SEXUAL AND GENDER DIVERSITY COMMITTEE

Purpose

The mission statement follows:

The Sexual and Gender Diversity Committee seeks to uphold Unitarian Universalist principles in order to assist and support the safe and equitable inclusion of sexual and gender minorities and their supporters in the Unitarian Congregation of Niagara by offering education, representation and community outreach.

Members

• Joan Wiley, co-ordinator
• Ed Gilbert, committee member
• Marie Belliveau, committee member
• Doreen Peever, committee member

Status Report

Spring 2009

The Sexual and Gender Diversity Committee (SGDC) has been actively complying with its mission statement since the committee was affirmed by the UCN congregation at the AGM early in 2009.

The Sexual and Gender Diversity Committee seeks to uphold Unitarian Universalist principles in order to assist and support the safe and equitable inclusion of sexual and gender minorities and their supporters in the Unitarian Congregation of Niagara by offering education, representation and community outreach. As part of its outreach, SGDC:

• Began planning for a conference in October, to which regional UU churches will be invited. Workshops will revolve around issues of sexual and gender diversity. On behalf of the committee, Marie Belliveau has applied to the CUC "Sharing Our Faith" Fund for a grant to assist in the operation of the conference.
• Organized a Senior Gay Men’s group through committee member Ed Gilbert, who also appeared as a guest on OUTspoken, Niagara’s queer radio program on CFBU 103.7. While the group failed to attract any members, the church’s profile was raised as a safe and welcoming space, and again, the effort was appreciated.
• Showed the movie Milk on Sunday, April 5. Milk is the story of the life and times of Harvey Milk, a prominent gay activist in the 1970s. Several new people from the broader community attended, and an interesting discussion was held after the screening. A review of the movie was written for the UCN newsletter.
• Maintained its membership in OUTniagara, the umbrella organization uniting the sexual- and gender-diverse community in Niagara.
• Contributed material to a web page on the UCN website.