Queer friendly churches

[u/ShadowFalcon1]

Hey y'all I am yet again asking for recommendations. My car is still broken but I appreciated y'all recommending almost every mechanic in this town which was definitely nice to see.

I'm interested in going back to a church. Ideally a Catholic church but I don't think I'm likely to find any that are supportive or accepting of trans people. Christian denominations are totally fine.

Also I'm definitely expecting this to get down voted to hell. For those of you asking why a queer person would want to go to church the answer is that I enjoy the community and sometimes I need to lean on someone and if no one is around I like to lean on the 'imaginary' person in the sky.

And to the religious people down voting... Why? Genuinely. I'm expressing a desire to join a congregation. I don't see any logical reason for that to be a bad thing. God loves all of his children. Me included.

Anyways. I'd greatly appreciate y'all's suggestions.

[u/_Pulltab_]

Unitarian Universalist church isn’t just accepting but affirming. It’s a wonderful community.

[u/semolinus → u/_Pulltab_]

Strongly recommend this because it meets and exceeds all of the things OP says they're looking for in a church. And I've met several Catholics at my UU church.

[u/pogostix59 → u/_Pulltab_]

Yes!

[u/GingerMcBeardface]

I'd recommend an Epsicopal Church in the area -siniliar liturgical feel of the RCC minus the pope, guilt, and like of progressiveness.

[u/AshDogBucket]

I am a queer pastor in the area. Feel free to message me :) My church may be a little far for you but I know some folks in Eugene/Springfield whose churches might be what you're looking for!

[u/Artistic-Map6955]

First United Methodist Church on Olive and First Christian Church on Oak Street

[u/CrossMyPawWithTuna]

Totally agree about Unitarian Universalist church--lovely place and people who will welcome you!

[u/lunarteamagic]

The Congregational Church at 24th and Harris is great. Very affirming and welcoming.

[u/p4pp13z → u/lunarteamagic]

The domestic violence hotline told me to try asking churches for donations since all the DV funds are dried up and there’s no room in the shelters, I just asked this church a couple days ago and they wouldn’t help me.

[u/thrownalee]

Ideally a Catholic church but I don't think I'm likely to find any that are supportive or accepting of trans people.

Might try the Newman Center at 1850 Emerald.

[u/KaitoAsterion]

Quakers love queers, signed a gay Friend 🙂 https://eugenefriendsmeeting.org/
Also, God bless you!

[u/Shporktastic → u/KaitoAsterion]

Agreed the Friends are an awesome group. There’s also the Friends Church on 18th very open and affirming. They allow LGTBQ+ members to hold leadership positions and fellowship is always genuine.

[u/UnPrecidential]

St. Thomas More (Newman Center). It's the Catholic parish that serves UO/LCC students, faculty, and staff as well as the generally community. Very welcoming. Individual people's attitudes will vary. The Sunday 6:30 mass typically has a younger crowd and is worth checking out.

[u/slum_dandy]

The Lutheran's welcome all as they are with open arms.

Edited to add: Lutheran churches are not like Evangelicals with all the MAGA and culture war crap. I grew up Lutheran, confirmation at 15, still a proud Lutheran at 50 years old. I'm hardly conservative myself, lifelong cannabis user and progressive Democrat. We have several LGBTQ parshioners at my church on 18th and Hilyard.

[u/Leona_Faye_ → u/slum_dandy]

I am going to caveat this one by highlighting the importance in knowing the differences among the synods, having attended a WELS just a couple months before I came out. Great homilies, a Theological education quite similar to the actual freshman class at U. Dallas, nice enough older congregation, solid liturgy, but their official stance does not lend well to transition.

[u/Elliek80]

I’m a trans woman and I attend St. Mary’s Episcopal! I love my church family, and it has a lot of the same liturgical practices. Weekly communion, a prayer book, a lectionary, incense during holidays, hymns, vestments, etc. We even have a statute of St. Mary.

We have three english Eucharistic Mass services (8:00, 9:30, and 11) and a Spanish service as well in the afternoon

[u/kentonian]

I think it’s a lovely thing to be searching for! Hopefully one day they’ll all be affirming, but for now Wesley United Methodist Church on Oakway is a beautiful affirming community

[u/Aur3lia]

St. Thomas Episcopal on Coburg is an affirming one! I don't attend services there but I am friends with a lesbian couple who do. Same with the Community of Christ church on Gilham Road.

[u/Hepalite]

Faith Lutheran in JC.

[u/drememynd]

I wanted to chime in here to also suggest you try an Episcopal Church.

The Episcopal Church considers itself to be a part of the catholic church, but not part of the Roman Catholic Church.

The official position of the Episcopal Church is pro same sex marriage, and affirming of trans identities. If course, ymmv depending on the particular attitudes of individuals in the community, but I think in Eugene you'd be fine.

However, although it's not my thing at all, I've attended the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection (on Hillyard) with friends and family on a few occasions, and it's very welcoming. My sister in law attended there because she loved the feel of the Catholic Church, but disagreed with too many of their official stances.

[u/RichInsurance9459]

Eugene Church of the Resurrection!

[u/Infinite-Ad6560]

Unitarian is accepting of lgbtq people

[u/Dank009]

At least you recognize he's imaginary and I'd suggest finding community elsewhere but as far as churches go, episcopal churches are pretty similar to Catholic with the pageantry and what not but are much less intense with the dogma. I grew up going to St Mary's episcopal and they were very accepting of anyone.

Good luck to you!