The Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR) Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Queer Task Force

Chair: Diana Westbrook 2004-2006
Past Chair: Christine Dull 2001-2004

Staff: Sonia Ivette Dueño, Coordinator-FOR Racial, Economic and Gender Justice
100 Maryland Avenue
NE Washington DC 20002
Tel. 202-488-5613
Fax: 202-488-5639
Email: REGJ@forusa.org

“Some claim that protecting Americans from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation would be extending “special rights” to gay people. Ironically, this same language was used as far back as 1882-to oppose civil rights for former slaves. Civil rights are not “special rights,” but basic rights that belong to all people. “ Coretta Scott King in Fellowship magazine

In 2001, FOR established the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Task Force (LGBTQ-TF). Our group consists of LGBTQ people and their straight allies. In its short history, the LGBTQ-TF has

• Co-sponsored and actively participated in annual pride events across the country.

• Participated in the Return to Lynchburg, which challenged the anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and and teachings of the Rev. Jerry Falwell.

• Endorsed the Letter Opposing War pit forth jointly by the Audre Lorde Project and the LGBT Program, Community Relations Unit of the American Friends Service Committee.

• Published a number of articles on gay and lesbian issues in Fellowship magazine.

• Published the book Homosexuality and the Bible by New Testament scholar, Walter Wink.

• Welcomed Soulforce as an affiliate group of FOR.

• Presented workshops at the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force conference
“Creating Change” in their 2002, 2003 and 2004 conferences.

• Co-sponsored the Witness Our Welcome 2003 Conference.

• Participated in meeting co-convened by the AFSC LGBT program, Aurdrey Lorde project and Al-Fatiha Foundation, a Muslim GLBT organization with an emphasis on looking at ways that to work with communities of color.

• Helped organize a counter demonstration in support of same sex marriage in Nyack, NY attended by 500 people to protest Fred Phelps, a homophobic, Baptist minister who has a website called godhatesfags.com.

• Co-planned a Nyack Town Hall forum on same sex marriage attended by two hundred people. The Mayor of Nyack has asked FOR to continue to be a part of a council on this subject.

Our future plans include:

• Partnering with and providing resources for faith-based LGBTQ organizations.

• Facilitating public education forums on LGBTQ issues.

• Supporting LGBTQ organizations in other countries, especially in countries where homosexuality is still illegal.

Historic FOR Statement on Lesbian and Gay Rights, 1988

We are aware of the history of discrimination and violence directed at gay men and lesbians both in this country and abroad. Some groups that have been working towards the eradication of oppression against other groups have often been slow in acknowledging the injustices encountered by homosexuals. We regret that we sometimes have been among them.
We pledge ourselves to work towards the eradication of prejudice, discrimination and violence-both physical and psychological-against lesbians and gay men. We will work withinour religious institutions, the peace movement, and society to this end. We affirm the right of gay men and lesbians to choose and live their own lifestyle.

We of the FOR welcome the participation, and affirm the presence of lesbians and gay men in the Fellowship, on its National Council, committees and staff. We share and support their craving for justice and are united with them in the quest for human dignity. We recognize this truth: No one is free until we all are free. “

”For the past century, through every bloody war, the Fellowship of Reconciliation has kept the dream of nonviolence alive. They passed that dream on to the people of Soulforce. Join the Fellowship. Let them plant that dream in your heart, too.” Mel White, Executive Director, Soulforce

Resources: (under construction)

Al-Fatiha www.al-fatiha.org

Family Pride Coalition www.familypride.org

LGBT Program, American Friends Service Committee www.afsc.org/lgbt

National Gay and Lesbian Task Force www.thetaskforce.org

Reconciling Ministries Network www.RMNetwork.org

Soulforce www.soulforce.org

Last updated: December 2004