Queer Theology

Queer Theology launched a big giveaway today, which gives me a great excuse to blog about them more generally.

First things first. The giveaway includes a signed copy of OtherWise Christian: A Guidebook for Transgender Liberation (signed by the author), as well as Transforming (signed by the author), Trans-Gendered (signed by the author), Walking Toward Resurrection (digital), as well as 5 other queer Christian books. This mega-pack also includes stickers, t-shirts, and a one-year subscription to the Sanctuary Collective including online courses, their monthly digital magazine Spit & Spirit, and an archive of past webinars.

Yeesh. I need to take a nap now! That’s a lot. Total value $304 (which seems low to me, especially given the priceless autographs, but ok…). They just want your email address so they can send you loving and supportive perspectives on LGBTQ Christianity. Seems like a win-win to me.

The giveaway ends October 10. Now, more about Queer Theology:

As I said in my first post about the work of Queer Theology:

In OtherWise Christian: A Guidebook for Transgender Liberation, I stick to gender and don’t rehearse arguments about “homosexuality in the Bible.” Instead, I list a few trusted resources in Appendix A for folk who want to explore those aspects. Queer Theology is one of those trusted resources.

I only included three recommendations (also Soulforce and The Reformation Project… which I’ll come back to another time). All three are resources that are intentionally trans-inclusive and generally offer a progressive world view, not just a single-issue treatment. Queer Theology definitely meets those criteria.

Queer Theology is a two-man show. Father Shannon Kearns is openly trans and the author of Walking Toward Resurrection, which makes the trans-inclusion really specific and personal. Meanwhile, the other half of the show, Brian, has been an outspoken ally for a long time and also brings that perspective to Queer Theology’s work.

Queer Theology has lots going on for it and much of it is offered freely:

Daily (weekdays) Email Affirmations
Weekly lectionary podcast
A Self-Care Guide
Lots of free resources
And I’m sure I’m still missing some things…

The thing is that these guys have been at this for years, engaging directly with community members, and picking away at a lot more than just “clobber passages” about homosexuality or “how to make your church inclusive” topics. There’s “Activism for Introverts” and “Prayer” and “How to Read the Bible” and “Relationships” and “Coming Out” and more.

These guys are prolific, but Brian and Shay are also really quick to reframe problematic questions to find a more healthy approach to a topic. This is really important because it is so easy to get caught in conversations that can be really unhelpful.

IN ADDITION to all that’s going on for free, they also have some paid and premium offerings, including webinar/online courses, digital/audio books, and online community (called the Sanctuary Collective) with weekly discussion questions, and a monthly digital magazine called Spit & Spirit, and a book club. Did I mention that these guys are prolific?

Actually, I’m going to stop there… for now… and see if I can get some more inside scoop for a further profile of the Sanctuary Collective. It’s all too much for one post.

Here are some of my other blog posts riffing off of their stuff (which are more representative of my blogging emphasis than a broad view of their work):

You’ll find lots more (and also a variety of different kinds of stuff on their website and archives).

Summary: These are good guys and they do good work. Plus, they are giving away a bunch of cool stuff! Check them out!

Compiled by Mx. Chris Paige on September 22, 2019.

Note: This blog is intended to be an on-going work in progress. Please contact us if you have corrections or are able to contribute further context or reflections.