rights
D.C. queer faith leaders commit to exist, resist, persist
By Emma Cieslik at Washington Blade
· July 2, 2026
· 6 min read
Last month, Center Faith hosted the 43rd annual Pride Interfaith Service titled “In Faith We Exist. Resist. Persist!” at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C. Amid torrential downpours, queer leaders and people of faith from Muslim, Catholic, Episcopalisn, Unitarian Universalist, Jewish, P
Key takeaway Mark’s Episcopal Church in Washington, D.
Why this matters
The 43rd annual Pride Interfaith Service in Washington, D.C. highlights the crucial role that faith communities play in the fight for LGBTQ rights. By gathering leaders from diverse faith traditions, the service demonstrates a united front against Christian nationalism and oppression. The participation of representatives from the D.C. Mayor's Office of LGBTQ Affairs and The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center also underscores the importance of interfaith collaboration with local organizations. The service's emphasis on existence, resistance, and persistence serves as a powerful statement of resilience in the face of ongoing challenges to LGBTQ rights. As national policies and protections vary significantly by state, events like this service remind us that local communities and faith leaders are essential in promoting inclusivity and dignity. The National LGBTQ Task Force and other national resources can provide support and guidance, but it is the grassroots efforts of queer faith leaders that bring about meaningful change at the local level.
About this story
Original reporting by Washington Blade . LGBTQ News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: rights ·
Published: July 2, 2026 ·
Source: Washington Blade ·
Reading time: 6 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Last month, Center Faith hosted the 43rd annual Pride Interfaith Service titled “In Faith We Exist. Resist. Persist!” at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C. Amid torrential downpours, queer leaders and people of faith from Muslim, Catholic, Episcopalisn, Unitarian Universalist, Jewish, P
When was this published? This article was first published on July 2, 2026 by Washington Blade and curated for LGBTQ News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Emma Cieslik at Washington Blade. To learn more about how LGBTQ News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more rights coverage from LGBTQ News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .