Group counters Nashville Statement with pro-LGBT message, calls it The Accurate Nashville Statement

Some Nashville residents say the Nashville Statement, a controversial document on human sexuality signed by more than 150 conservative evangelical leaders, does not represent their inclusive views about LGBT people or their city. 

So they wrote their own message and called it The Accurate Nashville Statement. 

It was put together by three friends and Nashville residents — Corey Pigg, Melissa Greene and Matthew Paul Turner. They added the initial signatures and shared a message on the website they created, www.nashvillestatement.co.

"There were a number of us in Nashville wanting to share a different perspective. One where everyone is loved, known and valued regardless of their gender or sexual orientation," the trio wrote.

► More:What is the Nashville Statement and why are people talking about it?

► More:Evangelical leaders issue Nashville Statement, a 'Christian manifesto' on human sexuality

The Nashville Statement lists 14 beliefs affirming the conservative Christian coalition's views on human sexuality. It covers a range of topics from a prohibition on sex outside of marriage to the connection between biological sex and gender identity. It is named after Nashville because a draft of it was finalized last week in the city. 

The authors of The Accurate Nashville Statement say the Nashville Statement released Tuesday by The Council of Biblical Manhood and Womanhood does not represent the city's "love, diversity and inclusion."

The Accurate Nashville Statement shares a welcoming message to all on the sexuality and gender identity spectrum on behalf of the religious and nonreligious.  

"You are welcome in our city, our universities, our businesses, our churches, our mosques, our temples, etc. You belong here," the counter-statement reads. 

Others across the country have countered the Nashville Statement with their own. The House for All Sinners and Saints congregation led by Pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber wrote the Denver Statement. 

Nashville Mayor Megan Barry, who criticized the Nashville Statement, pointed people toward another statement they can sign. It's the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee's Nashville Unites Resolution. 

Within a couple hours of posting The Accurate Nashville Statement, it had received between 500 and 750 signatures, Pigg said. Many are from Nashville, but are also coming in from across the country, he said. 

"I am filled with a sense of wonder and reverence for the people of our city. I can’t keep up with the signatures," Pigg said. "What strikes me the most is that these are normal, everyday people. I flip through their names and occupations and this means more to me than big names. This says so much about the interconnectedness of our city."

Reach Holly Meyer at hmeyer@tennessean.com or 615-259-8241 and on Twitter @HollyAMeyer.