Allies Gather is an informal network connecting and nurturing agents of change in the work to end racism and heterosexism -- especially in communities of faith.

Historically, our work flows out of the "welcoming church movement" and the Witness Our Welcome (WOW) conferences of 2000 and 2003.  These two conferences, were ground-breaking efforts to gather lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and allied Christians across denominational lines. [more about "welcoming movement"]

In the midst of the joy of gathering 1000 strong to worship and praise together in 2000, there was pronounced interracial conflict that left a deep and unsettling pain among us and between us.  As a result, WOW 2000 became a clarion call to action. [more about WOW 2000 clarion call]

Despite efforts to cultivate racial/cultural diversity, it became obvious that the events, networks of connection, and culture of the gathered community were overwhelmingly white.  The "welcoming church movement" remains fractured and divided along racial lines. Even among justice-loving, Christian, LGBT activists, there is so much work to be done before the long legacy of racism and white supremacy is behind us.

Allies Gather is one small effort to continue that work together.