This is our second annual list of churches, congregations, and spiritual communities that have visibly identified themselves as open and affirming to LGBTQ+ people.

If you don’t see a particular congregation on the list, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it isn’t wel­coming. Some groups are welcoming and affirming in essence, but have never debated the issue or created a pub­lic, wide-reaching statement about LGBTQ+ people in their community.

Advent Lutheran Church & Community of  Hope United Church of Christ 

7118 Old Sauk Rd., Madison | 608-836-1455 | madisonchristiancommunity.org  | Advent Lutheran and Community of Hope UCC share worship space at the Madison Christian Community. Both are open and affirming. They host a monthly Transgender Community Meal for trans and nonbinary people in the Dane County area, which is also supported by Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.

Baraboo First Congregational United Church of Christ 

131 Sixth Ave., Baraboo | 608-356-4300 | uccbboo.org | Founded in 1847, First Congregational UCC has a long history of social justice witness, including supporting the suffrage and abolitionist movements. The membership includes several gay and lesbian members and adopted its open and affirming statement in 2001. The lead pastor, Rev. Douglas Fauth, was the first openly gay ordinand in the Penn Central Conference.

Beth Israel Center 

1406 Mound St., Madison | 608-256-7763 | bethisraelcenter.org | In egalitarian community of Conservative Judaism, Beth Israel has hosted an annual Pride Shabbat each summer since 2018. Rabbi Betsy Forester is committed to helping LGBTQ+ people feel at home and “enhance their Jewish lives in relation to their LGBTQ+ journeys.” BIC is a sponsor of the Interfaith Transgender Day of Remembrance.

Bethany United Methodist Church 

3910 Mineral Point Rd., Madison | 608-238-6381 | bethanymadison.org | Lead Pastor Rev. Julie Wilson led her previous church in becoming an LGBTQ-affirming congregation and is committed to making Bethany a place where all are welcome. The church is part of the Reconciling Ministries Network of UMC (rmnetwork.org), which is committed to intersectional justice and the full participation of all LGBTQ+ people in the life and leadership of the church.

Bethel Lutheran Church 

312 Wisconsin Ave., Madison | 608-257-3577 | bethel-madison.org | We welcome you to Bethel. We see you as we see ourselves, vulnerable to the challenges of human relationships, and deeply beloved by God. We welcome you who have ever felt excluded by the church because of race, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, physical or mental ability, family or economic status, or for a reason known only to you. We welcome you whether church life is familiar to you or your faith journey is new, whether you are certain in your beliefs or unsure. We invite you here because God is inviting you to be here.

Circle Sanctuary 

5354 Meadowvale Rd., Barneveld | 608-924-2216 | circlesanctuary.org | A Nature Spirituality church founded by Rev. Selena Fox in 1974, Circle Sanctuary operates from a privately owned 200-acre nature preserve in the Driftless region, about 13 miles west of Mount Horeb. Here the Sanctuary hosts Full Moon circles, seasonal sabbats, volunteer days, and Sacred Fire Circles. It is one of the sponsors of the Interfaith Transgender Day of Remembrance. The nature preserve is not open to drop-in visits, but visitors are welcome at a variety of festivals and educational events.

Covenant Presbyterian Church of Madison 

326 S. Segoe Rd., Madison | 608-233-6297 | covenantmadison.org | In 2018, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) voted to affirm its commitment to full welcome, acceptance, and inclusion for LGBTQ+ people. Covenant Presbyterian Church of Madison is the only congregation in Dane County that is part of the Covenant Network, though the denomination’s Pres House Campus Ministry is also explicitly LGBTQ-affirming.

The Crossing Campus Ministry 

1127 University Ave., Madison | 608-257-1039 | thecrossinguw.org | The Crossing is an inclusive, multi-faith, nonprofit at UW-Madison. They host a variety of events on campus, including a pay-what-you-can family dinner every Monday night. They list “Trans is Beautiful” as one of their core affirmations on the organization’s website, and back this up as sponsors of the Interfaith Transgender Day of Remembrance.

First Baptist Church 

518 North Franklin Ave., Madison | 608-233-1880 | firstbaptistmadison.org | First Baptist is a progressive, LGBTQ+ affirming congregation affiliated with American Baptist Churches USA, the Alliance of Baptists, and the Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists. Since 1994, we have embraced full inclusion of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities in membership, leadership, and ministry. Rooted in historic Baptist principles of freedom and justice, we value open inquiry, diverse expressions of faith, and God’s love for all.

First Congregational United Church of Christ 

131 6th Ave., Baraboo | 608-356-4300 | uccbboo.org | First Congregational in Baraboo is a “Just Peace” and “Open and Affirming” church. Founded in 1847, FCUCC’s history is of leading the way on opposing slavery, ensuring equal vote for women and men 70 years before suffrage, and calling as its pastor the first African-American, first woman, and first openly gay clergypersons in Baraboo. The congregation officially became an “Open and Affirming” congregation in 2002. We are known for an oversized pride painted Adirondack chair with the words, “There’s Room for You.”

First Congregational United Church of Christ 

1609 University Ave., Madison | 608-233-9751 | firstcongmadison.org | First Congregational has a long history of open and affirming. It adopted its affirmation statement in 1992. Its senior minister, Rev. Eldonna Hazen, is an out lesbian who was profiled on the cover of the May 2008 issue of Our Lives.

First Unitarian Society 

900 University Bay Dr., Madison | 608-233-9774 | fusmadison.org | First Unitarian is a progressive religious community that encourages spiritual growth and community action in an atmosphere of warmth, freedom of belief, intellectual curiosity, and open dialogue. They are an independent organization, but affiliated with the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). The Society meets in the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Unitarian Meeting House in Shorewood Hills, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.

First United Methodist Church 

203 Wisconsin Ave., Madison | 608-256-9061 | fumc.org | First United Methodist Church is an open and affirming congregation in downtown Madison. It is part of the Reconciling Ministries Network of UMC. The church is a sponsor of the OutReach Magic Festival at Warner Park.

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 

5701 Raymond Rd. (Madison Campus) & 7291 County Highway PD (Verona Campus) | 608-271-6633 | gslcwi.com | Good Shepherd is part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the most progressive of the Lutheran denominations. (Note: Despite the name, the ELCA is not an “Evangelical” denomination in the cultural sense of the word.) GSLC became a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) congregation in 2019, affirming its commitment to full welcome and inclusion for LGBTQ+ persons. It is one of the sponsors of the Transgender Community Meal that meets at Advent Lutheran and Community of Hope.

Grace Episcopal Church 

116 West Washington Ave., Madison | 608-255-5147 | gracechurchmadison.org | Grace Episcopal on the Capitol Square has been welcoming and affirming for many years. Same-sex marriage ceremonies and ceremonies of renaming are visible ways we welcome members of the LGBTQ+ community. The Grace Church Pride Committee is an active and engaged group that spreads our outreach mission, participating in community events and Services.

Holy Wisdom Monastery 

4200 County Highway M, Middleton | 608-836-1631 | holywisdommonastery.org | Sunday Assembly is a unique worshiping community. Influenced by the Benedictine spirit and tradition, we welcome all to worship with us. We embrace unity around an open communion table, in fullness of equality for all people, and we pray together in inclusive language that draws from the best of the Christian tradition. The sisters, members of Sunday Assembly, and the communities of Holy Wisdom Monastery value welcome, inclusion, and belonging for all persons.

ID-Madison 

608-836-8886 | idmadison.org | ID-Madison is an ecumenical Christian faith community affiliated with DIGNITY, a nationwide organization of LGBTQ+ Roman Catholics and their friends, and with INTEGRITY, a similar organization for LGBTQ+ members of the Episcopal church. The Wisconsin Conference of Churches has recognized ID-Madison as an AIDS Caring Community, meaning that it provides all of its services to HIV-infected persons without judgment, hesitation, or reservation. The group meets at St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church (6205 University Ave.) on most Saturdays from September to June.

James Reeb UU Congregation 

2146 East Johnson St., Madison | 608-242-8887 | James Reeb Unitarian Universalist (UU) Congregation was seeded by First Unitarian Society in 1993. JRUUC affirms and includes people who are LGBTQ+ at every level of congregational life—in worship, in programming, and in social occasions—welcoming them as whole people. The congregation is culturally diverse and includes many members of the LGBTQ+ community. Sunday services are in person and on Zoom are at 10:00 a.m.

Lake Edge Lutheran Church 

4032 Monona Dr., Madison | 608-222-7339 | lelc.org | An ELCA church, Lake Edge is a member of the group Reconciling in Christ, which affirms people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. The congregation is active in the community on issues of social justice, environmental stewardship, and anti-racism education.

Madison Insight Meditation Group & Madison Vipassana 

madisonmeditation.org | Madison Insight Meditation Group and Madison Vipassana practice meditation in the tradition of Theravada Buddhism. Madison Vipassana hosts retreats, while Madison Insight Meditation Group provides regular local meditation sessions and various practice opportunities, both in person and online. They welcome people of every race, culture, ethnicity, class, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability, age, and religion, and are one of the sponsoring organizations for the Interfaith Transgender Day of Remembrance.

Madison Sufis 

302 East Gorham St., Madison | madisonsufis.com | Spiritual director Shabda Kahn describes Sufism as “a mystic path based on the Awakened human heart recognizing its Unity with the Divine. The signs of this experience are the emergence of love, tolerance, compassion, and courage. Sufism is universal in nature and honors all the great messengers from the world’s religions.” LGBTQ+ people who are part of the Sufi religion can take active roles, including spiritual leadership.

McFarland United Church of Christ 

5710 Anthony St., McFarland | 608-838-9322 | mcfarlanducc.org | McFarland United Church of Christ is, like many UCC member churches, an open and affirming congregation. Members of the congregation represented McFarland UCC during the ACT 5 AIDS Ride in 2007. The church’s lead pastor, Bryan Sirchio (sirchio.com), is also a singer/songwriter who writes worship music for progressive Christian communities. We are McFarland’s and Southern Dane County’s only open and affirming mainline Protestant congregation.

Memorial United Church of Christ 

5705 Lacy Rd., Fitchburg | 608-273-1008 | memorialucc.org | Memorial UCC is an open and affirming congregation that welcomes people of all ages, races, sexual orientations, gender identities, and church backgrounds. The church hosts the Interfaith Transgender Day of Remembrance, an annual observance honoring the memories of those lost to acts of anti-transgender violence, in partnership with many other faith organizations in Dane County.

Middleton Community Church UCC 

645 Schewe Rd., Middleton | 608-831-4694 | middletonucc.org | “We recognize every person as a unique creation and beloved child of God,” says MCC’s website. “We celebrate this diversity and welcome women and members of the LGBTQ+ community to serve at every level of church leadership.” Their lead pastor, Rev. Zayna Hart Thomley, helped found the Southwest Wisconsin Rainbow Alliance. Associate pastor Rev. Rachel Kirk is “a proud Millennial and LGBTQ+ leader.” The church is one of the sponsors of the Interfaith Transgender Day of Remembrance.

Midvale Community Lutheran Church 

4329 Tokay Blvd., Madison | 608-238-7119 | midvalelutheran.org | Midvale Community Lutheran Church welcomes all because Jesus welcomes all. With you here, we are closer to who God is calling us to be. If you’ve felt excluded or harmed in any way, you are welcome here. Your gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation are welcome here. Your family, children, friends, and partner are welcome here. Your abilities, culture, socioeconomic circumstances, race, and religious background are welcome here.

Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ 

1501 Gilbert Rd., Madison | 608-271-7212 | orucc.org | Orchard Ridge’s mission statement is “Spiritually Alive, Joyfully Inclusive, Committed to Justice.” There are LGBTQ+ people in every group, ministry, and leadership team at Orchard Ridge. The congregation voted to be open and affirming in 1993. The church is also active in addressing social justice issues, including mass incarceration, homelessness, and racial and immigration justice.

Plymouth United Church of Christ 

2401 Atwood Ave., Madison | 608-249-1537 | pcucc.org | Plymouth UCC has been one of the most visible open and affirming congregations in Madison since 1996. In June 2024, the church voted unanimously to declare itself an “Immigrant Welcoming Congregation,” developing practices and programs to insure the respectful welcome and inclusion of immigrants and refugees. The church’s website states its intention “to work toward helping those who feel marginalized or oppressed in our community.”

Prairie Unitarian Universalist Society 

2010 Whenona Dr., Madison | 608-271-8218 | uuprairie.org | We’re a welcoming Unitarian Universalist congregation of about 100 adult members—small enough that we can truly get to know each other. As a non-creedal faith, we embrace diverse beliefs about God, spirituality, and the afterlife. What unites us is our commitment to progressive values and the sacredness of our relationships with one another. Our Interweave group works to support LGBTQ+ individuals and their rights.

Pres House Campus Ministry 

731 State St., Madison | 608-257-103 | preshouse.org | Pres House Campus Ministry is a proudly LGBTQ-affirming church for UW-Madison students located on Library Mall. Pres House welcomes individuals of every perspective and background. The church is led by two BIPOC clergy, Rev. Erica Liu and Rev. Nii Addo Abrahams. According to their website, “We celebrate queer identities and experiences, draw on the richness of queer theology in our preaching, and welcome queer folks to lead in worship, serve on our Council, and otherwise shape our life together.”

Shaarei Shamayin 

900 University Bay Dr., Madison | 608-257-2944 | shamayim.org | Shaarei Shamayim is a Reconstructionist Jewish community, which believes that Judaism is “a means for bringing justice, holiness, and joy to the world.” The congregation of over 200 households is LGBTQ+ inclusive and welcomes Jews-by-choice and Jews of color. Rabbi Laurie Zimmerman is the spiritual leader here; she and her partner, Rabbi Renee Bauer, have two children.

Sherman Church 

3705 N. Sherman Ave., Madison | 608-244-0868 | shermanavenueumc.org | Sherman Church is a part of the First United Methodist Church. Since 1953, it has been providing care, community and compassion for those seeking healing, hope, and the Holy Spirit. Today, Sherman Church is a progressive, multicultural, and service-oriented part of the community. Sherman Church, like Jesus Christ, will always stand on the side of the oppressed and marginalized. We are an open and affirming congregation. We know that service and loving our neighbor are the foundation of Jesus’s teachings. Join us for worship in person or on Facebook at 9:30 a.m. on Sundays.

St. John’s Lutheran Church 

322 East Washington Ave., Madison (Temporarily meeting at 1127 University Ave.) | 608-256-2337 | stjohnsmadison.org | St. John’s voted to become a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) congregation in 2006. Its “More for Madison” campaign (moreformadison.org), begun in 2022, is tearing down its downtown building and replacing it with a 10-floor development that will include 130 affordable housing units, plus worship and community spaces. Lead pastor Rev. Peter Beeson is an out transgender person and a member of Proclaim, a professional network of LGBTQ+ Lutheran leaders.

St. Mark’s Lutheran 

605 Spruce St., Madison | 608-256-8463 | stmarksmadison.org | The mission statement of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church is to “share the unconditional love of God. This includes those who have felt alienated because of sexual orientation, gender, age, physical or intellectual disability, financial resources, and family status.” The church is a Reconciling in Christ (RIC) ELCA congregation, and incorporates both Spanish and American Sign Language into its worship services.

Temple Beth El 

2702 Arbor Dr., Madison | 608-238-3123 | templebethelmadison.org | Temple Beth El is a member of the Union for Reform Judaism, which has been open and affirming since 1987. They are part of Keshet, an organization that works for the full equality of all LGBTQ+ Jews and their families. In 2021, TBE joined the Union for Reform Judaism’s assessment process for racial equity, diversity and inclusion, committing themselves to listen more intentionally to community voices and improve their inclusivity and accessibility. TBE is one of the organizers of the Interfaith Transgender Day of Remembrance service.

Unity of Madison 

601 Tompkins Dr., Monona | 608-221-1376 | unityofmadison.org | The Unity Church is a spiritual organization founded by Charles and Myrtle Fillmore in 1889. Unity of Madison describes Unity as “a positive, practical, progressive approach to Christianity based on the teachings of Jesus and the power of prayer. Unity honors the universal truths in all religions and respects each individual’s right to choose a spiritual path.” They welcome everyone “regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, gender, economic status, and anything else under the sun.”