Posts Tagged ‘Colorado’

Undocubus Riders Welcomed in Denver

No Comments | Share On Facebook| Undocubus Riders Welcomed in Denver Share/Save/Bookmark Aug 14, 2012

For more information on the UndocuBus tour, visit http://www.nopapersnofear.org.

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UndocuBus rally at the Colorado State Capitol. Credit: Jordan Garcia

The UndocuBus’ first stop on its cross-country journey was Denver, Colorado. There, dozens of local immigration activists and yellow shirt-clad Unitarian Universalists joined the UndocuBus riders in a rally and press conference on the steps of the state capitol calling for an end to Colorado’s anti-immigrant law, SB 90. At the rally, local undocumented immigrants came out of the shadows and told their stories. The event even garnered media coverage in the Denver Post.

In addition to joining the rally, Denver-area Unitarian Universalists supported the UndocuBus by providing meals for the riders. According to Kierstin Homblette, the UU social justice coordinator for a cluster of Denver-area congregations, “I think the best part was the interactions that happened during the meals, between church folks who cooked and those who were there to eat, including the riders. I think it was also really positive to ask our folks to do something tangible to contribute, in addition to just signing petitions or showing up for a rally.”

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Sue Fraley and Maureen Flanigan of Columbine UU Church prepare food for the riders. Credit: Kierstin Homblette

Rev. Nancy Bowen, the Mountain Desert District Executive for the Unitarian Universalist Association, spoke eloquently about our commitment to immigrant justice at the state capitol press conference. This is her beautifully articulated statement:

The complexities of our nation’s immigration policies and practices are heartbreaking for all of us. Some know their hearts are breaking everyday. Some live with the dull ache of awareness that our practices do not match our historic aspirations to be a home for the free and the brave–of every race, color, nationality, creed, and affection.

My immigration education has been slower than I care to confess.
There were so many things I did not understand;
things I did not know about how our laws are written and implemented;
things I did not believe my country would do.
No doubt I continue in ignorance on important points. However, I say with the strength of my faith that people cannot be illegal; people cannot be illegitimate; people are not alien. The fact of immigration status does not define a human being. We are defined by our character, by our actions, and by what we love.

Tell your stories to all who will listen. When we know one another’s stories we know a truth deeper than the facts can ever express. We are building Beloved Community with each story you tell and we hear. Travel safely, confident in our respect, love and steadfastness to the cause of justice and equity for all. Peace be with you.

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Barb Richards, Kelly Dignan, & Fred Cole of the UU Church of Boulder. Credit: Kierstin Homblette

I am inspired by your courage and resilience in making this journey of witness and relationship across the United States to the Democratic Convention. Countless times in our history we have been lead by bold and courageous people demonstrating peacefully for their inherent human rights. You join that proud history with this journey. I stand with you–on the Side of Love! Unitarian Universalist across the country will stand with you–on the Side of Love, when you arrive in their cities.

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Catholic Bishops Defund Immigrant Resource Center Compañeros Over LGBT Affiliation

1 Comment | Share On Facebook| Catholic Bishops Defund Immigrant Resource Center Compañeros Over LGBT Affiliation Share/Save/Bookmark Jun 01, 2012
Compañeros Four Corners Immigrant Resource Center

Compañeros Four Corners Immigrant Resource Center

Compañeros is a small nonprofit that works to protect and expand immigrant rights and culture in the Four Corners area of southwestern Colorado, including helping poor immigrants with healthcare and other basic needs. For years Compañeros received significant funding from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (C.C.H.D.), an anti-poverty initiative of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Sadly, that has changed. Why? Simply because the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC), of which Compañeros is a founding member, joined in partnership with One Colorado, a state wide LGBT advocacy organization.

In February, Compañeros was informed by the Diocese of Pueblo that they were in danger of losing their funding from the C.C.H.D. due to their affiliation with an organization that supports marriage equality for same-gender couples.

In other words, the Catholic hierarchy asked Compañeros to make a choice. They could either leave the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, which connects them to a state wide network of organizations and resources, or they could lose $30,000 a year, which amounts to more than half of the organization’s revenue stream. Making a tough decision, Compañeros chose to remain in solidarity with their LGBT civil rights partners.

“We can’t go against our core principles by taking money that we think will ultimately result in the division of this community,” said Nicole Mosher, executive director of Compañeros.

In response, LGBT organizations like One Colorado pledged to support Compañeros financially, as have many Catholics who disagree with the hierarchy’s decision. Former Gov. Bill Ritter, Jr. criticized the decision, writing in the Denver Post, “We should not tolerate a culture war that distracts us from the core Gospel message of addressing poverty and hunger in a serious way.” And the group With Charity For All, which collects donations for Compañeros, was created by “conscientious Catholics who are concerned that the Catholic Church’s charitable activities are being threaten by the increasingly reactionary right-wing politics of the Catholic bishops.”

Compañeros is a key collaborating partner of the UU Fellowship of Durango. Please consider supporting their crucial work. Just click here to make a donation today.

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Coming Out Transgender at Work: One Colorado Offers A Best Practice Example

No Comments | Share On Facebook| Coming Out Transgender at Work: One Colorado Offers A Best Practice Example Share/Save/Bookmark Apr 26, 2012

One Colorado, a statewide advocacy organization for LGBT Coloradans, had a big announcement this week. The organization’s deputy director, Jess Woodrum, came out as a transgender man. This means that Jess will now be known as Jace and using male pronouns like he, him, and his.

As Jace says, “For me, there’s just a disconnect. There’s a disconnect between the gender that’s in my head and the gender that’s in my body. So I’ve got to fix it, right?”

In this excellent video, Jace–joined by his One Colorado Executive Director Brad Clark–explains more about what transition means for him and how his friends and colleagues can rebound from the inevitable gaffes they will make as they get used to Jace’s transition.



Brad Clark announced Jace’s transition in an email to the entire One Colorado membership. “Honestly, I have never been more proud and humbled by the courage of a colleague,” he wrote. “I hope you will join me in ensuring a smooth, inclusive and uplifting transition for someone we have all come to know and love.”

This is a phenomenal example of how an employer–or anyone for that matter–can be truly supportive during an employee’s transition. Brad and the One Colorado staff have clearly recognized the journey ahead for Jace and the courage that comes with his decision. We send love to Jace for the journey ahead and commend One Colorado for their commitment to educating through story-telling and example.

To see some resources on transgender welcome, inclusion, and affirmation for your congregation, visit: http://www.standingonthesideoflove.org/blog/affirming-transgender-members-creating-celebratory-ceremonies/

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