IntegrityUSA
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IntegrityUSA is a U.S. not-for-profit organization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) members of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America (ECUSA) and straight friends. Integrity was founded by Dr. Louie Crew in rural Georgia in 1974 and it has been the leading grassroots voice for the full inclusion of LGBT persons in the Episcopal Church and for equal access to its rites. LGBT members of the Anglican Church of Canada (ACC) have formed local Integrity groups, beginning with Integrity Toronto, which are losely connected. There is no national Integrity organisation in Canada. Integrity also has independent chapters in Australia and Uganda.
Integrity works at the national levels and in local chapters and diocesan networks throughout both countries, the primary activities are:
- worship
- fellowship
- education
- communication
- outreach
- service to the church
Through Integrity's evangelism, thousands of LGBT people, estranged from the Anglican Communion and other denominations, have returned to parish life. Integrity believes that, although ECUSA and ACC have made tremendous strides toward inclusiveness, there is still a long way to go and that in too many parishes and dioceses, prejudice and oppression are still the norm.
Unlike Dignity in the Roman Catholic Church, Integrity does not act as an alternative to a parish (primarily because gay and lesbian Anglicans are not normally refused the Eucharist in parishes like their Roman Catholic counterparts). Most Integrity members are active in ECUSA or ACC parishes in addition to their Integrity activities.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- IntegrityUSA official site
- Integrity Canada Canadian site
- Proud Anglicans Supportive parishes in Canada
