Interfaith leaders stand in solidarity with the City of Chula Vista, the Chula Vista Public Library, and Chula Vista Councilmember Stephen Padilla as they continue their plans to host the Drag Queen Story Hour happening on Tuesday, September 10 at the Chula Vista Public Library Civic Center Branch.
The nationally known hate group “MassResistance” with ties to anti-LGBTQ, anti-immigrant, and white supremacist activists and values have been actively protesting the Chula Vista Public Library and attempting to have the event canceled.
DevOUT, an interfaith coalition of San Diego Pride, and over 70 interfaith community leaders and faith groups throughout San Diego County including the First United Methodist Church of Chula Vista and Unitarian Universalists of the South Bay signed on to a letter offering support and commending the City of Chula Vista’s efforts to promote inclusion, equality, and love through their programming.
“Our commitment to our communities is to create inclusive environments that honor the wholeness of all people,” said Reverend Tania Marquez of Unitarian Universalists of the South Bay. “I commend the work of the City of Chula Vista library for their commitment to create inclusive and LGBTQ+ affirming programming. All genders and all gender expressions are whole and holy.”
In addition to the scheduled drag queen story hour, community members are congregating at the library for a “love demonstration” as a way for supporters to come together and peacefully demonstrate love and acceptance.
Interfaith leaders stand in solidarity with the City of Chula Vista, the Chula Vista Public Library, and Chula Vista Councilmember Stephen Padilla as they continue their plans to host the Drag Queen Story Hour happening on Tuesday, September 10 at the Chula Vista Public Library Civic Center Branch.
The nationally known hate group “MassResistance” with ties to anti-LGBTQ, anti-immigrant, and white supremacist activists and values have been actively protesting the Chula Vista Public Library and attempting to have the event canceled.
DevOUT, an interfaith coalition of San Diego Pride, and over 70 interfaith community leaders and faith groups throughout San Diego County including the First United Methodist Church of Chula Vista and Unitarian Universalists of the South Bay signed on to a letter offering support and commending the City of Chula Vista’s efforts to promote inclusion, equality, and love through their programming.
“Our commitment to our communities is to create inclusive environments that honor the wholeness of all people,” said Reverend Tania Marquez of Unitarian Universalists of the South Bay. “I commend the work of the City of Chula Vista library for their commitment to create inclusive and LGBTQ+ affirming programming. All genders and all gender expressions are whole and holy.”
In addition to the scheduled drag queen story hour, community members are congregating at the library for a “love demonstration” as a way for supporters to come together and peacefully demonstrate love and acceptance.
List of Interfaith Community Leaders and Faith Group supporters
Taylor Binney, First United Methodist Church of Chula Vista
Leslie Bunker, First United Methodist Church of Chula Vista
Alan Hay, First United Methodist Church of Chula Vista
Reverend Tania Marquez, First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego, South Bay
Rev. Dr. Brian Parcel, First United Methodist Church of Chula Vista
Reverend Brandan Robertson, Missiongathering Christian Church (DevOUT Co-Chair)
Minister Anna Runion, Pilgrim United Church of Christ (DevOUT Co-Chair)
The Rt. Rev. Susan Brown Snook, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego
Commissioner Susan Jester, St Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral
Reverend Bailey Brawner, Mission Hills United Methodist Church
The Very Reverend Penny Bridges, St Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral
Reverend Mary Brookshire, Pioneer Ocean View United Church of Christ
Rabbi Laurie Coskey Ed.D, Chavurah Kol Haneshamah
Reverend Amanda Dohring, Vista La Mesa Christian Church
Reverend Nancy Fowler, Missiongathering Christian Church
Vicar Courtney Geibert, Christ Lutheran Church
Reverend Julie Germain, Vista La Mesa Christian Church
Pastor Wendy Holland, Missiongathering Christian Church
Reverend William Hurd
Reverend Katherine Katsanis-Semel, Metropolitan Community Church
Reverend Michael Kinnamon, Vista La Mesa Christian Church
The Rev. Dr. Richard Lee, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
Reverend Caleb Lines, University Christian Church
Rabbi Devorah Marcus, Temple Emanu-El of San Diego
Reverend Jeff Martinhauk, St Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral
Reverend Gary Matson Sr, Missiongathering Christian Church
Reverend Cheri Metier, Interfaith Worker Justice of San Diego County
Reverend Kathleen Moehlig, Unity
Father Michael Nicosia, Ecumenical Catholic Communion
Reverend Kathleen Owens, First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego
Reverend Bob Rhodes, Pacific Beach United Methodist Church
Pastor Sandy Roberts, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Reverend Doctor Steven Shepard, University Christian Church
Reverend Sharon Wylie, Chalice Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Rachel Adams, The Rock Church
Abby Algarin, Missiongathering Christian Church
Ms. Susan Bourrillion, University Christian Church
Crystal Canez, Kensington Community Church
Martha Casillas
Sandy Chase, Lutheran
Andrea Beth Damsky, Chavurah Shir Ha-Yam
Emmanuel De Guzman, Missiongathering Christian Church
Jeri Edwards, Missiongathering Christian Church
Jenniet Galvan
Michelle Gorman, St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Poway
Mrs. Nakeedra Haskell, Pilgrim United Church of Christ
Blake Jones, Cathedral of Saint John the Divine
Mario Juarez
Nadia Kean-Ayub, Catholic, Chula Vista, CA
Dr. Carole Kennedy, University Christian Church
Alex Kip, Oceanside Sanctuary
Dr. Robin Knauerhase, Disciples LGBTQ+ Alliance
Don Lewis, Missiongathering Christian Church
Phyllis Lovato, Missiongathering Christian Church
Miriam Marquez, Missiongathering Christian Church
Amanda Martin, Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Andy Mathews, Pioneer Ocean View United Church of Christ
Jorge Mendoza, St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church
Jeff Michaelson, University Christian Church
Michael Middleton, Missiongathering Christian Church
Michelle Million, Sojourn Grace Collective
Camille Pederson, Pioneer Ocean View United Church of Christ
Vanessa Quartuccio, Missiongathering Christian Church
Mr. Jovy Quevedo, Missiongathering Christian Church
Mykel Resino, St Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral
Marshela Salgado, University Christian Church
Art Serrano, Missiongathering Christian Church
Cheryl Starbuck, Missiongathering Christian Church
Dr. Jason Steidl, St. Paul the Apostle Church
Sam Trego, Missiongathering Christian Church
Diana Trepesowsky, Missiongathering Christian Church
Mr. Terry Vaughn, Missiongathering Christian Church
Haley Wilson
Larry Wiltjer, Missiongathering Christian Church
Sarah Zuniga, Disciples Divinity House, The University of Chicago
San Diego Pride raises funds primarily through festival ticket and beverage sales, and through sponsorships, and exhibitor fees. These funds support San Diego Pride’s community philanthropy which has distributed more than $2.5 million in advancement of its mission to foster pride, equality, and respect for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities locally, nationally, and globally.
