South Bend Equality

Faith Groups

See also the Open Letter to Indiana's Legislature signed by almost 250 Clergy declaring that discrimination against LGBT people must stop.

It's a common misconception that all people of faith are morally opposed to equality for LGBT people. The reality is that many faith groups do openly support fair treatment of LGBT persons.

What do mainstream religious denominations have to say regarding discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity?

The Presbyterian Church (USA): Calls for "the introduction and passage in all states and the federal government of laws forbidding discrimination based on sexual orientation in the areas of employment, housing and public accommodation."

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America: Supports "legislation, referendums and policies to protect the civil rights of all persons regardless of their sexual orientation, and to prohibit discrimination in employment, housing and public services and accommodations."

American Baptist Churches, USA: Call on American Baptists  to "acknowledge that there exists a variety of understandings throughout our denomination on issues of human sexuality such as homosexuality."

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ): Urges the enactment of "legislation on local, state and national levels which will end the violations of civil rights and the violations of civil liberties for sexual orientation."

United Church of Christ: Calls upon local churches and individual members "to continue to work for the enactment of civil rights legislation at the federal, state and local levels of government."

United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism: "Supports full equality for gays and lesbians in national life."

Union of Hebrew Congregations (Reform Judaism): Is resolved to "oppose discrimination against homosexuals in areas of opportunity, including housing and employment."

The Unitarian Universalist Tradition: "Urges all people immediately to bring an end to all discrimination against homosexuals."

The United Methodist Church: "Certain basic human rights and civil rights are due all persons. We are committed to supporting those rights for homosexuals."

The Episcopal Church: "Expresses its conviction that homosexual persons are entitled to equal protection of the laws with all other citizens, and call upon our society to see that such protection is is provided in actuality."

The Roman Catholic Church: "Nothing in the Bible or in Christian teaching can be used to justify prejudicial or discriminatory attitudes and behaviors. We understand that having a homosexual orientation brings with it enough anxiety, pain and self-acceptance without society bring additional prejudicial treatment."

The Reformed Church: "Homosexual persons should be accorded their full measure of human and civil rights."

The Buddhist Faith: The Dalai Lama opposes discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

The Mennonite Central Committee: "Discrimination in the workplace based on sexual orientation is wrong."

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Re: Legislation Prohibiting Discrimination

Dear Senators and Representatives:

We are a diverse coalition of clergy and religious professionals from across the state of Indiana. Although we come from many different faith traditions, we are united by our concern that discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people is not only legal in Indiana, but all too common.

The Declaration of Independence proclaims that all people are created equal and entitled to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” The Equal Protection Clause of the United States Constitution affirms the same fundamental principle. In America, everyone is to be treated the same in the public sphere.

That people can still be fired or denied housing or public accommodations in Indiana solely because of sexual orientation or gender identity is simply un-American. It is also contrary to our faith.

Each of our faith traditions teaches that we must respect the inherent dignity of every human being. Each of our traditions also places great emphasis on the importance of justice. At its most basic level, justice requires that the civil rights of all people, even those with whom we may disagree, must be protected. On this, we are united –– as are the citizens of Indiana.

A recent poll conducted by the Indiana University Center for Survey Research showed that 89% of all Hoosiers believe that gays and lesbians should be treated equally on the job. The time has come for our legislators to affirm this basic moral principle.

Therefore, we the undersigned clergy and religious professionals call for prompt enactment of legislation that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in matters of employment, housing, and public accommodations.

Respectfully submitted,

Rev. Paul D. Arnold, Woodmar United Methodist Church, Hammond

Rev. Randy Duncan, New Life Community Church of Hope, Michigan City

Rev. Lisa M. Doege, First Unitarian Church, South Bend

Rev. Cameron Douglas, River of Life Christian Church (Disciples), Logansport

Rev. Frank H. Everett, First Christian Church of Crawfordsville (Disciples of Christ), Crawfordsville

Rev. Dr. Leroy Fassett, Pastor Emeritus, First Presbyterian Church of Highland

Rabbi Morley T. Feinstein, Temple Beth-El, South Bend

Rev. William O. Gafkjen, Christ the King Lutheran Church, South Bend

Marilyn Gardner, Exec. V.P., Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley, South Bend

