Interfaith coalition: End political hate speech against LGBTQIA+ residents | Opinion

As the Tennessee state legislature begins its work in this new year, we, an ecumenical coalition of clergy, rabbis and faith leaders from different religious traditions in East Tennessee, wish to declare that we stand proudly alongside all of those who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community. We affirm lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer members of our community, of our state, of our nation and of the world, unconditionally and unequivocally.

While we walk different spiritual paths, we are united in supporting each individual’s human dignity and worth. We believe every person in Tennessee, and beyond, should feel safe and nurtured as they live their lives. We are united in believing that our LGBTQIA+ siblings are beloved children of God, however each of us defines that term, and are entitled to a safe space to be fully themselves.

Therefore, we urge an end to political hate speech against these communities and their members. Hate speech dehumanizes our friends and neighbors. Dehumanization leads to violence. We urge all citizens of the state of Tennessee, and especially our elected officials, to cease any form of speech that demonizes, vilifies and dehumanizes members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

In particular, we oppose Tennessee Senate Bills SB001, SB003 and SB005. These pieces of legislation prioritize discrimination against members of the LGBTQIA+ community over the actual needs of Tennesseans. In addition to being blatant attempts at governmental overreach and removing decisions best left in the hands of parents, these pieces of legislation further stigmatize and dehumanize entire segments of our population. We believe that this not only violates the rights of those targeted by these proposed pieces of legislation, but they also seek to further divide our state and our country.

Finally, we affirm in the strongest language possible the beauty, dignity and worth of all human beings, including LGBTQIA+ people. We believe each person is made in the divine image and is of infinite worth. We are committed to showing love for all and building a community where every person, regardless of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, political persuasion, sexual orientation or gender identity is safe, nurtured, treasured, loved and able to live their lives and pursue happiness in freedom.

And to the LGBTQIA+ community: As leaders from a diversity of faiths, despite our differences of belief and creed, each of us agrees that you are loved – some would say God’s beloved. No matter how you identify, no matter which part of the LGBTQIA+ spectrum you are part of, we believe you hold beauty, worth and dignity. You strengthen our cities and our state, and we thank you for that. We stand with you. Know that we see you. Know that we love you. Know that we proclaim love.

The Knox Pride Interfaith Coalition

Bonnie West, Green Meadow United Methodist Church, Alcoa

Rev. Laura Becker, Northminster Presbyterian Church, Chattanooga

Rev. Katharine Howe-Toledano, Pilgrim Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Chattanooga

Rev. Maribeth Manoff, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Chattanooga

Rev. Cathy Meyer, Second Presbyterian Church, Chattanooga

Rev. Dr. Clayton Thomas, Rivermont Presbyterian Church, Chattanooga

The Rev. Brad Whitaker, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Chattanooga

Pastor Melody Winderweedle, Ekklesia Christian Fellowship, Chattanooga

Rev. Candace Worth, New Hope Presbyterian Church, Chattanooga

Rev. Dr. Brian Wyatt, First Presbyterian Church, Elizabethton

Commissioned Lay Pastor Barry Simmons, Gatlinburg Presbyterian Church, Gatlinburg

Rev. Debra Dickerson, Bamboo Encounter, Hixson

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John Golden, First Presbyterian Church, Johnson City

Soren Jones, UKirk ETSU-Presbyterian Campus Ministry, Johnson City

Yanik Lazarov, Covenant Presbyterian Church/UKirk ETSU, Johnson City

Robin Quintin, UKirk ETSU, Johnson City

Rev. Margaret Elisabeth Rust, Covenant Presbyterian Church, Johnson City

Rev. Edward Wolff, Our Saviour Lutheran, Johnson City

Rev. Dorothy Pratt, Church of the Good Shepherd, Episcopal, Knoxville

Rev. Laura Bogle, Unitarian Universalist, Knoxville

CLP Mary Boyd, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Knoxville

Rev. Chris Buice, Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, Knoxville

David Butler, Temple Beth El, Knoxville

Rev. Dr. Dawn Chesser, St. Paul United Methodist Church, Knoxville

The Rev. Dr. William Daniel, the Episcopal Church of the Ascension, Knoxville

Rev. Colleen Darraugh, Metropolitan Community Church, Knoxville

Walter Davis, Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, Knoxville

Rev. Larry Dial, French Broad United Methodist Church, Knoxville

Alan Eleazer, Concord United Methodist Church, Knoxville

Chris Foell, Church of the Good Samaritan, Knoxville

Rev. Marty Koontz, Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Knoxville

Chairman Steve Lewis, Temple Beth El, Knoxville

Rev. Dennis Loy, Emerald Avenue United Methodist Church, Knoxville

David Massey, Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, Knoxville

Daniel McLaughlin, Temple Beth El, Knoxville

Rev. Sarah Morgan, Second Presbyterian Church, Knoxville

Rev. Wendy Neff, Presbyterian Church USA, Knoxville

Rev. Gradye Parsons, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Knoxville

Charles Patterson, Unity Transformation, Knoxville

Rev. Rachel Penmore, UKirk at the University of Tennessee, Presbyterian campus minister, Knoxville

Meris Porter, Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, Knoxville

Rev. RJ Powell, Tyson House/ Episcopal Church, Knoxville

Rev. Tim Reynolds, Second Presbyterian Church, Knoxville

Carolyn Rogers, TNVUUC/MCCK, Knoxville

Phyliss Shey, unaffiliated, Knoxville

Ministry Director Wayne Smith, Central Baptist Church of Bearden, Knoxville

Pastor Susan Thisell, Messiah Lutheran Church, Knoxville

Pastor of Worship John Tirro, Saint John’s Lutheran Church, Knoxville

Laurence Tucker, Temple Beth El, Knoxville

Linda Weintraub, Temple Beth El, Knoxville

Rev. William Westmoreland, PCUSA – retired, Knoxville

Rev. Carol Westpfahl, the Episcopal Church, Knoxville

Michele Wilson, Messiah Lutheran Church, Knoxville

President Kathy Young, Temple Beth El, Knoxville

Celeste Anderson, spiritual, Lenoir City

Rev. Amy Morehous, Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, Loudon

Laurie McNeece, First United Methodist Church, Madisonville

Rev. Bethany Benz-Whittington, Eusebia Presbyterian Church, Maryville

Rev. C. Don Jones, the United Methodist Church, Maryville

Rev. Louden Young, New Providence Presbyterian Church, Maryville

Rev. J. Mark Holland, All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Morristown

Rev. Francisco García, St. Augustine's Chapel, Nashville

Chaplain Dahron Johnson, United Church of Christ, Nashville

Rev. RJ Robles, New Covenant Christian Church, Nashville

Rev. Mark Flynn, First United Methodist Church, Oak Ridge

Judy Smith, First United Methodist, Oak Ridge

Rev. Sharon Youngs, First Presbyterian Church, Oak Ridge

Rev. Katina Sharp, Powell Presbyterian Church, Powell

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Opinion: End political hate speech against LGBTQIA+ Tennesseans