Human Rights Campaign Clergy Call for Justice and Equality

I attended HRC’s second Clergy Call in Washington, DC this week. About 300 clergy from all kinds of religious groups met together to urge Congress to support gay rights, including the passage of an expanded hate crimes bill that would give gay victims of violence new federal protections.  Why would a United Methodist participate in an event like this?  The Discipline and Resolutions tell me to do this:

- All persons are of sacred worth. (¶4.  Constitution)

- We are in ministry to all persons. (¶4.  Constitution)

- Human rights and civil liberties are due all persons. (¶162.J)

- We support those rights and liberties for homosexual persons. (¶162.J)

- All persons, regardless of sexual orientation, are entitled to have their human and civil rights ensured.  (¶161.F)

- We oppose all forms of violence or discrimination based on gender, gender identity,sexual practice, or sexual orientation.  (Res 2043)

- We will advocate for civil rights and for legislation ensuring non-discrimination in employment and housing and providing stiffer penalties for hate crimes.  (Res. 2046)

References are to UM Book of Discipline 2008 (¶) and UM Book of Resolutions 2008 (Res)

 For more info you can go the HRC online: www.hrc.org, and http://www.hrc.org/sites/hatecrimes/