In a unifying stance against the weaponization of religion for discriminatory purposes, Seattle's religious leaders have echoed messages of inclusion and solidarity with the LGBTQI community. Facing the aftermath of a rally at Cal Anderson Park, which targeted the LGBTQI community with extremist beliefs, these leaders from a range of faiths spoke out, advocating for justice, love, and the true tenets of their faiths.
Pastor Carey Anderson of First A.M.E. Church emphasized support for Mayor Bruce Harrell and his efforts to promote shared values of love, integrity, and unity, as reported by the Mayor’s office. "Mayor Harrell was elected to be the Mayor of all of the people who reside in the city of Seattle. The faith community should be a place that offers a unifying message of hope, acceptance, and love in the name of God," Anderson stated. Meanwhile, Reverend Reginald Avant of Madrona Grace Presbyterian Church condemned the recent rally, pointing out that the events were at odds with the biblical command to love thy neighbor.
Rabbi Will Berkovitz, CEO of Jewish Family Service, spoke on the importance of inclusivity in Judaism and the imperative to love the stranger as ourselves. "Our tradition is one of inclusivity," Berkovitz told the Mayor’s office, underscoring that hateful rhetoric is not reflective of God’s message. Alex Booker, the Associate Pastor of Social Justice and Outreach at Queen Anne Baptist Church, pushed back against narrow interpretations of Christian doctrine, asserting that LGBTQIA+ individuals "are human beings that deserve to live in the abundance that God intended for all of us.
Amidst an increasingly fractious social landscape, Rev. Dr. Leslie D. Braxton of New Beginnings Christian Fellowship stated his opposition to any actions or rhetoric that undermine the dignity or safety of others. He labeled such behavior as both un-Christian and undemocratic. Likewise, Rev. Dr. Victoria Carr-Ware of Queen Anne Baptist Church took a clear stand. "What happened in Seattle this weekend was not an act of faith—it was a weaponization of religion to spread hate," she said, going on to admonish the Church's historical exclusion of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Furthermore, Rev. Dr. Patricia L. Hunter and Douglas Avilesbernal both criticized a fringe group expressing what they considered harmful ideology under the guise of Christian values. Avilesbernal highlighted the biblical narrative's inclusive definitions of "neighbor," referencing Luke 10:27 to include the LGBTQIA+ community. Similarly, Rev. Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil reiterated a commitment to reconciliation and equal dignity for all people. Rabbi Daniel A. Weiner marked his appreciation for Mayor Harrell's supportive stance towards the LGBTQIA+ community.
