Social Responsibility and Justice Team suggests ways help in the fight for LGBTQIA+ justice in Durango and nationally

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“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

Martin Luther King

According to the American Civil Liberties Union, more than 130 bills have been introduced nationwide this legislative session that target LGBTQIA+ rights, especially health care for transgender patients. In 2022, the ACLU tracked a record-breaking 278 bills targeting LGBTQIA+ people, largely focused on transgender youth. Twenty became law. Politically, there are increasing efforts in some quarters to limit work toward justice, equity and diversity inclusion, affecting women, People of Color, and immigrants, as well as the LGBTQIA+ community.

Our commitment to social responsibility implies a moral obligation to contribute to the welfare of our society and environment. Our commitment to social justice concerns our devotion to impartiality and fairness, with everyone having equal access to wealth, opportunities, and privileges within society. UUFD is a certified Welcoming Congregation, a designation which represents our dedication to justice, equality and full inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people in our congregational life.

But we ask you to take one step more…and help in the fight for LGBTQIA+ justice in Durango and nationally. Positive changes are driven by community action, protest and commitment by the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies. In honor of Pride month, consider if you can take at least one action to foster more LGBTQIA+ justice.

Here are some ideas:

  • Social Service (render direct service): Volunteer at the Rainbow Youth Center; serve on their Board. Take some fresh baked goods or snacks to the RYC for their sessions with youth. Help at the Pride Festival.
  • Social Education (learn about the issues): Read about the issues challenging LGBTQIA+ people. Find out what is happening locally. Learn more about transgender people and their lives. Monitor what is happening in our state.
  • Social Witness (make public your convictions): Write a letter to the editor about LGBTQIA+ rights. March in the Pride Parade. Hang a Pride flag at your house, put a Pride decal on your car, wear a transgender button on your shirt. Post a yard sign about rights and equality for all. Talk with a neighbor.
  • Social Action (influence policy and decision makers): Contact your Senators and Representatives about legislation to protect LGBTQIA+rights. Speak at City Council if issues affecting LGBTQIA+ rights are being discussed, or need to be discussed.
  • Together we fight a common enemy: discrimination, injustice, and inequality. A better more just world for all contributes to our own well-being, as well as our friends, family, neighbors, and our community. We’re each of us worth it.