Pride Month Q&A with Keith Kron, director of UUA Office of BGLT concerns

June 29, 5:59 PMBaltimore Unitarian Universalist ExaminerAdrian Hilliard

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Keith Kron preaching at the First Unitarian Church of Baltimore during a
Beyond Categorical Thinking weekend.  BCT workshops are intended to
help congregations that are seeking a new minister avoid dismissing potential
matches out of un-realized bias.  The program helps settle queer ministers,
ministers with disabilities and others who face unwarranted discrimination.
Photo: Adrian L. Hilliard 

Forty years after Stonewall and Unitarian Universalists are still welcoming gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer people into our congregations.  Although we have come quite far, there is still work to be done.  As we celebrate the diversity of our membership and as Pride Month soon comes to an end, let us reflect on the significance of religious community for BGLT (the UUA's preferred acronym) people, accepted fully and integrated into every aspect of UU life.

The Reverend Keith Kron has been the director of the Unitarian Universalist Association's Office of Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian and Transgender Concerns since 1996.  He has visited over 400 UU congregations across the continent, helping them in Welcoming Congregation work, Beyond Categorical Thinking workshops and public outreach, and teaches an online class on children's literature for the Starr King School for the Ministry, a Unitarian Universalist seminary in Berkeley, CA.

Describe the Office of Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender Concerns, and its role within the Unitarian Universalist movement.

The UUA's Office of BGLT Concerns was created in 1973.  Its role is ultimately to put itself out of business.  Currently our work is to help congregations become more welcoming to BGLT people, speak out in the public square for equal rights for BGLT people, and help congregations look at ways it might have biases in the ministerial search process.  We have curricula (Welcoming Congregation/Living the Welcoming Congregation), web resources, handouts, flyers, and many other materials to help congregations in these efforts.  We work with individual congregations to help them figure out what is best for them.  We are an office of 1.5 people who help make this happen.  Current UUA staff totals over 200.

How do you think sexuality affects one's religious or spiritual life?

I think spirituality is like a chrysalis becoming a butterfly.  Our effort to be whole human beings is a spiritual journey.  It is impossible to separate sexuality from this.

What do you think is the attraction to BGLT folks of Unitarian Universalism as compared to other faiths?

In addition to our being welcoming to BGLT people as whole people as well as with their partners and children, Unitarian Universalism offers a path that is similar to many BGLT people's lives.  Unitarian Universalism allows people to be on their own spiritual journey and to let their life not be defined by a prescribed box.  So many BGLT people [feel] that their lives are outside the box.  The search for truth and meaning is a path that is similar to both Unitarian Universalism and for BGLT people.  Both groups know they don't always fit into many people's preconceived notions and expectations.

What are your thoughts on Interweave and its future?

Interweave has been and will continue to be a voice for BGLT people in the wider Unitarian Universalist Association.  Interweave has represented the UUA in trying to persuade Wal-Mart to include gender identity in its nondiscrimination policies, it reminds the UUA that the work of ending oppression is still vitally needed, and allows UUs from across the continent to network with one another.  I think these things will continue.

What are your thoughts on the recent decisions in favor of or against same-sex marriage made elsewhere in the country?  Chances of winning same-sex marriage rights here in Maryland?

I think ending marriage discrimination is an idea whose time has come.  All of us grew up with our parents telling us, "Someday you'll grow up, fall in love, make a commitment and get married."  Never do we say to our children, "Some day you'll grow up, fall in love, make a commitment and get married if you can."  I think it's high time we made the first statement true for everyone.  And it's happening.  Ten years ago, who would have dreamed that 6 states [would end] marriage discrimination and that more will follow.

Massachusetts is a good example.  Five years after the historic decision, there seems to be only one major difference in the state since same sex couples could get married:  the Boston Red Sox won the World Series twice.  After that, life is pretty much unchanged.

It will eventually come to Maryland, perhaps in the not too distant future.  Maryland is a progressive state where the end of marriage discrimination is a real possibility.  There is a strong religious voice that supports equal marriage.  There is also the precedent that both Maine and New Hampshire have done this legislatively.  I would have thought that Maryland as being a bit more progressive than either, but it will catch up.

Any Pride activities you'd like to highlight this June?

Most of our congregations across the country will celebrate Pride in some way.  Many will march in local events.  Others will have services celebrating Pride.  On the eve of the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, a "Prom for All" was held at General Assembly in Salt Lake City — we invited the local BGLT community to join us for that event.

Words of wisdom you'd like to share with queer seekers who may be hearing about Unitarian Universalism for the first time?

Our congregations would welcome BGLT people.  We are looking for people seeking truth, justice, meaning, and wholeness in their lives.  We have a growing commitment to anti-racism and are learning more about accessibility issues.  We are a faith in motion and our work on BGLT rights over the last 40 years has given us great hope for the future. 

Other Pride2009 articles may be found here.