Saints Archives - Page 4 of 16

Virginia Mollenkott: Trailblazing queer theologian and feminist Bible scholar

by Kittredge Cherry | | Saints, Sept 15-30

Virginia Ramey Mollenkott was a trailblazing feminist Bible scholar and queer theologian whose 13 books liberated countless LGBTQ lives. She died peacefully in her home in New Jersey on Sept. 25, 2020, at age 88. Mollenkott shook the religious world with her...

Tyler Clementi: Gay teen driven to suicide by bullies

by Kittredge Cherry | | Saints, Sept 15-30

Tyler Clementi (1992-2010) brought international attention to bullying-related suicide of LGBTQ youth by jumping to his death on Sept. 22, 2010. Clementi’s highly publicized tragedy made him into a gay martyr whose untimely death put a public face on the problems of...

John McNeill: Pioneering gay priest who inspired LGBTQ people of faith

by Kittredge Cherry | | Saints, Sept 15-30

John McNeill was a pioneering gay priest, psychotherapist, author, theologian and Jesuit scholar who inspired countless LGBTQ people of faith and their allies. He died on Sept. 22, 2015 in a hospice in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with his partner of 49 years, Charles...

Henri Nouwen: Priest and author who struggled with his homosexuality

by Kittredge Cherry | | Saints, Sept 15-30

Henri J. M. Nouwen was a Catholic priest and bestselling author who wrestled with his own homosexuality in an intolerant church. He died on Sept. 21, 1996. Nouwen (1932-1996) remains one of the most popular and influential modern spiritual writers. He wrote more than...

Hildegard of Bingen and Richardis: Medieval mystic and the woman she loved

by Kittredge Cherry | | Saints, Sept 15-30

Hildegard of Bingen was a medieval German mystic, poet, artist, composer, healer and scientist — and likely lesbian. She loved another nun named Richardis and wrote with ecstasy about the Virgin Mary. She celebrated God’s green web of life as “viriditas.” Her...

Mark Bingham: Gay hero of 9/11 died resisting hijackers

by Kittredge Cherry | | Saints, Sept 1-15

Gay executive and rugby player Mark Bingham lost his life while fighting back against terrorist hijackers on Flight 93 on Sept. 11, 2001. He and other passengers worked together to prevent the hijackers from crashing the plane into a target in Washington DC, most...

Mychal Judge, gay saint of 9/11 and chaplain to New York firefighters

by Kittredge Cherry | | May 1-15, Saints, Sept 1-15

Mychal Judge, chaplain to New York firefighters and unofficial “gay saint,” died helping others in the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. He was the first recorded victim of 9/11. A popular Franciscan priest during his lifetime, he rose to...

Rainbow Mary affirms LGBTQ people

by Kittredge Cherry | | Saints, Sept 1-15

Rainbow icons of Mary highlight her compassionate connection to the LGBTQ community — evoking both controversy and celebration. Various rainbow Mary images by contemporary artists and activists are posted today at Q Spirit in honor of her birthday, which is...

What if Krishna and Christ made love?

by Kittredge Cherry | | Aug 1-15, Saints

. What if Christ met Krishna? Christ and Krishna are two of the greatest teachers of love that the world has ever known. Would they speak of love, even make love? This delightful possibility is considered here today in honor of Krishna’s birthday or Janmashtami, which...

Maurice and Theofredus: Same-sex paired saints and martyrs of Thebes

by Kittredge Cherry | | Saints, Sept 1-15

Maurice and Theofredus are third-century martyr-saints and soldiers of Thebes with a homosocial bond. They are shown as a same-sex pair in Renaissance art. Maurice’s feast day is Sept. 22 in the Catholic tradition and Dec. 27 in the Orthodox tradition. Theofredus is...