[IMC] Press Release: LGBT religious leaders speak out, locals join the conversation

[Megan Flowers]

FYI, the exhibit will run through March 2nd, 2014.


On Mon, Jan 20, 2014 at 10:48 AM, Megan Flowers <megan at universityymca.org>wrote:

> *Press Release*
> For Immediate Release
> *Tuesday, January 20, 2014*
>
> *For Media Inquiries, contact:*
> Megan Flowers, Communications Director
> [office: 217-337-1500 cell: 251-209-2615, email: megan at universityymca.org]
>
> *We Have Faith*
> LGBT Religious Leaders Speak Out
> Through Nationally Touring Photography-Text Exhibit
>
> *[Champaign-Urbana-Il]--* Organized by the Family Diversity Project<http://familydiv.org/>,
> the University Y’s Art at theY program hosts *We Have Faith*. Sponsored by:
> C/U PFLAG, Channing-Murray Foundation, Chapel of Saint John the Divine,
> Diversity Education, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Resource
> Center, McKinley Presbyterian Church and Foundation, Saint Andrew's Church
> and Lutheran Campus Center, Saint Matthew Lutheran Church, Sinai Temple,
> Social Action Committee of the Unitarian-Universalist Church of
> Urbana-Champaign, UCC Campus Ministry, UIUC Hillel | Margie K. an Louis N
> Cohen Center for Jewish Life, University YMCA, UniPlace Christian Church,
> Wesley United Methodist Church
>
>
> <http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-twR5OHG1g8Y/UtW3diwQC-I/AAAAAAAAAUQ/79Y6MwD0hak/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-01-14+at+4.16.58+PM.png>*We
> Have Faith* explores the experiences of LGBTQ clergy and religious
> leaders from many traditions and denominations including Christians, Jews,
> Muslims, and others. They unite their personal stories and histories with
> their commitment to peace, justice and civil rights through their work in
> religious establishments of all kinds.
>
> *When:* Thursday, January 23, 2014 from 5pm to 7pm
>
> *Where:* Murphy Gallery | University YMCA | 1001 S. Wright Street |
> Champaign, IL 61820
>
> *Why: **We Have Faith* is a unique and powerful exhibit teaching people
> about why denominations and individuals of faith must stop the hatred and
> bulling of LGBT people and youth. The exhibition has been mounted at
> universities and places of worship across the country, and seeks to open
> minds and hearts.
>
> As previously reported in the news about the Y's budget crunch, the Y is
> working to replace 60K in funds revoked by Catholic Campaign for Human
> Development. The Y lost these funds because we refused to cut ties with an
> organization who supported marriage equality. Through this exhibition, we
> continue to engage in this conversation about LGBT inclusion as an
> important social justice issue which we believe to be fully in keeping with
> our values and moral commitments.
>
> People who come to the opening reception this Thursday, January 23, can
> meet University YMCA staff and learn more about they Y's work towards
> inclusive communities, stand up for equality, and get involved locally.
>
> "The University YMCA's Art @ the Y program showcases artwork and
> exhibitions which provoke thought, reflection, and conversation around many
> subjects which converge with the mission of the Y," says Ann Rasmus,
> University YMCA Program Director. "Two foci of our mission are Social
> Justice, and Faith in Action.  'We Have Faith' is an opportunity for us to
> host an excellent exhibition which pairs these two parts of our mission
> beautifully."
>
> *Exhibit Background: **We Have Faith *is an exceptional and
> thought-provoking resource which supports the movement for the full moral
> and legal equality of LGBT people in faith traditions and in society as a
> whole.
>
> "We Have Faith: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender People of Faith
> Speak Out" is the latest touring photo-text exhibition created by Family
> Diversity Projects.  The exhibit includes interviews by Peggy Gillespie of
> leading LGBT clergy, allied people, and people of faith and photographs by
> Gigi Kaeser-- the same team that created the award-winning "Love Makes a
> Family" exhibition.
>
> “For years we have been focused on spreading the word about equality for
> all families,” says Peggy Gillespie, cofounder and codirector, with Gigi
> Kaeser, of Family Diversity Projects. “What we kept coming back to was a
> vast array of homophobia and transphobia, a lot of it coming from religious
> organizations.”
>
> So Gillespie, who identifies as queer, and Kaeser, who is straight, set
> out to craft an exhibit that would counter the anti-LGBT messages coming
> from some religious bodies, featuring LGBT and allied clergy and religious
> leaders from a variety of faiths, United Church of Christ, Lutherans,
> Methodists, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, Catholics, Jews,
> Congregationalists, Pentecostals, Muslims, Mormons, Unitarian
> Universalists, Reformed Church of America, MCC, Baptists, and Buddhists. Among
> those who appear in it, photographed by Kaeser, are Episcopal bishop Gene
> Robinson, Presbyterian minister Jane Spahr, Rabbi Steven Greenberg, and
> Imam Daayiee Abdullah, of about 40 in total.
>
> *Additional Information:* Art @ the Y is an initiative of the University
> YMCA, 1001 S. Wright Street, Champaign, IL 61820. All Art @ the Y events
> are free and open to the public.
>
> ###
>
> *About Murphy Gallery:* You may not think of a YMCA as the first place
> you’d go to view an art exhibit, particularly one showcasing a unique
> variety of work from people who are just starting out, established, or feel
> compelled to use art to speak out about and engage people in growing
> concerns of our communities.  Murphy Gallery is a space that not only
> reflects the work of the University Y towards social justice, environmental
> protection, interfaith advocacy, and global engagement, but also encourages
> informed action.
>
> Website: www.universityymca.org/art <http://www.universityymca.org/art>
>
> --
> Best,
> Megan Flowers
> Communications Director
> University YMCA
> Office: 217-337-1500
> Fax: 217-337-1533
> Email: megan at universityymca.org
>
>


-- 
Best,
Megan Flowers
Communications Director
University YMCA
Office: 217-337-1500
Fax: 217-337-1533
Email: megan at universityymca.org
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