CNN: Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush Responds to Trump's Religious Liberty Commission
Watch HereNew Pledge Pushes Back on Anti-LGBTQ+ Movement Attacks, Corporations Abandoning Pride
WASHINGTON – Interfaith Alliance, a national leader in defending civil rights and multi-faith democracy, is partnering with other major faith groups on a new campaign urging religious communities to pledge to “Recommit to Pride” during Pride month in June 2025.
The sign-on pledge launched today states that “too often religion is used to attack LGBTQ+ people and that many in the LGBTQ+ community view religion as hostile to their well-being. We refuse to let those who weaponize religion against our LGBTQ+ siblings speak for us. The majority of religious people in America support full LGBTQ equality.”
“This year, we especially pledge to invite all faith communities to show up with the courage of our convictions and Recommit to Pride….We pledge to speak out with public prayers, bold statements, and visible acts of support for the LGBTQ+ community.”
The full pledge text can be found here.
Initial backers of the pledge include the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists, Christopher Street Project, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Faithful America, Faith in Public Life, GLSEN, Hindus for Human Rights, the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, Kairos Center for Religions, Rights, and Social Justice, Keshet, Muslims for Progressive Values, Pride in the Pews, Reconciling Ministries Network, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, Sojourners, and United Church of Christ.
The faith groups note that the LGBTQ+ community faces increasing hostility and attacks from hate groups, elected officials and discriminatory legislation – and that a significant number of corporations have backed out of support for Pride events. Violent attacks against LGBTQ+ people are rising, even as the overall crime rate falls. The Trump administration ordered health organizations in other countries to stop providing HIV medications to people with AIDS if purchased with U.S. aid. Republican officials in ten states have introduced legislation to undermine marriage rights.
“In a climate of rising hostility and danger for LGBTQ+ people, it’s more important than ever for communities of faith to make absolutely clear our solidarity and support,” said Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, president and CEO of Interfaith Alliance. “While others are backing down in the face of intimidation and hate, we need to double down – and use the full moral force of our traditions to promote equality, dignity and love.”
CONTACT:
Ben DePasquale, West End Strategy Team, bdepasquale@westendstrategy.com
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Interfaith Alliance is a network of people of diverse faiths and beliefs from across the country working together to build a resilient democracy and fulfill America’s promise of religious freedom and civil rights not just for some, but for all. We mobilize powerful coalitions to challenge Christian nationalism and religious extremism, while fostering a better understanding of the healthy boundaries between religion and government. We advocate at all levels of government for an equitable and just America where the freedoms of belief and religious practice are protected, and where all persons are treated with dignity and have the opportunity to thrive. For more information visit interfaithalliance.org.
As a leading national advocate for religious freedom and civil rights, Interfaith Alliance is deeply alarmed by the intensifying atmosphere of censorship and aggressive crackdown on free speech that is unfolding in the United States. In the wake of the horrific assassination of Charlie Kirk, the organization is appalled by the proliferation of political violence and violent threats, as well as by blatantly authoritarian efforts to silence a wide range of legitimate constitutionally-protected speech and activism.
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