At Saint Mark’s Cathedral, Seattle, as well as throughout the Episcopal Church, LGBTQ+ people participate fully in the ministry and governance of the church. All are eligible to serve as ordained clergy (deacons, priests, and bishops), and at all levels of church leadership.

You will frequently hear at Saint Mark’s, “Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, you are welcome here.” The cathedral strives to be a loving, welcoming, inclusive community that nurtures faith, encourages service, and integrates social and environmental justice into our lives. For decades, Saint Mark’s has supported LGBTQ+ rights, and today we prioritize justice and advocacy along with building intentional community.

Ministry & Advocacy

Queer in Christ

QuiC seeks to connect queer people, allies, and families at Saint Mark's, increase visibility of queer people in all areas of ministry, and honor the unity and diversity of the Body of Christ.

"Projecting Justice"

Saint Mark’s also responds to local and global events, including partnering with the ACLU for a “Projecting Justice” project in light of an unprecedented wave of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in 2023.

LGBTQ+ Inclusion Timeline

1976: The Episcopal Church passes its first resolution on “homosexual persons,” stating that they “have a full and equal claim upon the love, acceptance, and care of the Church.”
1996: Thom Monnahan and James Black are the first same-sex couple to have their union blessed at Saint Mark’s Cathedral, Seattle. The previous year, the couple had gone on a widely-publicized 10-day hunger strike in the chapel of Saint Mark’s to protest the discriminatory treatment of gay people in the Church.
1999: Saint Mark’s selects the Very Rev. Robert Taylor to be the its sixth Dean, becoming the first openly gay person in the Anglican Communion to serve as a the leader of a cathedral.
2003: The Rt. Rev. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire becomes the first openly gay Bishop in the Anglican Communion.
2009: The Rev. Canon Carla Robinson is ordained a priest at Saint Mark’s, becoming the first Black trans woman priest in the Episcopal Church.
2012: A contingent from Saint Mark’s Cathedral marches in the Seattle Pride Parade for the first time.
2015: The Episcopal Church approves fully equal access to Holy Matrimony for all couples regardless of gender.

Resources

 

TransEpiscopal is a group of transgender, nonbinary, and allied Episcopalians dedicated to fostering the full embrace of trans and nonbinary people.
The Episcopal Church’s Building a Fighting Church: Defending the Dignity of Trans and Non-Binary People in 2025 and Beyond
St. Hugh’s Episcopal Church’s What does the Bible say about homosexuality, same-sex attraction, and being transgender?