The Rev. Jeffrey Jordan of Metropolitan Community Church of Philadelphia shouts from the pulpit, “Mark Segal, here’s something historic to put in your column.” He was referring to the first time that all the LGBT/ally choirs in Philadelphia united to sing together — and it was also historic since they did it at MCCP’s 40th anniversary last Saturday. The church, celebrating its ruby anniversary, is Philadelphia’s longest-running LGBT organization. It was glorious.
Not only did they have Philadelphia Voices of Pride, Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus, Anna Crusis Women’s Choir, A Voice 4 All People and their own church choir, they also had founder of the Universal Fellowship of MCCs the Rev. Troy Perry speak, and he brought the house down.
My job was to start off the celebration by giving a talk on the history of the church and its contributions to our community. I took the opportunity to talk about the good work of Revs. Jordon and Perry, which can be summed up in one beautiful sentiment: They give LGBT Christians a home.
A word about my friend Rev. Troy Perry, who founded MCC, the first church for and about the gay community in 1968. We met when, as a young member of Gay Liberation Front in New York City in 1969, a handful of our members picketed his attempts to start a branch of his church there. He took me aside and explained rather simply that while I might be able to get those who believe in social justice onboard the gay-rights struggle, we couldn’t reach those who had religion as the backbone of their lives. I took that as shackled to religion, and it resonated with me. It was pragmatic. And we’ve been friends since. In my campaign against the media from 1971-74, many times it was MCC members around the country who housed me. And yes, it’s true that many activists of the time slept on floors as we traveled around the nation to push for change.
And, as usual, when we old activists get together, we always remark how proud we are of the struggle of the last 40-plus years: We are further along the road to equality than even we expected.
Sunday found me out at University of Pennsylvania, speaking at the Pennsylvania Student Equality Conference. With 50-plus students in the audience, it transported me to my days as a youth activist and there was a special bond between us. These are the people who will speak to the new generation of college and university students. They are the new face of equality and they are dedicated to being our new leaders. They give me hope for the future and the knowledge that we will finish that long walk to equality.
Mark Segal, PGN publisher, is the nation’s most-award-winning commentator in LGBT media. He can be reached at [email protected].