Queerology: A Podcast on Belief and Being: Recent Episodes
Matthias Roberts
Named one of the best LGBTQ podcasts by “O: The Oprah Magazine,” Queerology asks how might we live better as queer people of faith. Host Matthias Roberts brings together theologians, psychologists, poets, thinkers, and change makers for conversations around belief and being.
Matthias is joined by Kevin Garcia to discuss the release of Matthias' new book, Holy Runaways, Rediscovering Faith After Being Burned by Religion. In this conversation, they explore expressing trauma online and the importance of self-care in activism. They also emphasize the need for deep friendships, self-compassion, and letting go of guilt.
Holy Runaways is available now wherever you buy books. If you order a copy before October 6, be sure to email your receipt to preorder@holyrunaways.com to get free access to the Healing from Spiritual Abuse seminar. All details can be found at holyrunaways.com.
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Queerology is back for a couple of special episodes about Matthias' new book Holy Runaways: Rediscovering Faith After Being Burned by Religion. In this episode, Matthias shares about where he's been the last year, introduces the book, and reads you a sneak peak.
If you preorder Holy Runaways before October 3, you'll get free access to the Healing From Spiritual Abuse seminar Matthias co-taught earlier this year. Just email your receipt to preorder@holyrunaways.com. Details can be found at www.holyrunaways.com.
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For Maddie Zahm, there's nothing more powerful than writing songs that scare her. On her debut EP You Might Not Like Her, the Boise-bred singer/songwriter intimately documents the massive upheaval she's experienced over the last year: a life-changing journey that includes leaving the stifling church community where she long served as a worship leader, moving to Los Angeles and coming out as queer.
With equal parts raw vulnerability and undeniable strength -- first glimpsed on her viral hit single "Fat Funny Friend" which has achieved over 30 million streams -- Maddie opens up about her personal trauma, her sexuality, and her relationship with her body, embracing the kind of unapologetic yet compassionate truth-telling that's transformative for artist and audience alike.
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Shannon TL Kearns is a transgender man who believes in the transformative power of story. As an ordained priest, a playwright, a theologian, and a writer all of his work revolves around making meaning through story. He's the co-founder of QueerTheology.com and the podcast Queer Theology and his new book “In The Margins: A Transgender Man’s Journey with Scripture” released last week
Shannon is a recipient of the Playwrights’ Center Jerome Fellowship in 20/21 and he was a Lambda Literary Fellow for 2019 and a Finnovation Fellow for 2019/2020. He is a sought-after speaker on transgender issues and religion as well as a skilled facilitator of a variety of workshops. His work with Brian G. Murphy at QueerTheology.com has reached more than a million people all over the world through videos, articles, online courses, and community
Links + Resources:
- Fr. Shannon's Website
- Queer Theology
- In the Margins Book
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Mace Mooney is a psychotherapist in training and a leader with Affirming Youth Ministries (AYM), a nonprofit dedicated to ministering to LGBTQIA+ youth and those that love them in the name of radical inclusion, authenticity, and God’s expansive love. They’re the cohost of the podcast, No Small Thing which invites folks to live less certain and more curious lives. Today, we're chatting about their work with AYM and what we can learn about living a more curious, less certain life.
Links + Resources
- Affirming Youth Ministries
- No Small Thing Podcast
- The Artist's Way
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Dianna Anderson is a nonbinary, queer writer based in Minneapolis, MN. They are the author of several books, including Damaged Goods: New Perspectives on Christian Purity and Problematic: How Toxic Callout Culture is Destroying Feminism.
Dianna’s newest book, In Transit: Being Non-Binary In A World of Dichotomies, is out today! It’s an exploration of what it means to be non-binary in a world that genders everything, down to the very words we use. They start off exploring the long history of non-binary people, and then they tease out where non-binary identities fit within the idea of transgender identity, exploring what they all mean in a cisnormative society.
They hold a Master's in English from Baylor University and a Master's in Women’s Studies from the University of Oxford in Oxford, England. When not working on books, Dianna is a grant writer and non-profit development professional. They live with two cats, Minerva and Tonks.
Links + Resources
- Dianna's Website
- In Transit on Bookshop.org
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Lucy Dacus is an acclaimed singer-songwriter and author from Richmond, VA. She has released three studio albums including 2021’s highly lauded Home Video, which earned rave reviews from global outlets such as Variety,The Guardian, NPR, Rolling Stone and many more. In 2018, Dacus created the collaborative supergroup boygenius with close friends Julien Baker and Phoebe Bridgers. Their debut EP was one of the most talked about releases of 2018, landing on nearly every notable “Best Music of the Year” list. Today, she talks about growing up in church and how she doesn't have things figured out yet.
Links + Resources
- Lucy's Website
- Lucy on Instagram
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Edafe Okporo is a global gay rights activist, the founder of Refuge America, and one of the country’s most visible voices on the issue of displacement, leading an organization with a vision to “strengthen the US as a place of welcome for LGBTQ displaced people.” He was born in Warri, Nigeria, and migrated to the United States in 2016 as an asylum seeker and is now a refugee of the United States. Edafe is among the inaugural winners of the David Prize, which honors individuals with bold visions for creating a better and brighter New York City. He is also a Logo 30 Honoree.
His new book, Asylum: A Memoir & Manifesto is a poignant, moving memoir and urgent call to action for immigration justice. The book imagines a future where immigrants and asylees are treated with fairness, transparency, and compassion.
Links + Resources
- Edafe's Website
- Asylum: A Memoir & Manifesto
- Refuge America
- Detain and Punish by Carl Lindskoog
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Just a short update to let you know I'm taking a break this week because I got sick! Queerology will be back next week with a brand new episode for Pride month chatting with Edafe Okporo about his new memoir Asylum. See you then!
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Rachel Kurtz is a Minneapolis-based singer/songwriter who has been touring and singing for almost 20 years. Her powerhouse voice and heartfelt performances have been electrifying crowds in Atlanta’s Georgia Dome, New Orleans’ Superdome, Texas’ Alamo Dome, and hundreds of other concert venues from coast to coast. Recently, she came out as queer and released her new single “Gay Kids” a love song to every queer kid out there, from a queer mom.
Links + Resources
- Rachel's Website
- Gay Kids Music Video
- Donate to Rachel's Work
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Matthew Paul Turner is a New York Times bestselling author of multiple books, including his Children’s books — When God Made You and When I Pray For You. His newest children’s book, I Am God’s Dream released last week.
Matthew’s writing career started nearly 20 years ago, and he has published a book every year. Called “one of Christianity’s fresh voices” by Publisher’s Weekly, Matthew’s other notable works include Our Great Big American God, Churched, Coffeehouse Gospel and The Christian Culture Survival Guide.
But, when he came out nearly two years ago and announced an impending divorce with his wife, his entire career was threatened. Today we’re chatting about his experience coming out and what he has learned along the way.
Links + Resources
- I Am God's Dream
- Matthew Paul Turner's Website
- Matthew on Twitter
- Matthew on Instagram
Join Matthias and Dr. Robyn Henderson Espinoza on May 12 at The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology as they engage in conversation around Dr. Robyn's new book Body Becoming: A Path to Our Liberation. This event has both in-person and online attendance options. All the details can be found at https://theseattleschool.edu/event/body-becoming-a-path-to-our-liberation/
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Bridget Eileen Rivera is a sociologist completing her Ph.D. at the City University of New York Graduate Center. She’s the author of “Heavy Burdens: Seven Ways LGBTQ+ Christians Experience Harm in the Church.”
Today she chats with Matthias about the ways LGBTQ+ people are harmed in the church, especially in regards to forced celibacy. She explains how she uses her choice to be celibate to undermine traditional arguments and carve a path for all LGBTQ+ people.
Links + Resources
- Bridget's Website
- Bridget's Blog
- Heavy Burdens Book
- Bridget on Instagram
- Bridget on Twitter
Join Matthias and Dr. Robyn Henderson Espinoza on May 12 at The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology as they engage in conversation around Dr. Robyn's new book Body Becoming: A Path to Our Liberation. This event has both in-person and online attendance options. All the details can be found at https://theseattleschool.edu/event/body-becoming-a-path-to-our-liberation/
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Jo Luehmann is a Colombian-born and raised pastor who moved to the US to get her master's degree in ministry and theology. After 10 years working inside churches, she found in personal and systemic ways how harmful and abusive the evangelical church can be. Jo quit her job and committed to finding a faith that wasn’t abusive.
Alongside her partner, she started the Living Room a non-profit reclaiming faith and Christianity as spiritual expressions that can lead us toward wholeness and healing. In the summer of 2020 alongside a group of victims and survivors of church abuse, Jo started @doBetterChurch an online space where people abused in churches can be seen, heard, believed, and connected to others who can offer tools in their journey toward healing, as well as an initiative to invite churches to do better. Jo speaks and teaches about decolonizing faith and theology, as well as the importance of dismantling white supremacy, patriarchy, and capitalism both individually and collectively.
Links + Resources
- Jo Luehmann on Patreon
- The Living Room Podcast
- Jo on Instagram
- Jo on Twitter
Join Matthias and Dr. Robyn Henderson Espinoza on May 12 at The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology as they engage in conversation around Dr. Robyn's new book Body Becoming: A Path to Our Liberation. This event has both in-person and online attendance options. All the details can be found at https://theseattleschool.edu/event/body-becoming-a-path-to-our-liberation/
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Brenda Marie Davies is an author, podcaster and YouTuber. Her channel God Is Grey—a guide to becoming an inquisitive, fearless, SEX POSITIVE, free thinking Christian in the modern world —has over 135,000 subscribers.
Her debut book, On Her Knees: Memoir of a Prayerful Jezebel, chronicles Brenda’s spiritual journey over the course of a decade in LA, through marriage, divorce, unlikely friendship, and sexual exploration. Told with raw honesty, sans obligatory shame, this is a story for anyone who wonders if it’s possible to love God without fearing sex, in all its shades of grey.
Recorded live from the GooseCast podcast stage at Wild Goose Festival.
This episode is brought to you by the 2022 Q Christian Fellowship Conference. Use code QUEEROLOGY to save 10% off your registration at qcfconf.org.
Links and Resources:
Q Christian Fellowship Conference
Brenda Marie Davies
God Is Grey on Youtube
Brenda on Instagram
On Her Knees: Memoir of a Prayerful Jezebel
Masterclass: 4 Practices You Can Start Now to Move Beyond Shame
Queerology Podcast on Instagram
Queerology Podcast on Twitter
Beyond Shame by Matthias Roberts
Matthias Roberts on Patreon
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This episode first aired Sep 10, 2019. Rev. Dr. Yvette Flunder (she, her), a San Francisco native, has served her call through prophetic action and ministry for justice for over thirty years. This call to “blend proclamation, worship, service and advocacy on behalf of those most marginalized in church and in society” led to the founding of the City of Refuge United Church of Christ in 1991. In 2003, Rev. Dr. Flunder was consecrated Presiding Bishop of The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries, a multi-denominational coalition of over 100 primarily African American Christian leaders and laity.
Rev. Dr. Flunder is on the Board of Starr King School for the Ministry and DEMOS and has taught at many theological schools. She is a graduate of the Certificate of Ministry and Master of Arts programs at PSR, and received her Doctor of Ministry from San Francisco Theological Seminary. She is also an award-winning gospel music artist and author of Where the Edge Gathers: A Theology of Homiletic and Radical Inclusion.
This episode is brought to you by the 2022 Q Christian Fellowship Conference. Use code QUEEROLOGY to save 10% off your registration at qcfconf.org.
Links and Resources:
2022 Q Christian Fellowship Conference
Where the Edge Gathers: A Theology of Homiletic and Radical Inclusion
City of Refuge United Church of Christ
Masterclass: 4 Practices You Can Start Now to Move Beyond Shame
Queerology Podcast on Instagram
Queerology Podcast on Twitter
Beyond Shame by Matthias Roberts
Matthias Roberts on Patreon
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Jamie Lee Finch is a sexuality and embodiment coach, speaker, poet, and author of "You Are Your Own: A Reckoning with the Religious Trauma of Evangelical Christianity".
She's coached over 400 people in the past 5 years and sees her role in her work as that of a conflict mediator between human beings and their bodies.
She's just released her very first online course called "Your Body is a Person" that walks you through her entire methodology and practice of Personified Embodiment
Links and Resources:
Jamie Lee Finch Website
Your Body is a Person Course
Jamie's free 10-day Course
You Are Your Own Book
Masterclass: 4 Practices You Can Start Now to Move Beyond Shame
Queerology Podcast on Instagram
Queerology Podcast on Twitter
Beyond Shame by Matthias Roberts
Matthias Roberts on Patreon
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Samson Turinawe is the Executive Director of Universal Love Alliance (ULA), a Ugandan humanitarian, educator and human rights defender. He believes that "every human being should be respected simply for being who they are, a part of Life's creation." Tolerance, inclusiveness, love, compassion, dialogue and reconciliation are all central themes in his work.
Through his teaching and activism, Samson is working for a new generation -- one that is open-minded, open-hearted, diversity-embracing, and committed to serving all of humanity.
Links and Resources:
Universal Love Alliance
Masterclass: 4 Practices You Can Start Now to Move Beyond Shame
Queerology Podcast on Instagram
Queerology Podcast on Twitter
Beyond Shame by Matthias Roberts
Matthias Roberts on Patreon
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Emily Regenstreif has supportive parents. The best thing that they could do and ever did was to listen and then wanting to learn and know more by asking questions.
Emily grew up queer in Portland, Oregon, in a Jewish faith community. She had a lovely and lucky experience — very different from the traumatic backgrounds of others who grew up queer in faith communities. That’s not Emily’s story.
Emily is a 31-year-old receptionist who spends most of her free time playing Dungeons and Dragons as well as writing her first novel, which she has been working on since she was 18 years old.
Topics Discussed:
- Faith Forms Identity: Emily’s supportive journey with queerness being Jewish
- Jonas Brothers to Julia Stiles: Emily’s evolution of queerness started with a girl
- Coming out to friends, family, and faith community was easy for Emily
- Attraction vs. Asexuality: There’s far more to being a person than sex
- Exploration: Be comfortable with who and what you are to feel free, not shameful
- Religious Trauma: Luckily, Emily’s challenges weren’t related to queerness, faith
- Choosing My Religion: Converting to Judaism was Emily’s choice over church
- Proud Every Day: Emily never felt need to project or celebrate Pride Month
Links and Resources:
Emily Regenstreif on Twitter
Queer Youth Faith (QYF) Day
Queerology - QYF Day: Don’t Give Up Everything You Believe In and Everyone You Love (rerelease)
Boy Erased
Masterclass: 4 Practices You Can Start Now to Move Beyond Shame
Queerology Podcast on Instagram
Queerology Podcast on Twitter
Beyond Shame by Matthias Roberts
Matthias Roberts on Patreon
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Julie Rodgers is a writer, speaker, and leader in the movement working for full inclusion for LGBTQ people in Christian communities. She played a significant role in shutting down Exodus International, the largest conversion therapy organization in the world, and she was also the first openly gay person to be hired by an evangelical Christian college. She is featured in Pray Away (2020), a documentary about the movement to pray the gay away. Her writing has been featured in Sojourners, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Time. She lives with her wife in Washington, DC.
