Theology Ruined My Father’s Memorial Service

An old photo of a man in a suit and tie.

Last night was my dad’s memorial service. I delayed my coming out because of his illness. I knew that he was already struggling with his own mortality and that trying to reconcile the daughter he was so proud of and loved deeply with the ideas he had about LGBT people would be too much for…

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Thank You For Believing With Us!

Four people celebrating with colorful confetti.

Thank you for donating, sharing our Give OUT Day page, and spreading the good news of our important work!! Because of you, we raised over $800 to grow our network of LGBTQIA Christians and allies boldly proclaiming that all people are worthy of God’s love! Most importantly, because of you, Believe Out Loud has grown…

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How People Of Faith Helped Move Transgender Equality In Massachusetts

A Boy Holding A Transgender Flag With Boards

In December, we saw some significant good news out of Massachusetts: the anti-LGBT organization Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) voluntarily withdrew a lawsuit they filed in October that would have created an unprecedented, extraordinary exemption to Massachusetts’ statewide nondiscrimination law that was updated this past year to include protections for transgender people in public places. The…

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2016’s Top Ten Moments In the LGBTQI Christian Movement

A woman holding a bible in front of a crowd.

DONATE TODAY: Help LGBTQI-Affirming Christians Stand Up to Faith-Based Hate in 2017 Each year, Believe Out Loud compiles a list of the top ten moments in the LGBTQI Christian movement. This year in particular, we have struggled to compile a list that necessarily includes the moments of grief and disappointment we’ve experienced as a community.…

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Unafraid to Follow Stars

A little girl holding a sparkler in front of a body of water.

Tis the season! Those of us in ministry have spent this Advent rallying our minds, hearts, and spirits to find celebratory tones of hope. I fear that much like our march towards resurrection, without wanting to look at the harsh and ugly realities of state and religious violence that took Jesus to the cross, we…

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Might This Be Joy? A Witness To Audacious Love

A candle is lit in front of a sunset.

I struggled to write this reflection. The central focus of Gaudete Sunday, the Third Sunday of Advent, is the joyful anticipation of Christ’s birth, but how to write convincingly about joy when it eludes me as I wrestle as a single, gay Catholic away from home with the pain of loneliness? The long stretches of…

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Queering Advent: Reflections On Courage

Queering advent courage.

“Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 As Christians, we know our hope is in the coming of Christ. We hope for God among us. But we do not often consider whether we are ready. How can we prepare…

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The Courage To Be

A portrait of a man with tattoos and writing on his chest.

Last week I wrote on hope, and the reason I wrote on hope was that I needed a bit of hope. I needed to be reminded that even my body carries the story of hope. And as we near the end of 2016 and stand in the liturgical season of Advent where we wait for…

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The Courage To Turn Tables

A group of people holding up a banner with their fists up.

Perhaps like many of you, I’m reeling and trying to wrap my head and heart around the election results. But maybe like fewer of you, I know this isn’t a new day or some new reality. I suspect that the level of violence we’re seeing would’ve happened regardless of the outcome. The sad and sorry…

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Queering Advent: Reflections On Hope

Queering advent hope.

During the season of Advent, when Christians around the world prepare for the coming of Christ, our families and communities come together to reflect on our spirituality and our beliefs. This year at Believe Out Loud, we’re queering the season of Advent, considering traditional Advent themes as we reflect on our work ahead toward justice…

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