Last Updated on March 11, 2024 by Kittredge Cherry
I celebrate the life of my mentor and friend Rev. Dr. Sandra Robinson of Denton, Texas. She passed away March 19, 2023, from COVID at age 74. She is survived by her wife of 30 years, Janai Buentello.
As a clergywoman in Metropolitan Community Churches, Sandy headed the Department of People of Color and then the Department of Ecumenical Witness and Ministry before being named dean and then president of Samaritan College. She educated and inspired countless LGBTQ church leaders, including me, during her clergy career.
Sandy was born Sept. 15, 1948. She became a mentor to me starting in 1991 when I was hired to fill the ecumenical position that she had just left. I remember how thrilled she was to speak at the American Academy of Religion annual meeting. Formerly an insurance claims adjustor, she taught me the word “execu-dyke” — and she embodied it!
Kittredge Cherry, left, with Sandy Robinson at the World Council of Churches Assembly in Canberra, Australia, in 1991.
Sandy had a huge impact on me as my predecessor in MCC ecumenical efforts. We had many adventures together. My first official task in my new role was to travel to Australia with Sandy, Chief Ecumenical Officer Nancy Wilson, and AIDS director Steve Pieters for the 1991 World Council of Churches Assembly. For me it was a crash-course in activism as we infiltrated events, networked with local queers and closeted officials, and advocated for LGBTQ rights in the church worldwide. Sandy also taught me the nuts and bolts of how to write a budget proposal and manage a departmental budget. She took me under her wing and taught me the ropes of wheeling and dealing on church finances and clued me in to church politics. She was mystified by my attraction to ascetic, contemplative spirituality, and once exclaimed, “You could be happy living in a cave!”
As an African American woman, Sandy opened my eyes to how racism really works and confided some of her painful and joyful experiences of being black. She seemed to enjoy teaching me phrases from African American English, such as the affirmation “Get on with your bad self!”
“Execu-dykes” advocating for LGBTQ rights at the WCC Assembly in 1991 were, from left, Sandra Robinson, Nancy Wilson, and Kittredge Cherry.
MCC’s delegation to the World Council of Churches Assembly in Canberra, Australia in 1991 included, from left, Revs. Steve Pieters, Sandy Robinson, Nancy Wilson and Kittredge Cherry. Note Steve’s authentic Aussie hat!
Before Sandy and Janai got together, Sandy and LaPaula Turner were a black lesbian MCC clergy power couple. Audrey and I stayed with Sandy and LaPaula in their home when we first moved to Los Angeles, and later we took care of each other’s cats — a true mark of lesbian bonding.
Rest in power, Sandy! Shine forever in God’s rainbow light!
___
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 March 20, 2023, was expanded with new material over time, and was most recently updated on March 9, 2024.
Copyright © Kittredge Cherry. All rights reserved.
Qspirit.net presents the Jesus in Love Blog on LGBTQ spirituality.
Beautiful article
I’m so sorry to hear of Sandy’s death. She was indeed a powerhouse and a person of integrity. Thanks for this lovely tribute.