LGBTQ rights are human rights policy statement

The Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice (ICPJ) has issued a statement that clarifies our recognition and support of the human rights of LGBTQ+ people. ICPJ roots our peace and justice work in the belief that all people are deserving of human rights such as freedom of expression and freedom from violence and poverty, and ICPJ therefore believes that it is important to clarify that those rights apply to all people, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

As an interfaith coalition organization, ICPJ has always been mindful of the importance of respecting all of our coalition partners so that we can most effectively create change. The policy statement below was developed with feedback from community and congregational leaders from across the ICPJ coalition.

Statement on Universal Human Rights and Inclusion of Community Partners

Approved by the ICPJ Board of Directors June 29, 2016

The Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice strives to bring about greater peace and justice by working across many different faiths and philosophies. Although religions may differ in specific teachings, we believe that all the faith groups ICPJ works with are grounded in an enduring respect for human life and dignity. As such, ICPJ roots our peace and justice work in a commitment to universal application of human rights. We model our understanding on the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights established in 1948.

ICPJ affirms that all human beings are equally entitled to basic human rights including but not limited to: dignity, freedom of expression, freedom from violence and threats of violence, and access to health, education, housing, employment, and commercial goods and services. We recognize that these human rights apply to all people, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, sex, race, ethnicity, language, nationality, economic status, ability status, religious beliefs, or political beliefs.

ICPJ celebrates the important work happening in Washtenaw County and beyond to strive towards a vision of greater peace and justice. Although we each may differ in how we seek to achieve this vision, we know that as activists, community organizations, and faith groups, we are stronger together than we are apart. ICPJ will continue to work towards peace and justice with all those who share our enduring, foundational belief in human life and dignity.