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AWAB and HRC Celebrate the Role of Baptists in Attaining Marriage Equality in Washington, DC

Washington, DC - April 9, 2010 - AWAB, the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists, along with the Human Rights Campaign joined together with a host of Baptist and ecumenical partners to celebrate the prophetic witness of Baptists in the struggle for marriage equality in Washington, DC. The Rev. Dr. Amy Butler of Calvary Baptist Church, Rev. Dr. Dennis Wiley and Rev. Dr. Christine Wiley of Covenant Baptist Church were each honored at a reception at the Washington, DC, headquarters of the HRC.

AWAB Board Chair, Robin Lunn, and Harry Knox, HRC Director, Religion and Faith Program, presented Rev. Butler and the Rev. Wileys with certificates recognizing their work for marriage equality. Each of the honorees spoke of how their faith lead them to this struggle and how important it was for their congregations that they be involved. Lunn noted, “We know that the voices of people of faith play a key role in these legislative processes. But the role of Baptists is unique in that we are too often seen only as conservative. Welcoming and Affirming Baptists are a clear progressive voice in contrast to so much hate speech. AWAB seeks to honor all Baptists who are willing to create another place where LGBT persons can be fully included in all aspects of religious life, including marriage. To do so publicly is to proclaim the radical welcome of God in the historic Baptist tradition.”

Other members of the AWAB Board present at the celebration were Rev. Jill McCrory, Rev. Manny Santiago, Roy Larson, Jack Le Sage, Ron Green, Kathy Stayton, Rev. Allyson Robinson, Rev. David Weasley, Bruce Chittick, and intern Cathy Alexander. The Rev. Wes Jamison, AWAB’s National Field Organizer, was also in attendance along with Rev. Stan Hastey (retired) from the Alliance of Baptists, Rev. Edgar Palacios from the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America. Pastor’s from local AWAB churches in attendance were Rev. Ben Boswell from Commonwealth Baptist Church in Alexandria, VA and Rev. Elisabeth Hagen from Washington Plaza Baptist Church in Reston, VA.

AWAB Vice Chair, Rev. Jill McCrory, was also recognized by delegate Jeffrey D. Waldstreicher (D), MD District 18, for her continued role in fighting for marriage equality in Maryland.

AWAB is the national voice of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Baptists with over 70 member churches across the United States. www.wabaptists.org The HRC is one of the largest human rights organizations working for the full inclusion of LGBT people in all aspects of society. www.hrc.org

For a schedule and information on the Inclusive Church Training program please go to www.welcomingresources.org/communityorg.htm.

This work can only be accomplished through your generosity. Please help by joining the AWAB community on Facebook and making a donation at http://www.awab.org/webdonations.htm.


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	AWAB and HRC Celebrate the Role of Baptists in Attaining Marriage Equality in Washington, DC Washington, DC - April 9, 2010 - AWAB, the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists, along with the Human Rights Campaign joined together with a host of Baptist and ecumenical partners to celebrate the prophetic witness of Baptists in the struggle for marriage equality in Washington, DC. The Rev. Dr. Amy Butler of Calvary Baptist Church, Rev. Dr. Dennis Wiley and Rev. Dr. Christine Wiley of Covenant Baptist Church were each honored at a reception at the Washington, DC, headquarters of the HRC. AWAB Board Chair, Robin Lunn, and Harry Knox, HRC Director, Religion and Faith Program, presented Rev. Butler and the Rev. Wileys with certificates recognizing their work for marriage equality. Each of the honorees spoke of how their faith lead them to this struggle and how important it was for their congregations that they be involved. Lunn noted, “We know that the voices of people of faith play a key role in these legislative processes. But the role of Baptists is unique in that we are too often seen only as conservative. Welcoming and Affirming Baptists are a clear progressive voice in contrast to so much hate speech. AWAB seeks to honor all Baptists who are willing to create another place where LGBT persons can be fully included in all aspects of religious life, including marriage. To do so publicly is to proclaim the radical welcome of God in the historic Baptist tradition.” Other members of the AWAB Board present at the celebration were Rev. Jill McCrory, Rev. Manny Santiago, Roy Larson, Jack Le Sage, Ron Green, Kathy Stayton, Rev. Allyson Robinson, Rev. David Weasley, Bruce Chittick, and intern Cathy Alexander. The Rev. Wes Jamison, AWAB’s National Field Organizer, was also in attendance along with Rev. Stan Hastey (retired) from the Alliance of Baptists, Rev. Edgar Palacios from the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America. Pastor’s from local AWAB churches in attendance were Rev. Ben Boswell from Commonwealth Baptist Church in Alexandria, VA and Rev. Elisabeth Hagen from Washington Plaza Baptist Church in Reston, VA. AWAB Vice Chair, Rev. Jill McCrory, was also recognized by delegate Jeffrey D. Waldstreicher (D), MD District 18, for her continued role in fighting for marriage equality in Maryland. AWAB is the national voice of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Baptists with over 70 member churches across the United States. www.wabaptists.org The HRC is one of the largest human rights organizations working for the full inclusion of LGBT people in all aspects of society. www.hrc.org For a schedule and information on the Inclusive Church Training program please go to www.welcomingresources.org/communityorg.htm. This work can only be accomplished through your generosity. Please help by joining the AWAB community on Facebook and making a donation at http://www.awab.org/webdonations.htm.

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