MCC Human Rights Protocol
Written by Rev. Elder Diane Fisher
Adopted by the MCC Board of Elders, 11 August 2008
What is the Human Rights Church?
Metropolitan Community Church mission in the world is Tearing
Down Walls, and Building Up Hope , as we respond to issues of injustice
in our world.
Philosophy
We are called as Christians to:
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stand in solidarity with those who are
marginalized and oppressed,
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be partners in working for
change,
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be witnesses who call attention to Human
Rights abuses,
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be a voice in the international community for
justice,
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lift up new generations of remarkable,
far-reaching spiritual activists,
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build on hope and create our
future.
What is justice?
Harper’s dictionary defines justice as:
The demand of God for justice is so central that other
responses to God are empty or diminished if they exist without it (Amos
5:21-24; Micah 6:6-8; Matthew 23:23).
God is the defender of the poor and the oppressed (Jeremiah 9:23-24,
Psalm 10:17-18)
When we properly carry out justice, we are agents of divine will (Isaiah
59:15-16)
The context for the carrying out of justice is the creation of community
and the preservation of people in it (Leviticus 25:35-36; Job 24:5;
Psalm 107:36; Luke 7:29-30).
What are our base line
standards?
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To only go where we are
invited:
MCC is approached by people and organizations from around the world
asking for our assistance and support. Prioritizing our response
is critical in managing our resources and responding to cries for
justice around the world.
Criteria for Potential for
Success:
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Assessment is key – need to consider nature of
the contact, who, what, where, when, why and how
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We need to consider the impact of our involvement
– are we the best people/organization to respond
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What resources, personnel and financial will be
required and are they readily available
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Are there organizations willing to partner with us on
this response
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Need to consider, potential for impact for the LGBT
community, history of Christian Church in the region, political
stability of country, nature and severity of the treatment of LGBT
community, windows of opportunity
Back to
Standards
To assume we have
a lot to learn:
MCC has been invited to work in community with many cultures and
countries.
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Do your research, read everything that you can find on
the country you are going to, a useful tool in gathering information
about nations is the internet. Also, The World Guide 2005/2006:
See the World from a Different Angle (Paperback) by Third World
Institute.
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Check for recent stories in the news
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Look at what is happening regionally
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Check the political realities in countries near the
region you are travelling to
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Find out everything you can about cultural and
religious norms
Back to
Standards
To listen to our
hosts:
MCC has been invited and the experts on what is happening in any country
are the people who live there.
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Listen and learn from the community who offered the
invitation
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Check on the local customs and culture and imagine the
implications
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Never do any press/media work without members of
the indigenous community present and advising, listen to what it is they
want the message to be
Back to
Standards
To forge
partnerships:
It is critical that we form partnerships and build bridges that unite as
we do this work.
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There are often links with international organizations
that are possible and supportive eg: Human Rights Watch, ILGA (ILGA
Europe, ILGA Africa, ILGA Latin America), Amnesty etc.
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Many nations have limited LGBT organizations, but
check with local groups to make contact with any organizations they
might suggest
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Look for places where NGO’s are invited to
participate and try signing up
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Look for meetings that deal with Human Rights issues
and get involved
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Stand with others who are marginalized and
oppressed
Back to
Standards
To respond when
requested:
MCC is often asked to be present at or to do press conferences and/or TV
and Radio.
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Always have a clear message that has been crafted with
the community you are presenting with
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Ensure that you are always with an indigenous leader
for all media coverage
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Create a short statement of introduction of yourself
and the primary topic
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Never argue just politely disagree
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Carry many business cards with local contact
information
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Have MCC printed materials available in the language
of the country if possible and English
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If you are clergy, wear your collar
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If you are participating in a public event, such as
Gay Pride, wear a rainbow stole (it attracts the media)
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Bring a local member of the community when you are
answering questions, something as simple as turning and asking them if
they have anything that they would like to add
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Practice before hand
Back to
Standards
To be flexible
to the realities and differences in establishing churches
internationally:
People are often in situations where safety is the primary concern and
until that is starting to become a reality, church is often not
possible. The Human Rights work helps us to understand the culture
and the issues and to build trust.
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A worship service may happen, but that does not mean
that a church is being planted
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MCC’s church planting initiative can be involved
when the time has come for a church plant
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Church planting must be culturally relative and
sensitive. The religious culture which is predominant within a
community will often influence people’s expectations and/or
fears
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Church planting is a long term goal not may not be an
immediate reality and that is okay
BE SAFE, WORK IN PARTNERSHIP, LEARN FROM
THE HOSTS, BE FLEXIBLE AND OPEN, TRUST IN GOD!
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