Why you might notice more religious groups at Pride celebrations this year

A national initiative called Faith for Pride wants religious groups and houses of worship that support LGBTQ rights to show up at Pride events this month. (Jason DeRose)

At the Pride Fest in Santa Monica, Calif., six houses of worship — five churches and a synagogue — had booths lined up all in a row.

The Episcopalians offered table bowling. The Lutherans offered temporary rainbow tattoos. A nondenominational church let anyone feeling lucky spin a wheel for prizes — ranging from coffee mugs featuring the Lamb of God holding a rainbow flag to a T-shirt emblazoned with Jesus wearing a rainbow crown of thorns.