Presbyterian Welcome’s Year Of Youth

Two children writing on a sign that says god thinks you're fabulous.

I touched down in New York City last year just two weeks after graduation from seminary to join the staff at Presbyterian Welcome. Though I didn’t know what would come from it, I knew that Mieke and I had a mutual passion: making sure that youth in and out of the church know they are loved, whether…

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Integrity Announces Executive Director: Vivian Taylor

A woman in a park with snow on her face.

Integrity USA is pleased to announce its new Executive Director, Sarah Vivian Gathright Taylor. Taylor will be the first openly transgender woman to lead a major mainline protestant denominational organization in the US. “I am thrilled to have this opportunity to serve both Integrity USA and the wider Church. Working together in the love of Jesus…

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LGBT Catholics Welcome Pope’s Change in Tone

Pope john paul ii waves to the crowd.

During an onboard interview on his flight back to Rome following World Youth Day, Pope Francis issued unexpected comments on his view of gay priests, and, many believe, gay people more broadly. He remarked: “If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?” Pope Francis’ comments on…

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I Am Gay Jesus: A Movement Empowered By Love

A man on a cross with a red cloth.

The play Corpus Christi is Terrence McNally’s visionary depiction of the Passion Play told through the lens of a young, gay Jesus. When I was cast in the role seven years ago, I was thrilled. As an actor I always love creating site-specific theatre, so the prospect of performing this play in a church was an…

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More Light Presbyterians Announces Alex McNeill As New Executive Director

A young man in a plaid shirt with his arms crossed.

More Light Presbyterians (MLP) today announced the appointment of Alex McNeill as their new executive director. McNeill is an openly transgender man and a nationally known educator and advocate for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) Christians. As executive director, McNeill will help MLP chart a new strategic direction to help empower individuals to…

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Love: Before It’s Legal

A man kisses a woman in a church.

When Alex and Jeremy got engaged in the spring of 2010 and set their wedding date for July 16, 2011, they had no idea their marriage could be legal in New York State on July 24, 2011. By example, Alex and Jeremy demonstrate the importance of living out our vision, our love, and our passion…

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My God Is Not A Bully

A speech bubble with the words i'm not a bully by person.

The project began in 2011 at a meeting in Tucson, where the national Coordinating Team of the Church Within A Church Movement (CWACM) brainstormed for ways to share the message that God is Love, not hate.  After launching at the Church Within A Church Movement’s 10th anniversary celebration, the video legacy project became a reality during Pride…

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Celebrating Transgender Equality

The logo for the national center for transgender equality.

Last night, I attended the ninth anniversary celebration of the National Center for Transgender Equality. The organization gathers each year to celebrate the past year’s progress and honor those who are working to secure full equality for transgender people. The event was my first opportunity to meet fellow LGBTQ activists in Washington, D.C., and I…

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