Maxwell Kuzma, left, with Sr. Jeannine Gramick, co-founder of New Ways Ministry, at Outreach’s 2024 conference
“God’s love for the LGBTQ community is abundantly visible at a place like the Outreach conference,” wrote Maxwell Kuzma, reflecting on the LGBTQ Catholic Ministry conference held at Georgetown University in Washington D.C. in early August. Max, a transgender man and conference panelist, wrote of Outreach: “It’s a place where the word “welcome” really means welcome.”
Leading up to the conference, America reported that over 300 LGBTQ+ Catholics and allies were scheduled to attend, representing 33 U.S. states and eight additional countries. The conference planned discussions on a variety of issues including “parenting L.G.B.T.Q. children, transgender Catholics in the church, homosexuality in the Bible and L.G.B.T.Q. ministry in parishes and schools.”
In the midst of these important conversations, Outreach offered attendees something even more valuable: an experience of community. Kuzma says of his experience at a previous Outreach conference:
“I attended panels and talks where gay Catholics spoke openly about their lives, their partners and spouses, and I heard from gay clergy and allies who have faithfully walked with the LGBTQ community for decades…I have made deep, lasting friendships with people I’ve met through this community. I have met mentors and role models who sustain me through their examples and prayers. I’ve been able to share my own story with people who are really listening, and I’ve heard their stories too. I’m not alone anymore.”
This year’s gathering was the fifth annual Outreach conference, and the third to take place in person. Pope Francis sent greetings to the meeting, stating that he is “united in prayer” with them. Vatican News reported that this is the fourth time Francis has sent such a message to Outreach.
This year marked the first time that a cardinal has attended the conference. Cardinal Wilton Gregory of Washington, D.C., celebrated Mass for attendees. Gregory’s welcome letter to participants stated ““with this conference, you are providing a safe place for individuals, families, and friends to pray, discern, and grow in their love and understanding of the teachings of the Church…I thank you for your efforts.”
Leading the opening prayer service of the conference, presider Lynne Gray assured participants, “No matter what you have been told, you are blessed. You are holy head to toe … in all your genders and sexualities…You are holy in your scars.”
Kuzma said the power of this declaration, “ moved me so profoundly that I got chills. As a transgender man who has gone through medical transition, I do have some scars. And while the physical ones have healed, some of the spiritual ones remain.”
Through prayer, fellowship, and teaching, the Outreach meeting provided an opportunity for affirmation and healing. Kuzma hopes that the spirit of this conference will spread throughout the church, allowing others to see the witness of LGBTQ+ people of faith. He affirmed, “We are yours, God, in all our genders and sexualities. We are yours, transgender scars and all. Our LGBTQ identities do not diminish our goodness; we magnify God’s grace.”
—Ariell Watson Simon (she/her), New Ways Ministry, September 10, 2024
