Catholic tradition honours the remarkable men and women who have contributed significantly to its heritage by recognising them as saints. Secular tradition like to remember specific events or causes by setting aside specific dates for their observance. This page is a start at assembling a calendar of notable dates of importance to our queer Christian community.
For lesbian, gay or trans Christians, it is especially important to understand our history in the Church and our contributions, but these have often been hidden, or obscured by uncertainties of definition. There is also, very often, a fine dividing line between religious and purely secular importance. To get around this, I have used some very broad definitions. I use “queer” to denote anything that is clearly not a standard, heterosexual orientation or gender identity. I accept the recognised saints of both the Catholic and orthodox churches, but also some early saints who have never been formally canonized, but received clear recognition by popular acclaim. In the same spirit, I include some modern figures who are receiving widespread popular recognition, but who have not yet been accorded a formal cause for canonization by the Vatican.
I also include some people with specific and clear importance to the LGBT community, without making any claims for their personal holiness. This includes clergy, theologians, and secular figures who were murdered for their queer activism – or just for being queer. I do not however, include anybody still living. There are many notable people who deserve to be recognized as modern heroes, but to include them with the saints would be premature.
I have drawn on the work particularly of Paul Halsall at the LGBT Catholic Handbook (which is no longer being updated), on the continuing work of Kittredge Cherry with her series on LGBT Saints at Jesus in Love, and on my own series at Queer Saints and Martyrs, and a few other on-line sources. Like everything else on these pages, this is a work in progress. In some cases, I have listed names and dates in red italics, without links. These are place holders for people that I have seen suggested elsewhere, that I believe could justify inclusion, but where I still need to do more exploration.
January:
- Jan 5th
- St Appolinaria / Dorotheos, Cross-dressing Saint?(Queer Saints & Martyrs)
- Jan 6th– Epiphany
- Three Queers of the East: Thought for the Epiphany (Queer Saints & Martyrs)
- Epiphany: 3 Kings or 3 Queens? (Jesus in Love Blog)
- Jan 8th
- Domnika , woman deacon (Womenpriests.org)
- Jan 9th
- Brothers by Affection: SS Polyeuctus and Nearchus(Jesus in Love Blog)
- SS Polyeuctus and Nearchus, Roman Soldiers, Lovers and Martyrs (Queer Saints & Martyrs)
- Jan 12th
- St Aelred of Rievaulx, Abbot and Patron of Same Sex Spiritual Love (Queer Saints & Martyrs)
- St Aelred of Rievaulx, Abbot(LGBT Catholic Handbook)
- St Aelred, Gay Saint of Friendship (Jesus in Love Blog)
- St Tatiana , woman deacon (Womenpriests.org)
- Jan 16th
- St Euphrosyne/ Smaragdus, Cross-dressing Saint? (Catholic Encyclopedia)
- Jan 20th
- Not Dead Yet: Saint Sebastian as a Role Model (Queer Saints & Martyrs)
- St Sebastian, Martyr (LGBT Catholic Handbook)
- Jan 22nd
- Saint Walburga, Abbess (Queer Saints & Martyrs)
