Service. Truth in Action
The Role of the Activitist and of Faith Communities in Achieving Justice
Beth Coye, a pioneer in helping to bring about equality and justice for U.S. military minorities (women and gays), will describe her personal journey which included living as a closeted lesbian in the Navy for over 20 years. She was instrumental in bringing about change for military women, and in retirement she continued working to bring about changes in our military bureaucracies and personnel structures regarding military gays. Beth has asked that congregants wear their yellow Standing on the Side of Love T-shirts.
In December 2010 Congress passed an historic civil rights statute which gives equality and freedom to military gays and lesbians. As a member of the core activist group which led the charge for change, Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, Beth and others worked for years to bring down discriminatory policies and laws.
What is the backstory to this event? What is the role of the activist? What does it take to be an activist, speaking out against the majority? What is the role of faith communities in taking down unjust bureaucracies and structures? ....
After the service there will be a booksigning of the newly-released Skinner House/Beacon Press book, Coming Out in Faith: Voices of LGBTQ Unitarian Universalists. The book presents 15 remarkable essays written by Unitarian Universalists, 8 of whom are ministers. Copies will be available for $8 (normally $14).
Rogue Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (RVUUF) ("Unitarian Center")87 4th St. (at C St), Ashland, OR 97520
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