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LGBT Religous Resources
These are just a few of the many resources avaialble to GLBT youth of faith and their allies - this is not a complete list.
Rainbow Baptists
http://www.rainbowbaptists.org
Rainbow Baptists is a website providing support, information and advocacy for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer identified Baptists, their family and friends. Rainbow Baptists is an outreach ministry of The Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists (AWAB). 2003 was the 10th anniversary of AWAB and the 30th anniversary of the LGBTQ Baptist rights movement that began with the founding of American Baptists Concerned for Sexual Minorities.
Please check out Rainbow Baptists and the official AWAB website, http://www.wabaptists.org/. In addition to onsite information we have links to other LGBT Christian related websites; search engines, news sites, and more. We hope Rainbow Baptists and the official AWAB site can be your starting places for Christian gay and lesbian related information.
DignityUSA - GLBT Catholics
DignityUSA works for respect and justice for all gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons in the Catholic Church and the world through education, advocacy and support.
In local chapters across the United States, we worship openly with other GLBT and supportive Catholics, socialize, share personal and spiritual concerns, and work together on educational and justice issues.
We believe that God created us, Christ died for us, and the Holy Spirit sanctified us in Baptism. As GLBT Catholics, it is our right, our privilege, and our duty to live the sacramental life of the Church. We believe that we can express our sexuality in a loving, life-affirming manner that is in keeping with Christ's teaching.
Al-Fatiha - GLBT Muslims
Al-Fatiha Foundation is dedicated to Muslims who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, questioning, those exploring their sexual orientation or gender identity, and their allies, families and friends. Al-Fatiha promotes the progressive Islamic notions of peace, equality and justice. We envision a world that is free from prejudice, injustice and discrimination, where all people are fully embraced and accepted into their faith, their families and their communities. Founded in 1998, Al-Fatiha Foundation is a registered US-based non-profit, non-governmental organization.
Al-Fatiha Foundation is a member of an international grassroots network of organizations dedicated to Muslims who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, questioning, those exploring their sexual orientation or gender identity, and other sexual and gender minorities.
Friends for LGBT/Queer Concerns - Quakers
Friends for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Concerns is a
North American Quaker faith community that affirms that of God in all people
and is a Quaker faith community within the Religious Society of Friends.
FLGBTQC deeply honors, affirms, and upholds that of God in all people.
We seek to know that of God within ourselves and others. We seek to express
God's truth in the Quaker and in the lesbian/gay/bisexual/transsexual/transgender
communities, as it is made known to us.
Gathering twice yearly for worship and play, we draw sustenance from each other and from the Spirit for our work and life in the world. We are learning that radical inclusion and radical love bring further light to Quaker testimony and life.
Integrity - GLBT Episcopalians
Integrity is a nonprofit organization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender [LGBT] Episcopalians and our straight friends. Since our founding by Dr. Louie Crew in rural Georgia in 1974, Integrity has been the leading grassroots voice for the full inclusion of LGBT persons in the Episcopal Church and our equal access to its rites. However, advocacy is only one facet of our ministry.
At the national level and in local chapters and diocesan networks throughout the country, the primary activities are: worship, fellowship, education, communication, outreach, and service to the church.A witness of God's inclusive love to the Episcopal Church and the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.
GLBT Reform Jewish Movement
http://rac.org/advocacy/issues/issuegl/index.cfm?#position
The Reform Movement has been an advocate of gay and lesbian rights since 1965, when the Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ) passed a resolution calling for the decriminalization of homosexuality. In 1977, the URJ and the CCAR passed their first resolutions dealing with this issue, calling for human rights for homosexuals.
Since then, the URJ, CCAR, WRJ, CSA, and NFTY have passed resolutions dealing with issues specific to Reform Judaism, such as inclusion of gays and lesbians in the rabbinate and cantorate, as well as national issues, such as support for civil marriage, elimination of discrimination within the Armed Forces and the Boy Scouts, and support for explicit workplace non-discrimination and civil rights legislation. Gay, lesbian, and bisexual outreach and inclusion has been of great importance to the Reform Movement in recent years.
The URJ Task Force on Gay and Lesbian Inclusion, headed by the late Rabbi Julie Spitzer, created a manual called Kulanu (All of Us): A Program for Congregations Implementing Inclusion. This text is aimed at helping congregations include gay and lesbian members and families and deal with gay and lesbian issues. The URJ's Department of Jewish Family Concerns also deals with gay and lesbian issues.
Local Resources for Youth
Diversity Center Youth Resources
Local Spiritual/Religious Services
Source: The Diversity Center
DOLFINA - Ministry of A.I.W.P.
PO Box 594, Santa Cruz, CA 95061
(831) 325-4333
www.dolfina.org
Advanced Psychic training for ministers, healers, leaders in service to community.
The Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist
216 Oakland Avenue, Capitola, CA 95010
(831) 475-2894, Rev Steve Ellis
www.integrity-ecr.org
http://stjohncapitola.homestead.com/home.html
A Welcoming Congregation. Join Integrity (see below), a support group for GLBT Episcopalians and others exploring their spirituality.
First Congregational Church
900 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 426-2010
http://www.fccsantacruz.org
Embracing the radical grace of God and the inclusive spirit of Jesus, First Congregational Church offers a variety of worship experiences and educational opportunities for people from all walks of life. Check out our wonderfully gifted chancel choir Sundays at 9:15 am. or an equally stirring jazz quintet Sundays at 11:30am. FCC also offers two groups for the LGBT community: For information about "Safe Space," call the Rev. Dave Grishaw-Jones or the Rev. Heather S. Dillashaw at 426-2010; for information about "Friends and Family of LGBT," call Susie Land at 423-3098. First Congregational Church is an "open and affirming" community of the United Church of Christ.
Holy Cross Catholic GLBT Outreach Ministry
126 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 423-8914
Sister Maria Romero; Holy Cross is open to all people, and welcomes anyone who is on a spiritual journey. We provide a safe space for GLBT people and their allies to pray, socialize and grow as Christians and as individuals.
Inner Light Ministries
5630 Soquel Dr, Soquel, CA 95073 (off Park Ave)
(831) 465-9090
http://www.innerlightministries.com
Inner Light Ministries is an Omnifaith outreach ministry dedicated to spiritual transformation. We provide "Tools for Living" that encourage the practical application of Universal Spiritual Principles to all of life's circumstances. Our aim is healing through the energy of love and the revealing of our own Inner Light. As an Omnifaith ministry, we acknowledge Spiritual Oneness, appreciate individualized expressions, and honor all paths that lead to truth.
Integrity of Santa Cruz
(831) 475-2894
(831) 688-0330, Bill Kell
(831) 438-8849, Richard Van Brunt
A spiritual support, education and social group for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender persons, friends, family and supporters operated by the Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist. Contact us by e-mail or telephone.
The New United Methodist Church of Santa Cruz
250 California Avenue Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 429-6800; fax: (831) 429-1320
Worship service 10:30-11:30 am Sunday, followed by Fellowship. Sunday School and Child Care provided. If you feel out of place, need to find some grace, try the New United Methodist Church of Santa Cruz. We are a welcoming congregation which celebrates the gifts of all persons, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Radical Fairies of Santa Cruz
(831) 818-2528
"Queer Hippies" & "Pagans," "Social Servants" & "Playful Revolutionaries," "Gender Queens" & "Sensitive New Age GuyGirls," we gather occasionally to celebrate full moons & solstices, our love for the earth our mother, each other, and the spiritual gift which that love is. A monthly heart circle.
Santa Cruz Hillel Foundation
222 Cardiff Pl., Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 426-3332
santacruzhillel.org
Sponsors a wide variety of social, political, educational, and religious programs for the Jewish college community including "Jewish Association of Queers", JAQ, a group for queer Jews and their allies that aims to be a bridge between the Jewish and queer communities at UCSC. JAQ host a variety of events throughout the year from queer Shabbat to social outings and movie nights.
Shekhinah (she-kee-nuh) Mountainwater
PO Box 2991, Santa Cruz, CA 95063
(831) 423-7639, 423-5937
shekhinah.net
I am a mystical magical muse-ical woman, a lesbian radical feminist Jewish witch. I offer rituals, classes, concerts, of faery music, poetry, tarot readings and writings. I am a foremother of the Womanspirit movement, serving folks of every gentle gender. See my book Ariadne's Thread, a workbook of Goddess Magic.
Trinity Presbyterian Church
420 Melrose Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(831) 423-8995.
Twice Blessed - Temple Beth El (GLBT Jewish Outreach)
3055 Porter Gulch Road, Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 479-3444
Provides outreach to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Jews in the Santa Cruz area. For information call us. Social and religious/holiday events are planned every year. Also you are welcome to attend Friday night services at 7:30 pm.
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Santa Cruz County
6401 Freedom Blvd., Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 684-0506
http://www.uufscc.org/
An official Welcoming Congregation. Please join us for Sunday Services at 10 am.
Appreciating our varied cultural & religious experiences, we aspire to build together a nurturing community in which each may find wholeness of spirit & integrity of self. We pledge ourselves to mutual trust & respect as we search for truth & and explore the larger meanings & deeper issues of human existence. With the children among us, we seek to realize the greater potential of the human spirit, drawing on the wisdom of the past & present. With reverence for life, we commit ourselves to protect and enhance our natural environment. Valuing peace, justice & human dignity, we work toward a world made safe for all peoples. To these ends, with joy, creativity & firm resolve, we join in covenant with one another.
Vipassana (Buddist)
( 831) 425-3431 or Mary Orr at 688-3958
http://www.vipassana-santacruz.org/
Silent meditation and informal talks.
Last Updated: May, 2005
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