Welcome to the Discovery Group

The Discovery Group is an inter-denominational, faith-based community gathered to support and affirm our Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Allied (GLBTA) family, friends and neighbors and promote education related to GLBT issues in our communities.

We come from many backgrounds and churches and other faiths. We are gay and straight. We are young and older. In the course of planning and attending the Discovery forums together and sharing our own stories, we have grown in our appreciation and respect for the gifts we each bring. We welcome others to join us.

Mission

Our mission is to affirm, support, and empower the GLBTA community. To bring forth God's love, justice and compassion to a world in which hate, discrimination, self-certainty and fear too often keep us from trusting and hearing one another.

Discovery Group History

Discovery Group was formed in the fall of 2004 by a group of concerned, faith-based individuals to counteract the prejudiced atmosphere regarding GLBT persons and issues in our community and to respond to a specific negative campaign designed to influence school policies.

Our group was concerned that incorrect, skewed, fear-based information about homosexuality was being directed toward the school district and that support organizations formed to promote better understanding were being misrepresented. We also felt it was important for a progressive Christian voice to be heard on these issues that have been so dominated by the Christian right.

The Discovery Group discerned the need for more education reflecting current social, medical, psychological awareness about sexual orientation. We wanted to create a safe and welcoming space in the Elk River community and beyond for dialog, questions, and mutual support.

Nothing will ever be attempted, if all possible objections must first be overcome.
-- Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English Author