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Office of
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Reverend
Nancy Wilson
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International
Day Against Homophobia
May 17, 2006
Wednesday,
May 17, 2006, marks the second annual International Day Against
Homophobia.
This observance, which
originated under the leadership of Georges-Louis Tin, a professor and
activist in France, is an important opportunity for LGBT people around
the globe to stand together against hatred and the violence it produces.
This day also marks an opportunity to celebrate the intrinsic value and
worth of all LGBT people, who, too, are created in God's
image. |
While two-thirds of the
countries belonging to the United Nations have officially
decriminalized "homosexuality," the reality is that LGBT people
the world over still suffer from antiquated HIV and AIDS policies, as
well as from religious and societal fear and prejudice that often lead
to violence and death.
It is imperative that we join our brothers and sisters in
more than 50 countries around the globe who will hold public observances
on May 17. From China to Iran to Japan, and in Russia and Sri Lanka and
Canada, and throughout the Ivory Coast and Guyana, LGBT people will hold
forums, sponsor conferences, host film festivals, conduct press
conferences, and demonstrate in the streets for an end to the political,
social and religious policies that oppress LGBT people. And together we
will celebrate the values of inclusion and acceptance of all
people.
To date, no LGBT rights organization in the United States has stepped
forward to issue a call for support or participation. So today I am
calling on MCC's friends and members in the United States, as well as
our congregations around the globe and all people of goodwill
everywhere, to join in observing the International Day Against Homophobiaon May 17, 2006.
I encourage you to speak out for justice and against oppression.
Participate in a local rally. Write a letter to the editor of your local
newspaper. Talk with your friends, neighbors, and coworkers. Forward
this Action Alert to your lists. And remember with your prayers all who
still experience the injustice of homophobia.
I especially invite your prayers for our brothers and sisters across
Eastern Europe, where -- even as I write these words -- MCC is at work
this month tearing down walls and building up hope. I also ask special
prayers for our brothers and sisters in Jamaica, recently described by
Time
Magazine as the "most homophobic country on earth."
Together, let us unite our
lives in action and our hearts in
prayer that ours might yet be a world in which all of God's creation is
respected and in which all people are equally valued.
/signed/
The Reverend Nancy L. Wilson
Office of the Moderator
Metropolitan Community Churches
_______________________________________________
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CONTACT:
MCC Communications Department
Metropolitan Community Churches
P. O. Box 691728
West Hollywood, CA 90069
E-Mail: JimBirkitt@MCCchurch.net
Web: www.MCCchurch.org
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