In my family, religion was always a source of conflict — probably as it is in many families around the world. My grandmother was a devout Catholic, a faithful follower of traditions. My mother, on the other hand, belonged to the generation of women’s liberation and fiercely defended her right to find her own way.
Later, I also drifted away from traditional religions. In most of them, the message was clear: LGBTQ+ people were not welcome. Thus, I became a spiritual believer without a spiritual home.
I was in my teens when I became intrigued by a place I visited with my mom in Caracas, the city where I was born and raised in Venezuela. The place’s name was Unity. People there meditated, spoke calmly, and everyone felt welcome. A memory of peace connected to that community stayed with me.
As the years passed, I did some research about that organization. I found out that Unity is a nondenominational spiritual movement that originated in the late 19th century in Kansas City, MO. It emphasizes the power of positive thinking, prayer, and the belief that the mind can shape reality. It’s Christian in inspiration but metaphysical and inclusive in interpretation.
Some principles among their core beliefs resonated deeply with me: God is absolute good and everywhere present; human beings are inherently divine; and they live the truth through action.
Not long ago, I wondered whether Unity existed here in Pittsburgh. I looked it up — and it did. It’s the Unity Center of Pittsburgh. I went, and from the very first visit, I felt that same atmosphere of peace, belonging, and relief in my spiritual quest.
Since then, I’ve kept attending for almost three years. Now, I’m a member of the board, and I keep asking myself: Why does this spiritual search still call my name? Why is it that within the LGBTQ+ community, many of us feel the need to reconnect with something greater?
That’s a question I brought to licensed therapist Héctor Santos, who helped me understand how spirituality can be a refuge — a source of meaning and healing — even, and perhaps especially, for those of us who once believed it wasn’t meant for us.
“We are body, mind, and spirit,” he says. “We care for the body — we eat well, exercise, go to the gym. We care for the mind — we read, study, and learn. But what about the spirit? It doesn’t seem to fit into those same categories.”
Santos explains that we live guided by our five senses, which makes it hard to grasp the spiritual. “It’s not something we can see or measure, and it doesn’t fit neatly into the boxes society gives us.” Yet cultivating a spiritual life, he adds, fulfills a deep, quiet need — something we can’t always name but can feel. “Music, meditation, and silence can connect us to that something, though we’re often too busy to notice.”
Having supported many LGBTQ+ youth, Santos emphasizes that all people need to belong, to ask for help, and to feel safe. “These needs are often even more pronounced within the LGBTQ+ community, shaped by the challenges of their experience.”
That’s why turning toward that something beyond intellect and reason can be vital. For many, nurturing a spiritual life becomes a source of balance, resilience, and peace.
When I asked Rev. Patty Perhacs why the Unity Center of Pittsburgh — which proudly displays a branded LGBTQ+ flag in its lobby — can be considered a safe and welcoming space, her answer reflected the same spirit of inclusion and compassion that first drew me there.
“Our core beliefs are centered in love and unity with the Divine Consciousness that we call God. We recognize the sacred, the Light, in all of humanity,” says Rev. Perhacs. “It is everyone’s purpose to follow the teachings of Jesus, to love one another, without exception.”
For those who want to dig deeper, Rev. Perhacs invites you to watch her service message, “Have No Doubt,” on YouTube.
She adds, “We celebrate, support, and truly welcome all, regardless of identification, affiliation, or other labels that separate us,” and extends an invitation to our community: “We will be happy to meet you!”
To wrap up, Rev. Perhacs shares another service message, “The Spiritual Law of Non-Judgment,” which is also available on YouTube.
This is my journey — unique, personal. Yours might be different… or perhaps not so different after all. Either way, I invite you to explore what lies ahead for you. The answers may be uncertain, but growth is guaranteed.
