United Church Statement on Pride Worldwide
The United Church offers us both a prayer for Pride and a reflection on Pride Month that moves Pride from the local to the global: “During the month of June, thousands of people in Canada will be participating in Pride activities celebrating the lives and freedom of LGBTQ+ people. That won’t be happening in Chechnya, or in Uganda, Zambia, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and many other countries.
The United Church of Canada strongly condemns the violence happening against LGBTQ+ people in Chechnya—as well as the daily violence and oppression experienced by LGBTQ+ people around the world.
The United Church of Canada believes that all human beings are made in the image of God regardless of their sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression. Yet, even as we seek to eliminate homophobia and transphobia, we know it is within us. We lament the pain, heartache, and lost lives that religion has contributed to both in Canada and around the world.”