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SOULFORCE MEDIA ADVISORY: May 15, 2008
For Immediate Release
Contact: Paige Schilt,
Media Director
Cell: 512-659-1771
paige@soulforce.org
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(Dallas, TX) This Sunday, May 18, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and straight-ally families will attend worship and meet with staff and families from The Potter’s House, a 35,000-member multiracial, nondenominational megachurch in Dallas, Texas. Lead by Bishop T.D. Jakes, The Potter’s House is nationally recognized for its advocacy on social issues such as domestic violence, poverty, and HIV/AIDS.
The visit is part of a nationwide fellowship effort called The American Family Outing, which aims to create dialogue between LGBT families and families at six American mega-churches. Last week, LGBT and straight-ally families attended Lakewood Church in Houston and had an opportunity to speak with Rev. Joel Osteen. In the weeks to come, the families of The American Family Outing will meet with Hope Christian Church in Maryland and Willow Creek Community Church in Illinois.
"Meetings like this are important because they create an opportunity for us to discuss our differences, see the ways that we are the same, and break down the barriers in the body of Christ" says Elder Deneen Robinson of Living Faith Covenant Church in Dallas. Robinson, a mother of two young adult daughters, is one of the family members who will participate in Sunday’s visit.
"If I don’t know you, I can ignore you or write you off. This is a chance to be known," Robinson continues.
The American Family Outing is a collaborative project of Soulforce, COLAGE, National Black Justice Coalition, and the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches.
"We are very pleased that The Potter’s House has agreed to be part of this dialogue and to match our families with families from their congregation for fellowship and conversation," says Soulforce Executive Director Jeff Lutes.
Soulforce is a national civil rights and social justice organization. Our vision is freedom for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people from religious and political oppression through the practice of relentless nonviolent resistance.
The Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (UFMCC) is an international fellowship of Christian churches with a special ministry to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
The National Black Justice Coalition(NBJC) is a civil rights organization dedicated to empowering Black same-gender-loving, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered people. The Coalition works with our communities and our allies for social justice, equality, and an end to racism and homophobia.
COLAGE is a national movement of children, youth and adults with one or more lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and/or queer parents. We build community and work toward social justice through youth empowerment, leadership development, education, and advocacy.
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