From: The Religion and Spirituality Work Group (RSWG) of Voices for a New Tomorrow

Re: The GLBT spiritual affirmations project

Through the generosity and compassionate conviction of more than 40 religious/spiritual leaders in Pittsburgh, an amazing project has come to fruition—the development of Ten Affirmations for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered (GLBT) Spirituality. This dynamic and powerful document has much potential to accomplish two goals that have guided this work. The first of these goals is to invite religious and spiritual organizations to endorse this document as a means of affirming the spiritual paths of GLBT persons. The publication of these endorsements in a planned brochure will then provide GLBT persons a guide through which they can identify affirming and supportive spiritual and religious organizations. The second goal is to present the Ten Affirmations and endorsements to the media in a future press release and press conference with the hope that the story of and existence of this document might in some way contribute to an enlightened understanding of the nature of GLBT lives.

You can be of great help in the accomplishment of the first of these goals. If you are a member of a GLBT affirming religious or spiritual community, or have within your community an active group that is affirming of GLBT spirituality, we invite you to participate in this next step. Would you be willing to take the affirmations to your group (either the larger community or smaller group within that community) and ask for an endorsement? We consider an endorsement to entail a majority vote of the members of the group, or of an established leadership body for that group. Once you obtain that endorsement, please complete the enclosed Endorsement Statement and return it to us at the address noted on the form. Your actions will make a significant contribution to our first goal.

If you are a religious or spiritual leader, you might also like to be involved with the second goal, the press conference. The more religious and spiritual leaders we have in attendance, the stronger our message will be expressed. If you would like to participate please indicate this on the Endorsement Statement.

If you have questions or would like to have a representative speak to your spiritual/religious community please call Janet Edwards (412) 665-1037. Thank you for your attention to this vital project.

Sincerely,
RSWG

Click here to go to the form.
Click here for an alternative wording of the endorsement.