If faith matters to you: communities that welcome LGBTQ+ people
A synagogue, a Catholic community and two churches in Manhattan that welcome LGBTQ+ people, with livestreams and practical help.
All of these communities say on their websites that they welcome LGBTQ+ people. Muslim, Orthodox Christian and other traditions are not on this list.
Start here
- If you're not ready to go in person yet, watch the livestream of Congregation Beit Simchat Torah (CBST): it is open to all with no registration.
- Food help and the community dinner at the Metropolitan Community Church of New York (MCCNY) are open to all; you don't need to attend services.
Work out what you are looking for
It may be a service, community, or a talk with a rabbi or priest. Practical help, such as a food pantry, is often separate from worship.
Start online if you are not ready to come in person
CBST livestreams its services, no registration needed. Judson Memorial Church and Dignity/New York hold services in person and online. MCCNY also streams.
Check the service time
Times change and differ on holidays.
Find out whether you need to be a believer
Dignity/New York welcomes everyone regardless of religious tradition. Judson Memorial Church members hold very different views, and everyone is welcome. MCCNY says "All are welcome".
Come the first time
At Judson Memorial Church, services are in the accessible Meeting Room; masks are recommended but not required. At CBST, photography isn't allowed in the sanctuary.
Talk to a member of the clergy if you want to
At CBST, book a meeting with a rabbi by emailing clergy@cbst.org. At MCCNY, the easiest start is a Sunday service at 446 West 36th Street.
Ask about language
Services are in English, and none of these communities says on its website that it holds services in Russian. If language matters to you, ask by email whether anyone in the community speaks Russian.
Communities that welcome LGBTQ+ people
| Tradition | Service | Where | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Congregation Beit Simchat Torah (CBST) | Judaism | Shabbat services; livestream open to all, no registration | Manhattan, 130 West 30th Street |
| Dignity/New York | Catholics and their allies | Sunday Eucharist at 6:30 pm, in person and online; on the third Sunday at 10:30 am, "Come to the Table" on Zoom | Manhattan, St. John's in the Village Episcopal Church, 218 West 11th Street |
| Judson Memorial Church | A Protestant church open to all | Sunday service at 11 am, in person and online | Manhattan, 55 Washington Square South |
| Metropolitan Community Church of New York (MCCNY) | A Christian church started in 1972 for LGBTQ+ people | Sunday service (times differ across the website); livestream | Manhattan, 446 West 36th Street |
Congregation Beit Simchat Torah (CBST)
A synagogue in Manhattan that calls itself a "vibrant spiritual community" and a progressive voice in Judaism. People of every orientation and gender identity are always welcome. Shabbat services are livestreamed with no registration. Book a meeting with a rabbi at clergy@cbst.org.
CBST, Emet (group for trans and nonbinary people)
A group for trans, nonbinary, gender-nonconforming and gender-expansive people and those just questioning. Currently online, on the first Thursday of the month.
CBST, groups by age: Aleinu and Mishpachah
Aleinu is for people in their twenties and thirties; Mishpachah is for people 55 and older.
CBST, Shabbat Sits (meditation before the service)
Quiet meditation on Fridays before Kabbalat Shabbat (welcoming the Sabbath), in person and on Zoom.
Dignity/New York
A New York community of LGBTQ+ Catholics and allies since 1972. Every Sunday at 6:30 pm: Eucharist (a service with communion) at St. John's in the Village Episcopal Church and online. Everyone is welcome regardless of religious tradition. The Zoom link is sent on request to OnlinePrayer@DignityNY.org.
Dignity/New York, Come to the Table
A Catholic service for everyone on Zoom on the third Sunday of the month at 10:30 am. Link on request at ComeToTheTable@DignityNY.org.
Judson Memorial Church
The church on Washington Square South in Manhattan calls itself Open, Welcoming, and Affirming of people of every orientation and gender identity. It has Protestant roots and ties to the American Baptist Churches, the United Church of Christ and the Alliance of Baptists; its members hold very different views. Services in person, in an accessible room, and online.
Metropolitan Community Church of New York (MCCNY)
A church founded in 1972 for LGBTQ+ people; it calls itself a Human Rights Church and welcomes everyone. Sunday service at 11 am. Its charity, MCCNY Charities, is attached to it.
MCCNY Charities, Sylvia Rivera Food Pantry
A client-choice food pantry, open to all. Snack bags Tuesday to Friday, and a community dinner at 5:30 pm on the last Tuesday of the month, also open to all. MCCNY Charities is an independent nonprofit (501(c)(3), tax-exempt under the US tax code).
MCCNY Charities, Homeless Youth Services
Open every day for LGBTQ+ young people aged 18–24 without housing: crisis shelter, a social worker, psychiatric and medical care, job training.
The Ark at CBST
Helps people preparing their own asylum papers (pro se, without a lawyer): it doesn't represent you in court, but helps with asylum, work permit and other applications, and finds accompaniment to immigration court through partners. Most clients are LGBTQ+ or living with HIV, but others aren't turned away. Message on WhatsApp (text or voice) at (917) 330-0310 or email sanctuary@cbst.org; replies within 72 hours on business days.
- Congregation
- People who gather for prayer and fellowship.
- Synagogue
- A Jewish house of prayer. A rabbi is the community's spiritual leader.
- Shabbat
- The Jewish Sabbath, a day of rest and prayer. The Kabbalat Shabbat service welcomes it on Friday evening.
- Eucharist
- A Christian service with communion.
- Livestream
- A service shown online in real time, so you can watch from home.
- Affirming
- A community that openly says it welcomes people of every orientation and gender identity.
- Food pantry
- A place that gives out food. In a client-choice pantry you decide what to take yourself.
- Pro se
- You file the papers yourself; the organization helps prepare them but doesn't represent you.
This is general information, not legal advice: QARAVAN has no lawyers. QARAVAN does not help anyone enter the US and cannot arrange visas, invitations, sponsorship or evacuation. For your own case, talk to a licensed immigration attorney or a representative accredited by the U.S. Department of Justice.