Carrol Grady, Advocate for LGBTQ Adventists and Families, Has Died
31 March 2023|
Life Sketch Provided by Kinship International:
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Carrol Grady on March 24, 2023. Carrol was a remarkable person who dedicated her life to advocating for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community within the Adventist church. Her journey to becoming an ally began when her son came out, and she realized the struggles and discrimination that he and others in the LGBTQ+ community face on a daily basis.
In 1995, Carrol Grady authored My Son, Beloved Stranger, a book that chronicled her personal journey and struggles as a parent of an LGBTQ+ child, and how she came to understand and support her son’s sexual orientation. Her courage in sharing her story helped to break down the stigma and discrimination surrounding homosexuality, especially within the Adventist community.
Carrol Grady also founded a support group for Adventist parents and families of LGBTQ+ individuals, which provided a safe and welcoming space for people to share their experiences, seek advice, and offer support to each other. The group’s monthly newsletter discussed issues related to science, gay rights, same-sex marriage, and what the Bible says about homosexuality, among other topics.
Her work as an ally and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community has had a significant impact on the Adventist community and beyond. She demonstrated that love, acceptance, and understanding can break down the barriers of discrimination and lead to a more inclusive society.
“She loved talking to parents and encouraging them to simply ‘love their child,’ said Floyd Poenitz, Kinship president. “They didn’t have to have all the answers to their questions. For her, the journey started with love and respect. She loved her boys so much and Paul was endeared to her because of the journey she went on to understand him. She was quite an introvert, but her eyes lit up when someone engaged her about their LGBTQ children.”
Carrol Grady’s legacy lives on through her books and the support group she founded, which continue to provide comfort, support, and advocacy to parents and families of LGBTQ+ individuals within the Adventist community and beyond. She will be remembered as a courageous and compassionate individual who made a difference in the lives of many.
The memorial service for Carrol will be at the Bellevue Seventh-day Adventist Church on May 6, 2023, at 4pm. Address: 15 – 140th Avenue NE, Bellevue, Washington 98005.
Kinship’s tribute video to Carrol can be found on their YouTube page here.
