Making ‘When We All Get to Heaven’

The limited series *When We All Get to Heaven* documents the history of the Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) of San Francisco, specifically its role as a sanctuary for queer individuals during the AIDS epidemic. Based on 1,200 rescued archival cassette tapes, the series explores how the church fostered resilience through queer-centered liturgy, gender-inclusive language, and public blessings for diverse relationship configurations. Guest Lynne Gerber, a scholar of religion, emphasizes that the church’s significance lies in its insistence on creating a space for hope and communal joy in the face of widespread loss. By providing a platform for those rejected by mainstream Christianity, the MCC demonstrates the power of imaginative, alternative communities to sustain social movements and provide essential support during periods of intense political and cultural crisis.