Gays in Faith Together adds staff and welcomes dialogue

Gays in Faith Together (GIFT) has added two new members to its team. Amy Herring is the new Community Partnerships Coordinator and Laura Busman will be serving as the Faith Advocacy Coordinator.

GIFT is a local, faith-based organization working toward the affirmation of local LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) persons in the faith communities of West Michigan. The new hires will be working to strengthen the organization's community outreach.

Herring says one of her first priorities is to continue to spread the word and expand their circle of trust. "We are working hard to make authentic connections and relationships in the community, to provide support for LGBT people and their friends and families, to raise awareness about our programs and resources, and to be a bridge between the LGBT community and the more traditional faith communities in West Michigan," she says.

Herring says the majority of outreach is through "word of mouth" and the organization hosts small "introductory events" called Unwrapping GIFT, which provide an overview of their mission and introduces staff, board members and volunteers. These events are announced on their website: www.GaysInFaithTogether.org

Other priorities for Herring and Busman will be to secure their financial foundation and to continue the planning and implementation for the organization’s "Gay Christian? Yes!" campaign, which seeks to proclaim the love of Christ for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people and their allies and to affirm their presence and inclusion in the Christian community

Herring says the "time is right" for this organization to expand the dialogue, citing the high profile discussions (locally and nationally) on the civil rights issue of marriage equality and the local attention in West Michigan on the City of Holland regarding housing and employment rights for LGBT individuals.

Herring acknowledges the sensitivity of the work, the complexity of social justice and the challenges in bringing about change in long-standing institutions and working with individuals who have been disenfranchised from their faith but embraces the power of open dialogue. "Change takes time, especially in churches, so we need keep talking and sharing and processing as our churches begin, or continue to work through, these transformations."

GIFT currently has a staff of four individuals. GIFT was formed in 2001 and became a 501(c)3 in 2003. Their office is located at 207 E. Fulton Street, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. For more information about GIFT, please contact Amy Herring at [email protected].

Writer: John Rumery, Innovation and Job News Editor