The Queer LEADERSHIP COALITION of Mennonite Church USA

 The Queer Leadership Coalition (formerly called Queer Constituency Council) or QLC was formed in response to the 2022 Mennonite Church USA (MC USA) Resolution for Repentance and Transformation. The QLC is a representative team that exists to uplift the historic and current work of the Brethren Mennonite Council for LGBT Interests (BMC), Inclusive Mennonite Pastors, Pink Menno, and other LGBTQIA+ individuals and groups across MC USA. For decades, queer and allied Mennonites within and beyond these organizations have been caring for and resourcing LGBTQIA+ people, families, and congregations within and beyond the denomination. While not formally recognized by MC USA until 2022, this LGBTQIA+ Mennonite constituency has been organized and active for nearly 50 years.

Who we are

Representing—but not replacing—the long history and broad constituency of LGBTQIA+ people in MC USA, the Queer Leadership Coalition is comprised of:

   · 1-2 staff and/or board members of the Brethren Mennonite Council for LGBT Interests;

   · 1-2 members of the Inclusive Mennonite Pastors Leadership Team; and 

   · 1-2 at large representatives who are participants in MC USA congregations.

Any Queer Leadership Coalition representative may engage MC USA Executive Board and Staff on behalf of our constituency. Specifically, the QLC affirms and endorses the full range of the Brethren Mennonite Council for LGBT Interests’ work by, with, and for queer Anabaptists and directs MC USA to seek and receive counsel from BMC leaders, as well as to openly promote the use of BMC resources and website among MC USA congregations.

The Queer Leadership Coalition meets at least quarterly. Current Queer Leadership Coalition representatives elect new representatives. The Queer Leadership Coalition periodically seeks nominations for new representatives and remains open to nominations at all times. To nominate yourself or someone else, contact Randy Spaulding at randy@queermennonite.org. Eligible QLC representatives are people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender expansive, queer, intersex, asexual, and more, including non-binary and other gender identities. “Queer” is held as an expansive term.

What we do

The QLC represents its constituency on the denominational level by highlighting and supporting LGBTQIA+ leaders, allies, organizations, and congregations that are working for the thriving of LGBTQIA+ people within and beyond MC USA. This includes following the leadership of the Brethren Mennonite Council for LGBT Interests, a queer-founded, queer-led, historic center for this work in North American Anabaptist circles. This broad work of the constituency includes, but is not limited to:

1. Communicating with denominational leadership about efforts to care for LGBTQIA+ people and their MC USA congregations.
2. Advocating for justice, equity, and understanding within MC USA leadership and structure.
3. Exploring the challenges of intersectionality within MC USA structures and systemic patterns, especially the intersections of racial identity with gender and sexuality.
4. Offering guidance and expertise to MC USA about educational tools and other resources.
5. Offering guidance and expertise to individuals, congregations, conferences, and Executive Board and Staff members as they seek to engage with the Resolution for Repentance & Transformation.
6. Providing space for congregational support, resourcing, and networking, building on 30+ years of BMC’s Supportive Communities Network.
7. Supporting the presence of LGBTQIA+ efforts and organizations at MennoCon, which may include ensuring leadership for queer and trans-led seminars and workshops.
8. Promoting and/or organizing mutual aid efforts for queer and trans people.
9. Promoting and/or organizing support and mentorship for queer and trans leaders, including pastoral leaders, within congregational, conference, and denominational settings.
10. Supporting the creation and inclusion of queer and trans liturgy and art in Mennonite settings and publications.
11. Contributing to BMC’s preservation and activation of LGBTQIA+ Mennonite archives.
12. Supporting gatherings of queer and trans Mennonites      (such as Fabulous Fierce & Sacred, BMC conventions, etc.)
13. Selecting two representatives to attend the semi-annual Constituency Leaders’ Council of MC USA. In keeping with MC USA Executive Board policy, QLC representatives also meet: 

                 · with the Executive Board Moderator during the first year of each biennium; 

                 · with the MC USA Executive Board every two years to present QLC priorities; 

                 · and with the appointed MC USA Executive Board Staff liaison to the QLC at least

                   twice annually. 

Are you curious about shaping this process? About representation that honors the fullness and complexity of our LGBTQIA+ Mennonite people and movements?  We need your voice!  We want to hear from you!

Donate to support travel costs to send QLC representatives to CLC and denominational gatherings where your voice and concerns can be heard on the denominational level.  

Help us build LGBTQIA+ representation that continues the work of justice, inclusion, healing and repair within Mennonite Church USA.

Sign up at the MC USA National Convention (find us at the Big Booth for Intersectional Justice), or contact Randy Spaulding (randy@queermennonite.org; 941-228-6825) to receive updates on how QLC is forming and how you may be involved. 

BMC 50th Anniversary! Save the date: May 29-31, 2026.  Celebrate 50 years of queer representation and advocacy in the Mennonite and Brethren Communities!