The following is a message from Rev. Traci D. Blackmon, Associate General Minister and Vice President for Justice and Local Church Ministries, United Church of Christ:Blessings to each of you,
I am writing with an urgent request.
I know it comes as no surprise to you that we are living in a perilous time for LGBTQ persons across the nation. Some churches and synagogues are being attacked and vandalized for their efforts to hold safe space for LGTBQ adults and youth.
And since the current legislative session began less than three months ago, the Human Rights Campaign is already tracking 340 anti-LGBTQ+ bills that have been introduced in statehouses across the country. 150 of those would specifically restrict the rights of transgender people, the highest number of bills targeting transgender people in a single year to date.
Strategizing responses, that go beyond reaction and counter-action, will take time, but it will be one of the many issues we will continue to give attention to in coming days.
It also occurs to us as disheartening as this is for us, it is disheartening and frightening for LGBTQ families in ways that cannot be compared, and our trans youth, are under an aggressive attack that is rapidly gaining steam.
The request:
March 31st is National Trans-visibility Day and we would like to take the day to shower trans-youth with messages of love, reminding them:
- They are not alone.
- We won’t stop fighting for their rights until they have them.
- We will not let hate win.
- There are more of us supporting them than those who stand against them.
- God loves them and so do we.
Notes should be emailed to: Lettersoflove@ucc.org no later than close of business Tuesday, March 27th so they can be programmed into the system. Additional letters will continue to be added after 3/31.
Thank you for your consideration. I know it’s a late ask but the logistics took time.
“What the world needs now is love, sweet love.”
Rev. Traci D. Blackmon