Resources
The Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles has been in the forefront of the struggle for LGBTQ+ inclusion in our church and equality in our nation for decades. The following are some recommended resources for further reading, study and inspiration. Suggestions for additional resources are welcome and should be sent to srussell@ladiocese.org
Blue Book Report from the Task Force on LGBTQ+ Inclusion
Review the 2024 Blue Book Report from the Task Force on LGBTQ+ Inclusion offering both an overview of the scope of work they have been charged to do and a timeline of the arc of the history of the Episcopal Church bending toward full inclusion for God’s LGBTQ+ beloved.
https://oneinthespiritedla.
Pride
June is LGBTQ Pride month, and the Diocese of Los Angeles continues its decades long commitment to celebrating the dignity of every fabulous human being with these resources to help congregations get their Pride on!
Liturgical resources offered to enhance worship to and with the LGBTQ+ community during Pride Month and throughout the year:
Pride Eucharist: Diocese of East Tennessee
https://dioet.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Pride-Mass-2022-Bulletin-Final.pdf
Download a FAQ Flyer: Jesus, The Bible & LGBTQ+ People:
Download Progress Pride Flag
https://www.flagcolorcodes.com/download/progress-pride
TDOR (Transgender Day of Remembrance)
November 20 is set aside each year as the International Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR). Started in 1998 by Gwendolyn Ann Smith, transgender activist, as a way to memorialize Rita Hester, who was violently murdered in Allston, Massachusetts, it has grown to be marked internationally in more than 185 cities in 20 countries. TDOR has historically been a day to remember those who have been murdered as the result of ignorance and transphobia — a day set aside to call attention to the violence, extreme discrimination, and alienation towards members of the transgender community.
- Ten Things Every Ally Should Know About Transgender Day of Remembrance
- Transgender Day of Remembrance Interfaith Service 2019
- Transgender Day of Remembrance Interfaith Service 2022
Scripture
“But the Bible says …”: Liberating ourselves from the Bible as a weapon of exclusion — A video version of a presentation by the Reverend Canon Susan Russell exploring the various “clobber passages” historically misused to oppress and marginalize LGBTQ+ people.
What the Bible Says and Doesn’t Say About Homosexuality — A PDF version of a presentation by the Reverend Dr. Mel White digging deep into the texts and contexts of the biblical texts frequently cited to justify discrimination against LGBTQ+ people. Turns out there’s more to them than meets the eye.
The Episcopal Church
To Set Our Hope on Christ –– In 2005 the Anglican Communion requested from the Episcopal Church “a contribution which explains, from within the sources of authority that we as Anglicans have received in scripture, the apostolic tradition and reasoned reflection, how a person living in a same gender union may be considered eligible to lead the flock of Christ.” This is that response.
LGBTQ in the Church — “To our lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender brothers, sisters and siblings: “The Episcopal Church welcomes you!” — link to our denominational LGBTQ page on The Episcopal Church website.
Claiming the Blessing — Convened in 2002 to help move the Episcopal Church forward on the full inclusion of all the baptized in all the sacraments the Claiming the Blessing website is a great resource for the history of the movement for LGBTQ+ equality in the Episcopal Church.
History of LGBTQ+ Affirming Legislation in the Episcopal Church — Decisions for the Episcopal Church are made for the whole church by our General Convention, which meets every three years. This history of how the church has moved forward legislatively covers 1976- 2022.
FAQs About Jesus, the Bible & LGBTQ People — A FAQ sheet originally prepared for outreach at PRIDE events.
Transgender/Non-Binary
Pronouns 101 — An essay and podcast by Hannah Earnshaw unpacking the power of pronouns to correctly acknowledge each other as the beautiful, complicated children of God we have been created to be.
Voices of Witness: Out of the Box — The 2012 groundbreaking documentary giving voice to the witness of transgender people of faith courageously telling their stories of hope, healing and wholeness.
TransEpiscopal – A group of transgender and allied Episcopalians dedicated to fostering the full embrace of trans and non-binary people, and our loved ones within the Episcopal Church and to inspiring faith-based advocacy for trans justice in the wider world.
LGBTQ Q&A: “So I get LGBT but I don’t understand the Q. I’ve heard it stands for “questioning” and I’ve also heard it stands for “queer.” So which one is it?”
Blessed Are the Binary Breakers: An excellent resource for transgender Christian theology and history offered by Avery Smith — who spoke about their work and reflected on God who is beyond all binaries in this video from May 2020. You can watch that presentation on YouTube here.
Wider Community Resources
The Trevor Project — Dedicated to saving young LGBTQ lives, The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25.
Los Angeles LGBT Center – Since 1969 the Los Angeles LGBT Center has cared for, championed, and celebrated LGBT individuals and families in Los Angeles and beyond.