- Jan 24th
- Jan 26th
- David Kato, a New Ugandan Martyr
- David Kato: Ugandan LGBT activist (Jesus in Love Blog)
Expanded Calendar for January
February

- Feb 1st
- St Brigid (Jesus in Love Blog)
- Feb 12th
- St Mary /Marinos of Alexandria, Cross-dressing Saint? (LGBT Catholic Handbook)
- Feb 13th
- Polyeuct (and Nearchus): Brothers by affection (Jesus in Love Blog)
- Feb 14th
- Same – Sex Lovers in Church History
- Saint Valentine: Marriage equality role model (Jesus in Love Blog)
- Feb 22nd
- Fr Robert Carter, Priest and Gay Activist (Queer Saints & Martyrs)
- Feb 23rd
- St Gorgonia , woman deacon (Womenpriests.org)
- Feb 28th
Expanded Calendar for February
March
- March 7 th
- Friends to the End, Felicity and Perpetua (Jesus in Love Blog)
- SS Perpetua & Felicity, martyrs ( LGBT Catholic Handbook)
- March 10 th
- St Anastasia the Patrician (or of Constantinople) (LGBT Catholic Handbook)
- March 15 th
- Longinus the Centurion – The Gay Centurion? (Queer Saints & Martyrs; LGBT Catholic Handbook)
- March 17th
- March 25th
Expanded Calendar for March
April
- Apr 6th
- St Platonida , woman deacon (Womenpriests.org)
- Apr 11th
- Holocaust Remembrance (Jesus in Love Blog)
- Apr 14th
- St Tryphena, woman deacon (Womenpriests.org)
- Apr 17th
- Juana Ines de la Cruz: Mexican nun who loved a countess (Jesus in Love Blog)
- April 20th
- St Hildegonde of Neuss (nr Cologne) (Queer Saints & Martyrs)
- April 21st
- St Anselm of Canterbury, Gau Bishop, Protector of Gays (Queer Saints & Martyrs)
- St Anselm of Canterbury, Bishop & Doctor (Queer Saints & Martyrs; LGBT Catholic Handbook)
- April 24th
- St George the Dragon Slayer (Queer Saints & Martyrs)
- St George ( LGBT Catholic Handbook)
- April 27th
- Christina Rosetti, Queer Writer of Christian Carols and Lesbian Poetry (Jesus in Love Blog)
Expanded Calendar for April
May

- May 6th
- SS Benedicta, (6 May) and Galla (5 October), Roman nuns – and lovers? (Queer Saints & Martyrs)
- May 8 th
- Julian of Norwich, mystic (Queer Saints & Martyrs)
- Julian of Norwich: Medieval mystic celebrating Mother Jesus ( Jesus in Love blog)
- May 16th
- May 20 th
- Alcuin of Tours (Queer Saints & Martyrs)
- Alcuin of Tours ( LGBT Catholic Handbook)
- May 22th
- Harvey Milk, Secular Gay Saint and Modern Martyr (Queer Saints & Martyrs )
- Harvey Milk Day (Jesus in Love Blog)
- May 30 th
- St Joan of Arc (Queer Saints & Martyrs)
Expanded Calendar for May
June

- June 2nd
- Rev Phebe Ann Coffin Hanaford, First Lesbian Minister? (Queer Saints & Martyrs)
- June 6th
- Uganda Martyrs (Queer Saints & Martyrs )
- June 9 th
- St Pelagia/ Pelagios, Cross-dressing’ Saint. (LGBT Catholic Handbook)
- June 22 nd
- St Paulinus of Nola, Bishop and Homoerotic Poet.b 354 -d 431 (Queer Saints & Martyrs )
- St. Paulinus of Nola, bishop, (and Ausonius) LGBT Catholic Handbook)
- June 22 nd
- St Paul, Apostle to the Gentiles (Queer Saints & Martyrs)
- Jun 28th
- Stonewall, and the Progress to LGBT Inclusion in Church
- Saints of Stonewall (Queer Saints & Martyrs; Jesus in Love Blog)
Expanded Calendar for June
July
- July 1st
- Jemima Wilkinson: Queer Preacher Reborn as “Public Universal Friend”(Jesus in Love Blog)
- July 8th
