaks out when the rights and dignity of lesbinan, gay, and bisexual people are at stake. Behavioral Objectives Measurable criteria regarded as essential for recognitions as a Welcoming Congregation: 1. A Welcoming Congregation Committee of the local congregation, which monitors the implementation of these goals. 2. Local bylaws and other relevant documents that include an affirmative non-discrimination clause to include membership, hiring practices, and calling of religious professionals. 3. Inclusive language and content as a regualr part of worship services. All worship coordinators and speakers will receive guidelines on inclusive language. The Welcoming Congregation Committee monitors this process. 4. Participation, at minimum, by the congregation’s Minister, Religious Exploration Minister or Director, President and/or Moderator, and members of the Welcoming Congregation Committee in a training seminar concerning the Welcoming Congregation program. 5. Religious Exploration that incorporates gay, lesbian, and bisexual life issues. 6. A celebration of gay, lesbian, and bisexual pride during the church year, publicized in the society’s newsletter. 7. Congregational participation in, and/or support for, efforts to create justce, freedom, and equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual people in the larger society. 8. Availability of main worship space and services of minister (where applicable) for gay, lesbian, and bisexual rites of passage such as same-sex services of union and dedications of children. 9. A statement of welcome to gay, lesbian, and bisexual persons in the congregation’s publicity brochure. 10. Publications, public information, and programming that reflect the requested status of any individual as she or he sees appropriate. Lesbian and gay couples will be recognized in directories and other information as they desire. Guidlines for use where applicable: 11. A congregation-wide homophobia workshop, with follow-up opportunities for study and reflection. 12. Contact established and maintained, as appropriate, with local lesbian, gay, and bisexual groups to increase outreach, offer support and promote dialogue and interaction. 13. Use of the fully revised curriculum when About Your Sexuality is offered. 14. Advertising budget that includes local press and/or other media that reaches the lesbian, gay, and bisexual community, where feasible. 15 Use of building space on an equivalent basis whith other Unitarian Universalirt organizations when requested by the members for programs and meetings of a Unitarian Universalists for Lesbian and Gay Concerns (UULGC) chapter, and/or for UU Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (UUFFLG). OPPOSING LEGALIZATION OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST GAYS, LESBIANS, AND BISEXUALS 1992 (IW) WHEREAS the Unitarian Universalist Association affirms the inherent worth and dignity of every person and calls for justice, equity, and compassion in human relations; and WHEREAS Coloradans for Family Values have collected enough signatures and Oregon Citizens’ Alliance is collecting signatures to place on the Colorado and Oregon ballots proposed amendments to the state constitutions which would legalize discrimination against gays, lesbians, and bisexuals in those states, based solely on sexual orientation; and WHEREAS three Colorado cities—Denver, Boulder, and Aspen—and Portland, Oregon, currently have in force ordinances prohibiting discrimination against gays, lesbians, and bisexuals which would all be invalidated if these amendments pass; and WHEREAS an anti-gay and lesbian ordinance has already been adopted in Springfield, Oregon, and ballot initiatives have already been introduced by the voters in several cities including Irvine, Riverside, and Concord, California; Tampa, Florida; and Corvallis, Oregon; and the list continues to grow; and WHEREAS the right-wing umbrella organization called Traditional Values Coalition which is behind these ballot initiatives in Colorado and Oregon continues to add new chapters that ignite hatred against gay, lesbian, and bisexual people and it is uncertain what city, state, or province will be targeted next; and WHEREAS Coloradans opposed to that amendment have formed an organization called EPOColorado, the Equal Protection Campaign (Box 300476, Denver 80203, phone 303-839-5540) and Oregonians opposed to the amendment have formed the Campaign for a Hate-Free Oregon (Box 3343, Portland 97208-3343, phone 503-232-4501); THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the delegates of the 1992 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association are outraged at the hate campaigns going on in these states and at the possibility of legalization of discrimination based on sexual orientation if these constitutional amendments and ordinances pass; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the 1992 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association strongly urges all Unitarian Universalist Congregations to inform their members of the ballot initiatives in Colorado, Oregon, and other jurisdictions this November; and BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the 1992 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association urges all Unitarian Universalists to support EPOColorado and the Campaign for a Hate-Free Oregon with financial contributions and by writing letters to friends and relatives living in those states, encouraging them to vote against the amendments. ACCEPTANCE OF OPENLY LESBIAN, GAY, AND BISEXUAL PERSONS IN THE UNITED STATES MILITARY—1993 (IW) BECAUSE the Unitarian Universalist Association affirms the inherent worth and dignity of every person and calls for justice, equity, and compassion in human relations; and WHEREAS the Unitarian Universalist Association has, since 1970, adopted ten resolutions in support of lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons, including two resolutions adopted at the 1992 General Assembly that urged all Unitarian Universalists to support those who opposed the legalization of discrimination against lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons in Colorado and Oregon, and called for the Board of Trustees to express to the Boy Scouts of America its disapproval of the Boy Scouts’ policy of discrimination against gay and atheist scouts and leaders; WHEREAS the President of the United States has expressed his intention to reverse the 50-year-old Department of Defense policy which systematically hunted down, threatened, intimidated, and discharged lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons from the U.S. military because of their orientation and not because of misconduct; WHEREAS the United States Senate and House Armed Services Committees have held public hearings to further study the issue of lifting the ban; and WHEREAS forces of intolerance, hate, and bigotry have mounted a campaign of distortions, half-truths, and outright lies about lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons; WHEREAS men and women who are lesbian, gay, or bisexual daily defend the rights of all citizens, yet cannot secure their own rights and responsibilities under the nation’s covenant without the moral commitment of their President and Congress, and do endure constant assault on their nature and character by political and religious leaders in defiance of the evidence of history, military records, and common experience; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the delegates of the 1993 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association are outraged at the hate campaign being conducted against lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons as a reaction to the President’s stated intention to lift the ban on lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons in the military; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the 1993 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association strongly urges all Unitarian Universalist congregations to inform their members of the President’s inten-tion to lift the military ban and urges all Unitarian Universalists to send their letters of support to the President and to members of Congress; and BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees of the Unitarian Universalist Association directs the Unitarian Universalist Washington Office to inform the President and members of Congress of the 1993 General Assembly’s support for lifting the military ban of lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons. IN SUPPORT OF THE RIGHT TO MARRY FOR SAME-SEX COUPLES—1996 (IW) BECAUSE Unitarian Universalists affirm the inherent worth and dignity of every person; and BECAUSE marriage is held in honor among the blessings of life; and WHEREAS many states, the Congress, and the President of the United States are acting to void the recognition of same-sex marriages and to deny “full faith and credit” to such marriages formalized in Hawaii or any other state; WHEREAS debate about extending legally recognized marriage to same-sex couples has focused on the objections of certain religious communities, while the Unitarian Universalist Association has adopted numerous resolutions over the last twenty-six years supporting equal rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered persons, including support of Ceremonies of Union between members of the same sex; and WHEREAS the Unitarian Universalist Association Board of Trustees and the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association have voted their support for the right to marry for same-sex couples; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that 1996 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association adopts a position of support of legal recognition for marriage between members of the same sex; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the 1996 General Assembly urges the Unitarian Universalist Association to make this position known through the media; and BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the 1996 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association urges the member congregations to proclaim the worth of marriage between any two committed persons and to make this position known in their home communities. SUPPORT FOR NON-DISCRIMINATORY CORPORATE AND OTHER BUSINESS POLICIES—1997 (AIW) In light of a recent vote by the Southern Baptist Convention to boycott the Disney Corporation because of Disney’s policy of recognizing and respecting all people regardless of race, national origin, sex, age, or sexual orientation, the 1997 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association reaffirms a tenet of its faith—”the inherent worth and dignity of every person”—and commends Disney’s and all other corporations’ policies that do not discriminate against gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the 1997 General Assembly urges the Unitarian Universalist Association to notify Disney of its support for customer and employment policies that respect gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the 1997 General Assembly urges the Unitarian Universalist Association and all Unitarian Universalists to encourage corporate managers to institute such customer and employee affirming policies by intentionally and explicitly patronizing businesses with policies that acknowledge a respect for the diversity of the human community. |
What is the Welcoming Congregation Program? Stands Unitarian Universalsits have taken regarding gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people? Unitarians and Universalists in Canada Celebrate Gender and Sexual Diversity |
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