Religious Institute Calls On Faith Leaders to Break Their Silence about Bisexuality
6.17.14 : Religious Institute

Religious Institute Calls On Faith Leaders to Break Their Silence about Bisexuality and Fully Welcome Bisexuals into Their Congregations

New guidebook helps congregations minister to bisexual people and their families

WESTPORT, CT, June 17, 2014 – Acceptance of gay and lesbian clergy and same-sex married couples is growing in faith communities across the United States, but faith leaders have long been on their own to understand and welcome bisexual people—until now. The Religious Institute is urging faith leaders to break the silence on bisexuality and fully welcome bisexual people into their congregations. The groundbreaking guidebook, Bisexuality: Making Visible the Invisible in Faith Communities will be presented by Religious Institute and bisexuality experts via telephone press conference on June 25, 10:30 a.m. eastern time.

How can a congregation become welcoming and inclusive of bisexuals? How can a minister or rabbi respond to a teen who says they are bisexual? What does Scripture say about bisexuality? Can a minister or rabbi be openly bisexual and serve a congregation? Authors Rev. Debra Haffner and Marie Alford-Harkey researched this multifaith compendium of stories and resources to help all communities of faith as they take the next step toward full inclusion of LGBT people in their congregations.

WHAT Telephone press conference

719-457-1414 passcode 987144#

Please register: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/religious-institute-bisexuality-conference-call-tickets-11990392587

WHEN June 25, 10:30 a.m. eastern time

WHO:

• Marie Alford-Harkey, Deputy Director of the Religious Institute, is a graduate of the Episcopal Divinity School and is a provincial coordinator for Integrity USA of The Episcopal Church.
• Rev. Debra Haffner, President and co-founder of the Religious Institute, is a Unitarian Universalist minister and was previously CEO of SIECUS, the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (1988-2000).
• Rabbi Debra Kolodny is the Executive Director of Nehirim, a national LGBT Jewish organization and the Rabbi of P’nai Or of Portland, Oregon.
• Rev. Dr. Janet Edwards, leader in the Pittsburgh Presbytery and former Co-Moderator of More Light Presbyterians, is a leader in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the larger LGBT faith world.
• Rev. Cedric Harmon of Washington, DC, is Co-Director of Many Voices, a Black church movement for gay and transgender justice.

WHY: National faith leaders break the silence on bisexuality and call on faith leaders and LGBT leaders to learn more about bisexuality and fully include bisexual people in their congregations.

The Religious Institute, based in Westport, CT, is a nonprofit, multifaith organization dedicated to advocating for sexual health, education and justice in faith communities and society. More than 6,400 clergy and religious leaders, representing more than 50 faith traditions, are part of the Religious Institute’s national network.