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Harmony

Formation	1982; 42 years ago (1982)
Founder	Bob Swoffer
Merger of	GALA (Gay and Lesbian Acceptance) & Welcoming Community Network
Type	Non-profit
Location	Kansas City, Missouri
Area served	Global
Services	LGBT advocacy within the Community of Christ
Website	www.harmony.lgbt
Formerly called	GALA (Gay and Lesbian Acceptance)

Harmony (formerly GALA (Gay and Lesbian Acceptance)) is a non-profit organization for LGBTQ people who are connected with the Community of Christ.

History

GALA was founded by Bob Swoffer and Antonio Feliz, who had pinned his Park College business card on the public bulletin board of a Kansas City gay bar. Bob Swoffer was the first person to respond to Tony's Park College business card on that gay bar bulletin board in Kansas City, MO. Its first gathering was in 1982 at Park College in Antonio Feliz home. Arthur Butler and Ginger Farley were founding members, and Allan Fiscus was the first president of GALA. In 2019, GALA legally merged with the Welcoming Community Network, a non-profit organization serving Community of Christ congregations seeking to become welcoming and affirming, and took the name Harmony.

See also

• LGBT-welcoming church programs
• Affirmation: LGBTQ Mormons, Families, & Friends

References

1. Hartley, James (12 August 2022). "North Texas churches call Stedfast Baptist homophobic messages unacceptable, 'appalling'". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Archived from the original on 12 July 2023. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
2. ^ "Honoring the GALA Legacy". Harmony. 2019-03-29. Retrieved 2020-07-22. Since the first gathering in 1982 as a chapter of Affirmation, in 1984 it was organized as G.A.L.A. and opened membership to non LGBT+ also, GALA, Gay and Lesbian Acceptance has been a monumental presence in the church.
3. "GALA Announces New Name, Brand, and Mission". Harmony. 2019-04-06. Retrieved 2020-07-22. GALA, Gay and Lesbian Acceptance announced today the organization's new name, Harmony, as well as a new mission statement and logo following an eight-month rebranding process.

Further reading

• "Church Leaders Gather to Understand Needs of Gay, Lesbian Church Members", Eastern Jackson County Examiner, 2005-01-31
• William D. Russell, "Homosexuals in the RLDS Church: A Progress Report" (paper presented at the Sunstone Symposium in Salt Lake City, Utah on 1999-07-17)

v t e Community of Christ
Major people	Joseph Smith Emma Smith David Whitmer Alpheus Cutler William Smith Lyman Wight Joseph Smith III Frederick M. Smith Israel A. Smith Charles D. Neff W. Wallace Smith Wallace B. Smith W. Grant McMurray Stephen M. Veazey Sidney Rigdon
History	First Vision Amboy Conference Lineal succession Supreme Directional Control
Major beliefs	All are Called Concept of Zion God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit Peace Priesthood Prophetic leadership Salvation Worth of all persons
Sacred texts	Bible King James Version Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible Book of Mormon Doctrine and covenants
Worship	Auditorium Community of Christ Sings Daily Prayer for Peace Sacraments Temples (Independence, Kirtland)
Organization	Children's Peace Pavilion Seminary World Conference Field organization
Leadership	Prophet-President List First Presidency Council of Twelve Apostles Presiding Bishop World Church Leadership Council Standing High Council Presiding Evangelist
Other	Comparison with Latter-day Saints Graceland University Harmony (organization) Herald Herald House Harvest Hills International Peace Award
Historic Sites	Joseph Smith Mansion House Liberty Hall Nauvoo House Plano Stone Church Red Brick Store Stone Church

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• 1982 establishments in the United States
• Community of Christ
• LGBTQ Latter Day Saint organizations
• LGBTQ in Missouri
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• Latter Day Saint movement in Missouri
• Christian organizations established in 1982
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