We are excited to welcome to the second program in our ongoing Pink Sofa Series. Please join us for an evening of learning and community building.

Our panel of religious leaders, members of the queer community, mental health professionals and Aadya board members, will be available to answer your questions and engage in meaningful dialogue to offer help to the queer community and its allies to learn, get support and ask questions.

Rev. Renne Dubose brings a wealth of ministerial experience in her capacity as Founding Pastor Our Hope MCC in Athen, Georgia. Before being credentialed by UFMCC in November 1998, Renee completed a Master of Arts degree in Religious Education at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree in Church Vocations at William Carey College. Most recently, In May 2010, she completed her Doctor of Ministry (D.Min) degree from Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, MA. Her thesis entitled, Two Men, Two Movements and Our Call to Seek Justice: Bayard Rustin, Troy Perry and the Civil Rights and Gay Rights Movements, sought answers to what the Gay Rights Movement could learn from the Civil Rights Movement.

Pastor Kimble Sorrells is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ and a graduate of Candler School of Theology (Emory University) and Berry College. Kimble’s interests are in using spirituality and contemplative practices to equip us with the peace and resolve to be justice makers in the world. They are also a Registered Yoga Teacher and draw on this and other spiritual traditions to inform their ministry. Kimble has experience in a variety of ministry settings. They have worked in LGBTQ advocacy for many years including as staff for Reconciling Ministries Network and the Atlanta Pride Committee and organizing with Atlanta’s Trans and Queer community. They have also served in local congregations and as hospital chaplain. Kimble is also dedicated to civic engagement and is a member of the Civil Air Patrol and an Alumni of Americorps Program.

Ani Zonneveld is an award winning singer/songwriter and human rights activist based in L.A. She is the founder and President of Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV), an international human rights organization accredited by the United Nations, that advocates for social justice, human rights and equality for all. She is the executive producer of a video series “LGBTQI Rights in Islam. Her TEDx is titled Islam - as American as Apple Pie.

"Mama Tammye" Hicks was an instant fan favorite after she appeared in an episode of Queer Eye's second season. Fans saw in Tammye's Queer Eye episode that her neighbor Gene nominated her to be a "hero" on the show, explaining that she spent most of her time helping other people. Tammye was also the first woman to be a "hero" on the show. The first female hero is an inspiring figure as a breast cancer survivor who passionately cares about her family and her community.

We will be covering topics including:

• Self acceptance after religious trauma,
• the intersection of scripture and the queer experience,
• Dangers of conversion therapy,
• The divinity of being queer, and
• Addressing the judgements of religious community/family.

A resource packet will be provided to everyone who registers.

Three attendees will have the chance to win* a book from the selections of:

• Walking the Bridgeless Canyon
• Homosexuality in Islam
• Torah Queeries: Weekly Commentaries on the Hebrew Bible

*Note: winners must reside in the United States or if out of the country, be willing to cover shipping costs.

‍