KCQueer: Where can LGBTQ people attend religious services in a welcoming setting in KC?
Reader Lil asked The Star: “Where can LGBTQ people attend church in a safe and welcoming religious setting?”
Lil, who asked to be identified only by a nickname, told us she’s looking for an open and affirming church in Kansas City where her daughter can worship with a nonbinary friend who was recently rejected by their family. Her daughter’s current pastor has criticized the friend’s gender expression, saying they need to “dress as a man” if they want to attend church services.
“My daughter’s heart is broken at this confrontation with a spiritual leader that has supported her for years,” Lil told The Star. “There must be other congregations in the metro area that are truly inclusive and accepting.”
We did some research to put together this list of affirming congregations in the Kansas City area with the help of Suzanne Wheeler, executive director of the Mid-America LGBT Chamber of Commerce. Wheeler is one of the local experts helping The Star answer questions about LGBTQ topics during the month of June.
This is the criteria we used to make the list: A house of worship had to explicitly state its support for the LGBTQ community in its official materials or be led by an openly gay minister. Did we miss one? Or do you disagree with one we included? Let us know at kcq@kcstar.com.
This Pride Month, the service journalism team is answering questions from readers about LGBTQ culture, identities and resources in a new series we’re calling KCQueer. Submit your questions here or email them to kcq@kcstar.com.
St. Mark Hope and Peace Lutheran Church
3800 Troost Ave.
Sunday service: 10:30 a.m. in person and online
Led by openly gay pastor Donna Simon, St. Mark Hope and Peace serves as a community gathering space for a number of activist groups as well as a place of worship. It describes itself as a “Reconciling in Christ” church, a movement within the larger Lutheran church to welcome and affirm those of all genders and sexualities.
Community Christian Church
4601 Main St.
Sunday services: 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. in person, 10:20 a.m. online
This church prides itself on inclusivity, hosting annual events in support of the LGBTQ community including its Proclaiming Pride event. The church is a member of the Disciples of Christ and its practices include a number of social justice initiatives.
Spirit of Hope Metropolitan Community Church
3801 Wyandotte St.
Sunday service: 10:15 a.m.
Spirit of Hope has a long history of LGBTQ activism, which began in the early 1970s when the church welcomed and married queer people before it was socially acceptable to do so. The church adds that “when gay men began dying of AIDS and other churches refused to bury them, let alone touch them, Spirit of Hope buried them and cared for all their needs.”
Crossroads Church
7917 Main St.
Sunday service: 10:30 a.m. in person and online
In addition to officiating gay weddings and once hosting the cast of Queer Eye, Crossroads Church states that around 20% of its membership identifies as part of the LGBTQ community. The church also participates in Kansas City’s annual Pride Parade.
United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
Five locations in the Kansas City area
Sunday service: 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. in person
Online at 5 p.m. on Saturday or 7:30 a.m, 9 a.m, 11 a.m, or 5 p.m. on Sunday
This large church community hosts small meeting groups for gay women, gay men, LGBTQ people and allies, high school students and family members of queer people. It also provides referrals to mental health counseling resources.
Grace & Holy Trinity Episcopal Cathedral
415 West 13th St.
Sunday services: 8 a.m, 10:30 a.m, 5 p.m.
The broader Episcopal Church has a history of support for the LGBTQ community. This June, Grace & Holy Trinity will march in the Kansas City Pride Parade for the first time alongside other Episcopal churches in the area.
Congregation Beth Torah
6100 W. 127th St., Overland Park
Shabbat Services: Fridays, 6:30 p.m; Saturdays, 10:30 a.m. in person and online
This reform Jewish synagogue in Overland Park is led by an openly gay rabbi and expressed support for the LGBTQ community. “We are a safe space for LGBTQ+ youth and families in general,” said Rabbi Javier Cattapan. The synagogue also hosts a Pride Shabbat service every year– this year’s is on June 24th at 6 p.m.
Congregation Kol Ami
4501 Walnut St. (inside Unitarian Universalist Church)
Services and events schedule here
This explicitly LGBTQ-friendly synagogue prides itself on providing an inclusive and diverse environment for worshippers. In its own words, the synagogue “welcome[s] everyone interested in exploring Judaism – all ages, ethnicities, genders and orientations.”
Unity Temple on the Plaza
707 W. 47th St.
Sunday services: Buddhist services 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m, spiritual service 10:30 a.m.
This interfaith spiritual house of worship is home to the Temple Buddhist Center, but also holds services and welcomes people of many other faiths. Earlier this spring, the temple hosted the Alphabet Soup LGBTQ+ short play festival.
Looking for local queer resources? Wondering what a certain pride flag means? This Pride Month, the service journalism team is answering questions from readers about LGBTQ topics in a new series we call KCQueer. Submit your questions here or email them to kcq@kcstar.com.
This story was originally published June 8, 2022 at 5:00 AM with the headline "KCQueer: Where can LGBTQ people attend religious services in a welcoming setting in KC?."
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