from Michelle:

The committee’s feeling was that we want to ensure that we have an *inclusive* congregation, where minorities within our community feel just as welcome as the majorities. Those minority groups are not limited to those with disabilities. From that perspective, GLBT people are a minority (in sexual orientation) & are often intentionally or (more often) unintentionally slighted. For example, our preschool and religious school registration forms ask for “Mother/Guardian name” and “Father/Guardian name”. So, where does this leave gay or lesbian parents? More inclusive wording might be “Parent’s Name” two times for even though marriages & adoptions for partners are illegal in Virginia, we can reduce the subtle exclusion in our congregational community.