Posts Tagged ‘LGBT-Affirming Religious Voices’
Beyond Marriage: There’s Work Left To Be Done
The recent appearance of pastors and churches declaring their willingness to perform marriages for same-sex couples has led to some of the most amazing imagery of the marriage equality struggle. Imagery the likes of which seemed all too impossible not long ago, especially in the deeply-red states of America. The pictures and stories of courage…
Read More10 Transgender Christians Share Their Journey Stories
Today is the final day of Transgender Awareness Week, which culminated yesterday with vigils around the world for Transgender Day of Remembrance. As an ally to the transgender community, I recommitted myself yesterday to ensure that our conversations about equality always include members of the transgender community. For me, part of this means finding ways…
Read MoreCatholic Bishops In United Kingdom Open Dialogue Before Synod On The Family
The news of a slate of mostly conservative bishops being elected to represent the U.S. Catholic Church at the Synod on the Family in Rome next October was disappointing. Across the Atlantic, news about the synod preparatory plans of the bishops of England and Wales are much more optimistic. According to The Tablet, these British bishops are going…
Read MoreWhat LGBTQ People Need To Hear From Christian Leaders
“Sexual orientation is not a sin. Gender identity is not a sin. We are all created in the image of God.” For me, more than anything else—this statement is what I want to hear from our religious leaders. I want to hear the unambiguous pronouncement that people who are same gender loving, bisexual, transgender, non-gender…
Read MoreGod Is Bigger Than Everything: Reflections On The Reformation Project
Growing up the thing that fascinated me the most about God was his size. My mother would tell me that God is bigger than everything. She would also tell me that God is everything, which I always questioned because wouldn’t that mean God would even be bigger than himself at times? Yet, my mother never…
Read MoreBelieve Out Loud Hosts Level Ground Film Festival In New York City
“A drag queen, a lesbian rocker and a Catholic nun walk into a church…” This might sound like the opening line of a joke, but on November 14, 15 and 16—that’s exactly what’s happening in New York City as Believe Out Loud joins Level Ground Film Festival to bring the Road Show to New York…
Read MoreIn The Wake Of Election Day
This week has been appropriately dreary. Tuesday night ended another election in our country. Today our emotionally jostled citizenry is sifting through the ashes of yard signs, campaign contribution receipts, and “I Voted” stickers. Maybe it’s because of the rise of social media that’s connected me with the unbridled commentary of hundreds of people of…
Read MoreNaked Pastor Publishes Cartoons For The LGBTQ Community
David Hayward (aka the Naked Pastor) recently published a new book: The Art of Coming Out: Cartoons for the LGBTQ Community. As an artist who is often featured on Believe Out Loud, we asked him a few questions about his cartoons and advocacy for LGBTQ equality. 1. Why did you write a book for the…
Read MoreLove Trumps Law
You do well if you really fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (James 2:8) Do you know why Jesus got on the nerves of the Pharisees, Sadducees and other religious people of his day? Do you know why those same religious people tended to repel the “sinners,”…
Read MoreHow One Pastor Moved From Silence To Advocacy For LGBT Equality
“The things which are most important don’t always scream the loudest.” Bob Hawke Religious voices that use holy scripture to demean our neighbors will not continue to be the loudest voices in our city. Chattanooga will know that all persons of faith are not like that. I commit today to make my voice louder. This spring,…
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