More than 700 African American clergy, laity, educators, and youth from African American and mainstream Christian denominations are meeting in Washington DC for the celebrated National Black Religious Summit on Sexuality. The Summit is a program of the National Black Church Initiative of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC). The theme of this unique event is, "Breaking the Silence: Restoring Sacred Relationships."

Now in its ninth year, the Summit is a pioneer in raising critical and controversial issues about spirituality and sexuality. "Our focus is changing attitudes toward greater responsibility and accountability," said Reverend Carlton W. Veazey, president of RCRC, the Washington-based coalition of organizations from 15 denominations. "The Summit is a forum in which we can lift up these concerns in faithful, prayerful dialogue."

The Summit will be held through Friday, July 15, at Howard University School of Divinity, 1400 Shepherd Street NE, Washington DC. The "Keeping It Real!" Teen Leadership Institute will be held concurrently.

Among the highlights:

-- George Curry, former editor of Emerge magazine and Editor- In-Chief of the National Newspaper Publishers Association, will speak at 2 p.m. Wednesday on the topic of the state of Black America.

-- Reverend Dr. Joseph E. Lowery, President of Emeritus of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, will speak at 2 p.m. Thursday on "creating a better perception of African American family unity and values."

-- A panel of clergy from the AME, AME Zion, Church of God in Christ, National Baptist Convention, Christian Methodist Episcopal, and United Methodist denominations will discuss their denominations' views about issues related to sexuality.