ABOUT RCAD
RCAD is a multi-denominational organization of clergy and faith leaders seeking to encourage other people of faith to re-claim their voices in support of equality for all people, most immediately to work for marriage equality.
MISSION: The Religious Coalition Against Discrimination (RCAD) is a statewide interfaith network of clergy and lay religious leaders in Maine whose mission is to educate and publicly advocate for the civil and human rights of all people, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons, within our diverse Maine congregations and communities.
ABOUT: United by common commitments to social justice, representatives of Jewish, Roman Catholic, Christian and Unitarian Universalist traditions gathered in 1994 under the auspices of The Maine Council of Churches to address basic civil rights for gay and lesbian people. In May 1993 Maine’s governor had vetoed legislation that included sexual orientation in the Maine Human Rights Act.
The religious groups continued to work together through statewide campaigns addressing basic civil rights for lesbian and gay people in 1997, 1998, and 2000 and 2005 ballot measures. After the 2005 referendum failed, a coalition of faith leaders committed to marriage equality and other issues of discrimination formally organized under the name the Religious Coalition Against Discrimination.
RCAD formalized a Board of Directors and incorporated as a non-profit organization in 2010.
In July, 2012, RCAD was awarded tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status by the IRS.
A word about language: As public understanding of sexual and gender diversity evolves, so does the language. Terminology once used commonly may become outdated, inaccurate, or even offensive. (For example, many people now identify themselves as gay or lesbian rather than homosexual.) RCAD’s intention is to use only language that is respective and inclusive of all.