Posts Tagged ‘Faith and Identity’
For Believers of All Stripes
I was 13 and sitting in the basement of my childhood home in the Amish-laden countryside of Pennsylvania. “Crystal, are you a lesbian?” A Twizzler stuck in my throat. What a pointed thing to ask. In my youth, I didn’t quite grasp the magnitude of the question, especially coming from a gaggle of church-schooled teenage…
Read MoreUnited Methodist Church commissions first non-binary trans person as a Deacon
Chicago – The first openly non-binary trans person was commissioned as a deacon in The United Methodist Church (The UMC) on Sunday, June 4th in the Northern Illinois Annual Conference. Rev. M Barclay, who uses singular they pronouns, is appointed by Bishop Sally Dyck to serve as a deacon at Reconciling Ministries Network (RMN). RMN…
Read MoreLargest-Ever Gathering of Trans Unitarian Universalist Leaders
From April 10-13, the second-ever retreat was held of TRUUsT, Transgender Religious professional Unitarian Universalists Together, in Palm Harbor, Florida. Twenty-seven trans leaders and two allied Unitarian Universalist Association staff gathered together for community, worship, and organizing to support the many varied ministries of trans people within Unitarian Universalism. Attendees were directors of religious education,…
Read MoreRecovering from Conversion Therapy One Bible Story at a Time
When I first came out gay in 1999, many gay Christians and queer scholars were asking, “Who is gay/lesbian in the Bible?” Some pointed to Jonathan and David. Others to Ruth and Naomi. There were rumors of a gay Roman Centurion. I understood why people were on a quest to find gay Bible characters. After…
Read MoreRooted in Faith, Grounded in Love: The MCC Conference for People of African Descent (PAD), Friends & Advocates
The Conference for People of African Descent, Friends, and Advocates is one of the landmark conferences of the Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC). Expressly rooted in the African-American cultural experience, the conference provides a space for people of African descent, friends and advocates to come together for a time of celebration, skill-building, strategizing, leadership development, and…
Read MoreQ&A: Why This Texas Pastor is Standing Against Anti-LGBTQIA Legislation
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…
Read MorePower For & By LGBTQ People Of Faith
When I was a kid my grandmother would rock back and forth on her green metallic rocking chair singing old Spirituals like, “We shall overcome, someday.” I still remember her tears. My grandmother, big and yellow, a proud Christian, guarded our South Dallas porch singing songs like, “I’m a solider in the Army of the…
Read MoreUnited Methodist LGBTQI Clergy Present At Judicial Council Hearings
Clergy and their supporters attend Judicial Council hearings impacting their ministry, observe liturgical acts of witness April 25, 2017— Members of the United Methodist Queer Clergy Caucus (UMQCC) will be present in Newark, NJ, as the Judicial Council of The United Methodist Church (UMC) hears several cases concerning the ordination and ministry of lesbian, gay,…
Read MoreEaster Through The Years: My Trans Resurrection Story
Growing up in an evangelical Christian home, my family was invested in maintaining certain Judeo-Christian holiday traditions. Easter Sunday was no exception; it was a day rooted in chocolate pastels, family dinner, and most notably for me: new accessories. Regardless of my gender assigned at birth, I’ve always loved accessories. I went through a time…
Read MoreWaiting For Good News
Holy Week always brings about a mix of emotions for me. Over the course of a few short days, Christians go from shouting hosanna to eating with friends to remembering the state sanctioned murder of our Savior to seeing that death and hatred defeated in the resurrection. It’s a roller coaster for sure, one that…
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