Walking With Integrity: An Inside Look at Planning General Convention

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

An Inside Look at Planning General Convention

Integrity leaders met with the leadership of the Chicago Consultation and TransEpiscopal at St. Chrysostom's in Chicago on April 10-12 to coordinate plans for our legislative success General Convention. Integrity was represented by our President, Rev. Dr. Caro Hall, Vice-President for National Affairs, Rev. Jon Richardson, and Interim Executive Director Rev. Harry Knox.

One of the highlights of the meeting was a training led by Rev. Allyson Robinson, Deputy Director of the Workplace Project at the Human Rights
Campaign Foundation. Allyson prepped those in attendance for effective advocacy on behalf of full inclusion of the gifts and graces for ministry of
transgender people in the life of the Episcopal Church.

Integrity, in turn, promoted our Voices Of Witness: Out Of The Box video and study guide which educates and informs viewers of the stories and vocations of our transgender brothers and sisters in TEC. The Chicago Consultation and TransEpiscopal.will join Integrity in distributing the video to all who will vote on transgender inclusion at General Convention.

There was much discussion of strategies for finally
obtaining blessings for same gender couples and for beginning a church-wide conversation on ending
discrimination in church canons and the Book of Common Prayer. Integrity will stand strongly for full marriage equality in Indianapolis.

Integrity also emphasized the need for TEC to have a strong pastoral response to sll types of bullying. Integrity will advocate for denominational endorsement of federal legislation that will impact the systemic violence experienced by the vast majority of LGBT youth.

What can you do to help? You may not travel to meetings but you can be a major factor in our success. Our numbers crunchers tell us we need $110,000 to send a team of volunteers to GC12 to make our legislative goals happen. A gift of $5, $10, and$15 will help send our team out to do the work you expect us to do. Please contribute whatever you can today at DONATE, No gift is too small or too large.

Rev. Harry Knox
Interim Executive Director
Integrity USA

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