More than 40 faith leaders who work with LGBT communities have been invited to the start-up meeting for a new coalition later this month.
The first meeting of the yet-to-be-named organization takes place Sept. 28 at Conversation Hall in City Hall. The Rev. Jeffrey Jordan of Whosoever Metropolitan Community Church is organizing the effort.
“One of the biggest opponents of the LGBT community is the conservative right-wing faith community,” Jordan said. “A lot of times you will hear them talking about issues of equality and you hear people say, ‘The Church believes …’ Well maybe the Catholic Church or evangelical churches, but we are going to be a community of faith leaders who believe in equality for LGBT communities. We want to give voice to that side.”
The group will include LGBT faith leaders and those who minister to LGBT communities, Jordan said.
Apart from advocating for LGBT equality, the coalition will also function to provide fellowship among colleagues and to provide an example of diversity in action.
Jordan said the 40-plus invitees, more than half of whom have confirmed their attendance, represent many different faith communities: Christians, Buddhists, Jews and Muslims, among them.
Director of LGBT Affairs Nellie Fitzpatrick and Rue Landau, director of the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, will both be present, Jordan said.
The initial meeting will focus on getting group members acquainted with one another, Jordan said.
“It’ll be quite informal. Some of the people I know, some know each other but not the next person, so this will first of all be for everyone to get to know each other,” he said. “The second part will be to talk about the vision as we lay it out. It’s very much in the early stages.”
For more information about the group, contact Jordan at 215-873-5719 or [email protected].