Submitted by:
The Rev. Beatrice M. Billups
The Rev. James R. Crowder
The Rev. Frank E. Fortkamp
Christina Harris
The Rev. Eleanor Holland
The Rev. Alice Jellema
The Rev. T. Stewart Lucas
The Rev. Martha Macgill
Louise E. Miller
The Rev. Ronald H. Miller
The Rev. Dr. Victoria R. Sirota
The Rev. Scott Slater
The Rev. P. Kingsley Smith
The Rev. Lee Ann Tolzmann
The Rev. Kathryn A. Wajda
The Rev. Lauren M. Welch
The Rev. Tammy Wooliver
RESOLVED, that the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland, meeting in Convention May 6-7, 2005, opposes discrimination on the basis of gender identity or expression as well as sexual orientation.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Secretary of Convention be directed to communicate this resolution to the members of the Maryland House of Delegates, Maryland Senate, and to the United States Senators from Maryland as well as the Maryland delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives.
In our Baptismal Covenant, we promise to strive for justice and peace among all people, and to respect the dignity of every human being. It has long been the policy of the Diocese of Maryland to oppose discrimination in all its forms. This resolution reaffirms and expands the scope of our commitment to inclusion, equality, and non-discrimination toward individuals and groups that have often been devalued and disregarded.
This resolution expands the 2000 Resolution D009 which reads:
“Resolved, That the 73rd General Convention of the Episcopal Church condemn all acts motivated by hate against any individual or group of persons as totally opposed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ; and be it further
“Resolved, That this convention direct the national office of the Episcopal Church to continue and increase the 'Stop the Hate' campaign, including making available congregational resources for promoting discussion and taking action against incidents of hate motivated by political or religious creed, race, color, ethnic or national origin, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities, or age; and be it further
“Resolved, That this Convention urge its members to support the passage of local, state, and national hate crimes legislation which includes any of the above categories among its protected designations.”