First United Church of Tampa, UCC

FIRST UNITED CHURCH OF TAMPA

Founded in 1885 · Dr. Warren Clark, Pastor

First United Church of Tampa opposes the "gay pride" ban enacted by the Hillsborough County Commission. On this page, you will see our press release and various opportunities to take peaceful actions (please scroll down to see them) aimed at striking down this unjust and discriminatory policy.

PRESS RELEASE · JUNE 21, 2005

First United Church of Tampa OPPOSES Hillsborough County Commission's "Gay Pride" Ban

First United Church of Tampa, a United Church of Christ congregation founded in 1885, has written a letter to the Hillsborough County Commission to oppose its new anti-gay policy. Also, the Church Council of First United Church of Tampa unanimously adopted the resolution entitled "Resolution Supporting the Repeal of 'Gay Pride' Ban in Hillsborough County Government" on June 19, 2005. For more information about the church, please visit us at http://www.ucctampabay.org/.

Resolution Supporting the Repeal of "Gay Pride" Ban in Hillsborough County Government

(Approved unanimously by the Church Council of First United Church of Tampa on June 19, 2005 .)

WHEREAS the Board of County Commissioners of Hillsborough County recently enacted a ban on any county support or recognition of any event or display recognizing “gay pride” or the presence of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons in the county;

WHEREAS the above-mentioned policy can only be rescinded via a supermajority vote of the County Commission preceded by a public hearing, thus it becomes difficult to repeal;

WHEREAS General Synod 15 of the United Church of Christ called on UCC congregations to adopt a Covenant of Openness and Affirmation of persons of lesbian, gay, and bisexual orientation;

WHEREAS First United Church of Tampa is an Open and Affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ, welcoming persons of all sexual orientations into the full life and ministry of the church;

WHEREAS First United Church of Tampa has a long history of standing in solidarity with those who are oppressed and marginalized;

WHEREAS the County Commissioners’ action will result in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons and their families to feel unwelcome and unwanted in Hillsborough County;

WHEREAS all persons are created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26 );

WHEREAS Jesus Christ calls us to be welcoming to one another (Matthew 10:40 );

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Church Council of First United Church of Tampa states its opposition to the County Commissioners’ recent action in a letter to the Board;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Church Council of First United Church of Tampa will send a letter to Commissioner Kathy Castor to express its gratitude for her casting the only vote of opposition to the above-mentioned policy;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Church Council of First United Church of Tampa expresses its support of Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio’s statement recognizing the importance of inclusivity;

THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Church Council of First United Church of Tampa expresses its support for and solidarity with peaceful actions aimed at striking down this unjust and discriminatory policy.

Letter from Church Council to Board of County Commissioners

Dear Honorable County Commissioners:

It is extremely unfortunate that Commissioners Hagan, Scott, Storms, Norman , Blair, and Sharpe supported enacting a policy that would ban any county recognition of “gay pride” or any other related display or event.

Since 1885, First United Church of Tampa -- a congregation of the United Church of Christ -- has stood in solidarity with those who are poor, oppressed, and marginalized. One of our key missions is to welcome all people into our church family, including persons who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT).

We are very grateful that Commissioner Castor said that “it is inappropriate for government to promote discrimination” in voting against the policy. Also, we applaud Mayor Pam Iorio’s statements in favor of diversity, tolerance, and inclusion.

Enacting this discriminatory policy will cause the members of the LGBT community and their families to feel unwanted and unwelcome in Hillsborough County . It also causes Hillsborough County to have a very negative image.

The Church Council of First United Church of Tampa, which represents the membership of the congregation, strongly urges you to repeal this unjust policy. We support any peaceful actions aimed at repealing it. In addition, we call on the County Commission to ban discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodations on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Sincerely,

Jim Christison, Moderator Dr. Warren Clark, Pastor

CALLS TO ACTION

Pray!!! Please pray for the Rev. Phyllis Hunt, Pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church of Tampa, to give thanks for her leadership in the community during this struggle; Dr. Warren Clark, our pastor, who is also speaking out against the anti-gay policy; the members of the Board of County Commissioners; other political and religious leaders; and for all those who participate peacefully in the struggle to repeal the County Commission's anti-gay policy.
Contact the Hillsborough County Commissioners directly at 813-272-5660 or by clicking here.
Join Equality Florida. Utilize their Online Action Center to write letters to the editor and contact elected officials.
Sign this petition.
Every Friday at 7:00 PM: Equality Mall Walk (in Ronda Storms' home district!) at the Brandon Town Center (Westfield Brandon). This is a weekly event.
Wednesday, July 20 at 8:45 AM: Attend the next meeting of the Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners. The public comments section begins at 9:00. Arrive at 8:45 to sign up to speak. The BOCC meeting takes place at the County Center building, which is located at 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., in downtown Tampa.
Thursday, July 21 at 7:00-9:00 PM: Please join the first Read-In at the Westgate Regional Library, 7606 Paula Dr., Tampa. This will be a quiet protest in which people are encouraged to borrow and read a book from the display that was taken down (you may need to request it ahead of time to be sent to the Westgate Library). All of the participants will have signs saying something to the effect of "This is one of the Gay Pride books the BOCC doesn't want displayed". Please wear any Pride shirts or a " Banned in Hillsborough County" t-shirt.
Friday, July 22 at 10:15 AM: Attend the Citizen's Advisory Committee meeting. The CAC plays an advisory role to the Hillsborough County Commission. The the anti-gay ban will be discussed at 10:15 and there is an opportunity for public comment at 11:15. The meeting is held on the 18th floor of the County Center Building at 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa.