Maryland OUTloud

As we celebrate Black History Month, we remember those that have been pioneers in the LGBTQ+ community and their allies. One of those remarkable pioneers was preacher, singer and evangelist, Rev. Delores Berry. Delores was born in Baltimore in February 1951 and was called at the age of 19 to ministry. She was ordained as a Christian Methodist Episcopal Minister and pastored in that denomination for around five years.

After coming out at age 24, she transferred her clergy credentials in 1978 to the LGBTQ-affirming, Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches (UFMCC). During her early years in UFMCC, Rev. Berry served as District Coordinator of the Mid-Atlantic District and assistant pastor of MCC Baltimore, Maryland. Berry simultaneously pastored Good Samaritan MCC (Norfolk) and MCC Peninsula (Newport News). During this time, she facilitated the merger of these churches to become New Life MCC, Norfolk, Virginia, and continued as pastor of New Life after the merger. Delores’s last pastorate was with MCC Portland, Oregon.

Berry co-founded the National Coalition of Black Lesbians and Gays in 1978. It was the first national organization serving the black LGBTQ community in the United States. She also helped organize first Gay and Lesbian March on Washington in D.C. in 1979 and the first People of Color Gay and Lesbian White House Conference.

Pictured is Rev. Delores & Judy

In 1984, Delores met her life parter Judy Kaiser and in 1987, the pair formed Rev. Delores Berry Evangelistic Ministries. From 1987 until around 2015, Rev. Delores and Judy traveled worldwide to around 50 churches annually as evangelists in UFMCC spreading the good news of God’s radical love. During her preaching and testimony, Rev. Delores would sing and was known for changing the words to famous Christian songs including Don’t give me that Old Time Religion and You Raise me up (The LGBTQ+) version as well as many others. She recorded 4 CD’s during the time and sold thousands spreading God’s love through song to all those that needed to hear it.

As someone who attended several services and concerts of Rev. Delores, what I experienced was that the spirit was with her and through her. Anyone who came was blessed. Rev. Delores brought the soulful roots of her African-American background crossed with the Pentecostal movement of UFMCC and blended them together like no one else. Judy passed away in 2016 and Rev. Berry passed in 2017. While she may no longer be with us spreading the good news, her legacy lives on. There are many Youtube videos of Rev. Delores’s preaching and singing as well as interviews. Look them up and share. In this time of fear, hate and hopelessness, someone needs to hear them and the message that they bring.

Celebrating Black History Month - Remembering Rev. Delores Berry

Below Are some Youtube Videos of Rev. Berry Singing & Preaching