Is Bridgeport United Church of Christ LGBTQ+ Affirming?

Updated

Yes. Bridgeport United Church of Christ (Bridgeport UCC) in Portland, Oregon, describes itself as "an LGBTQ affirming, authentic community" and states that it is "intentionally inclusive of those who are LGBTQAI+." The congregation identifies as Open & Affirming, Anti-Racist, Just Peace, and Immigrant Welcoming, and its published welcome language explicitly extends to transgender, nonbinary, gender fluid, genderqueer, and masculine-of-center people.

What the church says about LGBTQ+ inclusion

The congregation's own statements on its website make the position explicit rather than implied:

  • Affirming identity as created in God's image: "We believe that we are all created in God's image, so we celebrate who you are, wherever you are on life's journey."
  • Intentional inclusion: Bridgeport UCC says it is "intentionally inclusive of those who are LGBTQAI+."
  • Openness to questions: Visitors are encouraged to "come with your questions, your doubts, and your curiosities" — the welcome is not conditioned on arriving with settled beliefs.
  • Open & Affirming designation: This is a formal designation within the United Church of Christ for congregations that publicly welcome LGBTQ+ people.

Support for transgender and gender-diverse people

The site goes beyond a general LGBTQ+ welcome with specific statements about transgender and gender-diverse members:

  • A banner message reads, "We celebrate the 'T' in LGBT!"
  • The church states: "Bridgeport United Church of Christ stands with our transgender, nonbinary, masculine of center, gender fluid and gender queer siblings. You are a divine gift."
  • The congregation also states it stands against racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, Islamophobia, and anti-Semitism.

Visible signs of an affirming community

Affirmation shows up in the church's public events, not only in written statements. Bridgeport UCC advertises a Drag Brunch — described as the 4th annual — with tickets available through the site, and notes that Rev. T. returns for World Communion Sunday. These are public, named events rather than internal-only gestures.

Practical details for a first visit

If you are considering attending, here is what the site specifies:

Item Detail
Worship time 10:30 AM PST each week
Format In person and on Zoom (Zoom link posted on the site)
Mask policy Masks no longer required at all times; masks provided for those who wish to wear them
Child care On-site childcare provider and a nursery available during service
Other services Monthly Candlelight Prayer services (Taizé-style); next listed date Friday, Oct 30, with rehearsal at 6 PM and service at 7 PM
Contact for Candlelight Prayer [email protected]

The Candlelight Prayer services are explicitly open beyond the congregation: "This is not just for the Bridgeport UCC community. All people are welcome."

How to decide whether this fits what you're looking for

  • If an explicit, public LGBTQ+ affirmation matters to you, Bridgeport UCC states this directly and repeatedly, including specific support for transgender and nonbinary people — you do not have to infer it.
  • If you want to test the community before committing, the Zoom worship option and the open Candlelight Prayer services let you participate without an in-person first step.
  • If you have children, the site confirms on-site childcare and a nursery during worship.
  • If you want more detail than the website provides, the site lists a contact address for the Candlelight Prayer services; for other questions, the congregation invites you to attend and "find out more."

The clearest verification path is to attend a 10:30 AM PST service in person or via the posted Zoom link, or to join one of the monthly Candlelight Prayer services, which the church describes as open to all people.