UUCO Welcoming Congregation
UUA Welcoming Congregation Designation
|
In 2013, The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Oxford officially became a Welcoming Congregation!
The Welcoming Congregation designation is one bestowed by the UUA upon congregations that have met predetermined criteria for providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered community as well as any other members of the community with marginalized sexual orientations or gender identities. (UUA Guidelines and Action Steps for Becoming a Welcoming Congregation) |
This means UUCO as a community has gone through a period of study and taken the necessary steps required and/or endorsed by the UUA to become intentionally more inclusive and welcoming of people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or community members with marginalized sexual orientations and gender identities. Some steps taken by this committee and the UUCO community include hosting congregational workshops and speakers, inter-congregation discussions and activities, various congregational educational opportunities, and efforts to make ALL UUCO facilities free of any stereotypical or marginalizing labels or restrictions (such as creating Gender-Free Restrooms).
As a results of these efforts, The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Oxford voted to update the BY-LAWS at the May 13, 2013, annual meeting to not only include members of the GLBT community and other community members with marginalized sexual orientations and gender identities in its Statement of Nondiscrimination and Inclusion, but to also ensure that it adequately represented a congregation with the goal of being inclusive, affirming, and welcoming to any marginalized members of the community regardless of the source. At the May 13, 2013, Annual Meeting, the BY-LAWS were updated with the following Statement of Nondiscrimination and Inclusion:
As a results of these efforts, The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Oxford voted to update the BY-LAWS at the May 13, 2013, annual meeting to not only include members of the GLBT community and other community members with marginalized sexual orientations and gender identities in its Statement of Nondiscrimination and Inclusion, but to also ensure that it adequately represented a congregation with the goal of being inclusive, affirming, and welcoming to any marginalized members of the community regardless of the source. At the May 13, 2013, Annual Meeting, the BY-LAWS were updated with the following Statement of Nondiscrimination and Inclusion:
In keeping with its Mission and guided by the Principles and Sources of the UUA (the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations), the
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Oxford welcomes, affirms and promotes the inclusion and full participation of persons in all of its
activities and endeavors without regard to race, color, abilities, sex, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age,
national origin, or socioeconomic status.
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Oxford BY-LAWS: ARTICLE IIB. NONDISCRIMINATION
(Adopted May 13, 2013)
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Oxford welcomes, affirms and promotes the inclusion and full participation of persons in all of its
activities and endeavors without regard to race, color, abilities, sex, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age,
national origin, or socioeconomic status.
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Oxford BY-LAWS: ARTICLE IIB. NONDISCRIMINATION
(Adopted May 13, 2013)
Does this mean our work is done?
|
Not by a long shot!
While UUCO is honored to receive the UUA Welcoming Congregation distinction, the UUCO congregation, its Board of Trustees, and its committees diligently strive to continue to maintain and foster the growth of a safe and peaceful environment for members of the GLBT community and community members with other marginalized sexual orientations and gender identities. And it doesn't stop there! The UUCO community also endeavors to make every effort to provide a safe and loving environment that fosters freedom of expression and personal inquiry for anyone, regardless of marginalized status, and strives to be inclusive, affirming, and welcoming in accordance with our mission and history, our congregational covenant, the Seven Principles of Unitarian Universalism, and our association with the greater Unitarian Universalist Association. |
|
Welcoming Congregation Acceptance Letter |
| ||
