In the heart of Dallas, a church has taken a bold stand in support of drag queens and the LGBTQ+ community in response to Texas’ controversial anti-drag bill, which seeks to ban public drag performances. The Cathedral of Hope, a progressive and LGBTQ+-inclusive congregation, held a powerful Sunday service on September 17th, where blessings were bestowed upon members of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a prominent drag and charity organization.
The church’s auditorium, with a seating capacity of approximately 850 people, was nearly filled to capacity for the service. Outside, a small protest of around 40 individuals gathered, condemning the event as an “abomination” and accusing it of being “anti-Catholic.” Responding to these protesters, the senior pastor of the Cathedral of Hope, Rev. Neil Thomas, clarified that many in their congregation had felt excluded by Catholicism in the past but emphasized, “we are not anti-Catholic.”
During the service, pastors led the congregation in inclusive prayers and encouraged attendees to embrace the concept of “radical inclusivity.” One church leader highlighted the fact that drag queens often face “hate and violence” for their commitment to authenticity and self-expression.
Congregants at the Cathedral of Hope Protestant Church in Dallas were led in a prayer pledging allegiance to drag queens and LGBTQ+.
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) September 19, 2023
This is blasphemy. pic.twitter.com/S33M4JwQ4M
This inclusive and LGBTQ-friendly focus of the service was a direct response to Texas Senate Bill 12, which passed in April but was temporarily blocked by a federal judge just before it was scheduled to take effect on September 1st. According to Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, the bill aims to prohibit lewd or sexualized performances in public spaces or in the presence of minors that involve the use of “accessories or prosthetics that exaggerate male or female sexual characteristics.”
Senior pastor Rev. Neil Thomas spoke with the Dallas Morning News about the bill, describing it as part of a growing trend of “persecution” targeting drag queens and transgender individuals in the United States.
During the service, congregants came together in prayer, expressing their support for the drag community. They pledged to be allies to drag queens, embrace radical inclusivity, and work toward dismantling systems of oppression while opposing hate, prejudice, and intolerance.
However, not everyone supported this message of inclusion. Charlie Kirk, the founder of the American far-right group Turning Point USA, posted a clip of the service on social media, calling it “blasphemy.” Kirk has been known for his anti-LGBTQ+ stance.
The Cathedral of Hope, as stated on its website, welcomes all minority groups in its mission to proclaim Christ through “faith, hope, and love.” In these challenging times when LGBTQ+ rights are under scrutiny across the United States, this church’s commitment to inclusivity and support for the drag community sends a powerful message of solidarity and acceptance.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which has been tracking the introduction of more than 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills in the U.S. in 2023 alone, has described these measures, including the anti-drag bills, as “a malicious attempt to remove LGBTQ people from public life.” The controversy surrounding the Texas anti-drag bill and the Cathedral of Hope’s response underscore the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ rights and acceptance in America.