Rev. Roberta Ingle, Central United Methodist Church, South Bend

Rev. D. Keith Kincaid, First Christian Church (Disciples), Rensselaer

Rabbi Steven M. Leapman, Temple Beth-El, South Bend

Rev. Dr. Thomas H. Madden, First Christian Church (Disciples), Kokomo

Rev. John W. McCoy, Christian Church (Disciples), Kokomo

Rev. Dr. David Moffett-Moore, United Church of Christ, Plymouth

Rev. Dr. C. Patrick Ormos, Episcopalian, Valparaiso

Rev. Dr. Fred L. Page, Presbyterian Church (USA), Rossville

Rev. Lois C. Rogers, United Methodist Church, Hammond

Rev. Matthew L. Sauer, Christ Presbyterian Church, Crown Point

Rev. Steven Schwier, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, South Bend

Rev. Robert M. Sherman, Covenant Federated Church (Christian Church,Disciples), Kentland

Rev. David Sickelka, St. Paul United Church of Christ, LaPorte

Rev. Marcia L. Smith-Wood, First Presbyterian Church, Rensselaer

Dan C. Wright, New Life Community Church of Hope, Michigan City

Rev. Othello Back-Grant, Hobbs Christian Church (Disciples), Hobbs

Rev. David Baker, Ball Memorial Hospital (United Church of Christ), Muncie

Rev. Linn Bartling, Sparta United Church of Christ, Kimmell

Rev. James E. Barton, Yorktown Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Yorktown

Pastor Brent J. Bill, Religious Society of Friends (Quaker), Muncie

Rev. Susan I. Boyer, Manchester Church of the Brethren, North Manchester

Rev. Deanna Brown, Beacon Heights Church of the Brethren, Ft. Wayne

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Brown, Manchester College Peace Studies (Church of the Brethren), North Manchester

Rev. Jane Steltzfus Buller, Walnut Hill Mennonite Church, Goshen

Rev. Scott A. Callaghan, Peace United Church of Christ, Ft. Wayne

Rev. James Chinworth, Campus Pastor, Manchester College (Church of the Brethren), North Manchester

Rev. Sheldon H. Clark, New Castle First Friends Meeting, New Castle

Rev. Scott E. Coulter, Salem United Church of Christ, Ft. Wayne

Rev. Judith Anne Culpepper, St. Stephen Episcopal Church, Elwood

Joan Deeter, Chaplain, Church of the Brethren, North Manchester

Rev. Paul A. Demaree, Chaplain, Parkview Hospital (Missionary Church), Ft. Wayne

Chaplain David W. Doudt, Timbercrest Retirement Community (Church of the Brethren), North Manchester

Rev. Dr. William R. Eberly, Church of the Brethren (retired), North Manchester

Rev. Gordon D. Gibson, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Elkhart

Rev. James Hilleson, Lutheran Church of the Cross, Muncie

Rev. Wendi A. Hutchinson, Manchester Church of the Brethren, North Manchester

Rev. John Kreps, Church of the Brethren, Wabash

Rev. Richard L. Landrum, Manchester Church of the Brethren, North Manchester

Rev. Janice Kulp Long, Beacon Heights Church of the Brethren, Ft. Wayne

Rev. John R. Long, Beacon Heights Church of the Brethren, Ft. Wayne

Rev. Dorotha Fry Mason, Church of the Brethren, North Manchester

Rev. Dr. Joseph M. Mason, Church of the Brethren, North Manchester

Rev. Barbara Mason-Rathbun, United Church of Christ, Ft. Wayne

Rev. Dr. Olden D. Mitchell, Church of the Brethren, North Manchester

Rev. James E. Miller, United Methodist, Ft. Wayne

Rev. Dr. Brian Nelson, Disciples of Christ (retired), West Lafayette

Chaplain Jeannine Nix, Roman Catholic, Columbia City

Rev. Keith Olson, Asbury United Methodist Church, Portland

Rev. Lucinda L. Osgood, United Methodist Church, Elwood

Rev. Cheryl Peterson-Karlan, Beacon Heights Church of the Brethren, Ft. Wayne

Rev. Daniel M. Petry, Church of the Brethren, Middlebury

Rev. C.M. Petry, Manchester Church of the Brethren, North Manchester

Rev. Kenneth M. Rieman, Huntington City Church of the Brethren, Huntington

Rev. David L. Rogers, Church of the Brethren (retired), North Manchester

Rev. Brenda Sawatzky Paetkau, Eighth Street Mennonite Church, Goshen

Rev. Duane F. Schafer, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Goshen

