As this calendar year draws to a close, I have been reflecting on what Integrity has been doing for the LGBTQ+ community, particularly in Houston. Every month, there is a Eucharist where different priests from around town come and celebrate. It's always refreshing to see the number of allies we have, especially in a diocese with a difficult past with respect to our community.
During Houston's Pride Parade, Integrity held a Eucharist for all who wanted to attend. There were people competing for the experience of celebrating and distributing communion to everybody. Then we all marched in the parade, reminding people that they are all children of God.
At the Trans Unity Banquet in Houston, Integrity helped to support and encourage the purchase of a significant number of tables for The Episcopal Church to be present. In fact, over the past several years of this involvement, the number of Episcopal churches attending has been growing substantially. This continues to amaze me, that our community of LGBTQ+ folks and allies continues to grow in The Episcopal Church.
For National Coming Out Day, Integrity partnered up with Houston Canterbury, which has also been a major support for LGBTQ+ causes, especially by giving college students a space to ask questions, pray, and talk in community, to celebrate a mass. We were full of the Spirit as we sang, prayed, and had communion with one another. We listened to the testimonies of three different people who came from very different walks of life.
All throughout these moments, I have seen more and more people of color becoming involved in Integrity. We are seeing so many people coming from communities where LGBTQ+ people are marginalized against the trend of acceptance. There is still a struggle going along, and we are seeing people setting more spaces at the table for new people to sit at. I love my community, and I pray that we will continue to walk in the light of God.
