Thank you to all clergy who answered the Call for Justice & Equality

More than 220 faith leaders converge on the Capitol for April 17th's Clergy Call for Justice and Equality

Thanks to all the clergy who came from around the country, our Clergy Call for Justice and Equality was a huge success. As our president, Joe Solmonese, eloquently expressed, 'The Clergy Call for Justice and Equality was like nothing I have ever seen before. More than 220 religious leaders from around the country and from every faith tradition spoke of their support for the Matthew Shepard Act and ENDA, in collars, robes and stoles that all too often signify a strident aversion to equality. They told their stories on behalf of themselves, their denominations and thousands of people from their congregations around the country in Congressional and Senate offices, in the press, and with each other.

Hawaii clergy Chaplain Jade Young and Rev. Dan Hatch meet with Sen. Akaka (D-HI)

All day long as HRC staffers escorted clergy around Hill offices there was a crackle of excitement in the air. That energy sparked unexpectedly in the morning as staff worked to arrange the more than 220 leaders on risers for the photo op and press event when they suddenly, completely unprompted by HRC staff or anyone else, started singing 'We Shall Overcome' and 'This Little Light of Mine.' The gentle power of their voices spoke volumes about the ground we were breaking.'

In addition to the press conference and lobby visits, our extraordinary clergy took part in an Interfaith Celebration for Justice and Equality hosted by All Souls Church, Unitarian, The Human Rights Campaign, and Interweave-All Souls. Keep an eye on our website for the film of this; we expect it will be available at the end of the week.

Rev. Dr. Miguel De La Torre and Rev. Dr. Erin Swenson, two of the day's featured speakers, help energize the crowd