Rev. Myron D. Schrag, Eighth Street Mennonite Church, Goshen

Rev. Rhoda M Schrag, Southside Fellowship (Mennonite), Elkhart

Rev. Karl S. Shelly, Assembly Mennonite Church, Goshen

Rev. Paulette E. Stahlke, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Elwood

Rev. Conrad Snavely, Church of the Brethren, North Manchester

Rev. E. Stanley Smith, Church of the Brethren (retired), North Manchester

Rev. MariaAlene VanVaikenburg, United Metaphysical Churches, Ft. Wayne

Rev. David J. Williamson, Chaplain, Parkview Hospital (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America), Ft. Wayne

Rev. Dr. W. William Wimberly II, First Presbyterian Church, Ft. Wayne

Rev. L. Michael Wilson, Christ United Methodist Church, Wabash

Rev. Lori Adams, Office of the General Minister and President, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Indianapolis

Rev. Cyndi Alte, Roberts Park United Methodist Church, Indianapolis

Rev. Sharon Aulds-Stier, The Church Within, Indianapolis

Rev. Kevin Armstrong, North United Methodist Church, Indianapolis

Rev. Ryan J. S. Ahlgrim, First Mennonite Church, Indianapolis

Rev. Ilana G. Baden, Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation

Rev. Carlton Beever, Roman Catholic, Indianapolis

Brett E. Bowman, Convener, Lutherans Concerned Central Indiana

Rabbi Eric J. Bram, Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation

Rev. Thomas L. Brown, Baptist, Indianapolis

Rev. Judith Carson, The Church Within, Indianapolis

Rev. Jacqueline Chandler, United Methodist, Indianapolis

Rev. Richard Christopher, United Methodist (retired), Franklin

Rev. Bruce Clear, All Souls Unitarian Church, Indianapolis

Rev. Richard R. Clough, First Congregational Church, Indianapolis

Rev. George W. Davis, United Methodist Church, Carmel

Rev. Erica A. Eckensberger, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Avon

Rev. John C. Eichacker, United Church of Christ (retired), Indianapolis

Rev. James H. Ellerbrook, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) (retired), Indianapolis

Rev. Dr. Clyde C. Flannery, United Church of Christ, Indianapolis

Rev. Thomas Flight, United Methodist Church (retired), Indianapolis

The Very Rev. Robert Giannini, Christ Church Cathedral (Episcopal Church), Indianapolis

Rev. Henry L. Gerner, United Methodist (retired), formerly Director of Buchanan Counseling Center, Indianapolis

Rev. Stephen C. Gray, Conference Minister, United Church of Christ, Indianapolis

Rev. Mary Frances Haberkorn, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Speedway

Rev. Autumn B. Hall, Presbyterian Church (USA), Indianapolis

Rev. Dr. Richard L. Hamm, General Minister and President, The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Indianapolis

Rev. Richard E. Hamilton, United Methodist (retired), Indianapolis

Rev. Dr. Holly E. Hearon, Presbyterian Church (USA), Indianapolis

Beth Henkel, President, Circle Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Indianapolis

Rev. Jerry Hyde, United Methodist (retired), Franklin

Rev. Charles I. Johnson, United Methodist Church , Indianapolis

Rev. Donald I. Kaufman, United Church of Christ, Carmel

Rev. Jayne Kercheval, The Church Within, Indianapolis

Rev. Glenn M. Kimball, United Church of Christ, Indianapolis

Rev. Ralph L. Kirkpatrick, First Lutheran Church, Indianapolis

Rev. M. Bert Kite, St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, Carmel

Rev. Larry Kleiman, St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, Carmel

Most Rev. Alfred L. Lankenau, Holy Eucharist Orthodox Catholic Church, Indianapolis

Rev. Stephen B. Lantis, Southport Christian Church (Disciples), Indianapolis

Rev. Meg Lassiat, United Methodist Church, Indianapolis

Rev. James Leehan, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Indianapolis

Rev. Phillip W. Lewis, North United Methodist Church, Indianapolis

Rev. David M. Liddle, Saint Andrew Presbyterian Church, Indianapolis

Chaplain Mary Z. Longstreth, United Methodist Church, The Damien Center, Indianapolis

Rev. Sue McDougal, Central Christian Church, Indianapolis

Rev. Dr. Lyle E. McKee, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Indianapolis

