Rev Elder Diane Fisher

If you were to ask Rev. Elder Diane Fisher to describe herself, she would likely say, “I am a lesbian Christian pastor who is an Elder, which is similar to a bishop, with Metropolitan Community Churches and I am a mother of a fabulous daughter, Karli.” Diane is a queer activist, proudly Canadian, who had her daughter with two gay men, and she is legally married to her Jewish partner. She is probably best known within MCC as someone who is passionate about local churches, cares deeply about God, and advocates tirelessly on behalf of young people and the LGBT community. She is known internationally as the “lesbian bishop” and for her justice ministry with LGBT people, especially in Eastern Europe and Africa. Thanks to her tireless work in Europe, MCC became identified as the Human Rights Church.

Rev. Elder Fisher has experience as a counselor, public speaker, advocate, facilitator, volunteer, board member, consultant, pastor, group work developer, administrator, teacher, conflict mediator, executive director, medical professional and a mother. Included in her work toward a Masters of Divinity equivalent, she concentrated on Christian Education, Pastoral Care, Group Work and Development, and Social Justice Ministry. Her passion is working to change systems that encourage or reinforce marginalization of those who have been caught “outside the system.”

Rev. Elder Fisher was the District Coordinator for Eastern Canada and the Northeast District; has served in many denominational roles including: the Ecumenical Liaison for Canada, Chair of the Women’s Secretariat, Vice-Chair of the Board of Ordained Ministries in Eastern Canada, and Student Liaison for Samaritan Education in Canada. Additionally, she has held volunteer positions with numerous organizations in Canada, particularly advocacy groups. She has been published in a number of periodicals ranging from religious journals to gay and lesbian publications.

Rev. Elder Fisher was presented with MCC’s first Human Rights Award in 2010. She currently heads up MCC’s Office of Outreach, which focuses on international ecumenical and inter-religious work, health and wholeness, HIV/AIDS, justice competency for local churches, transgender ministries, disaster relief, and outreach to colleges and universities, as well as maintaining MCC’s global partnerships.