What's Happening
Welcoming Congregations
In 2018, we wish to be bolder with our Welcome. Transgender Unitarian Universalists (UUs) are still struggling to find community in UU congregations. Bisexual UUs suffer from invisibility while asexual, intersex, and polyamorous communities are wrestling with a progressive faith that does not privilege their truth. These and the many more social ills that plague our LGBTQ+ and TGQNB communities are calling us into a deeper commitment to insure that our Unitarian Universalist congregations are living into the Welcome that we boldly proclaim.
Learn about Five Practices of Welcome Annual Renewal
The Five Practices of Welcome Renewal are five benchmarks that every congregation will need to integrate into congregational life in order to ensure that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, asexual, two-spirit, genderqueer, non-binary, and the like feel fully welcomed, centered, and embraced in our Unitarian Universalist congregation. Welcoming Congregations will be required to meet the following benchmarks annually in order to remain “current” as a Welcoming Congregation.
Attend Five Practice of Welcome Renewal Orientation
Monthly Mondays at 2pm ET / 11am PTWe are inviting religious leaders and congregants to join one (or more) of our Five Practices of Welcome Renewal - Monthly Orientation sessions.
Also, please share with others in your congregation and community would like to know more about the Five Practices of Welcome Renewal.
UPLIFT Trans/Nonbinary Ministries
- UPLIFT Trans/Non Binary+ Monthly Gathering
4th Tuesdays of the Month, 5pm PT / 8pm ET
Join the UPLIFT monthly gatherings for trans, nonbinary, and other not-entirely-or-at-all-cis UUs and friends of UUism. Join us to connect with other trans/nonbinary+ UUs and co-create support and community across our faith. All you need to bring is yourself (and other trans/nonbinary friends, if you’d like)! Non-UUs are welcome if they are OK with being in a UU-focused community that won't proselytize. If you are interested in this space, and you aren’t (entirely or at all) cisgender, it’s a space for you.
What do we do during the gatherings? They are a cozy community space where we connect with each other with games and breakout groups, share ideas and stories on all kinds of topics, listen to music and poetry (often by trans/nonbinary+ creators), and much more!
This is a drop-in space, where folks can come and go as works best for them, and where people can join us at any time. You can be a regular or someone new, someone who's been curious for a while but hasn't yet checked us out, somebody who is rejoining after time away, and all other ways of relating to this space! You are welcome here, and you are loved.
- UPLIFT Trans/Non Binary+ Pastoral Space
2nd Friday of the Month - 5pm PT / 8pm ET
What is pastoral care, exactly? Pastoral care is support with navigating life—big and small things, joys and hardships and all those mixed together. It’s not therapy, but a way for us to be in community together, supporting each other. This is a space to share the hard stuff and to hold the hard stuff that others are navigating in their lives. To read more about pastoral care and find some resources to locate pastoral care, check out this post by UU Youth Ministry.
During our time together, our lead chaplain/facilitators will share opening and closing words, and in between, there is time for everyone to share what's on their heards, and receive what others are sharing about their own lives. It's a supportive, judgment-free place to connect with other trans/nonbinary+ people.
UPLIFT Action
From the rising tide of “Don’t Say Gay” laws to the criminalization of life-saving gender-affirming and abortion care, our bodies and our identities are being targeted in deadly ways. Rooted in our Unitarian Universalist affirmation of the inherent worth and dignity of all people—including all bodies, and all identities—Side With Love is proud to introduce UPLIFT Action, our new campaign organizing for LGBTQIA+, Gender, and Reproductive Justice. Together, we commit to growing our skills, deepening our spiritual grounding, honing our analysis, and fighting together for a world in which every body is sacred. View our webinar about UPLIFT Action! (Vimeo)
Resources of Support for Trans/Non-Binary People
Support for transgender individuals during difficult times is crucial for their well-being and mental health. There are various resources and organizations that provide assistance, guidance, and a sense of community for trans people.
Remember that seeking support is a sign of strength, and you don't have to go through difficult times alone. Reach out to these resources, engage with your local LGBTQ+ community, and connect with supportive friends and family members. You are not alone, and there are people and organizations ready to help you navigate the challenges you may face as a transgender individual.