1946 - 1972

In 1946, the Church hired a "partership"...

1973

Coming out in the open at Riverside - Beginning discussions

1974 - 1977

Sexuality sermon, programs, and conference at Riverside

In the beginning

Lesbians and Gays have always been active and welcome at The Riverside Church in New York City although not necessarily self-identified as such in early times of the Church. Homosexuals were in the choir, Sunday school teachers, staff, board of ushers, and Deacons, etc. but not “out” except to their friends at Riverside.

The Riverside Church's founding minister, Rev. Dr. Harry Emerson Fosdick first counseled a homosexual in his church in about 1922. In his 1943 book, “On Being A Real Person,” he is the first American minister to encourage education of clergy in dealing with the issue of homosexuality.

Many of the persons in the Iconology of The Riverside Church were lesbians or gays (Michelangelo, Socrates, St. Augustine, Jane Addams, etc.)

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Rev. Dr. Harry Emerson Fosdick (Founding Minister 1925-1946) Photo by Lilo Kaskel