Uriel
Uriel Denivelle is a Belgian Christ follower who grew up in a small evangelical church. He is gay, teacher, the eighth of twelve siblings and speaker of five languages. Uriel enjoys hiking, Lord of the Rings, and the balance of a good laugh or deep conversation. He is a passionate advocate for standing by your friends and fighting for them. Coming out publicly in his 40s, Uriel is the only Christian in Belgium speaking openly about navigating faith and sexuality—a challenging journey in a country where Protestants make up just 1% of the population. Seeking support, he became an intern at Revoice in 2024.
Uriel is passionate about the Church and hopes to inspire Christians to stop overlooking gay believers who are committed to Jesus, ensuring they receive the support and community they so desperately need.
“My journey regarding the intersection of faith and sexuality began with discovering my same-sex attraction within a very conservative church environment, which brought a deep sense of shame and confusion. For many years, I struggled to reconcile my faith with my identity, often feeling isolated. Embracing a celibate life is a relatively new chapter in this journey, even though I’ve always believed it’s the path God has called me to walk. It’s been a process of learning, surrender, and growth, but I trust that this journey is leading me closer to Him, even in the midst of challenges. I was inspired to share my story when a young man close to me came out and said something that has stayed with me: ‘Uriel, it’s as if we don’t exist in the Church. Being ignored feels even worse than being condemned.’ His words revealed the deep sense of invisibility many LGBTQ+ individuals feel within the Christian community. It’s not just the rejection—it’s the silence, the feeling of being unseen by a place that should offer love and support. Through my writing, I hope to encourage readers to be honest with themselves and deepen their love for Jesus. I want to give them strength to continue their walk with Him and not lose heart. In my contributions to Revoice’s ‘Our Voices’ Blog, I’m passionate about exploring spiritual growth, practical insights for navigating life, and sharing personal experiences with Christ.” — Uriel