Last Updated on January 14, 2024 by Kittredge Cherry
Bisexual Christian experience and the Biblical story of Sodom are explored in new LGBTQ books this month.
They are “Visions of Sodom: Religion, Homoerotic Desire, and the End of the World in England, c. 1550–1850” by H.G. Cocks and “119: My Life as a Bisexual Christian” by Jaime Sommers.
“Visions of Sodom: Religion, Homoerotic Desire, and the End of the World in England, c. 1550–1850” by H.G. Cocks.
This scholarly book examines how the Biblical story of Sodom shaped British understandings of homoerotic desire and behavior in the 300 years after the Reformation. It also looks at the ancient roots of the story of Sodom’s destruction for sin and its influence on today’s Christian fundamentalism. The author is associate professor of history at Nottingham University in England. Published by University of Chicago Press.
“119: My Life as a Bisexual Christian” by Jaime Sommers.
This memoir is one of the only books on bisexuality and Christianity. The author writes about her childhood in Wales, her adolescent attractions to girls and boys, and her life as a bisexual Christian preacher and mother of three, married to a man for 20 years. After a brief, isolated incident when she kissed another woman, the church subjects her to a disciplinary process leading to depression, anxiety and isolation. Despite being wounded by the experience, she still maintains love for God and the church. The title “119” is the number of words used to sum up bisexuality in the Church of England’s 2003 report on human sexuality. Foreword by gay Anglican priest Jeremy Pemberton. Jaime Sommers is the author’s pseudonym. Published by Darton Longman and Todd.
Just released
“Carnal Knowledge of God: Embodied Love and the Movement for Justice” by Rebecca Voelkel. Published by Fortress Press.
“Jonathan’s Loves, David’s Laments: Gay Theology, Musical Desires, and Historical Difference” by Dirk von der Horst. Foreword by Rosemary Radford Ruether. Published by Wipf and Stock.
“Retreating Forward: A Spiritual Practice with Transgender Persons” by David Elias Weekley. Foreword by David Equality Watters. Published by Wipf and Stock.
Coming soon and available for pre-order
May 23
“Queer, There, and Everywhere: 23 People Who Changed the World” by Sarah Prager (author) and Zoe More O’Ferrall (illustrator). Includes at least four devout Christians such as Father Mychal Judge and Saint Joan of Arc. Published by HarperCollins.
June 13, 2017
“Building a Bridge: How the Catholic Church and the LGBT Community Can Enter into a Relationship of Respect, Compassion, and Sensitivity” by James Martin. Published by HarperOne.
June 20, 2017
“The Straight Mind in Corinth: Queer Readings across 1 Corinthians 11:2-16” by Gillian Townsley. Published by SBL Press.
Sept. 4, 2017
“A Brief Guide to Ministry with LGBTQIA Youth” by Cody J. Sanders. Published by Westminster John Knox Press.
More LGBTQ Christian books
New in April 2017: “Trust Truth” and “For I am Wonderfully Made”
Top 35 LGBTQ Christian books of 2016 named
Top 25 LGBTQ Christian books of 2015 named
Top 25 LGBTQ Christian books of 2014 named
Basic LGBTQ Christian books: Where to start?
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