2U members preparing to march in the Heartland Pride Parade.

As a Welcoming Congregation, we intentionally welcome people who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, or Queer (LGBTQ), as well as those who are Questioning and their Allies.

For we feel each of us has worth and dignity, and that worth includes our gender and our sexuality. As UUs, we value diversity of sexuality and gender and see it as a spiritual gift.

All of who you are is sacred.
All of who you are is welcome.

Read on to learn about our support of the transgender community and our support of LGBTQ rights in general.

Open Arms Trans Social Group (OATS)

In early 2012, we saw a need for and initiated a group for transgender youth and their families in the Omaha metro area. Participants named it the Open Arms Trans Social Group (OATS).

After a hiatus due to Covid, OATS is once again meeting in person, masks optional.

Today, OATS welcomes the trans community of all ages, gender identities, and gender expressions, drawing people from well beyond the Omaha area. While OATS centers the trans experience as we lift one another up in the spirit of fellowship and love, we invite our cisgender allies, family members, and partners to attend as well.

Welcome to a community of friends and family:

• Where you can be your true self.
• Where you can ask your questions.
• Where you can share your struggles and hopes.
• Where you can give and receive support.
• Where you won’t be alone.

Join us on the 3rd Saturday of every month from Noon to 2 p.m. for general fun, facilitated by Second Unitarian’s minister, Rev. Juniper Meadows. You are invited to bring snacks to share, clothes to donate, and games to play! Participants share not only their hopes and concerns, but also clothes, advice, resources, and emotional sustenance.

What happens at OATS meetings? Depends on what YOU want. In the past it has been sometimes karaoke, sometimes board games and pajamas, a clothing swap, frisbees in the park. We’ve done workshops on terminology, we’ve sat around and talked. We may watch movies or talk about books or current news.

Contact us at oats@2uomaha.org for more information. Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/219970234826242

Our Local LGBTQ Justice Work

Our congregation works with Omaha-area organizations as well as other LGBTQ-friendly congregations to support equal rights for all people without regard to their sexual orientation or gender identity.

We monitor and research city and state-wide legislation affecting LGBTQ people. We have coordinated panel discussions, hosted informative speakers and conducted worship services in support of National Coming Out Day. Our congregants march in the Heartland Pride parade and host booths at LGBTQ-focused events.

Join our Social Justice Committee to help coordinate our local LGBTQ justice work. We typically meet after the worship service on the third Sunday of the month via Zoom. Contact info@2uomaha.org to request a Zoom invitation.

National Work

For more than 50 years, our Unitarian Universalist faith has supported LGBTQ rights. Learn more about the Unitarian Universalist Association’s current LGBTQ justice work.