History:
Began in 2000 as a program of the American Friends Service Committee
known as The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Issues Program.
Since 1965 the American Friends Service Committee has been
committed to the rights and recognition of LGBT people. Ten years ago
AFSC had nine programs across the country addressing LGBT issues.
Beginning in 2010, AFSC no longer will provide financial support to local
LGBT-related programs, instead expecting them to raise funds locally.
Successes included:
For more contributions and milestones of LGBT work click here.
Over the years that support dwindled leaving 2 programs (Seattle and
Michigan) in 2007 and eventually in 2009 both programs were slated for
closing or devolvement (to become free-standing programs funded
locally) as of 2010.
While there were many successes equality is still far from won.
Inclusive Justice volunteers, including faith communities
led again by local Quakers - The Ann Arbor Friends -
recognized that if Michigan is to become a place safe for
our youth, where employment is based on performance
and access to health care, public accommodations are
open to all; where peace becomes the norm rather than
discrimination and violence than the work of Inclusive
Justice must continue.
Began in 2000 as a program of the American Friends Service Committee
known as The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Issues Program.
Since 1965 the American Friends Service Committee has been
committed to the rights and recognition of LGBT people. Ten years ago
AFSC had nine programs across the country addressing LGBT issues.
Beginning in 2010, AFSC no longer will provide financial support to local
LGBT-related programs, instead expecting them to raise funds locally.
Successes included:
- 1965. AFSC serves on the Council on Religion and the
Homosexual, Inc., which publishes A Brief of Injustices: An
Indictment of Our Society in Its Treatment of the Homosexual.
- 1977. AFSC files amicus brief in Panzino v. Panzino, Superior
Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division, in support of custody
rights of lesbian mothers.
- 1985. AFSC joins amicus brief in Bowers v. Hardwick, U.S.
Supreme Court, opposing state sodomy laws.
- 1988. AFSC publishes BRIDGES OF RESPECT: CREATING
SUPPORT FOR LESBIAN & GAY YOUTH, the first national gay-
affirming resource guide for adults working with youth.
- 1993. AFSC and the Comité de Servicio Chileno Cuáquero co-
organize the first comprehensive Latin American encuentro on the
Rights of Gay, Lesbian & Bisexual Persons.
- 1996. AFSC files amicus brief in Baehr v. Miike, Hawai'i Circuit and
Supreme Courts, in support of civil rights and benefits for same-
gender couples and their children.
- 1998. AFSC is a founding member of GLBT-affirming, National
Religious Leadership Roundtable.
- 1999. AFSC founds Michigan LGBT Issues Program which
becomes the Inclusive Justice Program.
For more contributions and milestones of LGBT work click here.
Over the years that support dwindled leaving 2 programs (Seattle and
Michigan) in 2007 and eventually in 2009 both programs were slated for
closing or devolvement (to become free-standing programs funded
locally) as of 2010.
While there were many successes equality is still far from won.
- EMPLOYMENT: In Michigan along with 29 other states, you can
still be legally fired from you job simply because you perceived to
be gay, lesbian or bisexual. And in 37 states as in Michigan you
can be legally fired if solely on the basis of your gender identity.
- FAMILIES & HEALTH CARE: In Michigan working families still
struggle to provide health care to their loved ones in the absence
of domestic partnership health care coverages. Second Parent
adoption, providing loving homes for kids in need, is not supported
by legislation in Michigan.
- HATE CRIMES: In Michigan, Hate Crimes rose 133% in 2008 alone.
- VIOLENCE IN SCHOOLS/YOUTH: In Michigan, youth are not
protected from bullying and studies show Michigan schools rate
alarmingly high in violence targeting our LGBT youth.
- EQUAL ACCESS/PROTECTION LOCALLY: In Michigan, many
fundamentalist religious groups actively work to support
discriminatory policies in public accommodations, employment and
more. Only 13 communities have Human Rights Ordinances
protecting all citizens.
- MARRIAGE: In Michigan, your marriage is not legally recognized
and you can not be married in the state if you are LGBT.
- POVERTY: In Michigan, as across the nation, LGBT families
experience a higher rate of poverty because of the lack of
legislation and policy protecting LGBT people.
Inclusive Justice volunteers, including faith communities
led again by local Quakers - The Ann Arbor Friends -
recognized that if Michigan is to become a place safe for
our youth, where employment is based on performance
and access to health care, public accommodations are
open to all; where peace becomes the norm rather than
discrimination and violence than the work of Inclusive
Justice must continue.
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Volunteers are rallying to continue the important
work of Inclusive Justice in Michigan.
Won't you join us?
Make your Tax-Deductible Donation TODAY!
work of Inclusive Justice in Michigan.
Won't you join us?
Make your Tax-Deductible Donation TODAY!
Operating Principle:
Main Projects:
Inclusive Justice projects are made possible by the generous grants of
the Arcus Foundation.
Main Projects:
Inclusive Justice projects are made possible by the generous grants of
the Arcus Foundation.
The central concept of Quakerism, that there is a direct
relationship between God and the individual, and that each
person is therefore uniquely precious, leads naturally to a respect
for human beings in all their great diversity. It also leads to a
belief that everyone is entitled to full freedom of life and
expression. This understanding is at the heart of Inclusive
Justice's commitment to work and support Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual, and Transgender people.
relationship between God and the individual, and that each
person is therefore uniquely precious, leads naturally to a respect
for human beings in all their great diversity. It also leads to a
belief that everyone is entitled to full freedom of life and
expression. This understanding is at the heart of Inclusive
Justice's commitment to work and support Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual, and Transgender people.
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