Discover information and stories about Metropolitan Community Churches from 2010 – 2019 by clicking on one of the years below:
| 30 Years and the Thousand Voices of Pride | Boise Weekly | Idaho (U.S.) |
| After the September 11 attacks, Knoxville found strength, shared pain through faith| Archives | Knox News | Tennessee (U.S.) |
| AG Candidate Vows to Defend State Funding for Anti-LGBT Adoption Agencies | Jackson Free Press | Mississippi (U.S.) |
| Albuquerque church vandalized three times in one week | KRQE | New Mexcio (U.S.) |
Bibles and Blue Jeans: How Gay Liberation Came to NC State
North Carolina (U.S) – Rev. Willie White…establish[ed] the Triangle’s first church founded by LGBT Christians, St. John’s Metropolitan Community Church in Raleigh, [in 1976]….
| Changing outlooks on immigration in the United States | Local DVM | Maryland (U.S.) |
| Church reaching beyond pews to help with disability applications | Local DVM | Maryland (U.S.) |
| Councillor Alexandra Phillips, will be the guest speaker at The Village MCC Pride Service, on Sunday, August 4. | GScene | Brighton and Hove (England) |
| Dayton Shooting: Vigil downtown makes ‘Dayton is Strong’ message clear | WHIO | Ohio (U.S.) |
| Divine Peace MCC’s New Pastor Set on Embracing Spirituality and Making Church a Brave, Safe Space | Between the Lines: Pride Source | Michigan (U.S.) |
| Fundraiser held for indigenous people in the Dakotas affected by flooding (VIDEO) | KWQC | Iowa (U.S.) |
Freikirche MCC: „ Die Pius-Brüder beten gegen uns“
Stuttgart (Deutschland) – [Im Jahr 2000 gründete Axel Schwaigert den Stuttgarter Zweig der] evangelischen Freikirche ins Leben gerufen, in deren Gottesdienst er das Aha-Erlebnis hatte: die MCC-Gemeinde Salz der Erde….
Brookhaven couple act as stand-in mom and dad to LGBTQ youth
Pennsylvania (U.S.) – Growing up, [Whosoever MCC pastor] Andrea Lamour-Harrington feared she would never have children. But now she knows that being a trans woman is not a barrier to starting a family of her own….
| Harán iglesia para la comunidad gay | LATarde | Reynosa (México) |
| Haters gonna hate’: Swastikas painted over an LGBT flag at a church – but its leaders ‘shake it off’ by quoting ‘the great prophet’ Taylor Swift | Daily Mail | Brisbane (Australia) |
| How religious groups clashed over LGBTQ+ rights at Pride 2019 | The Rappler | Metro Manila (Phillippines) |
Hundreds mourn slain transgender Vancouver teen at vigil
Washington (U.S) – Rev. Ken Kerr, pastor of Metropolitan Community Church of Portland, leads a prayer during a vigil Friday evening for Nikki Kuhnhausen….Vancouver police detectives say David Y. Bogdanov, 25, strangled Kuhnhausen to death after learning she was transgender.
I know a place': 10 safe spaces for LGBTQ+ people in Metro Manila, from clubs to cafés
Metro Manila (Phillippines) – The Open Table MCC isn’t just some run-of-the-mill Christian congregation that simply welcomes or tolerates the LGBTQ+ community. It’s a sanctuary built and maintained by the people that have been shunned by the Church at large.
| I WANT TO BELIEVE: Church celebrates Christ, Pride and progressive culture | alibi | New Mexico (U.S.) |
| I’m myself now’: What it’s like to come out as gay later in life | CBC | Ottawa (Canada) |
| Iglesia cubana afirmativa para personas LGBTIQ+ cumple cuatro años | Cuba News | Matanzas (Cuba) |
Iglesia de la Comunidad Metropolitana en Cuba oficia matrimonio gay en Matanzas
Matanzas (Cuba) – …Fraternidad Universal de las Iglesias de la Comunidad Metropolitana (FUICM) es la única en la que se pueden oficiar matrimonios igualitarios en la isla.
