For over 30 years the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) has actively supported the rights and worth of gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgendered people, and its congregations are served by many openly gay and lesbian ministers. Unitarian Universalist ministers perform services of union for same-gender couples, and in 1996 the UUA became the first denomination to go on record in favor of legalizing same-gender marriages.

The UUA inaugurated the Welcoming Congregation Program in 1989 to help make our congregations more intentionally welcoming for people of all sexual orientations. In 1998 our church voted to apply to become recognized as an official Welcoming Congregation and shortly afterwards we did receive such recognition from the UUA for the series of workshops and programs we had presented over three years leading up to the congregational decision and for our ongoing activities and commitment in support of GLBT people.

These activities, most of which are ongoing, include:

• Using inclusive language and content in worship and ensuring that religious education programs include recognition of the different kinds of families formed by gay and lesbian parents and children.

• Establishing a chapter of the national organization PFLAG -- Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. This group meets regularly in our church and many of its officers and members come from our congregation.

• Having many members of our church join PFLAG in marching in Canton's annual "Dairy Princess Parade."

• Offering our ministers to speak to campus groups at the local colleges on gay rights, particularly on "Homosexuality and the Bible," demonstrating the ambiguity of Biblical passages and the preference for people of faith to draw out an affirming message.

• Being one of the sponsors of the annual local G/L/B/T film festival.

• Our Church Council writing a letter to local papers supporting same gender marriages.

• As an entire congregation, endorsing the Marriage Project resolution in support of same gender marriage rights in New York.

• Hosting the national traveling photo exhibit, "Love Makes a Family," featuring GLBT families.

• Being one of the only places in St. Lawrence County where the ministers gladly perform services of union for same gender couples (weddings not recognized by the state).

We believe that achieving equal rights in law and affirmation in society for GLBT persons is the major civil rights imperative currently facing our society. We are strongly committed to eradicating this last permitted prejudice. As a religious community that firmly believes in the inherent worth and dignity of every individual, we feel a particular obligation to promote justice for all.