Introducing: RCIA but Gay

Patrick Flores |

Our favorite section of the V&F newsletter is growing up and now led by and actual historian!

So many of us who have grown up in the Catholic Church were taught only one thing about the LGBTQ community - it was dangerous.

But as we learned more about ourselves, and began to reconcile our own identities with the community we were taught to fear, we began to realize that for decades and even centuries, while we were hiding, queer folk have been fighting for us. The LGBTQ community has been actively working for the self-acceptance and civil rights that most of us take for granted. 

And most of my generation have no idea who these people are who came before us. We know vaguely about events like Stonewall and recognize names like Harvey Milk or Masha P. Johnson, but they seem worlds away.

Meanwhile so many LGBTQ Catholics who came before us were there when these historic events took place. They know the AIDS crisis or the battle over marriage equality because they were there in the thick of it.

So from the beginning of Vine & Fig, we wanted to share their stories. In our weekly newsletter we started an RCIA but Gay section, dedicated to exploring queer history in events big and small. It was my favorite part of the newsletter because while researching I learned so much and was able to gain such an appreciation for the larger community I had the privilege of joining.

But I’m no historian. I can’t really explain how all the pieces of the puzzle fit together. Luckily, our Vine & Fig community is full of some of the most diverse and talented people. And where my limitations begin, our community member Mike Mortimer is willing to step up to the plate!

Mike Mortimer is a historian and lecturer at UC Davis where he teaches courses in gender history, world history, digital humanities, and US history. Mike is going to be taking over the RCIA but Gay section of our newsletter and website, and leading discussions in our Slack channel for queer history. Every week Mike will share a short lesson on the history of our people and take questions and discuss it with us in the community Slack.

Check out Mike here below explaining everything he hopes the RCIA but Gay section will be!