Igreja evangélica de SP realiza casamento homoafetivo e nomeia mulheres trans como pastoras
São Paulo (Brazil) – A Igreja da Comunidade Metropolitana, em São Paulo, ganhou notoriedade nos últimos tempos após aceitar que pessoas da comunidade LGBTQ+ se tornassem membros ativos, participantes da obra divina da congregação, e até realizasse casamentos homoafetivos.
Inside The Metropolitan Community Church, Which Has Been Telling LGBTQ People God Loves Them For 50 Years
U.S. – The Metropolitan Community Church has faced prejudice from other Christians and derision from some LGBTQ people. But its message of belonging has stayed constant for 50 years.
| Interfaith service promises to remember | Cape Gazette | Delaware (U.S.) |
| Kirche für Schwule und Lesben?! Ines-Paul Baumann über die MCC Cologne | Sommerblut Kulturfestival | Köln (Deutschland) |
| LGBTQ Christians in Wisconsin look for a faith home | WTMJ | Wisconsin (U.S.) |
| LGBTQ church vandalized six times in two weeks | KOB 4 | New Mexico (U.S.) |
| LGBTQ push for non-discrimination ordinance in Mobile will require city, not county, support | AL.com | Alabama (U.S.) |
| Local faith leaders come together to support Lehigh Valley Muslim community | WFMZ | Pennsylvania (U.S.) |
| Los movimientos fundamentalistas cristianos han mutado como los virus | Medium | Matanzas (Cuba) |
MCC Church founder to donate artifacts to Smithsonian
U.S. – Rev. Elder Troy Perry, founder of the Metropolitan Community Churches, the first Christian denomination with a primary ministry to the LGBT community, is donating a collection of artifacts from the church’s 51-year history to the Smithsonian Institution.
| MCC leader condemns Trump’s racist tweets | QNotes | U.S. |
| MPLS Pastor commemorates 50 years since Stonewall Riot | KARE 11 | MInnesota (U.S.) |
| Nicht Mann und nicht Frau, das ist genau mein Ding, Halleluja! | Der Spiegel | Köln (Deutschland) |
| Overlooked No More: Bill Larson, Who Became a Symbol of Gay Loss in New Orleans | New York Times | Louisiana (U.S.) |
| Parents of Matthew Shepard, murdered for being gay, to speak in Toronto | Toronto Star | Toronto (Canada) |
| Pastora lésbica promove inclusão e igualdade de direitos em igreja LGBTQI+ em Cuba | RFI | Havana (Cuba) |
| PHOTO ESSAY: Clash between cops, refugees leaves woman screaming ‘just kill us’ | IOL | Cape Town (South Africa) |
| Pride in protest | The Guidon | Metro Manila (Phillippines) |
Piden no ser portadores de odio y exclusión
Querétaro (Mexico) – Integrantes de la Iglesia de la Comunidad Metropolitana hicieron un llamado a los líderes religosos a detener las campañas que desde los altares y púlpitos de sus iglesias, se están realizando en contra de los derechos de las mujeres y de la comunidad LGBTTTIQ
Portland Pride Parade shines with rainbow-colored love
Oregon (U.S.) – “We are always present at Pride,” [said Rev. Nathan Meckley, who…was there representing Metropolitan Community Church] “It still is news to a lot of people that you can be queer and you can be a person of faith.”
Remembering the LGBT victims and heroes of 9/11
California (U.S.) – Renee Barrett, injured in the September 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, died on October 18 of her injuries. Barrett was a member of Metropolitan Community Church of New York. She left….
