Introduction
to AFSC's LGBT Work
THE AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE
(AFSC) was
founded in 1917, as a practical expression of Quaker (Religious
Society of Friends) principles of nonviolence, peace, justice,
and equality, and to provide conscientious objectors in World
War I with an opportunity to be of service to civilians caught
in the ravages of war. In 1947, with its sister organization,
the British Friends Service Council, the AFSC was co-recipient
of the Nobel Peace Prize for assisting civilian victims of war
and repression, without regard to their politics. In 1963, the
AFSC published the first edition of the Rev. Martin Luther King,
Jr.'s landmark essay, Letter from Birmingham City Jail.
Today, the AFSC works in 35 U.S. states and 23 countries around
the world. Primary constituents include migrating peoples, the
economically disadvantaged, people suffering the injustices of
the U.S. criminal justice system, indigenous peoples, sexual
minorities, youth, and women. Its work is based on the Quaker
belief in the worth of every person, and faith in the power of
love to overcome violence and injustice. The AFC includes people
of various faiths who seek to understand and address the root
causes of poverty, injustice, and war, and to act with courage
and vision in taking on initiatives that may not be popular.
 1999
youth interns with the GLBTQ Youth Program in Seattle WA
- Clockwise from top: Jake Koppenhaver (16), Robert Raketty
(19), Gabriel Foster (18), Amanda Kirkhuff (17) |
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 AFSC's long-standing commitment
to work and support of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender
people.
Within AFSC, the National Community Relations Unit undertakes
national initiatives and supports regional work in the areas
of criminal justice, immigration, youth action and leadership
development, economic justice, Native American/indigenous peoples'
rights, and LGBT human/civil rights and recognition.
Today, four regional programs focus specifically on LGBT constituencies
and concerns: Seattle's Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender,
and Questioning (GLBTQ) Youth Program; Portland, Oregon's Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual
Program; Michigan's Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender Issues
Program; and Honolulu's Hawai'i Gay Liberation Program. In addition,
the Pacific Mountain Region, headquartered in San Francisco,
has worked with Friends in Utah to support equality and safety
in schools for gay students. The Southeastern Region, headquartered
in Atlanta, has co-sponsored an extensive listening project on
homosexuality and gay equality with area clergy, and helped organize
follow-up meetings and discussions with some of those clergy.
A cross-regional program, Help Increase the Peace (H.I.P.), focusing
on nonviolent conflict resolution and trust-building with youth,
includes anti-homophobia education. The AFSC's Washington, D.C.
office monitors federal legislation related to LGBT rights, and
sends representatives to hearings and meetings with allies.
Also see our timeline summarizing
more than 30 years of AFSC initiatives in support of the civil
and human rights of LGBT people and their communities.
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Search site Contact Us Kay Whitlock
National Representative for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender
(LGBT) Programs Phone:
(406) 721-7844
Fax:
(406) 728-2314
Email: kwhitlock@afsc.org |
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