KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — In the days following the presidential election, the national LGBTQ+ community has seen a bill proposed that would restrict bathroom access for transgender people serving at the United States Capitol — adding to anxieties more anti-LGBTQ+ proposals could be on the way following Republican victories in the House of Representatives, Senate and in the White House.
The American Civil Liberties Union also said it tracked 40 anti-LGBTQ+ bills in Tennessee during the 2024 legislative session. The state previously passed bills restricting gender-affirming care for transgender minors and implementing rules that prevent transgender people from changing driver's licenses and birth certificates to align with their gender identity.
In response to anxieties throughout the LGBTQ+ community, Pride Interfaith Knox held a press conference where faith leaders said they would continue advocating for justice. The group is made up of different local faith leaders who affirm LGBTQ+ identities and the LGBTQ+ community.
"The results of the 2024 elections will have an indelible impact on our country and its constituents – not the least of which being the LGBTQIA+ community," the group's statement said. "We proclaim love and justice. The faith leaders of Pride Interfaith Knox (PIK) are open and affirming of LGBTQIA+ persons. We see the inherent worth and dignity of every single human being. Whatever happens in these next four years, we will continue to proclaim and take actions based on love, justice and equity."
In the past, the group has spoken against anti-transgender and anti-drag proposals. In December 2022, it also organized a vigil outside the Tennessee Theatre to support the LGBTQ+ community amid controversy surrounding a drag performance.
"In response to the outcome of the election, we want to assure the LGBTQIA+ community of Knoxville and East Tennessee that you are not alone. We see you. We hear you. We feel you. Many of us are you. We are not separate communities! We acknowledge your fear and your anger. We will stand with you against attacks on your human rights or your humanity," the statement said.
The group also said anyone who feels like they are "experiencing acts of injustice" or want to reach out can reach out. Its email is prideinterfaithknox@gmail.com.
The group's full statement is also available below.
The results of the 2024 elections will have an indelible impact on our country and its constituents – not the least of which being the LGBTQIA+ community. In light of its many implications we, the members of Pride Interfaith Knox, are issuing the following statement:
We proclaim love and justice. The faith leaders of Pride Interfaith Knox (PIK) are open and affirming of LGBTQIA+ persons. We see the inherent worth and dignity of every single human being. Whatever happens in these next four years, we will continue to proclaim and take actions based on love, justice and equity. We proclaim love and justice.
In response to the outcome of the election, we want to assure the LGBTQIA+ community of Knoxville and East Tennessee that you are not alone. We see you. We hear you. We feel you. Many of us are you. We are not separate communities! We acknowledge your fear and your anger. We will stand with you against attacks on your human rights or your humanity. We will advocate on your behalf. We will work alongside queer organizations and other progressive justice groups to resist efforts to overturn rights. We will speak truth to power. We proclaim love and justice.
To our trans and non-binary siblings of any age, we are here for you. We condemn how the election rhetoric used misinformation about you to sow fear and bias in the unaware and uneducated. We oppose efforts to ban or restrict your health care and access to hormone treatments. We oppose efforts to ban trans people from the military, sports, or public restrooms. We commit to continuing to educate our faith communities about trans identities and realities. We commit to sharing factual/truthful information. We support the rights of trans and non-binary people of any age to live authentically, with human dignity, safety, and acknowledging their inherent worth. We proclaim love and justice.
We believe in religious freedom – the ability to believe and worship in accordance with your beliefs. We affirm living in a state and country where no one religion or no one theological understanding is enshrined in law. We support our religious freedoms and the freedom of individuals to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We resist the oppressive tactics, rhetoric, and proposed legislation of “christian” nationalism. We proclaim love of neighbor – all our neighbors – including all our LGBTQIA+ siblings. We proclaim love and justice.
Please feel free to reach out to us if you would like someone to talk with or are experiencing acts of injustice. If you would like to learn more about the issues affecting the LGBTQIA+ community and/or why we, as faith leaders, feel a call to action, we welcome open-minded conversations. Education is power. prideinterfaithknox@gmail.com We proclaim love and justice.
Yours in faith and hope,
Pride Interfaith Knox Co-Chairs
Carolyn Rogers – Pastoral Care Volunteer, Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church
Steve Lewis – Social Justice Volunteer, Temple Beth-El
Rev. Katina Sharp – Pastor, Powell Presbyterian Church
Rev. Colleen Darraugh – Pastor, Metropolitan Community Church of Knoxville
