UNION News

Union of Affirming Christians Condemns the Trump Administration’s Dismantling of LGBT-friendly Policies

Categories: Press Releases

New York City, NY – The Union of Affirming Christians issued the following public statement condemning the Trump administration’s dismantling of LGBT-friendly policies. 

We, the Union of Affirming Christians, a coalition of Christians actively affirming the full inclusion of LGBTQ persons in the life of society and the church, implore the Trump administration to refrain from undoing supportive policies or implementing hurtful policies that impact the LGBTQ community.

We are particularly alarmed by recent reports, as detailed in the February 19th Politico article, “Trump administration dismantles LGBT-friendly policies,” that the US Health and Human Services Department is rolling back LGBT health programs because certain religious leaders are opposed to them. As Christian leaders who are deeply involved in our communities, we believe the compassion of Jesus extends to all of God’s creation, especially the oppressed and the marginalized, which the LGBTQ community has been for far too long in our nation. They are our children, siblings, neighbors – our family.

We believe that discriminating against our loved ones in any way, but especially in the name of religion, seriously misses the mark of the words of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, when he calls us in the Gospels to love our neighbors as ourselves.

Kathy Baldock, Executive Director, Canyonwalker Connections
Erin Byrne, Christian USA
Dr. Shawn Casselberry, Executive Director, Mission Year
Reverend Dr. Neil G. Cazares-Thomas, Senior Pastor, Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ
Jane Clementi, Co-Founder, Tyler Clementi Foundation
Angel Collie, Metropolitan Community Church
Danny Cortez, Board member, Q Christian Fellowship; Pastor, New Heart Community Church
Robert Cottrell, Co-Founder, FreedHearts
Susan Cottrell, Founder & President, FreedHearts
Eliel Cruz Activist, Faith Organizer FaithfullyLGBT
Samantha Curley, Executive Director, Level Ground
Candice Czubernat, LMHC, Union of Affirming Christians
Rev. Fred Davie, Executive Vice President, Union Theological Seminary
Josh Dickson, Co-Founder, Evangelicals for Marriage Equality
Bishop Yvette Flunder, The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries
Jon Gettings, Executive Pastor, Denver Community Church
Joseph Gidjunis, Member, Union of Affirming Christians
Rev. Dr. Derrick Harkins, Union Theological Seminary
Reverend Cedric A. Harmon, Many Voices: A Black Chuch Movement for Gay & Transgender Justice
Michael Hidalgo, Lead Pastor, Denver Community Church
Patrick Van Inwegen, Associate Professor, Whitworth University
Jennifer Jepsen, Pastor, Left Hand Community Church
Dr. Serene Jones, President, Union Theological Seminary
David W. Key, Sr., Founding Pastor, Lake Oconee Community Church
Rev. Michael J. Kimpan, (un)common good collective
Max Kuecker, Co-President Incarnation Ministries
Kathryn Lee, Professor of Political Science, Whitworth University
Rev. Jacqui Lewis, Ph.D., Senior Minister, Middle Collegiate Church
Colby Martin, Pastor, Author, Podcaster, Father, Husband, Sojourn Grace Collective
Dr. Julie Morgan, Eastern University
Dan Nejfelt, Trainings Director, Faith in Public Life
Rev. Benjamin Perry, Union Theological Seminary
Rev. Adam Phillips, Founding Pastor, Christ Church: Portland
Rev. Terri Steed Pierce, Sr. Pastor, Joy Metropolitan Community Church
Bishop Tonyia Rawls, The Freedom Center for Social Justice
Brandan Robertson, Lead Pastor, Missiongathering Christian Church
Bishop Gene Robinson, The Episcopal Church
Lisa Salazar, Board Member, Canyonwalker Connections
Rod Snyder, Board member, Evangelicals for Marriage Equality
Dale Soden, Professor of History, Whitworth University
Josef Sorett, Professor, Columbia University (CARSS)
Lauren Ileana Sotolongo, Writer, Faith in Public Life
Marsha Stevens-Pino, Director, BALM Ministries
AnaYelsi Velasco-Sanchez, Organizing and Programs Director, The Reformation Project
Naomi Washington-Leapheart, Faith Work Director, National LGBTQ Task Force
Jonathan Williams, Lead Pastor, Forefront Church NYC
Paula Williams, Pastor, Left Hand Church
Victoria Kirby York, Advocacy & Action Department Deputy Director, National LGBTQ Task Force Institute for Welcoming Resources

The Union of Affirming Christians represents more than 85 leaders from over 60 organizations committed to the full humanity, dignity, and inclusion of all God’s children in every aspect of society. We are committed to elevating Christian voices in the policy arena, the culture arena, and beyond to fight for LGBTQ rights, intersectional justice, and a world that reflects the restorative and redemptive nature of the teachings of Jesus.  

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