VaRUUM -
Virginia-Arlington Rainbow UU Ministry

Welcome to VaRUUM!

What is VaRUUM?

We are the Virginia Rainbow Unitarian Universalist Ministry -- the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning (GLBTQ) community and our friends and allies at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington (UUCA).

How do I join?

VaRUUM membership is informal. As long as you are a member or inquiring friend of UUCA and see yourself as a GLBTQ person or ally, you can join us.  We communicate primarily through a Yahoo! Group.

To join VaRUUM Yahoo! group:

• visit our Yahoo! group or

• email

Also, stop by VaRUUM table after Sunday services.

What does VaRUUM do?

VaRUUM members lead and participate in UUCA-based social justice, political activism, education and awareness, and social activities linked with GLBTQ identity or issues. We also reach out to the wider community. Some examples include:

• Raise awareness in the church and community about issues affecting the GLBTQ community

• Organize educational workshops and activities

• Participate in Lobby Day with Equality Virginia

• March in local parades, including the Pride Parade and neighborhood parades

• Staff a UU booth at the Pride Festival

• Support the PFLAG Gala

• Share quarterly potlucks with the Anti-Racism Transformation Team (ARTT)

• Have brunch together after service

• Party!

What is the leadership structure of VaRUUM?

A VaRUUM Steering Committee provides leadership, although all members are encouraged to participate in decision-making by providing ideas and input on VaRUUM programs and activities.

I hear that UUCA is a Welcoming Congregation. What is that?

UUCA was formally recognized by the Unitarian Universalist Association as a Welcoming Congregation in 1992. Among UUs, a Welcoming Congregation is one that publicly and intentionally welcomes bisexual, gay, lesbian and/or transgender people as members, friends and guests; celebrates the lives of all people and their ways of expressing love for each other; and takes a public stand against oppression on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in the larger community. UUCA is currently preparing to complete additional work on bisexuality and transgender identity before advancing to the next level in the curriculum, which is called Living the Welcoming Congregation.

Questions?

Contact Marc DeFrancis at m_defrancis@yahoo.com or Erica Clark at ej.clark@verizon.net.