This web page is here to provide Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender & Questioning teenagers in Tucson and Southern Arizona with information about spiritual amd religious organizations that are open and accepting of Gay teens and young adults.
Many of these congregations (indicated with a
) are a part of the Rainbow InterFaith Community--a group of Tucson interfaith communities united in reaching out to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people.
I have known for quite a long time of the homophobia inherent in the Religious Right, specifically an extremely vocal group of so-called Christians known as Promise Keepers. This group is comprised of supposedly Christian men who espouse love for their wives (property), their families, all the "family values" we expect to hear trumpeted by the Religious Right, all the things you'll hear on a regular basis on Fox News. [grin] But what most news services/media outlets don't cover about the PKs is their extreme homophobia, hatred of anyone GLBT, including, I imagine, their own children. Here's great coverage provided on FAIR (Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting).
So... what to do about this group that promotes so much hatred and venom towards LGBT people?
- Confront your Promise Keeper men and their chattel wives, about what their homophobia does to their sons and daughters.
- A letter writing campaign to local PK chapters and the national organization (based in Colorado—big surprise there, eh?)
- If you know someone who belongs to the PK, and you have personally been spiritually and mentally affected by their hate mongering, consider calling the Promise Keepers on this by carrying placards or banners during Gay Pride marches.
- Write a story for your school newspaper or a class research paper.
- TIHAN
- Religious Tolerance
- Pima Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
- Arizona Chapter of The American Friends — Service Committee (AFSC)
- American Humanist Association
- Arizona Diamond Zen Center
- Bodhisattva Institute
- Buddhist AIDS Project
- Catholic Diocese of Tucson-- Pastoral Ministry with Gay and Lesbian Persons and their Families
To provide information and assistance to parishes in ministry with gay and lesbian persons and their families.
To foster a spirit of compassion, understanding and fellowship for and amoung gay and lesbian Catholics and their families so that they can share mutual support in living out their lives of faith within the Church.
To support efforts at overcoming alienation, discrimination, and hostility and to promote social justice with regard to the rights of gay and lesbian persons.
- Church of the Painted Hills UCC
- Cornerstone Fellowship
- Grace St. Paul's Episcopal Church
- InterWeave--Gay Organization of Unitarian Universalist Association
- PeaceMakers
- Congregation Or Chadash (Jewish Reform)
- Congregation Ner Tamid (Jewish Reform)
- Rincon Congregational United Church of Christ
- St. Francis in the Foothills United Methodist Church
- St. Mark's Presbyterian Church
- St. Philip's Episcopal Church
- Santa Cruz Lutheran Church
- Lutherans Concerned — Tucson
Tara Mahayana Buddhist Center- Tucson Area Wiccan-Pagan Network
- Tucson Community Meditation Center
- Tucson Shambhala Meditation Group
- Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Northwest Tucson
- Unitarian Universalist Church of Tucson
- "National" Unitarian Universalist Association
- Water of Life Metropolitan Community Church
- National Universal Fellowship Metropolitan Community Church
- Evangelicals Concerned (ECWR)
TIHAN (Tucson Interfaith HIV Awareness Network) web site provides a focal point in the Tucson area for spiritual support for people with HIV/AIDS.
The Religious Tolerance web site provides an overview of many types of religious practice with the main focus of seeing all religious and spiritual practices as vehicles to allow us all to connect and love each other.
The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) is a spiritual practice and philosophy: social justice, pacifism/non-violence.
The local group can be contacted for future discussion gatherings and meetings.
The Chapter of The American Friends — Service Committee (AFSC) is the activist "arm" of the Religious Society of Friends in Arizona.
Pima Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
931 N. 5th Ave., Tucson AZ 85705 Link to Google Maps
Email the Pima Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) about monthly meetings
Email Chapter of The American Friends — Service Committee (AFSC)
The American Humanist Association (an Open and Affirming group) is a philosophy: for people who think for themselves, who are focused upon human means for comprehending reality, is for reason and science in the pursuit of knowledge...rejecting arbitrary faith, authority, revelation, and altered states of consciousness. Humanism is a philosophy for the here and now and of compassion.
The local group can be contacted for future discussion gatherings and meetings.
Humanist Community of Tucson
Ms. Joan A. Morris
6200 E. Frontier Pl., Tucson AZ 85750
National Contact: (800) 743-6646
Email American Humanist Association
The Arizona Diamond Zen Center is a Korean Zen Buddhistm community with a newly established meeting center (or zendo). It appears to be catering mostly to the local Korean population that has been anxiously waiting for a Korean Zen center to be established.
Arizona Diamond Zen Center
Ina Rd. and I-10 area, Tucson AZ 85750
Contact: 572-3777
The Bodhisattva Institute is a Buddhist spiritual center focused on the Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. The Institute center is used for daily meditations and weekend trainings and meditation sessions.
