LGBTQIA+ Team

Friends: This year has started off with more deeply troubling acts of oppression and violence against many groups, including the LGBTQIA+ community, especially toward our Trans siblings. But take heart. Eliot UU Chapel is showing up in bold, loving, and effective ways. It means so much to have many allies participating and fighting alongside us. 


On January 10, 15 Eliot and other community members participated in a training by PROMO (Missouri’s LGBTQIA Advocacy organization) in “Deep Canvassing." Deep Canvassing is an engagement and advocacy approach that involves listening to the person’s perspective, sharing your story, and asking questions to help the person reflect on the issue and to explore shared values. It is a research-tested approach that has proven very effective in moving hearts and minds . . . and votes.


Eliot Chapel has a newly launched LGBTQIA+ Advocacy Team and we are making good trouble! Email lgbtqjustice@eliotchapel.org if you are interested in being a part of the team. 


Our primary partners in this good trouble are PROMO, The LGBTQIA+ Interfaith Faith Alliance, Metropolitan Trans Umbrella Group (MTUG), and Metropolitan Community Church. Our team seeks to build on the momentum of organizations and groups that are already in motion. We add our labor, our ideas, our energy, and our connections. Here are a few examples:


  • Several team members attend a monthly community meeting at PROMO where we strategize and collaborate with allies throughout the region.
  • On January 20, the LGBTQIA+ Faith Alliance and some of our team were part of a letter and card writing event.
  • Eight members of Eliot advocated in Jefferson City on January 21 as part of PROMO’s team, but also as part of a larger social justice lobby day.
  • Eliot has been collecting food for MTUG’s pantry and food delivery.
  • We intend to staff tables at St. Louis Pride, Tower Grove Pride, and Black Pride.
  • We will be participating in Deep Canvassing in the Kirkwood and Webster Groves areas.
  • Members of the broader community are hearing about our work and are now participating alongside Eliot members.

Clergy and members of Eliot Chapel lobbied at the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City on January 21.

There are so many ways to be engaged, from building community, sharing support, communicating with our representatives, advocating and protesting – all are necessary, and all are rewarding in their own ways. Many thanks to all the volunteers on the team and to Rev. Krista for her support and encouragement.  Email lgbtqjustice@eliotchapel.org to be connected to our team for questions, to join the team, or to get more information.