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.
Our Bonfire Store is now open!
With multiple designs to choose from, you’ll find t-shirts (short and long sleeve), sweatshirts, and hoodies in different textures (classic, extra soft), and a variety of colors.
All proceeds go to our Episco-PRIDE ministry.
Don’t wait - order now to get your shirt in time for Pride!
Items print next business day and arrive 7-14 business days after the order is placed.
Upcoming Events:
June 21, Iowa City Pride
The Diocese of Iowa will be out in full force representing Trinity (Iowa City), New Song (Coralville), JustChurch/Diocese this year on June 21st in downtown Iowa City. We will have booths together with a combined Eucharist at 5pm. All are welcome to join us! If you are interested in helping out, please contact Ryan at rrussell@trinityic.org and he can connect you with the 3 congregations.
June 24, Valley Junction Pride, WDM
At Saint Andrew's we are convinced of God's radical welcome of all, as seen in Jesus' welcoming of all people around the table. Similarly at Saint Andrew's we welcome all people - no matter who you are, where you are from, or who you love, you are welcome here! For more info, including how to volunteer with us, email contact@standrewsdsm.org
2025 Episco-PRIDE Upcoming Zooms:
Fall 2025 (date TBD): Episco-PRIDE all teams debrief - connect with other teams and share learnings
What Do Episco-PRIDE Teams Do?
Teams commit to:
Have at least 1 member from the team attend a Safe Zone Training 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 the team participate in Zooms with other Episco-PRIDE teams
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
Questions? Contact Amy amellies@iowaepiscopal.org or Traci tpetty@iowaepiscopal.org
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.
Iowa continues to pass anti-LGBTQIA+ laws that significantly limit queer individuals’, students’ and families’ ability to thrive in our state. From removing gender identity from Iowa civil rights protections, to 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 have a tremendously 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.
Local Events:
Teams are participating in the following events
2025:
Riverside Pride (Fort Madison): June 13
Iowa City Pride: June 21
Fort Dodge Pride June 28
Valley Junction Pride (West Des Moines) June 29
Cedar Rapids Pride Festival: July 12
Mason City Pride: July 19
Cedar Valley Pride (Waterloo): August 22-23
Ames Pride: October 11
2026:
Iowa Safe Schools’ 20th Annual Governor’s Conference on LGBTQ Youth: April
Boone Pride: April
Quad Cities Unity Pride (Rock Island, IL)
Capital City Pride Fest (Des Moines)
Episco-PRIDE Teams:
Diocesan Team
The following congregations have participated partially, either by attending a training or participating in a community event:
Des Moines, St. Paul’s Cathedral
Dubuque, St. John’s
Muscatine, Trinity
Sioux City, St. Thomas’
2024 Recap: check out our narrative grant report to learn more about what happened and how this ministry was formed.
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 tracks 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 is 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. Join our Facebook group to keep up with legislation & events.
Excerpt from a letter from Bishop Monnot to the Iowa House Subcommittee on HSB242. Read the full letter HERE
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
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
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.
General
*Newly Added: My Kid is Gay: digital presence, inclusive of videos, advice, and resources, dedicated exclusively toward helping parents understand their Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual children.
*Newly Added: “The Fight Must Include Intersex Rights” brochure: why intersex people are also harmed by the anti-trans, anti-LGBTQ backlash and what YOU can do
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
Books
*Newly Added: Body Problems: What Intersex Priest Sally Gross Teaches Us About Embodiment, Justice, and Belonging
Beyond A Binary God: A Theology for Trans Allies
Hearts Ablaze: Parables for the Queer Soul
Queerfully and Wonderfully Made: A Guide for LGBTQ+ Christian Teens
Rainbow Theology: Bridging Race, Sexuality, and Spirit
Transforming: The Bible and the Lives of Transgendered Christians
Welcoming and Affirming: A Guide to Supporting and Working with LGBTQ+ Christian Youth
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: provides comprehensive support and resources to LGBTQ youth, educators, administrators, and helping professionals, and the families and community members of LGBTQ youth.
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