USA Archives - Q Spirit

John T. Graves: Black gay clergyman was founding president of nation’s first LGBTQ group in 1924 (Society for Human Rights)

by Kittredge Cherry | | Dec 1-15, Saints

John T. Graves was a black gay clergyman and first president of the Society for Human Rights, the oldest documented LGBTQ-rights organization in the United States. It was founded 100 years ago in 1924 in Chicago. Graves’ historic role proves that the LGBTQ-rights...

“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...

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...

Matthew Shepard: Modern gay martyr inspired hate-crime laws

by Kittredge Cherry | | Dec 1-15, Oct 1-15, Saints

Matthew Shepard is a modern gay martyr whose unusually cruel murder in October 1998 got international attention and inspired laws against anti-LGBTQ hate crimes. He was a 21-year-old openly gay student at the University of Wyoming at the time. [Update: The Washington...

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...

Grant-Michael Fitzgerald: Pioneering black gay Catholic brother advocated LGBTQ rights in 1970s

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

Grant-Michael Fitzgerald was an openly gay African American Roman Catholic brother who advocated for LGBTQ rights in the 1970s and ‘80s. He was diagnosed with AIDS and died in a Wisconsin hospice on Nov. 10, 1986 at age 39. Renowned black gay professor and minister...

Thomas(ine) Hall: Intersex in colonial America

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

Thomas(ine) Hall was an intersex person in 17th-century colonial America who caused controversy by switching back and forth between genders. The Jamestown court ruled that Hall was both “a man and a woman” and ordered him/her to wear male and female clothing...

Allen Schindler: LGBTQ role the military highlighted by murder of gay sailor

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

Navy Seaman Allen Schindler brought international attention to LGBTQ people in the military when he was murdered for being gay on Oct. 27, 1992. Schindler’s murder remains relevant as U.S. lawmakers consider banning transgender people from military service, based on a...

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:...

Vida Dutton Scudder: Lesbian saint, reformer and teacher

by Kittredge Cherry | | Oct 1-15, Saints

Vida Dutton Scudder is an American social reformer, professor, prominent lesbian author — and an officially recognized saint in the Episcopal Church. Her feast day is Oct. 10. Her ideas on economic inequality are especially relevant amid the financial crises of...