The OASIS is among the Episcopal Church sponsors of Believe Out Loud, a multi-denominational effort to identify, promote and equip congregations that are intentionally welcoming of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people.
Launched in 2010 by Intersections International, Believe Out Loud is an unprecedented cooperative effort between secular and religious LGBT organizations to pursue a common goal… connecting people with church communities where their orientation will not prevent their full participation in the life of the church. The LGBT ministries of eleven different denominations are participating in various ways, as well as well-known secular groups like the Human Rights Campaign and Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD).
Realizing that a community does not all come to one understanding on potentially sensitive issues at once, the program provides a wide variety of educational materials so that individuals or groups can explore what it means to be welcoming and work through any concerns that come to light. There is no cost to participate in the program and use the downloadable study guides. The campaign may recommend additional texts or resources