Joe Nadeau.

In January, the gay music director at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Roeland Park, Kan., was given a choice by the pastor: Stop leading the gay Heartland Men's Chorus, agree to celibacy, and state that homosexuality is a disorder--or leave his job at St. Agnes, which he assumed after moving to Kansas City in 1998 to lead Heartland. Nadeau, who will direct the music for the closing ceremonies at the Gay Games in Chicago this July, refused. He conducted his final Mass on May 21.

What was it like at your last Mass?

I led the adult chorus at the 10 o'clock Mass, the handbell choir at the 12 o'clock Mass, and by the 5 o'clock Mass, the entire room was packed with people, not just from the parish but also members of the Heartland Men's Chorus. For the second Communion we did "God Help the Outcasts," and members of the chorus sang it with me. It was a very powerful moment--the crowd cheered and clapped.

Where will you work now?

I was offered, and accepted, a job at a welcoming Lutheran church. When the news first broke, two other churches offered me a job. That was really nice, to have that kind of support.

Will this experience have an effect on your participation in Chicago?

I'm even more excited now, because to be part of the Games in light of what has happened is affirming. I just hope that it gets people talking. Hopefully, something good will come of it.