Bart Baker, left, and his partner Joe Elvis hold hands as they stand at the altar and listen to Pastor Jerrell Walls during their union ceremony at Christ Chapel, a predominantly gay Christian church in North Hollywood, Calif. Their union is valid spiritually but not legally.
Bart and Joe’s certificate of Holy Union, recognizing their spiritual marriage.
Partners Joe Elvis Alway and Bart Baker hold their adopted sons Emmanuel and Isaiah during their Christening at Christ Chapel in North Hollywood, Calif.
Joe Alway and his son Manny at the location of the theater where Joe holds church services.
Pastor Joe Alway rehearses on stage for Sunday services.
Pastor Joe Alway has communion during Sunday services, which are held in a theater and include a disco ball.
Kathy Payton smiles during her baptism at Christ Chapel, a predominantly gay Christian Church in North Hollywood, Calif. According to the church’s pastor Jerrell Walls, at right, “The immersion in water comes from the Greek word for baptism meaning to immerse and it signifies being buried with Christ and raised to new life in Christ. The white robes are a symbol of purity. Baptism symbolizes a new life in Christ. Old things have passed away and all things have become new."
Harry Bartron, 87, a gay Catholic, makes the sign of the cross after receiving his ashes on Ash Wednesday at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Hollywood, Calif. The priest marks a cross on parishioners' foreheads as a symbol of repentance. Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent, a period of spiritual discipline, fasting and moderation.
Harry Bartron reads in his apartment, wearing his monk-like robe.
Harry Bartron holds a handmade rosary he made out of rope.
Harry Barton at the altar he has set up in his apartment. He is a secular Franciscan and prays numerous times a day.
Shoshie wearing her Kippa during her naming ceremony.
Rabbi Karen Bender and her wife Rachel Bernstein at the naming ceremony of their daughter Shoshie.
Rabbi Karen Bender, a lesbian, talks to colleagues at Temple Judea.
Members of the Unity Fellowship Church choir pray in their dressing room before their church service begins. UFC is a predominantly gay African- American Church in Los Angeles.
Rev. James Mills Sr. of the Greater Hope Fellowship in Philadelphia prays during the Liberating Pentacostalism celebration at Unity Fellowship Church in Los Angeles. Gay pentecostals from around the country gathered at UFC to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Pentacostalism on their own as they were not invited to the mainstream celebration with other Pentecostals.
Congregants tithe by putting money on the bible at the Liberating Pentecostalism celebration at Unity Fellowship Church in Los Angeles. They also collect money in baskets.
Rev. Linda McQuowen lays on the floor having a spiritual experience during the Liberating Pentecostalism celebration at Unity Fellowship Church in Los Angeles.
Rev. Troy Perry, founder of the Metropolitan Community Church, (left) and Bishop lay their hands on Rev. Yvette Flunder as she has a religious experience on stage at the Liberating Pentecostalism celebration. All three are well known clergy in gay churches.
James Moore (center) is "filled with the holy spirit" as he celebrates with Pastor Phil Gray (left) of City of Refuge and another congregant who is wiping tears from her face. When someone has a religious experience others stand with them and put their hands on them, steady them or clear the area of chairs if necessary.
James Moore (left) and Rev. Phil Gay hold each other during a spiritual experience at the Liberating Pentcostalism celebration.
A lesbian couple kisses in front of Ruben Israel, a protester against homosexuality at the Gay Pride parade in West Hollywood, Calif.