Last Updated on October 22, 2024 by Kittredge Cherry
Historical news articles show Kittredge Cherry’s international LGBTQ ministry and activism in Metropolitan Community Churches in the 1990s, decades before she founded Q Spirit.
The seven articles are all illustrated with photos that include Kittredge Cherry. She is pictured in Europe, Africa and across the United States. They were published in Keeping in Touch, the official denominational newsletter for the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC). Cherry edited Keeping in Touch from 1991 to 1995 as ecumenical and public relations director at MCC international headquarters in Los Angeles.
“Documenting my ministry and activism means preserving the history of the LGBTQ movement because I was so much a part of it,” Cherry said. “When I flipped through the old newsletters, I was struck by how every photo of me was with a group of people, not preaching or working alone. But that’s who I am — I stand with the people.”
This article was created in October 2024 as part of the birthday celebration for Kittredge Cherry. Her 2024 birthday wish: You are invited to donate to Q Spirit for her 2024 birthday. Say happy birthday with a contribution and help promote LGBTQ spirituality!
“UFMCC Creates Faith and Disorder,” Keeping in Touch, May 1993: “At the National Council of Churches’ Faith and Order meeting March 19, 1993, UFMCC took an assertive stance by organizing a worship service titled ‘Faith and Disorder.’ … To inform NCC of the worship service, Rev. Cherry led a group of demonstrators…” Signs pictured include, “We’re here, we’re queer, we’re going to church” and “Thank God I’m gay!”
Keeping in Touch, December 1993, page 3: “‘We’re gonna keep on loving women,’ sang lesbians holding the UFMCC banner at ReImagining, a global theological conference by women held in Minneapolis, MN, Nov. 4-7, 1993…”
Keeping in Touch, March 1992, page 3: “‘Women Creating Global Community’ was the theme of the Church Women United State Assembly in Long Beach, CA, Feb. 8, 1992 attended by an eight-woman delegation from UFMCC…”
Keeping in Touch, April 1993, page 1: “UFMCC programmers held their first official day-long meeting on March 11, 1993, to discuss common concerns and prepare for budget sessions…”
“Lesbians Call for Justice from World Council,” Keeping in Touch, February 1995, page 3: “Rev. Kit Cherry, left, discussed lesbian issues with WCC officials…”
“Rev. Maduka’s Nigerian Ministry Honored,” Keeping in Touch, March 1994, page 3: “Rev. Sylvanus Maduka, center, received an honorary plaque, from Revs. Nancy Wilson, left, and Kittredge Cherry in South Africa…”
Keeping in Touch, December 1994/January 1995, page 1: “Staffing a display table at the National Council of Churches meeting about homosexuality and Christianity…” This event was in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Links related to Kittredge Cherry
“Christianity inspired me to come out as a lesbian” reflection by Kittredge Cherry
About Kittredge Cherry page on Q Spirit
Books about Metropolitan Community Churches
“Metropolitan Community Church: An Appraisal of Queer Consciousness and Religious Expression” by Allan M. Savage. Independently published, 2024.
“Outing the Church: 40 Years in the Queer Christian Movement” by Nancy Wilson. Originally published by HarperCollins in 1995 as “Our Tribe: Queer Folks, God, Jesus, and the Bible.” Reissued by LifeJourney Press, 2013.
“Don’t Be Afraid Anymore: The Story of Reverend Troy Perry and the Metropolitan Community Churches” by Troy D. Perry and Thomas Swicegood. Published by St. Martin’s Press, 1992.
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Top image credit:
Keeping in Touch logo and highlights, 1992-95.
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This article was originally published on Q Spirit on Oct. 22, 2024.
Copyright © Kittredge Cherry. All rights reserved.
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