In 8 countries, people can be executed for being gay or lesbian.
In 45 countries, women can be sent to prison for being lesbian.
In 72 countries, men can be sent to prison for being gay.
In 25 countries, LGBTI organizations are illegal.
LGBTI youth from non-accepting families are more than 8 times more likely to attempt suicide than those from accepting families.
LGBTI youth are 4 times more likely to attempt suicide than heterosexual youth with religious-based LGBTI discrimination as a major cause of these outcomes.
Many LGBTI people experience trauma and marginalization because of religious-based discrimination.
1. What we believe in:
All people are equal before their Creator, regardless of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity
Every LGBTI person deserves and is worthy of being welcomed, accepted and embraced by their families and the faith community of their choice.
Everyone should have the opportunity to achieve their fullest potential and participate in and contribute to all aspects of life
As faith communities, our central values shall be compassion and acceptance
2. What we will do:
Promote a vision of love and inclusion
Develop faith-based educational resources to spread the message of awareness and inclusiveness in families and faith communities
Assess global religious-based LGBTI discrimination and identify effective ways to reduce it
Develop resources to help people in Canada evaluate the level of welcome and inclusion of their faith communities
Publish the level of welcome and inclusion of Canadian faith communities to help people evaluate their options
Develop a sustainable, strategic plan and programming to bring this message to people around the world in culturally sensitive, context-aware ways
Work with selected countries to develop long-term strategies to decrease religious-based LGBTI discrimination
Inspire people around the world to see these issues in a compassionate way through testimonials and programming.
3. What the results will be:
A world free of religious-based LGBTI discrimination, in which religions, religious bodies, communities and families choose to leave their religious-based biases against LGBTI people behind.
People,faith communities and families choosing to create healthy environments through practicing acceptance, inclusion and compassion.
LGBTI people experiencing the joy that comes from living in affirming communities that support their growth and expression as an LGBTI individual.
Making daily life better for LGBTI people by fostering the feeling of freedom and choice that comes from knowing that one may participate in a faith community and family in the fullest sense possible.
Reducing rates and impact of religious-based LGBTI discrimination on people and societies everywhere.
