Last Updated on August 8, 2024 by Kittredge Cherry
Delores P. Berry is a black lesbian clergywoman and evangelist whose music and ministry blessed many. She died on Aug. 8, 2017, at age 66 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania after a brief illness.
Berry was born Feb. 15, 1951 in Baltimore, Maryland. She answered a call to ministry at age 19, becoming a minister in the Christian Methodist Episcopal, a historically black denomination. After coming out at age 24, she transferred her clergy credentials to the LGBTQ-affirming Metropolitan Community Churches in 1976.
Berry co-founded the National Coalition of Black Lesbians and Gays in 1978. It was the first national organization serving the black LGBTQ community in the United States. She also helped organize first Gay and Lesbian March on Washington in D.C. in 1979 and the first People of Color Gay and Lesbian White House Conference.
Berry held many positions during her decades of MCC ministry, but for many she is best remembered for her powerful gospel singing as a travelling evangelist. She visited 50 churches a year, inspiring thousands by preaching, praying and singing.
She sings “You raise us up so we can dance on rainbows!” on her most popular YouTube video, adapting the lyrics of the hymn “You Raise Me Up” to empower LGBTQ listeners.
Berry is interviewed in the documentary “Queerituality,” directed by Tom Murray. His unexpected death in 2010 delayed production — but the video was finished and posted online in 2022. Watching this never-before-seen interview is almost like hearing her speak from the grave.
The Rev. Delores Berry Liberation Theology Preaching Prize was established in her name at Lancaster Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania.
Delores Berry by Jeremy Whitner
A rainbow halo shines from Berry’s smiling face in an icon by North Carolina artist Jeremy Whitner, a gay Christian mystic and ordained minister with the Disciples of Christ. He has a master of divinity degree from Union Presbyterian Seminary. His icons appear frequently on Q Spirit and are available at Whitner’s Fine Art America shop.
Berry was preceded in death by Judy Kiser, her wife and ministry partner. They were together from 1984 until Kiser’s death in 2016.
On her former website, Berry declared, “I always knew that my soul was a rainbow! It was always clear in my heart that God created me as a Lesbian.”
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Related links:
Rev. Delores Berry profile (LGBTQ Religious Archives Network)
LGBT-affirming minister Berry dies at 66 (Washington Blade)
MCC Loses a Prophet and a Healer; Celebrates the Life of Rev. Delores P. Berry (mccchurch.org)
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This post is part of the LGBTQ Saints series by Kittredge Cherry. Traditional and alternative saints, people in the Bible, LGBT and queer martyrs, authors, theologians, religious leaders, artists, deities and other figures of special interest to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people and our allies are covered.
This article was originally published on Q Spirit on Aug. 8, 2021, was expanded with new material over time, and was most recently updated on Aug. 8, 2024.
Copyright © Kittredge Cherry. All rights reserved.
Qspirit.net presents the Jesus in Love Blog on LGBTQ spirituality.
What a saint.
Great article. Loved the Delores Berry article. I transported Delores on her tours in Texas and Louisiana. Best memories
Oh great article. Thank you.
Truly a gifted and God fearing woman who did so much for our community. She is missed.