God of love, who gathers us in remembrance of your Son and sends us forth in justice, we pray for the safeguarding of this nation’s LGBTQ+ history. When symbols that mark our past are hidden away, human rights and dignity are threatened. We come to you asking for wisdom and guidance as we seek to be just stewards of our stories and active participants in your work of freedom and flourishing for all. Make us advocates for a safe and free public square that does not silence the marginalized; and help the governing authorities to remember that our flourishing is dependent upon our ability to celebrate one another as bearers of your image. We give thanks for church leaders who have advocated for the rights of LGBTQ+ people. Grant us all the courage to follow in their example. All this we ask through the power of your love made incarnate. Amen.
– Division of Public Policy, Partnership, and Witness
The Episcopal Church is celebrating 50 years of a “full and equal claim” for LGBTQ+ people that began with a 1976 General Convention resolution declaring that “homosexual persons are children of God who have a full and equal claim with all other persons upon the love, acceptance, and pastoral concern and care of the Church.” As we continue to live into this claim, we must maintain our firm stance against discrimination and hate and push for inclusion and equality in the public square.
Over the past few years, the Trump administration has taken significant steps to roll back or limit protections for LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly our trans siblings, including barring Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) from covering gender-affirming care; proposing the rollback of the Equal Access Rule, which protects from discrimination in federal housing programs; forcibly separating transgender service members from military service; and more. So far this year, over 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced in states and territories, and nearly 150 have been introduced at the federal level in this session of Congress.
At the same time, there have been successful efforts to oppose harmful legislation and to promote equal rights for all. This is why advocacy for and with our LGBTQ+ siblings is so critical. Join our celebration of the diversity of humanity by advocating for a safe and just world for all.
Action Alerts
Episcopal Public Policy Network Action Alerts offer you a chance to write to your members of Congress. You may send the text as written, or you may customize and share your personal experience or stories. Below are three of our Action Alerts with added context about the implications for LGBTQ+ people.
Tell Congress to Protect the Vulnerable
LGBTQ+ adults are nearly twice as likely as non-LGBTQ+ adults to rely on Medicaid and more likely to be food insecure and rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Not only do cuts to these programs have significant impacts on whole communities, but enacting policies such as restrictive work requirements has a disproportionate effect on some LGBTQ+ people who are more likely to face unemployment. Take action to urge Congress to find bipartisan solutions to accessing housing, food, and healthcare in an equitable way that takes into consideration the needs of all impacted communities.
Act Now to Help End Homelessness
LGBTQ+ youth are 120% more likely to experience homelessness than non-LGBTQ+ youth. They make up a disproportionate amount of an estimated 800,000 people experiencing homelessness on any given night. Simultaneously, policy shifts are increasing the criminalization of unhoused communities and stripping away their ability to access other assistance, such as food and healthcare. This exacerbates the circumstances that lead to homelessness and reduces the ability to regain stable housing conditions. Take action to ask Congress to show care for our neighbors and work to end homelessness.
Tell Congress to Oppose Mass Deportation
Indiscriminate mass deportations, along with the narrowing of asylum access, jeopardize many in LGBTQ+ communities, potentially forcing people to return to countries where they may face criminalization, discrimination, violence, or persecution because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Many LGBTQ+ immigrants have built lives, families, and support networks in the United States after fleeing environments where they were denied basic rights and safety. In addition to separating families and creating fear within communities, mass deportations threaten the dignity, safety, and human rights of LGBTQ+ people, who deserve protection and the opportunity to live free from persecution. Speak out now against the harmful mass deportation practices underway.
