Faith and inclusivity. Two words that some may see as juxtapositions. But for Rev. Juan Del Hierro, those words are inseparable.
“Part of my work has been to just continue to evolve the institutions of faith and the way that people feel about faith,” Del Hierro said. “And the way that LGBTQ people can heal from some of the harm that the institutions have done to them, and recognize that they can have their own faith experience.”
Del Hierro is a minister at Unity on the Bay in Miami. Born in Ecuador, Del Hierro moved to Miami at 7 years old. When he came out to his campus ministry director, Maloney –– whom he had “a big crush on” –– in high school, he said he wasn't sure what that meant for his involvement in the campus ministry.
“[Maloney] said to me that there was a difference between the Catholic institution and the Catholic spirit, and that he hoped I would remain a part of the Catholic community so I could bring more of that spirit into the institution,” Del Hierro said.
This spirit is what Del Hierro strives to bring to the Miami community, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed. He said the community has been overwhelmingly welcoming and that he’s honored to receive this recognition.
“I feel like it speaks to not only what I've been able to do in the community, but also the need for greater representation from the faith community in letting LGBTQ people know that we are worthy, that we are whole and that we are able to be God's love and expression,” Del Hierro said.
