Painting Privilege: Queer Family Goes Tiny in Hawai’i

Hawaiian hawaiian hawaiian hawaiian hawaiian.

Depicted clockwise: Spirit of Maná, Spirit of Aloha, Poli’ahu, Pelé, Hina, NāMaka, Papahānoumoku It started with Pelé, the Hawai’ian Volcano Goddess who governs fire, lightning, volcanoes, and the flow of lava. When my little family set off on a big adventure in June 2015, I knew I’d research and paint her as a Holy Woman Icon.…

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How Do We “Love Those Who Persecute Us?”

A man wearing a red hat with the words make america great again.

As my boyfriend Chris and I were walking down the stairs to the subway train platform to head to Sunday morning service at Riverside Church, I spotted it. That unmistakable fire engine red, poorly designed, ill-fitting cap that has become an emblem for all things sexist, racist, xenophobic, and anti-Muslim. We were still a ways…

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Catholics Do Not Support Religious Refusals

A priest is holding a cup in front of a painting.

A new survey reveals that a majority of Catholics oppose allowing small business owners in their state to refuse products or services to gay and lesbian people, if doing so violates their religious beliefs. The data from PRRI shows that 63% of Hispanic Catholics and 61% of White Catholics oppose refusals based on religious beliefs. When…

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Painting Mary Daly: Lesbian Feminist Pioneer

Purple icon woman with heart and green gown

You don’t have to be perfect to be a saint. The saints who comprise my Holy Women Icons are far from perfect, but each one has made a difference in the lives of countless queer women. By giving iconography a folk feminist twist—by painting these women and calling them holy—it is my hope that their…

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Debunking The “Gay Lifestyle”

Photographer reflected in hubcap at Pride

American Idol finalist La’Porsha Renae made comments about the LGBTQ community that gave many pause. When asked about the controversial bill that was passed in her home state of Mississippi, Ranae said that she did not agree with any law that would discriminate against anyone. However, she went on to say that “I am one…

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Religious Liberty In A Time Of Marriage Equality

A man is putting a wedding ring on another man's finger.

In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court decision broadening the understanding of marriage, those who have fought same-gender marriage now express fears that they will be called upon to do things their consciences will not permit and are clamoring for “religious liberty.” It’s ironic that those who denied religious liberty to LGBT people in…

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Four Double Standards In The Josh Duggar Scandal

A man in a suit speaking to a crowd of people.

By now you have likely heard the tragic news of the Josh Duggar scandal. Here’s a quick recap: The eldest son of the Duggar family, the stars of TLC’s television series “19 Kids and Counting,” has admitted to sexually abusing some of his younger sisters and other children as a teenager. As news of the…

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Lay Catholics In Ireland Bring About Marriage Equality

Two women holding signs in a parade.

Today, headlines around the world announced Catholic news from two different parts of the globe. While seemingly disparate, these headlines share an important theme. In Ireland, one of the most Catholic nations on earth, hundreds of thousands voted overwhelmingly in a general referendum to enact marriage equality for lesbian and gay couples. In El Salvador,…

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