Queer Resistance Means Unity.

We’re Queer, Visible, and Helping Lead a Church that Welcomes All with Love

My husband and I help with difficult yet necessary conversations aimed at reconciliation and mutual understanding.

A sanctuary of welcome and inclusion — where faith and LGBTQ+ visibility meet. In our fight for queer resistance, spaces like these stand as beacons of hope, affirming that all are truly welcome. AI-generated image created by author in Canva Pro.

In the heart of Clark County, Washington, a tapestry of unity and resilience is being woven by groups like — a social group exceeding a thousand members, not only gay bears but also allies of all genders who champion the LGBTQ+ community. When I first relocated to the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area a few years ago, I found solace and camaraderie within this group. One of its founders ardently emphasized queer visibility, challenging us to manifest our presence unabashedly in the community.

This call to visibility resonated profoundly with my personal endeavors with my husband in nearby Battle Ground, Washington. We are integrally involved with a (UMC) congregation that aligns with the — a coalition that advocates for the full inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in church life and leadership.

Our church is proud to be part of a conference led by the UMC’s first , who recently visited us with his husband — something I was very…