Unitarian Universalist Policy
Unitarian Universalists have passed two statements specifically pertaining to discrimination against lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons serving in the military, excerpted below.In 1993, the General Assembly passed a Resolution of Immediate Witness calling for lifting the ban prohibiting lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons from serving in the U.S. military. In 2007, the General Assembly passed an Action of Immediate Witness calling for the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
Acceptance of Openly Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Persons in the United States Military
1993 Resolution of Immediate of Witness (Read Full Text)
BECAUSE the Unitarian Universalist Association affirms the inherent worth and dignity of every person and calls for justice, equity, and compassion in human relations; and
WHEREAS the Unitarian Universalist Association has, since 1970, adopted ten resolutions in support of lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons...
WHEREAS men and women who are lesbian, gay, or bisexual daily defend the rights of all citizens, yet cannot secure their own rights and responsibilities under the nation's covenant without the moral commitment of their President and Congress, and do endure constant assault on their nature and character by political and religious leaders in defiance of the evidence of history, military records, and common experience;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the delegates of the 1993 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association are outraged at the hate campaign being conducted against lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons as a reaction to the President's stated intention to lift the ban on lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons in the military;
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees of the Unitarian Universalist Association directs the Unitarian Universalist Washington Office to inform the President and members of Congress of the 1993 General Assembly's support for lifting the military ban of lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons.
Repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"
2007 Action of Immediate Witness (Read Full Text)
WHEREAS our Unitarian Universalist Principles call us to affirm the inherent worth and dignity of every person and to promote justice, equity, and compassion in human relations;
WHEREAS under a federal law, commonly referred to as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT), the U.S., military discharges gay, lesbian and bi-sexual service members solely because of their sexual orientation;
WHEREAS DADT undermines military readiness by discouraging thousands of patriotic and talented Americans from serving in the military;
WHEREAS under DADT, over 11,000 service members have been discharged, including many with critical skills, such as Arabic linguists;
WHEREAS, twenty-four nations allow gays to serve openly, including Israel, Britain, Australia, and Canada, with no negative effect on military readiness or unit cohesion;
WHEREAS in February 2007, the Military Readiness Enhancement Act (H.R. 1246), calling for the repeal of DADT, was introduced in Congress and already has 124 bipartisan co-sponsors;
WHEREAS in the 110th Congress, hearings on DADT are expected to be held and a Senate bill calling for repeal of DADT is very likely to be introduced;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the 2007 General Assembly delegates express their strongest possible support for immediate repeal of DADT and implementation of a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in the U.S. Military; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the delegates call upon the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, their individual members and friends, and affiliate organizations, to pledge themselves to work for repeal by:
Sending letters, emails, and petitions urging repeal of DADT to the President and Members of Congress; Supporting elected officials who are committed to repealing DADT; Writing local newspapers and participating in internet blogs; and Getting resolutions from city, county, and state governments and other influential organizations demanding repeal of DADT.
For more information contact la_bglt @ uua.org.
Last updated on Friday, April 18, 2008.
