First Parish Blog

Welcoming Congregation Update

By , May 4, 2022

FPUU Canton has again been designated by the UUA as a Welcoming Congregation due to our renewal efforts. Part of the renewal process includes continuing to increase our awareness of issues impacting the GLBTQ community so that we can truly become a more welcoming place of worship and spiritual renewal.

One aspect of this learning and becoming better allies is to be increasingly mindful of dates that acknowledge and commemorate significant events, anniversaries, celebrations and calls to action.

May 17 is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. The main purpose of the May 17 mobilization is to coordinate international grassroots actions and events that raise awareness of GLBTQ rights violations and the violence, discrimination and repression of GLBTQ communities worldwide. Events currently take place in over 132 countries across the globe. The day was conceived in 2004 and a year -long campaign culminated in the first IDAHTB being held in 2005. The May 17th date was chosen to commemorate the decision to declassify ‘homosexuality’ as a disease by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1990 on that day.

— Diana Levy

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