S5EP12: Conversation with Kelly Mellen

In this special Pride Month episode, Irene Barton, Executive Director of Cobb Collaborative, is joined by Kelly Mellen—former Cobb Collaborative Communications Director, advocate, mother of two, long-time Cobb County resident, and current team member at Making Things Right (MTR).

 

Founded in 2021 by Brian Nietzel, Making Things Right is a nonprofit working to rethink and transform the Christian response to LGBTQ+ people. Their mission is to create space for honest conversation, patient understanding, and meaningful support for LGBTQ+ individuals—especially within faith communities.

 

Kelly shares more about MTR's outreach efforts, including the MTR Connect Web Series (August–December), featuring conversations with special guests. Learn more at: makingthingsright.org/connect

She also discusses MTR’s “I’m Sorry” Pride Tour, where the team attends one Pride event per month from May through October (culminating at Atlanta Pride).

Other organizations mentioned in this episode that support LGBTQ+ individuals in Christian spaces:

• Q Christian Fellowship (QCF)

• Embracing the Journey

• CenterPeace

• The Reformation Project

• The Christian Closet

  • Affirming Therapy

• Christians for Social Action

  • Oriented to Love

Stay connected with Making Things Right:

• Website: makingthingsright.org

• Newsletter

• Instagram

• YouTube

• Podcast

• See where the MTR team will be this year at local and national events