Posts by Believe Out Loud
Integrity Announces Executive Director: Vivian Taylor
Integrity USA is pleased to announce its new Executive Director, Sarah Vivian Gathright Taylor. Taylor will be the first openly transgender woman to lead a major mainline protestant denominational organization in the US. “I am thrilled to have this opportunity to serve both Integrity USA and the wider Church. Working together in the love of Jesus…
Read MoreUsing The Alphabet & Numbers God Gave Us
In the church, we often talk about how everyone has a certain set of gifts and talents. One person has the gift of coming up with quick solutions to immediate problems, while another person has the gift of processing information slowly over time and producing long-term solutions for deeper problems. Both are essential. One person…
Read MoreHow To Win Your Gay Kids For Christ
I have my father’s hands. I feel a connection and affection for my dad every time I look at my fingers, the shape of my knuckles and nail beds. I feel much of who I am today is because of ways he guided and taught me. He is a good man and I could not…
Read MoreEffects Of Abusive Theology: Depression In The Same Gender Loving Community
Over the past couple of months, several young, same gender loving, successful, driven, caring and religious men have begun sharing with me their mental health statuses. In this process I have come to understand that same gender loving men (i.e. Black gay men) are dealing with an epidemic that our religious communities, as well as…
Read MoreLGBT Catholics Welcome Pope’s Change in Tone
During an onboard interview on his flight back to Rome following World Youth Day, Pope Francis issued unexpected comments on his view of gay priests, and, many believe, gay people more broadly. He remarked: “If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?” Pope Francis’ comments on…
Read MoreDo You Want LGBTQ Youth In The Church?
Last week, I went as an adult advisor to the sweltering Purdue University campus for Presbyterian Youth Triennium—a denominational conference for 5,000+ senior high students that comes with much anticipation every three years. Even with the travel and the lack of A/C in our dorm, the experience was a true gift, as I’ve come to…
Read MoreIntroducing A Baptist Resource On Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
There are many reasons I remain Baptist, despite having to always explain myself to those who fail to see the fit between my identifications as a queer person and a Baptist minister. “Well, I’m probably not the kind of Baptist you imagine,” I say. Then I get to explain to folks the kind of Baptist…
Read MoreI Am Gay Jesus: A Movement Empowered By Love
The play Corpus Christi is Terrence McNally’s visionary depiction of the Passion Play told through the lens of a young, gay Jesus. When I was cast in the role seven years ago, I was thrilled. As an actor I always love creating site-specific theatre, so the prospect of performing this play in a church was an…
Read MoreMore Light Presbyterians Announces Alex McNeill As New Executive Director
More Light Presbyterians (MLP) today announced the appointment of Alex McNeill as their new executive director. McNeill is an openly transgender man and a nationally known educator and advocate for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) Christians. As executive director, McNeill will help MLP chart a new strategic direction to help empower individuals to…
Read MoreLove: Before It’s Legal
When Alex and Jeremy got engaged in the spring of 2010 and set their wedding date for July 16, 2011, they had no idea their marriage could be legal in New York State on July 24, 2011. By example, Alex and Jeremy demonstrate the importance of living out our vision, our love, and our passion…
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