Support for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Concerns

The Grand Rapids Friends Meeting is in support of this Epistle from the Friends for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Concerns. All are welcome to worship with us.

FLGBTQC Epistle to the World Conference of Friends

February 27, 2012

Dear Friends attending the World Conference of Friends 2012,

We send you love and support from Friends for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Concerns (FLGBTQC). FLGBTQC is a faith community within the Religious Society of Friends in North America that affirms that of God in all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

We share Friends’ conviction that there is that of God within each person and uplift the focus of the World Conference of Friends on truth telling, education, and doing God’s work.

Within Friends for LGBTQ Concerns, we are learning that radical inclusion and radical love bring further light to Quaker testimony. We are called to share what we have come to know experientially: that we are all children of God, that loving same sex relationships come from the same divine source as heterosexual relationships, and that gifts of ministry are distributed without regard to sexual orientation or gender identity. We stand in a place of solidarity both with Friends everywhere and with our brothers and sisters who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer. We are called to speak out against discrimination or persecution on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation wherever it may occur.

We will hold you in prayer as you engage in God’s work of speaking your truth and listening for the truth in the words spoken by others.

In faithfulness,

Kody Hersh and Wendy Sanford, co-clerks
Friends for LGBTQ Concerns