2024 Honoree: Pastor Salvatore Sapienza

Sal is a former Religious Brother in the Catholic Church who worked alongside Fr. Mychal Judge, “The Saint of 9/11.”  Together, they worked to establish St Francis AIDS Ministry, one of the first Catholic AIDS organization in the country.

A spiritual teacher and speaker, Sapienza has led workshops, classes and retreats around the country, including the annual LGBT Spirituality retreat at Unity Village.  He is a graduate of New York University (NYU) and All Faiths Seminary in New York City. Sapienza currently serves as Senior Pastor of the United Church of Rowayton, Connectictut, where he lives with his husband Gregg.  

Community Pride is proud to recognize Pastor Sal for bravery in the face of discrimination and commitment to equality. We also honor many years of leadership at Douglas Congregational United Church of Christ and to the greater West Michigan area.

​2024 Champion
and
​Grand Marshal ​