By Rev. Alba Onofrio
The very first time I met Gary in person was almost a decade ago when the Soulforce staff spent the afternoon with the founders of our organization in their home in Long Beach. I marveled at the beauty gathered in their home. Stainless glass windows, family photos, a fountain in the front garden, art, sculptures – truly every square inch was curated with a beauty to behold. Something to remind the mind of the power of Creation’s endless art forms. Everytime I commented on something that caught my eye, the answer was always Gary – Gary found that on such and such trip, Gary made that, Gary imagined, designed, created – he made things beautiful – he transformed spaces into a home – physically and spiritually.
That afternoon he rolled his eyes and smiled as Mel and I got into deep discussion and debate about different biblical interpretations and modern theologians, but he returned a little while later with drinks and snacks. That is how we often passed our time together. Gary did not demand the spotlight, and yet he was a pivotal part of everything, quietly curating a life filled with as much care and beauty as the historic resistance he and Mel are known for – it seems as if, perhaps, his primary resistance was through acts of love, care, and beauty. And in a world determined to exterminate us – body and soul – what a powerful example of disobedience to systems of domination. To live happy, to love freely, and bring beauty to whatever is blessed enough to be touched by you in this precious short time we have on this earth.
I heard many stories over the years of Gary’s hospitality, hosting countless Soulforcers in their home to fellowship and strategize how to stop Spiritual Violence over delicious food and extravagant welcome. I can imagine his table as a model for God’s table – filled with loved, beauty, and steadfast in its commitment to justice and full unwavering inclusion of all God’s children.
If you have been with Soulforce for any amount of time, you will see that beauty is a core value for us. We do not shy away from hard truths and necessary conversations about difficult truths, but we never sacrifice our sense of awe and beauty for intellectual pursuits. Gary taught us that they go together – the hard and the soft, the beauty alongside the anger, the love always accompanying the pain.
For that and so much more, we are grateful. Thank you, Gary, for all you have done to make Soulforce possible. We carry your legacy of resistance and extravagant welcome with us as we continue the fight against religion-based violence and work each day to make this world a more beautiful and livable place for LGBTQIA+ people and all marginalized communities.
Rest in Power ✊🕯️Gary Nixon, December 29, 1950 – August 12, 2024
(Left to right: Gary Nixon, Rev Alba Onofrio, Rev Dr Mel White)