| SJC recebe a visita da representante das Igrejas da Comunidade Metropolitanan | Sao-Paulo-Governo-do-Estado | São Paulo (Brazil) |
| Slain trans woman remembered at service | Washington Blade | D.C. (U.S.) |
| The long road to LGBTQ equality | The Express | Pennsylvania (U.S.) |
| THE PERFECT GAY DAY IN…CLEVELAND | Prizm | Ohio (U.S.) |
| The Religious Roots of Pride | Rappler | U.S. |
| The Transgender Day of Remembrance: So Much Loss, So Much to Keep Fighting For | Daily Beast | Connecticut (U.S) |
| The U.K. Is Using Religion to Discriminate Against LGBTQ+ Refugees | Out | England |
| This Church in Mandaluyong Embraces All Kinds of Love | Spot.ph | Mandaluyong City (Philippines) |
| TIMELINE: SOGIE equality in the Philippines | The Rappler | Manila (Phillippines) |
| Tres posturas de las iglesias cubanas frente a los derechos de las personas LGBTIQ+ | Medium | Matanzas (Cuba) |
| Tri-Cities homeless and the opioid crisis. These forums will look for answers | Tri-City Herald | Washington (U.S.) |
Two churches, pantry solidify partnership to provide safety net
Washington (U.S.) – “Being in covenant is like being in a warm, therapeutic relationship where I trust you and you trust me,” said the Rev. Ken Kerr, pastor of Metropolitan Community Church of the Gentle Shepherd. “I believe that’s what Christ calls us to be as ministries, in touch with each other.”
Una chiesa aperta a tutte e tutti
Brianza (Italia) – Scomunicato per aver fatto coming out, Mario Bonfanti – ex prete cattolico – è ora pastore della Metropolitan Community Church.
Wie queer ist der liebe Gott?
Köln (Deutschland) – Glaube und Sexualität – ein Spannungsfeld? Dieser Annahme wollen wir auf den Zahn fühlen! Dafür sprechen wir mit Daniel Großer von der Metropolitan Community Church – einer Kirche, die offen für Vielfalt in Geschlechteridentitäten, Gottesbildern und sexueller Orientierung ist.
Conectas Direitos Humanos (novembro 2019) – Alexya Salvador, ativista LGBTI e primeira pastora trans do Brasil, fala sobre a importância da construção de um cristianismo inclusivo e acolhedor e do papel da ICM (Igrejas da Comunidade Metropolitana) na luta por igualdade e na defesa dos direitos humanos.
A local church in support of the transgender community
Iowa (U.S.) – “The Metropolitan Community Church in Davenport is inviting the community to join them on their rally oppossing the Administration’s plan to create a legal definition of gender as one determined at birth….”
A New Vision for the Church | Queer from the Couch
Toronto (Canada) – Rev. Jeff Rock of MCC Toronto meets with Justin Gerhard from “Queer from the Couch.” Rock talks about building a new kind of church, one that is inclusive, creates community, acceptance, and is a place to find support and connection.
| Bethlehem council backs ban on conversion therapy | Morning Call | Pennsylvania (U.S.) |
| Carter, Aliveness Project to be honored for social justice, GLBTQ inclusion efforts | Chicago Tribune | Illinois (U.S.) |
| Historic City Council Election in Roanoke | The Roanoke Star | Virginia (U.S.) |
| Inclusive Justice Brings LGBTQ Conference to MCC-D | Between the Lines | Michigan (U.S.) |
La iglesia en Cuba donde Dios ama a los gai
La Habana (Cuba) – Son las seis de la tarde del lunes dos de septiembre del año dieciocho. Al interior de un pequeño departamento del Vedado, la pastora Elaine Saralegui oficia el culto de una denominación cristiana que acepta a las personas no heteronormativas, a las poliamorosas, a las que creen en otros dioses.
MCC Honors Transgender Youth Activist with ‘Seth Tooley Day’
Michigan (U.S.) – “Seth is a fine young man who has just blossomed into an activist, said Rev. Dr. Roland Stringfellow, MCC-D’s senior pastor and teacher. “He’s almost like an accidental activist,” Stringfellow said. “But when he recognized how he was treated, and how other young people were being treated as objects rather than people he decided to speak up.”
