On Friday, March 31, from 11:00 a.m.-12:00 Noon on All Saints’ quad lawn, join us for a press conference … in person or in prayer … as we gather with interfaith allies to stand against anti-trans legislation and with the trans community.
March 31 is International Transgender Day of Visibility … an annual, international event highlighting and celebrating transgender and non-binary individuals while also fighting for a safer, more just future for all trans people.
Join Progressive Faith Leaders to Speak Out Against Transphobia!
Legislation restricting the rights of transgender people and attacks on drag entertainment has become the tip of the spear for a regressive political agenda cloaked in the guise of religious expression and parental rights. Florida stands out as the “hot spot” with its “Don’t Say Gay,” now expanding to “Don’t Be Trans” policies, but over 400 anti-LGBTQ+ bills — most of them impacting trans people, as well as drag performers — are under consideration on the state level. The threat has even reached California, and it’s vital that faith leaders take a stand today!
A coalition of faith communities is coming together to mobilize against this horrible trend. An 11am press conference on the International Transgender Day of Visibility, March 31st, will be followed by a preliminary strategy session to plan an active response to the transphobic sentiment taking root in our country and around the world. We urge you to join the groups and faith leaders listed below by responding to this email with your endorsement, and hopefully with your presence on March 31st!
Here in California, Republican Assembly member Bill Essayli of Riverside has introduced a bill that would require school employees to “out” transgender students to their parents. AB1314 runs counter to our state’s anti-discrimination laws that protect the privacy of transgender and gender-nonconforming students, possibly making them vulnerable to dangerous situations with unsupportive families. Even if the measure has little chance of actually becoming law, experience shows that such proposals serve to terrorize already marginalized people. The time is now to stop this kind of debate over the rights of some of our most vulnerable young people in its tracks.
Please add your name to this list of sponsors and participants, and make your voice heard! Send your endorsements (including name and affiliation) or address any questions to:
Rev. Dr. Pat Langlois
213-258-8254
revpat@mccuccv.com
WHAT: Faith Communities Standing Together Against Anti-Trans Legislation Press Conference
WHEN: March 31, 2023, 11:00 AM
WHERE: All Saints Episcopal Church
132 N. Euclid Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91101
SPONSORS:
- Los Angeles Queer Interfaith Clergy Council (LAQuICC)
- All Saints Episcopal Church Pasadena (Thomas Diaz)
- MCC United Church of Christ in the Valley (Rev. Dr. Pat Langlois)
- Founders Metropolitan Community Church Los Angeles (Rev. Keith Mozingo,
Rev. Elder Alejandro Escoto and Pastor Lucia Chappelle)
- Keeping It Sacred (Rabbi Heather Ellen Miller)
- Christ Chapel in the Valley (Rev. Jerrell Walls)
- Muslims for Progressive Values (Ani Zonneveld)
- Hollywood United Methodist Harmony – Toluca Lake (Pastor Mark Stephenson)
Los Angeles Baha’I Center (Randolph Dobbs)
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