Last Updated on July 29, 2024 by Kittredge Cherry
LGBTQ Eastern Orthodox Christians and the spiritually adventurous wife of a gay man tell their stories in two new books this month.
They are a collection titled “‘For I Am Wonderfully Made’: Texts on Eastern Orthodoxy and LGBT Inclusion” and “Trust Truth: A Spiritual and Erotic Pilgrimage with My Gay Spouse,” a memoir by Trudie Barreras.
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“‘For I Am Wonderfully Made’: Texts on Eastern Orthodoxy and LGBT Inclusion,” edited by Misha Cherniak, Olga Gerassimenko and Michael Brinkschroeder.
Many LGBT Orthodox Christians face exclusion from church life and even violence, but this collection affirms them with articles by a variety of Orthodox theologians, clergy, scholars and activists. Five sections examine sexuality, theology, church, pastoral approaches, and hope for the future. The texts include academic papers, essays, transcripts of roundtable discussions and testimonies. Cherniak is a Russian living in Poland, an Orthodox Christian, and a translator and musician who works for the European Forum of LGBT Christian Groups. Gerassimenko is an Estonian scholar, teacher and community worker. Brinkschroeder is a gay Catholic theologian and sociologist, project manager of “Homosexuelle und Kirche,” and co-chair of the Global Network of Rainbow Catholics. Published by Esuberanza ( European Forum of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Christian Groups.)
“Trust Truth: A Spiritual and Erotic Pilgrimage with My Gay Spouse” by Trudie Schuyler Barreras.
This honest and deeply personal memoir shows how the author found a Christian basis to maintain her marriage after her husband acknowledged his homosexuality in 1973. They are still together 44 years later. She rejects the rigid sexual ethics of major denominations, learns the true meaning of eros and finds love as taught by Jesus. The book provides firsthand accounts of the development of Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) since the 1970s, outreach experiences in the Dominican Republic, and the interplay of spiritual retreats, meditation and other factors. The author is a New Mexico writer, artist, retired chemistry teacher and long-time MCC member. Published by Mercury HeartLink.
Just released
“Visions of Sodom: Religion, Homoerotic Desire, and the End of the World in England, c. 1550–1850” by H.G. Cocks. Published by University of Chicago Press.
“119: My Life as a Bisexual Christian” by Jaime Sommers. Published by Darton Longman & Todd Ltd.
Coming soon and available for pre-order
May 5, 2017
“The Straight Mind in Corinth: Queer Readings across 1 Corinthians 11:2-16” by Gillian Townsley. Published by SBL Press.
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.
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 Feb 2017: LGBTQ Christian books “Tantric Jesus,” “Bloomsbury Reader,” “Church of Whosoever” and “Queering Richard Rolle”
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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