Pride+Love in Uganda 04: Epiphany 2010

An Open Letter and Invitation to American evangelicals and “ex-gay” activists who promoted anti-gay attitudes in Uganda as reported in the NY Times, January 4, 2010


Caleb Lee Brundidge, CSRC
International Healing Foundation
P.O. Box 901, Bowie, MD 20718
cbrundidge@xpmedia.com

Don Schmierer
His Servants
PO Box 765
Lockeford, CA  95237

Scott Lively
Abiding Truth Ministries
455 State St
Springfield, MA 01105

Dear Brothers,

The Ugandan “Anti-Homosexuality Bill” reported on extensively in the New York Times on January 4th, 2010 is extremely troubling. As you know, your anti-gay rhetoric helped influence the brutal “death to gays” legislation, despite attempts to distance yourself from the controversy. Many people are pointing to your teachings about gay people as motivation for the brutal “kill the gays” legislation. In an NPR interview you said you wanted the bill to be “softened,” but you must do more.

It is time for you you to acknowledge that your words contribute to the hostile climate in Uganda that puts the lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, their friends and families, in grave danger and violates their human rights.

Brothers, please stop targeting gay people. Proclaim to the world that the deliberate rejection and harming of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people is wrong. LGBT people should not be rejected by their families, beaten, imprisoned or killed in the name of Christianity - or in your name.

This letter is is an invitation to sit with us in prayer and dialogue. We invite you and your parishes from around the country to take part in town meetings with LGBT Christian communities. Town meetings have historically been sanctuaries for a public faith-based reconciliation process to take begin.

If you have truly disavowed the “death to gays” legislation and embraced an inspired call for respect of the gay community without reservation, we ask you to talk with us. LGBT people live and work in all walks of life. They live upright honest, respectful, and peaceful lives. Many are committed Christians. Come, sit with us and begin a conversation that is more than tolerance, and celebrates all God’s people.

There are still those who preach violence and fear, but you have promised to no longer be among them. Like the co-signers below, there are those who preach courage, compassion and charity. These are people of faith who have always stood on the side of love, justice and compassion. Come stand with us.

We, the undersigned people of faith, will do what we can to halt the violence caused by others. We will continue to care for the gay community who has done nothing wrong - they are as God wants them to be.

Please join with us in our call for acceptance, love and understanding. We look forward to speaking with you soon.

Faithfully,

Rev. Patricia Ackerman
Mr. Geronimo Desumala III
Mr. Bruce F. Knotts
Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office

The Rev. Pat Bumgardner
Global Justice Ministry of Metropolitan Community Churches

John Clinton Bradley, Acting Executive Director
Integrity USA

The Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson, Moderator
Metropolitan Community Churches

Emily Eastwood, Executive Director
Ross Murray, Associate Director
Phil Soucy, Director of Communications
Lutherans Concerned/North America

Meagan Manas, Communications Director
Presbyterians Welcome

Carol Wise, Executive Director
Brethren Mennonite Council for LGBT Interests

Kathy Church, Moderator
UCC Coalition for L/G/B/T Concerns

Rob Williams, Co-President
Room for All
Reformed Church in America

Gregg Drinkwater, Executive Director
Jewish Mosaic: The National Center for Sexual ad Gender Identity

Rev. Rebecca Voelkel, Faith Work Director
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force

Troy Plummer, Executive Director
Reconciling Ministries Network (United Methodists)