Queer in Christ welcomes all whether you identify as part of the queer community, you are an ally, or you just want to find out more. We gather together in fellowship and friendship while learning more about being queer in the Church. To learn more or get involved, email: QueerInChrist@saintmarks.org
2025 Pride Month video from The Episcopal Church
Queer in Christ Ministry Newsletter
A newsletter containing updates, announcements, recommendations, and reflections.
To get on the list to receive future issues, please send an email to: QueerInChrist@saintmarks.org
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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.” (The 50th anniversary of this resolution will be marked by the denomination throughout 2026.)
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.
Queer Conversations
FOLLOWING EVENSONG ON THE FIRST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH, 5:30 P.M., Leffler House
Join the Queer in Christ ministry immediately after Choral Evensong for “Queer Conversations”. We will meet following the conclusion of Evensong in Leffler Living Room, for refreshment, fellowship, and a discussion on a variety of topics.
UPCOMING CONVERSATIONS:
- NOVEMBER 1: "What Can the Church Offer Trans People Right Now?" (a discussion of this brief article)
- DECEMBER 14 (note: second Sunday): The normal first-Sunday gathering will NOT happen on December 7, to be replaced by a joint meeting with the 20s/30s Group "Questioning Together" series on December 14 at 7:30 p.m.
- JANUARY 4
- FEBRUARY 1
- MARCH 1
RECENT CONVERSATIONS:
- OCTOBER 5: Get to know out new Curate Adam Conley
- (on hiatus in August and September)
- JULY 6, 2025: Post-Pride Potluck Brunch at 12:30 p.m. (Note special time!)
- JUNE 1, 2025: Some Queer History at Saint Mark's
- MAY
411, 2025: Topic: "Co-Creating with God" - APRIL 6, 2025: Sharing Queer Joy and reflecting on the upcoming Parish Forum
- MARCH 2, 2025: Kick-off gathering for the 2025 Lenten discussion series
- FEBRUARY 2, 2025: Gather to meet new QuiC leadership and discuss plans for the new year.
Links
On January 13, 2025, the Department of Gender Justice and Department of Racial Reconciliation, Justice, and Creation Care of The Episcopal Church hosted a webinar titled Building a Fighting Church, Part 1: Defending the Dignity of Trans and Non-Binary People in 2025 and Beyond. Over 400 people attended. The Diocese of Olympia's own Canon Carla Robinson was one of the presenters! A complete archive video and the slides from the presentation are available here.
St. Hugh Episcopal Church in Elgin, Illinois, has shared this useful page: What does the Bible say about homosexuality, same-sex attraction, & being transgender?
Find a large collection of resources and references on the webpage of TransEpiscopal, and independent organization working toward fuller inclusion and embrace of trans and nonbinary people within the Episcopal Church.
Signup for email alerts from the Episcopal Public Policy Network.
Many resources and announcement can be found on the Pride page of the Episcopal Diocese Olympia at ecww.org/pride
Saint Mark's at Capitol Hill PrideFest
SATURDAY, JUNE 28, 12–8 P.M., on Broadway on Capitol Hill

As they have every years since 2016, Saint Mark's again had a booth at this year's Capitol Hill PrideFest. Being present at Pride Fest shows people that we are a church where queer people are welcomed and celebrated. The booth includes information about Saint Mark's, and some fun trinkets for people to take with them.
Seattle Pride Parade, Seattle Center PrideFest, and more...
The Diocese of Olympia coordinated the presence of Episcopal communities at other Pride events this month, including:
- A Meet-up at Trans Pride Seattle on Friday, June 27
- the contingent marching in the Pride Parade through downtown Seattle on Sunday, June 29, in which all are invited to participate.
- A booth at Seattle Center PrideFest on Sunday, June 29
- A special worship service at St. Paul's, Queen Anne
Learn more at: ecww.org/pride
Photos
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