Harmony (organization) explained
| Harmony |
| Founder: | Bob Swoffer |
| Merger: | GALA (Gay and Lesbian Acceptance) & Welcoming Community Network |
| Type: | Non-profit |
| Location: | Kansas City, Missouri |
| Area Served: | Global |
| Services: | LGBT advocacy within the Community of Christ |
| Former Name: | GALA (Gay and Lesbian Acceptance) |
Harmony (formerly GALA (Gay and Lesbian Acceptance)) is a non-profit organization for LGBTQ people who are connected with the Community of Christ.[1]
History
GALA was founded by Bob Swoffer and Antonio Feliz, who had pinned his Park College business card on the public bulletin board of a Kansas City gay bar. Bob Swoffer was the first person to respond to Tony's Park College business card on that gay bar bulletin board in Kansas City, MO. Its first gathering was in 1982 at Park College in Antonio Feliz home.[2] Arthur Butler and Ginger Farley were founding members, and Allan Fiscus was the first president of GALA.[2] In 2019, GALA legally merged with the Welcoming Community Network, a non-profit organization serving Community of Christ congregations seeking to become welcoming and affirming, and took the name Harmony.[3]
See also
- LGBT-welcoming church programs
References
Further reading
- "Church Leaders Gather to Understand Needs of Gay, Lesbian Church Members", Eastern Jackson County Examiner, 2005-01-31
- William D. Russell, "Homosexuals in the RLDS Church: A Progress Report" (paper presented at the Sunstone Symposium in Salt Lake City, Utah on 1999-07-17)
Notes and References
- News: Hartley . James . North Texas churches call Stedfast Baptist homophobic messages unacceptable, 'appalling' . 18 July 2023 . . 12 August 2022 . https://archive.today/20230712164551/https://amp.star-telegram.com/article262552082.html . 12 July 2023.
- Web site: Honoring the GALA Legacy . 2019-03-29 . Harmony . 2020-07-22 . en . Since the first gathering in 1982 as a chapter of Affirmation, in 1984 it was organized as G.A.L.A. and opened membership to non LGBT+ also, GALA, Gay and Lesbian Acceptance has been a monumental presence in the church..
- Web site: GALA Announces New Name, Brand, and Mission . 2019-04-06 . Harmony . 2020-07-22 . en . GALA, Gay and Lesbian Acceptance announced today the organization’s new name, Harmony, as well as a new mission statement and logo following an eight-month rebranding process..
