LGBT Rights and Recognition

The AFSC is a strong supporter of LGBT rights. The AFSC believes that each person has the right to the freedom of expression and therefore believes that each person has the right to choose their own sexuality. This quote from the AFSC shows the link between their values and their strong support foe people of all sexualities:” The central concept of Quakerism, that there is a direct relationship between God and the individual, and that each person is therefore uniquely precious, leads naturally to a respect for human beings in all their great diversity. It also leads to a belief that everyone is entitled to full freedom of life and expression. This understanding is at the heart of AFSC's long-standing commitment to work and support of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people."[[1]] The AFSC promotes a caring and open environment for people regardless of their sexuality. The AFSC chooses to focus on LGBT issues on a local level believing that that it's a human rights issue that must be first addressed on a state level. The AFSC has four main regional office that work on LGBT issues: Seattle's Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (GLBTQ) Youth Program; Portland, Oregon's Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual Program; Michigan's Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender Issues Program; and Honolulu's Hawaii’s Gay Liberation Program[[2]]. These programs help promote awareness of LGBT issues. promote equality, openness, non-violent resolution, and anti homophobia education.