Does the Church Love Us?

CRS is celebrating Pride Month by hosting “Does the Church Love Us?” on June 10. “Does the Church Love Us?” is an intergenerational conversation between theologians, queer organizers and queer people of faith. This is a moment for faith leaders and community members alike to offer space, healing and liberation for queer folks.

Topics for the panel include:

• What can churches do to become a safe space for queer people of faith?

• What has the church done that has harmed queer people of faith?

• What does the Bible really say?

Panelists include:

• Jae Rice

• Rev. Dr. Pamela Lightsey

• Minister Deneen Collins

• Rev. Don Abram

This panel will be hosted by the Chicago Theological Seminary and moderated by Morgan Sherm, a trans woman who is a member of Lighthouse Church and a journalist.

Please register to let CRS know that you will be attending.

Meet our Moderator and Panelists

Rev. Don Abram

Rev. Don Abram, the founder and executive director of Pride in the Pews, is a queer public theologian and social innovator operating at the intersection of race, religion and social change. As a queer son of the Black Church, Rev. Abram is deeply committed to leveraging the Black religious tradition to advance liberation, justice and equity for communities on the margins of society. In his role as founder and executive director of Pride in the Pews, Rev. Abram equips churches with the tools to create more LGBTQIA+ affirming sacred spaces and to advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community in the public square. His work and writings have been featured in the Chicago Tribune, Religion News Service, the Christian Science Monitor and the Washington Post. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Pomona College and his Master of Divinity from Harvard Divinity School.

Minister Deneen Collins

Minister Deneen Collins is the Assistant Recruitment Director and Pastoral Care Counselor at Chicago Theological Seminary. She is an influential, equity-minded higher education professional with a proven track record in providing individual counseling in educational, career, personal and life transition areas. Deneen earned a Master of Divinity Degree from Chicago Theological Seminary in 2016 where her studies focused on religious leadership to continue to build and engage the dynamics toward personal, social and community transformation. Deneen is passionate about directing students in major selection and career exploration.  She also provides pastoral care/counseling compassionately journeying with students during joys or challenging moments. 

Jae Rice

Jae Rice (he/him) is a trans-masculine public figure, activist and abolitionist fighting for the liberation of oppressed communities on a daily basis. Jae is the Interim CEO at Brave Space Alliance. He is also a cultural curator, international DJ, composer and overall practitioner of freedom, joy and justice. His background in political science and intercultural communications shapes his dedication to the progress of all Black LGBTQIA+ folks and other marginalized groups through perpetuating on-the-ground societal shifts, advancements, cultural change and growth. This dedication can be seen and holistically felt through over a decade of creating intentional spaces that center all Black LGBTQIA+ women, femmes, TGNC and queer folks in Chicago, and around the world. Jae continues to foster an equitable future and moves intentionally towards a collectively liberated society.

Rev. Dr. Pamela Lightsey

Rev. Dr. Pamela Lightsey serves as Vice President for Academic Affairs at Meadville Lombard Theological School and Associate Professor of Constructive Theology and is currently a member of the Workgroup on Constructive Theology. She has worked within the LGBTQIA+ community to end Don't Ask, Don't Tell military policy and to ensure marriage equality. She served as a member of former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s LGBTQIA+ Advisory Council. She has consistently collaborated with activist-colleagues in the movement for the liberation of Black lives, those addressing violence against Black trans women, and institutional racism on college campuses. She formed Blaque Political Collection, a team of activists whose sole purpose is educating and encouraging Black LGBTQIA+ persons to exercise their right to vote. As ordained clergy, Rev. Dr. Pamela Lightsey is among the leading voices fighting for LGBTQIA+ rights in the United Methodist Church. She was the first out queer lesbian African American ordained elder in full connection in the denomination. She is coordinating with other LGBTQIA+ persons of color to ensure their lives are not made subordinate to the needs of white LGBTQIA+ persons.

Morgan Sherm

Morgan Sherm is a veteran media producer, journalist, product of Tennessee State University and trans activist from Chicago. She has helmed several major hip-hop morning radio shows and leads audio production at events throughout the Midwest. Morgan is an active member at Lighthouse Church of Chicago, a Black LGBTQIA+ affirming church, where she serves as the Sound Director. Her advocacy for trans rights has included leading a support group for trans women, tailoring initiatives for Black and Brown LGBTQIA+ people, contributing to the development of the Black Queer Equity Index and working with GLAAD to educate newsrooms on reporting techniques for transgender subjects. Currently, Morgan is working on a curriculum for Black and Latinx faith communities on religion and its impact on stigma and violence toward transgender people.

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