October 11th is National Coming Out Day, first observed on the anniversary of the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights (1987). Every year we can choose to celebrate and embrace the powerful experiences of coming out as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, genderqueer, queer, intersex, agender, pansexual, asexual, gender non-binary, or as an ally (LGBTQIA+). Sharing our stories makes us a stronger community, family, and church.
Coming out and living openly aren’t something you do once, or even for one year. It’s a journey that we make every single day of our lives. Every coming out experience is unique and must be navigated in the way most comfortable for the individual. Whether it’s for the first time ever or the first time today, coming out can be an arduous journey. It is also a brave decision to live openly and authentically.
This week, as we make intentional time to pray for all—youth and adults alike—to know that “wherever you are on you journey of faith, you are welcome at this table,” let us meditate on the following prayer from a Coming Out Day Litany written by The Rev. Charles Graves at Houston Canterbury:
Let us pray for our queer, transgender, bisexual, lesbian, and gay siblings, as we mark this National Coming Out Day, that we all may have the strength to claim our experiences; the space to be imperfect, vulnerable, and in process; and the courage to embrace our power.
Let us pray for all who feel desperate or alone, especially all LGBTQIA+ people who lack community, that they may know the company of loving friends and supportive family, and that they may have the creativity and fortitude to envision new spaces and give birth to chosen families.
Let us pray for all those who come out only to face rejection, discrimination, or persecution, may they know the care of a compassionate neighbor, may their wounds be given the time and space to heal, and may their hearts be comforted by the presence of justice.
Let us pray for our faith communities, as we strive to do the ongoing work of welcome and solidarity, that we may be a community that honors the journeys of LGBTQIA+ people, nourishes their spirits, and celebrates their gifts.
Let us pray for our world, that we may acknowledge the gifts of the Community and be transformed by them. That we may create a society rooted in love, grounded in justice, and strengthened by difference.
Helpful Resources
Human Rights Campaign’s National Coming Out Day website https://www.hrc.org/resources/national-coming-out-day
The Episcopal Church website: LGBT in the Church https://www.episcopalchurch.org/lgbtq-church
Our Bible App, an inclusive, diverse, and affirming devotional and Bible app https://www.ourbibleapp.com
Written by Simone Monique Barnes, Director of Family Ministries.
