Sign the Uganda Declaration

There are many reasons that move the Covenant Network to work at changing the policies of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) regarding lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons - most fundamentally, that our understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ impels us to love our neighbors (and even our enemies), and precludes harming them. The stigma against homosexuality that is perpetuated by many persons acting in the name of religion often leads to active harm - sometimes, even life-threatening danger.  Sadly, sometimes this danger comes at the hands of the government.   People of faith are mobilizing to "protect the vulnerable and stop the misuse of power in society."  One way to join in is to sign the Uganda Declaration:

As faith leaders from many traditions, we, the undersigned, commit ourselves to:

• Pray for God's peace between all nations, peoples, traditions and cultures and all the diversity of God's creation;
• Teach the simple spiritual truth that loving, not hating or harming our neighbors, is the will of God in all things, including for people living with HIV/AIDS and people who are sexual minorities;
• Apply existing statements on human rights in our own faith traditions to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in policies and programs, in congregations, national and global agencies and partner groups;
• Advocate for the elimination of all laws which criminalize people based on sexual orientation or gender identity;
• Push for prosecution of crimes committed because of perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

Please add your name!Although same-sex intimacy between consenting adults is no longer illegal in the United States, LGBT persons are still at risk of violence because of who they are.  We continue to work toward a church as generous and just as God's grace, a church that will consistently witness to the love of Christ for all.