Washington - The Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender civil rights group, has published a study guide as a supplement for the film For the Bible Tells Me So, a documentary that explores the intersection of religion and the GLBT experience. The film, a 2008 GLAAD Media Award recipient and 2007 Sundance Film Festival nominee for the Grand Jury Prize, spotlights the stories of GLBT people of faith and their families in the United States, including New Hampshire Episcopal Bishop Reverend Gene Robinson and his parents. HRC's user-friendly guide, written by celebrated GLBT activist Rev. Christopher Glaser and edited by Dr. Sharon Groves of the HRC Foundation's Religion & Faith Program, strives to empower audiences to create communities of acceptance and advocacy.

"When I first envisioned this film, I had hoped it would fuel a national dialogue about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and faith," explains Daniel Karslake, director and producer of For the Bible Tells Me So. "What I've seen happening, particularly among faith communities around the country, has surpassed all my expectations. Now, with the study guide For the Bible Tells Me So: A Study Guide and Advocacy Training Curriculum, I'm confident such conversations will go even further and deeper. I wholeheartedly endorse this study guide and encourage all progressive congregations to use it when they show the film."

Rev. Mike Schuenemeyer, Executive for Health and Wholeness Advocacy, Wider Church Ministries in the United Church of Christ, also believes in the transformative power of the guide, saying, "We at the United Church of Christ have learned that honest and respectful conversations among people of faith are essential to building open and affirming religious communities. HRC's For the Bible Tells Me So: A Study Guide and Advocacy Training Curriculum makes such conversations possible and will move people another step toward building more justice-seeking congregations and communities."

The guide is divided into three parts: (1) a discussion of the feelings the film evokes about families and faith (2) a conversation about the Bible-both how it is misused to discriminate against GLBT people and how it is a source of empowerment and liberation (3) a step-by-step training to move people of faith and congregations from acceptance to public advocacy.

The resource guide is available at no charge at www.hrc.org/religion. For communities of faith who plan to use the guide in conjunction with a screening of the film, a package including the DVD of For the Bible Tells Me So and HRC's accompanying educational license is available at a discounted rate at of $50.00 for those who agree to use the study guide. This bargain rate is only available through the HRC Store. Visit the online store at www.hrc.org/shop.

For more information on HRC's Religion & Faith Program, visit www.hrc.org/religion.

The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against GLBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.