The Importance of Centering Queer Voices

Following our Easter celebrations of resurrection, new life, and new beginnings, it is natural to begin to explore new opportunities for invitation and mission in our communities. Without a doubt, this is the desire of Jesus Christ who calls us to establish communities of joy, hope, love, and peace around the world. As we explore these opportunities, we’d like to take this moment to share with our allies – particularly those in positions of power and influence – a reminder that it is dangerous to exclude Queer/2SLGBTQIA+ (Queer) voices when discussing their fates as part of congregational, mission center, field, or global church efforts.​

Harmony has put into place several mechanisms to help us ensure Queer representation remains at the forefront of every aspect of our programming. We share this for your awareness and to perhaps even assist your expression of ministry with naming and claiming some key boundaries in this holy work.
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• Harmony’s Welcoming & Affirming Program is built in such a way that ensures those impacted by the work oversee the work. Doing the work without Queer involvement is dangerous, and remaining unaccountable to the marginalized while claiming to be affirming and inclusive is sinful. Harmony trains and assigns facilitators to work with congregations. While some mission centers and congregations may wish to appoint individuals to do this work, Harmony retains the right to properly vet and train them before approving these requests.
• Harmony’s advocacy efforts are centered on the notion that Queer voices should be at decision making tables…especially when those seated at these tables have historically harmed us and in some cases continue to harm us. We will be “good intentioned” to death if we do not have a say in our own future.
• Harmony continues to operate as a completely separate non-profit from Community of Christ. Our organizational structure is a reflection of the church’s views in the 1980s when Harmony (formerly GALA) was founded. Church leaders at the time would not allow GALA to organize as an official church affiliate. Instead, we needed to form our own organization, fundraise, and support our own programs without church assistance. What was once a sad reminder of our rejection from the church, has since proven to be a helpful tool, providing us with more freedom to challenge the church’s position on Queer inclusion when necessary.
• Welcoming & Affirming status is not forever. Harmony continuously checks in with its member congregations to provide further support, continuing education opportunities, and assessments. This is to ensure Queer individuals remain safe, respected, and leave Welcoming & Affirming congregations with their dignity intact.

Nothing about us without us is for us.