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    The press conference. Photo by Tracy Baim
During the Metropolitan Community Church international convention in Chicago, a July 3 plenary on global violence was followed by a press conference which included a tribute to the 32 people, including many MCC members, killed 40 years ago in a fire at a New Orleans bar, the UpStairs Lounge, the largest mass murder targeting LGBTs in U.S. history.

Openly gay Dr. Daniel Baer, Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor, and who has been nominated by President Obama to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) based in Vienna, was a featured speaker at the plenary.

Uganda Bishop Christopher Senyonjo, who is fighting Uganda’s proposed “Kill the Gays” bill, was honored during event.

The Rev. Pat Bumgarder, executive director of the Global Justice Institute, spoke about her group’s work internationally on LGBTQ issues, and she introduced guest speakers at the press conference:

— Rev. Dr. Nancy Wilson, Moderator of Metropolitan Community Churches

— Rev. Elder Hector Gutierrez, speaks to marriage equality in Argentina, Brazil and Latin America

— Rev. Dr. Ngeo Boon Lin, MCC minister/advocate in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia

See related story, MCC founder Rev Troy Perry honors Chuck Renslow, at windycitytimes.com/lgbt/MCC-Founder-Rev-Troy-Perry-honors-Chuck-Renslow-/43537.html.

—Rev. Brent Hawkes, pastor of MCC Toronto

See related articles:

Finding hope for embattled Ugandan LGBTs 2013-07-04: windycitytimes.com/lgbt/Finding-hope-for-embattled-Ugandan-LGBTs/43596.html.

Coming Out to Ourselves author to hold workshop at MCC Chicago 2013-06-30: windycitytimes.com/lgbt/Coming-Out-to-Ourselves-author-to-hold-workshop-at-MCC-Chicago-/43530.html.

MCC conference to focus on global justice 2013-06-26: windycitytimes.com/lgbt/MCC-conference-to-focus-on-global-justice/43479.html.

Videos by Tracy Baim

MCC Conference: Rev. Pat Bumgardner of Global Justice Institute

MCC Conference: Dr. Daniel Baer, nominated to ambassador (part 1)

MCC Conference: Dr. Daniel Baer, nominated to ambassador (part 2)

MCC Conference: Uganda Bishop Christopher Senyonjo (part 1)

MCC Conference: Uganda Bishop Christopher Senyonjo (part 2)

MCC Conference: Uganda Bishop Christopher Senyonjo (part 3)

MCC Conference: Press conference on global violence (part 1)

MCC Conference: Press conference on global violence (part 2)