Rev. Melissa McQueen-Simmons: Trauma & the Church

When I first talked with Rev. Melissa McQueen-Simmons, she told said, "Sometimes you just have to get uncomfortable." It immediately intrigued me. The basis of so much of her work is social and theological transformation as she helps pastors and religious leaders address social and theological opposition in the Black community towards LGBT equality. In this interview, Rev. Melissa explains where the opposition stems from and how she guides leaders towards becoming welcoming and accepting.

A lot of trauma occurs when folks are not able to be all of who they are in that sacred space - when they are told that who they are is sinful or wrong in the eyes of God. But Rev. Melissa is here today, preaching a Good Word, telling everyone who needs to hear it: you are a beloved child of God - not in spite of who you are, but because of who you are. God created you and called you good.

Grab a cup of coffee and snuggle up, or put on your good walking shoes and head out as you listen to this message of Gospel from Rev. Melissa McQueen-Simmons.
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Rev. Melissa N. McQueen-Simmons is a native of Greensboro, North Carolina and a first-generation college graduate. She is a mother to a Camdyn and the spouse to Vondalyn McQueen-Simmons. She is a sister, an aunt, a friend, and Iraqi-Veteran. She earned her Master of Divinity (M.Div.) with an emphasis in Pastoral Care at Howard University.

Melissa is ordained in the United Church of Christ and is installed as pastor and teacher to Many Voices: A Black Church Movement for Gay and Transgender Justice. She is passionate about relationship-building within the  community. Melissa leads the LGBTQ committee for the Charlotte Clergy Coalition for Justice. She is a Spiritual Director for Wholy Ground and a member of the Diversity Chair Board for Q Christian Fellowship.

Read Rev. Melissa's story here: Traumatic beginnings in the Black Pentecostal Church: My journey to healing