Right-wing fundamentalist preachers have usurped the media megaphone, claiming to be the “moral voice” of American voters.  Do you cringe as I do every time a reporter contrasts the “faith perspective” with that of “gay advocates,” as if these positions are automatically opposed?

And now that their bigoted messages have been falling flat, their new complaint is that they are being “persecuted” at the hands of liberals.  As is the case with so many issues, California has become the proving ground for religion-based bigotry.

Clergy and people of faith who value equality and inclusion for all vastly outnumber those who preach against it, but you wouldn’t know that by watching TV or listening to the radio.  It’s time to change how media frame the “debate,” and YOU can help make that difference.

We spoke for you in the fall by producing an effective video featuring a Presbyterian pastor who countered a widely distributed conservative  pastor’s message asking churches to get signatures to repeal the FAIR education act.

We spoke for you in communities across the state by building the nation’s largest network of local congregations working for equality.

We spoke for you to clergy and congregational leaders from San Diego to Modesto; from Inland Empire to the Central Coast, through our “Putting Faith in Action” training on the importance of ongoing actions and messages in their congregations.

We spoke for you to allies in secular LGBTQ campaigns – that full equality will not be achieved without people of faith leading the way.  We’ve trained activists from over a dozen organizations, and increased their literacy on religious cultures, diversity of the traditions, and how to engage and partner with people of faith.

We ask you to make an investment in California Faith for Equality—so we can do more today, and tomorrow.

In 2012 CFE will stay ahead of our opponents and make sure that faith is leading the movement forward.  Our goals:

• “Out-organize our opponents” – Grow a network of unprecedented size and scope—including local actions in areas previous campaigns have ignored
• “We will Make it Better!” – Build on our successes in San Diego, Sacramento and elsewhere, and demand comprehensive anti-bullying policies and LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum in districts across the state.
• “Win hearts and minds” – Overcome institutional hierarchy and narrow theologies and reach groups such as Latino/a Catholics, African American Protestants, and Mormons through public education campaigns that are culturally sensitive and mutually transforming.

Equality over the Long Term

As people of faith, we are committed to something more than short-term, superficial makeovers.  California Faith for Equality sees that real and lasting changes happen:

• When congregations become more than a place for prayer but also timely and relevant community actions;
• When leaders from different religions can stand side-by-side publicly for what is good;
• When our members are transformed from short-term volunteers to trained leaders who are regularly putting their faith into actions…

Will you support us to win for the long haul?