The Dignity Award
Some of the worst harassment towards people perceived as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender occurs in our public school system. “You’re so gay” is the “slur of choice” amongst young people. Children are taunted with these slurs as young as elementary school. While some high schools have a chapter of the Gay Straight Alliance in place for gay students and students who are empathetic towards gays, other schools do not. Many high schools have staff and faculty who are sensitive to bullying and the needs of gay students or perceived gay students. However, there are still those who are insensitive and uneducated regarding sexual orientation and gender identity.
 
The new state policy for anti-bullying specifically protects students of a different sexual orientation. It is time that we increase education and sensitivity.
 
The Dignity Award, a monetary award of $250, will be presented to a Parkland High School student who best demonstrates a personal commitment to creating a safe school environment for students who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered or perceived as such.  This award, given by Parkway United Church of Christ, will be presented during the schools Awards Day ceremony.
 
The student may be nominated by a faculty member or another student in a nomination that sites specific examples of the student’s leadership, actions of courage and sensitivity toward others who may be of different sexual orientation or gender identity. In addition, the student must write an essay of no less than 500 words entitled “Why I Support Equality* of All People Regardless of Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity.”
 
The essay and nomination must be submitted to Parkway United Church of Christ by April 30, 2010.
 
* specifically the right to a safe school environment

National affiliation
For more than 30 years the national setting of the United Church of Christ has been on a clear course of welcome and inclusion, calling for serious study of human sexuality, supporting the civil rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) persons, and in 1985 adopting the Open and Affirming (ONA) resolution.

For many lay and clergy members, the United Church of Christ is both a joy and a refuge. Our denomination is a place to celebrate the wide diversity of the body of Christ. It is a haven for many who have come from less welcoming places.

Scores of people have been transformed by the ONA witnessed of the UCC. It is a witness that is changing the world, saving lives and helping to build God's community of welcome, justice and peace.

The LGBT pages of the UCC web site are dedicated to those who wish to learn more and want to help the Open and Affirming movement go forward. For more information, visit UCC/LGBT.

The UCC Coalition for LGBT Concerns provided significant leadership in the ONA movement, developing resources and urging congregations to become ONA.  Since 1985, more than 730 UCC congregations have engaged in ONA study programs and voted to be ONA congregations, and many of them are among the most vital and vibrant congregations in the UCC. Conferences, associations, seminaries and UCC-related colleges and universities are among the various other settings and related institutions of the UCC which have declared themselves to be Open and Affirming. What has made the difference in this movement is the churches and other settings which have not only declared themselves Open and Affirming, but have faithfully lived the values of a church with an extravagant welcome.

Regional affiliation
We are members of the Southern Conference, networking with other ONA churches in North Carolina and Virginia.

Local affiliation
We participate with other welcoming churches in Winston-Salem in a local coalition sponsored by PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). This group fosters education and support for faith communities.

RESOURCES

Call Me Malcolm   “This is a beautiful movie about a UCC ministerial student who found himself faced with the painful yet spiritually transforming journey as a transgendered person. Sharing his spiritual insights, interviews with other transgendered acquaintances as well as family struggles, Malcolm lets us examine his life challenge in this well-made film.“  Ana Tampanna, Parkway UCC.  Selected for 11 film festivals.    

For the Bible Tells Me So   This film documents the experience of five Christian families and how they handle the realization of having a gay child. Including interviews with Bishop Desmond Tutu and Reverend Jimmy Creech, "For the Bible Tells Me So" offers healing, clarity and understanding to anyone caught in the crosshairs of scripture and sexual identity. This movie has won 9 significant honors at various film festivals. UCC is featured in the credits.