The Chicago Coalition of Welcoming Churches is a collaboration of more than 80 churches and other ministries in the Chicago metropolitan area which welcome and affirm people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. We have two goals:

To spread the message of our members' LGBTQ-inclusion across the Chicago metropolitan area, mindful that a positive message about sexual and family diversity is a gift to all people.
To connect the leaders, members, and guests of our partner churches for fellowship and education, enabling support and resource-sharing for the practices of faithful welcome.

Purpose of the Coalition

The Chicago Coalition of Welcoming Churches is a collaboration of more than 80 churches and other ministries in the Chicago metropolitan area which welcome and affirm people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. We have two goals:

To spread the message of our members' LGBTQ-inclusion across the Chicago metropolitan area, mindful that a positive message about sexual and family diversity is a gift to all people.
To connect the leaders, members, and guests of our partner churches for fellowship and education, enabling support and resource-sharing for the practices of faithful welcome.

Coalition News and Events

50th Annual Chicago Pride Parade

Hundreds of Coalition members will join together to march in Chicago's Pride Parade on June 30, 2019. We will make a loud, happy, BIG public witness of our congregations' welcome to all people.

See many of the photos our members and the secular press took at last year's parade on the Coalition's Facebook site.

50th Anniversary of Stonewall

On this golden anniversary year of Stonewall, join us on Saturday June 15 to celebrate "50 and Forward in Solidarity and Strength." It will be a morning of inspirational messages, fellowship, and renewal. We will lift up those who have been on the entire 50 year journey of liberation and pride and the leaders in our communities who will take us into the next 50. We face challenges in our cultural climate, but together we'll embrace God's hope for greater inclusion and welcome.

Come and share with others your community's journey and plans for the future.

This year we are hosted by Grace Lutheran, Evanston, 1430 South Blvd, Evanston, IL 60202 from 10:00 AM to Noon. A light brunch will be served. Parking is available, and transportation details are on the church's website. There is no fee, and donations are welcome. RSVPs are appreciated to brent@chicagowelcomingchurches.org. Please also share the event on Facebook. The link for this event is here.

ELM Pride 2019 Devotional

Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries (ELM) has a Pride 2019 devotional series. Check it out here.