21st century Archives

“Choose Life” Easter anthem premieres online with lyrics by Q Spirit founder Kittredge Cherry

An Easter anthem with lyrics by Q Spirit founder Kittredge Cherry and music by composer Thomas Griep makes its online premiere on Easter 2024. Heartfelt lyrics in “Choose Life” express the profound spiritual transformation from grief to joy that Mary Magdalene felt on...

LGBTQ Heroes of Faith include Kittredge Cherry of Q Spirit

by Kittredge Cherry | | News

LGBTQIA+ heroes of faith include Q Spirit founder Kittredge Cherry in an image created by and for a Derby Inclusive Fellowship gathering in Derby, United Kingdom on Feb. 3, 2024. “In the picture are some of the amazing LGBTQIA people who are ministers. To me they are...

National Cathedral service includes prayer by Kittredge Cherry of Q Spirit

by Kittredge Cherry | | News, Saints

Q Spirit founder Kittredge Cherry is honored that her prayer was part of the Washington National Cathedral’s annual worship service for Matthew Shepard on Nov. 30, 3023. They also included her prayer in 2021 and 2022. The prayer begins, “Loving God of the rainbow...

Club Q martyrs: Five killed in shooting at LGBTQ bar in Colorado Springs

by Kittredge Cherry | | News, Nov 16-30, Saints

Five people were killed in a mass shooting at Club Q, an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on Nov. 19-20, 2022. Police identified the dead as Daniel Davis Aston, 28; Kelly Loving, 40; Ashley Paugh, 35; Derrick Rump, 38; Raymond Green Vance, 22. At least...

Gay Catholic priest reveals his journey in cartoon-style memoir “My Life” by Jan Haen

by Kittredge Cherry | | Artists, Books

A gay Roman Catholic priest reveals his adventurous life and ministry in the cartoon-style memoir “My Life: as a Boy, Priest, Gay Man, and Artist” by Jan Haen. During more than a half-century of priesthood, Jan Haen found surprising ways to unite his inclusive...

Michael B. Kelly: Queer theologian, author and “Erotic Contemplative” teacher

by Kittredge Cherry | | Nov. 1-15, Saints

Michael Bernard Kelly was an internationally renowned queer theologian, author, educator, activist, retreat leader and spiritual counselor based in Melbourne, Australia. He died on Nov. 14, 2020 at age 66. He is best known as creator of the “Erotic Contemplative”...

Sally Gross: Intersex priest led legal reform after being defrocked

by Kittredge Cherry | | Oct. 15-31, Saints

Sally Gross was an intersex South African anti-apartheid activist who became a Catholic priest — but was stripped of clergy status after revealing that she identified as female in the 1990s. She became an intersex activist, winning legal recognition of intersex...

Kittredge Cherry: Christianity inspired me to come out as a lesbian

by Kittredge Cherry | | Calendar, Featured, Oct. 15-31

I am celebrating my birthday on Oct. 21 by re-posting this reflection on my coming-out story and life journey as a lesbian Christian. During my birthday month, I try to appreciate my own accomplishments and reflect on my dreams for the future. My 2024 birthday wish:...

Metropolitan Community Churches: Ministering in the LGBTQ community since 1968: Historic MCC photos

by Kittredge Cherry | | Calendar, Oct 1-15

Metropolitan Community Churches, the first denomination to affirm LGBTQ people, was founded on Oct. 6, 1968 by Troy Perry. Dozens of my photos from more than 35 years of MCC history are posted today in honor of the anniversary. The photos posted here show highlights...

Carl Bean: Black LGBTQ church founder who sang “I Was Born This Way”

by Kittredge Cherry | | Saints, Sept 1-15

Carl Bean was founding archbishop of the Unity Fellowship Church Movement in the black LGBTQ community, early AIDS activist and Motown singer of the 1977 gay-liberation anthem “I Was Born This Way.” He died Sept. 7, 2021 at age 77 after a long illness. Bean (May 26,...