A gay-friendly
pastor's thriving church
Inclusive minister
was a pioneer in making religious services
available to all
believers
By Deb Price,
detnews.com from the Web, August 1, 2005
“It's not over 'til the fat angel
sings!" That's the dynamic Rev. Troy Perry, a big bear of a guy, sounding
characteristically exuberant, upbeat and devout.
Shy and retiring? Well, he's been preaching since 13 and as a boy
delivered street-corner sermonettes to commuters at bus stops. So, shy?
Never. But having celebrated his 65th birthday on July 27, Perry is
retiring -- or, at least semi-retiring, stepping down from the helm of the
gay-friendly Christian denomination he founded in 1968.
His Metropolitan Community Church boasts 43,000 members in 250 congregations
spread over 23 countries because so many people shared Perry's hunger for
somewhere to worship without feeling rejected.
Perry had wandered a spiritual wilderness as a young man. Tossed out of
two Pentecostal denominations for being gay, he quit talking to God. He
thought God despised him. But, he says, God made him believe he is very
much loved.
So, for more than 36 years, Perry has devoted himself to spreading a gospel of
good news with special resonance for those of us who're gay: "God didn't
create you so God could have someone to sit around and hate."
Even when his flock numbered only 11, Perry wanted a cornerstone of his new Los
Angeles-based church to be self-respect. In a secretive, closeted era, he
used his real name. He insisted that gay church members do the same if
they wanted to play leadership roles. Seeing that example, countless other
believers started coming out in -- or returning to -- other denominations as
proud gay men and lesbians.
Once, the Rev. Perry was unique: The Post Office received a hate letter
from Scotland addressed to "Queer Minister, U.S.A." So, it delivered it to
him. Today, largely thanks to his example, there are so many openly gay
ministers, rabbis and priests that mail carriers wouldn't know how to choose.
Perry was never content for gay people to come out of the darkness just as
individuals. He wanted gay couples to enjoy the blessings that flow from a
public exchange of vows.
"Being a minister, I believed we needed a way to marry couples even if the
states wouldn't recognize it," he says. In 1969, his church created a
"holy union" ceremony for gay couples. The next year, when it asked
California to make the relationships legal marriages, state officials just
laughed.
Gradually, times began to change. In June 2003, an Ontario court opened the door
to same-sex marriage in Canada.
And the court reached back to proclaim legal two gay weddings performed in 2001
at the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto.
In Canada, just days after that ruling, Perry became the lawful husband of his
partner of 18 years. And 59 couples from the church married in just one
day at this year's conference in Alberta, Perry says with pride.
Troy Perry's life is a living testament to how much one stouthearted eternal
optimist can accomplish when convinced that God is on the side of everyone.
You can reach Deb Price at (202) 906-8205 or
dprice@detnews.com.
This article published by the NJ Home News Tribune this date under “Gays losing
pastor but not friend”
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