Bodhisattva Institute
714 N. Desert Ave., Tucson AZ 85711 Link to Google Maps
The Buddhist AIDS Project is not a local spiritual center, but an organization with a focus of supporting people with AIDS (PWA). A local organization with a similar purpose is SAAF (Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation.) The Buddhist AIDS Project provides Buddhist practitioners with a way to use helping of people with AIDS as part of their socially-engaged Buddhist practice and a way of maintaining mindfulness in different aspects of their life.
The Catholic Diocese of Tucson, through the Department of Parish Life and Ministry, is committed:
The Catholic Bishop of Tucson, the Most Reverend Manuel D. Moreno, D.D. signed a statement of support of the ministry in a brochure handed out by the ministry at this year's OUToberFEST. (Now, if we can just get The Vatican to get on-board with this...)
Catholic Diocese of Tucson
Mike Berger -- Resources and Services. 886-5202.
Terry McGuirk -- 577-3545
The Grace Group meets at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church (Madonna Hall) -- meets every 2nd and 4th Monday at 7:30 pm
1436 N. Campbell Ave. (across street from University Medical Center). Link to Google Maps
St. Pius X Catholic Church
1800 N. Camino Pio Decimo Link to Google Maps
Email Catholic Diocese of Tucson--Terry McGuirk
Church of the Painted Hills UCC
Rev. Lee Milligan
3295 E. Speedway Blvd., 299-9063. Link to Google Maps
Email Church of the Painted Hills UCC
Cornerstone Fellowship is an evangelical Christian church where all are welcome. A spokesperson for Cornerstone Fellowship writes a regular column in The Weekly Observer.
Cornerstone Fellowship
2901 N. Geronimo Ave. Link to Google Maps
622-4626.
Grace St. Paul's Episcopal Church is accepting toward gay and lesbian members of the congregation. Reveille Gay Mens Chorus has had their Yule season concert in the church and was made very welcome.
Grace St. Paul's is located in the Blenman area of town on Adams Street near Tucson Blvd, a few blocks north of Speedway.
Grace St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Gordon K. McBride, Rector
Elaine H. Breckenridge, Associate Rector
2331 E. Adams St. (near Tucson Blvd), 327-6857. Link to Google Maps
Email St. Paul's Episcopalian Church Rector
Email St. Paul's Episcopalian Church Associate Rector
The mission statement of the Interweave Continental, Inc.: Interweave is a membership organization affiliated with the Unitarian Universalist Association, dedicated to the spiritual, political, and social well-being of Unitarian Universalists who are confronting oppression as lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender persons, and their heterosexual allies; and facilitates the celebration of the culture and lives of its members.
Interweave--Unitarian Universalists for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Concerns
167 Milk St. #406, Boston, MA 02109-4339
Zen Peacemakers is a nonprofit organization that provides comprehensive peace education.
Or Chadash is a warm and welcoming community where all can experience God.
Congregation Or Chadash (Jewish Reform)
Rabbi Thomas A. Louchheim
630 N. Craycroft, Suite 232, Tucson, AZ 85711, 512-8500 Link to Google Maps
Email Rabbi Thomas A. Louchheim of Congregation Or Chadash
Email Congregation Or Chadash
Email Howard Paley, President of Or Chadash
Ner Tamid is an open, warm community heeding in word and practice the commands of love and the unity of all people. Welcome!
Congregation Ner Tamid (Jewish Reform)
Rabbi Shafir Lobb
P.O. Box 30507, Tucson, AZ 85751, 722-8649
Email Rabbi Shafir Lobb of Congregation Ner Tamid
Email Congregation Ner Tamid
Email Alan Gilbert, President of Ner Tamid
Rincon Congregational United Church of Christ (an Open and Affirming Congregation) services are a celebration of Christ's Joy for the whole community. Ricon is a community of faith committed to growing in radical compassion and bold acts of hospitality.
Sunday services include 10:00 am inclusive worship and Sunday School, 8:30 am Folk music and Eucharist, and Wednesdays 7:00 pm Taize song and prayer
Rincon Congregational UCC
Rev. James Lumsden
122 N. Craycroft Rd., 745-6237 Link to Google Maps
St. Francis in the Foothills United Methodist Church (UMC) is an "open and accepting" congregation towards GLBT & Questioning members. It has "celebrations", and Jr. and High School classes on Sunday mornings. St. Francis has a meeting for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered parents and their children on the third Saturday of each month called Rainbow Families. Parents and family members meet for discussion and socialization.
There are many other adult and family activities throughout the week and weekends including R.C.P. (Reconciling Congregation Program) on the first Thursday at 6pm, and Family to Family--a support group for families dealing with AIDS; meets on the first & third Saturdays at 8:30am.
