Interfaith Pride Service
Diverse religions, blessing Pride Month

For the third year in a row, many of Houston’s churches and temples will come together for the Interfaith Gay Pride Worship service, to be held June 10 at the First Unitarian Universalist Church on Fannin. This year’s speaker will be Unitarian minister Jane Dwinell, president of Interweave, the Unitarians’ LGBT organization, and one of the prime movers behind last year’s legislation in Vermont allowing gay marriages.

The interfaith pride service is not just ecumenical Christian, but includes Jewish, Buddhist, Native American, and pagan elements. It was started as a grassroots effort three years ago when Grace Lutheran members Madeleine Manning and Victor Schill got together and started talking. "I just got stubborn and said this is going to happen," said Manning. "Such a huge portion of the prejudice comes from the religious traditions that this is a good place to work and address the resentments and fears in the community."

The first was at Grace Lutheran. Last year’s was at Bering United Methodist, and was attended by more than 350 people. The service is purposely scheduled near the beginning of Pride Month, said Gail Lindsay Marriner, associate pastor of First Unitarian, who has been helping coordinate this year’s service.

"The group understands this service as an interfaith blessing of all that follows, all the events of Pride Month," Marriner said.

The service is intended to be both inspiring and accessible to a range of faiths, and especially involves music. "It changes every year," Manning said. "But we always make it as sensory as possible."

As of press time, supporting or participating congregations include More Light Presbyterian, Community of the Servant Savior, St. Luke’s UMC, Temple Beth Israel, Dignity, Kolbe Project, Maranatha MCC, Community Gospel Church, Christ Church Cathedral, Congregation Emanu El, Catholic Student Center, Mizpachat Alizim, Grace Lutheran Church, Reconciling in Christ, Lutherans Concerned, St. Stephen’s Episcopal, Bering Memorial UMC, First Unitarian Universalist, First Congregational Church, and St. Nichiren Buddhist Temple.

All are invited to attend the Interfaith Gay Pride Worship service on Sunday, June 10, 7 p.m., First Unitarian Universalist Church, 5200 Fannin.