Bishop’s Reflection on Pride Month, 2026

Bishop's Blog

Jun 16

June is Pride Month, a celebration of LGBTQIA+ people, and their contributions to our society. I understand why we call it “Pride” month, to counter the shame so many people have felt and still feel about their sexuality or gender. The movement has taught LGBTQIA+ people and the rest of society that these identities are to be celebrated and seen, in all the wonderful ways people express themselves in the world.

But this year, I am wishing it was called “Liberation” month instead. Because I realize anew how people who are able to come out are freed from the closet, from secrecy and shame, and are now open to live and love as they were created. Many of us are compassionate about coming out, but I do not think we have a full understanding of the burden, the extra effort required to live inauthentically as a heterosexual person, or a cisgender person, when that is not how they were created. As people have explained to me, they had to mask their true selves, constructing what they perceive as an acceptable version of themselves for the world to see. Being able to drop that mask is frightening, but so freeing. The energy spent hiding their true selves can now be spent expressing themselves and discovering their giftedness.

I am using language about “them,” even though I have my own coming out story. I was in my thirties before I came out to my family. I was not living a lie before coming out, or consciously putting on some sort of heterosexual mask, but I do know I never felt like I fit in, like there was some secret to life and relationships that I was missing. I know many of us feel that way, regardless of gender identity or sexuality, but members of the LGBTQIA+ community may know that more deeply.

I would suggest this is the gift the LGBTQIA+ community brings to the church: we know what it is to feel alienated, we know what it is to understand ourselves deeply, we know what it is to trust God and community and ourselves to bring healing and wholeness. We may understand freedom, even the Freedom of a Christian, with all its rights, responsibilities and joys, in very full ways.

I have found most LGBTQIA+ clergy have an amazing call story, where their understanding of their spirituality and their sexuality come together to form a powerful, loving witness. This does not mean they/we bring sexuality to the pulpit; it means they/we have been able to integrate our whole self, body, mind, soul, in service to God. You can see how liberating and powerful this is.

Happy Pride month. And also Blessed Liberation, in whatever way God offers it to you.