The phrase “Welcoming Congregation” has a particular meaning among Unitarian Universalists. While we do strive to be welcome to all people, a designated Welcoming Congregation has made a specific commitment to actively reach out to people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. Given the repressive climate of our society, it is believed that people whose sexual orientation is not that of the majority are subjected to particular discrimination and need extra assurance that they are, in fact, welcome as they are, and are not expected to remain closeted.

Our congregation voted overwhelmingly in June of 1994 to become a Welcoming Congregation , and we have a task force which continues to monitor our responsiveness to deserving that designation.  A number of the households in our congregation are headed by gay or lesbian couples, many with children living with them.

Our congregation, and the Unitarian Universalist Association, have endorsed the rights of gays and lesbians to marry and receive the same rights and privileges, such as spousal health care coverage, hospital and prison visitation, immigration, inheritance, adoption, lending, and pension coverage, as heterosexual unions.

What you can do: 10 Steps Towards Ending Homophobia in Your Congregation