АҚШ Епископалдық Шіркеуінің ЛГБТҚ ұйымының тарихы және тарауы

American nonprofit organization

Integrity USA was a nonprofit organization affiliated with the Episcopal Church in the United States. It was founded in 1974 to promote the inclusion of Q members and their allies for equal access to Episcopal rites, but dissolved in April 2022 following misconduct allegations concerning the conduct of its board of directors.

Integrity was founded in 1974 by Louie Crew in rural Georgia, US. Crew, who was on a teaching fellowship in San Francisco, California, telephoned the reportedly progressive Grace Episcopal Cathedral, asking if they could help him and his partner meet other gay Episcopalians. The derisive laughter he heard in response prompted him to start a newsletter to help LGBTQ members of the Episcopal Church support each other in a hostile ecclesiastical environment. Crew wrote in the lead editorial:Integrity derives from integer, Latin for 'entire.' All Christian wholeness demands affirmation of God ordained sexuality; and gays and straights alike are Charged with the responsibility of using their sexuality in healthy human sharing rather than perversely trying to change or exchange the Gift of God. Often working in coalition with both secular and other faith based groups, Integrity worked for equal protection and opportunity for LGBTQ Episcopalians. Integrity sponsored the Integrity Eucharist at the General Convention of the Episcopal Church, which was one of the most well attended related events to take place during each General Convention. In 2010, the group lobbied the US Congress in support of the Employment Non Discrimination Act (ENDA), and in 2021 declared its support for the Equality Act.

A 2019 report by Egan Millard of the Episcopal News Service described the President's leadership as marked by "instability and uncertainty," and reported Integrity had $516,152 in net assets at the start of 2013, and was taking in over $200,000 per year for the preceding several years. By 2015, the last year it filed a full tax return to the US Internal Revenue Service, the group' reported net assets were reported to be $134,029. Between March 2019 and June 2019, three Integrity USA board members resigned, leaving only one elected board member, and by October 2019, Integrity USA was described by Millard as "a shadow of its former self, beset by struggles with leadership, finances, and communication," and the board's term was reported to be defined by "instability and uncertainty." and Integrity USA's address changed to Kinston, NC, the seat of the Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina. In December 2019, amid allegations of mismanagement, Integrity USA's president resigned, citing the need to spend more time with her family. Integrity USA Founder Louie Crew Clay died two days later, on November 27, 2019.