The Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists is among 11 Christian groups issuing an Ash Wednesday statement opposing President Donald Trump’s policies on LGBTQ rights, immigration and disruptions to federal funding for vulnerable populations.
“We can’t mince words about what’s happening here: We are under attack. But you are not alone, and you are not forgotten — not by our God, and not by us,” the statement says to those in the LGBTQ community.
The statement addresses those affected by Trump’s orders rather than addressing Trump or the administration directly.
“We are organizing, advocating and fighting back because no system, no proclamation, no oppressive project can separate you from the love of God, the love of community, or the power we hold when we rise together,” the document proclaims.
Brian Henderson
“As the LGBTQ advocacy organization across the Baptist landscape, AWAB is proud to stand with its other denominational counterparts in this Ash Wednesday statement,” said AWAB Executive Director Brian Henderson. “As overwhelming as the political realities are at this time, AWAB takes courage in knowing how brave and remarkably steadfast its member congregations, educational partners and supporters are, as they boldly face the gravitas of these days.
“If there was ever a time to come together as Baptist communities to experience solidarity, this is for certain one of those times. Lives are at stake,” he said. “As we enter Lent and prepare to remember the crucifixion and resurrection hope of Jesus, may we not overlook the empire-protesting Jesus modeled for the people of his day. If we’re to know the power of resurrection, we must be prepared to speak up and stand out for justice.”
The statement from the Collective of Queer Christian Leaders opposes five Trump actions:
- “Attempts to erase or criminalize transgender and nonbinary people”
- Sending immigrants to “extrajudicial detention facilities” or to countries where they are at risk
- “The disintegration of safety nets that protect and uplift our neighbors”
- “The illegal and unconstitutional accessing of personal private data by unelected, unvetted and unqualified personnel appointed by the president”
- “The calculated dismantling and disruption to funding that protects the most vulnerable in our society, paid for by taxes such as Social Security and Medicare that keep millions of Americans out of poverty.”
Already, two federal judges have blocked Trump’s executive orders on gender identity and medical care for gender transition. Judges have said plaintiffs have shown the lawsuits are likely to succeed on grounds that Trump’s executive orders overstepped the president’s authority, conflict with laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex and are unconstitutional.
Organizations signing the Ash Wednesday letter are All One Body, Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists, Brethren Mennonite Council for LGBT Interests, More Light Presbyterians, Open and Affirming Coalition of the United Church of Christ, Pride in the Pews, Q Christian Fellowship, Reconciling Ministries Network, ReconcilingWorks: Lutherans for Full Participation, Room for All, and Transmission Ministry Collective
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