On Sunday, March 15, we gathered with our neighbors in community as people of faith and conscience to hold a vigil in solidarity with our trans youth. It was a sacred and tender time together, shaped by honesty, courage, and deep expressions of love. We were reminded of the holy worth and belovedness of all our beloved trans siblings.
Through song, prayer, and presence, we created a space of care and affirmation. The music lifted our spirits, and the clergy shared a joint statement You can read the statement here below
With gratitude, we give thanks to all who came, who bore witness, and who continue to stand in love and solidarity.
Interfaith Statement of Solidarity
As people of faith, we are coming together to unite our voices in the following affirmations and encouragements for LGBTQIA+ youth, especially for trans and nonbinary youth.
We love and support you unconditionally with no exceptions.
We know that gender, gender identity, and sexual orientation are diverse, expansive, and complex and we encourage you to be kind, gentle, and patient with yourself as you seek to understand and express yourself in ways that are authentic and true to who you know yourself to be.
In our traditions we understand the necessity of love and support in the form of families of origin or chosen families, and we know how painful and lonely it can be when these are lacking.
We welcome you to reach out to any of the leaders of our faith communities who are committed to loving you, supporting you, encouraging you, advocating for you, and walking with you on your journey.
And if a faith community is not for you, we commit to helping you find a community of loving and supportive people that aligns with your beliefs and values.
Further, we seek in our own lives to know our limits and set healthy boundaries. Our value is not in our achievements. Our value is being who we are. So we commit to creating a world where this is always true for you.
Please know and remember this always:
You are valued.
You are enough.
You are celebrated.
You are loved unconditionally for exactly who you are.
And we will fight for you.
Signed,
- Rev. Tom Harris – First Presbyterian Palo Alto
- Rev. Dr. Eileen Atlman, First Congregational Church of Palo Alto
- Rev. Kirsten Snow Spalding, Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church of Palo Alto
- Rev. Cat Boyle, Unitarian Universalist Church