Her new book, Outlove: A Queer Christian Survival Story, is a memoir of her experience growing up evangelical, while knowing she was gay. It’s about love and losses, political and religious power-plays, and the cost to those who sought to stay in a faith community that wouldn’t accept them.
For more queer reflections on faith, public life, and chosen family, join Julie’s substack, Reimagining Belonging.
Topics Discussed:* Faith & Identity: Lesbian, queer, Christian, cat mom with conflicting, complex faith * Coming Out, Conversion, Coping: Julie didn’t want to change, but initially gave in * Don’t be a part of something that makes you hate and harm yourself or others * Who to trust? Choose to question or follow religious leaders or your own truth * Breaking Point: Reality behind closed doors vs. belief that things are changing * Pray the Gay Away: Story that is still present reality in today’s world * Reasons for Disconnect: Lack of nuance and understanding in liberal spaces * Save Yourself, Not Everyone: Don’t stay rooted in trauma; live and thrive
Links and Resources:Julie Rodgers
Outlove
Pray Away
Reimagining Belonging
The Faith and Justice Network
The Trevor Project
Masterclass: 4 Practices You Can Start Now to Move Beyond Shame
Queerology Podcast on Instagram
Queerology Podcast on Twitter
Beyond Shame by Matthias Roberts
Matthias Roberts on Patreon
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How are you celebrating national Queer Youth of Faith (QYF) Day on June 30, 2021?
On this episode of Queerology, a panel celebrates the life, creativity, and gifts of queer youth of faith.
The panel includes Ameera, a trans-Svengolie American Muslim; Taline, a bisexual Armenian Christian; Daniel, a gay Jew; and Sebastian, a trans-Christian.
Happy QYF Day!
Topics Discussed:
- QYF Panel: How each identifies and how faith formed their identity
- Honor, Celebrate, Center: Importance and meaning of QYF Day to each panelist
- Affirming Theology: Spread awareness that God doesn’t hate you
- Queer Realization: Born this way and the continual struggle to find hope and support
- Advice: Nobody’s perfect, don’t change, you’re not alone, find your people
Links and Resources:
QYF Day
Beloved Arise
Rebel Youth Group
Kevin Garcia on YouTube
Masterclass: 4 Practices You Can Start Now to Move Beyond Shame
Queerology Podcast on Instagram
Queerology Podcast on Twitter
Beyond Shame by Matthias Roberts
Matthias Roberts on Patreon
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Melissa Weisz and Pelayo Alvarez are hosts of the Forbidden Apple Podcast, which creates space for LGBTQ+ people to reclaim their spirituality—whatever that means to them.
Melissa is a former Orthodox Jew. Although she came out as queer, Melissa adores her family and the Hasidic Jewish community in which she was raised. As an actor, producer, and writer, Melissa aims to uplift the voices of marginalized people and communities.
Pelayo is originally from Spain and was raised catholic. He now lives in New York City and works for The United Nations in the field of international relations and global affairs.
Pelayo is passionate about discovering how different people around the world live their spirituality and appreciates what makes each story powerful. He asks for practical advice and takeaways from different life perspectives and uses them for personal development and growth. Also, Pelayo has a YouTube channel where he curates life-changing ideas with a fun twist.
As hosts of the Forbidden Apple Podcast, Pelayo wants to prove that although people celebrate religion and spirituality in so many ways, at the same time, they share so much in common; Melissa wants the podcast to become a platform that gives people a voice, creates a community, and celebrates queerness.
Topics Discussed:
- Faith and Identity: Observe other faiths to learn, love, and understand them
- Spiritual Toolbox: Difference between appropriation versus appreciation
- Podcast Purpose: Deep conversations about religion, spirituality, and queerness
- Deconstruction: What’s religion? Faith? Spirituality? Different but same elements
- Meaningful Blessings: What works and what doesn’t when reclaiming words
- Spiritual vs. Religious: What’s the separation? Good and right, or bad and wrong
- Divine Virtue: 81% of queer people in U.S. grow up in some organized religion
- Discover Why: Do you follow traditional values/morals or free to make your own?
Links and Resources:
Melissa Weisz
Pelayo Alvarez
Pelayo Alvarez’s YouTube Channel
The Forbidden Apple Podcast
Your Spiritual Toolbox
Queer Virtue by Elizabeth Edman
Ross Murray from GLAAD
Made, Known, Loved: Developing LGBTQ-Inclusive Youth Ministry by Ross Murray
Find Your Why by Simon Sinek
Rev. Elizabeth Edman on the Inherent Queerness of Christianity
Masterclass: 4 Practices You Can Start Now to Move Beyond Shame
Queerology Podcast on Instagram
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Rev. Debra J. Hopkins is a native New Yorker and trans woman of color who believes that there’s always hope because words have power and everybody can be a voice for change through action, activism, and community involvement. We can all help put an end to the social and economic discrimination that's ever present in this country.
Debra is the Founder of There's Still Hope, a non-profit organization that provides a Transitional Housing Program for transgender adults, trans victims of domestic violence, and trans individuals released from the correctional institutional system.
Debra earned her Masters of Theology degree from New York Theological Seminary and is a licensed non-denominational minister. She is actively involved in ministry through pastoral care, writing, and community activism. She is the author of three books and three anthologies, including her memoir, Not Until You Have Walked In My Shoes.
Through it all, Debra continues to spend time traveling around the country advocating for the marginalized people within the LGBTQIA community.
Topics Discussed:
- Faith/Identity: Formed via self-discovery of development, foundational footing
- Transition: Vehicle to expand audience and not allow naysayers’ negativity
- Words of Advice: Be authentic and use the tools that God has given you
- Community, therapy, and honesty brings healing, understanding, and activism
- Look in the Mirror: Convey the truth of life and how we should be treated equally
- There’s Still Hope: After losing it all, being homeless, and trying to clear name
- Platforms: Build, exercise, and cultivate spiritual, mental, and physical muscles
Links and Resources:
Rev. Debra J. Hopkins
There's Still Hope
Not Until You Have Walked In My Shoes
Christine Jorgensen a Personal Autobiography
The Shack Movie
Masterclass: 4 Practices You Can Start Now to Move Beyond Shame
Queerology Podcast on Instagram
Queerology Podcast on Twitter
Beyond Shame by Matthias Roberts
Matthias Roberts on Patreon
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Blair Imani is a critically acclaimed historian, author, educator, and influencer living at the intersections of black, bi-sexual, and Muslim identity.
Blair’s viral microlearning series, Smarter In Seconds, demonstrates her signature style of making abstract concepts more concrete in a well-researched, well-presented, and concise manner.
Also, Blair is the author of Read This to Get Smarter: About Race, Class, Gender, Disability, and More, Making Our Way Home: The Great Migration and the Black American Dream, and Modern HERstory: Stories of Women and Nonbinary People Rewriting History.
Blair’s work centers women and girls, global black communities, and the LGBTQ community. She is dedicated to making the world a better place and amplifying the voices and work of those fighting the good fight.
Topics Discussed:
- Faith and Identity: Too many identity labels and faith-based assumptions
- Becoming Muslim: Right path to express self-understanding externally
- Islam Education: Beautiful and innovative approach to replace fear, bullying
- Puzzle Piece: Perfection eludes people of faith, but being Muslim fit in perfectly
- Christian Parents: Not there to tell you what to think, but how to think
- Ability vs. Disability: Intelligence is how information is absorbed and duplicated
- Individualism: People are not always ordained to have basic human rights
- Human Interaction: Set boundaries and treat others with respect to build trust
Links and Resources:
Blair Imani
Blair Imani on Instagram
Blair Imani on YouTube
Blair Imani on Patreon
Smarter In Seconds
Read This to Get Smarter: about Race, Class, Gender, Disability, and More
Making Our Way Home: The Great Migration and the Black American Dream
Modern HERstory: Stories of Women and Nonbinary People Rewriting History
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Benjamin Rush
Carl Linnaeus
Tila Tequila
Carlos Valieri on Degrassi
Diversity of Sexual Orientation - Kinsey Institute
GLAAD
Masterclass: 4 Practices You Can Start Now to Move Beyond Shame
Queerology Podcast on Instagram
Queerology Podcast on Twitter
Beyond Shame by Matthias Roberts
Matthias Roberts on Patreon
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Daniel Howell is known for his self-deprecating and sarcastic humor, but he has also spoken and written about his struggles with depression and sexuality. This mix of entertainment with the profound and deeply personal has given Daniel a devoted following of fans.
Daniel is one of the world’s most popular and celebrated entertainers. He has written and produced comedy videos on YouTube that have reached more than one-billion views and millions of followers.
Also, Daniel has two #1 New York Times best-selling books, The Amazing Book is Not on Fire and Dan and Phil Go Outside, two stage shows with sellout world tours, and an award-winning BBC Radio 1 show.
Daniel’s new book, You Will Get Through This Night: A Practical Mental Health Guide with consultation from Dr. Heather Bolton, is an affirmation and call to action. Daniel describes lessons learned in spite of failures, depression, and anxiety. Getting well was a completely unplanned journey.
Topics Discussed:
- Faith and Identity: Agnostic Atheist - God probably doesn’t exist
- Be Happy: Christian or not, define your own meaning and purpose of life
- Daniel’s Depression: Understanding mental health and spectacular ignorance
- YouTube: Vulnerability led to first example of being treated positively by humanity
- Coming Out vs. Being Outed: Some kind of gay and that is okay
- Practical Tips: Be present, feel comfortable, practice gratitude, and get help
Links and Resources:
Daniel Howell
You Will Get Through This Night: A Practical Mental Health Guide
Daniel Howell’s YouTube Channel
The Amazing Book is Not on Fire
Dan and Phil Go Outside
Dan and Phil Radio Show
Masterclass: 4 Practices You Can Start Now to Move Beyond Shame
Queerology Podcast on Instagram
Queerology Podcast on Twitter
Beyond Shame by Matthias Roberts
Matthias Roberts on Patreon
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Jonathan Parks-Ramage is a Los Angeles-based novelist, screenwriter, and journalist. His debut novel, Yes, Daddy, is out today!
Yes, Daddy follows an ambitious young man named Jonah Keller, who is searching for a way to get out from under his religious upbringing. He is lured by an older, successful playwright into a dizzying world of wealth and idyllic Hamptons home where things take a nightmarish turn.
Jonathan’s writing has been published in VICE, Slate, OUT, W, Atlas Obscura, Elle, and Medium. He has lectured on journalism and creative non-fiction at Fordham University. Also, he is an alumnus of the 2018 and 2019 Bread Loaf Writers' Conferences.
Jonathan and his screenwriting partner, Marla Mindelle, recently sold their musical feature film screenplay, The Big Gay Jamboree, to Paramount Pictures. The film is executive produced by Margot Robbie, an Academy Award nominated actress.
Topics Discussed:
- Identity and Faith: Jonathan’s journey as a spiritually searching queer man
- Parents: Both were preachers, accepted their son, but were afraid to tell anyone
- Early Bloomer Being Bullied: Difficult to be yourself at church, home, and school
- Spiritual Reawakening: Jonathan’s path toward being queer and a Christian
- Truth in Fiction: Jonah experiences similar narrative of sexual, spiritual trauma
-
MeToo/Perfect Victim: Everyone enters into relationships for different reasons
- Storytelling: Who are you, explore parts of yourself, and make a difference
Links and Resources:
Jonathan Parks-Ramage’s Website
Jonathan Parks-Ramage on Instagram
Yes, Daddy
Amazon Studios
New Abbey Church
Reality Church of Los Angeles
Bryan Singer's Accusers Speak Out
Know My Name by Chanel Miller
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
Queerology Podcast on Instagram
Queerology Podcast on Twitter
Beyond Shame by Matthias Roberts
Matthias Roberts on Patreon
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Tara Teng is an embodiment coach who works in the intersections of spirituality and sexuality.
Alongside collaborative work with community stakeholders, lawmakers, and organizations, Tara spent more than 10 years working to advance the socioeconomic status of women to diminish sexual violence and end human trafficking.
Tara’s advocacy has helped to pass new laws in Canada that protect victims of human trafficking, and she established that country’s first municipal action plan to combat human trafficking.
Also, Tara is a TEDx speaker, former Miss Canada, and was named “Canada’s Women of the Year” in 2011. She is one of the Globe and Mail’s “Top 25 Most Transformational Canadians,” received an International Heroes award from the Joy Smith Foundation, and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal in recognition of her human rights work.
Topics Discussed:
- Faith and Identity: Bisexual, bi-racial Asian-Canadian, Christian-mystic woman
- Deconstruction: Evolve and question everything around you and within yourself
- Shift in Faith: Jesus and his love for people and his hatred of injustice
- Embodiment: Power systems/structures use our bodies for profit and control
- Disembodiment and Segregation: Reclaim and reconnect with pieces of self
- Intersectionality: Expressing our queerness, makes us a target, but it’s necessary
- Polyamory: Connection and commitment to relationship needs and boundaries
Links and Resources:
Tara Teng
Tara Teng on Instagram
Tara Teng - TEDx Speaker
Queer Youth of Faith Art Contest (Beloved Arise)
2022 Q Christian Fellowship Conference
Masterclass: 4 Practices You Can Start Now to Move Beyond Shame
Queerology Podcast on Instagram
Queerology Podcast on Twitter
Beyond Shame by Matthias Roberts
Matthias Roberts on Patreon
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Abi Robins returns to to talk about their brand new book, “The Conscious Enneagram: How to Move from Typology to Transformation.”
Abi identifies as a queer, non-binary trans person, parent, fiancée, Enneagram teacher/coach, and Yoga Therapist.
Abi trained at The Narrative Enneagram and International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT).
They created the Conscious Enneagram Website and social media platform, host the Conscious Construction Podcast, and founded the Queer Enneagram.
Topics Discussed:
- Contemplative Christian: Faith is in flux more than identities
- What is the Enneagram, and how to use it for spiritual growth?
- Real Magic: Spiritual and religious leanings and language make sense
- Lineage: Who are we connected to and can we trace that?
