Where Would Jesus Go To The Bathroom?

The nativity scene with jesus on a donkey.

Rev. Dr. Justin Tanis is an ordained Christian minister in the Metropolitan Community Church. He is also transgender, and he is the author of a book titled Transgendered: Theology, Ministry, and Communities of Faith. In it Rev. Tanis writes: “We tend to create God in our own image. If we ourselves are uncomfortable with gender variation,…

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Re-examining Our Dusty Lenses

A vintage camera sits on a wooden table.

Two weeks ago, a young girl was assaulted by a Student Resource Officer at Spring Valley High School in South Carolina. The internet was ablaze with commentary once the video of the incident went public. Outrage and grief overflowed from Facebook statuses and tweets. Particularly for African Americans, and especially for African American women, the…

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Where My Loyalty Lies

A wooden shelf with books and pencils on it.

I hate to drive. But I spent about four days this past weekend in my car, on the road for Reconciling Ministries Network. I did something I hate because I love my church–the one where God’s people taught me the language of faith, and the power of the Gospel to set people free. It was…

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People Of Faith Support HERO In Houston!

A group of people posing for a photo holding signs.

The Houston Equal Rights Ordinance, lovingly known as HERO, is a ballot proposition being voted on this Tuesday. People of faith across Houston have joined the campaign to make HERO law and protect 15 classes of people currently without vital non discrimination protections in the city. Stories of some of those advocates of justice and…

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Pope Francis’s Warm And Welcoming Mixed Messages

Pope john paul ii's visit to vatican.

Pope Francis continues to send seismic shock waves across the globe, and the rapturous reception he received from his historic six-day US visit gave us a glimpse as to why. The pontiff, like Jesus, walked among the masses, kissing babies, visiting prisoners and the homeless, speaking out on climate change, poverty, immigrations, church sex abuse,…

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10 Things Pope Francis Should Know About LGBTQ People

A painting of a man riding a llama on a blue wall.

In honor of Pope Francis’ first visit to the United States, we asked our Believe Out Loud community what they want Pope Francis to know about the LGBTQ community. Check out their answers below, then help us urge Pope Francis to include LGBTQ people and families in the Catholic Church! 10. LGBTQ people are made in…

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Read This Gay Catholic’s Letter To Pope Francis

A man is holding up a letter to the pope.

In response to the silencing of LGBTQ people during the World Meeting on Families, it is critical that we share our own stories to tell Pope Francis that LGBTQ families enrich our lives and the Church. Join me in writing letters of faith and family to Pope Francis during his historic visit to the United…

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Pope Francis Is Coming: Help Us Break The Silence

A woman and her two children are posing in front of a cross.

Help us Tell Pope Francis: Our LGBTQ Families Matter As the United States prepares to welcome Pope Francis next week for his historic visit for the World Meeting of Families—the excitement within the Catholic and non-Catholic communities is palpable. Since becoming elected just two years ago, Pope Francis has offered hope to many. Pope Francis…

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How I Found The Courage To Be Myself

A man and a little girl sitting on the floor.

I think one of the hardest, trickiest, most admirable things to do in this world is to be yourself. I grew up in central Indiana in a town called Anderson. Anderson was a small-ish town just outside of Indianapolis. I’d like to say we were suburb-of-Indy status, but we weren’t. From a very early age I…

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