US church cancels woman’s funeral after discovering she was gay
By Will Stroude
Protests have been held after a Colorado church cancelled a woman’s funeral after discovering she was gay.
The funeral of lesbian wife and mother Vanessa Collier was cancelled 15 minutes after it was scheduled to begin after the Pastor of New Hope Ministries church refused to allow an “alternative lifestyle video” of the 33-year-old’s life to be shown, the Denver Post reports.
Those mourning her death say they were kicked out of the church, and despite taking money for the service, Pastor Ray Chavez is yet to pay it back.
“Vanessa was disrespected at what was to be a time to celebrate her life,” said her friends and family in a Facebook post.
“Pastor Ray Chavez and New Hope Ministries Cancelled the funeral of our friend 15 minutes after it was to have begin. He refused to allow her alternative life style video of her life be shown and kicked us out of the church. Her casket was open, flowers laid out and hundreds of people sitting in the pews. He collected money for the funeral and has yet to return it.
“We ask all that stand with the GLBT community and those against bigotry to join us tomorrow [January 14] as we hold a press conference to discuss the disgusting actions of this church.”
Vanessa, who was married and the mother of two young daughter aged 7 and 11, passed away at home on December 30. Her supporters have since held protests outside the church, chanting “Give us an apology!” and holding placards with slogans reading “Indignity in death.”
A friend told the Denver Post the incident was “humiliating” and “devastating” for her loved ones.
“A church turning away a funeral. Who has ever heard of anything like that happening?” added another.
A spokesperson for New Hope Ministries has declined to comment on the incident.
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