The creation of the Council on Religion and the Homosexual (CRH) was the first explicit act of support that Glide took. Homophile (the preferred term for LGBTQIA+ at the time) leaders had been looking to partner with faith leaders since 1955. The new listening model of the Glide pastors met the homophile leaders at the right time to work together. Additional pastors from Lutheran, Presbyterian and Episcopal denominations began working together as a coalition of Central City Pastors and also joined the work of CRH.
Bay Area Reporter, Volume 1, Number 4, 15 May 1971. Courtesy of the Internet Archive.
1964 Glide Organizes a Retreat for Pastors and Homophile Leaders
On retreat the homophile leaders and pastors listened to each other and talked about the particular issues of the Tenderloin. The notes below are some of the earliest organizing notes of CRH’s meetings.
Courtesy of the GLBT Historical Society, Don Lucas Papers, Box 9
Click here to read the Brief of Injustices Courtesy of the GLBT Historical Society, Don Lucas Papers, Box 9 CRH Correspondence
1966 Daughters of Bilitis Symposium on Theology
In addition to their meetings, CRH also hosted symposiums and educational events around the country to educate pastors, therapists, police officers and others in positions that affected the rights and well being of LGBTQIA+ individuals.
Courtesy of the ELCA Region 2 Archives, Papers of Rev. Chuck Lewis View the program agenda part 1 – part 2
1967 – Presidents Report
Phyllis Lyon, a lesbian icon and member of the group also worked as a secretary in the Glide Church office
1968 – Symposiums to Learn About Homosexuality
1968 Efforts to Get into the Phone Book
CRH worked to expand opportunities and make information publicly accessible for LGBTQIA+ individuals and communities. One effort included work to enable LGBTQIA+ groups to be included in the Phone Book.
The Ladder Vol. 13, No. 03-04, 1968-1969 Dec-Jan. Courtesy of Megan Rohrer
1976 Dinner with Mayor Moscone
The interfaith political activism work of the Council on Religion and the Homosexual last beyond its time at Glide Memorial Church. Like many other experimental programs born at Glide, the group continued to evolve after it was housed in a new location.
If this exhibit has inspired you to learn more about Glide Pride, you can connect here.