People of Faith

Many successful civil rights movements have had people of faith at the forefront. This is especially true in the struggle for marriage equality. While the right wing has long organized in churches to demonize lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people and same-sex marriage, pro-LGBT clergy and lay leaders are now organizing to play a stronger role in building public support.

In California, we provided staffing to a group of faith leaders as they worked to create California Faith for Equality, a new statewide religious coalition for marriage equality. So far, the group has engaged over 900 supportive clergy and congregations in the marriage equality fight. This new organization enlists same-sex couples and marriage supporters to tell their stories from the pulpit and to talk with congregants before and after services, changing hearts and minds in communities of faith across the state. We continue to support California Faith for Equality as they move towards becoming a sustainable organization with permanent staff and increased funding.

For more on our work with people of faith, check out the Institute for Welcoming Resources, a project of the Task Force.