PRESS RELEASE

FIRST UNITED CHURCH OF TAMPA OPPOSES HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY'S "GAY PRIDE" BAN

Resolution Supporting the Repeal of "Gay Pride" Ban in Hillsborough County Government

(Approved unanimously by the Church Council of First United Church of Tampa on June 19, 2005.)

WHEREAS the Board of County Commissioners of Hillsborough County recently enacted a ban on any county support or recognition of any event or display recognizing “gay pride” or the presence of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons in the county;

WHEREAS the above-mentioned policy can only be rescinded via a supermajority vote of the County Commission preceded by a public hearing, thus it becomes difficult to repeal;

WHEREAS General Synod 15 of the United Church of Christ called on UCC congregations to adopt a Covenant of Openness and Affirmation of persons of lesbian, gay, and bisexual orientation;

WHEREAS First United Church of Tampa is an Open and Affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ, welcoming persons of all sexual orientations into the full life and ministry of the church;

WHEREAS First United Church of Tampa has a long history of standing in solidarity with those who are oppressed and marginalized;

WHEREAS the County Commissioners’ action will result in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons and their families to feel unwelcome and unwanted in Hillsborough County;

WHEREAS all persons are created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26 );

WHEREAS Jesus Christ calls us to be welcoming to one another (Matthew 10:40 );

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Church Council of First United Church of Tampa states its opposition to the County Commissioners’ recent action in a letter to the Board;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Church Council of First United Church of Tampa will send a letter to Commissioner Kathy Castor to express its gratitude for her casting the only vote of opposition to the above-mentioned policy;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Church Council of First United Church of Tampa expresses its support of Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio’s statement recognizing the importance of inclusivity;

THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Church Council of First United Church of Tampa expresses its support for and solidarity with peaceful actions aimed at striking down this unjust and discriminatory policy.

Letter from Church Council to Board of County Commissioners

Dear Honorable County Commissioners:

It is extremely unfortunate that Commissioners Hagan, Scott, Storms, Norman, Blair, and Sharpe supported enacting a policy that would ban any county recognition of “gay pride” or any other related display or event.

Since 1885, First United Church of Tampa -- a congregation of the United Church of Christ -- has stood in solidarity with those who are poor, oppressed, and marginalized.  One of our key missions is to welcome all people into our church family, including persons who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT).

We are very grateful that Commissioner Castor said that “it is inappropriate for government to promote discrimination” in voting against the policy.  Also, we applaud Mayor Pam Iorio’s statements in favor of diversity, tolerance, and inclusion.

Enacting this discriminatory policy will cause the members of the LGBT community and their families to feel unwanted and unwelcome in Hillsborough County.  It also causes Hillsborough County to have a very negative image.

The Church Council of First United Church of Tampa, which represents the membership of the congregation, strongly urges you to repeal this unjust policy.  We support any peaceful actions aimed at repealing it.  In addition, we call on the County Commission to ban discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodations on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.