COMMON GROUND, HOLY GROUND

In our times, evangelical and fundamentalist Christian voices still attempt to dominate the religious scene in America, so much that the public perception of religion and spirituality is that it is uniformly homophobic and punitive toward all sexual minoritiies. 

But in recent decades, many faith traditions have opened their doors to, or discerned within their midst, LGBT persons who are fully a part of the spiritual tradition.  In some traditions and some geographic areas, LGBT caucuses meet and work only on a covert or secret basis.  In others, the full and open participation of sexual minorities has been welcomed, even to the extent of making a place for LGBT clergy.  In some religious traditions, the voices and insights of LGBT persons are welcome and are being clearly heard.

In addition, an increasingly confident inter-faith dialogue has begun across traditional lines and barriers.  We are encouraged by, and involved in, conversations between Muslims, Christians and Jews, for example, and hope that this amicable dialogue widens and deepens.

The Interfaith Gay and Lesbian Clergy Association enjoys a unique position to help end the prejudice which still exists in many religious traditions and organizations. 

At the same time, we have a mission to the larger LGBT community in the Los Angeles area to help it discard and move beyond anti-religious views, which are the result of the homophobia and prejudice promoted by right-wing Christians.  We hope to speak clearly and passionately within the LGBT community, encouraging  sexual minority people to re-evaluate and relcaim their rightful place in their own faith tradition.

We believe our mission is even broader --- that, because of our commonality as LGBT persons who have experienced rejection and oppression, our solidarity as LGBT clergy serves as a witness to the larger society that differing religious traditions can and should cooperate in order to build bridges of understanding and to tear down the walls of hostility and prejudice in all forms.

Interfaith Dialog, . . . Spiritual Conversation, . . .  Respectful Cooperation