"Warrior for equality" finds faith in action at Clergy Call for Equality and Justice

As HRC has worked to pass hate crimes legislation this year, we’ve also been busy working to dispel the myths and lies against the bill promoted by the religious right wing. One of the ways that we’ve done this is by directly taking on their misinformation campaign and by creating and running an ad in USA TODAY that rebutted the false claims of a small group of conservative black ministers that the bill threatens free speech.

One of HRC’s Board of Governors, Michelle Brown, gives a touching personal account in Michigan’s gay Between the Lines on her experiences hearing anti-gay sermons from the pulpit – and how the Clergy Call for Justice and Equality reminded her that there are, in fact, many religious leaders that stand with her in affirming her humanity and equality:

In 2003 when homophobia came to the public forefront, championed by the President of the United States and attempts to write discrimination into the constitution, I was shocked to find Black ministers rattling their sabers and spewing hatred right up there with the rest of the bigots. This was part of my community and the affect was devastating. Inevitably after one of the Black ministers issued an especially heinous statement, someone white would say "What are you going to do about your Black church and those Black ministers." Never mind that there were as many if not more, white members of the religious right than Black, it was the Black ministers who seemed to speak the loudest. I was shocked, hurt and yes, ashamed, that it was leaders of my Black family, who knew intimately the evils of discrimination, now leading the attack against my other family, the Gay, Lesbian, Transgender and Queer community.

But I was also angry – angry that the folks who knew we were in the congregation, held our hand in praise and lifted their voices with us in song were silent. It wasn’t that they didn’t care, but like the rest of us they were trying to organize against a well-oiled hate machine. Those on the faith-based initiative dole and willing to lie down with dogs for their ten minutes of fame and mega-churches, were part of a machine better organized and well funded than those who spoke the truth. Our religious warriors need our help and support and you don’t have to be "Born again" to give it.

The LGBT community is forming its own faith based initiatives to reframe the discussion and reclaim the moral high ground. Since the April 17, 2007 "Clergy Call for Justice and Equality," religious leaders and people of faith have been working with HRC’s Religion and Faith Program to pass key legislation for the LGBT community – the Mathew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Act and the Employment Non Discrimination Act….

I’m still a spiritual gypsy but now I am also a warrior fighting back for equality. So when someone asks me what am I going to do about those Black ministers, I say I am part of a movement to silence, educate and win over these misguided souls to the gospel of equality. And like I tell people about politics, we each have to do our part if only by supporting the efforts of NBJC, HRC, NAACP and the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights.