I Have Noticed...

That more and more churches are holding Pride celebrations. I hear some trans people complain that it should be run by only LGBT organizations and not by a church but I disagree. We need all the allies we can get.

LGBTQ teens wanted a Pride festival in their town. How five churches made it happen.

Five churches organized the event out of a conviction of their faith, but as an invisible network.

by Religion News Service

June 12, 2025

In February 2024, the Rev. Carol Hill of Park Ridge Community Church got news that a group of LGBTQ teens who met at Hill’s church wanted to do something for Pride month in June.

Shelley Flener-O’Brien, who had created the group, called Connections, to give LGBTQ teens a safe space to gather and feel supported by adults in the community, reached out to Hill asking if the church could help put on a Pride event. Hill said yes, but added, “It needs to be bigger than just cookies on the lawn.”

I think it is fantastic that they are holding Pride celebration, we have seen it in churches like MCC, Unitarian, and Episcopal churches but we welcome all affirming churches!

The first year, in June of 2024, Flener-O’Brien figured that between the Connections teens, their families and friends and the people she invited, it was reasonable to hope 20 people would come. Instead, despite a torrential downpour, more than 200 people came to Park Ridge Community Church’s lawn, where food trucks were stationed, and the mayor and another local politician spoke. The festival’s organizers were thrilled.

Stop and think about for awhile. 200 people! That is 200 people who affirm us! Those are 200 people who could be voters in the next election.