Durham bell ringer connects LGBTQ+ community and church through viral pride song

A Durham woman is connecting the LGBTQ community and the church through music.

Katelyn MacDonald is a volunteer bell ringer at Duke Memorial United Methodist Church who went viral for one song she played on June 1--the first day of Pride Month.

You may have seen the TikTok of Chappell Roan's "Hot To Go" playing over church bells. Someone who heard the ringing posted the video so millions could listen including Chappell Roan herself.

"It felt like an appropriate pick because Chappell Roan is an openly queer artist," MacDonald said. "Seeing [Roan's comment] felt a little surreal. Like this person I just played has seen this video of me playing."

Since then, the bells have become a part of her ministry. She's made more videos with different songs. Every time the audience sings back and some have even joined her at Duke Memorial UMC.

"I've seen so many DMs from people who have dealt with religious trauma or been pushed out of the church because of their identities which personally I really hate to hear, but i know that it happens and as a queer person myself I want people to know there are safe places in church," MacDonald said.

MacDonald came out as transgender in 2021 after finishing divinity school at Duke University.

"My faith plays maybe the most pivotal role in me coming out. I think for trans people specifically, the narratives in just the media broadly are really focused on medical, on physical transitions, on social transitions," MacDonald said. "If I don't view this trans identity as something sinful or bad, and instead this image of God placed within me by a creator who reflects that identity themselves, it becomes a much more beautiful moment."

Now she's playing for others who never heard themselves in the hymns.

"This doesn't feel like a story about me. We're in a church so I feel like this is a story about what God is doing in the world," MacDonald said. "If even one or two or three people see this video and say I am loved, I might be created by God to be this way, I will be thoroughly satisfied."

Chappell Roan's team also gave MacDonald tickets to see the singer's show in Raleigh earlier this month. She said several people recognized her and said hello at the show.

She continues to post videos playing the bells at Duke Memorial UMC.