By Luke Pelser, Juicy Ecumenism.
Episcopal Church officials are emphasizing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) advocacy even as the Federal government and some corporations dial back their public embrace of Pride Month following the “Bud Light” backlash of 2023 and increasingly visible public skepticism of transgenderism.
The denomination’s Manhattan headquarters hosted a special June 1 communion service to bless and commission Episcopalians participating in Pride Month celebrations. Led by Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe, the service featured a sermon delivered by transgender Episcopal Priest and activist the Rev. Cameron Partridge.
The service took place at the Chapel of Christ the Lord at the Episcopal Church Center in New York. Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe celebrated the Eucharist while Partridge preached remotely from San Francisco’s St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church in the livestreamed event.
Partridge, as was touched on briefly in the sermon, transitioned from a female to male identity in 2001 and went on to be ordained in the Episcopal Diocese in Massachusetts. In 2011, Partridge served at Boston University as its first transgender chaplain. In 2014, Partridge became the first transgender priest to preach at the Episcopal Church’s Washington National Cathedral.
