Parent Summit
The Q Christian Parent Summit seeks to encourage, equip, and connect parents of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer children.
Listening & Leaning Toward Love
Missed the Summit? Pre-Recorded Parent Summit Sessions are now available for purchase! $35 for All Sessions or $15 Per Session.
The Parent Summit Series is a virtual, highly accessible space for parents and family of LGBTQ+ children to be encouraged, equipped, and connected. This can be difficult, particularly in the midst of a global pandemic, but our 2020 Virtual Parent Summit Series was our most well-attended Parent Summit yet, and we’ve heard story after story of changed lives and perspectives.
As Christian parents or family members, many of us have experienced some form of crisis around a loved one coming out. Questions, doubts, and concerns fuel our anxiety. Well-meaning family and friends often cause more confusion than comfort. All of this can be overwhelming. This is when we need the support and company of other Christian parents who “get us” and who understand the rocky places we are navigating with our loved ones and our faith convictions, friends who have gone before and walked in our shoes. Parents who are learning how to love their children well and are happy to share the journey with us. This is the Q Christian Parent Summit!
Jessica’s Story
"[My mom] going to to the Parent Summit opened this whole door of open dialogue we hadn't really had before.” Through the Parent Summit, Jessica's mom was introduced to new identities, theology, and friends who could journey with her. This is her story!
Wherever you are in your child’s coming out process:
Are you devastated by your child’s coming out and fearful for their future? Join us. Have you fully embraced your child’s sexual orientation or gender identity and come to a place of reconciliation and peace with it? Somewhere in between? Join us.
Wherever you are on your journey with your family:
Do you see eye to eye with your spouse walking hand in hand in the parenting of your LGBTQ+ child? Join us. Are you experiencing stress and grief because you, your spouse, or any other family members are not at all on the same page? Somewhere in between? Join us.
Wherever you are in your expression of faith and belief:
Does your child’s LGBTQ+ sexuality or gender identity challenge everything you thought you knew about God, the Bible, and the Church? Join us. Has accepting your child’s sexual orientation or gender identity helped you live life more fully as a Christian? Somewhere in between? Join us.
This event is run by parents who have walked this difficult yet beautiful road before you, and they hope to accompany you along this journey. We will respect: Your opinions. Your faith. Your grief. Your anonymity. Your child. Have courage. Have hope. Join us.
Keynote Speakers
Marsha Aizumi
She, Her
Marsha Aizumi is the proud mother of a transgender son. She has shared her story of moving from shame, sadness, and fear to unconditional love and acceptance to over 200 schools, corporations, churches, and organizations in the US and Asia. Marsha is co-founder of PFLAG San Gabriel Valley Asian Pacific Islander (SGV API) chapter. PFLAG focuses on support, education, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ individuals, their families and friends. She also serves on the PFLAG National Board of Directors. She is founder of Okaeri: A Nikkei LGBTQ Community which organizes biennial conferences and monthly programming that draws people from all of the US and Japan. Her book, Two Spirits, One Heart, written with Aiden, is a heartfelt love story about a mother and son finding their way back to each other, then using their visibility and voice to bring greater awareness, support, and hope to the LGBTQ community and their families.
Darren Calhoun
He, Him
Darren Calhoun is a justice advocate, worship leader, and photographer based out of Chicago. He works to bridge connections between people of differing perspectives through story and relationship.
Currently, Darren leads worship at Urban Village Church and serves in multiple capacities with organizations like Christians for Social Action, The Reformation Project, and Q Christian Fellowship. He also sings with a progressive Christian band called The Many. He’s facilitated workshops and lead worship for local and national gatherings and events.
Darren brings with him an intentional focus on communities being inclusive of diverse people and expressions as an authentic reflection of God’s love and justice. Lastly, Darren is an extrovert who loves hugs. Follow him on social media at @heyDarren or through his blog, DarrenCalhoun.com.
