“I’m the Gay Pastor of the Gay Church”

Joy MCC is part of the Metropolitan Community Churches across America, congregations that actively promote acceptance and understanding around issues of sexuality, gender, and race, to name a few key initiatives.

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St. Matthew’s Tavern: Inclusive and Supportive

St. Matthew’s Tavern has undergone multiple transformations throughout the history of the building on North Mills Avenue in Orlando. The building has housed a multitude of gay bars in the past, including the Silver Hammer, Cactus Club, and Paradise.

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Pulse: For the Community

Long before the Pulse nightclub tragedy of June 12, 2016, Pulse had a special place in Orlando’s gay community. The club was hugely beloved. Established in 2004 by Barbara Poma and Ron Legler in memory of Barbara’s brother, Pulse came onto the scene later than the other bars.

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Parliament House: New Future for an Old Favorite

In January 2021, a long-standing bastion of Orlando’s gay community was torn down. For more than forty years, Parliament House had provided a safe and welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ people to meet and be themselves at 410 N. Orange Blossom Trail.

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Who Was Hiram Calder?

A revelation after an Orlandoan’s death in 1914 shocked the city. Now, new research reveals much more about one of Central Florida’s enduring enigmas.

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