St. Francis in the Foothills United Methodist Church
Rev. David Wilkinson
Rev. Susan Mullins
4625 E. River Road (at Swan), 299-9063. Link to Google Maps
Email St. Francis in the Foothills UMC
St. Mark's Presbyterian Church
Rev. Stewart Taylor
Rev. Sue Westfall
3809 E. 3rd St., 325-1001. Link to Google Maps
Email St. Mark's Presbyterian Church
St. Philip's Episcopal Church
Fr. John Hooker
4440 N. Campbell Ave., 299-6421. Link to Google Maps
Santa Cruz Lutheran Church
Pastor Al Rode
6809 S. Cardinal Ave., 883-2937 Link to Google Maps
Tara Mahayana Buddhist Center is a Buddhist community that focuses on the Tibetan Kadampa practices.
There are many different forms of meditation practice available throughout the different days of the week, scheduled in the mornings and the early evenings.
Tara Mahayana Buddhist Center
1721 E. Miles St. (2 blocks south of Broadway) Link to Google Maps
Email Tara Mahayana Buddhist Center
Tucson Area Wiccan/Pagan Network (TAWN) embraces diversity. Since its beginnings in 1988, the Tucson Area Wiccan/Pagan Network, comprised primarily of Wiccans and other Pagans in the Tucson, Arizona vicinity, has grown to include members from many traditions. All who follow the Wiccan Rede are welcome. Paraphrased, that is "if you harm none, do as you will."
One of TAWN's missions is to provide correct information about us and our beliefs, ethics, and values. Few outside the Craft understand our "three-fold law," that whatever we send out returns to us three times over. That's quite an incentive to be sure only helpful, constructive actions are sent out to the world! Our beliefs hold us accountable for all we do.
Tucson Area Wiccan/Pagan Network
P.O. Box 482
Tucson, AZ 85702-0482
Voice mail messages about upcoming events are at (520) 570-7005
Email TAWN's web site WebMaster
Tucson Community Meditation Center is a spiritual center focused on a form of Buddhism called Vipassana, found in Southeast Asian countries. Vipassana, also known as Insight Meditation.
Tucson Community Meditation Center
1231 E. Edison St. Link to Google Maps
(located one block south of Grant, just west of Mountain, on the north side of the street)
Tucson Shambhala Meditation Group is a spiritual center focused on a form of Buddhism called Shambhala, started by a profound Tibetan Buddhist teacher, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. Trungpa Rinpoche developed a spiritual practice based on Buddhist principles, but not strictly tied to any Buddhist lineage or ideology.
Tucson Shambhala Meditation Group
3250 N. Tucson Blvd., Link to Google Maps
520-795-2740
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Northwest Tucson is an "open and accepting" congregation towards GLBT & Questioning youth and members.
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Northwest Tucson
The Reverend Susan Manker-Seale, Minister
3601 W. Cromwell, 579-7094. Link to Google Maps
The Unitarian Universalist Church Tucson is an "open and accepting" congregation towards Gay & Questioning youth and members.
Unitarian Universalist Church of Tucson
The Reverend Stanley Stefancic, Minister
4831 E. 22nd St., 748-1551. Link to Google Maps
Water of Life Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) is a local gay Christian-focused church. MCC churches are located throughout the United States in larger metropolitan areas and have gay and lesbian clergy. Water of Life offers services on Sundays. A spokesperson for Water of Life writes a regular column in The Weekly Observer.
Water of Life Metropolitan Community Church
Rev. Gale Rawson, Pastor.
3269 N. Mountain Ave., Tucson, AZ 85719 Link to Google Maps
292-9151
Zen Desert Sangha is a local Zen Buddhist community that meets at an established meeting center or zendo. This sangha is affiliated with Diamond Sangha started by Robert Aitken Roshi. Zazen is practiced in the Soto Zen style evenings and Saturday mornings with a dharma talk (or discussion of a particular topic on spirituality, ethical behavior, or Buddhist principles and practices) directly after the zazen period.
Zen Desert Sangha
3226 N. Martin Ave., Tucson, AZ 85733 Link to Google Maps
Evangelicals Concerned Western Region (ECWR)
"is a non-denominational community that is a safe place for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Christians to reconcile and integrate their faith and sexuality. As a volunteer organization, Evangelicals Concerned Western Region (ECWR) fosters an atmosphere for spiritual growth for all who are on their journey of faith through conferences, local groups, bible studies, and educational resources."
There is no local Tucson group, the closest group of this reconciling association is in Phoenix. They appear to put on a few conferences around the country, with a large number of these associations in California. They appear to oppose any of the work being done by the so-called "ex-gay" movement.
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