Boston, Mass. (June 26, 2023) – Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt was elected to serve as President of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) with the support of more than 2300 Unitarian Universalist (UU) delegates at the denomination’s annual General Assembly (GA) from June 21st to June 25th. Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt was appointed interim co-president of the UUA in 2017, and was the UUA’s first woman president. Now she will be both the first out queer individual and the first woman of color elected to the role. She succeeds the Rev. Dr. Susan Frederick-Gray and will begin her tenure on July 10th.

“Unitarian Universalism has a vital, liberating message for our time. Our nation and denomination are experiencing challenges in a time of significant division, change and radicalization,” said Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt. “But together, I know we can serve one another, organize for justice, widen the circle of concern, collectively imagine new ways forward in community, and grow spiritually. I am looking forward to the continued work of radical inclusion, faithful witness, and the embrace of a wide range of voices and leaders for our faith.”

Additionally, UU delegates from all 50 states and Washington, DC traveled to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for in-person participation. All in-person attendees were required to be vaccinated against Covid-19 and to wear masks indoors. In total, 2593 delegates from 715 congregations participated in voting democratically on denominational business.

In addition to electing the new president for a six-year term, delegates contemplated new proposed bylaws for the association. Article II of the Unitarian Universalist Association Bylaws – “Principles and Purposes” – is the foundation for all of the work of the UUA, and its member congregations and covenanted communities. The process for examining and revising this core religious language reflects the faithful practice of Unitarian Universalism. It also reflects UUs understanding of their faith as a Living Tradition, rooted in democratic practice and engagement. Delegates voted to advance recommended changes to Article II, which last underwent a wholesale revision in 1987.

A final vote on the revised Article II will take place at General Assembly in 2024. More information on the Article II process is available online.

Voting on Actions of Immediate Witness was also among the business conducted during GA 2023. UU delegates overwhelmingly voted for social justice resolutions that support health equity (PDF 2 pages), ending the planned “Cop City” training center (PDF 3 pages) in Atlanta, Georgia, and protecting the rights of Dreamers (PDF 2 pages), those who have received Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) status. Additionally, Side With Love, the UUA’s organizing initiative, held a rally during the assembly that highlighted the work that UU congregations across the country are doing to support the UUA’s four justice priorities – combatting criminalization, supporting democracy, promoting climate justice and advancing LGBTQIA+ equity.

See entire Press Release here.