Faith and PRIDE: Discussion with Elected Officials in SW Michigan
<p>Interfaith Action annually recognizes PRIDE month in June with a program on Faith and PRIDE, exploring current realities for LGBTQ persons on the intersection with faith. This year’s program focused on a discussion with 5 openly gay and lesbian individuals who hold elected office or are candidates for elected office in SW Michigan. </p><p></p><p>Participants in the discussion are: </p><p>- Dave Bunte, Supervisor for Chikaming Township </p><p>- Brook Thomas, Mayor, City of St. Joseph </p><p>- John Bonkoske, Member, City of Bridgman City Council </p><p>- Janet Henderson, Candidate for Berrien County Board of Commissioners </p><p>- Jessica Jackson, Candidate for Berrien County Clerk. </p><p></p><p>Panelists discussed the following questions: </p><p>1. What motivated you to seek political office? </p><p>2. How does your gender identity/sexual orientation influence your perspective on social policy - if at all? 3. Given threats to policies and practices of inclusion, how do you counter hate speech or discriminatory rhetoric — has your faith background influenced you negatively or positively - if relevant at all? </p><p>4. What do you see as primary threats to pluralistic democracy?</p>
