DC Chapter discusses working across lines of difference to create change

On May 30, 2024, the Washington, D.C. chapter of the Religion Communicators Council discussed bringing together people who might not otherwise be in partnership in order to achieve common goals.

Lance Walker of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Tyler Deaton of the American Unity Fund engaged in a wide-ranging conversation during the meeting, which was held at the D.C. office of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Walker and Deaton talked in detail about their individual and joint experiences working for passage of the Respect for Marriage Act, despite their differences on same-sex marriage.

Passed in 2022, the Respect for Marriage Act requires states to recognize marriages lawfully performed in other states, including same-sex and interracial marriages. The bipartisan bill also acknowledged religious differences about marriage.  

“We weren’t asking each other to surrender our deepest differences, but we worked to find ways to love and respect each other in those differences,” Walker said.

Walker and Deaton noted that their work did not mean anyone had to change their theological beliefs, but they knew it was important to find common ground that could benefit everyone. They also discussed the importance of building relationships with people, listening to and learning from the lived experience of others to deepen relationships and break through stereotypes.