Many of us in the LGBTQ+ community have a complicated relationship with faith and religious institutions. Sadly, too many of us have been turned away from religion because of who we love and who we are. We have been demonized from the pulpit by religious leaders who deny our humanity and sometimes our very existence. Many of us have turned away from religion and religious institutions because of the real trauma we have experienced. For many LGBTQ+ families, the question of how or if to bring faith to your family and your children is a complicated one that weighs heavily on parents.

The impact of disconnecting from a religious institution is not just that some of us feel a loss of connection to a higher power but a disconnect from faith communities that go far beyond a sermon or drash or khutbah or other religious service. Churches, synagogues, mosques and other houses of worship provide connection to family and tradition, community, and often supplemental education and even childcare for kids. When we are turned away from places of worship we are often also turned away from community and family.

But this does not have to be the way! Today there are more and more places of worship that welcome, affirm, and even celebrate LGBTQ+ people. Earlier this month, representatives from Family Equality were fortunate to experience the joy and community churches can bring when they welcome everyone. The Vision Cathedral of Atlanta is the largest Black LGBTQ+ Church in America and not only welcomes and affirms our community, but centers Black LGBTQ+ people as the core of their congregation and their ministries.

We made it a point to attend services at The Vision Cathedral because we understand the importance of having a spiritual home particularly for Black Southern LGBTQ+ families and we understand the importance of Black churches in the fight for civil rights. From MLK’s Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta to the Old Mount Zion Baptist Church in Albany, Black Southern Churches have and continue to play a pivotal role in the fight for equality. As we continue to grow our Family Hub in Atlanta, we hope to partner with amazing groups like Vision Cathedral and build up affirming resources for LGBTQ+ families throughout the South.

Our visit to Vision Cathedral brought these values to life in ways that stayed with us.

From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed into the church family. A kind usher introduced himself and walked us to our pew. He checked in on us and introduced us to others in the church. We were encouraged to sing songs and join in the prayers. Even though we were outsiders visiting for the first time, we were welcomed with open arms.

The welcoming environment was enough to make my Sunday, but it was the sermon from Dr. Daniel Black, who was the visiting pastor, that left me inspired. Dr. Black’s sermon focused on the story of Elisha fighting off the Syrian Army in Kings; a story I had not heard before. Dr. Black reminded us that there are more people on our side fighting for us than against us. Be that in our personal life or be that as a community.

There are more people who support us than who are fighting against us. It was a message we needed to hear, especially after this year of hatred and vitriol directed towards our community from our own government. Dr. Black reminded us that there are countless people out there, whether we see them or not, who do support us, who love us, and who want to see us win!

There are more people who support us than who are fighting against us. It’s a message I will carry with me regardless of the election results, because it is a true message. And with less than a month before the next election that will decide control of the House and Senate; Dr. Black’s message gave me hope. Most people do support LGBTQ+ families and want to see us thrive.

Dr. Black and the congregation of Vision Cathedral welcomed Family Equality into a loving community and most importantly left me with a sense of hope. That feeling of belonging is something many LGBTQ+ families are looking for as well. We are grateful to Vision Cathedral for their warm welcome of Family Equality and, more importantly, for the home they provide for Black LGBTQ+ families in Atlanta and beyond.