- Community: Reinfuses faith with missing mystical aspect, cultural competency
- Enneagram: 9-pointed symbol of how energy becomes manifest in the universe
- Individuation: Being an individual is important and brings more value
- No Direction: Gain insight, get grounded, and grow with a teacher, community
- Personality Types/Numbers: Right religion will make you and your life better
Links and Resources:
The Conscious Enneagram: How to Move from Typology to Transformation
Conscious Enneagram Website
Conscious Enneagram on Instagram
Conscious Enneagram on Twitter
Conscious Enneagram on Facebook
Conscious Enneagram on YouTube
Conscious Construction Podcast
Queerology Podcast: Abi Robins is Queering the Enneagram
Queerology Podcast: Suzanne Stabile on the Enneagram
We Have All Hit a Wall - The New York Times
Queer Youth of Faith Art Contest (Beloved Arise)
2022 Q Christian Fellowship Conference
Masterclass: 4 Practices You Can Start Now to Move Beyond Shame
Queerology Podcast on Instagram
Queerology Podcast on Twitter
Beyond Shame by Matthias Roberts
Matthias Roberts on Patreon
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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Rachael Ward (they/them) is a public theologian and LGBTQ activist. Currently, Rachael is pursuing a Master of Divinity and a Master of Arts in Practical Theology - pastoral care at Columbia Theological Seminary.
Rachael is the creator of the Living-Death Doula Model for Pastoral Care and cofounder of Bible Queery, a facilitation collective geared toward queer wellness and reconstruction.
Rachael lives with their wife, Chelsea, and two fur-babies in Atlanta where they focus on talking about and working around death, grief, and death doulas.
Topics Discussed:
- Upbringing: Faith did not help form identity, but kept Rachael from their identity
- What if I am gay? Shameful hiding and living a double life
- Life and Death Matters: Birth is beautiful burst of life, death is dark and terrible
- Living-Death Narratives: Grief keeps disembodied beings stuck
- What is available pastorally? Affirming theology (a.k.a. the Biblical case)
- Persistent Queer Themes: Disassociation, minimizing, and spiritual rationing
- Living-Death Directives: Start with zero expectations and consent conversations
- Steps to a Better Life: Facilitation, accessible writing, and meaningful help
Links and Resources:
Rachael Ward’s Website - Queer in Faith
Living-Death Doula
Bible Queery
American Academy of Religion (AAR)
Mosaic Grief by Melissa Kelley
Peter Levine from the Ergos Institute, Inc.
Howard Thurman
Women Who Run with the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés
Pure by Linda Kay Klein
2022 Q Christian Fellowship Conference
Masterclass: 4 Practices You Can Start Now to Move Beyond Shame
Queerology Podcast on Instagram
Queerology Podcast on Twitter
Beyond Shame by Matthias Roberts
Matthias Roberts on Patreon
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
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Grace Semler Baldridge, who professionally goes by the artist’s name, ‘Semler,’ is a self-identified sad, queer, folk artist.
Semler created the docuseries, State of Grace on Refinery29, where she explores what it means to identify as a Christian and a member of the LGBTQ community. The docuseries was nominated for a GLAAD Award for Outstanding Digital Journalism.
Also, you may know Selmer from her two TV shows, Murder With Friends and Pop Trigger.
Just a few weeks ago, Selmer made history by being the first-ever out queer person to top the Christian music charts with her new album, Preacher’s Kid.
Topics Discussed:
- Faith and Identity: Queer who rediscovered clear sense of self via deconstruction
- Great Movements: Starts with something small that peaks interest and curiosity
- Leading Example: Dad, an Episcopal priest, was loving, affirming, and accepting
- Wider Church Culture: Not spared from questioning mixed messages, rules
- Preacher’s Kid: Compilation of honest, raw, explicit, processed Christian music
- Inch of Peace: Reflecting on church camps, but not moved by the spirit
- Painful to Pray: Pro Christians who abuse others by acting in the name of God
- Jesus From Texas: Learn that blessings are sins; own both the blessing and pain
- Different Worship Experience: Make space for complex relationships with creator
Links and Resources:
Grace Semler Baldridge on Twitter
Grace Selmer Baldridge on Instagram
Grace Selmer Baldridge on TikTok
Under Our Roof Podcast
State of Grace on Refinery29
Preacher’s Kid
Jesus From Texas on SoundCloud
Murder With Friends
Pop Trigger
Jennifer Knapp
Pure by Linda Kay Klein
Masterclass: 4 Practices You Can Start Now to Move Beyond Shame
Queerology Podcast on Instagram
Queerology Podcast on Twitter
Beyond Shame by Matthias Roberts
Matthias Roberts on Patreon
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Crystal Cheatham is an LGBTQ rights activist, host of Lord Have Mercy, and founder of two projects—Our Bible App and the IDentity Kit, which help people ditch toxic theology to find spiritual wellness.
Our Bible App’s The Deconstructionists Playbook takes writers and readers from deconstruction to reconstruction to liberation theology.
Since 2011, Crystal has worked as a ghostwriter and queer rights activist with Soulforce and The Attic Youth Center.
As an outspoken activist, Crystal has written about the intersections of faith and sexual identity for the Huffington Post; a faith and spirituality column for the Philadelphia Gay News; served on the steering committee of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) as the Faith and Spirituality chair; and partnered with Equality PA to influence clergy to support non-discrimination legislation. Crystal received her MFA from Antioch University.
Topics Discussed:
- Faith, Identity: Crystal is a very out and proud black lesbian progressive Christian
- Faith Community: Where no piece or part of Crystal feels unloved or unsupported
- Passionate People: No need to apply pressure, protests for positive outcomes
- My People: Didn’t have to fight to be included; create your own new spaces
- Visionary, not Verbal Leader: Publish uplifting, not problematic language
- The Deconstructionists Playbook: Deconstruct, reconstruct, and liberate theology
- God-in-a-Box Mentality: Epic churning and reckoning of faith in nation’s history
- Evolve Organically: Faith and religion are more personal than allowed to be
Links and Resources:
Crystal Cheatham
Our Bible App
The Deconstructionists Playbook by Our Bible App — Kickstarter
Bemba Press
Lord Have Mercy Podcast
Soulforce
The Attic Youth Center
Equality PA
Human Rights Campaign (HRC)
Vanderbilt University Divinity School
The Black Trans Prayer Book
Bad Theology Kills by Kevin Garcia
2022 Q Christian Fellowship Conference
Queerology Podcast on Instagram
Queerology Podcast on Twitter
Beyond Shame by Matthias Roberts
Matthias Roberts on Patreon
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Recorded live from the Brian M. Eckstein Podcast Stage at the 2021 Q Christian Fellowship Conference (via Zoom).
Join Matthias as he sits down with Coach Yeamah, a gifted teacher and coach who serves LGBTQIA+ Christians who struggle to make peace with their faith and sexuality.
Yeamah has built a beautiful community of queer believers and allies on Instagram, and she hosts a weekly live talk show and podcast that supports, inspires, educates, and encourages the community to live their full authentic selves as queer Christians.
Yeamah can be found at:
- www.yeamah.com
- @coachyeamah on Instagram
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Being brave is not easy, it’s a tough battle—sound familiar? With the holidays and reality of the world we are living in, it’s worth repeating this episode of Queerology with Candice Czubernat.
Candice is a therapist and founder of The Christian Closet, an LGBTQ-affirming counseling, coaching, and spiritual direction organization.
Also, Candice is the founder of Gloriously Queer, a conference for LGBTQ people of faith developed by LGBTQ people of faith.
As a therapist, Candice helps individuals and couples worldwide navigate complex mental health experiences while living as queer people of faith.
Candice was named one of the “10 Pro-LGBT Religious Women You Should Know” by The Advocate. She is a seasoned blogger, speaker, and author on LGBTQ Christianity and mental health issues.
Candice graduated from the Moody Bible Institute and The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology. Candice identifies as a lesbian and Christian, who lives in California with her wife and their 5-year-old twins.
Topics Discussed:
- LGBT and Christian: Lesbian is a really long word, easier to say gay or queer
- Queer Piece of Faith: Terrifying sin or specially knitted gift from God?
- Queer Mental Health: Suffering? Stunted? Don’t hide how God created you
- Mental Health Practice: It may not be perfect or what you thought it would be
- Heartbreaking Proof: Everybody’s got issues, who caused and created damage?
- Trust Your Heart: Self-love turns you toward holiness, selflessness, gentleness
- Radical Self-Acceptance: You’re not alone and you deserve love; visualize voices
- Mental Health Diagnosis and Medication: Taboo topics people don’t talk about
- Professional Investment: Take pride in doing something to stop shame, suffering
Links and Resources:
Candice Czubernat
The Christian Closet
Gloriously Queer
Candice Czubernat on Twitter
Candice Czubernat on Facebook
The Advocate: “10 Pro-LGBT Religious Women You Should Know”
Dr. Kristin Neff on Self-Compassion
Henri Nouwen's Books
Robyn Henderson-Espinoza
Queerology, Episode 38 with Candice Czubernat - Queer Mental Health
Q Christian Fellowship Virtual Conference (Code: Queerology2021 for $10 off)
Queerology Podcast on Instagram
Queerology Podcast on Twitter
Beyond Shame by Matthias Roberts
Matthias Roberts on Patreon
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Chavonn Williams Shen is a poet, artist, educator, and activist from Minneapolis.
Winner of the Still I Rise grant, first runner-up for the Los Angeles Review Flash Fiction Contest, and Best of the Net Award finalist, Chavonn is also a Pushcart Prize nominee, winner of the Mentor Series in Poetry and Creative Prose through the Loft Literary Center, and fellow through the Givens Foundation for African American Literature.
As a Tin House and VONA workshop alum, Chavonn’s poetry and prose have appeared in Yemassee, the Los Angeles Review, Permafrost Magazine, and Cosmonauts Avenue.
Chavonn uses art as a practice of resilience and resistance. By using and teaching poetry, writing becomes an act of healing.
When not teaching with the Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop, Chavonn’s time is spent obsessing over house plants.
Topics Discussed:
- Faith Forms Identity: One foot in the north, one in the deep south as a storyteller
- Ancient Text: Remix, adapt, and make stories more malleable
- Career Path: Cognitive science and psychology versus English and writing
- Fellowships: Apply for what you want - to be on stage, reading, and writing
- Poetry and Therapy: Way to help people protest and heal from trauma
- People’s Hands: Words and colors capture who they are and what they do
- Reclaim Language: Carve out composition space without marginalized writers
- Writing Exercises: Name everything and everyone around you that is true
- Book of Prayer Poems: Writing poetry is spiritual practice for well-being
- What does rest look like? Meditation and resistance
Links and Resources:
Chavonn Williams Shen
Chavonn Williams Shen on Facebook
Chavonn Williams Shenn on Twitter
Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop (MPWW)
The Nap Ministry - Rest as Resistance
Q Christian Fellowship Virtual Conference (Code: Queerology2021 for $10 off)
Queerology Podcast on Instagram
Queerology Podcast on Twitter
Beyond Shame by Matthias Roberts
Matthias Roberts on Patreon
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Tim Ouyang is a recording artist, producer, and songwriter. His band, Tim Be Told, is a contemporary Christian music group from the college-town of Charlottesville, Virginia.
Tim’s new album, Love and Happiness, focuses on his coming out journey and experiences with love, disappointment, disbelief, faith, hope, and God. Specifically, Like This song is the crown jewel on the album.
Tim has had quite a career since coming out and shares how things have fundamentally changed and shifted.
Topics Discussed:
- Faith Forms Identity: Being gay was bain of existence and incredible blessing
- Gain Clarity: Why am I different? Praying to God to change
- Homosexuality is sinful? Contemplating suicide, know you’re loved and not alone
- Are you gay? Parents’ accusations, violations of privacy change to affirmations
- Theological Compromise: Remove leaders to not be seen or heard out of fear
- Conflict Resolution: Don’t ignore struggles; confront and cope with pain, sadness
- Like This Song: Taps into source of trauma from cultural and familial baggage
- Christianity: Know the right God because his spirit changes you from inside out
Links and Resources:
Tim Be Told
Tim Be Told on Bandcamp
Tim Be Told on Instagram
Tim Be Told on Spotify
Love and Happiness Album
Like This Song
Q Christian Fellowship Virtual Conference
Queerology Podcast on Instagram
Queerology Podcast on Twitter
Beyond Shame by Matthias Roberts
Matthias Roberts on Patreon
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In 2018, Collin Martin came out as gay. At the time, he was the only ‘out’ man in any of the big five American sport leagues or any top division professional men’s national soccer leagues.
Today, Collin is a professional soccer player as a midfielder for San Diego Loyal in the United Soccer League (USL) championship.
Also, Collin has played for D.C. United and Minnesota United FC in Major League Soccer (MLS) and for Richmond Kickers and Hartford Athletic in the USL.
Collin shares how Cary Umhau, a speaker, writer, and consultant, was influential in his coming out process.
Topics Discussed:
- Faith Forms Identity: Gay or not, God completely loves you
- Every Sunday, Different Church: Growing, learning, and realizing you’re gay
- Inner Struggle: What to do with knowledge in an unwelcoming environment?
- Boiling Point: Separating faith from sexuality until telling family and friends
- Mentor/Mom’s Best Friend: Why Collin was comfortable coming out to Cary
- Taco Time: Say what you have to say about being gay
- People: Give those who love and support you a chance, despite the risk
- Teammates: Promise to protest when something is wrong, not right
Links and Resources:
Collin Martin on Instagram
Cary Umhau
San Diego Loyal
D.C. United
Minnesota United FC
Major League Soccer (MLS)
Richmond Kickers
Hartford Athletic
United Soccer League (USL)
Burning Down the Fireproof Hotel by Cary Umhau
Breadcoin Organization
Q Christian Fellowship Virtual Conference
Queerology Podcast on Instagram
Queerology Podcast on Twitter
Beyond Shame by Matthias Roberts
Matthias Roberts on Patreon
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People have caused a turning point in the Earth’s natural history. Everybody Now is a podcast that focuses on what it means to be human on the threshold of a global climate emergency, in a time of systemic injustice and runaway pandemics.
Scientists, activists, farmers, poets, and theologians talk bravely and frankly about how our biosphere is changing, grief and hope in an age of social collapse, mass extinction, and taking action against all odds.
On October 19, Everybody Now will be released by podcasters all over the world as a collective call for awareness, grief, and loving action. Don’t think about doom, but what you can do about it.
Topics Discussed:
- Do we need any more reminders? Turning points in Earth’s natural history
- Tree of Knowledge: Cut down, remains turned into paper, and warnings burned
- Heaven on Earth: Hopelessly in love with nature but sense of dread and panic
- Climate Change: High levels of destruction; ecosystems survive or never recover
- Agricultural Country: Farmers rely on and impacted by climate for growing crops
- Environmental Movement: Philosophical arguments why climate change matters
- Biological Annihilation: Dinosaurs to other species, mammals, animals go extinct
- Pandemics threats continue due to modern living, fossil fuels, human behavior
- Climate Breakdowns: Uneven and loss of access to human spaces, creatures
- Capabilities: Change activities, habits, consumption, energy, and people involved
- Book of Revelation: Misguided general awareness, grief over greenhouse gases
- Grief vs. Despair: Difference between what will and won’t change
- Impact on Faith: Life, intelligence, and interaction permeate everything
- Active vs. Passive Mindset: You can still live, change, and care
- Higher Emissions: Deliberate or willful ignorance where 50% comes from 10%
- System of Enemies: Speak to power about practices, assumptions, interests
- Civil Disobedience: Makes the change and sense when done with compassion
Links and Resources:
Everybody Now Podcast
Dr. Gail Bradbrook (Scientist and co-founder of Extinction Rebellion)
Kevin Anderson (Professor of Energy and Climate Change at University of Manchester)
Dámaris Albuquerque (Agricultural communities in Nicaragua)
Dr. Rowan Williams (Theologian, poet, and former Archbishop of Canterbury)
Pádraig Ó Tuama (Poet, theologian, and conflict mediator)
Rachel Mander (Environmental activist with Hope for the Future)
John Swales (Priest, activist, and part of a community for marginalised people)
Zena Kazeme (Persian-Iraqi poet and former refugee)
Flo Brady (Singer and theatre maker)
Hannah Malcolm (Anglican ordinand, climate writer, and organizer)
Alastair McIntosh (Writer, academic, and land rights activist)
David Benjamin Blower (Musician, poet, and podcaster)
Tim Nash (Nomad Podcast)
IPCC Special Report Emissions Scenarios
Tell the Truth and Ask People to Act Accordingly
Rising Up!
World Health Organization (WHO)
Rachel Carson
Francis Bacon
Queerology Podcast on Instagram
Queerology Podcast on Twitter
Beyond Shame by Matthias Roberts
Matthias Roberts on Patreon
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When Dr. Kyl Myers and their husband decided to have a child, they came to an unorthodox decision: they would not assign a gender to their baby. Dr. Kyl teaches the world how to raise children without gender-based shame, expectations, and limitations. Instead, she's an advocate for unconditional love so kids can live vibrant, authentic lives.
Kyl is a sociologist, educator, and advocate for Gender Creative Parenting. Her TED talk, Want Gender Equality? Let's Get Creative, encourages people to rethink childhood gender socialization.
Kyl’s new book, Raising Them: Our Adventure in Gender Creative Parenting documents their journey raising their child, Zoomer. She is the creator of the Raising Zoomer website & Instagram, a place where kids be kids in an environment where everything is for everyone.
Topics Discussed:
- Faith and Religion: Mormonism shaped identity journey—for better and worse
- Homophobia: Same-sex controversy, no promo homo laws, and conversion
- Queer Community: Recognizing and finding one’s self is liberating
- Social Justice: Fight for the underdog and against being ostracized
- Education: Check your ignorance and think on your own to learn valuable things
- Love and Marriage: Meet people, make choices, and question family values
- Gender Creative Parenting: Commit to raising children by supporting diversity
Links and Resources:
Kyl Myers
Kyl Myers’s TED Talk: Want gender equality? Let's get creative
Raising Them: Our Adventure in Gender Creative Parenting
Raising Zoomer
Raising Zoomer on Instagram
Queerology Podcast on Instagram
Queerology Podcast on Twitter
Beyond Shame by Matthias Roberts
Matthias Roberts on Patreon
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Brit Barron is a teacher, speaker, and author of the recently released book, Worth It: Overcome Your Fears and Embrace the Life You Were Made For.
Brit grew up in an evangelical church and eventually became the pastor of a megachurch at only 26 years old. It was truly too soon to understand herself, her dreams, and her sexuality.
That is, until Brit met Sami, a woman who changed, saved, and transformed her entire life. Brit decided to leave the church, get married to Sami, and come out. Choosing freedom is always worth it—no matter the cost.
Currently, Brit and Sami live in Austin, Texas, with their dog, Charles Barkley, and a house filled with plants that they treat like children.
Topics Discussed:
- Identity: Female, lesbian, kind of tall, kind of Christian, and somebody’s wife
- Fighter’s Mentality: Pure, true, Christian narrative competes with other options
- Metaphor: Spring is always coming and new life is being birthed
- On a Rampage: Remember, more than one thing can be true at the same time
- Harm, Hard Work, Half Reality: Racist people can still be nice
- Closeted to Coming Out: Breaking boundaries while wrestling with fear for truth
- Right or Wrong Choices? Stop or continue to take the next step toward healing
Links and Resources:
Brit Barron
Brit Barron on Instagram
Worth It: Overcome Your Fears and Embrace the Life You Were Made For
Queerology: Brit Barron is Gloriously Queer
Queerology: Brit & Sami - YAY Packages!
Richard Rohr’s Center for Action and Contemplation
Miley Cyrus’s The Climb
Queerology Podcast on Instagram
Queerology Podcast on Twitter
Beyond Shame by Matthias Roberts
Matthias Roberts on Patreon
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Emily Scott is a church planter and Lutheran pastor who believes Christian practice holds out rich possibilities that call us to reach across boundaries in love, learn through discomfort, and build relationships that bring God's realm close.
Emily, who identifies as queer and genderqueer, is committed to building communities of faith that dismantle fear and hate, affirm LGBTQ+ people, and confront racial injustice.
Currently, Emily serves as the founding pastor of Dreams and Visions, an imaginative spiritual community of restoration that is rooted in the LGBTQ+ community.
Also, Emily is the author of the recently published book, For All Who Hunger: Searching for Communion in a Shattered World.
Topics Discussed:
- Identity and Faith: Formed and shaped by privileges and influence of whiteness
- Threads of Liberation: Bible stories make for constant coming out and emerging
- Church Culture: Progressive path to walk or follow scripts to shut off yourself
- Communion: Transcendent/transported expression of faith in God’s presence
- Dinner Church: Deep symbols of faith bring people together to feast upon
- Embedded Misogyny: Process and performance of being feminine or masculine
- What to Wear? Pants, skirts, or whatever feels right and comfortable, not painful
- Resurrection: Come back in a transformed state and leave behind past versions
Links and Resources:
Emily Scott’s Website
For All Who Hunger: Searching for Communion in a Shattered World
Dreams and Visions
St. Lydia's Dinner Church
Emily Scott on Instagram
Emily Scott on Twitter
Emily Scott on Facebook
Kinsey Scale
Queerology: Nadia Bolz-Weber is Trying Compassion
Queerology Podcast on Instagram
Queerology Podcast on Twitter
Beyond Shame by Matthias Roberts
Matthias Roberts on Patreon
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Andrea Dalzell was told she could never become a nurse because of her disability. Never tell Andrea what she can and can’t do.
At five years old, Andrea was diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis (TM), a neurological condition that causes paralysis. However, growing up using a wheelchair didn't stop her from pursuing a career in health care.
Today, Andrea is a registered nurse, disability advocate, and speaker. She studied biology and neuroscience in college to earn an associate’s and bachelor’s degree in nursing (RN, BSN).
As the first registered nurse who uses a wheelchair in New York City, thousands of clinicians, caregivers, and wheelchair users follow Andrea’s career pursuits as The Seated Nurse on Instagram.
Unhidden and unapologetically, Andrea is a queer, black woman with a disability.
Topics Discussed:
- Faith and Identity: Sometimes shifts or stays stagnate
- Why me? Why God? Why a diagnosis transforms a person’s life
- Doctors, Prayers, and Pain: Need to be cured and whole in normal society
- Special Ed Student: Picked on and scolded because of physical disability
- My Mom, My Advocate: Disability doesn’t define or determine ability
- Rage and Rebellion: Going against society when not allowed to be normal
- Accessibility: Find your voice and strength to ask for help as a human being
- Why Nursing School? Holistic approach to whole patient, not their diagnosis
- All About Me to Advocacy Work: People with disabilities want equal opportunities
- Fake It to Make It: Understand that you’re worthy, deserving, and included
- Love Yourself: Mental health is what’s most important, so take care of you
Links and Resources:
The Seated Nurse on Instagram
Transverse Myelitis (TM)
Ms. Wheelchair NY: ‘Life, Liberty And The Pursuit Of Access’
Queerology Podcast on Instagram
Queerology Podcast on Twitter
Beyond Shame by Matthias Roberts
Beyond Shame Healing Day Hosted by Matthias Roberts
Matthias Roberts on Patreon
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Leigh Finke is a writer, producer, and editor from St. Paul, Minnesota. Her work focuses on religion and culture and how both intersect with the lives of queer people.
She has two new books releasing August 25 titled, Queerfully and Wonderfully Made: A Guide for LGBTQ+ Christian Teens and Welcoming and Affirming: A Guide to Supporting and Working with LGBTQ+ Christian Youth.
These books are some of the best and most comprehensive resources I've ever seen for LGBTQ+ teens and people of all ages.
Topics Discussed:
- Christianity as a negative closeting tool
- Gender concepts
- Leigh's paradigm shift
- Queerfully and Wonderfully Made: Your identity is real, valid, and valuable
- Focusing on spirituality instead. of maintaining faith for others
- Harmful and toxic religion changing to affirmation and support
- Doing what’s best for you; coming out is not a necessity
Links and Resources:
Leigh Finke’s Website
Leigh Finke on Twitter
Leigh Finke on Facebook
Queerfully and Wonderfully Made: A Guide for LGBTQ+ Christian Teens
Welcoming and Affirming: A Guide to Supporting and Working with LGBTQ+ Christian Youth
Orlando Shooting at Pulse Nightclub
National Study of Youth and Religion, Wave 3 (2007-2008)
Queerology Podcast on Instagram
Queerology Podcast on Twitter
Beyond Shame by Matthias Roberts
Beyond Shame Healing Day Hosted by Matthias Roberts
Matthias Roberts on Patreon
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
In January 2020, Netflix released a reality show titled, The Circle. One of the contestants was Chris Sapphire, a gay guy with a huge personality who talked about his faith in the first five minutes of the show.
Chris wasn’t playing a character. He is just as quirky and enthusiastic in real life. In this episode, Chris openly talks about depression and suicide using spirited language. He also describes neuroplasticity—within scripture, our minds can be renewed and that’s a promise from God.
Therapy is a recommended and important part of the renewal of our minds. If only spiritual means doesn’t work for you, it doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with you.
Topics Discussed:
- Faith Forms Identity: Christianity is fiber of Chris’s existence
- Depressive State of Mind: Discovering God was saving grace from suicide
- Bible vs. Bullying: School bus stop proves God’s prevention
- God and the Golden Rule: Treat others the way you would want to be treated
- Imperfectly Perfect: Sinner or saint? Surrender to Savior
- Taking Notes: Chris’s time on The Circle spent writing Bible verses
- Fear and Conflict: Deny documentary striving to disprove Jesus’s existence
- Prayer and Affirmation: What if...? Optimistic, hopeful, life-changing experiences
Links and Resources:
Chris Sapphire on Instagram
Chris Sapphire on YouTube
Chris Sapphire on Twitter
Chris Sapphire on Facebook
The Circle
Dancing Queen
Alyssa Edwards
Adore Delano
RuPaul’s Drag Race
Pete Buttigieg
Beyond Shame by Matthias Roberts
Matthias Roberts on Patreon
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Blake Mundell wanted to be a worship songwriter, but quickly became disillusioned and transitioned to pop music. He now writes and records songs under the name, COURIER. Blake is recording a new album and his new single, Conversion, releases July 17.
Also, Blake is a sports massage therapist and on the medical staff for the Tennessee Titans. He’s an instructor of ethics, anatomy, and physiology at Mind Body Institute and is happiest when on a beach volleyball court.
Blake lives with his partner, Tim, and dog, Jesse.
Topics Discussed:
- How Blake identifies in relationships and religion
- How conversion therapy reates abusive and damaging sense of camaraderie
- COURIER: Concept artist humanizes people and writes about life experiences
- Words of Wisdom: Mess up, know it’s ok, but do what’s possible to not mess up
- White Tears: Identity comes from community; give up power, give up what binds
- Emotional Labor: Hard but necessary; white people need to become whole again
- Theological Walls: Barrier from experiencing empathy due to what God made you
Links and Resources:
Blake Mundell on Instagram
Blake Mundell on Twitter
COURIER
Present Tense
White Tears
Mind Body Institute
Tennessee Titans
Bridge to Terabithia
SueAnn Shiah
Wicca
Colin Kaepernick
Bad Theology Kills by Kevin Garcia
Queerology, Ep 42 with SueAnn Shiah
Queerology Podcast on Instagram
Queerology Podcast on Twitter
Beyond Shame by Matthias Roberts
Matthias Roberts on Patreon
Queerology releases every other Tuesday and is supported by its listeners via Patreon. Join in the conversation on Twitter: @queerologypod
Until next week,
-Matthias
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How are you celebrating the first-ever national Queer Youth of Faith (QYF) Day on June 30, 2020?
On this episode of Queerology, a panel celebrates the life, creativity, and gifts of queer youth of faith.
The panel includes Ameera, a trans Bengali-American Muslim; Taline, a bisexual Armenian Christian; Daniel, a gay Jew; and Sebastian, a trans Christian.
Happy QYF Day!
Topics Discussed:
- QYF Panel: How each identifies and how faith formed their identity
- Honor, Celebrate, Center: Importance and meaning of QYF Day to each panelist
- Affirming Theology: Spread awareness that God doesn’t hate you
- Queer Realization: Born this way and continual struggle to find hope and support
- Advice: Nobody’s perfect, don’t change, you’re not alone, find your people
Links and Resources:
QYF Day
Beloved Arise
Jewish Queer Youth
Keshet
Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity
Rebel & Divine
Kevin Garcia on YouTube
Beyond Shame by Matthias Roberts
Matthias Roberts on Patreon
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Are you afraid to walk in your own neighborhood? Tired of being blocked by white people who think they own the sidewalk? Are you an ally or accomplice?
Kashif Andrew Graham steps in as guest host for Matthias Roberts to talk to Rev. Broderick Greer about moving from allyship to accompliceship.
As a priest-on-staff at St. John’s Cathedral in Denver, Broderick directs liturgy and oversees ministry for people in their 20s and 30s.
Occasionally, Broderick offers lectures and facilitates conversations related to the interplay of culture, theology, and justice.
Broderick’s work has been in The Guardian, Teen Vogue, On Being, and The Washington Post.
Topics Discussed:
- Current Events: Things are breaking everywhere—in a necessary way
- Allyship or Accompliceship: Walk with Shawn or white saviorism on Nextdoor?
- Ally Framework: Difference between support and privilege; charity and justice
- Unfriended Friends: What is sustainable—ally or accomplice framework?
