“Each Sunday evening a small group of persons gathers at a Pali Highway sanctuary to worship in Honolulu’s first homosexual church” declared an article in the Honolulu Advertiser on October 14, 1970. “Their religious leader, or deacon, is a man who is “married” to another man.”
The Metropolitan Community Church of Hawai‘i (MCC-Hawai‘i) was founded in 1970 by Ron Hanson as part of the larger MCC movement, an international Christian denomination that was created to minister to homosexuals and their allies. Established by Reverend Troy Perry in Los Angeles in 1968, the MCC denomination grew quickly, drawing people who were excluded from or marginalized by traditional religious institutions due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. Hawai‘i’s MCC was one of the earliest MCC congregations outside the continental United States, reflecting the deep need for LGBTQ-affirming spaces in diverse communities around the world.
In addition to Hanson, key figures in the founding of MCC-Hawai‘i included a small group of local gay activists and people of faith who shared a vision for an inclusive church in the islands. Hanson, who became the church's first leader, was particularly inspired by Perry’s vision and mission and saw the potential of an affirming, faith-based community that could offer both spiritual support and a safe haven to individuals who faced discrimination and isolation in their daily lives. In a time and place where homosexuality was stigmatized, creating a church specifically for gays was a radical act of courage.
The first meetings of MCC-Hawai‘i took place in private homes to shield congregants from possible harassment and negative attention, but soon began to hold services each Sunday night at the Unitarian Church of Honolulu on Pali Highway, which voted “to let the homosexual organization use its facilities.” This small but dedicated group fostered a strong sense of community, offering a place of worship, support, and solidarity for those who came. Hanson’s charisma and unwavering commitment helped the church grow, attracting people from diverse backgrounds who shared a desire for an inclusive, affirming spiritual space. In 1972, MCC-Hawai‘i was formally organized as a recognized congregation, cementing its status as the first LGBT-affirming Christian church in Hawai‘i and a pioneer in the Pacific region.
Throughout its early years, MCC-Hawai‘i helped to spark many community efforts, including the first gay pride parade through Waikiki on June 30, 1974, and, in the 1978 legislative session, advocacy for the inclusion of sexual orientation in the state’s non-discrimination laws, protections which were finally achieved in 1991.
When the HIV/AIDS crisis emerged in the early 1980s, the church became a lifeline for many affected by the epidemic, offering not only spiritual comfort but also practical help in a time when stigma and fear were rampant. Hanson, subsequent pastors Jack Isbell, Larry Uhrig, Paul Peachey, and other MCC members were instrumental in organizing community assistance, raising awareness, and advocating for Hawaiʻi’s growing and increasingly visible LGBTQ community.
Today, Open Arms Metropolitan Community Church in the Puna District of Hawai’i Island continues this legacy, providing a vibrant, inclusive community that champions LGBTQ+ rights, social justice, and interfaith collaboration.
Story assembled by Joe Wilson.
Images Credits:
Banner - Metropolitan Community Church of Hawaiʻi newsletter - March 21, 1971
Image 1 - Honolulu Advertiser - October 14, 1970
Images 2, 3 - Metropolitan Community Church of Hawaiʻi newsletter - March 21, 1971
Image 4 - Honolulu Advertiser - July 1, 1974
Image 5 - Honolulu Star-Bulletin - January 31, 1978