An LGBTQ Welcoming Congregation

The Unitarian Universalists of the Blue Ridge is a welcoming congregation for all people, including members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer communities. We believe in striving for radical inclusion, and creating spaces that honor every part of our identities, backgrounds, and experiences. 

The Welcoming Congregation Program

In the 1980s and 90s, when the word “welcoming” became a code word for lesbian, gay, and bisexual people, the Unitarian Universalist Association launched a Welcoming Congregation Program to help us learn how to undo homophobia—and later, transphobia (prejudice against transgender people)—in our hearts and minds, our congregations, and our communities.

Today, most Unitarian Universalist congregations are recognized Welcoming Congregations. The spiritual practice of welcome is a very important one to our faith community.