We Are a Welcoming Congregation

"Welcoming Congregation" is a designation of the Unitarian Universalist Association indicating a UU congregation that is inclusive and expressive of the concerns of bisexual, gay, lesbian, and/or transgender (b/g/l/t) persons at every level of congregational life—in worship, in program, and in social occasions, welcoming their presence, their unique gifts, and the distinctiveness of their lives.

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis voted to become a Welcoming Congregation in 1997.

What Does It Mean to Be a Welcoming Congregation?

Our commitment as a Welcoming Congregation is shown in a variety of ways, both within the life of our liberal religious community and in our outreach to the larger Annapolis area community.

Within the congregation:

• Our human sexuality program, Our Whole Lives addresses in a positive manner both heterosexual and homosexual relationships, and explores how one lives responsibly in both.
• Same-sex couples are welcomed into the membership of our congregation as couples.
• Children of same-sex couples are welcomed in our dedication and naming ceremonies in the same manner as children of heterosexual couples.
• Our ministers officiate commitment ceremonies for same-sex couples, both those who are members of the congregation and those from the wider community.
• We have welcomed b/g/l/t ministers within our congregation.
• A b/g/l/t social group is a program of our church.

In the Annapolis area:

• We provide meeting and office space for the local chapter of PFLAG, a national nonprofit organization that promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons, their families and friends.
• We provide meeting space for HAVEN, a local group that provides support for people with HIV/AIDS.
• Our minister has been a public advocate for the full legalization of same-sex marriage in the state of Maryland.
• We provide meeting space for Equality Maryland, which works to secure and protect the rights of b/g/l/t Marylanders by promoting legislative initiatives on the state, county, and municipal levels.

More Information

Visit the UUA's Office of Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian and Transgender Concerns. Their vision statement: "The Office is guided by the vision that someday we will be able to put ourselves out of business and that oppression against bisexual, gay, lesbian, and/or transgender people, whether it be overt or subtle, will be a thing of the past."

The Welcoming Congregation Program

Action Steps to Become a Welcoming Congregation