A standing ovation was given to Leslie Alexis on Sunday by the congregation of the Metropolitan Community Church in San Diego (MCC) as the soloist and drummer was given a certificate of appreciation before her move to Chicago.
People stood and clapped but were also sad after Senior Pastor Dan Koeshall announced Leslie and her wife Linda were moving to North Chicago. Leslie has been involved with MCC for eight years.
“It was all from the heart,” said Alexis in an interview with LGBT Weekly about her musical ministry. “It’s not a job for me to be there. God gives me a lot of gifts. I’m glad God uses me from every angle. It’s amazing.”
“It has been an honor to be in service playing the drums and singing for Jesus. I love my church and the congregants dearly,” she said.
She easily hit a lot of high notes in many solos in church, and many might be surprised to know she wore a beeper in case she got summoned for emergency surgical work at a hospital where she worked as a certified surgical technician.
Alexis is transferring to a Chicago hospital to continue assisting physicians during heart surgeries. She has worked the last 29 years in surgeries and has specialized in open heart surgeries for 19 years.
She has assisted doctors in surgeries for gunshot victims and patients who have suffered heart attacks. She has also prayed with patients before their surgeries.
“I sing my patients to sleep,” said Alexis, who said they were less anxious about the pending surgeries.
She used her voice with the MCC contingent in the LGBT Pride Parade each year. MCC spokesman Lee Bowman said “she really was our cheerleader” during the march and said her talents were amazing and gifted.
The certificate of appreciation described her as “an enthusiastic ambassador in Pride to the LGBTQ and greater San Diego community.” It also notes her participation in the Higher Ground hiking ministry.
“I’ve appreciated her passion and her amazing and powerful voice,” said MCC member Sherrie Kolb. “I love seeing her winning smile and I will miss her presence in our church. I wish her and her wife the greatest joy on their new journey.”
Alexis was living in New Orleans in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina devastated the city. The hospital where she worked was destroyed and she lost almost all of her personal possessions at her flooded home.
Alexis decided to move to San Diego and got a job at a local hospital. She also checked on MCC before she moved.
“I started seeking a church. Lee Bowman answered the phone,” said Alexis. “Everybody there gave me a lot of love from the first day I walked in.”
She joined what is known as the Celebration Band when MCC met at The LGBT Center and continued on after MCC purchased a church building on Denver Street in Clairemont in 2009.
About five years ago, Leslie met Linda on a blind date at Gossip Girl in Hillcrest, and she described it as “love at first sight.” They got married in February 2014.
Leslie and Linda start their move Oct. 29. “It’s very bittersweet. I will enjoy my new endeavors. I’m happy, but I’m sad for the miles between us and my family at MCC,” she said.
You might also see Leslie on a future episode of The Voice, a reality singing competition show on NBC. Alexis auditioned for the show in 2014 and they called her back to do a second audition.
Alexis said she had to assist in an emergency surgery and missed the second audition, but she was pleased to learn that she can audition for The Voice in Chicago.
“I’m going to give it another go,” she said.
