LONG BEACH >> Kenia Escobar was shocked when she stopped by a church’s booth at this year’s Long Beach Gay and Lesbian Festival and learned it was headed by a lesbian who has been married for several years.

“That makes me feel comfortable because I know that when she talks it’s going to be about things that I have experienced too,” said Escobar, of Los Angeles.

As she spoke, Doug Stewart, a member of Glory Tabernacle Christian Center which meets in Long Beach, put a temporary tattoo on Rodriguez’s arm that read, “God Loves Me,” in a rainbow motif. “Honestly, this is a church that I would like to go to because, as a Catholic, I think we all need the church in our lives. I love God, and this makes me happy to hear there is a church like this.”

The festival is the church’s largest outreach to the LGBT community, said Angelina Rodriguez, a member and volunteer with the church.

“We want to let them know that they can be a part of the church and be gay,” Rodriguez said.

Escobar and her friends were among the thousands who attended the festival on Saturday. About 80,000 are expected to attend the two-day event, which includes today’s parade.

Glory Tabernacle, or The Tab, is not unique.

There are about a dozen churches at the festival eager to share their view of scripture to a group that has traditionally been ostracized by the church and organized religion.

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church has traditionally performed the Communion on the Bluff service before Sunday’s parade and on Friday held its second annual Pride Concert, showcasing the works of LGBT composers and poets.

“Our message is there is a place for you in the Catholic church,” said Steven Nadolny who helps run the Catholic Ministries with Lesbian and Gay Persons at St. Matthew Church in Long Beach. “We reach out not only to those within the gay community but also to families, friends and parents to help them begin to understand and open up a dialog of acceptance and inclusivity.”

Nadolny, a devout and practicing Catholic, understands the dichotomy many members of the LGBT community feel when it comes to trying to find a place within religion, because he is gay and has been married to the same person for years.

“That is something that I didn’t think I would hear from my church,” said Christian De la Cruz, 28, of West Covina. “I grew up Catholic and was always told being gay was a sin. That’s why it was so hard for me to come out.”

Raised in a traditional Catholic, Latino home, he not only had to deal with his family’s religious beliefs about LGBT people but also cultural ones.

He admitted it was very hard and there were two years where he and his father didn’t speak, but with the help of his mother, sisters and older brother, his father eventually came around to at least begin a dialogue with his son.

As the two begin to rebuild their relationship, De la Cruz said he never thought he would be able to reconcile with his faith.

“I believe in God and I think he made me in his image, like he did to everyone, but I thought I would have to leave my church because I’m gay,” the 28-year-old said. “Knowing that there is a place for me in my church really makes me happy, and I think it will make my parents happy too.”

De La Cruz and two friends had finished watching singer Vinita complete her set on the main stage. About a dozen other acts, including headliner Kelly Rowan, were also scheduled to appear.

Dozens of booths offered festivalgoers a variety of goods and services including rainbow flags, hats, shirts, information on HIV testing and even tickets for Cher’s upcoming show. Even the Los Angeles Police Department had a booth manned by officers still wearing a black band over their badges in memory of the four officers lost in the last few weeks. The department was handing out information about joining the force, and theirs was one of the most popular booths, with a steady stream of people stopping to chat and take pictures with the officers.

Plenty of families could be seen during the first part of the festival. Children played in the Family Fun Zone, which had bounce play areas, toys and benches for weary parents.

“It’s important to bring our kids here to see different types of families than the ones they’d see on the street. Families more like theirs,” said Shawdee Ghavini of Long Beach. She and her friend, Michelle Gibbs, brought their daughters to the festival Saturday.

The Communion on the Bluff will take place at 9 a.m. at Temple Avenue and First Street.