Faith and PRIDE: Discussion with Elected Officials in SW Michigan

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.

Participants in the discussion are:

- Dave Bunte, Supervisor for Chikaming Township

- Brook Thomas, Mayor, City of St. Joseph

- John Bonkoske, Member, City of Bridgman City Council

- Janet Henderson, Candidate for Berrien County Board of Commissioners

- Jessica Jackson, Candidate for Berrien County Clerk.

Panelists discussed the following questions:

1. What motivated you to seek political office?

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?

4. What do you see as primary threats to pluralistic democracy?