Interweave
Interweave Continental is a national membership organization affiliated with the Unitarian Universalist 
Association, dedicated to the spiritual, political, and social wellbeing of Unitarian Universalists who are Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual or Transgender.
The Interweave chapter at the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Lehigh Valley welcomes the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex community and their allies by offering community, support, opportunities for socializing, spirituality, advocacy, education and outreach. It extends beyond but yet incorporates the UUA sponsored educational program "Welcoming Congregation", which focuses on education around GLBT issues.
The UUA History of "Interweave"...
Interweave began as "UUs for Gay Concerns" in the early 1970s as a grassroots support network for sexual minority people and clergy in the UUA. In 1973 it advocated successfully for a UUA "Office of Gay Affairs" (now the Office of Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian and Transgender Concerns) and for the Office's funding in 1975. "UUs for Gay Concerns" held its first Convocation in 1983, with workshops and speakers designed to raise awareness of gay and lesbian issues. In 1993, the name "Interweave: UUs for BGLT Concerns" was adopted and Interweave merged with the UU Bisexual Network to emphasize its commitment to inclusion for all identity groups and to encourage individual and chapter memberships. In 1994 Interweave resolved to address institutional racism by creating an outreach to people of color, and in 1999 became the first UUA affiliate to begin the Journey Toward Wholeness anti-racism process.
Interweave continues to promote interfaith dialogue through participation in the National Religious Leadership Roundtable, Equal Partners in Faith, and other multi-faith organizations. Interweave is dedicated to becoming an anti-racist, multi-cultural institution, working to end all forms of oppression within the UUA and society at large.
And as an "Interweave" chapter we hope to...
- create a safe and welcoming community for both the GLBTIA members of the UUCLV as well as the GLBTI community in the Lehigh Valley in order to support and enrich each others lives.
- Work within the UUA "Welcoming Congregation" program to further educate the community to GLBTIA issues.
- Advocate for equality in all areas of life through political involvement, community sponsored activities and events, and an overall education of the public to the legal, political and social issues of concern to GLBTIA individuals.
- support the work of HAVEN in the efforts to work with GLBTIA and questioning youth.
- contribute to a transformative grassroots movement that celebrates GLBTIA culture and people.
- be part of an organization that represents a welcoming, liberal religious voice within local, regional, and continental GLBT communities.
- effect positive change within the UUCLV as well as the UUA in general through our involvement with "Interweave Continental".
- attend National and Regional Interweave-sponsored events.
- be represented at the UUA General Assembly.
- receive Interweave-World, a newsletter about other "Interweave" chapters throughout the UUA