Utah’s New Queer Church Leader Sees Political Involvement as Natural Fit

The Rev. J Sylvan, a bisexual and nonbinary leader, has been approved as the new senior minister at the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City. The congregation voted overwhelmingly, with 97% supporting Sylvan’s appointment. Sylvan views queerness as central to their ministry and emphasizes the church’s mission to welcome marginalized individuals, including LGBTQ believers. Their approach blends a background in the arts, yoga, and studies at Harvard Divinity School, aiming to create a community that is both “traditional and radical.”

A standing room-only crowd celebrated Sylvan’s approval, with members cheering and high-fiving the new minister. Tim Chambless, a retired University of Utah political science professor and member of the church’s search committee, described the reception as a “victory lap.” Sylvan’s predecessor, the Rev. Tom Goldsmith, led the church for 34 years and was known for his progressive stances on climate change, immigration, LGBTQ rights, and opposition to nuclear testing and the 1999 sale of Main Street land to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Goldsmith, also a Harvard graduate, was a vocal advocate for social justice issues. The new leader, who uses the pronouns “they and them,” plans to continue addressing similar concerns. While Sylvan does not see themselves as an overtly political minister, they acknowledge that others may perceive them that way. This year, the Utah Legislature passed a law restricting gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors, prompting Sylvan to speak from personal experience about the impact of such legislation.

Sylvan’s position at the Unitarian pulpit offers more opportunities to engage in conversations with influential figures. The minister believes that being true to their identity and values will naturally lead to involvement in political and social issues. Growing up in Indiana during the 1980s and ‘90s, Sylvan pursued a degree in religious studies and East Asian studies before moving to Boston, where they wrote poetry and engaged in various creative pursuits. Their journey reflects a commitment to both spiritual and social justice, aligning with the Unitarian Universalist tradition of advocating for the vulnerable.

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