GALA 2023: Radical Resistance
On October 22nd, 202 we honored these outstanding leaders and activists from our past and our present day who have inspired us with their "radical resistance" and their prophetic vision of justice, love and equity. Our GALA online gathering was a glorious celebration of LGBTQ+ religious history and LGBTQ-RAN's unique role in bringing that to life. Your participation and support help ensure that our legacy will live on into the future.
Click Here for the GALA Program
Honorees
Rabbi Denise Eger | Rabbi Denise EgerRenowned activist, advocate and author who founded Congregation Kol Ami, a haven for LGBTQ+ persons in West Hollywood in 1993. In 2009, she became the first female and the first openly gay President of the Board of Rabbis of Southern California. In 2015, she became the first openly LGBTQ person to be President of the 2,300-member Central Conference of American Rabbis. In Reform Judaism, she has fought for the liturgical right to a full and equal marriage ceremony for same sex couples, as well as the civil right to marriage at the national level. Her published writings have originated ritual practices and spiritual guidance for LGBTQ+ persons. Read about Denise Eger... |
Bishop Yvette Flunder | Bishop Yvette FlunderModern-day prophet who blends proclamation, worship, service and advocacy on behalf of the most marginalized in church and society. After early years as a gospel music performer, she founded City of Refuge United Church of Christ in San Francisco in 1991. There Flunder became a local and national leader in responding to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Since 2003 she has been presiding bishop of The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries, a multi-denominational movement of African American clergy and lay persons who create, sustain and celebrate community on the margin. Read about Yvette Flunder... |
Barbara Satin | Barbara SatinTransgender activist who has been a tireless advocate locally and nationally on issues of faith and aging. Barbara was instrumental in the development of an LGBTQ senior housing project in Minneapolis. She was the first transgender person to serve in a leadership role with the United Church of Christ. As Director of Faith Outreach at the National LGBTQ Task Force she has been called upon to testify in government hearings and White House initiatives to include LGBTQ perspectives in housing for the elderly. Read about Barbara Satin... |
Rev. Dr. Mel White | Rev. Dr. Mel WhiteChristian storyteller, author and filmmaker who was a seminary professor and a ghost-writer for well-known conservative, evangelical leaders until he came out at age 50 and published the best-selling Stranger at the Gate: To Be Gay and Christian in America (1994). In 1998, he founded SoulForce, an organization which has mobilized countless activists over the years to nonviolent resistance to end the political and religious oppression of LGBTQI people. Read about Mel White... |
J Mase III | J Mase IIIBlack/trans/queer poet and educator. His book, The Black Trans Prayer Book, won the Lambda Literary Award for Transgender Fiction. His poetry covers "patriarchy, white supremacy, justice, and injustices." Raised in a dual-faith, Christian-Muslim household, J. Mase challenges and bridges intersections of gender, race, sexual orientation and faith in presentations to school, faith and community groups. Read about J Mase III... |
Rev. J.J. Warren | Rev. J.J. WarrenEvangelist and public theologian whose impassioned plea for justice for LGBTQ+ persons at the 2019 United Methodist General Conference went viral and received national media coverage. He has become a visionary voice for justice and inclusion in a transformed United Methodist Church. J.J. is founder and executive director of the Young Prophets Collective, that seeks to equip and empower a global community of young religious leaders who use their voices for liberation. Read about J.J. Warren... |
Invitation from our Co-Chairs
Rev. Dr. Emilie M. Townes, Co-Chair
Rev. Elder Jim Mitulski, Co-Chair
Thank You
...to our 85+ GALA partners, allies, and donors (and counting)!
Check them out...