Queerly Becoming: Celebrating Our Evolving Identities

Colored pencils arranged in a heart shape.

Two years ago, I sat at a trendy coffee shop in Austin, TX meeting with the manager of the It Gets Better Tour: a traveling anti-bullying stage show spun off from the popular LGBTQ video website. The manager had reached out to me a few days earlier and explained that at every stop on their…

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A Crowd Of Witnesses

A group of people in a room.

From the outside, and our need to simplify, especially in the media, key figures seem to be responsible for movements. Sometimes they are suffering scapegoats and sacrificial lambs, sometimes charismatic leaders and compassionate saints. But from my vantage perspective of more than four decades devoted to the LGBT movement, I repeatedly realized that our movement…

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The Life & Times Of The ‘Gayest Catholic Parish’ In The United States

A large group of people standing in a church.

The National Catholic Reporter’s Tom Fox greatly helped the burgeoning movement of gay-friendly Catholic parishes in the U.S. by publishing a five-part series examining the life of one such parish, Most Holy Redeemer (MHR), San Francisco, which he notes is often referred to as “the gayest Catholic parish in the nation.” Fox’s series on this parish should be read by…

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Learning To Live In Biblical Obedience

A rainbow colored string hanging from a tree.

“Ah, how beautiful the feet of those on the mountain who declare the good news of victory, of peace and liberation.” Isaiah 52:7a These words rang true on March 21, 2015 when the Pacific Northwest Reconciling Ministries gathered at Bellevue First United Methodist Church for our annual gathering: Biblical Obedience: Learning, Engaging, Taking Action. We gathered to connect with…

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Gay Jesus On The Cross Brings New Life To Christ’s Story

A man on a cross.

During Holy Week many LGBT Christians and their allies find inspiration in “The Passion of Christ: A Gay Vision,” a controversial series of paintings that are newly available as a book. The images show Jesus as a gay man of today in a modern city. He is persecuted, killed and rises again in the 24…

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It Is Finished

A road with the word finish written on it.

Jesus’ Seven Last Words, sayings offered from the cross, may serve as guidance for the spiritual life. This is sixth in a series on Chris Glaser’s blog, “Progressive Christian Reflections.” Not to demean the abject nature of Jesus’ final words, according to John—but how nice to be able to say, “It is finished.” I have…

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Why I Defend An Institution That Does Not Defend Me

A mosaic sign with black letters.

In case you missed it, a few days ago the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)  changed its definition of marriage to include people of every sexual orientation and gender identity. There has been much celebration, and I rejoice with my Presbyterian siblings. As someone who is particularly sensitive to Reformed theology, days like these make me desperately…

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My Faith Is Bigger Than the Church

The sun is setting over a field with trees in the background.

Throughout my first year of seminary, I often had conversations with a good friend living overseas. While our conversation topics ranged from politics to cultural differences to vacation locations, one of our most popular subjects to discuss was religion. We came from two completely different backgrounds-he is a white straight British male who is no…

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