Hi! My name is Daniel Leyva

[DanielLeyva]

Greetings and Happy New Year;

My name is Daniel Leyva, I am a Latino man living in New York City. I just wanted to say hi and puyt myself out there.

I work at the Latino Commission on AIDS in New York City, developing HIV prevention programs for communities of faith. I am Episcopalian, but I have been recently visiting different churches and denominations, both for work and because I am trying to find an open, afirming and inclusive community in Queens, NY.

I am interested in joining any efforts to educate communities of faith about the impact of homophobia in our communities. I am aloso looking for places where I can be more active in support of the right to marriage for all.

Peace

Daniel

[Montanna]

Great to have you join us. Look forward to learning more about the work you do. Blessings. Montanna

[Leyvadaniel]

Thank you!

[Gennee]

Welcome to the site, Daniel. I live in Brooklyn. I'm a transgender person involved with a glbt veterans group and a chirstian lgbt bible fellowship at the community center in Manhattan.

Gennee

[Leyvadaniel]

How are you? I didn't know there was a Bible study group at the Center. I am very interested in attending and learning about it. Do you have any information on the group?

Cheers

Daniel

[BenL]

Welcome, Daniel, from another Episcopalian. There are several of us here who post fairly regularly. As you know, you can't presume that you'll be welcomed just because a parish is Episcopal. Some -- I hope the minority -- want nothing to do with us. Others, while saying they welcome everyone, aren't comfortable with LGBT people, and if you worship with us, will you please not mention it or demonstrate it in any way?

Fortunately, I am a member of an Episcopal parish that welcomes us with open arms. It flies a rainbow flag from the gallery at the west end of the nave. We have an LGBT/straight alliance that sponsors programs for everyone and puts on the best damn coffee hour when it's our turn.
All Saints Church, Worcester MA.

Here's a picture of the rainbow flag.

Hope you can find a church that truly embraces you and where you feel at home.

[Gennee]

Originally Posted by Leyvadaniel

How are you? I didn't know there was a Bible study group at the Center. I am very interested in attending and learning about it. Do you have any information on the group?

Cheers

Daniel

Hi Daniel. There's is a gay and lesbian bible study Monday evenings from 8-10pm. You can contact gerig@culumbia.edu for information.

Gennee

[Leyvadaniel]

I think I will check it out. Thank you for the information!

Daniel

[Leyvadaniel]

Hello Ben;

Thank you for your post. What you say is very true. I am in the process of moving my membership from the Diocese of Long Island to the Diocese of New York. I have found in the Diocese of Long Island a lot of that "don't ask, don't tell" thing, which I personally find very offensive. I have actually been visiting other faith traditions, since the very progresive Episcopal Churches are not close to me. I am very confortable with the Episcopal church, but I am getting a little tired of the behavior of some trying to keep the church stuck in the 50's.

My current parish is not the excepcion, but Is what I have considering the distance. It is sad that we can not just attend any church closed by, since we might not be fully welcomed there.