- Toxic Positivity: Unveiling black/white relations and unrealistic perceptions
- Disrespect and Disconnect White people don’t own the world
- Social Media: Watching black death retraumatizes; reinforces white imagination
- Sorry, Not Sorry: I’m not exhausted by being black
- PRIDE: What it means to be a queer, black man
Links and Resources:
Broderick Greer
A black man was afraid to walk in his gentrified community. So 75 neighbors walked with him.
Dying of Whiteness
Accomplices, Not Allies
A Brief History of the Black Friend
Thick: And Other Essays by Tressie McMillan Cottom
Nextdoor
Andre Perry
Christian Cooper
Eric Garner
The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel
Alice Walker
Angela Davis
Stonewall Riots
Kashif Andrew Graham on Instagram
Beyond Shame by Matthias Roberts
Matthias Roberts on Patreon
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Join Broderick Greer, Brit Barron, Robin DiAngelo, Darren Calhoun, Robyn Henderson-Espinoza, and Kenji Kuramitsu for this special compilation episode about liberation and justice.
Links & Resources
Care by and for Black and Brown folks (white folks, give these orgs money):
- The Mystic Soul Project
- The Nap Ministry
- Sweet Rest
Other Links and Resources:
- Google (learn how to use it)
- National Bail Fund Network
- Donate to Black Lives Matter
- Anti-racism Resources for White People
- 75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice
- White Homework by Torri Williams Douglass
- AnaYelsi Velasco-Sanchez
- A Booklet of Uncommon Prayer
- Nordstrom Corporate Statement
- White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Race
- Darren Calhoun
- Dr. Robyn Henderson Espinoza
- Activist Theology
- Brit Barron
- Worth It: Overcome Your Fears and Embrace the Life You Were Made For
- Broderick Greer
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James Alison is a Catholic theologian, priest, and author, who has studied, lived, and worked in Mexico, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Spain, America, and England.
Known for his firm but patient insistence on truthfulness regarding gay matters as an ordinary part of basic Christianity, James is dedicated to pastoral outreach.
James has written eight books. His latest is titled, Jesus the Forgiving Victim: Listening for the Unheard Voice.
James earned a doctorate in theology and serves as a Fellow and Chair of the Education Committee at IMITATIO, an organization that focuses on René Girard’s insights into human behavior and culture.
Topics Discussed:
- James’s faith journey
- René Girard and mimetic theory
- The scapegoat mechanism
- Sacred (or Holy) vs. Mysticism (or Mythification) of Divine as churches crumble
- Intelligence of victim
- Grace and growth
Links and Resources:
James Alison
Books by James Alison
Jesus the Forgiving Victim: Listening for the Unheard Voice
IMITATIO
René Girard and Mimetic Theory
Nadia Bolz-Weber
Leap of Faith Movie with Steve Martin
Beyond Shame by Matthias Roberts
Matthias Roberts on Patreon
Tweets:
God’s word matters more than any amount of scientific knowledge or learning.
Catholicism: Grace perfects nature.
Gradual Realization: Reality is screwed up, but not radically screwed up.
Learn from who you are, what is true.
God has nothing to do with violence.
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Nadia Bolz-Weber is an ordained Lutheran Pastor, founder of House for All Sinners and Saints in Denver, and New York Times best-selling author.
Nadia’s three memoirs are Pastrix: The Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner & Saint; Accidental Saints: Finding God In All The Wrong People; and SHAMELESS: A Sexual Reformation.
Also, Nadia has an online publication, newsletter, and community called, The Corners. Recently, she started her own podcast, The Confessional.
Nadia writes and speaks about personal failings, recovery, grace, faith, and whatever else is on her mind. You can usually find her sitting in the corner with the other weirdos.
Topics Discussed:
- The confines of labels
- Nadia's faith journey
- Spiritual authority and gender bias
- The dualism of idealism and devaluation
- The path to maturity and compassion
- Free will
- Scapegoating and callouts
- Where do we find hope?
Links and Resources:
Nadia Bolz-Weber
Nadia Bolz-Weber on Instagram
Nadia Bolz-Weber on Twitter
House for All Sinners and Saints
The Corners
The Confessional
Pastrix: The Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner & Saint
Accidental Saints: Finding God In All The Wrong People
SHAMELESS: A Sexual Reformation
Frank Schaeffer
Fresh Air
Terry Gross
Wild, Wild Country on Netflix
Rob Bell
Brian Williams
Dominion by Tom Holland
Beyond Shame by Matthias Roberts
Matthias Roberts on Patreon
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Jeff Chu is a writer, reporter, and editor. He’s the author of Does Jesus Really Love Me? A Gay Christian’s Pilgrimage in Search of God in America.
Currently, Jeff lives in Michigan with his husband and serves as a teacher-in-residence at Central Reformed Church in Grand Rapids.
Also, Jeff co-hosts Evolving Faith with Sarah Bessey, a yearly conference for those exploring faith and answers related to sexuality, justice, church, and life.
Jeff graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary (PTS). He was a farmhand at PTS’s Farminary, where theological education focuses on small-scale regenerative agriculture.
Topics Discussed:
- Faith and identity
- Exploring sexuality to reconcile faith
- Learning about love
- Jeff’s Book: Does Jesus Really Love Me?
- God’s invitations for us
- Seasons and Seeds: Invitation to resurrect, regenerate, restore, and renourish
- Chasing and Capturing Struggle: Core need is to know that you matter to God
Links and Resources:
Jeff Chu
Jeff Chu on Instagram
Jeff Chu on Twitter
Does Jesus Really Love Me?
Evolving Faith
Central Reformed Church
Princeton Theological Seminary (PTS): Farminary
Notes of a Make-Believe Farmer
Beyond Shame by Matthias Roberts
Matthias Roberts on Patreon
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Cameron Esposito is a Los Angeles-based standup comic, actor, and writer. She’s the host of the Queery podcast, which features interviews with LGBTQ luminaries.
Recently, Cameron released her first book, Save Yourself, a memoir that addresses sexuality, gender, and equality. It describes how her Catholic upbringing prepared her for a career as an outspoken lesbian comedian.
Also, Cameron is the co-creator and co-star of the TV series, Take My Wife. Her recent comedy special, Rape Jokes, raised nearly $100,000 for RAINN, the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization.
All systems have hypocrisy and flaws. Nobody is perfect. Comedy can be a relief.
Cameron is endlessly curious about other people’s past and present experiences. What will happen next?
Topics Discussed:
- Her Catholic upbringing
- Gender equality and queer theory
- Social justice, support, and safe places
- Liberation theology
- What was missing in the Catholic message she was taught
- Fear of abandonment
- The connection between being a comic and a priest
- The importance of having accountability in communities
Links and Resources:
Cameron Esposito
Queery with Cameron Esposito
Save Yourself
Take My Wife
Rape Jokes
RAINN
Spotlight
Matthias Roberts on Patreon
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Kalen Allen is a YouTuber known for his Kalen Reacts videos featuring colorful and witty commentary on culinary concoctions.
Kalen’s videos captured Ellen DeGeneres’s interest and was offered the opportunity to collaborate and produce content for her digital platforms. Now, Kalen has a regular guest spot on The Ellen Show and weekly news series called, OMKalen.
Kalen’s videos boast more than 487 million views thanks to his infectious personality and wide-brimmed red hat.
As Kalen continues to entertain in the digital space, he will make his acting debut in Seth Rogen’s Untitled Pickle Comedy.
Kalen is originally from Kansas City, Kansas, and now lives in Hollywood, California. He describes how he continues to experience internalized homophobia.
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Mark your calendars, because Queerology is returning on March 24 for an all new season!
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Join Kevin Garcia and Matthias as they celebrate the release of his new book Beyond Shame: Creating a Healthy Sex Life on Your Own Terms, out everywhere TODAY! Recorded live from QCF Conference in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida!
Purchase Beyond Shame wherever you buy books: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound
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Linda Kay Klein has spent her career working at the cross section of faith, gender, sexuality, and social change. She’s the author of “Pure: Inside the Evangelical Movement that Shamed a Generation of Young Women and How I Broke Free” — a book that shares her 15+ years of research on sexual shame, fear, anxiety, and PTSD-like experiences among individuals raised in purity culture.
For access to the full masterclass, head to beyondshamebook.com
Linda can be found at lindakaykelin.com
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Listen to my brand new Patreon Exclusive podcast over at patreon.com/matthiasroberts
Vivian Gietz is a 23-year-old bisexual Catholic woman, writer, feminist, and activist. A communications and administrative professional, she graduated from the University of British Columbia, with a Bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing and a minor in Gender and Womens' Studies.
Vivian is primarily interested in exploring positive queer and feminist intersections with Catholicism and Christianity through her blogging, poetry, and everyday life. Her creative perspective allows her to navigate both personal and professional situations with an emphasis on diversity, inspiration, and spirituality.
She currently resides in Vancouver, BC with her beloved cat, Baby, and blogs at www.viviangietz.com
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(This episode originally aired November 12, 2018) Alyson Stoner is an accomplished actress, dancer and recording artist who is known from her performances in blockbuster franchises Step Up and Cheaper by the Dozen; to her voiceover work in the Emmy award-winning series Phineas and Ferb; to dancing in music videos for the likes of Missy Elliot and Eminem; and most recently her new music.
Earlier this year, Alyson came out publicly via her single “When It’s Right” and an essay in Teen Vogue, sharing her journey of falling in love with a woman for the first time. In this episode Alyson shares about wrestling with her faith and sexuality, coming out, and how she's learned to embrace mystery.
Alyson can be found on Twitter and Instagram, @alysonstoner. She's also on YouTube, youtube.com/therealalysonstoner.
Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod
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Dr. Robyn is back for their third appearance on Queerology, this time to celebrate the publication of their new book Activist Theology which is out everywhere today!
Robyn Henderson-Espinoza is a theologian and ethicist based in Nashville, TN. They work in the hybrid spaces of the church, the academy, and movements for justice. They were named 1 of 10 Faith Leaders to Watch in 2018 by the Center for American Progress. Robyn is the founder of the Activist Theology Project, a collaborative project that uses media, art, advocacy, and story-telling as the primary forms of public theology and ethics.
Find out more about Dr. Robyn's work at www.irobyn.com
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Emily Joy is a spoken word poet, yoga teacher and author living and working in Nashville. Her advocacy takes place at the intersection of faith, sexuality and healing, and her work has been featured in Time, Cosmopolitan, Jezebel, Mother Jones, The Huffington Post and more. Emily is the co-creator of the #ChurchToo hashtag, a #MeToo spinoff exposing sexual violence in Christian churches and other faith communities. In this episode, she talks with Matthias about purity culture, #ChurchToo, and her new book project.
Emily can be found at emilyjoypoetry.com. She's on Instagram and Twitter @emilyjoypoetry.
Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod
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The Rev. Dr. Yvette A. Flunder is an unapologetic disciple and proponent of the radically inclusive love of Jesus, who has raised her voice for justice from the church house to the White House and steps of the Supreme Court. During the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the 80s, Bishop Flunder worked on the ground providing life-saving care, and today continues her work for intersectional justice around the world.
In this episode, she shares about being a justice warrior, how she has sustained her work for many years, and about the heretical nature of Jesus.
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Last week, Bethel Church posted a message on their Instagram asking "Can a person leave homosexuality behind?" promoting their "Changed Movement" which shares stories of people who have "experienced freedom" from being LGBTQ+.
90 Seconds of Truth is our response. Kevin Garcia and I joined forces and asked people on our social media channels to share 90-second stories with us of what their lives have been like since leaving toxic theology behind.
We had so many responses that we needed to break things up into two episodes! Listen in today and again tomorrow on Kevin's Podcast, A Tiny Revolution to hear all these incredible stories!
Together, we can fight the resurgence of ex-gay theology. A theology that is responsible for the deaths of LGBTQ+ people all over the world. Join us and tell your story using the hashtag #90SecondsOfTruth
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Join in as panelists Trey Pearson, Matthew Wigmore, Rev. Leenane Shiels, and Mary Ann Saunders discuss the future of the LGBTQ+ movement with Matthias in front of a live audience. This episode was recorded during SpiritPride 2019 at Christ Church Cathedral in downtown Vancouver, BC.
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Liz Edman is an Episcopal priest and political strategist. She is the author of Queer Virtue: What LGBTQ People Know About Life and Love and How It Can Revitalize Christianity (Beacon Press, 2016). In this episode, she discusses the inherent queerness of Christianity, God, and what gives her hope.
Liz has lived and worked on the front lines of many of the most pressing issues where religion and sexuality meet, serving as an inner city hospital chaplain to people with HIV/AIDS from 1989 to 1995 and helping craft political and communications strategies for marriage equality efforts. In 2017, she partnered with Parity to create Glitter+Ash Wednesday, a project to increase the visibility of progressive, queer-positive Christians and to explore Christian liturgy through a queer lens.
Her writing has been featured in Salon.com, The Advocate, LGBT Nation, and Religion News Service. She has been interviewed for feature and news articles in the Los Angeles Times, Huffington Post, Chicago Tribune, Baltimore Sun, Chicago Sun-Times, and Religion Dispatches.
Liz can be found at queervirtue.com and on Twitter @liz_edman
Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod
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This episode was recorded live from the Wild Goose Festival podcast stage on July 12, 2019 in Hot Springs, NC.
Anna Golladay is a United Methodist Minister who made headlines in 2018 when she was fired for performing a same-gender wedding. Listen in as she shares some of her story, her thoughts about where the UMC is heading now, and the larger implications on churches everywhere.
Anna can be found at unholyhairetic.com and on Twitter @unholyhairetic
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Poet and theologian, Pádraig Ó Tuama’s work centres around themes of language, power, conflict and religion. Working fluently on the page and in public, Pádraig is a compelling poet and skilled speaker, teacher and group worker. In this episode, he chats with Matthias about reconciliation, conflict, and hope.
Pádraig can be found online at padraigotuama.com
Poets mentioned by Pádraig in this episode:
- Marie Howe
- Kei Miller
- Lorna Goodison
- Tracy K Smith
- Joy Harjo
- Sappho
- Seán Ó Ríordáin
- Máirtín Ó Direáin
- Claudia Rankine
- Emily Dickinson
- Nuala Ni Dhomhnaill
- Raymond Antrobus
- Ali Cobby Eckermann
Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod
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Myah Jackson is the founder and editor of The Zeal Life, an online fashion publication that amplifies the visibility of marginalized communities in fashion, culture and art. Her mission is to bring others
closer to their purpose, so that they may lead more authentic lives.
In this episode we talk about her new photo series All Are Welcome: A Fashion Narrative on the LGBTQ Community and The Church and her work to amplify marginalized voices in fashion.