- Artemisia Gentileschi: Baroque rape survivor paints strong Biblical women (Jesus in Love Blog)
- July 12th
- July 17 th
- St Marina / Marinos of Antioch, Cross-dressing Saint (Queer Saints & Martyrs; LGBT Catholic Handbook)
- July 19th
- St Macrina , woman deacon (Womenpriests.org)
- July 20 th
- St Marina / Marinos of Sicily, Cross-dressing’ Saint (Queer Saints & Martyrs; LGBT Catholic Handbook)
- July 20 th
- St Wilgefortis/ Uncumber A wonderful example of a sainted bearded lady? (Queer Saints & Martyrs)
- Wilgefortis: Bearded woman saint (Jesus in Love Blog)
- July 21 st
- Daniel the Prophet, OT captive and eunuch in Babyl0n c 650 BC (Queer Saints & Martyrs)
- July 21 st
- SS Simeon of Emesa and John, Hermits, Saints and Lovers, united in a same sex union and ‘Bridegrooms of Christ.’2nd century. (Queer Saints and Martyrs);
- Symeon and John: The holy fool and the hermit who loved each other (Jesus in Love Blog)
- SS. Symeon of Emesa and John (LGBT Catholic Handbook)
- July 22nd
- Mary Magdalene (Jesus in Love Blog)
- July 24th
- SS Boris and George (Queer Saints & Martyrs)
- Sts. Boris and George: United in love and death (Jesus in Love Blog)
- July 25th
- St Olympias , woman deacon (Womenpriests.org)
- July 28th
- St Irene , woman deacon (Womenpriests.org)
- July 29th
- Martha and Mary (Queer Saints & Martyrs)
- Martha and Mary: Sisters, or Lesbian Couple? (Jesus in Love Blog)
August
- Aug 3 rd
- St Lydia , woman deacon (Womenpriests.org)
- Aug 5th
- St Nonna , woman deacon (Womenpriests.org)
- Aug 10 th
- Edith Stein, “St Theresa Benedicta of the Cross” (Queer Saints & Martyrs)
- Aug. 11 th
- John Henry Newman and Ambrose St. John: Did the Pope beatify a gay saint? (Jesus in Love Blog)
- Aug 13 th
- St Radegunde , woman deacon (Womenpriests.org)
- Aug 20 th
- St Bernard of Clairvaux and Malachi (Queer Saints & Martyrs)
- Aug 27th
- Aug 28 th
- St Augustine of Hippo, Bishop & Doctor (LGBT Catholic Handbook)
Expanded Calendar for August
September
- Sep 11th
- Mychal Judge, Saint of 9/11 (Queer Saints & Martyrs)
- St Mychal Judge (Jesus in Love Blog)
- Mark Bingham: Gay hero of 9/11 died fighting hijackers (Jesus in Love Blog)
- Sep 17th
- Hildegard of Bingen and Richardis (Jesus in Love Blog)
- Sep 22nd
- Tyler Clementi: Gay martyr driven to suicide by bullies (Jesus in Love Blog)
- Sep 23 rd
- St Theodora / Theodoros of Alexandria, Cross-dressing’ Saint (LGBT Catholic Handbook)
- St Edward II King of England, 1284 -1327 (LGBT Catholic Handbook)
- St Thekla of Iconium, Cross-dressing’ Saint (LGBT Catholic Handbook)
- Sep 28 th
- Wenceslas and Podiven: Good (gay) King Wenceslas (Jesus in Love Blog)
Expanded Calendar for September
October
- Oct 2nd
- St Justina , woman deacon (Womenpriests.org)
- Oct 5th
- SS Benedicta, (6 May) and Galla (5 October), Roman nuns – and lovers? (Queer Saints & Martyrs)
- Oct 7th
- Sergius & Bacchus (Queer Saints & Martyrs)
- SS Sergius and Bacchus, Roman soldiers, lovers & martyrs d circa 297 ( Jesus in Love Blog)
- Oct 9 th
- “Out of the Shadows, Into the Light”: Blessed John Newman and the Soho Masses (Queer Saints & Martyrs)
- Saint John Henry Newman? English Cardinal and theologian 1801 – 90 (Queer Saints & Martyrs)
- Cardinal John Henry Newman (LGBT Catholic Handbook