Minnesota clergy members lead the way in new Poor People's Campaign
MInnesota (U.S.) – “We’ve been praying, talking and writing letters [to legislators] for years, and we’ll continue doing that,” said the Rev. DeWayne Davis of All God’s Children Metropolitan Community Church in Minneapolis, a co-chair of the Minnesota campaign. “But if we just did what we’ve always done, would people come out and listen to the voices of people impacted by poverty?”
| Pride in Pictures 1970: LA Pride welcomes the Metropolitan Community Church | LGBTQ Nation | (U.S.) |
| Pride in Pictures 2000: Sylvia Rivera & our transgender leaders | LGBTQ Nation | New York (U.S.) |
| Sanford Army Chaplain fights for husband, who is facing deportation to Honduras | ABC 11 | North Carolina (U.S.) |
| Show of pride: Baton Rouge’s Pride Fest continues to grow, expects 14,000 for 2018 festival | The Advocate | Louisiana (U.S.) |
Social Success at First Veteran LGBTQ Event in Omaha
Nebraska (U.S.) – The VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System can check the mark for a successful event at the first social gathering of local Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual, Transgender and Questioning Veterans and the public who came out to listen about health care and support, July 14 at the Metropolitan Community Church in Omaha.
| South Carolina: Author Presentation, Dem Pride, Bingo Glitters | QNotes | South Carolina (U.S.) |
| Terror and grace: Kevin Hatt’s 34-year journey with HIV | Ottawa News | Canada |
| The murder of Anthony Adams: A four-decade-old mystery that Salt Lake City police are still investigating | Salt Lake Tribune | Utah (U.S.) |
| Topeka pastor preparing for European LGBT conference | Topeka Capital Journal | Kansas (U.S.) |
Toronto's new gay pastor hopes to inspire the next generation
Toronto (Canada) – Taking over from Brent Hawkes, pastor Jeff Rock of the Metropolitan Community Church led Pride service 2018.
| Vigil For Victims Of Alleged Serial Killer Bruce McArthur | Metropolitan Community Church | LGBT Canada In The Media | Toronto (Canada) |
| Vigil protesting family separation held in Brookfield | Riverside Brookfield Landmark | Virginia (U.S.) |
| Have a Little Faith | Tuscon Weekly | Arizona (U.S.) |
| Designers, volunteers gave their time so kids in need could call CASA a second home | Denver Post | Colorado (U.S.) |
UK Church Appoints Nonbinary Transgender Man as Associate Pastor
Brighton (England) – The Rev. Peta Evans, who identifies as a non-binary, has been named as an associate pastor by the Village Metropolitan Community Church in Brighton….
U.S. wrong on U.N. death penalty resolution, LGBT-affirming pastor says
Louisiana (U.S.) – The pastor of [Metropolitan Community Church of New Orleans] is denouncing the vote of the U.S. delegation to the United Nations against a resolution that condemned capital punishment for same-sex relations, adultery and other acts deemed criminal in many countries.
Just a Bunch of Friends Who Changed LGBT History
U.S. (2017) – “Perry put an announcement in The Advocate in 1968, announcing a Christian worship service for gays….Later that year Reverend Perry founded the Metropolitan Community Church, the country’s first truly LGBT- affirming Christian ministry.”
| Metropolitan Community Church Illiana hosting Transgender Day of Remembrance vigil | nwi.com | Indiana (U.S.) |
| Bringing light to the domestic and sexual violence | QuadCities | Iowa (U.S.) |
| Court upholds ruling for Miss. anti-LGBT law — but there’s stinging dissent | Washington Blade | Mississippi (U.S.) |
| “Coming Out Week” coming to SIUE | RiverBender | Missouri (U.S.) |
| Offer prayers for Las Vegas victims. But don’t stop there | Baptist News Global | Nevada (U.S.) |
| Metropolitan Community Church of New York Rap at Pride 2017 | nycparadelife | New York (U.S.) |
| Faith and freedom for LGBTI people | Faith Matters | NJ.com | New York (U.S.) |
Vision of Hope MCC pastors seek to grow the ministry of church that has special ties to the LGBT community
Pennsylvania (U.S.) – Since the pastors began on May 7, they have focused on growing the church and finding a niche. The church offers Christian education, children’s minstry, dance ministry and congregational care.
