My experience of comfort and philosophical expansion involved letting go of the church’s dogma around sexual orientation, but not around love. It arises from how I experience myself as known by God, above and beyond any fairy tales about God; and it deepens through how costly and valuable this has been for me as a Black man who has known such troubles. I finally know that any interpretation of scripture that could generate self-loathing in any precious Black LGBTTQQIA2S is illegitimate. I further know that Christ—and the church—can function perfectly well without such interpretations. More, that for the church to be legitimate, it must denounce such interpretations. And, the UCC has done this ably, welcoming white LGBTTQQIA2S folks into the church and ministry.

BUT in our (necessary and excellent) focus on welcoming perhaps there is a . . . race . . . issue festering alongside that focus that has gone silent, or at least that has been smoothed over in a very Canadian way. Yes, you can be Queer in the United Church of Canada. But can you be both Black and Queer and enjoy a welcoming, secure, nourishing, celebrated and visible presence within the UCC? This study project will capture how Black LGBTTQQIA2S folks have experience welcome and hospitality (or not) from Affirming UCC congregations. It will 1) develop a resource document to help Affirming congregation and the wider Canadian church, extend their commitment to welcome and justice to Black LGBTTQQI2S folks, and 2) create safe spaces where Black LGBTTQQIA2S folks can fully integrate their Black bodies with their Queer bodies as together we seek wholeness in our shared humanity.