Rev. Rachel A. Metheny, Broadway United Methodist Church, Indianapolis

Rev. Anne H. Meyer, Acton United Methodist Church, Indianapolis

Rev. Fred D. Milligan, Jr., Westminster Presbyterian Church, Indianapolis

Rev. Jeff Miner, Jesus Metropolitan Community Church, Indianapolis

Rev. Pam Montgomery, United Methodist Church, Carmel

Rev. Steven B. Moore, Christian Church (Disciples), Westfield

Rev. Robert W. Myers, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Indianapolis

Rev. Michael E. Naylor, Office of Research, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Indianapolis

Rev. David G. Owen, North United Methodist Church, Indianapolis

Rev. Howard Palmatier, Shalom Mennonite Church, Indianapolis

Rev. Eric J. Pasanchin, First Prebyterian Church, Greenwood

Rev. Dr. Keith J. Phillips, American Baptist, Indianapolis

Rev. Suzanne Reese, The Church Within, Indianapolis

Rev. Patricia S. Reid, Presbyterian Church (USA), Noblesville

Rev. Louise Baldwin Rieman, Northview Church of the Brethren, Indianapolis

Rev. Philip W. Rieman, Northview Church of the Brethren, Indianapolis

Fr. John P. Roof, St. Augustine Episcopal Church, Danville

Rev. Kevin Rose, First Baptist Church, Cumberland

Rev. D. Allan Rumble, Epworth United Methodist Church, Indianapolis

Rev. Franklin D. Sablan, Broadway United Methodist Church , Indianapolis

Rabbi Dennis C. Sasso, Beth-El Zedeck Congregation, Indianapolis

Rabbi Sandy E. Sasso, Beth-El Zedeck Congregation, Indianapolis

Rev. Robert Schoenhals, Central Avenue United Methodist Church, Indianapolis

Rev. Robert J. Shaw, Northeast United Church of Christ, Indianapolis

Rev. Lorna A. Shoemaker, Prebyterian Church (USA), Indianapolis

Rev. Dr. Harold V. Smith, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Lebanon

Rev. Richard L. Spleth, Regional Minister, Christian Church (Disciples) in Indiana

Rev. V.J. Stover, Jr., Christian Church (Disciples), Sheridan

Rev. Deb Strock-Kuss, Allisonville Christian Church (Disciples), Indianapolis

Rev. Canon Jerrold A. Thompson, Christ Church Cathedral, Indianapolis

Rev. Michael Thornburg, Danville Friends Church, Danville

Rev. Dr. Edgar A. Towne, Presbyterian Church (USA), Christian

Theological Seminary, Indianapolis

Rev. Jessica Vazquez, Office of the General Minister and President, Christian Church (Disciples), Indianapolis

Rev. Jane Voelkel, United Methodist, Indianapolis

Rev. Howard Warren, Presbyterian Church (USA) (retired), Indianapolis

Rev. Clint White, American Baptist, Indianapolis

The Rt. Rev. Catherine M. Waynick, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis

Rev. Jan Wiersma, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Greenwood

Rev. Dick Yeager, Castleton United Methodist Church, Indianapolis

Rev. Dr. John A. Young, United Methodist Church, Indianapolis

Rev. Ron Zorn, Meadlawn Christian Church (Disciples), Indianapolis

Rev. Joshua Brown, West Richmond Friends Meeting, Richmond

Rev. Dr. Jim Bilbrey, Universal Life Church of Christ, Columbus

Rev. Jim Buckles, Richmond Church of the Brethren, Richmond

Rev. Kelly J. Burk, Church of the Brethren, Richmond

Stephanie A. Crumley-Effinger, Earlham School of Religion, Religious Society of Friends (Quaker), Richmond

Rev. Larry M. Curtis, Central United Methodist Church, Richmond

Rev. Richard T. Draper, Christ Episcopal Church, Madison

Rev. Dr. Nancy R. Faus, Bethany Theological Seminary (Church of the Brethren), Richmond

Rev. Carlton Kelley, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Richmond

Rev. Dr. Nadine Pence Frantz, Bethany Theological Seminary (Church of the Brethren), Richmond

Rev. Tara Hornbacker, Bethany Thological Seminary (Church of the Brethren), Richmond

Rev. Rex Jones, Charlestown United Methodist Church, Charlestown

Fr. Carlton Kelley, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Richmond

Rev. Donald R. MacPherson, Presbyterian Church (USA), Richmond

Rev. Nancy G. Maeder, Assistant Director, Center for Quaker Though and Practice, Earlham College, Richmond

