The Religious Exploration Staff at All Souls is deeply troubled by the wave of hate sweeping the United States and our own Oklahoma legislature targeting our queer families, most especially families with trans, nonbinary and/or gender exploring children and youth.
Our state currently has 34 anti-trans bills being heard by the legislature that have a very real chance of becoming Oklahoma law and changing our lives in ways we have yet to imagine. We express our unequivocal support and love for the trans people in our lives: our families, our colleagues, and the children, youth and adults in our community and share your deep concern and fear at what these laws may impose.
Along with offering Our Whole Lives Sexuality Education for our children and youth, we are working to provide OWL classes for the adults in our community. Additionally we will soon schedule the 6-week course “Transgender Inclusion in Congregations” from the Transforming Heart Collective, and we recommit ourselves to the work of moving toward inclusion of all those with targeted identities.
Beginning Difficult Conversations
On Sunday evening, March 5, we invited families and youth to a conversation on this topic on Zoom. We called on all of us to lift up the experiences and needs of our trans, nonbinary and genderqueer community. We created a space for you to voice your concerns, your fears, your needs. Or just to listen and be a part of the community that more than ever needs to step up and be there for one another.
We hope you will join us in continuing this important conversation as we hold each other in troubling times and look for ways to fully embrace our community.
With Love Beyond Belief,
Shannon Boston, Executive Director of Lifespan Religious Exploration
Corey Smith, Youth Director
Paula Vella, Childcare Coordinator
Quanah Scoggins, Programs Assistant
About All Souls Tulsa
All Souls is a welcoming community. Everyone, regardless of age, race, culture, economic status, gender identity or sexual orientation is welcome at All Souls.
In a delicately and respectfully held balance, our congregation worships together while individually holding a broad spectrum of beliefs and unbeliefs.
We are a congregation grounded in the notion that Love is the Spirit and we are willing to engage in the personal struggles and collective labors required to keep it so for future generations.
Each day we learn better how to celebrate what we have in common and to respect the ways in which we differ.
Learn more on our website at allsoulschurch.org.
Cover photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash
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