Many people feel under attack these days because of their sexual orientation and experience the Christian church as one of their attackers. We believe it is vitally important that churches who do not support such treatment of gays and lesbians say so explicitly. Therefore the congregation of First Church Somerville has passed the following statement:

Open and Affirming Statement

We, the First Congregational Church of Somerville, United Church of Christ (long known as The Friendly Church), proclaim ourselves to be an Open and Affirming congregation. We celebrate the wide range of gifts found within a diverse community. We acknowledge that the Christian Church has often excluded people based on their sexual orientation.We therefore commit ourselves to welcoming all people into the full life and ministry of the church regardless of sexual orientation, gender, marital status, age, mental and physical ability, race, ethnicity, nationality or economic status. We continue to commit ourselves to the struggle against injustice in all forms.

With God's grace, we join together as a covenant community, believing that "nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:38-39).

Links

[Addressing Religion and Sexual Orientation]

UCC Coalition for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Concerns
The United Church of Christ's group addressing LGBT issues within the denomination and without.

WhoSoEver
An On-line Journal for the LGBT Christian Community

godlovesfags.com
Site created to counteract the activities of the Reverend Fred Phelps, his infamous godhatesfags.com website, and the effects of his cult's numerous protests and TV appearances.

Religioustolerance.org
A site "which promotes religious freedom, tolerance, and diversity as positive cultural values."

The Metropolitan Community Church
A Church of the LGBT Community ... Open to All People

[Somerville/Boston Area Links]

Bagly.org
The Boston Alliance of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, & Transgender Youth is a youth led adult supported organization.

Boston GLASS
Boston Gay Youth Center

The Metropolitan Community Church of Boston
A Church of the Lesbian and Gay Community ... Open to All People

SpeakOut Boston
Public speakers for GLBT issues

Boston Living Center
Support for all people who are HIV positive.

Greater Boston Chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)

Freedom to Marry Coalition of Massachusetts

Also, check out Diesel Cafe located right in Davis Square, an LGBT friendly cafe open for all!

[Political Organizations]

HRC
Human Rights Campaign

NGLTF
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force

AAC
AIDS Action Committee

GLAD
Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders