Award honors outstanding commitment and courage working for the full-inclusion of LGBTQ people in faith communities.
BOSTON, Mass.— The Hispanic Black Gay Coalition (HBGC) has been selected as the 2014 recipient of the Pride Interfaith Award. The award honors a person or organization that has demonstrated outstanding commitment and courage working for the full-inclusion of LGBTQ people in communities of faith. The award will be presented to HBGC on June 14, 2014 at Union United Methodist Church during the 37th Annual LGBTQ Pride Interfaith Service from 9:30 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Since 1994, the annual award has been selected by The Pride Interfaith Coalition. This year, the coalition includes representatives from Queer Muslims of Boston, Dignity Boston, Congregation Am Tikva, First Church Somervile UCC, the Nichiren Buddhist Association, and EarthSpirit. HBGC will join an impressive roster of past recipients including Keshet (2013), Bishop Gene Robinson (2004), the Religious Coalition for the Freedom to Marry (2003), and Bishop Martin McLee (2002), among others. [pullquote]HBGC will join an impressive roster of past recipients including Keshet (2013), Bishop Gene Robinson (2004), the Religious Coalition for the Freedom to Marry (2003), and Bishop Martin McLee (2002), among others. [/pullquote]
Since its founding, HBGC has included spiritual growth as one of its key program areas and continues to be one of few LGBTQ organizations to actively partner with and engage faith communities of color. Since 2010, HBGC has held monthly spiritual growth groups (renamed as Healing Circle in 2014). The group supports Latin@ and Black LGBTQ people of all ages to discuss spirituality, faith, and religion in an open and affirming space. The group also allows participants to exchange best practices for engaging in community, fellowship and self-care.
From 2011-2012, HBGC held rotating morning worships where LGBTQ people and their allies were encouraged to attend services at a local congregations of color selected by HBGC. The rotating morning worships were a unique opportunity to raise the visibility of LGBTQ worshipers of color while building positive relationships and partnerships with local faith leaders. Morning worships still continue under HBGC as supporters are encouraged to attend Union United Methodist Church every 4th Sunday to worship with other HBGC leaders and supporters. [pullquote]Morning worships still continue under HBGC as supporters are encouraged to attend Union United Methodist Church every 4th Sunday to worship with other HBGC leaders and supporters. [/pullquote]
In 2013, HBGC organized VISION, an LGBTQ musical group for youth of color and their allies under 25. For the year, the group traveled to local events and places of worship preforming gospel and other contemporary tunes. HBGC continues to engage faith leaders and faith communities whenever possible by providing pastoral and spiritual counseling referrals, honoring LGBTQ faith leaders of color, inviting faith leaders to participate in community forums and events, and sponsoring events that explore faith and spirituality within the LGBTQ community.
Learn more about HBGC, their spiritual group programs and other initiatives by visiting hbgc-boston.org.
The Hispanic Black Gay Coalition works to inspire and empower Black, Hispanic, and Latin@ LGBTQ individuals to improve their livelihood through activism, education, outreach, and counseling. Get connected at: hbgc-boston.org or facebook.com/hbgcboston.
[From a News Release]
