Suggestions for Action from People of Faith Against Bigotry

• Write a letter to your friends asking them not to sign petitions for discriminatory ballot measures, and vote against these measures when they appear on the ballot.

• Offer to make a presentation in your place of worship (or ask your leader to preach a sermon) or offer to lead an adult education lesson which contrasts the reconciling love of God with the hateful implications of this ballot measure. Or ask for a speaker from local support groups for gays and lesbians belonging to faith communities.

• Place items in church/temple bulletins which offer information regarding anti-gay referenda from a faith perspective.

• Be present near a table where signatures are being gathered (usually near a major shopping center) and leaflet/dialogue with the people who are thinking about signing. Let them know that there are people of faith who strongly oppose these discriminatory initiatives.

• Join others for scheduled events, marches, and rallies as they are announced.

• Start an ad campaign drive in your city or community to place signature ads opposing discriminatory measures. The ads should list the names and religious affiliations of clergy and lay people belonging to a wide variety of faith based groups.

• Wear buttons and display bumper stickers which proclaim both your faith in God, and your belief in equality for all people. People of Faith who oppose discrimination must know that they are not alone.

• Ask your governing body to declare your place of worship a "bias free zone," open to all people including gay men and lesbians.

• Organize & participate in prayer vigils.

• Use the "bridges" theme; e.g., silent vigils holding hands across bridges, other symbolic acts demonstrating bridges across fear and division.

• Wear a pink triangle to show your solidarity, just as non-Jewish Danes wore yellow stars to confound the Nazi invaders.

• Talk to friends, neighbors, and relatives. Talk about homophobic bias and the right wing to anyone who will listen. Educated them about discrimination, and remind them of the importance of freedom of speech and separation of church and state from your perspective as a person of faith.

• Put together a speakers bureau among other people of faith and contact civic and religious groups and arrange to address them on the issues. Those who are heterosexual should go where our gay and lesbian friends may not be able to go as easily.

• Let your creativity run rampant with other unique ideas from your heart to fit your particular church, congregation, or group.

• Volunteer your time.

• Most of all, make sure you "come out" as a person of faith who opposes anti-gay bias in your faith group, and other organizations you belong to, especially if they have not yet made resolutions to oppose right wing bigotry.