I grew up Catholic. That has always been a big part of who I am. Faith was the first language I ever learned. Before I could read, I already knew how to pray. I knew how to kneel and make the sign of the cross.

I loved everything about it. I loved the songs in church. I loved the smell of incense in the air. I loved the soft voice of the priest. These things gave me comfort and peace.

But I am also queer. For a long time, those two parts of me felt like they were fighting each other. The Church often says that being queer is wrong. That message hurt me deeply. I felt alone and confused for many years.

Still, I could not let go of my faith. It was too important to me. I started to ask hard questions. Does God really not love me because I am queer? I did not believe that was true.

I began to read more about queer Catholics. I found communities of people like me. They were queer, and they were also deeply faithful. They helped me see something important. God's love is not small. It does not exclude people.

Many LGBTQ+ people struggle with religion. Some leave their faith behind completely. That is a valid and understandable choice. But for me, staying was also a valid choice. My queerness and my faith both belong to me.

Today, I still go to church. I still pray. I still feel that peace from my childhood. But now I feel it as my full self. I am queer. I am Catholic. And I believe I am beloved by God.

This is not always easy. Some people in the Church still reject LGBTQ+ people. That is painful and it is wrong. But I hold on to a bigger vision of faith. One that has room for everyone. One that is built on love.

My story is not unique. Many queer people of faith share this journey. We deserve to be seen, welcomed, and loved — in our communities and in our churches.