MEDIA RELEASE (Uniting Network Australia – NSW/ACT)

LGBTI Uniting Church members call for marriage equality

11 June 2014

Over 60 LGBTI members, families and allies, in the Uniting Church met for their 11th national conference over the Queens Birthday Long Weekend in Sydney.

The conference issued a call to the wider Uniting Church to act for justice for LGBTI people in various specific areas, such as marriage equality.

“There were many things we celebrated about the Uniting Church”, said Convenor Warren Talbot. “Uniting Church members place a high value on being inclusive.”

Talbot said that the conference held a constructive dialogue with the national head of the Uniting Church, the Revd Prof. Andrew Dutney; and the NSW leader, the Revd Dr Brian Brown.

“There are many areas where the Uniting Church can do more to welcome and affirm LGBTI people, our partners and children”, Talbot said.

The conference’s specific proposals to the Church include:

–          Support for marriage equality.
–          Safe programs for LGBTI students in Uniting Church schools.
–          Non-discrimination for LGBTI staff and service users in community services and aged care.
–          Overseas aid programs to support LGBTI communities.

Contact:  Warren Talbot, Convenor, 0458 852 882

The full Conference statement is available here.