Karen Thompson Interview
Date
2020-10-06
Authors
Institute for Diversity & Civic Life
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Abstract
This interview is with Karen Thompson, Pastor of Uprising Austin. Karen was an avid church go-er in Pflugerville and involved in youth work. She came out as lesbian during the process of becoming a minister and was eventually ordained in Metropolitan Community Churches, creating a safe space for the LGBTQ community. Speaking on the pandemic, Karen moved into the church for three months to make sure the food and clothes delivery services to Austin’s unsheltered population were able to continue. Now, Karen is in the process of founding a daycare for deaf infants and children as well as children from low socioeconomic backgrounds.
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Religions Texas, Austin, TX, Christian, Gen X, Pandemic, Pastor, Lesbian, hope, Religious leader, Sanctuary, LGBTQ community, Metropolitan Community Churches, Social distancing, Zoom fatigue, Mental health, Addiction, American Sign Language, Unsheltered population, Clergy, Congregation, Uprising Austin, Central Presbyterian Church