"Welcoming Movement"

The "welcoming movement" is a term loosely applied collectively to the various denominational networks of faith communities (esp. Christian) that are supportive of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.

The "welcoming movement" has generally been shaped and defined by Protestant Christian denominational caucus groups that work for lesbian and gay rights. Main players include: More Light Presbyterians (Presbyterian Church USA); Open and Affirming Program (United Church of Christ); Reconciling Ministries Network (United Methodist Church); Reconciling in Christ program of Lutherans Concerned/North America (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America); Open & Affirming Ministry (Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists (American Baptist Churches). Additional groups have joined in over time.

This coalition of groups worked ecumenically to publish "Open Hands" magazine for more than a decade, under the fiscal sponsorship of the Reconciling Ministries Network. The final issue of Open Hands was published in 2001.
The "Witness Our Welcome" events (2000 and 2003) were produced by a planning committee that emerged from the same collaborative group of leaders and organizations.
Incorporated in 2002, the Institute for Welcoming Resources (IWR) was founded to provide a structure within which to continue these collaborative efforts.
Parallel to these efforts, beginning in 1998, the National Lesbian and Gay Task Force (NLGTF) convened a National Religious Leadership Roundtable (NRLR), which included leadership from the "welcoming movement" organizations, as well as additional players (incl. Catholic, Muslim, Jewish, Unitarian, Hindu, Mormon, Quaker, etc).
In March 2006, IWR merged with NLGTF.

Witness Our Welcome

"Witness Our Welcome" (WOW) conferences were held in 2000 (rural Illinois) and 2003 (Philadelphia) to gather this "welcoming movement" network across denominational lines. The results highlighted the tension points within and around this coalition of people, particularly around issues of race and class.