21st century Archives

RIP: La Paula Turner: Black lesbian clergy pioneer opened doors

La Paula Turner was a pioneering Black lesbian clergy and mother of six who supported LGBTQ Christians since the 1970s. She passed away on Aug. 4, 2025, at age 88. She was one of the first African Americans ordained by the LGBTQ-affirming Metropolitan Community...

RIP: Trudie Barreras: Author, artist and thinker enriched LGBTQ Christian life

by Kittredge Cherry | | Sept 1-15

Trudie Schuyler Barreras, one of the first and most devoted supporters of Q Spirit and related LGBTQ spirituality projects, passed away on Sept. 2, 2025, at age 86 in her hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico. She was a gifted artist, talented writer, prolific book...

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

by Kittredge Cherry | | Calendar

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

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 2025 birthday wish:...