Among voices in our pastoral The Telling Takes Us Home (2015) are the experiences of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people living in Appalachia. We confessed that “that even mainstream churches have served as havens of discrimination and hatred” (28) towards LGBTQ+ persons. And we committed to become an inclusive “church of partnership,” desiring to adjust “structures of membership, leadership, and sacramental life to reflect this equality and inclusion” (57).

Today’s third contribution in our Member Meditations series comes from Stan “JR” Zerkowski, whose local and national work advocates for LGBTQ+ intentional welcome and ministry within the Catholic Church.

I was one of three people from the Diocese of Lexington appointed by Bishop John to represent the diocese in the Continental Phase of the Synod on Synodality. The Continental Phase is the second phase of this Synod that you’ve probably heard so much about.

The theme comes from the prophet Isaiah, chapter 54, verse 2:

Enlarge the space for your tent, spread out your tent cloths unsparingly; lengthen your ropes and make firm your stakes.

Isaiah speaks a word of consolation to Israel at a time when God’s people suffer abandonment and exile. LGBTQ+ people suffer abandonment and exile far too often. 

Enlarge the tent and make room for those who have yet to come, is Isaiah's exhortation.

Are we enlarging the tent and accompanying LGBTQ+ persons, their families and friends home?

After the first phase of the synod, I read reports from many dioceses here in the USA. Nearly every diocese mentioned the need to accompany LGBTQ+ persons and walk with them. 

A rainbow sticker isn’t enough. A passive word or simply not doing any damage or harm by our words or actions isn’t enough. Thinking that we’re all welcoming and everyone should know it isn’t enough. The Church is not considered a safe place for LGBTQ+ people, I am told by them. How do we create safe places where they can be loved and their dignity celebrated and defended?

In my local and national ministry, I hear stories from hundreds of LGBTQ+ people, their families and friends. All they want is to flourish – like everyone else – in a culture and church that respects them – respects their diversity, their dignity, their lives. They want a chance to be themselves and be recognized as vital members of the Body of Christ.

How do we enlarge the tent? How do we make room for LGBTQ+ persons cast off to the margins? How do we walk them back home?

Stan "JR" Zerkowski (he/him) serves as Chair of the Diocese of Lexington LGBTQ Outreach Commission, Director of Catholic LGBTQ+ Ministry, and Executive Director of Fortunate Families. His first book – COMING OUT and COMING HOME, a Catholic gay man’s journey from marginalization to ministry, with a few miracles along the way (Feb 2022) - can be ordered here: www.butlerbooks.com/coming-out-and-coming-home.html