Posts Tagged ‘LGBT-Affirming Religious Voices’
He Didn’t Know The Kind Of Baptists He Called
Yesterday, I received a message from someone at the Massachusetts Family Institute asking for my church’s help in repealing the new transgender public accommodations law that Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker signed earlier this summer. This law protects transgender people from discrimination in public places, including restrooms. The call followed two days after a letter. The…
Read MoreCatholic Ministry Supports Gay Priest Removed From Ministry
Statement of Francis DeBernardo, Executive Director, New Ways Ministry MOUNT RAINIER, Maryland—By all accounts, Fr. Warren Hall has been a caring, compassionate, and faithful Catholic priest. But there’s one more important adjective to describe him: courageous. He has courageously stood by the LGBT community, taking personal risks to let them know that God loves them…
Read MoreQueering The Song Of Songs: Painting The Shulamite
Return, return, the Shulamite. Return, return, and let us gaze on you. How will you gaze on Shulamite in the dance of the two camps? How beautiful are your sandaled feet, O prince’s daughter. The curves of your (quivering) thighs are like jewels crafted by artist hands. Your vulva a rounded bowl; may it never…
Read MoreBreaking The Curse Narrative
Recently, two people–one queer and neurotypical, and one straight and mentally ill–confided similarly troubling worries to me. The first told me his mother had disowned him because he is gay, and, as he said, “to her that meant rejection of, and rejection by, God.” The second said her extended family was no longer talking to…
Read MoreThe Reformation Project Hosts Atlanta Event To “Elevate The Dialogue”
Too often, conversations about LGBT people in the church descend into bitter debates that divide rather than build up. Consequently, many Christians are wary of engaging the conversation, for fear of being seen as hateful or intolerant if they oppose same-sex relationships, or of having their faith in Jesus and the Bible called into question…
Read MoreWhen Good Intentions Aren’t Enough: Microaggressions In Our Churches
“We’re worried that our children’s program won’t grow. Parents won’t bring their child to a church with lesbian pastors and so many gay people,” a deacon stated woefully. “Isn’t she pretty?” he said as he pinched my cheeks and introduced me to a prestigious male academic, “you’d never know she’s smart.” “It’s fine that you’re…
Read MoreHappy Give Out Day!
Today is Give OUT Day! And today: we celebrate YOU! Each time you unapologetically claim your truth as an LGBTQI Christian or ally—you are liberating Christianity from the sins of transphobia, biphobia, and homophobia. Will you help us continue to spread this good news of God’s expansive love for all by donating to Believe Out…
Read MoreFaith Leaders Launch Bilingual, LGBTQI-Affirming Trauma Support Network
Launching in response to the devastating killings in Orlando, the “Will Listen With Love” Project is a national support network comprised of pastors, therapists, spiritual directors and community support providers who have volunteered their time to offer safe and affirming space for grieving members of the LGBTQIA community and their allies to be heard. Unlike…
Read MoreWith Integrity: Remembering LGBTQ People of Color This Sunday & Beyond
In the last few days, we’ve been trying (and failing) to adequately process the attack of Pulse Nightclub. 49 beautiful people were stolen from us, and more than 50 were wounded and still recovering. This moment reminds most of us who have known this intimately that to be queer, to be Brown and Black, to…
Read MoreUnited Methodist Church’s Inhospitality Toward Its LGBTQ Members
The United Methodist Church is in the need of prayer. And, one that emphasizes full inclusion of all its parishioners. Just before General Conference last month in Portland, the struggle to move the denomination’s moral compass against its anti-LGBTQ policies was courageously demonstrated when over 100 United Methodist Church (UMC) ministers and faith leaders came…
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