UUFN, as a Welcoming Congregation, celebrates the lives of all people, and is intentionally inclusive and welcoming of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people and same-gender couples at all levels of congregational life.

Creating a safe and inclusive spiritual home for LGBT persons and their families is one important way to demonstrate and promote the inherent worth and value of every person, a core Unitarian Universalist value.

The Welcoming Congregation Committee of UUFN provides the congregation with in-depth education around issues concerning lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, and provides the congregation with opportunities for action. Examples of actions include supporting equality legislation and participating in activities that celebrate the LGBT community. We address the broader issues of diversity with emphasis on the common elements of oppression.

We believe that diversity and inclusion are values to be championed as a way to affirm the dignity and worth of every person. Committee members provide a high level of commitment. UUFN provides an annual budget, attendance at programs, and responds to calls to action. The congregation voted in 2006 to become a Welcoming Congregation, and subsequently voted to Take a Stand for LGBT rights.

ADVOCATES

• Lobbies legislators for equal rights
• Writes Letters to the Editor
• Promotes Relationship Recognition

EDUCATES

• Organizes sexual orientation, gender identification, and anti-discrimination workshops
• Hosts movies, panels and public forums
• Displays tables at annual Delaware Pride Festival

SUPPORTS

• Sponsors Bingo-a-Go-Go games for Delaware Pride
• Collaborates with HAVEN (University of Delaware LGBT student group)

CELEBRATES

• Hosts annual Gay Pride events together with UU Society of Mill Creek
  • Rainbow family picnics
  • Divas and Dudes Drag Show
  • Rainbow Chorale concert
• Celebratory meals

How Can I Participate?

• Join our committee
• Help with our Gay Pride Event
• Attend a workshop or help present a topic
• As a sign of support, wear a rainbow ribbon on your name tag. Ask for one at our table at Coffee Hour.

Other Welcoming Aspects of Our Congregation's Life

• Commitment ceremonies
• Child dedication ceremonies
• We teach our children values of inclusion in our Religious Education program
• We take a stand for government policies that are consistent with our values, such as ending discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.