Myah can be found at thezeallife.com, on Instagram @thezeallife, and on Patreon at patron.com/thezeallife
Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod
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This is an encore of Episode 51. Vicky Beeching is a writer, speaker and equality campaigner named by The Guardian as "arguably the most influential Christian of her generation." Previously, she worked as a songwriter and worship leader throughout her twenties and half of her thirties and her songs are some of the most-sung in churches around the globe. When she came out as gay, all of that changed. On today's episode, Vicky talks about coming out, living with chronic illness, and the importance of Pride.
Vicky has degrees in theology from Oxford University and has recently returned to academia part-time, alongside her writing and speaking, to do a Ph.D. Her first book, Undivided,is out today with HarperCollins.
Find out more about Vicky at vickybeeching.com. She's across social media @vickybeeching.
Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod.
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(This is an encore of Episode 59) Bailey Brawner is the pastor of two United Methodist Churches in Alaska. She's a graduate of Boston University School of Theology and much of her work focuses on creating spiritual spaces for people who have experienced religious trauma. In this episode, she talks about being asexual and the unique position that places her in to navigate conversations around faith and sexuality.
Follow Bailey on Twitter, @baileynbrawner
Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod
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Brit Barron is a pastor, speaker, wife, dog mom and avid teller of stories about a bigger God, more inclusive church and more whole humanity. In this episode, she talks about how she understands Pride and how to work through phases of deconstruction.
Check out the new Gloriously Queer conference happening in Pasadena, CA: www.anythingbutblackandwhite.com/gloriouslyqueer
Brit writes at britbarron.com and on Instagram: @britbarron.
Queerology is Twitter and Instagram at @queerologypod.
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Queerology is two years old!!! To celebrate, Grammy-nominated recording artist Jennifer Knapp takes over the controls and puts Matthias in the hotseat. Jennifer was the first ever guest interviewed on Queerology, listen in as she now has the chance to ask all the hard questions.
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Jackie G. is an author, vlogger, and speaker who was shocked when her sister, Alex, came out...because she was hiding a secret of her own.
Jackie has written two books about self discovery, vulnerability and connection, and spends her time as a motivational speaker and making youtube videos.
Jackie can be found at jackiegtv.com. She's on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/jackiegtv and Instagram, @jackieg.tv
Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod.
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Rachel Held Evans was a fierce ally and advocate for LGBTQ+ people, she passed away unexpectedly this last weekend and it's so hard to say goodbye.
To support Rachel's husband and their two kids, consider contributing to this GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/supporting-rachel-held-evans?pc=tw_dn_cpgntopnavlarge_r&rcid=r01-155720687607-f830f3aba97c4b9b
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Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, pop artist Gattison began playing the piano and singing at the young-age of ten years old and composed his first song at the age of twelve. He successfully worked as a worship leader for years, until he came out, which ended his marriage with his wife and left him searching and deconstructing his faith.
Jump forward a few years and Gattison is the founder of the Innovative Love Coalition a group of queer and affirming Christian creatives who are reintroducing God’s love through creative experiences, justice initiatives and acts of service. They just launched a kickstarter for a brand new worship album created by LGBTQ+ people of faith an allies, supported by grammy award winning artists and producers
Gattison’s new single, Picture Perfect debuted on the Billboard Breakout charts and he lives in LA, coparenting his two kids and making music.
Innovative Love Coalition is on Instagram: @innovativelovecoalition
innovativelovecoalition.com
Gattison is on Instagram: @gattisonofficial and Twitter: @iamgattison
gattisonofficial.com
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Marco Spaumer is a South African actor, best known for his work in the South African soap opera Suidooster. He studied Musical Theatre and has been on South African screens since late 2012. In this episode, Marco and Matthias talk about spiritual abuse, LGBTQ+ faith in South Africa, and Marco's faith journey.
Marco is part of Life Choices, a Cape Town-based youth organization aiming to invest in the local youth to tackle inequality and has been actively serving on the board as secretary. He is also part of Simunye, an initiative to feed and serve those living on the streets in Cape Town. He is passionate about social justice and using his profile and platform to create awareness for those who are marginalized.
Follow Marco across social media: @marcospaumer.
For the list of books Marco mentions, visit this episode's blog post: www.matthiasroberts.com/queerology/e76-marco-spaumer
To help out with the GoFundMe for Rachel Held Evans' medical bills visit: www.gofundme.com/supporting-rachel-held-evans
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Abi Robins (they/them) is a trained Enneagram Teacher who studied with Helen Palmer, Marion Gilbert, Peter O’Hanrahan and others through The Narrative Enneagram in Menlo Park, CA. Robins is also a CIAYT Yoga Therapist (intern) with the International Association of Yoga Therapists and studied at Yoga Yoga in Austin, TX.
Abi’s teaching combines the deep and transformative insight of the Enneagram with the holistic and down to earth practices of Yoga Therapy. Robins seeks to share these two powerful systems to help people better understand themselves and those around them and live more fulfilling and meaningful lives.
As a queer, non-binary Enneagram teacher and Yoga Therapist, Robins is also working tirelessly to bring quality teaching in both areas to the queer community. Abi seeks to empower sexual and gender minorities with self-understanding, self-compassion and embodied practices to heal from the trauma inherent in existing on the margins. Robins also hopes to educate other Yoga and Enneagram teachers on how to best serve the queer community through their own teaching.
Connect with Abi here:
www.consciousenneagram.com
instagram.com/consciousenneagram
twitter.com/consciousennea
Facebook.com/consciousenneagram
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSgjE45bg1l4jRvkKRkLYsA
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(Matthias is working on finishing his book this week, so another encore episode, this is an encore of Episode 41 with Kevin Garcia)
Kevin and Matthias sit down for Queerology's first ever live recording. Find out what happened when Nadia Bolz-Weber pulled Kevin aside and asked "will you serve communion with me?"
Kevin Garcia is a speaker, creative, musician, content creator, and worship artist based in Atlanta. After coming out in 2015, Kevin has reached thousands through his blog (thekevingarcia.com), his podcast (A Tiny Revolution), and his YouTube channel where he unpacks theology and addresses life as a queer person of faith.
Kevin works with The Reformation Project and is currently working on his M.Div at Columbia Theological Seminary. He believes that by telling our stories, we set others free to tell theirs.
Kevin is on Twitter @theKevinGarcia_ and on Instagram @thekevingarcia.
Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod.
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(This is an encore of Episode 47) Julien Baker is a Tennessee based singer/songwriter with a knack for finding the shaky ground between heart-wrenching and cathartic. Her solo debut album, Sprained Ankle, was one of the most widely acclaimed works of 2015. In this episode she talks about uncertainty, church hopping, anxiety, and identity.
Julien has performed on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, was one of Out magazine’s Out100 in 2017, and has been featured by The New York Times, Paste, The New Yorker, GQ Magazine, Vice, NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts, and so many more.
Be sure to pick up a copy of Julien's new album Turn Out the Lights wherever music is sold. She can be found across the internet, @julienrbaker.
Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod.
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Join Matthias and Amber as they celebrate the launch of her new book Unashamed: A Coming Out Guide for LGBTQ Christians, which is out everywhere today! Amber Cantorna is an author, speaker, blogger, musician, and leader in the movement of acceptance and inclusion for LGBTQ+ Christians.
Her first book, Refocusing My Family: Coming Out, Being Cast Out, and Discovering the True Love of God (featured in Episode 20 of Queerology) released in 2017 and detailed her coming out journey after growing up the daughter of a Focus on the Family executive. Amber resides in Denver with her wife Clara and their dogs.
Pick up a copy of Unashamed wherever you buy books. Follow Amber on her website, www.ambercantorna.com and across social media @amberncantorna.
Find out more about the Tell Your Pastor #imaffirming campaign: https://www.generousspace.ca/tell-your-pastor-imaffirming/
Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod
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Sarah Kessler is a life coach (CPC, ELI-MP), speaker, and writer who is passionate about connecting with individuals and empowering them to live a life marked by radical self-love, freedom, and endless possibility. In this episode, she sits down with Matthias to discuss the phenomenon of "second adolescence" which many people experience after coming out.
Sarah resides in Denver, CO, with her wife, Stacey, and their new puppy, Kamari. She can be found at coachkessler.com and also over at The Christian Closet. She's on Twitter and Instagram, @thecoachkessler
Join the Tell Your Pastor #imaffirming campaign for Lent:https://www.generousspace.ca/lent-2019-tell-your-pastor-imaffirming/
Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod
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In this encore of Episode 38, therapist and founder of The Christian Closet, Candice Czubernat discusses the complexities of mental health while living as a queer people of faith. Candice was named one of the "10 Pro-LGBT Religious Women You Should Know" by The Advocate and is an active blogger and speaker around issues of LGBTQ Christianity and mental health.
Her practice can be found at thechristiancloset.com, she blogs at candiceczubernat.com. She's on Twitter: @TheChristianCL and Facebook: facebook.com/thechristiancloset.
Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod.
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Donald Scherschligt is a 24-year-old gay HIV+ activist, writer and graphic designer. In this episode we talk about his Christianity, HIV/AIDS, stigma, and what we can each do to help fight this disease.
After coming out at age 19, Donald led an underground LGBTQ community at the Christian college he attended. He is the creator of Campus Pride's Shame List, the nation's most comprehensive list of anti-LGBTQ religious colleges and universities. He's also one half of the team behind Queerly Beloved Tees, an apparel company for LGBTQ people of faith.
You can find Donald at www.donaldlawrence.me, and on Twitter and Instagram, @donnysurelegit.
Everything you could ever want to know and more about HIV: http://www.thebody.com/
To find an HIV testing center in your local area: https://locator.aids.gov/
To find PrEP providers: https://preplocator.org/
If you live in a “healthcare desert” (a location where access to PrEP is unavailable due to legal or geographical limitations), learn about Nurx and get their app. They’re an amazing telemedicine start-up that is making access to this pill incredibly easy: https://www.nurx.com/prep/
If you need help affording PrEP: https://www.truvada.com/how-to-get-truvada-for-prep/truvada-cost
Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod
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Kashif Andrew Graham is a queer Jamaican American man. He's the Outreach Librarian for Religion and Theology at the Vanderbilt Divinity Library in Nashville, TN. In this episode Kashif shares his coming out journey and the need for more diversity within our theological libraries.
Kashif holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Spanish from CUNY Lehman College. He received his Master of Arts in Church Ministry from the Pentecostal Theological Seminary in Cleveland, TN. And will graduate this May from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville with a Master of Science in Information Sciences.
He blogs at kashifandrewgraham.com and is on Instagram @kashifandrewgraham.
Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod
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Ellie Dote is a 41 year old queer transgender woman whose past includes time spent in full time ministry within Evangelical Christian communities. In this episode, she chats with Matthias about her transition and the binary structures that kept her from realizing she was trans.
Ellie began her transition two years ago, and since that time, launched her web design & branding business, EllieGirl Creations, and in her spare time works within the Evangelical Church and surrounding community to share her story with the belief that in sharing our stories we build acceptance and understanding.
Ellie can be found at elliedote.com and on Twitter @elliegirl77
Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod
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This is an encore of Episode 3 (and Episode 34) with Dr. Robin DiAngelo. A foundational episode for anyone who listens to Queerology. (Matthias no longer has laryngitis.)
Critical race theorist and author, Dr. Robin DiAngelo sits down to talk with Matthias about holding both marginalized (queer, gender) and privileged (white) identities. She’s the author of What Does It Mean To Be White? and White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard For White People To Talk About Racism.
Dr. DiAngelo’s work can be found at robindiangelo.com.
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Recorded live from the Brian M. Eckstien Podcast Stage at Q Christian Fellowship's national conference in Chicago, Illinois. Join Matthias, Dave & Tino Khalaf and surprise guests Alex & Torri Blue as they talk about relationships, marriage, parents and....surprise cocktails?
Grab a copy of Dave & Tino's new book Modern Kinship: A Queer Guide to Christian Marriage wherever books are sold. And be sure to check out Alex's new album In the Still and Homespun wherever you get your music!
Follow Dave and Tino on Twitter and Instagram, @modernkinship
Alex G can be found on Twitter and Instagram, @alexgmusic7
Torri can be found on Twitter and Instagram, @notesontheway
This episode was recorded live on January 12, 2019 at the Hyatt Regency in Chicago, Illinois.
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Bishop Gene Robinson is the first openly gay man to be elected bishop in the high church traditions of Christendom, putting him directly in the center of the LGBTQ+ faith controversy. In this episode, he sits down with Matthias to talk about what we lose when we don't pursue inter-generational friendships.
Bishop Gene was invited by President Barack Obama to give the invocation at the inaugural ceremonies at the Lincoln Memorial in 2009. More recently, he presided over the interment of Matthew Shepard’s ashes in the Washington National Cathedral last fall.
Robinson is the author of two books In The Eye of the Storm: Swept to the Center by God and God Believes in Love: Straight Talk about Gay Marriage. He's currently the VP of Religion at the Chautauqua Institution in New York.
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Join Matthias as he reviews the first half of Queerology in 2018. Queerology will return with all new episodes on January 15.
Queerology is on Instagram and Twitter, @queerologypod
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Join Matthias as he reviews the first half of Queerology in 2018.
Queerology is on Instagram and Twitter, @queerologypod
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Pat Gothman, Michael Vazquez, and Patrick Weston are on a mission to create a robust set of resources for queer Catholics. They've started Vine & Fig, a fully inclusive and affirming collaborative seeking to elevate the lives of queer Catholics. In this episode, they talk about their journeys as queer Catholics and what they are doing to create more resources for their queer siblings.
Pat Gothman is a former seminarian, former theology teacher, and former religious brother. He lives in Seattle with his fiancé and is the editor of Reaching Out, a collection of LGBTQ stories from people of all faiths. He can be found at @pgothman
Michael Vazquez is a public theologian, community organizer, storyteller, and educator advocating for social equity and liberation in the academy and the church. Michael is an M.Div. student at Duke Divinity School, and is the founder and Co-Executive Director of Brave Commons, an LGBT advocacy organization and inclusive Christian campus ministry. He can be found at @mvsebastian
Patrick Weston grew up in farm county going to mass with his family and holds Catholic values - especially social justice for society’s most vulnerable - close to his heart. While it took some time to figure out, he’s realized he can be gay and Catholic at the same time. He lives in Columbus and develops websites for socially-good clients. He can be found at @patrickfweston
Vine and Fig can be found at vineandfig.co and on Twitter at @vineandfigco
Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod
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Victoria Slabinski is a queer/demisexual Filipino-American Christian who is currently working towards a Master of Divinity at Yale Divinity School. In this episode, she talks about her work exploring asexual and aromantic-inclusive queer theologies as well as theologies related to decolonizing/reclaiming efforts by Christians of color
Victoria founded Progressive Christian Students, an intersectional feminist, LGBTQ+ affirming, and theologically-inclusive student organization at Miami University, and she’s working on creating a similar campus-wide organization at Yale. In October, she co-led The Reformation Project’s first workshop on asexual and aromantic identities. Her lifelong goals are to build welcoming communities, do faith-inspired social justice work, and pursue her values of authenticity, courage, and joy.