Myles Markham
He, Him or They, Them
Myles Markham is a graduate of Columbia Theological Seminary, the Impact Producer at Multitude Films, an LGBTQ women-led independent documentary company and a Mission Specialist for Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the emergency and refugee program of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Previous to these roles, Myles served as a faith organizer, educator, and consultant on LGBTQ inclusion and racial justice in evangelical communities and maintains their passion for building cross-identity coalitions and other solidarity networks.
Parent Panelists
Hannah & Jeremy H.
She, Her & He, Him Respectively
Hannah and Jeremy have been married for 23 years and live in Long Beach, CA. They are the proud parents of three children ages 16, 14 and 10. Hannah and Jeremy found QCF after their oldest child came out 3 years ago as gay and one year ago as non-binary. Jeremy is a philosophy professor at the University of California where he has been teaching for the last 13 years. When he's not reading, writing, or teaching he enjoys cycling and following the Cincinnati Reds. Hannah is a piano teacher and has taught piano in a non profit setting and now from her studio located in their home. Hannah loves knitting and is passionate about the organizing work she does with other parents at their local elementary school to advocate for the needs of students and families in their community. Both Hannah and Jeremy are followers of Jesus and feel called to raising their family in the city and sharing the love of Jesus with their neighbors.
Sharon Ramsey
She, Her
Hi, my name is Sharon Ramsey. First and foremost I am a Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am also a proud mom of three wonderful children: Immanuel Isaiah (35), Ashley Nicole (34), Samuel David (32), and one grandson, Benjamin (11). I have been married for 38 years next month. My husband and I live in Prince George County, Maryland.
I have a Masters of Theology and a Bachelor of Christian Education degree. For the over twenty years, I have been teaching Kindergarten. Prior to that I owned and operated a family day care for 12 years. I was a stay at home mom until my children were school age.
My husband and I are Pastors. We started our ministry when our children was young, so they were raised in a strict Christian background. My passion is singing. My hobby is cooking. I also love spending time with my family. Family is everything to me.
LGB Panelists
Bridget Eileen Rivera
She, Her
Bridget Eileen Rivera writes and speaks on faith, sexuality, and justice. Her website, Meditations of a Traveling Nun, is a leading resource on gay celibacy, attracting thousands of unique visitors every month. She has worked with a number of faith-based organizations, including Revoice, Christians for Social Action, and Preston Sprinkle's Center for Faith, Sexuality, and Gender, where she contributed to the Digital Leaders Forum. Rivera is currently pursuing her PhD in sociology from the City University of New York Graduate Center. You can follow her on social media at @travelingnun.
Juan Pablo Herrera
He, Him
Juan Pablo Herrera is a second-generation immigrant who was born and raised in Chicago. He was the Afterschool Ambassador for Illinois, advocated for students in Washington D.C., and organized around education, gentrification, and immigration in the Logan Square neighborhood. As acting City Director for DOOR Network, Juan Pablo invited young adults to see Chicago through the lens of those who God uses to help those living in the margins. Currently, Juan Pablo is earning a Masters in Public Ministry at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary and is the Church Planting Resident at Urban Village Church. He is the proud parent of a 24 year old daughter and a 21 year old son.
Trans & Gender-Expansive Panelists
Erin K Swenson, Th.M., Ph.D.
She, Her
Born Eric Karl Swenson in 1947, Erin made history in 1996 when she became the first mainstream ordained minister (Presbyterian Church USA) to retain her ordination after changing gender expression. She has practiced Marriage and Family Therapy since 1978, and her change in gender status necessarily became an issue with her full time practice then at the Brookwood Center for Psychotherapy. The event was covered widely by local, national, and international news outlets including Newsweek. She continues her practice in Decatur, Georgia, with a focus on transgender issues. Erin also teaches and lectures internationally on the topic of acceptance of gender expansive experience. Erin maintains mutually supportive relationships with her ex-spouse and their two children and spends her free time training for triathlon.
Reed Lively
He, Him
Reed Lively currently works as a Training Specialist. He has eight years of experience working in various roles in Christian ministry - from Student Ministry to Communications. While Reed no longer works in a faith community, he continues to advocate for LGBTQ+ people in all spaces. Reed currently lives in Phoenix, AZ with his wife and two dogs.