Believe Out Loud To Debut New Training At Creating Change

A group of people posing for a photo.

Next week, the staff of Believe Out Loud will join more than 4,000 attendees in Philadelphia at the 29th annual Creating Change conference, which is hosted each year by the National LGBTQ Task Force. This year, the Believe Out Loud team will debut a new training: Digital Strategies for Faithful Action.  This year’s workshop will…

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Painting Lilith, Queering Lilith

A painting of a mermaid holding a heart.

Lilith has been a misunderstood, appropriated, and redeemed woman throughout the ages. Many feminists claim her as an empowering figure in Jewish mythology, with contemporary artists such as Sarah McLachlan, who created the all-women music tour, “Lilith Fair,” reclaiming her story. Some queer scholars have surmised that Lilith had a romantic relationship with Eve.  Others…

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Dr. Keisha E. McKenzie Named New Director Of Believe Out Loud

The logo for intersections united in diversity.

New York, NY: Intersections International is pleased to announce that noted communications and development strategist Dr. Keisha E. McKenzie has been named director of Believe Out Loud, its initiative to empower Christians to work for LGBTQ equality and shatter the false dichotomy between the LGBTQ and Christian communities. Responsible for mobilizing an online community of…

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Queering Mary, Queering Christmas

A collage of paintings of a woman holding a heart.

It’s no secret that the holidays are often a difficult time for queer people. Disproportionately estranged from family means we often must create our own family. While these chosen families can be tremendously life-giving, it’s tough not to long for our families of origin during Christmas time. Many still in relationship with family are forced…

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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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Divine Doubt; Hope Abundant

A small plant growing on a wooden deck.

“They tried to bury us; they didn’t know we were seeds” —Mexican Proverb Advent is that particular liturgical season in the Church when there is a focus on the coming of God, incarnate. For many LGBTQIA folks, the Church is not the place where they come for hope or participate in the anticipation of God…

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10 Transgender Christians Share Their Journey Stories—Part III

A stained glass church with a transgender flag on it.

As we honor and celebrate Trans Awareness Week, we pause today to honor the journeys of transgender and gender nonconforming people of faith by sharing the 10 journey stories below. These blogs are all written by transgender, genderqueer, non-binary, Two Spirit, and gender nonconforming people of faith, a majority of whom identify as Christian. While…

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United Methodist Church’s “Way Forward” Erases LGBTQI People

A woman holding a hymnal in front of a crowd.

Last Wednesday the executive committee of The United Methodist Church Council of Bishops announced that they had sent out invitations to the people they hoped would constitute the special commission formed at General Conference to discuss the vexing issue of whether and how the church will continue to discriminate against LGBTQI people. Lots of people…

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When Christians Erase My Bisexuality

A row of wooden pews in a church.

It’s hard on the heart to realize you’re invisible. That realization has fallen on me in all too many spaces: At school and work, among friends, and within the confines of the church. I am bisexual, and I have largely been blessed with accepting people surrounding me. I have only rarely been subject to violence…

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