On Sunday, October 12, I had the privilege of speaking at Cathedral of Hope on the 10th anniversary of the tragic death of Matthew Shepard. I was honored, though saddened, to learn that I was the first Baptist minister to preach from the CoH pulpit. But, what a great experience that was! Never have I spoken to more attentive, intense and involved people. Sharing communion with you was a grace for which I always will be grateful.

Later that day, I launched the Green Paper Project on Faith, Freedom and Equality, a project that creates a new paradigm for conversations about equality. The Interfaith Alliance intends to bring to the table both friends and adversaries of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality and, in this religiously pluralistic nation, to advocate for public policy based on constitutional guarantees, not scriptures or sacred texts. No politician should be able to tell a minister whom she/he can or cannot marry by means of a holy ceremony!

You may recall that, borrowing words from Henri Nouwen, I asked you to listen to your life. I observed, “Identity is a profoundly important dimension of spirituality” and pointed out that “In times of tumult and trouble, the apostle Paul admonished those who read his correspondence, ‘Remember who you are!’” By means of these words, I was, and I am, inviting you to continue to take extraordinary steps into that existential moment when we face all the forces in the universe—family, religion, culture, law, the educational system, and peer pressure, to name a few—telling us who we must be to find acceptance in this world and respond by saying, “No, actually that is not my truth. My truth resides in my relationship to the God who created me and empowers me with that creation!”

Be assured that the Interfaith Alliance will stand with you in that truth. We will stand with you as we fight for the protections of comprehensive federal hate crimes legislation and the dignity of an Employment Non-Discrimination bill. We will stand with you in opposition to marriage amendments that exclude you. We will stand with you in churches and synagogues, mosques and gurdwaras, and we will be with you in community and political gatherings. The Interfaith Alliance will speak up for equality. As I said to you, “When I read the Constitution of the United States, I find no indication that sexual orientation exempts any one from the rights and freedoms to be enjoyed by every citizen in this nation.”

Through our work towards LGBT equality, we hope to share with you and learn from you. I want to urge you to email my Senior Advisor, Donna Red Wing, at and let her know that you would like to continue this conversation. And please, click HERE to visit us at our website .

My dear friends, thank you for the privilege of getting to know you and being a part of a journey with you.

Reverend Dr. C. Welton Gaddy
President
The Interfaith Alliance

Sixteen Visit for Candidates Day

Last Sunday, Hope for Peace & Justice hosted Candidates Day at the Cathedral of Hope, with 16 candidates in the November 4 election attending morning worship. Several of them brought family and friends. The following candidates joined us for one or both services:

• Thomas P. Love, Candidate for U.S. Congress, Texas 24th District
• Eric Roberson, Candidate for U.S. Congress, Texas 32nd District
• Judge Jim Jordan, Candidate for Chief Justice, Texas Supreme Court
• Judge Linda Yanez, Candidate for Justice, Texas Supreme Court, Place 8
• Rep. Terri Hodge, Candidate for Texas State Representative District 100
• Sheriff Lupe Valdez, Candidate for Dallas County Sheriff
• John R. Ames, Candidate for Dallas County Tax Assessor Collector
• Judge David Hanschen, Candidate for 5th District Court of Appeals, Place 6
• Tina Yoo, Candidate for 5th District Court of Appeals, Place 8
• Eric. V. Moye, Candidate for Judge, 14th Judicial District Court
• Ken Molberg, Candidate for Judge, 95th District Court
• Judge Lorraine Raggio, Candidate for Judge, 162nd District Court
• Mike Lee, Candidate for Judge, 162nd District Court
• Judge Don Adams, Candidate for Judge, Criminal District Court #2
• Gracie Lewis, Candidate for Judge, Criminal District Court # 3
• Judge John Creuzot, Candidate for Judge, Criminal District Court #4

These elected officials, who are not running this year, attended to show support for Hope for Peace & Justice and the event:

• Judge Jim Foster, Dallas County Judge (and Cathedral of Hope member)
• Larry Duncan, President, Dallas County Schools
• Judge Carter Thompson, District Court Judge, 5th Criminal District Court.
• Judge Carl Ginsberg, District Court Judge, 193rd Civil District Court
• Judge Elizabeth Crowder, Dallas Criminal District Court Judge
• Judge Gena Slaughter, District Court Judge, 191st Civil District Court

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