FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Los Angeles- April 7, 2010
The Board of California Faith for Equality (CFE) is delighted to name Samuel M. Chu as its full-time Executive Director. The announcement, made by the Reverend Neil Thomas, President of the CFE Board and Senior Pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) in Los Angeles, followed an extensive search process and the selection of Chu from a slate of highly qualified candidates.
"Samuel will join us permanently after serving CFE well as our Interim Executive Director," said Thomas. "Under his leadership, CFE has grown to a statewide network of congregations, faith-based organizations, and faith leaders committed to equality. As we move forward, CFE will continue to educate, support and mobilize California's communities of faith to promote equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and to safeguard religious freedom for all Californians."
Chu, a first generation immigrant from Hong Kong, China, has served in the Presbyterian Church and is a fellow at the Center for Religion and Civic Culture at the University of Southern California. He currently chairs One LA-Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF) -- one of the nation's largest networks committed to developing leadership and power for social and economic change. In addition to serving as CFE Executive Director, Chu will also oversee the CFE Action Fund.
He offered the following comments following his appointment:
"People of faith have always worked powerfully and provocatively at the intersections of various struggles for justice and equality. I am honored to be part of CFE's commitment to continuing that tradition as we work for full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in California. We know that commitment will require the very best of what people of faith have to offer and contribute -- and we look forward to partnering with our secular allies as we work together toward our common goal of equality for LGBT Californians."
"It has been my deep belief that faith should always be a force for good -- not to be used to harm or to deny a person's humanity. I am honored to continue to lead California Faith for Equality at this critical moment when we must reclaim this powerful force -- not just for those on the religious left or the religious right - but for all people."
"Samuel will join us permanently after serving CFE well as our Interim Executive Director," said Thomas. "Under his leadership, CFE has grown to a statewide network of congregations, faith-based organizations, and faith leaders committed to equality. As we move forward, CFE will continue to educate, support and mobilize California's communities of faith to promote equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and to safeguard religious freedom for all Californians."
Chu, a first generation immigrant from Hong Kong, China, has served in the Presbyterian Church and is a fellow at the Center for Religion and Civic Culture at the University of Southern California. He currently chairs One LA-Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF) -- one of the nation's largest networks committed to developing leadership and power for social and economic change. In addition to serving as CFE Executive Director, Chu will also oversee the CFE Action Fund.
He offered the following comments following his appointment:
"People of faith have always worked powerfully and provocatively at the intersections of various struggles for justice and equality. I am honored to be part of CFE's commitment to continuing that tradition as we work for full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in California. We know that commitment will require the very best of what people of faith have to offer and contribute -- and we look forward to partnering with our secular allies as we work together toward our common goal of equality for LGBT Californians."
"It has been my deep belief that faith should always be a force for good -- not to be used to harm or to deny a person's humanity. I am honored to continue to lead California Faith for Equality at this critical moment when we must reclaim this powerful force -- not just for those on the religious left or the religious right - but for all people."
For more information contact:
Louise Brooks
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