A reminder that Pride is a protest.
Pride festivals, parades, and events are first and foremost a form of protest.
Pride is about self-affirmation, and it is a dedicated time and space to explore who we are while surrounded by others like us and our allies. Knowing the context behind Pride is helpful to ensuring your presence there is well-received, successful, and above all else appropriate. Many (if not most) visitors to your booth will have likely been hurt by religion in the past, so it is important to not downplay the significance of your presence with a Christian denomination. It is a big deal, and it will feel foreign to them knowing that scripture can be used to comfort and include instead of diminish and oppress.
To help ensure you have a successful Pride experience, we've put together some helpful resources such as:
Check out the full list below.
To help ensure you have a successful Pride experience, we've put together some helpful resources such as:
- Pride booth best practices, talking points, and ideas for your booth;
- FREE and customizable Canva templates;
- Appropriate and affordable links to swag (order as giveaways at your booth);
- Harmony print materials (brochures, business cards, etc.); and
- FREE Harmony membership giveaway cards.
Check out the full list below.
Community of Christ Pride Booth Inspo
Congregations and mission centers around the world that have had a Pride presence have submitted photos of their booths, signage, and giveaways to help you get started. Click on any photo to enlarge.
Click the button below to contact us if you need any assistance.
Click the button below to contact us if you need any assistance.
General Harmony Print Materials
These items can be a great addition to your Pride booth as an invitation to go deeper with Community of Christ in a safe, affirming environment. Click on any button to view/download.
The general business card is a low-cost way to provide a method of contact for visitors to your Pride booth.
The general brochure offers a great overview of what Harmony does.
The Sacred Pause brochure offers an invitation to join our monthly Sacred Pause online gatherings for fellowship, spiritual formation, and communion.
The Welcoming & Affirming brochure offers an overview of Harmony's Welcoming and Affirming Congregation Program that supports Community of Christ congregations in their efforts to provide sanctuary and full participation to all Queer/LGBTQIA2S+ persons who engage with them.
A feeling of belonging is essential for all of us, and joining Harmony's Queer-affirming community can be a great first step. These business cards have a QR code visitors can scan to join Harmony for free without the need for payment details.
Harmony Branded Canva Templates for Printing
Canva is a free-to-use web-based graphic design tool. Click "direct download" to download the file as-is for printing, or you can also click "Canva template" to be taken to the Canva website where you can edit the designs to your liking. (e.g. making them event-specific or adding your congregation's name/logo)
Note: the stickers and designs can be used for digital purposes or print
Community of Christ Print Materials
Harmony supports members and friends of Community of Christ who seek to promote full Queer/LGBTQIA2S+ participation in the life of the church around the world. As such, we happily provide Community of Christ branded materials as a way to promote the work you are doing in your local congregation and mission center.
These 7 in. X 10 in. folding note cards can function as a booth activity for your visitors. Have visitors write affirming notes to Queer folks and partner with a local organization (e.g. Pride Center) to distribute them.
Recommended Books
Harmony has co-published two books telling the stories of Queer/LGBTQIA2S+ folks and their allies in a Community of Christ context. We recommend having a few copies on hand at the booth for folks who might want to take one home. Consider a recommended donation to recover some costs.
ABOUT HOMOSEXUAL SAINTS
Members of Community of Christ have polarized opinions concerning the status of their fellow members who are homosexual. The two major issues are priesthood ordination (in a predominantly lay church) and whether the church will marry and bless same-sex weddings. Homosexual Saints explores these issues with twenty-four narratives that explain the experience of gay and lesbian members of Community of Christ, as well as the experiences of their family members and supporters. The volume includes a detailed history of the status of homosexuals in the church since 1954, and a preface by celebrated Mormon historian D. Michael Quinn.
ABOUT TOUCHED BY GRACE
Since 2008 and the publication of Bill Russell's "Homosexual Saints," Community of Christ has made significant strides toward full inclusion of its LGBT members. In this sequel, David Howard has gathered dozens and dozens of personal stories and testimonies that narrate the transformation of the LGBT experience in Community of Christ.
HARMONY WEB-BASED CONTENT
Having digital content at your booth can be a great way to draw passersby in as well as collect visitor information for those interested in learning more.
This interactive map is a great way to introduce visitors to Community of Christ's approach to affirming policies. Have a screen set up to allow people to learn more about what countries allow and encourage full participation of Queer persons.
Consider bringing a tablet or laptop to your booth and allow visitors to sign-up to receive information about Harmony's monthly Sacred Pause (online) gatherings.
Support the mission of Harmony with an annual membership. Membership guarantees your full participation in organizational governance, the ability to serve on committees, early access to resources, discounted or free events, and more.
In the event that a visitor is looking for a member of the priesthood to officiate their marriage ceremony, Harmony also maintains a database of affirming Community of Christ ministers and wedding officiants. Gather some basic contact information from your visitor and contact us via email. We'll share several options with you to pass along who are in their area (if available).
Making a tax deductible donation to Harmony has never been easier! We've partnered with a number of platforms to ensure you have secure options when considering a donation to Harmony.
General Pride Booth Swag (unbranded)
We've scoured the Internet and found some great, affordable Pride swag that will ensure your booth stands out. Note: Each button opens to an external website.
PRIDE RESOURCES FROM COMMUNITY OF CHRIST
The affirming content below can be downloaded and shared to your personal social media as well as your congregation's social media accounts.
Please do not exaggerate your congregation's stance on Queer/LGBTQIA2S+ issues. If the congregation is struggling with Queer/LGBTQIA2S+ inclusion, please refrain from sharing this content at this time.
Please do not exaggerate your congregation's stance on Queer/LGBTQIA2S+ issues. If the congregation is struggling with Queer/LGBTQIA2S+ inclusion, please refrain from sharing this content at this time.