In our community and nation, a small minority has chosen to challenge the right to full equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex people and their children. This challenge is fueled by highly organized political and religious groups that mobilize citizens on the basis of anxiety and fear. They use emotional and demonized imagery, most of it couched in religious language and justified on self-defined religious and moral grounds to foment prejudice and hatred. We have seen the effects of this mobilization with the passage of Proposal 2* which inscribes discrimination into Michigan's constitution as well as the rise of hate crimes in our state. This battle to deny LGBTQI citizens their rights is not only harmful to the LGBTQI communities but diverts attention from other critical issues that need to be addressed such as poverty, racism, war and economic justice.

Without the protections of full citizenship and human rights (including economic, social and cultural rights), prejudice, abuse, hatred and discrimination will continue toward LGBTQI people. Movements for peace and justice recognize the humanity of all people and have a responsibility to promote tolerance and inclusiveness, oppose hate crimes, and work for full equality for all people. Oppression based on sexual orientation, gender identity and sex affects all of us. It interferes deeply with how close people are allowed to get in this society and the options individuals have for leading full and productive lives. LGBTQI people and allies address LGBTQI issues not just because it is right to fight for ourselves and others but because everyone's liberation is at stake. By working to end discrimination of and prejudice toward LGBTQI people and their children, we build a more secure and humane world for everyone.

All forms of oppression and discrimination are deeply connected and manifest uniquely. Recognizing the parallels and intersections of various forms of oppression both institutional and personal is an important part of justice work. We all enter anti-oppression work at different points with different experiences and understandings. We may feel challenged by what we learn and what we are being called upon to do. By deepening our understanding of ways oppression harms target groups and the role each of us plays in continuing oppression, we hope to become more tolerant of others, forgiving of ourselves and effective in ending discrimination and injustice.

The Greater Lansing Network Against War & Injustice (GLNAWI) promotes nonviolent solutions to international conflicts and advocates policies that promote human rights and civil liberties to ensure a just and democratic world. GLNAWI stands for a world whose political, economic, and social institutions foster solidarity, promote equity, maximize participation, celebrate diversity, and encourage full democracy. In keeping with GLNAWI's mission: