Father Gary M. Meier is an openly gay Catholic priest. His ministry – and his calls for greater LGBTQ inclusion – extends to so many facets of his life. Fr. Meier’s played a lead role in the founding of the North Grand Neighborhood Services organization, which works to develop low income housing and community programming in St. Louis, Missouri.

“I know that being gay is not a curse,” Father Meier says. “It is not an intrinsic disorder, it is not a disease like alcoholism, but it is a gift from God. A gift that can be shared and celebrated. … If my coming out has taught me anything, it has taught me that the church (the people of God), are accepting, supportive and loving of who I am.”