George Freeman (minister)

George Freeman (born 1938/39) is an American religious leader who is the founder and chaplain of the Universal Life Church Monastery, which is a religious organization known for freely offering ordination to anyone who requests it through the Internet. From 1978 to 1988, Freeman was the minister who ran the Seattle gay church, The Monastery. The Monastery was simultaneously a church, a gay nightclub, an LGBTQ community center, and a homeless shelter for queer youth. Although The Monastery had a base of supporters, it also had strong opposition including Seattle officials, police, and the organization Parents in Arms. In the end, Seattle's government closed the venue and also enacted the Teen Dance Ordinance to ban anything similar. Freeman was a public figure in the media throughout this, with him advocating for civic rights while others denounced him.

As a youth growing up in Spokane, Washington Freeman experienced racial discrimination for being black and homophobia for being bisexual. When he was 26 years old he was convicted of robbery in New York, and served 4 years in prison. After his release, the New York City government commended him for his participation in rehabilitation and career success.

In 1995 Freeman began operating the Monastery as a website in the network of the Universal Life Church. In 2006 the Monastery and the original Universal Life Church split legally and financially. Freeman has led the Universal Life Church Monastery ever since.

Freeman has twice campaigned to join Seattle City Council, but neither time was elected. As minister, political candidate, and in his personal life, Freeman's activist causes include freedom of religion, opposition to racial discrimination and homophobia, and city initiatives to reduce homelessness.