LGBT Christians to Indiana Lawmakers: Get to know us before making laws against us

LGBT Christians marched to the Indiana capital to call on Governor Mike Pence and Indiana lawmakers to learn more about the LGBT community before passing any more harmful laws.

The Evangelical Network, an association of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and straight Christians is holding its annual conference this year in Indianapolis. LGBT and Straight evangelical Christians from across the U.S. and Canada marched from the Marriott Hotel downtown to the Indiana Statehouse. The march is in response to the state’s so-called “Religious Freedom Restoration Act” that goes into effect July 1, 2015. The new law allows businesses in most Indiana cities to deny service to lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender individuals based on their religious beliefs.

 “As Evangelical Christians, we understand the importance of religious freedom”, said Todd Ferrell, President of the organization.  “We also understand ‘the church’ has an ugly history of discriminating against people and [we] are here to say that must not happen again. Discrimination of LGBT people is not a Christian value. We are coming to the Capitol of Indiana with a message of peace and reconciliation, and asking Governor Mike Pence and the Indiana State Legislators to accept our invitation to sit down and begin constructive dialogue.”

Faith leaders from across the country and locally spoke on the Indiana capital steps about the need for governmental leaders and the LGBT community to come together. The rally ended with a formal invitation to Governor Mike Pence and Indiana legislative leaders to lay down their weapons of accusations and assumptions about LGBT people and begin to engage them in constructive dialogue.

GLAAD worked with The Evangelical Network to bring the story to local media. The local CBS, Fox, and NPR affiliates covered the rally. 

Photos and video are from The Evangelical Network, and can be used with credit to the organization.