On Saturday, March 12th the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) will recognize Rabbi Denise Eger and the Reverend Susan Russell for their work on LGBT equality with "HRC Community Equality Awards" at the annual HRC Los Angeles dinner. Eger and Russell have been long-time friends and allies in this justice work and both expressed their delight and appreciation: not only at the prospect of being recognized by the HRC but in being recognized together."I am deeply humbled and honored to receive HRC's community equality award with my good friend and colleague the Reverend Canon Susan Russell. This award symbolizes how we can transform the world into a more loving, justice filled place when we work for equality and liberty together," said Rabbi Eger.
"It has been such an extraordinary privilege to work with an amazing cloud of witnesses toward the shared goal of making God's love, justice and compassion tangible to the LGBT community," said Russell. "Rabbi Denise has been a friend, a mentor and a sister in the struggle and I am deeply grateful to HRC and honored that we will share this moment of celebration of what has been accomplished and of commitment to the work ahead."
The HRC Los Angeles Gala will be held at the Ritz Carlton/JW Marriott L.A. Live. More information on the event here. Learn more about the HRC Religion Council here.
"Civil rights should be determined by law not religious doctrine. When courts allow the government to affirm one religious view over another, all religious beliefs are in jeopardy. We respect the beliefs of those people whose faith teaches marriage is between a man and a woman, and we respect their rights to practice those beliefs within their religious institutions. However, our faith teaches marriage is open to gay and lesbian couples. Where is the respect for our beliefs, and if our faith can be trampled by the government, whose beliefs can be trampled next?" -- Rabbi Denise Eger
