WATCH THE TRAILER: In 2012, Love Free or Die,
the story of the first openly gay bishop, Gene Robinson,
premiered on national TV!
Religion has long been misused throughout history – including to condone slavery or the silence of women in church, yet we're repulsed by those ideas now!
Religion has also been misused to justify the oppression and exclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer people.
But the world is changing.
A groundswell of people is emerging from the shadows of silence to stand for the full dignity and equality of all – no matter who they are or who they love. They are telling their stories of courage to conflicted loved ones, sharing why their own beliefs compel them to welcome, affirm and celebrate LGBT people – just as they would anybody else. Because people are people.
Through courageous storytelling and effective advocacy, this rising generation is opening its loved ones' hearts and minds to the dignity and equality of all people.
In this critical election cycle, as voters in seven states decided whether or not to support the equality of LGBT people, the Groundswell of Courage campaign mobilized people to activate their power of storytelling and reach out to conflicted loved ones to change hearts and minds – in this cycle and beyond.
Here's where you come in as an agent of change.
There is more we can do to advance the full equality and dignity for LGBT people! In your life, there is someone for whom no one else is better positioned than YOU to change their heart and mind on LGBT dignity. As you figure out for whom you are the right friend, family member, neighbor, or colleague, we'll help you prepare to talk to them.
1. Find (or organize!) a screening of Love Free or Die. In the Sundance Award-winning film, we get more of Bishop Gene Robinson's story – how he came to be the first openly gay person to be elected bishop in the high church traditions of Christendom. We watch as Gene Robinson and countless other courageous people of faith bend history’s arc toward justice and dignity for LGBT people. The film is a perfect vehicle for your family, class room, or congregation to open up a conversation in your living room, school, or house of worship about social action for social justice and LGBT equality.
2. Learn how to move a conflicted person of faith. Watch the webinar recording of researched strategies to help turn opponents of LGBT equality into supporters.
3. Want to go even further? Start your own campaign! As the saying goes – never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. So while Bishop Gene Robinson continues his work ... Start a petition. Spread the word. Grow a movement. http://action.groundswell-movement.org/ This time next year, you'll have wanted to start today.
Each One, Move One Pledge | Films of Courage: Love Free or Die & Others
Resources | FAQs: 2012 Ballot Initiatives | National Partners
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