Face to Face: Reverend Jane Clarke, LGBTI Metropolitan Community Church, Glasgow
Glasgow (Scotland) – Reverend Jane Clarke, minister of Metropolitan Community Church in Glasgow, a church for the LGBTI community, was set on her path to the ministry by a group of anti-gay campaigners who knew not what they did.
| Commentary: Utah clergy respond to Nashville statement | Salt Lake Tribune | Utah (U.S.) |
| World Aids Day at Metropolitan Community Church (Richmond) | Erica Dabney (VCU News) | Virginia (U.S.) |
| Milwaukee Metropolitan Church Offers Light for the Holidays | Shepherd Express | Wisconsin (U.S.) |
Eine Ökumene der besonderen Art
Stuttgart (Deutschland) – Menschen, die anderswo Ablehnung erlebt haben, sind hier willkommen: In der Gemeinde „Salz der Erde“, einer von drei „Metropolitan Community Churches“ in Deutschland.
“Jesus Cristo foi o primeiro trans”, diz a 1ª pastora transgênera da América Latina
São Paulo (Brasil) – Conhecida como a “Igreja dos Direitos Humanos”, a ICM foi criada em 1968 nos Estados Unidos e em 2003 chegou no estado do Rio de Janeiro para alguns anos depois se instalar em um espaço modesto no bairro da Santa Cecília, na capital paulista mais estruturada. O objetivo da igreja é abraçar a população LGBTQ, que não costuma ter espaço no cristianismo tradicional. A ICM aceita casamentos homoafetivos, conta com drag queens em seus eventos e, entre seus pregadores, está Alexya, a primeira pastora transgênera da América Latina.
Ser cristiano y homosexual
España – La relación entre Cristianismo y homosexualidad siempre ha sido tensa. Y esta tensión es más difícil para las personas que pertenecen a ambos colectivos, que muchas veces tienen que resolver un dilema mayor: conjugar su sexualidad con su religión.
Top 5 Openly Gay and Allied Christian Musicians
U.S. – A few years following her coming out, [Marsha Stevens] joined the LGBT-friendly Metropolitan Community Church as an active member. Since then, she has written songs for their general conferences for the past two decades.
“Seksuaalivähemmistöjen MCC-kirkko aloitti toimintansa Suomessa
Helsinki (Suomessa) – Seksuaali- ja sukupuolivähemmistöjen kirkkona tunnettu Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC) aloitti toimintansa Suomessa. Elävä vesi MCC Helsinki -seurakunnan pastori Tarja Pyykkö on tehnyt pitkän uran kirkon nuorisotyössä….
Celebra Casa de Luz 18 años de dar esperanza
Monterrey (México) – Con la voluntad de recibir a aquellos que tienen el corazón herido, la comunidad cristiana, Casa de Luz, celebra 18 años de ser una opción para la comunidad LGBT que busca continuar profesando su fe en el Evangelio sin sentirse excluido y rechazado.
Faith in a Time of Politics
(United States) – As a global leader for Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC), I have learned that it is easy to let these negative realities bog us down. To make matters even more challenging, sometimes out of our sense of powerlessness, we take our frustrations out on each other—whether in worshipping communities or our families.
| Metropolitan Community Church shares reaction to Orlando Shooting | WSLS | Florida (U.S.) |
| Sateenkaarikirkon pappi: “Uskonnolliset yhteisöt antavat usein ymmärtää, ettei voi olla kristitty ja homoseksuaali” | Uutiset | Helsinki (Suomessa) |
| Entramos a un templo en la CDMX ¡donde el pastor es gay | TVnotas | Mexico City (México) |
| HB2: Bathroom Politics Sanction Discrimination | Huffington Post | United States |
| Freikirchen: Die Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) | evangelisch.de | Deutschland |
The Charleston Massacre
(United States) – As the global moderator for Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC), founded to welcome LGBTQ people, we know what it is to have our people murdered and our churches burned. We know that these acts are acts of terrorism are based on hate and intended to dominate whole swaths of people.
ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN
Sydney (Australia) – The Metropolitan Community Church in Sydney this year celebrated its 40th anniversary, at a time when LGBTI communities themselves face uncertainty.
Ted Talk on Spiritual and Sexuality
Toronto (Canada) – Spirituality and sexuality. You can have both. As the Pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto, Rev. Hawkes has been at the forefront of ministry to the Gay & Lesbian Community in Toronto.
