Reverend Adam Ericksen helped his church go viral for possibly the most wholesome (and inspiring) reason. Relatively cool church signs are becoming more of a thing, given the age of Twitter and Snapchat. While a lot of people can chuckle at a semi-snarky sign encouraging people to actually, you know, go to church, Rev. Ericksen’s message is just as eye-catching. Most importantly? It’s even more earnest.
“Our transgender siblings have heartbeats,” reads one of the signs the reverend posted on the marquee outside of Clackamas United Church in the Portland, Oregon area. Obviously, this sign is overtly political. It’s a clear reference to the anti-abortion bills sweeping the nation, including in Alabama.
Also: Studies (and logic) suggest that acceptance is key to reducing the incredibly high rates of depression and suicide among the trans community. Every little bit counts, including in religious communities.
Other signs include feminist language like, “God loves you just the way she made you.” Get it? God is a woman! Excellent. On a very serious note, one viral sign says: “Harriet Tubman deserves to be on the $20. End white supremacy.”
In an interview with CNN, Ericksen explained that he started writing the political messages on a weekly basis upon moving to the community. In the last 18 months, he explained, he’s seen the congregation grow. Regular Sunday service was around 30 people per week, and he now sees 50 to 60 people, which is a significant boost in a small community.
Why does he think there’s an increase? “People are thirsty to know they are loved,” he told CNN. “Jesus preached the kingdom of God, and this was politically loaded message. His harshest message was for religious leaders who marginalized people.”
Here’s a bunch of the signs:
Oh—and the reverend says there’s been “almost no” criticism from his local community.