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The Hell We’ve Been Through
Stories of LGBTQ+ Discrimination in Central Pennsylvania

"Homosexuals do not deserve a Christian church"

Vision of Hope Metropolitan Community Church, a LGBT-friendly church, needed to relocate to a new home in 1993. Vision of Hope purchased a property located at 130 E. Main St in Mountville, Pennsylvania on July 31. Mountville residents attempted “to discourage this group from moving in.” Paul Dansereau, a local, told Lancaster’s Intelligencer Journal that “homosexuals do not deserve a Christian Church.” Borough councilmen attempted to halt the transaction and the “spread” of homosexuality.

Rev. Mary L. Merriman, pastor of Vision of Hope from 1987 to 1995, spoke on the church’s behalf during this difficult period. One day, her friends “arranged for getaway cars” in case she was attacked while reassuring the Mountville residents at a town hall meeting. While she calmed most of the locals, she still received threats. Ruth, Rev. Merriman’s partner at the time, wanted to bring a gun for protection on the first day of church at the Mountville location. Rev. Merriman responded, “You’re not coming in my church bringing a gun, are you absolutely out of your mind? I promise you, I’m not here to martyr. If anybody stands up and points a gun at me, I’ll duck.”


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Newspaper clipping. LGBT Center of Central PA History Project collection at Dickinson College Archives.
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Harrisburg, PA 17110

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info@centralpalgbtcenter.org

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  • Home
  • The Long Road
    • Beginning
    • Philadelphia >
      • Philadelphia Part 2
    • Harrisburg
    • Lancaster
    • York
    • Allentown
    • Montgomery >
      • Montgomery Part 2
    • Work Continues >
      • Acknowledgments
  • With Open Hearts & Open Arms
    • Gay LIfe in Pre-Castro Cuba/Homophobia/What's In a Name? Part 1
    • What's in a Name? Part 1 Continued/UMAP/Mattachine Society
    • Leftist Gays in the US/The Mariel Boatlift
    • The Mariel Boatlift Part 2/Resettlement Camps
    • Resettlement Continued/Press Coverage
    • Immigration/What's In a Name? Part 2
    • LGBTQ+ Organizing
    • The Mariel Generation/Life in PA
    • The Eromin Center/Impact of AIDS
    • AIDS in Cuba/LGBTQ+ Rights in Cuba
    • Acknowledgements
  • Stories of Discrimination
    • Hate Crimes >
      • Anita Bryant
      • Escalating Violence
      • Appalachian Trail
      • Bookstore Bombings
    • Employment Discrimination >
      • Blacklisted
      • "Moral Turpitude"
      • Elected
      • Traumatized and penalized
    • Transgender Discrimination
    • Housing and Property Discrimination >
      • Vision of Hope MCC
    • Conclusion
  • We Believe?
    • Early Expereriences >
      • Praying the Gay Away
    • Coming Out
    • LGBTQ+ Groups >
      • Religious Life
      • Social Life
      • Political Life
    • Faith and Identity
    • LGBTQ+ Clergy
    • Responses: Backlash >
      • Responses: Acceptance
    • Looking Forward
  • Duty, Honor, Pride
    • Vietnam War Era >
      • Investigations
    • Post-Vietnam Experiences
    • Closing >
      • Citations
  • Other Resources
  • History of LGBTQ+ Bars in Central PA
    • Bars of the 1950's & 1960's
    • Bars of the 1970's
    • Bars of the 1980's
    • Bars of the 1990's & 2000's
    • Harrisburg, PA
    • Lancaster, PA
    • York, PA
    • Bar Spotlights >
      • 400 N. 2nd Street, Harrisburg: Pre-Raids
      • Johnny Kobler's
      • Harrisburg LGBTQ+ Friendly Bars of the 1960s
      • The Neptune Lounge
      • The Strawberry Inn
      • Harrisburg LGBTQ+ Bars of the 1970’s
      • Silhouette/D-Gem
      • Shadows
      • The Archives
      • Harrisburg LGBTQ+ Bars of the 1980’s
      • Harrisburg LGBTQ+ Bars of the 1990/2000’s
      • Village Tavern Night Club
      • Tally-Ho Tavern/ The Loft
      • Railroad House Bar
      • The Fiddler
      • Sundown Lounge
      • Altland’s Ranch
      • Town Tavern
      • 14 Karat Room