Rev. Sherry R. Mattson, All Saints Episcopal Church, Seymour

Dortha Meredith, Exec. Asst., Peace Studies, Earlham College, Religious Society of Friends (Quaker), Richmond

Rev. Dixie Miller, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Richmond

Rev. Jim Miller, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Richmond

Prof. Tom Mullen, Earlham School of Religion, Religious Society of Friends (retired), Richmond

Rev. Dr. Linda C. Parker, Disciples of Christ, Evansville

Trayce N. Peterson, Director of Campus Ministries & Quaker Relations,

Earlham College (Religious Society of Friends), Richmond

Rev. Philip Andrew Rains, Pastoral Minister, Religious Society of Friends (Quaker), Richmond

Rev. Raymond Schafer, Roman Catholic, Jeffersonville

Rev. Carol Sexton, Campus Minister, Earlham College, Religious Society of Friends (Quaker), Richmond

Rev. C. Wayne Shannon, First United Church of Christ, Rising Sun

Rev. Karen S. Snyder, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), New Albany

Rev. Victoria I. Streiff-Fraser, Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbus

Rev. James E. Truelove, United Methodist (retired), Richmond

Rev. Richard Underdahl-Pierce, Presbyterian Church (USA), Columbus

Rev. C. W. Walther, United Church of Christ, Crothersville

Rev. Dawn Ottoni Wilhelm, Assistant Professor, Bethany Theological Seminary (Church of the Brethren), Richmond

O. Wesley Allen, Jr., Dean of the Chapel, DePauw University, Greencastle

Rev. Doug Bauder, St. Thomas Lutheran Church, Bloomington

Rev. Howard E. Boles, First United Methodist Church

Rev. Barbara Carlson, Unitarian Universalist, Bloomington

Rev. Ronald L. Clark, United Methodist Church, Winslow

Rev. Brenda J. DeCoursey, Minister of Spiritual Formation, United Methodist Church, Bloomington District, Spencer

Rev. Joseph N. Easley, Central United Methodist Church, Evansville

Rev. Sharon Elliott-Fox, United Methodist, Owensville

Rev. Joe G. Emerson, United Methodist (retired), Bloomington

Rev. Robert L. Epps, United Methodist Church (retired), Bloomington

Rev. Kevin S. Fleming, First Presbyterian Church, Evansville

Rev. Mitchell C. Gieselman, United Methodist, Mt. Vernon

Rev. Sandra K. Harlan, St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, Bloomington

Rev. Kyle Wiersma Halverson, Lutheran Campus Ministry (ELCA) at IU Bloomington

Rev. C.J. Hawking, United Methodist Church, Bloomington

Rev. George Philip Hoy, First Ebenezer Baptist Church, Evansville

Rev. Cynthia A. Jennison, Main Street Presbyterian Church, Petersburg

Rev. Mary Jensen, First Presbyterian Church, Bloomington

Rev. William Jewsbury, Christian Church (Disciples), Evansville

Rev. Rebecca J. Jimenez, Center for University Ministry (American Baptist), Bloomington

Rev. Linda C. Johnson, Trinity Episcopal Church, Bloomington

Pr. Walter F. Johnson, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Bloomington

Rev. Donald A. Jones, Trinity Episcopal Church, Bloomington

Rev. Verity A. Jones, Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Terre Haute

Rev. Dr. Yvonne Cvenca Oropeza, Salud Counseling Services, Evansville

Rev. Dr. Rick L. Miller, Gobin Memorial United Methodist Church, Greencastle

Rev. Mary Mininger, Paoli Mennonite Fellowship, Paoli

Rev. Phil Mininger, Paoli Mennonite Fellowship, Paoli

Rev. Donald C. Mullen, First Congregational Church, Terre Haute

Rev. Charles L. Myers, United Methodist (retired), Bloomington

Rev. James K. Payton, Central Christian Church (Disciples), Washington

Rev. David A. Perkins, Central Presbyterian Church, Terre Haute

Rev. Phyllis L. Peters (United Methodist, retired), 14th and Chestnut Community Center, Terre Haute

Rev. Tom Ressler, Zoar United Church of Christ, Evansville

Rabbi Susan L. Shifron, Hillel Foundation, Bloomington

Rabbi Mira B. Wasserman, Congregation Beth Shalom, Bloomington

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