King Avenue Rainbow Connections group creates safe harbor for LGBTQIA+ Christians and their allies and witnesses to God's love for everyone. Join us – just as you are – for fellowship and fun. We're glad you're here!

June is Pride Month, but we celebrate the beautiful diversity of God’s creation and extend a heartfelt welcome to our LGBTQIA+ siblings every day. Your identity is a gift, your journey is sacred, and your presence completes us. At King Avenue United Methodist Church, you are not just tolerated—you are cherished and affirmed.

The Pride March provides a fantastic opportunity for King Avenue Church to witness that God's Love is for ALL PEOPLE!  We look forward to fellowship, fun, and outreach with your King Avenue LGBTQIA+ Friends and Allies. Join us for Pride where we can get out into the community to share that God's Love is offered to EVERYONE!

Language and Terminology

• Glossary

• Sex and Sexuality: Crash Course (YouTube)

• Intro to being an Ally (YouTube)

• Cartoon about gender identity (YouTube)

• Queer Kids “what does gay mean?” (YouTube)

• A Guide to Gender Identity Terms

• Pride 2022 Bulletin Inserts

Theology

• Click here to listen to the episode with Matthew Vines

• Click here to listen to the episode with Megan DeFranza

• Queerology

• Q Christian Fellowship

• Freed Hearts

• The Reformation Project

• John Shore (YouTube)

• Darren Calhoun (YouTube)

• Dr. Ling Lam (YouTube)

LGBTQIA+ and Faith Resources

Navigating LGBTQ Identities and Religion – The Trevor Project

The relationship between religion and the LGBTQ community is a complicated one, and everyone experiences it differently. It all depends on how you feel, and what you choose.

Episode 122: LGBTQ Inclusive Youth Ministry w/ Ross Murray - Cindy Brandt

If you grew up evangelical, the thought of youth ministry is probably very triggering. It may bring back memories of shame and religiosity. Adolescence is a very tender time of our lives and that is exactly when a lot of the toxicity of fundamentalism was solidified. More likely than not, we heard rhetoric like, “Gay…

Beloved Arise

A movement to celebrate and empower queer youth of faith. Supporting LGBTQ+ Christian teens to deepen their faith. Affirming theology, Bible studies, encouragement, stories of hope.

Sex, Gender, and Sexuality Resources (& Faith!)

OWL
Our Whole Lives (OWL) is sexuality education that fosters informed, responsible, and values-based decisions about sexual health and behavior.

These Are Our Bodies: Foundation Book
Easily accessible, theologically progressive, mainline Christian Education resource on human sexuality• The Foundation Book for the These Are Our Bodies program various age level modules (Middle School, High School, children, etc.)• Why the church needs to work with children and youth on human sex...

Gwendolyn DeRosa: All Means All by Women in Youth Ministry
Women in Ministry Podcast - Our desire is to elevate the voices of women in the world of youth ministry. Started initially as a Facebook community in 2014, we've grown to include 3,000 women in our mission. Hosted by Heather Lea Kenison.

Stories of LGBTQIA+ Christians (YouTube)
Many thanks to Emmy for coming on and connecting the Bible to queer experiences! She's basically the best. You can find her on Twitter: @EmmyKegler and check out www.queergrace.com!

Intersectional Justice with Rev. Dr. Yvette Flunder (Encore)
This episode first aired Sep 10, 2019. Rev. Dr. Yvette Flunder (she, her), a San Francisco native, has served her call through prophetic action and ministry for justice for over thirty years. This call to “blend proclamation, worship, service and advocacy on behalf of those most marginalized

Conversation with Megan Rohrer (YouTube)

Pastor Megan Rohrer is the first openly trans pastor ordained in the Lutheran church, and is an advocate, author and award winning filmmaker & historian. Hear her in conversation with Gender Spectrum's Austen Hartke discussing her background, her call to ministry, and much more.

Paula Stone Williams and Jonathan Williams

The story of a parent's transition and a son's redemption. Paula Stone Williams knew from a young age that she was transgender. But as she became a parent and prominent evangelical pastor, she feared that coming out would mean losing everything. In this moving, deeply personal talk, Paula and her son Jonathan Williams share what Paula's transition meant for their family -- and reflect on their path to redemption. As Jonathan says: "I cannot ask my father to be anything other than her true self."

Trans Talks Luster Singleton: Bravery (YouTube)
Luster Singleton (They/Them) speaking at our first storytelling event on the topic of Bravery. Special thanks to our ASL interpreters; Lee Conley and Amy Parker DeLorenzo for helping us be as accessible as possible, for as many people as possible.

The Starfish Project

Being the "hands and feet of Christ" in a complicated world can feel daunting. The Starfish Project is a space for those called to action but seeking direction. Together, we’ll explore how our small acts—like the boy on the beach with the starfish—can make a collective difference.

Visit The Starfish Project Page

Church and Society

Working from its headquarters in the only non-governmental building on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., USA, the General Board of Church and Society uses Scripture, The Social Principles and The Book of Resolutions as its core documents. Through statements and articles, seminars, forums, internships and collaboration, Church and Society leads and challenges United Methodists to pray, study and work in areas of social concern. Its resources inform, motivate and train United Methodists on issues of social justice in the society.

Visit Church and Society.

Equality Ohio

Equality Ohio defends the rights of LGBTQ Ohioans. We are Ohio’s only organization dedicated solely to the civil rights of LGBTQ Ohioans. We work with partners across the wide landscape of the Ohio social justice movement.

We work in communities across the state to ensure that local laws reflect and protect LGBTQ residents. We work at the Ohio Statehouse to make sure that our state laws are fair to LGBTQ people, and that Ohio does not take a step backwards. And Equality Ohio is a voice at the federal level that represents the interest of LGBTQ Ohioans.

We hold elected leaders accountable for decisions they make that impact the LGBTQ community. In addition, we work on policy issues with healthcare facilities, corporations, service providers, and more.

Equality Ohio works on the issues affecting LGBTQ people and our communities through education, advocacy and mobilization efforts to achieve our vision: an Ohio where everyone feels at home and where equality, diversity and inclusiveness are universally valued.

Visit Equality Ohio.

Trans Ohio

TransOhio serves the Ohio transgender and ally communities by providing services, education, support, and advocacy, which promotes and improves the health, safety and life experience of the Ohio transgender individual and community. 

TransOhio is Ohio’s first and largest trans equality organization. Founded in 2005, TransOhio is dedicated to providing education, advocacy, support, and community to the Ohio greater transgender and ally communities.

From legal information to medical providers to educational resources, we can answer all your questions. Our goal is to create a safe, supportive, and healthy community for all LGBTQ+ by ensuring that important information is easily accessible and available.

Visit Trans Ohio.

Human Rights Campaign

The Human Rights Campaign envisions a world where every member of the LGBTQ+ family has the freedom to live their truth without fear, and with equality under the law. We empower our 3 million members and supporters to mobilize against attacks on the most marginalized people in our community. We are more powerful together than apart, and we’ve never been more energized or more focused. Our work centers on three pillars of action to end discrimination and fight for change at every level — and for every single one of us.

Visit Human Rights Campaign.

Make Your Voice Heard

Do you have concerns about legislation in Ohio or at the Federal Level? Make your voice heard by making a phone call, sending an email, or writing a letter. Here are resources to help you search for your Congresspersons.

• Contact Your US Senators and Representatives

• Find Your Ohio Representative

• Find Your Ohio Senators