ORIGINAL TEXT

Resolution D073

Title:   Asylum for Persecuted Lesbian and Gay People

Topic:   Refugees

Committee:   Social and Urban Affairs

House of Initial Action:   Bishops

Proposer:   The Rev. Canon Elizabeth Kaeton (Newark)

Resolved, the House of _____ concurring, That the 75th General Convention of the Episcopal Church notes with concern that homosexuality and the advocacy of equal treatment for gay men and lesbians is being criminalized in various countries around the world and that in addition to formal criminalization there is increasing violence against lesbians and gay men who are denied the protection of governments; and be it further
Resolved, That in light of such criminalization and lack of police protection that the government of the United States be encouraged to grant asylum to those whose advocacy of homosexuality is illegal in their home countries or whose lives are threatened for this reason; and be it further
Resolved, That the Episcopal Church aid in the resettlement of such individuals; and be it further
Resolved, That this Convention commends groups aiding persons seeking asylum in the United States because of serious intolerance of their sexual orientation.
 


EXPLANATION

It is not enough for the Episcopal Church to decry violence - both government sponsored and government encouraged - against people whose only crime is their sexual orientation.  This Church should go on record supporting the work of Project Equality and similar organizations which work for the granting of asylum to such refugees who wish to enter the United States.