Posts Tagged ‘Affirming Christian Theology’
“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…
Read MoreAre We Reflecting God’s Love To Each Other?
Maria Medina is 17 years old, and she is a member of Presbyterian Welcome’s youth group. She preached this sermon in both Spanish and English on August 25 at her church in Brooklyn, NY. Sometimes when people go out of church they say, “Boy, I wish so and so had heard that message.” I don’t want you…
Read MoreQueer Voices: The Role Of The Outsider
I am reminded several times a week that both a sizeable and vocal portion of the Christian world considers the coexistence of homosexuality and Christianity within the same person to be at best an interesting conversation piece, and at worst, an aberrant abomination. I think this largely has to do with any number of stereotypes…
Read MoreA Brother’s Pledge: Standing Up For Love
I remember sitting in church and hearing the sermons about what it meant to be a Christian—the commandment to love your neighbor as you love yourself—and thinking that this just didn’t apply to me; I was unworthy. As I came of age I realized that my sexual orientation wasn’t a choice I had made, but…
Read MoreLove Makes A Marriage Holy
I spent last year teaching ethics at a community college in rural East Tennessee. I divided the semester not chronologically, but philosophically. The first half of the class posed the question, “How should I act?” The second half asked, “How should I be?” The division is one between ethics of conduct and ethics of virtue.…
Read MoreOn Chelsea Manning’s Coming Out: A Christian Response
On August 22, Private First Class Manning, the U.S. soldier sentenced to thirty-five years in prison on charges of leaking classified government documents, came out publicaly as a transgender woman. Rev. Allyson Robinson, former executive director of OutServe-SLDN, offers her thoughts below on Chelsea’s announcement. What is your reaction to Chelsea Manning’s coming out as a transgender…
Read MoreWhat Transgender People Teach Us About God, And Our Humanity
“Ultimately, the transgender question is about more than just sex. It’s about what it means to be human.” – Russell D. Moore, On Faith, Aug. 15 There are certainly more egregious quotes from Moore’s recent essay, but to focus on them would miss the larger point—that there is no “transgender question.” The question is about how people…
Read More“Who Am I to Judge?”
Pope Francis asked a stunning question: “Who am I to judge?” This was in response to inquiries about whether or not there are gay priests in the Vatican—the now-renowned “gay lobby.” In a 90-minute interview returning from his travels in Brazil, an affable, relaxed Pope Francis covered a range of topics, but the “who am…
Read MoreFacing Possible Charges, Methodist Minister Reflects On Meeting With Bishop
In May 2013, Rev. Steve Heiss wrote to Bishop Mark Webb, the bishop of the Upper New York Conference, to explain why he officiated the same-sex wedding of his daughter and others. This letter prompted a formal complaint from a clergy colleague. This blog is Rev. Heiss’ reflection on his meeting with Bishop Webb and the minister who filed…
Read MoreA Queer Church In Texas
The Church at Mable Peabody’s is a queer church in Denton, Texas. While we are queer because of our various sexualities, expressions, and identities, we are also often considered queer due to our choice of love in a Texas culture dominated by hatred and vengeance. This is where that queer Jesus comes in. One of…
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