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How to make it bigger

Micah here! As someone who organized a group for LGBTQ students and allies on a Christian campus while I was still in school, and as someone who has continued to do and support LGBTQ organizing in Christian communities across the US, I know it's important to recognize that what works and is necessary may be unique to every individual community. That's why we are committed to brainstorming with you throughout the process - you know your own community much better than we do.

We also recognize that taking a public stand in these environments can be nerve-wracking, and can be attached to some pretty serious backlash. Here's the short version of why it's important (with more materials below): put simply - you are not alone. You are not the only LGBTQ person or ally in your community, even if the policies and public statements that are made there unfortunately go a long way to making you feel like you are. But there's no way to find these other people unless someone takes the first step and makes it bigger than just themselves. To put it another way - there is something that drew you (or whoever made the decision for you to be there) to the community in which you now find yourself. By recognizing that there is a problem with the misuse of Scripture in these contexts, we are not implying that there is no worth in your community. If that were the case, our only advice would be to get out. It's quite the opposite! We believe in the worth of faith communities, especially when those communities are a safe and welcoming place for everyone involved. That's why we're here.

Before we dive into more specific ideas of what you can do, we want you to know that we are especially excited to support folks who find themselves wanting to take action through our Discipleship Program. We would also love to pray for you as you take steps to make your community inclusive.

There are many different ways to make it bigger. Here are a few ideas.

 

Organize a forum, presentation, or film screening. It's largely recognized in most Christian communities at this point that the question of how to interact with LGBTQ people (or as they may put it "the issue of homosexuality") needs to be addressed. We can help put you in touch with folks who would be excited to come participate on a forum or give a presentation in your community (including ourselves!) so that an affirming voice can be included in the public discussion, or equip you to take that stand yourself. There are also many films that might be good to get conversations going as well.

• Forums where people can share their stories and open up for questions at the end can be an effective way to get folks talking.
• Loving Like Jesus is a presentation Curt, Bronwen, Josh, Brandy, Bram, and Micah put together on the Good Samaritan story and how it relates to the LGBTQ experience today.
• Cait sent us another presentation she worked on with Manny and Nick about why it's important to have safe spaces in our communities.
• Call Me Malcolm is a film about a transgender seminary student, and his struggle with love, faith, and gender identity.
• Equality U follows the 2006 Equality Ride as they travel to colleges and universities that have policies and atmospheres that make it difficult to come out as LGBTQ or an ally.
• For more films, and a list of resources that are geared toward people who are not yet affirming, click here to get your creativity flowing.

Organize a public event. Whether it is something as light-hearted as a potluck, or as somber as a vigil, raising awareness and starting conversations is the name of the game. We'd be excited to talk to you about what others have done in the past, as well as what you feel would be the best fit for your own community.

• Soulforce has done many public events in order to spark dialogue.
• Transgender Day of Rememberance is a good opportunity to bring people together and educate folks.
• Thanks to our faith communities, we know how to bring people together in a positive way! It's okay to use some of what you've learned on a smaller scale to put a human touch on LGBTQ issues, whether it's hosting a dinner, going out and serving the community together, or something entirely new and creative.

Start a group for LGBTQ folks and allies. There are many different ways to do this. In some environments it may be possible to be public, and even an official group at your school or community. In other places, it may be important to stay more low-key. No matter what your group looks like, it can be a fantastic way to get to know other people who are LGBTQ or allies in your community, as well as a way to plan events with others who know your community well.

• Here's a resource that Abby put together with the help of the 2008 Equality Riders: helpful tips for starting a QSA (queer-straight alliance) in Christian communities.
• If you're interested in becoming an official group in your community, there will most likely be procedures in place that you will have to follow. Here's a sample constitution from Refuge (a QSA at Eastern University) that Micah, Emily P., and Kylie worked on.
• Queermergent is a blog where folks can share their perspectives on faith through an LGBTQ lens - check it out for topics for group discussions.
• Gay Christian Network has a list of Bible studies that might be helpful to share with your group.
• Soulforce also has a booklet that has Bible studies, personal stories, articles, and letters that could spark discussions.

Talk to authority figures about policy changes. Starting these conversations may mean that generations in the future will have a different experience in your community than the one you have lived through. If you find yourself here, I'm sure you know the risks involved in your particular situation, brave soul. We would love to talk with you about things that have worked for people who have done this.

• We can also connect you one-on-one with folks who have helped and initiated policy changes in their communities.

Come out publicly. This can be as simple (ha?) as coming out to people in your community, writing something for our website and attaching your name and picture, or getting creative and coming out in the media. In any of these cases, people who know you as LGBTQ or an ally will know that when they think or say or do something negative to LGBTQ people, they are talking about you and people you care about. Sometimes that's all it takes to give someone pause and to spare someone else from having to hear that violent language or experiencing those violent actions. This can be a scary, liberating process, and we would love to support you through it.

• Read Lauren's story, published in Newsweek.
• Check out our resources on talking to others.