Recently a pastor asked us, “How can I make my parish a more welcoming place?”

This is a question we get all the time: How do I build a parish, school, or other institution that fosters gay people’s discipleship? So many people, at every level of the Church, want to welcome gay people and strengthen their faith—but they don’t know how.

They’ve never seen a church where gay discipleship was normal.

BCF has talked with hundreds of gay disciples: people who experience same-sex attraction and entrust their lives to Christ and the mission of the Church. We’ve received their stories. We know what works!

We could draw you a picture of a church right now and show you how every setting and encounter can become a source of welcome and formation for queer people: from the pulpit to the confessional, from the bulletin to the classroom, from OCIA to Adoration.

We want to share the stories of what works. These stories of discipleship—stories of gay people and our parents, priests, teachers, and friends—these are what change minds and hearts. When people like this pastor encounter stories of discipleship, they begin to see: “Here’s something I can do. This might work for me.”

But sharing these stories in the most accessible ways possible requires time, labor, and expertise. To develop, produce, and test videos, interactives, conference presentations, and more, we need your help. Can you help us show what it looks like?

And whether or not you are in a position to give financially, please keep BCF in your prayers! We are so grateful to all those in our prayer community. In fact, we just learned of a Mass being said for the intention of BCF’s work! What an amazing gift.

Thank you for all your support of our work—especially your prayers.