Victoria can be found on Instagram, @victoriaslabinski
Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod
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Crystal Cheatham is the creator of Our Bible App and is an LGBTQ rights activist with a focus on religious liberty. In this episode, Crystal and Matthias talk about the need for inclusive faith spaces and the ways Crystal is creating those spaces.
Since 2011, Crystal has worked simultaneously as a ghostwriter and queer rights activist with groups such as Soulforce and the Attic Youth Center. As an entrepreneur Crystal is the founder of two projects: Follow the Red Balloon and The IDentity Kit, both of which provided resources for marginalized communities of faith.
As an outspoken activist Crystal has written for The Huffington Post, and the Philadelphia Gay Newspaper. Sat on the steering committee for the HRC as the Faith & Spirituality chair, and partnered with Equality PA to influence clergy to support non-discrimination legislation. She is the host of Lord Have Mercy, a podcast about God, sex and the bible, and has been featured in TeenVogue, Autostraddle, and LGBTQNation, among others.
Our Bible App in your app store. Crystal can be found at crystalcheatham.com and on Twitter @crystalcheatham.
Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod
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Alyson Stoner is an accomplished actress, dancer and recording artist who is known from her performances in blockbuster franchises Step Up and Cheaper by the Dozen; to her voiceover work in the Emmy award-winning series Phineas and Ferb; to dancing in music videos for the likes of Missy Elliot and Eminem; and most recently her new music.
Earlier this year, Alyson came out publicly via her single “When It’s Right” and an essay in Teen Vogue, sharing her journey of falling in love with a woman for the first time. In this episode Alyson shares about wrestling with her faith and sexuality, coming out, and how she's learned to embrace mystery.
Alyson can be found on Twitter and Instagram, @alysonstoner. She's also on YouTube, youtube.com/therealalysonstoner.
Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod
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Matthew Vines is the author of God and the Gay Christian and founder of The Reformation Project, an organization seeking to reform church teaching on sexual orientation and gender identity. In this episode, he talks about the state of the queer faith movement in today's political atmosphere.
Matthew's work is responsible for bringing the national conversation around queer Christianity to a fever pitch with the publication of his book causing countless faith leaders and denominations to contend with his argument that one can, indeed, be queer and Christian. He has been featured by Time Magazine, The New York Times, Politico, NPR, and many others.
Matthew can be found on Twitter, @vinesmatthew and at matthewvines.com. The Reformation Project can be found on Twitter, @reformationp and at reformationproject.org.
Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod
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Mihee Kim-Kort is the author of Outside the Lines: How Embracing Queerness Will Transform Your Faith. She recently came out within a straight-passing relationship and in this episode talks about the process of embracing her identity while in a happy marriage.
Mihee's other writing and commentary can be found at TIME, BBC World Service, USA Today, Huffington Post, Christian Century, On Being, Sojourners, and Faith and Leadership. She is a Presbyterian minister and a PhD student in Religious Studies at Indiana University where she and her Presbyterian minister-spouse live with their three kids.
Mihee can be found at miheekimkort.com and on Twitter @miheekimkort.
Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod
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(This is an encore of Episode 23 with Alex G) YouTube superstar, Alex G talks about coming out, bi-invisibility, and Jr. High celebrity crushes.
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Bailey Brawner is the pastor of two United Methodist Churches in Alaska. She's a graduate of Boston University School of Theology and much of her work focuses on creating spiritual spaces for people who have experienced religious trauma. In this episode, she talks about being asexual and the unique position that places her in to navigate conversations around faith and sexuality.
Follow Bailey on Twitter, @baileynbrawner
Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod
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New York Times bestselling author Jen Hatmaker talks about going to her first ever pride parade (!), giving mom hugs, parenting, and faith shifts.
Jen is a sought-after speaker, a popular blogger, and beloved author of eleven Bible studies and books, including NYTimes Bestseller "For the Love" and her newest book "Of Mess and Moxie."
She is the happy hostess of a tightly knit online community where she reaches millions of people each week in addition to speaking at retreats, conferences, and seminars all around the country. Jen and her hubby, Brandon, are founders of the organizations Restore Austin, which connects churches and non-profits in the Austin community, and the Legacy Collective, a giving community that granted more than a million dollars in its first year. The couple also pastors Austin New Church and lives on the outskirts of Austin with their 5 kids: Gavin, Sydney, Caleb, Ben, and Remy, in a 1910-era farmhouse which they recently overhauled as stars of the HGTV series "Big Family Renovation".
To find out more about Jen, visit her over at www.jenhatmaker.com
Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod
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Join Matthias and Rika Lively as they discuss gender and its intersections with respectability politics. Rika just finished her first year of seminary and is interested in queer studies as well as studying spiritual trauma. She has worked in the local church over the past seven years in various ministries including communications, missions, and student ministry. Rika currently works in Communications and is interested in nonprofit work that focuses on empowering the LGBTQ community. In her free time, Rika spends time with her wife, Meaghan, playing Nintendo games and hanging with their dog, Hercules.
Rika can be found on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @rikadonye. She also writes for Our Bible App.
Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod.
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(This is an encore of Episode 26) Recording artist Trey Pearson made headlines when he came out. In this episode, Matthias and Trey discuss Trey's new album and the part of coming out nobody talks about: grief.
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Join Jennifer Knapp, Beth Carlson-Malena, Tyler Alan Jacobs, and Michelle Douglas as they discuss the gifts of the LGBTQ2 community on a panel moderated by Matthias. This long-form episode was recorded live from SpiritPride Vancouver in downtown Vancouver, BC, Canada on July 28, 2018.
Tyler Alan Jacobs is a First Nations two spirit activist and Salish warrior representing the ways of the LGBTQ2+ and Squamish Nation. Born and raised Coast Salish, he is also a designer making traditional clothing and regalia’s for the past twelve years. Although he is now sought out as a teacher, speaker and healer, he was not always accepted. Shortly after coming out as a youth, he was beaten so severely that his face required $30,000 of reconstructive surgery, leaving still-visible scars. Historically, individuals with cross-gender identity were revered in First Nations cultures and looked to as leaders, visionaries, and healers. Embodying both masculine and feminine traits, two-spirit people were thought to be blessed with the ability to move between gender roles and were given important spiritual responsibilities as result. Tyler has embraced this heritage and says his history has made him who he is today.
Michelle Douglas is the Director of International Relations at the Canadian Department of Justice and Chair of the Reconciliation Panel for the Federal LGBTQ2 Apology. For more than a decade, Michelle has volunteered as the Chair of the Board of Directors of WE Charity – an international charity that empowers and inspires young people to create positive and transformative change in their lives and their communities. Her passion for social justice and LGBTQ2 rights in particular, has garnered her the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.
Jennifer Knapp is an Grammy-nominated and Dove Award winning musician, singer and LGBTQ2 advocate who has appeared in various interviews with CNN, The Advocate, and Christianity Today. She is the presenter of Inside/Out Faith events – a platform of dialogue and music that “seeks to actively engage faith communities in order to educate, affirm, and foster support of LGBT persons and their allies.” Her very public “coming out” experience in 2010 has empowered her message of inclusion; addressing the controversial topic of “Can you be gay and also Christian?” Through her music, story-telling, and conversations Jennifer has discovered the healing that comes from breaking the silence.
Beth Carlson-Malena, MDiv is Director of Community at Generous Space Ministries in Canada. After completing her BSc in Biology, she moved to Vancouver to study theology at Regent College, where her dual call to pastor and to work alongside marginalized people became clear. She loves her work at Generous Space Ministries, facilitating connections and understanding between LGBTQ+ Christians, their families, and their churches, and offering pastoral care to people with diverse perspectives and experiences. Beth also co-pastors a new Vancouver church startup called Open Way Community Church, a diverse, inter-generational, inclusive community that welcomes everyone.
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This is a raw, unedited recording of Matthias' keynote recorded live from SpiritPride Vancouver 2018 in downtown Vancouver, BC, Canada.
In this keynote, Matthias talks about spiritual gifts, the gift of being queer, and the inherent queerness of the Christian faith.
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Joel Hollier is an Australian former pastor who prominently taught that celibacy was the only option for LGBTQ+ Christians. As a gay man himself, he became a prominent voice in Australia promoting this view. Through many years of prayerful discernment, revisiting the Bible and discovering new ways of thinking, Joel’s mind on this topic was slowly changed and he lost everything. Today, he is passionate about helping people see that their identity is most beautifully captured when we see ourselves as children of God, and that being LGBT can be a glorious part of this beauty.
Joel lives in Sydney, Australia and has degrees in Social Work and Theology. He is completing a PhD on the vital place of LGBT people in the evangelical church.
Joel’s Bible + Faith + Sexuality project can be found at biblefaithsexuality.com. He also works with Equal Voices Australia, equalvoices.org.eu. He can be found on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, @joelhollier
Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod
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Erin Green is one of three Co-Executive Directors for Brave Commons, a movement supporting intersectional queer justice on Christian university campuses. She holds a BA from Azusa Pacific University in Biblical Studies and is currently in grad school at San Francisco Theological Seminary working on her MDiv degree. In this episode, we talk about the unique struggle that queer students face at Christian colleges and the work Brave Commons is doing to support them.
Erin is a LGBTQ+ faith advocate and activist most recognized for her work as the former Executive Director of Biolans' Equal Ground (BQU) at Biola University where she successfully led demonstrations in support of Biola's Queer community. In addition to on-campus work, Erin has worked for several non-profits as a grassroots community organizer and faith consultant and has featured works on Huffington Post. Her passion for and knowledge of the biblical text help her navigate through discussions with Christian institutions, faith leaders, and faith communities. She works to help reform these communities to empower the marginalized and oppressed in the name of Christ.
To find out more about Erin and her work at Brave Commons, visit www.bravecommons.org. Follow them on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, @bravecommons.
Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod
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(This is an encore of Episode 28 with Laura Beth Taylor.) Author and blogger Laura Beth Taylor shares her story as a transwoman of faith and chats about how living authentically doesn't necessarily mean living without a filter.
Check out Laura Beth's blog: www.laurabethtaylor.com
Grab a copy of her book, Shattering Masks: http://a.co/gSkTnuZ
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Daneen Akers is a documentary filmmaker, writer, “cautiously Christian” seeker, and mother who believes deeply in the power of stories. Her film projects explore faith, identity, and belonging and include the feature documentary, Seventh-Gay Adventists, which screened at numerous film festivals around the world and Outspoken, a series of seven short documentary films about LGBTQ Adventists who are living out their faith and who they are in unique and compelling ways. Her new project is Holy Troublemakers & Unconventional Saints, an illustrated children’s book with profiles and original portraits of 50 people of various faiths who worked for love and justice, even when that meant rocking the religious boat.
To find out more about Holy Troublemakers & Unconventional Saints, visit http://www.holytroublemakers.com. To watch Seventh-Gay Adventists and the Outspoken series, visit http://www.sgamovie.com. Daneen is on Twitter, @daneenakers.
Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod.
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(This is an encore of Episode 8 with Rosemary Jones -- Matthias is graduating this week from grad school and knee-deep in final assignments. Queerology will be back next week with a new episode!)
As a bisexual woman who loves Jesus, Rosemary Jones believes the process of embracing all of who we are is what will bring about beauty that can change the world. In this episode she talks about the complexity of being bisexual while in a straight passing marriage.
Rosemary can be found at theartofrosemary.com
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Jeremiah Stanley is a creative director, social media lurker, and is running away from his childhood calling by refusing to go to seminary. He's also Matthias's best friend. In this episode they sit down to talk about his experience working for The Navigators - a Christian campus ministry - going through reparative therapy, and what happened when he started to come out.
Jeremiah can be found on Twitter and Instagram, @miahstanley.
Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod
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Vicky Beeching is a writer, speaker and equality campaigner named by The Guardian as "arguably the most influential Christian of her generation." Previously, she worked as a songwriter and worship leader throughout her twenties and half of her thirties and her songs are some of the most-sung in churches around the globe. When she came out as gay, all of that changed. On today's episode, Vicky talks about coming out, living with chronic illness, and the importance of Pride.
Vicky has degrees in theology from Oxford University and has recently returned to academia part-time, alongside her writing and speaking, to do a Ph.D. Her first book, Undivided,is out today with HarperCollins.
Find out more about Vicky at vickybeeching.com. She's across social media @vickybeeching.
Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod.
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Queerology is on break and will return next week with Vicky Beeching!
(Encore release of Episode 14) For the last two decades, Justin Lee has been an influential Christian advocate for LGBT affirmation, best known for working across areas of theological disagreement to promote grace and mutual understanding. His book Torn: Rescuing the Gospel from the Gays-vs.-Christians Debate has been widely cited for its role in changing conservative Christians’ attitudes and helping Christian parents accept their LGBT kids. In this episode, Justin discusses leaving GCN, the power of nuance, and his upcoming projects.
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Queerology is one year old! Listen in on the first ever listener created episode made from stories submitted from all over the world. A big thank you to everyone who submitted stories and here's to another year of Queerology!
Queerology is made possible by supporters on Patreon. To help support Queerology head over to patreon.com/matthiasroberts
Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod.
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This week, instead of listening to Queerology, help create it.
Next Tuesday, Queerology is turning ONE! To celebrate, we're creating the first-ever listener made episode!
For all the details, listen in here, and then head over to matthiasroberts.com/oneyear
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Enneagram Master, Suzanne Stabile joins Matthias to talk about the ways the Enneagram intersects with queerness. Suzanne is a highly sought after speaker and teacher, known for her creative approach to Enneagram instruction. She has conducted over 500 Enneagram workshops over the past 25 years.
Suzanne is the author of the newly released book The Path Between Us: An Enneagram Journey to Healthy Relationships and the co-author of the book The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery. Her Enneagram resources can be found at lifeinthetrinityministry.com.
To find out more about Suzanne, visit her website at suzannestabile.com. She's on Twitter and Instagram, @suzannestabile.
Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod.
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Rev. Broderick Greer is a priest on staff at Saint John’s Cathedral in Denver where he directs liturgy and oversees ministry with people in their 20s and 30s. In this episode he talks about theology as a tool for liberation.
Broderick occasionally offers lectures and facilitates conversations related to the interplay of culture, theology, and justice. His work has appeared in The Guardian, Teen Vogue, The Washington Post, and OnBeing.
Follow him on Twitter, @broderickgreer. Check out his website at broderickgreer.com.
Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod.
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Julien Baker is a Tennessee based singer/songwriter with a knack for finding the shaky ground between heart-wrenching and cathartic. Her solo debut album, Sprained Ankle, was one of the most widely acclaimed works of 2015. In this episode she talks about uncertainty, church hopping, anxiety, and identity.
Julien has performed on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, was one of Out magazine’s Out100 in 2017, and has been featured by The New York Times, Paste, The New Yorker, GQ Magazine, Vice, NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts, and so many more.
Be sure to pick up a copy of Julien's new album Turn Out the Lights wherever music is sold. She can be found across the internet, @julienrbaker.
Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod.
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This is an encore of Episode 18 with Kenji Kuramitsu. Kenji is a writer and Master of Divinity student living in Chicago, IL. He is a queer fifth-generation Japanese American, and serves on the board of the Reformation Project and the Japanese American Citizens League.
Kenji believes that our worship and our prayers and our way of living are all intimately intertwined: what we do in our prayer affects our beliefs, which in turn affects our very way of being in the world. Praying shapes believing shapes living as faithful Christians in a world torn apart by social ills.
His new book, “A Booklet of Uncommon Prayer” explores this idea as a collection of collects for the Black Lives Matter movement and beyond. It is available from Evangelicals for Social Action: evangelicalsforsocialaction.org/booklet-uncommon-prayer/
Follow him online via Instagram and Twitter: @afreshmind.
Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod.
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Jarell Wilson is a graduate of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, a Social Media addict, and a blogger. In this episode he shares some of his story and his process of going into ministry.
Jarell attended Baylor University and graduated from the University of North Texas. He’s a proud Austinite; a Reconciling Ministries Board Member and a scented candle aficionado. Besides meeting Beyoncé, his life goal is to get the Queen of the U.K. to use “y’all” in a sentence.
Jarell's blog can be found at jarellwilson.wordpress.com. He's on Twitter and Instagram, @thejarell.
Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod.
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New York Times bestselling author Rachel Held Evans joins Matthias to talk about her process of becoming affirming, what she's learned about being an ally, and her new book, Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again.
Rachel has been featured in the Washington Post, The Guardian, Christianity Today, Slate, The Huffington Post, the CNN Belief Blog, and on NPR, BBC, Today,and The View. She served on President Obama’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, and keeps a busy schedule speaking at churches, conferences, and colleges and universities around the country.
Rachel is married to Dan, and they have a two-year-old and a second child on the way. Her work can be found at her website, rachelheldevans.com. She's on Twitter and Facebook at @RachelHeldEvans.
Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod.
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Austen Hartke is the author of Transforming: The Bible and the Lives of Transgender Christians, and the creator of the YouTube series Transgender and Christian. Today, he sits down with Matthias to talk about his new book, bodies, yoga, and spiritual practices that help us get into our bodies.
Austen is a graduate of Luther Seminary’s Master of Arts program in Old Testament/Hebrew Bible Studies, and is the winner of the 2014 John Milton Prize in Old Testament Writing from the same institution. As a transgender person of faith, Austen’s greatest passion is helping other trans, nonbinary, and gender-diverse people see themselves in scripture.
Get a copy of Austen's book here: www.bit.ly/TransformingBook. To find out more about his work, visit austenhartke.com. He's on Twitter and YouTube, @AustenLionheart and on Facebook at Austen Hartke.
Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod.
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This is an encore episode of Episode 24 - SueAnn Shiah's "Why Isn't Your Identity in Christ?" SueAnn answers that pesky question with philosophical insight.
Queerology will be back next week. Until then, check out Matthias' recent interview on the podcast Conscious Construction: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/conscious-construction/id1352086724?mt=2&i=1000407130427
SueAnn Shiah (@sueannshiah) is a Taiwanese American musician and filmmaker and emerging Reformed theologian specializing in identity formation, racial justice, gender, and sexuality. Her first feature length documentary HuanDao premiered in Fall 2016 in Nashville, TN. In addition to her own creative and theological works, she collaborates with other artists and musicians in a variety of capacities as an artist manager, producer, audio engineer, songwriter, and creator of liturgy.
Sign up for SueAnn's email list and get her workshop recording (as mentioned in the episode) here - https://goo.gl/forms/uqTXYRAjIj3ZCDlu1
Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod.
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Kevin and Matthias sit down for Queerology's first ever live recording. Find out what happened when Nadia Bolz-Weber pulled Kevin aside and asked "will you serve communion with me?"
Kevin Garcia is a speaker, creative, musician, content creator, and worship artist based in Atlanta. After coming out in 2015, Kevin has reached thousands through his blog (thekevingarcia.com), his podcast (A Tiny Revolution), and his YouTube channel where he unpacks theology and addresses life as a queer person of faith.
Kevin works with The Reformation Project and is currently working on his M.Div at Columbia Theological Seminary. He believes that by telling our stories, we set others free to tell theirs.
Kevin is on Twitter @theKevinGarcia_ and on Instagram @thekevingarcia.
Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod.
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Jonah Venegas is a queer Asian Christian, poet, and blogger currently working on an M.A. to be a mental health therapist. In this episode he talks about dying his hair, how that invited him into his queerness, and the grief that comes with stepping into new spaces.
Jonah likes to talk and write about the intersections of faith, sexuality, mental health, how to change the world, and whatever anime might currently be occupying his headspace.
Jonah's work can be found at www.jonah-ven.com. He's on Twitter: @jonah_ven and on Instagram: @jonah.ven
Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod.
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Emmy R. Kegler is the pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Northeast Minneapolis (gracenempls.org) and the founder and editor of Queer Grace, an encyclopedia of online resources around LGBTQ life and faith (www.queergrace.com). In this episode she sits down with Matthias to talk about her complicated relationship with scripture and fighting for blessing.
Emmy's work can be found at www.emmykegler.com. She's on Twitter: @emmykegler and Facebook: facebook.com/emmykegler.
To find out more about the Queer Grace Community in the Twin Cities area, head over to facebook.com/qgcomm.
Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod.
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Therapist and founder of The Christian Closet, Candice Czubernat discusses the complexities of mental health while living as a queer people of faith. Candice was named one of the "10 Pro-LGBT Religious Women You Should Know" by The Advocate and is an active blogger and speaker around issues of LGBTQ Christianity and mental health.
Her practice can be found at thechristiancloset.com, she blogs at candiceczubernat.com. She's on Twitter: @TheChristianCL and Facebook: facebook.com/thechristiancloset.
Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod.
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GLAAD nominated actress, author, and playwright Tina Alexis Allen joins Matthias to talk about her new book Hiding Out: A Memoir of Drugs, Deception, and Double Lives. Growing up as the youngest of 13 in a conservative Catholic family with an authoritarian father, Tina held a secret: she liked girls. When Tina was 18, her father accidentally discovered the truth about her sexuality. Instead of dragging her to confession and berating her with sermons about sin and damnation, her father shocked her with his honest response. He, too, was gay.
Tina is on Twitter and Instagram, @tinaalexisallen. You can find more of her work over at www.tinaalexisallen.com
Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod.
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Dr. Robyn Henderson-Espinoza is back! Today, they sit down with Matthias to talk about their new work about fear, anxiety, and the tyranny of the now. How do we live well in our current political climate? How do we work with our fear and our anxiety? And what does philosophical theology have to do with any of it?
Dr. Robyn was just named one of the "10 Faith Leaders to Watch in 2018" by the Center for American Progress. They are a nonbinary, transgender Latinx theologian with a PhD in Constructive Philosophical Theology and Ethics. Their work has been featured by HuffPost, Sojourners, Religion Dispatches, and The Work of the People.
Click here to listen to Dr. Robyn's first episode on Queerology (Episode 4).
Dr. Robyn can be found at iRobyn.com and on Twitter and Instagram, @iRobyn.
Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod.
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Dr. R. Marie Griffith is one of the leading scholars on sex, gender, religion, and American politics. Her new book, Moral Combat: How Sex Divided American Christians and Fractured American Politics exposes and explores the intimate connection sex has had on politics. Today, she sits down with Matthias to walk back in history and answer the question "how did we get to where we are today in the fight for LGBTQ rights?"
The two books Dr. Griffith mentions in the episode are:
- Reforming Sodom: Protestants and the Rise of Gay Rights by Heather R. White
- After the Wrath of God: AIDS, Sexuality, and American Religion by Anthony M. Petro
Dr. Griffith is on Twitter, @RMarieGriffith.
Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod.
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Critical race theorist and author, Dr. Robin DiAngelo sits down to talk with Matthias about holding both marginalized (queer, gender) and privileged (white) identities. She's the author of What Does It Mean To Be White? and the forthcoming White Fragility: Why It's So Hard For White People To Talk About Racism (Summer 2018).
*This is a re-release of Episode 3 due to Matthias having laryngitis. This is a foundational episode to the mission of Queerology, if you haven't heard it. Listen. If you have heard it, listen again.
Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram, @queerologypod.
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Alicia Johnston was a pastor in a Seventh-day Adventist Church until she announced via a viral video that she is fully inclusive and affirming of LGBT sexuality and gender, and that she is a bisexual Christian. Her story was covered by NBC, LGBT Nation, Auto Straddle, and Religion News. Today, she sits down with Matthias to talk about coming out as a pastor and the process of reconciliation she wen through.
Alicia can be found on Twitter @aliciaannej and her blog is aliciajohnston.com.
To find out more about the new documentary mentioned in the intro, "Belonging in the Body: Transgender Journeys of Faith" head over to generousspace.ca/shop
Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram - @queerologypod
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Rae Ingram is creating a new kind of podcast for queer people of color and their allies. She is a poet, spoken word artist, writer, actress, student and a lover of Christ. Rae is currently enrolled at Chicago Theological Seminary, where she is pursuing her Masters in Divinity with a focus in Chaplaincy.
QueerVotion can be found at www.queervotion.com and on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @queervotion. It releases every Wednesday on Apple Podcasts and SoundCloud.
For more information about the Oriented to Love retreat mentioned in the introduction, head over to http://www.evangelicalsforsocialaction.org/oriented-to-love/oriented-to-love-event/
Queerology is on Twitter and Instagram - @queerologypod.
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Alicia Crosby is a lover, healer, cultivator of space, and chaser of all things beautiful, divine, and just. She's the co-founder of the Chicago based nonprofit Center for Inclusivity.
In this episode, Alicia sits down with Matthias to talk about the very real work that goes into creating truly inclusive and "protected" space.
You can follow Alicia's work on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram - @aliciatcrosby. To find out more about Center for Inclusivity, go to www.centerforinclusivity.org.
Episode transcript available for download at http://matthiasroberts.com/queerology/e31-alicia-crosby/
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Matthias sits down to review the second half of Season 1 including listener submitted favorite moments. Queerology returns for Season 2 on January 9!
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Matthias sits down to review the first half of Season 1 including listener submitted favorite moments.
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Author and blogger Laura Beth Taylor shares her story as a transwoman of faith and chats about how living authentically doesn't necessarily mean living without a filter.
Check out Laura Beth's blog: www.laurabethtaylor.com
Grab a copy of her book, Shattering Masks: http://a.co/gSkTnuZ
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Brit & Sami Barron believe that every coming out should be celebrated, so they started sending celebration packages to newly out people and YAY Packages were born. They live in California where Brit is a pastor and Sami is a creative director and together they work to celebrate love wherever they find it. In this episode we talk about navigating churches as a queer couple, Brit's Ted talk "What Beyonce Taught Me About Race", marriage, and of course, YAY packages.
You can support Yay Packages via Venmo - @bbarron (just specify it's for Yay Packages). To help contribute to a Yay Package, reach out to them at www.yaypackages.com
Check out Brit's TED talk: https://youtu.be/fDzj9vRw5yM
For more information, head over to yaypackages.com or Brit's blog, britbarron.com.
Also, check out my new YouTube series with That Christian Vlogger here! https://youtu.be/WZRG1lU6LaU
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Recording artist Trey Pearson made headlines when he came out. This past week, his new solo album Love is Love released. In this episode, Matthias and Trey discuss the new album and the part of coming out nobody talks about: grief.
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She has danced alongside Nicki Minaj, Tori Kelly, and teaches at Millennium Dance Complex: professional dancer and choreographer Jasmine Rafael talks about her faith, dancing, and the importance of getting into our bodies.
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Artist and theologian SueAnn Shiah takes a philosophical approach in answering the pesky question "but, why isn't your identity in Christ?"
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YouTube superstar, Alex G talks about coming out, bi-invisibility, and Jr. High celebrity crushes.
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Worship leader and advocate Darren Calhoun talks about rediscovering power in worship, even in the face of damage.
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Bloggers David and Constantino Khalaf talk about being married and what queer marriages show us about God.
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Author Amber Cantorna talks about growing up as the daughter of a Focus on the Family executive...and coming out.
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Blogger and student Caitlin Stout talks about being out and proud at an evangelical Christian university.
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Author and speaker Kenji Kuramitsu talks about how the work of prayer and the work of resistance are intimately intertwined.
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Poet and artist Torri Horness of @notesontheway talks about middle spaces, belonging, coming into her body, and creativity.
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Trans activist Megan Hamlin talks about her faith, reading scripture, cyberbullying and about how there's room for everyone in the church.
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Mental health activist Gabrielle O'Neil talks about living with a mental health diagnosis and suicide prevention.
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Author and activist Justin Lee discusses leaving the Gay Christian Network, the power of listening, and his new projects.
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Mental health therapist Bethany Cole talks about how to do self care while holding the tension of both privilege and marginalization.
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Bisexual activist and creator of #FaithfullyLGBT, Eliel Cruz talks about bisexual history, the importance of telling stories, and upcoming plans for #FaithfullyLGBT.
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Advocate and field-organizer, Amelia Markham talks about her journey within Christianity, nuance and certainty, and about a systemic theology of sin.
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Activist, artist, and healer, Rachel Virginia Hester talks about grief, lament, #BlackGirlPsalms, and the power of agency for marginalized peoples.
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Newly appointed Interim Executive Director of The Gay Christian Network, Isaac Archuleta joins for his first interview since the announcement - find out what's in store for GCN.
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As a bisexual woman who loves Jesus, Rosemary Jones believes the process of embracing all of who we are is what will bring about beauty that can change the world.
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Self-compassion expert Kristy Arbon talks about mindfulness, body image, and how self-compassion can help queer people live better lives.
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Seminarian Michael Vazquez talks about Biblically based social justice, doing ministry work as a queer person, and finding freedom in our identities.
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Yoga therapist, Abi Robins talks about the importance of embodiment in our spiritual practices and theology.
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Trans*gressive Latinx theologian, Dr. Robyn Henderson-Espinoza talks on the difference between liberation and equality, collective flourishing, and a theology of radical difference.
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Critical race theorist and author Dr. Robin DiAngelo talks about what it means to be white amongst marginalized identities (hint: we don't get a pass on racism).
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Cuban-American writer and storyteller Lauren Ileana Sotolongo talks about hope, humanity, creativity, poetry, doubt, racial justice, and faith.
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Grammy-nominated recording artist Jennifer Knapp talks about coming out, reconciling her identity, and how her music has transformed since owning her story.
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