The founder of Calgary Queer Church, with a vision of creating inclusive safe space for the LGBTQ faith community, says “I didn’t walk away from my faith, I walked away from the church”
Interfaith conference and LGBTQ inclusion
Last May 2015, Pace Anhorn joined others, and led workshops, at an inaugural “Human Rites Conference” at the University of Calgary. Human RITES was a national conference focused on engaging conversation and celebrating the reconciliation of faith and the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer) community.
Organizers told the Calgary Herald that one of the main goals of the conference was to break down barriers between the church and the LGBTQ community:
We still believe this is happening all the time, that the LGBTQ community is not included; we believe the churches are still preaching an anti-gay message. So we believe in full inclusion and we’re hoping that message can be taken back to congregations. — Human Rites conference administrator Kim Holmes-Younger
A few months earlier, in March, Anhorn also participated in an event called “Coming Out Monologues YYC”, which for the first time included a “Coming Out in Faith” section, exploring the struggles of people on different journeys than some religions allow.
You sit in the pews and the minister preaches, and all of a sudden if you’re homosexual or don’t identify as male or female, maybe God’s love isn’t there for you. But that doesn’t sit with me. Faith is simple: God is love. — Pace Anhorn
Calgary Queer Church
In January of this year, Pace Anhorn launched what was initially called “Young Queer Church” (and later named “Calgary Queer Church”) at Parkdale United Church in Calgary.
My goal is to start the conversation, to redefine what Christianity is all about. — Pace Anhorn
Calgary Queer Church is described as “a revolutionary worship experience that has a vision of creating an inclusive safe space for LGBTQ faith community.” But its website adds that “you don’t have to be LGBTQ to attend. Many people in our community are cis-gendered individuals who are attracted to the opposite sex. That’s right! No matter who you are or how you identify, you have a place at CQC.”
We speak with Pace Anhorn.
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audio | @paceanhorn @youngqueerchurch Calgary Queer Church #yyc #lgbtq @VIMentalHealth | https://t.co/sihcUBhZYK pic.twitter.com/hHkjxItOFR
— People First Radio (@peoplefirstrad) May 26, 2016
About Pace Anhorn
Pace Anhorn is a transgender male who has a passion for the reconciliation of faith and the LGBTQ community. He has studied theology at Rocky Mountain College and is currently a youth leader at Hillhurst United Church.
Since becoming a Christian at the age of 14, Pace has been on a search for authentic truth, worshiping and learning with many different denominations including Alliance, Holdeman Mennonite, Baptist, and non-denominational settings.
He loves to worship and is often found listening to contemporary worship music as a source to ground himself in his faith. In his spare time, you’ll find Pace binge watching Netflix, putting more ink on his skin, and getting together with friends over a tasty cup of coffee! Oh… and he loves to dance! — Calgary Queer Church website
