Posts by Believe Out Loud
Disowning A Disowner Is Not the Answer
By now most of you will have seen the news of the grandfather who disowned his daughter because she disowned her own son when he came out as gay to her. This has wildly circled blogs and news sites being heralded as “Today in awesome parenting” and a “beautiful letter.” While I completely understand how this…
Read MoreChristian Campuses On The Frontline Of Gay Debates
Throughout my life, the majority of negative experiences concerning my sexuality have happened within Seventh-day Adventist Christian institutions, both religous and educational. In school, I learned to use books for shields and hobbies for distractions while words like faggot and abomination were thrown in my direction. In elementary schools, children teased me about my sexual orientation…
Read MoreHospitality: Our Christian Mission
As a progressive Christian, I am hesitant to admit how dearly I wanted my college buddy to know Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Clearly it was a desire for intimacy on my part, but I also wanted him to know how dearly loved he was. If he could never be told of my…
Read MoreHappy LGBT History Month!
October is designated as LGBT History Month. Although it feels like LGBT history is being made every day, it’s worth noting that we have only achieved the gains we have today because of the toil and effort of those who came before us. LGBT History Month is an opportunity to look at the people, places, and…
Read MoreBreaking Bread At The Margins
I was at a local diner (the kind where the waitress knows your name and your order before you open your mouth) seated across from a long time advocate for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender and queer (LGBTQ) inclusion in the Presbyterian Church (USA). Time and again throughout his career he had been one of…
Read MoreCandler School Of Theology: Become A Reconciling Seminary
Editor’s Note: This is a follow-up to Reconciling Ministries Network’s letter to Dean Love at the Candler School of Theology. Candler is a United Methodist seminary in Atlanta, GA, that recently decided to honor a vocal advocate against LGBTQ inclusion with a Distinguished Alumni Award. Dean Love has addressed this controversial decision in a letter to the Candler community. When I…
Read MoreHonoring Queer Experiences Of God
When I was first coming to terms with my queerness, I was terrified. I was a student at a college where being gay could get you kicked out. I had no idea how to reconcile my sexuality and gender identity with the things I was being taught in my classes and church. All I really…
Read MoreUnited Methodist Bishop To Officiate Same-Sex Wedding
On October 26, 2013, Bishop Melvin Talbert will be performing a holy wedding ceremony in Birmingham, Alabama, for Bobby Prince and Joe Openshaw, two members of The United Methodist Church (UMC). Talbert is a retired bishop in The UMC. Openshaw and Prince seek to build their lives together and have the church present in that…
Read MoreWashington National Cathedral Stands With LGBT Youth
Find your own welcoming & affirming congregation today. It has been fifteen years since Matthew Shepard’s death this October, and Washington National Cathedral is taking time to observe it. The anniversary helps our nation to remember a watershed moment for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender youth. The anniversary of Matthew Shepard’s death is equally important…
Read More“God Save Us Nelly Queens”
Grace Cathedral was packed, standing room only, for José Sarria’s funeral last Friday. The Episcopal bishop presided at the service, scriptures were read, politicians spoke and friends gave moving tributes to Sarria’s amazing life and accomplishments. But this was no ordinary memorial—drag queens in floor-length black gowns with heads covered in mantillas walked in the…
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