LGBTQIA+ Ministry
Holy Trinity’s commitment to accompany one another in Christ invites us to be more deeply aware of the diversity of our community and more welcoming to those who are marginalized by society or the Church. Our lay-led ministry embraces individuals who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning/queer, intersex, asexual and their families and friends.
In Support of Our LGBTQIA+ Community
As pastoral ministers, parish leaders and parishioners at Holy Trinity, we have listened to the pain and frustration — and have experienced our own pain and frustration — caused by last week’s statement regarding the blessing of same-sex unions by the Vatican. This statement opened yet another wound that leaves our LGBTQIA+ parishioners and their families and friends wondering: what is my place in the Church?
Unequivocally, Holy Trinity affirms that LGBTQIA+ individuals have and always will have a valued place in our parish community. We have learned that our community must take steps to ensure the inclusion, voices and perspectives of those our society and Church often push to the margins. In Christ, there are no margins. In Christ, we make up one body, where all matter and all belong.
To our LGBTQIA+ friends, we want to stress that Holy Trinity is enriched by your presence, ministry and leadership. Our parish is honored to baptize your children, accompany you in grief, celebrate your love and grow in holiness with you. This community sees you, values you, and recognizes that you are a gift of God, beautifully and wonderfully made.
Holy Trinity Pastoral Staff
Parish Pastoral Council
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Archbishop Gregory had this to say about LGBTQIA Catholics at a 2019 Theology on Tap event:
“You belong to the heart of this Church. And there is nothing that you may do, may say, that will ever rip you from the heart of this Church. There is a lot that has been said to you, about you, behind your back, that is painful and is sinful… We have to find a way to talk to one another. And to talk to one another, not just from one perspective, but to talk and to listen to one another. I think that’s the way that Jesus ministered. He engaged people, He took them where they were at, and He invited them to go deeper, closer to God.”
Questions?
Contact LGBTQIA@trinity.org
Upcoming Meetings 2024-25
General Meetings 2024-25:
Third Sunday of the Month at 1pm in the Neale Room and on Zoom, unless indicated otherwise.
Register here for the Zoom link.
November 17
December 15
January 19
February: Retreat 2/15
March 16
April 20
May 18
June: Pride
Discussion Groups
Friends & Family: Sunday, November 17, 10:15 am, Neale Room - This month we'll discuss the experience of "going home for the holidays" as an LGBTQIA+ person. The discussion will be relevant both for adult LGBTQIA+ children as well as their parents and grandparents.
Women & Marginalized Genders: Sunday, November 17, 2:00 pm - Celebrate our gratitude for this community over lunch in Georgetown after the general meeting. Contact Ally & Clare at lgbtqia+women@trinity.org for more information.
Men's Discussion Group, Wednesday, November 20, 7:30 pm, Neale Room and on Zoom - Join us to build up our community of faith by sharing our need and reasons for hope. Register here for the Zoom link. Contact Joey and Adam at lgbtqia+men@trinity.org for more information.
Resources
Outreach: An LGBTQ Catholic Resource
Ignatian Spirituality Resources: scroll down for LGBTQIA+ resources
Articles
Father O'Neill's Homily from the 2024 Pride Mass at Holy Trinity
Can Catholics Celebrate Pride Month? Yes, and Here's Why, Outreach
Fiducia Supplicans: On the Pastoral Meaning of Blessings, Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith
Pride Mass welcomes LGBTQIA+ Catholics at Holy Trinity, Washington Post
Pastoral Care of Transgender Persons Must Emphasize Human Dignity and “Embodied Freedom,” Outreach
Pope: God Does Not Disown His Children, Crux
This Pride Month, Catholic Church shows clear, if subtle, shifts toward LGBTQ welcome, Religion News Service
Holy Trinity Church Fosters Inclusion of LGBTQ Members, The Hoya
Videos
Outreach 2020: Catholic Leaders Speak with the LGBTQ Community
Pride Month Message from Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv., Bishop of Lexington
Spiritual Insights for LGBT Catholics, America: The Jesuit Review
Podcasts
Showing Respect & Welcome to LGBT Catholics, Fr. Jim Martin, S.J at Holy Trinity, 20 October 2019
Plague: Untold Stories Of AIDS & The Catholic Church, Michael O'Laughlin, America Media podcast