This month, HRC Global rolled out the second in our series of “Engaging Allies” resources and capacity-building workshops, titled “Engaging People of Faith as Allies for Equality.” Through this series, HRC is convening advocates for workshops, consultations and ideas sharing centered on working with people of faith as allies in their countries.

This resource and its associated workshops are geared toward LGBTQ advocates around the world who understand the importance of religion in shaping and driving societal attitudes towards LGBTQ people. It provides the tools and skills to engage with people of faith – both clergy and laity – across all religions and faith traditions.

The resource distills HRC’s 20-year history in the faith space into five key ways to engage people of faith: identifying LGBTQ people of faith and allies; connecting with them and connecting them to each other; providing tools and resources for them to be allies; providing people of faith with effective messaging to create change within their faith traditions and the public sphere; and creating opportunities for them to engage in advocacy as allies.

These resources and workshops are part of HRC Foundation’s Global Partnerships in Innovative Advocacy program, which seeks to help strengthen the global equality movement through more effective advocacy, campaigning, organizing and outreach. 

Read more about each of the regional convenings..

Seoul, South Korea

HRC Global held a consultation with select members of HRC’s global alumni network in Seoul, alongside the ILGA-Asia conference in August. The consultation sought feedback on the new resource and workshops.

HRC Global also participated in a day-long workshop on LGBTQ and faith issues with the Global Interfaith Network.

This week, @HRC's Jay Gilliam and Jean Freedburg (@FreedJean) join advocates from around the region, including HRC Global alumni, in Seoul for #ILGAAsia2019 to share strategies and learn from other activists in the fight for LGBTQ equality. #Together4Change pic.twitter.com/M8X4BBJuRy

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) August 22, 2019

Prague, Czech Republic

HRC Global hosted the first workshop with select members of HRC’s global alumni network in Prague, in conjunction with the ILGA-Europe conference. We focused on issues relating to religion, faith and LGBTQ rights in Eastern Europe, the Balkans and Central Asia, with advocates from Ukraine, Belgium, Albania, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kyrgyzstan.

We also participated in a conference workshop panel with the European Forum of LGBT Christian Groups and the Global Interfaith Network.

.@HRC was proud to lead a workshop about engaging people of faith as allies for LGBTQ equality at @ILGAEurope conference. #IEPrague2019 https://t.co/zJ5cu5oykZ pic.twitter.com/OldfF09flP

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) October 29, 2019

Bogotá, Colombia

In conjunction with the eighth ILGA-LAC conference in Bogotá, HRC Global hosted a workshop with members of our global alumni network from across Latin America and the Caribbean. 

We discussed issues relating to religion, faith and LGBTQ rights across the region and highlighted strategies to push back against opposition by elevating the voices of LGBTQ-affirming people of faith. We also participated in sessions with the U.N. Independent Expert on SOGI, learned what advocates are doing to address violence against LGBTQ people, and joined workshops, plenaries and networking events with advocates from across the hemisphere.

.@HRC was proud to lead a workshop about engaging people of faith as allies for LGBTQ equality at the @ILGALAC conference. #JuntesPorLaPaz https://t.co/zJ5cu5G9cx pic.twitter.com/bPBCo18gbd

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) November 27, 2019