Marriage equality: 'We did it'
Florida (U.S.) – The Rev. Elder Diane Fisher of Gentle Shepherd Metropolitan Community Church officiated during the ceremony, believed to have been the first legal gay wedding in Tallahassee.
| I Want Your Job: Reverend Kevin Downer, Queer-Friendly Clergyman | Torontoist | Toronto (Canada) |
| Rally at Metropolitan Community Church of Our Redeemer | YouTube | Georgia (U.S.) |
| Inflatable Pride Jesus Spreads Message that ‘God is Love, And Love Wins’ | The Block Club | Illinois (U.S.) |
| Jackie Carter, pastor Metropolitan Community Church (Kansas) talks about marriage equality | Wichita Eagle | Kansas (U.S.) |
| Metropolitan Community Church Hosts National Night Out | KMTV 3 News Now | Nebraska (U.S.) |
| Hetero und homo – eine Kirchengemeinde für alle | Welt | Köln (Deutschland) |
| Le confessioni di un (ex) prete gay: “Umiliato dalla Chiesa che amavo” | Il Giorno | Merate (Italia) |
Crave to ordain female pastor
Sydney (Australia) – Sydney’s newest Metropolitan Community Church congregation is breaking new ground again by ordaining a female pastor, Penny Davis, in July this year.
Gays and human rights activists celebrate International Day Against Homophobia in style
Nairobi (Kenya) – Metropolitan Community Church Gay Priest the Rev Michael Kimindu addresses a gathering of sexual minorities at the National Museum, Nairobi….to mark the International Day Against Homophobi
MCC Moderator, Nancy Wilson, at Obama's Inaugural Worship Service
United States – President and Michelle Obama and Vice President and Jill Biden attended the 2013 National Prayer where ministers representing various religious traditions offered prayers for the country and the president. Listen to Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson at 35:40 to 37:22.
God wants more gay weddings
Christchurch (Aotearoa / New Zealand) – Self-labelled “gay affirming” Christchurch church Crave MCC is reaching out as a church willing to perform same-sex marriages.
ICM: la iglesia donde ser homosexual no es pecado
Puebla (México) – “Nosotros vemos la diversidad sexual como una bendición porque en la diversidad están todas las oportunidades”
Same-sex unions stir Baguio City
Baguio City (Philippines) – Myke Sotero, pastor of the MCC Baguio, said today’s service was “a Christian celebration of love and relationship.”
| Ngeo Boon Lin: Being gay and Christian | The Jakarta Post | New York (U.S.) |
| Gay, transgender band breaks barriers in Christian music | Religious News Service | North Carolina (U.S.) |
| It’s Time: Rev Jane Clarke, Metropolitan Community Church | LGBTI Scotland | Glasgow (Scotland) |
| Myke and Gregory: Chance to love | Outrage | Baguio City (Philippines) |
| Wende Ballew confronts her anger in a Texas prison, makes peace with a rapist, discovers the healing power of theater and finds her life’s mission. | The Atlanta Journal-Constitution | U.S. |
| Newcastle LGBT church celebrates 20 years | BBC | Newscastle (England) |
| HRC’s Clergy Call 2011: Elder Nancy Wilson | HRC | U.S. |
| Metropolitan Community Church San Francisco | Zwhaler | California (U.S) |
(BBC News Brasil – 2017) – Em 2012, Alexya Salvador assumiu sua nova identidade e, desde então, vem sendo pioineira, como primeira trans a adotar uma criança no Brasil e líder religiosa de comunidade cristã.
(C7 Noticias de Verdad – México – 2014) – Luego de varios años como sacerdote católico, el reverendon Héctor Gutiérrez se integró a la Iglesia de la Comunidad Metropolitana….Tanto él, que ahora es Obispo de ICM, como otros pastores de diversos cultos consideran que las iglesias tradicionales se han inclinado por políticas discriminatorias para con los grupos de la diversidad sexual. Por ello, crearon este tipo de devociones que no sólo reciben a la comunidad LGBT, sino a padres de familia divorciados o familias no convencionales.
(vega – São Paulo, Brasil -2010 ) – Augusto Nunes entrevista Cristiano Valério, reverendo da Comunidade Metropolitana, em São Paulo. Ele conta como é a celebração do casamento entre gays, em sua comunidade.
