A Celebration of Queer Faith, Love, and Joy
Recorded June 26, 2025
To conclude our 2025 Pride Month Series, FutureChurch welcomed a panel of guests to reflect and share on their experiences of faith, love, and joy as queer Catholics.
About Our Panel
Nick Fagnant, MEd, MATM (he/him) is a queer theologian, Ignatian educator, and public scholar committed to justice, relationality, and belonging in Catholic education. A PhD student in Theology and Education at Boston College’s Clough School of Theology and Ministry, his research integrates Ignatian spirituality, LGBTQ+ perspectives, and critical pedagogy to advance theological education rooted in solidarity and human flourishing. Nick will moderate the panel.
Ariell Watson Simon is a healthcare chaplain living in central Missouri. She entered the Catholic Church in 2011 as an undergraduate student at Loyola University Maryland, and later received a Master of Divinity from Boston College School of Theology and Ministry. Ariell has served as a healthcare chaplain in hospitals and nursing facilities in three states. She regularly contributes to New Ways Ministry’s blog and coordinates FutureChurch’s Sunday evening online liturgy and faith sharing. Ariell enjoys offering spiritual direction, writing, and fostering a theological imagination for an inclusive Church.
Rachelle Simon is the Executive Director of United Way of Pettis County in her hometown of Sedalia, Missouri. She was formed by Catholic Higher education, receiving her Bachelor’s degree from Rockhurst College, master’s in counseling from Villanova University, and Masters of Divinity from Boston College. She has a professional background in counseling, higher education, non-profit work, and Catholic campus ministry. Rachelle is a member of the board of Bethlehem Farm, a Catholic community in West Virginia.
M. Hakes (they/them or ze/zir), is a queer, trans nonbinary person and practicing Catholic. In both their paid and volunteer work, they are active at the intersection of faith and queerness and engaged in justice and liberation work. They also enjoy knitting/crocheting, gardening, and getting outside to enjoy creation.
Andy Buechel-Rieger, PhD, is Associate Professor of Religious Studies in the Liberal Arts department at Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati. His work focusing on the Catholic dogmatic tradition and how LGBTQ experience and thought can bring new insights. He and his husband, Stephen, live with their son, dog, and canary in Ohio.
Ed Buechel has served on the Board of Fortunate Families for over 10 years and is currently its President. He also facilitates Catholics Embracing ALL God’s Children, a support group for LGBTQ+ individuals and allies in Northern Kentucky. Ed and his wife, Kathy, live in Edgewood, KY, and love and are very proud of all of their children, grandchildren, and in-laws.