Last week I attended the Unitarian Universalist General Assembly, our yearly national gathering at which representatives of our faith gather from across the country – and around the world – to work, worship, dialogue, debate and celebrate together.

In the five days that I was at “GA,” I found myself participating in two particularly moving events.

The first was the “Queer Revolution!” workshop in which youth and young adults from around the country shared not only the challenges of being gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered or intersexual (“GLBT – wxyz!” as they laughingly say) in this culture, but dared to celebrate the positive aspects of having a sexuality and-or body identity that separates them from the norm.

These intelligent, funny and generous young people and their “straight allies” gathered to discuss their vision of a society in which being queer is nothing to hide, and everything to celebrate. They discussed how “totally rad” it is to identify as queer – to have already faced and accepted their sexuality and their embodied beings, and the life of faith, friendship and commitment to social justice that has been born from such acceptance. Together they envisioned a country, a culture, and a faith in which they are safe, loved, empathized with, included and affirmed.

At the Castine Unitarian Church, we are working hard to ensure that we are part of that place they envision. We join with our national association, and with varying churches and synagogues in Maine, as we begin our journey toward becoming a “welcoming congregation” – a UU congregation that is intentionally welcoming to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people of all ages.

Although I am spearheading this effort and, indeed, speak here for myself rather than for the congregation, I had no idea what impact we might have until I sat with young people and adults who are actively seeking a social and religious home – young men and women who are creative, giving, intelligent, talented and warm-hearted; who, often because of their marginalized status (or maybe in spite of it) are living what the rest of us are preaching: acceptance and sustenance to the stranger and the despised, turning the other cheek, welcoming the meek in brother and sisterhood. What a privilege and an inspiration it was to sit with these men and women and share in their vision for a truly free and affirming American culture and Unitarian Universalist faith.

The second event was part of a worship service. Addressing “On Being an ‘Issue,'” the Rev. Sue Phillips, an award-winning preacher, shared with the large gathered company her experience of being a lesbian in this culture, as we stumble toward the right for all couples, regardless of “sexual orientation, or lifestyle” (“I’m not sure what a lifestyle is,” quipped Phillips, “and I’m very sure I don’t have one”) to enjoy the civil right to marry.

As I look forward in the next few days to the celebration of our country’s independence from domination, the celebration of our democratic religious and political systems, and our allegiance to our own freedom-seeking spirit, I return again and again to Phillips’ words. She pointed out to us that she pays her taxes, votes and has all the other responsibilities of any heterosexual American citizen, but does not enjoy the same liberties. As we near the Fourth of July festivities, this fact should give all of us pause. Even if you are doggedly, determinedly and morally against the civil rights of gay, lesbian and transsexual persons, especially when it comes to their civil, legal right to marry, Phillips’ words should give you pause.

However you respond to this column, whatever it is you do for a living, who you voted for in the last election, whom you love and are married to, whatever tax breaks you enjoy or sacred sanctuary you worship in, it’s our amazing democracy that provides you the right to do so openly and without fear of reprisal. If these rights are taken away from any one group, they can be taken away from your group as well. The only way to ensure that what you believe and hold sacred and true is left free for you to express and worship openly and in public is to ensure that same freedom of belief and practice for everyone in this great country of ours.

Many say there is no common bond among the intensely diverse American populations, ethnicities and religious bodies in these times, but I disagree. I believe that, at root, we are still a country united in our embodiment of what it means to live as responsible revolutionaries – free from all individual bondage, bound to the good of the whole.

This is a religious as well as political truth, and it is something to celebrate, to uphold, to protect. Every group, religious and otherwise, ought to be able to come together and not only imagine, but realize a safe and affirming space for themselves in this nation, in our great religious traditions, in the still-beating heart of a free and democratic system that protects the faith, liberties and responsibilities of all.

So may it be, and amen.

Jennifer Emrich-Shanks is intern minister at Castine Unitarian Church. She may be reached at bdnreligion@bangordailynews.net.