Naperville LGBT Group to Explore Faith, Sexuality

NAPERVILLE, IL — Being gay and religious can often seem to be mutually exclusive, but a Naperville group is hoping to change that.

Rainbow Circle originally began as a ministry of the First United Methodist Church of Arlington Heights. Since then, it has grown to “represent people of many generations, denominations, religiosities, and experiences,” according to the group’s Facebook page. Its mission is to provide a safe space for LGBTQ people to explore their own faith.

Naperville’s Hope United Church of Christ Pastor Lucas Grobe told the Chicago Tribune he was approached by the group to bring their mission to Naperville. The group began in July and meets at 10 a.m. the second Saturday of the month in the Kiekhofer Hall gathering room at North Central College. The next meeting is at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 10.

"For two hours a month, they get to shed their cloaked life. That's what Rainbow Circle can offer," Grobe told the paper.

Attendees are able to discuss whatever they want, but Grobe told the Tribune he plans to discuss faith until members give him ideas.

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