The project began in 2011 at a meeting in Tucson, where the national Coordinating Team of the Church Within A Church Movement (CWACM) brainstormed for ways to share the message that God is Love, not hate. 

After launching at the Church Within A Church Movement’s 10th anniversary celebration, the video legacy project became a reality during Pride Month 2013.

“My God is not a Bully!” is a collaboration between the CWAC Movement and Chicago’s E3 Radio founder Anna DeShawn and her team. During the month of June, the project released a video each day to encourage and uplift people’s spirits.

CWAC Movement executive director cathy knight describes the development of the project: “What began as an urgent need to offer words of hope is now a full-bodied message of love. CWACM wants LGBTQ youth to know there is another side to the story. A wonderfully diverse cross-section of people from around the country jumped at the chance to tell the story that God loves them and however you define Spirit, in all traditions, God is Love, not a bully.” 

Bullying not only happens on the playground or on social media; it also happens in our pulpits. 

So many in the LGBTQ community have been torn down and bullied in their own churches. This project offers an antidote to this reality by sharing the message that God is Love and we are all Beloved.

Anna reflects: “We embarked upon this project to uplift and encourage young people who are struggling with their sexuality and their faith. I’ve struggled and so have many of my friends. The stories that have been shared are real, and my hope is that the message will touch the hearts of those that watch.”

For each video, LGTBQ participants are asked how they have reconciled their spirituality with their sexuality. In addition, allies describe how they came to know LGBTQ people are a gift of God. 

These thought-provoking and soul-searching questions elicited powerful responses from participants.

To see all the videos, check out the CWACM webpage, or connect to the project on Facebook. To participate in the campaign or book a screening or workshop, contact Anna DeShawn or cathy knight via email.

Graphic via God Is Not A Bully