![the gay flag meaning the gay flag meaning](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2019/06/04/USAT/a6d314f3-6176-447a-9db3-5752c7e2804e-AP_17173664631391.jpg)
The rainbow flag celebrates the diversity and values of the LGBTQ community. The church affirmed me as a lesbian of faith and empowered me to hear and follow a call to ordained ministry. Knowing that God loved me had given me the courage to come out as a lesbian. We were amazed and delighted when they informed us, “Those are the flags of the lesbian and gay community.” It was a true moment of “pride” in the best sense. We had no idea what they meant at all-not a clue! We told them how much we liked the rainbow flags. The flags and the fellowship are what I remember best about the worship service, although I’m sure that guest preacher Nancy Wilson must have delivered a powerful sermon.Īfter the closing hymn, my partner Audrey Lockwood and I chatted with a friendly gay male couple in the pew ahead of us.
#The gay flag meaning free#
God’s presence was palpable.Īt last I was free to be fully myself, both lesbian and Christian. Immediately I was put at ease by the warmth of the congregation and the beauty of the rainbow flags hanging behind the altar and around the sanctuary. I wasn’t used to being open about my sexual orientation, so I felt nervous when I opened the door to the so-called “gay church.” I didn’t know what to expect, but I sensed there was no going back.
![the gay flag meaning the gay flag meaning](https://media.them.us/photos/60bfbb9ac8e56606be649a03/master/pass/189533875_2906094233043871_8133455861604650497_n1-e1623080969136.jpg)
(The term “LGBT” had not yet been coined, and “queer” was still an unredeemed insult.) The AIDS crisis was just getting started.Īll I knew was that MCC was a church by and for the lesbian and gay community. On our first Sunday in town, we decided to go to Metropolitan Community Church of San Francisco. I had just come out of the closet as a lesbian and moved to San Francisco with my life partner. It was 1985, back when same-sex marriage was so taboo that pollsters didn’t even ask about it.
![the gay flag meaning the gay flag meaning](https://parade.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/pride-flag-color-meaning.jpg)
I first saw the rainbow flag of LGBTQ Pride in a church.