PARITY INC
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Mission Statement
Parity is a New York City-based nonprofit organization with global programs designed to create healing spaces for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ+) persons to reconcile their identity and faith. We were founded in 1997 (under the name Presbyterian Welcome) and have worked tirelessly for over two decades to move the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to ordain LGBTQ+ ministers and allow same-sex couples to be married. In 2014, we changed our name to Parity, and expanded our vision to include ecumenical ministries and multi faith ministries. We believe that nurturing LGBTQ+ faith and faith-rooted social justice leadership strengthens not only faith communities, but also social justice efforts. Now we seek to respond to the call for civic engagement for faith-rooted LGBTQ+ young people. Parity is committed to this expansive concept, focused on: Creating more open spaces where all of a person’s identity—race, sexuality, class, gender, nationality and faith—can find harmony and healing. Building bridges across denominational lines by partnering with a broader diversity of Christian communities, now including traditionally rejecting religions. Creating connections between the sacred and secular by partnering with more non-faith-based community organizations and to make inroads with LGBTQ+ organizations that are traditionally rejecting of faith. By providing dynamic and ecumenical worship opportunities and education for large and small congregations, formational training and support for future pastors, vibrant youth leadership and engagement programs, and advocacy on a global scale through our affiliation with the United Nations, Parity advances LGBTQ+ equality both broadly and intimately inside and outside the Church. We strive to make clear that faith traditions can be supportive of LGBTQ+ people, as well as healing and nurturing spaces. We know that in order to eradicate homophobia and transphobia in the world, we must continue to make changes in our religious institutions, equipping and empowering youth and adult leaders to advocate for faith that is available to everyone. Parity is a 501(c)(3) organization funded by local partnering congregations, individuals, foundations and supportive churches from all over the country. Parity is grateful for their partnership, support, trust and encouragement.
About This Cause
Parity has a variety of programs and projects designed to promote flourishing for LGBT people and those who love them. Along the way we promote pluralism and religious freedom for ALL people around the world. We believe that understanding through curious and compassionate dialogue and shoulder to shoulder service, creates a world where all perspectives are valued and needed. From Parity's latest program report, our key programs and projects: Youth Parity supports LGBT camps for youth and works to provide programming and supplies where needed. Parity has several programs for LGBT youth experiencing homelessness, street outreach, and care kit service projects. International Parity’s Kenya LGBT Christian fellowship program has expanded to create youth groups in two counties. The youth are led by a member of the adult fellowship who provides group learning activities, community-building and business and educational opportunities. LGBT youth are denied access to schooling and employment - Parity provides micro-grants and financial support so that LGBT Christian Kenyan adults are able to offer educational supports and life-saving community to young people who otherwise would be forced to live on the streets and subsist through survival sex. College and Graduate School Our Faith, Hope and Love Project with Fuller Seminary and Brigham Young University Law School, trains student ambassadors to relate in love to LGBT individuals in their congregations, campuses and professional settings. Faith-Based LGBT Training for Foster Care Our Faith-Based Training Series with our conserving colleagues who network religious foster care and adoption agencies and resource parents. This innovative program translates the peer-reviewed science into language and terms that resonate with the loving hearts of faith-based providers. Peacebuilders Parity's Peacebuilding training program certifies individuals to act as volunteer peacebuilders at community events with de-escalation, mental health and crisis, and safety skills training. Emerging and New LGBTQ+ Pastors and Youth Ministers Parity provides retreats and educational events and opportunities for seminarians and new pastors, BIPOC pastors and seminarians and LGBT people in discernment as well as mentoring, opportunities for compensated preaching, teaching and networking. Adults Parity provides spiritual direction, spiritual companioning and pastoral care as well as matching adults with appropriate pastors (Parity’s Virtual Pastor Network) and opportunities for worship (Parity’s Online Faith Collective), teaching, preaching and leadership opportunities. Parity also has six supportive groups available for LGBTQ+ adults: • Conversion therapy survivors • Christianity • General faith and spirituality • Converge international, lay led Bible studies • Faith-based parent groups Elders Parity has a specific pastoral care and end of life program for LGBTQ+ elders, as well as volunteer matching for hospice and volunteer chaplaincy. Families