God Loves the Gays

Some of you may be wondering what I've been up to in my life of ministry, outside of the hospital. Well, I'm finally ready to tell you. When I moved to Des Moines a year ago, I had a packed car, $30 in my pocket and a whole lot of pain. I found myself seeking home, community, friendship, and affirmation. I tried to find these things in some of the local churches; however, I had become unable to make meaning in a space that used to feel so familiar. I could go on for pages about my struggle with God, faith and the Church over the last year; however, there's a time and place for everything and this is neither!

In the midst of my seeking, part of what I realized was that I needed to be connected to another part of my identity, so... I searched. I searched for a connection to the queer community through pride centers, gay bars and strangers. When my searching turned up fruitless, I created.

With the help of a friend, I created a Facebook group to help queer women, womyn, non-binary and trans folks across Iowa to connect, celebrate and understand one another. Over the last 9 months, this group has grown to 836 members, with more being added everyday. In an average month, we interact over 20k times through posts, comments and reactions.

As a group, we host monthly in-person meetups, an online book club, and other social events to get together and get talking. In the upcoming year, we're launching a coffee/social justice forum in three cities that will meet once a month, a queer prom and so much more. I couldn't do this or keep it going without an amazing leadership team of people who volunteer their time and energy. These are truly the patron saints of the queer community here in Iowa!

Some people may disagree that this is ministry because we don't talk about God everyday. However, the God that I believe in is unequivocally for me and the community that I represent. God shows up in community, in relationship and in the radical hospitality of strangers. God is for the creation of spaces in which the oppressed can be their true selves, share their pain and celebrate their joy.

This is my ministry, and I am so freaking proud of it. ♡

Pastor Anitta +♡