Creating safe and welcoming spaces in our churches and community for LGBTQIA+ people and bearing authentic public witness to the loving, liberating, life-giving God that we follow.
The Episcopal Church is dedicated to full inclusion and equality in the church as well as in society as a whole.
Jesus calls us to love God and to love our neighbor as ourselves. In our Baptismal Covenant, we promise to respect the dignity of every human being. When we use the name and pronouns that someone asks us to use for them, we respect their dignity as a beloved child of God and we treat them as we would hope others would treat us.
Calling 2025 Teams!
If you weren’t part of a team last year, are you interested in forming one this year? Let us know! Contact Amy amellies@iowaepiscopal.org or Traci tpetty@iowaepiscopal.org
Teams will:
Have at least 1 member from your team attend a Safe Zone Training (in-person opportunities in Davenport & Cedar Rapids; online on Zoom also an option) and an online Zoom Training with Iowa Safe Schools
Participate in a community event (Pride events, community fairs, farmer's markets, etc.)...if it's not feasible for safety concerns to do a community event, let’s chat!
Have at least 1 member from your team participate in Zooms with other Episco-PRIDE teams (see below)
Receive the above trainings at no cost
Receive customized materials to handout at your community event along with the design files
Receive access to a shared Pride kit (tent, table, banner, etc.)
Be part of a community with other teams where we share ideas, resources, and more
2025 Episco-PRIDE Upcoming Zooms:
March 27, 6:30-7:30PM: Episco-PRIDE all teams meeting - this will be an open conversation to discuss upcoming Pride events, what plans are for congregations, and ask questions.
All upcoming Pride events that teams are participating in are underneath the “Local Events” section on this page.
Fall 2025 (date TBD): Episco-PRIDE all teams debrief - connect with other teams and share learnings
Save the Date:
Safe Zone Training Saturday April 12th at 10am
at Christ Episcopal Church, Cedar Rapids
More info to come…
Youth 6th - 12th Grade:
This is the largest LGBTQ youth conference in the nation, is hosted by Iowa Safe Schools, and features celebrity guest speakers from all walks of life. The Episcopal Diocese of Iowa will have a table at the conference and a delegation: youth 6th - 12th grade please join us!
Why is this ministry needed?
Because every person is a beloved child of God and deserves to be treated with dignity and affirmed in that belovedness, but that is not what is happening in many places across our state.
In 2023 Iowa passed a record number of anti-LGBTQIA+ laws that significantly limit queer students’ and families’ ability to thrive in our state. From book bans, forced outings of trans students without consent, bans on youth gender-affirming care, and bans on discussing gender identity or sexual orientation with K-6 students, these laws are already negatively impacting LGBTQIA+ lives. Nationally the Trevor Project reports that nearly 1 in 3 LGBTQIA+ young people said their mental health was poor most of the time or always due to the anti LGBTQIA+ policies and legislation. Nearly 2 of 3 young people said that hearing about potential state or local laws banning people from discussing LGBTQIA+ people at school made their mental health worse. The laws are supported by a growing network of Christian organizations in our state, and in far too many areas the local Episcopal church is one of the only safe and affirming places of faith where an LGBTQIA+ person might hear that they are a beloved child of God.
Engage with Public Policy
Legislation affects all of us and determines the way resources are distributed. To keep track and be involved with what’s happening in Iowa, check out:
One Iowa Action: they track LGBTQIA+ bills in the statehouse, send out action alerts, and offer other education and advocacy resources. Sign up for One Iowa Action Alerts
Faith in Action: our diocesan advocacy and public policy ministry; we have diocesan lobbyists who advocate and declare on bills, tips for contacting lawmakers and being involved, and other resources
Local Events:
Teams are participating in the following events
2025:
Episcopalians on the Hill: March 11
Iowa Safe Schools’ 20th Annual Governor’s Conference on LGBTQ Youth: April 11
Boone Pride: April 12
Quad Cities Unity Pride June 6-7
Capital City Pride Fest June 6-8
Iowa City Pride: June 21
Fort Dodge Pride June 28
Valley Junction Pride (West Des Moines) June 29
Cedar Valley Pride (Waterloo) August 22-23
Episco-PRIDE Teams:
Ames, St. John’s by the Campus
Boone/Fort Dodge/Harlan/Webster City
Cedar Falls, St. Luke’s
Cedar Rapids, Christ
Coralville, New Song
Davenport, Trinity Cathedral
Des Moines, St. Andrew's
Diocesan Team
Grinnell, St. Paul’s
Iowa City, JustChurch
Iowa City, Trinity
Mason City, St. John’s
The following congregations participated partially in 2024, either by attending a training or participating in a community event:
Des Moines, St. Paul’s Cathedral
Fort Madison, St. Luke’s
Waterloo, Trinity
2024 Recap: check out our narrative grant report to learn more about what happened and how this ministry was formed.
Resources
CONGREGATION GUIDES
Interfaith Alliance of Iowa created "Becoming an LGBTQ Ally in Your Faith Community: best practices for welcoming persons into sacred spaces," a guide designed specifically for helping faith communities become more welcoming to people who are LGBTQ
The Rainbow Initiative Toolkit for Congregations, for those who work with and for people who have been forced from their home countries in search of safety; from Episcopal Migration Ministries.
Courses + Trainings
An Introduction to Queer Theology - from Virginia Theological Seminary. In this online course - Oct 2024 - we will delve into diverse perspectives, reclaim sacredness of body, and foster inclusive communities.
The Safe Zone Project: a free online resource for powerful, effective LGBTQ awareness and ally training workshops; this training was endorsed by The Episcopal Church at the 2022 General Convention
General
Myths & Facts: Battling Disinformation about Transgender Rights
Pronouns: What They Are & Why They Matter
FAQ Flyer: Jesus, The Bible & LGBTQ+ People from the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles
Organizations
NATIONAL
PFLAG: the nation's first and largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them.
TransEpiscopal: a group dedicated to fostering the full embrace of trans and nonbinary people in life and worship of The Episcopal Church
Trans Equality: A trans-led nonprofit, we also help our community navigate the realities of law and policy through vital tools, knowledge, and services.
The Trevor Project: The Trevor Project is the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit organization for LGBTQ+ young people. We provide information & support to LGBTQ+ young people 24/7, all year round.
Q Christian: Q Christian Fellowship is cultivating radical belonging for LGBTQ+ Christians and allies.
LOCAL
One Iowa: advances, empowers, and improves the lives of LGBTQ Iowans statewide.
Iowa Safe Schools: offers direct services and supports to students who have been bullied anywhere in the state of Iowa.
From Bishop Monnot
March 2, 2023
From Bishop Monnot
March 3, 2022
Questions? Contact:
Amy Mellies, Children & Youth Missioner
Traci Ruhland Petty, Communications & GILEAD Grant Missioner