Largely Gay Church Plans Appeal to Heterosexuals

The Los Angeles-based Metropolitan Community Churches, the only religious denomination that primarily serves gays and lesbians, had decided to hold evangelistic rallies to appeal to heterosexuals.

The Rev. Troy Perry, the denomination’s founder, said the first rallies will be held late next year in Orange County, Dallas and Ft. Lauderdale. He also said that by 1993 a schedule will be established for six rallies a year.

Perry, a 51-year-old former Pentecostal pastor, said the rallies will be designed to evangelize non-Christians and to “tell heterosexuals they have a place in the Metropolitan Community Church.” About 15% of the 27,000-member denomination is heterosexual, he said.