Questions & Possibilities: One Year After Pulse

Small rainbow flags planted across a lawn

Lee en español ~ Read In Spanish A year ago, our communities were shaken. The news of the massacre of 49 individuals at a gay club in Orlando, Florida, took most of us by surprise. This horrendous act desecrated one of the most important sanctuaries of the LGBTQ+ community. It is at the club where…

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I Want Our Christianity Back!

Fingers pinching a tiny cross charm

I want my face back! Those were the first words out of my mouth last week in the dermatologist’s office. Soft. Smooth. Glowing. Clear. To be envied. These are the adjectives people once used to describe my face, not Scaly. Dry. Itchy. Inflamed. Puffy. I want my face back! While I educated the doctor about…

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Q&A: Why This Texas Pastor is Standing Against Anti-LGBTQIA Legislation

Clergy allies taking an outdoor selfie

For the past five months, as Texas legislators have aggressively pushed anti-LGBTQIA legislation, the faith community in Texas has been adamant about standing against such discriminatory legislation. The strength of faith leaders in the conversation is undeniable. Very often, anti-LGBTQIA legislation is proposed in the name of religion, so it is vital that affirming people of faith raise…

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Thank You For Believing With Us!

Four people celebrating with colorful confetti.

Thank you for donating, sharing our Give OUT Day page, and spreading the good news of our important work!! Because of you, we raised over $800 to grow our network of LGBTQIA Christians and allies boldly proclaiming that all people are worthy of God’s love! Most importantly, because of you, Believe Out Loud has grown…

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4 Ways To Be A Better Ally

A person raising their fist in front of a crowd.

The Trump administration has been in power for just over two months. Many people are fearful that the social advantages won in recent times will be rolled back. Recently, the administration took gender identity and sexual orientation off of the 2020 census. The cause for concern for many people in our country and the future…

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Internalized Resilience—Embracing Thrivingness

A cactus with white flowers in the desert.

I am not oppressed, I am not a victim—I thrive, I rise, I am. A few months ago, I participated at an organization’s Board of Directors meeting. It was an intense gathering where we were all challenged to stretch beyond our comfort zones and look at how each of us participates in anti-oppression work and in…

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Protest Altar Sets Up Inside Conservative Christian Conference

A group of people posing in front of a circle of butterflies.

Orlando, FL, February 27, 2017—Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI) direct action group Soulforce is heading to the host hotel of a major conservative Christian communications conference, the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) Proclaim 2017, and neither the hotel nor the event organizers happy about it. The NRB is a global leader in conservative…

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The Steep Path: How Muslim Allies Can Resist Islamophobia

A red rosary sits on top of an open book.

Originally published in December 2015, this post has particular resonance this week following President Donald Trump’s Executive Order to restrict immigration from seven predominantly Muslim countries. This bans stigmatizes and harms immigrants, refugees, and Muslims, and it is an assault on the values we hold dear, including religious freedom and Christian love. “What will explain to…

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Sharing Our Hearts Paves A Way Forward

Crowd marching with flags and signs outdoors.

I arrived at Creating Change, the annual winter gathering of LGBTQ and ally activists organized by The National LGBTQ Taskforce, feeling broken and frightened. I worked hard for Hillary and felt shattered by the election. Every Donald Trump cabinet appointment since then confirmed my fears of coming harm to so many. And now he is…

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