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You are here: Home / LGBT / LGBT History Month / LGBT History Month – #24 – Real Nun

LGBT History Month – #24 – Real Nun

There are real priests at Pride events in Scotland, and there are real nuns too!

The first of these badges was made for Sister Helena Barrett, an associate priest at St Mary’s Cathedral and a member of the Companions of Our Lady and St Mungo. When she was ordained in the Episcopal Church of the United States of America in 1977, Sister Helena was the first openly lesbian woman to enter the priesthood. She was present at the first Pride March in New York City in 1970, and she has spent much of her life campaigning for the inclusion and dignity of all people in the church.

Writing on the fortieth anniversary of her ordination, Integrity USA said of her: “The Reverend Dr Ellen Barrett is one of the pioneers of our faith. She is one of our icons in the struggle for equality. She is one of our elder statespersons who led the way so that those who followed would have an easier path to take.”

Sister Helena can be seen in this video talking to the Provost about her life as a priest, a nun, and an activist. This was a Forum conversation which took place in the cathedral as part of Mardigla in 2019:

https://vimeo.com/349301555

Filed Under: LGBT History Month

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The Cathedral Church of Saint Mary the Virgin, Glasgow (St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral)
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