Parity provides peer to peer matching and pastoral care for LGBTQ+ families and families with LGBTQ+ children, spiritual companioning and supportive groups. Church, School, Organization and Business Parity provides strength-based educational programming and mentoring to churches, businesses and kindergarten-graduate level schools with LGBTQ+ members and families on a wide variety of LGBTQ+ concerns. Advocacy and Activism LGBTQ+ Youth Homelessness and Suicide Parity educates and empowers faith communities, schools of all levels and individuals to learn more about LGBT youth homelessness and suicide and to advocate and address both in their communities and beyond through direct service, legislative change and advocacy. International Parity supports and coordinates with individuals and groups concerned with LGBTQ life and dignity worldwide through mini-grants and community organizing. Our new LGBT-FoRB Roundtable network extends the reach of civil society, governmental, faith and business groups to address the persecution faced by LGBT people worldwide. Community, Church and Seminaries, College and Universities Parity’s Glitter + Ash and Glitter Blessings projects are used throughout the Western world to showcase faith support for LGBTQ people and “coming out” for queer people of faith. Individuals directly impacted total over 50,000 each year. In addition, Parity’s Faith @ Pride helps churches and faith communities to publicize and engage with local Pride festivals as well as to connect LGBTQ people to faith activities in their community. Conversion Therapy Survivors Parity is the fiscal sponsor and mentor to the Conversion Therapy Survivors, an international advocacy and healing organization. Parity also provides a spiritual support group as well as financial and technical support for conversion therapy retreats. Bridging and Healing Divides Holy Dialogues and Blessed by Difference are Parity’s flagship programs for healing and bridging divides including all perspectives on faith and LGBT concerns. Holy Dialogues publishes a devotional series written by LGBT Christians and friends from around the world. Holy Dialogues includes a video series of frank discussions with LGBT people of faith and conserving pastors and faith leaders; Blessed by Difference is an educational program that teaches beginner to advanced curious, compassionate and even collaborative dialogue and civic friendships. Featured on the inaugural issue of Deseret Magazine, America Talks, Parliament of World Religions, Family Christian’s Walking through Samaria Program and Interfaith Alliance’s State of Belief. Individual, Family, Church, Education, Organization and Business Educational events and trainings for people of all ages, belief or non belief and SOGIE (sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression) status in a variety of public and private settings are trained to understand their own perspectives and beliefs and share them safely with others with the intended result of personal and community transformation. Government and International Parity works publicly and behind the scenes in local, state and federal government settings to promote curious and compassionate conversation to help all involved bridge the divides on federal and global protections for LGBT people, transgender and LGBT youth health and safety and equality concerns, and at the intersection of LGBT and religious freedom. Religious Freedom Parity has been a presence at events including the National Prayer Breakfast, and invited speaker at the BYU Law School, the BYU Religious Freedom Annual Review, the International Religious Freedom Summit in Washington, DC, the London Freedom of Religion and Belief Ministerial, Notre Dame Law School in Indiana, London and Rome, United Nations Civil Society Conference, the Bipartisan Policy Center, Center for Public Justice, First Amendment Partnership, and more. Volunteer Opportunities Parity has a number of opportunities for individuals, groups and faith communities: LGBTQ+ Youth Homelessness / Suicide ~ Resource Fairs: Parity will connect your faith community or organization with local service providers to hold an annual or biannual research fair that showcases and networks faith-based and secular supports for LGBTQ+ youth experiencing or at risk of homelessness. ~ Create or distribute care kits for LGBT youth experiencing homelessness as a volunteer activity. Kits include needed personal items and a caring note. ~ Create or distribute Turtle Shelter Vests to help keep homeless teens and adults alive to -10 degrees. ~ Become an LGBTQ+ youth advocate - receive training and mentoring to best address youth homelessness and suicide in your community. Holy Dialogues ~ Become a Holy Dialogue trainer / facilitator. Receive education, resources, mentoring and cohort support to lead groups and bridge / heal divides one on one in your community. Operation Safety Net Be trained and networked in our international database of over 1,200 individuals who help LGBTQ+ youth and families in need. LGBT Religious Liberty Join our new International FoRB Round Table - share your concerns and collaborate with global partners. Lastly: Please let me know how Parity can help YOU. We are stronger together, and grateful to you for your prayers, financial support and encouragement. Thank you for being part of the Parity family! Marian Rev. Dr. Marian Edmonds-Allen, Executive Director, Parity marian@parity.nyc