12-Year-Olds Can Speak Up Against Injustice Too!

A group of people holding signs on a street.

These days, it’s not every day that a 12-year old brings me to tears. To be honest, I couldn’t tell you that last time I talked to a 12-year old but I’m sure I would have probably chastised the kid for living in a new digital age and not being able to appreciate the wonders…

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Reconciling United Methodists of Texas Conference Offers Support for Bishop Karen Oliveto

A small white church in the middle of a wooded area.

Reconciling United Methodists of Texas Conference unreservedly supports Bishop Karen Oliveto of the Mountain Sky Area. We pray her episcopacy will be long and fruitful—resulting in many disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. We give thanks for vocal disciples in the Western Jurisdiction nominating, electing, consecrating, and assigning Bishop Oliveto. We…

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“I’m Sorry”: God Adores You

God is love, santa fe, california.

Someone on twitter recently asked me how I defined courage. I sat in my room turning the question over and over in my mind, but then I responded with “Courage is being able to step onto the stormy waters, despite your fear, when Jesus calls.” I felt Jesus calling this past week and I was…

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Personal Transformations: Learning to Embrace “The Gay”

A monarch butterfly is hanging from a light fixture.

Nearly all of our best and most important transformations are prompted by personal connections, when what was once theoretical becomes achingly personal and powerful enough to blast through our preconceived, long-held beliefs. It’s why, with fewer and fewer gay people staying in the closet, more and more of us are being transformed by those personal connections,…

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Showing Another Side of Catholicism

Shelf of small blue-robed Virgin Mary figurines

Whenever the media uses the phrase “Catholic Church” when they reference statements made by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) or individual church leaders, Marianne Duddy-Burke, Executive Director of DignityUSA, stands up to correct them. “The bishops try discredit Dignity by saying we’re not authorized not to use the word Catholic,” she states.…

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How I Learned To Embrace My Bisexuality

A woman in a white shirt standing in a wooded area.

When one of my oldest, closest friends came out to me as transgender, I immediately resolved to become the best transgender ally I could be. Preferred pronouns, how to be of help, how to introduce him to people—I tried to do as much research and become as well versed as I could for him. I…

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10 Resources For Trans Students

A boy running with a rainbow flag in the street.

NCTE’s School Action Resource Center Link: http://www.transequality.org/schoolaction Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Students: Your Rights at School Link: http://www.transequality.org/sites/default/files/docs/kyr/KYR-Schools-May-2016.pdf Transgender Students and School Bathrooms: Frequently Asked Questions Link: https://www.genderspectrum.org/BathroomFAQ/ Schools In Transition A Guide for Supporting Transgender Students in K-12 Schools Link: https://www.genderspectrum.org/staging/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Schools-in-Transition-2015.pdf Trans-Inclusive Classroom Tips From using correct pronouns to challenging transphobia, this trans-specific resource…

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Believe Out Loud Director Joins Post-Election Panel Discussion

Smiling man holding wine glass beside colleague

Washington, D.C.-November 15, 2012—Joseph Ward III, Director of Believe Out Loud, joins faith leaders at the U.S. Capitol tonight for a post-election panel discussion: “The Next Chapter in LGBT Justice: A Faith Perspective.” The discussion, convened by the Raben Group with Metropolitan Community Churches, will reflect upon the state of collaboration between progressive faith leaders…

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Let Mainers Know Why Marriage Matters To You

Five people holding a pro-marriage equality banner

By Matt McTighe, Campaign Manager, Mainers United for Marriage This November, Mainers will head to the polls to vote on the freedom to marry. The way to win this historic campaign and win marriage for all Maine families is to share stories of why marriage matters to same-sex couples and their families. We need you,…

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