Unitarian Universalism is committed to opening its doors to people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

Whether you’re seeking a religious community, or you’re a leader or member wanting to help your congregation deepen its welcome, we have resources for you.

LGBTQ+ justice is not a secondary concern or an optional add-on, but central to who we are and what we believe.

Every UU community includes LGBTQ+ people; we organize not for “others” but for ourselves, our families, our neighbors, and those we love.

At a time when queer and transgender communities face renewed and escalating attacks on their rights and safety, we recognize that the same forces attacking queer and trans lives are also undermining reproductive freedom, racial justice, and democracy. LGBTQ+ liberation is bound up with all other struggles for justice.

We work with congregations and partners to cultivate communities of belonging, defend gender-affirming care, and resist policies that seek to erase or harm LGBTQ+ lives.

We show up at Pride, defend trans youth, and stand in solidarity with those most targeted. Our organizing is both pastoral and prophetic — offering sanctuary, affirmation, solidarity, and action.

LGBTQ+ WELCOME AND EQUALITY MINISTRY

LGBTQ+ Welcome and Equality supports congregations and communities in living out our commitment to the inherent worth and dignity of every person.

Grounded in Unitarian Universalist values, this ministry supports the ongoing work of creating communities where people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions are welcomed, affirmed, and supported in their full humanity.

This includes accompanying congregations, leaders, and individuals as they deepen their practice of inclusion and covenant through the Welcoming Renewal program and other events and opportunities.

Rather than a single program or destination, LGBTQ+ Welcome and Equality is a network of resources, relationships, and shared learning that helps sustain this work across our Association.

This ministry is part of the Unitarian Universalist commitment to justice and liberation.

It calls us to keep widening the circle of belonging, to remain accountable to one another, and to practice a faith grounded in love made real through relationship.

HISTORY OF THE WELCOMING CONGREGATION PROGRAM

In 1987, the Unitarian Universalist Association established the Common Vision Planning Committee.

It was a diverse group of clergy and laity from around the North American continent tasked with collecting information about how welcomed and accepted gay, lesbian, and bisexual persons felt in their Unitarian Universalist (UU) congregations.

Although the UUA had been on record since 1970 as supporting the rights and worth of lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons, the lived experience of these people in UU congregations spoke a different, painful truth.

The committee published a report exposing negative attitudes, deep prejudices, and profound ignorance about bisexual, gay, and lesbian people,  attitudes that resulted in their exclusion from UU congregations.

This reality troubled many people committed to making UU congregations welcoming and inclusive places for all, especially minority groups who have traditionally experienced exclusion, discrimination, and misrepresentation within society.

Citing the principles of our UU faith — especially the affirmation of the inherent worth and dignity of every person — the 1989 General Assembly voted to initiate the Welcoming Congregation Program recommended by the Common Vision Planning Committee.

A Welcoming Congregation is inclusive and expressive of the concerns of people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer at every level of congregational life.

Whether in worship, in program or social occasions, Unitarian Universalists welcomes not only their presence but the unique gifts and particularities of their lives as well.

LGBTQ+ HISTORY AT THOMAS PAINE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP

At Thomas Paine Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, members and friends work to deepen the longstanding UU commitment to fully include  (TPUUF) and affirm all persons without regard to sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression.

In 2005, the Board of Trustees of the Thomas Paine Unitarian Universalist Fellowship voted to implement the Welcoming Congregation Process developed by the Unitarian Universalist Association.

OUR WELCOMING CONGREGATION MISSION STATEMENT

To nurture a spiritual and social environment that is inclusive and caring of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and/or transgender communities.

OUR GOALS

• Create an affirming environment at Thomas Paine Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.
• Increase the presence and involvement of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and/or transgender communities in Thomas Paine Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.
• Promote further understanding and encourage congregational support of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and/or transgender issues.

Our LGBTQ+ members add a dimension to our community that brings joy and expands our understanding of the inter-relatedness of humanity.