Throop Unitarian Universalist in Pasadena (File Photo – Matt Hormann)
For years, I’ve wanted to drape a gigantic trans-inclusive rainbow flag over my church, Throop Unitarian Universalist in Pasadena.
By Tera Landers
The biggest problem with this dream isn’t that my congregants would complain.
The biggest hurdle is finding such a humongous piece of fabric.
My congregation stands proudly at the corner of Del Mar Avenue and Los Robles Boulevard in Pasadena. If you’ve passed by, you’d likely recognize our church as the church with a lush, rambling permaculture garden filled with California natives, fruit trees, and some stray volunteer plants that found a cozy home in the soil. The building itself dates from 1923, and boasts an impressive tower (with stunning views of Pasadena and the mountains) and multiple stories. Because of the size of the building, we would need an Olympic-sized swath of material.
If you’ve heard of Unitarian Universalism, you know we are a progressive faith community that welcomes people along the theological spectrum who embrace a wide array of spiritual practices, and who come together around shared values and social issues. We have fully welcomed people who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, non-binary for many decades. In 1969, the first UU minister came out as gay. By 1979, the first out gay men in the UU ministry were being called to serve congregations. The first openly transgender person was ordained in 1988.
So – why swath our building in rainbow-colored cloth?
We would do so to serve as a clear, unambiguous sign for any LGBT/Queer person passing by that church IS a place for you, even if you grew up in a religious community that told you that you were wrong, you should change, you were sinful for being who you are.
We would do so to joyfully affirm to LGBT/Queer folks that WE see you for all of who you are–beautiful, whole, and holy.
It still matters that today, in 2026, our Queer siblings see visible signs on church lawns, residential porches, city buildings, and places of business that affirm their dignity and worth and celebrate their right to be themselves.
Watch out! You just may see that beautiful old church festooned with a larger-than-life trans-inclusive rainbow flag one day soon.
Imagine being angry over an inclusive church.