- St Athanasia/ Athanasios of Antioch, Cross-Dressing Saint? (LGBT Catholic Handbook)
- St Poplia , woman deacon (Womenpriests.org)
- Oct 10th
- Vida Dutton Scudder, American Lesbian Saint for Our Times (Queer Saints & Martyrs)
- Oct 11th
- National Coming Out Day ( Jesus in Love Blog)
- Oct 12th
- Matthew Shephard (Jesus in Love Blog)
- Oct 13th
- Oct 27 th
- Allen Schindler: Gay martyr and naval officer ( Jesus in Love Blog)
- Oct 29 th
- St Anna / Euphemianos of Constantinople, Cross-Dressing Saint (LGBT Catholic Handbook)
- Oct 30 th
Expanded Calendar for October
November
- Nov 1st
- Nov Ist : All (Gay) Saints (Queer Saints & Martyrs)
- All Saints Day: Memorial for All Saints / All Souls (Jesus in Love Blog)
- All Saints (LGBTCatholic Handbook)
- Nov 9th
- St Matrona / Baylas of Perge, Cross-dressing Saint? (Queer Saints & Martyrs)
- Nov 20th
- Transgender Day of Remembrance (Jesus in Love Blog)
- Nov 27th
- Harvey Milk: LGBT rights pioneer assassinated (1978) (Jesus in Love Blog)
- Nov 29th
- St Bernardo de Hoyos, Bridegroom of Christ
- St Bernardo de Hoyos: Mystical Same-Sex Marriage with Christ
Expanded Calendar for November
December
- Dec 8th
- Rev James Stoll, first clergyman to come out voluntarily
- Dec 14th
- St Venantius Fortunatus, Italian Bishop and Homoerotic Poet (Queer Saints & Martyrs)
- St Venantius Fortunatus, c 530 -603 (LGBT Catholic Handbook)
- St John of the Cross, Spanish mystic, Priest and Doctor 1542 -1591 (Queer Saints & Martyrs)
- John of the Cross: Dark night of a gay soul (Jesus in Love Blog)
- Dec 17th
- The Three Young Men in the Burning Fiery Furnace (Queer Saints & Martyrs)
- The Three Young Men, Eunuchs & Companions of Daniel OT, c 650 BC (LGBT Catholic Handbook)
- Dec 20th
- Ruth and Naomi: Love between women in the Bible (Jesus in Love Blog)
- Ruth and Naomi, OT, c 1100BC (Queer Saints & Martyrs)
- Dec 24th
- St Eugenia /Eugenios, Cross-dressing’ Saint?, (Queer Saints & Martyrs)
- St Eugenia /Eugenios of Alexandria, (LGBT Catholic Handbook)
- Dec 24th
- SS Protus and Hyacinth, eunuchs & martyrs. (Queer Saints & Martyrs)
- SS Protus and Hyacinth, eunuchs & martyrs. (LGBT Catholic Handbook)
- Dec 25th
- Christmas: Queer cheer for Christmas (Jesus in Love Blog)
- Dec 27th
- John the Evangelist, the “Beloved Disciple?” (Queer Saints & Martyrs)
- St John, and Jesus’ Gay Wedding at Cana (Queer Saints & Martyrs)
- John the Evangelist and Prochorus (Queer Saints & Martyrs)
- John the Evangelist: The man Jesus loved? (Jesus in Love Blog)
- St John, the Man Jesus Loved, the “Beloved Disciple”. (LGBT Catholic Handbook)
- Dec 29th
- David the Prophet and Jonathan, his Lover (Queer Saints & Martyrs)
- David and Jonathan, Love Between Men (Jesus in Love Blog)
- David the Prophet (LGBT Catholic Handbook)
- Dec 31 st
- St Melania “the Younger” , woman deacon (Womenpriests.org)
Expanded Calendar for December
Moveable Feasts:
- Ash Wednesday
- Lest We Forget: The Ashes of our Martyrs
- Ash Wednesday: Queer martyrs rise from the ashes (Jesus in Love Blog)
- Pentecost: Holy Spirit brings LGBT visions (Jesus in Love Blog)
- Pride prayers and Pride hymns (Jesus in Love Blog)
- Holy Trinity
- Corpus Christi
- Thanksgiving
- Feast of the Holy Family
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