Montana faith groups, advocates show LGBTQ support
By TRISTAN SCOTTApril 11, 2021 GMT
KALISPELL, Mont. (AP) — Shortly after the deadly 2016 mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, Courtney VonLindern, who is gay and non-binary, was walking through downtown Missoula in a state of dejection when they spotted a pride flag displayed in the window of the United Methodist Church, a symbol of support to the LGBTQ community during a period of intense vulnerability and pain.
“It occurred to me that there was an opportunity for churches and faith-based communities to take a supportive stance on LGBTQ issues, and to create inclusive LGBTQ spaces in theology at a really scary time,” VonLindern, who is now pursuing their Master of Divinity at the Denver-based Iliff School of Theology but was born and raised in Whitefish, recalled. “Receiving that message in that moment was really powerful — knowing that you can be queer and Christian, that these things can coexist and that God and the Bible does affirm you in your identity.”