In 2009, Bishop Yvette Flunder contacted me about this idea she had for a formal transgender ministry of the Fellowship of Affirming Ministries (TFAM). She was calling it TransSaints.
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The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries (TFAM)
This week, I will be gathering with the Fellowship of Affirming Ministries (TFAM) in Atlantic City, NJ for the TFAM Convocation. The Convocation is an annual gathering of TFAM folk from across the country and around the world.
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Booking Events for Fall 2019
I am eager to talk about OtherWise Christian: A Guidebook for Transgender Liberation and related themes! The following weekends are looking viable for me to travel beyond the immediate mid-Atlantic. I would hope to book multiple events or activities (could be with several partner organizations) on such a trip.
OtherWise Christian on Instagram
So I created an Instagram account for OtherWise Christian. I am hoping that this week, I will be able to make good on my (perennial) pledge to take more selfies.
Ballroom Community
In chapter 25 of OtherWise Christian: A Guidebook for Transgender Liberation, I wrote about ballroom culture, but with some fear and trembling. My knowledge of ballroom is mainly derivative, through friends/colleagues and through media. In an earlier time, the Philadelphia Trans Health Conference held Friday night ball events. In short, I know enough to know how little I know–and I know enough to know that it’s important to get it right.
Book Event at Old First UCC (Philly) for PTWC 2019
Old First Reformed (United Church of Christ) has graciously offered to host a Center City book event in honor of the Philadelphia Trans Wellness Conference. This will be the second OtherWise Christian event of the week, with Tabernacle hosting a launch event on Wednesday night (July 24).
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Philly Book Launch Event!
I wrote a book! OtherWise Christian: A Guidebook for Transgender Liberation.
We’re going to hold a book launch event at Tabernacle United Church in (University City) Philadelphia on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 starting at 6pm. This is also the eve of the Philadelphia Trans Wellness Conference, so we hope that some folk who are arriving will also be able to join us!! (Can’t do Wednesday night? How about Saturday (July 27) at Old First?)
Abomination (to’evah)
In chapter 9 of OtherWise Christian: A Guidebook for Transgender Liberation, I grappled with this word “abomination.” This is a favorite anti-gay clobber word and it has been weaponized time and again. In chapter 9, I wrote:
“Law and order” kinds of Christians may pick and choose (in other words, cherry-pick or proof-text) particular verses to be used as a weapon to condemn or judge. Deuteronomy (and Leviticus) are great sources for such one-liners, including the anti-gay favorite “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination [to’evah]” (Leviticus 18:22 KJV). In my experience, this English word, “abomination,” has become almost synonymous with Christians spitting hatred at same-gender-loving people.
Peterson Toscano
One day, a long time ago, some guy named Peterson invited me out to have coffee in Philadelphia and to discuss his play about transgender Bible characters. Honestly, I was really skeptical. However, Peterson had done his homework, not only in terms of the Bible, but by talking extensively with people of transgender experience to really develop some awareness and cultural competence of our lived experience.
Ebed-melech: The “Other” Ethiopian Eunuch (CORRECTED)
CORRECTION: While the “other” Ethiopian eunuch DOES n’t appear in Transfigurations: Transgressing Gender in the Bible, I DIDN’T REALIZE IT!!
Here’s my advice watch BOTH the lecture version AND the performance version. There is some overlap, but you’ll miss some important insights if you only take the time to do one or the other.
Peterson Toscano has also done important work bringing this story to light. Ebed-melech wasn’t in the original performances (back in the day), but Toscano tells the story on the Transfigurations DVD in the lecture version, chapter 7, which debuted in the live performances around 2010 (according to Peterson).
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