Photo ©: icholakov01
Church: both a place and an event that can strike many emotions in the spirits of us queer folk. As a recovering Pentecostal myself, I thought I would bring my discerning side eye to the task of finding the top six LGBTQ affirming churches in Washington, D.C. I was pleasantly surprised to find that there are many safe spaces and options for us that won’t have us sitting on the edge of our seat waiting for some semblance of the words hell, fire, and brimstone.
In order to make this list, each worship center had to meet two requirements. Each church had to have a personal recommendation from a bona fide queer member of the community that has attended the church, and their website had to state that it would be a safe space for LGBTQ people to worship.
In doing research for this Top List, there were several churches that met one, but not both requirements. This is not an exhaustive list of all LGBTQ worship centers or faiths. You can certainly add to it in the comment sections of this article.
A Lutheran gathering of LGBTQ, interracial and inter-generational worshipers with services in English AND Spanish.
Sundays
In English: Sundays at 10:30 a.m.
La misa en español: los domingos en 5:00 de la tarde
2100 New Hampshire Ave. N.W. Washington, DC 20009-6507
“A traditional down-home Baptist meets progressive Pentecostal infused with a keen understanding of cultural awareness & an atmosphere that includes ALL people.”
1610 T. Street SE,
Washington, DC 20020
(on the corner of 16th Street & Minnesota Ave. SE)
Worship service at noon
“D.C.’s faith community for LGBTQ Catholics”
Dignity/Washington is the local chapter of the nationwide organization, DignityUSA. Dignity/Washington celebrates the wholeness and holiness of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, and Queer Catholics.
Mass at 6 p.m. every Sunday at:
St. Margaret’s Church
1820 Connecticut Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20009
http://www.dignitywashington.org/
Their parent church was formed one year before the Stonewall Riots. Their mission is to do justice, show kindness, and live humbly with God.
ASL Interpreted services.
474 Ridge Street, Northwest
Washington, DC 20001
Sunday Morning Services start at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.
9 a.m. service is ASL interpreted and lasts oine hour
The 11 a.m. service is a bit longer, lasting one hour and 15 minutes
“Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV) is an inclusive community rooted in the traditional Qur’anic ideals of human dignity and social justice. We welcome all who are interested in discussing, promoting and working for the implementation of progressive values – human rights, freedom of expression, and separation of church and state – as well as inclusive and tolerant understandings of Islam.”
To Join the D.C. Chapter, reach out to their Meet Up Group.
Their “What We Believe” section is everything. See for yourself and read more.
The Howard Thurman Chapel
On the 2nd Floor inside the Howard University School of Divinity (HUSD)
1400 Shepherd Street NE Washington DC 20017
Sundays
Worship Service
11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
http://www.ufcdc.com/mainsite/
If you have worship center, regardless of religious affiliation that you both attend and affirms the LGBTQ community on their website, please list them below. We want to make this list as inclusive as we can of all faiths.
