Coming Out in Faith Monologues bring new perspective to LGBTQ showcase

CALGARY – Amateur artists are courageously taking to the stage to share personal stories of coming out this month in Calgary. The “Coming Out Monologues YYC” is an annual event involving spoken word, movement and musical pieces showcasing the diversity of the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, or questioning) community. But this year, there’s a new twist.

On March 27, a special night will incorporate a “Coming Out in Faith” section, which explores the struggles of people on different journeys than some religions allow. Many have felt shunned or excluded from their faith because of who they are, but the stories featured in this new performance will show what happens when faith and sexuality collide.

Pace Anhorn is a transgender male who came from a Christian background.

“Faith to me is simple: God is love,” he said.

“You sit in the pews and the minister preaches, and all of a sudden if you’re homosexual or don’t identify as male or female, maybe God’s love isn’t there for you. But that doesn’t sit with me.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "You sit in the pews and the minister preaches, and all of a sudden if you're homosexual or don't identify as male or female, maybe God's love isn't there for you. But that doesn't sit with me."

Anhorn says there’s a need to reconcile faith with the LGBTQ community.

“There needs to be a sense of coming together,” said Anhorn. “I breathe, I have a heart, I have a soul. I am human just like you. When I embraced my gender identity, I found I got closer to God; I was able to be more authentic.”

View image in full screen

Wendy Vollmin, who identifies as lesbian, said faith was a big part of her heritage, and led her to ask questions about her identity.

“That was the question: Do you still love me? And the answer was absolutely He does,” she said. “That’s the only thing that matters. That’s the pivotal piece—I got there… but it was really difficult.”

Madeleine Hardy, director of the Coming Out Monologues, said sometimes religion can be an “exclusionary community,” but she believes the show will help people navigate through their own identities when it comes to religion.

“How do I come out and be gay or lesbian when I still have a connection with a greater being? And where do I belong? And is that okay?” she asks. “It’s important for people to hear those stories.”

The Coming Out Monologues are at the John Dutton Theatre March 18,19 and 20. The Coming Out in Faith Monologues are at Hillhurst United Church March 27.

For more information, visit the website here.